Jonathon Miller » Geekery

Going to APE

admin — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 17:53:00 +0000

On my way to #APE. Be sure to follow @DaveMcNerny on Twitter to find out where I’ll be handing out the sneak peeks.

Not Again with the Steinbeck Festival

admin — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 15:15:58 +0000

Oh my gosh. For years now I have been trying to go to the Steinbeck Festival. And, yet again things come up that prevent me from going. It’s the ultimate pilgrimage for any serious fan of Steinbeck (yes I am one of those pathetic creatures), and again I can’t go. It’s not like it’s as difficult for me to get to as Comic-Con, but yet again, it evades me. And it’s only in Salinas. A mere two hours away. If any of you are lucky enough to be there right now, please, feel free to gloat. Let me know what I’m missing. It will only strengthen my resolve to make it next year.

Fun with Typography

admin — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 23:10:34 +0000

Lately I have really gotten into Typography. I think the vintage typewriter has had something to do with it. Anyway, when I was at CSU Hayward (it will always be Hayward to me) I had a professor that put a great deal on emphasis on the visual impact of text. I agree. The way text looks on the page is every bit as impactful as what the words say. In that same vein, PBS offers up the great short documentary on typography. It’s from their Off Book series, which is meant to bring under-exposed art forms to the internet.

8-bit, Arcade or Console, we all have our favorite video game death

admin — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 14:34:57 +0000

I didn’t stand a chance growing up. I was destined to be a geek from the word go. Our first home computer was a Commodor 64, which my father brought home pretty much the moment it hit the market. When I wasn’t playing with the Commie 64 or cursing how lame the Atari 2600 version of ET was, I was in an arcade. In fact, on my parents league bowling night, the arcade at the alley was my favorite baby sitter. My dad always insisted on getting change for laundry at the local arcade.

Like most folks with a penchant for video games, I love the death scenes. Especially when someone else is playing. BoingBoing has done us all a favor by assembling a montage of the best video games deaths out there from the last thirty years. Check it out.

Star Wars Jedi Robe – A robe I might wear

admin — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 03:48:28 +0000

I have never been the type of guy to lounge around in pajamas, much less a bathrobe. I don’t know if it’s because I just don’t know how to relax, I’m often accused of being a work-a-holic, or I just can’t stand the idea of someone coming over and me not being dressed. Maybe I’m just not into comfort. I don’t know.

For this bastion of Jedi luxury however, I would be willing to give comfort and relaxation a try. Things like this offering from ThinkGeek bring out the true nerd in me. I am one of the few with an equal love for the both the Trek and the Wars. I don’t know what that says about me. I guess I’m just a little greedy, I want it all.

Normally I would just as soon put on a sweatshirt to stay warm in the morning. That way, I’m ready for anything. Unexpected company or an emergency trip to the store to restock the coffee shelf. Yes, I have coffee shelf in my house. A whole shelf . . . just for coffee. Ahhh, coffee. Oh yeah. If this robe happened to show up at my door, I would get used to it. I might even wear it out to pick up supplies to restock the coffee shelf. Ahhh, coffee shelf.

National Geographic Has Way Too Much Time

admin — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 16:25:12 +0000

Photo property of National Geographic

What kid didn’t dream up floating away on a bunch of balloons. Okay, for some of us it was more a nightmare, but a dream all the same.

The folks at National Geographic decided to realize Disney’s take on a childhood fantasy and recreate the house from Disney’s UP. Wow, I can’t begin to imagine how cool it would be to work on a project like this one. First of all, I just love building cool stuff. Then, somebody get to photograph this it. I have long envied the assignments, and talent, of National Geographic photographers. More so now. Add to that creating a life sized version of something from one of Disney’s films and you have the makings of a dream gig.

Read the article over at My Modern Met, if you think the ensuing envy won’t drive you nuts.

Missing the APE again

admin — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 02:59:26 +0000

The weekend was great. I got to make my photo trip to San Francisco, I got some good pics, and I had lunch with my in-laws. Look for some pics soon.

I also found out that I am going to miss the APE again. Not the giant flea eating simian, but the Alternative Press Expo. I have been trying to keep this on my calendar for a couple years now, but something always seems to get in the way. This year, I some how scheduled the principle photography for my student film that weekend. Yes, I am actually making a student film.

While I am slaving away that weekend, stuck behind a camera, pretending that I know what I am doing, you can make your way out to the APE, and let me know what you think. For those who have never been, it’s a small press gathering where you can find lot’s of indie comics, workshops, and all kinds of independent publications. It’s produced by the same guys that do Comic-con, but with a low brow, DIY feel to it. Check it out. Let me know what you think.

If anyone wants to blog from it, I’ll pick up your ticket. You can get your opinion out there in front of my tens of followers.

Holy Crap!!!

admin — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 21:29:22 +0000

Apparently J.D. Salinger’s toilet is a big ticket item. Check out this piece at Newobserver. Hipsters rejoice, this is your chance to own the throne that most contributed to Salinger’s work.

New Chicago is here

admin — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 06:37:21 +0000

It takes a real geek to be excited about this, and yes, I’m excited. The 16th edition of the Chicago Manual of Style is finally coming out. Why should you spend more on a book of bug killer proportions when yours is only one edition behind? According to The New Yorker’s The Book Bench blog, this one updates outdated ideas about the internet and more thoroughly addresses the areas where the print and electronic world come together.

I’ve already made my order through Amazon. Now I just have to find a way to get work to reimburse for this sort of stuff.

This also seems a timely place to mention I still have that little contest running. Send me a picture of the best typo you can find in print. You can check newspapers (if you can still find one), advertising, even your junk mail. Still have that prize to give away.

The Great Typo Hunt

admin — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 19:00:16 +0000

They did it. Jeff Deck and Benjamin Herson actually did it. In 2008 these grammar crusaders did what many of us who love language wish we could. Armed with their typo correction kit (e.g., Sharpies, White-Out and chalk), they traveled the country correcting typos in public signage. Then, wrote a book about it, i.e., The Great Typo Hunt.

On their two and a half month mission they completed a circuitous route around the United Sates and did as much learning about race relations, education, and workplace issues as they did correcting of typos.

They have since written a book and launched a second tour of the country, this time to promote their book. I wonder how much correcting they’ll be doing this time? They’ll be in San Francisco in September, maybe I can ask them my self.

What crazy typos have you seen out there? Send me a picture, the best one will win a prize. A typo free prize. Winner will be chosen the first week of September.