Call me skeptical

I don't buy it.



The Great Wiki Karmel is all about video games, as my loyal readers (and especially FGS (Fort Worth, TX), who, even though he would never admit it, really gets into it when I play. He asks questions, legitimately knows what is going on, yadda yadda*) know. And if this kid did do this, well, that's great (I guess). But, while we see him sitting there, pushing buttons on the controller, what we can't see is a friend in the background playing the game with another controller. Conspiracy theorist? Me?** Never.

*Which, by the way, is the 153rd episode of Seinfeld. 153=17*9.

**I'm referencing the fact that I thought JFK was a great movie.

Mmmmm....Keyboard.....

Sorry, my loyal readers, I was out of town for a bit last week and lost my groove. But the Great Wiki Karmel is back. With a vengeance.*

Continuing with my high tech culinary theme from last week, this is just fantastic.






It's for all of those computer geeks out there (I'm raising my hand) who just can't get enough. I should probably get one.... (by the way, when the Great Wiki Karmel suggests that he wants something, it would not be at all inappropriate to give it to him as a gift. It's a great way for my loyal readers to show some appreciation for all of the hard work I do).



They are making a sequel. I'm not sure how I feel about it, but it'll definitely be a Netflix... I mean, seriously, Internet terrorists? John McClane? In the words of Bill Simmons, the Sports Guy: "I will now light myself on fire."

iGrill

While not quite as useful as the iRack, the iGrill is just great. As many of my loyal readers know, the Great Wiki Karmel is perhaps the best hotdog chef in the world. Many have challenged me. None have won.

I am quite tempted to buy an iGrill for this summer. Get excited.

What a great idea

As many of my loyal readers know, I hate the ocean. I only dislike the wind (why does it have to be so cold? I'm a fan of the cold in general. Just not with wind). But when I hear about something like this, I can get behind it. As the article suggests, this may not be feasible/ever happen, so don't get your hopes up (for this plan, at least). Hopefully sometime soon we can be dependent on renewable energy...

Wait. What?

An article in the New York Times discusses admissions into top universities for fall 07. Apparently, demographics and the common application may have contributed to a record number of applicants at Ivy and equivalent schools, which in turn is leading to lower admission rates. Harvard, for example, turned down 1,100 applicants with a perfect 800 on the Math section of the SAT's. Somehow the Great Wiki Karmel doubts he would have gotten into Wash U today. I did enjoy this quote though:

“The successful students have to have shown some passion for science and technology in high school or their personal life,” Ms. Perry [of Cal Tech] said. “That means creating a computer system for your high school, or taking a tractor apart and putting it back together.”

Should this be a requirement? YES!

As many of my loyal readers know, the Great Wiki Karmel will be homeless August 1st, that is unless I find somewhere to live before then (FGS (Fort Worth, TX) will be going to grad school). Thus I'm scouring Craigslist looking for apartments. Now I realize that living with random people may go awry, but if I can find a roommate who wants this, I should be all set (sadly, the Great Wiki Karmel damaged the current coffee table playing video games...).

This upsets the Great Wiki Karmel

I need to get back to work, but first I need to express my shock to some news I just received. A little under one third of Americans don't have internet access and don't plan on getting it. It's unfortunate that certain economic (and geographical) issues exist that everyone can't have access to the internet. But 44% of the people who do not have access said they won't get it because there is nothing interesting on the internet. NOTHING INTERESTING?!?!?!?! Obviously these people have not heard of the Great Wiki Karmel. So I have a mission for you, my loyal readers: Spread the word. It's a crime that so many unfortunate souls are being denied the pleasure of reading the Great Wiki Karmel's work. This needs to be fixed.

Also, I got this. Sad times that the creators of such an important website are fighting.

Earplugs

Great article on Slate today about earplugs. The great Wikikarmel recently purchased a pair of noise reduction headphones, which are basically earplugs with headphones in them. I must say, I love them. They are great. I can still hear the world around me (don't worry Mom (or Official Mother of Wikikarmel ("OMOW")), I can hear cars as I am crossing the street), but everything is muted. It's like I'm in my own world. I'm in Wikikarmelland!* Seriously, though. When I'm on the train platform, the screeching of the trains doesn't bother me. When I'm walking down the street, sirens and people yelling are muted. I sometimes walk down the street with the headphones in my ears and my Ipod off and listen to myself breathe like Beller suggests. And they are very comfortable. The best part, though, is that I can turn the volume down. I used to listen to my Ipod at almost full volume; now I rarely go above a quarter. Too much of this bad boy** when I was little has ruined my hearing.

Two problems I have encountered:
1. When sweating, the headphones become loose. The noise reduction is achieved by creating a seal in your ear. When I sweat (such as when I am marathon training), the seal breaks and the headphones slip out of my ear. This is probably my own fault though. There are 6 or 7 different ear pieces that I can try- I'm probably not using the right one.
2. When it's really cold out, the cord 'freezes' and you can 'hear' the cord banging against your body. Not really a big deal though..


*Editor's note: yes, it's true. I am a dork.
**My particular bad boy (and I'm not sure why I am sticking with that name- I don't think I named my set) was not nearly as nice. It was a four piece and was orange.
***I currently 'rock out' to this bad boy. I should give him a nickname...*