20060326

Adventures in Fast Forwarding

Legend of Lemnear, save your sanity and don't watch it. Don't believe me? Believe him or him.

Or believe me.

A comprehensive list of things Lemnear fails to be.

-Entertaining
-Intelligent
-Porn (Though it tried)
-Worth watching

The story unfolds with the obligatory burning village, the obligatory dying townspeople, the obligatory "I'm the only person in the whole village who stands a chance against the evil but gets caught or killed anyway" would be hero, the obligatory sorceror etc. Everything in this was so standard it might as well have been titled, "An animated summary of common elements in 80s anime".

To put it simply, I watched this via occaisional glances over my shoulder while a couple of my friends watched it at 4x speed. I didn't miss anything. I quite honestly knew as much as they did concerning plot, character development, and events, probably because there were none that were noteworthy.

Actually, I lie. There was one noteworthy event. The main heroine dies. She's the legendary warrior who has to save everyone, and she dies. This was the most beautiful moment in the entire "epic". The world was righted, and all the people in it beautiful; until she arbitrarily revived, and with her brought back to life her brother/lover/person/thing.

Yeah...

20060321

Hah!

I knew the instant I made certain assertions (in the post below which you should read first) they would be refuted by empirical evidence, and so they were.

It appears that the problem with my CD-ROM is either a function of the case I have it in or the CD-ROM itself. The Floppy may just be related to its current hookup, which was done after installation using the old motherboard.

The long log in time thing, however, is just something else that I've managed to fix.

What I guess I'll end up doing for a while is not using CDs. However, this sucks royally.

I'll figure out whether I should eat the cost of a new CD-ROM drive or whether the case itself is the problem soon enough, but this has been a stressful enough morning as is.

Gyargh. Way to waste an hour and a half of time I had set aside for RELAXING. Now the only things I have to look forward to today are lunch, two classes, and a paper due on my birthday.

I'd cry, but somewhere kids are starving.

Rantification

Rant rant rant.

Right now, I'm watching another system restore attemp to remedy the following crippling problems with Raijin.

1. Exceptionally long wait time between Windows loading and the login screen appearing.
2. The inability of Windows to read floppy disks in my drive.
3. The inability of Windows to realize that there are more kinds of CDs than just audio CDs.

Now that I've finally solved once and for all every hardware issue I was having, Windows has decided it is time to make up for all those years I missed out on the suckiness of 3.1, 95 and so on.

Let me also specify that Norton Antivirus is crap. Crapity crap. Crapity crapicity of craphood. I think it operates on the principle that if it uses up gobs of CPU time and claims it didn't find any viruses, people will think it does such a great job at auto-protecting the computer from them. I would do just as well using a method of defeating viruses pioneered by a friend of mine. Namely, let them all in and hope they cancel each other out.

If it wasn't for the fact that I managed to fix the CD-Rom problem last night, only to have it return this morning, I'd think there was something wrong with my drive. If it wasn't for the fact that the very floppy drive that "has no disk" in it was used to install my RAID drivers, I'd think that was screwy coincidentally at the same time. If it wasn't for the fact that my Windows installation was obviously ripping apart at the seams, I'd think it was a good OS.

Needless to say I'm glad that I've been backing up important files on my Mac. The latest version of my senior project lies housed safely in the bosom of an ancient iMac whose only failings have been in hardware, and only twice at that. The ease with which Macs rebound from disaster has amazed me. In comparison, the complete shenanigans I go through to simply diagnose my problems leave me in tears.

So now as system restore fails to correct any problems once again, I pray that my CD-ROM can function long enough to repair my installation. As it stands, nothing seems to be working and my system is royally screwed.

That's not to say I couldn't live without CD-Roms, floppies or stand to wait an extra minute for my system to start up. However, that's like saying one can still bicycle with only one wheel. THERE'S SOMETHING FUNDAMENTALLY WRONG AND ONLY AN IDIOT WOULD STILL TRY TO USE IT FOR ANY SERIOUS PURPOSE.

I have enough on my plate at the moment without having to deal with Windows going bonkers on me.

And there it goes again with the "lets take 2 minutes to get from loading Windows to the login screen" crap again. This is blargh and a half my friends. Blargh and a half.

I swear there's an undocumented feature in Windows, "Detects most busy time for user and screws up then."

20060320

Temporary?

I have temporary memory. To be more specific, 95% of everything important I digest vanishes into a dusty filing cabinet in my brain, never to be seen again.

In coming home from spring break, I managed to remember everything. Absolutely everything from the least important to almost the most important. I say almost with good reason.

I left my wallet, my keys, and my student ID 500 miles back in Massachusetts.

Whee.

My deepest apologies to my dear parents who have long endured these continual, patience trying adventures.

So I've got a temporary card for the time being. I think the guy I got it couldn't have shaken his head in a more depressing manner when I informed him that I couldn't show him any identification because that was also left behind. Thankfully, some people still do things on good faith.

20060315

Franklin: "Trash"

Hai guys!

This is Franklin. I wanted to let you know, that today is a special day. Today the garbage man gets a big hug.

I always wanted to be a garbage man. Maybe it was the glamour. Maybe it was the interesting things you can find in the garbage. But mostly, it was the fact that I spent so much of my life in a garbage can. My nickname was "Trash"!

My parents were fond of that name. Whenever I opened my mouth to speak, they would throw me in the garbage in appreciation. That's where I met Roachy. Now Roachy and his vast family live with my parents. They were so overjoyed that the regular trashcan was not good enough.

My parents dropped me off at the town dump. It was a goldmine of new friends and ideas. I was so thankful for the kindness my parents showed me.

20060313

Technically Incompetant

Job hunting is in full swing during spring break, and I'm plowing ahead despite many, many discouragements. There are plenty of jobs flying around for people with 3 or more years of experience, but trying to find entry-level positions for graduates can be like pulling teeth.

On of my major frustrations is concerning searching various websites that are dedicated towards jobs for graduates, or other websites with an option for restricting searches to such jobs. The problem is, namely, incompetants posting irrelevant jobs or failing to post jobs in such a way as to get the proper response.

Example: I search for jobs in my field. Because I search entry level, jobs for which experience of less than one year is required are shown. However, because whoever posted the job was technically incompetant, they failed to actually fill out the job form properly and simply put everything in the description field and assumed that would work. The requirements field, and the experience field are left to blank and default (less than one year experience) respectively. Thus, I keep getting jobs listed to me that require 3 or more years of experience.

Is it simply because anyone who has any technical knowhow is simply too smart for such mundane jobs? I have no clue, but it keeps bugging me because I have precious little time to figure out whether or not I definitively want to live with my sister and brother-in-law and having my time used up by jobs I'm obviously not qualified for is frustrating.

Grr.

20060307

20060226

King of Bandits

Tonight, aside from posting the promised Caution at a time that is dubious to be called Saturday, I was victorious. Booyaka.

Every Saturday night is poker night. No limit Texas hold'em. No money is actually won or lost because we're college students. We don't have money. When we do, we need it for food. So, pansy poker it is.

For every person you knock out, you get five points. For every person you survive, you get five points. When it gets down to one on one, the kill is worth ten points. Blinds double as more people are pushed out. Award bracelets are granted for winning tables and having the most points for the night.

Tonight, I won both games, eliminating 8 people (including one on one). I am the first person to monopolize all the bracelets for a night. I now have three white bracelets (tables won) and one black (most points for a night).

Booyaka!

Caution: Earphone


CAUTION: All civilians should be aware of the hazards presented by Earphones. Failure to do so can result in deafness, ornery behavior, a severe lack of hair, aging, and "Young Whippersnappers".

In the event you find another civilian unaware of the situations in the depicted image, inform them how in your day such dangerous devices didn't exist, and how grateful you were regardless.

20060221

Slowing Down

You may or may not have noticed, but the rate of updates here has been similar to the rate at which a groups of friends can peel me away from a technological interface. There are a number of good reasons for this, all of which cover up the fact that I'm too lazy to bother with this for five minutes.

I aim to post here somewhat more frequently, but between everything that is already distracting me from this (things both good and otherwise) and other upcoming events (such as my birthday) don't expect too much.

And now, a few random things.

I visited Jo and Ste again this weekend. We rocked the house.

In addition to previously listed birthday wishes, a new mousepad recently came to my attention as a good one.

A dear friend finally found that quote I was looking for so I could add it to my quote file. Booyaka!

There will likely be another edition of Caution: Something this weekend.

Enjoy!

20060218

Distractions

My apologies for the long delay in updating, I've had a genuinely grotesque number of other things going on that have distracted me from the supremely important task of updating a blog.

So, here's a general update of everything going on in my life.

-Python and Pygame are being installed on Raijin for the sake of programming for my project, Codename: Vect0r. Dr. Chase directed me to a website detailing the history of the game, Space War, which Vect0r is based off of. I had previously been unable to remember the name of the game myself. Interestingly enough, Dr. Chase was at MIT and was able to play the original when it was made there on those super building sized computers.

-I've been addicted to a custom WarCraft III map based on the anime Naruto. My roommates and I enjoy playing it, and I've proven to be quite excellent at taking hard to play characters and kicking butt with them. One particular character is actually a pair of them, Fuujin and Raijin, and they are my "So, did you have a side of death with that order of pain?" character.

-In World of Warcraft my hunter remains at level 31. My paladin, has increased to level 24. My warlock is level 16 and has passed the 100 mark in both tailoring and enchanting skills. My warrior is now level 20, and will be dual wielding like mad shortly. My priest hasn't been played too much (my brother was at a youth retreat and the priest is solely for play with him), but is level 9 going on 10.

-I've got a test on Tuesday I'm not worried about. I'll study anyway.

-I'm staying with my sister for the weekend. The original plan was for my sister and brother-in-law to drive down after my sister returned from work, arrive around 8pm, eat some pizza with me, and then we'd all come up. My bro changed the plans, picking me up earlier in the afternoon for the purpose of surprising my sister. She was already home when we returned. Steve had called her and given the excuse that they needed more milk (I drink a lot) and as such had gone out to the grocery store. I hid in the trunk, Steve went inside and went through the usual routine for leaving. Jocelyn came out, and Steve gave her an ice scraper to put into the trunk to make room for me. The trunk popped, Jocelyn opened it up, and I jumped up and yelled, "HASGH!" I wish I'd had a camera.

-Job hunting is going slowly, but surely. My resume is looking much better than it once was. Some refinements can still be made, but at this point the actual job hunting takes precedence. A great resume is nothing without a job to send it to.

-My birthday is coming up on the 23rd of March. The only thing I've so far alluded to desiring is the Settlers of Catan board game. Additional desires would be more RAM for Raijin (DDR400 PC3200, either 2x 256MB or 2x 512MB), a World of Warcraft Game Card, and something homemade. My biggest desire of all would be to spend time with family. Unfortunately, my birthday falls on a Thursday of all days. Blargh.

-I spent some time trying to find a quote I had submitted to Quotes R Us. It was a great quote from a great friend, and neither of us can remember what it was. B'oh.

-Updated my blog 0 times between the last update and this one.

20060207

Re-livification

Using the greatest of holy powers, summoning every last strength and skill I have, and falling on my knees before the Lord, I have done what must be done.

Raijin has been ressurrected.

Verily I now may begin the project which has long eluded me. Vector (name will possibly change) will be a triumph of triumphs!

I've looked up a few tips that will help prevent further problems. May Raijin reign supreme for years to come!

20060206

WHEEEEEEEEEEEE!

Life, don't talk to me about life.

I haven't been updating much despite the awesome class schedule I have had because I have been busy.

Busy buying books.
Busy paying for college.
Busy paying my credit card bill.
Busy doing homework.
Busy fixing a friends computer.
Busy watching my computer die, again.
Busy figuring out the problem with my computer.
Busy returning my stupid motherboard.
Busy ordering a new motherboard of a different type.
Busy drowning my woes in video games.
Busy not watching the super bowl.

Busy busy, no time for chat.

20060124

Catan!

You must PLAY THIS GAME! You must also get it for me for my birthday.

It is that good.

20060117

Lost and Found

Some of you may be aware that sometime between Thursday and Friday my keys fell into the cracks between moments and have not shown themselves since. Some of the people falling into the previous group may be aware I was searching for my keys. A few of you may have known that I tore the room apart multiple times and with a level of methodical masochism that is only matched by the time I spent five hours killing the exact same enemies in Ninja Gaiden over and over again for money. Two of you know that just now Patrick pulled them out of thin air.

Apparently they were in the chair that I had looked in, on, below, behind, and upside down twice.

Not only did Patrick pull them out of thin out while sitting on said chair, but he did so while paying absolutely no attention to what he was doing because he was watching a TV show.

So, I am happy I have my keys back, and laughing at the terrible, terrible irony.

20060114

Caution: Calculator


CAUTION: Calculating tools can be unsafe and are not to be utilized by untrained persons. Adhere to the preceding warnings or face serious hazards.

If you see anyone using an calculator in any of the unintended but common scenarios depicted prior, shinobi especially, avoid the event area as much as possible.

20060109

Electrowhatsit?

During Christmas, I had the pleasent opportunity to share my zany japanese DS games with my family. Specifically, my sister and brother-in-law in particular. The specificity of the specifically was showing them Electroplankton.

I thought that they would enjoy it, in fact I was 102.3% positive they would. However, I entirely failed to calculate they would be addicted to it. With frightening speed I found my siblings all flocking to me whenever they could to ask for permission to use it. It was surprising, incredible, and utterly enlightening as to how strong a grip Nintendo has the potential to display over the ever-elusive casual and non-gamers.

Now, I honestly don't think Electroplankton was perfect. It was self-evident to me that many people would fail to understand what the point was. Electroplankton has no specific goals, no carryover from session to session, and no score. The point was a three year old banging keys on a piano, or humming into a kazoo.

There were, unfortunately, a lot of reviews that missed all that. A lot of reviews knocked the game for not being a game, which it never was really. Others slammed it for not being a good music sequencing tool, which it never was meant to be either.

Like I said, the thing isn't a perfect work of art, but it is an incredible work of art. It's the ultimate in electronic key banging, kazoo humming, guitar plucking excelence, and it can only be compared to the simple, child-like creative exploits.

Thankfully, a few places recognized that much. Kudos to 1up.com.

20060108

The Long Haul

Of corridors and narrow passes,
thinning paths and streams,
within my mind their ruler flashes,
dancing in my dreams.

That which reigns over them all.
That the one king, the Long Haul.

An uphill trek and endless climbing,
skyward ways and goals,
without hope it whispers, lying,
tired palms and souls.

Hear the call and dark refrain,
The Long Haul, acursed name.

20051231

Wheee fun game!

Various updates, one sentence each. Go!

Christmas was awesome.

Hero and Batman Begins were great movies.

Raijin's BIOS vanished mysteriously and great wailing and gnashing of teeth ensued.

Advanced Wars DS is addictive.

I'm going back to college on Monday.

My sister loved my Christmas present to her enough to show 73h 1n74rw3b.

I haven't updated here in a long time, whoops.

Tadah!

20051225

Mary Kristmus

All across the internet, people are making blog posts titled "Merry Christmas", do not fall victum to this virus. Use these helpful tips in avoiding the disease.

1. Upon realizing a desire to wish random strangers a feliciatous occaision, supress it when nearing keyboards.

2. Concentrate on distracting elements such as Video Games, Photoshop and Pie.

3. Mispell it.

This should afford you the opportunity of a safe and unhazardous Christmas, merry or otherwise.