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Mystery Skulls in Person
General | Posted 9 years agoJust got back from a Mystery Skulls concert. For those who don't reccognize the band name, he's the one that did this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlEb3L1PIco
Good show. Fun times with some friends while there. Got to meet the guy himself after the show and picked up a shirt.
Not too bad for a random Tuesday night.
Good show. Fun times with some friends while there. Got to meet the guy himself after the show and picked up a shirt.
Not too bad for a random Tuesday night.
Fallout 4 MQ Complete
General | Posted 9 years agoAccording to Steam, I've been playing Fallout 4 a total of 273 hours. And for all that time, I've been on a single play through.
I tend to be a completionist when it comes to Bethesda games, and I wanted to hang onto that "new" feeling for as much time as possible. While there's still plenty I haven't done yet, I felt it was time to end it before the new DLC drops on the 22nd.
When it comes to the ending itself, I found it rather difficult to do, and I love it for that reason. While I didn't care as much for the story in Fallout: New Vegas, I loved that the choices you make as the main character aren't as easy as black and white. I appreciated that each faction had a good and a bad. It gave more impact to the choice, even if it made it hard to go through with.
Fallout 4 has that same ambiguous morality when it comes to which faction to support. And when you chum it up with ever faction as much as I did, by the time to you have to turn your back on someone, it kind of hurts. That hurt - that feeling - means that the story telling was effective. So good on Bethesda for creating a game with more depth in storytelling than a pothole.
I saved right before the critical chapter, so in the next few days I'll go a few of the other endings before creating my new character. But I tell you what...it's been a heck of a ride in the Commonwealth so far.
P.S. Now that I've finished the main quest, I can start modding! I promised myself I wouldn't retexture anything until after I'd beaten it at least once. So now my life will disappear into Photoshop again! Woo!
I tend to be a completionist when it comes to Bethesda games, and I wanted to hang onto that "new" feeling for as much time as possible. While there's still plenty I haven't done yet, I felt it was time to end it before the new DLC drops on the 22nd.
When it comes to the ending itself, I found it rather difficult to do, and I love it for that reason. While I didn't care as much for the story in Fallout: New Vegas, I loved that the choices you make as the main character aren't as easy as black and white. I appreciated that each faction had a good and a bad. It gave more impact to the choice, even if it made it hard to go through with.
Fallout 4 has that same ambiguous morality when it comes to which faction to support. And when you chum it up with ever faction as much as I did, by the time to you have to turn your back on someone, it kind of hurts. That hurt - that feeling - means that the story telling was effective. So good on Bethesda for creating a game with more depth in storytelling than a pothole.
I saved right before the critical chapter, so in the next few days I'll go a few of the other endings before creating my new character. But I tell you what...it's been a heck of a ride in the Commonwealth so far.
P.S. Now that I've finished the main quest, I can start modding! I promised myself I wouldn't retexture anything until after I'd beaten it at least once. So now my life will disappear into Photoshop again! Woo!
Hitman Airsoft
General | Posted 10 years agoMan dressed as Hitman dominates at airsoft.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ye93CmoEjE8
I can only dream of being as cool as that bloke.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ye93CmoEjE8
I can only dream of being as cool as that bloke.
71 Years Ago Today, Auschwitz
General | Posted 10 years agoOn January 27th, 1945, soldiers of the 322nd Rifle Division of the Soviet Army arrived at the Auschwitz concentration camp, freeing the approximately 7,500 prisoners who were still alive inside the camp. The other 58,000 prisoners had been marched by foot to Bergen-Belsen. Only 20,000 made it there.
At the time, the liberation made little impact. The war was still on, and initially, the Soviets wished to downplay the plight of Jewish people. It was only later, once the European conflict began to die down that the full impact of the camp began to be felt.
71 years ago, we were exposed to just a little of what mankind is capable of when we allow ourselves to hate too deeply. Let's not let that happen again.
At the time, the liberation made little impact. The war was still on, and initially, the Soviets wished to downplay the plight of Jewish people. It was only later, once the European conflict began to die down that the full impact of the camp began to be felt.
71 years ago, we were exposed to just a little of what mankind is capable of when we allow ourselves to hate too deeply. Let's not let that happen again.
Ah, Werewolves...
General | Posted 10 years agoWell, there's no quicksilver or wolfsbane at my house.
I harbor shifters, so long as they behave themselves.
I harbor shifters, so long as they behave themselves.
Emergency Vet Visit
General | Posted 10 years agoI'm at the vet now - waiting for the doctor to come back.
Elly got bit on the back by a much larger dog, bad enough that a vet visit was imperative.
She's partially bald now, and will need antibiotics and compresses for a while, probably, but she should be OK.
I've been through some scary things, and seen some nasty stuff...but when you bring your dog to the vet with blood on her fur and see her carried into the back room by a stranger...it's tough.
She'll be fine, I'm sure, and the wounds are a lot smaller than my parental worries make them. But she's my baby. I can't help getting a bit choked up.
Elly got bit on the back by a much larger dog, bad enough that a vet visit was imperative.
She's partially bald now, and will need antibiotics and compresses for a while, probably, but she should be OK.
I've been through some scary things, and seen some nasty stuff...but when you bring your dog to the vet with blood on her fur and see her carried into the back room by a stranger...it's tough.
She'll be fine, I'm sure, and the wounds are a lot smaller than my parental worries make them. But she's my baby. I can't help getting a bit choked up.
Actually Terrifying
General | Posted 10 years agoCAUTION: YOU MAY BE TRIGGERED
I take no responsibility for your offense if you choose to watch the linked video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKcWu0tsiZM
I take no responsibility for your offense if you choose to watch the linked video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKcWu0tsiZM
Where the Time Goes
General | Posted 10 years agoSo I get home from work, still feeling a bit woozy after a week-long illness. I'm looking forward to relaxing and doing either some gaming or a bit of writing.
I like to have something on in the background while I check my email and my FA submissions. So I put on some Jeremy Brett as Sherlock Holmes, which has been quite active in my playlist for quite a while.
...six hours later...I'm still watching Holmes solve the unsolvable.
I don't watch TV (in fact, I don't even own a TV), and I'm not a big person for movies, but those shows and movies that I do like I tend to be rather...avid about.
I like to have something on in the background while I check my email and my FA submissions. So I put on some Jeremy Brett as Sherlock Holmes, which has been quite active in my playlist for quite a while.
...six hours later...I'm still watching Holmes solve the unsolvable.
I don't watch TV (in fact, I don't even own a TV), and I'm not a big person for movies, but those shows and movies that I do like I tend to be rather...avid about.
"Watson, did you bring your revolver?"
General | Posted 10 years agoSo I found a good deal on some old Webley top-break revolvers. One in .455, and one in .45ACP. Chances are, my next firearm purchase is going to be a sweet old revolver.
While the consensus on what Dr. Watson's ubiquitous but never named "service revolver" seems to be an Adams Mrk.III, I've always had a love for the look of the Webley and Enfield revolvers from a slightly later period.
So even though a 1919 Webley isn't really accurate for a character set in 1880s London, I don't doubt that if I got myself a sensible tweed jacket and bowler hat (and maybe shaved my beard), I could make a pretty good John Watson MD.
While the consensus on what Dr. Watson's ubiquitous but never named "service revolver" seems to be an Adams Mrk.III, I've always had a love for the look of the Webley and Enfield revolvers from a slightly later period.
So even though a 1919 Webley isn't really accurate for a character set in 1880s London, I don't doubt that if I got myself a sensible tweed jacket and bowler hat (and maybe shaved my beard), I could make a pretty good John Watson MD.
Closet Door Wide Open
General | Posted 10 years agoSo, I came out to my parents today.
It wasn't an intentional reveal, but it happened exactly the way I would have wanted it to happen.
I had called my mother to tell her that I had purchased a new car...and to tell her my previous one had been stolen months before.
I have a very good relationship with my parents, but I'm a very reserved person who doesn't go out of his way to share what's going on in his life very often. When I do, it's usually to share something significant. So when I do get into a conversation with my mom, it can go on for a while.
In this case, I was trying to describe to her how "Tumblrite" has become a bad word, and in the course of the conversation it was mentioned that I am on Tumbrl's "naughty" list because I'm a cisgender white male, and thus representative of the oppressive patriarchy.
Her response was:
"And you're a heterosexual male. You are heterosexual...right?"
There was a long pause. The question probably came up because one of my younger cousins (who is now in his twenties) had come out as being gay, and his sister (also in her twenties now) just got a girlfriend.
Eventually, I responded with the truth I've been wanting to admit to her for nearly twenty years...
"No... Actually, I think the culturally-appropriate word nowadays is...pansexual."
The conversation after that went very well.
I had been leaving hints for years that I wasn't anywhere near being straight, and apparently they were only partially successful. It was still a bit of a surprise to her, but there was no shock or disappointment. I think it made sense to her. I had never concealed my proclivities, but I also had never made a point of them. My parents responded in kind, trusting to me to inform them about anything I thought they should know.
In short - they respected my privacy.
Eventually, my father came home from work and I talked to him for a little while. I was unsure how he would take it, as I know that both of them are set on having grandkids, and I worried that they would take the news as a death knell for the family line. But he was just as cool with it as my mother was. Neither of them shied away from the fact that they had a preference that I find a nice girl and start a family, but it was more important to them that I be true to myself and find someone that I can be happy with.
While I wasn't that concerned about them having a fit over it, given their fairly progressive dispositions, I nevertheless was a bit worried that it would be a shock or a let down for them. After 30-something years of seeing your son a certain way, I worried this would change their opinion of me. Yet I was surprised in my turn that they took it as well as they did.
I guess I shouldn't be, since they are old Hippies, after all. But still, it was a heck of a thing to have drop on a random Tuesday night.
Here's to hoping it goes well from now on.
It wasn't an intentional reveal, but it happened exactly the way I would have wanted it to happen.
I had called my mother to tell her that I had purchased a new car...and to tell her my previous one had been stolen months before.
I have a very good relationship with my parents, but I'm a very reserved person who doesn't go out of his way to share what's going on in his life very often. When I do, it's usually to share something significant. So when I do get into a conversation with my mom, it can go on for a while.
In this case, I was trying to describe to her how "Tumblrite" has become a bad word, and in the course of the conversation it was mentioned that I am on Tumbrl's "naughty" list because I'm a cisgender white male, and thus representative of the oppressive patriarchy.
Her response was:
"And you're a heterosexual male. You are heterosexual...right?"
There was a long pause. The question probably came up because one of my younger cousins (who is now in his twenties) had come out as being gay, and his sister (also in her twenties now) just got a girlfriend.
Eventually, I responded with the truth I've been wanting to admit to her for nearly twenty years...
"No... Actually, I think the culturally-appropriate word nowadays is...pansexual."
The conversation after that went very well.
I had been leaving hints for years that I wasn't anywhere near being straight, and apparently they were only partially successful. It was still a bit of a surprise to her, but there was no shock or disappointment. I think it made sense to her. I had never concealed my proclivities, but I also had never made a point of them. My parents responded in kind, trusting to me to inform them about anything I thought they should know.
In short - they respected my privacy.
Eventually, my father came home from work and I talked to him for a little while. I was unsure how he would take it, as I know that both of them are set on having grandkids, and I worried that they would take the news as a death knell for the family line. But he was just as cool with it as my mother was. Neither of them shied away from the fact that they had a preference that I find a nice girl and start a family, but it was more important to them that I be true to myself and find someone that I can be happy with.
While I wasn't that concerned about them having a fit over it, given their fairly progressive dispositions, I nevertheless was a bit worried that it would be a shock or a let down for them. After 30-something years of seeing your son a certain way, I worried this would change their opinion of me. Yet I was surprised in my turn that they took it as well as they did.
I guess I shouldn't be, since they are old Hippies, after all. But still, it was a heck of a thing to have drop on a random Tuesday night.
Here's to hoping it goes well from now on.
Controversial Topic
General | Posted 10 years agoI don't mean to start a drama war, but I just can't keep it inside any longer...
Femshep is the best Shepard.
That's just how I feel...
Femshep is the best Shepard.
That's just how I feel...
You Won't See This in Jurassic World
General | Posted 10 years agohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?t=1&v=YpR5ZyKyqYc
And that was in 1996!
Even further back, how about this gem from 1992:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWxIckktxL8
Here's hoping that the new Star Wars will bring back the desire for practical effects, so we can finally put the CGI Snorlax to bed.
And that was in 1996!
Even further back, how about this gem from 1992:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWxIckktxL8
Here's hoping that the new Star Wars will bring back the desire for practical effects, so we can finally put the CGI Snorlax to bed.
Insomnia Adventures!
General | Posted 10 years agoInsomnia has struck once again, so to help cope, I've been making the worst Vines you'll never see, and working on more "Great Moments in Poor Judgement" comics.
I'm also realizing just how creative I can get when I'm tired as hell but unable to sleep.
I'm also realizing just how creative I can get when I'm tired as hell but unable to sleep.
Sergal Artist Wanted
General | Posted 10 years agoI've been sketching a lot of Sergals lately, and it's given me the bug to get a proper commission of my own Sergal boy by someone who is experienced at doing them. (ex: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/12425388/)
My thoughts went first to Dog-Bone and/or Raji - both of whom are excellent at lithe, slimly-built, effeminate males. Dog-Bone in particular has done some fantastic Sergals that are very much what I would like to see. (NSFW ex: https://e621.net/post/show/702633/2.....anatomically_) Sadly, she's not open for commission and seems to be concentrating on sketch streams.
Fortunately, this fandom is loaded with very talented artists, and I have no doubt there is a talented Sergal artist out there who is looking for someone to employ them for one, or maybe two full pictures.
So, dear watchers, help me add to the glorious glut of sexy Sergal art on the internet by joining me with the artist of my dreams!
The results would, of course, be shared with all of you as a reward for your matchmaking skill. ^.=.^
Oh, and I guess I could post my own Sergal sketches too...if people would be interested in that.
My thoughts went first to Dog-Bone and/or Raji - both of whom are excellent at lithe, slimly-built, effeminate males. Dog-Bone in particular has done some fantastic Sergals that are very much what I would like to see. (NSFW ex: https://e621.net/post/show/702633/2.....anatomically_) Sadly, she's not open for commission and seems to be concentrating on sketch streams.
Fortunately, this fandom is loaded with very talented artists, and I have no doubt there is a talented Sergal artist out there who is looking for someone to employ them for one, or maybe two full pictures.
So, dear watchers, help me add to the glorious glut of sexy Sergal art on the internet by joining me with the artist of my dreams!
The results would, of course, be shared with all of you as a reward for your matchmaking skill. ^.=.^
Oh, and I guess I could post my own Sergal sketches too...if people would be interested in that.
Current Playlist
General | Posted 10 years agoI like doing these "Current Playlist" journals. I have an incredibly eclectic musical taste, and I like sharing some of the tunes that I jam out with watchers who can perhaps suggest their own additions. Thus we all get to rock out and expand our playlists.
"Three Little Pigs" - by Green Jelly
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gtffv9bpB-U
"If I Ever Lose my Faith in You" - by Sting
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7km4EHgkQiw
"Livin' on the Edge" - Aerosmith (the music video features Edward Furlong, who later would play the young John Connor in Terminator 2, which further proves my theory that Aerosmith and Terminator exist in the same universe ^.=.- )
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nqcL0mjMjw
"She Moves in Mysterious Ways" - U2 (one of the few U2 songs I genuinely like)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxcDTUMLQJI
"Hey Jealousy" - by Gin Blossoms (a good tune that I like primarily due to the positive memories I associate with it)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ah5gAkna3jI
"What's Up" - by $ Non Blondes (often mislabeled as "What's Goin' On", this song seems to have a reputation as a "girl tune", and I'm not sure why)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NXnxTNIWkc
"Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm" - by Crash Test Dummies
https://vimeo.com/47691679
"Mary Jane's Last Dance" - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (there are only two Tom Petty songs that I really like, both of which because of their fantastic music videos)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aowSGxim_O8
"Don't Come Around Here No More" - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (the other Tom Petty song with an awesome music video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0JvF9vpqx8
Just like last time, if anyone feels like sharing what they have on their playlist, let me know! I love sharing music.
"Three Little Pigs" - by Green Jelly
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gtffv9bpB-U
"If I Ever Lose my Faith in You" - by Sting
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7km4EHgkQiw
"Livin' on the Edge" - Aerosmith (the music video features Edward Furlong, who later would play the young John Connor in Terminator 2, which further proves my theory that Aerosmith and Terminator exist in the same universe ^.=.- )
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nqcL0mjMjw
"She Moves in Mysterious Ways" - U2 (one of the few U2 songs I genuinely like)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxcDTUMLQJI
"Hey Jealousy" - by Gin Blossoms (a good tune that I like primarily due to the positive memories I associate with it)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ah5gAkna3jI
"What's Up" - by $ Non Blondes (often mislabeled as "What's Goin' On", this song seems to have a reputation as a "girl tune", and I'm not sure why)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NXnxTNIWkc
"Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm" - by Crash Test Dummies
https://vimeo.com/47691679
"Mary Jane's Last Dance" - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (there are only two Tom Petty songs that I really like, both of which because of their fantastic music videos)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aowSGxim_O8
"Don't Come Around Here No More" - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (the other Tom Petty song with an awesome music video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0JvF9vpqx8
Just like last time, if anyone feels like sharing what they have on their playlist, let me know! I love sharing music.
Requesting Advice from Campers/Preppers
General | Posted 10 years agoIt's served me very well, but I think the time may come soon for me to send my trusty molle pack into retirement. I use it practically everyday for every kind of carry, outfitting it for whatever I need - from carrying my sketchbooks for cons, to everything I need for an overnight camping trip in the Prescott National Forest. I very rarely will leave my house without it.
But while it's still got several years of durable service left in it, I feel like there are better packs out there, and with more camping trips coming up in my future, I feel like I'm stretching this little bag beyond what it was designed for.
I'm by no means a "high-speed operator" (I really dislike that term), but I care about my gear and go out and about enough to put a real strain on lesser-quality "back-to-school" bags.
I've been doing some searching around online, but quite frankly, the market for backpacks is enormous, and I'm the kind of guy who relies more on first-hand experience (or, at best, 2nd hand testimony from knowledgeable people) rather than anonymous reviews. So, since the pack is the foundation of a kit, it's worth getting some extra advice and avoid a bad choice. So that's why I'm reaching out to folks to see what kind of packs people prefer.
For a random sampling of what's been catching my eye, there are the three I'm currently looking at: The Falcon-II, by Maxpedition, the Explorer Tactical B3, and the Cyane Dynamic, by Blackhawk!.
All three seem modular enough to go from books and pencils, to lightweight tent and sleeping bag without a lot of trouble (or a few bungies).
Maxpedition has a reputation for quality, but their prices are very high. There are some brands where I'm willing to pay for the extra quality, but I'm not sure Maxpedition is really giving the right amount of bang-for-buck. I don't want to pay an extra $100 just for the Maxpedition nametag, if an $80 Condor pack works just as well (for example, the Condor Compact Assault Pack is only $45 and some change).
But their reputation is pretty solid, and I know several people who have been using the same Max-packs for years with nothing but good to say about them.
Blackhawk! has the same issue. Reputation for good quality, but am I paying for the name, or for actual field-tested quality? The Cyane seems a bit on the small side, and the mesh sidewalls are a big downside when it comes to poor weather, but small and light isn't such a bad thing since I primarily use my bag as an EDC.
The Explorer B3 doesn't have cinch straps, which is a huge drawback, but I like how many divided pockets it has (I love to keep my gear organized).
These are just samples however of the kind of packs I've been looking at. There are hundreds of bags out there, and thousands of reviews, and it seems like the longer I look, the more unsure I get. If I were still in Tucson, I would go by Miller's Surplus and would know in just a few seconds if the pack I'm looking at was worth it or not. Online, I have only the reviews (and I'm naturally untrusting of reviews).
Overall, what I'm looking for is something adjustable and spacious that I can switch between EDC and 24h overnights comfortably and quickly.
Molle is a big plus, and compatibility with hydration bladders (Camelbak) is a must. Bonus points if the hydration compartment is watertight (I had a leaky Camelbak and it soaked one of my sketchbooks once).
I like having a good amount of organized pouches to keep my books, pencil case, first-aid kit, EDC items, and anything else I happen to feel is worth carrying around separated and easy to reach. That's a big part of how I arrange my pack. One pouch is always for first-aid, the other is always pencils and pens, another is for pistol and ammo.
I also would want plenty of straps on the outside to tie down my one-man tent, extra jacket, sleeping bag/mat, and hammock when necessary.
Hopefully that gives folks something of an idea the kind of things I'm looking for. I appreciate any advice people give, and hopefully I can get some conversations going with people who care about camping and prepping without being pretentious or hyper political about it.
But while it's still got several years of durable service left in it, I feel like there are better packs out there, and with more camping trips coming up in my future, I feel like I'm stretching this little bag beyond what it was designed for.
I'm by no means a "high-speed operator" (I really dislike that term), but I care about my gear and go out and about enough to put a real strain on lesser-quality "back-to-school" bags.
I've been doing some searching around online, but quite frankly, the market for backpacks is enormous, and I'm the kind of guy who relies more on first-hand experience (or, at best, 2nd hand testimony from knowledgeable people) rather than anonymous reviews. So, since the pack is the foundation of a kit, it's worth getting some extra advice and avoid a bad choice. So that's why I'm reaching out to folks to see what kind of packs people prefer.
For a random sampling of what's been catching my eye, there are the three I'm currently looking at: The Falcon-II, by Maxpedition, the Explorer Tactical B3, and the Cyane Dynamic, by Blackhawk!.
All three seem modular enough to go from books and pencils, to lightweight tent and sleeping bag without a lot of trouble (or a few bungies).
Maxpedition has a reputation for quality, but their prices are very high. There are some brands where I'm willing to pay for the extra quality, but I'm not sure Maxpedition is really giving the right amount of bang-for-buck. I don't want to pay an extra $100 just for the Maxpedition nametag, if an $80 Condor pack works just as well (for example, the Condor Compact Assault Pack is only $45 and some change).
But their reputation is pretty solid, and I know several people who have been using the same Max-packs for years with nothing but good to say about them.
Blackhawk! has the same issue. Reputation for good quality, but am I paying for the name, or for actual field-tested quality? The Cyane seems a bit on the small side, and the mesh sidewalls are a big downside when it comes to poor weather, but small and light isn't such a bad thing since I primarily use my bag as an EDC.
The Explorer B3 doesn't have cinch straps, which is a huge drawback, but I like how many divided pockets it has (I love to keep my gear organized).
These are just samples however of the kind of packs I've been looking at. There are hundreds of bags out there, and thousands of reviews, and it seems like the longer I look, the more unsure I get. If I were still in Tucson, I would go by Miller's Surplus and would know in just a few seconds if the pack I'm looking at was worth it or not. Online, I have only the reviews (and I'm naturally untrusting of reviews).
Overall, what I'm looking for is something adjustable and spacious that I can switch between EDC and 24h overnights comfortably and quickly.
Molle is a big plus, and compatibility with hydration bladders (Camelbak) is a must. Bonus points if the hydration compartment is watertight (I had a leaky Camelbak and it soaked one of my sketchbooks once).
I like having a good amount of organized pouches to keep my books, pencil case, first-aid kit, EDC items, and anything else I happen to feel is worth carrying around separated and easy to reach. That's a big part of how I arrange my pack. One pouch is always for first-aid, the other is always pencils and pens, another is for pistol and ammo.
I also would want plenty of straps on the outside to tie down my one-man tent, extra jacket, sleeping bag/mat, and hammock when necessary.
Hopefully that gives folks something of an idea the kind of things I'm looking for. I appreciate any advice people give, and hopefully I can get some conversations going with people who care about camping and prepping without being pretentious or hyper political about it.
Speedrays
General | Posted 10 years agoI'm not arachnophobia, but this is why I learned to look before sticking my hand in a hole:
https://huskerhort.files.wordpress......olf_spider.jpg
https://huskerhort.files.wordpress......olf_spider.jpg
I Regret...
General | Posted 10 years ago...never meeting Orson Welles. What a monument of a man.
Good director too.
Good director too.
Current Playlist
General | Posted 10 years agoJust a sample of what I've been listening too tonight.
If anyone feels like suggesting something to include, let me know. I'm always open to new music.
"Sweet Dreams (Are Made of These)" - The Eurythmics (Annie Lennox)
"Walking on Broken Glass" - The Eurythmics (Annie Lennox)
"Bittersweet Symphony" - The Verve
"Clocks" - Colplay
"Take me to Church" - Hozier
"Run, Boy, Run" - Woodkid
"I Love You (Quintet Version)" - Woodkid
"Yellow" (Bluegrass tribute by "Pickin' on") - Coldplay
"Lithium" (Jingle Punks Hipster Orchestra cover) - Nirvana
If anyone feels like suggesting something to include, let me know. I'm always open to new music.
"Sweet Dreams (Are Made of These)" - The Eurythmics (Annie Lennox)
"Walking on Broken Glass" - The Eurythmics (Annie Lennox)
"Bittersweet Symphony" - The Verve
"Clocks" - Colplay
"Take me to Church" - Hozier
"Run, Boy, Run" - Woodkid
"I Love You (Quintet Version)" - Woodkid
"Yellow" (Bluegrass tribute by "Pickin' on") - Coldplay
"Lithium" (Jingle Punks Hipster Orchestra cover) - Nirvana
Reddish Bubbles
General | Posted 10 years agoI just spent $100 on t-shirts.
Screw you, Redbubble for having so many awesome shirts!
Screw you, Redbubble for having so many awesome shirts!
Business Minding and News
General | Posted 10 years agoAbout half a year back, I decided to give up on my old news clicker due to it repeatedly trying to advertise automobiles to me.
Ads are an unfortunate realism in the modern age, but when every third page of my news channel is an ad telling me about the "New Buick POS-150", I have to give up.
I made the mistake of turning to a phone app which is proving to be just as unreliable, but in a different way. I still get advertised to, but not as heavily or overtly. What this new feed does is cater to irrelevancy.
I decided to start small when I started this new feed, so the only topics I have tagged are "Science", "Sci-Fi", "Space" and "Dinosaurs".
Today alone I had a page for "Shooting Portraits of Strangers on the Street Like a Ninja", two different articles on Windows 10 (both ads), one on the recent killing of Cecil the lion, an interview with Jeffrey Martin (he created an app), an ad for an anime game (I dislike anime), and one article from - of all places - Fox News, about a cache of Dinosaur eggs found in China.
That's a fairly normal set of article for this app, but the final one was the one that really got me. It was regarding how Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, "dresses like she's 50". The author took great exception to the fact that Mrs. Middleton was wearing a "bland and uninteresting" outfit while taking her infant son, George, to his Christening.
What got me most about the article was the petulance of the author and the interviewees and their feelings of presumption and disapproval that this woman would DARE wear something other than a $50k style-conscious dress while out in public. The entitled language used by this article to describe the lack of opulence or modern style in her wardrobe was frankly quite disgusting.
But this highlighted the issue I have with this news app, and with public-facing news in general - it's mostly trash. If it isn't selling you something, it's pointless gossip about people who don't matter, or equally pointless trivia about public figures with way more to them than what they wear or where they vacation.
What business is it of anyone's what Kate Middleton wears when she goes to baptize her son? Why is the "unrevealing" collar of her shirt a literal news item? Are people that desperate to take a look at her cleavage? I guarantee it looks just the same as any other woman's.
Right now, a new paper is days away from being published that could open the door to new understanding on the spectrum of autism. New pictures of Pluto are coming in, giving us the first look at a world millions of miles away. An antibody was just found that could combat MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus). Closer to home, the remains of Jamestown's founders was just discovered. There are even some brain mapping experiments going on to help us better understand how our brains process awareness.
All of that is a lot more interesting that Kate Middleton's dress.
Ads are an unfortunate realism in the modern age, but when every third page of my news channel is an ad telling me about the "New Buick POS-150", I have to give up.
I made the mistake of turning to a phone app which is proving to be just as unreliable, but in a different way. I still get advertised to, but not as heavily or overtly. What this new feed does is cater to irrelevancy.
I decided to start small when I started this new feed, so the only topics I have tagged are "Science", "Sci-Fi", "Space" and "Dinosaurs".
Today alone I had a page for "Shooting Portraits of Strangers on the Street Like a Ninja", two different articles on Windows 10 (both ads), one on the recent killing of Cecil the lion, an interview with Jeffrey Martin (he created an app), an ad for an anime game (I dislike anime), and one article from - of all places - Fox News, about a cache of Dinosaur eggs found in China.
That's a fairly normal set of article for this app, but the final one was the one that really got me. It was regarding how Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, "dresses like she's 50". The author took great exception to the fact that Mrs. Middleton was wearing a "bland and uninteresting" outfit while taking her infant son, George, to his Christening.
What got me most about the article was the petulance of the author and the interviewees and their feelings of presumption and disapproval that this woman would DARE wear something other than a $50k style-conscious dress while out in public. The entitled language used by this article to describe the lack of opulence or modern style in her wardrobe was frankly quite disgusting.
But this highlighted the issue I have with this news app, and with public-facing news in general - it's mostly trash. If it isn't selling you something, it's pointless gossip about people who don't matter, or equally pointless trivia about public figures with way more to them than what they wear or where they vacation.
What business is it of anyone's what Kate Middleton wears when she goes to baptize her son? Why is the "unrevealing" collar of her shirt a literal news item? Are people that desperate to take a look at her cleavage? I guarantee it looks just the same as any other woman's.
Right now, a new paper is days away from being published that could open the door to new understanding on the spectrum of autism. New pictures of Pluto are coming in, giving us the first look at a world millions of miles away. An antibody was just found that could combat MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus). Closer to home, the remains of Jamestown's founders was just discovered. There are even some brain mapping experiments going on to help us better understand how our brains process awareness.
All of that is a lot more interesting that Kate Middleton's dress.
Nuts and Shell (casings)
General | Posted 10 years agoCall me a gun nut if you want, but I do get a good deal of satisfaction at seeing a nicely stocked gun cabinet.
After organizing my ammo and setting up my cabinet, I took a moment to just enjoy my nicely arranged case and the lovelies inside.
I'm not getting ready for war, I'm not guarding against "The Man" or anything - it's just the simple satisfaction of seeing the favorites from my collection all clean and on display.
After organizing my ammo and setting up my cabinet, I took a moment to just enjoy my nicely arranged case and the lovelies inside.
I'm not getting ready for war, I'm not guarding against "The Man" or anything - it's just the simple satisfaction of seeing the favorites from my collection all clean and on display.
The New Star Wars
General | Posted 10 years agoI'm not a big Star Wars fan. I'm sorry, but I'm not. The original (Episode IV) and "Return of the Jedi" were great sci-fi action movies - genuine classics that I do enjoy to watch. But I never got thatinto them, and sometimes the pop culture obsession with the films I feel is a bit unwarranted.
With that being said, I am really looking forward to the new Star Wars movie. After the popular let-down of the prequels, fans are jonesing for a film that can bring back the epic feeling and interpersonal fun of the classics.
I won't lie, despite not being a Star Wars fan, even I had to smile with nostalgia at seeing Harrison Ford and Chewie back in the Millenium Falcon.
And thanks to folks like Ryan Wieber and "Dorkman" Scott, I have a better appreciation of lightsaber fighting (I even bought myself one at Comic-con).
The highlight on practical effects and on-location filming might also be just what the film industry needs to spur a change back to "real" film-making rather than the digital cartooning that most movies today have been doing. Real sets, with real costumes in real locations.
For myself, I'm curious to see how Disney handles a franchise with so much depth in story and such a huge following. I'm fortunate in that I'm not invested enough with the franchise to really care if it flops, but interested enough to enjoy it if it's good.
I'll wrap up with a bit of a comparison: How some folks are for Star Wars, that's how I am for Jurassic Park. And how most folk are for Jurassic Park, that's how I am for Star Wars.
With that being said, I am really looking forward to the new Star Wars movie. After the popular let-down of the prequels, fans are jonesing for a film that can bring back the epic feeling and interpersonal fun of the classics.
I won't lie, despite not being a Star Wars fan, even I had to smile with nostalgia at seeing Harrison Ford and Chewie back in the Millenium Falcon.
And thanks to folks like Ryan Wieber and "Dorkman" Scott, I have a better appreciation of lightsaber fighting (I even bought myself one at Comic-con).
The highlight on practical effects and on-location filming might also be just what the film industry needs to spur a change back to "real" film-making rather than the digital cartooning that most movies today have been doing. Real sets, with real costumes in real locations.
For myself, I'm curious to see how Disney handles a franchise with so much depth in story and such a huge following. I'm fortunate in that I'm not invested enough with the franchise to really care if it flops, but interested enough to enjoy it if it's good.
I'll wrap up with a bit of a comparison: How some folks are for Star Wars, that's how I am for Jurassic Park. And how most folk are for Jurassic Park, that's how I am for Star Wars.
New Horizons
General | Posted 10 years agoIn just days, the "New Horizons" mission will place a piano-sized spacecraft within spitting distance of one of the most distant objects in our solar system - Pluto.
In just days, we will get clear, high-resolution photos of an object more than 4,000,000,000 miles (7,000,000,000 kilometers) away. It's so far away that light itself takes 5.5 hours to reach it from the sun.
I'm jazzed. We'll soon be able to see what Pluto actually looks like, not just a blurry mess.
Pluto, you'll always be a planet to me. <3
In just days, we will get clear, high-resolution photos of an object more than 4,000,000,000 miles (7,000,000,000 kilometers) away. It's so far away that light itself takes 5.5 hours to reach it from the sun.
I'm jazzed. We'll soon be able to see what Pluto actually looks like, not just a blurry mess.
Pluto, you'll always be a planet to me. <3
Jurassic Park
General | Posted 10 years agoSo I come home from watching "Jurassic World" and the first thing I do is pull up the theme song from "Jurassic Park" on youtube...and cry.
It's been 22 years, and it still makes me cry.
It's been 22 years, and it still makes me cry.
