Ok, the reason for no update the last few weeks is that i have been having issues getting online, through a pc, but its all cleared up now. Things are working and were back on track.
Life Update:
Lana is the best. She just is, I won't go into details but she kicks so much ass.
So I went and bought an X Box 360, and I'm glad I did. So far its been worth it for Gears of War & Crackdown alone. Damn these are good games. Also if you are planning on getting a 360 you most definately want an internet connection for it. X Box Live plays such a bigger part this time around. Its so good, being able to plug my ipod into it and listento songs as I chase down the locust.
I have been listening to the Howard Stern radio show lately at work . It is some good stuff, I wish we got Sirius Radio down here in Aus.
Caught in the 'Net:
This is too good not to be true. Apparently Micheal Jackson is considering a comeback stage show in Vegas. I think it seems like a good fit, professionally, and lets not forget, not many children go to Vegas. (Oh yeah, Easy Jackson Jokes: 1). Anyway, despite facing stiff competition, from my personal favorite person on the planet DANNY GANS, Micheal does have something that will give him the edge. A 50ft Micheal Jackson, laser wielding ROBOT. Now let me be honest here, the day i see a 50ft robot Micheal Jackson guiding planes into Vegas Airport with its FRICKIN Laser Beams is the day I can die a happy man. Lets ask the real burning question. With a giant robot Micheal in the desert and a dyed plastic one on stage (Easy Jackson Jokes: 2), where else can he go after this?
A Micheal made up of water that attacks, dare I say it, sea-men (Easy Jackson Jokes: 3), a swarm of nano-jacksons that invade every nook & cranny (Easy hmm, not really sure that qualified) or maybe Jackson needs to take the next logical step and begin cloning himself, this would be easy. Make a life size plastic doll of Jackson, clone his brain and BAM, double the Jacko. In closing, A 50FT GIANT MICHEAL JACKSON ROBOT WITH LASERS, and someone thought "Yeah, that's what we need"?
A story from the Virginia Tech shootings. It turns out a Professor used his body to block the door to ensure that the gun man could'nt enter. This cost him his life but allowed his students to escape. Looking back I can't think of any lecturers that would have done that for me. I can think of maybe one teacher I ever had who would have done that. I wonder if this is just a dedicated or if its representative of more lecturers in America, compared to lecturers here.
Google Update:
Reviews:
Smallville (Seasons 1-4):
In a time when power action shows seems to be dwindling compared to the heyday of the early 00's (Think of Buffy, Angel, Charmed, Dark Angel etc), Smallville remains stoic in its refusal to be dragged into the overly long drawn out sagas of modern action shows (Think Lost, Heros etc). It manages to keep things simple enough for an on-again-off-again viewer to follow, while still rewarding committed viewers, there are even a few things thrown in that only the Super-devoted will pick up on.
The appeal of Smallville is in its, name, if you will. Everyone knows the story. A couple in Kansas, a meteor, strange visitor from another planet. We know Lex and Clark hate each other. We just never knew why. I don't know if this is quite revisionist, but its close, it takes what we know, and explores it further. It helps that each of the characters pull it off so well, although it suffers from the Dawsons Creek Curse the teenagers are & look in thier late 20's. Clark is the overly friendly boy scout, Lex is shown as someone who could be a hero or villain, and the show depicts his fall as much as it shows Clarks ascension. The core cast (For the first four seasons is made up of Clark, Lex, Lana, Chloe, Mr & Mrs Kent & Lionel Luthor, Pete and Lois (Although Pete leaves in the third season and Lois only shows up in the forth). Each of the characters help Clark develop into the hero he will one day be. However they are also given enough personality that you care about thier stories almost as much as that of Clark. Mr.Kents struggle with Jor El, Chole's teaming up with Lionel, Lois being Lois. The stories and characters come together to create a show that could so easily have fallen from one cliche after another, into a show that provides a plausible childhood for the greatest hero the world will ever know.
Top 10 (Songs) :
Coldplay - Clocks
Justin Timberlake - Cry Me a River
Guns N Roses - November Rain
The Killers - All These Things That I've Done
The Beatles - Sgt Peppers
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
The Depression for her was a trip to Six Flags
I do hate discussing politics, unless I know that the other person is also able to take emotion out of the conversation, which is incredibly rare. Still with the results of the N.S.W. elections over the weekend, coupled with the fact that in 15 months (at the most) I will be moving to the North East of the US (Greencard permitting) I can't help but think of a Simpsons Episode. "Trash of the Titans", the one where Homer runs as Garbage Minister for Springfield, and basis a part of his campaign on personal attacks against his opponent, rather than highlighting his ownstrengths & benefits . He wins and immediately things go to hell because he is not qualified. They demand the old minister come back, but he is now jaded and fed up with the town and delivers this memorable speech:
Ever notice how the radio is becoming like the spam filter of an email account, constant adds for erectile disfunction, etc. I suppose the 'spam' business model must yield results, so it makes sense that it would eventually cross into other platforms. Soon they will be on tv as often as those mobile club (Jamster etc) ads.
is there anything more embarrasing then thinking someone is talking to you, when in fact they are talking to someone behind you. Goes double if you actually answer them.
Life Update:
Ok, ranting over its been a good weekend. Swung by Gran & Pa's on Thursday afternoon and found out that my cousins were coming down for the weekend. Excellent.
Friday night Lana stayed over, we kind of hung out because I had to play taxi. It was a fantastic night though.
Saturday morning was gardening, which sucked, then the afternoon was spent watching the little ones, which included have the littlest throw up directly on my shoe, nothing else, just my shoe. That night went out for drinks with Kim. Went to the irish & Gymea Pub, then I piked early because my pay hadn't come through.
Sunday was spent doing a bit of work on a website, lots more time with babies. Shopping with Lana. More babies, dinner then relaxing at home.
I was asked recently if I was happy, and I broke it down into areas, relationship & financially yes, career wise no. Since I spend more time at work then with Alana & worrying about money, I suppose it has a more immediate impact on my mood. I am depressed at work, and unless a positive factor is waiting this will carry over to life after work. But all things considered I am happy, however there are a great many things still to accomplish before I would consider calling myself content.
Caught in the 'Net:
Google Update:
This week I added Google analytics to this site. I can now find out some info about who visits my site. I have the majority of people coming from Australia, but I did have one person from Boston having a look. If they ever come back, Hello, would you like to sponsor my immigration?
Reviews:
Mercenaries - Playgrounds of Destruction (X-Box):
The Premise: Grand Theft Auto set in Korea, following a bloody coup by General Song. He has killed his father and become General of North Korea. You are a mercenary, going to Korea to make some quick cash. To do this you accept jobs from one of the four 'factions' in the area, The Allies (The U.N.), The Chinese, The Russian Mafia & The South Koreans (A front for the CIA). Each of these groups has its own agenda, which frequently comes into conflict with one another. They pay you in cash & information. The cash can be used to buy weapons, vehicles & support. THe information relates to one of the 'cards', these are 51 different members of General Songs army, and each one must be captured or killed, with General Song being the Ace of Spades, the 52nd card.
The Gameplay: The game is similar in play to grand theft auto, the walking & aiming & driving is all quite easy. The world lives around the player, in that there are always cars, civilians & soldiers around, doing thier thing. However it is set up at times, there will always be a helicopter around here, a skirmish around here etc. This can be forgiven since they add to the feel of being in a war zone. Also the fact that buildings can be destroyed adds to the feeling of authenticity to your actions.
The game doesn't get hung up on your mortality, because when hurt you will regenerate some of your health back (You will stop regenerating when you reach 20%). Those times where you do die, it only costs you some money as you are immediately transported back to the nearest MASH.
On the default setting none of the missions are too tough, however may require a few attempts before succedding. The enemies are a little too trigger-happy somtimes, more than willing to launch a rocket at you, even when standing two metres from them.
Gods Commandment: A very fun game with a lot packed in. The side quest races dont add much, but the main quests are engaging and can be approached in different ways, from a front on personal assault, to hiding on a near by mountain and carpet bombing your prey.
All in all I give it 8.5 / 10. Play It.
Top 3 (Character Entrances In Movies) :
"It's so gratifying to leave you wallowing in the mess you've made, you're screwed thankyou bye".
That's how I feel.
Ever notice how the radio is becoming like the spam filter of an email account, constant adds for erectile disfunction, etc. I suppose the 'spam' business model must yield results, so it makes sense that it would eventually cross into other platforms. Soon they will be on tv as often as those mobile club (Jamster etc) ads.
is there anything more embarrasing then thinking someone is talking to you, when in fact they are talking to someone behind you. Goes double if you actually answer them.
Life Update:
Ok, ranting over its been a good weekend. Swung by Gran & Pa's on Thursday afternoon and found out that my cousins were coming down for the weekend. Excellent.
Friday night Lana stayed over, we kind of hung out because I had to play taxi. It was a fantastic night though.
Saturday morning was gardening, which sucked, then the afternoon was spent watching the little ones, which included have the littlest throw up directly on my shoe, nothing else, just my shoe. That night went out for drinks with Kim. Went to the irish & Gymea Pub, then I piked early because my pay hadn't come through.
Sunday was spent doing a bit of work on a website, lots more time with babies. Shopping with Lana. More babies, dinner then relaxing at home.
I was asked recently if I was happy, and I broke it down into areas, relationship & financially yes, career wise no. Since I spend more time at work then with Alana & worrying about money, I suppose it has a more immediate impact on my mood. I am depressed at work, and unless a positive factor is waiting this will carry over to life after work. But all things considered I am happy, however there are a great many things still to accomplish before I would consider calling myself content.
Caught in the 'Net:
Google Update:
This week I added Google analytics to this site. I can now find out some info about who visits my site. I have the majority of people coming from Australia, but I did have one person from Boston having a look. If they ever come back, Hello, would you like to sponsor my immigration?
Reviews:
Mercenaries - Playgrounds of Destruction (X-Box):
The Premise: Grand Theft Auto set in Korea, following a bloody coup by General Song. He has killed his father and become General of North Korea. You are a mercenary, going to Korea to make some quick cash. To do this you accept jobs from one of the four 'factions' in the area, The Allies (The U.N.), The Chinese, The Russian Mafia & The South Koreans (A front for the CIA). Each of these groups has its own agenda, which frequently comes into conflict with one another. They pay you in cash & information. The cash can be used to buy weapons, vehicles & support. THe information relates to one of the 'cards', these are 51 different members of General Songs army, and each one must be captured or killed, with General Song being the Ace of Spades, the 52nd card.
The Gameplay: The game is similar in play to grand theft auto, the walking & aiming & driving is all quite easy. The world lives around the player, in that there are always cars, civilians & soldiers around, doing thier thing. However it is set up at times, there will always be a helicopter around here, a skirmish around here etc. This can be forgiven since they add to the feel of being in a war zone. Also the fact that buildings can be destroyed adds to the feeling of authenticity to your actions.
The game doesn't get hung up on your mortality, because when hurt you will regenerate some of your health back (You will stop regenerating when you reach 20%). Those times where you do die, it only costs you some money as you are immediately transported back to the nearest MASH.
On the default setting none of the missions are too tough, however may require a few attempts before succedding. The enemies are a little too trigger-happy somtimes, more than willing to launch a rocket at you, even when standing two metres from them.
Gods Commandment: A very fun game with a lot packed in. The side quest races dont add much, but the main quests are engaging and can be approached in different ways, from a front on personal assault, to hiding on a near by mountain and carpet bombing your prey.
All in all I give it 8.5 / 10. Play It.
Top 3 (Character Entrances In Movies) :
- Jack Sparrow (Pirate of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl): As with his character, there is more to this entrance than meets the eye. It starts off looking grand and impressive, then reveals itself to be not quite what is expected.
- Han Solo (Star Wars: A New Hope): When Luke & Obi Wan go to the cantina looking for a pilot, they were probably hoping to find someone who might be moved by their heroic purpose. No such luck. Han proves himself viscous and out for himself, although he is turned around.
- Bulls-Eye (DareDevil): Just cool, doesn't have to say a word and you know he isn't to be messed with.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Never keep up with the Joneses. Drag them down to your level.
The title is a quote from Quentin Crisp.
Life Update:
This looks impressive. The downside is eventually some moron will jump, the familty will sue and it will be shut down. Hopefully you have to sign a waiver before you go on, just something to keep the eventual barrage of stupid law suits away. This will be a stop on my coast-to-coast tour.
How could any parent think this is a good idea. I'm pretty sure walking in on your parents is enough for mental scarring. For them to perform in front of you, to 'teach' you, thats enough to crack a brain in two. Now I don't know how savvy nine year olds are now days but no-one wants to see their parents get freaky, and according to this they got FREAKY, even if it is in the name of education. I really don't get it, I don't buy what they're selling. They wanted to hurt the kid, or worse and made up this story so as to avoid serious prison time. At least now everyone will know what freaks they are and keep an eye on the kid, to make sure that the inevitable sexual abuse is held off. Thats where this was heading and you know it, these parents have serious problems and the child is more than likely going to be abused in some other way.
Digg, my god does this site eat away time. It allows people to submit articles (links to them), other people then vote on them, if they get lots of votes they get moved up to the main page. Its a constantly changing source of wierd, wacky & more often than not interesting news. I have a reader on my Google Hompage and it is good for a distraction.
Google Update:
Yeah, it gets its own section now. Google has released themes for its personalised homepage. Now it might not seem like much, but if, like me, you always have an open window on Google (Its how I code) its a nice addition, seeing it go from bright green during the day, mauve in the afternoon & dark at night (I have my time set as TriBeCa in NYC, so it doesn't really match whats outside for me).
For GMail users (If you dont you REALLY should) here is a list of tips, trick, scripts & add-ons that will help you out.
Life Update:
I am SO amazingly proud of Alana. She was worried it may take her ages to get work, now she can pick and choose what school she wants to go to. Thats what work should be, they recognise talent and reward it. Not only is she the greatest teacher ever, she also might just might follow me on my damn-fool errand to go and make my fortune in America.
Why is it that months can go buy with NOTIHNG on at the movies. Then in the space of 4 months we can have a huge onslaught of Must See Movies. Don't believe me? Lets run down the list:
- 300 (5th April)
- Shooter (19th April)
- Spider Man 3 (3rd May)
- Pirates of the Carribean: At Worlds End (24th May)
- Transformers (2nd July)
- Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (4th July)
- Harry Potter & The Order of the Phoenix (12th July)
This looks impressive. The downside is eventually some moron will jump, the familty will sue and it will be shut down. Hopefully you have to sign a waiver before you go on, just something to keep the eventual barrage of stupid law suits away. This will be a stop on my coast-to-coast tour.
How could any parent think this is a good idea. I'm pretty sure walking in on your parents is enough for mental scarring. For them to perform in front of you, to 'teach' you, thats enough to crack a brain in two. Now I don't know how savvy nine year olds are now days but no-one wants to see their parents get freaky, and according to this they got FREAKY, even if it is in the name of education. I really don't get it, I don't buy what they're selling. They wanted to hurt the kid, or worse and made up this story so as to avoid serious prison time. At least now everyone will know what freaks they are and keep an eye on the kid, to make sure that the inevitable sexual abuse is held off. Thats where this was heading and you know it, these parents have serious problems and the child is more than likely going to be abused in some other way.
Digg, my god does this site eat away time. It allows people to submit articles (links to them), other people then vote on them, if they get lots of votes they get moved up to the main page. Its a constantly changing source of wierd, wacky & more often than not interesting news. I have a reader on my Google Hompage and it is good for a distraction.
Google Update:
Yeah, it gets its own section now. Google has released themes for its personalised homepage. Now it might not seem like much, but if, like me, you always have an open window on Google (Its how I code) its a nice addition, seeing it go from bright green during the day, mauve in the afternoon & dark at night (I have my time set as TriBeCa in NYC, so it doesn't really match whats outside for me).
For GMail users (If you dont you REALLY should) here is a list of tips, trick, scripts & add-ons that will help you out.
Monday, March 19, 2007
I don't make mistakes, I have learning opportunities.
Ok, so my mystery 'other' job fell through. Annoying, yes. But just like The Batman I ALWAYS have a second plan. In this case it involves me eventually moving to the Big Apple, so it can't be such a terrible fall back plan.
On to more interesting news.
Weekend Update:
Completely stealing the name from SNL. Anyway, Friday was kinda lazy. Picked Lana up and hung out at her house. Watched the Robin Williams DVD, it was great. Saturday, well Saturday was St Pattys day. Started at midday at Miranda, highlights include being scolded for calling someone emo, using my phone as a football (Gridiron) and then losing it in a bush, paying someone $50 because they found it in said bush, stealing (& then giving away) a fake flower from some random in a pub.
Sunday was a much slower day, still did some stuff but at a easier pace. Went in to the city with Lana, not to walk the bridge, but to pick up some comics. Then came home and mucked about. Lana hung out for a while, then I drove her home. Spent some time playing around with a website ill be making. Was tired, and therefore angry so i avoided contact as much as possible.
Caught in the 'Net:
This story is just weird. A 'vampire' running for President, wants to impale W if he gets in. Shouldn't a vampire want to suck his blood, maybe avoid the whole stake thing. Hey Im just going with what I know. Apparently I don't speak to enough attention seeking moronic vampires.
I know, I know ANOTHER story about Google. But word is they are making a phone. Im not sure what to think. I assume it will be closely tied to all other Google services, Doc & Spreadsheets, blogger, picasa, gmail etc BUT they seem to be designing it as 'just' a phone, not a camera/GPS/MP3 Player so it will be interesting to see if the PDA features it will have will pull an audience from the accessory loving phone market (I count myself in that market so I'm not trying to sound preachy).
The next Bond, James Bond film is said to pick up RIGHT where Casino Royale left off. I suggest Casino Royle-er OR Casino Royale: High Stakes as the title.
Reviews:
Boston Legal (Season 1) -
Do not watch this show if you want to see a character to cheer for. I suppose the suspense comes from the court room battles, however the majority of the cast are, not good role models (Unless, like me, you think supreme ego is an admirable quality). Those who are 'good' people, are marginalised and shown to be inferior to the main protagonists.
Boston Legal follows the adventures of the law firm "Crane, Poole & Schmidt". The main character is Alan Shore, played perfectly subtle by James Spader. With his is Denny Crane (William Shatner) who is shown to be both vulnerable, dislike-able, smart & stupid throughout the season. They work well together, both being sure of themselves it is interesting to watch how each asserts themselves around the office, Alan being soft spoken and vindictive, Denny being larger than life and abrasive. Their friendship, despite repeated difference of opinion is what keeps me coming back to the show.
Its hard to pidgeon hole this show as just a law show, because it seems at times that what happens in the court is incidental to what happens at the office. Part Law & Order, Part Arrested Development and all its own Boston Legal is definately worth seeing.
On to more interesting news.
Weekend Update:
Completely stealing the name from SNL. Anyway, Friday was kinda lazy. Picked Lana up and hung out at her house. Watched the Robin Williams DVD, it was great. Saturday, well Saturday was St Pattys day. Started at midday at Miranda, highlights include being scolded for calling someone emo, using my phone as a football (Gridiron) and then losing it in a bush, paying someone $50 because they found it in said bush, stealing (& then giving away) a fake flower from some random in a pub.
Sunday was a much slower day, still did some stuff but at a easier pace. Went in to the city with Lana, not to walk the bridge, but to pick up some comics. Then came home and mucked about. Lana hung out for a while, then I drove her home. Spent some time playing around with a website ill be making. Was tired, and therefore angry so i avoided contact as much as possible.
Caught in the 'Net:
This story is just weird. A 'vampire' running for President, wants to impale W if he gets in. Shouldn't a vampire want to suck his blood, maybe avoid the whole stake thing. Hey Im just going with what I know. Apparently I don't speak to enough attention seeking moronic vampires.
I know, I know ANOTHER story about Google. But word is they are making a phone. Im not sure what to think. I assume it will be closely tied to all other Google services, Doc & Spreadsheets, blogger, picasa, gmail etc BUT they seem to be designing it as 'just' a phone, not a camera/GPS/MP3 Player so it will be interesting to see if the PDA features it will have will pull an audience from the accessory loving phone market (I count myself in that market so I'm not trying to sound preachy).
The next Bond, James Bond film is said to pick up RIGHT where Casino Royale left off. I suggest Casino Royle-er OR Casino Royale: High Stakes as the title.
Reviews:
Boston Legal (Season 1) -
Do not watch this show if you want to see a character to cheer for. I suppose the suspense comes from the court room battles, however the majority of the cast are, not good role models (Unless, like me, you think supreme ego is an admirable quality). Those who are 'good' people, are marginalised and shown to be inferior to the main protagonists.
Boston Legal follows the adventures of the law firm "Crane, Poole & Schmidt". The main character is Alan Shore, played perfectly subtle by James Spader. With his is Denny Crane (William Shatner) who is shown to be both vulnerable, dislike-able, smart & stupid throughout the season. They work well together, both being sure of themselves it is interesting to watch how each asserts themselves around the office, Alan being soft spoken and vindictive, Denny being larger than life and abrasive. Their friendship, despite repeated difference of opinion is what keeps me coming back to the show.
Its hard to pidgeon hole this show as just a law show, because it seems at times that what happens in the court is incidental to what happens at the office. Part Law & Order, Part Arrested Development and all its own Boston Legal is definately worth seeing.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Caught in the net
Just going to throw out some things Ive found online lately that I think are worth showing.
First off:
Google - I know Ive gone on about this in the past but get a gmail account. Some of the other cool things you will get include:
This will make you think. Once it gets onto the computer stuff you can more or less tune out though, its all just guesses.
First off:
Google - I know Ive gone on about this in the past but get a gmail account. Some of the other cool things you will get include:
- A blogger account :)
- Personalised Google.
- Google Co-op. - This allows you to make your own search engines. You select what sites you want to search and it does it.
- Google Pages - Free website hosting with a dead easy website creating tool
This will make you think. Once it gets onto the computer stuff you can more or less tune out though, its all just guesses.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Deep as a Puddle
Further stories of Wagga.
Ok i feel that it was too brief an entry on Wagga, so here comes a list:
The Weekend:
Friday, didnt go out. Stayed at home and relaxed, as is the theme of most of my weekends. Alana came over and we got a coffee and drove around for a bit. Lan didnt stay over becuase on Saturday there was work to do.
Saturday morning saw everyone, except one, working in the yard. We pulled the wire off our fence, so that we can paint it all, make it look nice. It didnt take too long, and wasnt particularly hard so it was all good. We drove a lot of the junk to the tip and that was that. Then went to the mall to try and get a new phone, but Virgin are jerks who really dont want me to keep my number. So i guess its eBay for the phone, stupid Virgin. Also got some facial stuff, cleanser, moisturiser etc and some hand cream, to repair the damage done by the yard work. Also got a new iPod cover, i like it better than my old one, but its not as practical, it doesnt work with my iTrip. That night we went out to Circular Quay, had some drinks at Lowenbrau & Jacksons, then spent the next eternity trying to get a cab. Eventually got back to Lana's and fell asleep on the couch.
Sunday was really lazy. Stayed at lanas till 3 playing Scene It & watching Will & Grace. Then I went home and watched some Boston Legal. A very lazy day indeed.
This morning I set my laptop alarm to play 'Grace Kelly' by Mika. Its a great song and he sounds exactly like Freddy Mercury, the problem is the first line is him saying "I need to talk to you", which damn near gave me a heart attack, some strangers voice in my room waking me up. Not cool.
Randomness:
I stole this from another site, that I cant remember or id link to it, the idea of The Soundtrack to My Life. The site I saw had gone through as if his life was a movie, saying that for the first love scene he would play this etc. Im not doing it like that, Im going to go piece by piece through my life and get songs that fit the mood.
All the songs arent done yet, I will update the list as I think of them.
Pre-School (As in from birth - school):
'Sympathy for the Devil' by The Rolling Stones.
The perfect introductory song. The opening line says it all, "Please allow me to introduce myself, I'm a man of wealth & taste".
Primary #1:
'Popular' by Nada Surf
Sums up what I was, I was the biggest thing to ever hit this school.
'New York, New York' by Frank Sinatra.
As much as i loved the school I was destined for bigger things. So I kept moving onwards and upwards (always twirling, twirling towards greatness).
Primary #2:
'Insane in the Brain' by Cypress Hill
I went bug-funk crazy at my new school.
High School Years 7-9:
High School Years 10-12:
'I Just Dont Know What to Do with Myself' by The White Stripes
One thing that remained constant through High School and Uni was an uncertainty. I never knew what I wanted to do, there were things I'd like to do. Nothing I wanted to make my career though.
'Viva las Vegas' by Elvis Presely
I helped to turn my year into degenerate gamblers, the common room was a casino.
Family Health Issues:
'Superman' by Five for Fighting
Even I have a kryptonite, there are some things beyond my control. And they suck.
Alana & I:
'Something There' by Paige O'Hara, Robby Benson, Angela Lansbury, Jerry Orbach and David Ogden Stiers From Beauty & The Beast.
I think this sums up how things happened. At least this is how I saw it.
Uni:
'Going through the Motions' - by Sarah Michelle Gellar From Buffy The Vampire Slayer ("Once More with Feeling")
Through most of Uni i felt I was just spinning my wheels, not moving anywhere.
Work:
'The Money Song' by Monty Python
There is one reason I work. Money.
Rejected songs:
Primary #2: Lithium
Alana: Sexed up, Gold digger (I kid)
Ok i feel that it was too brief an entry on Wagga, so here comes a list:
- Played late night Marco Polo (The pool game), it was a lot of fun.
- Ever seen Alice in Wonderland? Where they change places mid meal, did that at restaurant. It amused the staff and i thought it was great.
- Alana almost killed a turtle, how mean is that?
The Weekend:
Friday, didnt go out. Stayed at home and relaxed, as is the theme of most of my weekends. Alana came over and we got a coffee and drove around for a bit. Lan didnt stay over becuase on Saturday there was work to do.
Saturday morning saw everyone, except one, working in the yard. We pulled the wire off our fence, so that we can paint it all, make it look nice. It didnt take too long, and wasnt particularly hard so it was all good. We drove a lot of the junk to the tip and that was that. Then went to the mall to try and get a new phone, but Virgin are jerks who really dont want me to keep my number. So i guess its eBay for the phone, stupid Virgin. Also got some facial stuff, cleanser, moisturiser etc and some hand cream, to repair the damage done by the yard work. Also got a new iPod cover, i like it better than my old one, but its not as practical, it doesnt work with my iTrip. That night we went out to Circular Quay, had some drinks at Lowenbrau & Jacksons, then spent the next eternity trying to get a cab. Eventually got back to Lana's and fell asleep on the couch.
Sunday was really lazy. Stayed at lanas till 3 playing Scene It & watching Will & Grace. Then I went home and watched some Boston Legal. A very lazy day indeed.
This morning I set my laptop alarm to play 'Grace Kelly' by Mika. Its a great song and he sounds exactly like Freddy Mercury, the problem is the first line is him saying "I need to talk to you", which damn near gave me a heart attack, some strangers voice in my room waking me up. Not cool.
Randomness:
I stole this from another site, that I cant remember or id link to it, the idea of The Soundtrack to My Life. The site I saw had gone through as if his life was a movie, saying that for the first love scene he would play this etc. Im not doing it like that, Im going to go piece by piece through my life and get songs that fit the mood.
All the songs arent done yet, I will update the list as I think of them.
Pre-School (As in from birth - school):
'Sympathy for the Devil' by The Rolling Stones.
The perfect introductory song. The opening line says it all, "Please allow me to introduce myself, I'm a man of wealth & taste".
Primary #1:
'Popular' by Nada Surf
Sums up what I was, I was the biggest thing to ever hit this school.
'New York, New York' by Frank Sinatra.
As much as i loved the school I was destined for bigger things. So I kept moving onwards and upwards (always twirling, twirling towards greatness).
Primary #2:
'Insane in the Brain' by Cypress Hill
I went bug-funk crazy at my new school.
High School Years 7-9:
High School Years 10-12:
'I Just Dont Know What to Do with Myself' by The White Stripes
One thing that remained constant through High School and Uni was an uncertainty. I never knew what I wanted to do, there were things I'd like to do. Nothing I wanted to make my career though.
'Viva las Vegas' by Elvis Presely
I helped to turn my year into degenerate gamblers, the common room was a casino.
Family Health Issues:
'Superman' by Five for Fighting
Even I have a kryptonite, there are some things beyond my control. And they suck.
Alana & I:
'Something There' by Paige O'Hara, Robby Benson, Angela Lansbury, Jerry Orbach and David Ogden Stiers From Beauty & The Beast.
I think this sums up how things happened. At least this is how I saw it.
Uni:
'Going through the Motions' - by Sarah Michelle Gellar From Buffy The Vampire Slayer ("Once More with Feeling")
Through most of Uni i felt I was just spinning my wheels, not moving anywhere.
Work:
'The Money Song' by Monty Python
There is one reason I work. Money.
Rejected songs:
Primary #2: Lithium
Alana: Sexed up, Gold digger (I kid)
Monday, March 05, 2007
Mess with the best and the rest couldn't help ya
OK, back for another week.
Work & Work Related:
Well, work is work. I am almost done with my current project, and will be glad too finish it up. As with the website, it took almost no time to knock up, but the fine tuning took ages. Maybe I should plan my next thing out a little better. But testing is the biggest part of the Software Development Life Cycle (Thank You Uni).
Life:
Hmm. Last week I didn't do much. Wait no I saw Rocky Balboa, which Ill review later this post. This weekend I went to the culture capital of the world, Wagga Wagga. Went down with Alana & her family to see her cousin. Wagga is very much a small country town. Nothing much doing. Did see a fair bit of wildlife on the trip, including a frog, turtle, peacock & the native Waggarian (trust me its a kind of animal).
We stopped at Questacon on the way. I was going to drop in to see Lachie but we were only in Canberra for two or three hours, all at Questacon so maybe another time.
Went to the pool at Wagga & at the caravan park. I had forgotten how much fun the pool was. Will definitely head there more often.
Have been trying to fit a lot in during my spare time. On my immediate to do list is:
Reviews:
Rocky Balboa:
Before this came out, Lana and I had a Rocky Marathon of sorts, over three weekends we watched the first 5 Rocky movies.
We loved the first, and second movies. Rocky is such a likeable character, and Apollo is perfect not as the villain, but as the ultimate challenge for Rocky.
The third had its moments, (The battle with Thunder Lips, "I don't hate the man, I pity the fool" and the sparring between Apollo and 'Stallion at the end), but did feel a little lacking.
The forth was my least favorite, Apollo being thrown away just to build up the Russian made me angry. The robot made me furious and the final fight was pathetic.
I didn't hate the fifth movie as much as everyone else seems too have. I think it has no place in the Rocky Universe now, and the ending was poor, Rocky being back excatly where he was at the start of the first. But i thought it was more interesting than four, and more emotional than three. So it was with mixed concern & expectation that we went to see Rocky Balboa.
Our concern was misplaced.
Rocky Balboa, might not be the most realistic movie in the series, its not the worst (Number 4's Robot Im looking at you) but it does deliver in terms of story and character.
Rocky decides he wants to box again and gets a shot against the current champ Mason Dixon, what makes this film exceptional however is that unlike three & four it doesnt focus on the fight, it focuses on how Rocky's decision to fight affects the people in his life, mainly his son. Rocky still has a demon inside him, and he decides to do what he does best, "fighters fight". I think that Rockys need to fight is to prove to himself, that no matter how he ended up, it wasnt just luck that got himthere, he deserved to be the best. Rocky isn't sure of this anymore with Adrian gone, and his son absent from his life. He needs to prove to himself that he is the man he once was.
What follows is a great movie, and a perfect end to the Rocky franchise.
Thinking about it a bit more on the way home, I think the above is wrong. I now think that Rocky is trying to bring back to his life the happiness that existed when he was fighting. With no Adrian or Rocky Jr in his life he is left with memories, and he thinks that if he can reccreate as much as possible of those memories he will be happy.
What I wouldn't mind seeing though is a spin-off focusiing on Mason Dixon, as I think he could hold up at least one movie by himself.
Gods Commandment: Must see movie of the year for fans, Should see for everyone else.
Work & Work Related:
Well, work is work. I am almost done with my current project, and will be glad too finish it up. As with the website, it took almost no time to knock up, but the fine tuning took ages. Maybe I should plan my next thing out a little better. But testing is the biggest part of the Software Development Life Cycle (Thank You Uni).
Life:
Hmm. Last week I didn't do much. Wait no I saw Rocky Balboa, which Ill review later this post. This weekend I went to the culture capital of the world, Wagga Wagga. Went down with Alana & her family to see her cousin. Wagga is very much a small country town. Nothing much doing. Did see a fair bit of wildlife on the trip, including a frog, turtle, peacock & the native Waggarian (trust me its a kind of animal).
We stopped at Questacon on the way. I was going to drop in to see Lachie but we were only in Canberra for two or three hours, all at Questacon so maybe another time.
Went to the pool at Wagga & at the caravan park. I had forgotten how much fun the pool was. Will definitely head there more often.
Have been trying to fit a lot in during my spare time. On my immediate to do list is:
- Finish 'Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six'
- Finish Prince of Persia (Warrior Within) on X Box
- Finish Chapter 3 of 'Sultan of Sand' - Yes i changed its name again.
- Watch season 1 of Boston Legal
- Keep slugging away at The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
Reviews:
Rocky Balboa:
Before this came out, Lana and I had a Rocky Marathon of sorts, over three weekends we watched the first 5 Rocky movies.
We loved the first, and second movies. Rocky is such a likeable character, and Apollo is perfect not as the villain, but as the ultimate challenge for Rocky.
The third had its moments, (The battle with Thunder Lips, "I don't hate the man, I pity the fool" and the sparring between Apollo and 'Stallion at the end), but did feel a little lacking.
The forth was my least favorite, Apollo being thrown away just to build up the Russian made me angry. The robot made me furious and the final fight was pathetic.
I didn't hate the fifth movie as much as everyone else seems too have. I think it has no place in the Rocky Universe now, and the ending was poor, Rocky being back excatly where he was at the start of the first. But i thought it was more interesting than four, and more emotional than three. So it was with mixed concern & expectation that we went to see Rocky Balboa.
Our concern was misplaced.
Rocky Balboa, might not be the most realistic movie in the series, its not the worst (Number 4's Robot Im looking at you) but it does deliver in terms of story and character.
Rocky decides he wants to box again and gets a shot against the current champ Mason Dixon, what makes this film exceptional however is that unlike three & four it doesnt focus on the fight, it focuses on how Rocky's decision to fight affects the people in his life, mainly his son. Rocky still has a demon inside him, and he decides to do what he does best, "fighters fight". I think that Rockys need to fight is to prove to himself, that no matter how he ended up, it wasnt just luck that got himthere, he deserved to be the best. Rocky isn't sure of this anymore with Adrian gone, and his son absent from his life. He needs to prove to himself that he is the man he once was.
What follows is a great movie, and a perfect end to the Rocky franchise.
Thinking about it a bit more on the way home, I think the above is wrong. I now think that Rocky is trying to bring back to his life the happiness that existed when he was fighting. With no Adrian or Rocky Jr in his life he is left with memories, and he thinks that if he can reccreate as much as possible of those memories he will be happy.
What I wouldn't mind seeing though is a spin-off focusiing on Mason Dixon, as I think he could hold up at least one movie by himself.
Gods Commandment: Must see movie of the year for fans, Should see for everyone else.
Thursday, February 22, 2007
The Prince of War (Formerly Hot City Nights)
For those looking for the next chapter of my story, it has its own blog now. You can find it at The Prince of War.
Denny Crane
Just so everyone can share in the greatness of Denny Crane, and Boston Legal. Here are some clips, watch it on 7, Mondays at 10:30.
Just to give everyone a clear idea on who Denny Crane is:
Denny with his best friend.
Denny being Denny, well Denny being a man.
Allan being Allen, also being a man but for an entirely different reason.
Denny being Denny again
The point is: Denny Crane
Just to give everyone a clear idea on who Denny Crane is:
Denny with his best friend.
Denny being Denny, well Denny being a man.
Allan being Allen, also being a man but for an entirely different reason.
Denny being Denny again
The point is: Denny Crane
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
A warning.
Ok first things first: Lana.
She's great, she is perfect she bought me Letters. She is also a manager after working at a bottle shop for only a month.
She will be teaching again in a matter of days, i am sure of it. She put up with me all weekend, even though Im mean and make her go to the gym and walk up stairs, even when there is an escalator, like a schmo.
Um..I think thats enough for one post.
I hope so.
Oh yeah now for the warning. Australia if, by Thursday next week Norbit is the number 1 movie in the country, for the same week that Rocky Balboa debuts, Im going to end it. Everything. Divine powers will be used to transport every single person who bought a ticket right to hell.
Im not kidding either. For the love of god, dont test me on this.
She's great, she is perfect she bought me Letters. She is also a manager after working at a bottle shop for only a month.
She will be teaching again in a matter of days, i am sure of it. She put up with me all weekend, even though Im mean and make her go to the gym and walk up stairs, even when there is an escalator, like a schmo.
Um..I think thats enough for one post.
I hope so.
Oh yeah now for the warning. Australia if, by Thursday next week Norbit is the number 1 movie in the country, for the same week that Rocky Balboa debuts, Im going to end it. Everything. Divine powers will be used to transport every single person who bought a ticket right to hell.
Im not kidding either. For the love of god, dont test me on this.
Hot City Nights (Part 1)
Chapter 1 - Hot City Nights
The warm night air, moving the curtains of the house beneath him, were comforting to Ak'ash as he sat on the rooftop, watching the last few drunks stumble back to their houses. He knew that if the winds were to have risen tonight it would have made his vigil a torturous affair. He saw the village grocer leave with one arm wrapped around Danir the spice trader, they were singing a song from their glory days as defenders of the city. The loud, emotional and off key singing thundering up to Ak'ash's hiding spot was almost enough to drown out the scuffling of sandals coming from the opposite end of the alley.
Before even seeing what had made the noise Ak'ash was on his feet, vaulting from rooftop to rooftop, and, where the gap was too long for even his powerful legs to send him across, running along the boards laid down by the owners of the houses, so they would be able to escape, should they ever earn the wrath of the sultan or his court. His eyes darted towards the alley, and, although the light from the oil lamps was waning he could make out someone slipping into the shadows. Ak'ash was not worried that his prey was out of sight, because he knew how to cross this city like few others, any difference would be eradicated soon enough.
Captain Kneering knew that if he could stay conscious for another few moments he would cross over the last of the ereclit sandhill's and be seen by the royal guards. Captain Kneering hung on to his mount and silently urged him forward, knowing that every second they were away from the city was another second that its enemies had to prepare themselves, and the weapons of annihilation they bore.
It was the scent of ... humanity, he noticed first. Although it was as too subtle for the people who lived & worked there everyday to notice Byzatir had a smell that was overpowering to one who had ridden through the desert's empty expanse for three weeks, with only the sun and his camel to keep him company.
At first Kneering thought it may have been an mirage, he had seen one earlier, and nearly fallen off his camel to get to it, but he had never heard of an mirage that existed only as a scent.
"No, this is it, this is Byzantir", Kneering said softly, for that was all he could manage, to his steed.
They passed over the last sand hill and there it stood before them. A wall stretching out for such a great distance that although it curved around the width of the city it appeared to run in both directions forever. Kneering could see the torches at the gate, and at the regular intervals along the wall. He looked further into the city, although he could make out the occasional torch the rest was lost to the night. As her citizens slept Byzantir looked just as beautiful as he remembered her, only now he saw her as a desert flower, with a mysterious, dark, gardener looming just out of sight.
"Praise be", thought Captain Kneering, "I am home".
Talia checked over her knapsack one last time. She did not know what she would need, but she knew what she could not leave behind. The gold bracelet of her mothers, the one Talia had admired as a child sat on top of her other cherised memories, and stood out, shining in the little light being let in through her window.
"That will never stay safe like that" Talia thought, and picked it up, placing it on her wrist.
She looked around her room, seeing if there was anything else she could take with her, but truthfully she knew she was already carrying as much as she could safely take with her. She lent down and picked up her bandhana, tying her hair back with it. She placed the small necklace, that her sweetheart had won for her so many years ago at the market, into the solid confines of her parchment and tied her knapsack together.
Talia tiptoed across to the window, although she knew unless she was jumping her grandmother below would never hear her, the walls were feet thick, for stability, which meant that her getaway would go unnoticed. She fastened one end of her bed linen to the window frame, and gently slid down its length. Although she had used the largest sheet in her house Talia found that she would still have a drop to the streets below. Securing her knapsack deep within her robe Talia let go of the sheet and dropped, gracefully to the sand & stones of the street.
Talia began to move from shadow to shadow, doing her best to pass undetected through the silent night. She continued on not realizing how foreign the city looked at night. As she was approaching a rather large alley, she could see it contained more than its share of light, then she heard the cry of men, men who, she was sure, would be only interested in what use they could get out of her at this hour of the night. She began to run as fast as she could, not stopping to look down the alley at the voices, which were getting closer now. She just ran, hoping that what she was running towards was as important as she had been lead to believe.
From high up in the sultans personal tower Prince Abbubwah watched all the events of the city.
"My city" he thought, "At least it will be mine soon enough".
Thanks to the powerful eye of Tiga-riath that the visier had given him the Prince could see much further and with more precision than anyone else in the kingdom,
"I can see further than you father, I can see into the future with this. I see my future, and your end".
The Prince saw the camel slowly wander over the distance and approach the city, he could not clearly make out the rider, but he was sure he knew who it was anyway.
The Prince then turned his gaze to a window, where a single figure was descending a sheet and beginning a journey into the night. He followed her for as long as he could, and as she disappeared he saw another figure following along the rooftops. Had he not known exactly where this figure would be, and where he was headed the Prince wouldn't have noticed him even with his powerful Eye, as it was the Prince lost him to the shadows several time, even though he was running across open roof tops.
"Excellent. All my agents are in place, now I merely await what is mine by right".
Monday, February 19, 2007
Someone is stealing my scotch
Well, Well, Well.
Another weekend gone by, another few hundred dollars spent.
It was worth it however, a nice black business shirt and striped deep purple tie. Very nice, very Luthor-ish.
Also picked up some comics. I resisted buying 'Pirates Vs Ninjas'. It was black and white and didnt look all that good.
Which truthfully should come as a surprise to no one.
I also managed to not notice Lana carrying a bag around and out of Borders. I noticed it on the way to buying the shirts and in it was 'The Beatrice Letters'. I was so surprised. She's very, very sneaky.
Lan & I also went and saw 'The Good Shephard'. This is a good movie. It chronicles one of the first agents in the CIA. It goes for almost three hours, but its paced really well. You're never wishing that this a scene will end so you can get to the rest of the story.
Gods Commandment: Check It.
I would place it second in the list of movie seen this year. Which means thus far the list looks like:
1) Smokin Aces - I was expecting this movie to be fun, and it was.
2) The Good Shepherd - See Above.
3) The Illusionist - A good movie, but nothing lifted it out of being a good movie. Nothing to really talk about when it was over.
Over the weekend I also picked up some other things including two CD's:
Another weekend gone by, another few hundred dollars spent.
It was worth it however, a nice black business shirt and striped deep purple tie. Very nice, very Luthor-ish.
Also picked up some comics. I resisted buying 'Pirates Vs Ninjas'. It was black and white and didnt look all that good.
Which truthfully should come as a surprise to no one.
I also managed to not notice Lana carrying a bag around and out of Borders. I noticed it on the way to buying the shirts and in it was 'The Beatrice Letters'. I was so surprised. She's very, very sneaky.
Lan & I also went and saw 'The Good Shephard'. This is a good movie. It chronicles one of the first agents in the CIA. It goes for almost three hours, but its paced really well. You're never wishing that this a scene will end so you can get to the rest of the story.
Gods Commandment: Check It.
I would place it second in the list of movie seen this year. Which means thus far the list looks like:
1) Smokin Aces - I was expecting this movie to be fun, and it was.
2) The Good Shepherd - See Above.
3) The Illusionist - A good movie, but nothing lifted it out of being a good movie. Nothing to really talk about when it was over.
Over the weekend I also picked up some other things including two CD's:
- Rockstar Supernova - Self Titled. I dont mind this CD. I watched the show so I knew a few of the songs and the singer has improved since the show.
- Gods Commandment: Check It.
- Radiohead - Ok, Computer. havent had a chance to listen to the whole thing yet. I am expecting good things.
- Gods Commandment: ???
- Guitar Hero 2: Everyone who see's this game wants to play it, and they all enjoy it. A great concept, very well executed. A family game that appeals to all.
- Gods Commandment: Must Play.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
I'm not an Artist. I'm a work of Art.
Way too long. I suppose i have had other things going on. I just cant seem to find ten minutes to stop and collect my thoughts. Well here they are.
Life Update: Work is going well. Ive almost knocked off the install CD I'm writing, which took longer than i thought. The mysterious 'other' job ive been talking about keeps plodding along.
Going down to our Nations Capital soon. As it so happens im staying around the corner from a friend who just moved down there. What the hell are the odds of that?
Things that interest me:
This is my new net ramblings i think.
ok, first off is this which i figure in a few years time will
a) Outsell the bible.
b) Have 10x the amount of believers.
Its a comic called Pirates Vs Ninjas.
If there is something out there better than that I have yet to see it.
The RIAA (Evil Music Bosses) is pushing for a tax on basically all removable media / storage devices. Ipods & mp3 players, flash drives & even memory cards. Because they COULD be used to store copyrighted material. I swear to god if this goes forward i will never buy another CD again. On average I think i would get about one every fortnight (normally the $10 ones from JB). Thats crazy evil.
If you dont have a gmail account. Get one. The email service is good, but its value comes from being able to customise the google homepage. It basically turns it into an RSS reader (which means that whenever certain sites are updated you get to see the latest news). I have about 20 sites all set up from google.
For the love of god, watch Deadwood.
Heres a wrestling match, because i can: Samoa Joe Vs AJ Styles Vs Christopher Danels
ok songs:
Panic at the Disco - I Write Sins Not Tragedies
The Beatles - The ballad of John & Yoko
Marilyn Manson - Your own Personal Jesus
Thats it Im out.
Life Update: Work is going well. Ive almost knocked off the install CD I'm writing, which took longer than i thought. The mysterious 'other' job ive been talking about keeps plodding along.
Going down to our Nations Capital soon. As it so happens im staying around the corner from a friend who just moved down there. What the hell are the odds of that?
Things that interest me:
This is my new net ramblings i think.
ok, first off is this which i figure in a few years time will
a) Outsell the bible.
b) Have 10x the amount of believers.
Its a comic called Pirates Vs Ninjas.
If there is something out there better than that I have yet to see it.
The RIAA (Evil Music Bosses) is pushing for a tax on basically all removable media / storage devices. Ipods & mp3 players, flash drives & even memory cards. Because they COULD be used to store copyrighted material. I swear to god if this goes forward i will never buy another CD again. On average I think i would get about one every fortnight (normally the $10 ones from JB). Thats crazy evil.
If you dont have a gmail account. Get one. The email service is good, but its value comes from being able to customise the google homepage. It basically turns it into an RSS reader (which means that whenever certain sites are updated you get to see the latest news). I have about 20 sites all set up from google.
For the love of god, watch Deadwood.
Heres a wrestling match, because i can: Samoa Joe Vs AJ Styles Vs Christopher Danels
ok songs:
Panic at the Disco - I Write Sins Not Tragedies
The Beatles - The ballad of John & Yoko
Marilyn Manson - Your own Personal Jesus
Thats it Im out.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Back to Basics
Ok, after my rant on Oblivion i thought i should add a little but of substance.
I have a tooth ache. I think my wisdom tooth is pushing its way through even further because my gum has swelled up and is really painful. Stupid hippy dentist doesnt work wednesdays either.
Lana was having a 'party' tonight, its kinda like a tupperware party but with clothes. I hope it goes well, but havent heard from her yet.
Another jerk didnt like me critising his driving. He cut me off at a round about, I gave him the finger, he stops and REVERSES INTO the round about to yell at me. As usual i have music on so i have no idea what his issue is, he drives up a little and pulls over, so i just drive past him.
My teeth really hurt.
I have a tooth ache. I think my wisdom tooth is pushing its way through even further because my gum has swelled up and is really painful. Stupid hippy dentist doesnt work wednesdays either.
Lana was having a 'party' tonight, its kinda like a tupperware party but with clothes. I hope it goes well, but havent heard from her yet.
Another jerk didnt like me critising his driving. He cut me off at a round about, I gave him the finger, he stops and REVERSES INTO the round about to yell at me. As usual i have music on so i have no idea what his issue is, he drives up a little and pulls over, so i just drive past him.
My teeth really hurt.
'Scuse me while I kill this guy.
Ok, this time i have a purpose with my post. The purpose is kinda lame, and Im sure Lana will pay me out about it, but still.
This post is dedicated to The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.
This game is amazing. Since starting it I have:
Radiant AI works by giving NPCs a list of goals. Nothing else is scripted. They must decide how to achieve these goals by themselves based on their individual statistics. A hungry NPC might compare his current gold against his moral values to decide whether he will walk to a store and purchase food, or just steal it; a skilled archer can choose to hunt his own deer.
The following are examples of unexpected behavior discovered during early testing:
The other thing is the physics engine. Yes it does feature in a few games, but it seems more natural in this game, not tacked in just because they could like in Half Life 2.
You should play it, or at least see it in all its glory, so here:
Ok so this first video isnt 'in game' its been specifically made, but its still shows the physics.
This one is an official trailer, so it looks good but doesnt show much in game stuff:
The final one shows a lot more in game stuff:
Anyway, to play it is to love it, so get to it.
This post is dedicated to The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.
This game is amazing. Since starting it I have:
- Discovered a lair of bandits:
- This allowed me to sneak up to one, shoot him with an arrow and have the force carry him over the ledge he was standing against. This is thanks to the physics that the game employs, meaning everything has a weight.
- I also explored the main chamber and read a note saying that two bandits had gone deeper into the lair, one had dissapeared and when the others went looking for him they could only hear scrathing against the walls. Eventually you find a secret passageway and find the missing bandit dead on an alter, as well as some necromancers.
- Cleared out an entire dungeon without being seen: Sneaking around picking people off with one shot of my bow, very assassin like.
- Used the dungeons traps to my advantage, this is pretty simple in game, but its so much fun. Some of the dungeons, etc have traps in them, pressure plates, wire etc and when you step on the plate, cut the wire the trap is released, these include logs rolling down a hill, boulders dropping on you, spiked balls swinging at you. When you can turn one of these on an enemy it is sooo satisfying.
- Got to a town and met the resident wierdo. He was convinced that people were spying on him and had me watch them, when i reported that none were he attacked me.
Radiant AI works by giving NPCs a list of goals. Nothing else is scripted. They must decide how to achieve these goals by themselves based on their individual statistics. A hungry NPC might compare his current gold against his moral values to decide whether he will walk to a store and purchase food, or just steal it; a skilled archer can choose to hunt his own deer.
The following are examples of unexpected behavior discovered during early testing:
- One character was given a rake and the goal "rake leaves"; another was given a broom and the goal "sweep paths," and this worked smoothly. Then they swapped the items, so that the raker was given a broom and the sweeper was given the rake. In the end, one of them killed the other so he could get the proper item.
- Another test had an on-duty NPC guard become hungry. The guard went into the forest to hunt for food. The other guards also left to arrest the truant guard, leaving the town unprotected. The villager NPCs then looted all of the shops, due to the lack of law enforcement.
- In one Dark Brotherhood quest, the player can meet up with a shady merchant who sells skooma, an in-game drug. During testing, the NPC would be dead when the player got to him. The reason was that NPCs from the local skooma den were trying to get their fix, didn't have any money, and so were killing the merchant to get it.
- While testing to confirm that the physics models for a magical item known as the "Skull of Corruption," which creates an evil copy of the character/monster it is used on, were working properly, a tester dropped the item on the ground. An NPC immediately picked it up and used it on the player character, creating a copy of him that proceeded to kill every NPC in sight.
The other thing is the physics engine. Yes it does feature in a few games, but it seems more natural in this game, not tacked in just because they could like in Half Life 2.
You should play it, or at least see it in all its glory, so here:
Ok so this first video isnt 'in game' its been specifically made, but its still shows the physics.
This one is an official trailer, so it looks good but doesnt show much in game stuff:
The final one shows a lot more in game stuff:
Anyway, to play it is to love it, so get to it.
Saturday, January 20, 2007
So hot my sweat is sweating.
Wow, Its hot. That sucks, becuase, well to be honest I spent today doing what i wanted, nothing.
Yesterday though, i did it all, went to the driving range with Lana, shopping with Lana, beach with Lana then came home and watched a movie, with Lana.
The jobs are still going, moving on to a new project on monday, hopefully. Also my other one is still in the works.
Its too hot to concentrate, more later.
Yesterday though, i did it all, went to the driving range with Lana, shopping with Lana, beach with Lana then came home and watched a movie, with Lana.
The jobs are still going, moving on to a new project on monday, hopefully. Also my other one is still in the works.
Its too hot to concentrate, more later.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
You Know my Name
According to blogger this is the first post all year. Thats pretty poor of me. I havent been that busy. I just get lazy after work. I come home and zone out watching dvds or playing games.
Anyway, i will be including a lot more in the coming weeks etc. Im going to start reviewing some things books, dvds, comics, movies, etc.
I will also have my huge weekly updates of everything.
Life Update: Well, work is still alright, although i had to stay back today, which sucked beyond sucked. Im going to the gym more, which i like, i can tell its working, if nothing else i feel better, stronger. Still no word back on the other job i applied for but im sure ill hear from them soon.
Review:
A Series of Unfortunate Events: Book the Eighth: The Hostile Hospital.
Its hard to review this book without giving away too much of the plot. If you have heard of these books but never read them, you might think that giving away the plot of a childrens book seems trivial. You are wrong. Although the books might be basic, the plot leaves you wanting to jump from book to book, as questions are answered and new ones are asked.
This book is different in that the children are not with at a foster home of any sort for the first time in the series. Also the narrator and author makes his first 'appearance' in the book. This is also unique in that Count Olaf has his entire entourage together trying to capture the Baudelaire's, which hasnt happened since the very first book.
I think this book holds up quite strongly, possibly being in the top three of the series, partly because it moves away from the trusted formula in some areas, and in those that it sticks too it does it so well.
Mathews Commandment: Read It, if you've read the others.
Songs I'm Listening to:
Well thats all from me tonight, got to get up early to hit the gym tomorrow.
Anyway, i will be including a lot more in the coming weeks etc. Im going to start reviewing some things books, dvds, comics, movies, etc.
I will also have my huge weekly updates of everything.
Life Update: Well, work is still alright, although i had to stay back today, which sucked beyond sucked. Im going to the gym more, which i like, i can tell its working, if nothing else i feel better, stronger. Still no word back on the other job i applied for but im sure ill hear from them soon.
Review:
A Series of Unfortunate Events: Book the Eighth: The Hostile Hospital.
Its hard to review this book without giving away too much of the plot. If you have heard of these books but never read them, you might think that giving away the plot of a childrens book seems trivial. You are wrong. Although the books might be basic, the plot leaves you wanting to jump from book to book, as questions are answered and new ones are asked.
This book is different in that the children are not with at a foster home of any sort for the first time in the series. Also the narrator and author makes his first 'appearance' in the book. This is also unique in that Count Olaf has his entire entourage together trying to capture the Baudelaire's, which hasnt happened since the very first book.
I think this book holds up quite strongly, possibly being in the top three of the series, partly because it moves away from the trusted formula in some areas, and in those that it sticks too it does it so well.
Mathews Commandment: Read It, if you've read the others.
Songs I'm Listening to:
- "You know my name" - Chris Cornell
- "The Ballad of John & Yoko" - The Beatles
- "Ruby Soho" - Rancid
- "Smile" - Lilly Allen
Well thats all from me tonight, got to get up early to hit the gym tomorrow.
Sunday, December 31, 2006
007
Well, Well, Well. A new year is here. I have to say i was sorry to see double oh six leave us because it was a really good year.
However no one moves forward by dwelling on the past. 007 right now is full of promise, I only hope that I can make it more successful than last year. To that end I will list my new years resolutions, becuase if they are down on 'paper' than I will be reminded of them each day.
My new years eve was great, went to a small party and had a really good time, although I did drink too much. Which annoyed me because I really don't like getting that drunk.
However no one moves forward by dwelling on the past. 007 right now is full of promise, I only hope that I can make it more successful than last year. To that end I will list my new years resolutions, becuase if they are down on 'paper' than I will be reminded of them each day.
- Learn to play guitar.
- Diversify my investment portfolio to include shares.
- This includes researching, and buying shares.
- Double my savings, this may be difficult, I am not counting every cent i have, I have just set an average figure and hope to double it.
- Move out. Either for the job Im applying for, or one overseas. This is the year I really start MY life, outside of family expectations.
- Run the Sutherland to Surf.
My new years eve was great, went to a small party and had a really good time, although I did drink too much. Which annoyed me because I really don't like getting that drunk.
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
A little close to the boob don't ya think
Hello all.
Life Update: Work goes well, having basically finished my website, its now in its testing phase so theres nothing for me to do for a while.
Got some bad news this week, really bad news. But honestly i think it picked the wrong person. If there is anyone on the planet who can get through this he will. Stronger than Superman doesn't come close.
I have a whole Christmas cake to eat. Mmmmm.
I have a super power. Its not especially cool, like flying, or useful like X Ray vision, but its better than nothing. M y power is the ability to 'call' baked goods to me. If I feel like, say a cookie, within the next hour or two one will cross my path. I wont go looking for one, it will just show up.
Hey, at least I have A super power.
If your like me and have a whole bunch of photos on your computer that were taken by a digital camera, had their file name created automatically and now mean nothing, get Picasa. I had neglected my photos for ages, and now I have them named, time stamped and organised. Honestly, Its a great program, Its free and its google. How can you go wrong.
Weird Wide World:
Ok, this article, should help clarify what I mean when I say I'm a programmer. It shows just how absurd of an idea is portrayed.
Also this is a funny read. Now i know my sister had one of these toys, how many did you have?
Anyway, I have to go to sleep if I want to get up at 6:00 to go to the gym.
Life Update: Work goes well, having basically finished my website, its now in its testing phase so theres nothing for me to do for a while.
Got some bad news this week, really bad news. But honestly i think it picked the wrong person. If there is anyone on the planet who can get through this he will. Stronger than Superman doesn't come close.
I have a whole Christmas cake to eat. Mmmmm.
I have a super power. Its not especially cool, like flying, or useful like X Ray vision, but its better than nothing. M y power is the ability to 'call' baked goods to me. If I feel like, say a cookie, within the next hour or two one will cross my path. I wont go looking for one, it will just show up.
Hey, at least I have A super power.
If your like me and have a whole bunch of photos on your computer that were taken by a digital camera, had their file name created automatically and now mean nothing, get Picasa. I had neglected my photos for ages, and now I have them named, time stamped and organised. Honestly, Its a great program, Its free and its google. How can you go wrong.
Weird Wide World:
Ok, this article, should help clarify what I mean when I say I'm a programmer. It shows just how absurd of an idea is portrayed.
Also this is a funny read. Now i know my sister had one of these toys, how many did you have?
Anyway, I have to go to sleep if I want to get up at 6:00 to go to the gym.
Friday, December 15, 2006
Never Let Them See You Bleed
I CANT BELIEVE I LEFT OUT LANA's GRADUATION. It was her second one, because she's too smart to graduate once. Anyway what that means is that she is now officially the most technically educated person i know. She can also teach. Which is what she wanted so its good. The ceremony was excellent, I was so proud because I know she was unsure of things, and had problems with some parts (& people) in her course, but she did it, with style. Sorry.
Life Update: Ok so since my last post I have:
Life Update: Ok so since my last post I have:
- Won a poker tournament. 100 players and I was the best. Damn i rock at that game, and im starting to read people, or at least really try.
- Spent 13 hours drinking. Thats how you have a farewell party. Nothing says goodbye like watching the sun come up and people go to work from the inside of a pub.
- Graduated. I am now officially a Computer Scientist. It was such a great day. I didnt think it would mean that much. I thought that getting there was the best part, but the ceremony kicked ass.
- Passed an aptitude test for my job. Now i move on to the next phase fingers crossed.
- Quit from the Club. I worked my last shift ever. Woo Hoo.
- Won a poker night. Only 10-13 people or so but i still got $55 out of it.
- Hung out heaps with Lana.
- Saw the latest Bond movie. A must see, it kicks so much ass.
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