Friday, November 03, 2006
Inorganic Sentients Circling the Planet
Before I rant, I'd like to discuss something cool. A couple of the folks who join us at Comic Con, each year, have opened their own business online. Commanderbot makes and sells very loud geektacular button up shirts at http://www.robotsinorbit.com. She and Designbot have a blog, where they've been discussing design and implementation of the store. I can't imagine what they'll be posting in the future, but it's kinda fun to read at http://robotsinorbit.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
It's Time To Wake Up, Parents
In the wake of the recent school shootings and a manhunt in Florida, is this article really the best we can do?
What good is this article doing us?
1. I don't notice any point where the journalist offered suggestions to fix the problem. He just points out what should have been painfully obvious the first time a revenge killing was committed.
2. This journalist is doing little else than stating what should be more than obvious to anyone.
ugh
I have too much contempt for this article and am just, in general, too frustrated to even consider the matter further. I don't even have kids.
What good is this article doing us?
1. I don't notice any point where the journalist offered suggestions to fix the problem. He just points out what should have been painfully obvious the first time a revenge killing was committed.
2. This journalist is doing little else than stating what should be more than obvious to anyone.
ugh
I have too much contempt for this article and am just, in general, too frustrated to even consider the matter further. I don't even have kids.
Saturday, September 23, 2006
Downtime
Another week in lovely Wilmington, DE, has come to an end for me. I remember when air travel was an exciting novelty (have I said this before?). The prospect of "getting to fly" was wrought with excitement. The night before a flight was spent barely sleeping in anticipation.
By this point in my career, however, it has become complete and utter tedium. I wake up at the last minute. I curse the early hour. I struggle across town to the airport. I select seats on the aisle to avoid being crammed into a wall. I remain wholly anti-social until the entire affair has come to an end.
Prior to this trip, I purchased a set of Ultimate Ear super.fi 3 earbuds to drown out all the noise in the fuselage. I have to say, they were great. Usually, after I travel, I've a headache from the drone of the engines, constant chatter and wails of obnoxious children. On neither Monday, nor Friday, this week, did I feel the audible effects of the flights. I even had the misfortune of being seated amid a number of noisy children on both my return flights. The Ulimtate Ear kit paid off in spades, as I didn't hear a single bit of their tedious and excessive youthful nonsense. I highly recommend these suckers to anyone else who struggles to successfully drown out the background noises of a plane.
In the Philadelphia airport, yesterday, I purchased a copy of Flags of our Fathers. It's an interesting history of the six men photographed raising the flag atop Mount Suribachi in 1945. A compelling story, albeit clumsily written. I've consumed about fifty-percent of the book and have enjoyed the portrait painted within. The selection is timely, as a film will be released, later this year, based on the novel. The trailer seems as clumsy as the novel, though. I believe I'll have to do more research into the matter before choosing to see the film.
Enough rambling for the evening...
SQL> Select Rain From Forecast Where Thunderstorm = True;
By this point in my career, however, it has become complete and utter tedium. I wake up at the last minute. I curse the early hour. I struggle across town to the airport. I select seats on the aisle to avoid being crammed into a wall. I remain wholly anti-social until the entire affair has come to an end.
Prior to this trip, I purchased a set of Ultimate Ear super.fi 3 earbuds to drown out all the noise in the fuselage. I have to say, they were great. Usually, after I travel, I've a headache from the drone of the engines, constant chatter and wails of obnoxious children. On neither Monday, nor Friday, this week, did I feel the audible effects of the flights. I even had the misfortune of being seated amid a number of noisy children on both my return flights. The Ulimtate Ear kit paid off in spades, as I didn't hear a single bit of their tedious and excessive youthful nonsense. I highly recommend these suckers to anyone else who struggles to successfully drown out the background noises of a plane.
In the Philadelphia airport, yesterday, I purchased a copy of Flags of our Fathers. It's an interesting history of the six men photographed raising the flag atop Mount Suribachi in 1945. A compelling story, albeit clumsily written. I've consumed about fifty-percent of the book and have enjoyed the portrait painted within. The selection is timely, as a film will be released, later this year, based on the novel. The trailer seems as clumsy as the novel, though. I believe I'll have to do more research into the matter before choosing to see the film.
Enough rambling for the evening...
SQL> Select Rain From Forecast Where Thunderstorm = True;
Thursday, September 14, 2006
I need a bigger, uglier rock, please...
...I hate AS400...
Really. This dinosour just won't go away. Nor will the crotchety codgers who still specialize in it. They cringe at the thought of a relational database. They scurry off when the light of object-oriented development shines above them.
The most efficient tool available to me for retrieving data from this piece of hagis is the AS400 query tool. Which cannot span logic. Ugh. I really want to look at something else for a while.
SQL> Delete From tbl_Systems Where Functionality = 'Obsolete';
Really. This dinosour just won't go away. Nor will the crotchety codgers who still specialize in it. They cringe at the thought of a relational database. They scurry off when the light of object-oriented development shines above them.
The most efficient tool available to me for retrieving data from this piece of hagis is the AS400 query tool. Which cannot span logic. Ugh. I really want to look at something else for a while.
SQL> Delete From tbl_Systems Where Functionality = 'Obsolete';
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
IH-10 East, Just Before the Huebner Road Overpass
This incorrect statement was read on the radio:
"...and in national news, a small commuter plane has crashed into the World Trade Center..."
I was lazily making my way to the office, only a couple of miles away. I wasn't exiting Fredericksburg, because we'd been moved off the main campus two years prior. I had just moved into a new apartment and ten days earlier interviewed for a position with my current employer.
That was my life in a flash. Rather insignificant, as I reconsider the thoughts I had on that morning.
"A small commuter plane? That doesn't sound right. This is it. This is the one. They've tried so hard for the last ten years."
I started racing through the available radio stations looking for something more accurate. Something more complete. I found nothing.
I think I sped up a little bit, drifting above the speed limit. I exited for Medical Drive and slipped past the final two blocks leading to my office building.
I was on edge, waiting to hear how my interview had gone. I tried to make the reality of my life more important than the news on the radio. I hoped the synopsis I'd heard was correct. I tried to make my life bigger than that reality.
I sat down at my desk and went through my morning login routine.
I started an internet browser and proceeded directly to CNN.com, looking for more information.
I couldn't access the website. There was too much traffic on the site.
It wasn't a small commuter plane, I thought.
Where is the rest of my unit?
I typed in the URL for a local news station. It was inaccessible.
Local news was unavailable?
Where is the rest of my unit? Why is the floor so still, so quiet?
I looked at my phone, hoping the red light would be on. Wishing for a voicemail from the individuals who had interviewed me. I was still trying to go on with my life. I was sitll hoping what I'd heard on the radio was right.
By the time I typed in the URL for MSNBC.com, noise had begun to return to the floor. But not the sound of agents answering calls from customers. Nor the sound of collectors making outbound calls. This was something else.
And there it was. Right in front of my eyes on MSNBC.com. One of the buildings already smoldering. The other demonstrating the first signs of a conflagration.
I have spent something on the order of thirty minutes, so far, typing this entry. Seventeen minutes elapsed between the first collision and the second. Twenty, maybe twenty five minutes passed for me. The time it took to find and identify the news. Twenty five precious minutes to someone on the third floor. Or the tenth.
Twenty five interminable minutes in which someone above the impacts realized there was no escape.
Twenty four minutes longer than someone aboard the first plane had to consider their situation.
Eight minutes more than someone aboard the second plane.
Time for me had become objective. Get out, I thought. But, how? There's no time.
Are there more?
I went to the breakroom. Televisions in the breakroom were always running CNN.
There was hardly space in a room meant for about 75 people.
It was real. This was happening. There it was, on a live feed. No speculation.
I watched for a few minutes. Until I could no longer deny my own responsibilities. I went back to my desk.
News floated in from the breakroom. The Pentagon. Another plane crash. Each tower fell.
I saw the first collapse, live. I remember that. I had drifted away from my tasks again to see what was happening on the news. It happened. How many people were in that building? How much time do the people in the second building have?
Borrowed time. Everyone who escaped lived on borrowed time.
I can't imagine how horrible it is to realize that. I've never lived on borrowed time.
My life went on. A week to the day later, I received the call: "We would like to offer you a position." I turned in my resignation. I started my new job.
Every moment. The entire sequence of September 11, 2001 became a blur for me.
I didn't forget.
But I don't remember enough.
I don't remember frequently.
"...and in national news, a small commuter plane has crashed into the World Trade Center..."
I was lazily making my way to the office, only a couple of miles away. I wasn't exiting Fredericksburg, because we'd been moved off the main campus two years prior. I had just moved into a new apartment and ten days earlier interviewed for a position with my current employer.
That was my life in a flash. Rather insignificant, as I reconsider the thoughts I had on that morning.
"A small commuter plane? That doesn't sound right. This is it. This is the one. They've tried so hard for the last ten years."
I started racing through the available radio stations looking for something more accurate. Something more complete. I found nothing.
I think I sped up a little bit, drifting above the speed limit. I exited for Medical Drive and slipped past the final two blocks leading to my office building.
I was on edge, waiting to hear how my interview had gone. I tried to make the reality of my life more important than the news on the radio. I hoped the synopsis I'd heard was correct. I tried to make my life bigger than that reality.
I sat down at my desk and went through my morning login routine.
I started an internet browser and proceeded directly to CNN.com, looking for more information.
I couldn't access the website. There was too much traffic on the site.
It wasn't a small commuter plane, I thought.
Where is the rest of my unit?
I typed in the URL for a local news station. It was inaccessible.
Local news was unavailable?
Where is the rest of my unit? Why is the floor so still, so quiet?
I looked at my phone, hoping the red light would be on. Wishing for a voicemail from the individuals who had interviewed me. I was still trying to go on with my life. I was sitll hoping what I'd heard on the radio was right.
By the time I typed in the URL for MSNBC.com, noise had begun to return to the floor. But not the sound of agents answering calls from customers. Nor the sound of collectors making outbound calls. This was something else.
And there it was. Right in front of my eyes on MSNBC.com. One of the buildings already smoldering. The other demonstrating the first signs of a conflagration.
I have spent something on the order of thirty minutes, so far, typing this entry. Seventeen minutes elapsed between the first collision and the second. Twenty, maybe twenty five minutes passed for me. The time it took to find and identify the news. Twenty five precious minutes to someone on the third floor. Or the tenth.
Twenty five interminable minutes in which someone above the impacts realized there was no escape.
Twenty four minutes longer than someone aboard the first plane had to consider their situation.
Eight minutes more than someone aboard the second plane.
Time for me had become objective. Get out, I thought. But, how? There's no time.
Are there more?
I went to the breakroom. Televisions in the breakroom were always running CNN.
There was hardly space in a room meant for about 75 people.
It was real. This was happening. There it was, on a live feed. No speculation.
I watched for a few minutes. Until I could no longer deny my own responsibilities. I went back to my desk.
News floated in from the breakroom. The Pentagon. Another plane crash. Each tower fell.
I saw the first collapse, live. I remember that. I had drifted away from my tasks again to see what was happening on the news. It happened. How many people were in that building? How much time do the people in the second building have?
Borrowed time. Everyone who escaped lived on borrowed time.
I can't imagine how horrible it is to realize that. I've never lived on borrowed time.
My life went on. A week to the day later, I received the call: "We would like to offer you a position." I turned in my resignation. I started my new job.
Every moment. The entire sequence of September 11, 2001 became a blur for me.
I didn't forget.
But I don't remember enough.
I don't remember frequently.
Monday, September 11, 2006
Thank you...
... to all the hard working public servants that protect us on a daily basis. We shouldn't need a day to say thanks, you should always be in our thoughts. Alas, such is not the case.
Please keep up your hard work.
Please keep up your hard work.
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
That whole airline thing
So, here's an opinion from a journalist that seems to echo my feelings from "The Great England Conspiracy".
This particular segment cracks me up:
All kinds of dangerous chemicals can be traced to the power supplies in those devices and the batteries kept on hand for them. To say nothing of the devices' inherent ability to activate such a cobbled together weapon.
But the screeners made certain the kids couldn't drink their Hi-C. Awesome. Just freakin' brilliant.
This particular segment cracks me up:
As Nadeau points out in an e-mail, her family’s two carry-on bags had enough electronics in them to wire a missile: “a laptop, a portable DVD player, a sound-blaster adapter and headphones, two cell phones, four MP3 players with headphones, a BlackBerry, a brick of AA batteries and two hand-held video games.” The security woman paid them no attention. “She dug around the electronics, searching for juice. About three other moms nearby were going through the same harassment…”
All kinds of dangerous chemicals can be traced to the power supplies in those devices and the batteries kept on hand for them. To say nothing of the devices' inherent ability to activate such a cobbled together weapon.
But the screeners made certain the kids couldn't drink their Hi-C. Awesome. Just freakin' brilliant.
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Why doesn't this surprise me?
This article, posted at The Register doesn't really surprise me.
I wonder how quickly we'll discover that this effort was a deliberate feint?
I wonder how quickly we'll discover that this effort was a deliberate feint?
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
I'm not tired of your brats...
... I'm tired of you.
This is outrageous:
Growing Up Healthy: No Brats Allowed. Your children are your responsibility, not mine. I do not profess to be the greatest lover of children, quite the opposite, they confuse and frighten me. However, I'm respectful of their rights in this world, when they're respectful of mine.
For example, if I enter a store called "Pottery Barn, Kids", I expect it to be filled with children, their parents and the accompanying noise. However, if I go to an R-Rated film at 11:30pm on a weeknight, I do not believe I should have to tolerate shouting, crying children. I deliberately go to movies at that time specifically to avoid the children. They're entitled to visit the theater all day long and enjoy their experience. Just as I'm entitled to enjoy my experience. Seeing as they're the majority in entertainment cases, I attempt to mitigate the situation as much as possible.
The problem here isn't the children themselves. The problem is the self absorbed adults who pay no attention to their children. I cannot describe the number of times, at a restaurant, I have watched a mother ignore her infant while it wailed and struggled to feed itself. What the hell are you thinking? This is a child, here, it cannot do for itself, that is why humans tend to their children for years and years. Or did you miss that part of growing up?
I am so annoyed by this attitude that it's difficult to formulate coherent thoughts on the matter.
Simply put: The nasty, filthy, dirty, disgusting individual who keeps leaving their infant's dirty diapers in or around the parking spaces I use at the office proves this point to me more than I can document here.
This is outrageous:
Growing Up Healthy: No Brats Allowed. Your children are your responsibility, not mine. I do not profess to be the greatest lover of children, quite the opposite, they confuse and frighten me. However, I'm respectful of their rights in this world, when they're respectful of mine.
For example, if I enter a store called "Pottery Barn, Kids", I expect it to be filled with children, their parents and the accompanying noise. However, if I go to an R-Rated film at 11:30pm on a weeknight, I do not believe I should have to tolerate shouting, crying children. I deliberately go to movies at that time specifically to avoid the children. They're entitled to visit the theater all day long and enjoy their experience. Just as I'm entitled to enjoy my experience. Seeing as they're the majority in entertainment cases, I attempt to mitigate the situation as much as possible.
The problem here isn't the children themselves. The problem is the self absorbed adults who pay no attention to their children. I cannot describe the number of times, at a restaurant, I have watched a mother ignore her infant while it wailed and struggled to feed itself. What the hell are you thinking? This is a child, here, it cannot do for itself, that is why humans tend to their children for years and years. Or did you miss that part of growing up?
I am so annoyed by this attitude that it's difficult to formulate coherent thoughts on the matter.
Simply put: The nasty, filthy, dirty, disgusting individual who keeps leaving their infant's dirty diapers in or around the parking spaces I use at the office proves this point to me more than I can document here.
Friday, August 04, 2006
Treating Fellow Gamers Like Grownups
The folks over at Tied The Leader were good enough to respond to my conundrum. Some of the community is speaking up, in responses, about their own experiences with deleveling (either doing it themselves or witnessing it).
I find some of the delevelers' reason thin:
A) "I delevel to help my friends gain experience."
B) "I delevel to gain a deceitful edge."
What?
(A)
Last time I checked, one could still bring a friend along, in a party, to any matchmade game. I've brought my brother along to my matchmaking sessions and he's currently only level 1. This makes no sense to me. All I can imagine is that these folks are trying to make themselves feel better in some form or fashion. I think they're pretty weird.
(B)
Am I the only one who thinks that's lame? I mean, who the hell remembers which player is what level in the middle of a firefight? All I deal with, when the game starts, is "That player's not the same color as me. I must prevent him from achieving his objective."
I don't think I'll ever understand these mentalities. Just like I'll never understand the hateful yelling and insults that fly around online gaming communities. It doesn't really seem to solve anything and it all seems childish.
Maybe I'm just too old to be cool. I don't know.
SQL> Create Table PlayersToIgnore As Select GamerTag From Delevelers;
I find some of the delevelers' reason thin:
A) "I delevel to help my friends gain experience."
B) "I delevel to gain a deceitful edge."
What?
(A)
Last time I checked, one could still bring a friend along, in a party, to any matchmade game. I've brought my brother along to my matchmaking sessions and he's currently only level 1. This makes no sense to me. All I can imagine is that these folks are trying to make themselves feel better in some form or fashion. I think they're pretty weird.
(B)
Am I the only one who thinks that's lame? I mean, who the hell remembers which player is what level in the middle of a firefight? All I deal with, when the game starts, is "That player's not the same color as me. I must prevent him from achieving his objective."
I don't think I'll ever understand these mentalities. Just like I'll never understand the hateful yelling and insults that fly around online gaming communities. It doesn't really seem to solve anything and it all seems childish.
Maybe I'm just too old to be cool. I don't know.
SQL> Create Table PlayersToIgnore As Select GamerTag From Delevelers;
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
XBox Live
My brother finally beefed up his XBox 360, by signing up for XBox Live. Unfortunately, during his initial days on the service my ISP was uncooperative (this is the most polite description I've applied to my frustration with RoadRunner over the situation). A technician finally heeded my opinions, last weekend, and corrected the error. A sturdy broadband connection means I can now slaughter my brother in Halo 2 to my heart's content.
Last night I played for a while in general MatchMaking, trying to better myself (I'm getting slaughtered in the level 12-16 range, which probably means I'll permanently reside there) before he got home from work. During that time I encountered on of the single most bizarre situations I've ever seen in online ranked gaming:
Someone purposely trying to decrease his skill level. Austensibly so he could gloat about defeating players at lower levels.
I don't get that. I don't know if it's very common, but it's bizarre, to say the least. Are there genuinely people in the world with such low self esteem that they must reverse engineer cheating so that they can make themselves feel better?
Isn't winning honestly a better rush than this?
Ugh.
That being said, I did have a great time playing against my brother and his coworker, Station. Yes, that would be Station of Station's Creation. I even got his copy of the Halo Graphic Novel autographed to Station. I'm so clever.
Neither of them play Halo 2 as much as I, so bragging about how well I did would be wrong. However, I do feel that I held my own pretty darn well against them. My brother typically embarasses me when we play Halo 2 split screened at our mother's house. I attribute the discrepency to his Controller-S units and the smaller screen, which I have trouble seeing. It's sounded like BS whining until he got on Live and I can play against him under the conditions to which I'm accustomed. That is, my old-school XBox controllers and my big screen TV. Now, I feel vindicated against him and his buddy.
I'm hoping he continues to dabble in Halo 2, from time to time, because I'd really like to learn to play freakin' CTF on Live. I simply suck at this type of play. I can do a decent job in team games lacking objective based play. But, man, for someone as objective oriented as I am, for the most part, I just can't cut the mustard in CTF or Bomb games.
SQL> Select Halo2_Stats From Bungie.net Where GamerTag_Link = 'Lit';
Last night I played for a while in general MatchMaking, trying to better myself (I'm getting slaughtered in the level 12-16 range, which probably means I'll permanently reside there) before he got home from work. During that time I encountered on of the single most bizarre situations I've ever seen in online ranked gaming:
Someone purposely trying to decrease his skill level. Austensibly so he could gloat about defeating players at lower levels.
I don't get that. I don't know if it's very common, but it's bizarre, to say the least. Are there genuinely people in the world with such low self esteem that they must reverse engineer cheating so that they can make themselves feel better?
Isn't winning honestly a better rush than this?
Ugh.
That being said, I did have a great time playing against my brother and his coworker, Station. Yes, that would be Station of Station's Creation. I even got his copy of the Halo Graphic Novel autographed to Station. I'm so clever.
Neither of them play Halo 2 as much as I, so bragging about how well I did would be wrong. However, I do feel that I held my own pretty darn well against them. My brother typically embarasses me when we play Halo 2 split screened at our mother's house. I attribute the discrepency to his Controller-S units and the smaller screen, which I have trouble seeing. It's sounded like BS whining until he got on Live and I can play against him under the conditions to which I'm accustomed. That is, my old-school XBox controllers and my big screen TV. Now, I feel vindicated against him and his buddy.
I'm hoping he continues to dabble in Halo 2, from time to time, because I'd really like to learn to play freakin' CTF on Live. I simply suck at this type of play. I can do a decent job in team games lacking objective based play. But, man, for someone as objective oriented as I am, for the most part, I just can't cut the mustard in CTF or Bomb games.
SQL> Select Halo2_Stats From Bungie.net Where GamerTag_Link = 'Lit';
Monday, July 24, 2006
Comic Con 2006 is officially in the can...
...And what a Con it was, this year.
Saturday, as has become the norm, was absolutely dreadful on the dealer floor. Too many people. Too little space. Too many shiny things attracting attention. And that doesn't include the scantily clad has-been Bunnies or Adult Stars.
Panels became insane on Saturday. I actually sat through a panel about The 4400, just so I could endure the most dreadful [adult swim] panel I've seen in five visits to the Con. Having said that, I'm seriously considering emailing the following to [adult swim]:
To whom it may concern,
I would like to thank Dino Stamatopoulos for singlehandedly ruining Comic Con International 2006's [adult swim] panel. Mr. Stamatopoulos's contempt for his fans first became apparent when he attempted to consume alcohol during the panel. He further made his disregard for the audience obvious when he advised us he was already inebriated. It seemed, however, that he felt his distaste for his audience and fans was not clear. Thus, he employed a strategy of insulting the audience and his peers, while pouting. All this to garner attention.
I find it commendable that [adult swim] has such unyielding patience for such an arrogant "artist" (used loosely) who has no interest in his public. You should be proud of your support for this untalented hack who dislikes his own work and his audience.
I look forward to ignoring his work as much as possible.
Sincerely,
The Undersigned
Such sentiment shouldn't be necessary. Panelists attend Comic Con voluntarily, for the most part. Individuals, such as Seth Green, really seem to enjoy the event. They like their fans and enjoy giving and receiving input on panels of this nature. Those of us who attend a panel to hear from a specific person are polite and friendly to the individuals with whom we are not familiar. It seems only fair that the panelists return the favor.
To appear inebriated is insulting to the fans. Not because I think drinking is wrong. Rather, because I believe it is disruptive and rude. Both to one's peers and to the fans.
I'm sure any sentiment I share with [adult swim] will have little or no effect on this guy. But I'll feel better, having shared my opinion on the matter.
Sunday was, as usual, pretty slow. The dealer floor was easier to navigate, but sparsely populated by dealers and their wares. I attended three panels:
1. The Tick (on DVD August 29th)
2. Cartoon Voices II
3. Robot Rumble 2006 (Crow and Tom Servo of MST3K fame arose victorious, over the likes of V.I.K.I, from Small Wonder)
By late Sunday morning, Con really begins to wear out its welcome. One is tired, over stimulated and on edge (people really jostle you around on the dealer floor). This year, I'm comfortable leaving... as the horror of the Evil Project From Hell no longer linger over my head at home.
I can't wait to get back to my own bed. And large screen TV.
SQL> Select Balance From Account Where User = 'Literary Alchemist';
Saturday, as has become the norm, was absolutely dreadful on the dealer floor. Too many people. Too little space. Too many shiny things attracting attention. And that doesn't include the scantily clad has-been Bunnies or Adult Stars.
Panels became insane on Saturday. I actually sat through a panel about The 4400, just so I could endure the most dreadful [adult swim] panel I've seen in five visits to the Con. Having said that, I'm seriously considering emailing the following to [adult swim]:
To whom it may concern,
I would like to thank Dino Stamatopoulos for singlehandedly ruining Comic Con International 2006's [adult swim] panel. Mr. Stamatopoulos's contempt for his fans first became apparent when he attempted to consume alcohol during the panel. He further made his disregard for the audience obvious when he advised us he was already inebriated. It seemed, however, that he felt his distaste for his audience and fans was not clear. Thus, he employed a strategy of insulting the audience and his peers, while pouting. All this to garner attention.
I find it commendable that [adult swim] has such unyielding patience for such an arrogant "artist" (used loosely) who has no interest in his public. You should be proud of your support for this untalented hack who dislikes his own work and his audience.
I look forward to ignoring his work as much as possible.
Sincerely,
The Undersigned
Such sentiment shouldn't be necessary. Panelists attend Comic Con voluntarily, for the most part. Individuals, such as Seth Green, really seem to enjoy the event. They like their fans and enjoy giving and receiving input on panels of this nature. Those of us who attend a panel to hear from a specific person are polite and friendly to the individuals with whom we are not familiar. It seems only fair that the panelists return the favor.
To appear inebriated is insulting to the fans. Not because I think drinking is wrong. Rather, because I believe it is disruptive and rude. Both to one's peers and to the fans.
I'm sure any sentiment I share with [adult swim] will have little or no effect on this guy. But I'll feel better, having shared my opinion on the matter.
Sunday was, as usual, pretty slow. The dealer floor was easier to navigate, but sparsely populated by dealers and their wares. I attended three panels:
1. The Tick (on DVD August 29th)
2. Cartoon Voices II
3. Robot Rumble 2006 (Crow and Tom Servo of MST3K fame arose victorious, over the likes of V.I.K.I, from Small Wonder)
By late Sunday morning, Con really begins to wear out its welcome. One is tired, over stimulated and on edge (people really jostle you around on the dealer floor). This year, I'm comfortable leaving... as the horror of the Evil Project From Hell no longer linger over my head at home.
I can't wait to get back to my own bed. And large screen TV.
SQL> Select Balance From Account Where User = 'Literary Alchemist';
Friday, July 21, 2006
ICC2006: Friday, July 21st
I have a rather unfortunate schedule staring at me, today. There are actually four panels at the same time that I would like to attend, at one point.
1a. Blank Label Comics
1b. Family Guy
Seeing as I'm a bit disappointed with Family Guy, this season, I think I'll hit up the Blank Label panel. The guys seemed pretty cool at their booth, yesterday. I like several of the comics. And I feel guilty that I promised I'd start reading Starslip Crisis, last summer, and forgot about it.
2. NOTHING FOR AN HOUR (seems to be a pattern this year).
3a. Ray Harryhausen
3b. Cartoon Network
I think I'm going to leave the Harryhausen panel early to hit up a CN panel. Just because I'm not horribly interested in "She".
4a. Clickwheel Comics
4b. DC Comics: JLA/JLU/JSA
4c. DVD Sneak Peak
4d. Sci Fi: Battlestar Galactica
Con planners: This is the most evil, unequitable and unfair lineup you've ever thrown at me. Given that Cartoon Network saw fit to jumble the JLU schedule so much, this year, that no one could follow it, I'm not going to get my hopes up for JSA in '06-'07. So I can skip that panel. Clickwheel interests me, because there's a number of comics I'd like to subscribe to podcasts for. But the effort needs to evolve more. Feedback and questions there would really interest me. Galactica will just be a fanboy exercise, as always. And I can probably live without it. There are hardly any new revelations in those panels. I love DVD Sneak Peak. I've gone four years running. Unfortunately, this year sucked so much for movies, there's really nothing new to look forward to. Though it would be interesting to hear about library entries being pressed.
5. NOTHING four TWO HOURS. Yeesh.
6. Halo Graphic Novel.
WOOOHOOO!
7. DC: 52: A year in the life of the DC Universe.
Might be interesting. But it interferes with dinner. I'll have to see if I really want to attend this panel.
8a. Spike and Mike's sick and twisted.
8b. Worst Cartoons Ever.
Every year we discuss going to Spike and Mike. We've never gone.
Worst cartoons ever seems interesting. But it's rather late.
We'll see. Time to get ready to head down for breakfast.
1a. Blank Label Comics
1b. Family Guy
Seeing as I'm a bit disappointed with Family Guy, this season, I think I'll hit up the Blank Label panel. The guys seemed pretty cool at their booth, yesterday. I like several of the comics. And I feel guilty that I promised I'd start reading Starslip Crisis, last summer, and forgot about it.
2. NOTHING FOR AN HOUR (seems to be a pattern this year).
3a. Ray Harryhausen
3b. Cartoon Network
I think I'm going to leave the Harryhausen panel early to hit up a CN panel. Just because I'm not horribly interested in "She".
4a. Clickwheel Comics
4b. DC Comics: JLA/JLU/JSA
4c. DVD Sneak Peak
4d. Sci Fi: Battlestar Galactica
Con planners: This is the most evil, unequitable and unfair lineup you've ever thrown at me. Given that Cartoon Network saw fit to jumble the JLU schedule so much, this year, that no one could follow it, I'm not going to get my hopes up for JSA in '06-'07. So I can skip that panel. Clickwheel interests me, because there's a number of comics I'd like to subscribe to podcasts for. But the effort needs to evolve more. Feedback and questions there would really interest me. Galactica will just be a fanboy exercise, as always. And I can probably live without it. There are hardly any new revelations in those panels. I love DVD Sneak Peak. I've gone four years running. Unfortunately, this year sucked so much for movies, there's really nothing new to look forward to. Though it would be interesting to hear about library entries being pressed.
5. NOTHING four TWO HOURS. Yeesh.
6. Halo Graphic Novel.
WOOOHOOO!
7. DC: 52: A year in the life of the DC Universe.
Might be interesting. But it interferes with dinner. I'll have to see if I really want to attend this panel.
8a. Spike and Mike's sick and twisted.
8b. Worst Cartoons Ever.
Every year we discuss going to Spike and Mike. We've never gone.
Worst cartoons ever seems interesting. But it's rather late.
We'll see. Time to get ready to head down for breakfast.
Comic Con: Day 1
Wow, I did a lot of damage, today, to my checking account:
1. 3 copies of the Halo Graphic Novel.
2. 2 Con exclusive VF1S figures. They're pretty cool. I almost want one of my own.
3. 1 Con exclusive Prototype TIE Interceptor (gold)
4. 2 Con exclusive white Multiplayer Elites.
5. 2 autographed PVP books.
6. 1 autographed copy of "The greatest comic book in the universe"
7. Assorted other motley odds and ends I don't completely recall off the top of my head.
I attended several panels:
1. "Myths for the Modern Age". This is an interesting concept, the Wold Newton universe of Philip Jose Farmer. Basically, it creates faux historical fact based upon the union of pop media with historical fact. The authors then create a manuscript based on the combination of this data.
The concept is actually intriguing, although unfortunately applied in a couple of the cases presented today. The panelists chose to present the material as making a presentation to a college class. This could have worked, if the presentors were more comfortable with public speaking. Unfortunately, the panel left me with a rather tepid feeling toward the material, because several of the panelists simply weren't prepared to present this material.
I think I would have liked to see it presented in the format of a press conference, wherein the presentors seeded the audience with individuals highly familiar with the material. Those individuals would act as journalists, asking prepared questions. The entire presentation would be delivered as an extensive Q&A presentation and would encourage more interaction from the audience.
Long story short, if you're interested in some of the older legendary characters in classic fiction, this series *might* interest you. It's worth examining at Wold Newton.
2. Geek Monthly / Cinemafantastique. This was disappointing. Of course, I didn't read the panel description beforehand, so my disappointment is unjustified. In short, I was hoping the panel would focus on the Geek Monthly periodical. Perhaps some of its contributors and coming articles. It turned out to be Robert Mayer Burnett's annual "upcoming films teasers and trailers presentation". Which really isn't bad, it just wasn't what I expected.
3. Batman Golden / Silver Age. This was pretty cool stuff. A number of the artists who did ghost work on Batman during the early years spoke of their experiences. It was interesting to hear them tell their tales of working with Bob Kane.
4. Animaniacs / Pinky and the Brain. What can I say? This is the third or forth time I've attended a panel with the voice actors from these series. The great thing this year, is that they were able to announce the release of DVDs presenting these series. The best news is the DVDs will be in stores next Tuesday, July 25th. [sweet].
5. I tried to go to the Future Prime "Top 10 Sci Fi Films of the Century", but got locked out. Apparently the convention organizers didn't anticipate the potential popularity of this panel and scheduled it for a TINY meeting room. Oh well. Perhaps I'll find a recap somewhere.
That's pretty much it. We had dinner at the really great little Italian kitchen where we enjoyed some great pizzas, last year. Unfortunately, I once again do not recall its name. I'll have to find that tomorrow and post it for folks who might be in the San Diego area. Some good stuff, there.
I need to download and post the pictures I took, too.
1. 3 copies of the Halo Graphic Novel.
2. 2 Con exclusive VF1S figures. They're pretty cool. I almost want one of my own.
3. 1 Con exclusive Prototype TIE Interceptor (gold)
4. 2 Con exclusive white Multiplayer Elites.
5. 2 autographed PVP books.
6. 1 autographed copy of "The greatest comic book in the universe"
7. Assorted other motley odds and ends I don't completely recall off the top of my head.
I attended several panels:
1. "Myths for the Modern Age". This is an interesting concept, the Wold Newton universe of Philip Jose Farmer. Basically, it creates faux historical fact based upon the union of pop media with historical fact. The authors then create a manuscript based on the combination of this data.
The concept is actually intriguing, although unfortunately applied in a couple of the cases presented today. The panelists chose to present the material as making a presentation to a college class. This could have worked, if the presentors were more comfortable with public speaking. Unfortunately, the panel left me with a rather tepid feeling toward the material, because several of the panelists simply weren't prepared to present this material.
I think I would have liked to see it presented in the format of a press conference, wherein the presentors seeded the audience with individuals highly familiar with the material. Those individuals would act as journalists, asking prepared questions. The entire presentation would be delivered as an extensive Q&A presentation and would encourage more interaction from the audience.
Long story short, if you're interested in some of the older legendary characters in classic fiction, this series *might* interest you. It's worth examining at Wold Newton.
2. Geek Monthly / Cinemafantastique. This was disappointing. Of course, I didn't read the panel description beforehand, so my disappointment is unjustified. In short, I was hoping the panel would focus on the Geek Monthly periodical. Perhaps some of its contributors and coming articles. It turned out to be Robert Mayer Burnett's annual "upcoming films teasers and trailers presentation". Which really isn't bad, it just wasn't what I expected.
3. Batman Golden / Silver Age. This was pretty cool stuff. A number of the artists who did ghost work on Batman during the early years spoke of their experiences. It was interesting to hear them tell their tales of working with Bob Kane.
4. Animaniacs / Pinky and the Brain. What can I say? This is the third or forth time I've attended a panel with the voice actors from these series. The great thing this year, is that they were able to announce the release of DVDs presenting these series. The best news is the DVDs will be in stores next Tuesday, July 25th. [sweet].
5. I tried to go to the Future Prime "Top 10 Sci Fi Films of the Century", but got locked out. Apparently the convention organizers didn't anticipate the potential popularity of this panel and scheduled it for a TINY meeting room. Oh well. Perhaps I'll find a recap somewhere.
That's pretty much it. We had dinner at the really great little Italian kitchen where we enjoyed some great pizzas, last year. Unfortunately, I once again do not recall its name. I'll have to find that tomorrow and post it for folks who might be in the San Diego area. Some good stuff, there.
I need to download and post the pictures I took, too.
Thursday, July 20, 2006
ICC2006: Thursday, July 20th
Comic Con programming begins in earnest today. I only have a few panels to attend:
1. Myths
2. Geek Monthly (Maybe)
3. Batman
4. Sergio & Mark Show (should be good stuff)
5. Pinky & The Brain and Animaniacs (a DVD announcement, maybe?!)
6. Top 10 Science Fiction flicks of the 20th Century (could be real lame, we'll see)
I still need to locate exclusives for some friends and a few other things. But I'm not anticipating too much trouble with a few of them. I managed to get by the Red versus Blue booth, last night. I got an autographed copy of Season 4, a Trocadero CD (sweeeeeet) and their Con exclusive TShirt. Cool stuff, man!
It's time to head down to our friends' hotel to meet up for breakfast!
1. Myths
2. Geek Monthly (Maybe)
3. Batman
4. Sergio & Mark Show (should be good stuff)
5. Pinky & The Brain and Animaniacs (a DVD announcement, maybe?!)
6. Top 10 Science Fiction flicks of the 20th Century (could be real lame, we'll see)
I still need to locate exclusives for some friends and a few other things. But I'm not anticipating too much trouble with a few of them. I managed to get by the Red versus Blue booth, last night. I got an autographed copy of Season 4, a Trocadero CD (sweeeeeet) and their Con exclusive TShirt. Cool stuff, man!
It's time to head down to our friends' hotel to meet up for breakfast!
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
I ain't got a chance...
...tonight proved expectation can be reality.
However. Reality still can't be expectation.
Fortunately, this particular TV show is cool.
However. Reality still can't be expectation.
Fortunately, this particular TV show is cool.
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
When my time comes, I want it to be like Frederic Arthur (Fred) Clark
Fred Clark, as his friends apparently knew him, passed this week. I have no clue who he was. I don't know his family. I wouldn't know anything about him, if he didn't have a rather intriguing obituary:
Here's Fred's Obit
I like Fred's honesty. No, I freakin' admire it. When I pass on, I want my obituary to be this honest. I certainly hope that I folks won't have to say that I excelled at mediocrity... rather... I hope they say something along the lines of "He excelled at being who he was." Or, something philosophical like that.
Fred, I'll hoist a cold one in your honor! Thanks for being so forthright.
Here's Fred's Obit
I like Fred's honesty. No, I freakin' admire it. When I pass on, I want my obituary to be this honest. I certainly hope that I folks won't have to say that I excelled at mediocrity... rather... I hope they say something along the lines of "He excelled at being who he was." Or, something philosophical like that.
Fred, I'll hoist a cold one in your honor! Thanks for being so forthright.
Saturday, July 08, 2006
Dead Man's Chest
I ventured over to the Drafthouse, this afternoon, for a matinee of "Pirates of the Caribean: Dead Man's Chest". Good stuff, for the most art. I enjoyed the dialogue, once again. However, I felt, as have many critics, that Captain Jack was a little too scarce, this go around. In his place, the filmmakers felt the need to gorge their audience with an excess of special effects.
That's too bad, the finest selling point of the original film was its capacity to stand on its own. Without all the glitz.
1. What little we got of Captain Jack was, once again, great. I do think Depp was entitled to chew the scenery just a little bit more.
2. Cannibals. Cannibals are cool. In pirate movies. I don't want them living next door, or anything, but I certainly want to see them in my pirate movies.
3. I actually got to like Davy Jones. I was a bit put off by the look of the character, initially. He just felt too... over the top. But, after seeing Bill Nighy use the character to create such a strange speech pattern, was kinda cool.
That being said. I hated the ending. What an utter disappointment. I'm not referring to the inevitable cliffhanger. I'm referring to the absolutely unresolved storylines and the cheesy comic book character reveal in the moments before the credits.
Way to dumb things down, guys.
That's too bad, the finest selling point of the original film was its capacity to stand on its own. Without all the glitz.
1. What little we got of Captain Jack was, once again, great. I do think Depp was entitled to chew the scenery just a little bit more.
2. Cannibals. Cannibals are cool. In pirate movies. I don't want them living next door, or anything, but I certainly want to see them in my pirate movies.
3. I actually got to like Davy Jones. I was a bit put off by the look of the character, initially. He just felt too... over the top. But, after seeing Bill Nighy use the character to create such a strange speech pattern, was kinda cool.
That being said. I hated the ending. What an utter disappointment. I'm not referring to the inevitable cliffhanger. I'm referring to the absolutely unresolved storylines and the cheesy comic book character reveal in the moments before the credits.
Way to dumb things down, guys.
Thursday, July 06, 2006
... on your mark ...
... Today begins the final stages of preparing for Comic Con International 2006. Hard to believe this will be my fifth venture out to San Diego for the ultimate Geekend. Kinda cool, huh?
If you don't think so, you're reading the wrong blog, my friend.
Thursday's schedule was released, today. I guess they're going to release the weekend's schedule, one day at a time, through this Sunday. Kind of odd, I don't recall this pattern, in the past. But, it's quite possible things were meted out to us in such a manner. I'm old and forgetful, afterall.
I'm starting to get pretty excited about seeing the gang again. Steve and Lee, in particular. For some reason we seem to have the most in common and set similar paces out there. That's quite fine by me, good company on vacation is the stuff.
I haven't laid out, exactly, what I'll be doing, this year. But, my absolute musts include:
1. Anything, everything and all things Bungie. Goshdarnit to heck, they're going to be there, so I'm going to show as much Bungie support as I can. Rabid fanboy stalker stylee. Including their panel.
2. I need to pick up several DVDs and hopefully a Trocadero CD from the Rooster Teeth dudes.
3. My plans to put as much anti-New-Star-Wars propaganda on the floor Thursday seem to have fallen by the wayside. I need to see if I can get a grassroots thing going here, next year. Maybe I should get :rose: involved in some sort of viral campaign. Since he's, like, studying them and stuff for work, now.
I'll have to go through this schedule again in more detail. Nothing really jumps out at me on Thursday. They just released Friday and the morning looks dismal. WTF?
If you don't think so, you're reading the wrong blog, my friend.
Thursday's schedule was released, today. I guess they're going to release the weekend's schedule, one day at a time, through this Sunday. Kind of odd, I don't recall this pattern, in the past. But, it's quite possible things were meted out to us in such a manner. I'm old and forgetful, afterall.
I'm starting to get pretty excited about seeing the gang again. Steve and Lee, in particular. For some reason we seem to have the most in common and set similar paces out there. That's quite fine by me, good company on vacation is the stuff.
I haven't laid out, exactly, what I'll be doing, this year. But, my absolute musts include:
1. Anything, everything and all things Bungie. Goshdarnit to heck, they're going to be there, so I'm going to show as much Bungie support as I can. Rabid fanboy stalker stylee. Including their panel.
2. I need to pick up several DVDs and hopefully a Trocadero CD from the Rooster Teeth dudes.
3. My plans to put as much anti-New-Star-Wars propaganda on the floor Thursday seem to have fallen by the wayside. I need to see if I can get a grassroots thing going here, next year. Maybe I should get :rose: involved in some sort of viral campaign. Since he's, like, studying them and stuff for work, now.
I'll have to go through this schedule again in more detail. Nothing really jumps out at me on Thursday. They just released Friday and the morning looks dismal. WTF?
Friday, June 30, 2006
SQL> Select strTrackName From tbl_Music Where strPlaylist = 'Active';
What's playing, these days:
1. High Violets: To Where You Are (album) - discovered today @
3hive.
2. Garbage: Bleed Like Me (album) - iTunes.
3. Elnea: "MJOLNIR's Child" (track) - posted weeks ago at HBO, downloaded today; love the lyrics and her voice.
4. Brian Hempel: "Dragonfly" (track) - Seventh Column Contest.
5. Lemon Demon: "Telekinesis" / "Word Disassociation" (tracks) - from the cats that brought us "The Ultimate Showdown of Ultimate Destiny".
6. Jimi Hendrix: "All Along the Watchtower" (track) - from my CD collection.
7. Weird Al Yankovich: "Dare to be Stupid" (track) - iTunes, for some reason, it felt important to download this week.
8. The Cardigans: "My Favorite Game" (track) - iTunes, this makes driving fun.
9. Trocadero: "Blood Gulch Blues" (track) - from the cats who perform the Red vs. Blue theme, I got this one from the Halouvre.
10. Martin O'Donnell: "Mombassa Suite" (track) - from my CD collection.
11. Randy Edelman: "Pickett's Charge" (track) - from my CD collection.
12. Sarah McLachlan: "Time" (track) - from my CD collection.
13. Holst: "The Planets, Op. 32 - 1. Mars, The Bringer of War" (track) - from my CD collection.
14. Martin O'Donnell: "Earth City" (track) - from my CD collection.
15. Martin O'Donnell: "Truth and Reconciliation Suite" (track) - from my CD collection.
16. The Von Bondies: "C'mon, C'mon" (track) - iTunes
1. High Violets: To Where You Are (album) - discovered today @
3hive.
2. Garbage: Bleed Like Me (album) - iTunes.
3. Elnea: "MJOLNIR's Child" (track) - posted weeks ago at HBO, downloaded today; love the lyrics and her voice.
4. Brian Hempel: "Dragonfly" (track) - Seventh Column Contest.
5. Lemon Demon: "Telekinesis" / "Word Disassociation" (tracks) - from the cats that brought us "The Ultimate Showdown of Ultimate Destiny".
6. Jimi Hendrix: "All Along the Watchtower" (track) - from my CD collection.
7. Weird Al Yankovich: "Dare to be Stupid" (track) - iTunes, for some reason, it felt important to download this week.
8. The Cardigans: "My Favorite Game" (track) - iTunes, this makes driving fun.
9. Trocadero: "Blood Gulch Blues" (track) - from the cats who perform the Red vs. Blue theme, I got this one from the Halouvre.
10. Martin O'Donnell: "Mombassa Suite" (track) - from my CD collection.
11. Randy Edelman: "Pickett's Charge" (track) - from my CD collection.
12. Sarah McLachlan: "Time" (track) - from my CD collection.
13. Holst: "The Planets, Op. 32 - 1. Mars, The Bringer of War" (track) - from my CD collection.
14. Martin O'Donnell: "Earth City" (track) - from my CD collection.
15. Martin O'Donnell: "Truth and Reconciliation Suite" (track) - from my CD collection.
16. The Von Bondies: "C'mon, C'mon" (track) - iTunes
Superman Returned
I made my regular pilgrimage to Alamo Drafthouse, on Tuesday, to catch my weekly Screen 8 Fare (everything I've gone to see on Tuesday evening has been on Screen 8, I've grown attached to it, I think I'm just going to start asking for a ticket to whatever's in Screen 8). Fortunately, this week, the showing turned out to be Bryan Singer's Superman Returns. I'm hardly what could pass for a Superman fan. Rather, I prefer the Dark Knight, quite a bit more. Superman has always seemed too easy, too simple, too predictable, too self righteous.
However, there's something captivating about Superman. If there weren't, the character would've fallen by the wayside. Perhaps fading into obscurity, like Captain America. Or folly, like Aquaman. Instead, the virtue that makes him so basic, the integrity that makes him so noble and the strength that makes him so admirable have been mainstays of heroic fantasy for almost seventy years.
Somehow all of Superman's traits were ignored, in the 1980's, in favor of box office receipts. The plots of the third and fourth movies were so clunky and dated, they were meaningless by the time revenue began to return on them.
Fortunately, there has been a trend for the better, lately, in heroic cinema. Batman has been repaired and Spiderman has proven more insightful than many Oscar nominees. XMen appeared to be following the trend, but, well, Brett Ratner. I can't say more than that.
That being said, Singer has helmed Superman Returns with a careful devotion, which has been the center of a great deal of optimism and criticism. Given the overall simplicity of any Superman story, it doesn't seem fair to rebuke efforts toward a creative, timeless and fantastical attempt. I'm at a loss, therefore, to understand some of the harsh words used to describe this flick. My feedback is more basic, I think. Very simply, I felt:
1. Kevin Spacey was an excellent choice for the Lex Luthor role. He has the capacity and ability to play a villain of this caliber with little more than printed word. I genuinely hoped that he'd be afforded the screen time to consume himself with the role, to demonstrate that obscenely off-kilter nature so consistent with his most profound characters. Alas, it was not to be. While he was afforded memorable moments as one of the most entertaining villains of all time, those moments were cut far too short. One can only hope that a follow up is in the works, where Spacey's reins aren't held quite so tight.
2. The final 10-15 minutes were nearly interminable. It is only fair to mention that I had to excuse myself to the men's room before I died. However, the movie didn't seem to want to wrap itself up, once all was returned to right.
On the whole, the movie worked quite well. Brandon Routh and Kevin Spacey are more than capable of adopting their mantles, here. Each of them nearly channelling their predecessors. Kate Bosworth fit Lois Lane far better than Margo Kidder ever could have. She was less a stubborn damsel in distress and more a capable foil to Superman's righteous persona. Most importantly, James Marsden (again, with precious little screen time) engaged a new element to the story that took the film beyond what any other had done. He has interfered with the romantic dynamic between Lois and Superman in such a way that Superman cannot interfere. It would contrary to his personality and detrimental to the character as a whole. Simply because one cannot help but like Marsden's character.
I hope the same attention to detail will accompany any followups. Most importantly, I hope the studios respect Singer's efforts to make this film more than just a summer blockbuster and take every step necessary to avoid replacing him with the likes of Brett Ratner. Ever again.
SQL> Select HeroFlicks From tbl_Movies Where Stars = 5;
However, there's something captivating about Superman. If there weren't, the character would've fallen by the wayside. Perhaps fading into obscurity, like Captain America. Or folly, like Aquaman. Instead, the virtue that makes him so basic, the integrity that makes him so noble and the strength that makes him so admirable have been mainstays of heroic fantasy for almost seventy years.
Somehow all of Superman's traits were ignored, in the 1980's, in favor of box office receipts. The plots of the third and fourth movies were so clunky and dated, they were meaningless by the time revenue began to return on them.
Fortunately, there has been a trend for the better, lately, in heroic cinema. Batman has been repaired and Spiderman has proven more insightful than many Oscar nominees. XMen appeared to be following the trend, but, well, Brett Ratner. I can't say more than that.
That being said, Singer has helmed Superman Returns with a careful devotion, which has been the center of a great deal of optimism and criticism. Given the overall simplicity of any Superman story, it doesn't seem fair to rebuke efforts toward a creative, timeless and fantastical attempt. I'm at a loss, therefore, to understand some of the harsh words used to describe this flick. My feedback is more basic, I think. Very simply, I felt:
1. Kevin Spacey was an excellent choice for the Lex Luthor role. He has the capacity and ability to play a villain of this caliber with little more than printed word. I genuinely hoped that he'd be afforded the screen time to consume himself with the role, to demonstrate that obscenely off-kilter nature so consistent with his most profound characters. Alas, it was not to be. While he was afforded memorable moments as one of the most entertaining villains of all time, those moments were cut far too short. One can only hope that a follow up is in the works, where Spacey's reins aren't held quite so tight.
2. The final 10-15 minutes were nearly interminable. It is only fair to mention that I had to excuse myself to the men's room before I died. However, the movie didn't seem to want to wrap itself up, once all was returned to right.
On the whole, the movie worked quite well. Brandon Routh and Kevin Spacey are more than capable of adopting their mantles, here. Each of them nearly channelling their predecessors. Kate Bosworth fit Lois Lane far better than Margo Kidder ever could have. She was less a stubborn damsel in distress and more a capable foil to Superman's righteous persona. Most importantly, James Marsden (again, with precious little screen time) engaged a new element to the story that took the film beyond what any other had done. He has interfered with the romantic dynamic between Lois and Superman in such a way that Superman cannot interfere. It would contrary to his personality and detrimental to the character as a whole. Simply because one cannot help but like Marsden's character.
I hope the same attention to detail will accompany any followups. Most importantly, I hope the studios respect Singer's efforts to make this film more than just a summer blockbuster and take every step necessary to avoid replacing him with the likes of Brett Ratner. Ever again.
SQL> Select HeroFlicks From tbl_Movies Where Stars = 5;
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Nachos Grande Libre Pain
Mild stomach pain, that's why I've avoided movie theater nachos all my life. Ugh.
I went to Alamo Drafthouse to see Nacho Libre and ordered the matinee special nachos and beer. The nachos sucked and the beer was only "ok".
Unfortunately, the same can be said for the movie. The first thirty minutes were pretty entertaining, lots of good gags. Surprisingly few of them were potty humor, which really pleased me. Everything went downhill after that, though. The rest of the flick lost all the early spark and charm and just sorta droned on and on and on until the credits started to roll.
I thought the crazy Super Luchadore Hero stuff from the 50's that ran before the movie was funnier. Of course, that was Heckler Vision at its finest, I mean, he was subduing criminals in a long sequined cape in poorly dubbed English.
Oh well, I got it out of my system.
Sorta leaves me with nothing to go see over there tonight. I guess that was stupid of me. Oh well. I'll find something to do tonight.
SQL> Select Fiber From FruitsAndVegetables Where IAteCheapCheese = True;
I went to Alamo Drafthouse to see Nacho Libre and ordered the matinee special nachos and beer. The nachos sucked and the beer was only "ok".
Unfortunately, the same can be said for the movie. The first thirty minutes were pretty entertaining, lots of good gags. Surprisingly few of them were potty humor, which really pleased me. Everything went downhill after that, though. The rest of the flick lost all the early spark and charm and just sorta droned on and on and on until the credits started to roll.
I thought the crazy Super Luchadore Hero stuff from the 50's that ran before the movie was funnier. Of course, that was Heckler Vision at its finest, I mean, he was subduing criminals in a long sequined cape in poorly dubbed English.
Oh well, I got it out of my system.
Sorta leaves me with nothing to go see over there tonight. I guess that was stupid of me. Oh well. I'll find something to do tonight.
SQL> Select Fiber From FruitsAndVegetables Where IAteCheapCheese = True;
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Pulpular Media
Cars
Cars was great. I'm not sure what the bad reviews were about. Perhaps the lousy critics are trying to be the first to find a flaw in Pixar's methods. Personally, I think they need to get bent.
Cars wasn't nearly as meaningful as prior Pixar films. Nor was it as endearing. But it was a perfect escape, with a great story, beautiful imagery and a lot of fun. All of the references to their past were excellent, the humor bright and decidedly adult in many places and each over the top moment perfect.
I can't think of a reason not to purchase a copy on DVD.
Take that, critics who admired filth like "War of the Worlds".
Yesterday I pointed out Penny and Aggie, a great little webcomic. I've spent some more time on Keenspot in the last twenty-four hours and decided that Two Lumps and Count Your Sheep are great too.
'Lumps reminds me entirely too much of the goings on at my mother's house. Right down to the fact that, for years, I referred to two of her cats as Lump and Loaf (inspired by Ren and Stimpy). The collective personalities of mom's cats more than remind me of Eben and Snooch. Eben reminds me of a number of mom's cats. Snooch, on the other hand, can pretty much be pinned upon two... the original Loaf and the Clueless Wonder. Either of which has perpetrated many similar horrors upon the household. When you find the time, go check it out.
Count Your Sheep is a charming look on life that reminds me, in some ways, of Calvin and Hobbes. I really enjoy its simplicity, honestly and artwork.
Cars was great. I'm not sure what the bad reviews were about. Perhaps the lousy critics are trying to be the first to find a flaw in Pixar's methods. Personally, I think they need to get bent.
Cars wasn't nearly as meaningful as prior Pixar films. Nor was it as endearing. But it was a perfect escape, with a great story, beautiful imagery and a lot of fun. All of the references to their past were excellent, the humor bright and decidedly adult in many places and each over the top moment perfect.
I can't think of a reason not to purchase a copy on DVD.
Take that, critics who admired filth like "War of the Worlds".
Yesterday I pointed out Penny and Aggie, a great little webcomic. I've spent some more time on Keenspot in the last twenty-four hours and decided that Two Lumps and Count Your Sheep are great too.
'Lumps reminds me entirely too much of the goings on at my mother's house. Right down to the fact that, for years, I referred to two of her cats as Lump and Loaf (inspired by Ren and Stimpy). The collective personalities of mom's cats more than remind me of Eben and Snooch. Eben reminds me of a number of mom's cats. Snooch, on the other hand, can pretty much be pinned upon two... the original Loaf and the Clueless Wonder. Either of which has perpetrated many similar horrors upon the household. When you find the time, go check it out.
Count Your Sheep is a charming look on life that reminds me, in some ways, of Calvin and Hobbes. I really enjoy its simplicity, honestly and artwork.
Monday, June 12, 2006
Demographics
As a 30 year old male, I'm more than likely quite outside the intended demographic of this webcomic. All the same, I think it's charming, well written and well drawn. So, there, market analyst man.
I have no clue if the creators intend it to be a biting indictment of teenage rivalries, social development or the geek inheriting the earth. It's not my place to interpret their purpose. However, from my own little perspective, it's quite the send up and somewhat reassuring that my people are gaining some prominence and respect.
Spend some time visiting Penny and Aggie, when you get a chance. It's great stuff. Kudos, once again, to Scott Kurtz of PVPOnline for helping me find great stuff!
SQL> Select Title From WebComics Where Value = 'Unmeasured';
I have no clue if the creators intend it to be a biting indictment of teenage rivalries, social development or the geek inheriting the earth. It's not my place to interpret their purpose. However, from my own little perspective, it's quite the send up and somewhat reassuring that my people are gaining some prominence and respect.
Spend some time visiting Penny and Aggie, when you get a chance. It's great stuff. Kudos, once again, to Scott Kurtz of PVPOnline for helping me find great stuff!
SQL> Select Title From WebComics Where Value = 'Unmeasured';
Friday, June 09, 2006
... movies ...
Yeah. Again.
Really.
I just watched "Napoleon Dynamite" again. I have it on DVD. You see that part, Spielberg, Lucas and every other big name special effects director in Hollywood? I won't buy YOUR movies, but I'll buy "Napoleon Dynamite". There isn't one special effect in this flick. Even the time machine.
But I'll buy it.
Go find something worthy of my time.
SQL> Select * From Movies Where Charm = 'Simplicity';
Really.
I just watched "Napoleon Dynamite" again. I have it on DVD. You see that part, Spielberg, Lucas and every other big name special effects director in Hollywood? I won't buy YOUR movies, but I'll buy "Napoleon Dynamite". There isn't one special effect in this flick. Even the time machine.
But I'll buy it.
Go find something worthy of my time.
SQL> Select * From Movies Where Charm = 'Simplicity';
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
X-Men III The Last Bland
*meh*
Elements of this film were great, but the key pieces necessary to deliver an excellent story were glossed over from nearly start to finish.
They should've let Bryan Singer finish Superman and then pay him whatever he wanted to return to X-Men. There were some great elements throughout, but not enough to hold everything together nearly as well as the first two films. It was basically a series of "moments" strung together by a parade of fanboy favorites.
Avoiding spoilers, I'll say that it lacked conviction.
Elements of this film were great, but the key pieces necessary to deliver an excellent story were glossed over from nearly start to finish.
They should've let Bryan Singer finish Superman and then pay him whatever he wanted to return to X-Men. There were some great elements throughout, but not enough to hold everything together nearly as well as the first two films. It was basically a series of "moments" strung together by a parade of fanboy favorites.
Avoiding spoilers, I'll say that it lacked conviction.
Monday, May 22, 2006
"I didn't not cheat in no way"
Or, something. Usually, Bungie's mailbag is fun to read. The fact that they took the time to answer so many questions about the Halo 3 trailer was pretty cool.
This, on the other hand is just painful to read. Not only are these people stupid... they seem to want someone else (Bungie) to be aware of the degree of their density.
For the record: I was a beta tester for XBox Live. I've been a member of the Live community for nearly four years, now. The community standards are pretty freakin' apparent. To make claims along the lines of "I didn't know I could be banned for..." are outlandish to say the least.
These turkeys with multiple accounts couldn't make their intent more apparent. On the forums I help moderate we simply ban people who create multiple accounts without justification or explanation. XBL should adopt a similar policy. Why someone needs more than one gamertag is beyond me.
I've had the same 'tag since October, 2002. I've taken my XBox to numerous LAN parties and friends' homes to show off XBL. In every instance I've used my four year old 'tag. I have never needed another one. The only reason for a second 'tag, in my humble opinion, is a backup when you're trying to sneak around the system.
SQL> Delete From GamerTags Where Cheater = True;
This, on the other hand is just painful to read. Not only are these people stupid... they seem to want someone else (Bungie) to be aware of the degree of their density.
For the record: I was a beta tester for XBox Live. I've been a member of the Live community for nearly four years, now. The community standards are pretty freakin' apparent. To make claims along the lines of "I didn't know I could be banned for..." are outlandish to say the least.
These turkeys with multiple accounts couldn't make their intent more apparent. On the forums I help moderate we simply ban people who create multiple accounts without justification or explanation. XBL should adopt a similar policy. Why someone needs more than one gamertag is beyond me.
I've had the same 'tag since October, 2002. I've taken my XBox to numerous LAN parties and friends' homes to show off XBL. In every instance I've used my four year old 'tag. I have never needed another one. The only reason for a second 'tag, in my humble opinion, is a backup when you're trying to sneak around the system.
SQL> Delete From GamerTags Where Cheater = True;
What do Slumbering Lungfish Eat?
So, this is pretty cool to see. From what I gather, this will be Lore's first visit to Comic Con. Guy's gonna go out of his mind, with all the stuff he sees there (maybe I can recruit him for my anti-Lucasfilm propaganda campaign in the LucasArts pavillion! Perhaps I should actually put some organizational effort behind that!). I dropped him an email, behaving all the pathetic, bootlicking fanboy that I am, looking for a chance to at least shake his hand. Maybe I should get off my ass and get his book so I can at least look legitimate and ask for an autograph ;-).
Hopefully he'll have the time to drop by our regular pre-dinner-gathering-spot to say "Hello!" and shake my quivering, sweaty hand!
In other news, this year's schedule isn't out yet. Dagnabbit. I must know when /if Richard Taylor will be presenting anything regarding the Halo movie!
IT decided that my workstation needed to be relocated, on Friday. Things were still a mess, today. My power-user profile wasn't configured properly and I spent 2.5 hours, this morning, crippled as a result. Although that was corrected, I still can't configure my AS400 ODBC connectivity. They've promised to go ahead and move my PC, afterall, but seem to be taking their time doing so. Murphy's Law, in this instance, dictates that all the efforts I currently need to complete, require that I retrieve data from the AS400. Yay.
SQL> Select NewWorkstations From Building Where PreviousOwner <> 'FILTHY SLOB';
Hopefully he'll have the time to drop by our regular pre-dinner-gathering-spot to say "Hello!" and shake my quivering, sweaty hand!
In other news, this year's schedule isn't out yet. Dagnabbit. I must know when /if Richard Taylor will be presenting anything regarding the Halo movie!
IT decided that my workstation needed to be relocated, on Friday. Things were still a mess, today. My power-user profile wasn't configured properly and I spent 2.5 hours, this morning, crippled as a result. Although that was corrected, I still can't configure my AS400 ODBC connectivity. They've promised to go ahead and move my PC, afterall, but seem to be taking their time doing so. Murphy's Law, in this instance, dictates that all the efforts I currently need to complete, require that I retrieve data from the AS400. Yay.
SQL> Select NewWorkstations From Building Where PreviousOwner <> 'FILTHY SLOB';
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Delta Blog
I made a few changes to the 'blog, tonight. I've done nothing major, but, I did make a few changes to my links section. I removed my 'blogging teammates, mostly because one hasn't posted in over six months and the other really only created his blog as a means to tell us of his time in Iraq. I also removed the "Links that are bigger than me" because, well, the sites I had posted there don't mean much to me, right now. Just, personal differences with some of them. I changed the link section names, not that anyone would notice that.
I added a silly description a few days ago and might change that. I don't know if I like it. I also added the MyGeoSpots banner, which I found through a link through a link at thirty one flavors. Or something. I'm going to keep an eye on it for a while, I have no idea if there's any traffic here and I don't like their banner much. If things don't really blossom on that map, I'm going to take it down.
There's a lot going on at HBO, these days. Some great speculation (some very intriguing content produced by Steven Loftus today, I love his work), thoughts, interpretations and concepts.
I got my "One One Se7en" / HBO / E3'06 tshirt today. It's pretty slick, good tshirt with an outrageously sized representation of One One Se7en's helmet, which I think is great. Can't wait to wear this one at 'Con.
We had a decent enough time at the field, yesterday, despite the low turnout. Nothing terribly exciting or annoying happened.
Things went well at the office, today. Got some solid changes to a report format set up and I started working on something new, using the same data from that report. Hoping to wrap it up tomorrow.
I'm starting to do more and more work on our UNIX server, although I'm still not taking full advantage of its capabilities. Or mine, for that matter. I need to remind myself to contact the guys in charge of the box to find out when we'll get DB2 facilities available for SAS queries. I'm really looking forward to CRONing some of the queries I need to run in our C/O system.
And that reminds me that I still need to order my "Children of the CRON" Tshirt from Jinx.
SQL> Select TShirts From tblGeekClothing Where SloganType = 'Really Bad Pun';
I added a silly description a few days ago and might change that. I don't know if I like it. I also added the MyGeoSpots banner, which I found through a link through a link at thirty one flavors. Or something. I'm going to keep an eye on it for a while, I have no idea if there's any traffic here and I don't like their banner much. If things don't really blossom on that map, I'm going to take it down.
There's a lot going on at HBO, these days. Some great speculation (some very intriguing content produced by Steven Loftus today, I love his work), thoughts, interpretations and concepts.
I got my "One One Se7en" / HBO / E3'06 tshirt today. It's pretty slick, good tshirt with an outrageously sized representation of One One Se7en's helmet, which I think is great. Can't wait to wear this one at 'Con.
We had a decent enough time at the field, yesterday, despite the low turnout. Nothing terribly exciting or annoying happened.
Things went well at the office, today. Got some solid changes to a report format set up and I started working on something new, using the same data from that report. Hoping to wrap it up tomorrow.
I'm starting to do more and more work on our UNIX server, although I'm still not taking full advantage of its capabilities. Or mine, for that matter. I need to remind myself to contact the guys in charge of the box to find out when we'll get DB2 facilities available for SAS queries. I'm really looking forward to CRONing some of the queries I need to run in our C/O system.
And that reminds me that I still need to order my "Children of the CRON" Tshirt from Jinx.
SQL> Select TShirts From tblGeekClothing Where SloganType = 'Really Bad Pun';
Monday, May 15, 2006
If you got questions...
...Ninja got answers!
It is important that you remember that. This ninja, he is very helpful.
OMG! This maniac has a PODCAST too! Go find it in iTunes and grab it! What a nut!
AHAHAHAH This one, is my favorite:
Quicktime Format
WMV Format
"Give him something black... Giving a ninja something black is like giving crazy to Angelina Jolie. It's like giving guns to Master Chief. It's like giving Dolly Parton boobs. We've already got plenty."
[awesome]
SQL> Select PajamaAssassin From tbl_StabbyGuys Where WeaponOfChoice = 'Shuriken';
It is important that you remember that. This ninja, he is very helpful.
OMG! This maniac has a PODCAST too! Go find it in iTunes and grab it! What a nut!
AHAHAHAH This one, is my favorite:
Quicktime Format
WMV Format
"Give him something black... Giving a ninja something black is like giving crazy to Angelina Jolie. It's like giving guns to Master Chief. It's like giving Dolly Parton boobs. We've already got plenty."
[awesome]
SQL> Select PajamaAssassin From tbl_StabbyGuys Where WeaponOfChoice = 'Shuriken';
Thursday, May 11, 2006
What's an Opus and I'm a Geek
My management team was in town this week for some "off site meetings". Basically, that means the meetings bring people from numerous sites to a single site for a series of discussions. In this case "off site" was "on site" for me. But, I digress.
Shortly after lunch, today, my current Ober Manager (manager's boss) stopped by my desk to see how things have been going, how my tools are working for me, etc. Basically just an attempt to see how my morale is, how satisfied I am with my job/work and the applications I utilize on a daily basis to get things done. The company buzzword (right now) for this is "wellness check". I hate company buzzwords. I try not to use them. Someone else used a stupid buzzword, later in the day: "actionable feedback". I think that just means "this is feedback I can use to improve myself". But, we can't just say that, now can we? Nope. Not in today's world of corporate doublespeak. But, again, I've digressed.
Anyway, when the Ober Manager sat down, I was listening to my iPod as I worked my way through a series of queries to support a report I've been trying to stabilize for several months. As is the custom, he inquired about my iPod:
"What are you listening to?"
"Oh, I've just got it on shuffle, right now."
"Huh?"
"Shuffle, it's just randomly playing songs."
"Oh, I don't have one of those things, so I don't know the lingo."
It's not that hard, I guess, but, hey, he's not a geek, technodick or whatever you want to say. I suppose one could say he's not young and hip, but I don't think that's fair, either. I simply think he doesn't grok the gadgets that make geeks excited. That's fine with me.
It was the next part of the conversation that kinda wrinkled my shirt:
"So what song is it playing, right now?"
"The Neptune Opus of Holst's 'The Planets'."
"The Planets? What the hell? What are you listening to?"
"It's a symphony, classical music, 'The Planets'."
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
I know I'm a geek, I freely acknowledge it. I have the tshirt. I've acknowledged that. I love being me and I've taken a long time coming to grips with who I am. But, man, don't bash on me because I like classical music, too. Everyone should be familiar with many of the great symphonies, orchestras, operas, etc. of the world. This is a dying artform, stifled more and more, everyday, by digitally fabricated noise.
May the best musician win. Seriously.
SQL> Select '*.mp3' From tbl_Symphonies Where Composer = 'Tchaikovsky';
Shortly after lunch, today, my current Ober Manager (manager's boss) stopped by my desk to see how things have been going, how my tools are working for me, etc. Basically just an attempt to see how my morale is, how satisfied I am with my job/work and the applications I utilize on a daily basis to get things done. The company buzzword (right now) for this is "wellness check". I hate company buzzwords. I try not to use them. Someone else used a stupid buzzword, later in the day: "actionable feedback". I think that just means "this is feedback I can use to improve myself". But, we can't just say that, now can we? Nope. Not in today's world of corporate doublespeak. But, again, I've digressed.
Anyway, when the Ober Manager sat down, I was listening to my iPod as I worked my way through a series of queries to support a report I've been trying to stabilize for several months. As is the custom, he inquired about my iPod:
"What are you listening to?"
"Oh, I've just got it on shuffle, right now."
"Huh?"
"Shuffle, it's just randomly playing songs."
"Oh, I don't have one of those things, so I don't know the lingo."
It's not that hard, I guess, but, hey, he's not a geek, technodick or whatever you want to say. I suppose one could say he's not young and hip, but I don't think that's fair, either. I simply think he doesn't grok the gadgets that make geeks excited. That's fine with me.
It was the next part of the conversation that kinda wrinkled my shirt:
"So what song is it playing, right now?"
"The Neptune Opus of Holst's 'The Planets'."
"The Planets? What the hell? What are you listening to?"
"It's a symphony, classical music, 'The Planets'."
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
I know I'm a geek, I freely acknowledge it. I have the tshirt. I've acknowledged that. I love being me and I've taken a long time coming to grips with who I am. But, man, don't bash on me because I like classical music, too. Everyone should be familiar with many of the great symphonies, orchestras, operas, etc. of the world. This is a dying artform, stifled more and more, everyday, by digitally fabricated noise.
May the best musician win. Seriously.
SQL> Select '*.mp3' From tbl_Symphonies Where Composer = 'Tchaikovsky';
What happens to me in May...
...It's pretty simple, actually. I start thirsting for Comic Con. I buy my airline ticket... complete my registration... start pounding the Comic Con Website on a regular basis, hoping to find that the year's schedule has been released. I start organizing all of my geektacular stuff (BTW, if you're a Halo geek, look at me shill-whore - Thanks MB! - my front page post on HBO).
This week really gets things going for me, because of E3. Ramp that up a certain insane factor thanks to the Halo 3 announcement on Tuesday and I'm just out of control.
Things got started when :rose: sent me a link to a Microsoft Press Conference summary written by Lore Fitzgerald Sjoberg. This cat used to write for The Brunching Shuttlecocks, which has been defunct for several years now. I miss their work immensely, particularly The Self Made Critic. After tearing through the link :rose: forwarded, I saw Lore's name and thought "Damn, that sounded like Lore [mouthfulofcrazynorwegianletters] from Brunching Shuttlecocks... I wonder if it's the same dude..." I did some research and lo and behold, it sure as hell was! Right on! But wait, what's this... he has a blog, too! Sweet! You can find a link to The Slumbering Lungfish in my "Bloggish Links" in the nav panel to the right. Cool, huh?
But that's not all! Look what else you get, folks! Well, "geek folks", probably the only types who bother with this insane rant space I've created on the web.
I finally remembered, tonight, that I need to rip Ultraman is Airwolf, for my iPod listening enjoyment and our Comic Con Geektacular Media Frenzy. I wasn't very surprised to discover that iTunes didn't recognize any of Ernie's track info... so... I cranked up his site to get the track listing information for iTunes and then did some more poking around. Come to find out, he's got a blog too (why was I surprised, stupid me). His updates to Synapses appear to be somewhat infrequent. But, there's some cool kit, there, wherein he links a couple TV spots he did for GameTap TV.
If you're familiar with Ernie, I think you'll get a kick out of seeing him in a dark arcade reading some of his poetry slam. He made mention that the spots might air, sometime, on [adult swim]... here's wishing him the best of luck! I look forward to seeing the man spout his stuff on one of my favorite program sessions!
More geek to come as Con gets closer!
SQL> Select InsaneMedia From tblGreatSatirists Where Coolness = 9.9*10^23;
This week really gets things going for me, because of E3. Ramp that up a certain insane factor thanks to the Halo 3 announcement on Tuesday and I'm just out of control.
Things got started when :rose: sent me a link to a Microsoft Press Conference summary written by Lore Fitzgerald Sjoberg. This cat used to write for The Brunching Shuttlecocks, which has been defunct for several years now. I miss their work immensely, particularly The Self Made Critic. After tearing through the link :rose: forwarded, I saw Lore's name and thought "Damn, that sounded like Lore [mouthfulofcrazynorwegianletters] from Brunching Shuttlecocks... I wonder if it's the same dude..." I did some research and lo and behold, it sure as hell was! Right on! But wait, what's this... he has a blog, too! Sweet! You can find a link to The Slumbering Lungfish in my "Bloggish Links" in the nav panel to the right. Cool, huh?
But that's not all! Look what else you get, folks! Well, "geek folks", probably the only types who bother with this insane rant space I've created on the web.
I finally remembered, tonight, that I need to rip Ultraman is Airwolf, for my iPod listening enjoyment and our Comic Con Geektacular Media Frenzy. I wasn't very surprised to discover that iTunes didn't recognize any of Ernie's track info... so... I cranked up his site to get the track listing information for iTunes and then did some more poking around. Come to find out, he's got a blog too (why was I surprised, stupid me). His updates to Synapses appear to be somewhat infrequent. But, there's some cool kit, there, wherein he links a couple TV spots he did for GameTap TV.
If you're familiar with Ernie, I think you'll get a kick out of seeing him in a dark arcade reading some of his poetry slam. He made mention that the spots might air, sometime, on [adult swim]... here's wishing him the best of luck! I look forward to seeing the man spout his stuff on one of my favorite program sessions!
More geek to come as Con gets closer!
SQL> Select InsaneMedia From tblGreatSatirists Where Coolness = 9.9*10^23;
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Other Halo News
This is too cool for words. To say nothing of the fact that, of course, I'm going to Comic Con. I hope I don't get skunked, like I did last year!
Check me out!
I got me a few minutes of fame on HBO, today, thanks to the big news out of E3, yesterday! Another forum poster (Rachda) inspired an interesting thought and I wrote something up on it. Yay me!
If you're a Halo geek (not just a player) check it out here
If you're a Halo geek (not just a player) check it out here
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
Halo 3
Bungie 'fesses up.
Not a surprise, really. But, for those of us who enjoy this storyline, it's refreshing news.
The content in the news item has been enabled and is interesting (the FAQ is the best part, typical Bungie context).
It'd be great if the title releases on 1/1/7, but I won't get my hopes up. Odds are 11/7 will be the release date. Oh well.
Not a surprise, really. But, for those of us who enjoy this storyline, it's refreshing news.
The content in the news item has been enabled and is interesting (the FAQ is the best part, typical Bungie context).
It'd be great if the title releases on 1/1/7, but I won't get my hopes up. Odds are 11/7 will be the release date. Oh well.
Monday, May 08, 2006
Common Courtesy
1. Are you in the car? Are you driving? Are you the only one on the road? I know many of you fools believe that you are, that your mommies told you you're very special, but you are not the only person on the road. Are you on the cell phone? Well, hang up, dammit. There's other people trying to drive too!
2. Are you at the grocery store? Are you the person being served at the deli? You know, where someone has to ask you about what you're interested in? If so, HANG UP THE PHONE! You're being rude. The people behind the counter cannot help you and you're holding up the line, jerk!
3. Are you at the grocery store? Are you at the self serve express check out? Are you still on the goddamned phone? HANG UP! First off all, it's an express check out line. Second, it's self server. Nothing about talking on the phone while trying to ring up your own products is FAST, which is the point of the express check out. HANG UP THE PHONE, because, YOU'RE HOLDING UP THE LINE. If you want to talk on the phone, go stand in one of the regular lines, you jerk!
SQL> Select CellPlans Where GroceryStoreService = False;
2. Are you at the grocery store? Are you the person being served at the deli? You know, where someone has to ask you about what you're interested in? If so, HANG UP THE PHONE! You're being rude. The people behind the counter cannot help you and you're holding up the line, jerk!
3. Are you at the grocery store? Are you at the self serve express check out? Are you still on the goddamned phone? HANG UP! First off all, it's an express check out line. Second, it's self server. Nothing about talking on the phone while trying to ring up your own products is FAST, which is the point of the express check out. HANG UP THE PHONE, because, YOU'RE HOLDING UP THE LINE. If you want to talk on the phone, go stand in one of the regular lines, you jerk!
SQL> Select CellPlans Where GroceryStoreService = False;
Thursday, May 04, 2006
What A Backstabbing Cockbite(tm RvB)
I hate you, George Lucas.
I hate your marketing divions, George Lucas.
I hate your lies, George Lucas.
I hate the way you've released The Trilogy on DVD, George Lucas.
I hate what you did to Han Solo, George Lucas.
I hate 'Jedi Rocks', George Lucas.
I hate the freakin' prequels, George Lucas.
I hate Jar Jar Binks, George Lucas.
I hate the fall of the Jedi, George Lucas.
But more than anything I hate your backstabbing, cockbite ass, George Lucas.
I've got it better than many, including the greatest of Lucas's insulters (Scott Kurtz, may your opinions on The Dark One light our way forever!). I refrained from buying those filthy DVDs, a couple years ago, because of the content. I'm still not keen on purchasing DVDs that contain this... filth. This filthy vile, affront to The Trilogy.
But. I'll have the OE's.
But they're a bonus feature. HOW ON FREAKING EARTH IS THE ORIGINAL VERSION OF A FILM A "bonus feature"?! The original version IS THE FEATURE!
ARGH
I hate your marketing divions, George Lucas.
I hate your lies, George Lucas.
I hate the way you've released The Trilogy on DVD, George Lucas.
I hate what you did to Han Solo, George Lucas.
I hate 'Jedi Rocks', George Lucas.
I hate the freakin' prequels, George Lucas.
I hate Jar Jar Binks, George Lucas.
I hate the fall of the Jedi, George Lucas.
But more than anything I hate your backstabbing, cockbite ass, George Lucas.
I've got it better than many, including the greatest of Lucas's insulters (Scott Kurtz, may your opinions on The Dark One light our way forever!). I refrained from buying those filthy DVDs, a couple years ago, because of the content. I'm still not keen on purchasing DVDs that contain this... filth. This filthy vile, affront to The Trilogy.
But. I'll have the OE's.
But they're a bonus feature. HOW ON FREAKING EARTH IS THE ORIGINAL VERSION OF A FILM A "bonus feature"?! The original version IS THE FEATURE!
ARGH
Thursday, April 27, 2006
HAPPY HAPPY JOY JOY
Stimpy Stylee, complete with stupid tear filled goo goo eyes face: [joy]
My Halo 2: Volume 2 CD arrived, yesterday, with only a pittance of thanks to the Unreliable Parcel Service. These people have a better scam going than insurance companies. They never bothered to update the tracking info online, schmucks.
Regardless, CD in hand, I jaunted to my PC and immediately ripped it and downloaded it to my trusty iPod (the database/reporting freak in me wants to run some ratios on the volume of Halo related music [26+17+12+3+57, including an incomplete supplement from Marty O'Donnell and numerous fan tracks I've not yet cleaned up] to overall volume on iPod) and set the iPod aside to charge. I then fired up the CD in my stereo, full blast (screw the tool who lives behind me, with no taste in music or video games, BTW).
Listening to music in the main living area inspires me to clean. And clean I did. For at least two full cycles of the CD. I dusted off every single thing in and around my entertainment center, reorganized my DVDs (not a monumental task, given the DB freak level in me... I've a DB set up to resort and organize them for me a number of ways).
The Volume 1 CD was great:
I love Peril. 99% of the time I start that CD up, I start with Peril. Something about the way it feels bears forth more of the game than I can really describe. Not to mention, it's different and the pizzacato play is absolutely counter to everything done in the hip hop tracks.
In Amber Clad really capitalizes on the inclusion of Steve Vai on the efforts for this score and works within its own context beautifully. There's something powerful and direct about that track, it just invokes Miranda Keyes's personality (yes, I'm that geek).
The Last Spartan is also an inspiring track. Has been since the day it was used for the E3 teaser as early as 2003, I believe, I'll have to do some fact checking on that. Again, we received a piece that perfectly invokes the Master Chief's personality.
Heavy Price Paid is a sad and lonely piece. Also one of my favorites, it invokes a funeral dirge. Unfortunately, I'm not sure for whom.
Earth City rapidly became my second favorite track on the Volume 1 CD. Again, used to great extent in pre-release material, it comprised nearly all of the game play demo shown at E3 in 2004. It's a wonderful track for an FPS game and does great things for moving gameplay and feeling the spirit of the story, overall.
Several of the other tracks are quite memorable as well, however, these represent those that I prefer the most. Unfortunately, a significant portion of Halo 2 has been missing from my collection. Specificaly, some of the sweeping stories and arcs that form portions of the Arbiter's story. I assume this was because the Volume 1 CD was released prior to the game and Bungie didn't want this surprise revealed. Halo's Devils, Monsters track would have definitely spoiled that story's surprise, had the soundtrack been released prior to the game. Listeners with a keen ear for leit motif would've presumed that the sound of Devils, Monsters wasn't allusion for the Covenant, rather, something different.
Enter the suites on Volume 2, that have been absent for 18 months. Only Bungie and/or Marty O'Donnell can specifically explain the delays. Though, as they say, timing is everything (*coughE3isaroundthecornercough*). Is this release designed to put Halo back at the forefront of our gaming queues?
Hint to Bungie: Wasn't necessary for some of us, even if we don't play on Live all the time. I spent no less than 6 hours, last week, playing Halo and Halo 2 campaigns (for the kiddies with no responsibilities, I work 40 hours per week, minimum).
Either way, only time will tell as we approach and get through E3 (friends of mine from NC Soft are going, I have to figure out how to talk them into hitting Bungie's pavillion to score me some intel).
But, I digrees. My intent was to discuss Halo 2: Volume 2.
Which, apparently, I'll do some other time. Right now I'm up to my Halo in insanity...
My Halo 2: Volume 2 CD arrived, yesterday, with only a pittance of thanks to the Unreliable Parcel Service. These people have a better scam going than insurance companies. They never bothered to update the tracking info online, schmucks.
Regardless, CD in hand, I jaunted to my PC and immediately ripped it and downloaded it to my trusty iPod (the database/reporting freak in me wants to run some ratios on the volume of Halo related music [26+17+12+3+57, including an incomplete supplement from Marty O'Donnell and numerous fan tracks I've not yet cleaned up] to overall volume on iPod) and set the iPod aside to charge. I then fired up the CD in my stereo, full blast (screw the tool who lives behind me, with no taste in music or video games, BTW).
Listening to music in the main living area inspires me to clean. And clean I did. For at least two full cycles of the CD. I dusted off every single thing in and around my entertainment center, reorganized my DVDs (not a monumental task, given the DB freak level in me... I've a DB set up to resort and organize them for me a number of ways).
The Volume 1 CD was great:
I love Peril. 99% of the time I start that CD up, I start with Peril. Something about the way it feels bears forth more of the game than I can really describe. Not to mention, it's different and the pizzacato play is absolutely counter to everything done in the hip hop tracks.
In Amber Clad really capitalizes on the inclusion of Steve Vai on the efforts for this score and works within its own context beautifully. There's something powerful and direct about that track, it just invokes Miranda Keyes's personality (yes, I'm that geek).
The Last Spartan is also an inspiring track. Has been since the day it was used for the E3 teaser as early as 2003, I believe, I'll have to do some fact checking on that. Again, we received a piece that perfectly invokes the Master Chief's personality.
Heavy Price Paid is a sad and lonely piece. Also one of my favorites, it invokes a funeral dirge. Unfortunately, I'm not sure for whom.
Earth City rapidly became my second favorite track on the Volume 1 CD. Again, used to great extent in pre-release material, it comprised nearly all of the game play demo shown at E3 in 2004. It's a wonderful track for an FPS game and does great things for moving gameplay and feeling the spirit of the story, overall.
Several of the other tracks are quite memorable as well, however, these represent those that I prefer the most. Unfortunately, a significant portion of Halo 2 has been missing from my collection. Specificaly, some of the sweeping stories and arcs that form portions of the Arbiter's story. I assume this was because the Volume 1 CD was released prior to the game and Bungie didn't want this surprise revealed. Halo's Devils, Monsters track would have definitely spoiled that story's surprise, had the soundtrack been released prior to the game. Listeners with a keen ear for leit motif would've presumed that the sound of Devils, Monsters wasn't allusion for the Covenant, rather, something different.
Enter the suites on Volume 2, that have been absent for 18 months. Only Bungie and/or Marty O'Donnell can specifically explain the delays. Though, as they say, timing is everything (*coughE3isaroundthecornercough*). Is this release designed to put Halo back at the forefront of our gaming queues?
Hint to Bungie: Wasn't necessary for some of us, even if we don't play on Live all the time. I spent no less than 6 hours, last week, playing Halo and Halo 2 campaigns (for the kiddies with no responsibilities, I work 40 hours per week, minimum).
Either way, only time will tell as we approach and get through E3 (friends of mine from NC Soft are going, I have to figure out how to talk them into hitting Bungie's pavillion to score me some intel).
But, I digrees. My intent was to discuss Halo 2: Volume 2.
Which, apparently, I'll do some other time. Right now I'm up to my Halo in insanity...
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Things That Suck
1. Best Buy and all of its ilk. Where's my Halo 2: Volume 2 soundtrack CD, you lousy freaks?! Not. Going. To. Stock. It. I'll show you!
I don't know how I'll show you, yet. But I'll show you. Something.
2. Modern filmmakers. Have you losers (filmmakers) noticed that Best Buy and its ilk now stock television show DVD's BEFORE movies? Have you seen this Spielberg, you HG Wells robbing HACK!!!
The American public now thinks so little of the utter waste you foist on us each week, that we'd rather puchase copies of The A-Team before copies of (excuse me while I vomit in my trash can) War of the Worlds: Special Stupid Spielberg Schlock.
It's a travesty, I tell you. Special effects do not a story make. What happened to the creativity? Go away. Stay out of our movie theaters. Do something more constructive with your lives.
I don't know how I'll show you, yet. But I'll show you. Something.
2. Modern filmmakers. Have you losers (filmmakers) noticed that Best Buy and its ilk now stock television show DVD's BEFORE movies? Have you seen this Spielberg, you HG Wells robbing HACK!!!
The American public now thinks so little of the utter waste you foist on us each week, that we'd rather puchase copies of The A-Team before copies of (excuse me while I vomit in my trash can) War of the Worlds: Special Stupid Spielberg Schlock.
It's a travesty, I tell you. Special effects do not a story make. What happened to the creativity? Go away. Stay out of our movie theaters. Do something more constructive with your lives.
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Volume 2!
For a little over a year, now, I've been dying to get my hands on the Halo 2 soundtrack's second volume. Details on its release have been few and far between, which is odd, considering how popular the first two compilations were. Regardless, the time has come, the date announced and finally the tracks!
You can find them via this convenient story on HBO.
I'm pleased to see that this volume has been arranged neatly into suites, applicable to the portion of the game in which they were heard. And gone are the less than desireable pseudo-rock-group tracks that were included in the first volume.
I grew to like the Breaking Benjamin track... but... man... the others never even got close to my iPod. Sorry Hoobastank and Nile Rogers, I just didn't care for them at all. The tone, feel and texture just don't fit into the same context as Marty O'Donnell's works.
SQL> Select CD From Amazon Where Title = "Halo 2 Soundtrack - Volume 2";
You can find them via this convenient story on HBO.
I'm pleased to see that this volume has been arranged neatly into suites, applicable to the portion of the game in which they were heard. And gone are the less than desireable pseudo-rock-group tracks that were included in the first volume.
I grew to like the Breaking Benjamin track... but... man... the others never even got close to my iPod. Sorry Hoobastank and Nile Rogers, I just didn't care for them at all. The tone, feel and texture just don't fit into the same context as Marty O'Donnell's works.
SQL> Select CD From Amazon Where Title = "Halo 2 Soundtrack - Volume 2";
Monday, March 20, 2006
One Busy Weekend Down...
...a few more to go.
Much family commitment coming up this weekend, since Mom's coming back from Orlando. Then another casual wedding the following Friday, hobby work in Austin the day after. Then some business in Dallas, followed by a class in Delaware (yes, again). I think, once that's over, I'm done for a little while. Of course, I still need to look into visiting Orlando and setting things up for Comic-Con, this year. YAY VACATION!
Anyway, why does everyone want to do everything in March or April? Can't a brother get some May or June activities (not really, I'm kidding, now).
:rose: got married on Saturday evening. Boy was that a breeze. The 'speeches' were longer than the ceremony. Heck, I think it took longer for the bride's sister and I to sign the marriage certificate, than the JP spoke. Anyway, it was all good. Everyone had a blast (well, I think they did). I needed a whole day to recover, though.
I pulled something at the dojo Saturday morning. I'm not sure what. I experienced a bit of a snicker snack, whilst dodging a vorpal blade. It doesn't really hurt, unless I extend my knee through the tender spot. Kinda weird.
The new Dr. Who is worth watching, so far. I dig the guy playing the Doctor. He adds a slightly geek-evil nature to the role. Hopefully things won't turn sour.
SQL> Select * From Schedule Where DownTime > 12 hours;
Much family commitment coming up this weekend, since Mom's coming back from Orlando. Then another casual wedding the following Friday, hobby work in Austin the day after. Then some business in Dallas, followed by a class in Delaware (yes, again). I think, once that's over, I'm done for a little while. Of course, I still need to look into visiting Orlando and setting things up for Comic-Con, this year. YAY VACATION!
Anyway, why does everyone want to do everything in March or April? Can't a brother get some May or June activities (not really, I'm kidding, now).
:rose: got married on Saturday evening. Boy was that a breeze. The 'speeches' were longer than the ceremony. Heck, I think it took longer for the bride's sister and I to sign the marriage certificate, than the JP spoke. Anyway, it was all good. Everyone had a blast (well, I think they did). I needed a whole day to recover, though.
I pulled something at the dojo Saturday morning. I'm not sure what. I experienced a bit of a snicker snack, whilst dodging a vorpal blade. It doesn't really hurt, unless I extend my knee through the tender spot. Kinda weird.
The new Dr. Who is worth watching, so far. I dig the guy playing the Doctor. He adds a slightly geek-evil nature to the role. Hopefully things won't turn sour.
SQL> Select * From Schedule Where DownTime > 12 hours;
Friday, March 17, 2006
Aikido
So, I've been a bit lax in my search for a new dojo (*coughthreeyearscough*), but have finally met with success. I joined Alamo City Aikido, last night. Yay me.
I've been trying to reconcile why I feel so comfortable there, given how poorly things ended in my last round of studies. So far, I keep coming up with the following:
1. Energy. There's a very positive energy at the dojo. Practice seems less of an obligation and more an event. This makes Lit happy.
2. Community. Everything at my last dojo was run by one person. Things are vastly different at ACA. The group is not for profit, its sensei is not the president and there are several additional instructors. Not to mention, I was welcomed and introduced to the group, last night. Which is at odds with how my previous instructor began new students.
3. Self Paced. Advancement seems less of a focus. In a word, advancement hasn't been explained to me. Whereas, previously, it was a nightly discussion.
Anyway, I'm hoping to get myself conditioned again with stretching and working out. It really felt great a few years ago. While I'm out of sorts, right now, I do feel better than I have all year. With more sessions available to me, per week, I should be getting into good shape before the end of the year.
SQL> Select * From Drafts Where Irish = True;
I've been trying to reconcile why I feel so comfortable there, given how poorly things ended in my last round of studies. So far, I keep coming up with the following:
1. Energy. There's a very positive energy at the dojo. Practice seems less of an obligation and more an event. This makes Lit happy.
2. Community. Everything at my last dojo was run by one person. Things are vastly different at ACA. The group is not for profit, its sensei is not the president and there are several additional instructors. Not to mention, I was welcomed and introduced to the group, last night. Which is at odds with how my previous instructor began new students.
3. Self Paced. Advancement seems less of a focus. In a word, advancement hasn't been explained to me. Whereas, previously, it was a nightly discussion.
Anyway, I'm hoping to get myself conditioned again with stretching and working out. It really felt great a few years ago. While I'm out of sorts, right now, I do feel better than I have all year. With more sessions available to me, per week, I should be getting into good shape before the end of the year.
SQL> Select * From Drafts Where Irish = True;
Monday, March 13, 2006
What the hell are we afraid of?
On the way home from Austin, yesterday, I stopped in at my mother's house. While there, I had lunch with my brother and his girlfriend. After we ate, my brother was goofing around, pretending to let one of the cats outside. His girlfriend flipped out and actually said, "Bird flu is on its way!"
What the hell are we afraid of, here? The reported number of deaths as a result of the recent avian flu 'pandemic', worldwide, is 80. Let me repeat that:
80
Eighty
8 * 10
That volume as a rate of the estimated, current global population, represents 0.0000012%. Not even a whole percent.
This is not an epidemic. More people have died from AIDS in the first quarter of 2006 than this silly media hyped frenzy. We survived bubonic plague, for crying out loud. Which, might I add, killed more than eighty people daily.
Birds have always been known carriers for disease and other infirmities. But, because some overwraught publisher, somewhere, seeks to make an easy buck off the gullible masses, 'avian flu' is now the greatest worry on the media-planet.
Anyone remember SARS? Neither do I. Shut up and go outside, dammit. If you're gonna die, you're gonna die. It's your time. Make peace with what you do, whenever you do it. Because there's one thing that's certain in life:
You can't beat mother nature.
SQL> Select * From GlobalPopulation Where ImNotDeadYet <> StupidHype;
What the hell are we afraid of, here? The reported number of deaths as a result of the recent avian flu 'pandemic', worldwide, is 80. Let me repeat that:
80
Eighty
8 * 10
That volume as a rate of the estimated, current global population, represents 0.0000012%. Not even a whole percent.
This is not an epidemic. More people have died from AIDS in the first quarter of 2006 than this silly media hyped frenzy. We survived bubonic plague, for crying out loud. Which, might I add, killed more than eighty people daily.
Birds have always been known carriers for disease and other infirmities. But, because some overwraught publisher, somewhere, seeks to make an easy buck off the gullible masses, 'avian flu' is now the greatest worry on the media-planet.
Anyone remember SARS? Neither do I. Shut up and go outside, dammit. If you're gonna die, you're gonna die. It's your time. Make peace with what you do, whenever you do it. Because there's one thing that's certain in life:
You can't beat mother nature.
SQL> Select * From GlobalPopulation Where ImNotDeadYet <> StupidHype;
"The old man's still quite an artist with the Thompson..."
Well, not me. But, I did get to shoot a Thompson on Saturday. I went to a tactical carbine match with some friends, you see. This, if you've never done it, is a great stress relief. One becomes so focused on safety and problem solving, that pretty much everything else that's happened recently dissolves.
The stages we ran were everything from plain simple (peek around board, shoot one target six times, reload, shoot second target six times) to rather complex (surrounded up close by unpleasantness or rescue an injured buddy).
By the time the match was over, I was rather tired and immensely hungry. A few of the folks who participated with us went home with quite a sunburn. I'm fortunate that my heritage is just very visible today.
We solved immense hunger by visiting an all you can eat BBQ restaurant. Fatigue was solved by watching DVD's all night and working on AEG's.
SQL> Select * From Ammo Where 45ACP = True;
The stages we ran were everything from plain simple (peek around board, shoot one target six times, reload, shoot second target six times) to rather complex (surrounded up close by unpleasantness or rescue an injured buddy).
By the time the match was over, I was rather tired and immensely hungry. A few of the folks who participated with us went home with quite a sunburn. I'm fortunate that my heritage is just very visible today.
We solved immense hunger by visiting an all you can eat BBQ restaurant. Fatigue was solved by watching DVD's all night and working on AEG's.
SQL> Select * From Ammo Where 45ACP = True;
Thursday, March 09, 2006
Odds and Ends
I'm contending with a very slow Oracle server today. I don't get it. What's the point of database servers if they're going to travel at the speed of snail? Bloody thing couldn't make the convenience store run in less than twenty four hours. Nevermind the Kessel run.
I still have a lot of peanut butter, jelly and milk at home. This pleases me. Particularly since I'm very hungry right now and refuse to leave my desk until the Slowass Query Latently sitting around finishes.
I ordered something from Hong Kong last week, that turned out to be manufactured by a company in my hometown. How much does that suck?
I just noticed that Good Earth tea company (whatever they're called) puts quotations on the tabs attached to each tea serving. Wish I'd noticed that sooner, it would've given me something interesting to ponder at an earlier time.
Gonna go visit a new dojo in town, tonight. Well, hopefully tonight (looking at slow ass query again). I hope it doesn't suck.
I don't know why my rent check hasn't cleared yet. Usually my complex presents those things about three seconds after we drop them off.
SQL> Select RandomMusings From tblThoughts Where ItCameUpBecauseIWasBored = True;
I still have a lot of peanut butter, jelly and milk at home. This pleases me. Particularly since I'm very hungry right now and refuse to leave my desk until the Slowass Query Latently sitting around finishes.
I ordered something from Hong Kong last week, that turned out to be manufactured by a company in my hometown. How much does that suck?
I just noticed that Good Earth tea company (whatever they're called) puts quotations on the tabs attached to each tea serving. Wish I'd noticed that sooner, it would've given me something interesting to ponder at an earlier time.
Gonna go visit a new dojo in town, tonight. Well, hopefully tonight (looking at slow ass query again). I hope it doesn't suck.
I don't know why my rent check hasn't cleared yet. Usually my complex presents those things about three seconds after we drop them off.
SQL> Select RandomMusings From tblThoughts Where ItCameUpBecauseIWasBored = True;
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
More Stabbiness
1. REPLY ALL : Take it the fuck away! Worst. Email. Feature. Ever. [/chanel comic book guy]
You fucking dolt! First off, you're a week late. Second, the entire distribution list doesn't need to share you astronomically uncultured and ludicrous thought on someone's promotion.
2. MS Excel Pivot Tables : I have always and will always hate these things. I would like to see them burninate in a furious conflagration worthy of the big bang.
SQL> Select * From Contempt Where Stabbiness = ReallyHighNumber;
You fucking dolt! First off, you're a week late. Second, the entire distribution list doesn't need to share you astronomically uncultured and ludicrous thought on someone's promotion.
2. MS Excel Pivot Tables : I have always and will always hate these things. I would like to see them burninate in a furious conflagration worthy of the big bang.
SQL> Select * From Contempt Where Stabbiness = ReallyHighNumber;
)#(%*&)(*&#!@()*&^%#
1. To the wannabe database developers: +, -, /, *, #, @ and various other symbols on the keyboard are reserved words, goddammit. Stop using them in field names, variables and output headers!
2. To the wannabe database developers: The space character turns fieldnames and variables into an unmanageable mess of SQL syntax. Stop putting that shit in your field names! They teach this at your stinkin' DBA classes for crying out loud!
3. To the wannabe database developers: Stop putting shit in the coffee! I know it's you!
4. To the wannabe database developers: I know you like pretty fluffy names, after all, you're apparently more user than you are programmer. But, really, use the same damned names in your schema structures. Again, this is taught at your stinkin' DBA classes. Freakshow.
5. To the post office: It's a bar code. Scan it. Seriously. Little laser thing. Point it at the black stripes and wait for the beep. What the hell is so time consuming about that?!
6. To Apple: iPod. Thank you for keeping the peace. This is about the only thing not pissing me off today.
7. To everyone else: STOP POUNDING ON MY CUBICLE WALLS! I'M ALL STABBY TODAY!
SQL> Select * From Everyone Where PissingMeOff=True;
2. To the wannabe database developers: The space character turns fieldnames and variables into an unmanageable mess of SQL syntax. Stop putting that shit in your field names! They teach this at your stinkin' DBA classes for crying out loud!
3. To the wannabe database developers: Stop putting shit in the coffee! I know it's you!
4. To the wannabe database developers: I know you like pretty fluffy names, after all, you're apparently more user than you are programmer. But, really, use the same damned names in your schema structures. Again, this is taught at your stinkin' DBA classes. Freakshow.
5. To the post office: It's a bar code. Scan it. Seriously. Little laser thing. Point it at the black stripes and wait for the beep. What the hell is so time consuming about that?!
6. To Apple: iPod. Thank you for keeping the peace. This is about the only thing not pissing me off today.
7. To everyone else: STOP POUNDING ON MY CUBICLE WALLS! I'M ALL STABBY TODAY!
SQL> Select * From Everyone Where PissingMeOff=True;
Monday, March 06, 2006
The Blahscars Were Last Night
As is typical of the mindless, wholly uninspired and entirely dull "artists" of Hollywood, Jon Stewart's humor last night, appears to have gone over like a lead balloon.
These people should be ashamed of themselves. Desperately, every year, they strive to make some sort of magnificent statement that criticizes those who don't share their 'beliefs' concerning the world around them. Yet, they are hardly willing to face such hard criticism of their own lifestyles. Oh and by no means can they clearly state their own reasons for believing the way they do. Simply reiterating someone else's point of view is "satisfactory", insofar as a celebrity is concerned.
I've grown weary of what passes for creativity and broad perspectives amongst the dullards who fill that auditorium every year.
I enjoy what Eric Lundergaard has to say about "Crash". Hollywood has yet to really recognize a compelling handling of any form of racism.
Frankly, among the candidates for worst-high-profile-motion-picture-released-in-2005, I suspect the top contenders really were "Capote" and "Brokeback Mountain". That something as transparent as "Crash" probably did merit a snub. A concoction as uninspired as "Good Night, and Good Luck" deserved a consolation prize. While the latest Spielberg-distorts-history-as-he-sees-fit-mega-drama deserves a place on my action-DVDs shelf.
I'm pleased that Philip Seymour Hoffman was recognized for Capote. From what I've seen of both films, he had to put a little more work into bringing a character to life, than did Heath Ledger. Granted, Heath Ledger's performance was admirable, given his personal denial of circumstances, need for caution and merited fear. Great work, but the range didn't really span the breadth of Philip Seymour Hoffman's. Ledger may have his day, though, some time in the future.
I was torn when it came to the best actress category. Reece Witherspoon seemed to put some effort into her role, but it looked kinda cheesy to me. Of course, so did Felicity Huffman. Whose character looked so over-the-top it seemed unnecessary for someone with talent to spend time reprising the role. Oh well.
SQL> Select MeanSpirited From tblHosts Where TheDeathOfOscar = True;
These people should be ashamed of themselves. Desperately, every year, they strive to make some sort of magnificent statement that criticizes those who don't share their 'beliefs' concerning the world around them. Yet, they are hardly willing to face such hard criticism of their own lifestyles. Oh and by no means can they clearly state their own reasons for believing the way they do. Simply reiterating someone else's point of view is "satisfactory", insofar as a celebrity is concerned.
I've grown weary of what passes for creativity and broad perspectives amongst the dullards who fill that auditorium every year.
I enjoy what Eric Lundergaard has to say about "Crash". Hollywood has yet to really recognize a compelling handling of any form of racism.
Frankly, among the candidates for worst-high-profile-motion-picture-released-in-2005, I suspect the top contenders really were "Capote" and "Brokeback Mountain". That something as transparent as "Crash" probably did merit a snub. A concoction as uninspired as "Good Night, and Good Luck" deserved a consolation prize. While the latest Spielberg-distorts-history-as-he-sees-fit-mega-drama deserves a place on my action-DVDs shelf.
I'm pleased that Philip Seymour Hoffman was recognized for Capote. From what I've seen of both films, he had to put a little more work into bringing a character to life, than did Heath Ledger. Granted, Heath Ledger's performance was admirable, given his personal denial of circumstances, need for caution and merited fear. Great work, but the range didn't really span the breadth of Philip Seymour Hoffman's. Ledger may have his day, though, some time in the future.
I was torn when it came to the best actress category. Reece Witherspoon seemed to put some effort into her role, but it looked kinda cheesy to me. Of course, so did Felicity Huffman. Whose character looked so over-the-top it seemed unnecessary for someone with talent to spend time reprising the role. Oh well.
SQL> Select MeanSpirited From tblHosts Where TheDeathOfOscar = True;
Thursday, January 26, 2006
How did I live this long without...
...an iPod...
After waffling a bit in the Apple store, the other day, I nabbed a 30GB iPod. The video flavor. The Nano was cool and all, but too small and hard for me to use the way I'd like.
So, for two days I've been loading this thing with anything I can find. I'm actually cursing the networks for not making available more of my favorite shows for download. I'm travelling on business, this week, you see. Can't a brother get some Scrubs, CSI, NCIS and Earl?! Networks, do you hear me?! Do my geeky bidding! I geek command you!
Anyway, that being said, I'm already addicted to the new device and can't wait to find ways to push the limits of its features on a daily basis.
SQL> Select * From WakeupCalls Where EasternStandardTime = 'Too Freaking Early';
After waffling a bit in the Apple store, the other day, I nabbed a 30GB iPod. The video flavor. The Nano was cool and all, but too small and hard for me to use the way I'd like.
So, for two days I've been loading this thing with anything I can find. I'm actually cursing the networks for not making available more of my favorite shows for download. I'm travelling on business, this week, you see. Can't a brother get some Scrubs, CSI, NCIS and Earl?! Networks, do you hear me?! Do my geeky bidding! I geek command you!
Anyway, that being said, I'm already addicted to the new device and can't wait to find ways to push the limits of its features on a daily basis.
SQL> Select * From WakeupCalls Where EasternStandardTime = 'Too Freaking Early';
Friday, January 13, 2006
Dutch 508 Returns From Iraq; Cleans Boots to Get Through Customs
It's good to know my teammate is back from Iraq this week. I know his family and all of his friends (as weird as we may be) are glad that he's back home safely. Except for that whole last patrol thing.
If you don't mind a soldier's perspective on things, his blog is here. I'm not sure just how long he'll continue to update it. I think his intent was really to only keep up with it while he was in the dirt.
I'm not sure why they had to clean their boots in Maine. But, knowing what I know of Maine (and my experience there *is* limited), they are kind of. . . well . . . "odd".
SQL> Select Friends From Iraq Where Tour = 'Complete';
If you don't mind a soldier's perspective on things, his blog is here. I'm not sure just how long he'll continue to update it. I think his intent was really to only keep up with it while he was in the dirt.
I'm not sure why they had to clean their boots in Maine. But, knowing what I know of Maine (and my experience there *is* limited), they are kind of. . . well . . . "odd".
SQL> Select Friends From Iraq Where Tour = 'Complete';
Monday, January 09, 2006
Yet Another Geektacular Weekend
In some sad news, my mother ruined the ending of Serenity for my brother. I'm not sure what she was thinking, but she told him something serious. And that sucks.
Now, the good news.
If you're not watching Battlestar Gallactica, well, you're probably not a geek. If you are watching BSG and missed it on Friday, for the sake of all that's great in the world, find another time, TiVo or iTunes. The series is getting pretty tense, I really like where it's going. Friday's ending had me on the edge of my seat, salivating for the conclusion of Pegasus's appearance. I don't want to ruin it for anyone :)
I finally managed to go see The Lion, The Witch And the Wardrobe, this weekend. I was fairly impressed and pleased that it wasn't watered down for today's "politically correct" masses. Tilda Swinton is one evil bwitch!
Things I liked:
1. The little girl who played Lucy was perfectly cast. I saw, or read, recently that she was not allowed to set eyes on any of the Narnia sets until they were rolling film. The director really wanted to capture her wonder and awe at what she was seeing. Good thinking, because it worked like a charm.
She stole every scene she was in and deserved it.
2. The CGI animation was perfect. Not too much and not everywhere (LUCAS!). What needed to be CGI, was CGI, what didn't need to be CGI wasn't. The animals, in particular, were most convincing.
3. The end battle. Yes, it was an "epic battle", but it wasn't the focal point of the conclusion, nor was it so over done and lengthy that we forgot all the other wonders presented to us throughout the film.
Things I didn't like:
1. The boy cast as Peter. What a simpering little drip. He wasn't at all what I have, for twenty-something years, envisioned Peter to be.
2. Aslan. I can't put my finger on it, but, I didn't like the CGI for the Lion. Something felt wrong. There was also that little bit of ever so important suspense surrounding his death that was utterly lacking. I mean, really, he's resurrected five minutes later, gives Lucy and Susan a quick explanation and it's off to the battle? bleh.
3. The Professor's beard. Way too cliche and totally out of period/character for the battle of Britain.
That's that.
SQL> Select * From Weekends Where Awesome = True;
Now, the good news.
If you're not watching Battlestar Gallactica, well, you're probably not a geek. If you are watching BSG and missed it on Friday, for the sake of all that's great in the world, find another time, TiVo or iTunes. The series is getting pretty tense, I really like where it's going. Friday's ending had me on the edge of my seat, salivating for the conclusion of Pegasus's appearance. I don't want to ruin it for anyone :)
I finally managed to go see The Lion, The Witch And the Wardrobe, this weekend. I was fairly impressed and pleased that it wasn't watered down for today's "politically correct" masses. Tilda Swinton is one evil bwitch!
Things I liked:
1. The little girl who played Lucy was perfectly cast. I saw, or read, recently that she was not allowed to set eyes on any of the Narnia sets until they were rolling film. The director really wanted to capture her wonder and awe at what she was seeing. Good thinking, because it worked like a charm.
She stole every scene she was in and deserved it.
2. The CGI animation was perfect. Not too much and not everywhere (LUCAS!). What needed to be CGI, was CGI, what didn't need to be CGI wasn't. The animals, in particular, were most convincing.
3. The end battle. Yes, it was an "epic battle", but it wasn't the focal point of the conclusion, nor was it so over done and lengthy that we forgot all the other wonders presented to us throughout the film.
Things I didn't like:
1. The boy cast as Peter. What a simpering little drip. He wasn't at all what I have, for twenty-something years, envisioned Peter to be.
2. Aslan. I can't put my finger on it, but, I didn't like the CGI for the Lion. Something felt wrong. There was also that little bit of ever so important suspense surrounding his death that was utterly lacking. I mean, really, he's resurrected five minutes later, gives Lucy and Susan a quick explanation and it's off to the battle? bleh.
3. The Professor's beard. Way too cliche and totally out of period/character for the battle of Britain.
That's that.
SQL> Select * From Weekends Where Awesome = True;
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
My Orchestra Teachers Were Too Mean for This
With the exception of one Mrs. Hinze. She used to parade up and down the auditorium's aisles ordering us to "...imagine a massive, and I mean fat Russian queen and her entourage parading down the streets!" I'd like to think she would have allowed us to play the Truth and Reconciliation Suite, had it existed in 19uhhh nevermind that part.
That being said, I think it's pretty damned cool that there are some teachers/conductors out there, today, with minds sufficiently open to allow music from Halo to be played at their performances. Particularly considering the choice was suggested by a gasp student. Most of my instructors were miersable primadonnas who consistently failed to meet the standards of our local symphony and projected their frustration upon us.
So, here's to the students and to the teachers giving geeks more and more credibility by the day!
I originally found this information, today, on HBO:
High School Band RAWKS
SQL> Select LastName, FirstName From tbl_Teachers Where ClassValue <> 'Suck!';
That being said, I think it's pretty damned cool that there are some teachers/conductors out there, today, with minds sufficiently open to allow music from Halo to be played at their performances. Particularly considering the choice was suggested by a gasp student. Most of my instructors were miersable primadonnas who consistently failed to meet the standards of our local symphony and projected their frustration upon us.
So, here's to the students and to the teachers giving geeks more and more credibility by the day!
I originally found this information, today, on HBO:
High School Band RAWKS
SQL> Select LastName, FirstName From tbl_Teachers Where ClassValue <> 'Suck!';
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
Once More Into the Breech!
Of a new year, anyway.
Fortunately, I survived the stress I induced upon myself regarding my friend's wedding. Don't get me wrong, there were problems to solve. Quite a few, really. But, on the whole, everything went well and I'm glad they're happy with how the weekend went.
The ceremony and reception were something of a forced sacrifice for many of us. The bride really wanted a glamorous New Year's Eve Party (black tie affair). Thus, she chose to use the reception to get all of her friends in the same place at the same time to do so. This had annoyed me, immensely, leading up to the event. Particularly as more and more year-end parties began to surface. Not many people really want to spend New Year's eve in a tiny town, with extremely strict laws regarding the sale and transportation of spirits.
As I look back, though, I have no regrets. I made quite a few new friends, this weekend, all of them great. I also got to know several folks far better than opportunities had allowed me, in the past.
So, when I consider the inquiry "Do you regret how you spent your New Year's Eve?", posed frequently in the last few days, I'm quite comfortable saying "Nope, not in the least." To respond any other way would imply that I don't care for anyone I met, or their invitations to spend more time together, in the future.
So, I'm glad I got over myself for the weekend and shared this momentous occassion with my friends.
When it's all said and done, though, I feel some odd need to recall all the little things we resolved to keep the bride and groom in a peaceful state of mind:
1. Ring inspections: Satisfying the bride that the wedding bands made it to the venue and were ready for the ceremony.
2. Wardrobe Malfunctions: There were far more of these, than any other wedding I've ever attended. Of course, I've never attended or participated in a wedding with specialized apparel needs. Specifically, several members of the groom's party wore USAF Mess Dress and we did our best to match their uniforms.
Malfunctions included:
a. One missing tuxedo shirt (groom's). Resolved by the loan of a groomsman's mess dress shirt.
b. One pair of woefully mismatched shoes. Resolved by a visit to the local mall.
c. One unruly undergarment. I received this news third hand, so it's not 100% reliable. It was resolved using pins.
d. The resolution of 2.c. resulted in some blood on the most important garment. I thought the repair was stunning, as I never noticed any sort of stains on the garment.
e. One dearly departed zipper. Resovled by sewing a bridesmaid into her dress.
3. There were some oversights, on the hotel's part, insofar as preparing things for the event.
Most noteable was their attempt to use plastic champagne cups. Really, if you're going to offer ballrooms and other facilities for weddings, you shouldn't even attempt to use plastic anything.
Second was their choice to set the tables with wrinkled tablecloths. Another really silly thing to do. The wedding planner and I discussed this in the afternoon and prayed the bride would not notice it. As luck would have it, she didn't. Or she chose not to mention it. Upon returning from the salon, she inspected the room. During a phone call afterwards, she told me she'd looked in on everything and was "...very happy...", which was undoubtedly the first time anyone had heard such a thing from her all weekend. Really, my friend's wife isn't an unhappy or miserable person, she's just a rabid stickler for details and obsesses about all the small things. That she was finally able to relax and get on with her own preparations was great.
I'm really one happy geek, though. The entire affair was handled with astonishing aplomb and grace by friends and family. Dare I say it? That they're damned lucky to have friends as great as we are? Yes, I think I can get away with it once or twice in my life!
SQL> Select * From Weddings Where Date < Date();
Fortunately, I survived the stress I induced upon myself regarding my friend's wedding. Don't get me wrong, there were problems to solve. Quite a few, really. But, on the whole, everything went well and I'm glad they're happy with how the weekend went.
The ceremony and reception were something of a forced sacrifice for many of us. The bride really wanted a glamorous New Year's Eve Party (black tie affair). Thus, she chose to use the reception to get all of her friends in the same place at the same time to do so. This had annoyed me, immensely, leading up to the event. Particularly as more and more year-end parties began to surface. Not many people really want to spend New Year's eve in a tiny town, with extremely strict laws regarding the sale and transportation of spirits.
As I look back, though, I have no regrets. I made quite a few new friends, this weekend, all of them great. I also got to know several folks far better than opportunities had allowed me, in the past.
So, when I consider the inquiry "Do you regret how you spent your New Year's Eve?", posed frequently in the last few days, I'm quite comfortable saying "Nope, not in the least." To respond any other way would imply that I don't care for anyone I met, or their invitations to spend more time together, in the future.
So, I'm glad I got over myself for the weekend and shared this momentous occassion with my friends.
When it's all said and done, though, I feel some odd need to recall all the little things we resolved to keep the bride and groom in a peaceful state of mind:
1. Ring inspections: Satisfying the bride that the wedding bands made it to the venue and were ready for the ceremony.
2. Wardrobe Malfunctions: There were far more of these, than any other wedding I've ever attended. Of course, I've never attended or participated in a wedding with specialized apparel needs. Specifically, several members of the groom's party wore USAF Mess Dress and we did our best to match their uniforms.
Malfunctions included:
a. One missing tuxedo shirt (groom's). Resolved by the loan of a groomsman's mess dress shirt.
b. One pair of woefully mismatched shoes. Resolved by a visit to the local mall.
c. One unruly undergarment. I received this news third hand, so it's not 100% reliable. It was resolved using pins.
d. The resolution of 2.c. resulted in some blood on the most important garment. I thought the repair was stunning, as I never noticed any sort of stains on the garment.
e. One dearly departed zipper. Resovled by sewing a bridesmaid into her dress.
3. There were some oversights, on the hotel's part, insofar as preparing things for the event.
Most noteable was their attempt to use plastic champagne cups. Really, if you're going to offer ballrooms and other facilities for weddings, you shouldn't even attempt to use plastic anything.
Second was their choice to set the tables with wrinkled tablecloths. Another really silly thing to do. The wedding planner and I discussed this in the afternoon and prayed the bride would not notice it. As luck would have it, she didn't. Or she chose not to mention it. Upon returning from the salon, she inspected the room. During a phone call afterwards, she told me she'd looked in on everything and was "...very happy...", which was undoubtedly the first time anyone had heard such a thing from her all weekend. Really, my friend's wife isn't an unhappy or miserable person, she's just a rabid stickler for details and obsesses about all the small things. That she was finally able to relax and get on with her own preparations was great.
I'm really one happy geek, though. The entire affair was handled with astonishing aplomb and grace by friends and family. Dare I say it? That they're damned lucky to have friends as great as we are? Yes, I think I can get away with it once or twice in my life!
SQL> Select * From Weddings Where Date < Date();
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