Nooz

Man, it's like there was nothing for forever, and now a bunch of stuff! Whoa. But I do doubt their competency sometimes. Yesterday's headline said, "Go see Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire...if you can get a ticket!" Yes, it is difficult getting a movie ticket for that movie, but since I have it on DVD, I'm not too heartbroken.

- Is the iPhone too rich for your blood? Apple is planning to release a cheaper version of the device in the fourth quarter based on the Nano iPod, according to a JP Morgan report. The Nano iPhone is expected to retail for $300 or lower, half the price of the current 8 GB model.

- Tivo series 2 and 3 users can now order movies Amazon.com's Unbox site directly from their TVs. Until now Tivo users had to order them through a computer and transfer the files through a home network. Sony, MGM, Warner Bros., Paramount and Universal are among the studios supplying titles for the service.

- Cartoon Network's Adult Swim will wrap thing up for its animated series, Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law after six seasons and 39 episodes. Adult Swim will televise the last two new episodes of the series this month, the second of which is a 30 minute special, on July 15 and July 22 respectively, at 11:45p. Based on characters created by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera, the Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law series, which is funny as can be - but not for kids, burst out of the brains of Michael Ouweleen and Erik Richter and was part of the original Adult Swim Sunday night block, both of which premiered in September 2001. Now I don't want to start any rumors … but … I hear that Harvey is being considered for the role of the new Manhattan District Attorney on Law & Order, which needs filling following Fred Thompson's exit to run for president. Let me just say … watch out Sam Waterston!

- Microsoft signed a deal with Disney-ABC Domestic Television to distribute 35 top-shelf movies through the Xbox Live platform. Xbox 360 users will be able to rent titles from Walt Disney Pictures, Touchstone Pictures, Miramax Films and Hollywood Pictures when they become available for the home video window. Xbox Live has quietly amassed more than 2,350 hours of major-label entertainment content, including movies and shows in HD. The platform's 7 million members, who spend "points" to purchase content, have downloaded nearly 10 million titles to date according to the company.

- DIY Network will kick off Backyard Stadiums, a new home improvement series on September 5 at 10p. Hosted by NY Giants football player Michael Strahan, each half-hour show will teach viewers how to build mini sports arenas in a backyard space.

Also, Variety has this article, titled Harry's Pitted Against Harry, that frets over "OMG the movie and the book are two weeks apart! How will they carry this off? People can't read AND watch a movie at the same time!!!! AAHHHHHHHHHH!"

Stolen from scathachdhu

Comment and I will ask 5 questions, which you will then post and answer. And when people comment, you ask questions!

Questions asked by scathachdhu
1. What's your favorite thing to knit (socks, hats, etc)?
I think hats! They're quick and cute. What I look for in a pattern before I try to knit it is that it has enough things going on that I won't get bored of working on it (see: Mother's endless purple blanket in stockinette), but not so much that it's far too challenging for my level and it'll fall apart (see: candle flame lace shawl). I also like CUTE. So I make a lot of stuff like this and this.

2. You seem to enjoy your job. Is it turning out the way you expected?
So far so good. I used to be miserable at the reception desk, but I promised myself I'd stay there for a year in hopes of getting away from it. I'm glad I held out. I like my coworkers, and I think they like me. The Boss likes my writing, and while I might not always like our shows, I think we do a great job of making them look good. I said to somebody the other day that I think a good day at work is sometimes better than a bad day off, and I mean it. Ask me again if I'm stuck in this same position 2 years later, though.

3. Who's your favorite character in Avatar and why?
Aw man. One of the things I like about the show is that it's a kid's show, but it's actually pretty damn deep as you watch it. The characters are actually, y'know, fleshed out, instead of "smart girl", "jock", "hero", "villain", etc. I'd say the only person who's all bad is Zuko's sister whose name eludes me now, but she's so DELIGHTFULLY evil, as opposed to the Fire Lord, who's just plain nasty and faceless. I guess I have to say Iroh. Every time Iroh is on screen, he is made of awesome. Also, he likes tea.

I'm surprised I haven't heard of christianist groups protesting it, given that it's very Buddhist and talks about reincarnation and people die and gain power from gods and such. Also, if you had told me four years ago that Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon would each make an anime-inspired show, I'da figured CN would get it right. Who knew?

4. What's the worst thing about going to cons for you?
Other anime fans. Current company notwithstanding.

5. What's your favorite game console and game?
The Super Nintendo was really really awesome, amirite? The Wii is fun, but is really more of a party machine that needs space. When I lived in my old apartment, I played more of my PS2 because that was Guitar Hero and single-player games. It's not a big amount of fun to play Wii baseball by yourself. That being said, the virtual console stuff is great fun, and backwards compatability with the Gamecube was very smart on their part. When you get a group of people together around it, it's fabulous. Games take on a new level of interaction, and it's just wonderful, whether you're playing or watching.

As for game, I could play Legend of Zelda: Link to the Past every day for the rest of my life and be content.