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(no subject)
Aug. 28th, 2008 12:33 pmomfg...Postal - the first 11 minutes of Boll's masterpiece.
those WERE the droids...
Aug. 25th, 2008 10:10 amI've had the bike in the garage for the past week or so after a knock in my primary started on the ride home from work. I guessed with the help of xlforum.net that it was a loose nut on the primary drive sprocket, and when I removed the primary cover I found that the nut could be turned with my fingers. It's supposed to be torqued to 240+ ft. lbs...I need to get a 1-1/8" socket now to lock it down, reassemble, and my problem should be solved.
Wednesday, September 10th...Journey, Heart, and Cheap Trick will be in Indy. I'd love to see this show, but I've got class the day of and the day after. I've been tired enough lately and I'm beginning to think I've got sleep apnea. My mind is seriously fatigued today...reading my class material is as effective as watching marionette words dancing before the glaring face of the sun. Contrasting clouds overcast in intervals and then my eyes won't even focus. I hope the prof doesn't quiz on the material because it's just not coming through.
Star Wars: Visions of the Blade - Soul Caliber crossover online comic.
...the Star Wars laden Soul Caliber and Mortal Kombat vs. DC Comics....
It's hard not to get the impression that either or both involved in those projects are trying too hard to maintain relevancy. They don't ever seem to work that well due to forced compatibility and the intentional oversight of certain nuances...especially in the VERSUS game genre. (see also: AvP, Marvel vs. Street Fighter, Mario and Sonic, etc.)
I've (sadly) been getting that vibe about Lucas and his post-Ep. III endeavors anyhow. The projects and products seem to be about staying relevant rather than bringing anything new to the picture. I hope the live-action TV series is decent. Modern television has gotten a lot more intelligent (with shows like Battlestar Galactica, Lost, and everything that HBO brings to the plate...) and Lucasfilms is going to have to bring their A-Game to stay relevant, especially if they can't get past the Clone Wars and into something unexplored and well-written. I'd suggest abducting J.J. Abrams...but I'm eager to see what he'll do with The Dark Tower. There's a better chance that it won't suck.
Wednesday, September 10th...Journey, Heart, and Cheap Trick will be in Indy. I'd love to see this show, but I've got class the day of and the day after. I've been tired enough lately and I'm beginning to think I've got sleep apnea. My mind is seriously fatigued today...reading my class material is as effective as watching marionette words dancing before the glaring face of the sun. Contrasting clouds overcast in intervals and then my eyes won't even focus. I hope the prof doesn't quiz on the material because it's just not coming through.
Star Wars: Visions of the Blade - Soul Caliber crossover online comic.
...the Star Wars laden Soul Caliber and Mortal Kombat vs. DC Comics....
It's hard not to get the impression that either or both involved in those projects are trying too hard to maintain relevancy. They don't ever seem to work that well due to forced compatibility and the intentional oversight of certain nuances...especially in the VERSUS game genre. (see also: AvP, Marvel vs. Street Fighter, Mario and Sonic, etc.)
I've (sadly) been getting that vibe about Lucas and his post-Ep. III endeavors anyhow. The projects and products seem to be about staying relevant rather than bringing anything new to the picture. I hope the live-action TV series is decent. Modern television has gotten a lot more intelligent (with shows like Battlestar Galactica, Lost, and everything that HBO brings to the plate...) and Lucasfilms is going to have to bring their A-Game to stay relevant, especially if they can't get past the Clone Wars and into something unexplored and well-written. I'd suggest abducting J.J. Abrams...but I'm eager to see what he'll do with The Dark Tower. There's a better chance that it won't suck.
(no subject)
Aug. 23rd, 2008 08:14 pmWTF...Loudtwitter won't die. First I suspended the service, and when that didn't work I deleted my account. And it still keeps posting the shit to LJ.
It's been super hot and humid today...I've been putting off working on the bike until it cools down. I really haven't done a hell of a lot today.
It's been super hot and humid today...I've been putting off working on the bike until it cools down. I really haven't done a hell of a lot today.
clone of a clone of a...
Aug. 22nd, 2008 09:57 amSince school started today for the brats I took them to see the latest and greatest animated Star Wars movie yesterday evening as bribery for some enthusiasm about the monotony of going back to the classroom. It wasn't as bad as I had expected. ...But I had expected it to be really bad. It had its moments, but they were few and far between. It rehashed tired material, with an Asajj storyline that conflicts with the Cartoon Network Clone Wars series contribution to the canon. The animation of the characters left a lot to be desired, while the scenery, ships, and buildings were impressive. Unfortunately the movie doesn't orbit the latter in observance quite nearly as much as it does a punky little polygonal padawan and a baby Hutt. The kids liked it well enough, and if they were aware of McDonald's current Happy Meal tie-in then they would have opted to eat there rather than Subway. About five years ago I still had the Return of the Jedi glass that I got at Burger King in Memphis, TN after seeing that movie sometime in 1983. My house was broken into and that glass was smashed, but I've since replaced it and collected a few more along the way. The little plastic toys that they offer up in modern promotions are a joke, and they're definitely not drawing in the customers with them. If collectible glasses were available then I'd be eating something McNasty for lunch every other day or until I completed the set. ...from a pretty substandard film.
It would be great if Blizzard had the same ambitions as Lucas in releasing feature films. Maybe not the SAME ambitions...but ANY ambitions.
http://www.wegame.com/watch/The_WotLK_intro/
They continue to set the standard upon which all game cinematics are judged.
It would be great if Blizzard had the same ambitions as Lucas in releasing feature films. Maybe not the SAME ambitions...but ANY ambitions.
http://www.wegame.com/watch/The_WotLK_intro/
They continue to set the standard upon which all game cinematics are judged.
(no subject)
Aug. 20th, 2008 08:41 amBack to school...taking two classes this semester. They should be pretty easy, but I could use the GPA boost. I just bought the textbook for today's afternoon class...the spiral notebook rang up several dollars higher than it was marked (nothing is easy here...it took over two weeks and a clusterfuck of communications just for readmittance), so I apologized to the guy behind me for the hold up. "I don't blame you, old buddy." Did I just get called, "old buddy"? Mustn't...attack.
Probably something I'll have to get used to. Besides, my back hurts today. It was fine this morning until I sneezed. Our inversion table arrived last weekend and I'm now addicted to hanging upside down. It really helps until sleep, move wrong...or sneeze apparently.
On the ride home from work on Friday I became aware of a distinct knock in the bottom end (primary case) of the motor. I adjusted the primary chain tension and that didn't help, so I perused ye olde xlforum.net to see if anyone else has had a similar tale-tell indication of a problem. It seems it's likely a loose bolt on the main drive sprocket. I've removed the foot peg/controls bracket and shifter linkage, and all the primary cover and derby cover screws/bolts. I stripped a primary cover bolt (carelessness!) and found that the Craftsman Bolt Extractor set works great. I'm back to work today where I left my service manual...so I'm set to pull the cover and see what's going on with it whenever I have time.
I had to take yesterday off for another funeral. My step-mother's sister-in-law, Ann, died of cancer over the weekend. I wasn't all that close to her, but I liked her. The funeral was just strange though...not organized too well...with precautionary tales of hellfire and brimstone afoot. I've had way too much exposure to this lately with two funerals in the last three weeks. Surely they make some sort of Retardant Suit. I know that Ann had a solid belief in Christianity, but with Glen it was almost offensive seeing his death used as an excuse to pahreach the gahospel of jahaysus to everyone in attendance. I've been begging my wife to cremate me and have a wake that excludes all the traditional bullshit. Most especially the traditional Christianity laced variety.
I've got class in an hour. I hope the other kids like me.
Wrandom Nerticls of the Day...
Does Bush Believe McCain Was Tortured?
An interesting perspective on McCain's time as a POW.
Music Nerds: a comic.
Probably something I'll have to get used to. Besides, my back hurts today. It was fine this morning until I sneezed. Our inversion table arrived last weekend and I'm now addicted to hanging upside down. It really helps until sleep, move wrong...or sneeze apparently.
On the ride home from work on Friday I became aware of a distinct knock in the bottom end (primary case) of the motor. I adjusted the primary chain tension and that didn't help, so I perused ye olde xlforum.net to see if anyone else has had a similar tale-tell indication of a problem. It seems it's likely a loose bolt on the main drive sprocket. I've removed the foot peg/controls bracket and shifter linkage, and all the primary cover and derby cover screws/bolts. I stripped a primary cover bolt (carelessness!) and found that the Craftsman Bolt Extractor set works great. I'm back to work today where I left my service manual...so I'm set to pull the cover and see what's going on with it whenever I have time.
I had to take yesterday off for another funeral. My step-mother's sister-in-law, Ann, died of cancer over the weekend. I wasn't all that close to her, but I liked her. The funeral was just strange though...not organized too well...with precautionary tales of hellfire and brimstone afoot. I've had way too much exposure to this lately with two funerals in the last three weeks. Surely they make some sort of Retardant Suit. I know that Ann had a solid belief in Christianity, but with Glen it was almost offensive seeing his death used as an excuse to pahreach the gahospel of jahaysus to everyone in attendance. I've been begging my wife to cremate me and have a wake that excludes all the traditional bullshit. Most especially the traditional Christianity laced variety.
I've got class in an hour. I hope the other kids like me.
Wrandom Nerticls of the Day...
Does Bush Believe McCain Was Tortured?
An interesting perspective on McCain's time as a POW.
Music Nerds: a comic.
(no subject)
Aug. 12th, 2008 01:18 pmMIT students publish paper revealing multi-level security vulnerabilities of Boston and NYC subway systems: http://www-tech.mit.edu/V128/N30/subway/Defcon_Presentation.pdf
McCain lies about voting record for veterans: http://sensico.wordpress.com/2008/07/10/mccain-lies-about-his-voting-record-for-veterans/
And the latest episode of HEY ASH, WHATCHA PLAYING? just about made me spit out the Flying Spaghetti Monster Dog (patent-pending) I was eating.
McCain lies about voting record for veterans: http://sensico.wordpress.com/2008/07/10/mccain-lies-about-his-voting-record-for-veterans/
And the latest episode of HEY ASH, WHATCHA PLAYING? just about made me spit out the Flying Spaghetti Monster Dog (patent-pending) I was eating.
as it happens...
Aug. 6th, 2008 01:21 pmFirst off, I know this isn't all that profound but cancer just fucking sucks. Glen died sometime during the night on Sunday after being diagnosed only a month ago. After my father-in-law's death a few years ago Glen really proved himself to be a dependable friend of the family and has helped my mother-in-law out with the maintenance and upkeep of her house...as well as just about anything else that she couldn't handle by herself. He and Lexene weren't romantically involved in any manner, but he was still a part of the family. I really liked the guy, and I'm glad we had the chance to stop and see him in the hospital when he was doing (relatively) well. His funeral is tomorrow.
We'll have two more funerals to attend soon as well. Bran's aunt has terminal cancer and likely won't live much longer, as well as my aunt on my step-mother's side of the family.
( More going-ons and photos... )
We'll have two more funerals to attend soon as well. Bran's aunt has terminal cancer and likely won't live much longer, as well as my aunt on my step-mother's side of the family.
( More going-ons and photos... )
Journey at the Center of the Earth
Aug. 6th, 2008 09:51 amI'd actually pay to see this! Fucking hilarious.
Yay McCain links!
Aug. 4th, 2008 09:07 amMcCain: The Most Reprehensible Of The Keating Five
http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/1989-11-29/news/mccain-the-most-reprehensible-of-the-keating-five/1
McCain Lies About His Support For MLK Jr. Day in Arizona
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2008/08/02/mccain-lies-about-his-support-for-mlk-jr-day-in-arizona/
The Quintessential List of McCain's Flip-Flopping, Self-Contradicting, Audience-Determined Political Shenanigans.
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/7/3/0717/55880/710/545421
http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/1989-11-29/news/mccain-the-most-reprehensible-of-the-keating-five/1
McCain Lies About His Support For MLK Jr. Day in Arizona
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2008/08/02/mccain-lies-about-his-support-for-mlk-jr-day-in-arizona/
The Quintessential List of McCain's Flip-Flopping, Self-Contradicting, Audience-Determined Political Shenanigans.
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/7/3/0717/55880/710/545421
Rush playing Tom Sawyer on Rock Band.
This is hilarious. Conan O'Brien and his writers occupying their time during the strike.
This is hilarious. Conan O'Brien and his writers occupying their time during the strike.
Randy Pausch's Last Lecture...
Jul. 30th, 2008 02:18 pmAchieving Your Childhood Dreams
Carnegie Mellon Professor Randy Pausch (Oct. 23, 1960 - July 25, 2008) gave his last lecture at the university Sept. 18, 2007, before a packed McConomy Auditorium. In his moving presentation, "Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams," Pausch talked about his lessons learned and gave advice to students on how to achieve their own career and personal goals. For more, visit www.cmu.edu/randyslecture.
Bran was telling me about this guy a couple of days ago and I finally got to watching this inspiring lecture. If you have a free hour, lend it your attention.
Carnegie Mellon Professor Randy Pausch (Oct. 23, 1960 - July 25, 2008) gave his last lecture at the university Sept. 18, 2007, before a packed McConomy Auditorium. In his moving presentation, "Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams," Pausch talked about his lessons learned and gave advice to students on how to achieve their own career and personal goals. For more, visit www.cmu.edu/randyslecture.
Bran was telling me about this guy a couple of days ago and I finally got to watching this inspiring lecture. If you have a free hour, lend it your attention.
Colts City
Jul. 29th, 2008 10:43 amWe went to the Indianapolis Colts training camp at the Rose Hulman Institute of Technology yesterday.
( photos behind cut... )
( photos behind cut... )
(no subject)
Jul. 27th, 2008 09:06 pmMcCain Opposes Gay Adoption in All Circumstances.
Nor is this all that surprising:
On MSNBC's Hardball last night, former White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan described how the White House sends talking points to commentators on Fox News.
I got the riding lawn mower that was given to me running yesterday. There's a guy across the street who never mows his lawn. By "never" I mean NEVER. The police issue him citations that he ignores, and then the township sends people who mow it and then bill him for it. I don't think he pays the bills. He's a really nice old guy, but I don't think he's got it all together upstairs. He wanders around town all day and sits in front of the stores on Main street. I've talked to him before and he's the nicest guy...but he's got problems. I felt bad for his neighbors after I saw one of them trying to fight back his 10" grass with a push mower, so before I rode the mower over to my grandma's to mow I zipped across the street and mowed his front yard in a quick and dirty 5 minute job. I'm probably going to do it every weekend.
Mason and I watched Batman (1989) last night on the big screen. I'd forgotten how much I like that movie. Nicholson's portrayal of the Joker is legendary. Seeing Billy Dee Williams play Harvey Dent was a little ridiculous after Aaron Eckhart's role.
Going to the Colts training camp in Terre Haute for a couple hours away from work tomorrow. Peyton Manning won't be in attendance due to his knee surgery. I don't really give a rat's ass though. Da Bears.
Nor is this all that surprising:
On MSNBC's Hardball last night, former White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan described how the White House sends talking points to commentators on Fox News.
I got the riding lawn mower that was given to me running yesterday. There's a guy across the street who never mows his lawn. By "never" I mean NEVER. The police issue him citations that he ignores, and then the township sends people who mow it and then bill him for it. I don't think he pays the bills. He's a really nice old guy, but I don't think he's got it all together upstairs. He wanders around town all day and sits in front of the stores on Main street. I've talked to him before and he's the nicest guy...but he's got problems. I felt bad for his neighbors after I saw one of them trying to fight back his 10" grass with a push mower, so before I rode the mower over to my grandma's to mow I zipped across the street and mowed his front yard in a quick and dirty 5 minute job. I'm probably going to do it every weekend.
Mason and I watched Batman (1989) last night on the big screen. I'd forgotten how much I like that movie. Nicholson's portrayal of the Joker is legendary. Seeing Billy Dee Williams play Harvey Dent was a little ridiculous after Aaron Eckhart's role.
Going to the Colts training camp in Terre Haute for a couple hours away from work tomorrow. Peyton Manning won't be in attendance due to his knee surgery. I don't really give a rat's ass though. Da Bears.
(no subject)
Jul. 24th, 2008 01:54 pmBran has been pestering me about what I want for my birthday. So...what do I want for my birthday? Anything cool abound?
Day 3 of high temps in the NOC. A facilities moron tried telling me that our air conditioners were cooling just fine yesterday and that the reason the room was so hot was because we had the doors open. I called his boss to clarify that they all didn't have their heads up their asses over there and he seemed to be more intelligent than his goons.
Watched The Golden Compass last night and all I can say is, "POLAR BEAR FIGHT!!!!!!"
Read Arkham Asylum: Serious House on Serious Earth finally after buying several months ago. Very good stuff. I think I caught some material that Devin Townsend has referenced for lyrics.
Day 3 of high temps in the NOC. A facilities moron tried telling me that our air conditioners were cooling just fine yesterday and that the reason the room was so hot was because we had the doors open. I called his boss to clarify that they all didn't have their heads up their asses over there and he seemed to be more intelligent than his goons.
Watched The Golden Compass last night and all I can say is, "POLAR BEAR FIGHT!!!!!!"
Read Arkham Asylum: Serious House on Serious Earth finally after buying several months ago. Very good stuff. I think I caught some material that Devin Townsend has referenced for lyrics.
(no subject)
Jul. 21st, 2008 02:38 pm(2:24:21 PM) Matt: our hardware is cooking
(2:24:30 PM) Matt: west ac unit pretty much ASAD
(2:24:38 PM) Matt: running a solid 81 degrees in here
(2:24:47 PM) Matt: with various racks reaching temps in the 100's
(2:25:11 PM) Matt: been trying to distribute cold air via 2 box fans and intermittent tile lifting all day
(2:25:12 PM) Matt: good times
(2:24:30 PM) Matt: west ac unit pretty much ASAD
(2:24:38 PM) Matt: running a solid 81 degrees in here
(2:24:47 PM) Matt: with various racks reaching temps in the 100's
(2:25:11 PM) Matt: been trying to distribute cold air via 2 box fans and intermittent tile lifting all day
(2:25:12 PM) Matt: good times
The Dark Knight
Jul. 21st, 2008 10:15 amI thought I was going to wait for it on DVD to watch in my home theater, but I succumbed to temptation yesterday and persuaded beyotch to go on a ride where we'd happen to stop and see The Dark Knight. She'll go anywhere if it's a chance for her to ride her motorcycle.
Want to go to the strip club?!?
WHAT?
We'll take the bikes...It'll be a nice ride...and good practice for you.
WELL....okay!
*Spoilers, Batmonkeys*
Simply put...fucking fantastic. As everyone and their girlfriend's dog has made obvious: Heath Ledger was like omg so hot, fer sure.
It's interesting how his death has opened the door to record setting attendance, whereas his role would have likely gone relatively more unnoticed by all but core fans of the genre and movie enthusiasts. But the applause is well-deserved for certain. "I think you and I will be doing this forever."...a statement the Joker made that is both adjunctive to the irony of Ledger's demise and underscoring of the legendary conflict between hero and villain...was one of the more impacting moments of the film.
Aaron Eckhart may have been the biggest surprise. His role will likely go unsung due to Ledger's overshadowing performance, but he was perfect as Harvey Dent/Two-Face...not something I'd have imagined after seeing The Black Dahlia. But...Maggie Gyllenhaal...I just don't get...other than a certain satisfaction I felt when she got explodinated.
For my own use I've copied and pasted (behind the cut) the content of an article found here:
http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/07/20/assessing-the-themes-of-the-dark-knight/
It's a very well written essay on the the Dark Knight's themes and a testimonial to the profound deliverance by Chris Nolan.
( Assessing the Themes of The Dark Knight )
Want to go to the strip club?!?
WHAT?
We'll take the bikes...It'll be a nice ride...and good practice for you.
WELL....okay!
*Spoilers, Batmonkeys*
Simply put...fucking fantastic. As everyone and their girlfriend's dog has made obvious: Heath Ledger was like omg so hot, fer sure.
It's interesting how his death has opened the door to record setting attendance, whereas his role would have likely gone relatively more unnoticed by all but core fans of the genre and movie enthusiasts. But the applause is well-deserved for certain. "I think you and I will be doing this forever."...a statement the Joker made that is both adjunctive to the irony of Ledger's demise and underscoring of the legendary conflict between hero and villain...was one of the more impacting moments of the film.
Aaron Eckhart may have been the biggest surprise. His role will likely go unsung due to Ledger's overshadowing performance, but he was perfect as Harvey Dent/Two-Face...not something I'd have imagined after seeing The Black Dahlia. But...Maggie Gyllenhaal...I just don't get...other than a certain satisfaction I felt when she got explodinated.
For my own use I've copied and pasted (behind the cut) the content of an article found here:
http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/07/20/assessing-the-themes-of-the-dark-knight/
It's a very well written essay on the the Dark Knight's themes and a testimonial to the profound deliverance by Chris Nolan.
( Assessing the Themes of The Dark Knight )
Send Karl Rove to jail...
Jul. 19th, 2008 11:13 pmLast week, Karl Rove ignored a subpoena and refused to testify before Congress, choosing instead to take a trip abroad.
http://sendkarlrovetojail.com/
On Friday, former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman called on John McCain to compel his informal adviser Karl Rove to testify before Congress, and to remove Rove from any and all campaign capacities. link.
Edited for additional relative info:
From what I understand, Rep. Chris Cannon (R-Utah) is arguing with Representative Sanchez that Rove is not present because of a "long planned trip", even after she cited that Rover asserted that he was protected by Executive privilege.
EVEN STILL...here is Sanchez's report that states why Executive Privilege does not apply in this instance. There's another article about it here.
Bush may be able to keep Dirty Dick (Son of Satan) Cheney from testifying about his role in the leak of CIA Operative Valerie Plame. here. G-Dub's administration certainly is privileged. There's an interesting article about "Executive Disdain" here.
http://sendkarlrovetojail.com/
On Friday, former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman called on John McCain to compel his informal adviser Karl Rove to testify before Congress, and to remove Rove from any and all campaign capacities. link.
Edited for additional relative info:
From what I understand, Rep. Chris Cannon (R-Utah) is arguing with Representative Sanchez that Rove is not present because of a "long planned trip", even after she cited that Rover asserted that he was protected by Executive privilege.
EVEN STILL...here is Sanchez's report that states why Executive Privilege does not apply in this instance. There's another article about it here.
Bush may be able to keep Dirty Dick (Son of Satan) Cheney from testifying about his role in the leak of CIA Operative Valerie Plame. here. G-Dub's administration certainly is privileged. There's an interesting article about "Executive Disdain" here.
