Thursday, July 21, 2005
I spilled my Hot Coffee
Stupid over-reactive idiots.
I swear it's people like this, not the violent videogames that makes me want to snap.
There has been a controversy brewing for the last week or so in some circles. In the game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas there is a mod that has been released that unlocks this sex mini-game that has been dubbed "Hot Coffee". Of course, this has caused all sorts of senators and politicians in the US to hold forth on this being the moral decay that shall destroy the teeth of virtue... Hmm... that analogy went horribly awry.
For people who have an image of games being all about Donkey Kong, Mario and Pac-Man, this is shocking. For those of us who actually PLAY the games and are old enough to buy the games, this is actually quite tame stuff. Sure, it's purile and stupid and I don't know why anyone who isn't a 14-year old boy would actually get a kick out of it, but it's nothing worse than what you'd stumble across on Showcase or any R-rated movie. Heck, it's a lot tamer than most of that stuff.
Here's the kicker. The ESRB, the board that rates games (and does a damned good job of it, if I do say so myself) has not only been taken to task for not catching the inaccessible content, but they've also had to change the rating from Mature (17+) to Adults Only (18+).
Granted, the reason most games aren't rated AO (even though they probably should be) is that the large stores like Walmart and K-Mart, etc., won't stock them. This means that most games are rated M. Technically, that means that unless little Johnny's parents buy him the game, he shouldn't be allowed to buy it until he turns 17. Not all stores are strict about enforcing this, but stores aren't always strict about enforcing the sale of R-rated movies to people in their teens either.
I have a problem with people who say that the ESRB ratings are confusing. Sure, it's different than the movie rating system that people are used to dealing with, but it's not THAT different. It has the meanings of the giant letters stamped onto every game package and on the back of every game there is even a breakdown of why the game got that rating. There's even a handy website that breaks it all down for those too dumb to get a handle on what they mean.
Hell, the FCC even said that it was the best and most comprehensive of the three rating systems currently out (TV, Movie & Video Game).
Sigh...
Understand that you have to really work to unlock the 'explicit' content anyway. Rockstar has recalled the game and is going to put out a 'tamer' version. By which it means a version where you don't see the material that you wouldn't see anyway unless you really went out and found the proper instructions and files on the net... and that's for the PC version. The PS2 version is even trickier to mod.
The funniest thing is that if the politicians and family groups hadn't gotten on their high horses about this and made it the topic du jour on every gaming and even non-gaming website, there would be a handful of gamers who would know about the content and would probably just snicker and move on. Now every 12 year old wants to get the mod and see the sex. Of course, Rockstar is laughing all the way to the bank as they've probably sold many more copies since the story broke than before (not that San Andreas was a slouch at retail to begin with).
Of course, the saddest thing is that this is a game where the main activities, should you choose to pursue them, involve gang violence, mass murder, destruction of vehicles and property and many other unsavoury acts. Granted, they're all wrapped up in an awesome story that ultimately tells the tale of one man's struggle to get out of the downward spiral that is his life and get his friends and family out of trouble, but still. The one act of consensual sex is probably the most redeeming feature of the game!
Sigh.
The worst thing is that if this had been done as a movie, it would have been rated properly (like San Andreas was anyway) and enjoyed by those old enough to appreciate a good gangland saga and not watched by those who don't. Heck, they could have even left in the whole sex scene (which is MUCH tamer than anything shown in, heck, Open Water of all movies) and nobody would bat an eye. If need be, they could have put it on the DVD as a deleted, unrated scene and it would be perfectly accessible.
That's what the whole Hot Coffee scenario is. It's a deleted scene that you have to really work at to find and that wasn't intended as part of the original release anyway.
Sorry for the insane verbosity of the above post. This is just something that I've been watching for a week or so and have let perculate in my noggin the whole time. I just don't like seeing censorship. If they are going to crack down on something like this, you should act the same way for movies and books. I don't want them to, but I think it's the fair thing to do. Don't forget, the average age of gamers is 28 and rising. It's as foolish to think that only kids play games as it is to think that only kids go to movies.
And that's all I'm saying. I'm going to go have some supper.
---
What I'm Reading: Harry Pots
What I'm Playing: Killer 7, Word 2000
What I'm Watching: The West Wing: Season 2
I swear it's people like this, not the violent videogames that makes me want to snap.
There has been a controversy brewing for the last week or so in some circles. In the game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas there is a mod that has been released that unlocks this sex mini-game that has been dubbed "Hot Coffee". Of course, this has caused all sorts of senators and politicians in the US to hold forth on this being the moral decay that shall destroy the teeth of virtue... Hmm... that analogy went horribly awry.
For people who have an image of games being all about Donkey Kong, Mario and Pac-Man, this is shocking. For those of us who actually PLAY the games and are old enough to buy the games, this is actually quite tame stuff. Sure, it's purile and stupid and I don't know why anyone who isn't a 14-year old boy would actually get a kick out of it, but it's nothing worse than what you'd stumble across on Showcase or any R-rated movie. Heck, it's a lot tamer than most of that stuff.
Here's the kicker. The ESRB, the board that rates games (and does a damned good job of it, if I do say so myself) has not only been taken to task for not catching the inaccessible content, but they've also had to change the rating from Mature (17+) to Adults Only (18+).
Granted, the reason most games aren't rated AO (even though they probably should be) is that the large stores like Walmart and K-Mart, etc., won't stock them. This means that most games are rated M. Technically, that means that unless little Johnny's parents buy him the game, he shouldn't be allowed to buy it until he turns 17. Not all stores are strict about enforcing this, but stores aren't always strict about enforcing the sale of R-rated movies to people in their teens either.
I have a problem with people who say that the ESRB ratings are confusing. Sure, it's different than the movie rating system that people are used to dealing with, but it's not THAT different. It has the meanings of the giant letters stamped onto every game package and on the back of every game there is even a breakdown of why the game got that rating. There's even a handy website that breaks it all down for those too dumb to get a handle on what they mean.
Hell, the FCC even said that it was the best and most comprehensive of the three rating systems currently out (TV, Movie & Video Game).
Sigh...
Understand that you have to really work to unlock the 'explicit' content anyway. Rockstar has recalled the game and is going to put out a 'tamer' version. By which it means a version where you don't see the material that you wouldn't see anyway unless you really went out and found the proper instructions and files on the net... and that's for the PC version. The PS2 version is even trickier to mod.
The funniest thing is that if the politicians and family groups hadn't gotten on their high horses about this and made it the topic du jour on every gaming and even non-gaming website, there would be a handful of gamers who would know about the content and would probably just snicker and move on. Now every 12 year old wants to get the mod and see the sex. Of course, Rockstar is laughing all the way to the bank as they've probably sold many more copies since the story broke than before (not that San Andreas was a slouch at retail to begin with).
Of course, the saddest thing is that this is a game where the main activities, should you choose to pursue them, involve gang violence, mass murder, destruction of vehicles and property and many other unsavoury acts. Granted, they're all wrapped up in an awesome story that ultimately tells the tale of one man's struggle to get out of the downward spiral that is his life and get his friends and family out of trouble, but still. The one act of consensual sex is probably the most redeeming feature of the game!
Sigh.
The worst thing is that if this had been done as a movie, it would have been rated properly (like San Andreas was anyway) and enjoyed by those old enough to appreciate a good gangland saga and not watched by those who don't. Heck, they could have even left in the whole sex scene (which is MUCH tamer than anything shown in, heck, Open Water of all movies) and nobody would bat an eye. If need be, they could have put it on the DVD as a deleted, unrated scene and it would be perfectly accessible.
That's what the whole Hot Coffee scenario is. It's a deleted scene that you have to really work at to find and that wasn't intended as part of the original release anyway.
Sorry for the insane verbosity of the above post. This is just something that I've been watching for a week or so and have let perculate in my noggin the whole time. I just don't like seeing censorship. If they are going to crack down on something like this, you should act the same way for movies and books. I don't want them to, but I think it's the fair thing to do. Don't forget, the average age of gamers is 28 and rising. It's as foolish to think that only kids play games as it is to think that only kids go to movies.
And that's all I'm saying. I'm going to go have some supper.
---
What I'm Reading: Harry Pots
What I'm Playing: Killer 7, Word 2000
What I'm Watching: The West Wing: Season 2
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
Stop bugging me!
I'd received some nasty correspondance from unknown sources stating that there was a dearth, A DEARTH! of baby pictures on the site. Sigh.
So here ya go. Enjoy the plethora of photos! I'm off to the hospital to make sure Garrett isn't undergoing some kind of fusion reaction or suffering from Ebola.
Enjoy!
Update @ 9pm: We called Telehealth and explained his symptoms, etc. and they told us that for now he's fine. He just needs to let the Tylenol and the fever fight off whatever's bugging him. So no hospital visit for us. He's finally fallen asleep which means we can finally get some shut-eye as he kept us up all night last night! Hopefully the fever will be broken by tomorrow morning and we can all be happy and rested again!
So here ya go. Enjoy the plethora of photos! I'm off to the hospital to make sure Garrett isn't undergoing some kind of fusion reaction or suffering from Ebola.
Enjoy!
Update @ 9pm: We called Telehealth and explained his symptoms, etc. and they told us that for now he's fine. He just needs to let the Tylenol and the fever fight off whatever's bugging him. So no hospital visit for us. He's finally fallen asleep which means we can finally get some shut-eye as he kept us up all night last night! Hopefully the fever will be broken by tomorrow morning and we can all be happy and rested again!
Captions for otherwise captionless photos
Late one night, not too long ago, we were awakened by a rustling noise in our kitchen. We figured a racoon had gotten in. We were wrong... 
Boys on the slide.
We've secretly switched Garrett with a humanoid bat creature... with stigmata. Can his parents tell the difference?
The saga of the Coke Can
'Using the only the power of my voice, I shall cause this can of Coke to burst open!'
Some old pictures from Sarnia.
This is getting old, but here's a picture of one of Garrett's 80 different 1st Birthday cakes from when we were in Sarnia 2-3 weeks ago.
There's hope for me yet (or is there?)
Check out this awesome blog by a guy about his 69 year old grandmother and her gaming habits. She's more hardcore than *I* am!
Scary, eh?
I love the Grandma Moments.
Most Grandma moment: "The Mortal Kombat movie sucked."
[me as a little boy] "but... but Scorpion!"
[Grandma] "They just copied his fatality, it wasn't even how I pictured it..."
Scary, eh?
I love the Grandma Moments.
Most Grandma moment: "The Mortal Kombat movie sucked."
[me as a little boy] "but... but Scorpion!"
[Grandma] "They just copied his fatality, it wasn't even how I pictured it..."
Stupid Kids
I swear I'm never going to sit outside and read a book. Ever.
I was out on my front stoop about half an hour ago, reading Harry Potter when the girl next door popped her head out of the door.
"Oh, you're reading The Half-Blood Prince."
"Yup."
"My mom's reading that book. She's almost done."
"Yeah. I need to get reading it. I haven't had a chance to..."
"My mom said that [BLANK CHARACTER] dies in it!"
"What the...! I HAVEN'T READ THAT FAR YET! GET AWAY FROM ME YOU LITTLE TROLL!!!"
I didn't really say that. But I did make it very clear that I wasn't impressed.
Now it's not that I didn't know that anyone died in this book. Heck, that's the one thing I DID know going into it. I had read various rumours and theories as to who would die and why. I had a short list in my head and I was looking forward to the point at which I'd know if I was right or not.
But nooo... stupid kids...
Granted, I'm not that far yet so there's a very, very remote chance that she's wrong. Not that I'd be surprised like I was with the death in Order of the Phoenix. I just would have liked to have gotten that far without it being spoiled.
At least I don't know exactly who The Half-Blood Prince is. I have some more theories there, but my suspicion that it was Neville Longbottom is seeming really stupid now. No special prize for me from the bookstore (they were having a draw to see if people could guess who the HBP is).
I was out on my front stoop about half an hour ago, reading Harry Potter when the girl next door popped her head out of the door.
"Oh, you're reading The Half-Blood Prince."
"Yup."
"My mom's reading that book. She's almost done."
"Yeah. I need to get reading it. I haven't had a chance to..."
"My mom said that [BLANK CHARACTER] dies in it!"
"What the...! I HAVEN'T READ THAT FAR YET! GET AWAY FROM ME YOU LITTLE TROLL!!!"
I didn't really say that. But I did make it very clear that I wasn't impressed.
Now it's not that I didn't know that anyone died in this book. Heck, that's the one thing I DID know going into it. I had read various rumours and theories as to who would die and why. I had a short list in my head and I was looking forward to the point at which I'd know if I was right or not.
But nooo... stupid kids...
Granted, I'm not that far yet so there's a very, very remote chance that she's wrong. Not that I'd be surprised like I was with the death in Order of the Phoenix. I just would have liked to have gotten that far without it being spoiled.
At least I don't know exactly who The Half-Blood Prince is. I have some more theories there, but my suspicion that it was Neville Longbottom is seeming really stupid now. No special prize for me from the bookstore (they were having a draw to see if people could guess who the HBP is).
Disco (or Viral) Fever!
Garrett's had a really nasty fever since yesterday. He was topping out around the mid 101's... Celcius :)
Thankfully the guys at work are nice enough (and well staffed) and I was able to come home about an hour early to make sure he was doing ok and that we wouldn't have to take him to the hospital or anything. When Julie and I both come home early, something's gotta be up!
Update: Garrett's doing better. The fever seems to have broken and he's just cranky now. I think he's got a new tooth or three coming in as he's acting exactly the way (fever and all) that he was back in early June when his molars were coming through.
Thankfully the guys at work are nice enough (and well staffed) and I was able to come home about an hour early to make sure he was doing ok and that we wouldn't have to take him to the hospital or anything. When Julie and I both come home early, something's gotta be up!
Update: Garrett's doing better. The fever seems to have broken and he's just cranky now. I think he's got a new tooth or three coming in as he's acting exactly the way (fever and all) that he was back in early June when his molars were coming through.
KABOOM! Terrorists strike at the heart of Leathertown!
According to Jenn's Julie from Acton on Breakfast Television, there was a big fire in Acton that had the town shut down during rush hour this morning.
Here's what REALLY happened...
There was a loud bang this morning around 6:15-6:30ish. Julie and I thought it was just our neighbour slamming her door on the way out to work.
As I left for my horrendously long commute to work at 6:50, I heard a lot of sirens. I figured that there was an accident or something as the cops in Halton Hills have been acting rather nutty the last few days.
I didn't think anything of this until around 8am when one of my coworkers arrived and said that something crazy was going on in Acton. Supposedly the whole main street was blocked off by a bunch of fire engines and cruisers.
On my various trips back and forth to Georgetown with the guys today, I noticed that there were a lot of emergency vehicles parked on this little back road that loops around behind the Old Hide House. They were right near the railroad tracks which led me to believe that there must have been some kind of train vs. auto accident at that crossing.
Boy, was I ever wrong.
Turns out that the local sulphur plant blew up this morning. That was what the big bang was. According to the guy at the LCBO and at Shopper's Drug Mart, the silo/tower thingy in the picture below went straight up in the air and the siding went flying everywhere.
From what I've heard nobody was badly hurt. I'm going to see if there's anything on Global News or City TV news around supper time. The lady at Shopper's said that the terrorists must have been trying to destroy the Old Hide House but missed. Silly lady.
---
What I'm Reading: Harry Potter
What I'm Playing: Killer 7, Super Mario World on my GBA
What I'm Watching: Garrett get a really bad fever and then get cranky
Here's what REALLY happened...
There was a loud bang this morning around 6:15-6:30ish. Julie and I thought it was just our neighbour slamming her door on the way out to work.
As I left for my horrendously long commute to work at 6:50, I heard a lot of sirens. I figured that there was an accident or something as the cops in Halton Hills have been acting rather nutty the last few days.
I didn't think anything of this until around 8am when one of my coworkers arrived and said that something crazy was going on in Acton. Supposedly the whole main street was blocked off by a bunch of fire engines and cruisers.
On my various trips back and forth to Georgetown with the guys today, I noticed that there were a lot of emergency vehicles parked on this little back road that loops around behind the Old Hide House. They were right near the railroad tracks which led me to believe that there must have been some kind of train vs. auto accident at that crossing.
Boy, was I ever wrong.
Turns out that the local sulphur plant blew up this morning. That was what the big bang was. According to the guy at the LCBO and at Shopper's Drug Mart, the silo/tower thingy in the picture below went straight up in the air and the siding went flying everywhere.
From what I've heard nobody was badly hurt. I'm going to see if there's anything on Global News or City TV news around supper time. The lady at Shopper's said that the terrorists must have been trying to destroy the Old Hide House but missed. Silly lady.
---
What I'm Reading: Harry Potter
What I'm Playing: Killer 7, Super Mario World on my GBA
What I'm Watching: Garrett get a really bad fever and then get cranky
Tuesday, July 19, 2005
Cars are trying to kill me
Ever since last Friday I've had at least 4 close calls while driving. Cars keep pulling out of intersections and right into the lane I'm driving in (often at a decent rate of speed) and I have to lay on the brakes and the horn to avoid a rather messy crash.
The first time I thought I'd just not noticed the guy. Then it happened a few more times. Today was the worst. I was just outside of Erin and a guy did a left turn into the lane I was in while I was doing almost 80km/h. It was insane! I gave him a good blast of the horn, but he didn't seem to care.
Stupid razafrazakakafrackin idiot drivers.
On another note, I'm finding that my body has decided that 2pm is my new nap time. Ever since I went back to work I've had the hardest time keeping my eyes open when 2pm rolls around. The past two days I've done 12 hour shifts from 11am-11pm and I've had to go running around outside to keep from nodding off. Bleh. I think I'll get Garrett to have a nap and catch some shut-eye myself tomorrow. At least I have the day off and nothing important to do!
The first time I thought I'd just not noticed the guy. Then it happened a few more times. Today was the worst. I was just outside of Erin and a guy did a left turn into the lane I was in while I was doing almost 80km/h. It was insane! I gave him a good blast of the horn, but he didn't seem to care.
Stupid razafrazakakafrackin idiot drivers.
On another note, I'm finding that my body has decided that 2pm is my new nap time. Ever since I went back to work I've had the hardest time keeping my eyes open when 2pm rolls around. The past two days I've done 12 hour shifts from 11am-11pm and I've had to go running around outside to keep from nodding off. Bleh. I think I'll get Garrett to have a nap and catch some shut-eye myself tomorrow. At least I have the day off and nothing important to do!
Monday, July 18, 2005
Green Things Are Flammable
I'm hoping that I'll be able to return to my former role of Dungeon Master shortly now that I've got a gaming group living in my attic, or somewhat closer to my attic than they once did.
Unfortunately, I haven't played D&D in any serious manner since before I went to Switzerland. For those of you keeping score, that was before Julie & I started dating.
Yeah, that long ago.
Thankfully the nice people at Gamespy have put out The Idiot's Guide To Dungeons & Dragons. I'll have to print this out so I can run my campaign smoothly... whenever we start up.
Now, where did I put my custom made dice bag? Hmm...
---
What I'm Reading: Harry Goes To College
What I'm Playing: Atelier Iris, Killer 7, lots and lots and lots of pool
What I'm Watching: More wrestling than I have since I worked at the SIL in Sarnia
Unfortunately, I haven't played D&D in any serious manner since before I went to Switzerland. For those of you keeping score, that was before Julie & I started dating.
Yeah, that long ago.
Thankfully the nice people at Gamespy have put out The Idiot's Guide To Dungeons & Dragons. I'll have to print this out so I can run my campaign smoothly... whenever we start up.
Now, where did I put my custom made dice bag? Hmm...
---
What I'm Reading: Harry Goes To College
What I'm Playing: Atelier Iris, Killer 7, lots and lots and lots of pool
What I'm Watching: More wrestling than I have since I worked at the SIL in Sarnia
Sunday, July 17, 2005
Stupid Harry Potter
Sigh.
I go out, wait in line and finally get the new Harry Potter book at midnight on Friday and what happens? I haven't really had a chance to read it since. I'm only 40 pages in. Grumble grumble... I wouldn't be so annoyed except my neighbours asked me this morning if I'd picked it up at midnight and when I said that I had but was only 40 pages in, they laughed and said that they were halfway through. Grumble grumble...
Unfortunately I've been at work yesterday and today (12 hours today) and tomorrow I have to put in another 12 hour shift, so I'm going to have to try to read some more tonight before bed. Thankfully I have Tuesday off so I'm going to try my very best to get a bunch read then.
Sorry for the lack of updates of late. I have a bunch of pictures I need to upload and I'm sure I could talk about how great my new house is at work, but I'm too tired.
Tired and hot. I swear I have a cloud in my second floor as it's just so hot and humid up here. I can't handle it for very long before my eyes start to boil in their sockets.
Hopefully the heat will break soon and I will be able to function in the sauna I call my office. Then the updates will resume!
For now I'm going to go downstairs, have a snack and play some Atelier Iris for a bit before tackling the Harry Potter book.
---
What I'm Reading: Harry Potter & The Half-Blood Prince
What I'm Playing: Atelier Iris, Killer 7, some road hockey at work
What I'm Watching: Immortal
I go out, wait in line and finally get the new Harry Potter book at midnight on Friday and what happens? I haven't really had a chance to read it since. I'm only 40 pages in. Grumble grumble... I wouldn't be so annoyed except my neighbours asked me this morning if I'd picked it up at midnight and when I said that I had but was only 40 pages in, they laughed and said that they were halfway through. Grumble grumble...
Unfortunately I've been at work yesterday and today (12 hours today) and tomorrow I have to put in another 12 hour shift, so I'm going to have to try to read some more tonight before bed. Thankfully I have Tuesday off so I'm going to try my very best to get a bunch read then.
Sorry for the lack of updates of late. I have a bunch of pictures I need to upload and I'm sure I could talk about how great my new house is at work, but I'm too tired.
Tired and hot. I swear I have a cloud in my second floor as it's just so hot and humid up here. I can't handle it for very long before my eyes start to boil in their sockets.
Hopefully the heat will break soon and I will be able to function in the sauna I call my office. Then the updates will resume!
For now I'm going to go downstairs, have a snack and play some Atelier Iris for a bit before tackling the Harry Potter book.
---
What I'm Reading: Harry Potter & The Half-Blood Prince
What I'm Playing: Atelier Iris, Killer 7, some road hockey at work
What I'm Watching: Immortal
Thursday, July 14, 2005
I beat Vader but not Potter
Sort of. I was playing 20 Questions Vs. Darth Vader and it took him 24 questions to get my answer. I was thinking of a DVD.
I need to find a Cole's Notes version of Harry Potter & The Order Of The Phoenix so I can have some clue as to what was going on in the wonderful world of Rowlingland before tomorrow night.
I was going to re-read it starting tonight but I know for a fact that unless I was able to get Garrett to sleep from 7am until about 6pm I'd never get it finished. I'll look around on the net and see what I can see.
Worst case scenario: I go to the book store tomorrow night at 11pm and start hassling the kids who no doubt have the bloody book memorized and they can fill me in.
I remember the general concept. I just need a gentle prodding to remember the main plot points.
[Editor's note @ 12:24 am: Ah ha! Found just what I wanted.]
---
What I'm Reading: Something light and fluffy to hold me over until midnight.
What I'm Playing: Atelier Iris, Killer 7
What I'm Watching: Nothing. Absolutely nothing!
I need to find a Cole's Notes version of Harry Potter & The Order Of The Phoenix so I can have some clue as to what was going on in the wonderful world of Rowlingland before tomorrow night.
I was going to re-read it starting tonight but I know for a fact that unless I was able to get Garrett to sleep from 7am until about 6pm I'd never get it finished. I'll look around on the net and see what I can see.
Worst case scenario: I go to the book store tomorrow night at 11pm and start hassling the kids who no doubt have the bloody book memorized and they can fill me in.
I remember the general concept. I just need a gentle prodding to remember the main plot points.
[Editor's note @ 12:24 am: Ah ha! Found just what I wanted.]
---
What I'm Reading: Something light and fluffy to hold me over until midnight.
What I'm Playing: Atelier Iris, Killer 7
What I'm Watching: Nothing. Absolutely nothing!
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
Potter Fotter Po-Potter Banana-Fana-Fo-Fotter
I just cancelled my Amazon order for the new Harry Potter book. I'm going to go pick it up at midnight on Friday instead at the local children's bookstore in Georgetown.
I'd have to wait until at least Tuesday or so to get it from Amazon. The big reason to switch was that the local store is just that. A local store. It's not Chapters/Coles or a big corporate store like Shopper's Drug Mart. They're an independant bookstore and they'll have snacks.
Actually, I think it's the snacks and the nice lady who took my order that swayed me.
Mmm... midnight snacks...
---
What I'm Reading: The last bit of the latest Artemis Fowl book, Need to re-read Order Of The Phoenix before Friday night too.
What I'm Playing: Atelier Iris, WoW
What I'm Watching: The Daily Show (I'm not sure if I like their new set or not)
I'd have to wait until at least Tuesday or so to get it from Amazon. The big reason to switch was that the local store is just that. A local store. It's not Chapters/Coles or a big corporate store like Shopper's Drug Mart. They're an independant bookstore and they'll have snacks.
Actually, I think it's the snacks and the nice lady who took my order that swayed me.
Mmm... midnight snacks...
---
What I'm Reading: The last bit of the latest Artemis Fowl book, Need to re-read Order Of The Phoenix before Friday night too.
What I'm Playing: Atelier Iris, WoW
What I'm Watching: The Daily Show (I'm not sure if I like their new set or not)
When Executive Toys Go Bad
Nine Inch Nails have a new video for their song Only out directed by David Fincher, the guy who did Seven (or Se7en, if you want to be a movie geek about it) and Fight Club.
It's a very cool video even though the song is pretty mediocre at best.
Is it proper to refer to NIN as 'they' or as 'he', since it's pretty much just Trent Reznor sitting at his computer?
And to further editorialize, it's kind of sad that this is the same guy (band?) that was so cutting edge back in the mid 1990's with their (his?) dark, industrial sound on The Downward Spiral. Now the music is tamer than a car ad.
It's a very cool video even though the song is pretty mediocre at best.
Is it proper to refer to NIN as 'they' or as 'he', since it's pretty much just Trent Reznor sitting at his computer?
And to further editorialize, it's kind of sad that this is the same guy (band?) that was so cutting edge back in the mid 1990's with their (his?) dark, industrial sound on The Downward Spiral. Now the music is tamer than a car ad.
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
The Escapist
This is neat.
The Escapist online gaming magazine. Every week they put out a new PDF file with articles and such. The first one has an article by Jerry "Tycho from Penny Arcade" Holkins that should be an interesting read, if nothing else.
Speaking of being escapist, I left work today as the 11pm news was starting and was home right after the end of it. WOOHOO!
---
What I'm Reading: Artemis Fowl: The Opal Deception
What I'm Playing: Atelier Iris, Prince of Persia 2, WoW
What I'm Watching: The Machinist, not much else.
The Escapist online gaming magazine. Every week they put out a new PDF file with articles and such. The first one has an article by Jerry "Tycho from Penny Arcade" Holkins that should be an interesting read, if nothing else.
Speaking of being escapist, I left work today as the 11pm news was starting and was home right after the end of it. WOOHOO!
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What I'm Reading: Artemis Fowl: The Opal Deception
What I'm Playing: Atelier Iris, Prince of Persia 2, WoW
What I'm Watching: The Machinist, not much else.
Some D&D Humour To Hold You Over.
Jesus saves...everyone else takes 2d20 crushing damage.
I expect that 4-5 people actually snickered at that. The rest of you can go back to what you were doing.
I do have lots of stuff to plonk on ye olde blog. I just have to sit down and do it. But not right now.
In the meantime, go see War Of The Worlds in theatres while you can. Absolutely amazing movie that is surprisingly close to the book. Sure, they didn't use the great ships from the 1950 version of the movie but the tripods are truer to the book and look and act great. It's nice that Spielberg didn't decide to do a Michael Bay-style action movie.
Tom Cruise isn't even that annoying. If only he was acting more like his character in the movie than the nutjob he is in real life.
I expect that 4-5 people actually snickered at that. The rest of you can go back to what you were doing.
I do have lots of stuff to plonk on ye olde blog. I just have to sit down and do it. But not right now.
In the meantime, go see War Of The Worlds in theatres while you can. Absolutely amazing movie that is surprisingly close to the book. Sure, they didn't use the great ships from the 1950 version of the movie but the tripods are truer to the book and look and act great. It's nice that Spielberg didn't decide to do a Michael Bay-style action movie.
Tom Cruise isn't even that annoying. If only he was acting more like his character in the movie than the nutjob he is in real life.
Thursday, July 07, 2005
Movie Night In Canada
We're hoping to go see War Of The Worlds this weekend, preferably at the drive-in as that would allow us to bring the wee babe along.
The Mustang Drive-In near us has, by far, the funniest Admissions page I've seen.
Enjoy!
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What I'm Reading: AF&TOD
What I'm Playing: Atelier Iris, Destroy All Humans, WoW
What I'm Watching: The Inside
The Mustang Drive-In near us has, by far, the funniest Admissions page I've seen.
Enjoy!
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What I'm Reading: AF&TOD
What I'm Playing: Atelier Iris, Destroy All Humans, WoW
What I'm Watching: The Inside
Wednesday, July 06, 2005
I wish I had known Mind Bondage when I was a kid...
I've been part of an interesting discussion about religion over on the Evil Avatar gaming boards today. There was a guy who saw a skit on Vision TV that was basically equating reading the Bible with being good and playing videogames with being evil.
That's spun into a very interesting discussion by a bunch of Christian gamers about how annoying a lot of the spin against videogames from the media and from the so-called religious folk is.
I was talking about the parallels between the vilification of videogames these days compared with the Dungeons & Dragons debacle that raged during the 1980s. Of course, that meant Jack Chick entered the conversation.
Jack Chick, for those who don't know his ouvre, is a guy who spews out some of the most ludicrous, incoherent and downright hateful bible tracts known to man. They're actually really fun to read just to see how insane this guy and his interpretation of the bible is.
Sadly, I've worked with and known far too many people who would have no problem agreeing with everything he says. Sigh.
For your reading pleasure, take a look at the classic Dark Dungeons tract. I wish my D&D campaigns had that level of passion with them. I just had to contend with my brother rolling up a nigh-indestructible paladin who slaughtered all who crossed his path and had the inventory of an Ikea store strapped to his back most of the time. (Yes, Dave. I'm talking about Fitzy.)
Suffice it to say, my next D&D campaign will be run with a little less Monty Haul and a little more, oh, control. No munchkins allowed!
---
What I'm Reading: Artemis Fowl & The Opal Deception
What I'm Playing: Atelier Iris, WoW
What I'm Watching: The Inside (my favourite new show)
That's spun into a very interesting discussion by a bunch of Christian gamers about how annoying a lot of the spin against videogames from the media and from the so-called religious folk is.
I was talking about the parallels between the vilification of videogames these days compared with the Dungeons & Dragons debacle that raged during the 1980s. Of course, that meant Jack Chick entered the conversation.
Jack Chick, for those who don't know his ouvre, is a guy who spews out some of the most ludicrous, incoherent and downright hateful bible tracts known to man. They're actually really fun to read just to see how insane this guy and his interpretation of the bible is.
Sadly, I've worked with and known far too many people who would have no problem agreeing with everything he says. Sigh.
For your reading pleasure, take a look at the classic Dark Dungeons tract. I wish my D&D campaigns had that level of passion with them. I just had to contend with my brother rolling up a nigh-indestructible paladin who slaughtered all who crossed his path and had the inventory of an Ikea store strapped to his back most of the time. (Yes, Dave. I'm talking about Fitzy.)
Suffice it to say, my next D&D campaign will be run with a little less Monty Haul and a little more, oh, control. No munchkins allowed!
---
What I'm Reading: Artemis Fowl & The Opal Deception
What I'm Playing: Atelier Iris, WoW
What I'm Watching: The Inside (my favourite new show)
Monday, July 04, 2005
That's weird.
The post I had up earlier about my drive from work to home only taking 5 minutes seems to have been deleted.
Odd...
Odd...
This puts the SPEAR in Shakespeare
I wonder if I have the evening off to go see MACBETH 3000: This Time It's Personal.
Looks like it would be a lot of fun to see an indie movie like this.
Speaking of indie movies, my first day at work at the new home was AWESOME! Unfortunately I spent half my day helping a guy build a train and my brain is about to explode. The nice thing is that I was home from picking Garrett up from the babysitter's before 3:45pm! Woo!
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What I'm Reading: Brilliance Of The Moon (the last 30 pages is taking forever!)
What I'm Playing: Atelier Iris, WoW
What I'm Watching: Season Finale of Doctor Who
Looks like it would be a lot of fun to see an indie movie like this.
Speaking of indie movies, my first day at work at the new home was AWESOME! Unfortunately I spent half my day helping a guy build a train and my brain is about to explode. The nice thing is that I was home from picking Garrett up from the babysitter's before 3:45pm! Woo!
---
What I'm Reading: Brilliance Of The Moon (the last 30 pages is taking forever!)
What I'm Playing: Atelier Iris, WoW
What I'm Watching: Season Finale of Doctor Who
Friday, July 01, 2005
To answer Jenn's question a couple posts down..
Jenn wanted to know if I was saving my money for any of the new systems that are coming out between this November and some time next year.
Short answer: Not really. I'd love to get them, but money is kind of tight. None of them really have me on the edge of my seat, ready to rush out and snatch them up the second they hit the shelves. There are some neat games that have been previewed, but so far the only thing that would have me putting money down for a PS3 would be the announcement that Final Fantasy XII was coming out for it rather than the PS2.
Here's the long answer:
There are 3 true 'next-gen' systems coming out. The Xbox 360 (stupidest name ever), the PS3 and the Nintendo Revolution.
The Xbox looks pretty nice, but I'm not going to get one anytime soon. I'll wait till they get a good library of games and the price has dropped before I pick it up.
The PS3 looks great, but I'll probably wait till it drops as well.
The Revolution would be awesome if only because it gives you access to almost the entire library of Nintendo games going all the way back to the NES. Granted, I haven't seen what the pricing scheme is for this. Do we get them all for free? Do we have to subscribe to a service to let us play the entire library? Do we pay per game and get to keep it?
So there ya go. I'm sure that down the road when Garrett is able to somehow convince Julie & I that what he really needs for his 2nd (or 3rd) birthday is a new $400 game system, I'll get one. I'm not planning on getting any of them at launch though. I already have too many games for the current generation of systems. ARG!
I'm more interested in getting a Nintendo DS and a PSP for the neat games that are already on or coming out for them over the next year. It seems that the handhelds are where the truly innovative games are these days. If only they'd see fit to do a portable port of Chrono Trigger for the DS or GBA. Sigh.
Short answer: Not really. I'd love to get them, but money is kind of tight. None of them really have me on the edge of my seat, ready to rush out and snatch them up the second they hit the shelves. There are some neat games that have been previewed, but so far the only thing that would have me putting money down for a PS3 would be the announcement that Final Fantasy XII was coming out for it rather than the PS2.
Here's the long answer:
There are 3 true 'next-gen' systems coming out. The Xbox 360 (stupidest name ever), the PS3 and the Nintendo Revolution.
The Xbox looks pretty nice, but I'm not going to get one anytime soon. I'll wait till they get a good library of games and the price has dropped before I pick it up.
The PS3 looks great, but I'll probably wait till it drops as well.
The Revolution would be awesome if only because it gives you access to almost the entire library of Nintendo games going all the way back to the NES. Granted, I haven't seen what the pricing scheme is for this. Do we get them all for free? Do we have to subscribe to a service to let us play the entire library? Do we pay per game and get to keep it?
So there ya go. I'm sure that down the road when Garrett is able to somehow convince Julie & I that what he really needs for his 2nd (or 3rd) birthday is a new $400 game system, I'll get one. I'm not planning on getting any of them at launch though. I already have too many games for the current generation of systems. ARG!
I'm more interested in getting a Nintendo DS and a PSP for the neat games that are already on or coming out for them over the next year. It seems that the handhelds are where the truly innovative games are these days. If only they'd see fit to do a portable port of Chrono Trigger for the DS or GBA. Sigh.
Happy Canada Day!
We're heading to Sarnia for the first Canada Day in about 3 years. I hope the fireworks have improved since the last time we were there. Acton's fireworks have been awesome in comparison to the lacklustre sparkle-fest that is the Sarnia show.
Thursday, June 30, 2005
New Job for the Brockster
I've been sitting on this powderkeg for the last week or so and can finally spill the beans, to mix a metaphor.
Today was my last day at the illustrious Peel 1 house where I've worked for the last 5+ years. I've loved working at the house and part of me really wishes I could stay. However, 5 years doing the exact same job in the exact same house with the exact same people does turn the brain to mush after a little while. I'm really going to miss the guys at the house though. They made my job as challenging as it was but also made it as fun as it was and were really the only things keeping me as attached to the house as I was. If it weren't for the lot of them being such awesome guys, I would probably have left ages ago.
So, what am I doing instead of working at Peel 1, you ask? Still working for CH, at least for the near future. I am going to be working at a new house that is less than 5 minutes from my house and has a bunch of awesome NEW guys to look after. That, and the house is desperate for experienced staff and pretty much begged me to go there. But in all honesty, the 5 minute commute is what sealed the deal. The best thing about all of this is that I will finally have an alternating evening/day schedule so I can do stuff in the evenings. I'm already getting up by about 7am anyway, so doing a 7-3 shift shouldn't be too difficult and I'll actually see my family every so often instead of on alternating weekends :)
The best thing is that as of this evening, I no longer have to commute to the festering cesspool known as Brampton. Make that, I no longer have to do a 30 minute commute to the festering cesspool known as Brampton. While I was on my parental leave, I wanted to go visit the guys but just driving into the outskirts of that vortex of doom made my skin crawl. I don't mind going in there to visit, but I swear my blood pressure spikes as soon as I pass the Georgetown/Brampton border and have to make my way through suburban hell.
Did I mention I hate subdivisions? But that's for another, longer, more vitriolic rant.
Anyway, that's my big news. The worst thing over the last week and a half was having to hear from all of the parents and the guys, etc. that they were so happy that I was back at work. All the while I knew that I was going to be transferring out in the not too distant future. I just didn't expect that future to be so soon!
---
What I'm Reading: Brilliance Of The Moon, hopefully will start Illium on the weekend.
What I'm Playing: Fire Emblem, Atelier Iris, Destroy All Humans
What I'm Watching: Nothing. Absolutely nothing.
Today was my last day at the illustrious Peel 1 house where I've worked for the last 5+ years. I've loved working at the house and part of me really wishes I could stay. However, 5 years doing the exact same job in the exact same house with the exact same people does turn the brain to mush after a little while. I'm really going to miss the guys at the house though. They made my job as challenging as it was but also made it as fun as it was and were really the only things keeping me as attached to the house as I was. If it weren't for the lot of them being such awesome guys, I would probably have left ages ago.
So, what am I doing instead of working at Peel 1, you ask? Still working for CH, at least for the near future. I am going to be working at a new house that is less than 5 minutes from my house and has a bunch of awesome NEW guys to look after. That, and the house is desperate for experienced staff and pretty much begged me to go there. But in all honesty, the 5 minute commute is what sealed the deal. The best thing about all of this is that I will finally have an alternating evening/day schedule so I can do stuff in the evenings. I'm already getting up by about 7am anyway, so doing a 7-3 shift shouldn't be too difficult and I'll actually see my family every so often instead of on alternating weekends :)
The best thing is that as of this evening, I no longer have to commute to the festering cesspool known as Brampton. Make that, I no longer have to do a 30 minute commute to the festering cesspool known as Brampton. While I was on my parental leave, I wanted to go visit the guys but just driving into the outskirts of that vortex of doom made my skin crawl. I don't mind going in there to visit, but I swear my blood pressure spikes as soon as I pass the Georgetown/Brampton border and have to make my way through suburban hell.
Did I mention I hate subdivisions? But that's for another, longer, more vitriolic rant.
Anyway, that's my big news. The worst thing over the last week and a half was having to hear from all of the parents and the guys, etc. that they were so happy that I was back at work. All the while I knew that I was going to be transferring out in the not too distant future. I just didn't expect that future to be so soon!
---
What I'm Reading: Brilliance Of The Moon, hopefully will start Illium on the weekend.
What I'm Playing: Fire Emblem, Atelier Iris, Destroy All Humans
What I'm Watching: Nothing. Absolutely nothing.
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
Top of the list.
For the past couple months I've essentially stopped buying videogames. I'm trying to limit my purchases to one new game a month, if that. GetGames.ca has helped as I'm able to try out all sorts of games that I used to pay stupid amounts of money for. Now I can put my money towards getting my A+ certification!
Now, that said, there are still games that I want for my collection. I've got a short list and sadly most of them are months away from coming out.
Suffice it to say, Shadow Of The Collosus is tied for the number 1 spot with We Love Katamari. It was going to be in second place until I saw the new trailer and couldn't stop drooling.
It's made by the guys behind one of my all time favourite games, Ico. It looks like it will have the same stunning art style of Ico but be focused on more action than Ico was. I can't wait.
Now if Final Fantasy XII was coming out this year, I'd have a 3 way tie for first place. Unfortunately, every time it seems to be coming out it ends up getting bumped back about 3-4 months. Right now it's slated for December. Unfortunately, it hasn't come out in Japan yet and that tends to happen about 3 months before we get it over here.
Sigh.
Now, that said, there are still games that I want for my collection. I've got a short list and sadly most of them are months away from coming out.
Suffice it to say, Shadow Of The Collosus is tied for the number 1 spot with We Love Katamari. It was going to be in second place until I saw the new trailer and couldn't stop drooling.
It's made by the guys behind one of my all time favourite games, Ico. It looks like it will have the same stunning art style of Ico but be focused on more action than Ico was. I can't wait.
Now if Final Fantasy XII was coming out this year, I'd have a 3 way tie for first place. Unfortunately, every time it seems to be coming out it ends up getting bumped back about 3-4 months. Right now it's slated for December. Unfortunately, it hasn't come out in Japan yet and that tends to happen about 3 months before we get it over here.
Sigh.
Google Earth
While it looks like I won't be seeing War Of The Worlds tonight due to my being such a nice guy and helping my friends move *glower* I have had a fun time fiddling around with the new Google Earth program.
It's sort of like that WorldWind program I mentioned a couple months ago, only it's fast and much nicer to use.
And contains no human flesh substitutes or zombie animals.
How refreshing.
---
What I'm Reading: Brilliance Of The Moon
What I'm Playing: Destroy All Humans, T.H.U.G.
What I'm Watching: The West Wing: Season 1
It's sort of like that WorldWind program I mentioned a couple months ago, only it's fast and much nicer to use.
And contains no human flesh substitutes or zombie animals.
How refreshing.
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What I'm Reading: Brilliance Of The Moon
What I'm Playing: Destroy All Humans, T.H.U.G.
What I'm Watching: The West Wing: Season 1
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
Garrett: Giant Baby
Garrett went in for his 1 year checkup today and he's over 100 pounds.
Er... that's not right...
He's 22 pounds, 8 1/2 ounces and 33 inches long.
That means he's over the 100th percentile for height, which means he's taller than any other baby his age in the history of the world.
So much for that pair of stilts I was going to give him for his birthday. Maybe he's gotten as tall as he's going to. That'll teach him not to do all of his growing the first year of his life!
I had a long day... leave me alone :P
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What I'm Reading: Brilliance of the Moon
What I'm Playing: THUG, WoW, Demon Stone
What I'm Watching: The West Wing (as always)
Er... that's not right...
He's 22 pounds, 8 1/2 ounces and 33 inches long.
That means he's over the 100th percentile for height, which means he's taller than any other baby his age in the history of the world.
So much for that pair of stilts I was going to give him for his birthday. Maybe he's gotten as tall as he's going to. That'll teach him not to do all of his growing the first year of his life!
I had a long day... leave me alone :P
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What I'm Reading: Brilliance of the Moon
What I'm Playing: THUG, WoW, Demon Stone
What I'm Watching: The West Wing (as always)
Monday, June 27, 2005
Zombie Dogs
Lots of stuff to yammer about but it's too hot up here and I'm melting into the chair as we speak.
So I figured I'd link to this cool article about a group of scientists who have been able to revive dead dogs a few hours after death and with no brain damage. To the dogs, that is.
Of course, nobody has seen the scientists since their zombie dogs went on an unstoppable killing rampage and depopulated a large part of the midwestern US. Hmm. I think this is how the Romero [BLANK] OF THE DEAD movies started...
Woof.
So I figured I'd link to this cool article about a group of scientists who have been able to revive dead dogs a few hours after death and with no brain damage. To the dogs, that is.
Of course, nobody has seen the scientists since their zombie dogs went on an unstoppable killing rampage and depopulated a large part of the midwestern US. Hmm. I think this is how the Romero [BLANK] OF THE DEAD movies started...
Saturday, June 25, 2005
For the cannibal in all of us
I saw this yesterday and I have to say that it's interesting if nothing else.
It's called Hufu. It's tofu that has been textured and supposedly flavoured like human flesh (though I don't want to know how they figured that out).
If you're a vegetarian and you eat hufu, how messed up would that make you?
"I don't like to eat meat, but I'll eat substitute human flesh, thanks."
The website has all sorts of cool information about the history of cannibalism. I used to say that when I die I'd donate my body to McDonald's. It can't be worse than what they actually have in their burgers :)
Now they can just make Hufu burgers part of their 'healthy' menu and I can have my body thrown into an active volcano like I'm supposed to.
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What I'm Reading: Brilliance of the Moon
What I'm Playing: Stranger's Wrath, WoW
What I'm Watching: The West Wing: Season 1
It's called Hufu. It's tofu that has been textured and supposedly flavoured like human flesh (though I don't want to know how they figured that out).
If you're a vegetarian and you eat hufu, how messed up would that make you?
"I don't like to eat meat, but I'll eat substitute human flesh, thanks."
The website has all sorts of cool information about the history of cannibalism. I used to say that when I die I'd donate my body to McDonald's. It can't be worse than what they actually have in their burgers :)
Now they can just make Hufu burgers part of their 'healthy' menu and I can have my body thrown into an active volcano like I'm supposed to.
---
What I'm Reading: Brilliance of the Moon
What I'm Playing: Stranger's Wrath, WoW
What I'm Watching: The West Wing: Season 1
Friday, June 24, 2005
Happy Birthday To Garrett!
It's Garrett's first birthday today!
He says thanks to everyone who sent him cards. Well, he sort of roared while he ripped the envelops and then tried to smoosh the cards, but I'm pretty sure that means "Thank You" in Garrettese.
He says thanks to everyone who sent him cards. Well, he sort of roared while he ripped the envelops and then tried to smoosh the cards, but I'm pretty sure that means "Thank You" in Garrettese.
Thursday, June 23, 2005
Live Monopoly
This is pretty cool. There is a live version of Monopoly wherein they've outfitted 18 cabs in London, England with GPS units and essentially turned all of London into a giant Monopoly board. You pick a cab and various properties and collect money based on when the other cabbies land on your properties.
I think they should do this more often! It really doesn't interfere with the cabbie's daily grind (aside from the more industrious people calling rival cabs to stop at their properties) and seems like a lot of fun for the rest of us.
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What I'm Reading: Brilliance Of The Moon
What I'm Playing: WoW, Stranger's Wrath
What I'm Watching: The Inside, Doctor Who, The National
I think they should do this more often! It really doesn't interfere with the cabbie's daily grind (aside from the more industrious people calling rival cabs to stop at their properties) and seems like a lot of fun for the rest of us.
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What I'm Reading: Brilliance Of The Moon
What I'm Playing: WoW, Stranger's Wrath
What I'm Watching: The Inside, Doctor Who, The National
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
It's like they read my mind...
Just this past week I was complaining to all and sundry that our local MPP, who happens to be a member of the provicial Tories, is really getting on my nerves.
Why?
Every week our local paper has columns set aside for both the MP and MPP to write about things in the region and to comment on parliamentary proceedings. Our MP, who is also a Conservative, usually writes a good column that I don't mind reading.
Our MPP, on the other hand, has spent each and every column inch provided to him since the defeat of the provincial Tories whining and complaining about how horrible the Liberals are and basically rants about everything under the sun.
Now, this is fine if you're a humble blog writer who is practicing his curmudgeon skills so that he will be able to hold his own when he retires in, say, 35-40 years.
This behaviour isn't fine when you're a duly elected representative of your constituents and all you do is rant and rave like the crazy man on The Simpsons. I also have a hard time taking the guy seriously when he and his party were in power for the better part of 8 years and caused half of the problems that he is now complaining about. The guy seems on the verge of blaming the fact that it gets dark at night on the Liberals and their broken promises. Seriously, that's how much credibility this guy has, at least with me.
And while Julie and one or two helpless bystanders have heard me prattle on about this, it seems that I am not alone. Just today, in the venerable Independent & Free Press, some brave soul took our MP to task for his 'negative and bile-ridden column'.
I feel vindicated now. I'm no longer the lone voice, yammering in the wilderness. Now there's two of us!
Why?
Every week our local paper has columns set aside for both the MP and MPP to write about things in the region and to comment on parliamentary proceedings. Our MP, who is also a Conservative, usually writes a good column that I don't mind reading.
Our MPP, on the other hand, has spent each and every column inch provided to him since the defeat of the provincial Tories whining and complaining about how horrible the Liberals are and basically rants about everything under the sun.
Now, this is fine if you're a humble blog writer who is practicing his curmudgeon skills so that he will be able to hold his own when he retires in, say, 35-40 years.
This behaviour isn't fine when you're a duly elected representative of your constituents and all you do is rant and rave like the crazy man on The Simpsons. I also have a hard time taking the guy seriously when he and his party were in power for the better part of 8 years and caused half of the problems that he is now complaining about. The guy seems on the verge of blaming the fact that it gets dark at night on the Liberals and their broken promises. Seriously, that's how much credibility this guy has, at least with me.
And while Julie and one or two helpless bystanders have heard me prattle on about this, it seems that I am not alone. Just today, in the venerable Independent & Free Press, some brave soul took our MP to task for his 'negative and bile-ridden column'.
I feel vindicated now. I'm no longer the lone voice, yammering in the wilderness. Now there's two of us!
Garrett's (Almost) First Birthday (Cup)Cake
We decided to have an early birthday party for Garrett (if you can call it that) since I have to work on Friday, which is his actual birthday.
I'd suggest you start with this picture and go down as that portrays the chronological documentation of the cupcake's demise.
I'd suggest you start with this picture and go down as that portrays the chronological documentation of the cupcake's demise.
Weekend pics.
Like most great golfers, Garrett bites his clubs to make sure they're not made of chocolate (or pure gold).
Best Blizzard Ever
We went out to DQ tonight and got some Blizzards since we had a coupon for a free one.
I got a Brownie Batter one, which is exceptionally delicious. When we got home, I added some Bailey's and that made it even better, especially after it had a little time to thicken up in the freezer. Mmm...
Just figured I'd pass along this tip in case anyone wanted to enhance an already yummy dessert.
I got a Brownie Batter one, which is exceptionally delicious. When we got home, I added some Bailey's and that made it even better, especially after it had a little time to thicken up in the freezer. Mmm...
Just figured I'd pass along this tip in case anyone wanted to enhance an already yummy dessert.
Mmm... Vapoury...
Today was a beautiful day here in the rolling Halton Hills.
I would actually enjoy, nay, look forward to summer if today was a typical day. Yesterday too. It was sunny and nice out and the temperature was warm enough for shorts but not humid at all. Add a nice breeze to keep you cool and you have a day that saw Garrett & I spending most of our time outside.
Too bad we get so many heat waves that I don't remember the nice days like today. Sigh.
Anyway, I was walking back from the park this afternoon with Garrett and there was this big round cloud in the sky [As opposed to the ground or underwater? ed.]
The cool part about the cloud was that it had this big hole right in the middle. You could see the clear blue sky right through it. I'd never seen that before.
So that's my crazy doughnut cloud story.
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What I'm Reading: Eberron Sourcebook, Brilliance Of The Moon
What I'm Playing: WoW, Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath, Phantom Brave
What I'm Watching: The West Wing: Season 1 DVD
I would actually enjoy, nay, look forward to summer if today was a typical day. Yesterday too. It was sunny and nice out and the temperature was warm enough for shorts but not humid at all. Add a nice breeze to keep you cool and you have a day that saw Garrett & I spending most of our time outside.
Too bad we get so many heat waves that I don't remember the nice days like today. Sigh.
Anyway, I was walking back from the park this afternoon with Garrett and there was this big round cloud in the sky [As opposed to the ground or underwater? ed.]
The cool part about the cloud was that it had this big hole right in the middle. You could see the clear blue sky right through it. I'd never seen that before.
So that's my crazy doughnut cloud story.
---
What I'm Reading: Eberron Sourcebook, Brilliance Of The Moon
What I'm Playing: WoW, Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath, Phantom Brave
What I'm Watching: The West Wing: Season 1 DVD
Sunday, June 19, 2005
Grease is the word...
This is how my first Father's Day started. I was asleep upstairs and Julie was making french toast (or Liberty Bread as they call it south of the border) when she heard a bang. She thought Garrett had just dropped his bib.
We were so wrong.
THIS is what happened.
I guess that Garrett had realized that he was rapidly approaching his first birthday and wasn't getting any younger. To fight the ravages of old age, he decided to give himself a full body butter bath. He also ate a bunch of it for good measure.
At least his skin is silky smooth now.
We were so wrong.
THIS is what happened.
I guess that Garrett had realized that he was rapidly approaching his first birthday and wasn't getting any younger. To fight the ravages of old age, he decided to give himself a full body butter bath. He also ate a bunch of it for good measure.
At least his skin is silky smooth now.
Saturday, June 18, 2005
Aw, isn't this cute?
Would you look at this.
My little brother Grant has gone and got himself his own rant-blog. Aw... :)
I love the name though. Oknowimannoyed. Awesome name.
Of course, now I have to go and update my template, etc. etc. blah blah blah... woe is me.
My little brother Grant has gone and got himself his own rant-blog. Aw... :)
I love the name though. Oknowimannoyed. Awesome name.
Of course, now I have to go and update my template, etc. etc. blah blah blah... woe is me.
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