Never Again!

Happy New Year!

I'm A Genius!

I was sitting at my Dad's computer not thinking about anything when I remembered they used to have the worst time with their wireless mouse. It was always dying, so it was ALWAYS on its docking station.

In this day and age, a dying wireless mouse is pretty frustrating.
So what if your mouse pad charged your mouse?

Combine These Two Technologies:
The Powermat
and
A Wireless Mouse

So, basically, your mouse is ALWAYS being charged.
Brilliant!

I was on the news!

So, I show up at the Post Office wearing a blazer, and you get interviewed.

However, I guess I wasn't charismatic enough. :P

Arkansas Post Offices Ready

1999

This was on the front page of Yahoo just a few minutes ago today.

Ouch, ABC NEWS...

Just took an online quiz with ABC NEWS that was designed to match me with my the Presidential Candidate that best fits my views.

Follow the link to take it.
While taking it, I thought it was the most biased thing I've ever seen. For example, in the question Should Obamacare be eliminated, there were 4 YES answers and 1 NO. Seriously?

Anyway...
That's not why I'm posting this.
It said Obama was my ideal President, but this is how they showed me:


Whoops!

What's Really Important

You earn your own money. You pay your own bills. You take your own breaths. You pump your own blood. You are #1.

And shame on anyone else who wants to take that away from you!

You shouldn't want to surround yourself with friends and boyfriends to fill a void in your life.
You should want to share your life with these people, because in the end, you're all that matters.

If you start to feel like your friends don't care about you, and that they're "done with you."

Then you shouldn't stress about it

Live your own life and a life you want to live, and people will want to join you in it.

Be yourself, and it will pull some people towards you and will push some people away.

But those people that get pushed are not people who you want around you anyway

And those people who get pulled to you will be the type of people you want around you

I've spent most of this year alone, but I'm living a life that I seem to enjoy... mostly
And people see that, and I've met a lot new people this year.

The Lesson

Toni Cade Bambara - "The Lottery"

Just had to read this story for my English class.
It was written in 1972, but it still resonates now.
ESPECIALLY now. It deals with the inequality between the rich and the poor.
If you've got some time to burn, and you like reading, give it a go.

Wow... it was a good day...

I didn't realize it until just now, but Monday was good.

I kind of felt like crap day, but it was just like overcast.

-Failed my Algebra final, but I passed the class! Woo! 75% C!
-Got my vintage Folke Ohlsson chair back today from being reupholstered! Woo! Bright Orange Chair!
-My supervisor got fired!
-Holiday schedule was posted today, and I'm off for 2 weeks this month, including Christmas!
-I won (basically) $50 in Buffalo Wild Wings gift cards (and then got out of there)!

Take that Winter!
Take that S.A.D.!

Trent Reznor = Greatest Living Artist

This cover completely has the feel of late 90's era Nine Inch Nails.
To me, this is really powerful.
Dragon Tattoo - Immigrant Song

Batman Quotes

Batman Begins
"Deep down you may still be that same great kid you used to be. But it's not who you are underneath, it's what you do that defines you."













The Dark Knight
I LIKE THIS TRUCK!!!

Pisces December 9

(This hits a little to close to home)

Someone is provoking you, Pisces. Normally you are a peace-loving sign. You go out of your way to maintain harmony not only in your own life, but in the lives of those you care about. But right now there is a person in your midst who likes to cause trouble - this person may even seem to thrive on getting others upset or angry. But you don't have to fall for that bait. Tap into your natural tendency to keep the peace, and you will be fine. Tonight, make special plans for some weekend fun. Lately you've been all work and no play.

Holstee Manifesto

Pisces - December 8th

You may have your defenses up now with a particular person or situation in your life, Pisces. You have been taken advantage of in the past under similar circumstances, and you feel that you really need to be diligent to guard against the same thing happening again. But you are looking in the wrong direction. You are worried about someone hurting you or disappointing you intentionally. But that's not going to happen. There may be a flaw in what's occurring now, but it's not intentional and it can be fixed. Look for less obvious reasons to be concerned.

2011

Really, all I can say is 'wow.'
The 45 Most Powerful Images of 2011

These made this year feel like it's been so long. I had forgotten most of these things happened.

Siri is Anti Abotion, apparently.

I was just informed that if you ask Siri where to go to get an abortion, Siri will respond with Anti Abortion Crisis clinics, and if you're in New York, she'll just say that she can't find one.

New Album by @heypennyband

One of my favorite bands just released a new album!
You name your own price, as long as it's more than $1.

I look forward to hearing it!

Muppets - You Don't Want My Love

Fossils Of Ancient Robots

Saw these guys play last Saturday.
Second time I've seen them. They're incredible.

I was reminded why I like going to bars by myself. I end up meeting a lot of new people.
Summer asked me to dance with her, and I did.
I called Leslie out on her "shank," and we talked about Environmental Management.
Angela offered me a cigarette, and we talked about air pollution.
A drunken bearded fellow asked me about Beowulf, and told me to "suck the knees dicks!"

Marijuana and Schizophrenia

I don't smoke pot, but I found this article interesting.
Especially since many of my pot smoking friends claim that there is nothing bad associated with smoking pot.

Coolest Lego Ever

I wish I was smart enough to REALLY get into Legos.

I mean, I have a lot of them, but if there aren't instructions... I can't build it.

SuperPunch

Ochre Jelly

First Time I Met Black Light Burns

This took place in Little Rock, AR at Juanita's on June 17, 2007

Starting before the album ((Cruel Melody)) came out, the street team ((We Are Wolfpack)) has been throwing out all kinds of contests and promotions. One of the very first being "Pre Order At FYE and receive tickets to a show of your choice and an autographed CD sleeve." I was all over that one, and I later received an email stating that I had won the tickets. Street Team promotions stating "post flyers for the show and get in free" ran acouple of times, and was how I really got signed up for the team. I hadn't received my flyers yet, and was getting impatient so I proceeded to make my own and post them at various venues and in the Hillcrest area. I took pictures, sent them in, and was told I'd be on the Will Call list. Awesome.

The week building up to the show it hits me. I wanna buy Wes something! Mace Windu! That's what I'll get him! No, wait. Han Solo is cooler. Noooo... I got it! Darth Fucking Maul! So I buy him the Sideshow Toys 12 inch Scale Darth Maul Action Figure, and am very content with myself. Saturday before the show (yesterday) I grab a bottle Bordeaux (wine) for him too. Kind of as an impulse. That night I also run to Kinkos to have some Hi Res 8x10's printed up for autographs ((You know me and my autograph wall!))

Now it's the day of the show, and I've got my backpack full of Wine, Photos, and Maul. I had decided to get to Juanitas real early to get dinner. Little did I know that Juanitas is closed on Sundays (the bar usually is to, but since they had a show that night, it was open). So the show started at 6, and I got there about 4:45. I was now the 7th person in line. Didn't expect that either. So, starving, I wait in line. Eventually I realize that no one was going ot get in line behind me anytime soon and wander over to the EZmart and grab a bottle of water and a King Size Snickers. Alright! Dinner in my stomach! Let's get on with the Drew-History! While waiting in line, Nick Annis (guitar player for BLB) asks me if I knew if there was a music store within walking distance, cause he wanted to pick up the new Queen of the Stone Age. I told him no, there isn't much of anything over by Juanitas. He thanks me, and as he's walking off I mention to the people behind me, "I was pretty damn close to calling my girlfriend and telling her to go to Walmart and grab a copy of it for him." We all get a laugh.

Time goes by. Still waiting in line. About an hour and a half total goes by when they open the door and start letting people in. At this point Jesse has made it, but was still in her car. I walk up to the ticket takers, tell them my name. "Nah man, you're not on the list!"
...
I start to get angry pretty quick. I don't say anything to them, cause what the hell would they know about Street Team promotions, they're just bouncers. I walk to Jesse's car and at this point I'm seriously considering just leaving. No no. I haven't waited this long for this to just leave. I walk back to the door where I ask a bouncer, who decided to be REAL helpful, if he knew anything about a Street Team Ticket List, or something. He finishes his cigerette and informs Daryl (their road manager) that I'm out here. When he came out and talked to me, while he was polite, he wary that I might just be trying to pull one over on him. Cause he knew nothing about the Street Team. Eventually he says, alright, just go up and tell them who you are and I'll get you in. When I tell him my girlfriend is with me he even says, "Look man, ye know how it is. I can't let everyone in who says their on some street team." I tell him I know, and I am VERY appreciative of anything he can do for me. I tell him this several times. So, Jesse and I get in ((she had to pay, but at least we both didn't)). The team at the door seemed to have an attitude that we were getting to come in and that their authority was being overruled. Bah!

Jesse and I get inside about the time the first band goes on (Prosevere). I'm still pretty upset by this whole fiasco, and I'm thinking I've got time to go home and print out emails to prove I'm not lying, but why bother. I'm already in side for free. It'll be worked out later, maybe. I do my best to not let all this get me down, and when Prosevere starts telling people to come up to the front on the dancefloor, I do. To show support for the little indie band, if nothing else. For an unsigned metal band, they were pretty polished... and pretty decent, actually. ((I'm gonna see if I can find them on MySpace here soon)) They wrap up, and are thankful of myself and the 4 other people that came up to the stage.

Second band goes on ((The Vanished)). The lead singer put on a good show, even doing a cover of Billy Idols Rebel Yell. The drummer was pretty intense too. Kinda scared me. Not much to report about the opening bands. They were really good, but they aren't why I'm writing this story...

So... the roadies for Black Light Burns are setting up. I'm front and center ((sort of, it couldnt really get any better though. There were only two girls that were a foot shorter than me between myself and Wes' mikestand)), and I'm standing firm. This is MY spot! I had never experienced a drum kit mike check that was quite this long or drawn out. Bass Drum Feedback Loops are seriously straight out of a Sci Fi movie. If you haven't heard one, keep your ears open at your next show!

Mind you, I'm still pretty frustrated about the tickets, but all that pain EXPLODES off of me when I see Wes and the band walk onto the stage. YES!!! This was SO worth it! Live music by bands that I have a passion for are always religious experiences for me. This was no exception. Wes flashes a "whats up" peace sign as he crosses the stage, and shortly after I realize that's basically what he had painted on his face. ((yes he still does the make up))

The show was awesome! I had heard the sound check while waiting in line, and was actually worried. That maybe the album and his vocals were just really produced, cause he didnt sound very good during the check. ((granted, he might not have been fully warmed up and honey'd and what not)) He did not disappoint. He puts on a great stage show, and they made sure he had plenty of room to do his thing on that tiny Juanitas stage. I think he took it upon himself to be the personal AC unit of the whole band. He went thru a lot of bottled water. Most of it ended up sprayed into the air and onto himself and his bandmates... and the front few rows of fans. Which I didnt mind. :) Early in the show, his stage trick seemed to be spitting straight up in the air and catching in his mouth. When first I saw it I thought to myself, "Oh! Right on! Good Catch!" Then he did it a few more times, which just made me laugh each time. Especially when he missed and he caught it in hand! Nick is a really intense guitar player, and he really gets into his music. A fury of hair and music! Wes, too, is a GREAT guitar player. You dont really realize it till you see him live and watch him play. Sean had a creepy focus on his bass during the whole show. Marshall was back in the corner, and what is it with drummers? I guess since they are BEATING THINGS WITH STICKS they always have this look of anger when they play. ((At least, the good ones do!))

So they play 9 songs and run off the stage. I kinda think they might do an encore, but the club turned their music on. That's when I made a B-Line for my car and my backpack of treats where Jesse tells me she is gonna head home, that she's about to crash out.

I'm pacing back and forth outside the club with my red patagonia day hike pack. Yes, I'm getting a few stares, but I don't care... I have a mission! The first person off the bus is Marshall. I get my photo out and my marker ready... and I freeze. He walks right by me. ((Ok, now I'll explain that before this point I knew who Wes was, and I knew who Nick was... from there I knew there were 2 more guys: Sean and Marshall. I thought I had figured out that Sean was the drummer... I was wrong)) A few minutes later, he comes back out of Juanitas. We exchange smiles and nods, and just as he passes I get out a "Sean!" He extends his hand and introduces himself as Marshall. "I'm sorry man." "It's cool. Did you enjoy the show? I saw you rockin' out up front!" "Hell ya I did. I've been looking forward to this for 2 years!" "Right on, whatcha got there?" I show him my photos, and ask for an autograph. He tells me he didn't even have a copy of these, I offer him one and he declines. We shake hands again, and he tells me the band will be coming out soon. ((Marshall is a really nice guy!)) Time goes by and Daryl comes out of the bus and is heading my way. Again with the smiles and nods, and I extend my hand and thank him earlier. He seems to be in a better mood now (not that he was upset earlier, but he's all smiles this time). I start talking to him in more detail about the Street Team and my flyers, and point to one in the window that happend to be just next to us. He starts asking me about the advertising in town. All I could tell him is that the only thing I ever saw or heard was where Juanitas had their schedule listed in the Arkansas Times. He found this very interesting, and thanked me for the information. I probably ellaborated to much by telling him that places like Juanitas and Vinos don't really advertise. They just expect their name only to bring people in. Again, he thanks me and tells me if there is ever anything I need to let him know. Heading inside he told me the guys will be out in about 30 minutes.

So now I'm 2 for 2. Successes and Nice People! I'm feeling pretty confident at this point.

I see the band come out of the van, and 3-4 people start walking their way... so I do too. I knew I couldn't just jump in after Wes, cause I was going to need a few moments to get my gifts to him. In the meanwhile, I get Nicks autograph. Where we talk about how he was kinda cropped out of the photo. While signing, Marshall chimes in with "yeah, and get Sean to sign over Danny's face!" "I was actually planning on that," I say to the 2 of them. ((The photo I have includes Wes, Nick, Marshall, and Danny Lohner, who was the producer and not actually on tour with them. I felt bad because of not having a real place for him to sign. I figured I'd joke around with him and get him to sign something like, "I'm not Danny Lohner.")) Sean's signature is next, and Marshall tells him to just draw over Danny's face. So he does. "It's a scribble. The scribble IS my signature." It's perfect by me. It might be his signature, but I'll know he did it!

So now it's just Wes. There is a small crowd around him, and I'm waiting for my opportunity to get a moment with him. He's signing napkins, and posters, and CDs, and tickets, and whatever else his fans could find. Pictures are being taken. Which this is interesting: I got the impression that while I saw plenty of cameras IN the show, all these people were getting photos taken with their cell phones ((in front of MidTown, I might add)). He says he needs to go inside and order some food, and makes his way towards me... as I had positioned myself between him and his exit :) He sees me and points at my photo and asks, "Did you need an autograph?"
"Oh... yes, I did."
"Oh man, what've you got here. Nice photo!"
"Thanks... Hey I know you're in a hurry, but could I have 5 seconds?"
"Sure man."
"This may seem weird, but I got you something. A gift for coming to Little Rock."
*he's mainly focused on his autograph, and a fan next to him.*
*he looks down at me*
"I don't know if you even drink wine, but I got you a bottle of Bordeaux ((its a wine region, look it up!))..."
"Oh wow!"
"...and I also got you a Darth Maul."
"OH WOW!!! *he squats down next to me* This is... Why did you... This is so cool! Why did you buy me this?"
"I was driving home one day, and decided I needed to get you something."
"This is so cool, I'm gonna go put these on the bus right now. You're gonna wait right there and I'm gonna give you tshirts to pay you for these."
"Nah man, it's my pleasure."
"I'm gonna put this on the bus, then you're gonna come with me."

So at this point he's heading onto the bus and I'm putting my things back into my pack when I hear a loud crash! I look up, and immediately know the bottle of wine was broken. He looks at the wine, he looks at me and says, "Oh my god I am so sorry. I feel so bad about this." He says to someone else that he was carrying the wine under his arm, and he was sweaty, and it slipped out. He had it there cause he was carrying Maul in his hands and pulling himself onto the bus. I'm just laughing for some reason at this point cause it really was funny to me. I put my hand on his shoulder and tell him it's ok. "I promise it's ok." He appreciated the gesture and that's all that mattered. Sure, I would have liked for him to enjoy the wine, but at this point I'm just glad he isn't freaking out. ((Being all... get this crazy man away from me... he's giving me presents!)) He looks at me and claims, "Well, it SMELLS really good." He squats down and sticks his finger into the curb, "awwww... and it tastes really good too!" The merch guy comes out, and Wes asks me what size I wear. Apparently they're all out of XL's. I tell Wes that if the XL's are REALLY XL then a Large will do fine. Merch guy goes running after... merch. Wes comes back off the bus and hands me a CD. "If you don't already have a copy, here you go." "Thanks, this'll be copy number 5 for me." Wes kinda takes a step back and says "Oh, well then." That's when Lee from the BLB forums that had recognized me mentiones the Best Buy copy, "yeah, and the Target, the iTunes, and the FYE," I add. Wes has gone on to talk to other fans at this point, so I get the idea to pick up the intact neck of the wine bottle. I was gonna keep it, but decided to get the cork out and give it back to Wes. I go inside and get a corkscrew, secure the cork, and head back outside. I snag Wes and hand him the cork, as Daryl walks by. "This is the guy that was putting up posters for the show all over town." *I just grin* Wes tells Daryl about the wine incident and we all walk over to the scene of the crime. We all crouch down and Wes "tastes" the wine again. Then tries to get the label ((which was still intact)) out of the glass, but couldnt. Daryl takes the dangerous label off somewhere, and Wes tells me that he is going to find another bottle of it and pretend it's the bottle I got him.

I tell Wes that I'm taking off, and he thanks me again for everything and I tell him no, the pleasure was mine. He apologizes about the wine... and then hugs me. It was a quick, but solid, man hug. Blew my mind. ((Did Wes Borland just hug me!?!))

As I'm leaving, I extend my hand to Daryl again and thank him for everything. He thanks me, and offers "We're all getting ready to have some fajitas inside if you would like to join us?" ((SHIT YES!!!)) "I'd love too! Thanks!" "Alright, if anyone gives you grief... just point at me!"

Sure enough, I got grief, but the same bouncer that was rude to me when Daryl let me into the show for free. The bouncer and I back and forth for a little when we finally walk over to Daryl and proceeds to the bouncer in his place. Satisfied, I walk back over to the fajitas, where I was told to hang out till the band showed up.

To sum this part up... I'm standing next to Wes while we're both loading up tortillas. All kind of surreal.

So we eat, and I finish first and wander over and get my flyer out of the window, put my email address on it, and then Wes asks to see it. "Oh cool, is this one of the flyers you made?" He said he liked it, and asked about my email address. "It's also my handle, so if you see this name around on MySpace or your forums... it's probably me." The band continues to eat. I only had the one, which considering my dinner was a Snickers 5 hours ago... I'm not hungry. ((CAUSE I'M WITH WES FRICKN' BORLAND)) During dinner, Juanitas was showing the Robot Chicken Star Wars special up on their big screen. So I just went from eating fajitas with Wes Borland, to watching Robot Chicken with Wes Borland. There isn't any real conversation to speak of, which is why I start to feel a little uncomfortable. I mean, I'm just some lucky fan, and I kinda feel like a vulture waiting for scraps (which I'm not, I'm just glad to be there). A couple of times I go for my backpack and figure I'm gonna leave.

Glad I didn't...

Wes gets up and says to me, "We're going to the bar next door ((MidTown)). Do you wanna come, or are your cool here?" ((SHIT YEAH I'LL GO!!!)) "Yeah, I'll go." We wander on over where the bartender cards Wes and it hits him... "Oh crap! I didn't recognize you! Big Fan!" Once inside we all just have one drink, and he says he's taking off if I wanted stay.

We shake hands. I clear my tab. I call it a night.

I feel like I'm leaving stuff out, but I'm glad I typed this tonight cause I wouldnt remember all the details tomorrow.

Thank you Wes Borland. You're a hella cool guy, and while tonight started off rocky... it exceeded my expectations.

Sometimes It's Hard To Be Humble

Ok... I'm the LAST guy you want to ask about sports, but I care about my Razorbacks. Woo Pig Sooie!

But I have commentary on this College Football season.

We went into the season ranked #15, and after a winning season even dropped down to #18.
Guess who's #3 with just one game left? The Arkansas Razorbacks.

Here's my concern. We're good this year. Really good. Best I've seen in awhile.
But...
Are we good enough? No. Our last game is against #1 ranked LSU. A team that, I think, has been ranked #1 all season. I'm not confident that we can beat them. HOWEVER, historically, we've given them a helluva a game. All of our last 4 games could have been decided by ONE touchdown, and they've ALWAYS outranked us (again, I think). So... while I'm not confident, I'm optimistic. We COULD beat them. It will be a great game.

So what if we win?
There's a good chance we'd have to play them again in the BCS Championship, or even Alabama (a team we've already lost to).

It's frustrating. We're good this year, but we're not amazing.
I don't think we have it in us to be the Champions. Not this year. Perhaps next year. Petrino has really proven himself, but we're losing 17 Seniors this year.

For now... it sucks being 3rd. Like... we've come all this way. Pushed and pushed, and for what?
Personally, I DON'T want to go to the Championship. I'd rather be #1 in a Bowl Game, than #2 in the Championship.

With that said, I believe in my Hogs. They could pull it together and go all the way. It's always a possibility.

Woo Pig Sooie.

Besides... what do I know about sports? :P

Avengers Teaser

I love that the Teaser Trailer features Nine Inch Nails.

Walken

Tea Season

It finally got cold enough yesterday for me to close my windows and me to get out my Squall. (no no no... this one)

Brewed my first cup of tea last night, and again this morning for breakfast. I didn't start drinking tea last year because I like the taste. Like drinking water, I know it's good for me, so I force myself to drink a cup or two a day. Which gets me thinking about the other things I consume. I've started doing some of my own cooking, and I've started adding things to my diet that are good for me. My breakfast (which is awesome) consists of yogurt, strawberries, yogurt, cinnamon, and 85% dark chocolate. All things which are awesome for me... but it goes against my "everything in moderation" thought process.

I don't know...
I'm getting older. If I sit wrong, my shoulder hurts. If I sleep wrong, my arms fall asleep. Which seems normal enough, but these are positions which I used to sit and sleep in all the time. However now it's a problem. The shoulder pain I can deal with, but the arms falling asleep concerns me. To me it says that my heart is having a hard time moving blood around.

THAT is concerning.
And it should be motivation enough to exercise... but I'm sticking with my "I can't do it alone."

Bad things, man...

Happy Halloween... or was it?
God that's cliche...

Zombie Politics

Ok.... so you might have to go to the link...



4 Terrifying Psychology Lessons Behind Famous Movie Monsters -- powered by Cracked.com

Oh, Thom Yorke... You're such a spaz

I know this is old, but it still makes me happy!
Thom Yorke is a Single Lady

The Warhol I Touched

I mentioned getting to touch a Warhol at Crystal Bridges...
This is the one.

Om Nom Nom Nom

A demolition crane tearing out a section of the fay jones school of architecture

Bullseye

Riveting

Standing in front of the real norman rockwell rosie the riveter was sort of Overwhelming. I mean I'm not a huge norman rockwell fan but this picture is iconic. Practically legendary.

A Distinguished Gentleman

Is it wrong that I picture him with a clockwork arm?

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art

This museum officially opens this Friday, 11/11/11, but apparently I'll be going to some special pre-opening ceremonies on Thursday. I think. My mother can be vague.

What inspired me to write this blog was a conversation with my best friend, and the reading of an article on Yahoo.

This "instant museum" is a big deal, and a HUGE enrichment for little ole Arkansas.

I personally love the fact that art snobs on the East and West coast are upset about important pieces of public art being "cast away" to be displayed in Arkansas. As if Arkansas doesn't deserve a museum.

The Crystal Bridges Museum is going to focus on American art. This is in contrast to the MOMA and other big museums.

I'm leaving out a lot of details about this Museum, because you can read the articles if you want. :)

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art

Little Donkey

Ok...
According to Google Translate
Burrito is Spanish for "Little Donkey"
And...
Burrito is also Spanish for... Burrito
However...
Burrito is not Spanish for Burrito

World of Warcraft Figures For Sale

Sadly Not Pictured: DWARF WARRIOR: THARGAS ANVILMAR

Yeah, I'll have more of that...

http://www.toothpastefordinner.com/index.php?date=013111

THE END IS NEAR

http://news.yahoo.com/giant-asteroid-2005-yu55-comes-closer-earth-moon-160439557.html

"A huge asteroid about the size of an aircraft carrier will zoom past our planet next week, flying between the Earth and the orbit of the moon when it flies by on Tuesday (Nov. 8)."

I mean, we hear about close comets and asteroids on a pretty regular basis, but I went all D-8 when I read that bolded line.

Hey!
We should throw rocks at it!

GWAR Guitarist Found Dead

http://news.yahoo.com/gwar-guitarist-cory-smoot-found-dead-tour-bus-225018677.html

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The lead guitarist for the heavy metal band GWAR has been found dead on their tour bus.

Manager Jack Flanagan and record label Metal Blade say Cory Smoot was found early Thursday before crossing into Canada following a show in Minneapolis.

It's unclear what caused Smoot's death or how old he was.

Smoot performed since 2002 under the name "Flattus Maximus" with the Richmond, Va.-based band known for its comically grotesque costumes, stage antics and vulgar lyrics.

Flanagan says there's no word yet on funeral arrangements or the rest of the tour.

Lead singer Dave Brockie, also known as "Oderus Urungus," says the band is just dealing the loss and called Smoot "one of the most talented guitar players in metal today."

Mass Effect Romance

So recently I got addicted to the Mass Effect games.
I love me some RPG's, and these are far and away the best I've ever played. Bioware really knows what they're doing. There are very few minor decisions, and even the ones that don't have major repercussions will come back in little emails or they might flag you down in a bar.

What's REALLY cool about these games that I've always thought would rock is that the save files carry over. You can choose to have your actions from ME1 carry over into ME2 (and into ME3 when it comes out in March). My only complaint is that I was a super tank at the end of ME1, and I was just another grunt at the beginning of ME2. Though I did have a little more XP, Credits, and Resources to work with.

So, the point of the post is the Romance subplot. In ME1, as a male, you have the option to get into a relationship with Liara (an Asari) and Ashley (a Human). Neither of these characters are major in ME2, but they are both in the game. Here's the problem, and I think Bioware did this intentionally, there are a LOT of new romance options in ME2. You character apparently remains loyal to your ME1 romance. In your shiny, new Captain's Quarters, you have a picture of whoever you choose. I chose Liara, and every time I went to my room, her picture would pop up.

But then ME2 throws this in your face:
Miranda - she constantly talks about how she is perfect. She was genetically modified before birth by her father. She's "perfect in every way." More than just a little tempting.

Jack - This chick is a red hot mess. Personally, I've always had a thing for tattooed girls, but this chick is over the top. She's sort of the opposite of Miranda, but she's meant to persuade a whole other type of person... and I get it!
Lastly, there is Tali - Sweet Tali. Tali was a part of my squad in ME1. In fact, EVERY mission I went on, I took her and my romantic interest with me. The three of us were unstoppable. Tali was there with Liara and I when we fought Saren and we brought down Sovereign. They were "my girls." Think "Charlie's Angels." Had there been a romance option for Tali in ME1, I would have pursued that, but there wasn't......I chose Liara - And while Liara was a background character who you do a few missions for, there isn't any active romance options with her. If you chose her in ME1, when you first see her, there is definite excitement. There's a passionate hug, and a kiss... but then Liara pulls away. Controls herself, and shakes her head "no" at you. As I mentioned, I have her picture in my room. So, yes, I (Player Character John Shepard) is loyal to Liara. She is definitely the most compassionate partner option out of everyone you meet. That means a lot.

I'm at the point in ME2 that romance options are very much available. Even though I planted the option to pursue Tali, when it finally comes up, I can't go against Liara. While it may be true that I always wanted Tali instead, I've made my choice... and those choices will have repercussions in Mass Effect 3.

Perhaps I'll play through ME2 a second time. Just to see What If...

Today's Headlines

Obama announced a full withdrawal from Iraq. Our troops in Iraq should be home for Christmas.

This, to me, is huge. However, I'm numb to it. I'm glad they're coming home, but we've been there for almost 9 years. 9 years in a country that we basically admit that we shouldn't have been in in the first place. With a war that cost us $1.3 Trillion. Admittedly, that's a drop in the pan now.

People talked about being emotional about Harry Potter being "over." "That's ten years of my life. ALL of my adult life." Do you realize that almost that entire time you were pretending to be a wizard, we were occupying a country? One of these things is a bit more important. But... perhaps... it's the escape we needed?

I remember where I was when I heard we had invaded Iraq. It was my Spring Break, and I had just sat down to a beer at the airport in Tampa, Florida with my cousins while waiting for another flight to arrive. I guess we invaded while I was on the plane. You know, it's really the only thing I remember about that moment. My cousin telling me that. I have other memories from that trip, yes. (most of them drunk memories)

I don't know.
It's late.
I'm reflective.
I don't like thinking about Iraq.
The whole idea is disgusting.



Some Comedic Relief:

Lindsay Lohan fails to turn up at LA morgue

Uh... perhaps because she wasn't dead?
But look at that face! No wonder she didn't turn up...
SHE'S A ZOMBIE!!!

Delicate Wood Cutting

Yes. It's made out of porcelain.

Congressional Change

I find myself sometimes trolling through the muck in the comments of articles on Yahoo, but I found this. It's pretty brilliant. What's sad is that no Congressman will ever pass this.


The 26th amendment, granting the right to vote for 18 year-olds, took only 3 months and 8 days to be ratified! Why? Simple! The people demanded it. That was in 1971, before computers, before e-mail, before cell phones, etc. Of the 27 amendments to the Constitution, seven (7) took 1 year or less to become the law of the land, all because of public pressure.

Congressional Reform Act of 2011 (Amendment 28 of the U.S. Constitution)
1. No Tenure and No Pension. A Congressman collects a salary while in office and receives no pay when they are out of office.
2. Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social Security. All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the Social Security system immediately. All future funds flow into the Social Security system, and Congress participates the same as all other American people. The Social Security fund may not be used for any other purpose.
3. Congress must purchase their own retirement plan, just as all Americans do.
4. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise. Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.
5. Congress loses their current health care system and participates in the same health care system as the American people.
6. Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the American people.
7. All contracts with past and present Congressmen are void effective 1/1/12. The American people did not make this contract with Congressmen. Congressmen made all these contracts with and for themselves.

Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, so congressmen should serve their terms (no more than 2), then go home and find a job. A former congressman cannot be a lobbyist. It is time for this Amendment.

Photography And Modern Society

My parent's always have a hallway filled with photos of our family. On their dresser is a collection pictures of me from when I was a child. My home, on the other hand, has maybe 2 framed photos of family members. Sure, I have a bathroom filled with signed photos, but, to me, that's different. However, you frame and hang up a picture because it's special to you, but as time goes on, you don't notice it anymore. It's just a part of the background.

Modern Technology has almost killed traditional photography. You still see print photography around, but gone are the days of going and getting a whole roll of pictures developed. Now photos are kept on our cameras or on our phones. Facebook has become the Family Picture Hallway. It's kind of sad, really. You used to be able to go into people's homes and SEE the family history framed on their walls. If today's generations have photography on their walls, it's someone else's pictures. Art prints, and what not.

The whole point of this mental rambling for me was that a design idea just hit me. You see digital photo frames a lot these days, but personally I see them as a novelty item. What if you had, say, 20 of them on a wall, all with bluetooth or wireless capabilities. Then, from your home computer, you programmed in a lot of rotating picture. Perhaps once every 24 hours all 20 pictures would change. Everyday would be a reminder of a new memory.

Hotel Rant

We who work at hotel front desks can often be heard complaining about getting griefed over stuff that we have no control over, but being at the front desk, we are the face of the hotel. We are the communication hub, and are, in fact, accountable for the entire hotel. However, that means that if something goes wrong in Events, we get yelled at. So, we complain about it.

On the flip-side, we also get praised for when the hotel excels. It's more than just a little hypocritical. Let's say we check a guest into a room that the guest didn't request, and the guest is concerned about the quality of this unknown room. The guest later returns and sings the room's praises, and praising us at the desk. When, technically, that desk clerk had nothing to do with the selection of the new room. That doesn't mean that we're not more than happy to take credit for it.

Congratulations, Douchebags

I already usually have very lovely things to say about Greek organizations, and while I'm not totally behind the We Are The 99% sit ins, this made me throw up a little bit.

"Hey, look everybody! We are the problem!"

Jibbery Style Oinkery

Jibbery Style Oinkery

is your hog on drugs?
how would you know?
how could you tell?
look for these here warning signs?
sudden weight loss.
euphoria leading to paranoia.
stealatization of your things.
and jibbery style oinkery what make no sense at all.
warn your hog about the dangers of meth before it's to damn late.

Here He Comes!

#FF @vikingsuicide

I discovered this Suicide Girl over the summer in her Black Rock photo shoot.
Fell in love with her instantly.
Especially after I saw that she loves Fever Ray, Pulp Fiction, Sandman, Daria, and Silent Hill.

Top it all off...
She's a British Ginger.
(Heaven)

Viking Suicide

She also has a shop on Etsy that is ALWAYS packed with wonderful stuff!
VIKING X

Tron + Portal + Doom

I couldn't even begin to describe the awesomeness of this dream, but I needed to try and get this part down. Backstory... my team and I were fighting through these futuristic corridors against ever increasingly impressive robots. Starting off with large, chunky Dalek like ones and turrets, building up to Cyborgs.

...
In a lull in the battle, I finally get a moment to check out my gun. I ask the guy who gave it to me. A guy I referred to as Rinzler (from Tron) because that's what he looked like. I had the settings of my gun figured out, but there was a switch that said "Fast 3." He explained it to me, and then another guy on my team asked to see it. "Yeah, sure!" He immediately pulls the power cell out of it, and sticks it in his mouth with an extreme sucking force. I realize he's one of them. I snatch the cell out of his mouth, but he fights with me. We wrestle. Holding each others arms, fighting for control. I get the cell back into my gun, and begin firing at him, point blank. Red blasts erupt from my gun into his legs. Then another teammate gets into the fight, and presses the attacker into the wall. We both pin him against the wall and restrain him. My teammate also begins shooting into his torso. Explosions of pink blow out of his chest. Holes begin to form. It becomes clear that he was a synthetic robot. While a gaping chasm forms in his chest, he doesn't die. Along the edges of of the damaged area, a pink grid begins to show. Eventually, from both of us unloading out weapons on it, it is split in half, and collapses in ashes on the floor.

I announce, "Be mindful, people!! They look like us now!!"

With a sniff of the air, I turn to my teammate. "Oh god... you smell that? It's awful. Is that... vomit?"

Yeah, the remains of this synthetic being smelled of vomit and it was on us both.

Then it wasn't and we were on to the next level.
Dreams are weird places.

Happy Halloween!

Fail. Went to Halloween Express. Asked about Skulls. They said, "We really don't sell those here."

Well that was convenient!

From Auros: Made It!
==>Your throat is beginning to feel dry...
==>Kaos casts a spell on you...
==>You feel remarkably refreshed, and you are no longer thirsty!
==>Kaos casts a spell on you...
==>You feel remarkably refreshed, and you are no longer hungry!
From Auros: And I feel much better!

Pick Up Line?

Hey girl... do you hang out at cemeteries? Because you're totally dead to me.

Hulk Will Have Fun

Hobbes

While this person has an Etsy shop, I bet they could never actually sell this little guy.

Sola Zingiber

I want a small shadow box with a ginger root in it. It will have a tag on it with latin writing. The label will say "Lonely Ginger."

Catwoman

I'm seeing a lot of backlash (totally just typed "batlash") against Anne Hathaway as Catwoman. Personally, I'm holding all of my judgement until after I see the movie. I remember I LOATHED the choice of Heath Ledger as The Joker, and now The Dark Knight is one of my favorite movies because of him. (Makes me sad to think we'll never get to experience that again)

To be fair,
what is the difference between this:And this:

Catwoman's uniform has almost always been No-Frills (except for the two times she's appeared in movies, and one of those times was deplorable).

The only difference I see is that Hathaway doesn't have Comic Book Sized boobs.

Not The Mama!

I just carried a box down for a guest and as a tip they gave me this t-shirt.

These guests are regulars and usually tip very handsomely. They can't all be winners, I guess.

The Force Unleashed: Ultimate Letdown Edition

I bought and played The Force Unleashed when it came out. I got it for the Wii and it was a lot of fun. Actually using your hands to slash lightsabers and shoot lightning and force push things.

I had heard the Xbox 360 had additional content (and better graphics), so when the Ultimate Sith Edition came out, I snatched it up, but then walked away from it pretty quick. It proved frustrating. Less fluid and natural than the Wii version.

Recently, because of The Old Republic MMO, I've been on a Star Wars kick. To get my fix, I pulled this game out, and lowered the difficulty. Passively playing it, I beat it in about a week. I enjoyed it this around. Probably since I've forgotten most of the Wii experience.

So that's the backstory...
I'm angry. I expected that the game would be same, but the ending would be different. It would presuppose that instead of saving your colleagues and effectively forming the Rebellion, you end up getting them all killed and become Palpatine's new Apprentice. That's it. The ending happens so fast I thought I missed it.

After the credits, the game just starts over, but this time you're in your Sith Stalker Cyborg armor and you have all the powers from before. On top of that, I can't find any of the additional content. I can't find where I fight Jabba's Rancor, Obi Wan, or Luke. Maybe the sequel continues the Darth Starkiller storyline, but right now I'm so frustrated, I don't even care.

I'm so sick of lackluster endings to games.
You dedicate all of this time becoming your character, and then it just ends.
I need closure!

If you've played and enjoyed the original Force Unleashed, skip Ultimate Sith Edition. If you need backstory for the sequel, just know that the game is the same, but instead of sacrificing yourself and defeating Vader and Palaptine and starting the Rebellion, you kill the rebellion founders and replace Vader

Ok... that's all.
Rant Over.

Upon leaving Facebook...

I told a friend I had deleted and not blocked them:

Them: "Ha. Well if u did still had it you would know it was my birthday."
Me: "Today? Call me old fashioned, then. You weren't going to invite me anyway. ;)"
Them: "Well u weren't on facebook for me to invite."
Me: "I have a phone..."
Them: "Oh so youre the only special person who gets a personal invite i dont think so"
Me: I shouldn't have to have facebook to be friends with people. Most of my 'friends' on facebook don't give a damn about me! This is part of the problem!"

No Response.
Social Networks have made us lazy and soft.

Do What's Right For You

I suppose this has been my mantra for 2011.
A lot of us miss out on opportunities because we're afraid to do something by ourselves.
I finally got to a place in my life where I was tired of relying on other people.

I've learned that I am a good person. I've got a good set of ethics and morals, and I know that because of this my actions don't really hurt anyone. So why would I hesitate to do something that I know I would enjoy? I don't need people to come with me, and I don't need others approval.

If you want a sno-cone, go get a sno-cone.
If you want to go see a concert, go see a concert.
If you want to go to a bar to have a few drinks, go have a few drinks.
If you want to do a drawing for a birthday of a person you haven't spoken with in 4 months, do it.

Don't wait on other people. Very few things in life require you to have an entourage. You have to do what makes you happy.

I think I came to the conclusion one time that I have a need to share. I remember being at my parents house, and wanting to get into their pool. However, if I had to get in by myself, I didn't want to. It seemed like a hassle. I'd get in, splash around, and get out and just be all wet for 10 minutes of water. That doesn't change the fact that I wanted to get into the pool... so I should just get into the pool.

I'd love to share these experience with people, but if no one wants to come along, I can't hate them for that. We all just have to do what makes us happy.

That doesn't change the fact that it's still sometimes depressing when, consistently, people don't want to share with you. My parents told me a long time ago that if you say No enough times, people will stop asking. Perhaps it's why I deleted my Facebook? Who knows.

Moral of the story, don't wait on your happiness. Do what YOU need to do to make YOU happy.

Maslow

I deleted my Facebook account a few minutes ago. It had been on my mind for awhile, and I just got a wild hair and did it.

I told a friend about it, and we started talking about the relevance of social networks in our lives. Told her a story about my Mom that always stuck with me. A lot of my humbleness comes from my mom, I think. (though some would argue I'm anything but humble) When she first heard about the notion of Livejournal (online diaries) she said, "Who the fuck do they think they are that they're so important that people would want to read about their lives??"

That really stuck with me. Facebook is the same idea.

Got me thinking about Maslow. Maslow says that we need Love/Belonging. That we need people to care about us, and putting our lives online gives us that attention we crave... but who the fuck do we think we are? :)

Lost my train of thought there for a second...

I could be wrong, but do I interpret his pyramid in such a way that the higher things are more important? Like, if I have Esteem and Self Actualization that things like Safety and Love aren't as important? It feels like that's how it goes. My own strength should be what carries me through each day. I know that "no man is an island," but we all have it within ourselves to be great on our own. Whatever God you believe in gave us everything we need.

Your actual friend and family are just the icing on the cake.

(And yes, I see the irony is talking about "who do you think you are" while blogging. However, my blog doesn't have any followers, but I keep posting anyway!)