comprak.net

First, you’ll probably notice (if you’re using an iphone/itouch) that the site now shows up differently. Cheers! The theme is called wptouch and relies on user agents. If you’re using opera mini, it’ll show up as the regular site. I installed the theme so that I could write blog entries from the ipod touch itself.

Comments are on, because Lisa periodically harps on it and I have nothing better to do.

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I’ve found a comfortable groove with the iTouch. I think the interface is kind of clunky, in that from app to app the programs don’t necessarily act consistently; for instance, the map app doesn’t rotate at all, some apps rotate in keyboard view while others don’t, options and choices aren’t consistent either. I’m not talking about third party apps, just first party.

The third party apps are what make this thing shine: I can’t get over Stanza. Facebook’s app is well laid out, and eBay’s app is perfect. I can quickly flick from items I’m watching to items I’m selling, and it organizes it by relevant data. This isn’t actually the case on the site itself. With respect to Facebook and eBay, I much prefer accessing the sites from the iTouch.

Pandora is a really cool service, and is perfectly at home on the iTouch/iPhone.

Some more cons: the battery life is terrible. I use it non-continuously for no more than an hour a day (if that) and after two days, it needs to be charged. This doesn’t even include video or music. This is all just web browsing. I would take a thicker iTouch for better battery life any day.

The signal to noise ratio in the app store is horrible. There might be 140K apps, but I’d venture to say 139K are just flat out terrible. Gaming on this device is purely for the casual crowd: the fidelity of the accelerometer and the screen aren’t really all that good enough for anything beyond casual gaming. That being said, there’s a number of games I intend on buying at some point in the near future (Asphalt 5, Plants vs. Zombies, Vay).

I haven’t jailbroken it yet, but it’s only a matter of time.

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I went back to running. Incredibly, I ran the mile with no problem. I felt good enough to do two, but I didn’t have a phone to tell Lisa. I may try running two just to see if I can.

I had an inkling that I’m in better shape than I thought because, while in D.C., after several hours of walking, I ran with Nora in the stroller and wearing a ton of gear for several blocks without feeling winded.

It feels good to get back out on the pavement. More importantly, I’m trying to bring Lisa along on this interest.

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Wire Spoiler Alert

I read spoilers from time to time but nothing prepared me for this episode.

Bodie got his. He got it the same way Wallace got it. Interestingly, both Bodie and Wallace were shot because of their involvement with McNulty. If Stringer were around, Bodie would’ve been a number #2 without issue. Instead, he died doing the same thing he always did: running a corner.

I have mixed feelings about Bodie. I liked him as a character, even after taking out Wallace. If he hadn’t taken out Wallace, someone else would have, and possibly him too. So then what?

Michael is an 8th grader, no older than 13. He had choices. Instead he let the darkness consume him. Worse still, he’s bringing his little brother and Dukie for the ride. Dukie showed so much promise.

I have to wonder about Namond. It’s nice to see him get a chance, but it’s like he’s jumping from one life of luxury to another. He’s never not had a chance. He was Wee-Bey’s son, so he lucked out genetically; his acting out put him under the wing of Colvin, who then saved him from the ‘streets’. Lord knows Namond wasn’t going to have anywhere near the experiences of Dukie. That being said, here’s hoping Namond makes the best of this situation.

And what about Randy? How many stupid things had to go against him that he had no control over? Carver gave Randy to Herc because… guilt? Carver left Herc in the dust, both because he got his stripes first and he learned how to be decent police. Herc? He got his stripes not because of being a quality cop but because he saw the former mayor in a compromising position. Does Herc care that Randy is now getting daily beatings?

I read ‘What’s Allen Watching?’ and the recap of this episode reminded me how far we’ve gotten from the beginning of this season, which makes this season all the more draining. They started out as kids playing in the alleys, trying to catch a bird. And now? The show only covers a few months, yet these kids have burdens that they shouldn’t be allowed to carry.

End Spoilers

The beauty of the Wire is how it mirrors the realities of Baltimore. What makes it more interesting is re-aligning the general themes to applying it to Philadelphia. It puts the violence, school, politic and drug issues in perspective.

The show tells an accessible and visceral story. Not only that, there’s no wasted energy or emotion. Everything fits. It easily lives up to the ‘Best Television Show Ever’ moniker.

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