Rhapsody in GNU

Home Sweet Home

Thomas PARIS — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 12:09:00 +0200

I've been thinking, for a couple of months now, of refurnishing my place so that it feels more like, you know, home. If you know me, you won't be surprised to learn it's been a difficult process. Fortunately, I've now made (almost) all the necessary decisions, in part thanks to a nifty piece of software I've recently found: Sweet Home 3D. Using it, it was very easy to create a model of my room, filled with all the furniture I was interested in and then move it around to see how well it would work that way. The design is done in 2D: you draw the walls, create rooms, add furniture with specific dimensions (and possibly a colour or texture). From that design, Sweet Home 3D is able to generate a 3D view that's most helpful when trying to visualise the result. In two words: highly recommended.

Carrot cake

Thomas PARIS — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 20:44:00 +0200

My first ever carrot cake:

Edit: Here is the carrot cake recipe (fr) I used.

Ginger pork

Thomas PARIS — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 21:37:00 +0200

Another Sunday, another cooking session for my bentō.

This time, I made some ginger-marinated pork (fr):

and, as I often do, a vegetable stir fry. This time with carrots, red bell pepper and the green parts of green onions:

Caramelised fish

Thomas PARIS — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 20:57:00 +0200

I've been experimenting with a new recipe for my bentō this week: caramelised fish.

First I marinate it in a mix of shoyu, mirin, sugar and sesame seeds:

Then I cook it on a very hot pan:

Makes for a very tasty source of proteins for my lunch. The idea comes from a book I bought recently, the excellent "mes petits bento (fr)" from the talented Laure Kié.

And once the fish is done, I mix the marinade with two eggs and make a very tasty omelette, which will be my source of proteins the following day :) Simple and tasty recipes for a bentō, what more could I ask for?

Science of perception

Thomas PARIS — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 19:30:00 +0200

I was listening to another fascinating interview of a scientist on the way home, this time about perception. It started with a quick discussion about senses but most of the interview was about time, how we all live in the past (because our brain has to wait for all the inputs to arrive before processing the stuff, all of 'em including what's coming from the toes) and whether time really does go at a slower pace in scary situations (which connects this with the previous interview ;). Turns out we only think we had a different experience of time when we really only have a different memory of it. See, in a scary situation, memory records many more bits and pieces of information. The brain doesn't process more, it's only that more of it is remembered. So after the fact, because you remember more details, it feels as if you were actually perceiving more and it feels like more time has passed than actually did.

Anyway, another very important part was when he talked about the importance of the integrity of your body (presumably especially but not only the brain) when it comes to your identity. They cite the famous case of Phineas Gage who lost a part of his brain in an accident and subsequently changed personality. Well, this reignited in me the question of where/what our consciousness really is. I'm inclined to believe (as Phineas Gage's example seems to confirm) that it exists strictly in our biology (maybe not just the brain,as is often assumed). But if it does, then it's born of chemical reactions or in other words is no much more than a glorified (and biological ;) machine. And that's where the trouble starts, as I also believe in free will. How to reconcile both? I know the question has been asked for ages and I'm not bringing anything new to the plate, but that's the point: it makes me feel like exploring this question a bit more. I have read GEB already but maybe you can recommend something else about this very topic?

Sorry if this post is not very clear, I had to write it quickly before forgetting about it but also before having enough time to do a good job of it.

If you'd like to listen to the interview (he's fortunately much more articulate than I am about his work), you can find it here: Dr. David Eagleman's interview.

Antarctica

Thomas PARIS — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 11:49:00 +0200

I've just seen advertised a photography workshop (25 days!) in Antarctica. And almost affordable (just a little bit more expensive than the 17 days workshop in Patagonia I've enrolled for). It's gonna be real tough resisting the urge...

Science of pleasure

Thomas PARIS — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 11:32:00 +0200

I was listening to a thought-provoking interview yesterday, about the science of pleasure. Why do we enjoy some things that at first don't look like they would be very enjoyable. According to the interviewee, we enjoy scary rides or movies and horrible, sometimes even a bit disgusting, stories because they're a way for us to practice what would be dangerous or traumatic experiences on a small scale in a safe environment. It would be a way for us to prepare for when these situations come true.

If you'd like to hear the whole interview, you can podcast it here : Science Friday - How Pleasure Works

Bento

Thomas PARIS — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 22:33:00 +0200

Those of you who know me, know I often prepare a lunchbox in a more-or-less Japanese style. Seems like you wonder what exactly I put in my bento box, so I've decided to try and document that a bit.

This first bento post will be a very simple and quickly put together one. I'll try and make better ones if there's any interest.

So, this is was tomorrow's lunch (I usually fill the box in the evening because I don't want to get up earlier to do it in the morning) looks like for me:

In the upper container is some rice with carrot leaves on the left and grated carrots and courgettes on the right. The lower container is filled with potato patties, sautée'd bell peppers, mushrooms and onions and finally a few cherry tomatoes (which should give you an idea of how big the box is, i.e. not very big).

That's it for today. Next time I'll give you a bit more info. Possibly some better pictures too.

Many fans

Thomas PARIS — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 21:32:00 +0200

So many fans these days...

No, not fans of my work, I haven't got any of those, judging by the numerous emails and comments I don't get. The fans I'm talking about are the chinese-style folding kind one uses when the weather is hot. And while I do realise we're in the middle of another heat wave (how could I not realise it when I'm not comfortable when it's over 25C...), it's the first time I see so many people using those fans. Is it because I wasn't using the Parisian metro during past heat waves (I haven't spent so many summers here these past years)? Or maybe because I wasn't attentive enough? Or possibly I have simply forgotten... Or is it really a new trend this year? And if so, is that the sign of a new orientalist trend?

Could also be that the heat is messing up my mind...

e-p1

Thomas PARIS — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 16:34:00 +0200

No news lately because I've been busy with work but I've just received my new toy:

And here are my first shots with it. Nothing fancy, I just wanted to test the ergonomics. And you know what, so far I'm pleased with it.

33

Thomas PARIS — Wed, 12 May 2010 06:33:00 +0200

33? Already? Apparently so, yes.

Distributed work

Thomas PARIS — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 09:21:00 +0200

Having been a member of the Free Software "world" for over ten years, I was very much aware of the possibility for people scattered all over the world to work together on a project. The Net being the great communication tool it is, a lot can be achieved by people who have never met in person. This works really well for software, which often doesn't require that people work together on something at the same time but it works in other fields too. I've heard of several such examples in the movie world, with amateurs making amazingly good productions, each working on a small piece of the project from the comfort of his or her own home. One could cite two shorts made using Blender, the 3d software package: Elephant's Dream and Big Buck Bunny. Or Star Wars: Revelations, a fan film whose special effects were made by artists from different countries. I had also heard of musicians working on a song, each recording his or her part separately in different locations (again, possibly even in different countries), the tracks being later mixed together to get a completed piece of music.

But this is the first time I've heard of choral music made this way. And the result ain't bad either. Sure, the Internet is not going to replace "real world" interactions and I'd much rather listen to a real choir performing live than this. But this sounds (bad pun intended) like a successful experiment to me. What do you think?

More vikings

Thomas PARIS — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 10:45:00 +0100

A friend of mine, after he had seen my viking-inspired self-portrait, suggested I check the Minnesota Vikings team of American Football. As I was looking for pictures of supporters dressed up as vikings (didn't find many), I found out about their drum line, which they named Skol Line. One thing led to another and I stumbled upon this video of a drum line battle, some elements of which reminded me of one of my favourite bands: Kodo (a Japanese drum bands).

Once again, the Net has proven that everything is connected ;)

明治神宮

Thomas PARIS — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 13:16:00 +0100

Welcome back to Japan. Today, we're gonna visit the Meiji shrine, a very large shrine in the middle of Tōkyō, dedicated to late emperor Meiji and his wife.

While in the first part of the set the shrine is not crowded, the second part shows it in the first few days of January, when people come to pray for a good year.

When I came the first time, in the end of December, they were preparing for New Year festivities.

When I came back a few days later, there were crowds queuing to buy engimono (different sorts of talisman-like objects) and ema (wooden tablets on which one writes a wish).

This first week of January is one of the best times to see young women in kimono. Though I do think it's a shame their boyfriend will often not make any effort in how they dress.

Next time... Well, I'm not sure which will come next: either more of Japan or the model photoshoot I was hinting to a couple of days ago.

Round 1

Thomas PARIS — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:44:00 +0100

If you know the French, you know how important politics are to us. Well, this week-end we'll have the first round of the regional elections and because I want to try and be a good citizen, yesterday evening I went through every platform. Here are a few interesting tidbits I've gathered from reading them.

No fewer than 9 lists, of which 2 are extreme left-wing (3 if you count the Communist party but the only thing communist about them is the name) and 2 are greens.
One of the extreme left-wing lists basically explains in its platform that winning the election is futile. Then again, people on the other far left list are known for their refusing to take part in any government.
Most of the platforms are very similar, with a strong emphasis on fixing the broken public transit system and creating more homes, especially for students. Both problems have been known to be serious issues in Ile-de-France (Paris and its surroundings) for quite some time, so no big surprise here.
Other than the far left (whose platforms amount to: "Capitalism is Evil, my revolutionary brothers! Let's take down the government and hang the rich bankers with the bowels of the rich CEOs!"), there's only one platform (from people who actually want to win the elections) that really differentiates itself: that of infamous extreme right-wing Front National.
Since we're talking about them, the Front National party, as usual, is telling us all our problems are caused by foreigners. And once again, they support their xenophobic ideas with dubious claims. An example: according to them, illegal immigrants get a 75% discount on public transportation. My question to them is how do they get the discount? By showing their illegal immigrant card? (thanks to Cyprien for noticing this one)
Funnily enough, the Front National and Nouveau Parti Anticapitaliste (obviously far left) parties would probably agree on one of the ideas suggested by the latter: boycotting Israeli products.
OK, let's get back to "real" parties: it seems the success of Europe Écologie (greens, obviously) at the latest European elections has given them some ideas. It feels like each and every platform mentions ecology in one way or another.
Talking about Europe Écologie, they have what I think must be the most original proposition: they want to support culture. And by that I don't mean agriculture, though they support that too of course. It's not clear what exactly they're going to do and much less how they're going to finance it, but hey bonus point for introducing something original in their platform.
And last (but not least?), not a single mention of free and open source software or open formats anywhere... Either they all agree on how important openness is for a government or they all disagree with me. If I had to guess...

Well, by now you've probably understood it was an interesting read. Too bad I still don't know who I'm gonna cast my vote for. Two more days to make up my mind.

Creative Commons

Thomas PARIS — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:23:00 +0100

I've finally added a copyright notice (check out the footer), thereby making everything here available under the very liberal cc-by-sa (Attribution-Share Alike) license. It basically means you can do more or less whatever you like with the content here, as long as you mention my name (that's the "by"/"Attribution" part) and don't restrict others in their use of what you've made using my work (the "sa"/"Share Alike" part).

So, for example, you could create a composite picture using one (or several) of my photographs and a photograph of your own but if you distribute the result, it has to be under a license that will let others use it in a similar way.

Do note however that while it would be perfectly legal for you to use my photographs in a commercial work without asking for my permission first, you would probably need a signed model release to use any of my "people" shots. Do your homework before you get into trouble.

Oh and one last point: if you require higher resolution versions (and you probably do if you'd like to print them), I can provide them. But we'll have to talk about the licensing details for those.

Any question?

Edit: It goes without saying that while you're not required to inform me if you use my work, I would appreciate if you did.

Coming soon(ish)

Thomas PARIS — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:34:00 +0100

New photo album feature

Thomas PARIS — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:33:00 +0100

I'm now trying a new photo album feature. I'm currently using it only on the latest photo post. You'll notice a new link ("see the gallery") is now displayed under the post on the main page and a few pictures from the album are visible inside the post itself. Clicking on any of those pictures will open the album and if you have not disabled javascript, you can look at them all in a slideshow-like window. I haven't activated the actual slideshow because I don't like automatic viewing, but if you'd like that, I can add it.

Anyway, please tell me how well it works for you.

地獄谷

Thomas PARIS — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 13:51:00 +0100

Next stop on our winter trip to Japan is Death Valley (Jigokudani) in the Nagano Prefecture. This set is without a doubt my most popular from that trip. You've already seen some of the best shots in an earlier post though.

大さん橋

Thomas PARIS — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 14:25:00 +0100

Another day, another (much smaller) set of pictures from Japan. This time, it's a couple of night shots of the Yokohama International Passenger Terminal a.k.a. Ōsanbashi Pier.