Chug another mug o' mead
Chug another mug o' mead till you fall down!
Cuz when we raise our flagon to another dead dragon
there is just one drink we need,
NORD MEAD!
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/vid.....rd-Mead-Skyrim


Through the age of the dragon the people will talk,
of the day they were saved by a hero named BAWK!
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/vid.....gon-Age-2-Song

Wark bawk!

http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/3194038/

I dunno, is it ended? I think I beat the main story line, the game is so open and, well, the way its designed means it doesnt really have an ending, does it? I dunno... the main story line just seems like one more quest chain, which is realistic I suppose but it kinda makes for an anti-climactic game. Oh well!

72 hours 'played,' some spent AFK or minutes at a time while in game I'd be chatting, and I got to level 40. 33/50 achievements done. Suppose thats that... certainly got my money worth out of the game, but disappointed at the 'ending'

Is huge. Giant huge awesome puff ball of angreh boideh dooooom!

http://sg.game-host.org/pics/Photos/Angreh%20Boid/Angreh%20Boid!%20001.JPG

Yes, its mine. And its HUGE! Check it out, my google Nexus One phone next to it, the little chocobo plush atop... and GIANT EVIL ANGREH STARE!
Its coming for your pigs and shoddy structures of wood, glass, stone and, uh... wood.
BE AFRAID!

... by the company he keeps.

...

That will be all. Im not explaining, Im not replying.

Your gryphon overlords demand sacrifices of pastries and baked goods by the end of the week. There shall be feasting on many delicious treats due to it being, uh... Hmm... Lets call it Gryphon Gorging Day. So yes, bring your feathery-furred friends and masters many treats!
Also, blankets and plushies and pillows. There will be no going home, so comforts must be brought to them.
Do it, for the sake of everyone that loves gryphons!




Oh, also as a side note, I sleep with a sleeve-less shirt over my eyes like a blindfold, cuz its warm, comfy, doesnt block my nose, and keeps out all the light.

Screw it. Too much awesomeness around to keep going on this silly thing.

http://battlelog.battlefield.com/bf.....9/1/250175942/

Aha! I did it, broke the 10,000 points barrier, in one round. Not Op Metro or anything, just 64 player rush, Operation Firestorm, sniping. Heck yeah! No vehicles, nothing fancy, just good shooting at long range. :>

16 gigs of it now. Finally upgraded from the 4 gigs I had up to 16 gigs. Not only that, but I got proper, compatible RAM as opposed to making the mistake of buying RAM for an intel board rather than my AMD system that I run. X>

Snippet of a conversation I had last night:

[06:25] \SG/ Onyx - Between rage and serenity: *gigglesa nd cheeeeps loudly as he coudl from under you* Is it wrong that Ive been daydreaming of being wrapped like a burrito in blankets, lately... ? X>
[06:53] PersonX: *giggles*
[06:53] PersonX: nope!
[06:53] PersonX: whys that?
[06:54] \SG/ Onyx - Between rage and serenity: I dunno... *chrrrs* Just... imagining that feeling, being all snug, warm, wrapped up, bound, unable to move really. Cozy.... Soft.... Prrrr!
[06:56] \SG/ Onyx - Between rage and serenity: especially bewing folded up in one, by someone funa dn loved. Just the thought alone makes me all purry and happy. Heeee, imagining the thought of layers, too! LIke a sheet, and a blanket, and then a comforter maybe. Like layers of a wrap! Tortilla, cheese, then inner foods
[06:56] PersonX: *giggles* mmm, sounds so niiice! <3
[06:56] \SG/ Onyx - Between rage and serenity: DOesnt it? *coooes* <3
[06:58] PersonX: rrr... inded, so tight and hidden!
[06:59] \SG/ Onyx - Between rage and serenity: Mmhmmm! And could be rolled up, or folded into it even, or just like a net-trap could be bundled in and tied, hanging! *giggles!*




Wow, so many typos and I wasnt even drunk... still. yes. Blanket wrapping, snug, warm, purry. And is there ever anything wrong with being snug, warm and purry? Nope!

I think Im a nut.

most likely people will wonder why Im even mentioning this, but... Duke Nukem Forever is on sale on steam for $5.
I enjoyed the game, personally, it was a fun few hours of killing aliens and such. No, its not the best game, but for $5, thats a better value than going to a movie!

Think about it, $15 for a 2 hr movie, or $5 for a 7(ish?) hour game. And Im the kind of person that went and saw 'Snakes on a Plane' in theatres!

Its that month again, whooo?
Am I excited? Eh, its a goal that I can work towards, or something to take my mind off other things, etc. Its kinda fun. And no harm in trying, at least.

So yeah, no fapping for all of february. Im actually gonna try and be a bit more strict on myself, too. Keep mah hands off!

I totally wont make it...

http://sg.game-host.org/pics/snipescore.png


Okay, so... yeah. Im on Operation Firestorm, rush map. The first two defense points, I run WAAAY back and climb the crane, then start sniping with the M98B, bipod, 12x scope, picking off enemy snipers way off on the ridge.
Im getting spot points, and each kill is between 700-775 meters away. So 100 points for the kill, flat out, then additional 750 or so points for marksman headshots, 10 points for headshot, and often a saviour bonus of 20 points.

I get 6 kills total the entire round, and I get MVP1 with 5000 points. Other snipers TRIED to get me, but one you get the first kill, you have your range found and know where to aim, the height in the scope, etc. Someone else on my team, as you can see, had 22 kills, and only 3000 points. Ha!

Also, my further headshot ever was achieved this round. 777m. Im not kidding. 777!

First off, I want to thank you all for your input and words. Truly, I always like advice, and I did read every comment, but keep in mind that this is my own decision, and I will make it as I see fit. If I stick with the birds, people will think Im nuts for turning down a stable position, money and all that for a silly dream and hope. If I go with the IT position, people will think Im insane for turning away from my dreams and the opportunity few are ever given. Either way, some folks will think I did the right thing, some folks will think I made a poor choice.

And thus, I wont say anything until the decision has been made. I appreciate all the input and advice, I truly do, and I cant thank people enough for voicing their opinions and trying to shed more light and wisdom from their own perspectives. Im not being sarcastic, Im not going to say any 'buts,' other than to advise and thank folks for keeping in mind that this is still MY life, and I hope for respect any way I go here. I could easily say 'sorry, but no thanks' to either job offer here, and I could also easily see myself fitting in with either as well. Trust me when I say this is NOT an easy decision for me to make, though.

I still welcome advice and whatever words are spoken, however people may seek to sway me or think they know best for me. Feel free, tell me all you want, I do want and read all the advice. Just... in the end, its my life and my decision to make. There wont be word or reply from me either way until the decision is made, though.

Thank you thank you thank you! ^v^

((edit: Also, Im still flip-flopping back and forth on an hourly basis. X> ))

I hate decisions. hate em. I can never make up my mind, but when I have to its usually with my gut feeling. Now, however....

See, I have two options, a choice between them, to make here and its such an important, big thing in my life that I ve actually not been sleeping overly well lately. Job opportunities, to the point I prety much have two awesome jobs I COULD accept or get, and Im not sure which I should take. Being unable to figure out a clear cut choice on my own and in my own head, flip-flopping back and forth, I thought maybe writing things out would help a bit. maybe.

Job 1
What: IT job, help desk/desktop technician.
Where: Calgary, AB
When: Starts ASAP, likely within 3 weeks.
Wage: Likely around $20/hr, or 40k/yr. Salary. Raises of about 10%/yr
Schedule: Mon - Fri. 8-5 or 9-6.
Pros: Perfect start to a career, something I could settle into and earn plenty of money, learn lots, get training, etc. In 5 years, I could take this experience anywhere and get a job in IT. MONEY.
Con: QUICK move to Calgary, in winter. Worried about being locked in the rest of my life into IT. Not what I truly want to do. Worried about vacation time and rigid schedule structure, lack of freedom for time off and scheduling. Worried about becoming just another drone, just another cubicle zombie. This could end my life as I know it... Not my life, but my WAY of life.


Job 2
What: Bird Control Officer, managing wild bird populations using falcons at a landfill.
Where: Winnipeg, MB
When: May 1st - mid October. Possibly other positions with the company after, but no guarantee.
Wage: 15$/hr, bonus of 2-3$/hr to be paid depending on my work and responsibilities I take on. Rent and vehicle in Winnipeg are paid for by the contract with the landfill.
Schedule: Not entirely sure, likely mon - fri, 8-5 ish kind of thing. Could involve working longer, and working weekends.
Pros: BIRDS! I love this job, even if it frustrates me to no end sometimes. I get to do what I love, something awesome, something unique. I get to be around the animals, train them, work with them as partners, take care of them, everything. Fantastic! The pay is WAY better this time around, and I wouldnt even have to pay for any rent or my vehicle to and from work.
Cons: Only 6 months guaranteed, then... possibly back to delivering pizza. Not a whole lot of career advancement or stability. Quite likely I could end up going back next year as well, in a sort of 6 months on, 6 months off kind of deal, but again, no guarantee. Not quite as much money as Job 1. Working with animals is frustrating as all hell, seriously. It sounds like a dream job, but its irritating, highly irritating, at times. No chance at all of vacations during summer.




Its practically like I need to choose between sensible and fun. Between the enjoyment of the now, or plan for my future. All my brain tells me to go with the IT job, as it would lead me down a road of money, stability, independance. All those things you need to retire at a decent age. And I AM going to be 28 years old in April, Im kind of running lower on time to get my life set up, move out, all that.
Still... to be cliche, my heart tells me that if I take that job, Ill be done hoping for dreams. Ill be locked in. Because truly, the birds are wonderful, a dream. Ive always wanted to work with animals, particularly big cats actually, then I got interested in the birds and volunteered and all... and I love em now. Its a fantastic opportunity, its as close as a dream job as I am likely to get without any schooling. Its only for 6 months at first, though... then Im back where I started, more than likely. Which could be good, could be bad. Means I could take this chance to experience it more, possibly have it lead somewhere more permanent, or even just have a chance next year or after this contract ends to go back to the IT positions or something else, whereas the IT is more... long term, I would be there for many a year I imagine.

Either way, Ill be moving in 4 months or so, at the latest. My schedule will shift entirely, Ill see my nesties online much less often, but Ill be back on a more regular schedule with evenings and weekends off. Also, vacation time will be iffy either job, depending on how rigid the company structure is at the IT job, and there will be no chance at all of taking time off during the work during summer with the birds. So likely no camping trip with my friends this year, at all. FC next year is a maybe... maybe. I worry about being locked down to specific vacation amounts and times by a company, but... is it worth it, for retirement security?

I think that either choice I make, Ill end up looking back on this choice in the future, and wondering what would've happened if I had gone with the other... Here I hear about so many people having a hard time finding work, and I'm given two wonderful opportunities at the same time. Blegh, and I have the gall to complain!

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/vid.....f-sound?page=1


Seriously, these songs are awesome. I a particular fan of 'Comin for your Tank,' 'The Mind of the Bat,' 'The Age of the Dragon.' and 'The New Black Gold.'

They are fantastic, go check them out. NOW! I think your mileage may vary, depending on which games youve played, enjoyed, and your particular taste in music.

Finally beat the game, entirely. Well, as entirely as I care to, meaning I collected every trophy and solved every riddle. I did every side-mission. Solved everything... I didnt bother with the challenges, campaign modes, or new game +. No point, Ive beaten the story mode, thats enough for me.

So yeah, I will just say that Steam lists me as playing it for 35 hours. Much of that time is spent idling, as I was chatting with other people while the game was running. So bring it down to 30 hours or so for full completion. WHich is a fair amount, except... I would predict you could beat the game's story in 10 hours or so, if you ignore the collectibles. I spent a lot of time trying to collect things as I went along, so that I wouldnt have to spend ALL my time after completing the game just going back to pick things up. Seriously, I think the development team spent more time hiding trophies and devising riddles than they did putting together the story line!

Yes, you CAN collect everything AFTER the game's story is done. Ive heard that you can miss stuff if you dont collect it first time through, but... not from what I saw. Everything was available for completion afterwards, except one minor little easter egg scene.


All in all, though, this game was fantastic. If you played Arkham Asylum, which was also a great game, then you ought to play this as well. Its a continuation, and it builds on Asylum nicely. It really, truly feels like youre playing through the plot of a comic book!

Ugh. Okay, prepare for Whaaaaaaa.

Stupid snow. I dont like you, not when I have to work, not when I have to shovel my driveway and clear off my car just to TEST and see if the roads are in decent condition. So I shovel it all, get out there, driving at 20km/hr or so, and make it to the main street... AND ITS NOT PLOWED OR SALTED!
Stupid municipality. 3:30 in the afternoon, nothing is cleared, and then I saw ONE plow go by, no solt, nothing. Just moving the crap from the center lane to the outer lane. thats it.

I got to Tim Hortons, grabbed some potato bacon soup and some hot chocolate and returned home to tell my boss I couldnt work tonight.

When was the last time I had a snow day off?

Oooh yeah. I got it. The trench coat from Deus Ex: HR. Just arrivd today, and while they were sold out of the small sizes, I managed to grab a medium which may or may not be for the better. The sleeves are slightly long (if I ball my hands into fists, my hands disappear into the sleeves...), but otherwise it seems to me to be a good fit. If I had gone smaller, it might be a bit tight. Besides, I can always get the sleeves tailored.

But yes, it is niiice. I was worried it would be huge, but... nice nice. :3

For those of us that DIDNT get to go, and wish we DID get to go... sometimes, we dont really want to hear about all the stuff we missed out on. :P It doesnt help us feel good or anything to hear about all the awesome times you all had, while we missed out on.

Easy enough for us to ignore the journals, but... no need for the spontaneous IM reports constantly. If I wanted to hear, I would ask!


</grumpygryph>

Im not a superstitious person, quite the opposite. Im rather skeptical and realistic. But it seems that sometimes, Friday the 13ths or full moons DO affect behaviour. Since Ive started working this job, there are just some nights when business is oddly busy, or people are being particularly stupid on the road, or I end up seeing emergency vehicles on nearly every delivery I make, and then I realize... its a full moon. Or its Friday the 13th.
Yesterday, for example, we had a night busier than new years eve. It was nutty for about 2 hours, the dinner rush, and even stayed pretty steady all the way until closing.
I suppose this could be a self-fulfilling prophecy, because I cant see any other reason why things like this would happen. But has anyone else noticed this sort of thing in their work?


Also, last night, I got home and parked my car, and as soon as I started walking down my driveway, I spotted a black cat with white feet and nose, running down my driveway, past me, and to my front door. It stopped there, meowing once, turning and looking at me, waiting... I like cats, so I walked up to it, started petting it, spent 10 minutes there. It was cold, wet, raining out. The cat wanted to come inside, even, tried to sneak in with me when I opened my door! It had no collar... and although it was quite fat and healthy looking, it also reminded me a lot of a cat I used to own a long time ago. I have never seen it before in this area, too.


Just weird....

Ta daaa! http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/3083478/

Because there is nothing, ever, wrong with being eaten by a plushie! :>

I need to give this up. I need to stop dwelling on my own irrational disgust with people, things, facts of life. REality. The nature of social happenings. This fandom. Conventions. Everything. Its all involved in one stupid matter that I cant get out of my head and put aside to just be cheerful. All it takes is one simple remark, upload, comment or lack of any of those to make me cringe, growl and complain for days on end. Its ridiculous, and I need to end it. but I cant.
Ive tried. Ive tried pushing these things out of my life, tried blocking them away. ive tried just ignoring them. Ive tried rationalizing it, Ive tried applying logic. Ive tried putting all my feelings out to folks that might understand me. Ive tried finding some comparisons in music, in movies, in other situations.
And the only thing I keep thinking will work is outright removing myself from all contact with the matters that tick me off. I dont want to, but I just dont know how else to deal with this much more. Running isnt the answer, I know this, but Ive never been much of a fighter anyways. Run run run, hide from the monsters that dwell in my closet. The demons that destroy the smile, that seek only to burst out with growls and curmudgeonry. THe more I allow them into me, the lesser of a person I become.
Im becoming a grump, a fool, someone not worth knowing at all. The black sheep, rather than a black gryph. Im becoming the one that sits in a corner and glares at everyone else having a grand old time, thinking to myself 'that could be me, if only...' And the 'if only...' could be finished with so many simple things, it seems. So says everyone I talk to.
If only... I paid more attention to people. I showed that I had interest apart from RP or gaming. I put some effort into something other than enjoying the moment. I cared to listen to someone elses problems. I approached others first rather than waiting for them to come to me.
And I have excuses for each of these 'simple' things. Its not so simple, truly, not when youre fighting against your own nature. I am me. I can't change me, I would be someone else if I wasn't me. I have the things I enjoy, the things I love to do. I have my friends that love me for me, and the ones that will always be at my side, even if I cant handle my own emotions.
And that should be all I ever need. It IS all I ever need. yet my head keeps thinking I need more, I need the grass on the other side. I need to feel the appreciation and get the gifts that others are getting. I need to be included in every group.
But I need to let those go. Thats the truth. I need to come to accept this, that Im not one of them. Im trying to fit in where I dont. Im a Christian, but not a furry. Im a furry, but not a Christian. So say people.
Im a gryphon, and not a dragon... Im a fan, not an artist. Im a man, not a boy. Im a strong person, not a pushover. Im a gamer, not a chatter. Im a lover, not a fucker. Im a runner, not a fighter.
Im a gryphon, not a dragon.
Im a gryphon, not a dragon.
Im a gryphon...
Gryphon.
Im a warrior for the Lord. Im better than how I show. Im better than who I think I am. Im more powerful than I could be alone. Im meant for more than arguing. Im more worthy than I can see for myself. Im capable of enduring any storm. Im wise enough to know who keeps me strong.

I cant pull myself free from this pit, but I have the help of the ones that can. This I know. As I know I need to forget the past, clean the slate, gather myself and prove my strength and worth. That decay inside needs to be purged, and with the help of the Lord, my friends, and my own strength it will be cleaned out, burned away, and leave me with more strength than before. It wont be easy, but I msut do it... I cant keep letting these things gnaw on my mind and chew up my emotions. My emotions are my own, they must be tamed, controlled, reigned in and turned in the right directions. Life is all about training, its time I trained my own feelings more firmly.

So the other day was the 'winter classic' as they call it in the NHL, a game which is played on an outdoor sheet of ice and between supposedly 'classic' teams. Yeah, whatever. New York Rangers vs Philadelphia Flyers. Wonderful classic... anyways! The coach of the Rangers had a few things to say about the officiating in the game, after the game, and he was fined for voicing his opinion.

News story quote:

New York Rangers coach John Tortorella was also fined by the league for accusing referees of conspiring with the league and NBC to push the 2012 Winter Classic into overtime or a shootout.

Tortorella was fined $30,000 for his remarks after the Rangers beat the Philadelphia Flyers 3-2 on Jan. 2, the New York Times reported. The NHL didn’t disclose the amount of the fine in a statement on its website.

“There is no acceptable explanation or excuse for commentary challenging the integrity of the League, its officials or its broadcast partners,” NHL Senior Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell said in the statement.

Tortorella apologized before the fine was revealed.

“I tainted the Classic,” he told reporters. “It was wrong with my sarcasm and frustration and I apologize to everyone involved.”


So, the coach who is KNOWN for anger, shouting, being a general ass, exploding at people verbally, etc, is fined $30,000 for stating his thoughts that the officiating and NBC were in cahoots to take the game into overtime and make it more exciting. He was the coach of the WINNING team, so he wasnt complaining about the loss, but he did make note to say insinuate there were ulterior motives behind some of the calls.

Isnt that a bit rough? I think so, personally. Thats more money than I make in a year, just for stating his opinion and insulting perhaps the refs, the NHL higher ups, and the broadcast company NBC. Ridiculous, I say, and give the man back his money! The most a player can be fined, for anything, is $2500. Yet a coach is fined $30k... For words. WORDS!
Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words will never hurt me.



Actually, the most hurt I ever feel is when I think back on my life, my shameful moments my mistakes. By biggest mistake is my own life and where Ive gone with it... but thats something else entirely!

There are a bunch of awesome games on sale today, including
Deus Ex: HR
Dungeon Defenders
Skyrim
Batman: Arkham city
Portal 2




Also, I have some coupons to give away, mainly valve coupons (2x 50% coupons, 1x 25%) and a copy of binding of isaac for free, which Im entirely not interested in. So, yeah... ;>