[Music] Vince Guaraldi Trio - Linus and Lucy
Hope everyone has had a Merry Christmas/Happy Chanukah/Happy Festivus/merry whatever else. Mine has been good. Had some family come down for Christmas, got a new video card for my computer, got a copy of Serenity and I've eaten enough to last me through the winter. Worst part is, as much as I've eaten, there are still plenty of leftovers. We had 14 people here for Christmas dinner, and we didn't even eat half of the food we made. I'm about to hit the point where I can't look at turkey anymore. You know, 5 straight meals of turkey'll do that to you.
The new video card is pretty cool, since it's a helluva lot more powerful than the last one. I picked up Half-Life 2 earlier today, and it runs like a dream on there. Half of the fun so far is just running around and looking at how shiny everything is. Well, that and throwing bottles at people. Got the Game of the Year edition too, so I've got a good copy of Half Life 1 to play through first. Good times.
And now I'm tired. If I don't post before then, Happy New Year everyone!
December 27, 2005
December 22, 2005
Out of the Loop
[Music] Vince Guaraldi Trio - O Tannenbaum
I guess I don't catch onto fads and things on das Intarweb, because I totally missed this one. After the Kansas Board of Education called for hearings to determine whether or not to give intelligent design equal time in classrooms, a guy named Bobby Henderson proposed a parody religion called "Flying Spaghetti Monsterism." I don't know about you, but a belief system in which mankind was created by a giant floating lump of pasta (whose followers are called "pastafarians"), global warming is attributed to a lack of pirates and prayers end in "Ramen" seems like a good idea to me. Or at least a fun one.
I guess I don't catch onto fads and things on das Intarweb, because I totally missed this one. After the Kansas Board of Education called for hearings to determine whether or not to give intelligent design equal time in classrooms, a guy named Bobby Henderson proposed a parody religion called "Flying Spaghetti Monsterism." I don't know about you, but a belief system in which mankind was created by a giant floating lump of pasta (whose followers are called "pastafarians"), global warming is attributed to a lack of pirates and prayers end in "Ramen" seems like a good idea to me. Or at least a fun one.
December 14, 2005
Links
[Music] Vince Guaraldi Trio - Skating
Here's a couple of links some of you might find interesting. First off is a link to a really great comic called the Perry Bible Fellowship. Now, don't let the title throw you, it really has nothing to do with a Bible fellowship of any sort. It's a bizarre little comic, but I thought it was funny as hell. Click around on the front page to access various comics, or click on the little man in the middle for the archive. Here are a couple of my favorites.
In other news, apparently there will be a Spartan from Halo in Dead or Alive 4. Sounds pretty badass.
Damn it's rainy today. I was almost afraid that I wasn't going to make it to work. When you're driving less than a mile from downtown Houston but can't see it because of the rain, you know it's not the best time to be out driving. Here's hoping I can make it home later. Oh yeah, and the best part is, with all of the water outside, a water main broke and the radio station and the surrounding buildings don't have running water. Nice little juxtaposition we've got, right? "Water water everywhere, but not a drop to drink," or something like that.
Here's a couple of links some of you might find interesting. First off is a link to a really great comic called the Perry Bible Fellowship. Now, don't let the title throw you, it really has nothing to do with a Bible fellowship of any sort. It's a bizarre little comic, but I thought it was funny as hell. Click around on the front page to access various comics, or click on the little man in the middle for the archive. Here are a couple of my favorites.
In other news, apparently there will be a Spartan from Halo in Dead or Alive 4. Sounds pretty badass.
Damn it's rainy today. I was almost afraid that I wasn't going to make it to work. When you're driving less than a mile from downtown Houston but can't see it because of the rain, you know it's not the best time to be out driving. Here's hoping I can make it home later. Oh yeah, and the best part is, with all of the water outside, a water main broke and the radio station and the surrounding buildings don't have running water. Nice little juxtaposition we've got, right? "Water water everywhere, but not a drop to drink," or something like that.
December 13, 2005
Chuck Norris
[Music] Hitomi Takahashi - Aozora no Namida
Wow, I've been lazy lately. Didn't realize that I hadn't updated this thing in almost two weeks. Sooo...yeah.
I found this in the forum for the comic Able and Baker, and it was just too funny to pass up. Who knew that Chuck Norris was such a badass? Some favorites:
To prove it isn't that big of a deal to beat cancer, Chuck Norris smoked 15 cartons of cigarettes a day for 2 years and acquired 7 different kinds of cancer only to rid them from his body by flexing for 30 minutes. Beat that, Lance Armstrong.
Chuck Norris doesn't read books. He stares them down until he gets the information he wants.
I've actually completed a couple of games I started a while back. I've had both Final Fantasy X and Xenosaga since I got my PS2 back in March of 2003, and I finally finished FFX. I'm working on Xenosaga, and I think I'm fairly close to the end. It's like a really long, pretty cool sci-fi movie with interludes where you fight stuff. If the story wasn't as interesting, I wouldn't be able to stand it. I'm debating on whether or not to pick up the second one after I finish the first. I've heard mixed reviews on it, but it should be cheap and I want to hear more of the story.
I've been watching some more anime lately, outside of the three weekly series I keep up with (Bleach, One Piece and Naruto). I finished watching Tenjou Tenge the other day, and it was kinda cool. Pretty girls, some cool fights but the plot just kinda trails off at the end. They spend so much time explaining events that happened before the current story that the current story gets overlooked. I don't know if I missed some movie or OAV or something that wraps it up, or maybe it's something that can only be seen in the manga. Who knows?
I also finally watched all of R.O.D. the TV Series, which was really good. I mean, it's a 26 episode series, and I watched 18 of those in one night. It was addicting. I loved the OAV of R.O.D., and the TV series not only continued the story of the OAV but tied it all into a larger narrative. I've always liked how quirky this series is, with its bookworms who fight people using paper as a weapon and its secret agents working for the British Library. Oh, and the music is fantastic, a great mix of James Bond-style big band and techno. The coolest part of the TV series was the trio of sisters, Maggie, Michelle and Anita. All three are paper masters, but each one has a special talent which compliments the others, such as Michelle's bow and arrows, Anita's speed and cutting abilities and Maggie's puppets/familiars. Speaking of Maggie, she's my favorite character from the series, hands down. She's a tall, quiet, socially awkward girl who loves small, confined spaces and can't go a day without reading something. The familiars she creates are pretty cool, from the multiarmed creatures she makes to help her carry stuff to the giant bird that helps to convey the sisters wherever they want to go. I could honestly go on about this series for hours, but you get the point.
My Christmas shopping is complete, because online stores are my friend.
I got to try a mojito (sp?) last night, and it was pretty good. The sugar and mint leaves were a bit odd, but it was a very nice mellow drink. I also got borderline molested by some drunk guy in a hotel bar. The radio station had its annual Leadership Circle event at the Intercontinental Hotel (super-swanky), featuring a choir, a nice dinner and a talk by Kevin Klose, the president and CEO of NPR. After the event was over, five of my coworkers and I stopped by the hotel's bar for a drink. While we were waiting for our drinks, I feel someone come up behind me and start rubbing my shoulders. At this point, a couple of things ran through my mind. The first one out of the gate was, "hey, that feels kinda good." Second, "wait a second, those are man hands." Third, "what the fuck is going on?" Finally, "who is this person and do I know him?" The only things I could manage to say were "ummm...hi....who is this?" It was soon revealed that he was some random drunk guy named Tony, a well-dressed but greasy haired man who looked like some sort of traveling salesman. He then proceeded to introduce himself and flirt with/hit on the three women in our group. Our introductions were fun, since Timberly became Kim, Lance became Tom, and, since Lance claimed that he was wearing my nametag, I became Lance. We talked for a bit as he leered down one lady's cleavage, and he eventually wandered off to drink some more. It was....interesting, I guess.
Graduation parties this weekend, one of which I'm helping host. Should make for a good time.
Work is kinda hectic because we're starting the runup to the Christmas holiday, meaning that I have to do double and triple logs a day. I have to have all of them done through January 2nd by next Thursday, so that's fun. I'm looking forward to Christmas, since we've got a bunch of family coming down here, instead of us having to drink up to Tulsa. It should be fun.
That's it for me because I'm tired of typing. Have fun all, and if I don't post again before then, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.
Wow, I've been lazy lately. Didn't realize that I hadn't updated this thing in almost two weeks. Sooo...yeah.
I found this in the forum for the comic Able and Baker, and it was just too funny to pass up. Who knew that Chuck Norris was such a badass? Some favorites:
To prove it isn't that big of a deal to beat cancer, Chuck Norris smoked 15 cartons of cigarettes a day for 2 years and acquired 7 different kinds of cancer only to rid them from his body by flexing for 30 minutes. Beat that, Lance Armstrong.
Chuck Norris doesn't read books. He stares them down until he gets the information he wants.
I've actually completed a couple of games I started a while back. I've had both Final Fantasy X and Xenosaga since I got my PS2 back in March of 2003, and I finally finished FFX. I'm working on Xenosaga, and I think I'm fairly close to the end. It's like a really long, pretty cool sci-fi movie with interludes where you fight stuff. If the story wasn't as interesting, I wouldn't be able to stand it. I'm debating on whether or not to pick up the second one after I finish the first. I've heard mixed reviews on it, but it should be cheap and I want to hear more of the story.
I've been watching some more anime lately, outside of the three weekly series I keep up with (Bleach, One Piece and Naruto). I finished watching Tenjou Tenge the other day, and it was kinda cool. Pretty girls, some cool fights but the plot just kinda trails off at the end. They spend so much time explaining events that happened before the current story that the current story gets overlooked. I don't know if I missed some movie or OAV or something that wraps it up, or maybe it's something that can only be seen in the manga. Who knows?
I also finally watched all of R.O.D. the TV Series, which was really good. I mean, it's a 26 episode series, and I watched 18 of those in one night. It was addicting. I loved the OAV of R.O.D., and the TV series not only continued the story of the OAV but tied it all into a larger narrative. I've always liked how quirky this series is, with its bookworms who fight people using paper as a weapon and its secret agents working for the British Library. Oh, and the music is fantastic, a great mix of James Bond-style big band and techno. The coolest part of the TV series was the trio of sisters, Maggie, Michelle and Anita. All three are paper masters, but each one has a special talent which compliments the others, such as Michelle's bow and arrows, Anita's speed and cutting abilities and Maggie's puppets/familiars. Speaking of Maggie, she's my favorite character from the series, hands down. She's a tall, quiet, socially awkward girl who loves small, confined spaces and can't go a day without reading something. The familiars she creates are pretty cool, from the multiarmed creatures she makes to help her carry stuff to the giant bird that helps to convey the sisters wherever they want to go. I could honestly go on about this series for hours, but you get the point.
My Christmas shopping is complete, because online stores are my friend.
I got to try a mojito (sp?) last night, and it was pretty good. The sugar and mint leaves were a bit odd, but it was a very nice mellow drink. I also got borderline molested by some drunk guy in a hotel bar. The radio station had its annual Leadership Circle event at the Intercontinental Hotel (super-swanky), featuring a choir, a nice dinner and a talk by Kevin Klose, the president and CEO of NPR. After the event was over, five of my coworkers and I stopped by the hotel's bar for a drink. While we were waiting for our drinks, I feel someone come up behind me and start rubbing my shoulders. At this point, a couple of things ran through my mind. The first one out of the gate was, "hey, that feels kinda good." Second, "wait a second, those are man hands." Third, "what the fuck is going on?" Finally, "who is this person and do I know him?" The only things I could manage to say were "ummm...hi....who is this?" It was soon revealed that he was some random drunk guy named Tony, a well-dressed but greasy haired man who looked like some sort of traveling salesman. He then proceeded to introduce himself and flirt with/hit on the three women in our group. Our introductions were fun, since Timberly became Kim, Lance became Tom, and, since Lance claimed that he was wearing my nametag, I became Lance. We talked for a bit as he leered down one lady's cleavage, and he eventually wandered off to drink some more. It was....interesting, I guess.
Graduation parties this weekend, one of which I'm helping host. Should make for a good time.
Work is kinda hectic because we're starting the runup to the Christmas holiday, meaning that I have to do double and triple logs a day. I have to have all of them done through January 2nd by next Thursday, so that's fun. I'm looking forward to Christmas, since we've got a bunch of family coming down here, instead of us having to drink up to Tulsa. It should be fun.
That's it for me because I'm tired of typing. Have fun all, and if I don't post again before then, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.
December 02, 2005
Photoshop Phriday
[Music] Gatsby's American Dream - Pompeii
I was going through some of the previous Photoshop Phridays, and I found one image that just killed me (first one at the top of the page). I couldn't tell you how many times that happened to me while playing that game. A guard would come by, I'd panic and next thing you know, I'm lying in the middle of the floor instead of hiding behind the wall I was aiming for.
Also, while you're on that site, you might as well check out the Fashion SWAT. Basically, it's a couple of guys who find pictures on the Internet or in catalogs and ridicule them. From retro fashions and Japanese weirdos to video game characters and Bollywood movie posters, they cover a pretty good range. The best parts are when they start running of on tangents, like their Powers Booth bit at the end of the International Male SWAT. Those guys are damn creative and funny as hell. Give it a try.
I was going through some of the previous Photoshop Phridays, and I found one image that just killed me (first one at the top of the page). I couldn't tell you how many times that happened to me while playing that game. A guard would come by, I'd panic and next thing you know, I'm lying in the middle of the floor instead of hiding behind the wall I was aiming for.
Also, while you're on that site, you might as well check out the Fashion SWAT. Basically, it's a couple of guys who find pictures on the Internet or in catalogs and ridicule them. From retro fashions and Japanese weirdos to video game characters and Bollywood movie posters, they cover a pretty good range. The best parts are when they start running of on tangents, like their Powers Booth bit at the end of the International Male SWAT. Those guys are damn creative and funny as hell. Give it a try.
December 01, 2005
I Got a Funny Email
The other day, someone contacted me about a post I made a while ago in which I mentioned a game that Ian had rented. The main reason I had even mentioned the game was because Ian sealed it up to be sent back within 30 minutes of receiving it. Anyhow, I got this in my email (junk mail actually):
Hi,
I just found your Kingdom Under Fire blog entry: http://chandlerornathanlane.blogspot.com/2005/11/justwow.html and I think you may be of some help to me. I'm reaching out to you on behalf of M80 & Sega regarding Spartan Total Warrior. This award-winning game is the first console title from the Total War series. Since you are a fan of Kingdom Under Fire, I thought that you might be interested in posting the press release or a review of the game on your blog? You seem like a reputable influencer, so I think you'd be a big help to us. Please let me know if you're interested!
Thanks!
Lauren, M80
I did respond, and I would post the response, but it's a lot longer and more boring than I remember it being. Basically, I pointed out that I'm not what you would consider a "fan" of that particular game (Kingdom Under Fire: Heroes, I believe), and I'm also not what you would consider a "reputable influencer." Hell, how many people actually read this? 10? 20 on a good day? Besides, my game reviews are pretty haphazard, since I'm usually just making stuff up as I go. The other thing is, what if I didn't like this other game? You can be pretty sure I'd post a negative review, which probably wouldn't sit well with these people. I dunno. I just thought that this whole thing was kinda funny. Are they that desperate for publicity? Geez.
Hi,
I just found your Kingdom Under Fire blog entry: http://chandlerornathanlane.blogspot.com/2005/11/justwow.html and I think you may be of some help to me. I'm reaching out to you on behalf of M80 & Sega regarding Spartan Total Warrior. This award-winning game is the first console title from the Total War series. Since you are a fan of Kingdom Under Fire, I thought that you might be interested in posting the press release or a review of the game on your blog? You seem like a reputable influencer, so I think you'd be a big help to us. Please let me know if you're interested!
Thanks!
Lauren, M80
I did respond, and I would post the response, but it's a lot longer and more boring than I remember it being. Basically, I pointed out that I'm not what you would consider a "fan" of that particular game (Kingdom Under Fire: Heroes, I believe), and I'm also not what you would consider a "reputable influencer." Hell, how many people actually read this? 10? 20 on a good day? Besides, my game reviews are pretty haphazard, since I'm usually just making stuff up as I go. The other thing is, what if I didn't like this other game? You can be pretty sure I'd post a negative review, which probably wouldn't sit well with these people. I dunno. I just thought that this whole thing was kinda funny. Are they that desperate for publicity? Geez.
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