The contest:
Using MSPaint, draw a gigantic evil clown attacking either a single dinosaur or a colony of dinosaurs.

Once again, some of the drawings are large. so if you’re using IE you may have to wait until the picture loads, then hold your mouse over the picture until the ‘expand’ button appears in the lower right. Click on that to view the picture in the proper resolution.

Entries (with brief commentary):

Clown 1
Action packed! I don’t know how those dinosaurs got lightsabers, but they have them, and I’m scared. I think I’m rooting for the clown.

Clown 2
The square type drawing style is very captivating. There is no better poem that could have been picked. Also: good weapon.

Clown 3
I love the cartoon feeling to this MSPainting. Despite the horror that those dinosaurs must be experiencing, I can’t help but smile.

Clown 4
How could you not love the fact that the dinosaur on the right is hiding under a book. I also appreciate the clown’s weaponry.

Clown 5
The comic strip type style helps accentuate the underlying themes of loneliness and depression.

Clown 6
It’s a public service announcement and a giant evil clown all in one! Please make sure to read the sign by the volcano.

Clown 7
Excellent intepretation of a clown attacking a ’single’ dinosaur. Clever and cute.

Clown 8
Think Michael Jackson’s “Bad” Video

Clown 9
Creepy and dark. But you can’t deny the artistic quality. I like the lightning knife.

Clown 10
It’s like theater of the absurd… except in MSPainting form. Funny, but it makes you think.

Clown 11
Ahh, while many people incorporated one of the McDonalds characters… this is the only one that includes Two. Excellent.

Clown 12
Interesting choice of a weapon, and very artistically drawn

Clown 13
I think everyone would agree that blood and gore is awesome.

Clown 14
This clown has clearly been trained in martial arts. It is an excellent use of pie.

Clown 15
I like the Dr. Katz sort of profile of the scary obese clown. Also the black and white is a pleasant break from the color norms.

Clown 16
That’s no tree young clown. These dinosaurs… they’re smart.

Clown 17
HOLY ANIMATION! Those dinosaurs kind of look like Teddy Grahams. I think that’s awesome.

Clown 18
The text is very deep. It instills a sense of fear and at the same time a deep sense of irony.

Please vote for your favorite three (in order of awesomeness) in the comments. You’re not allowed to vote for your own and you are encouraged to leave descriptions of why you chose the MSPaint picture that you did. While you’re at it, guess which is mine.

A few people requested a recap, so here it is. click on any of the pictures to bring up the big version.

Is that how the rpg kids do it? I don’t know…
oh well.
Since I’ve abstained from the clown drawing competition, I’ve decided to shower the site with plugin powered updates!

So now there are new superpowers all over Mikedidonato.com!

• Threaded comments! The way things have been going around here, I’ll probably end up turning the comment backend into a full BBS forum thing from the 80s but for now, this will be awesome enough.
• Edit your comments! Make a typo? fix it yourself!
• Subscribe to comments! Want to know the instant that someone responds to your witty comment so you can zing them back to the stone age? Now you can get an email the instant it happens!

Mostly, my comment file already had all these comment upgrades piled into it and there was no reason to reinvent the wheel.

Mad props to all the clown entry artists. I’m glad that I didn’t enter.

the deadline for the: gigantic evil clown attacking either a single dinosaur or a colony of dinosaurs MSPaint contest is tonight at midnight. So make sure to submit your entry.

We have great participation and every single one I’ve received so far has impressed me on some level.

e-mail submissions to: mikedidonato AT gmail DOT com

Normally I’m not too excited about new shoes, however… this week I ordered a brand new pair of climbing shoes.

This is especially awesome because my current shoes have holes in them and a terrible layer of rubber on the bottom. I suspect that these new shoes will help propel me to new levels on the walls of fake rock.

I still plan on keeping my other pair as a spare for friends who randomly want to climb our home wall, or join us at the gym. “A Spare Pair to Share” if you will.

In other news that you probably care about more, someone should buy this 5 lb blob of silly putty.

I need mentos and rootbeer… STAT!

recently I’ve been listening to streaming music while doing my 3-D modeling. I’ve decided that I need to make work more fun, and this is one of the ways that I’m doing it.

Projects are always tons-o-fun for the first two weeks. Then, upon the heavy realization that this project will control your life for the next month or two, everything takes a turn for the worse. If you have any suggestions as to ways that I might be able to funify my work during those last few weeks of a project, I’d love to hear them.

THE MSPAINT DEADLINE IS THURSDAY AT MIDNIGHT!
the challenge remains: Using MSPaint draw a picture of a gigantic evil clown attacking either a single dinosaur or a colony of dinosaurs

the deadline fast approaches.

Jill visited this weekend. We went to the Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford. It was a really enjoyable museum. We also made some dinner, hit up a sushi place, and watched Hotel Rwanda. It was an excellent movie. Alicia, if you get a chance, watch and review this one.

I’ve started downloading a huge selection of Disco favorites. This downloading frenzy was ignighted by this:

Elevator

(curtosy of joe)

The Question

Jill Says:
June 22nd, 2005 at 1:09 pm
Dear Shaun,

My favorite cousin is getting married at the end of July. I was trying to figure out how his new wife would be related to me. I then realized that I had never figured out the difference between second, third or fourth cousins and cousins once, twice or thrice removed. Can you clarify?

Ever curious,
Jill

(more…)

So far I’ve received five entries into the MSPaint contest for next week (Theme: A gigantic clown attacking dinosaurs). And I have to say, there’s really been a step up in effort from the last set.

The creativity and artful MSPainting that people have submitted so far has been extraoridinary. Thanks to all those who have submitted stuff so far.

In other news, I had the second class of my grad career last night. It’s very unusual. There’s a huge change in atmosphere between undergrad and graduate courses. Undergrad seemed forced. Graduate work seems more passionate. I can’t tell you how refreshing it is to see a group of students so interested in Engineering Mathematics. It’s very motivating. I hope it’s not just a phase that I will grow out of as I become more comfortable with the course.

Please enjoy another article by the famed economist Steven Landsburg

Key phrase:

Magical Pink Unicorns that produce an Unlimited Supply of Milk

Last night I slammed my fingers in a door at 10:30pm.

It was violent and there was a good amount of blood. The gash, or Avulsion as those in the medical field prefer to call it, was deep and the blood was ever flowing. I got back to the House of Rock and Jesse and Joel each commented on whether or not they thought I’d need stitches. It was decided that I probably wouldn’t.

At 12:15, however, the wound was still bleeding, and according to a website Jesse found, if a laceration doesn’t stop bleeding after 10 minutes with applied pressure, there’s a good possibility you’ll need stitches. So off we went to the hospital to see if stitching would be required.

The doc took some x-rays to see if I broke my finger, and then examined the wound to see if I needed stitches. I’m happy to say that both answers were good ones. No breakage, no stitches. The doctor informed me that Avulsions, or wide areas where the skin was torn away, will ooze and goo for numerous hours and then eventually scab up.

I got home at 3am, with a still throbbing finger and 75 bucks in the hole.

I got a picture of Jesse assisting my bloody hand in the bathroom. Not for the faint of heart, it’s an ugly site:

Blood Everywhere!

P.S. if you’re interested in doing a virtual oregon trail, please send me an e-mail at:
mikedidonato AT gmail DOT com

One thing Mike D and I can see eye-to-eye on is the uselessness of the space program.

(more…)

I’m eating an amazing apple right now. Really high quality.

I just wanted to share that. I hope you’re all doing well.

love,
mike d.

We had beets with dinner last night. Oh man. Beets are so tasty. If you do not like eating delicious beets, I do not know what is wrong with you.

New MSPaint Contest Announcement!

Your Challenge: Using MSPaint draw a picture of a gigantic evil clown attacking either a single dinosaur or a colony of dinosaurs

Your Deadline: Thursday September 29th at 5pm (this is a week from tomorrow)

Rules refresh: Each artist must use MSPaint. e-mail your submissions to: mikedidonato AT gmail DOT com. Feel free to get inspiration from internet sources, no cut&paste from outside sources is allowed. SUGGESTION: Try and make sure your picture will fit on a single page, it makes the viewing process a bit easier. This is just a suggestion, if you prefer the hugeness, feel free to go with it.

I don’t know if it’s rock climbing, a result of my young tennis years, or something else… but my elbows act real funky. (For those lexicographers amongst you, I should point out that “elbow” is a great scrabble word. )

Yesterday I was at the gym, and had to cut my exercise short because my left elbow was in mild pain. I didn’t want to make it worse, so I stopped and used the rest of my lunch to stretch. Then, last night at the rock climbing gym my Right elbow was torturing me. Oh Elbows, why do you burden me so? It’s really only an annoyance. So you can take these complaints with a grain of salt.

Despite elbow worries, I was still able to conquer a tough 5.10 that’s been pestering me. My goal is to climb a 5.12 by March of 2006.

In case you don’t already know, today is international talk like a pirate day.

Thanks to all of the participants of the Jaguar MSPaint contest. I closed the polls at midnight on Sunday, and we have a winner!

First, I tallied the votes as such. each voter gave 3 points for a first place, 2 points for second, 1 point for third. If the voter specifically noted “in no particular order” than all three would receive 2 points. If a voter only voted for a single winner instead of three, than that artist would get 2 points.

The winner is: TIM BAIRD!

Here’s a list of all the artists:

Jaguar 1: Becky
Jaguar 2: Tim Baird (1st place with 36 points!)
Jaguar 3: Sander (3rd place with 22 points!)
Jaguar 4: Paul Novello
Jaguar 5: Ben
Jaguar 6: mike d.
Jaguar 7: Alicia B.
Jaguar 8: Shaun McQuaid
Jaguar 9: Patrick (who oddly, was never in last place)
Jaguar 10: Jon Abad (2nd place with 26 points!)
Jaguar 11: Alicia D.
Jaguar 12: Joe Havelick

We’ll definitely be doing this again, as people seemed to have a good time. I’ll give a new topic soon and you’ll have two weeks to complete your drawing.

The Question

Becky Says:
May 23rd, 2005 at 4:15 am

How do tattoos stay on your skin?

As far as I’m aware, baby skin cells are born in the bottom dermis layers and migrate to the top as they grow. Then they die and flake off.

Why doesn’t the ink die with the cells as they flake off? Are these ink-dyed cells cloning themselves or is tattoo ink a fountian of youth for the injected skin cells and they never die?

Also would I look good with a celtic cross tatto on my hip?

(more…)

The Question

Micah Says:
May 21st, 2005 at 7:03 am

Setting:

Two Planets, made from a homogenous material, with similar average density to earth, and similar diameter, thus similar gavitational pull

Average man, standing on planet A wishes to jump and land on planet B

Neglecting all “You cant do that!” and “thats not possible!”’s

How close, in meters, do the surfaces of the two planets have to be?

And just to be fair, what about a 5th percentile Female?

(more…)

The challenge was such: Using MSPaint draw a jaguar trying to stuff a typewriter into a microwave.

I received 12 entries, which are listed below. Please take the time to check each and then vote for your top three by commenting. You are not allowed to vote for your own entry. If you prefer, feel free to keep your comment anonymous. I’ll know who you are from your listed e-mail. Also, guess which is mine!

When you vote take quality, humor, creativity, and awesomeness into consideration.

The list, followed by my personal favorite part of that drawing.

IMPORTANT: if you’re running IE, you may have to hold your mouse over each drawing and wait for the “expand to full size” button to magically appear in the lower left. Click that to make sure you’re viewing the pictures in proper resolution.

Jaguar1
The speed lines and the extremely realistic typewriter

Jaguar2
The Thundercats Poster and the Recipe book

Jaguar3
Please just contemplate the ridiculousness of this scenario

Jaguar4
The Raisin Bran Sun in the upper right. Two scoops of Delicious Microwave!

Jaguar5
The look of determination in the jaguar. Seriously, that cat is dangerous.

Jaguar6
The keys of the typewriter actually have the letters on them

Jaguar7
Judging by the expression on this Jaguar’s face, there are about 2 Minutes until this Jaguar eats and kills EVERYBODY.

Jaguar8
The look of fury, and the curvy boneless arm

Jaguar9
Pun-tastic! and a very impressive MSPaint Jaguar

Jaguar10
The Hashed Shading is impressive indeed.

Jaguar11
The blood. And strange Kangaroo likeness

Jaguar12
The perspective is impressive, as well as the realistic shadows. Unfortunately I have my suspicions that the artist may have used “copy and paste” to pull in outside pictures. Because no one but a professional would spend time creating off color treads on an MSPaint car. For this reason, submission 12 will start off with negative 1 votes.

An excellent bunch of submissions. Use the comments to vote for your 3 favorites!

UPDATE!: ARTIST #12 IS ADAMANT ABOUT THE ORIGINALITY OF HIS MSPAINTING, AND SUCH, HE SHALL REGAIN THE NEGATIVE POINT, AND GAIN AN ADDITIONAL POINT FOR THE EFFORT OF SHADING THE TREADS ON HIS JAGUAR’S WHEELS

Today is the deadline for MSPaint images of a Jaguar stuffing a Typewriter into a Microwave. So keep ‘em coming in!

I’ve received 10 entries which will be displayed on the website tomorrow.

If you haven’t sent yours in yet, make sure to do so today!

I know, you’re all amazed as to why mikedidonato.com hasn’t already received a Best of the Web award.

I am too. But don’t dismay. Hopefully by next year I’ll be able to win by hacking the system quadrupling my reader count.

The other day Sander and I, like any typical group of males, were throwing around some hypothetical Mortal Kombat situations, and a question came up about Rayden.

Rayden is, of course, a character in the hit 90’s video game “Mortal Kombat” that was based on the Japanese god of thunder and lightning “Raiden”.

The question was:
Does Rayden’s electricity zap in alternating or direct current?
If your answer to this question is DC, do you think he could zap people in AC if he wanted?

This was of course followed by the question:
Do you think Scorpion would be an expert spear fisherman if he wasn’t an undead hell spawned ninja?

It is only in retrospect that I realize we are extreme dorks.

Sander’s volvo broke down this morning. I am only just now getting to work.

Some of the fun included:

Having mike d push the car through an intersection where it originally stalled.
Having mike d push the car as fast as he can while it’s in 2nd gear to pop the engine.
Having mike d push the car towards exit 9 on route 91 after the second break down.

There was probably close to a quarter mile of pushing involved.

To be fair, Sander knows his car better and was far better suited behind the wheel. And, besides, it’s funny watching a guy in a shirt and tie push a 1990 volvo all around CT.