Well, no completion to the tattoo yesterday.
We got up to EVT, and started to walk upstairs, and one of the guys downstairs asked if he could help us. I said I was getting work from Phil, and they said he wasn't in.
He tried to call me Sunday, but he didn't leave a message, so I didn't know he wasn't going to be there.
Bummer.
But we'll get back up there and get the burning "S" finished, and talk about the rest of the piece.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
Tenaya Rocks
And Saturday's climax was seeing "Tenaya Rocks!" at Stage Werx.
We walked from our favorite parking spot behind Kennedy's to Union Square, and watched the ice skaters before the show. Then we headed down Sutter, and went to the show.
Put on by Tenaya Hurst, the show was... well, I can only call it geology filk. Not that that is a bad thing. I think my favorites were the new lyrics to "Diamonds are a Girls Best Friend."
Tenaya was a thrill to watch and hear. Jennifer and a friend had been to see the show opening night, and we were lucky enough to get tickets for closing night.
The blending of science, songs, and sexuality went beyond what Jennifer had described to me. I thoroughly enjoyed myself, and will be tracking Tenaya in the future. I just wish I had been able to see the show sooner, so that I could have shared the good news and humor with some of the other geologists I know.
And I should say that none of the geology students at Sacramento, or Kentucky looked like her.
We walked from our favorite parking spot behind Kennedy's to Union Square, and watched the ice skaters before the show. Then we headed down Sutter, and went to the show.
Put on by Tenaya Hurst, the show was... well, I can only call it geology filk. Not that that is a bad thing. I think my favorites were the new lyrics to "Diamonds are a Girls Best Friend."
Tenaya was a thrill to watch and hear. Jennifer and a friend had been to see the show opening night, and we were lucky enough to get tickets for closing night.
The blending of science, songs, and sexuality went beyond what Jennifer had described to me. I thoroughly enjoyed myself, and will be tracking Tenaya in the future. I just wish I had been able to see the show sooner, so that I could have shared the good news and humor with some of the other geologists I know.
And I should say that none of the geology students at Sacramento, or Kentucky looked like her.
Pier 39 and the Wharf
Saturday, Jennifer and I spent the day in the city. We had tickets to a show Saturday night, and Jennifer had wanted to see the tree lighting ceremony at Pier 39.
And we killed most of the afternoon on the Pier. We got some Christmas shopping done, and enjoyed people watching.
The best bit was when we were taking a break in the hallway outside of the marine mammal center. In one window they have a complete skeleton of a male sea lion that died of natural causes. Two men who I can only describe as rednecks walked by, and paused at the window. As they moved on, one said to the other, "I didn't know they had bones."
I shit you not. Fortunately Jennifer and I were able to stifle our laughter until they left.
And then about 5:00, we headed to the front of the Pier for the lighting ceremony. I asked Jennifer about where she had seen the sign (hoping to check up on the time for the ceremony), and she said up near the street, and that it had said the ceremony was on the 23rd. I paused, and said, that's Sunday.
So we did see the lighting ceremony, but we did have a fun day.
It reminded me of when I was a little kid, and Pier 39 first opened. At the time it was so different. And it was one of the first places that they had the silver mylar helium balloons. They were so awesome .
And we killed most of the afternoon on the Pier. We got some Christmas shopping done, and enjoyed people watching.
The best bit was when we were taking a break in the hallway outside of the marine mammal center. In one window they have a complete skeleton of a male sea lion that died of natural causes. Two men who I can only describe as rednecks walked by, and paused at the window. As they moved on, one said to the other, "I didn't know they had bones."
I shit you not. Fortunately Jennifer and I were able to stifle our laughter until they left.
And then about 5:00, we headed to the front of the Pier for the lighting ceremony. I asked Jennifer about where she had seen the sign (hoping to check up on the time for the ceremony), and she said up near the street, and that it had said the ceremony was on the 23rd. I paused, and said, that's Sunday.
So we did see the lighting ceremony, but we did have a fun day.
It reminded me of when I was a little kid, and Pier 39 first opened. At the time it was so different. And it was one of the first places that they had the silver mylar helium balloons. They were so awesome .
Amazon Shipment
Friday I got my shipment from Amazon a business day early. This being Friday, a business day was three days early.
Inside was:
Inside was:
- Necronomicon Tarot which I had purchased as a replacement for the wrinkled set I bought at Mystic Dream (formerly Dolphin Dream) in Walnut Creek. The artwork is really cool, crossing Lovecraft and classic tarot imagery.
- Serenity Found which, as the cover says, is further essays on "Firefly" and "Serenity".
- Nation, Terry Pratchett's latest book. It's not part of Discworld (as far as I know), but his stuff is always great. I'm still finishing up The Hero of Ages, so Jennifer is getting first crack at this one.
- WALL-E, the three disc DVD. The third disc gives me an electronic version, which is all set to go on the iPod. I watched "BURN-E" first, and then WALL-E. It's really an amazing movie. I still can't believe the pull it has on my emotions. And not just for a robot, but for an animated robot.
Friday, November 21, 2008
See my tie curl?
Yesterday at work, I sent an e-mail to one of our regulators at the water board asking for an extension to a well installation report that is due in December.
Today my project manager asked me to call the regulator to make sure he had received my e-mail.
He wasn't in.
So I left a voice mail asking that he call me to let me know if he received my e-mail.
...
Now I wonder if I should send an e-mail to make sure he listens to his voice mail and gets my message asking him to call me and let me know if he got my e-mail asking for an extension.
I think my program manager needs to grow pointy hair.
Today my project manager asked me to call the regulator to make sure he had received my e-mail.
He wasn't in.
So I left a voice mail asking that he call me to let me know if he received my e-mail.
...
Now I wonder if I should send an e-mail to make sure he listens to his voice mail and gets my message asking him to call me and let me know if he got my e-mail asking for an extension.
I think my program manager needs to grow pointy hair.
Thaumatology woes
Yesterday my copy of GURPS Thaumatology arrived from Amazon...
Munched.
I know that things have been going around the Internet for the insane amount of packaging some products get. The 6 cubic foot box with three other boxes in it, plus bubble wrap and tissue paper for the 2 GB jump drive inside. But usually Amazon is good about shrink wrapping a book to a larger piece of cardboard so that the corner are protected.
Mine wasn't. I got the book, and three air pillows. Both bottom corners were round from the impacts of shipping.
Amazon is nice enough that they're sending me a replacement, and I printed out a free shipping label. I'll probably send it out once I get my replacement.
Munched.
I know that things have been going around the Internet for the insane amount of packaging some products get. The 6 cubic foot box with three other boxes in it, plus bubble wrap and tissue paper for the 2 GB jump drive inside. But usually Amazon is good about shrink wrapping a book to a larger piece of cardboard so that the corner are protected.
Mine wasn't. I got the book, and three air pillows. Both bottom corners were round from the impacts of shipping.
Amazon is nice enough that they're sending me a replacement, and I printed out a free shipping label. I'll probably send it out once I get my replacement.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Solace
Tuesday night, I took Dad to see "Quantum of Solace". We had a good time and enjoyed the movie.
There were even less gadgets than Casino Royale, but the GPS tracking business card was a cool touch.
My only complaint is that Dad and I both had never seen concrete burn quite so much.
There were even less gadgets than Casino Royale, but the GPS tracking business card was a cool touch.
My only complaint is that Dad and I both had never seen concrete burn quite so much.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Meh
John has thrown down another gauntlet.
So here's the news: "Meh" is now a word. Check the news.
It's a good word. I have of course heard it on "The Simpsons", but I'm thinking that I used to hear it in "Tiny Toon Adventures".
And the best place to find it is Something Positive.
So here's the news: "Meh" is now a word. Check the news.
It's a good word. I have of course heard it on "The Simpsons", but I'm thinking that I used to hear it in "Tiny Toon Adventures".
And the best place to find it is Something Positive.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Science and Science Fiction
I ran across these questions at All of My Faults Are Stress-Related, and thought I'd join in. there are two sets of questions which can be found here and here. I'm not really a science fiction writer, there is little science to what I write. However...
What is your relationship to science fiction? Do you read it? Watch it? What/who do you like and why?
I read science fiction, probably in a 2:3 ratio with fantasy. Fantasy has increased in recent years just because I haven't found many science fiction authors that excite me anymore. My first introduction to science fiction was H.G. Wells and The War of the Worlds. More Wells followed with The Time Machine and The Invisible Man. I've read others of his works, so I learned about cavorite, but none of the others really captured me like the big three.
A few years later the movie "Dune" came out, so I began on Frank Herbert. I read the Dune series, and a few of his other books, and was very depressed when he died. And then I found Robert Heinlein, and Job introduced me to the wide range of alternate realities. And then I found Larry Niven who has consistently remained my favorite for science fiction. Known Space keeps me coming back wishing for more.
As for watching science fiction, it's really difficult sometimes. I will refrain from naming the trinity of geology movie bastardizations. My favorites for science fiction are "Firefly"/"Serenity", "Eureka", and the lamented "Journeyman".
What do you see as science fiction's role in promoting science, if any? Can it do more than make people excited about science? Can it harm the cause of science?
I think good science fiction can interest children and adults into following a science education and career. The best example I can think of is "How William Shatner Changed the World". Additional examples can be found in Larry Niven's writings on the science fiction authors who were allowed to be present when the Voyagers passed Saturn. The combination of imagination and science can only help fields grow.
Have you used science fiction as a starting point to talk about science? Is it easier to talk about people doing it right or getting it wrong?
Every now and then I have been talking to people about science fiction books or stories, and we've segued into science discussions. Or I've used science fiction examples to expand on a point in a scientific discussion. Sometimes to extreme thoughts of science fiction can help set an upper bound for what people see as possible.
Are there any specific science or science fiction blogs you would recommend to interested readers or writers?
I'm not a big follower as yet of science blogs, but ones I do check out every day are Bad Astronomy, Astronomy Picture of the Day, and NASA's Image of the Day. For science fiction blogs, nothing I've seen yet comes close to io9. And to add a bit of a twist, XKCD is a great science webcomic, and Schlock Mercenary is a fun science fiction webcomic.
What is your relationship to science fiction? Do you read it? Watch it? What/who do you like and why?
I read science fiction, probably in a 2:3 ratio with fantasy. Fantasy has increased in recent years just because I haven't found many science fiction authors that excite me anymore. My first introduction to science fiction was H.G. Wells and The War of the Worlds. More Wells followed with The Time Machine and The Invisible Man. I've read others of his works, so I learned about cavorite, but none of the others really captured me like the big three.
A few years later the movie "Dune" came out, so I began on Frank Herbert. I read the Dune series, and a few of his other books, and was very depressed when he died. And then I found Robert Heinlein, and Job introduced me to the wide range of alternate realities. And then I found Larry Niven who has consistently remained my favorite for science fiction. Known Space keeps me coming back wishing for more.
As for watching science fiction, it's really difficult sometimes. I will refrain from naming the trinity of geology movie bastardizations. My favorites for science fiction are "Firefly"/"Serenity", "Eureka", and the lamented "Journeyman".
What do you see as science fiction's role in promoting science, if any? Can it do more than make people excited about science? Can it harm the cause of science?
I think good science fiction can interest children and adults into following a science education and career. The best example I can think of is "How William Shatner Changed the World". Additional examples can be found in Larry Niven's writings on the science fiction authors who were allowed to be present when the Voyagers passed Saturn. The combination of imagination and science can only help fields grow.
Have you used science fiction as a starting point to talk about science? Is it easier to talk about people doing it right or getting it wrong?
Every now and then I have been talking to people about science fiction books or stories, and we've segued into science discussions. Or I've used science fiction examples to expand on a point in a scientific discussion. Sometimes to extreme thoughts of science fiction can help set an upper bound for what people see as possible.
Are there any specific science or science fiction blogs you would recommend to interested readers or writers?
I'm not a big follower as yet of science blogs, but ones I do check out every day are Bad Astronomy, Astronomy Picture of the Day, and NASA's Image of the Day. For science fiction blogs, nothing I've seen yet comes close to io9. And to add a bit of a twist, XKCD is a great science webcomic, and Schlock Mercenary is a fun science fiction webcomic.
Sensory Flashback
I had a Coke today.
There was one in the break room up for grabs. So I grabbed. Normally, I'm a Pepsi guy, but free caffeine and all.
Also in the break room were brownie bites.
One sip of coke and a bit of the brownie, and suddenly I'm back in my junior year of high school in Maryland.
At the end of the school day, when I had been allowed to borrow the car and not take the bus, I would be able to hang around the band room, and chat with fiends. Outside of the band room were two vending machines: Coke and candy. And my typical after-school-at-school snack was a Coke and M&Ms.
So in my flashback, I can see my friends, and the band room. The white floor tiles. The hand rail that led to the back stage.
Strange times, and good times.
There was one in the break room up for grabs. So I grabbed. Normally, I'm a Pepsi guy, but free caffeine and all.
Also in the break room were brownie bites.
One sip of coke and a bit of the brownie, and suddenly I'm back in my junior year of high school in Maryland.
At the end of the school day, when I had been allowed to borrow the car and not take the bus, I would be able to hang around the band room, and chat with fiends. Outside of the band room were two vending machines: Coke and candy. And my typical after-school-at-school snack was a Coke and M&Ms.
So in my flashback, I can see my friends, and the band room. The white floor tiles. The hand rail that led to the back stage.
Strange times, and good times.
Engulf and Devour
Yesterday before going to the gym, I stopped by the library and picked up the last two TPB volumes of Y: The Last Man by Brian Vaughan.
Then I went home, and finished The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson. it was really a good book. I'm looking forward to Reading the third book now, and really eager to see how he writes and wraps up Robert Jordan's "Wheel of Time" series.
And then, since Jennifer was out, I read both volumes of Y.
I can say that I'm glad I read them, and I appreciate the closer, but some parts really didn't help the series. At least that's what I think.
Like the general of the Israeli army who is driving her soldiers to help her find Yorick (the last man), not so that she can get his DNA to revive the planet in kosher fashion. She feels that women are weak, those in her squad and across the world, and she wants to die in battle by the hands of a man.
She's that character in any post-apocalyptic/disaster movie, that just keeps coming, and you know is going to cause shit all through the story, and is never going to be redeemed. And it just pisses you off, because there's enough room in the story for so much more than just this relentless character.
I got to bed about 2 AM. I need a nap.
Then I went home, and finished The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson. it was really a good book. I'm looking forward to Reading the third book now, and really eager to see how he writes and wraps up Robert Jordan's "Wheel of Time" series.
And then, since Jennifer was out, I read both volumes of Y.
I can say that I'm glad I read them, and I appreciate the closer, but some parts really didn't help the series. At least that's what I think.
Like the general of the Israeli army who is driving her soldiers to help her find Yorick (the last man), not so that she can get his DNA to revive the planet in kosher fashion. She feels that women are weak, those in her squad and across the world, and she wants to die in battle by the hands of a man.
She's that character in any post-apocalyptic/disaster movie, that just keeps coming, and you know is going to cause shit all through the story, and is never going to be redeemed. And it just pisses you off, because there's enough room in the story for so much more than just this relentless character.
I got to bed about 2 AM. I need a nap.
You Have Got to be Kidding Me
They're doing it again. I am trying to come up with another word that has been bastardized as much a "Infrared" seems to be.
I saw a thing like this at Costco on Saturday. But I am freshly shocked at seeing it elsewhere.
I mean really? Infrared technology? Has someone patented a specific frequency of the EM spectrum in the infrared range?
I begin to wonder. Microwaves used to be called radar ranges. Now radar waves are right next to microwaves in the spectrum, so maybe it's not such a big thing. But the layman is pretty up on ultraviolet and X-rays. Some might even know that gamma rays were not invented my Marvel Comics, but are actually a higher frequency than X-rays.
But now infrared has become a technology. Yes, this cooker does use infrared, so it's not lying. But so do my stove, oven, frying pan, grill, blowtorch, dashboard, and carburetor.
I have gone off on this before, but now I start to wonder about things. Are there areas of science that I'm ignorant of whose words have had this done to them?
Does Oxyclean really clean with oxygen? Does an ozone filtration system really use ozone? Does my supplement really have iron or spirolina?
I'm not done; I just can't keep typing while shaking my head in amazed disillusion.
I saw a thing like this at Costco on Saturday. But I am freshly shocked at seeing it elsewhere.
I mean really? Infrared technology? Has someone patented a specific frequency of the EM spectrum in the infrared range?
I begin to wonder. Microwaves used to be called radar ranges. Now radar waves are right next to microwaves in the spectrum, so maybe it's not such a big thing. But the layman is pretty up on ultraviolet and X-rays. Some might even know that gamma rays were not invented my Marvel Comics, but are actually a higher frequency than X-rays.
But now infrared has become a technology. Yes, this cooker does use infrared, so it's not lying. But so do my stove, oven, frying pan, grill, blowtorch, dashboard, and carburetor.
I have gone off on this before, but now I start to wonder about things. Are there areas of science that I'm ignorant of whose words have had this done to them?
Does Oxyclean really clean with oxygen? Does an ozone filtration system really use ozone? Does my supplement really have iron or spirolina?
I'm not done; I just can't keep typing while shaking my head in amazed disillusion.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Random and Assorted Thoughts
I just got off the phone with Phil from EVT. He'd had a cancellation by his artist (he was going to get work done), and has an opening for the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. I'll go in and get the black done for the burning "S", and then we'll have time set aside for planning the future of the back piece. I'll bring artwork printouts, and talk about what I'd like in the future as far as ideas and such.
* * *
Saturday night Jennifer and I watched "Equilibrium" on DVD. That is an intense movie. It's fun and exciting. And it has the occasional levity as well. Very good
* * *
Got my comics on Saturday too. And some cool lead minis as well. I think the next time I'm unoccupied, I think I'll take some close-ups, and post them here.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Oink, Oink, Oink
Tonight Jennifer, Steve, John, and I went out and took a -=FNORD=- Cruise.
We opened the night with dinner at [REDACTED]. The scenery there was so-so.
Then we went to Pier 39, and at Dock (illegible) boarded our boat.
On board we met T____ and L____. They {Lost in Translation}, and then we did various other activities:
- The P... R...
- The W...C... R...
- P... S...
- L... B... R...
- and a G... - ... - G... S... S...
All with an open bar.
/sigh\
I’ll be in my bunk.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Philosophical Homophones
John threw down the gauntlet with this post this morning.
Now, the first thing I thought of was an old Bloom County Sunday strip which I will try to dig up and scan tonight. Milo (with Opus following behind) goes to a Lost and Found kiosk, and announces that he has lost his youthful idealism. He goes on a building tirade about other lost intangibles.
Then I went to Murphy's Law, Finagle Law (or Corollary), and others. My favorite has always been Clarke's Laws:
And also there is Cole's Law (thinly sliced cabbage).
Of course this all kind of falls flat when I say that I didn't shave today.
Now, the first thing I thought of was an old Bloom County Sunday strip which I will try to dig up and scan tonight. Milo (with Opus following behind) goes to a Lost and Found kiosk, and announces that he has lost his youthful idealism. He goes on a building tirade about other lost intangibles.
Then I went to Murphy's Law, Finagle Law (or Corollary), and others. My favorite has always been Clarke's Laws:
- When a distinguished but elderly scientist states that something is possible, he is almost certainly right. When he states that something is impossible, he is very probably wrong.
- The only way of discovering the limits of the possible is to venture a little way past them into the impossible.
- Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.
And also there is Cole's Law (thinly sliced cabbage).
Of course this all kind of falls flat when I say that I didn't shave today.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Worn out
Well, Ms. Baker never fails to entertain.
I finished The House of the Stag during lunch today. A bit of a long lunch, but I could not stop reading.
Each portion of the story is told so well, and has its own voice. I had to read through to see if it would end before I ran out of pages, or if it was to be a cliffhanger.
And I am not unsatisfied.
There is action, humor, and even some religious commentary.
A truly amazing book.
I finished The House of the Stag during lunch today. A bit of a long lunch, but I could not stop reading.
Each portion of the story is told so well, and has its own voice. I had to read through to see if it would end before I ran out of pages, or if it was to be a cliffhanger.
And I am not unsatisfied.
There is action, humor, and even some religious commentary.
A truly amazing book.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Time Travel and Fantasy
Sunday, while Jennifer was the the Raiders' game, I spent most of the day reading.
I finished The Accidental Time Machine by Joe Haldeman. It was very engaging for the first two thirds of the book. Imagine a time machine that can only go forward (preserving all the pesky laws of conservation and such), and each time travels approximately 12 times farther each jump.
So first jump, 1 second. Second jump 12 seconds. Third jump 144 seconds. And so on.
Matthew quickly learns how to get things to travel with the machine, and later begins his jumps through time.
The hand-waving kind of ending with what seemed like a quick summary of events went by too quickly, and left me unsatisfied.
But now I am on to The House of the Stag by Kage Baker, which is a prequel of her Anvil of the World. Kage Baker's style of writing captivates me. Mother Aegypt, a collection of short stories, was the first thing I read by her, and her language and skill made me want more.
I'm already halfway through this latest book, and then I will get back to (and hopefully finish) The Well of Ascension, before picking up Paul of Dune at the library.
I finished The Accidental Time Machine by Joe Haldeman. It was very engaging for the first two thirds of the book. Imagine a time machine that can only go forward (preserving all the pesky laws of conservation and such), and each time travels approximately 12 times farther each jump.
So first jump, 1 second. Second jump 12 seconds. Third jump 144 seconds. And so on.
Matthew quickly learns how to get things to travel with the machine, and later begins his jumps through time.
The hand-waving kind of ending with what seemed like a quick summary of events went by too quickly, and left me unsatisfied.
But now I am on to The House of the Stag by Kage Baker, which is a prequel of her Anvil of the World. Kage Baker's style of writing captivates me. Mother Aegypt, a collection of short stories, was the first thing I read by her, and her language and skill made me want more.
I'm already halfway through this latest book, and then I will get back to (and hopefully finish) The Well of Ascension, before picking up Paul of Dune at the library.
Movie Night
Friday, Jennifer and I ran a few errands, and then came home and watched "The Fall".
I put this in the ol' Netflix queue from a recommendation from some web page as it was described as "The Princess Bride" for adults. Now, first off I thought "The Princess Bride" was already for adults.
However, the movie is amazingly stunning and entertaining. It does have a bit of "The Princess Bride" as it is a man telling a story to a little girl. But there is also some of "The Wizard of Oz" as she populates the story with people that she knows. The vividness of colors in her imagination bring to mind "Hero. And the seemingly random gathering of the Blue Bandit and his cohorts brings to mind "The Adventures of Baron Munchausen".
And yet while watching the movie, it did not seem derivative at all. It was highly entertaining and enjoyable.
I put this in the ol' Netflix queue from a recommendation from some web page as it was described as "The Princess Bride" for adults. Now, first off I thought "The Princess Bride" was already for adults.
However, the movie is amazingly stunning and entertaining. It does have a bit of "The Princess Bride" as it is a man telling a story to a little girl. But there is also some of "The Wizard of Oz" as she populates the story with people that she knows. The vividness of colors in her imagination bring to mind "Hero. And the seemingly random gathering of the Blue Bandit and his cohorts brings to mind "The Adventures of Baron Munchausen".
And yet while watching the movie, it did not seem derivative at all. It was highly entertaining and enjoyable.
Caramel and Silk Ivy
Saturday morning, I was explaining to Jennifer the setup for the game. The characters are in ruins in the middle of an old forest. For best imagery, picture Angkor Wat. I showed her the "ruins" created with caramels, and said I'd tried to used the "barbed wire" decoration from the party. She then suggested we run to Michael's for ivy.
And we found some.
As well as some small, slightly flattened, glass beads of varying colors. And some plastic gems.
The colored beads we use to indicate things like spell area effects, clouds, and fire (to name a few). I got some fiery red, lightning blue, and amber beads, and some crystal clear gems. I only used the fire, but the rest are going to come in handy as well in the future. Especially the water blue and poison green beads I got on Sunday when I bought little organza bags to put them all in.
And the caramels were perfect to indicate cyclopean blocks of stone.
Finally, props to Steve for passing around his pictures from his recent visit to Angkor. And I swear that I had the idea for the appearance before he told us where he had gone.
And we found some.
As well as some small, slightly flattened, glass beads of varying colors. And some plastic gems.
The colored beads we use to indicate things like spell area effects, clouds, and fire (to name a few). I got some fiery red, lightning blue, and amber beads, and some crystal clear gems. I only used the fire, but the rest are going to come in handy as well in the future. Especially the water blue and poison green beads I got on Sunday when I bought little organza bags to put them all in.
And the caramels were perfect to indicate cyclopean blocks of stone.
Finally, props to Steve for passing around his pictures from his recent visit to Angkor. And I swear that I had the idea for the appearance before he told us where he had gone.
Sunday, November 09, 2008
Friday, November 07, 2008
She loves me...
Jennifer and I have done lunch twice this week.
Wednesday, brought home DeVino's and we watched Sarah Connor together.
Today, she called and asked she could take me out for lunch. I was torn, because I'm in the middle of a really good book I got at the library (yeah, I need to change the What I'm Reading box), but she offered me fish and chips, so I said yes.
And when she came to pick me up she had a half pound of See's Candies dark chocolate butter chews. That's 32 cubes of chewy, sugary, chocolate goodness.
Nummy, nummy.
Wednesday, brought home DeVino's and we watched Sarah Connor together.
Today, she called and asked she could take me out for lunch. I was torn, because I'm in the middle of a really good book I got at the library (yeah, I need to change the What I'm Reading box), but she offered me fish and chips, so I said yes.
And when she came to pick me up she had a half pound of See's Candies dark chocolate butter chews. That's 32 cubes of chewy, sugary, chocolate goodness.
Nummy, nummy.
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Porno... kind of
last night, Jennifer surprised me by saying that there was a 7:00 showing of "Zack and Miri Make a Porno".
It was nice and funny. In my mind not as good as the Jersey Chronicles, but still 4 out of 5 stars.
Elizabeth Banks and Seth Rogan are fun to watch, and the rest of cast are really good.
I heartily recommend it.
It was nice and funny. In my mind not as good as the Jersey Chronicles, but still 4 out of 5 stars.
Elizabeth Banks and Seth Rogan are fun to watch, and the rest of cast are really good.
I heartily recommend it.
Monday, November 03, 2008
You have been warned...
Hello my name is Erik, and I'm a comic book fan.
I have been reading comics for most of my life, and mom considers a contributing factor in the speed of my learning to read. I used to have a grocery bag of comics that had been given to me by a friend of Dad's who used to run a drug store. They had the titles ripped off because they had not sold, but I read them all. I had Archie, Batman, Superman, Spider-Man, Mickey Mouse, even others.
Comic books fascinated me, and in conjunction with the Super Friends cartoon, I always wanted more. Then there was the Spider-Man cartoon, and "Superman: The Movie". I read all the books I could find at the library, and became adept at the alter egos and origins of everyone.
But slowly things became polarized. I didn't enjoy Marvel like I did DC comics. As a kid there was no X-Man or Avengers animated series, and so the DC heroes were the ones I liked the best. Spider-Man was still cool, but none of the other Marvel heroes really hooked me.
Then it is 1985, and I discover that the local book/magazine shop is carrying comics in the back. That was when it started: the real collecting. The year 1985 was DC's 50th anniversary, usually measured from the first Superman comic, but there were a few other heroes who didn't quite last that came before him. And for the anniversary, DC had decided it was going to clean-up its continuity in a year long Maxi-Series. Two primary points in the Crisis on Infinite Earths was that Barry Allen as The Flash and Kara Zor-El as Supergirl died. Dead, gone, it's new continuity. I felt for the heroes with Barry's death, but Supergirl's sacrifice actually made me cry, and I can still get in touch with that feeling when I re-read the tale.
That meant lots of crossovers and an introduction to many new heroes. Moving to Maryland the next year nearly cut me off, but I found a small drug store that carried the mainstream books, but I was still missing out. I saw ads for The Dark Knight Returns and wanted to get it, but could never find it. And there were the occasional ones that sold out, and I never found.
Maryland was also where I saw my first real comic book store. It was little more than a booth in Baltimore's Inner Harbor (designed by the same guy who did San Francisco's Pier 39), but it had back issues. Oh, the wonder of first seeing long boxes of bagged and boarded books.
Then we moved to California, and I quickly found a tiny comic shop, that was unsatisfying, but then I found Land of Nevawuz (LoN). Sadly, LoN is no more, but that became my regular weekly hangout for the new books. And there I picked up issue number one of the Wally West as the Flash series. The Flash was always one of my favorite heroes. The running fast without getting tired, and the vibrational associated powers amazed me as a kid. He was a regular in the 70s "Super Friends" series, but like Green Lantern appeared occasionally as a supporting cast. I had read about Barry Allen dying, and had some of the back-issues, but Wally sounded interesting. Wally West as The Flash quickly (sorry) became a favorite. He grew, he changed, and he became more powerful. He even fell in love and got married. Linda Park became his anchor, and that was powerful for me.
Soon DC killed off (kind of) Hal Jordan as Green Lantern, and replaced him with Kyle Rayner. And this was cool too. Hal was okay, but It was great to experience someone learning the ring.
But eventually, the outcry was too much and they brought back Hal Jordan. And while DC kept Kyle he has been shunted aside, and I got bummed.
It seemed that everyone could come back from the dead for a while in the DC universe. Even Superman. But you could count of six major players to remain dead: Barry Allen, Kara Zor-El, Jor-El and Lara, and Martha and Thomas Wayne. Before the Superman re-boot there were eight with Jonathan and Martha Kent, but they were made not-dead through not having died in continuity, one of the few things I can thank John Byrne for. And I could accept that.
A few years ago, DC reintroduced Kara Zor-El, and now we have a teenage Supergirl. I was able to accept this also as she wasn't replaced (that had been a weak series then DC tried that), but simple introduced for the first time in this new single Earth.
But still Barry Allen was dead. Wally was safe.
Recently, DC in Final Crisis brought back Barry Allen from being trapped in the Speed Force (or maybe it's the Time Stream, I'm still not sure), and essentially nerfed Wall West by making him unable to break the speed of sound like he was as a teenager. And while he is still a hero, and they have future plans for him, I am depressed.
The story writers say they brought back Barry because they loved him as a kid. But you didn't see the guys who wrote the old JSA crying because Barry had replaced Jay Garrick (the Flash from WWII).
DC says there will be a future tale dealing with Wally. I can only hope they do him justice (sorry), and ... I don't know, just leave him with his dignity.
Hello my name is Erik, and I'm a comic book fan.
Oh, and you don't want to know how much I spend every month on comics.
Really.
Don't even ask.
I have been reading comics for most of my life, and mom considers a contributing factor in the speed of my learning to read. I used to have a grocery bag of comics that had been given to me by a friend of Dad's who used to run a drug store. They had the titles ripped off because they had not sold, but I read them all. I had Archie, Batman, Superman, Spider-Man, Mickey Mouse, even others.
Comic books fascinated me, and in conjunction with the Super Friends cartoon, I always wanted more. Then there was the Spider-Man cartoon, and "Superman: The Movie". I read all the books I could find at the library, and became adept at the alter egos and origins of everyone.
But slowly things became polarized. I didn't enjoy Marvel like I did DC comics. As a kid there was no X-Man or Avengers animated series, and so the DC heroes were the ones I liked the best. Spider-Man was still cool, but none of the other Marvel heroes really hooked me.
Then it is 1985, and I discover that the local book/magazine shop is carrying comics in the back. That was when it started: the real collecting. The year 1985 was DC's 50th anniversary, usually measured from the first Superman comic, but there were a few other heroes who didn't quite last that came before him. And for the anniversary, DC had decided it was going to clean-up its continuity in a year long Maxi-Series. Two primary points in the Crisis on Infinite Earths was that Barry Allen as The Flash and Kara Zor-El as Supergirl died. Dead, gone, it's new continuity. I felt for the heroes with Barry's death, but Supergirl's sacrifice actually made me cry, and I can still get in touch with that feeling when I re-read the tale.
That meant lots of crossovers and an introduction to many new heroes. Moving to Maryland the next year nearly cut me off, but I found a small drug store that carried the mainstream books, but I was still missing out. I saw ads for The Dark Knight Returns and wanted to get it, but could never find it. And there were the occasional ones that sold out, and I never found.
Maryland was also where I saw my first real comic book store. It was little more than a booth in Baltimore's Inner Harbor (designed by the same guy who did San Francisco's Pier 39), but it had back issues. Oh, the wonder of first seeing long boxes of bagged and boarded books.
Then we moved to California, and I quickly found a tiny comic shop, that was unsatisfying, but then I found Land of Nevawuz (LoN). Sadly, LoN is no more, but that became my regular weekly hangout for the new books. And there I picked up issue number one of the Wally West as the Flash series. The Flash was always one of my favorite heroes. The running fast without getting tired, and the vibrational associated powers amazed me as a kid. He was a regular in the 70s "Super Friends" series, but like Green Lantern appeared occasionally as a supporting cast. I had read about Barry Allen dying, and had some of the back-issues, but Wally sounded interesting. Wally West as The Flash quickly (sorry) became a favorite. He grew, he changed, and he became more powerful. He even fell in love and got married. Linda Park became his anchor, and that was powerful for me.
Soon DC killed off (kind of) Hal Jordan as Green Lantern, and replaced him with Kyle Rayner. And this was cool too. Hal was okay, but It was great to experience someone learning the ring.
But eventually, the outcry was too much and they brought back Hal Jordan. And while DC kept Kyle he has been shunted aside, and I got bummed.
It seemed that everyone could come back from the dead for a while in the DC universe. Even Superman. But you could count of six major players to remain dead: Barry Allen, Kara Zor-El, Jor-El and Lara, and Martha and Thomas Wayne. Before the Superman re-boot there were eight with Jonathan and Martha Kent, but they were made not-dead through not having died in continuity, one of the few things I can thank John Byrne for. And I could accept that.
A few years ago, DC reintroduced Kara Zor-El, and now we have a teenage Supergirl. I was able to accept this also as she wasn't replaced (that had been a weak series then DC tried that), but simple introduced for the first time in this new single Earth.
But still Barry Allen was dead. Wally was safe.
Recently, DC in Final Crisis brought back Barry Allen from being trapped in the Speed Force (or maybe it's the Time Stream, I'm still not sure), and essentially nerfed Wall West by making him unable to break the speed of sound like he was as a teenager. And while he is still a hero, and they have future plans for him, I am depressed.
The story writers say they brought back Barry because they loved him as a kid. But you didn't see the guys who wrote the old JSA crying because Barry had replaced Jay Garrick (the Flash from WWII).
DC says there will be a future tale dealing with Wally. I can only hope they do him justice (sorry), and ... I don't know, just leave him with his dignity.
Hello my name is Erik, and I'm a comic book fan.
Oh, and you don't want to know how much I spend every month on comics.
Really.
Don't even ask.
Sunday night
Once we got back from the football game, there was a feeling around the house of Sundays before returning to school. There was just a thick feeling of "SCHOOL NIGHT", but there was still so much light left with things to do.
I checked the hours left at Fantasy Books and Games, and seeing they were open until 7:00, I got in the car and drove down to get two weeks' worth of comic books. This includes the new Joker hard cover which I'll describe when I get a chance. One of the nice things about Saturday was that John brought the second book of Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn trilogy (and today he told me the third book is coming from him this coming Saturday) and the third book in Greg Keyes' Kingdoms of Thorn and Bone series. I'm not needing the library for a while.
The thing that amazes me is the speed with which some people on the net read their comics. Granted they're reviewing the books for their blogs. Intensely reviewing. I'm just reading them for enjoyment. I've considered reviewing things more officially, but I can't quite get into it. But anyway,these people post pictures of from the books, and I almost have to skip the posts when I haven't read the books yet.
And Sunday night, I finished Mistborn. It was a fun read with good tension, exciting twists, and very little predictability. John told me, and you can see for yourself, on Sanderson's site that he is writing the conclusion to Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series. After reading this first book, and John's continued (never waning) raving (truly, raving) about the trilogy, I look forward to strong ending of the Wheel of Time. Of course the Wheel never stops turning, but you get the idea.
I checked the hours left at Fantasy Books and Games, and seeing they were open until 7:00, I got in the car and drove down to get two weeks' worth of comic books. This includes the new Joker hard cover which I'll describe when I get a chance. One of the nice things about Saturday was that John brought the second book of Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn trilogy (and today he told me the third book is coming from him this coming Saturday) and the third book in Greg Keyes' Kingdoms of Thorn and Bone series. I'm not needing the library for a while.
The thing that amazes me is the speed with which some people on the net read their comics. Granted they're reviewing the books for their blogs. Intensely reviewing. I'm just reading them for enjoyment. I've considered reviewing things more officially, but I can't quite get into it. But anyway,these people post pictures of from the books, and I almost have to skip the posts when I haven't read the books yet.
And Sunday night, I finished Mistborn. It was a fun read with good tension, exciting twists, and very little predictability. John told me, and you can see for yourself, on Sanderson's site that he is writing the conclusion to Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series. After reading this first book, and John's continued (never waning) raving (truly, raving) about the trilogy, I look forward to strong ending of the Wheel of Time. Of course the Wheel never stops turning, but you get the idea.
Sunday! Sunday! Sunday!
Saturday night as we were cleaning up, I told Jennifer that we weren't going to be watching football, because we were going to go see "Zack and Miri Make a Porno". So we got ready for a movie time of 11:25 at the Pleasant Hill Century, and left early to go by the Raider Image store nearby since it was going out of business, and Jennifer is going to the Raiders-Panthers next week.
While she was fingering one of the sweatshirts, Art Thom came up and asked us if we were going to the game. Yes, that Art Thom. Jennifer said she was going next week, and he asked if we wanted to go today. She asked where, and he said 50 Yard line, 27th row. She asked how much, and he said face value. She looked at me, and then turned to him and said yes.
So we went to the Raiders game. The seats were amazing, and it having been almost 15 years since I've marched on a football field, I was amazed how small the field actually was.
And they got slaughtered 24-0.
While she was fingering one of the sweatshirts, Art Thom came up and asked us if we were going to the game. Yes, that Art Thom. Jennifer said she was going next week, and he asked if we wanted to go today. She asked where, and he said 50 Yard line, 27th row. She asked how much, and he said face value. She looked at me, and then turned to him and said yes.
So we went to the Raiders game. The seats were amazing, and it having been almost 15 years since I've marched on a football field, I was amazed how small the field actually was.
And they got slaughtered 24-0.
P-A-R-T-Y!
Oh, the costumes we had. I was St. Peter in a way that I really thought more people would get. Jennifer was the Holy Ghost inspired by Eddie Izzard.
As for saints, we had St. Pauli (Girl), St. Stephen (stoned to death), Should-be-a-Saint Mother Teresa, and St. Deborah (from Judges).
Other puns we had were the Holly Ghost... Space Ghost... The "Say Ain't" Couple...
Rounding out the roll call we had two angels, a blinged out monk, a Monty Python style Spanish Inquisitor, a death (darth?) monk, Titania, and Hera/Aphrodite.
And the Dread Pirate Roberts. Not me, just Jack.
And Mike and Nick without costumes.
And I forgot my jump drive with pictures at home, so I'll post those tonight.
As for saints, we had St. Pauli (Girl), St. Stephen (stoned to death), Should-be-a-Saint Mother Teresa, and St. Deborah (from Judges).
Other puns we had were the Holly Ghost... Space Ghost... The "Say Ain't" Couple...
Rounding out the roll call we had two angels, a blinged out monk, a Monty Python style Spanish Inquisitor, a death (darth?) monk, Titania, and Hera/Aphrodite.
And the Dread Pirate Roberts. Not me, just Jack.
And Mike and Nick without costumes.
And I forgot my jump drive with pictures at home, so I'll post those tonight.
This is just between you and me, smashed hat...
Oh my, what a weekend.
We can continue with Friday where I dressed as Westley, the Dread Pirate Roberts. I got a wide range of comments from "Zorro!" to "You look like that guy; you know, from that movie." Essentially, no one really got the costume except for the few real geeks in the office. So I didn't win the contest, but I looked damn good.
After work, I had a haircut, and then went home and changed, and went to the gym. I got home about 7:00, and just sat down and watched "Smallville." I kept the porch light off, and only got one ring at the doorbell. I'm sure because they saw lights inside, but "No Porch Light = No Candy". I learned that at an young age. And yes, I am torn by my feelings for "Smallville" and this comic sums it up best.
Saturday morning was for shopping for the party. I was at Costco when they opened at 9:30 to get alcohol and a few other things (like roses for Jennifer). Then I went home and unpacked those bits, and waited for noon to come around. At noon I headed over to Safeway where I had ordered food trays of cold cuts, chicken, and sushi. And after getting everything into the fridges and finally prepared, I had almost five hours to kill.
It was a very relaxing time before the party. I wish it could have been like that for all of my parents' parties growign up. There was always so much stress the entire day (and a few previous) before hand. It kind of helped to have done all of the decorating Thursday night.
And then it was party time...
We can continue with Friday where I dressed as Westley, the Dread Pirate Roberts. I got a wide range of comments from "Zorro!" to "You look like that guy; you know, from that movie." Essentially, no one really got the costume except for the few real geeks in the office. So I didn't win the contest, but I looked damn good.
After work, I had a haircut, and then went home and changed, and went to the gym. I got home about 7:00, and just sat down and watched "Smallville." I kept the porch light off, and only got one ring at the doorbell. I'm sure because they saw lights inside, but "No Porch Light = No Candy". I learned that at an young age. And yes, I am torn by my feelings for "Smallville" and this comic sums it up best.
Saturday morning was for shopping for the party. I was at Costco when they opened at 9:30 to get alcohol and a few other things (like roses for Jennifer). Then I went home and unpacked those bits, and waited for noon to come around. At noon I headed over to Safeway where I had ordered food trays of cold cuts, chicken, and sushi. And after getting everything into the fridges and finally prepared, I had almost five hours to kill.
It was a very relaxing time before the party. I wish it could have been like that for all of my parents' parties growign up. There was always so much stress the entire day (and a few previous) before hand. It kind of helped to have done all of the decorating Thursday night.
And then it was party time...
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