the HELLGATE blog

Anthro Technology Furniture

2011-09-19T20:50:00.000-07:00

Well designed workspaces for creatives and computer users.
www.Anthro.com

Wi-Fi activate t-shirt

2011-08-03T12:38:00.000-07:00

For sale at www.thinkgeek.com for $15

Podcasts

2011-08-03T11:09:00.000-07:00

APM Marketplace (American Public Media)

APM Marketplace Money (American Public Media)

Best of YouTube (flotsam from jetsam)

The Drabblecast (odd short stories)

The Drabblecast B-Sides (more odd short stories)

Escape Pod (short sci-fi audio stories)

Filmspotting (movie reviews)

Intelligence Squared (Oxford style debate)

KCRW Martini Shot (Rob Long, KCRW California)

KCRW Morning Becomes Eclectic (music)

Engines of Our Ingenuity - (KUHF Houston)

No Agenda (Crackpot and Buzzkill talk show)

Planet Money (National Public Radio)

On The Media (WNYC media deconstruction)

Pod Castle (fantasy fiction)

PseudoPod (short audio stories)

Science Talk (Scientific American)

Scott Sigler AudioBooks (horror, sci-fi, sports fiction)

Seth Harwood (crime fiction)

Slate Daily Podcast (Hang Up & Listen, Political Gabfest, Double X Gabfest)

The Stuff of Genius (quick videography of an influential inventor)

WTF with Marc Maron (not sure about this one)

60-Second Mind (1 minute brain factoid)

60-Second Tech (1 minute technology blurb)

60-Second Science (1 minute scientific insight)

60-Second Space (1 minute about space)

Macintosh Process Reference

2011-07-02T23:47:00.001-07:00

triviaware.com/macprocess/

Cool gifts: Smartbox

2011-06-27T21:27:00.000-07:00

www.smartbox.com

the dyson air multiplier

2011-06-27T19:01:00.000-07:00

I was on the fence about this product ... at first.

Sure, it looks like a background item from "Logan's Run". Optically-symmetrical, minimalist, 'plastic-ee' and (like most dyson products) highly-engineered, I still found it desirable in a 'fuckin'-expensive-new-gadget' sorta way. But none of that really sold me.

Then I was exposed to the television advertisement. Considering the likely media-buy from dyson (imagine lots of these:$), it was wholly unavoidable... even by Hoboes. Informative, minimalist and well-engineered (like most dyson advertisements) I was immediately affected by the little kid sticking his hand through the device (with overt references to an unguarded meat-slicer).

That 'No Blades, No Chopped-up Arm' scene was easily the best selling-point of the product. Not the aerodynamics, or the Bernoulli Principle or the blah blah blah and of course the blah.

I was sold on preventing the possibility my 5 year old son would loosen 8 frame screws, pop three alignment clips, remove the protective cover of my conventional running fan; standing at least 3.5 feet off the ground and oscillating, then... stick his hand into it. Likely causing some minor bruising.

But like I said" I was sold...".

Wizard of Clay

2011-06-21T01:13:00.000-07:00

The Wizard of Clay, at one time, was my source for those thoughtful and obligatory wedding gifts for folks with no register.

The Wizard makes some of the highest quality cooking pottery I have ever used. A quaint artisan potters shop in Bristol New York, they do ship. You don't actually have to try and figure out where Bristol is, to buy something.

I wish they still made this particular design of coffee mug (pictured). It's my favorite, and the last one in my possession. I have complete faith in modern adhesives, yet fear the 2 prior successful Superglue Surgeries might be all I can hope for.

The Wizard of Clay hasn't made a comparable mug in my opinion for a while. Maybe if someone shows a little appreciation they might return to the shelf. The bowls, on the other hand, have always been stellar, and still make it as a gift once and a while.

Scott Sigler: Bestselling Author and Failed Pimp

2009-08-12T22:18:00.000-07:00

If you're looking for something exciting to listen to on your Device, then give this initially unimposing Swell a listen (or a read if you're still into that). It won't be long before you're grinding your teeth and shrinking at the horrors this self-proclaimed: 'Future Dark Overlord' puts his heroes and heroines through at nearly every turn.

His stories, are fast-paced thrill rides that might just teach you something along the way. And by that I don't mean: how to use a machete correctly. Though fantastical in concept, they stick closely to known (or intelligently hypothesized) science, something often referred to as 'The Sigler-vers". What else would you call a place with futuristic outer-space multi-species aliens playing intergalactic football? But when you die – you stay dead, so at least that's normal.

Like most of his fans (that are bold enough to do so), I refer to myself as a Dirty Junky. That's another fairly unique feature of Scott's writing career: he spends a lot of time cultivating his Junkies. They consistently meet for readings, book launches, bar hops and for anyone that's a forum member, the opportunity to get their ass killed in a book.

Scott has perfected the story hang. No television program (short of 24 on FOX®) in recent memory has made me crave the next installment the way one of his audio podcasts usually would. And judging by his e-book, audio and 'brick and mortar' book sales; I expect there are a lot of others that feel similarly. Scott Sigler's Website

Engines of Our Ingenuity Podcast

2009-08-04T20:24:00.000-07:00

I have found these brief monologues packed with some exquisite descriptions of history, inspiration, invention and vision of people I've never even heard of. Frequently, it also leaves me intrigued and interested for more information about their topic. This podcast can be found by visiting the The Engines of Our Ingenuity website.

The Wilderness Prophet

2008-10-17T08:26:00.000-07:00

"Nature is ever at work building and pulling down, creating and destroying, keeping everything whirling and flowing, allowing no rest, but in rhythmical motion, chasing everything in endless song out if one beautiful form into another." John Muir

About John Muir