Biggs' Zone

A Geek's Cogitations, Conjectures and other Cortical Experiences

Biggs Declares 2017 Intentions (Not Resolutions)

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On January 6, 2017

In General Cogitation

2017 IntentionsI never make New Years Resolutions, I believe I’ve covered that before. As odd as it sounds, I have more motivation to complete a set of goals (instead of the proverbial “resolution”). So what are my 2017 intentions? I know this year will be a year of change but I’m not at liberty to say, yet, what will be changing. You will know when it happens because it will warrant a blog post (or two). I do not want to write another long-winded post so, for brevity sake, I’m going to get started.

Biggs Labs – Smart Home

I have all the components I need now to complete my Siri integration with SmartThings using a Raspberry Pi. I just need to make myself sit down to install and configure. My Christmas lights were the perfect test subject for programming automation using SmartThings Apps. While we were away for Christmas, SmartThings was programmed to turn on my outdoor Christmas lights and my indoor lights, thus making it appear that someone is home.

We have smart dimmer switches which we plan to install to control the LED ceiling lights. This will give us the capability to adjust the lighting, as necessary, using SmartThings/Z-Wave capable devices (i.e. our phones). Once the switches are installed and the Raspberry Pi is configured, I should be able to ask Siri to dim the lights (ex: for a movie, perhaps).

 2017 Goodreads Reading Challenge

In a previous post I took you through my year in books. I have already committed to the same reading challenge this year, however, I did not go crazy and set the goal to 25 books. I did set it to 15 books again because I know I came close last year. It’s going to come down to choosing the books carefully. Obviously the longer the book the longer it will take me to read it. I guess its good that George R. R. Martin doesn’t plan to release his next book this decade year. Here are a couple of books I am committing to this year:

  •   Summoner of Storms – I am currently about half way through book 3 of the Catalysts of Chaos series.
  •  War of the Ancients: The Sundering – Finish the final book in the War of the Ancients trilogy by Richard A. Knaak.
  •   Clash of Catalysts – Volume 4 of C. Greenwood’s Catalysts of Chaos series. The final chapter in Earth Realms battle against Rathnakar and his evil forces.
  •  Wrigleyville – A magical history tour of the Chicago Cubs. This is a book I’ve been wanting to read for years, however it is quite long.
  •  Heartless – The latest re-imagining of classic storybook characters by Marissa Meyer. I have high hopes for this book as Marissa Meyer tells a story about the Queen of Hearts, long before she was shouting “off with their heads”

 Fitness and Health

Flying Pig MarathonOf course I am doing the Walk to Mordor challenge again, in fact I will also complete the extra 1,625 miles for the “and Back Again” leg. This year I am determined more than ever as I need to drop 30 pounds (again). Around March I will start the Couch-2-5K training program again. I will complete it this time and I will then run my first 5K. If I miss all my other goals this year, running my first 5K will not be one of them. This is something I really want to accomplish. I haven’t chosen which 5K to run yet. It might be the Flying Pig or it might be the Red Legs.

If you are interested in trying the Walk to Mordor challenge yourself, I have a place where you can track your progress. Head over and sign up!

Professional Skills Development

One of my goals, every year, for my job is to learn a new technology that might be useful on a current project or on future projects. This will be important this year more than any other year. Therefore I am making it a personal 2017 goal to either learn something brand new and/or become proficient in something that has been recently updated. I don’t have anything specific in mind yet, but my preliminary thoughts are Angular 2 or Swift (iOS development language). I will be using my favorite online video learning sight, Pluralsight. It doesn’t matter what you do for a living, there is always an opportunity somewhere to improve on a skill or learn a new skill. It’s great for your career and its great for your mind.

All right, I’m starting to get too verbose. Stopping with this small list.

Good luck with your 2017 Intentions!

minions_icon

I could accomplish so much more if I only had minions!

 

2016 Reading Challenge – More Cowbell!

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On January 4, 2017

In General Cogitation

2016 Reading ChallengeAs a member of Goodreads I participate in their annual reading challenge, therefore I did not discuss books in my “Year in Review” post. Considering it was already quite lengthy I decided the books I read warrants a separate post. My initial goal for the 2016 Reading Challenge was a lofty 25 books, however around June or July I realized there was no way I was going to succeed. I reduced my challenge to 15 books but I ended the year having only read 12.

I am not a fast reader, nor am I a slow reader by any means. My “literary ineptitude”, as it were, is primarily the result of time and prioritization. I need to allocate more time to reading if I am to achieve my reading challenge goals. Be that as it may, I am going to take a look back at the books I read in 2016.

My 2016 Reading Challenge Read List

Below are the 12 books I read for the 2016 Reading Challenge. If I wrote a “Book Review” blog post, you will be able to click on the title of the book to read the review. If the author’s name is a link, it will take you to their website (in case you are interested in learning more).

My Choice for 2016 Best Read

As you can see I read several great books last year. Picking the best read for the year really comes down to two books: Armada and Kubrick’s Game. Ernest Cline is also the author of Ready Player One, a book that is now at the top of my list as one of my all time favorite books. As much as I enjoyed Armada I don’t think it invoked those nostalgic feelings like Ready Player One, and Kubrick’s Game.

Therefore Kubrick’s Game is my pick for the best book of the year for 2016! It is the perfect combination of movie nostalgia and puzzle mystery.

Folks that know the tale as to how I found out about Kubrick’s Game may be rolling their eyes. They might assume I picked that book because I was contacted by the author personally to read it and provide a review. I assure you that my feelings for the book are 100% genuine. My loyalties are not so easily bought and my endorsement is not so easily influenced. It is my honest-to-God feeling about the book.

What books did you read in 2016? Which one was your favorite?

diablo3-readingThe more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.
– Dr. Seuss

 

Biggs Zone – 2016 Year in Review

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On January 3, 2017

In General Cogitation

2016 Year in ReviewAnother year is over and we now look forward to a fresh start in 2017. As we prepare our resolutions or intentions or what have you, let’s reflect back with a 2016 year in review. By the way, there will be NO politics or political hot topics/agendas in this post.

I hate to start on a somber note but I would rather get the depressing stuff out of the way first. We lost some amazing celebrity icons this year. One of our favorite TV dads, Alan Thicke (“Growing Pains”), and our favorite TV mom, Florence Henderson (“The Brady Bunch”) both passed away this year. We lost our faithful Shepard on the Serenity, Ron Glass (“Firefly”). Some of the biggest icons in sports history, American history, and geek canon also passed away. These people include John Glenn, Nancy Reagan, Muhammad Ali, Arnold Palmer, Gene Wilder, Alan Rickman (“Snape”), and David Bowie. Star Wars and Star Trek both suffered tragic losses when our beloved Kenny Baker, known eternally as “R2-D2”, and Anton Yelchin, our modern day “Chekov” passed away.

2016 Year in Review

RIP Princess Leia

The hardest loss the Star Wars community suffered happened while writing this post. Our most beloved Princess and General, Carrie Fisher, passed away at 60 after suffering a major heart attack. I am beside myself after losing yet another one of my favorite actors. I send my thoughts and prayers to her family. MTFBWY, Princess Leia!

Thank you for enriching our lives with your gifts and Rest In Peace.

Ok, enough sad talk. Let’s move on to the brighter things of 2016.

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Movie Review – Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

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On December 28, 2016

In Movies, Reviews, Star Wars

Rogue One A Star Wars StoryRogue One: A Star Wars Story

Directed by: Gareth Edwards
Starring: Felicity Jones, Alan Tudyk

My Rating: [rating=5]

A second Star Wars movie in a year is a dream come true for Star Wars nerds the world over. I saw this movie in a Dolby Cinema off of Times Square in New York City. It’s one of 10 Dolby Cinema theaters in the country and this should be the only way to watch a Star Wars movie.

Rogue One takes a different approach to telling a story in the Star Wars universe. It’s a movie that isn’t part of the main story but it does make a significant contribution to the original story that we all first fell in love with.

This is a war movie and honestly, it isn’t a happy movie. In fact it’s probably one of the most depressing movie of all the movies (from a story perspective). I saw this movie the day after Carrie Fisher passed away so the final scene was probably the most heart-wrenching scene in the whole film. If you have seen this movie then you know to what I am comparing it to.

It Changes ‘A New Hope’

I talked about the story this movie was going to tell and I was right on the money. Granted that isn’t saying much because it doesn’t take a lot of imagination to figure out the plot of the movie. Jyn Erso discovers a message that tells her there is a weakness in the Death Star. If the Rebellion could obtain those plans, it would change the outcome of the war (which we all know it does).

Rogue One could literally be Part One of A New Hope. After watching the former you will want to go home and watch the latter immediately. It will change the way you see it.

Many other fans have said they think this movie is how Episode III should have ended. I can see their point but I liked the way III ended and I loved Rogue One. It was not better than The Force Awakens but it does present an interesting thought. Considering the success of the first two Star Wars after George Lucas sold the rights, perhaps Lucas was the problem with the prequels.

/MTFBWY

film_reelThe screen is a magic medium. It has such power that it can retain interest as it conveys emotions and moods that no other art form can hope to tackle.
– Stanley Kubrick

 

 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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On December 21, 2016

In General Cogitation

Merry Christmas and Happy New YearBefore things get really crazy, with Christmas only a few days away, I wanted to take the time to bid everyone a safe and very Merry Christmas. I hope the conclusion of your year is peaceful and bright! Please have a safe, and responsible, Happy New Year!

This year was another election year, and it was probably one of the most tumultuous years we have had in a long time. Over the past several months we have all been awfully cruel to one another because we all believe different things. We are all entitled to those beliefs and I applaud everyone with the conviction to stick to what they believe despite how ugly people can be. Christmas is a time to let go of those ugly feelings and focus on family, friends and how lucky we are. We should look to our fellow man for comfort and support. Sing Christmas carols (even if you don’t like Christmas music); it will make you feel better about yourself.

Sit beside a warm fire and watch a “feel-good” movie with your family and friends; something like “It’s a Wonderful Life” or “Miracle on 34th Street”. If you want something with a little more humor but with a feel-good ending, then perhaps “Scrooged” or “Four Christmases” will be more your speed. Whatever you watch or whatever you do to enjoy the season, just don’t spend it berating people on Facebook or Twitter. We all need to chill out (no pun intended) and focus on the things that are more important.

I hope 2017 will be a friendlier year.

Merry Christmas and God Bless!

apple_logo-263x300The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do
– Steve Jobs

TBT: One Year Ago, The Force Awakened

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On December 15, 2016

In Movies, Star Wars, TBT

The Force Awakened

It was actually December 18th, 2015 when The Force Awakened but it’s Throwback Thursday and the 18th is Sunday. As I sit on the cusp of the premiere of another Star Wars movie I love thinking about the success of The Force Awakens. I’m really happy how well it was received not only by Star Wars fans, but the majority of movie goers. Here are a few *numbers I found:

  •  It earned $935 million domestic, thus making it the biggest-grossing movie of all time in America
  •  It was the first movie to earn $750m on an initial release and the first to earn $800m, $850m, and $900m.
  •  By the end of the tenth day, it had earned $540 million domestic
  •  It ended up selling more tickets than all but maybe ten other movies in all of cinematic history.

The Force Awakens wasn’t everyone’s cup-of-tea but you can’t deny the amazing success the movie has had. I still remember the feeling I had as I was sitting in the theater waiting for the movie to start. The same feelings I had for several hours after the movie was over. The Force awakened the child in all of us because we all felt 10 years old again that day. Any reservations and skepticism we felt because Disney now runs the franchise were also blown to pieces.

Rogue One has a Tough Act to Follow

Tonight the first of the Star Wars spin-off movies premiers to the public. Rogue One: A Star Wars story will have a tough act to follow. I’ll be honest, I’m not setting my expectations very high because I think this movie is going to have a different appeal. We already know it will not have the iconic opening crawl and the score is not composed by John Williams (but fear not, Michael Giacchino is no slacker). So far the preliminary reviews are fairly positive with an 83% on the “Tomatometer“. I really don’t expect this movie to be as extraordinary as TFA but I do hope it will be loved by all the real Star Wars fans.

The movie does have all the right ingredients to be successful. As long as the acting is solid, the music is great and everyone understands how the story fits in; I think it will do well in the theaters. I am excited to see Rogue One but probably not as eager as I was to see TFA. There was a certain amount of mystery in The Force Awakens that Rogue One will not have, obviously. Even though Rogue One will not be quite as inscrutable, I still think our inner child will still be waiting with bated breath. A feeling that Star Wars has always inspired and that which Disney has fully restored.

* Numbers come from this Forbes article

The Force. It calls to you. Just let it in.

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