Monday, July 13, 2009
Chris Benson's Penguins Stanley Cup Tribute Video
Video wizard Chris has finished re-working his playoff tribute video, to include The Cup.
My only quibble is the obtrusiveness of the 'Benstonium' logo. I know it's useful to tag one's creations against misattribution or swipery, but geez, why not make it blinky neon orange and put it right in the middle of the picture, while you're at it? I've hated these things ever since they first started showing up on television, and their increasing size, animation and un-ignorability really annoys me. Sorry to peeve at you Chris, but other than that the video is perfect.
(a few minutes later)... Okay, to remedy my own gripe a little: I've increased the display size of the video, from Chris's default setting of 320x240 pixels, up to 480x360. Luckily his source file is a nice high-quality .mp4, so it can take being blown up. The logo image doesn't scale up with the screen, so it's now smaller relative to the screen. Here's a screen-cap of the default size, so you can see what I'm yammering about. It would be better if the logo was semi-transparent like the ones you see on TV (watermark style), but at least this is an improvement.
My only quibble is the obtrusiveness of the 'Benstonium' logo. I know it's useful to tag one's creations against misattribution or swipery, but geez, why not make it blinky neon orange and put it right in the middle of the picture, while you're at it? I've hated these things ever since they first started showing up on television, and their increasing size, animation and un-ignorability really annoys me. Sorry to peeve at you Chris, but other than that the video is perfect.
(a few minutes later)... Okay, to remedy my own gripe a little: I've increased the display size of the video, from Chris's default setting of 320x240 pixels, up to 480x360. Luckily his source file is a nice high-quality .mp4, so it can take being blown up. The logo image doesn't scale up with the screen, so it's now smaller relative to the screen. Here's a screen-cap of the default size, so you can see what I'm yammering about. It would be better if the logo was semi-transparent like the ones you see on TV (watermark style), but at least this is an improvement.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Disco Still Sucks
Thirty years ago today, this happened.
Also, unrelated to the video: I've skipped posting a lot of noteworthy and/or funny stuff in the last week or two. It's hard to keep spending the time that frequent posting requires, when there just aren't many eyeballs here. I wish it were otherwise, but my SiteMeter reports don't let me delude myself. Especially in the summer when I have lots of other things to do that are far more constructive than typing. So please understand, it's not that I don't enjoy doing this, it's just that most of the time it feels like the tree falling in the forest with nobody here to hear it.
Also, unrelated to the video: I've skipped posting a lot of noteworthy and/or funny stuff in the last week or two. It's hard to keep spending the time that frequent posting requires, when there just aren't many eyeballs here. I wish it were otherwise, but my SiteMeter reports don't let me delude myself. Especially in the summer when I have lots of other things to do that are far more constructive than typing. So please understand, it's not that I don't enjoy doing this, it's just that most of the time it feels like the tree falling in the forest with nobody here to hear it.
Friday, July 03, 2009
Penguins FA Followups: Scuderi Leaves, Fedotenko Stays
I didn't post yesterday, because I was absorbing my disappointment over the loss of Rob Scuderi to the LA Kings. Scuderi agreed to a four-year deal worth an average of $3.4 million per year. The Penguins are thought to have offered a five year deal at a $2 million annual average, though the club doesn't release nor confirm this sort of detail.
I expected Scuds to leave, and I don't blame him for doing so, but it's still a bummer. He was such a crucial part of our success. We're really going to miss him. A lot.
But some good news today: Ruslan Fedotenko has been re-signed to a one-year contract, at $1.8 mil. That sure looks like a discount to me. So the Tank stays in town, and Geno keeps his linemate, just as Sid keeps Guerin. Shero sure knows his Care And Feeding Of Two-Headed Monsters.I'm guessing that what we have left under our 09-10 cap will go for a defenseman to replace Gill, if Ray can come up with one. Rob Rossi (the Trib's beat reporter) tweets that we've now got $2.957 million remaining.
And here's a great Q&A with Shero covering all of the latest goings-on, just posted at the Penguins' website.
And here's a great Q&A with Shero covering all of the latest goings-on, just posted at the Penguins' website.
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
NHL Free Agent Frenzy Day
- Pens defenseman Hal Gill signs with Montreal: 2 years, $4.5 mil total. His loss was expected. Bye bye, big guy.
- Poor chooser Marian Hossa has gone from the no-ring-Red-Wings to the Blackhawks, a deal worth north of $62 mil OVER TWELVE YEARS. He'll be 42 when this contract is up. What the hell are they smoking in Chicago? And it's less per year than he turned down with the Penguins a year ago. Chuckle.
- Defenseman Mike Knuble goes from Philly to Washington, 2 years totalling $5.8 mil. He seemed to be the most attractive alternative if we lost Rob Scuderi, so this might have at least an indirect impact on how things go between Shero and Scuds. The TSN guys think that the Pens have encouraged Rob to go out and see what his market value is, then to come back and try to work out a deal. I hope they're right.
- No word on anything involving free-agent Pens winger Ruslan Fedotenko. I'd be pretty surprised if he comes back.
- Nikolai Khabibulin (owner of one of my favorite goalie nicknames, "The Bulin Wall") goes from Chicago to Edmondton. Four years, $3.75 mil/yr.
- The Pens sign NJ Devils forward Mike Rupp, 2 years @ $825K per. I don't know anything about this guy, nor the rationale behind the signing. The newspaper guys will have some analysis soon.
Twitterumors abound that we're trying hard to keep Scuderi by matching whatever anyone else offers, reputedly in the $1.8-$2.25 mil/yr for 2-3 years. I really need to see how things play out here, because I want him back.
Well, at least this beats listening to PIrate Fans vent their spleens over yet another further different player-dump, not to be confused with the previous player-dump, or last year's player-dump. While we're digressing, please let me indulge in a moment of self-defense: I am absolutely still a Pirate fan. I have been since I was a kid, and that won't ever change. What I am most definitely NOT is a supporter of the current management/ownership of the team. If this was spousal abuse, I'd be in the shelter with a restraining order. If this was the British Parliament, I'd be a member of the Loyal Opposition. The Nuttings have long ago seen the last of my money, which is the only possible way to vote No Confidence in these incompetent bastards.City Of Champions Videos, Two Flavors
The first of these two videos is longer, but it has for its soundtrack a rather overblown power ballad (aren't they all?) by the big-hair metal band Jaded Heart, which features a lead singer who sounds like Bryan Adams after a bender. The second video is a shorter version containing fewer clips, but the soundtrack is a more palatable tune - a recycled 9/11 tribute - by Oleander.
I defy any Yinzer watching either one of these not to get all choked up!
Longer version:
Shorter version:
Not-Stupid Bat Tricks
I've got a ton of videos to post today, and some other stuff too, but this has to top the list. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Josh Womack, from the independent Golden League's Long Beach Armada:
And an encore performance too:
Physics, and practice. Pretty freaking impressive.
Put Billy Mays On The Wall At Primanti's
Two deejays at KISS96 radio in the Burgh are spearheading an online petition to get Billy Mays's likeness added to the Wall Of Legends at the Primanti's restaurant in the Strip District. (Where the fries and coleslaw come inside the sandwiches, not alongside.) He'd join such Yinzer luminaries as Mister Rogers, Andy Warhol, and Myron Cope.I say let's waive the five-year waiting rule, like Cooperstown did when Clemente died. Well, okay, I don't think Primanti's actually has a five-year waiting rule, but if this petition helps them decide to put Billy on the wall right away, then go for it. The deejays want 5000 signatures. As of late Tuesday night, I was #405, so go on over to
and add your name. Then take a minute to blog or tweet or wall-post or share the link, to pass the word around to anyone who reads your feed. Or just link back here to this post, that will work too. I can always use eyeballs. Right-click here on [Permanent Link], or on the Permalink button below, to copy the URL. Alternatively, I've just added handy-dandy little Tweet and Share buttons to the bottom of each of my posts, so if you're on Twitter or one of the other social-networking sites (Facebook, Digg, etc), you have no excuse.
