To be, or not to be: that is the question:
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,
And by opposing end them? To die: to sleep;
No more; and by a sleep to say we end
The heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks
That flesh is heir to, 'tis a consummation
Devoutly to be wish'd. To die, to sleep;
To sleep: perchance to dream: ay, there's the rub;
For in that sleep of death what dreams may come
When we have shuffled off this mortal coil,
Must give us pause: there's the respect
That makes calamity of so long life;
For who would bear the whips and scorns of time,
The oppressor's wrong, the proud man's contumely,
The pangs of despised love, the law's delay,
The insolence of office and the spurns
That patient merit of the unworthy takes,
When he himself might his quietus make
With a bare bodkin? who would fardels bear,
To grunt and sweat under a weary life,
But that the dread of something after death,
The undiscover'd country from whose bourn
No traveller returns, puzzles the will
And makes us rather bear those ills we have
Than fly to others that we know not of?
Thus conscience does make cowards of us all;
And thus the native hue of resolution
Is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought,
And enterprises of great pith and moment
With this regard their currents turn awry,
And lose the name of action.--Soft you now!
The fair Ophelia! Nymph, in thy orisons
Be all my sins remember'd.
Tuesday, August 31, 2004
A Beginner's Guide to Atlantis
There's absolutely no good reason for this post, other than (as the description of my blog says) to exorcise something that's been knocking about in my head for a while. So without further ado, I give you an introduction to Stargate: Atlantis.
Millions of years ago, there existed a race known only as the Ancients. They were basically human in appearance, though they possessed certain powers that we do not. They might be our distant ancestors, or simply a previous evolution of the same form. Regardless, they called Earth home, and from our world they explored the galaxy.
Wherever they travelled, they would create colonies. Each world was connected to every other by a system of artificial wormholes that can transport matter instantaneously over almost any distance. These are the "stargates" that form the focus of the movie and television series.
Eventually, having completely explored our galaxy, the Ancients turned their attention elsewhere. They decided to visit what we now call the Pegasus galaxy, after the constellation where it appears. And not being ones to do things halfway, they took an entire city from Earth with them. This city, capable of interstellar flight, was known as Atlantis.
When they reached the Pegasus galaxy, the Ancients settled upon a watery world and began to explore again. As before, they established many colonies and built a network of stargates to connect them. But eventually, they explored too far, and encountered a vampire-like species known as the Wraith.
The Ancients' pride was their undoing. Never expecting to meet their match, they were unprepared for the Wraith, whose technology was equal to their own. Moreover, the Wraith were vicious and amoral, difficult to kill and nearly immortal, feeding upon other intelligent beings to sustain themselves. A long war ensued, lasting untold centuries. One by one the colonies fell, until only the original city of Atlantis remained.
Knowing their doom was imminent, the surviving Ancients chose to enclose their city within a vast energy shield and sink it to the bottom of the ocean, in the hopes that it could escape destruction. Then they fled back to Earth through the Atlantis stargate, the only one which could reach our galaxy, here to live out the remainder of their days. It is from them that the legends of Atlantis began, a great city that fell beneath the waves in a single night.
In the years that followed, the Wraith gained total domination over the Pegasus galaxy, thanks in part to the Stargate network. The Wraith hibernated for centuries at a time in their hive-ships, occasionally waking to "cull" millions of innocent lives. They subjugated the various human worlds, which they referred to as their "feeding grounds", and made certain that none would ever advance far enough technologically to threaten them again.
Ten thousand years passed. Through a series of events too lengthy to recount here, the people of Earth rediscovered the Stargates, the Ancients, and eventually, the location of Atlantis. A team of scientists from around the world was chosen for an expedition to the lost city. Their enthusiasm was tempered by the knowledge that, because of the tremendous amount of extra energy required for an intergalactic jump, they might never be able to return home again.
Upon arriving, the team found the city intact and perfectly preserved, just as the Ancients had left it. But their arrival posed a problem: as the city reawakened and powered up, it strained the nearly-depleted generators which had maintained the energy shield for so many centuries. When it failed, the water would rush in and destroy the city for good.
Luckily for the team, the Ancients had forseen this possibility. As the generators began to shut down, a last failsafe kicked in: the city raised itself back to the surface of the ocean. After so many years, Atlantis saw the light of day again.
But all was still not well: during an early mission, the Atlantis team managed to awaken the Wraith - all of them - years ahead of schedule. The scientists of Earth lack the technology to recreate the Ancient power sources, leaving the city unprotected. It is only a matter of time before the Wraith realize that their old enemies (or the descendents thereof) have returned, and come to Atlantis to destroy all who stand in their way.
This sets the stage, then, for Stargate: Atlantis. The series follows the adventures of the Atlantis team as they explore the Pegasus galaxy and search desperately for a way to defend themselves from the Wraith... before it is too late.
Millions of years ago, there existed a race known only as the Ancients. They were basically human in appearance, though they possessed certain powers that we do not. They might be our distant ancestors, or simply a previous evolution of the same form. Regardless, they called Earth home, and from our world they explored the galaxy.
Wherever they travelled, they would create colonies. Each world was connected to every other by a system of artificial wormholes that can transport matter instantaneously over almost any distance. These are the "stargates" that form the focus of the movie and television series.
Eventually, having completely explored our galaxy, the Ancients turned their attention elsewhere. They decided to visit what we now call the Pegasus galaxy, after the constellation where it appears. And not being ones to do things halfway, they took an entire city from Earth with them. This city, capable of interstellar flight, was known as Atlantis.
When they reached the Pegasus galaxy, the Ancients settled upon a watery world and began to explore again. As before, they established many colonies and built a network of stargates to connect them. But eventually, they explored too far, and encountered a vampire-like species known as the Wraith.
The Ancients' pride was their undoing. Never expecting to meet their match, they were unprepared for the Wraith, whose technology was equal to their own. Moreover, the Wraith were vicious and amoral, difficult to kill and nearly immortal, feeding upon other intelligent beings to sustain themselves. A long war ensued, lasting untold centuries. One by one the colonies fell, until only the original city of Atlantis remained.
Knowing their doom was imminent, the surviving Ancients chose to enclose their city within a vast energy shield and sink it to the bottom of the ocean, in the hopes that it could escape destruction. Then they fled back to Earth through the Atlantis stargate, the only one which could reach our galaxy, here to live out the remainder of their days. It is from them that the legends of Atlantis began, a great city that fell beneath the waves in a single night.
In the years that followed, the Wraith gained total domination over the Pegasus galaxy, thanks in part to the Stargate network. The Wraith hibernated for centuries at a time in their hive-ships, occasionally waking to "cull" millions of innocent lives. They subjugated the various human worlds, which they referred to as their "feeding grounds", and made certain that none would ever advance far enough technologically to threaten them again.
Ten thousand years passed. Through a series of events too lengthy to recount here, the people of Earth rediscovered the Stargates, the Ancients, and eventually, the location of Atlantis. A team of scientists from around the world was chosen for an expedition to the lost city. Their enthusiasm was tempered by the knowledge that, because of the tremendous amount of extra energy required for an intergalactic jump, they might never be able to return home again.
Upon arriving, the team found the city intact and perfectly preserved, just as the Ancients had left it. But their arrival posed a problem: as the city reawakened and powered up, it strained the nearly-depleted generators which had maintained the energy shield for so many centuries. When it failed, the water would rush in and destroy the city for good.
Luckily for the team, the Ancients had forseen this possibility. As the generators began to shut down, a last failsafe kicked in: the city raised itself back to the surface of the ocean. After so many years, Atlantis saw the light of day again.
But all was still not well: during an early mission, the Atlantis team managed to awaken the Wraith - all of them - years ahead of schedule. The scientists of Earth lack the technology to recreate the Ancient power sources, leaving the city unprotected. It is only a matter of time before the Wraith realize that their old enemies (or the descendents thereof) have returned, and come to Atlantis to destroy all who stand in their way.
This sets the stage, then, for Stargate: Atlantis. The series follows the adventures of the Atlantis team as they explore the Pegasus galaxy and search desperately for a way to defend themselves from the Wraith... before it is too late.
Both Sides
Republican National Convention started today. I really think that they missed something by not nominating Senator McCain four years ago, or even this year for that matter. It's very possible that I would have voted for him.
The questions I ask my friends are often the questions that, consciously or not, I want to be asked myself. Sadly, none of them ever figure this out.
In a society that permits free speech, there's really only one thing that shouldn't be permitted: detachment or indifference on topics of great importance. Grow opinions, people.
Here's one now: you deprive yourself of much in life if you can't enjoy a thing without comparing it to every other such thing you've ever experienced. Recent example: certain acquaintances of mine who are unable to visit or even discuss the Nebraska State Fair without comparing it to other state fairs, amusement parks, exhibitions, and god knows what else. Just loosen up and have some fun, seriously.
Tom, they still carry a torch for you back here in Lincoln.
The questions I ask my friends are often the questions that, consciously or not, I want to be asked myself. Sadly, none of them ever figure this out.
In a society that permits free speech, there's really only one thing that shouldn't be permitted: detachment or indifference on topics of great importance. Grow opinions, people.
Here's one now: you deprive yourself of much in life if you can't enjoy a thing without comparing it to every other such thing you've ever experienced. Recent example: certain acquaintances of mine who are unable to visit or even discuss the Nebraska State Fair without comparing it to other state fairs, amusement parks, exhibitions, and god knows what else. Just loosen up and have some fun, seriously.
Tom, they still carry a torch for you back here in Lincoln.
Thursday, August 26, 2004
Save the World Entire
For a long time I've been fascinated by the "Righteous Among the Nations", a title given by the Yad Vashem foundation to those who saved Jewish lives during the Holocaust. It is, I believe, the highest honor that Israel can confer upon a non-citizen.
Of course, the concept is much older than that. In the Jewish tradition, Righteous Among the Nations was an acknowledgement that even among the Gentiles, there were plenty of good, honest, honorable people. Perhaps they even believed in the same God, just in a different way. Christian philosophy (sometimes...) admits the same point, but it's hazier and I can't think of a succinct term for it.
I worry more and more that this simple realization is being forgotten in modern politics. Any time someone issues a blanket condemnation of a large group (liberal, conservative, or whatever), they're essentially denying that there could be any righteous people among those that they disagree with. I know I harp on this a lot, but it preoccupies me: how can there ever be constructive debate when you don't respect the person you're debating?
Sometimes I tell a friend that they're a "good person". I don't think they realize I'm referencing a much larger concept. Really, it's the greatest compliment I could possibly give.
Of course, the concept is much older than that. In the Jewish tradition, Righteous Among the Nations was an acknowledgement that even among the Gentiles, there were plenty of good, honest, honorable people. Perhaps they even believed in the same God, just in a different way. Christian philosophy (sometimes...) admits the same point, but it's hazier and I can't think of a succinct term for it.
I worry more and more that this simple realization is being forgotten in modern politics. Any time someone issues a blanket condemnation of a large group (liberal, conservative, or whatever), they're essentially denying that there could be any righteous people among those that they disagree with. I know I harp on this a lot, but it preoccupies me: how can there ever be constructive debate when you don't respect the person you're debating?
Sometimes I tell a friend that they're a "good person". I don't think they realize I'm referencing a much larger concept. Really, it's the greatest compliment I could possibly give.
Wednesday, August 25, 2004
More Things in Heaven and Earth
So, there used to be this company called Broderbund. They made games, really good games in fact. But the best and most famous was Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? Among other things, that game introduced me to an idea that I've since realized is universal: a thing that is sought after but never found; or found, but cannot be kept.
Maybe just a bit profound for a five year old, but I honestly think that I recognized it as something important, in a vague way, even all those years ago. The theme certainly shows up everywhere in the movies I see (Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade) and the books I read (Foucault's Pendulum). It's related to, but not the same as, Hitchcock's MacGuffins: I'm talking about goals that do hold some inherent meaning. There's also a lot of aphorisms along the same lines: not the destination but the journey, means are more important than ends, getting there is half the fun, etc.
As I get older, though, I find myself questioning more and more this received wisdom. In particular, the motif of finding-but-not-keeping is NOT something I want playing out in my personal life, as I've complained loudly and bitterly to many of my friends. The destination is important, and if you never expect to reach it, then the journey itself becomes meaningless too. I hate it when I feel like I'm perpetually one step behind something and can never quite catch up. It doesn't motivate me, it just depresses me. And it needs to stop.
I'm probably being too abstract here but I think y'all can connect the dots.
Maybe just a bit profound for a five year old, but I honestly think that I recognized it as something important, in a vague way, even all those years ago. The theme certainly shows up everywhere in the movies I see (Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade) and the books I read (Foucault's Pendulum). It's related to, but not the same as, Hitchcock's MacGuffins: I'm talking about goals that do hold some inherent meaning. There's also a lot of aphorisms along the same lines: not the destination but the journey, means are more important than ends, getting there is half the fun, etc.
As I get older, though, I find myself questioning more and more this received wisdom. In particular, the motif of finding-but-not-keeping is NOT something I want playing out in my personal life, as I've complained loudly and bitterly to many of my friends. The destination is important, and if you never expect to reach it, then the journey itself becomes meaningless too. I hate it when I feel like I'm perpetually one step behind something and can never quite catch up. It doesn't motivate me, it just depresses me. And it needs to stop.
I'm probably being too abstract here but I think y'all can connect the dots.
Monday, August 23, 2004
Still Not Dead
...I've just been spending a lot of time at Kauffman, trying to compress a year of seeing my friends into a single month, now that they're all back. Right now I'm sitting in the lobby talking to Graber while he plays all manner of French music. Soon I'll go across the street to harass Bob while he watches my copy of Goonies. Ah, college. Ah, nostalgia.
Oh, yes, and I've been replaying Final Fantasy IX. Such a good game.
Oh, yes, and I've been replaying Final Fantasy IX. Such a good game.
Wednesday, August 18, 2004
Synchronicity
So last night, around midnight, I get a call from my mother. She's stuck in the parking lot at Walgreens, 17th & South Street. Her car won't start. I drive out there, attempt to jump it, and fail. Since it's an automatic we can't roll-start it, either. So we call a tow truck and I get to wait there for it for over an hour while she leaves in my car. That was much, uh, yayness right there. Let me tell you, some strange people frequent Walgreens in the middle of the night.
But the freaky addendum to this sad tale is that, not twenty-four hours earlier, I was suffering with Derrick through the exact same problem. In both cases, the battery was dead - not discharged, but totally kaput and in need of replacement. At least his car was a manual, or it might have gotten towed too. Considering that your average car battery can last five years or more, what are the odds?
Justin: this is why we need you to invent better ones, and soon.
But the freaky addendum to this sad tale is that, not twenty-four hours earlier, I was suffering with Derrick through the exact same problem. In both cases, the battery was dead - not discharged, but totally kaput and in need of replacement. At least his car was a manual, or it might have gotten towed too. Considering that your average car battery can last five years or more, what are the odds?
Justin: this is why we need you to invent better ones, and soon.
Tuesday, August 17, 2004
Book II, Chapter 1: Many Meetings
This week's been full of a lot of reunions, in no particular order, as the week before school tends to be. I've also decided I like poor-man's bulleted lists. In no particular order, then:
* Saw Pat for the first time all summer; he's now an RA at Husker Courtyards. I'd nearly forgotten how much fun he can be, sometimes at least; as Jesse put it, he was more "on" than we'd seen him in quite some time. And that shirt... wow.
* Finally met Brian's girlfriend, Erica. Not only does she, y'know, exist and all, but she's really quite attractive if I do say so myself, and seems pretty sweet, too. So kudos to Brian for proving that nice guys don't always finish last.
* Bob rolls back into town... well, tonight, I believe. Need to take that boy out to lunch sometime in the very near future, so he can braindump about Europe. Not to mention go out drinking with him during this small window of time where we both can.
* And Russ comes back Thursday, as I recall. If you're reading this: either unlock your blog or let me know when you actually post something. But the current situation sucks.
* Saw Pat for the first time all summer; he's now an RA at Husker Courtyards. I'd nearly forgotten how much fun he can be, sometimes at least; as Jesse put it, he was more "on" than we'd seen him in quite some time. And that shirt... wow.
* Finally met Brian's girlfriend, Erica. Not only does she, y'know, exist and all, but she's really quite attractive if I do say so myself, and seems pretty sweet, too. So kudos to Brian for proving that nice guys don't always finish last.
* Bob rolls back into town... well, tonight, I believe. Need to take that boy out to lunch sometime in the very near future, so he can braindump about Europe. Not to mention go out drinking with him during this small window of time where we both can.
* And Russ comes back Thursday, as I recall. If you're reading this: either unlock your blog or let me know when you actually post something. But the current situation sucks.
Monday, August 16, 2004
Kill Bill Vol. 2
Watched Kill Bill Vol. 2 with James and Derrick tonight, the first time I've seen it since the theatre. I must say, it's held up better than I expected. I realize that Tarantino is very much an acquired taste, but I honestly believe there's a lot to like in this film. The first one is mostly about images, but the second one is mostly about dialogue and ideas. I was also reminded that there's a lot of room for sequels, should Tarantino ever choose to make one. And he's hinted he might. These are the unanswered questions from the first two films, as I see them:
* What happened to Vernita Green's daughter, whom the Bride told "When you grow up, if you still feel raw about it, I'll be waiting"? She might come after the Bride, but she might also come after her daughter, who would be the same age.
* What great crime did Bill commit, in Hattori Hanso's eyes, that would make him break his oath in order to forge a sword to kill Bill?
* Now that O-Ren is gone, who is the leader of the Yakuza, and how do they deal with those who slay their leaders?
* What happened to Elle Driver; did she survive the trailer with the black mamba? If she did, she'd certainly have it out for the Bride.
* Did Bill see through Elle's lie about the nature of his brother's death? If so, would he have put a price on her head before he died himself?
* Why did the DVAS apparently disband shortly after the Bride's "death"? Vernita, O-Ren, and Bud, at least, all apparently went their separate ways. Bud alludes to an argument and falling-out with his brother, but that's all we know.
* At the time of Bill's death, was his organization still in operation? It could be that he disbanded the DVAS and retired to raise his daughter; but it's also possible he went through new batches of them on a regular basis, a bit like Charlie's Angels. If so, are there more students of assassination (or even ex-lovers) out there who might have it in for the Bride?
* Did Bill also know the Five-Point Palm Exploding Heart Technique? If so, who else might Pai Mei have taught it to?
* What happened to Vernita Green's daughter, whom the Bride told "When you grow up, if you still feel raw about it, I'll be waiting"? She might come after the Bride, but she might also come after her daughter, who would be the same age.
* What great crime did Bill commit, in Hattori Hanso's eyes, that would make him break his oath in order to forge a sword to kill Bill?
* Now that O-Ren is gone, who is the leader of the Yakuza, and how do they deal with those who slay their leaders?
* What happened to Elle Driver; did she survive the trailer with the black mamba? If she did, she'd certainly have it out for the Bride.
* Did Bill see through Elle's lie about the nature of his brother's death? If so, would he have put a price on her head before he died himself?
* Why did the DVAS apparently disband shortly after the Bride's "death"? Vernita, O-Ren, and Bud, at least, all apparently went their separate ways. Bud alludes to an argument and falling-out with his brother, but that's all we know.
* At the time of Bill's death, was his organization still in operation? It could be that he disbanded the DVAS and retired to raise his daughter; but it's also possible he went through new batches of them on a regular basis, a bit like Charlie's Angels. If so, are there more students of assassination (or even ex-lovers) out there who might have it in for the Bride?
* Did Bill also know the Five-Point Palm Exploding Heart Technique? If so, who else might Pai Mei have taught it to?
Sunday, August 15, 2004
Fan Service
Among the many, many reasons I love Stargate SG-1 is this: in how many other series, even sci-fi series, would you get to hear a 100-year old alien warrior discuss his love for Def Jam Vendetta?
And that's just the beginning of an episode that features a character becoming trapped inside a VR simulation which, for the benefit of those observing from outside, is rendered using the Half-Life engine. I shit you not, a goodly amount of the hour is spent looking at polygonal versions of the actors. If it isn't a real mod yet, I expect that it will be very soon.
Edit: I shouldn't speak before I google; there are, of course, several such mods out there. Also, it was pointed out that the characters claim it's the Doom 3 engine, but it simply doesn't look it to me.
And that's just the beginning of an episode that features a character becoming trapped inside a VR simulation which, for the benefit of those observing from outside, is rendered using the Half-Life engine. I shit you not, a goodly amount of the hour is spent looking at polygonal versions of the actors. If it isn't a real mod yet, I expect that it will be very soon.
Edit: I shouldn't speak before I google; there are, of course, several such mods out there. Also, it was pointed out that the characters claim it's the Doom 3 engine, but it simply doesn't look it to me.
Saturday, August 14, 2004
Higher Higher Education
Graduated today (again, again). I love this whole summer commencement thing: 800 people instead of 2,300 makes it surprisingly tolerable to sit through. I started to tell a friend today that he could call me Master Beermann now, before realizing that he already does call me that on a semi-regular basis. It's just never really registered before. I'm flattered. I think.
Two of my cousins, brother and sister, both had baby girls arrive recently. One has the first name Regan; the other, the middle name Marin. Am I the only person who's seen The Exorcist?
On my drive home from work, I pass a field where a fellow has been camped out for the last few days. Above him is a large, handpainted banner reading, "CANCER SUCKS!" You tell the man, buddy.
Two of my cousins, brother and sister, both had baby girls arrive recently. One has the first name Regan; the other, the middle name Marin. Am I the only person who's seen The Exorcist?
On my drive home from work, I pass a field where a fellow has been camped out for the last few days. Above him is a large, handpainted banner reading, "CANCER SUCKS!" You tell the man, buddy.
Friday, August 13, 2004
The good that men do dies with them
So, Alan mentioned to me yesterday that he'd found and fixed a bug in the ISIS GPS code, dating from when I originally wrote it, nearly two years ago now. It caused all latitude/longitude measurements to be off by around 20 miles. It was probably caused by a combination of coding error on my part and/or my sketchy understanding of the NMEA protocol and/or the sketchy documentation for said protocol.
Normally, this sort of thing would really bother me; I'm supposed to be a professional and all, which means being methodical and testing your work thoroughly. But in this instance, I just have to laugh. I find it fucking hilarious that not a single developer or user, some of whom are much smarter than I am, noticed such a huge problem in a system that's been in heavy production for over a year. It's just... wow.
Normally, this sort of thing would really bother me; I'm supposed to be a professional and all, which means being methodical and testing your work thoroughly. But in this instance, I just have to laugh. I find it fucking hilarious that not a single developer or user, some of whom are much smarter than I am, noticed such a huge problem in a system that's been in heavy production for over a year. It's just... wow.
Red Letter
Tomorrow should be a good day: besides Ribfest again for lunch, the evening brings the Olympic Opening Ceremonies and new episodes of both SG-1 and Atlantis. Alas, I'm likely to miss the latter because of a thrice-accursed reception at CBA for graduates. Bah. It's a good thing I have BitTorrent or I might be really pissy.
I'm a bit torn over Gov. McGreevey's resignation, though at a personal level I can sympathize with him. I can't decide whether he made the right decision for the wrong reasons, or the wrong decision for the right reasons. I also question just how much honor there is for a man in upholding a dishonorable and dishonest wedding vow. It doesn't excuse an affair, but it might be high time for them to go their separate ways.
One of life's small pleasures: introducing your boss to Rejected.
Do you ever get the feeling that you're living your life backwards? The best way I can sum up my overall mood lately would be: The Elder Days are gone. The Middle Days are passing. The Younger Days are beginning...
I'm a bit torn over Gov. McGreevey's resignation, though at a personal level I can sympathize with him. I can't decide whether he made the right decision for the wrong reasons, or the wrong decision for the right reasons. I also question just how much honor there is for a man in upholding a dishonorable and dishonest wedding vow. It doesn't excuse an affair, but it might be high time for them to go their separate ways.
One of life's small pleasures: introducing your boss to Rejected.
Do you ever get the feeling that you're living your life backwards? The best way I can sum up my overall mood lately would be: The Elder Days are gone. The Middle Days are passing. The Younger Days are beginning...
Thursday, August 12, 2004
Out with the old king...
Tried two new games tonight, which I'd purchased based only on sales rankings and the recommendations of the good folks at BoardGameGeek. The first, Mü & More, consists of an unusual deck of cards (12 each in 5 suits) and rules for five different games. One is like hearts, one is like pitch, one is like speed, one is like go fish, and one (the titular Mü) defies description. Nearly all of them are more complex then they seem at first, but they also tend to be mercifully quick. Not a bad value for $10 if I do say so myself.
The other game we tried, Acquire, is apparently a classic that dates back to the '60s, but is still in print and still played in tournaments. None of us had ever heard of it or played it before, though. You place tiles on a city-like grid, causing clusters of tiles ("corporations") to form and eventually merge, netting you shareholder bonuses and capital gains. Pretty interesting stuff, though I don't think I quite have the strategy down yet. As if I ever do...
Ribfest starts tomorrow! Barbecue is awesome, and a choice of a half-dozen vendors is even more awesome.
Also met Tracy's long-mysterious boyfriend, Eric, over dinner at Lazlo's tonight. Seemed like a pretty nice fellow, a film studies major, maybe a bit on the quiet side. But there's one lesson I've learned over the years, often and well: the ones who seem quiet, very rarely actually are. In fact, they often have the most interesting things to say. You just need to figure out how to get them talking.
The other game we tried, Acquire, is apparently a classic that dates back to the '60s, but is still in print and still played in tournaments. None of us had ever heard of it or played it before, though. You place tiles on a city-like grid, causing clusters of tiles ("corporations") to form and eventually merge, netting you shareholder bonuses and capital gains. Pretty interesting stuff, though I don't think I quite have the strategy down yet. As if I ever do...
Ribfest starts tomorrow! Barbecue is awesome, and a choice of a half-dozen vendors is even more awesome.
Also met Tracy's long-mysterious boyfriend, Eric, over dinner at Lazlo's tonight. Seemed like a pretty nice fellow, a film studies major, maybe a bit on the quiet side. But there's one lesson I've learned over the years, often and well: the ones who seem quiet, very rarely actually are. In fact, they often have the most interesting things to say. You just need to figure out how to get them talking.
Tuesday, August 10, 2004
I may have misspoken...
...if I implied in my previous post that Myst IV was pretty nifty. It's absolutely fucking amazing. Proof: when you start the demo, stay put, but spin the camera around so you're looking up, perhaps in the direction of the moon. Leave it like that for a few minutes. I've seen a lot of things in video games before, but I haven't seen anything look quite that good, and for a throwaway detail, no less. It makes me want to fly to Ubisoft Studios and hump the animator's leg.
Also, a hint: once you pick up the only item in the demo, go back and revisit the earlier areas. Some will have changed.
So, it seems that I'm having lunch with Eric Graber (!) and his girlfriend (!!!). What exactly she's doing in Lincoln, much less in the United States, remains to be seen.
Also, a hint: once you pick up the only item in the demo, go back and revisit the earlier areas. Some will have changed.
So, it seems that I'm having lunch with Eric Graber (!) and his girlfriend (!!!). What exactly she's doing in Lincoln, much less in the United States, remains to be seen.
This message posted with SP2
I have a strict policy of not using beta software from Microsoft, but when Service Pack 2 reached RTM I couldn't avoid it any longer. It took forever to download and install, but has otherwise been painless. In fact, I can barely notice the difference, even though I know perfectly well what all has changed, and I suspect most normal users will feel likewise.
It is a bit surprising how often I've been hitting the security warnings about programs trying to connect to the Internet, considering that the new Windows Firewall (AFAICT) only actually blocks inbound traffic. Makes virus activity easier to detect and stop, I suppose. The new wireless networking definitely seems stabler, and less apt to switch channels just because it detects someone's random peer-to-peer connection.
Launching applications, opening menus, etc, feels a bit snappier but that could be purely psychological. The layout of the Security Center seems to have changed a bit since RC2. I wish I had a newer processor so I could test the NX security. All in all, not bad. We'll see how this affects virii in the coming months.
Spent most of the day playing with the Myst IV: Revolution demo which, astonishingly, runs like a dream on my oldish Dell laptop with its 1GHz chip, 256MB of RAM, and 16MB graphics card. They must have done a pretty decent job of optimizing it. And massive props for releasing the Mac version simultaneously with the PC. Don't see that much anymore.
Also took my brother out to dinner for his half-birthday, since his actual birthday got missed while he was at school. Outback Steakhouse is yum, particularly their Bloomin' Onions, even if they do have something like 2,000 calories each.
It is a bit surprising how often I've been hitting the security warnings about programs trying to connect to the Internet, considering that the new Windows Firewall (AFAICT) only actually blocks inbound traffic. Makes virus activity easier to detect and stop, I suppose. The new wireless networking definitely seems stabler, and less apt to switch channels just because it detects someone's random peer-to-peer connection.
Launching applications, opening menus, etc, feels a bit snappier but that could be purely psychological. The layout of the Security Center seems to have changed a bit since RC2. I wish I had a newer processor so I could test the NX security. All in all, not bad. We'll see how this affects virii in the coming months.
Spent most of the day playing with the Myst IV: Revolution demo which, astonishingly, runs like a dream on my oldish Dell laptop with its 1GHz chip, 256MB of RAM, and 16MB graphics card. They must have done a pretty decent job of optimizing it. And massive props for releasing the Mac version simultaneously with the PC. Don't see that much anymore.
Also took my brother out to dinner for his half-birthday, since his actual birthday got missed while he was at school. Outback Steakhouse is yum, particularly their Bloomin' Onions, even if they do have something like 2,000 calories each.
Monday, August 09, 2004
A death in the family
So yeah, one of our cats died while I was away this weekend. I can't say it comes as a total surprise - she was sixteen years old and had been sick for a while. But it still sucks. Even more so for my brother, who actually had to bury her himself since the rest of us were out of town.
Other than the news waiting for me at home, a pretty good weekend all around. Definitely leaning towards a loft now; need to call them tomorrow and snap one up before they get rented. A second night of drunken debauchery at Rusty's; this time, drunken computer assembly! I think we must have done something wrong, though, because he can only get Doom 3 to run at 5-10 FPS, despite having a really nice graphics card, plenty of memory, and the latest versions of everything. Maybe he'll have figured it out by the time he reads this.
This week is the last week of summer classes, meaning that in a few short days I'll have a degree. Another degree. I swear, they're starting to seem like baseball cards or something...
Other than the news waiting for me at home, a pretty good weekend all around. Definitely leaning towards a loft now; need to call them tomorrow and snap one up before they get rented. A second night of drunken debauchery at Rusty's; this time, drunken computer assembly! I think we must have done something wrong, though, because he can only get Doom 3 to run at 5-10 FPS, despite having a really nice graphics card, plenty of memory, and the latest versions of everything. Maybe he'll have figured it out by the time he reads this.
This week is the last week of summer classes, meaning that in a few short days I'll have a degree. Another degree. I swear, they're starting to seem like baseball cards or something...
Sunday, August 08, 2004
Residency
Back in Kansas City this weekend, this time looking for an apartment. I find myself attracted to the lofts downtown, as opposed to the various apartment complexes out in the suburbs. There's such a mind-numbing identicalness to seemingly every complex built in the last twenty years. Little beige boxes, all of them. A few high ceilings and exposed brick walls do more than you can imagine to raise my spirit. Also, by the time you get done considering utilities, parking, etc, their prices are really quite similar.
Other things to figure out: which banks have branches both in Lincoln and in Kansas City? Precious few, as it turns out.
Not quite the orgy of debauchery of past weekends, but I'm still having a good time over at Russ's. I keep meeting new faces in addition to the ones I've meet in weeks past. It's quite the little harem Rusty has going. Keeps life interesting, anyway.
Even I must admit that Doom 3 looks pretty sexy, though I still can't imagine playing it myself. I need a good excuse to buy a new video card (if not an entire system) in order to play something or other. Suggestions?
Other things to figure out: which banks have branches both in Lincoln and in Kansas City? Precious few, as it turns out.
Not quite the orgy of debauchery of past weekends, but I'm still having a good time over at Russ's. I keep meeting new faces in addition to the ones I've meet in weeks past. It's quite the little harem Rusty has going. Keeps life interesting, anyway.
Even I must admit that Doom 3 looks pretty sexy, though I still can't imagine playing it myself. I need a good excuse to buy a new video card (if not an entire system) in order to play something or other. Suggestions?
Saturday, August 07, 2004
Libretto
But I’m not crazy, I’m just a little unwell
I know right now you can’t tell
But stay awhile and maybe then you’ll see
A different side of me
Thursday, August 05, 2004
Mastery
For those of you who haven't yet had the pleasure of graduating, here's a primer on academic attire: Bachelors' tassels are the school colors, doctors' tassels are gold, and masters' tassels depend on their discipline. Since I'm an MBA, that means I get to wear a tassel and hood that are a putrescent salmon-like color. I believe it's officially called "drab". And for the privilege of being drab I get to pay $50. Yay...
Athens 2004
The Games of the XXVIII Olympiad of the Modern Era begin next Friday night. I plan to watch them religiously, as I do every two years. It surprises even me; I've never participated in any athletics, nor do I usually enjoy watching them on TV. Why, then, do I have such an attachment to the Olympics? Mostly to try to understand myself, here's a list, in no particular order:
* The Olympics absolutely reek with symbolism, ancient and modern, from beginning to end. As an example, this year's marathon is being run along its 2,500 year-old original course, from Marathonas to Athens. How often do you see such old traditions being observed today? (More than you think; ask me about Reagan's funeral sometime.) I've got a huge soft spot for rituals of all kinds, even when their original significance has been forgotten. They make you feel connecting with the past in a way that simply reading history never can.
* When you see someone compete at the Olympics, you know without doubt that they are among the best in the world at whatever it is they do. There's a peculiar thrill that goes with that, even when you wouldn't otherwise be interested in the activity. I enjoy watching masters at their craft, basically. World Poker Tour is another good example of the same phenomenon.
* They only happen every two years. Well, duh, but it means that I don't have a chance to get sick of them. I can watch anything once, but these days it seems like most of the professional sports somehow manage to go year-round; they're always on. The games are not.
* There's a huge variety of things going on, and you can never hope to see them all. Maybe I've just got a short attention span, but it's kinda cool to be able to flick on the TV and have an equal chance of seeing dozens upon dozens of different sports; some featuring people you've heard of, and many that you haven't. It feels like serendipity.
* It's a travelogue. The Olympics take place all over the world in historic and, let's face it, often gorgeous locales. I like The Amazing Race for essentially the same reason. Also, the host cities spend years and millions of dollars to look their absolute shining best. It's probably a worthy goal in its own right (urban renewal), but it also gives them a fairy-tale quality that can't ever be replicated in a later visit.
I think that's the gist of it. So yeah, I'll be watching. Anyone gets bored, invite me over and we'll do so together. (Oh, and also: I got to hold an actual Olympic torch once, back in 1996. So awesome.)
Finally, of course, the obligatory news tidbits: I finally got Jesse to go to the Oven, which he enjoyed; the long delay was apparently due to his inexplicable theory that the place was only for dates. Strange, Jesse, strange. Everybody help me think of something to get/do for his birthday, which is coming up very soon.
Ribfest starts next weekend, and I can hardly wait. Still need to see the Village, about which I've been getting mixed but not wholly negative reviews. A new batch of games is on the way from GameSurplus, an entirely awesome site with really good prices. Rsync might be one of the most Unix-centric programs ever written. Alan's site is down, due to his altruistic and slightly silly gesture of sacrificing its innards to revive his employer's server. Google's initial public offering will raise e billion dollars.
That is all.
* The Olympics absolutely reek with symbolism, ancient and modern, from beginning to end. As an example, this year's marathon is being run along its 2,500 year-old original course, from Marathonas to Athens. How often do you see such old traditions being observed today? (More than you think; ask me about Reagan's funeral sometime.) I've got a huge soft spot for rituals of all kinds, even when their original significance has been forgotten. They make you feel connecting with the past in a way that simply reading history never can.
* When you see someone compete at the Olympics, you know without doubt that they are among the best in the world at whatever it is they do. There's a peculiar thrill that goes with that, even when you wouldn't otherwise be interested in the activity. I enjoy watching masters at their craft, basically. World Poker Tour is another good example of the same phenomenon.
* They only happen every two years. Well, duh, but it means that I don't have a chance to get sick of them. I can watch anything once, but these days it seems like most of the professional sports somehow manage to go year-round; they're always on. The games are not.
* There's a huge variety of things going on, and you can never hope to see them all. Maybe I've just got a short attention span, but it's kinda cool to be able to flick on the TV and have an equal chance of seeing dozens upon dozens of different sports; some featuring people you've heard of, and many that you haven't. It feels like serendipity.
* It's a travelogue. The Olympics take place all over the world in historic and, let's face it, often gorgeous locales. I like The Amazing Race for essentially the same reason. Also, the host cities spend years and millions of dollars to look their absolute shining best. It's probably a worthy goal in its own right (urban renewal), but it also gives them a fairy-tale quality that can't ever be replicated in a later visit.
I think that's the gist of it. So yeah, I'll be watching. Anyone gets bored, invite me over and we'll do so together. (Oh, and also: I got to hold an actual Olympic torch once, back in 1996. So awesome.)
Finally, of course, the obligatory news tidbits: I finally got Jesse to go to the Oven, which he enjoyed; the long delay was apparently due to his inexplicable theory that the place was only for dates. Strange, Jesse, strange. Everybody help me think of something to get/do for his birthday, which is coming up very soon.
Ribfest starts next weekend, and I can hardly wait. Still need to see the Village, about which I've been getting mixed but not wholly negative reviews. A new batch of games is on the way from GameSurplus, an entirely awesome site with really good prices. Rsync might be one of the most Unix-centric programs ever written. Alan's site is down, due to his altruistic and slightly silly gesture of sacrificing its innards to revive his employer's server. Google's initial public offering will raise e billion dollars.
That is all.
"Representation"
So I got a form letter today from Chuck Hagel's office. (Are you listening, Tom?) I had contacted them to register my opposition to the Federal Marriage Amendment. I would assume, or hope, that all such contacts get a letter in reply, but I'd have to imagine they had more than usual on this issue. A press release is attached to the letter explaining his position on the matter.
"Americans and Nebraskans have been presented with a false choice between amending the Constitution of the United States or allowing same sex marriage across our country... Over our nation's history, social and policy issues have been best handled by the state... Amending the constitution, the founding document of our nation, should always be a final option, not a first." Brilliantly put, Chuck. I couldn't have said it better myself.
But then he goes off a cliff. The matter never made it to a vote; instead, senators voted on whether or not to continue debate ("cloture", if you're curious). He voted to keep the issue alive. "There is much misinformation about this amendment. I believe the American people would have benefited from continued debate and a further understanding of this deeply complicated and important issue."
Excuse me? The proposed amendment was one sentence long. I'm pretty damn sure I understood exactly what it said. Further, the debate I heard was doing precious little to combat misinformation; if anything, there were senators throwing more into the pot. Perhaps more importantly, had the amendment come to a real vote, how would you have voted, Chuck? Your press release implies "no", but your beliefs and voting record on related issues implies "yes". Since it's certain to come up again, year after year, it's something that I, the represented, urgently want to know. For goodness sake, stop trying to talk around it. Please.
On the plus side, though? Franking privileges are awesome.
"Americans and Nebraskans have been presented with a false choice between amending the Constitution of the United States or allowing same sex marriage across our country... Over our nation's history, social and policy issues have been best handled by the state... Amending the constitution, the founding document of our nation, should always be a final option, not a first." Brilliantly put, Chuck. I couldn't have said it better myself.
But then he goes off a cliff. The matter never made it to a vote; instead, senators voted on whether or not to continue debate ("cloture", if you're curious). He voted to keep the issue alive. "There is much misinformation about this amendment. I believe the American people would have benefited from continued debate and a further understanding of this deeply complicated and important issue."
Excuse me? The proposed amendment was one sentence long. I'm pretty damn sure I understood exactly what it said. Further, the debate I heard was doing precious little to combat misinformation; if anything, there were senators throwing more into the pot. Perhaps more importantly, had the amendment come to a real vote, how would you have voted, Chuck? Your press release implies "no", but your beliefs and voting record on related issues implies "yes". Since it's certain to come up again, year after year, it's something that I, the represented, urgently want to know. For goodness sake, stop trying to talk around it. Please.
On the plus side, though? Franking privileges are awesome.
Tuesday, August 03, 2004
Quickies
Is there a substantive difference between love and trust?
Aside from the abortion crowd, why don't right-wing nutcases protest things as often as left-wing nutcases do?
If the saying "the good ones are always taken" is true, and you're not taken, are you therefore not a good one?
Considering it takes so much more energy to hate someone than to get along with them, how do so many people around the world manage to hate so many without becoming exhausted?
Why do we depend on, or even expect, others to make us happy?
How often is someone's opinion changed by what someone else says, rather than does?
Am I channeling Rusty right now or what?
Aside from the abortion crowd, why don't right-wing nutcases protest things as often as left-wing nutcases do?
If the saying "the good ones are always taken" is true, and you're not taken, are you therefore not a good one?
Considering it takes so much more energy to hate someone than to get along with them, how do so many people around the world manage to hate so many without becoming exhausted?
Why do we depend on, or even expect, others to make us happy?
How often is someone's opinion changed by what someone else says, rather than does?
Am I channeling Rusty right now or what?
Monday, August 02, 2004
Bah
This is an interim I'm-not-dead post on my parents' computer, since my laptop is currently hosed. Sometimes even I wonder what use a computer science degree is, but I can't do a thing about it until at least tomorrow.
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