I am Sam, an aspiring guitar hero

I am Sam, an aspiring guitar hero http://guitarhero.ca hoping to one day have the skills of John Mayer posterous.com Mon, 06 Jun 2011 15:32:00 -0700 DefaultCase: A $5 case for your iPhone http://guitarhero.ca/defaultcase-a-5-case-for-your-iphone http://guitarhero.ca/defaultcase-a-5-case-for-your-iphone

A long time ago, I stumbled on a link for a company named DefaultCase which was selling cheap iPhone cases at $5 a piece. I decided to try their cases out (they also appealed to me since they reminded me a lot of the Mac Pro tower) and placed an order in February.

I started to think it was a scam after not receiving anything for a month (and no emails citing any delays either). Four months later to my surprise, it actually arrived:

031

In a recent trip to Vancouver I changed my iPhone's backplate with a fingerprint magnet shiny chrome one:

In short, I'd say it's not a bad case for $5. The saying, "you get what you pay for" applies here. The wait for it can take a really long time though. It feels plasticky, but it gives access to what you need on the phone while giving some protection to the back and sides.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/236061/IMG_0052.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36UQD1tyGic1 Sam Lu Senmu Sam Lu Sun, 22 May 2011 20:47:00 -0700 Got a spare business card? Turn it into an iPhone/iPod touch stand http://guitarhero.ca/got-a-spare-business-card-turn-it-into-an-iph http://guitarhero.ca/got-a-spare-business-card-turn-it-into-an-iph

Iphone_stand

Had a few spare business cards laying around and tried this out. You can create your own by following the specs on Instructables.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/236061/IMG_0052.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36UQD1tyGic1 Sam Lu Senmu Sam Lu Tue, 03 May 2011 18:27:00 -0700 Taste of Vancouver http://guitarhero.ca/taste-of-vancouver http://guitarhero.ca/taste-of-vancouver

Some video clips I took with my iPhone from my recent trip to Vancouver

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/236061/IMG_0052.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36UQD1tyGic1 Sam Lu Senmu Sam Lu Sat, 09 Apr 2011 14:44:00 -0700 Sleeping On Floors - A Beautiful Fingerstyle Acoustic Song by Craig D'Andrea http://guitarhero.ca/sleeping-on-floors-a-beautiful-fingerstyle-ac http://guitarhero.ca/sleeping-on-floors-a-beautiful-fingerstyle-ac

via youtube.com

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/236061/IMG_0052.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36UQD1tyGic1 Sam Lu Senmu Sam Lu Thu, 31 Mar 2011 12:55:34 -0700 First-person Hockey Helmet Cam http://guitarhero.ca/first-person-hockey-helmet-cam http://guitarhero.ca/first-person-hockey-helmet-cam

As part of the exhibition the Albright-Knox included an experimental video installation produced by the Sabres called “N.H.L. in 360°.”, The installation uses high-definition point-of-view cameras and special binaural sound microphones worn during games by Sabres goalie Ryan Miller and forward Jason Pominville, augmented by video and audio recorded from the HSBC Arena stands.

via slapshot.blogs.nytimes.com

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/236061/IMG_0052.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36UQD1tyGic1 Sam Lu Senmu Sam Lu Wed, 30 Mar 2011 19:16:50 -0700 "And two shots of vodka..." http://guitarhero.ca/and-two-shots-of-vodka http://guitarhero.ca/and-two-shots-of-vodka

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/236061/IMG_0052.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36UQD1tyGic1 Sam Lu Senmu Sam Lu Fri, 18 Mar 2011 18:41:00 -0700 Cry Baby: The Pedal That Rocks The World on Vimeo http://guitarhero.ca/cry-baby-the-pedal-that-rocks-the-world-on-vi http://guitarhero.ca/cry-baby-the-pedal-that-rocks-the-world-on-vi

Watching this documentary has made me want to go and get one of these pedals just so I could bust out some 70s porn themes.

...well, that and Voodoo Child, but mostly the 70s porn themes (waka waka waka)

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/236061/IMG_0052.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36UQD1tyGic1 Sam Lu Senmu Sam Lu Tue, 15 Mar 2011 22:44:00 -0700 Anybody else notice this about Rdio's logo? Now it can't be unseen. http://guitarhero.ca/anybody-else-notice-this-about-rdios-logo-now http://guitarhero.ca/anybody-else-notice-this-about-rdios-logo-now

I recently signed up to Rdio's trial and five days into the trial I have to say that it's mostly been fantastic. Tonight however, Rdio's mac app wasn't connecting properly so I was left starting at their logo for a little bit while I tried to get it to work.

I noticed that the holes in the 'd' and the 'o' were a little bit funny shaped, and then it dawned on me:

Rdio_note

The holes in the 'd' and the 'o' are shaped after a music note! Now I can't unsee it!

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/236061/IMG_0052.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36UQD1tyGic1 Sam Lu Senmu Sam Lu Wed, 01 Dec 2010 19:25:00 -0800 Keep Your Flash Video Running Fullscreen While Working on Other Things http://guitarhero.ca/keep-your-flash-video-running-fullscreen-whil http://guitarhero.ca/keep-your-flash-video-running-fullscreen-whil

340x_flashhacker

If you run multiple displays, you might have wanted to watch a TED talk, sports broadcast, or some other flash video in fullscreen on one monitor without it restoring to its original size once the video loses focus.

Below are links on how to get this working:

Chrome on Windows: DrizzlyChrome
Other browsers (eg. Firefox, IE) on Windows: FlashHacker

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/236061/IMG_0052.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36UQD1tyGic1 Sam Lu Senmu Sam Lu Sat, 27 Nov 2010 10:33:00 -0800 Playing around with Gran Turismo 5's Photo Mode http://guitarhero.ca/playing-around-with-gran-turismo-5s-photo-mod http://guitarhero.ca/playing-around-with-gran-turismo-5s-photo-mod

I got around to buying Gran Turismo 5 yesterday and found a neat photo feature in the campaign mode of the game. For my first car I chose the Civic Type-R which seemed to be a better choice than the other options from Nissan or Toyota. Polyphonic Digital did a great job allowing for full control in photo mode. Besides being able to place your car however you want in the setting, the camera they let you play with has controls just like an SLR allowing you to play with the white balance, f/stop, shutter speed, etc.

Suzuka_circuit_east_course_1

Suzuka_circuit_east_course

Kyoto_-_gion

Kyoto_-_gion_1

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/236061/IMG_0052.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36UQD1tyGic1 Sam Lu Senmu Sam Lu Sat, 16 Oct 2010 09:14:00 -0700 Yashica FX-2 Lens + Canon 20D http://guitarhero.ca/yashica-fx-2-lens-canon-20d http://guitarhero.ca/yashica-fx-2-lens-canon-20d

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A long time ago on my first job, I got into a discussion about photography with my project manager. He mentioned that he was looking to sell an old SLR and it sounded like an interesting gadget so I bought it off him.

This ol' Yashica FX-2 was sitting in my drawer since then and I decided to try experimenting with its 50mm lens by combining it with the body of a Canon EOS 20D. It worked, although I had to hold the lens in place. I have to say I quite like the results from this lens as it puts a vintage feel into the photos it takes. I'll have to find an adapter so that it can mount properly on the body of the 20D.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/236061/IMG_0052.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36UQD1tyGic1 Sam Lu Senmu Sam Lu Sat, 18 Sep 2010 14:58:06 -0700 Crystal Head Vodka http://guitarhero.ca/crystal-head-vodka http://guitarhero.ca/crystal-head-vodka Dan Akroyd was in town today promoting his Crystal Head Vodka. Since I was out and about today, I figured I'd stop by and pick one up when I heard about it. The bottles look pretty cool.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/236061/IMG_0052.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36UQD1tyGic1 Sam Lu Senmu Sam Lu Mon, 13 Sep 2010 21:01:00 -0700 Hello vs. Ahoy http://guitarhero.ca/hello-vs-ahoy http://guitarhero.ca/hello-vs-ahoy

The greeting of "hello" over the telephone is attributed to Thomas Edison. However Alex Bell wanted it to be Ahoy (like the way Mr. Burns says it)

Telephone

The use of hello as a telephone greeting has been credited to Thomas Edison; according to one source, he expressed his surprise with a misheard Hullo.^[6] Alexander Graham Bell initially used Ahoy (as used on ships) as a telephone greeting.^[7] However, in 1877, Edison wrote to T.B.A. David, the president of the Central District and Printing Telegraph Company of Pittsburgh:

Friend David, I do not think we shall need a call bell as Hello! can be heard 10 to 20 feet away.
What you think? Edison - P.S. first cost of sender & receiver to manufacture is only $7.00.^{[citation needed]}

By 1889, central telephone exchange operators were known as 'hello-girls' due to the association between the greeting and the telephone.

via en.wikipedia.org

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/236061/IMG_0052.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36UQD1tyGic1 Sam Lu Senmu Sam Lu Sun, 22 Aug 2010 11:40:54 -0700 Weekend Hacks: Left4Dead 2 on dual displays http://guitarhero.ca/weekend-hacks-left4dead-2-on-dual-displays http://guitarhero.ca/weekend-hacks-left4dead-2-on-dual-displays I tried out SoftTH which allows you to expand some games across multiple displays. Typically it's supposed to be used in a 3+ display setup. Later on I tweaked it with an 80px offset so the cross hair wasn't smack dab inbetween the bezels.

Weekend_hax_l4d2

Softth_left4dead2

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/236061/IMG_0052.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36UQD1tyGic1 Sam Lu Senmu Sam Lu Sun, 15 Aug 2010 14:03:28 -0700 Drawing of Kerrigan's Portrait http://guitarhero.ca/drawing-of-kerrigans-portrait http://guitarhero.ca/drawing-of-kerrigans-portrait I just finished the campaign of Starcraft 2: Wings of Liberty and couldn't help but notice some Asian artistic influence in Kerrigan's portrait. I'd guess they hired some Korean talent (Blizzard would be doing no wrong by appealing to that huge market) as it looks akin to the style of something by Hyung-tae Kim.

It's been a really long time since I drew anything so I decided to try and brush up on my drawing, and try to recreate Sarah Kerrigan's portrait seen throughout the game. I guess I still got it :)

Kerrigan

Kerrigan_closeup

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/236061/IMG_0052.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36UQD1tyGic1 Sam Lu Senmu Sam Lu Tue, 20 Jul 2010 12:37:05 -0700 35mm - 35 Movie References in 2 Minutes http://guitarhero.ca/35mm-35-movie-references-in-2-minutes http://guitarhero.ca/35mm-35-movie-references-in-2-minutes

I could only recognize eight of them. I must be out of touch with cinema.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/236061/IMG_0052.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36UQD1tyGic1 Sam Lu Senmu Sam Lu Mon, 19 Jul 2010 08:45:00 -0700 Hilarious Taiwanese News Animation on iPhone 4 with Lightsabers http://guitarhero.ca/hilarious-taiwanese-news-animation-on-iphone http://guitarhero.ca/hilarious-taiwanese-news-animation-on-iphone

via youtube.com

Taiwanese news seems to be notorious for having animations as part of their journalism (previously noted with the animation reenacting the Tiger Woods scandal here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1xaLaLHHms )

They seem to have done it again with this fantastic animation regarding the iPhone 4's stolen prototype (involving Gizmodo), and its antenna issues.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/236061/IMG_0052.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36UQD1tyGic1 Sam Lu Senmu Sam Lu Tue, 15 Jun 2010 12:46:13 -0700 Thanks for leaving the guitar behind @bryanmanio http://guitarhero.ca/thanks-for-leaving-the-guitar-behind-bryanman http://guitarhero.ca/thanks-for-leaving-the-guitar-behind-bryanman

2010-06-15_13

Everyone else at the office has gone off to a meeting. Going to take a break and practice.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/236061/IMG_0052.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36UQD1tyGic1 Sam Lu Senmu Sam Lu Sat, 27 Mar 2010 10:38:00 -0700 Switcher Brings Expose To Windows http://guitarhero.ca/switcher-brings-expose-to-windows http://guitarhero.ca/switcher-brings-expose-to-windows

One thing I missed when I turned to my Windows PC as my main workstation from my Mac was the lack of Expose - a neat task switcher that laid out all running programs into a grid of thumbnails at the whim of a keystroke. I recalled using another alternative in the past but it didn't do it so well. Switcher however really nailed how it worked just like on the Mac. Thanks to this and cygwin which satisfies my need for a shell, I'm really not missing work on my Mac too much.

You can download Switcher on its project homepage

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/236061/IMG_0052.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36UQD1tyGic1 Sam Lu Senmu Sam Lu Sat, 20 Feb 2010 13:40:00 -0800 Banana Trenchcoat http://guitarhero.ca/banana-trenchcoat http://guitarhero.ca/banana-trenchcoat

Media_httpi392photobu_sepni

By: José María Andrés Martín

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/236061/IMG_0052.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36UQD1tyGic1 Sam Lu Senmu Sam Lu