November 29, 2007 by rfhicks.

I am totally enthralled about new technology display and avidly read about the latest breakthroughs. I was considering at one point of buying one of the new e-readers that are currently available but have been somewhat dismayed by the price range, proprietary file formats, screen size, and the limited gray scale range.

The e-ink display really shines when in comes to power consumption using the current battery technology except when you decide to attach a Wi-Fi device then you are back to the power limitations of the conventional laptop. This leaves in a lurch when it comes to having thousands of documents at hand only to find yourself lugging a transformer around your local coffee shop or bookstore seeking out that hidden outlet to insure that you are able to download your electronic newspaper or new book and begin a comfortable reading experience.

I tend to vote with my wallet when it comes to new technology and will wait till the 5^th or 6^th generation of e-ink technology is available in at least 8.5”x 11” display size, has the same white appearance as generic #20 bond paper that you put in your printer, has a video refresh comparable to your personal computer, is in 16 million colors, is flexible and can be folder into quarters or eights and stuck in your back pocket, needs to be recharged approximately every three months with a solar cell recharger that runs on ambient indoor light and can be purchased for $30 off an unsecured display rack at the Wal-Mart check out line.

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November 23, 2007 by rfhicks.

I recently had had the opportunity to go see Beowulf. The movie is based on a 6th century sonnet written in old English about a Danish king and his mead hall that is cursed by a demon called Grendel. We find that Grendel cannot stand the singing and merrymaking made by the Danish king and his subjects, so Grendel makes his appearances late at night at the mead hall to devour and bring about some peace and quiet to the neighborhood.

The news of the king’s distress somehow reaches shores afar.

Beowulf makes a journey to the troubled king’s mead hall and offers his services as a demon slayer. All the while the hero boldly declares, “I am Beowulf.” Members of the king’s court cast doubts on Beowulf’s blustery accounts of heroism and ask him why he was defeated in swimming contest against another legendary hero. Beowulf dismissed their doubts when he told them that he could have easily won the swimming contest if it had not been for the distraction of him having to slay a sea monster and make love to beautiful mermaid.

I won’t give away more of the story from here and tell you why I titled this article, ‘The return of the ‘B’ movie, that is Beowulf. One of the first impressions that ran through my mind after watching the movie was how it reminded of the reruns of the early 60s series of Hercules movies directed by Pietro Francisci. Beowulf shares many characteristics with this early syndicated television show such as , strong characterization, spartan use of dialog, and an evenly paced tempo. After seeing the movie I felt I had returned to a moment in my childhood where I had stayed up past my bedtime to watch an episode of Pietro Francisci’s Hercules.

I enjoyed this movie and would recommend it to anyone seeking to recapture a moment in the adolescence when one looked forward to staying up past there bedtime and partaking of some of the forbidden fruit of late night television.

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November 3, 2007 by rfhicks.

This coming Christmas Eve will mark 9 years that I have been with Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino as a security officer. The job has its ups and downs as the years have passed. The job comprises mostly of doing all the other things that other departments don’t do including the securing of company assets, directing traffic, acting as a professional safety liaison, and assuring the guest have a pleasant and safe experience while visiting the casino.

Aside from the extremes of weather, the long hours standing posts, and the avoiding general boredom

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