Chuck E. Cheesy

Computer Space game cabinetLast night I went to Chuck E. Cheese for my nephew's birthday. I had never been before and for my nephew, even a 25-year-old concept is fresh and new again to a 6-year-old and the right TV commercial. When I was kid I remember all the hubbub when Nolan Bushnell from Atari started the whole animatronic animal pizza chain. At the time, it seemed prophetic rather then just the odd whim of a frustrated Disney fanatic, but now it has a sort of dated atmosphere, like a cheap kids' Vegas.

But looking up Bushnell history this morning led to this great game forerunner

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The Geni's loose

Found this cool viral genealogical site. It's a pretty quick and easy means to build a web-based family tree and as data accumulates, eventually show how large groups of disparate people are related. Though one thing that isn't as supported as well as I'd like is showing how non-biological families are, since I've got a large California extended/blended family. But it's an interesting start and I'm curious how it develops.

Update: Okay, I'm totally addicted to this site now. I think they've got a winner here. The tag line "Everyone's Related" is almost a description of what they're hitting that many social-networking sites miss, those strong connections that people have in the real world, particularly family connection. And then on top of that it appeals to all those compulsive genealogy nuts out there, which I could easily join.

Guantanamo Unclassified

Why Am I A Buddhist?

I recently gave a talk at my Buddhist center on the topic of "Why I Am A Buddhist". It was a very interesting exercise and made me think about the question and about my practice in new ways. I'd really like to write an essay on the topic at some point, but my friend Gabriel's website has a copy of my talk along with the others that various members of the Sangha gave.

Is What the What?

I recently finished reading the Dave Eggers novelization of Valentino Achak Deng's autobiography about his experience as a "Lost Boy" of southern Sudan. It's an interesting sort of collaboration where Valentino supplied the rough narrative of his life and memories and Dave wrote in his voice and filled in the details that Valentino's memory lacked. It's a bit odd to hear Dave's style restricted in a way by trying to stay true to Valentino's life an d not fly off on it's usual surreal tangents. And certainly Valentino's own voice and horrific experiences shine through.