On April 23/24, 2012 Earth experienced a G=3 geomagnetic storm. The Kp index, a measure of magnetic field, peaked at 6.33 out of a maximum of 9. The result of this disturbance created this Aurora event.
It was a beautiful spring night on the Alberta prairies. Temperatures were steady at 16 deg C with very light winds. As you can see there was some cloud cover, but I was able to get far enough away from it to still get a great view of the show.
Arya Stark and Nymeria’s Birthday Cake [A Song of Ice and Fire]
A totally awesome Game of Thones-themed cake by my pal JB Cada and Stephanie Santos from Quezon City, Philippines-based bakery, The Regali Kitchen.
We’re huge fans of George R. R. Martin’s book series “A Song of Ice and Fire” and Arya Stark is one of our favorite characters, so when Maya asked us to make this cake and cupcake set for her daughter, Arya, we jumped at the chance!
Dark Chocolate Cake with Light Caramel Frosting and edible sugarpaste toppers Strawberry Lemonade Cupcakes and hand-painted edible toppers . By Chef JB Cada and Stephanie Santos.
This is the Bat-Stache [Picture]
Star Wars Micro Replicates Classic Arcade Cabinet
This really takes me back. In my younger days, I grew to understand the need for employment as all my expendable cash was spent on 45 Vinyl Single records and frequent trips to the local arcade.
At the arcade there were a few guaranteed coin eaters, and my all-time favorite was the Star Wars Arcade game. Now an electronics geek by the screen name of LeChuck has replicated my favorite machine into a fully functional 1:6 replica he calls the Star Wars Micro. And I want it.
Le Chuck describes this as a modded GPH Caanoo based miniature arcade device (open source Linux based hand held video arcade console.) It stands at 12” and is a detailed scale replica of the original Atari Star Wars Cabinet with fully functional yoke controller. It even has a light up coin slot door that operates as a push button simulating the addition of credits.
No more coin gobbling.
This cabinet looks exactly like the machine that I coveted in local arcades as a kid. And the game itself is clearly the original game rom, preserving the classic arcade game.
The Force will be with you. Always.
You can read about the whole 80 hour process HERE.
New Legislation Bans Employers from Asking for Facebook Access
Recently in the news we heard that certain Employers were asking potential applicants to reveal their Facebook accounts as part of the screening process. Online privacy is a big deal to a lot of people and despite Facebook sharing your statistics, there is an argument to be made that potential employers do not have the right to see someone’s Facebook page.
Well after all the online debate about it, we should have seen this coming. There is legislation headed to congress in the US that would actually make it illegal for potential employers to ask for access to your Facebook account.
The Social Networking Online Protection Act, introduced by Democratic Reps. Eliot Engel (N.Y.) and Jan Schakowsky (Ill.), would prohibit current or potential employers from demanding a username or password to a social networking account.
This of course does not stop them from Googling you and potentially tripping across your profile, but it is a step in the right direction.
Where I currently stand on this is simple. Where I live, a potential employer cannot ask for my religious or political alignment, so why should they be able to ask for my Facebook account (which likely states such things). Also for the most part, the recreation and hobbies outside of work is not something that should impact an individual’s credibility to an employer. I would hate to lose an opportunity just because someone made a snap judgement over my Justin Bieber & My Little Pony Facebook Profile Cover image.
The only impact your private life may have on potential employment is criminal activity, and if you are overly concerned about this there is room in the law to require a criminal record check as part of the application process. Most other social inconsistencies with direct relation to job performance can be determined through carefully asked questions in the interview.
The other side of this coin is that you represent yourself in your profile as to who you are and what you want to share. If you are public about being an extremist of any fashion and you publish it on your Facebook profile, then you are leaving yourself open to being judged by it – right or wrong.
I think that asking for access to the Facebook profile is a bluff. If you have something to hide, you likely will deny access. This automatically generates suspicion and would look like you are admitting guilt. But then if you just feel that is none of their business, are you sabotaging your chances at the job?
Power Rangers – Late for Work (Parody) [Video]
A classic 90’s TV Show gets the parody treatment by Sneaky Zebra, two film-makers from London.
Ever wondered what would happen if one of the Power Rangers just didn’t feel like coming in to work? Well Blue Ranger couldn’t make it in time for the big battle.
Thanks Nick!
Cool Shirt Design: Resistance is futile!
Scanners up!
When scanned with a QR reader, the shirt reads: “We are the borg. You will be assimilated. We will add your technological and biological distinctiveness to our own. Resistance is futile.”
Awesome New International Trailer for Prometheus [Video]
Holy. Crap. That’s all I can say for now until I actually see the movie. Can’t wait for June 1st!