Archive for February, 2010
Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010
VANCOUVER — Germany joined the United States at the top of the Winter Games medals table on Monday as Canada awoke to an Olympic-size hangover following their demoralising loss to the United States men’s ice hockey team.
Germany won gold in the women’s cross country team sprint as well as silver in the men’s event and team ski jump to climb to the summit alongside the high-flying Americans.
Both countries had seven golds midway through the 10th full day of competition. The Germans had nine silvers, two more than the U.S, but the Americans had five more bronze than their European rivals.
Norway moved to outright third by winning a sixth gold in the men’s cross country team sprint and Austria collected their third of the Games in the team ski jump.
Canada were sitting in a respectable joint fifth place but the golden avalanche they hoped for has failed to materialise and the hockey defeat by the U.S. only made it more unbearable.
The host-nation have failed to win a medal in the Alpine skiing events at Whistler mountain, where the Americans have won eight, and their dream of claiming gold in the ice hockey was in danger of melting fast.
The inquisition has begun and the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC), which spent millions of taxpayers’ dollars preparing their athletes for the Games, has come under attack.
“It’s painful to do the autopsy while the patient is alive and kicking,” COC chief executive Chris Rudge said.
GLOOMY MOOD
His pleas not to prematurely judge the results fell on deaf years and The Vancouver Sun newspaper echoed the gloomy mood of a nation with the headline: “Woe Canada, U.S. sticks stake in our hearts.”
For Canadians, anything other than winning gold in the ice hockey would be deemed a national failure.
They remain in the competition but the loss to the U.S. has left them facing a qualifying playoff with Germany for the daunting prospect of meeting Russia in the quarter-finals.
Canadian head coach Mike Babcock tried to offer some reassuring words for his compatriots.
“We’ve just chosen a longer route to get to where we want to go,” he said.
Austria, another traditional winter sports powerhouse struggling in Vancouver, made a brighter start to the final week of competition when Wolfgang Loitzl, Andreas Kofler, Thomas Morgenstern and Gregor Schlierenzauer joined up to win gold in the ski jumping.
Team ski jumping may not be the highest-profile sport at the Olympics but Austria are a giant in the discipline, winning every world and Olympic title since 2005, and they dominated once again to leave Germany to take the silver and Norway bronze.
“I think we don’t have that much pressure. We know we have the strongest team so we know what to do in order to be the best,” Loitzl said.
A late surge by Claudia Nystad enabled Germany to win the women’s cross country final ahead of Sweden, who had led at every exchange. Russia came third.
Germany looked to be on course to win the men’s final too when they led at the final changeover but Norway’s Petter Northug unleashed a powerful burst on the last lap to snatch his first gold of the Games after failing in three individual events. Russia again took the bronze.
The only other medal to be decided on Monday will be the figure skating ice dance at the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver, which concludes with the free dance.
Canadians Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir led the competition after the compulsory and original dance routines from Americans Meryl Davis and Charlie White and the Russian favourites Oksana Domnina and Maxim Shabalin.
source : www.vancouversun.com
Posted in news | No Comments »
Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010
The Canada/U.S. men’s Olympic hockey game was the most-watched sports program in Canadian television history, CTV reported Monday.
The much-anticipated Sunday game in Vancouver drew an average audience of 10.6 million viewers, peaking at 13 million viewers, the network said in a press release.
“A total of 9.48 million viewers watched on CTV alone, the biggest audience yet for any event at Vancouver 2010, including the opening ceremony (8.95 million), while 1.08 million watched on V,” CTV said.
The game, won 5-3 by the U.S., had a larger audience than the Salt Lake City 2002 gold medal game that featured the same two teams and drew 10.3 million viewers.
source : www.vancouversun.com
Posted in news | 1 Comment »
Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010
There were three things that made me decide to introduce the concept of money to my first son Noe when he was slightly more than 3 year old. Firstly, Noe became really good and persistent in asking for things to buy when we take him to the shop or supermarket. He became savvier in negotiating for it “But I want, Ibu!”. Most of the time “I’ll buy it later” or “No you can’t have ‘em because you already have ‘em” doesn’t work anymore. Secondly, ever since we live in an apartment that had a TV in Jakarta, Noe couldn’t stop watching Playhouse Disney. I thought, he needed some restraint, but I don’t think punishment per se would do any good. I decided to try to treat TV as a ticketed item in the house. Thirdly, he had been in preschool for about 2 years and had been really fond of counting things. He could grasp the concept of number. So, why not give it a try and teach him about money? (more…)
Posted in daily, family, tips | No Comments »
Monday, February 22nd, 2010
No less than 200 invitations from ambassadors from various countries in Jakarta, businessmen, bankers, celebrities, and other community leaders who meet the porch of City Hall Special Capital Region (DKI) Jakarta was filled with wonder when the veil covering the Mercedes-Benz C250 CGI still not opened.
Looking over his eyes corners of the veil of cloth, looking for cracks as what was the car that was mentioned was typically had a pattern as any other Mercedes Benz models. Understandably, the host of the celebration, the Governor of DKI Jakarta, Fauzi Bowo when giving a speech called another car from another.
(more…)
Posted in art, cultures, design, indonesia, news | No Comments »
Monday, February 22nd, 2010
Fractal is a mathematical way to generate amazing pictures from simple rules, beating more than averages human artists. When fractal is used as motif in Batik (Indonesian traditional garment) the result is just astounding (and expensive too of course).
|
|
| Batik Fractal, Buketan Design |
The idea was brought by the Pixel People Project. They designed the motif by using a fractal software, then sent it to the batik craftsman, known as Komar, who produced the batik using the traditional tools (canting, malam, dye, etc.). Their innovation got instant recognitions, i.e. the ministry of Research & Technology kindly sponsored the innovation. However, they also received some critiques that the motif is out of pakem (the proper way). In my opinion though, this is the modern way of Batik. It just great. I saw the Batiks at their exhibition, all were the high class batik I cannot afford (Lucky me, Komar said he will send a gift for me).
So where is my lines in this story ? Well, I’m the one that developed the Batik Fractal Software, known as iBatik. You may try the light weight Applet from the People Pixel Project web site. The complete program is still in alpha stage, so it is not released yet. Stay tuned.
source : http://dosen.tf.itb.ac.id/mursito/2008/05/31/fractal/
Posted in art, design, indonesia, news | No Comments »
Monday, February 22nd, 2010
Batik Parang and Slope.
These motifs included in the court of Surakarta palace oversized uniforms, and who may use only the King and Son. The word “machete” change of the word “Pereng” or edge of a cliff in the form of “Slope” as the low plateau that forms of flat diagonal lines. Taking the basic picture of a cliff near the shore south of the island of Java, which is named Paranggupito, Parangkusumo and Parangtritis and so on.
Parang Batik hue difference and Slope:
A. Batik Parang pattern characteristics:
* Diagonal slope shape 45 °.
* Mlinjon wear.
* Sujen wear.
* There Gareng eyes.
B. The style characteristic Batik Slope:
* Shape sloping diagonal 45 °.
* Not always wear mlinjon, Gareng sujen & eyes.
* Only a limited straight line.
* Can use lung-lungan motive or interrupted by parangan form called glebegan.
Parang Batik already developed before the founding of the kingdom of Mataram Kartasura are:
* Parang Rusak,
* Parang Barong,
* Damage Parang Barong,
* Parang Kusumo,
* Parang Pamor and
* Klithik machetes and so on.
As for Batik Slope familiar include:
* Glebegan Slope,
* Thathit Slope and
* Slope Sobrah and so on.
Batik Slope style of the original style of Surakarta is bathik slope “Udan Riris” and appeared in the reign of the New Testament. III mid XVIII century. Melatar backs on the birth of this motif is a manifestation of concern after Surakarta Mataram split in two. (between Yogyakarta and Surakarta) and one consequence is not regular government conditions, there are still many improvements and concern. At that time the New Testament. III implementing teteki, one of which is soaked on the Laweyan Premulung river flowing village near the tomb of his ancestors (Kyai Ageng Anis / parents OF Ki Pemanahan ). In the teteki he lit the kerosene lamp (light stick) and then suddenly the drizzling rain. The incident that inspired him to create patterns bathik “Udan Riris”.
Batik Cemukiran.
This motif usually used for this type of headband or called udheng / dhestar or better known as Blangkon. These patterns form the margins / field edge with a plain batik called modang. Figure batik decorating style is the flame that has meaning to reduce the power of self-centered, it contains the teaching that before we can defeat the external enemy should be able to defeat the enemy that comes from self (desires). This motif developed in the New Testament. III and should only be used Pepatihdalem and Sentanadalem.
Posted in cultures, indonesia | 3 Comments »
Monday, February 22nd, 2010
Sloping towards the open sea, Oppenheim’s luxurious mixed-use tower for the United Arab Emirates is both elegant and a model of efficiency. If you look closely, the pixelated residences comprising the development sprawl fluidly away from the lush garden oasis hidden at its base and onto the sandy beach. The design was conceived specifically to maximize the quantity of units available on the water while minimizing the amount of energy used.
In terms of sustainability, the building will have its own solar and wind arrays to generate power for inhabitants. The building’s shape will allow it to be cooled by natural breezes decreasing the amount of energy used on air conditioning. There will also be systems in place to recycle the water flowing through the site.
The sloping façade of the development will provide protection from the hot desert sun while also allowing for maximized daylighting. Another unique feature of the building’s interesting shape is that there will be a verdant botanical paradise sandwiched between the two halves of the tower. It’s unclear as to whether the garden will also help cool the building in some way, but it will certainly provide a shady respite for residents looking to escape the heat of the beach.
sources : www.inhabitat.com
Posted in architecture, green, news | No Comments »
Monday, February 22nd, 2010
Arcade Bowling iPhone game Review | Arcade Bowling Iphone App – This iphone gaming application has its origin from the pioneer of iphone Touch, Sports game Arcade Hoops Basketball. Designed by the legendary designer David Crane, who has been the principle designer of some superior stuff like ‘Pitfall’, ‘Ghostbusters’ and ‘Laser Blast’. This game is very much akin to Skeeball and has emerged as a popular Boardwalk bowling game. In this game, the laser ‘ball’ rolls down the alley to reach the ramp and enable you to score into the holes. The distance of the scoring hole is directly proportional to eth number of points you garner.
You can also tilt your iphone to an angle that enables you to manipulate the flight of the ball when it is in mid-air. The accelerometer will help you to tilt your iphone or ipod in either direction. It also helps you to control the ball’s speed.
The features of Arcade Bowling are amazing to say the least. The user can enjoy two varieties of sound tracks, some incredible touch 3-D graphics along with a couple of wonderful game modes.
As you enjoy the game through the sound and music volume controls, you can also choose the ‘Global High Score Board’ option if you desire to compete with players from across the world.
source : www.jackbook.com
Posted in gadget | No Comments »
Monday, February 22nd, 2010
Apple has upgraded its desktop range with the new iMac 2.4GHz. It is the best iMac that has been launched by Apple till date. The new iMac has new standards for simplicity and elegance along with performance at the same time. The iMac packs everything, starting from the processor to then video camera and other hardware in a surprisingly thin and brilliant looking anodized aluminum frame, which is sure to catch the eye of the onlooker. At the heart of this beauty is an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, which is faster than any other processors used by Apple till date.
The iMac comes with an installed memory of 1GB and has a bus speed of 800 MHz. the HDD capacity of the iMac is 320 BG and has an installed video memory of 256 MB. The iMac comes preloaded with the Apple MacOS X 10.5. The iMac also has newer versions of the Apple goodies like the iPhoto, iMovie, iWeb, iDVD, etc. With this PC you can do everything you feel like doing, from blogging to composing a song, from sharing a video to playing games. This is one Apple that you will find very difficult to resist the temptation of.
source : www.jackbook.com
Posted in fashion, gadget, news | 1 Comment »
Monday, February 22nd, 2010
Even after a homeowner has chosen the perfect color for a room, there’s another very important decision to make. With 5 or 6 paint finishes to choose from, you should learn the benefits of each and determine the right one for your job. Should you use flat or satin and why? Browse these tips on selecting the perfect paint finishes for your interior home applications.
Matte Finish
Whether called flat finish or wall paint, this type of interior paint has a matte surface. This paint finish is usually used on interior walls. It’s expecially good if you have to camouflage small wall bumps, cracks, or other imperfections, as this finish does not reflect light. While some flat paints are advertised as washable today, you may need to touch up scratches or marks by covering with a bit more paint, so be sure you keep some on hand after you’ve finished painting.
Flat Enamel
Flat enamel is a paint with a durable flat, matte finish. It’s a good choice for powder rooms and halls, as it holds up to occasional cleaning.
Eggshell Finish
If you can picture the very low sheen of the shell of an egg, you have an idea of how an eggshell paint finish will appear. With only a slight hint of shine or gloss, it’s good for walls and holds up better with cleaning than a flat finish paint.
Satin Finish
Satin finish paint has a smooth, velvety look with a bit more gloss. It is most often used for windows, doors, trim, or ceilings, but can also be used as wall paint. This is particularly suitable for kids’ room walls, kitchens, or bathrooms, or in areas which get a lot of traffic. Paint with a satin finish is formulated to hold up to cleaning and light scrubbing.
Semi-Gloss
Semi-gloss paint is most often used on doors, trim, and cabinets in kitchens and bathrooms. It is easily cleaned and lays down a nice, subtle shine, without being too glitzy. Take care with pre-paint preparation work, as poorly prepared surfaces can be a bit distracting when highlighted by a semi-gloss surface.
Glossy
High gloss paints have an almost reflective quality, as their shiny finish mimics the look of enamel or plastic. Though not widely used in home interiors, it is becoming more popular for a dramatic look on cabinets, trim, and furniture in very formal and very contemporary settings. This finish will magnify any surface imperfections, so careful preparation and sanding is essential before painting with high gloss paints.
sources : www.interiordec.about.com
Posted in architecture, design, house, interior | No Comments »
