[warning: since most of what follows was originally posted to slashdot, this entry is going to get a bit geeky, so if you have an aversion to geekitude, you might want to skip on down to the last post about television or to some of those photos to the left. thanks.]
I’ve been in the beta for a multiplayer online roleplaying game (or MMORPG) called Eve: The Second Genesis for about two weeks or so. As I love a good beta, I came into this hoping for an experience along the lines of the early days of EverQuest, when it was more about exploring and experience than the acquisition of phat plat. What I got was a very pretty game with very little to actually do.
The UI for character creation is fun enough, though I suppose one could dismiss it as a virtual version of that old Barbie head my cousin used to abuse. After picking your race and bloodline, you alter the look of your character by tilting the head to and fro, changing the eyes, applying a beard, placing a scar and so on. It’s a neat use of the 3d engine, but really all you’re doing is making a static avatar for in-game chat and to appear stamp-like in the upper-right corner of your HUD.
[see. geeky as geeky can be.]
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yeah, it has been awhile, but as today is the first low-impact workday in a few weeks, let’s celebrate with a little friday five action.
1. What was the last TV show you watched?
You know, that is a funny question for this week (See Question 2), but the last TV show I watched was Tuesday night’s episode of the Jack Bauer Power Hour aka 24. Due to unfortunate circumstances (See Question 2), this was not watched at home, but rather at a neighbor’s apartment.
2. What was the last thing you complained about?
I probably complain every morning when I have to get out of bed, or when I’m cut off in traffic, but my last big complaint was directed at the fine people responsible for my satellite television service. Why? Well, it magically and mysteriously stopped receiving a signal eight days ago. Just like that. Poof. It might be because of the growing foliage on the surrounding trees, but we’re talking leaves here, not bricks. Anyway. They’ll be out to visit me in the morning, convinced to do so without charge by a polite threat to ditch the service and go back to cable.
3. Who was the last person you complimented and what did you say?
A co-worker. He made the wise decision to not drop two grand on a laptop as an impulse buy. “Smart move,” I said.
4. What was the last thing you threw away?
An empty cup from Roly Poly.
5. What was the last website (besides this one) that you visited?
As unexciting as it may be, it was techbargains.com… hey, who doesn’t like a good deal?
okay. your turn.
while we’re talking radio politics and dixie chicks, it only seems fit to draw your attention to the cover of next week’s entertainment weekly.
good idea? bad move? discuss.
and one more thing… this piece of proposed legislature is creeping its way through the south carolina general assembly.
if you listen to NPR during your waking hours, while you brush your teeth or drive to work, you know his voice. it is a smooth and low thing, sincere with a hint of wit. he probably has a great laugh, held in check by a calm demeanor or a substantial professionalism. you can hear him every weekday morning, giving you the headlines or introducing correspondents, and you would never imagine that he might be a litte angry these days. okay, maybe not angry, but certainly concerned and rightfully so.
We call him “Mr. President.” It is NPR policy never to refer to an incumbent President by last name only. He is “President Bush” or “Mr. Bush” — but never just “Bush.” Yet he is not a king. He is a citizen temporarily serving us, living in our house, drawing our pay, spending our money and acting in our name. We have the right and, yes, the duty, to expect him to perform at a high standard. If we don’t do this, we’re performing below the standard that should be expected of us.
from a speech made by bob edwards at the university of kentucky. give it a read and see what you think. look at his take on the engineered banning of chicks, the triviality of modern news, the sparcity of presidential new conferences and the way life was just before september 11, 2001. then when you’re done, check and see if you’re not more than just a little angry too.
meet your new amorphous overlords, the boohbahs. [courtesy of MeFi]
In the dark,
It’s just you and I.
Not a sound.
There’s not one sigh.
Just the beat of my poor heart,
In the dark.
- Nina Simone (1933-2003)
it looks like i made it. admittedly, i don’t have rock-solid records since day one, but i kept track this time and i can honestly say that i kept this year’s lenten promise. 46 days without a single ordered pizza, taken-out box of chinese food or purchased compact disc. no newly bought DVDs either. the experience appears to have had a lasting effect, as today i flipped through the used stacks at the local hollywood video and walked away empty-handed.
it is interesting to note that i wasn’t the only one considering some lent-based moderation this year.
sometimes the internet amuses. often the internet informs. usually the internet annoys. and it has been too long since the internet has truly entertained. but this morning, i’ve been led to a fantastic source of hilarity. michael kelly’s page of misery is chock full of goodness. in an alternate universe, eddie izzard decided against being a performer, remained an accountant, and this is what he would write in private. need proof? here’s a sample from one called nothing much:
Over the Christmas and New Year holidays I have been watching more television than is ordinarily my wont, believing it to be a sacred duty at this holy season. Speaking of which, why the hell wasn’t ‘The Italian Job’ on this year? A generation of children may grow up in ignorance of the real Christmas story, namely that Our Lord Michael Caine saved us all by leading a gang of cockney thieves to steal 3 million in gold bullion from the Fiat factory in Turin. Remember the parable of the Three Wise Minis.
he’s also written about some saints with whom you might not be familiar:
Saint Felicity the Merry used to skip around everywhere revelling in the joys of creation and singing the praises of God. She would say things like, “Oh, a butterfly, oh, look at the sunshine, tra-la-la.” Eventually she was stoned to death by some people with hangovers.
there’s over three years worth of stuff, including political rants, observations on smoking, sex and dating tips, teevee listings and even an unpublished novel. so go on and take a look. you really didn’t want to work today, anyway. [thank you, MeFi]
there is nothing like a mini. finally brought to the states, you can’t pass one on the street without nudging the person next to you and saying, “hey, look, it’s a mini!” they’re just so darn cool. small and zippy, undeniably european, and the absolute opposite of the lumbering SUV. oh yeah, i’m a fan.
but i guess i should talk about the movie… okay. here goes.
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