Hullo, everyone.

[imbecamiel]

(NOTE: I feel like declaring right up front here that, while this post might be said to have something of a fishy theme, it has nothing whatsoever to do with April Fools day. While I'm most definitely not immune to amusement at a well-played prank - yes, even ones of which I'm a victim - and have quite enjoyed those which I've come across via the internet today, I'm not generally one to perpetrate such things myself. And I'm not really in the mood to think up anything today, anyway. So - no need to look deeper than the surface, wondering if there's a joke, here. ;) )


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Well, I've been snowed in for the last two days. Unfortunately, life has not been particularly kind of late, so rather than the couple of peaceful days to catch up on stuff that I might've expected, things have been rather crazy, culminating today in a marked increase in my recent computer woes, complete with virus (which I am still not entirely certain I have dealt with effectively). And I burnt my fingers while cooking. Heh.

So, instead of feeling sorry for myself, I have decided to post some cool stuff I've come across recently.

First, a couple of pictures that just, somehow, seem appropriate. Besides, everything's better with Star Trek, right? *bg*


(http://www.trekp.com/posters/gw079-computer_geeks_anonymous.jpg)


(http://www.trekp.com/posters/gw149-derogate.jpg)

As long as I'm on a sci-fi theme... some very real, non-fictional creations, which I happen to find quite awesome.

A prototype of a robotic carp, which will soon be released into rivers in England to monitor pollution.

Air Art from flip on Vimeo.

And another, this one based on a manta ray.

How about some "autonomous robotic jellyfish with a self-controlling system that emulates swarming behavior" swimming - and a remote-controlled one that flies?

But naturally, the One who came up with the idea in the first place has by far the coolest invention. Ever heard of the oarfish? Recently saw a video of one. Wow. o.o

Heh, hopefully I've actually done the video embed right. That last one doesn't seem to want to show up right (keeps doing the opposite of what everything else does, for some reason :P). If it doesn't work, you can go here. Obviously, my love-hate relationship with computers is leaning more strongly toward the "hate" side of late - at least as regards their attitude toward me. :P

And lastly, because it is simply too cute and reminds me of my own dear kitties (who... are not doing real well - but that's a story for another day):


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Comments

[scarvenartist.livejournal.com]

Hehehe, I am actually quite relieved to be told up front something isn't April Fool's related. I appreciate a good joke every now and then, but this whole day just makes me so suspicious of people. *g* Too many tricks at once, cannot cope! *waves hands in front of face*

Man, I'm sorry you're having a bad day. *hugs* Computer viruses...ugh. Tim's comp has a virus right now that I just cannot eradicate, so I sympathize. I hope yours is good and gone though!

The DEROGATE poster...gwaaah. *cannot breath for laughing*

Those robotic fish are just amazing, particularly the jellyfish. The way they've mechanized those movements.... O.O All of them are awesome, but those look especially graceful.

But oh, the real thing is still much more wonderful! And I have to agree with that one comment made in the video--the oarfish looks so much like a Chinese dragon! So cool, and so mysterious too...a real sea-dragon. *loves*

Such fun! And I really hope your day gets better, mellon-nin. *hugs*

[imbecamiel.livejournal.com]

LOL, yeah, I was quite relived to be staying home the whole day. That way, the only April Fool's related things I encountered were via the internet - where I was prepared, and watching for it, and it wasn't going to affect me. *g* I actually rather expected to need to be on my guard with Eric, as "Wo0t, April Fool's - good reason to be jumping at people from behind doors etc. all day long!" is usually the sort of thing he'd run with, but... apparently being 18 now has made him marginally more mature? o.O Hehe, or not. Considering I almost reflexively punched him in the face (ah, karate lessons...) when he tried to jump at me earlier today... *g*

Heh, according to all scans my computer is now safely virus-free. However, it seems my woes are only just beginning. For days now, some part of my antivirus has been using up 90-99% of my computer's CPU - virtually all day long, even when I'm not running anything. I've cleaned up and shut down every unnecessary thing I can think of, to no avail. And I've yet to hear anything back from tech support. Makes it reeeaally hard to get anything done, and the computer keeps locking up to the point where I have to crash it. *snarls* NOT WORKING! Grrr....

He, that Derogate poster made me laugh out loud. Poor Spock. *bg* Definitely the sort of thing that must be shared.

I know! There's just something so amazing and fascinating about the way they've managed to mimic they way they move. I mean... yes, of course you can create robots shaped like various animals, but outside of sci-fi I've always associated it with rather jerky and stiff movements, not at all lifelike. But these... so cool. :D

But oh, that oarfish... That is the reason why I have so long been fascinated by deep-sea life. Sometimes it seems the last lurking place of truly mysterious dragon- and dinosaur-like creatures... and seeing something like that is just incredible. Usually, when people talk about some animal and say, "Hey, look, it's got some aspects of (insert legendary creature) - that's probably where the stories came from! Isn't that neat?" I'm left feeling just disappointed, thinking, "Well... no, not really." Because yeah, the animal may be fairly interesting, even very interesting, but usually it's just so much less than the mythological creatures that trying to compare the two and say, "This is the real thing," just feels like a let-down. But this... *loves it*

Heh heh, and apparently I'm very rambly today. Trying to avoid my problems, I guess. *goes off to battle once more*

[silivren-tinu.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry to hear life hasn't been kind to you of late, Cami! *huggles* I hope you'll be able to get rid of that computer virus soon. :P Weather really is a crazy thing - you are snowed in and here it is hot enough to leave the house in a swimsuit (not that I would do so, lol).

The Star Trek Pics are so funny! *giggles*

Those robotic fish are fascinating. It's amazing what people are able to create these days. I completely agree with you, though, that the inventions of the One, original Creator are far more amazing! That oarfish... *drops jaw* I never knew such a creature exists! It reminds me a bit of your sea-dragons. :)

[imbecamiel.livejournal.com]

Thanks, mellon-nin. *hugs back* Heh, I believe I have managed to get rid of the virus. Unfortunately, my computer problems are still far from over... but at least that's dealt with. :P It is so funny, though, to have friends experiencing such warm weather, when we're still buried under snow here!

Mmm, I was so intrigued when I saw those robotic fish. They're just so much more graceful and lifelike than I'd expected... very fun to watch. But oh yes, that oarfish is just incredible! Very much like a live sea dragon. :D I'm so delighted to have learned of their existence! Our Creator does have such an amazing imagination.