Merlins Tower

Sumo Bean Bag Omni :I Want One!

Posted on April 3rd, 2008 by Merlin.
Categories: Analog, Anything Else, Communication, Craft, Drawing, Health, Human, Journaling, Movies, TV, Video, XBOX.

Well - everyone here knows I like the simple things in life and I happened to see a photo of one of these Sumo Bean Bags -  Omni the Urban Lounge - To Quote the Sumo Website:

This super-sized pillow by Sumo is the ultimate solution for all your relaxing needs. We’ve come up with 10 ways to use it, but some people say we lack imagination!

It’s a crash mat, lounge chair, loveseat or floor pillow to name a few, but the possibilities really do go on.

Sumo Beanbags are made from space age rip-proof nylon and come filled with top quality Sumo Beads. Omni is 4.5′ x 5.5′ and it only weighs 18 lbs!

This looks like something I want to try out and use. I can see using this sitting in front of the TV and watching my favorite TV Shows (CSI, Big Bang Theory or Monk) or Playing the xbox! But really I can see this as a comfortable place to Lounge listening to some good music (like the New NIN - Ghost Album)  and Pulling out the good old jounral and putting the pen to paper and writing my thoughts away. possibly drawing some Zentangles. Someday If I ever get one of these ingenious bean bags I will have to write a review of it. In the mean time - Check out their site and decide for your self.

Merlin

Technorati Tags: Bean, Bag, Bean+Bags, Chair, Lounge, loveseat, floor+pillow, floor, Xbox, xbox+360, wii, Sumo, Omni, Urban, Urban+lounger, Urban, Lounge, Bead+Bag, Beads, Chair, Kids, Furniture, NIN, Ghost, Journaling

1 comment.

FOOD FIGHT: Zing it at them!!!

Posted on February 24th, 2008 by Merlin.
Categories: Adult, Food, Human, Movies, Video, YouTube.

My friend Bart just sent this at a tweet in twitter and had to share this.

This would be a nice un-fair advantage to the average food fight. But I think I finally found a good use for Brussels Sprouts. “I have some Brussels Sproots here do you waant anee” (Said in a Scottish Accent or a bad Sean Connery) I would love to have MK saying this right now….

I could just see the kids having a blast with these. Load them up with some mashed potatoes and Zing Away. I could see more food wasted them actually eaten.

That remind me of one of my favorite movies - Animal House - From National Lampoon - Ahh the good old movies. Will have to get it from Unboxed and watch it on the way to work.

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And in the mean time here is a clip I found on Youtube.

Technorati Tags: Food, Fight, Food+Fight, Animal, House, animal+house, zing, twitter, tweet, idea, unbox,

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Best Steak and Crabcakes ever!

Posted on February 20th, 2007 by Merlin.
Categories: Beer, Food, Life, Movies.

I have previously purchased some steaks from Omaha Steak Company and they are good. But by chance I got to try out some Steaks and Crabcakes from Sunrise Foods. All I can say is wow.

Yes every once in a while I like to invite a few friends over and have dinner and a movie. In fact we each share this task and cook dinner and share our favorite movies. Well, This time it was my turn and I went all out on the shindig this past weekend.

My friend Tom is who first introduced me to and told me to try out the home delivered foods from Sunrise Foods as they were the best he has ever tried.

Well, I visited their website and ordered their # 1 Sampler Pack (Crab Cakes and Garlic Lemon Chicken) and a package of steaks from them. The price was much better then when I purchased in the past from Omaha Steaks and I can honestly say the steaks are much much better as well.

My dinner included 3 friends and myself. What I prepared was a salad (Fresh Greens, some onions, tomatoes, and cukes), a baked potato, a green bean casserole, and a Delmonico steak for each of us.

My friend Dave bought the wine a wonderful Merlot a Yellowtail  Merlot from Australia - it paired nicely with the Delmonico Steak.

I cooked the steaks on a small propane grill that I have (I wish I had a bigger one) I didn't do anything to add flavoring or rub the steak with anything as I wanted to taste the true flavor of the meat. Plus I really dispise when you order a steak like at Outback Steakhouse and they "Flavor" it with their savory spices. I feel this ruins the true flavor of the steak. 

The Green Bean Casserole Turned out wonderfully - I got the recipe here 

I did nothing special with the baked potatoes except serve it with some sour cream, butter and a sprinkle of shredded cheddar cheese. I used a toaster oven set at 400 degrees and poked holes in the potato with a fork and set them in the oven for about 45 mins.

The dinner went well - Everyone absolutly loved the Steaks they just melted in the mouth and was full of flavor. The flavor was as I said earlier the best I have ever bought - I would highly recommend Sunrise Foods to anyone.

Dessert was just as remarkable - Heather brought dessert. That was a cheese cake from the cheesecake factory (She said she picked it up at Costco in their frozen food section) we got to pair that with a glass of Lindaman's Framboise Beer (raspberry). This paired so nicely with the cheesecake. I would recommend Framboise Beer. The history and how they make this beer is quite impressive and informative.

The movies I picked out for the evening were Casino and Citizens Kane - Both really good. Again movies I would recommend if you have never seen them before or really worth adding to your dvd movie collection. We didn't get to watch both as we ended up talking and laughing most of the evening.

I can't wait until the next Dinner and  Movie Night.

I want to thank my friend Tom for first introducing me to Sunrise Foods where I got to try the best Crab Cakes I ever had. They were huge and full of Crab Meat and no bread crumbs. Can't wait to try out the ones I purchased. Hmm maybe I will have some for dinner tonight.

Technorati Tags: Frozen+Steak, Steak, CrabCakes, Crab+Cakes, Delivery, Frozen, Lindaman, Framboise, Beer, Cheese, Cake, DVD, Citizens+Kane, Casino, Sunrise+Foods, Omaha+Steak, Review, Delmonico

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The Blue Man Group: Music Art

Posted on February 11th, 2007 by Merlin.
Categories: Adult, Analog, Art, Communication, Movies, Pipe, Video, Weird Stuff, YouTube.

Tonight I got to talking to some friends about one of my absolute favorite music groups - The Blue Man Group. I have seen then Three Different times here in Pittsburgh (Once at The Coke a Cola Starlake Amphitheater - Once at the AJ Palumbo Center @ Duquesne University and Then Once at the Mellon (Civic Arena).  Besides seeing them here in Pittsburgh, I have also seen then when I was in Boston, MA and Have seen then Twice in Las Vegas. (But I can't Talk about that Remember what Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas {wink} {Wink}. So if you ever get a chance to see them do yourself a favor and go. You will not be disappointed. Just one word of warning. Don't show up late. They like to make fun of the people by putting them in the spot lite as they come in. It is alot of fun. Plus If you show up late you get to miss the famous LED signs that get the audience participating in the show before the show even starts. Plus now you can even text message the signs with your cell phone and have your messages appear and get some good laughs.

I have to say the Las Vegas shows were fun and the theater was built for them so it really is a great place to see them - But the Show in Boston was FANTASTIC the theater is quite small compared to the other theaters but I got some fantastic close up seats. I almost got some paint on me.

If you can't get to Vegas I would recommend getting a copy of the Blue Men Group DVD @ Amazon  Or you can get a Blue Man Group CD From Amazon As Well.

But now for your Enjoyment from You Tube - The Blue Man Group - Playing a Pipe and not smoking a pipe.

Technorati Tags: Blue+Man+Group, Blue, man, Men, Group, Music, Electronica, classica, drum, rock, video, new+age, Pittsburgh, Las+Vegas, Vegas, Boston, Mass, Vacation, Concert, Concerts

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Guide to Writing in Elvish - Free Online Tutorial

Posted on January 29th, 2007 by Merlin.
Categories: Analog, Anything Else, Art, Communication, Drawing, Free, Freeware, Hack, Journaling, Movies, Sketching, Tutorial, Weird Stuff.

Had a long hard week and for some fun I learned a new language - well only learned how to write in Elvish. Ever see those fancy scrolls in Lord of the Rings or any of the other movies / books / games that have Elvish Language written on them? Well This web page has a quick and easy guide on how to convert any english writing in very artistic and fancy elvish writing. Well To the left is my first time trying to write Merlins Tower in Elvish. It really is pretty easy to follow along and accomplish. I can see doing this with a nice broad nibbed fountain pen or a wide italic cut nib. I didn't have any of my wide nibs with me so I had to make due with what I had at hand. This was accomplished with my art book using a find sharpie marker to get the nice broad strokes. (I filled in the lines I drew) I really want to try this out with some of my calligraphy pens when I have a free moment. This guide can be printed out for ease of use. This would be pretty good for making your own scrolls and Mystical Books. Or if you just want to hide what you are writing.

Well thats all for today - Enjoy - Stay Warm and enjoy some nice tobacco in your pipe - You know I am. 8 :-?  <– Merlin Smoking a Pipe  

Technorati Tags: calligraphy, handwriting, fountain, pen, fountain+pen, ink, art, elvish, lord, of, the, rings, scroll, writing

4 comments.

Top Ten: Worst Tech Based Movies

Posted on September 22nd, 2006 by Merlin.
Categories: Anything Else, Computing, Gadgets, Movies, Weird Stuff.

Yup, I love movies - You know I love Tech - But I find it fun to make fun at the bad portrayal of tech in movies. Below is a list of the Worst Portrayals of Technology in Film - This list is from GideonTech.

10) Wargames (1983) - Talking Computers Thru Hacking and It was the 80’s
09) The Italian Job (2003) - One Word NAPSTER!
08) Antitrust (2001) - Bill Gates ish Movie - Security Ideas
07) Hackers (1995) - Pre Internet - Lack of Believable Tech
06) Transporter 2 (2005) - Car Gadgets
05) Swordfish (2001) - Ultimate Hacker - Computer Virus that look like germs
04) Goldeneye (1995) - Boris and Ability to “Spike” a computer
03) Mission: Impossible (1996) - Strange Formatted Email Address (Max@Job 3:14)
02) Jurassic Park (1993) - 10 Year old girl in 1993 knowing UNIX
01) ………. Visit the site ………

Not a bad list and I would recommend checking out GideonTech for the complete list with Screen Shots and more detail about what is happening.

Tags: Movies, Technology, Top, Ten, Worst

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PROMO: Cross Verve Pen Movie Premiere

Posted on July 25th, 2006 by Merlin.
Categories: Communication, Fountain Pens, Gadgets, Movies.

I just saw that Cross Pen will be promoting the movie: STORMBREAKER. They will be giving away a free movie ticket to the film with each purchase of any of the Verve pens (Ball-Point, Fountain Pen, or Roller Ball)

The Movie is due out on Oct 6th in the US.

More info on STORMBREAKER from imdb:
Seems to be a very good cast (Alex Pettyfer, Ewan McGregor, Mickey Rourke, Bill Nighy, Sophie Okonedo, Alicia Silverstone, and more….)

The Story is Based on the First of the Best Selling Book Series by Alex Rider Novels by Anthony Horowitz.

The Official Movie Site: STORMBREAKER: You’re Never Too Young to Die - Complete with trailers and additional movie info.

And now the important part:

The Cross Verve Pen: This really is a nice looking pen. It has an invisible mechanism that allows the pen clip to retract until it is fully joined with the body of the pen, contributing to the very beautiful flowing seamless profile. Almost a object of art. The interesting part is the nib of this pen is a 360-degree, with 2 tone 18K gold. (Nib available in Extra-Fine, Fine, Medium and Broad)

This will be the Cross Verve’s First Movie role playing a key gadget in the movie. In a James Bond Fashion, the Verve squirts sodium pentothal. This makes anyone Alex Rider hit do what he wants for up to six hours.

Just for the movie, Cross is offering a new color a golden bronze tone. The suggested retail is $175 for the Fountain Pen, $135 for Rolling Ball and $95 for Ball Point.

Although Cross Pens have been in many movies it was stated they never have been to the extent to which it is used in STORMBREAKERS. The last movie Cross had a nice role was The DiVinci Code in which Tom Hank’s character used a Cross pen to write in his Moleskine and on His Nice Index Card Notetaker.

As seen here on Flickr and Here

And if you are as interested in reading the book as I am before the movie comes out you can purchase it at amazon:

Tags: Cross, Fountain Pen, Pen, Movie, DiVinci Code, Spy, Thriller, STORMBREAKER

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