Meanderings Archived
10/24/05 - 12/13/05
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Meanderings Archived
10/24/05 - 12/13/05 |
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Skinny Dipping in a Sea of Lee
I started a rules topic regarding Tomb Spyder rules on 40konline.com a while back and it ended up dragging on for quite a while. Some of the rules holes would be ridiculously easy to repair with updated faqs. They already have a section with 4th edition codex faqs, they could just throw a note in there saying monstrous creature Tomb Spyders can/cannot be picked out of the unit they can create with generated scarab swarms... I mean, to make those swarms is one of the main abilities of Tomb Spyders. How could they not have addressed that issue.
GP lent me Tenacious D: The Complete Masterworks and it is awesome. Of course the HBO episodes are phenomenal, but also the concert footage, ridiculous. I was never that crazy about "Wonderboy" really, but the live performance is a thing of wonder. To the heavens. Another great show: Showtime's Dead Like Me. Quirky black comedy, character development, and cleverly themed episodes. Good shit.
A special treat for those of you already enjoying Google Earth - email me and I'll send you a tour of significant Blanco River sites. They're all in pretty good detail. I love this program.
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Major Tom to SGS
Google Earth is pretty great, but I'm still waiting for the day when I can hunt down my very own framed criminals a-la Enemy of the State.
From outer space SGS doesn't look like much. Too bad I can't pick out a certain aluminum can-filled truck; maybe the pictures were taken too recently. At our place there's a trampoline in the backyard from the previous residents. Taking that into account, I would estimate the pictures of our neighborhood as being about 3 years old. That fits in with the time range Google lists on the website.
Here's a photo rundown of mine and Mack's 40k game on Friday. A solid victory for the Hordo Necrones.
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Rivers and Tides (2001)
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Plum Tuckered Out
Here's one of the students in the Limnology lab that I teach. This was during the final, when everyone had to take turns titrating their alkalinity unknown. As you can see, it dragged on a bit.
We came back early from Amistad. After leaving at the usual time on Wednesday (4 AM) we made it down to Del Rio, where outside it was a balmy 52. We managed to get a couple of stations done before the temperature dropped and the wind started to pick up, violently blowing us about the place. We decided to trailer the boat and drive it around to the Devil's River ramp (usually we just make our way across the lake to that area). Things didn't get any better. When we went back down the Devil's to catch a site we had missed by not taking the long route, the waves came up to three foot swells and we started getting the hell knocked out of us once again. We made our way back up the river and barely got a couple more stations (short versions anyway) before we pulled it back in and called it a day. I heard that night it was pretty icy in central Texas. Well balls to that, because I guarantee I was colder than all of yous, driving the boat upwind in the spray in 10 degree nastiness. Good times. Thursday we got a couple of stations on the Pecos and Rio Grande rivers, packed up and drove back.
One of the best things about being gone is all the new Overheard's in NYC that crop up.
The new X-Men trailer looks absolutely terrific, although I really hate the Quicktime-only bullshit. F Quicktime in the A.
CNNsanity:
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Recognize My Disease, Uh Huh
One of the crazy cycling pictures I used in a seminar class presentation the other day (about nutrient cycling). Probably my favorite of the bunch, outside of the one with the two 80's-out skanks on a big-wheel surf tricycle (my closing page picture).
Thanks to Kaylube for bringing me aboard the great ship Pandora. It might die a quick death once the ads start to "ramp up" as they promise, but already I've picked up on so many new (to me) artists that it's worth every penny I haven't spent. My three channels that I've been rotating through since just starting an account today: Alice in Chains, Bob Dylan, Charlie Feathers. I can personally recommend these channels... for the most part, anyway. Sometimes you get the random stinker, but you can quickly give it the thumbs-down and move on to the next (and theoretically more suiting) recommendation. There are other music sites that do the same basic service, but this one has a slick free interface and is based on the Music Genome Project, which is just an awesome idea by itself. One of the characteristics of Alice in Chains music, says Pandora, is "extensive vamping." It was nice to find that I'm not the only person fascinated with this phrase. Whatever vamping might be, just from the sound of it I would agree that AiC does it extensively.
In related news, I watched this 3-part special The Rhythm of Life on the Ovation network the other day about music, hosted by George martin, with him exploring various aspects of music theory like rhythm, melody, and harmony with a mixed bag of artists (Billy Joel, Brian Wilson, Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder, etc). It was pretty awesome, especially the bit with Wilson. I got this close to coming around to Pet Sounds. I believe this fine British programme was originally aired quite a while back (late 80's or early 90's style). Catch it if you can. It's worth it just to see Sir George clap his hands to a beat... kind of like a mummy would.
AJP was telling me about this strange myth that Americans seem to have about Germany: the German Christmas Pickle. Personally I had never heard of such a thing, but that didn't stop me from chuckling along. Shit, I'll keep that one going. What the fuck, the Germans do some kinda weird shit with pickles on Christmas. Sounds about right.
More new nominees for the Good People Hall of Fame. Jeez, Haitians. Take it easy! And you think GTA soiled your good name?
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IF(LAND=BLIND)THEN(ONEEYEDMAN=KING)
Alright McCecil, I know at least you're still reading this so let's do a new entry.
Kaylube & Kaylube, Ltd. visited New Braunsfels' Wurstfest a couple of weeks ago and took some pictures that are nothing short of ridiculously stupendous. Get yourself some laidback music and check out the lightshow. I myself was attending the UT-Kansas silliness, and it was a good time, thanks in no small part to The Friendliest Tailgater, Cecil MacCecil. Thanks for the tickets and grub.
Last night at Carousel Lounge, Wilmo had to leave early, and I pity him indeed - shortly after he left, there arrived a pearl-snapped prince who grasped the neck of a worn 6-string and with his trusty Rough Riders blasted through a 5-song set of dark country chocolate. The man, pictured at left, called himself John Willie. From what I can tell, John Willie is an old soul. He at once warmly embraces and coldly mocks Nashville's trite hallmark-card lyrical tradition. His vocal stylings fall somewhere in the middle of Dwight Yoakum, James Brown, and Glen Danzig. When ole J-Dub gets himself a mailing list for show listings you'll be the first to know.
Ah, the Snowman T-Shirt controversy. Every so often, kids are able to perpetrate some covert shenanigans that parents don't pick up on for some time, until somebody ruins it by blabbing their big mouth. I'm looking at you, CNN. Don't ever change, Young Jeezy. Just turn your shit inside out for the rest of the day.
I'm next to certain all my readers have already seen the Junior: The Wendy's Guy trailer. I was disappointed to hear from someone, don't remember who, that the full film got a UT student-only screening; hopefully they'll put it up in Dobie or Alamo at some point and I can go see it. I know it was only a few years ago that I graduated, but it blew my mind to think that guy is still there, tapping the hell out of that machine. I wonder how many keypads he's worn holes in over the years.
My Sisters of Battle finally made their tabletop debut a few weeks ago, and I would have mentioned it earlier had I not run into gremlins in the Yahoo! Photos system. But the pictures are up. Cubs win! Cubs win! Have I mentioned that these games are most enjoyable when viewed as a slideshow?
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Like A Big Earthen Boob
Ah Wikipedia. The fierce fighter of boredom. With its "random article" function, you can learn about all kinds of things - like Algerian archaeology, Lionel Richie, Mario Kart, or the Shamisen. And when you've had enough of the computer picks, you can check out your own birthday for all the relevant cross-references. My name wasn't even included in the list of births. Must be some kind of unintentional oversight.
Overheard in NYC:
Woman: That's enough pushing, people. I'm pregnant and I'm nice and tight up in here. Guy: That's why you got pregnant! --6 trainThat website is magical. I also like the guy calling the lost old woman a fucking retard. What a city! And people ask me why I never want to go there. I've also been on a YouTube frenzy lately, mainly because of the great Tom Waits action. Well, ok, this is pretty great, too. But if you watch just one of the Waits performances or interviews, let it be his segment from Fishing With John. The cow didn't even know that the ant was there. Listen for Tom's indignant disbelief about waking up at 5:00. Beautiful. I don't know how I feel about his squeamishness at baiting a hook... well, he's not a doctor. I just want to know where I can get boots like those. Some cool underwater photography. Somehow Pitchfork manages to give props to R. Kelly's "Trapped in the Closet." I guess I've seen it all. A 40k game between me and mack from a couple of weeks ago. |
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No Shit?
A picture from one of my school buddies currently working for FEMA in the Gulf Coast. This is just one of a series of no looter signs. You can't make it out all that well but behind that sign is a stuffed bear holding a pistol. Just one more piece of evidence backing up Steven Colbert's categorization of bears as a major threat to human survival. I've said it for years, and finally the media is taking notice. Bravo Colbert.
Seriously though, he sent me several pictures of these kind of handmade signs, ranging from the simple ("No Looting") to the Clockwork Orangey ("All Looters Will Be Shot and Raped" - order not specified). And of course behind these signs are piles of utter devastation. Talking to him it sounds like it's still fucking Mad Max down there.
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Immune To All Viruses
Ah, great picture of the Mackus americanus in its native environment. The picture can be found in my Odds and Ends Yahoo! Photo album. We played some poker on Monday and Team Bullay went out pretty quick. Ye bastards.
SOCOM 3, I just can't say enough. However I was irritated the other day because I had just verified my account and my memory card file got corrupted or some other such nonsense and I had to delete the setup file that saved my login and password. Even though you select and answer a secret question, provide your email, and list a credit card number, if you lose your password you're totally fucked, a fact verified by phone conversation with a rather shitty Sony CSR. They have absolutely no way of getting you your password, even though you can only verify one account per CC# (verificiation is necessary to create a friends list, play ranked games, and some other details). It took me a few tries to remember the particular arcane combination of numbers and letters that would allow me access to my online killing fields; finally I got it right and I'm back on board. I also started playing the single player missions, which are all easier and more enjoyable than those of any previous SOCOM. There's not so much tedious sneakiness, and the vehicles are all really great to use... it all adds up. Game of the year, hands down.
I wouldn't count Stewie Griffin - The Untold Story as a real film, per se, so it won't be formally submitted to my review team. I will say that it was enjoyable, and of course required viewing for Family Guy fans.
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Anyone With PS Can Edit A Magic Card
Ohhh. Thanks to Kaylube for bringing it to my attention so quickly. That's right, a FARK.com political flamewar photoshop contest using Magic: The Gathering cards. Lordamercy.
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Energize... the Badfinger
I could never make it as a Starfleet officer. As soon as the little glittery shit started from the transporter I would give the finger to everyone I was leaving behind. And not just when I was being beamed away from a dangerous situation. I'm talking about every time. My senior officers would try to discipline me for it, but eventually they would come to accept it as my humorous trademark.
This was fun - my favorite people in the world: real americans.
(P)ulling out of Iraq now could likely lead to Saddam regaining control in Iraq. - Martha Prater, Rusk, Texas No euthanasia, no abortion, no persecution of Christians, no judicial tyranny, no homosexual privileges, no attacks on the institution of marriage, no attacks on the family, etc. - Pedro A. Delgado, Miami, FloridaHomosexual privileges... what a remarkable phrase. Oh those Christians. So persecuted. Maybe it's time for another bloody crusade to reclaim the holy land from all those liberal lawyers and homo-friendly activist judges. Eye for an eye! Blah blah blah! |
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Postrata
This was some dude in a cardboard/foil robot costume that was hanging around on campus Monday near the building where the Flows For The Future Conference was going on. Basically a bunch of Texas and beyond water scientists getting together to discuss the issue of "environmental flows." I had a poster on exhibit, but I didn't win the student poster contest. Nonetheless it was an interesting experience.
Besides that I'm still playing Socom 3. Sometimes it can be fairly irritating, having to run so far to get into battle (even in 16v16 respawn) then being sniped just as you top that last hill... Apparently in order to have full access to every piece of weaponry and equipment you've got to fulfill some 1-player mission goals. I find that pretty irritating. I barely have time to get in any multiplayer games much less single player... thinking back on the retarded AI I've come to loathe through the successive editions of Socom, I'm not sure I want to take the time for something as simple as a STG, bah who cares. The one extra I would be interested in is the grip handle you can fit onto the M48s and M60s. I liked it in the demo.
I went today to the Showdown in San Marcos. On one hand you've got a full bar, but then it's much smaller and the jukebox requires a rather large tithe compared to Austin. The mixed drinks some of my school buddies were having looked like they were master-crafted, especially the Bloody Marys. Whathaveyou.
What nice things to say about our president. Makes my teeth hurt.
Bad Rummy!
You say Borat has own myspace page? He would like to make romance inside you.
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I Drunk Up All My Money (That I Borrowed Every Time)
When I first heard about Inside A Broken Clock on Eklektikos I was hoping it would be free, seeing as how he neglected to mention any ticket price or whathaveyou... unfortunately it looks like it's $13.00 admission. Blast. When I still thought it was free I thought it'd be great to see a bunch of people who are obviously crazy about Tom Waits get together to sing and dance... the price tag makes it now seem much more amateur and lame.
Have I mentioned that I think Aielli can be a real cock sometimes? I listen to the program a lot, mostly because it's on during my normal commuting times to San Marcos and he usually has exceptional taste. But then he'll have a performer in studio, and he's always got to wow them with the musical trivia (emphasis on the trivial) he's appropriated over the years. It always seems like he's putting them down, comparing them with some other artist in a way that takes away from their own skill or originality. When Britt Daniel was on a month ago it was really kind of embarrassing - here's this local band (Spoon) that's really taking off, and John treats him like a total fucking amateur, insisting that Britt acknowledge his interpretations of the lyrics (Sister Jack is some kind of policeman, Monsieur Valenti is about Rudolph Valentino, etc etc). The dialogue between host and guest was really uncomfortable... but you get what you pay for, after all. The few times I've called in he's made it pretty clear he doesn't give a crap about listener input or opinion, and that put me off a bit. My favorite DJ on KUT is Melanie Shrawder, who works the late Saturday night shift. Except for the random Elvis Costello track from time to time she makes up some great playlists.
Speaking of musical pretention, I have to mention this Pitchfork Review for Annie's DJ-Kicks CD. What the fuck does this mean?!?
Now granted, over the years the mirror has ruined a few. So Annie's own contributions take on increased significance, existing partly just because, partly for the posture of non-posturing, but entirely as proof that her conscious penchant for the off-kilter hasn't strangled her sound.Whatever. Time once again for Amistad, I'll be back with pictures soon. Hopefully it doesn't rain on Thursday, god knows what kind of contingency plans they'll come up with on the fly to get the second day's data. |
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A new low for the "more news" section. Apparently celebrity gossip isn't bringing in the hits it used to... time to resort to soap opera plot twists. Rue the day.
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