Selfnoise Blog http://selfnoise.net/blog/ SF/F, the world, games, pop trash, my car... en-us Nucleus CMS v3.31 YOURINFOHERE Weblog http://backend.userland.com/rss http://selfnoise.net/blog//nucleus/boirss.gif Selfnoise Blog http://selfnoise.net/blog/ <![CDATA[Obey the APS-C]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=923 DPreview's new "Lens Widget"is initially baffling but actually really cool. It tells you a great deal about a lens in a compact space and uses interactivity to good effect. It makes me happy. Now they just need to review some lenses that are actually interesting.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=923 Tue, 29 Jan 2008 20:15:36 -0500 <![CDATA[When the wolf comes home]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=921
But it was working pretty well until this weekend. Karen and Matt came over and we all played Munchkin, which is this silly Steve Jackson game I got for Christmas (thanks Susie!). It's basically a card game that simulates a really bad D&D session. It has that great mechanic of cooperation AND competition, and it's a lot of fun. If anyone can suggest other fast-paced games that have this kind of mechanic, I will certainly suck them into my stuff hole.

Then I went downstairs and finished off Portal, the first computer game I've played in over a year (that wasn't made by Digital Illusions). Portal is a very brief game, but it managed to completely wipe out my cynicism at the state of PC games. It has perfect atmosphere and a really fun storyline, but more importantly it manages to finally bring the feeling of playing a really good adventure game into the world of 3D. It only took a decade or so.

And the ending... I have no words.

]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=921 Sun, 27 Jan 2008 22:33:36 -0500 <![CDATA[Norv!!!!!]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=917
I hope to do some work on this site in the new year and maybe even post from time to time. I already have the Blog database update.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=917 Sun, 13 Jan 2008 23:33:32 -0500 <![CDATA[Beware Purple Jesus]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=895 watching this highlight reel made me love football all over again. Here's to this guy staying healthy and terrifying the Bears for years to come.

(Full disclosure: Adrian Peterson is on my fantasy team.)]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=895 Sat, 20 Oct 2007 19:20:46 -0400 <![CDATA[Somebody needs to investigate this whole Randy Moss thing. I mean, clearly he's a horrific human mantis hybrid]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=887 So at first I thought this was an Onion-style parody.

But it's not.

Thank you, Brian Billick, for making me laugh so damn hard. This is going to be an interesting year.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=887 Mon, 17 Sep 2007 21:13:15 -0400 <![CDATA[This is a good match for my chainsaw back.]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=885
Anyway. On this subject.

1. Yes, everyone is cheating in the NFL. That's because it's incredibly hard to win, losers are fired almost immediately, vast amounts of money are at stake, and the league turns the other way 85% of the time. This has nothing to do with the taping at the Jets game, oddly. I'm almost sure that happened because...

2. Bill Belichick, ultimately, is Richard Nixon. You know it, I know it, and everyone has been waiting for him to have some kind of weird implosion after all the paranoia and antisocial behavior. That's why he insisted on his team cheating against crappy teams for a marginal gain in a manner that was almost sure to be caught. Because... he's Richard Nixon.

3. The stupidest part of the whole thing is that, from a statistic perspective, this has never helped the Patriots. See here. That's what reinforces the Nixon thing. Nixon didn't need the Watergate burglary to win the election; the Patriots don't need this. But now I get to hear it from every other football fan for the next 8 blojillion years.

4. Everyone knows the best way to deal with this would be to void the game and give the Jets the win, but Goodell will never do this because the mob would kneecap him. So instead we'll lose some draft picks Richard Nixon would have used on even more tight ends instead of linebackers.

5. Really, what I would like, what would ultimately make me feel a little less cheesy about sitting down and rooting for the Patriots sunday night: Bill Belichick is required by law to wear a sombrero.

]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=885 Wed, 12 Sep 2007 22:02:36 -0400 <![CDATA[Time is my enemy]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=874 Innocents Aboard. I also read Storeys from the Old Hotel this week, which makes a total of 53 Gene Wolfe short stories.

My mind is on fire. I could start Endangered Species, but it would probably kill me.

For the record, my favorites were Trip, Trap and The Lost Pilgrim. They were all pretty damn good, though, except for the Liavek ones which were just okay.

Oh, and I should mention the sheer joy at encountering A Traveler in Desert Lands. Gene Wolfe covering Clark Ashton Smith is such a brilliant idea; thank god it actually happened.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=874 Sun, 22 Jul 2007 23:00:03 -0400 <![CDATA[It's Baltimore, gentlemen. The gods will not save you.]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=871 Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=871 Wed, 11 Jul 2007 19:57:56 -0400 <![CDATA[She took me half the way there]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=870
Hurm.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=870 Wed, 4 Jul 2007 22:11:03 -0400 <![CDATA[My ideal dwarves would have tank treads instead of feet]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=867 This thing says I'm 19.98% mainstream. But good lord, how is Bach only 18.80% mainstream? What is this world that I inhabit?

ALSO HOW IS AIR MORE MAINSTREAM THAN JOHNNY CASH HURRGHH]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=867 Sun, 10 Jun 2007 23:15:33 -0400 <![CDATA[Radiation brings strength!]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=859 This is one of the bizarre and transfixing sporting events I've ever seen. The final bit, where their bikes swoop like birds, is incredible.

(found via this metafilter thread)

I managed to turn the bicycle I bought used last fall into a pretty good machine... it's really neat how you get into this stuff, and then you notice bikes all around town that have all sorts of interesting modifications. It's gotten to the point where I rarely see a totally stock bike anymore. And then there are the fixed gear people, who I must tip my hat to sort of nervously... inner Portland is not exactly flat.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=859 Sat, 12 May 2007 20:46:57 -0400 <![CDATA[Yarb.]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=853
Rather than elaborating more, let me just link to Seth's review.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=853 Fri, 4 May 2007 21:51:25 -0400 <![CDATA[See below for question]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=851 RANDY MOSS.

So we get a receiver with diminished skills and a really bad attitude who occasionally runs over police officers. That's fabulous. Excuse me while I throw up.

How is Brady going to get the ball to all these vertical receivers, anyway? He's not exactly good with that deep ball.

On the other hand, maybe I never have to look at Reche Caldwell again?]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=851 Sun, 29 Apr 2007 11:10:35 -0400 <![CDATA[Hello everybody! Our super party is being continue.]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=850
In other news, I am back in Maine despite basically having to horse-trade for a Boston ticket and taking a bus from there. It was... interesting.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=850 Sat, 28 Apr 2007 23:21:10 -0400 <![CDATA[Capacitive touch sensor]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=849 someone else has solved it and then vented on their blog.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=849 Sat, 21 Apr 2007 20:00:36 -0400 <![CDATA[Can't you see she's busy?]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=848

]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=848 Sat, 21 Apr 2007 15:42:49 -0400 <![CDATA[Oh what a great present]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=847 Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=847 Wed, 18 Apr 2007 22:14:26 -0400 <![CDATA[Today's review-phrase: "Oceanic Density"]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=843 This makes me happy.(video)

Found after googling "Chaconne" due to this article.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=843 Mon, 9 Apr 2007 22:16:17 -0400 <![CDATA[Behold Soupy of the Yam Kingdom]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=834 Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=834 Sat, 24 Mar 2007 21:41:42 -0400 <![CDATA["Can we use the sledgehammers?" "Always."]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=828
Amon Tobin: Foley Room

After a pair of merely decent albums I feel like he's back on his game. I still can't really define what he gets right, but somehow all the chaotic, aggressive layers of sound turn into something that leaves a coherent impression.

Felix Laband - Dark Days Exit

Another artist who makes music that adds up to more than it should... but from the opposite direction. This is minimal electronic music that doesn't seem monotonous or lazy.

I've been watching Deadwood as well, but that probably deserves its own post. For the moment let's just ruminate over the phenomenon of Liz actually liking something set in the Wild West.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=828 Sat, 17 Mar 2007 11:55:05 -0400 <![CDATA[He seems to be a stable responsible sort, if you can ignore the bit about the horse-eating dogs.]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=815
1. Waterproof Shoes

2. Burritos]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=815 Fri, 2 Mar 2007 19:48:35 -0500 <![CDATA[The demon parrot comes in the night]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=810
Liz got a new laptop this weekend with the dreaded Windows Vista. Which is sorta funny... it's like XP but with a better interface and security. Now, XP was basically Windows 2000 with a worse interface and security. So MS has now spent about eight years going from an well-running OS that runs idle on maybe 200 megs of RAM to basically the same OS that idles on 600. Excellent work, gentlemen.

Which isn't to say I dislike Vista. I'm really impressed with Aero Glass... it's really nice without being distracting. The entire computer was incredibly simple to set up and I was rocking Firefox in no time flat. Media Center Vista is pretty damn cool if perhaps not the most useful thing that exists. And there's something oddly impressive in how they've set up the control panel stuff... it's very user-friendly without hiding necessary information from you.

Oh, and I know it's minor, but they absolutely made the right decision to nuke the audio code from 2000/XP. Audio-levels control per application from the taskbar = happy.

If there's one thing I've learned from all of this, though, it's that I need a widescreen panel for my computer downstairs. So... freakin'... nice.... ]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=810 Sun, 18 Feb 2007 12:48:14 -0500 <![CDATA[Meow]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=806



This is Grace. We met her at the refuge league and now she lives with us. So far she seems pretty happy. We have already discovered that she enjoys giving affectionate headbutts.

More as it happens.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=806 Sat, 10 Feb 2007 12:44:00 -0500 <![CDATA[To fly, repeatedly press the flap button]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=801
Lunar Rescue

Kind of a cross between Space Invaders (which is was a sort-of sequel to) and Defender. You dodged asteroids, picked up astronauts, and blasted aliens. Simple and fun.

Joust

I don't think I really need to say anything about this game, other than that it is UTTER GENIUS.

Robotron 2084

Another completely wonderful Williams game that still makes you feel like a badass for surviving more than 30 seconds.

Final Fight

This game was actually the inspiration for this post. I played through it the other day for the first time since I was a teenager and was amazed to discover that it's a really deep game! The mechanics are simple, but after a while you start to realize that there's a lot going on. Also, the cheesy 80s dystopic NY look is stupid great.

Street Fighter Alpha 3

The best Street Fighter game. It's weird... Capcom kept increasing the speed on these, and the faster they are the tighter the gameplay feels. Also, it has Guy from Final Fight, and he's completely ninja.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=801 Wed, 10 Jan 2007 21:45:52 -0500 <![CDATA[The Month of December must be stopped before it kills us all]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=797
Anyway, I had a nice Christmas and am now allowing Zelda: Twilight Princess to rock my world. The Gamecube version, because I don't think I actually want a new controller after the Wavebird. So far it's a totally great game, made all the better by the fact that Link is actually pretty awesome in this one. There's a sequence where he faces off against a massive Ork on a boar who stole some irritating kid by the head. Just before charging the Orc on his warsteed, Link gives him a look that says, "Have you checked your watch recently? BECAUSE IT'S GO TIME!"

That sort of thing is why I like games.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=797 Fri, 29 Dec 2006 19:17:29 -0500 <![CDATA[Opinion them! Yes! In the HANDS!]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=793
I've decided that the Pats really need one excellent linebacker and one good safety. That would probably do it in terms of actually having a hope in the playoffs.

This week I love: The Tennessee Titans and Martin Gramatica. ]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=793 Sun, 3 Dec 2006 23:20:34 -0500 <![CDATA[Sounds about right]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=789





What horrible Edward Gorey Death will you die?




You will be sucked dry by a leech. I'd stay away from swimming holes, and stick to good old cement. Even if it does hurt like hell when your toe scrapes the bottom.
Take this quiz!








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Join

| Make A Quiz | More Quizzes | Grab Code
]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=789 Tue, 28 Nov 2006 21:32:20 -0500 <![CDATA[Too much pie - sugar coma]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=787
Tom Brady putting a juke move on Brian Urlacher - hilarious.
Asante Samuel creating a one man highlight reel with three interceptions - priceless.
Pats over Bears: crazy.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=787 Sun, 26 Nov 2006 23:19:49 -0500 <![CDATA[Ooooh listy fun!]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=783 Moss, Via Mirabai:

1. The Lord of the Rings, J.R.R. Tolkien*
2. The Foundation Trilogy, Isaac Asimov
3. Dune, Frank Herbert
4. Stranger in a Strange Land, Robert A. Heinlein
5. A Wizard of Earthsea, Ursula K. Le Guin*
6. Neuromancer, William Gibson
7. Childhood's End, Arthur C. Clarke
8. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, Philip K. Dick*
9. The Mists of Avalon, Marion Zimmer Bradley
10. Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury
11. The Book of the New Sun, Gene Wolfe*
12. A Canticle for Leibowitz, Walter M. Miller, Jr.*
13. The Caves of Steel, Isaac Asimov
14. Children of the Atom, Wilmar Shiras
15. Cities in Flight, James Blish
16. The Colour of Magic, Terry Pratchett
17. Dangerous Visions, edited by Harlan Ellison*
18. Deathbird Stories, Harlan Ellison
19. The Demolished Man, Alfred Bester*
20. Dhalgren, Samuel R. Delany
21. Dragonflight, Anne McCaffrey
22. Ender's Game, Orson Scott Card
23. The First Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever, Stephen R. Donaldson
24. The Forever War, Joe Haldeman
25. Gateway, Frederik Pohl
26. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, J.K. Rowling
27. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams
28. I Am Legend, Richard Matheson
29. Interview with the Vampire, Anne Rice
30. The Left Hand of Darkness, Ursula K. Le Guin*
31. Little, Big, John Crowley*
32. Lord of Light, Roger Zelazny
33. The Man in the High Castle, Philip K. Dick*
34. Mission of Gravity, Hal Clement
35. More Than Human, Theodore Sturgeon
36. The Rediscovery of Man, Cordwainer Smith
37. On the Beach, Nevil Shute
38. Rendezvous with Rama, Arthur C. Clarke
39. Ringworld, Larry Niven
40. Rogue Moon, Algis Budrys
41. The Silmarillion, J.R.R. Tolkien
42. Slaughterhouse-5, Kurt Vonnegut
43. Snow Crash, Neal Stephenson*
44. Stand on Zanzibar, John Brunner
45. The Stars My Destination, Alfred Bester*
46. Starship Troopers, Robert A. Heinlein
47. Stormbringer, Michael Moorcock
48. The Sword of Shannara, Terry Brooks
49. Timescape, Gregory Benford
50. To Your Scattered Bodies Go, Philip Jose Farmer

Notes: I didn't mark any of these as "hated", although surely they could have found a better use for #48. I would be tempted to replace it with "The Phoenix and the Mirror" by Avram Davidson so we have some weird fantasy on this here list.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=783 Wed, 15 Nov 2006 20:11:02 -0500 <![CDATA[I really need to figure out who my "secondary" team is here]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=782 OH NO

Do you understand that Tom Brady is going to be arrested for selling crack to kids now? And Matt Cassell will get ebola. I guarantee you right now: Vinnie is going to see the field.

Oh, and while I'm making predictions: Gostkowski will catch whatever Eugene Wilson has (is there even a Eugene Wilson?) and cement Troy Brown's next position shift: field goal kicker. It's the final frontier.

Ok. Back to 2142.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=782 Tue, 14 Nov 2006 23:27:12 -0500 <![CDATA[Man law: I propose that the single-earring for men now be retired, as the last individual who made it look good is gone.]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=779 Goodbye Ed Bradley. He always came off as one of the coolest guys doing TV.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=779 Thu, 9 Nov 2006 14:38:08 -0500 <![CDATA[And that's when I reached for my Xibalba]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=775








I am very tired.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=775 Sun, 29 Oct 2006 21:35:36 -0500 <![CDATA[Hi, my name is Keith Travis]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=774 Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=774 Sun, 29 Oct 2006 09:54:09 -0500 <![CDATA[Imperial Conditioning]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=768
And, then again, sometimes you find a Dune concept album recorded by a punk band.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=768 Wed, 4 Oct 2006 20:11:43 -0400 <![CDATA[Obligatory Non-Pats Post]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=766
In other news, I made it to the Flickr interesting page! (with this image) Neat!]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=766 Mon, 2 Oct 2006 23:22:06 -0400 <![CDATA[I need a scientific audit of the Indy-Denver-Pats rock-paper-scissors axis]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=765
Uh. Yeah. How about that Laurence Maroney? I think Karen said it best when she said something like "Uh, he's fast". It's really great that we have one running back that can blow open holes, and another that can run outside and also go crazy scary stuff that shouldn't be possible in the pros up the middle. It's like having a running back by committee that actually works.

Oh yeah, and the Pats defense actually made some big plays. Two, which now puts their big-play total for the year at... two. The Cincy offense looked a bit hung over, especially on third down. And their defense... can we play those guys every week?

And I should mention the craziness that was the Jets/Colts game. I actually had intended to watch Bills/Vikings but then weird stuff started happening over in the AFC... and it just didn't stop. In particular, the Jets made the two best special teams plays I've ever seen: a runback for a touchdown where the blocking wedge held all the way to the 50, and an onside kick that was just disgustingly good. And the Jets still lost, because Peyton Manning is the Juggernaut. Still, the Jets should feel pretty good about themselves after having ALMOST beat two big teams. Mangini has them playing well.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=765 Sun, 1 Oct 2006 22:58:36 -0400 <![CDATA[My hovercraft is full of eels!]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=761
Many people have been suggesting that Rye Whisky is excellent. These people are completely right. And you can actually buy a bottle in Maine now. It may be the humble Jim Beam yellow label, but it's tasty and pleasing.

Ok. I have to rescue Liz. She's fallen asleep in front of Monty Python and is going to have some weird ass dreams.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=761 Fri, 22 Sep 2006 23:52:12 -0400 <![CDATA[A new challenger emerges]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=760 Liz. Not that I blog much these days but it was fun to come up with it.

Currently watching Rome, which is kinda cheesy but I like it, strangely.

That's all I got for you!]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=760 Thu, 21 Sep 2006 22:08:31 -0400 <![CDATA[Oh my stars and garters]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=758
BTW, this space will soon have a new, terrifying design, thanks to Liz who has been dangerously bored of late.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=758 Tue, 19 Sep 2006 20:18:33 -0400 <![CDATA[And that's when I summoned a beam of annihilating light from the heavens to destroy the weiner dog]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=754
Espers, II
M. Ward, Post War
Beirut, Gulag Orkestar
Samuel R. Delany, Neveryona

Also, it's good news that Emmitt Smith is a better dancer than Tucker Carlson. But I think we all knew that, and I'm not sure it really needed to be demonstrated on national television. Especially since my wife is now going to leave me for Emmitt Smith. Dammit.

PS. I had a myspace page for a week or so but I deleted it because Myspace seemed really, really creepy. Sorry, Seth.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=754 Tue, 12 Sep 2006 21:04:28 -0400 <![CDATA[Huddle Formation]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=753
I thought everything but the run offense was atrocious in the first half, and then the pass offense and the pass rush really tightened up in the 2nd. Pass coverage was eh throughout. The highlights? The Gostkowski era began with a good FG and the Maroney/Dillon running combo looked about how you'd expect: kinda scary. Maroney made one of the most auspicious rookie Pat debuts I've seen, and Dillon looked to be back to his smashmouth self. Between them, the Pats were able to control the clock at several crucial moments.

Looking at last year, I think the somewhat porous defense is not the biggest problem. I think what really needs to tighten up is the offensive line: Brady saw a lot of pressure and that limited the offense. If he has time to make plays (and he doesn't need much) the Pats will win more than enough games.

PS. I thought JP Losman looked pretty allright. Good luck to him.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=753 Sun, 10 Sep 2006 19:21:15 -0400 <![CDATA[Dan Rather gets himself some spinning rims]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=749 Flickr map.

Quality people like my photos.

In all seriousness, though, Geotagging is sweet as hell and I imagine it'll make me even more excited about exploring my surroundings.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=749 Tue, 29 Aug 2006 19:48:01 -0400 <![CDATA[For the win]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=747
Andrew: Look! (points at monitor) Oryx!

Liz: (disappointed) Ohhhhhh... I thought they were guinea pigs.

Andrew: WHAT?!? Oryx are better! They have.... horns! Aggggghghghghg!]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=747 Wed, 23 Aug 2006 23:02:20 -0400 <![CDATA[The drops of moisture trickle among the bones.]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=744 The Cask of Amontillado, here is your chance.(youtube)

I'm totally serious.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=744 Sun, 20 Aug 2006 11:20:11 -0400 <![CDATA[When I Said I Wanted to Be Your Dog]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=740 The Format
Jens Lenkman
Scott Pilgrim

You may continue.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=740 Tue, 8 Aug 2006 22:20:57 -0400 <![CDATA[Maybe not Cliff Richards, but Lou had surely met her]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=737
My arms are a little toasty now, but it was worth it. What a beautiful weekend here in Portland.

Did I mention that we went to the Librarything BBQ? That was pretty darn cool too.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=737 Sun, 6 Aug 2006 16:49:25 -0400 <![CDATA[We'll end up sittin' on a rainbow]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=725



Ok. I am REALLY tired. But we had a fabulous time in North Carolina. Tim and Amy's wedding was lovely. Remi and Liz were super hosts and showed us a great time in Durham. And (omg) Jen Westie was there! And Margeretta! And Justin and Dillon! And Tim's brother, who looks like Tim crossed with JFK! And there was beer!

It was really cool. Thanks, everyone.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=725 Sun, 2 Jul 2006 21:09:03 -0400 <![CDATA[Ah ha! Oh ho! Ah ha! Ho hee!]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=724
Well, the full storyline of the creation of this film is not germane to this post, but suffice to say you can get started from this Metafilter post. In any event, a fan has taken it upon himself to create a sort of half-formed version of the movie as it was originally intended. The result, "cobbled" together from a workprint, the previously released versions of the film, and other sources, can now be found in the places you would expect to find a fan-made DVD. I burned it to disc and watched it last night.

It's surprisingly watchable, despite the fact that it jumps willy-nilly from finished version to rough print to pencil tests to storyboards. You can see that the plot isn't much and some of it is quite silly, even filling in the gaps in your head. But it also has moments of sublime animated insanity the likes of which I have never seen in a film.

And it's got Zigzag! Really, can you find fault in a film with Zigzag?



]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=724 Wed, 28 Jun 2006 23:26:12 -0400 <![CDATA[At least I didn't spend a hundred bucks on this]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=723 Oh, *^()#$%*()(#$)%(*!!!!!

Always felt like I should hate Adobe. Now I know why.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=723 Mon, 26 Jun 2006 12:55:49 -0400 <![CDATA[Please God, lend me a Predator drone to destroy Stargate SG1]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=722
Let's see... what else is new? Somebody on Flickr wants to use a couple of my photos in a photoshop project... I'll post the final result here if he ends up doing it.

Oh, and a tow truck struck and wounded a moose on my street today.

Uh... that's all I got. Now if you'll excuse me, I gotta go avoid "Large hail, damaging wind, and/or frequent lightning". Super.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=722 Tue, 20 Jun 2006 20:53:43 -0400 <![CDATA[Is it just me...]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=716 ...or is it raining?]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=716 Tue, 16 May 2006 08:47:02 -0400 <![CDATA[My purpose here is to have badass tattoos]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=715 Dreamfall: The Longest Journey.

Uh.... yeaaaaah.

If they do THAT (and you'll know what I mean) and then can't make a sequal, because it doesn't sell well enough, I'm holding them personally responsible.

Other than the above detail, great game. Actually tons better than the first game, despite having much less gameplay. Does that make sense? Probably not.]]> Games http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=715 Sat, 13 May 2006 22:57:10 -0400 <![CDATA[Bill Belichick forgets to take his meds, drafts 9 tight ends, carves "Z" on forehead]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=713
I went and saw V for Vendetta last last. As an adaptation, it was pretty damn appalling. I got the feeling that the filmmakers didn't really enjoy the really good parts of Moore's graphic novel.

I think it suffered from the same problem that most(all?) adaptations of Philip K. Dick works run into: they depict sordid dystopias that are the responsibility of their body public, rather than a cabal of bad guys. Hollywood needs bad guys.

McTeigue and company also fatally undermined both main characters in an attempt to make them more sympathetic.... or something. To me that was the least forgivable aspect of it, and what made it feel so distant from the source material.

I can't bring myself to hate the film, though. I think if you had never read the book, you might think of it as a flawed but unusually ambitious action film. That's okay, I guess.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=713 Sun, 30 Apr 2006 13:20:20 -0400 <![CDATA[The Big Orc Weapon Shop]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=708 Mirrormask the other night, and was very impressed by it. It reminded me in an odd way of an old-school computer adventure game made into a film. Nothing new on the story front, but the visuals are really nice and had a sort of hand-crafted feel that you usually lose going to computer effects.

Oddly enough, Liz had rented it and I was playing Oblivion when she turned it on. I then came into the room and watched the whole thing, and she feel asleep about 20 minutes in. :)]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=708 Fri, 31 Mar 2006 08:55:50 -0500 <![CDATA[Hey, can we stop this merciless battle for a second so I can shine my armor?]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=705 Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=705 Tue, 28 Mar 2006 22:40:02 -0500 <![CDATA[Psych!]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=704

Remi linked to this. Kind of an interesting alternative to Meyers Briggs.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=704 Tue, 28 Mar 2006 20:04:47 -0500 <![CDATA[Damn. I'm a green orc in a tank.]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=698 Oblivion.

Oh, that's right. It's on now. I'll see you in a year.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=698 Wed, 22 Mar 2006 23:02:20 -0500 <![CDATA[Kickerlogical shock]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=697 That's just wrong.

I mean, that's just so, so wrong.

I mean, are the Colts thinking that he'll RUB OFF on Manning in some mystical sense? Are the Patriots thinking that he's not worth kicker's pay? Is Vinnie thinking that a contract in Indy is worth abandoning all of his NE advertising dollars, forever?

Oh well. I wish him the best of luck. To the NE back office, I request some new players good enough to replace all ones we've lost in the last 2 years. Because, uh. I don't see them on the team right now.

]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=697 Tue, 21 Mar 2006 19:07:41 -0500 <![CDATA[Here we go again, everyone]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=696
And now we hear that Daunte Culpeper will soon be enjoying the warm weather in Miami. He'll have excellent WR weapons, a couple of RBs to play around with, and a good (if old) defense. If Culpeper can return to the form of 2 years ago, Miami just became a much bigger challenger for 2006-7.

So here we are, clutching our guts, hoping that Bill and the gang have some kind of plan for next year.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=696 Tue, 14 Mar 2006 14:46:54 -0500 <![CDATA[Hinky!]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=695
*UPDATE* Things should be working ok now. I hope.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=695 Sat, 11 Mar 2006 22:46:57 -0500 <![CDATA[Your attention, please?]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=694 now a published journalist. Pretty freakin' cool.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=694 Fri, 10 Mar 2006 15:24:40 -0500 <![CDATA[I can see clearly now, the Fane are gone]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=691 Prince of Nothing series last night, basically to discover that it's not finished. Humph. But it was a good series, and the final(or not) book enhanced the previous books by offering some valuable context.

I signed up for Suprglu recently, so you can now read all my various RSS-feedable content from right here. My librarything book reviews, my Flickr pictures, any posts I make at Mefi, etc. It even keeps (slow) track of the music I listen to. Might be a bit more interesting than my rarely-updated blog.

Ultimately, it might be better to syndicate all that content to selfnoise.net, but I'm not sure if there's a way to accomplish that which doesn't involve technical wizardry that's beyond me.

]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=691 Thu, 16 Feb 2006 09:44:28 -0500 <![CDATA[It's the Cowher Power Hour all across America]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=689
One enduring image, though... on the trick play. Randel El comes around on the reverse and drops the ball to a wide-open Hines Ward. On the slow-mo reply, you can see Ward turning around and watching the ball glide into his hand with an ever-widening smile. Beautiful. The man has a beautiful smile. For that alone, he deserves the MVP trophy.

Actually, Bill Cowher has a beautiful smile too, and he sure did deserve that moment of pure joy.

Okay, I'm going to go before I get all sappy.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=689 Sun, 5 Feb 2006 23:04:42 -0500 <![CDATA[I need some gamma radiation please]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=686
But apparently Karen is "willing to risk death for some pancakes". Her words. So when the CDC wants to know what the disease vector was, it was IHOP.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=686 Wed, 25 Jan 2006 18:13:04 -0500 <![CDATA[Another Glorious Day in the Life of Gaius Baltar]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=677
Liz and I are about halfway through the 1st season. I'll post a more detailed review when we're a bit farther along. But yeah. If you didn't like the ultra-cheesy original show, just bear in mind that this is the exact opposite. It's the least faithful remake I've ever seen. This is good.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=677 Fri, 13 Jan 2006 09:16:27 -0500 <![CDATA[Please note: this is an official announcement]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=673
Vince Young is the Ninja From The Future.

I mean, what in the hell. What in the hell.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=673 Thu, 5 Jan 2006 00:27:25 -0500 <![CDATA[Jiminy Christmas]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=667 Librarything:




Had a great time this weekend, and it was really good to see Susie, who hadn't been up in a while.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=667 Mon, 26 Dec 2005 12:59:19 -0500 <![CDATA[It's strange... I hear a distant sound of popping corks]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=665 Congratulations to the 1972 Miami Dolphins.

One of the most thrilling games of football I've ever seen.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=665 Sun, 18 Dec 2005 16:23:32 -0500 <![CDATA[It is I, the reptile king]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=661 you can now create your own South Park avatars. Without further ado, I give you South Park Andrew and Liz.

]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=661 Fri, 9 Dec 2005 19:38:43 -0500 <![CDATA[I just jumped into my ninja suit]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=660 this thing looks pretty awesome. I glows with a fierce and unsettling gizmo power.

I hope everyone's having a nice December. I'm doing okay on my Xmas duties so far... just okay.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=660 Tue, 6 Dec 2005 15:52:52 -0500 <![CDATA[I am full of an urgent fear]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=658
No, I'm not kidding.

If you've ever lived there... this is just a microcosm of hilarity.]]> Movies http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=658 Thu, 1 Dec 2005 21:12:49 -0500 <![CDATA[The benefits of misreading road signs]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=656
Upstate New York (near Ticonderoga). I would never have known how beautiful it was in the snow. But I made a wrong turn in Whitehall and here we were.

Thanksgiving was nice. No, I don't have any idea what you're getting for Christmas. Leave me alone.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=656 Sun, 27 Nov 2005 17:14:06 -0500 <![CDATA[Vin Diesel can win a game of Monopoly without owning any property.]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=651




I also got a fabulous Johnny Cash boxset and a really big powerstrip! Life is good!]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=651 Wed, 9 Nov 2005 18:00:17 -0500 <![CDATA[The chief export of Chuck Norris is pain.]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=649 This makes me happy. Voting is fun.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=649 Wed, 9 Nov 2005 09:16:42 -0500 <![CDATA[Scaffolded to Respecteth In]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=645 Google Print is live. You should go over there and do a search for "pelagic argosy". For the kids.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=645 Thu, 3 Nov 2005 10:33:44 -0500 <![CDATA[A Spice-Producer of Chase-Guns]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=644 You should go eat here. It is the sort of place that might require a pilgrimage. I can relate that their "Tudor Rose", a combination of savory meats, pickles, and BBQ sauce, is...

Well, it's good.

On the subject of good, Backpack is kinda shiny, and you should check it out, since I'm the last person to hear about it and this would make me the second last.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=644 Wed, 2 Nov 2005 15:56:15 -0500 <![CDATA[Disarm ninjas with your harpsichord]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=638 Meebo for my AIM needs. It's very weird that a web app can feel and perform nicer than most standalone apps. And for instant messaging! And I can slot my conversations in a Firefox tab!]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=638 Sun, 23 Oct 2005 22:50:40 -0400 <![CDATA[What type of chitlins is that?]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=636 Librarything added recommends, and everyone seems to be going around rating theirs. So my ratings are in the comments.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=636 Sat, 22 Oct 2005 18:29:09 -0400 <![CDATA[Just one more thing... behold the i-juicer!]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=633 band quiz with answers. Enjoy and be edified!]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=633 Tue, 18 Oct 2005 16:10:37 -0400 <![CDATA[Pain in the Glayvin]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=632
It's a good thing Tom Brady can still throw the ball, otherwise we might have... oh wait, we did lose.

More comments on the week inside. (Matt, I'll move your previous comment in here.)]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=632 Tue, 18 Oct 2005 15:46:21 -0400 <![CDATA[More Jokes than Bazooka Joe]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=626 an album that's offbeat even for the participants. Doom provides his usual clever, off-kilter rhymes, Danger Mouse throws in some creepy house-of-mirrors beats, and the Adult Swim gang lounge around and toss off one-liners. It's not half bad, though one suspects the collective unique qualities of the various participants may have prevented the album from attaining the wide-open beauty of something like Madvillainy.

(I actually wrote this as an Itunes review, now that you can do that, but hell let's post it here too.)]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=626 Wed, 12 Oct 2005 18:08:00 -0400 <![CDATA[Bands, the guessining]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=623 well, I'll let him explain it. Anyway, even though I only knew one of the bands, I thought it was pretty neat.

Click here for mine. (my "more" capability is broken, as you may recall) A couple are easy, some perhaps less so. itunes actually did a good job of creating an eclectic mix of artists.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=623 Sun, 9 Oct 2005 21:32:32 -0400 <![CDATA[I'm going to commit a violent act against the Coors Light train.]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=621 They lack big-play ability on defense.
They're vulnerable in the secondary (for real).
They make more mistakes.

One thing that hasn't changed:
Give Tom Brady 4 minutes and a tie game, and he will own you.

More commentary on the week after the games are over.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=621 Sun, 9 Oct 2005 16:47:33 -0400 <![CDATA[I think you'll find the hare is a much larger creature.]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=620 Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=620 Fri, 7 Oct 2005 22:00:29 -0400 <![CDATA[Beware the Yeti]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=619
In the comments section of this post, there will be some reactions to Serenity, which I saw on Monday. There will be spoilers. I'm not going to use rot13 or anything, so if you don't want to go there, don't go there.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=619 Wed, 5 Oct 2005 22:13:17 -0400 <![CDATA[And now, a word from Robocop]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=617 Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=617 Sat, 1 Oct 2005 15:22:49 -0400 <![CDATA[Who stole my cheese and replaced it with Doug Flutie?]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=614
Sounds a lot like what happened to David Terrell. So is there some strategic advantage in paying for free-agent receivers, then dropping them immediately? Because you know, I'm not seeing it.

Maybe Belichick just wants to wow the world by presenting an ENTIRELY different roster next week. /sarcasm

And a hearty congratulations to Riders of Rohan Davey for landing in Arizona. Although considering that he's now a QB on the Cardinals, perhaps I should instead offer profound sympathies. And advil.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=614 Wed, 28 Sep 2005 20:51:49 -0400 <![CDATA[Pretty good, not bad, I can't complain]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=610


Comments on the rest of the (insane) week inside. By mid-tomorrow. I swear!]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=610 Sun, 25 Sep 2005 21:03:58 -0400 <![CDATA[Altoid Addiction]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=609 Liz and I have both discovered Librarything. Drop me a line if your collection is up there (or elsewhere).]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=609 Wed, 21 Sep 2005 18:19:30 -0400 <![CDATA[The fluffy temptation of wheat]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=605
You would, however, be wrong.

Comments in the comments.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=605 Mon, 19 Sep 2005 09:19:17 -0400 <![CDATA[The Gateless Barrier]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=601 Lone Wolf and Cub, your dreams are going to be pretty weird.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=601 Fri, 16 Sep 2005 10:10:36 -0400 <![CDATA[You can't destroy evidence!]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=599 Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=599 Mon, 12 Sep 2005 10:29:48 -0400 <![CDATA[We're figurative metaphors, Tom]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=597


The Patriots deliver an entertaining opening game that I can't really bring myself to complain about. I'll put in some comments in the uh.... comments.

PS. While I'm here, a much-belated congratulations to Charlie Weis for beating Pitt. Seeing Notre Dame running the Wildman Weis offense was a real treat.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=597 Fri, 9 Sep 2005 08:26:24 -0400 <![CDATA[Ska-wish]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=596 I'm selling a game to benefit the Red Cross. So if you want some donation goodness in with your Splinter Cell goodness, feel free to make a bid.

Let's see if I can dig anything else up to sell... haven't come up with anything yet that would be worth more than 5 dollars.

By the way... I don't wish to alarm you, but the NFL season begins Thursday.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=596 Tue, 6 Sep 2005 22:04:07 -0400 <![CDATA[Kenta Cho, I salute you]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=595 this game for a half an hour nonstop. I think I'm wounded... somewhere... in the brain.]]> Games http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=595 Mon, 5 Sep 2005 23:25:12 -0400 <![CDATA[Who you callin' Super Chibi?]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=593 Anime Academy.

Fullmetal Alchemist **** (TV, 51 Episodes)

+ = Smooth mix of action, drama, intrigue and humor; Mostly excellent characters; fabulous antagonists; no real filler; good animation throughout

- = Music can be a bit repetitive; ending is not fabulous; the Elric brothers occasionally suffer from soft-headedness

(Also, is there some reason we can't get an spinoff show featuring Armstrong? I mean... the man can command hypnotic loyalty through his MUSCLES ALONE!)

Twelve Kingdoms ****1/2 (TV, 45 Episodes)

+ = The show's "world" is uniquely complex, deep, and interesting; excellent character development; beautiful, lush animation with flashes of brilliance; excellent music; entire show is deeply memorable

- = Main character starts out annoying (but does end up awesome); probably a bit slow for some; very heavy on the jargon; doesn't have an ending at all (due to ongoing source material) and last produced arc doesn't live up to previous arc's excellence

(At one point a giant, talking bear appears for what seems like no reason. He was so awesome that when he finally appeared again many episodes later I yelled "GIANT BEEEEEAAAAAR!" and frightened Liz)]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=593 Sun, 4 Sep 2005 22:48:18 -0400 <![CDATA[Goodnight, folks]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=592 mefite:

Comet Heading Towards Earth
Humanity doomed; unsurprised at this point

I'm.... going to bed now.]]> World http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=592 Sat, 3 Sep 2005 23:45:52 -0400 <![CDATA[That rumbling in the distance]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=583
Today's is courtesy of Andre' Davis. Never has it been less clear who will be playing wide receiver for the Patriots this year. So let's see, we have:

Deion Branch
David Givens
Troy Brown
David Terrill
Tim Dwight
PK Sam
Bethel Johnson
Andre' Davis
Jason Anderson
Eugene Baker
Brandon Childress
Cedric James (??)


Gee, you think we'll see some cuts?

In other news, if you missed the Pats / Saints preseason game, you missed Rodney Harrison decapitate some poor Saints receiver. That was about it, though. Hopefully the defense will gel before the season starts.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=583 Mon, 22 Aug 2005 15:39:01 -0400 <![CDATA[The type of fruit changes with the number of explosions.]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=579
-Planetes (at least the manga is. Dunno about the anime)
-2001 Nights
-Slax LiveCD
-Otogi Zoshi (I _think_. I dunno. It's weird.)
-Flickr
-The Scarlet Fig

Perhaps I will blog on one or all of these items. OR MAYBE?]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=579 Wed, 17 Aug 2005 15:05:15 -0400 <![CDATA[Check out my blurry picture taking skills]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=573 Liz made a painting. (via her blog)]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=573 Mon, 8 Aug 2005 21:25:22 -0400 <![CDATA[Everything is Skiptastic]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=571 Rounds and Pause from Four Tet. I hadn't even heard of this individual before listening to his excellent Madvillain remixes on itunes, but I have now discovered a whirry, clicky soundscape that I enjoy. It kind of reminds me of Boards of Canada, except that I actually like this. (I tried really hard, but it's too sleepy. I need some click with my whirr).]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=571 Mon, 1 Aug 2005 15:50:26 -0400 <![CDATA[We're in John Ashcroft's Hell.]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=569
I've read books 1-3 of Y: the Last Man which is a rollicking, hilarious and violent little SF adventure. I also finally got around to reading League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (both volumes), which may in fact be one of the better things in all of existence. And I just finished the first volume of Planetes, which has given me a taste for manga.

I kind of like the format of manga books, actually. They're small and contain lots of neat little black and white art. I realize this probably annoys people who want to really SEE the art, but I kind of like the diminutive size. It also means that you get a lot of story for your money. Like I said, I really like Y, but it costs 12.95 for maybe 20 minutes of reading?

And I'm even teaching myself to read all backwards-like. I figure if ten billion little girls can do it to read Fruits Basket or whatever that I should really give it a try. And I think I've pretty much gotten it. Though now I'm having trouble reading Western comics the "right" way.]]> Bookage http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=569 Fri, 29 Jul 2005 23:31:46 -0400 <![CDATA[Share and enjoy]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=567 Photos http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=567 Wed, 27 Jul 2005 11:57:34 -0400 <![CDATA[Through him, we are saved from corruption and the worm.]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=566 Zothique.

I mean, that's rock hard. I've never bought an audiobook, but I might actually have to buy that.]]> Bookage http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=566 Sun, 24 Jul 2005 23:11:47 -0400 <![CDATA[My Homie El Producto]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=562 Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=562 Sun, 17 Jul 2005 11:42:07 -0400 <![CDATA[His giant skull balloon]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=561


Ah, the organization.]]> Bookage http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=561 Sat, 16 Jul 2005 20:00:11 -0400 <![CDATA[super villain, a killer who loves children]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=560 Uhh... yes, please?]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=560 Fri, 15 Jul 2005 11:00:11 -0400 <![CDATA[Fear the burning power that flows through my veins]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=559 Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=559 Fri, 15 Jul 2005 10:19:18 -0400 <![CDATA[Beware of the fiery hell-copter]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=557
But this concept of carrying stupid amounts of music around has kind of gotten into my brain. I was thinking of buying an Ipod, since I've really gotten used to Itunes and don't have the same complaints about it that others have. But I was playing with my sister-in-law's new mini this week, and.... eh. The sound quality isn't the best, and I find the wheel interface kind of irrationally annoying. But unfortunately there doesn't seem to be much else out there that doesn't look like a cheap piece of junk. Sony's players are somewhat nice looking but I've heard the software is horrid and you just know Sony will find some way to screw you, the customer. They always do.

So here's what I want in my theoretical Mp3 HD player:
Long Battery Life
Good to Excellent Sound
Easy, Simple Controls
Highly Durable
USB Mass Storage Device
Looks Neat

Probably, though, I'll just buy a higher-capacity flash player and wait for my dream HD player to never appear. The flash players tend to look cooler anyway.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=557 Wed, 13 Jul 2005 22:29:03 -0400 <![CDATA[I have begun the ground beef delivery service]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=556
"The process of making a simple question with no answer very complicated in the hope that this will create an answer."]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=556 Wed, 13 Jul 2005 16:10:52 -0400 <![CDATA[I feel naked without my hollandaise]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=553
Part of it was that the attempt at "realness" and the street-level camera stuff kind of clashed with the alien designs, which seemed very B-movie. There's also the fact that the aliens plan is pretty incomprehensible and stupid, and the fact that the movie's "punchline", which it shares with the book, doesn't really make much sense.

One other weird thing: refugees in this movie seem to flow backwards, like the rivers in Greyhawk. You often see them traveling TOWARDS fire and destruction. This seems uh. Less than bright. Some characters (I'm thinking of Tom Cruise's son) also seem to have suicidal ideas that make little sense.

Overall it's a good summer movie but like many Spielberg films (Lost World, Minority Report) parts of it are just so damn stupid it's hard to take seriously.]]> Movies http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=553 Fri, 1 Jul 2005 10:43:13 -0400 <![CDATA[Infinite are the arguments of mages]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=552 Earthsea books. I had read perhaps the first three when much younger, but I remembered little of them beyond the "true names" and the nemesis of the first novel.

Overall I enjoyed the novels immensely. Having read LeGuin's version of the Tao Te Ching, it was easy to see how a thoughtful perspective on the Tao could have produced these novels. The first three are very nearly parables or prose explanations. The second three have a bit more of the contemporary novel in them and seem born out of a desire to explore the difficulties that come with making the world "real". I find that I don't really understand in full the events of the last novel and would also like an explanation of where the exploration of women's magic in the 4th and 5th books went to.

All in all, though, they were a joy to read. Interesting how LeGuin is able to create a world that "feels" anthropologically real, populated and alive. All without character or wordcount bloat. That's good writing.]]> Bookage http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=552 Wed, 29 Jun 2005 11:23:31 -0400 <![CDATA[Someone really, really needs to tell Luke that.]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=551 Mike for linking to this. It's what I would think of as a fairly comprehensive review, rendered in the form of the funny. I approve.]]> Movies http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=551 Mon, 27 Jun 2005 22:21:37 -0400 <![CDATA[Go Go Cactus Man]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=550 John Crowley tonight.

If you are a Johnny, you will be interested to know that he looks a little bit like Mr. Dink.

I asked him about the one thing I'd always wondered regarding his novels, and he answered to my complete satisfaction.

So yeah. It was a pretty excellent reading, and I don't even like readings. And now I think I am contractually obligated to read The Evening Land.]]> Bookage http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=550 Wed, 22 Jun 2005 21:05:55 -0400 <![CDATA[Well, there you go]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=549
What Video Game Character Are You? I am a Pacman Ghost.I am a Pacman Ghost.


I like to hang around with friends, chatting, dancing, all that sort of thing. We don't appreciate outsiders, and do our best to discourage others approaching us. I enjoy occasionally wandering around randomly, and often find that when I do so, I get to where I wanted to be. What Video Game Character Are You?
]]> Games http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=549 Wed, 22 Jun 2005 16:48:42 -0400 <![CDATA[What a minute. Why didn't I kill that guy?]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=548 not being faithful to the source material is like complaining that you took your car to Xzibit for a tune-up and he installed a rocket engine on the back.

"What? You go faster now, don't you?"

(I will admit that I haven't read the original book. Liz tells me it's not the greatest book ever.)

Anyway, if you go see Howl's Moving Castle, you will get a big dose of Spirited Away's magical realism, mixed with the European setting and pace of Porco Rosso or Kiki's Delivery Service and a bit of the derring-do of Laputa. If this sounds like goodness in a can, that's because it is.

Also: if you haven't seen City of God, you should probably do that at the earliest moment possible. Describing it as a Brazilian slum-life "Goodfellas" hints at the movie's appeal, but doesn't come close to doing it justice.]]> Movies http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=548 Mon, 20 Jun 2005 11:55:40 -0400 <![CDATA[Rule #1: Batman is a mammal.]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=547
Go see the movie. It's much, much better than it has any right to be.

And it has ninjas.]]> Movies http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=547 Fri, 17 Jun 2005 20:42:09 -0400 <![CDATA[The stars are no longer reliable]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=546
Should I be concerned?]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=546 Tue, 14 Jun 2005 13:49:20 -0400 <![CDATA[Looks like I picked the wrong week to stop sniffin' glue]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=542
It was, overall, a very satisfying show. Well made action sequences, lots of interesting characters, and a very interesting world that the show didn't quite explain.

Or, it did, but the show's creators seemed to have a philosophy of "show, don't tell" so you kinda have to figure everything out yourself. After a couple of viewings of key episodes, I think I get it.

The only thing that annoyed me was that one of the characters died like a punk. I don't mind character deaths, I just like long-standing characters to go out with a bang. Oddly, this character's closest associate had the best death of any of the show's characters.

Anyway, it was miles beyond the other Gonzo anime show I'd seen, Blue Submarine No. 6. I recommend it. ]]> Movies http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=542 Sat, 11 Jun 2005 20:35:40 -0400 <![CDATA[Elegy of Entrapment]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=539 Samurai Champloo yesterday. It has great style and most of the individual episodes are fantastic. It has great music (no surprise there). I thought the overarching plot was pretty weak but like Cowboy Bebop the emphasis here seems to be on well-crafted episodes that offer up a complete, self-contained story.

I can't imagine what they've done with the English dub, but hopefully it has some resemblance to the Japanese dialogue... I obviously am at a disadvantage reading along at the bottom of the screen but I thought the voice actors did a really good job, particularly the actor doing Mugen. Most reviews I've read on the web really seemed to focus on Fuu as the best/most interesting character(???) but I really have to go with Mugen there... I thought the end of the episode with his "friends" (where he's walking towards the girl on the hill) was the strongest moment in the series.

I'm currently about 2/3rds of the way through Last Exile (thank you Netflix), which I like better and better the more I watch and re-watch it. I've decided that it's my mouth-gargle after the horrid Star Wars prequels: better dialogue (even translated, for god's sake), more interesting design and more character depth.]]> Movies http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=539 Mon, 6 Jun 2005 10:02:13 -0400 <![CDATA[Blungleflarg?]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=537
I keep wanting to mark music for later purchase. Alas, it seems I cannot.

]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=537 Thu, 2 Jun 2005 19:14:55 -0400 <![CDATA[I still think the whole magical ghost body thing is about vampirism]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=529
Liz: Yes?

Me: I've been thinking.... that maybe together... WE COULD RULE THE GALAXY!]]> Movies http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=529 Thu, 26 May 2005 21:15:29 -0400 <![CDATA[I'm a known womanizer who lives on a deserted island in a small tent...]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=528 Porco Rosso. It was everything a movie about a chivalrous, anti-fascist fighter pilot pig fighting in the skies over the pre-WW2 Mediterranean Sea could be.

I also finished up Paranoia Agent last night, which I think is one of my favorite anime series now. Satoshi Kon: you ARE the man.

Currently working on the latter part of Samurai Champloo, which is a great episodic show but doesn't seem to have a lot of energy tying the episodes together. Or maybe it's just me.]]> Movies http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=528 Wed, 25 May 2005 08:33:57 -0400 <![CDATA[A.... live WARHEAD?!?]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=525 this forum thread (warning, some good-humored profanity) and was struck by multiple persons referencing the old, semi-obscure Origin game Bioforge (screenshots) as a game that they never quite forgot. Oddly enough, I am one of those people, and until today I wasn't aware there was a community of us. The reactor sequence (described by HOTU as "agonizing") was one of the most memorable to me. I stopped the damn thing from exploding with .2 seconds left and can remember sitting in my chair with my heart pounding, thinking "Good lord, a game can freak you out this much?"

I also remember how the main character would recite a description of everything you picked up, resulting in the hilarious and alarming quote that is the title of this entry.

I actually emailed Origin about a year or so after the game came out, because they had been talking about a quasi-sequel to the game called, I think, Bioforge Plus. To my great disappointment it had been canceled.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=525 Thu, 19 May 2005 13:57:18 -0400 <![CDATA[I'd like to know why the tailor lives near an army of bloodthirsty dwarves]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=517 Penny Arcade frontpage post.

Specifically:

"Combat is extremely fast-paced in Guild Wars. A ten second buff lasts an eternity. Things go to hell quickly. They can be redeemed just as fast. So if you've heard the words MMO and Guild Wars together, it creates a kind of mental template which you imagine will define certain elements of the experience, and then a warrior caves in your skull with a maul. The immediacy of it is intense and strangely addictive."

This is very accurate. Those who describe Guild Wars as an MMRPG are off the mark not because it doesn't have structures and concepts in line with an MMRPG. It's because the time in which you aren't doing anything has been reduced effectively to zero, and the time in which you are doing something has been accelerated to sports-car speed. All the weird things MMRPGS do to make you play for hours at a time have been completely removed.

And yet I still PLAY Guild Wars for hours at a time. Clearly dark forces are at work.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=517 Fri, 6 May 2005 14:27:23 -0400 <![CDATA[Fifty ways to leave your necromancer]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=513 Guild Wars quite a bit since I came back from my vacation. It's an odd game... a bit like a 3D Diablo II with the multiplayer and singleplayer games seamlessly integrated. And very, very nice looking.

I read John Crowley's The Translator over vacation, which was a very nice novel. Both Little, Big and the Translator were tremendously well-written. I think that both novels ultimately suffered from ambition as well. I feel like the various elements of his novels, while initially sticking together remarkably well, eventually started to fly off as the books sped up. Ack, that's a bad explanation. I'll think about it some more and get back to you.

And now I'm reading A People's History of the United States. Although not that version- an older one I found at a used bookstore.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=513 Sat, 30 Apr 2005 22:28:00 -0400 <![CDATA[Chicanery in New England]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=510 just signed Doug Flutie.

No I don't know if he'll still be there after training camp. Maybe not. But it's kind of karmically cool, though.

In other news, we went and saw Hitchhiker's Guide. It was pretty bad. I would comment further, but... meh. I got nothing.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=510 Fri, 29 Apr 2005 18:31:54 -0400 <![CDATA[Elijah Wood will now forever be known as "Cannibal Ninja"]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=508 A1 Diner.

Went and saw Sin City, which was pretty cool. I don't think I'm spoiling anything when I mention that the film is cut into 3 different parts, each with its own story. I thought each individual story was fantastic (Mickey Rourke versus the insane ninja hobbit being the best of the three). But that's all the movie is, really; 3 small stories. In a way this is admirable, but it left me feeling kind of unsatisfied.

Technically speaking, I'm really glad Rodriguez did something with digital filmmaking that was actually interesting and not just a steaming pile of bad CG. I mean, there was some bad CG here, but there was also super-sharp, super-high-contrast greatness.

Oh, and Jessica Alba, while hot, apparently cannot act in any sense. Michael Madsen also sucked so bad it was distracting. Mad props to whoever cast Rutger Hauer. Where you been, man? (I mean, besides hunting down Ice-T with Garey Busey).

We also saw Sahara. This is an okay movie.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=508 Thu, 28 Apr 2005 15:00:33 -0400 <![CDATA[And he also made false teeth]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=504
I highly recommend this album. It's kind of like what would happen if MF Doom and Madlib were hit by a cosmic ray that transformed them into white guys from Australia. In a weird way, it fulfills my need for an actual quality followup to Bentley Rhythm Ace.

BTW: You might have noticed (though probably not) that my Audioscrobbler account no longer updates. This is because I have decided that I like itunes, and the Audioscrobbler plugin for Windows itunes makes it crash over and over again. Sorry.

PS: I have updated my links to reflect where y'alls blogs have moved. I urge the reader to check out Liz's blog again as it is cool.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=504 Fri, 22 Apr 2005 21:46:45 -0400 <![CDATA[I KNEW there were ninjas in here!]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=502
"Just pretend that I'm a heavily armed and easily irritated heating engineer".

I just wish they would have had the budget/time to make every level equally immersive. Some levels feel like the original Splinter Cell office sneaks, and some are incredibly realized, dynamic environments.

Also: Anyone who neglected to watch Veronica Mars this week missed Harry Hamlin beating the tar out of someone with deck furniture and a belt. Just, uh, FYI.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=502 Tue, 19 Apr 2005 22:15:36 -0400 <![CDATA[I possess the strength of ten devils!]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=500
It's not that a show has to be believable to be fun. But a show that takes itself this seriously (has there ever been intentional humor?) needs to be taken seriously by the audience.

Also, Kim Bauer really, really has to die a horrible death. Please?

Veronica Mars, on the other hand, is a pretty good show. It's gotten some of that Buffy afterglow, and it's not a Buffy or Firefly or Wonderfalls calibur, but it's fun and engaging and well-written. (dialogue wise. Plot wise it can be a little weak). And it's nice to see that short bald dude in some show that isn't Just Shoot Me.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=500 Wed, 13 Apr 2005 10:53:06 -0400 <![CDATA[Your attention, please.]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=498
These men promptly escaped from a maximum security stockade to the Los Angeles underground.

Today, still wanted by the government, they survive as soldiers of fortune.

If you have a problem and no one else can help, and if you can find them, maybe you can hire:

The A-team.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=498 Tue, 12 Apr 2005 11:48:22 -0400 <![CDATA[Good morning to all my marshmellow cereal homies.]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=497 Dave Pollard's blog.

Google's is pretty good too.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=497 Fri, 1 Apr 2005 08:32:43 -0500 <![CDATA[The ever-wanting soul]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=496
It's usually pretty annoying, but today it caused me to discover this interesting site with pictures of South Wales. Who knew Quar was a place?]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=496 Wed, 30 Mar 2005 14:17:57 -0500 <![CDATA[Huh.]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=495 I now present the culture of life. I wish I understood these people.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=495 Tue, 29 Mar 2005 08:44:15 -0500 <![CDATA[Prepare for mental vomitus!]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=492
Stalled on HL2. I seem to have this problem where I get 75% through a game and I just totally lose interest in it. Truly I am incapable of even the nominal attention span required for the modern game.

Part of it, also, is linearity. I have to do a series of tasks in order where I work. I have to do these tasks meticulously to ensure good results. When I come home, I don't particularly want to do this. Instead, I want to organically explore the possibilities of something. I like to gradually achieve what I'd like to achieve with goals of my own. This is why I enjoy MP team shooters like Tribes and UT 2004. I can dip in, learn a little, have some fun, and log off.

On a completely different note, I just started reading this book. Liz brings books home like a cat does dead mice: you discover a strange object on your coffee-table, and the perpetrator is wandering around somewhere mischieviously. I have decided to read this one in order to thwart her plan of reading the first 50 pages, then burying it under the bed.

I've noticed that my reading needs are changing somehow... I've been reading a lot of nonfiction, and I'm not sure why. Hmm.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=492 Mon, 21 Mar 2005 22:15:04 -0500 <![CDATA[Delicious grilled onions]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=490
You know, you never really appreciate your Honda Civic until you have to drive a minivan with 158,000 miles on it.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=490 Sat, 19 Mar 2005 17:51:50 -0500 <![CDATA[Fear my temple lasers]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=489


In other news, the mighty Liz once again blogs! Check it out here. I'll be editing her page to provide an RSS feed as soon as I get a chance.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=489 Fri, 18 Mar 2005 16:18:08 -0500 <![CDATA[ Your Flag Decal Won't Get You Into Heaven Anymore]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=486
Soma FM has a half-dozen or so stations, all high quality. Most are electronica but they also have an indie rock station and a really cool "secret agent" station.

Radio Paradise is a pretty cool eclectic rock/electronic station. The DJ(s) program well so the odd mix of music fits together nicely.

97x is another cool indie rock station, though their stream is only 64k. Still good stuff, though.

Smoothbeats will hook you up with the underground and mainstream hip-hop goodness, while Boombastic Radio promises and delivers music from funk to soul to hip-hop to all sorts of other things.

Shoutcast has a big master list of radio stations to choose from.

I am only using radio stations that I can save into QCD, and I haven't found a way to do that with some sites, like Live365.

Anyone else have stations they listen to regularly?]]> Web http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=486 Wed, 16 Mar 2005 22:22:10 -0500 <![CDATA[Check out my FIIIIIIIST!]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=485 Lego Star Wars demo is really weird. Yeah.

I'd like to see a really complex GTA-style game with Havoc physics, but rendered entirely as Legos. GOD, that would be incredibly cool.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=485 Sat, 12 Mar 2005 12:59:36 -0500 <![CDATA[The yankees call it dumb]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=483 free collection of music with Dylan and Cash playing together.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=483 Wed, 9 Mar 2005 21:35:30 -0500 <![CDATA[Oh, come ON now]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=482 WHAT IN THE HELL?

I mean, seriously. I don't know as much as I should about the World Bank. But their finalists are evil comb-eater or monumental, company-destroying failure? Harsh!]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=482 Tue, 1 Mar 2005 15:08:12 -0500 <![CDATA[Beware the Shaolin Monkey]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=481
Recently, though, I've been getting spam for "Chinese Apes".

Now, look at the first 10 or so hits on Google's search.

Weird marketing? OR PLANS FOR APE CONQUEST?!?! ]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=481 Tue, 1 Mar 2005 14:03:27 -0500 <![CDATA[I am damn unsatisfied to be killed in this way]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=478
Drunken postcard sender: I must regretfully inform you that the information you were attempting to communicate was not legible or understandable. It may not have been in English. Please send taco meat.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=478 Sat, 26 Feb 2005 23:47:04 -0500 <![CDATA[A really substantial meal]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=477 Joe's NYC is a really awesome photoblog. I particularly like this image (from yesterday's update).

I'm thinking of doing a photoblog as well. Or maybe a mix of photos and text. I've become kind of weirdly interested in Portland (Maine) architecture of late. Whether that will translate into content is anyone's guess.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=477 Fri, 25 Feb 2005 15:31:19 -0500 <![CDATA[The fro moves in the sky]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=475 two teams that'll suck next year.

I understand the Vikings had to get rid of Moss, but their desperation was clearly showing when it came time to negotiate, 'cause they didn't get much, did they?

As for the Raiders, I honestly will be surprised if they don't have intrateam brawls onfield next year. It could be a value add!]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=475 Wed, 23 Feb 2005 19:00:33 -0500 <![CDATA[Ripped from the headlines]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=474 (22:13:24) suz0418: are you a morphinist?
(22:13:39) elsarazin: I am morphinological.
(22:14:07) suz0418: i don't know what that means but it sounds righteous and true.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=474 Tue, 22 Feb 2005 22:18:27 -0500 <![CDATA[Audio: the Scrobbling]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=472 Audioscrobbler thingy, as Mr. Goodrum seems to have discovered with disquieting speed. Does he work for the NSA? Anyone else who has one of these thingys should let me know so I can leech off your musical taste.

Currently I am trying to get the thing to work with QCD, as the Windows version of itunes crashes constantly on my new machine. So results may be limited/weird for a bit.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=472 Sat, 19 Feb 2005 11:16:57 -0500 <![CDATA[taco hammer]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=470 Gamespy Stats Page to be a continual source of wonderment. I mean, people still play Quake 2? And the continued dominance of Counter Strike is really amazing. I have to turn away, though, when I realize that more people play Tribes 1 or 2 than Tribes: Vengeance. That franchise sure has fallen on hard times.]]> Games http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=470 Thu, 17 Feb 2005 15:54:20 -0500 <![CDATA[What this button do]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=469
Today's gushing is reserved for UT2004 and its Onslaught mode, which is indeed the bestest thing there ever was. I measure the overall goodness of a thing by the number of missiles it contains, and Onslaught contains many, many missiles. Sometimes all of these missiles are in the air at the same time, and glorious events occur.

I am currently registering my progress in this game by small things. I recognize that most of the players online are in fact ninjas from the future with reflexes that can actually reach backwards in time. So for me it is a Manta destroyed here, a power node repaired there, and I am content.

]]> Games http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=469 Thu, 10 Feb 2005 11:23:15 -0500 <![CDATA[I know where you live]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=468 Google Maps is very nice indeed, and a good example of why Google is so good at what they do. It uses similar or identical data to Mapquest (NAVTEQ) but the interface is radically superior. Google is really busting out the hits of late, aren't they?

I'm a big fan of maps, so I anticipate fooling around with this for some time to come.]]> Web http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=468 Tue, 8 Feb 2005 15:25:23 -0500 <![CDATA[Please stop it with the dynasty thing, it's boring.]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=467
I get the feeling that Corey Dillon is in a really good place right now.

Let me officially state, also, that I was wrong about Rodney Harrison. But not as wrong as the Chargers were.

Thanks go out to Weis and Crennel, who are headed off to other pastures after this year.

More later.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=467 Mon, 7 Feb 2005 10:17:06 -0500 <![CDATA[The soft taco- oppressing humanity since 1244]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=466 based on a mix of consumer sloth and rebate systems designed to screw the customer.

I've had one good experience with rebates, and that was with Staples Easy Rebates which are redeemed online. It was fairly easy to use and actually worked.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=466 Thu, 3 Feb 2005 13:42:17 -0500 <![CDATA[Bistro, Bar and Grill, Cafe on the Water]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=464 Snowgirl is up. Enjoy!]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=464 Tue, 1 Feb 2005 11:49:04 -0500 <![CDATA[A brief note]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=463 argument about mice turns out not to be accurate, to put it politely. I work with a number of people who have basically no computer knowledge, but all of them use the right mouse button (and correctly).

Just thought you should know.]]> Web http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=463 Mon, 31 Jan 2005 11:59:25 -0500 <![CDATA[Two team enter, one team leave]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=460
Pretty much says it all, doesn't it?

Good tough game. Both teams played well but Big Ben made some critical mistakes and the Pats were able to hold down the fort in the end. Props go to Asante Samual, who was all over the Steelers receivers, and to Deion Branch, who seemed to make most of the big plays on offense. I would give props to #12 but really, does he need them?

Also an honorary prop-giving to my perennial favorite, Corey Dillon. He threw himself against the Pittsburgh secondary like some kind of berzerker, getting up after every 1 yard gain like he wanted the ball 100 more times. Didn't make a ton of yards but he killed the clock in the 4th.

Re: the NFC game: here's the thing. I really don't buy Atlanta as a good team. They have no receivers, their defense seems kinda over-rated, and as the Eagles showed you just need to play contain with your defensive ends and Vick seems to get frustrated. The game ended up being kinda boring, which was too bad.

And now the Eagles will finally reach the Super Bowl. I like Donovan McNabb a lot, particularly this year. But we really have to wipe that grin off of TO's face.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=460 Sun, 23 Jan 2005 23:09:39 -0500 <![CDATA[Weee]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=459 Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=459 Sun, 23 Jan 2005 11:05:20 -0500 <![CDATA[Upon further review...]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=456
1. Why WAS the Colts gameplan so incredibly awful? I don't get it. They didn't challenge the Pats secondary at any time during the game, and went out of their way to throw the ball at the Patriots' superb linebackers. It was like Belichik was calling the plays. It was eerie. I thought Tom Moore was supposed to be some kind of genius.

2. Could CBS please do a total reset on their pregame/halftime show? Marino is boring, Boomer is pompous and Shannon Sharpe is just irritating. Bring Jim Nantz back and fire the other 3 guys, who clearly are just collecting paychecks.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=456 Mon, 17 Jan 2005 16:09:46 -0500 <![CDATA[Next time, remember that you, in fact, are a kicker]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=455


Ohhhh yeahhhh... that's right.

Once again, it was a pleasure to watch Mr. Dillon run. He displays not only fearsome strength and determination, but a consummate patience. He allows holes to develop. He lets his blockers work.

As for number 12, he did what comes naturally in the post-season. He didn't make mistakes and he managed the game like a pro.

One random note: the oft-discussed Manning audibles were strangely rare in this game. Was that a sign of something? I thought he played well, but his receivers played terribly and the Colts defense wouldn't let Manning play ball-control. Better luck next time: I'll admit he deserves a championship. He is one of the great ones.

And now, on to next week. Pittsburgh is a team that I have enormous respect for. They play like we do: hard, tough, and close to the ground. It should be a lot of fun.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=455 Sun, 16 Jan 2005 21:22:02 -0500 <![CDATA[Chicken rating: delicious]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=454 This online seminar on China Mieville (including comments from the author) is just about the best thing ever. More of this, please!]]> Bookage http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=454 Tue, 11 Jan 2005 11:35:54 -0500 <![CDATA[I can't believe it's playoff time]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=451
And I don't care about the NFC. I think it's a total crock that the Panthers, who were a worthy opponent last year in the Super Bowl, lost their playoff hopes while the pathetic Vikings and Rams will advance. Bah! And I'm still hoping a team will find a way to wipe that grin off Terrell Owens' face.

By the way... The Capital One and Rose Bowls yesterday were among the best games of football I have ever seen in any format. ABC got extremely lucky, with two hard fought games that didn't end until the final play. Bravo. A particular highlight was watching Texas QB Vince Young turn into an unstoppable ninja from the future. The mind reels imagining this gentlemen playing against Michael Vick in the NFL.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=451 Sun, 2 Jan 2005 22:29:19 -0500 <![CDATA[Fried Fish: The Breadening]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=450
Using gorilla glue to fix our couch.

Eating guacamole, chips, chicken curry and rice.

Listening to blogswap CDs.

Drinking lots of Asti and Champagne.

Yay for a nice New Years with just the two of us!]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=450 Fri, 31 Dec 2004 20:40:34 -0500 <![CDATA[Your move, troglodytes.]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=448 Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=448 Thu, 30 Dec 2004 14:16:56 -0500 <![CDATA[You say Monsta, we say Island]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=447
(First of all, I seem to be the only person to put hiphop on their swap cd, and mine is ENTIRELY hiphop. Hmm. Oh well.)]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=447 Wed, 29 Dec 2004 17:16:04 -0500 <![CDATA[Ride up on them like they escalators]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=445
It would be nice if people could not be complete tools, but apparently that's just impossible.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=445 Tue, 28 Dec 2004 14:22:39 -0500 <![CDATA[Contemplate this upon the tree of woe]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=444 Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=444 Tue, 28 Dec 2004 08:22:11 -0500 <![CDATA[It looks like he hit Corey Dillon]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=442
And let me say that it has been a pleasure to watch Corey Dillon all year. He's a tough, fast runner, but most importantly, he is smart and patient and agile. And I'm very glad he decided to join the Pats.

Oh, and many congrats to Peyton Manning, who scored his record touchdown and then showed the world that he's all business, running down the field and signalling for two as his teammates celebrated.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=442 Sun, 26 Dec 2004 19:06:11 -0500 <![CDATA[It is better to give, but receiving's aiight]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=441 Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=441 Fri, 24 Dec 2004 10:00:42 -0500 <![CDATA[Rodney, please find another team to play on. Please.]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=440
A. Rodney Harrison hadn't committed blatant, unnecessary pass interference.

or

B. NE's special teams had shown some glimmer of ability for once

we would have one. Ugh. That pretty much does it for home field advantage, I think. It's going to be tough this year, and unless the Pats can fix the defensive secondary I don't have an overabundance of faith.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=440 Tue, 21 Dec 2004 00:15:12 -0500 <![CDATA[Fear the coming wrapination!]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=439
Then today I rented Millenium Actress, and I was significantly more impressed by that. I had previously watched the first disc of Paranoia Agent, and was impressed by that as a primer in Kon's work. This film, while a touch melodramatic, was very well-done and made with a film-like sense of structure and visuals that you usually don't see in animation. I approve. And will now presumably have to watch the 2 other Kon films.

Hmm. It's 9:54 and Peyton Manning has no touchdowns. Something is definitely hinky.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=439 Sun, 19 Dec 2004 21:55:25 -0500 <![CDATA[Sigh. I guess we'll just score on every drive, then.]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=434
I'll leave a comment with more on the week.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=434 Mon, 13 Dec 2004 20:33:16 -0500 <![CDATA[Charlie, don't mug yourself]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=433 Seriously. I'm happy to see the guy get attention like this, but Weis could get an NFL head coaching job, and Notre Dame is going nowhere. Willingham was very far from a bad coach, and he wasn't able to do anything.

Seriously man, do they not pay you enough in the big leagues? I realize you went there, but yeesh.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=433 Sat, 11 Dec 2004 22:18:17 -0500 <![CDATA[In that case, I'll have a rum and coke]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=432 Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=432 Tue, 7 Dec 2004 20:56:12 -0500 <![CDATA[Stop holding me back, Willie!]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=431
Redesign will probably come with the new year... expect something very simple and minimal. In case you hadn't noticed, Liz's stuff is now all over at Woctune so that leaves Suz and I hanging out over here. I will probably try to incorporate my del.icio.us links as well.

Little to say concerning the Sunday game except that it was comical.

]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=431 Mon, 6 Dec 2004 14:47:06 -0500 <![CDATA[And now I shall unleash the eyebrow fire]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=428 World Fantasy Awards list, pick one novel nominated from each year that sounded promising, and read it.

The first fruit of my labor is Fudoki, which is really a excellent novel: I'm going to have to keep trying this. It's a sort of strange Japanese folk-tale of a story, deeply rooted in Shinto oral traditions and the culture of medieval Japan. It's also very well-written and it even has a good ending. I can't say anything bad about it!]]> Bookage http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=428 Tue, 30 Nov 2004 21:44:09 -0500 <![CDATA[Troubles and Trials]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=427 Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=427 Sun, 28 Nov 2004 22:59:00 -0500 <![CDATA[Samus sure knows how to floss that bling]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=426 Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=426 Thu, 25 Nov 2004 07:17:53 -0500 <![CDATA[Now that the representative from South Africa has been MIND-PROGRAMMED...]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=425
BIG WILLIE.

Seriously, the number of teams he has single-handedly finished off is getting eerie. Keep getting it done, my man!]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=425 Tue, 23 Nov 2004 11:07:25 -0500 <![CDATA[Beard: the Hairening]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=424 Vladmaster viewer and reel (Calvino's Invisible Cities) for my birthday.

Needless to say, it's pretty sweet. Makes me wonder how hard making these is... I could make a little reel of Jack Vance novel plot summaries. It would be nifty!

Also: the new copiers at my work are super-intelligent, and I obey their commands. They replaced my brain with a hive full of angry bees, and I feel much better now.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=424 Fri, 19 Nov 2004 17:16:48 -0500 <![CDATA[These footprints were made by the flying monkey men!]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=423
Between getting Prime 2 and MF Doom's new CD, this has been a kind of weird, evil holiday.]]> Games http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=423 Tue, 16 Nov 2004 20:55:11 -0500 <![CDATA[Holy, holy holy holy crap]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=422
I should mention that I currently have 2 outstanding health bills. One of which is due to UHC's total incompetance and the other is due to the Bush Administration. Thanks VERY much, guys.

Patriots game last night was tons of fun. Seeing Troy Brown catch an interception was disturbing, yet gratifying. My fantasy team is going to win a game one of these days. I think.

Also: is there some kind of demon we can summon to fight Peyton Manning?]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=422 Mon, 15 Nov 2004 17:43:54 -0500 <![CDATA[Another year closer to total doom]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=420
In the end I was a bit torn. It's unusually thoughtful and ambitious for an epic fantasy, and I really like the quasi-historical world, but I really didn't like the writing. I don't think I'm capable of reading this kind of fantasy any more, where everything that happens is really dramatic and people are always making pronouncements and declarations. I feel like all the characters listen to emo and have livejournals somewhere. It's really grating.

But if I had to recommend an epic fantasy of that kind, it would be this one. It's very well done.]]> Bookage http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=420 Wed, 10 Nov 2004 11:18:50 -0500 <![CDATA[How do you keep that candle from going out, anyway?]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=419 Bookage http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=419 Mon, 8 Nov 2004 11:29:48 -0500 <![CDATA[Troy feels so good he can play every down on BOTH SIDES]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=418 STILL beat the snot out of St. Louis. Needless to say, the game this evening was HIGHLY entertaining. And now I can say that I have seen Adam Viniateri throw a TD pass. Truly the man is incredible.

AND. AND! The Jets lost. All is well.

Nothing much more to say about the week, except that them Steelers sure are good. Yeesh.

]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=418 Sun, 7 Nov 2004 22:54:59 -0500 <![CDATA[Well, at least voting was fun.]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=416
Seriously folks. If you really think hating gay people is more important than being alive, enjoy radioactivity.

Those of you who feel like this the end of the world, think about doing something creative. I'm going to write a novel.

I'm going on vacation and will be back mid-Sunday, probably with no internet access while I'm upstate.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=416 Wed, 3 Nov 2004 07:44:04 -0500 <![CDATA[Yes, I voted.]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=415
Oh, and you also get a sticker you can use for MIND CONTROL! So I highly recommend voting.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=415 Tue, 2 Nov 2004 08:41:43 -0500 <![CDATA[Update: In a fight between Mechagodzilla and David Ortiz, David Ortiz would win]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=413
But consider this: what will happen to the wounded sports psyche that is Boston?]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=413 Wed, 27 Oct 2004 23:45:26 -0400 <![CDATA[I love this man.]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=412 this interview. Because it's just very cool. He's one of my favorite authors. And now back to your regularly scheduled football...]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=412 Tue, 26 Oct 2004 22:14:54 -0400 <![CDATA[My yoshi's name is Tebucky. He's cutting edge.]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=410
I did lose my fantasy game to the dreaded Disinformation, which is distressing. On the other hand, the Colts choked bigtime so ha ha to Matt. More NFLness inside. ]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=410 Mon, 25 Oct 2004 08:49:58 -0400 <![CDATA[So, what DID happen to that boy? I'm confused]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=407
(It really works as a bluegrass song, if you were wondering)]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=407 Wed, 20 Oct 2004 14:23:45 -0400 <![CDATA[Covering a Bobby Brown song and making it worse is REALLY an achievement, Britney]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=406 Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=406 Sun, 17 Oct 2004 21:13:39 -0400 <![CDATA[MY GOD THE TIE IS MULTIPLYING]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=405
So how about that "Lost" show? I must admit, I'm really enjoying it.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=405 Wed, 13 Oct 2004 21:56:45 -0400 <![CDATA[My underground bunker]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=404 Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=404 Mon, 11 Oct 2004 12:00:05 -0400 <![CDATA[For the first time in its history, the city has been evacuated!]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=403 adds features! What kind of crazy company is that? Now I can save drafts (thank God) and generally use Gmail full-time.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=403 Tue, 5 Oct 2004 15:27:23 -0400 <![CDATA[We must forever live underground]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=402 Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=402 Mon, 4 Oct 2004 13:55:42 -0400 <![CDATA[Obey the fist!]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=401
As usual, random commentary on actual football action inside.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=401 Mon, 27 Sep 2004 08:38:07 -0400 <![CDATA[The crown ruler]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=400
Step 1: Get married.
Step 2: Convince the Colts to move to Toronto.
Step 3: ????
Step 4: Profit!]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=400 Fri, 24 Sep 2004 10:28:25 -0400 <![CDATA[Beware the tricky ninja]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=399 Totally awesome. It's pretty juvenile, but I crack up every time I see one of these buses lined up at the cruise terminal.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=399 Wed, 22 Sep 2004 14:19:13 -0400 <![CDATA[E Pluribus Bruschi!]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=397
Rants concerning the ACTUAL games played this weekend to be found inside.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=397 Mon, 20 Sep 2004 09:38:45 -0400 <![CDATA[Ille Caelum Fremitus]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=396 Movies http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=396 Fri, 17 Sep 2004 23:34:22 -0400 <![CDATA[Had he not gone, would they not have tortured?]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=395 Vergil in Averno. Which... uh. If you haven't read the Phoenix and the Mirror, don't even try reading this book. If you have, it's worth reading. It's extremely unlike the first book and extremely strange... kind of a surreal morality play that Vergil becomes entangled with in a sordid city of desperate, corrupted merchants. Like all Davidson books it has at least a couple of utterly amazing passages that will stick with you. I wish he'd written a third book... I can't even begin to imagine how weird it would have been. As it is I'm going to spend a while trying to figure out just what this one was all about.

Emboldened by my success there, I moved on to The Divinity Student. I found a first edition (probably POD) version of this gathering dust on a local bookstore, bought it for 12 bucks, took it home and discovered it was worth 70. Excellent! The book itself is remarkably good. I'm going to try to avoid saying Kafkaesque, but it does kind of have that quality. Some fantastic images. It's the kind of book that doesn't make much sense, and doesn't really have to.

Now that I have found my way over those hills, it's time to tackle the mountain that is Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell. I'll see you in a year...

PS> New version of Firefox out. Has some snazzy new features. Very nice.]]> Bookage http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=395 Tue, 14 Sep 2004 22:06:46 -0400 <![CDATA[Chicanery!]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=394
Some observations about week 1 of the regular season hide behind the curtain of comment text. No, my (more) function is not currently working, and I have not the energy to fix it at the moment.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=394 Mon, 13 Sep 2004 14:10:43 -0400 <![CDATA[It actually doesn't matter whether you are ready or not]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=393 What a way to start the season! I actually think this is going to be a tough game to beat in terms of entertainment value. The Colts remain haunted by their nemesis, Big Willie. (seriously, he seems to have something against the team). Tom Brady executed a surgical demolition of the Colts defense. And the Vanderjagt streak is over! I feel bad for the guy, but as Easterbrook would say, at least he didn't honk one in the playoffs.

Here's a great quote from Bill Polian: "We shot ourselves in the foot, in the head, in the left ear lobe, in the right eye," he said. Clearly not a happy man.

Also, anyone see that halftime show with the miked-up training camp coaches? HILARIOUS. Is there someplace I can download that?]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=393 Fri, 10 Sep 2004 08:14:08 -0400 <![CDATA[The deadly plunger- it grips!]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=392 reviews "Light", by M. John Harrison. I just finished reading this myself. Harrison is a marvelously talented author who manages, in this novel, to mix an exploration of quantum reality with a SF future that seems like a long, weary shadow of the present day. VanderMeer draws a comparison to Iain M. Banks, which I can certainly see. Both authors punish their flawed characters. Both authors are interested in the nature of identity. I think Harrison's writing is a bit more consistently good.

A Storm of Wings is still my favorite Harrison novel, but this is a recommended read nonetheless.]]> Bookage http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=392 Tue, 7 Sep 2004 16:07:02 -0400 <![CDATA[Tunguska! Ninja!]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=387 Hugo awards. Could someone please explain to me the Bujold phenomenon? I tried to read one of her books one but it was like shooting onion juice into my EYE. I have a bit more faith in the World Fantasy awards to pick someone you might actually advance the genres. Maybe.

Congratulations go out to Cheryl Morgan and Emerald City for best fanzine. She deserves it; it's a great website.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=387 Sun, 5 Sep 2004 22:55:27 -0400 <![CDATA[Punters don't score. OR DO THEY?]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=384 Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=384 Sat, 4 Sep 2004 22:00:03 -0400 <![CDATA[Meanwhile, back in Pretend Land]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=383 well-designed, compact assessment of NFL players on the hot seat this year. I can't tell you how Mr. Dillon will do in the Pats backfield. But I think that the defense is more likely to be a weak link this year. Can it stop the run? Is the apparently terrible quality of our backups going to become a factor?

I've been blogging a lot lately. It's felt therapeutic for some reason.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=383 Fri, 3 Sep 2004 16:11:59 -0400 <![CDATA[The soft bigotry of lying all the time, then giggling 'cause you done got away with it]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=382
Botox is frightening. Seriously: old white women, you need to STOP before you resemble a Predator.

You know, I don't think I can name a pundit that I don't prefer to David Brooks. I think I might actually prefer Robert Novak to Brooks, and he's probably a criminal. Brooks is less insightful than an average guy I hear talking on the street, and he's being PAID. What the hell?

But I think the appalling hypocrisy of the speech has convinced me to vote for Kerry. As Andrew Sullivan put it,

"I've said it before and I'll say it again: the only difference between Republicans and Democrats now is that the Bush Republicans believe in Big Insolvent Government and the Kerry Democrats believe in Big Solvent Government. "

Also; how can he run as a first term president? If he has all these great, grand, bank-busting socialist plans, why didn't he do any of them in his first term? Oh, that's right. He was too busy defending us from those tricky Iraqis.

Asshat.]]> World http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=382 Fri, 3 Sep 2004 08:20:32 -0400 <![CDATA[Bling Blang Boom]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=381 interesting article I found on Slate regarding Ricky Williams and the true value of running backs.

The author ignores the fact that running backs are essential in setting up the pass and in playing a clock game when you're ahead (hasn't he ever played Madden?). But I think he's right about the position being overvalued with "star" players. I suspect there is something to the theory of multiple "role-player" running backs (like wide receivers) and I imagine we may see more of this in the future.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=381 Thu, 2 Sep 2004 16:21:58 -0400 <![CDATA[Offsides, like how Worf ride with Starfleet]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=379 Games http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=379 Mon, 30 Aug 2004 10:06:50 -0400 <![CDATA[Ying xiong]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=377 Hero, because in a way I think you're being deceived as to its contents. Miramax desperately wants this to be an action movie (up to the point of promoting it like one), but in truth it is a very slow-paced, metaphorical and highly visual film which will likely befuddle and irritate people who went to see martial arts.

That said, I enjoyed it quite a bit. I don't want to give away too much regarding the plot structure, since I enjoyed being surprised by it, but the movie somehow gets away with gigantic, overt symbolism by just being really beautiful and creative. Jet Li, a man not really known for his acting chops, does a fairly good job, and the women in the film really impress. And Donnie Yen is totally awesome in a sadly brief cameo. First Blade II and now this... is Donnie Yen not allowed to rock people's faces over the entire course of a feature film released in the US (excepting Iron Monkey)? IS IT TOO MUCH FOR US TO TAKE?

Also, if you liked this film (or even if you didn't), The Emperor and the Assassin is an interesting and completely different take on the same events.]]> Movies http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=377 Sun, 29 Aug 2004 09:58:35 -0400 <![CDATA[I shall now blather]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=376 Cold Stone Creamery. On the one hand, the ice cream is quite good, and the overall concept is fundamentally sound. On the other hand, it is a dark realm of corporate despair where the sounds of supposedly merry employees remind one of the agonized screams of the damned.

America is this weird place where veneer has become reality. Politicians have discovered that you can lie all day and get away with it as long as they pretend to be true. Retail outlets torture their employees by pressing them into a single mold of false cheer. Internet discussions on message boards follow exactly the same patterns no matter what the topic of discussion is, rendering the specifics of the conversations meaningless.

Part of the reason I've been thinking about this is the Cold Stone thing. Also, I've been mulling the lack of difference between Kerry and Bush on the war. At first the dem's convention didn't bother me so much, but I've suspected from the start that the war was a fundamentally foolish act, perpetrated by people who are probably too incompetant to govern the country. And now the Dem's candidate, having seemingly shed his Vietnam-era regrets, is now ready to seem enthusiastic about war as well. Either he is genuinely supportive of a dumb idea, or he's being insincere about something really important.

So now what? I can't vote for someone with a reasonable POV on the conflict. The administration's heavy-handed, semi-fascistic attitude towards its external relations makes me sick, but I can't ignore the fact that Clinton's distracted, half-assed foreign policy was also a disaster. Kerry has a lot of advantages on the domestic front, though a Republican-controlled congress may not actually allow him to do much.

I dunno. I have no enthusiasm. Given our tiny amount of electoral votes and our supposedly non-battleground status, I may vote for Spiderman or something.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=376 Fri, 27 Aug 2004 14:30:40 -0400 <![CDATA[I am now cooler than Liz]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=371 Gmail account. Not that I haven't had opportunities before, but I was beginning to feel a bit left out.

So far I've been pretty impressed. Like anything Google the interface is intuitive and well-designed. The way it organizes mail seems to work well, particularly with ongoing discussions.

The two things I would ask for would be the ability to save drafts of messages and a calendar function. Looking at this app, I imagine that the Google folks would do an excellent job with an online calendar app.]]> Web http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=371 Thu, 26 Aug 2004 13:35:06 -0400 <![CDATA[My personal future caveman]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=370


who spent most of this evening sleeping. Strange cat. But very friendly.

]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=370 Mon, 23 Aug 2004 22:02:58 -0400 <![CDATA[I was on a swift boat and let me tell you, John Kerry had six arms, blue skin, and could breath fire]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=369 Web http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=369 Mon, 23 Aug 2004 15:51:03 -0400 <![CDATA[Deion go home!]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=366 Time Warner is beating up on my local ISP.

And Deion Sanders wants to play football again- but only if the Ravens will hire him. And then he'll only play in the nickle package.

Sigh.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=366 Wed, 18 Aug 2004 19:49:13 -0400 <![CDATA[Two third stringers enter! One third stringer leave!]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=362 Patriots / Eagles preseason game last night.

I won't talk about how the Patriots looked good, just because it's the preseason and they looked good 2 years ago when they ended up having a really frustrating season.

I did want to mention 2 things, though: The eagles looked REALLY rusty, and Rohan Davey looks kind of interesting. I mean, he won the NFL Europe MVP award and he's a big, fast quarterback with what looks like a nice arm. Is he first-string quality? I dunno, but I do think you'll see him backing up Brady this year. And hey, maybe we'll have a hard time holding onto him after that.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=362 Sat, 14 Aug 2004 09:29:28 -0400 <![CDATA[To the big kitchen in the sky]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=361 wonderful person who added something really immeasurable to the world.

I don't know why, but out of all the celebrity obituaries we've seen of late, this one makes me the saddest.]]> World http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=361 Fri, 13 Aug 2004 12:01:57 -0400 <![CDATA[My skin eats disease!]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=360 TMQ returns. Here's looking forward to another year.

My pre-pre-preseason prediction? The Bills are going to be a LOT better, assuming Bledsoe can get back on track. The Dolphins will struggle to break even with a non-existent offense. The Jets will probably come in 3rd.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=360 Wed, 11 Aug 2004 11:06:31 -0400 <![CDATA[Marginally dangerous ninja]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=357 Usefilm. You can check out my personal page here. I'm on this B&W kick right now, so the color-inclined might want to check out my personal photosite instead.

It's a fun and somewhat addictive service... there are a LOT of photographers, and many of them are quite good. Check it out sometime.

I've heard good things about photopoints as well, but reading the rules made it sound like some kind of arcane cabal where the foolish are immolated. By which I mean that I'm a bit intimidated by it right now... I'll probably check it out in the near future, though.

Right now, though, I better do some dishes. Before Liz destroys me.]]> Photos http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=357 Sun, 8 Aug 2004 15:04:02 -0400 <![CDATA[You know, there are a lot of strange things going on]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=353 Little, Big.

Seth... reading it/ not reading it? Liz is reading it right now, although Liz is always reading nine books, which in this case means she may finish it in or around 2094.

As is true of any sufficiently complex novel, I'm not sure I understand the ending fully. I'm sure Liz will explain it to me.

Reading this novel has made me realize that I will never write novel reviews. I don't really know what to say. I mean; it's incredibly, overwhelmingly great, and it's also very iconoclastic. I don't have much to compare it to, except perhaps Gene Wolfe.

Speaking of which, I'm kind of thinking about starting The Book of the New Sun again. Mainly to compare/contrast. I mean, obviously the two works have little in common, but it made me think of it for some reason.

I set out years back to determine whether there was actually worth in fantasy, or whether I just enjoyed reading it on a purely fun level. I'm fairly confident at this point that there is worth in fantasy.

]]> Bookage http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=353 Wed, 4 Aug 2004 21:44:33 -0400 <![CDATA[You know it's gotten bad when they cut you for Vinnie]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=352 a wacky NFL off-season. What's next? I fully expect the other shoe to drop somewhere else, leaving a trifecta of football oddness for us to ponder.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=352 Wed, 4 Aug 2004 14:12:14 -0400 <![CDATA[Gunfire causes falling lighting fixtures]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=349 new photos online. These are in the Varnum pond section, but are in fact shot entirely around the Austin house in Farmington. I think I need a new section, or something. Still working on combinations of camera and Gimp to get the pictures I want, but I'm pretty happy with this set.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=349 Sun, 1 Aug 2004 00:30:45 -0400 <![CDATA[Ah-ha-ha-ha-ha ha ha]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=347 YEAAAAAASSSSS!!! No more bizarre nervous tick man! No more obnoxious shouts of "NOMAAAAAAAAA" from the cab of pickup trucks! I can watch baseball again!]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=347 Sat, 31 Jul 2004 21:44:56 -0400 <![CDATA[I know what a throng-bear looks like]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=343 Jurgen finally, which is good enough that I'll just let you discover it for yourself if you're interested. Talk about a forgotten American novel... I also read The Circus of Dr. Lao, which I'd seen recommended at Great SF&F, and at this point that's good enough for me. And indeed it is an excellent little metaphorical journey.

Which was a nice appetizer for tackling Iron Council. Which I managed in about 3 days. It's incredibly good, although I'd be surprised if Mieville turned out something mediocre at this point. I have my usual nagging issues with it... mostly that the pace tends to overwhelm the book and that it perhaps borrows an itty-bitty bit from A Storm of Wings. Nothing serious, just the odd thing here and there.

But, on the other hand... it's chock full of incredible, fantastic detail and grotesque beauty as only Mieville can do it. And unlike the Scar, it has somewhat sympathetic characters and a plot that holds itself together all the way through.

And now on to Little, Big... I think. ]]> Bookage http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=343 Tue, 27 Jul 2004 21:11:18 -0400 <![CDATA[Two cheese enter one macaroni leave!]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=339 New pictures up in my Portland section.

These are my first fumblings with the SLR, so hopefully I'll continue to improve. There was a bridge theme this time, since I found this really nice park under the Casco Bay Bridge. Next time I'll get pictures of all the interesting fishermen...]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=339 Wed, 21 Jul 2004 22:22:32 -0400 <![CDATA[and just for kicks make 'em gel like asics]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=338
On the other hand, I now have a camera that will allow me to learn some actual photography, so that's a good thing. Many thanks to Jeanne for selling it to me and to Joe and Nancy for buying my old one. Now, lets see how I can screw up THIS piece of technology.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=338 Sun, 18 Jul 2004 08:57:41 -0400 <![CDATA[It is fearsome, and mighty]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=333
Actually, it's a bit more than that. But anyway, I finally decided to just plug a massive HD in my old frighteningly crowded computer. It seems happy enough so far. At least it did after I discovered that the old cable had the wrong number of pins. I don't claim to be an electronics guru, but when you've got more pins than holes that's NOT A GOOD THING.

The weirdest thing about the new platter is that it makes no noise. It's not like it makes a quiet noise... I really can't hear it. After the clackety clack of my rusty ol' IBM HD it's nice, but a bit disconcerting.

And I got USB working on my computer. Again. So I can post pictures. Nevermind that I mistakenly deleted a bunch of my new ones. Sigh...]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=333 Sun, 11 Jul 2004 22:17:26 -0400 <![CDATA[The Leviathan, Elephant]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=324 Endless fun for CIA wannabees.

UPDATE
Can you find Andrew's apartment?]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=324 Thu, 1 Jul 2004 11:30:40 -0400 <![CDATA[Sin is a fine and impressive monosyllable]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=323 James Branch Cabell's "The High Place." Which is really excellent; like something Mark Twain would have written had he a dirty(er) mind and a predisposition towards fantastic narratives set in the France of Louis XIV. Apparently this is part of a 25-work multi-format epic entitled "The Biography"; I also have part 5, "The Cream of the Jest". I'm having a hard time imagining a 25-part work with a consistently hilarious and irreverant tone, but I'm ready to be proven wrong.

I was also re-reading bits of Pascal (since someone mentioned the Wager recently) and Lucretius (since Lucretius is the bomb). There's a theme there somewhere, but I refuse to look for it.]]> Bookage http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=323 Sun, 27 Jun 2004 17:00:15 -0400 <![CDATA[I just sold your email address to Saddam]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=322
The Delany book was quite good. I have in the past been tempted to buy Delany just for the bibliophile in me... his Vintage PBs are really nice looking IMHO. And Babel-17 explores some of the same language-as-mental-law ground that Stephenson breezes over in Snow Crash. Delany does it better, though.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=322 Wed, 23 Jun 2004 21:14:03 -0400 <![CDATA[amazing laser]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=312
I do hope that Tim survived his encounter with the monster truck and found a new tire after his car tried to commit suicide.

Excellent basketball game last night. Then again, every time the Lakers lose it's excellent to me.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=312 Mon, 14 Jun 2004 11:32:26 -0400 <![CDATA[me and my arrow]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=310 Movies http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=310 Fri, 4 Jun 2004 20:07:57 -0400 <![CDATA[altered ninja]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=305
I had a very nice Memorial Day weekend up in Farmington... spent most of Sunday reading World on Fire, which was well written. I'm not sure that the thesis is particularly strong, but any thinking about our effect on global stability is better than no thinking on the matter.

And I picked up an out-of-print (I think) Clark Ashton Smith compilation published by Necronomicon Press, whose obsession with everything HP Lovecraft is my gain.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=305 Mon, 31 May 2004 19:04:54 -0400 <![CDATA[out the yellow pages]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=302 new Streets album is good. And why is it that the CDs I buy are always discounted? Do I like really viscerally unpopular music or something? Don't answer that, Liz.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=302 Wed, 26 May 2004 17:49:00 -0400 <![CDATA[the chicken stock that refreshes]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=299 Charlottesville gallery. Hopefully the nice(?) summer weather will spark more picture-taking.

And it appears that I've nuked the selfnoise index page in the process of uploading these. I am genius! Hopefully Liz has a backup.]]> Photos http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=299 Mon, 24 May 2004 21:53:28 -0400 <![CDATA[The crown ruler]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=297



Congrats to Susie, Brandeis Class of 2004!]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=297 Sun, 23 May 2004 21:28:08 -0400 <![CDATA[the klingon with gold rings]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=296
The real problem with the movie is the soundtrack. It's a John Williams soundtrack, and even if it was a good John Williams soundtrack it would be completely out of place here, like a slice of turkey on a peanut butter sandwich. But it's not, it's a terrible Williams soundtrack, like Star Wars lite. I had no idea the extent to which it ruins the film, but I guess it underscores the importance of music in movies.

Oh, that and I caught the last half of Final Fantasy: The Pointless Waste of Money. Which was pretty awful... and reminded me of Titan AE in that some of the FX was really good and some of the FX just stunk. Both movies had glaring matte paintings used alongside 3D FX. Folks, that doesn't really work so well. Unless you're WETA, I guess.]]> Movies http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=296 Fri, 21 May 2004 10:28:02 -0400 <![CDATA[note to self: get on the scene]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=295 49 West. I ordered a tuna melt and asked whether I could have it on a baguette (which has always been ok by them). It's reassuring to know that the place is still pretty much exactly the same.

And just to emphasize how ridiculous the eating establishments around city dock are... I went to one such eatery last night with some people from work. This, mind you, is a very upscale establishment, with high prices but middling service and somewhat underwhelming food. When it came time to order a frosty beverage, I asked whether they had Grolsch.(i like Grolsch) The waitress looked at me like I'd sworn in Klingon. I tried several other beers, but to no avail, finally settling on Heineken. And I wasn't asking for obscure microbrews here... this is stuff I can buy at the grocery store. In Maine.

So anyway, I arrive at 49 west this evening and order the same beer. Not only do they have it, they have it in the pint bottles. 49 west is a good place.
]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=295 Wed, 19 May 2004 22:28:43 -0400 <![CDATA[flip a script like Rob Reiner]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=293
Speaking of Hollywood, I saw Troy on Friday. Which I have to admit I enjoyed; it didn't try too hard to be the Iliad and I'm glad for that. I thought all of the actors did their best with a script that had excellent moments but collapsed into a fallen soufle of hollywood mush at the end. Brad Pitt wasn't Achilles, but he was kind of an interesting character anyway, so we'll forgive him. Eric Bana _was_ Hector; I was impressed. My only substantial beef was Helen. She was dramatically less interesting than she should've been, and they gave up on the "most beautiful woman in the world" thing entirely.

Oh, and nice Aeneid tip-o-the-hat at the end.]]> Movies http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=293 Tue, 18 May 2004 08:35:30 -0400 <![CDATA[during tornado season]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=289
That and Annapolis is a dumb city with 800 traffic circles but nothing to do.

I'm puzzled by the recent, silly brouhahah over Movable Type. There's this phenomenon with software where a program will develop a mystique that confuses outside observers. I'm still waiting for someone to explain why everyone is so hot on using MT and not one of a dozen other excellent CMS apps. Having had it on this webspace and worked with maybe 4 other blog programs, I can't say I'd recommend it... I found it large and unwieldy. (that said, these people who don't want programmers to make money are just goofy)

EDIT: Having read more of that article... I'd really like to know what's wrong with Nucleus, the CMS tool used to power every blog on selfnoise.net. Seriously, does it inflict leprosy or infernal encystment or something? It manages multiple blogs and multiple authors, it's fast, and it has a very nice interface. It's probably not ideal for powering a huge site, but I'm astonished. Half that discussion is complaining the lack of multiple blog support on other apps. Am I the only person on earth who uses this software?

Ok. I have too much free time, obviously.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=289 Thu, 13 May 2004 19:28:21 -0400 <![CDATA[effectively, yes]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=286 ]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=286 Sun, 9 May 2004 19:31:16 -0400 <![CDATA[necklaces of pearls]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=284
Tremble, humans, at my POWER!]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=284 Fri, 7 May 2004 15:44:29 -0400 <![CDATA[lose with eloquence, and smile]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=282 Delicious.

And it sounds like they're adding back in more combat complexity, which could be interesting. Heck, I'll just be glad to control that cynical, petulant, yet deadly little man once again.]]> Games http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=282 Thu, 6 May 2004 23:14:56 -0400 <![CDATA[Burma, or.. Myanmar. Whatever.]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=278
So that's going to be weird, but OK. I will be very near if not IN Annapolis, so that's doubly weird. Not really sure how I'm going to amuse myself for two weeks, but I'll figure something out.

Annnddd... uh, Splinter Cell is good. Although now I have to get by these guys that apparently have PRETERNATURAL HEARING, or something. And I can't harm them. Still, the game has a lot of the Thief goodness, and a lot of what you would have thought Metal Gear Solid would've had. Except that actually MGS is a pretentious tripe-fest with a totally unusable camera. I was not aware of this, as I did not have the PS version, so thanks to Silicon Knights for clearing that up for me.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=278 Mon, 3 May 2004 15:22:29 -0400 <![CDATA[YOUR STAR BURNS!]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=277 the most hilarious PA strips always feature their spouses? Hmm.

Please, Sega, don't make another console. Thank you, that is all.

I have been playing Splinter Cell recently. It is very good. More on that later.

I am on vacation this week. Well, that's one way to look at it. More on THAT later.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=277 Sun, 2 May 2004 22:09:04 -0400 <![CDATA[Fly a kite in a firefight]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=272 Stick a fork in the draft.

We picked up 2 linemen/linebackers, 3 players in the secondary, an RB, a TE, and a receiver.

The cornerbacks/safeties are probably intended to help replace Ty Law and possibly Rodney Harrison, who is after all not a young man. The DL guys are replacing Ted Washington and shoring up that area, and the wide receiver is ACTUALLY SOMEWHAT TALL! FINALLY!

Which leaves the RB and TE. RB seems like a good guy but not terrifically elusive, so he'll probably back up Dillon in an ideal situation. The TE pick is kind of weird, but they seem to feel like they need to pick up a TE in every draft. Maybe he'll have better hands than Daniel Graham.

Did I mention that Marquise Hill is 6'6""? Put him up there with Richard Seymour and just watch the deflected passes all day long...]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=272 Sun, 25 Apr 2004 17:38:15 -0400 <![CDATA[Naw, a Bud Light]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=271 Well, that's a way to get my attention.

Can Dillon overcome his past issues and tear holes in D-lines like the days of yore, when he was the only good player on the Bungles? I surely hope so. And are we now NOT taking an RB in the first round?

You have to admit, if he plays well it seems like a decent deal.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=271 Mon, 19 Apr 2004 19:09:37 -0400 <![CDATA[she's ahead of her time]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=266 The schedule is out. Aside from the already-known opening day showdown with the forces of Matt, there are a few interesting highlights.

Playing at Arizona makes me wish I had a million bucks... I've heard Arizona is a cool place to go for visiting fans. We play three (count 'em) western teams this year: The Cardinals, SF and Seattle.

Playing the Rams in week nine... interesting how different both teams are from three years ago. Still should be a tough game, though.

Two weeks later we finally get the ultimate offense V. ultimate defense matchup we wanted/dreaded last year: KC.

And let's not make a tradition of playing the Browns. The Browns bore me, okay?

]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=266 Wed, 14 Apr 2004 19:46:18 -0400 <![CDATA[The supervillain]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=265 a Patriot. Given his diminished speed... is this a move triggered by Ty Law? Are they planning to retrain him at safety? Who knows. But if they were to resign Tebucky Jones, we would once again be... cutting edge.

Here's a rather large (650k) picture I took over the weekend. Now with less saturation. I kind of like it.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=265 Tue, 13 Apr 2004 22:07:47 -0400 <![CDATA[At some point I will blog about MF Doom, I swear]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=260
Been watching Firefly on DVD. This is a deeply good show; I think I like it better than Buffy. It combines the excellent, witty writing of Buffy with the flawless action execution of Farscape. Well, ok, Farscape at it's best moments was cooler-looking than this show, but it's a nice fusion.

The show does have this problem with wanting to make a space western in an incredibly literal-minded way. I mean, basically every TV or movie space opera is a western anyway. I don't understand why we have to have people carrying sixguns that make laser gun sounds. That's just... stupid. Also, the swearing in chinese is kind of weirdly pretentious.

And as Liz points out, the Captain character has a problem in that Nathan Fillion will never sell 'badass'. Ever. But since every other character is totally awesome, that's okay.

Hmm. That's a lot of negative stuff. Did I mention there's no sound in space? And that it's damn hilarious? And that there's no sound in space?

And Wonderfalls got cancelled. Which was so inevitable that I wasn't even disappointed.

Uhhh.... yeah. And I've been playing Super Mario Sunshine again, which is really sadistic. I mean, I think they really ENJOYED making this game hard.

Ok, I sleep now.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=260 Mon, 5 Apr 2004 22:15:25 -0400 <![CDATA[Aw, crap]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=255
Also watched an entire soccer match on TV today. Why don't we like to watch soccer in America again? I think it's only slightly less entertaining than (american) football.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=255 Sat, 3 Apr 2004 20:14:06 -0500 <![CDATA[ALL CAPS]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=249 "There's a time to rise above principles."

Ah, man, it's nice to have a moment of hilarity amid what is sure to be the longest, most interminable election in history.

If anyone is wondering where I am this week, I'll be at work. ALL THE TIME. Thank you.

EDIT: Ohhhhhh, my. It is on! Matt Lang, I am officially calling you out right now. Thank you to the NFL for providing such a perfect opening.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=249 Mon, 29 Mar 2004 17:16:51 -0500 <![CDATA[Tonight the ninjas roll]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=245
I meant to mention, I read The Etched City (KJ Bishop) which was enjoyable though kind of first-novel-y. It started on this really strong tone, with an apparently magic-less secondary world with pseudo-western overtones, and I was really enjoying that, but then the last few chapters are kind of like PLOOOP, look, magicness! Eh. If you're going to build a secondary world with "magic", you have to either A: justify it somehow inside the framework of the secondary world, or B: differentiate it from the mundanity of the world around it. This world is pretty fantastic without "magic" and when it suddenly appears, it's almost a let-down: I had hoped that the characters would honestly resolve their conflicts.

And now I am on to The Light Ages, which is looking very promising.

EDIT: Wow, that's what happens when you try to blog in a hurry. I should say that I did like the book quite a bit. I was just let down by the ending. And by the fact that Bishop never really gave her female character a chance to be interesting. Why set up two main characters if you aren't going to use one of them?]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=245 Fri, 26 Mar 2004 10:20:52 -0500 <![CDATA[Armored Ninja: 2625]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=236 Wonderfalls premiere, and it was exceedingly amusing. Watch the show before Fox cancels it, and maybe we'll get... uh... DVDS, or something.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=236 Thu, 18 Mar 2004 22:08:50 -0500 <![CDATA[My dancing bear inspires fear]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=229 small thing waiting behind the "bits" link; a further sign of my rapid mental deterioration. And now I have a neat package for all my obviously uninteresting weird fiction ramblings.

I don't think I've linked to it before, so here you go, the cream of the crop in SF/F author exploration. If detail galore is not your thing look elsewhere (pages can be almost inhumanly long) but it's a fantastic resource of, uh, the fantastic.

Also, madness links to my links/research blog, which isn't exactly what I would call understandable, but as it's entirely for my uses I don't care. It's been there for a while but I figured maybe I should explain the phenomenon.

Hey, have you seen Elizabeth's new blog, now hosted on selfnoise.net? Same great Liz, and now in color!]]> Bookage http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=229 Tue, 16 Mar 2004 21:58:24 -0500 <![CDATA["Blork", said the floating man.]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=221 A Storm of Wings is deeply awesome, and now I'm very glad I read the first book in this series. I say that because the first book, The Pastel City, was all right but not exactly inspiring. This book, though, feels almost like it was written by a different author. Like Joe Epicfantasywriter wrote the first one and they couldn't get him to write a sequel, so they chained Harlan Ellison and Clark Ashton Smith together (yes, I know that's probably chronologically impossible), gave them ample supplies of mind-altering pharmaceuticals, and threw them in a room with a typewriter and a copy of The Pastel City.

I guess I'll have to track down the last two books.

EDIT: I forgot to say; I think if I reread some VanderMeer or Mieville (or any other modern "weird" fantasist) I would discover some large debts to Harrison and to this novel in particular. Just a hunch.]]> Bookage http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=221 Sun, 14 Mar 2004 21:44:53 -0500 <![CDATA[Milk makes any spirit tolerable]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=211

We have returned from our secret mission in Virginia and North Carolina. A good time was had by all... those who wish pictures can request them via email. I got some nice photos for the gallery but I am currently experiencing picture fatigue so it may be a bit before they appear. Thanks to Tim, Amy, and my parents for being so hospitable. I will prod Liz, who is currently redoing her blog, to comment further on the festivities.

My traditional used-book run was unusually sucessful this year, and I am anticipating a rather high backlog of novels to read. This is good. I devoured The Pastel City and am currently working on Harrison's follow-up. I also got some Avram Davidson, some Pletcher Pratt, and uhh.. some other stuff.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=211 Fri, 12 Mar 2004 15:30:33 -0500 <![CDATA[A face like a waffle iron]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=209 Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=209 Sat, 6 Mar 2004 06:38:20 -0500 <![CDATA[Bareknuckle compassion]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=208 most glorious of all sports. T.O. goes to Baltimore, a team which... also doesn't have a quarterback. They think he's going to be happy about that?

The Freak lands in Philly. Hopefully he stays healthy, hopefully the Eagles can find some receivers that won't embarress them in the NFC Championship.

Champ Bailey for Clinton Portis: Hell, Portis is pretty good, and as long as Dan Snyder thinks he can win a championship the Steinbrenner way he might as well buy good players. I thought Shanahan was offensively minded though... they won't pay an RB big bucks but they WILL pay a CB? Huh, ok.

Corrolary- What the hell are the Dolphins doing, anyway? I mean, A.J. Feeley? It's not like I mind... it's NICE when we crush them into a fine powder. It's just... puzzling.

Ted Washington to the Raiders- Hell, I'll miss the guy. Most evidence points to the theory that he had a decent but not huge impact in the D line this year, but Belichik/Pioli know what they're doing. As for the Raiders, I don't think Joe Cool could save them from ignominy at this point.

Ok, I'm done now.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=208 Thu, 4 Mar 2004 21:18:21 -0500 <![CDATA[All your base are belong to Kiwis]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=206 Movies http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=206 Mon, 1 Mar 2004 00:15:41 -0500 <![CDATA[But I think they're sinister]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=205 The Thackery T. Lambshead Guide to Eccentric and Discredited Diseases.

Which is pretty much what you would imagine it to be from reading the description. I have this urge now to be a crazy uncle so I pretend it's all real and be a bad influence on the minds of children.]]> Bookage http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=205 Fri, 27 Feb 2004 06:48:27 -0500 <![CDATA[The monster is Zero]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=204
Saw "Lost in Translation" and "Adaptation" this weekend. First movie good, second movie.... uh... a good idea, but I'm left with the really bizarre feeling that they didn't take it far enough. I mean, this is Spike Jonze. What the hell?

Lost in Translation was very nice, though. I recognize that it's likely Peter Jackson's year, and that's ok. This is the kind of movie that doesn't really need to win awards to become a classic.

Ok, next topic. This is veering dangerously close to actually interesting topicness, but I would just like to say, for the record, that I feel gays should be free to marry if they so choose. I didn't realize this until earlier today, but I feel very strongly about this. And despite my fiscally conservative leanings and my concerns about the false populism of the Democratic establishment, I will never, ever vote Republican while this sickness floats over their heads.

Lastly, it may be only a phase, but I would like to share my joy:

]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=204 Tue, 24 Feb 2004 20:27:42 -0500 <![CDATA[Margaritas bad]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=201
So what's that all about? ]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=201 Sat, 21 Feb 2004 12:27:59 -0500 <![CDATA[MY FISTS PACK TEN MILLION VOLTS]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=200 this image.

I DARE you not to have nightmares about that.

In other news, I have discovered a vendor of Choco Tacos.

THAT IS ALLLLLLLLLLLL!]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=200 Sun, 15 Feb 2004 17:46:08 -0500 <![CDATA[Fooooof]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=199
I accomplished entirely too much today... I'm really going to have to try to avoid that in the future.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=199 Sat, 7 Feb 2004 19:44:54 -0500 <![CDATA[Acknowledge//Submit]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=192 There is no escape. Do not try to resist. The efforts of Jake Delhomme, while noble and praiseworthy, were ultimately futile. The distortion field is now supreme.

After that last Carolina touchdown, I was sweating a bit. Then it occurred to me, "Hey, we could win this one just like the St. Louis game!" If you think about the unrealistic nature of that hope, and its subsequent fulfillment, you know what it is to be a Patriots fan.

Tom Brady- What can be said that hasn't already been said? Others win praise and inspire fear and awe. Brady just wins games.

Adam Viniateri- I give up, the legend of the clutch kicker has won me over. I shall now take visitation at the shrine of Vinnie.

But- but- wasn't poor, underappreciated Mike Vrabel really the MVP? Take away his offensive(???) score and his sacks, and we didn't win that game.

Anyway. My thanks to the Panthers for supplying the best challenge we could have hoped for. They are indeed the class of the NFC. Until next year, when we all start this
crazy ride over again.

PS. The Justin/Janet Jackson moment was the last straw. I'm boycotting ALL halftime shows from now until the end of time.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=192 Sun, 1 Feb 2004 23:24:34 -0500 <![CDATA[Manticores]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=187 Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=187 Sat, 31 Jan 2004 18:51:30 -0500 <![CDATA[Beware the potash]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=178 The Phoenix and the Mirror. It ended up being one of those wonderful moments when you discover that a book is surprisingly good: far better than you had imagined. The novel is set in Rome, but in the mythic Rome imagined in the minds of medieval Europeans. Which is itself a great but incredibly difficult project that Davidson pulls off easily.

But then he recasts the poet Virgil(??!?!) as a powerful sage and alchemist. Which apparently was a widely told story in the middle ages, but turning the author of the Aeneid into a sort of mystically potent Neo-Roman Shaft is just.... awe-inspiring.

Apparently he wrote a sequel. It will be mine.]]> Bookage http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=178 Fri, 30 Jan 2004 21:36:39 -0500 <![CDATA[She was a part-time antichrist]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=177 Peregrine: Primus rather quickly. It was fun... bawdy, almost Monty Python fantasy set in an fanciful later Roman Empire. Davidson seems to be someone held in high esteem, and he was certainly witty. I may attempt once again to read "The Phoenix and the Mirror" next.

PS Also read The Amazing Screw-On Head, which was a gift(???) from Seth and was of high quality indeed. I shall send Seth something in return, just as soon as I can find something frightening enough. ]]> Bookage http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=177 Thu, 29 Jan 2004 22:26:17 -0500 <![CDATA[Mangoes. Trinidad. Attorneys.]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=173 The Blue Star I couldn't make any sense out of the opening passage. The second time (today) I read the whole thing in a day, just as Liz was devouring her novel.

It's an unusual fantasy... distinctively styled in a way somewhat reminiscent of Jack Vance, and like many of Vance's novels it's a sort of elegent social fantasy. It's not as supremely confident and focused as Vance's better novels tend to be, but it is perhaps a bit more eager to tangle with the messiness of this created world head on.

In any event, it doesn't deserve the obscurity it now dwells in. ]]> Bookage http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=173 Sat, 24 Jan 2004 21:02:14 -0500 <![CDATA[Extra Buttons]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=172
I'm sure he does. Ok.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=172 Tue, 20 Jan 2004 22:07:42 -0500 <![CDATA[OK THEN]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=170
Actually, I don't know what the hell that was. Ty Law is like the grand marshal of an army from the bowels of Hades itself.

Onward to Houston.

The NFC game, by the way, was just awful. Awful. I don't even want to talk about it. But hey, 2-0 this week.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=170 Sun, 18 Jan 2004 18:22:47 -0500 <![CDATA[I possess stuff! Also things!]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=169
EDIT: The above links do not work, but will before I post again. Oh wait, no they won't.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=169 Sat, 17 Jan 2004 22:40:58 -0500 <![CDATA[The full ninja cupboard]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=168
I went 2-2 this week on picks... I underestimated the Panthers greatly and I didn't see the future in which Brett Favre throws a pass right to an Eagles cornerback, so there you go. Championship week, it shall be Patriots over Colts and Panthers (yes, you heard me) over Eagles.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=168 Sun, 11 Jan 2004 20:23:04 -0500 <![CDATA[I think I'm going to start watching golf]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=166 two of the very best football games in recent memory. Vinatieri making yet another clutch kick in another divisional playoff game played in the extreme cold. And the Rams/Panthers game... classic.

And the weekend's only half over.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=166 Sat, 10 Jan 2004 23:36:13 -0500 <![CDATA[What goes up/ must come down]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=165 New photos! Not too many, but hey... I only took about 200, what do you WANT from me?

I think I'm improving very slowly. I'm a little more aware of what to look for, though these images don't really demonstrate that.

I read City of Saints and Madmen on the plane. It's... uh. Good. It starts out kind of on that urban steampunk fantasy riff, then goes several odd places. It's self-referential in a TASTY way, and the novellas fit together so well I'm not convinced he actually wrote them separately. I urge you to give it a try.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=165 Tue, 6 Jan 2004 19:54:32 -0500 <![CDATA[Please feel free to avast at any time]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=164
I'll be more brief this week: Pats over Titans, (I can't go against the home team, now can I?) Indy over KC (in a game that will shake the very pillers of heaven), Packers over Eagles (since we seem to be on a vengeance riff this year) and Rams over Carolina (more weapons, though this could be a tight one).

Had a very nice time down in Virginia, thanks to all. Pictures are done but I have to do the HTML part, so I should have a new gallery tomorrow sometime.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=164 Mon, 5 Jan 2004 23:00:37 -0500 <![CDATA[Mike. Ike. The Mechanics.]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=163
I will be off to Cville until mid-monday, have a nice first few days of 2004.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=163 Thu, 1 Jan 2004 20:38:48 -0500 <![CDATA[Sunday, Sunday, Sunday]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=162
Jauron had some success with the Bears two years ago... next year will show whether that was a good idea. Williams, though, absolutely, that team is disgraceful. I'm sure he's a nice guy but JEEBUS, you can't have talent like that and lose like that. McGinnis? Eh.. the Cardinals won't be competitive until the owners and front office decide they want to be. And I don't know what's wrong with the Dolphins, but I think Wannstedt was unlikely to be replaced by a dramatically better coach.

As for the wild-card round next weekend:

Carolina vs. Dallas: Eh, I don't much care for either of these teams. Carolina by a few, mostly for home-field advantage. Their schedule was quite soft this year, though, and I think Dallas could pull an upset.

Tennessee at Baltimore: I like Baltimore, but I think Tennessee is a stronger team overall... Baltimore finished with a lot of losses in a weak conference and Tennessee can win with OR without McNair, which is kind of scary...

Seattle at Green Bay: Uh huh huh huh. The Seahawks AT Lambeau vs. a red-hot Packers team? This is going to be real ugly.

Denver at Indy: This is the hardest of the bunch... Denver beat this team badly a few weeks ago, but Manning is going to be at home and the man can beat any team if he's given time and open receivers. On the other hand, Denver beat Indy WITHOUT Clinton Portis. I HOPE Indy wins, but I think they're going to have a rough day.

The week after, the Pats will face one of these teams (except not Indy as they will never be the lowest seed next week). I'd rather NOT see the Broncos, so Matt's team of choice had better come up big.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=162 Mon, 29 Dec 2003 17:29:37 -0500 <![CDATA[Go on to another song]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=160 I would point out the irony... but I think it's pretty obvious. Buffalo has basically hit rock bottom. The offense needs to be rebuilt from the bottom up... throw everything away and start over. Will Bledsoe be a part of that? I have my doubts.

PS Are the Seahawks about to win on the road? I think that might be...]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=160 Sat, 27 Dec 2003 20:19:21 -0500 <![CDATA[Fear the dark tides of yule]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=159
I got many good books too... I really need to start reading again. I think more reading/more writing is my new year's resolution. Amongst other things.

Oh BTW: I now own Space Ghost on DVD. Oh yes.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=159 Thu, 25 Dec 2003 21:11:03 -0500 <![CDATA[Bingo is the game of legends]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=158 Is this some kind of elaborate hoax? It looks like one of those dreams you've have when you ate too many burritos way too late at night. I don't like the sepia-toned... everything, much as I hate all overdone color-correction, but it still seems like it might rock my face.

And now I hunger for nourishment... farewell.]]> Movies http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=158 Sat, 20 Dec 2003 12:13:45 -0500 <![CDATA[Taco lore]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=157 New pictures up from the Portland area. Well, not new actually but at least I have a few from home base up now.

The winter is back with a vengeance this year. Two storms in as many weeks have torn the H from my Honda. For now the car is known only as "Silent H." I was sitting at a stoplight today and I felt an odd shaking sensation pushing the back of my car around. A fender-bender? Drunks? No, it was the WIND. Uuugggh.

Just for the record: Andrew's reaction to driving through a blizzard: "OH MY GOD WE'RE GONNA DIE!" Liz's reaction: "The snow is so PRETTY!" I swear, the woman knows no fear.

Good pats game this weekend... it's good to see Troy Brown back, and yes, Brady can throw. Honestly, though, I was surprised the Jags didn't mount more of an offensive threat. They were pretty much done at the half.
]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=157 Mon, 15 Dec 2003 20:40:08 -0500 <![CDATA[*ring ring* *ring ring* *click* "Hello?" "IT'S RICK FLAIR WOOOOO!!!"]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=155 Googled. Turns out that you add a controversial amount of drambuie to a controversial amount of scotch, either definitely or by no means on the rocks.

Hmm. It's good to have leeway, I guess.

Today was INSAAAAAAAAANE but now most of the Xmas shopping is done. And I was informed today that I was promoted two weeks ago. That's always good. It's time for me to get a giant diamond-studded A to dangle provocatively from my neck.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=155 Tue, 9 Dec 2003 20:54:49 -0500 <![CDATA[BRUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=153 strange, beautiful game we saw today. Massive coordinated fan snowball throwing, Tom Brady (?????) punting the ball, and of course the Bruschi interception, so beautiful in its perfection. And how sweet it is that the flying elvii are once again conference champions.

Lots of snow today, but I managed to navigate it with the help of my Ninja Assault craft. Now I will wrap presents and sleep.
]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=153 Sun, 7 Dec 2003 22:05:12 -0500 <![CDATA[The day my butt went psycho]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=151
It is snowing here. A little bit. I think I'm going to invent a focused sonic beam.]]> Games http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=151 Sat, 6 Dec 2003 19:13:42 -0500 <![CDATA[I'm too scared to come up with something witty]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=149 don't play around with this. If you don't though, please do. Click on the white circle, then (A) for all the various forms of debilitating futuristic terror.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=149 Thu, 4 Dec 2003 22:50:42 -0500 <![CDATA[In your system let it bump]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=147
Now, Matt has to hope we meet again in the playoffs because otherwise it's a year of shame for him. Shame, terrible shame...

Can I go ahead and recommend Prince of Persia again? Ok, I'm glad we're done with that.

I should probably do something more with this space than just post weekly football rants. Or less.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=147 Mon, 1 Dec 2003 22:16:36 -0500 <![CDATA[Bring the burritos to my sanctum]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=145
All the contenders have been thrown aside, and the great showdown has come. Patriots. Colts. Will it be the great Lang or the mighty Jefe Andres who will claim the year's bragging rights?

Oh and btw: Go out and buy this game. Just trust me, it's just the almighty smiling down upon you. Except with flaming ninjas.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=145 Sun, 23 Nov 2003 17:16:10 -0500 <![CDATA[Beware the negative zone]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=140 cannot overcome it? The flying elvii win again despite (I feel like a broken record) no offense to speak of?

Well, ok, we'll take it!

I'd also like to congratulate the Bengals for knocking off Dick Vermeil's demon army in the Battle of the Infernal Uniforms. Somebody had to do it, and I have to admit I will feel shiny inside if Cincy can claw out a winning record this year.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=140 Mon, 17 Nov 2003 06:51:34 -0500 <![CDATA[I am error]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=139 GBA player for my birthday, and it's been a very good thing thus far. I got Golden Sun with it, which is a very well-done, quite standard 2D RPG with one of those deceptively complex "jobs" systems that is currently confusing the hell out of me.

And today I picked up Klonoa kind of on a whim... Liz was getting a thermos, so I decided that if Liz gets a thermos I get Klonoa. It's a puzzle/platformer, and it's tons of fun so far. Also, you have big ears that can flap, and it's been a life goal of mine to have big ears that can flap.

I will most likely miss the Patriots game tomorrow, as I lack both ESPN and the desire to stay up really late. It's too bad... I'm honestly not sure what will happen when the unstoppable Tuna meets the horrifying distortion field. I see that Jay Novacek has picked the Pats to win, which is a bad sign... Novacek always picks them to lose, and they always win. Hmmm...]]> Games http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=139 Sat, 15 Nov 2003 22:17:38 -0500 <![CDATA[Not even you can decode]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=137 TMQ is clawing its way back from the grave. I'm not a big fan of Easterbrook's political commentary (which is what got him fired from ESPN) but there's still a hole in my football life where TMQ was, and I'm very glad he's back.

Your moment of Zen: Fantasy Celts. Navigate from the left, revel in the madness. My favorite: Buffy Celts.

Moment of Zen two: Celebrities Undead. This is turning out to be kind of a weird night for browsing.

PS. dpFWIW needs help. It's a great, absolutely invaluable site if you want to get into digital cameras. I made extensive use of it. Now the webmaster needs support to keep the site live; please consider sending up green-backed love his way.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=137 Wed, 12 Nov 2003 19:29:58 -0500 <![CDATA[let’s get down as if today was the annual celebration of the day you were born.]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=134
All is well in the universe.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=134 Sun, 9 Nov 2003 14:15:20 -0500 <![CDATA[Until you, until you]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=133
IF YOU DARE.

It has to be said, Bizarre Records is way too addictive.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=133 Tue, 4 Nov 2003 22:16:12 -0500 <![CDATA[Beware the grimblethromthorblethup]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=131
On the other hand, the nice woman at City Hall referred to the polling place as "the Harry Cummings Center" but didn't know it from Adam otherwise... if she'd referred to it as the "Munjoy Hill Firestation" that would've been a lot more useful. And I think that the city should probably know where its firestations are. You know?]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=131 Tue, 4 Nov 2003 18:09:47 -0500 <![CDATA[In the immortal words of Jim Mora]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=129
I mean... this is a team that will score a safety against ITSELF to beat you. You gotta love that.

I'd link to a game recap but it just now ended. Beautiful game, despite all the stupid ABC MNF crap. Honestly though, I thought for a while there we were going to lose after DISCOVERING an offensive game, which would have made me look really stupid. And now I'm going to sleep for a little while.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=129 Tue, 4 Nov 2003 00:39:23 -0500 <![CDATA[NAMU NAMU NAMU!]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=128
The really interesting part of the NFL standings, I've found, is the bottom. There are a bunch of good teams, to be sure, at the top, but who would've called Oakland and 2-6? Pittsburgh dead last in their division? And the mighty Jets suffering through yet another difficult season? It makes me appreciate the Belichik reality distortion field. Now, hopefully we can put some distance between us and the Dolphins tomorrow night... Mile High has been a painful place for the Patriots but Belichik's demonic influence grows strong.

Still enjoying my Soul Calibur. The mission battle mode is (despite apparent effort) still not all that. And the fact that it's harder to unlock things means that you really HAVE to slog through it. I like that they improved the AI in this one, though; the computer puts up a much better fight. I'm currently grooving along with Yoshimitsu, who's his same adorably insane self.

If anyone was wondering: yes, I do now realize that a lot of my photos are a bit too soft. I'm currently working on learning better image tweaking, although I'm limited to Gimp and Paint Shop Pro at the moment and most tutorials are written for Photoshop. I've gotten some good results thus far, though. I'll put up a Portland and Environs gallery sometime soon. I might also put up some more personal family and friends pictures... not sure about that one yet.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=128 Sun, 2 Nov 2003 20:00:13 -0500 <![CDATA[Biggest dog of them all]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=126 This game will be mine.]]> Games http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=126 Thu, 30 Oct 2003 22:25:03 -0500 <![CDATA[Sippin a milkshake in a snowstorm]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=125
So the english voice-overs are kinda... weird. And my favorite samurai now looks distressingly like a soap star. On the other hand, the controls are a lot better than I'd imagined, there are a host of little improvements, and it's, uh, purty. So I'm happy.

And I'm finding an odd bond with the poncy franco-british fencer who disdainfully cuts little strips off of people. This could be the beginning of stuff.]]> Games http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=125 Wed, 29 Oct 2003 22:23:33 -0500 <![CDATA[Boston's Utumno International Airport]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=122
Next week on MNF against the broncos. Historically we have trouble with them, but then again they're on their third QB right now, so who knows. If we can get the offense back into the game, we could have a great shot at the division title this year.

Oh, and many thanks to Terry Bradshaw for reminding me about Daylight Savings time. ... I can't believe I just wrote that.

And again, congrats to Paul and Sue. I heard the wedding was much fun, and the gang seemed in good spirits when I picked them up from THE MAW OF HELL.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=122 Sun, 26 Oct 2003 19:26:08 -0500 <![CDATA[Our time and our clothes gotta COOOOORdinate]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=120
Aaaah. It does miff me that I'm going to miss the game this weekend... I have to pick up Liz at Logan. I'm actually thinking of taping it, which is really just sick, awful behavior.

Liz's blog sounds like it will be appearing on selfnoise soon as well. Unfortunately, she will have to scrap her current Grey Matter config, but we'll keep the archives around for the curious.

I wish Sue and Paul the best of luck at their wedding this weekend. Anyone who got together during my wedding gets mad props. Liz and the gang will be attending... I will remain in Portland in case of massive, overwhelming ninja assault. Or maybe because I'm broke. One of those.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=120 Thu, 23 Oct 2003 22:17:43 -0400 <![CDATA[A little lean cuisine]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=117


EDIT: Susie's blog is now online. You can find it at suz.selfnoise.net. Please bear with her as she moves in.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=117 Tue, 21 Oct 2003 20:49:12 -0400 <![CDATA[I believe in like spells and stuff]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=116
Susie and Liz are thinking of moving their blogs to this domain... so keep an eye out for that. I've actually already made them blogs here, but pages need to be designed and whatnot. It should be a big improvement, at least for Susie who is currently laboring under the hideous taskmaster that is pitas.

On the other hand, I think the front fan in my old computer is about to fail. So if I disappear for a while, worry not. It's just that my computer is on fire.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=116 Mon, 20 Oct 2003 19:21:40 -0400 <![CDATA[There ain't no stoppin' it]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=115 reality-distortion field.

Seriously, I have no clue how this is working at this point. The conspiracy theorist in me wonders if all the injuries were part of Belichik's master plan or something. But hey, an overtime win in Miami, in October? We will TAKE IT. Thank you.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=115 Sun, 19 Oct 2003 20:40:09 -0400 <![CDATA[I _AM_ your neighbor!]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=110 New photos up in my Varnum Pond section. We went out to camp today and closed up for the year.

I haven't taken that many pics of late because my camera has been acting funky, and in a way that is bad. I am getting a free replacement next week though, and I should be getting back in the groove.]]> Photos http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=110 Sat, 18 Oct 2003 22:43:22 -0400 <![CDATA[1. Stop 2. Drop 3. Kaboom]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=109
Still, you can't deny that his films are more compelling than 90% of what's out there. And the film's score is just delicious.

Kind of an ugly Pats win yesterday, though I am impressed that we limited a team that outran and outpassed us to zero touchdowns. Miami next week... expect Belichik madness, as Miami is notorious for predictable play calling.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=109 Mon, 13 Oct 2003 09:52:36 -0400 <![CDATA[Practice like Tai Bo]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=108 Excellent game on Sunday... really great play by both teams, AND we won. Can't beat that. Susie and I had a good laugh imagining Belichick rubbing his forehead and saying, "They've gone far enough. UNLEASH THE CLOUD."

Anyway, I had a great time hanging with Susie and Luda this weekend. Good fun was had by all.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=108 Mon, 6 Oct 2003 20:44:05 -0400 <![CDATA[It's Doom on the phone]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=107 this is a good place to start.

It's worth noting that Epinions now has a Liquor and Spirits section.

No, I'm not becoming an alcoholic.]]> Web http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=107 Fri, 3 Oct 2003 21:56:02 -0400 <![CDATA[It's]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=106 Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=106 Wed, 1 Oct 2003 01:48:20 -0400 <![CDATA[Don't like perpetrators]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=105
But then I discovered Readerware, which may, just may, be my holy grail in book collecting software. Automatic data filling from multiple sources? Check. Intuitive interface? Check. Ability to export to custom HTML formatting? Oh dear god, I didn't even know I needed that. But I do now.

Looking at their forums, it seems like a lot of people have jury-rigged this thing to do strange things like run lending libraries. I think that's probably a good thing.]]> Bookage http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=105 Sat, 27 Sep 2003 13:37:30 -0400 <![CDATA[Regrettable Stuttering Accident]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=104
I'm old.

In other news, the sometimes-funny sometimes-annoying Foamy! The new one is one of the better to appear thus far, although it can't match the all-time classic.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=104 Wed, 24 Sep 2003 19:11:52 -0400 <![CDATA[I see some haters reeling]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=103
A shout-out to my parents, who are enduring Virginia, the no-power zone. Hang in there!

And now, your moment of zen.

suz0418: i'm assuming miami had to punt
suz0418: my PANTS ARE IMPORTANT!]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=103 Mon, 22 Sep 2003 18:33:00 -0400 <![CDATA[My car is out back, anyway.]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=102
Odd.

But I did nevertheless enjoy this movie, which seems to be telling us that if we make complicated and really nonsensical plans, Antonio Banderas will kill us anyway. Remember that, kids. ]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=102 Sat, 20 Sep 2003 22:05:45 -0400 <![CDATA[Everyone says, "Sop!"]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=101
One day, many years from now, I will unlock the AX cup, and discover that doing so sucks me bodily inside the machine and forces me to play bizarre primary-colored games UNTIL I DIE PLAYING.

F-Zero GX is a very good game.]]> Games http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=101 Thu, 18 Sep 2003 22:05:30 -0400 <![CDATA[Go lights!]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=100

Bruuuuschi!

THAT's a lot more like it. To celebrate, let's enjoy some Cthulhu poetry!]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=100 Sun, 14 Sep 2003 21:40:58 -0400 <![CDATA[Kind of evil make me want to grab my sub-machine]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=99 Johnny Cash AND
John Ritter? Oy. Maybe I should go back to bed or something.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=99 Fri, 12 Sep 2003 07:22:27 -0400 <![CDATA[The entire site from orbit]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=98 This site is just a beautiful and unique snowflake. Don't worry about the text: trust me, all the little green cat icons are games. Very cool games. Also the links immediately below the big white cat are also games. Some of these games are very, very strange, but I think it's possible to figure most of them out. Found via Insert Credit, so you can thank them for the ensuing bout of gibbering insanity.]]> Web http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=98 Tue, 9 Sep 2003 21:47:35 -0400 <![CDATA[Warning: Random Grooves]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=97 Sunday's game.

Except to say this: waiving a player who showed class, leadership, and ability to bring in a bunch of mercenaries from other teams is just disheartening. The Patriots management seems determined to dismantle the team that played beyond their abilities in order to build one that can't do much of anything.

I had a great time hanging out down at Brandeis, though. Now I shall play F-Zero and contemplate emptiness. Or uh. Just play F-Zero.

PS: if you see me chopping wood with a two-handed implement, please tell me to wear some damn gloves next time. Ow.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=97 Mon, 8 Sep 2003 17:59:18 -0400 <![CDATA[Speed and pissing you off]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=96 F-Zero GX is hard, yes. But when did gamers and reviewers become, collectively, a bunch of damned girlie-men? I hate to wax crusty curmudgeon, but I like my games the old way: addictive and hard.

Amusement Vision? Yes, this game was made by Sega. Sega made a first party Nintendo game. I'm not sure how I should feel about that. But they did make it purty, and insane arcade racers are kind of Sega's stock in trade. Did I mention that there's something glorious about racing 29 opponents at a time?

Ok, wait, nevermind, I just lost my train of thought. This is why. (read the whole thing, trust me)]]> Games http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=96 Fri, 5 Sep 2003 23:01:54 -0400 <![CDATA[Whuhuhuhahaaaa]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=95 Prefuse 73 CD I bought did not disappoint in any way, and has made the drive to work much more bearable. A strange, skittering beat for every occasion!

And that F-Zero GX I just rented? Oh yes. There's something about racing 29 other craft at speeds exceeding 1500kph that makes me somewhat tingly.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=95 Tue, 2 Sep 2003 19:46:18 -0400 <![CDATA[And the Trogdor comes in the NIIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=94
It is possible that I just ordered a T-shirt.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=94 Thu, 28 Aug 2003 22:58:12 -0400 <![CDATA[Pertaining to ninjas]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=93
Ninja Gaiden is still good.

Iron Monkey was screened at the house of Andrew, and Liz was most appreciative.

I wish I had a third ninja thing, but alas I do not.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=93 Mon, 25 Aug 2003 20:14:02 -0400 <![CDATA[I thought to myself, "Well I'll be darned, that's one heck of a butt."]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=92 This is just beautiful. Also this. And this. I think the new quote of the moment might be "You will feel employed to purchase Lamborghinis that are not dissimilar in appearance."]]> Web http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=92 Fri, 22 Aug 2003 19:38:51 -0400 <![CDATA[Suddenly two days later, you’re beating yourself in the head with a tennis racquet, wearing a towel, quoting Poe.]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=91
suz0418: "dude, having a player named Tebuckey made us cutting edge!"

And I should mention that Liz is cool. (liz) I realized recently that we've been married 2 years, but together about 5. Which is insane. There isn't much of anything I've done for 5 years, beyond the fundamentals.

So, shout-out to Liz!

Hmm... anything else I got to get off my chest? Oh yeah. This song fills me with a great and unyielding anger. That's about it!]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=91 Thu, 21 Aug 2003 21:54:01 -0400 <![CDATA[We was leaving, we was done]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=90
Oh. If you're confused, this should explain everything.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=90 Tue, 19 Aug 2003 20:29:44 -0400 <![CDATA[No! Lingo is TRAPPED in that comic!]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=89 elsarazin: i have a flying car
suz0418: are you talking about gender stereotypes or the grander meaning behind "man"
elsarazin: this car I have? it flies.
suz0418: okay then. michael knight's can talk
suz0418: mine can till the farm
elsarazin: YOU SEE? There's nothing f*****g interesting about a car that can talk.
elsarazin: THAT WAS MY WHOLE POINT
]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=89 Mon, 18 Aug 2003 22:38:54 -0400 <![CDATA[They want to ride in something where the rims don't stop]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=88 webhosts, who emailed me about a security problem as I was looking at it, thinking "I wonder whether that's a security problem?"

But apparently I'm getting bizarre bounced emails because some jackass spammer is trying (and failing) to use my formmail to spam someone from selfnoise (well, actually, from a lot of people around the world). Thanks a lot. Out of curiousity, are you the same people who sound pissed off all the time?

Also: until today, I was not aware that there was a Pimp Legion of Doom.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=88 Mon, 18 Aug 2003 20:10:11 -0400 <![CDATA[Oh, I don't. It's cinnamon.]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=87
I walked past a pair of older men sitting in Burger King today. As I walked out the door, the one was saying to the other,

"Oh, yeah, they were fast. Jesus, they were fast. They were faster than raisins."]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=87 Fri, 15 Aug 2003 22:15:20 -0400 <![CDATA[Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=86
Motive Chorus is a new delivery application that provides users with one-click access to any type of service.

Is it spyware? Is it some kind of technical support software? Eh, I dunno. But at least you Googlers have something to look at now.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=86 Thu, 14 Aug 2003 18:42:15 -0400 <![CDATA[Monster power!]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=85 Varnum Pond galley up, as well as three new images in two lights.

The lack of uh... urban imagery in my photos is just circumstances: I do live in Maine, after all. I will get some pictures of Portland up when I get a chance. ]]> Photos http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=85 Wed, 13 Aug 2003 19:28:26 -0400 <![CDATA[For the love of god]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=84 Fascinating. Who are these people (on both sides)? Why didn't they stay awake in high school history?]]> Web http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=84 Wed, 13 Aug 2003 17:18:11 -0400 <![CDATA[If it breaks, you get a replacement]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=83 DARKLY OF DA NATURE OF JUSTIEC FOR HA RILLY MAANT 2 SAY TAHT JUSTIEC IS TEH GIVNG 2 EACH MAN WUT IS PROPAR 2 HIM AND THIS HE TARMED A DEBT!1!11!1 OMG LOL

(here and here)]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=83 Tue, 12 Aug 2003 19:58:13 -0400 <![CDATA[For as long as the earth rotates on a 23-degree axis]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=82 Jack Vance novel. (Don't read too deeply in case you're worried about having the plot of Emphyrio spoiled).

The idea of russian journalists referencing Vance is just... weird. Particularly the part about him being "the most talented master of writing social utopias in the United States". Not that he's BAD at it, but it doesn't really seem like an overwhelming focus or anything.]]> Bookage http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=82 Mon, 11 Aug 2003 21:44:00 -0400 <![CDATA[Are there any rap lyrics that involve the lack of caffeine?]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=81 Pictures up. I took about 140 while we were there... it was a good learning experience in terms of being a tourist and trying to take decent pictures.

We had a great time in Quebec. Wandered around a lot, ate good food, and didn't do anything too ambitious. And came back to Portland and yay, I'm still on vacation! Rock.]]> Photos http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=81 Wed, 6 Aug 2003 12:35:18 -0400 <![CDATA[Now you're one half]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=80
Pictures tomorrow(?).]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=80 Tue, 5 Aug 2003 23:13:36 -0400 <![CDATA[No, I do not want advanced golf technology!]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=79
We will be heading up to Quebec City for a few days, starting tomorrow. I will be back on Tuesday sometime.

Apparently some people have found my website by googling the word "bar". Seems a bit general, doesn't it?

Anyway... I'll hopefully bring some nice pics back from Quebec. Here's to my first vacation in a year and a half!]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=79 Fri, 1 Aug 2003 20:56:16 -0400 <![CDATA[Jennifer Tilly as an eskimo]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=78 online. And I now have an index page for my galleries here.

So I'm apparently going on vacation in a week. I could say that I'm prepared, but in fact that is not the case. And I have to work lots of overtime next week. And my car is doing something disturbing.

I'll just work on being as oblivious as possible and hope I muddle through on animal instinct. Yeaaaaaah.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=78 Sun, 27 Jul 2003 17:33:30 -0400 <![CDATA[We pass participles]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=77 one.

Have to admit, I can kind of see why photoblogs appeal to people.]]> Photos http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=77 Wed, 23 Jul 2003 21:55:52 -0400 <![CDATA[Life gets gruesome alone]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=76
I'm reminded, of course, that you can't uninstall evil.

On a side note, my sister in law told me earlier today that she had a line on a cheap car. But that she first would have to kill a man.

...That can't be good.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=76 Mon, 21 Jul 2003 22:19:17 -0400 <![CDATA[The streets still smokin']]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=75
In the meantime, check out this image I took with the "macro" setting on. I admit that it's an interesting choice of subject, but I like it.

I think Liz is creating some kind of total information awareness project in the living room. I have to go.]]> Photos http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=75 Sun, 20 Jul 2003 21:03:36 -0400 <![CDATA[I mention my baby girl in the interviews now]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=74 Cinque Terra which was certainly memorable. They do the traditional italian thing, which is apparently to feed you 800 small courses of delicious food. Which makes you feel like you haven't eaten TOO too much, and then you stand up and discover that you have, in fact, eaten a Buick Lesabre.

But it was superb.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=74 Tue, 15 Jul 2003 21:51:27 -0400 <![CDATA[A wedding? I love weddings! Drinks all around!]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=73 Concise and accurate review of the Pirates of the Incredible Long, Unwieldy Name.

Now, I'm a sucker for pirate movies, Geoffrey Rush, and, uh, yeah. But I have to admit that A: the movie is pretty but boring without Depp, and B: Depp's character is kind of pointless. And I find Orlando Bloom vaguely irritating.

But Depp is hilarious and totally perfect in the world the movie creates. Rush does a good job too, and the movie is very easy on the eyes. Nice big impressive looking ships and well-done CG for the most part.

It's a cheesy but well-built action-comedy, much like the Mummy. I think I enjoyed the Mummy a bit more, but this was good fun too. I hope it has better luck at the box office than most pirate films. (actually, we had a hell of a time actually getting in to see it, so maybe they don't have to worry about that).]]> Movies http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=73 Sat, 12 Jul 2003 10:01:16 -0400 <![CDATA[Highway battle!]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=72
Metropolis:

Very beautiful, somewhat cliched but oddly touching. Excellent music and a wonderfully secure sense of style. Has very strange mini-DVD for special features... which actually has some good stuff on it.

Sinbad:

Surprisingly non-hurl. Brad Pitt, Michelle Pfieffer (or whatever) do decent jobs. Cel animation good (though very similar to every previous movie), CG kind of weird. Trying to riff Harryhausen, or just shitty? Couldn't tell. Anyway, good light entertainment. Dreamworks' 2D people finally show some promise, which is too bad since they'll probably be out on the street soon.]]> Movies http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=72 Tue, 8 Jul 2003 18:46:18 -0400 <![CDATA[The "old days"]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=71 this in the supermarket today.

How is it that you can put bread in a can? That seems like the kind of activity that leads to yawning interdimensional portals to the demon-teeming abyss.

You think I should try some?]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=71 Mon, 7 Jul 2003 21:21:24 -0400 <![CDATA[Peel and Stick]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=70
We went and saw Charlie's Angels 2, which was kind of like one of those weird Hong Kong chick action flicks you find at the back of the video store. You know, the deleriously weird ones without any notion of logic or order.

Actually, it kind of reminded me of Shaolin Soccer.

Grr.. Mozilla 1.4 is causing my computer to run out of memory. Bye-bye now.
]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=70 Sun, 6 Jul 2003 11:46:01 -0400 <![CDATA[Pumpkin Corgi!]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=69 Cowboy Bebop movie was finally screened in the grand ballroom of Andrewville.

First of all, let's point out the negative: It's a bit too long. Well, the length would be OK except that the plot isn't really any better than a typical episode of the show. It's a bit too thin to stretch for almost 2 hours, and there are some real dead spots. And there are some scenes that get away with being tacked-on just because they're so damn beautiful.

Nonetheless, I think this is one of the most impressive animated movies I've yet seen. The animation is crazy good, of course, and if you've seen the show you know the art direction is superlative. The thing that really stood out to me, though, was the cinematography (can you call it that?) which was nothing short of breathtaking. The care with which the better scenes were assembled showed a sophistication beyond simply flexing the technical muscle of modern animation.

The best word for it is composition. The creators managed to fuse the incredibly dynamic action sensibility of japanese animation with the sense of poise and perspective that is normally found in great live-action film-makers.

What I'm trying to say is: they managed to make the scenes where nothing happens just as beautiful as the scenes where 100 things are happening at once.

Anyway, glad I got that off my chest. Best Buy, the nazis, only had this DVD in a 2-pack with Metropolis (the anime), which I will watch soon as well. It came with a mini-dvd, which I feel insidiously compelled to insert in my Gamecube, even though that would most likely result in a hideous explosion of burning circuitry.]]> Movies http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=69 Tue, 1 Jul 2003 19:14:17 -0400 <![CDATA[Let's just say I had some dogs. Where would they be, exactly?]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=68
Test Drive Le Mans is pretty great. The sensation of driving a super-fast sports car? Pristine. The graphics? Superb. The sound? Excellent. It is recommended by the me, and the me isn't really into driving games. And hey, you can get it for 10 bucks on the Dreamcast. Or maybe a little more for the PS2 port, but if you buy that you'll make little baby jesus cry.

Okay. I'm going to simmer now.]]> Games http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=68 Thu, 26 Jun 2003 21:49:05 -0400 <![CDATA[I'm Mike Wallace]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=67
Eagle in the Snow (it appears to be a reprint of a 1970 book) is a historical novel concerning the last days of the Roman Empire. It is very evocative, and made me want to read more on the subject, but the battle scenes are fully half the book and I'm not THAT interested in the various ways people can be killed. Still, I really enjoyed it. Now I feel like reading more novels set in this period. But more politics and atmosphere and less slaying. ]]> Bookage http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=67 Mon, 23 Jun 2003 22:20:57 -0400 <![CDATA[Tell her you met a thug]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=66 here. Enjoy! Liz is reading the book now, so don't expect to hear from her in a while. I imagine I should really read these books at some point...]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=66 Sat, 21 Jun 2003 19:47:25 -0400 <![CDATA[Hmm. Seems they're not animated to explode...]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=65
I will have some very modest gaming-related pages up soon. Somehow I've garnered enough momentum. Liz made a great design for the frontpage which I've sadly discarded, as I'm going minimal with what I'm putting up so far. Hopefully I can use the design at some point in the future.

I've decided that I really need to just start buying consoles at the end of their life-cycles. I'm pretty sure I'll buy a PS2 in two years or so when it's 50 bucks. I've been going around buying 5 buck DC games and having a lot of fun with it, and my Cube is mostly gathering dust. I mean, admittedly the Cube is the crappiest of current consoles when it comes to games, but still. I have a feeling that if I had a PS2 or Xbox I'd still only have 3-4 games. I have to eat, after all.

]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=65 Sat, 21 Jun 2003 15:38:30 -0400 <![CDATA[NOooooooo... uget!]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=64 Super Magnetic Neo arrived in the mail the other day. As far as I can tell, it is some kind of teletubbie death simulation. Which is OUTSTANDING. Let us all now praise Ebay, which will soon bring me Capcom Vs. SNK.

I am somewhat inspired to create a web-page celebrating the most bizarre games of the Sega Dreamcast. Coming soon, maybe.]]> Games http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=64 Tue, 17 Jun 2003 22:23:02 -0400 <![CDATA[Bonus Kun]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=63




Seriously. What is WRONG with Hudson Soft?]]> Games http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=63 Fri, 13 Jun 2003 23:44:53 -0400 <![CDATA[Not good for ninja fights]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=62
And Liz is playing it right now. Which is scary. I have to go.]]> Games http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=62 Tue, 10 Jun 2003 21:06:00 -0400 <![CDATA[Tacos can be made of many things indeed]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=61 These are all pretty funny, but the "Five More Minutes" one is just a whole 'nother LEVEL of the funny.

And... it will be mine, oh yes.

I think I need to be put in the funny house for that last one.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=61 Fri, 6 Jun 2003 23:35:32 -0400 <![CDATA[Was Instagibbed]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=60 This trailer(qt) is pretty great. If just for the fact that it sounds like someone started playing a game of Quake 3 in the background about 2/3rds of the way through.]]> Movies http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=60 Thu, 5 Jun 2003 17:31:54 -0400 <![CDATA[This is some kind of magic stick]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=59
"UUUUUHHHH. CUUUL...EERRRS."

And it was funny! I can't say one negative thing about it.]]> Movies http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=59 Wed, 4 Jun 2003 16:28:15 -0400 <![CDATA[Proper noun: the infinitive-ing]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=58 Equilibrium tonight.

Now, I do kind of have a problem with really overly earnest sci-fi flicks where everyone is beautiful. (hint).

But overly earnest sci-fi movies where everyone is beautiful, but Christian Bale gets to kill motorcycle-helmet wearing commandos with gun, sword, and fist? I guess I can get on board with that.

Though I am, like Liz, really tired of movies where women die so men can be motivated to do great things (hint).]]> Movies http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=58 Mon, 2 Jun 2003 22:47:09 -0400 <![CDATA[Obedience: 3 Miles]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=57
I bought a couple of Dreamcast controllers at EB the other day because they were 4 bucks new. And honestly my old controller is kind of... skeezy... at this point. It's funny, I'd kind of forgotten that I had a DC, but it definitely holds up well in comparison. I think it's actually a better system than the Cube.

]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=57 Fri, 30 May 2003 22:06:29 -0400 <![CDATA[Complimentary pass to the Ninja Strike]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=56 Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=56 Tue, 27 May 2003 23:08:39 -0400 <![CDATA[Who you calling Nancy?]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=55
And Ewan McGregor is back on my good side. He OWNED this movie, and I'm starting to think he should be in more movies. Oh, and more of the singing and the dancing!

You see now? This movie has fundamentally broken me as a human being. ]]> Movies http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=55 Thu, 22 May 2003 21:38:31 -0400 <![CDATA[There probably isn't any nitroglycerin in our beverages]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=54 Niea_7. It's alternately really slow and philosophical, and really insanely over the top and goofy. Strangely, the whole thing works really well. It achieves a kind of Zen that even managed to transfix Liz for a while.

Also: Ben and Jerry's "Brownie Batter" ice cream is pretty good. I will now dance foolishly.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=54 Wed, 21 May 2003 21:15:27 -0400 <![CDATA[My guitar wants to kill your mama]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=53
Uh, yeah. The less said, the better. I mean... if you want to play a really sub-par PS1 game, be my guest.]]> Games http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=53 Tue, 20 May 2003 22:01:03 -0400 <![CDATA[World to End on May 15]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=52
PIE. IN A JAR.

If I do not get pie in a jar, the nations of earth will tremble.]]> Web http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=52 Sun, 18 May 2003 21:51:02 -0400 <![CDATA[Well hoo haa]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=51 "verizon sucks"?

It's pretty amusing.

Anyway. Farscape season 3 is now available on DVD. And at my local video store, which is a goodly thing. And I'm watching Niea Under 7 which I'm liking so far.

]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=51 Sun, 18 May 2003 10:30:34 -0400 <![CDATA[MORE ME!!!]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=50
And... ehehehehe. I don't want to spoil anything, but I love Hugo Weaving. SO. DAMN. FUNNY.

"Me, me, me."

"Me too.]]> Movies http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=50 Fri, 16 May 2003 23:06:08 -0400 <![CDATA[Taco's Destiny]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=49 Spriggan. I've been feeling like anime lately. Spriggan was pretty cliched: good guys and bad guys fight, ancient power, pretentious pseudo-christian babble. But the violence!

Oh, the violence...

Ahem. ANYWHO. Also rented Star Fox Adventures, which is pretty standard Rare-ware but very easy on the eyes. And I've been watching E3 news, which has led me to believe that I've graduated from killing the consoles I buy and moved on to killing the entire companies behind the consoles I buy. So, you, if you're out there, Bill, just send me a couple hundred and I'll buy a PS2 for ya.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=49 Wed, 14 May 2003 21:28:57 -0400 <![CDATA[Actually, dumbass...]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=48 ducks do eat acorns. My knowledge of duckness is sadly lacking.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=48 Fri, 9 May 2003 07:07:30 -0400 <![CDATA[Yeah, but do ducks actually eat acorns?]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=47
Why is it that nobody has ever told me about this site?

So much good stuff. My favorite is either "Swordsman" or "Bauns." Or maybe "Pocketful of Stars". With an honorable mention to "Chicken Wings".

While we're at it, the new Strong Bad is pretty good.]]> Web http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=47 Thu, 8 May 2003 22:33:18 -0400 <![CDATA[Man, can I ever NOT speak Japanese]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=46 This is pretty much exactly what I'm talking about.]]> Games http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=46 Mon, 5 May 2003 19:08:21 -0400 <![CDATA[You want a title? YOU GET NO TITLE!]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=45 Spirited Away DVD last night. Amazingly, I had to buy it at FYE (ick). Best Buy and Gamestop were both sold out and the Disney Store didn't seem to have it either. I can't verify that though, as I had to flee that fell place before Winnie the Pooh stripped the flesh from my bones.

Anyway. It'll be good to have a chance to revisit this very complex world. DVDs are good for that.

On a completely unrelated note: Does it strike anyone else that the trailer for "The Italian Job" is basically the entire plot of the movie in two minutes? I mean, seriously. I've seen this movie now. I have no desire to see it again for eight bucks. I think I'll just rent the original instead.]]> Movies http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=45 Sun, 4 May 2003 09:24:10 -0400 <![CDATA[Ok, Ian McKellan is now officially cooler than Christopher Lee. Your move, Mr. Lee!]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=44
Me? I liked it. Certainly the opening sequence is worth the price of admission. There wasn't a whole lot of breathing room in the movie... lots of characters, lots of action, maybe 2 seconds of development per character. This was especially shameful with Nightcrawler, particularly after they nailed his visual stylings with such startling virtuosity. But no, he likes God and he was in the circus and that's all you get folks, let's move on to... uh... fire-boy, or something.

Still, it was hella fun, and some of the action sequences were very well done. (notice I said some... there was one that actually really stank). I loved Ian McKellan as usual... what is it about old british men and cheesy but extravagantly cool bad guys? And actually, I really liked Jean Grey in this one, which was sort of a surprise.

And now, I go to turn into a giant metal man.

]]> Movies http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=44 Fri, 2 May 2003 22:50:12 -0400 <![CDATA[Crossfading? That's unBELIEVABLE!]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=43
I picked up this CD tonight on a random CD-buying impulse. Enjoying it so far.

You know, it's funny. I've always felt like I was really into a musical genre that I just hadn't found yet. I think I'm finally OK with the fact that I just like bands, and not genres. Or, make that CDs, even.

Ok, that's enough stupid introspection. I mean, I could go on all day. About how I can never seem to buy shoes, or my unnatural love for all things ginger, or...

I go now, hit head on rock.

]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=43 Thu, 1 May 2003 21:34:39 -0400 <![CDATA[My brain is FIRED!]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=42
About to read this book, mostly to see whether I find it interesting enough to dive back into the primary sources and/or more in-depth treatments.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=42 Wed, 30 Apr 2003 22:58:58 -0400 <![CDATA[The legal ramifications of sending small cities and states IOUs]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=41
Croquet was much fun, even if there wasn't actually any croquet-ing for us. Special thanks to everyone for making it and saying hi.

Currently playing NFL2K3. Very good game. Actually a real improvement over the DC versions I played. More on why when I can compose real sentences.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=41 Tue, 29 Apr 2003 22:23:24 -0400 <![CDATA[Cro-not so much]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=40
Uh, yeah. ]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=40 Sat, 26 Apr 2003 15:07:52 -0400 <![CDATA[Cro-kay!]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=39
If anyone would like to reach us while we are down, we are staying at the Days Inn on Riva Rd. Their phone n# is (410) 224-4317. We will hopefully be early enough to see Tim(and others?) on Friday.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=39 Thu, 24 Apr 2003 19:47:24 -0400 <![CDATA[My dogs appear to be missing. Hmm.]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=38 SETH!

Is everything aok with Croquet? When are you arriving in Annapolis? Share.

Liz and I are very not ready. But we will be there.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=38 Mon, 21 Apr 2003 18:32:59 -0400 <![CDATA[My darkness is like, big, or something. Blaaah!]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=37
Eternal Darkness is pleasing me thus far. It eliminates virtually all of the things that make me avoid Resident Evil and it's ilk. It has an interesting storyline (which hasn't actually gone much of anywhere thus far) and really, really, really pretty colors. Art design... GOOOOOOOOD.

Actually, it kind of reminds me of Seventh Guest, except you can cut zombies to bits. This is not a bad thing.
]]> Games http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=37 Mon, 21 Apr 2003 18:30:59 -0400 <![CDATA[All about the Triforce]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=36 Zelda today. All in all a good game... but not really a great game. Aside from the visual stylings, which were spectacular, the rest of the game seemed pretty standard. And the addition of additional plot-age actually came out really poorly. I have a suspicion that the "drowned world" elements of the setting were actually carried out much more successfully in Skies of Arcadia, but I'd have to play that again to be sure.

That, and: (I feel a rant coming on) the whole game was pretty (actually, make that really) easy except for one boss near the end of the game. This boss, who shall remain nameless, wasn't difficult because they brought the lightning and thunder to my little annoying elf. Oh no. This boss was difficult because they JUST REFUSED TO DIE. Oh, how I hate these bosses. The bosses that can't really do much damage to you, but still take 25 MINUTES TO KILL. The ultimate example of this in my limited experience was the "Sleeping Forces of Doom" boss in the Dreamcast Ecco game. I swear, I spent like 45 minutes killing that stupid thing, which did a grand total of almost zero damage to me.

For the record, Metroid Prime is still the Gamecube killer app. At least until I get welcomed back to the stage of history.]]> Games http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=36 Tue, 15 Apr 2003 22:37:31 -0400 <![CDATA[The world itself, in the end, shall be turned to a round cipher]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=35 Clark Ashton Smith, courtesy Lin Carter's excellent Ballantine Adult Fantasy series. (specifically, the Zothique anthology)

I'll tell you, the man has a language thing. I mean, if there's TOO much of a good thing, it will be found here. Still, it's wonderfully decadent entertainment, and in tasty bite-size chunks.

I have a real taste for post-scientific fantasy worlds. Just yesterday I was reading a cyberpunk novel and put it down with that "yeah, yeah, yeah" feeling you get when you're oversaturated with the conventions of a particular genre. But I haven't reached that point with Weird Fantasy(if that's what you want to call it), and you could hardly find a subgenre with more cliches.

Maybe it's the names. There's just something about Zul-Bha-Sair... :)]]> Bookage http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=35 Mon, 14 Apr 2003 21:34:51 -0400 <![CDATA[This time, HP doesn't stand for "hit points"]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=34 Hehehehe. Such a good idea.]]> Web http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=34 Mon, 14 Apr 2003 17:36:01 -0400 <![CDATA[You are not brought upon this world to GET IT!]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=33 Lo Pan.

And if you can't seem to find the man, maybe one of these might help.

Slow day today.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=33 Sun, 13 Apr 2003 21:56:42 -0400 <![CDATA[Uncanny!]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=32 review is yet another excellent example of a review that is both long and good. ]]> Games http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=32 Sat, 12 Apr 2003 16:12:02 -0400 <![CDATA[The horror]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=30
Quote of the day:

Andrew: So, are you heading for the cheatin' side of town?

Liz: Always!
]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=30 Sat, 12 Apr 2003 15:54:10 -0400 <![CDATA[Super mega test]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=29 blog software to the new "stable" version. Here's hoping!]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=29 Thu, 10 Apr 2003 22:17:29 -0400 <![CDATA[Delivery fatigue]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=28
I am now convinced that Animal Crossing was basically bad drugs. I had the same reaction to it as I did to Everquest: play non-stop for a month, stop playing for a day or so, never want to see it again. It's so bad that I don't even want to boot the game up to see how far gone my town is. Maybe I'll sell it and pick up Eternal Darkness.]]> Games http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=28 Thu, 10 Apr 2003 22:01:23 -0400 <![CDATA[Wow, the B5 Dreadnought is HUGE]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=27 I think the right word is... impressive. I mean, the right word could also be "crazed". But in a good way.

And while we're at it: in space, you will EAT your tea. And like it.(quicktime)

I suppose I should stop leeching off metafilter now.]]> Web http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=27 Thu, 10 Apr 2003 21:57:47 -0400 <![CDATA[Edutainment!]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=26 A map game. Good for learning the names of various countries in the part of the world that's on everyone's mind lately. I got the Middle East ones right, did okay on the African countries, and really crashed and burned on the -stans.]]> Web http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=26 Tue, 8 Apr 2003 21:51:34 -0400 <![CDATA["We've learned that the Greeks are, in fact, INSIDE the horse"]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=25 Great stuff, via The Agonist.]]> Web http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=25 Tue, 8 Apr 2003 17:54:53 -0400 <![CDATA[Surround my cranium with goodness]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=24 wondering about this... I prefer headphones to speakers, generally, and this looks like a good entry-level review of 'quality' cans.]]> Web http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=24 Mon, 7 Apr 2003 22:23:04 -0400 <![CDATA[Whooooops]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=23 were crazy and snarled and wacko, and I completely missed it at work. And now South Portland smells like an airport tarmac, only moreso.

Sounds like the local experts got it under control really quickly though, and limited the environmental damage. They seem quite competant, which is good to know.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=23 Mon, 7 Apr 2003 22:16:59 -0400 <![CDATA[Stupid progress of time!]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=22
We watched Harold and Maude and The Boondock Saints today. Yes, I realize that's kind of a unique combination. Harold and Maude lived up to its rep as a worthy cult classic. Boondock Saints... was just a mess. I mean, there were elements of the movie (namely, any scene with Willem Dafoe) that were fantastically great, but it also lost me every five minutes. Movies with no coherent tone really frustrate me.

I also caught up with the free Animatrix shorts. But I think I'll reserve my comments until the DVD comes out and I can see them all.

And now, I sleep for way too short a time. At least I don't have to work tomorrow.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=22 Sat, 5 Apr 2003 23:20:41 -0500 <![CDATA[Calipers, please]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=21 Perdido Street Station or The Book of the New Sun, but condensed into 220 pages or so. The main character at least starts out as totally unsympathetic, which is a bold choice and works better than I thought it would. And the idea of reading someone's character and history through a scientific study of their body geometry holds some initial promise.

Unfortunately, the book kind of falls apart towards the end, which is a shame. Part of me thinks that the length of the book was to blame... Ford has great economy of prose, but the generous detail so common in this sort of fiction is absent here. My main beef, though, is that the book is full of interesting ideas that just kind of hang there. I was expecting, I guess, an ending that would tie everything together, but instead I got something that just didn't really fit together with the rest of the book.

It should be noted that the book is actually the first third of a trilogy, which I was actually unaware of. I will keep a look out for the second book, Memoranda, because I'm interested to see where Ford goes after this one.

What next? I don't know, I'll have to peruse my shelf full of things I bought six months ago on the theory that I was going to read them immediately.]]> Bookage http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=21 Fri, 4 Apr 2003 22:40:25 -0500 <![CDATA[For pity's sake]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=20
WHY IS IT SNOWING?]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=20 Fri, 4 Apr 2003 22:26:29 -0500 <![CDATA[This one I can't even pronounce]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=19 The Physiognomy, by Jeffrey Ford. I'll let you know how THAT goes.]]> Bookage http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=19 Thu, 3 Apr 2003 21:27:31 -0500 <![CDATA[I went to college and I still can't spell that stupid word]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=18 QCD Player available. It has an unfortunate default skin but it is otherwise a very pleasant music player. And it doesn't suck your computer into it's evil, grinning, many-toothed maw like certain other music players.]]> Web http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=18 Wed, 2 Apr 2003 21:35:16 -0500 <![CDATA[Megaman = pain]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=17 Viewtiful Joe looks pretty sweet, but the initially promising PN03 is starting to look really, deeply stupid.

Come to think of it, Toastyfrog does a pretty good job explaining the phenomenon.]]> Games http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=17 Wed, 2 Apr 2003 21:22:18 -0500 <![CDATA[Of course we expected the tropical fish to die]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=16 This stuff is just brilliant. Thank you, bookfilter.

It's times like this when I remember that I'm really not as well-read as I'd like to think. I don't think anyone is anymore.]]> Bookage http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=16 Tue, 1 Apr 2003 22:14:38 -0500 <![CDATA[A few words from our unholy sponsor]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=15
ahem

1. I haven't defined all the various templates, just the ones that are used often. Because I'm lazy. So if you come upon something that looks weird, you may curse my sloth-like nature.

2. I have blog links in all of the various link categories over there on the right. Personal blogs are in "Locals", subject based blogs are in "World" or "Genre". There are also some things that are not blogs. There are plenty of things you can eat that aren't food!
]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=15 Tue, 1 Apr 2003 17:38:33 -0500 <![CDATA[High ideals and low morals]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=14 The Blue Star with a sharp stick in one hand. If I can wrestle it to the ground, I'll post a mini-review of the book in a few days.]]> Bookage http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=14 Mon, 31 Mar 2003 21:38:29 -0500 <![CDATA[Oh god, let a mountain of fire drop on me now]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=13
*actually no teeth gnashing, I really hate that sound*]]> Web http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=13 Mon, 31 Mar 2003 20:11:25 -0500 <![CDATA[sparkling crystalline]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=12 This is the coolest thing...

...that I have ever seen.]]> Web http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=12 Mon, 31 Mar 2003 20:04:03 -0500 <![CDATA["As for the villains, they want to annihilate civilization because it's empty of spirituality and blah, blah, blah"]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=11 Xenosaga and doubt I will (unless someone airdrops me a PS2). But I have to say, the reviews have been amusement enough.

To be fair, I know of several people who really like the game. So who knows. I think I made this blog entry just so I could use that title.]]> Games http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=11 Sun, 30 Mar 2003 21:15:26 -0500 <![CDATA[I have SO little faith]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=10
You know... I'm not sure, but I think this Zelda game just developed a plot. And continuity? What the hell is going on here?]]> Games http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=10 Sun, 30 Mar 2003 21:09:28 -0500 <![CDATA[You will FEAR my Deku Leaf, for it is Mighty]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=9
Most of the greatness of the game lies in the style choices. It's really quite similar to Ocarina of Time otherwise. Most of the (welcome) control changes are just to make the new controller work. There's different stuff to do along the way, but the gameplay is pretty familiar.

But oh, the style. The trick of this game is to pull off the cel-shaded, color-drenched cartoon world so effortlessly and thoroughly that it actually SURPASSES the style possible in a 2D Zelda. If the effect of Ocarina of Time was to bring the Zelda goodness to a 3D world, then the effect of this game is to bring the 2D back without losing any of the environment richness of the N64 games.

Ok, I'm being scary now. I stop.

But wait. Is Zelda even IN this game? I guess not. It's a bit confusing.]]> Games http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=9 Wed, 26 Mar 2003 22:36:45 -0500 <![CDATA[The Scotch Tape Effect]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=8
Personally, I think it's my latent telekinetic powers.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=8 Wed, 26 Mar 2003 22:16:48 -0500 <![CDATA[The Cutter of Grass Returns]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=7 GCN Zelda today. Initial impressions: it's very, very pretty. Gameplay is pretty similar to Ocarina of Time with some streamlining done (a good idea in my opinion.). It _is_ cute-sy, but in a really well-done way that doesn't make you feel like you're either five years old or being patronized. All in all, I think my Animal Crossing town may be in for a rough week.

This game got me thinking, actually, about what cel-shading really means. It struck me that Jet Grind Radio has cel-shading, and Zelda has cel-shading, but the techniques used in each game are radically different.

Went searching, and found a pretty good article on the subject. I think it basically boils down to color selection and lighting, and I think the technique probably has a lot more versatility than most people think.]]> Games http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=7 Tue, 25 Mar 2003 19:43:35 -0500 <![CDATA[The Internet is vast and beautiful]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=6 Behold. No, I really don't know either. But I kinda like it.]]> Web http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=6 Mon, 24 Mar 2003 21:03:11 -0500 <![CDATA[When the Miyazaki be rocking]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=5 The Academy chose "Spirited Away". I'd like to think Disney and Co. will try a little harder from now on, but I think they see the future in computers and not hand-drawn art. I will miss it.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=5 Sun, 23 Mar 2003 22:07:58 -0500 <![CDATA[We have the new boogie]]> http://selfnoise.net/blog/?itemid=4 Elizabeth, and harkens back to past obsessions with the color green. Now I just need to get her to learn style sheets and she will be UNSTOPPABLE I TELL YOU!

I just needed a change... I've felt like blogging a lot more lately, but I needed a clean start. Blogging encourages me to do stuff other than endlessly browsing (I know that sounds strange) so I'm motivated to keep on it.

The past few days have been really surreal. BBC/NPR on the radio all the time, frequent reading of Agonist, and a general sense of sadness.

I guess I don't really feel like saying much about the war. Both sides have degenerated to the point where the arguments are virtually indistinguishble from "X-Box rules, Gamecube drools!". I just hope the administration really intends to help these people. I don't know if they can, but they had damn well better try.

And now, if you'll excuse me, laundry awaits.]]> Misc http://selfnoise.net/blog/index.php?itemid=4 Sun, 23 Mar 2003 17:26:41 -0500