Below is a musical video montage of our Halloween season.
Enjoy!
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Halloween Hootenanny
A little late to post this but a few months back, my ex-neighbor, Tom decided to have a Halloween party at his place. I provided some imagination in terms of setting the scene and Tom brought the vision to life. The party was a huge success and, hopefully, the first of many.
Enjoy the low res video below...
Enjoy the low res video below...
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Activity Update
The Fall TV season is here and we're trying out "Fringe" and "Life on Mars". I'm not sure how long I can watch this much television...something must give (CSI, Heroes, House, Medium, Pushing Daisies, AOTS, Metalocalypse, ATHF...)
A picked up a library book a few weeks back: "The Revolution" by Ron Paul and finished it recently. I had never heard of Ron Paul and I'm not sure why I picked up this book but I'm amazed at how much of the book aligns with my thinking. Read Dr. Paul's views in the book and see if any of it speaks to you. I'm currently reading "House of Leaves" by Mark Z. Danielewski (a book that I started 8 years ago!) and, at the urging of a colleague, "The Communist Manifesto" by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels.
Also...!
After several months without D&D, we've started back up! Gone is Oblivion from the 4th edition; we're now immersed in Hackmaster (a derivative of 1st edition D&D) and I'm playing Kikkoman the Stout and Joyous (a Dwarvish Berserker)! His comrades are Trebelos (the young, meek, fearful wizard), Gunnar (the brash fighter), August Moon (the gender bending pixie-fairy rogue), and Libertine (a cleric that I don't know much about). I will post updates soon.
A picked up a library book a few weeks back: "The Revolution" by Ron Paul and finished it recently. I had never heard of Ron Paul and I'm not sure why I picked up this book but I'm amazed at how much of the book aligns with my thinking. Read Dr. Paul's views in the book and see if any of it speaks to you. I'm currently reading "House of Leaves" by Mark Z. Danielewski (a book that I started 8 years ago!) and, at the urging of a colleague, "The Communist Manifesto" by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels.
Also...!
After several months without D&D, we've started back up! Gone is Oblivion from the 4th edition; we're now immersed in Hackmaster (a derivative of 1st edition D&D) and I'm playing Kikkoman the Stout and Joyous (a Dwarvish Berserker)! His comrades are Trebelos (the young, meek, fearful wizard), Gunnar (the brash fighter), August Moon (the gender bending pixie-fairy rogue), and Libertine (a cleric that I don't know much about). I will post updates soon.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Who U Votin' For?
Who will be getting your vote?
I often answer this question (jokingly) with "I will vote for whomever Brian Williams and Charles Gibson tell me". This flip comment has me thinking...just as some folks may vote based on candidate personality or appearance, perhaps some vote based on the major network news party leanings?
Let's assume for a moment, this is a possibility. Does this mean that the network with the highest ratings influences more voters than other networks? Does this mean that because American Idol rules the ratings, that Fox News will sway voters one way or the other? Does Charlie Gibson influence the vote because Dancing with the Stars is a hit?
Interesting thought. Too bad I only watch The Cartoon Network. :)
I often answer this question (jokingly) with "I will vote for whomever Brian Williams and Charles Gibson tell me". This flip comment has me thinking...just as some folks may vote based on candidate personality or appearance, perhaps some vote based on the major network news party leanings?
Let's assume for a moment, this is a possibility. Does this mean that the network with the highest ratings influences more voters than other networks? Does this mean that because American Idol rules the ratings, that Fox News will sway voters one way or the other? Does Charlie Gibson influence the vote because Dancing with the Stars is a hit?
Interesting thought. Too bad I only watch The Cartoon Network. :)
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Don LaFontaine
Don LaFontaine passed away yesterday but no one has found the time to update his website.
There is this comment on the main page:
"When you die, the voice you hear in Heaven is not Don's. It's God trying to sound like God. I wish he'd quit his day job..." - Ashton Smith
What are we supposed to make of that?
There is this comment on the main page:
"When you die, the voice you hear in Heaven is not Don's. It's God trying to sound like God. I wish he'd quit his day job..." - Ashton Smith
What are we supposed to make of that?
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Apple: Big Brother?
The excellent 'Attack of the Show' on G4 reported that the Apple iPhone makes periodic calls back 'home' to Apple. This is reportedly to protect users by ensuring that no malware has been installed on the device. Sounds insidious to me.
It appears that Apple may have become the very thing they sought to destroy back in 1984. Remember this?
It appears that Apple may have become the very thing they sought to destroy back in 1984. Remember this?
Thursday, July 17, 2008
From Oblivion's Journal - Day Three
I awake with renewed energy and interest in ridding this town of its evil doers.
Gevarn shows us around Winterhaven and points out prominent persons, the dwarven smithy Thyler Coalstriker, the innkeeper Whosy Whatshisname, the Lord of the town Padrig, etcetera. One thing that's obvious upon initially entering the town limits is that Winterhaven is pitifully small; just the sort of place for an evil cult of Sharr to congregate.
In need of libation, we visit the inn's pub, called Raftins, and speak with several townsfolk there. Gordon talks with the local sage while I chat up a farmer who is a little too interested in the occult. I will need to keep an eye on that one. Bearwynn Wildervan encourages us to visit his shop for, what turns out to be, a limited selection of mediocre goods.
We decide to visit the temple of Chanti where we learn from Lady Lenora that there is no hard evidence of, nor information about a cult operating in the town. However she does tell us about Doven, an archeologist, who has been missing for a week. He was last seen heading to a dragon burial place. Given the kobolds we annihilated yesterday, we believe he ran into some trouble with them. She also tells us of shadowy, dark figures seen in the road at night that disappear into thin air. She also produces a black, obsidian dagger with the symbol of Sharr enscribed upon it. I take this from her as it could 'open doors' for us in the days ahead.
We decide to rent horses and travel out to the dragon burial place to investigate potential cult activity and determine what happened to Doven the archeologist. On the way, we stop by Bearwynn Wildervan's shop. I show him the dagger, ask if he's seen anything like it, and how much it's worth. He seems very interested and offers 100 gold but, as I think it may be more useful to us down the road, I keep it. He also tells us about the location of a cave hidden behind a waterfall that we may have interest in. We decide to take a gander after visiting the dragon burial grounds.
On our journey a group of kobolds attack! This group is better equipped than the last and have a magic-user with them. As Rhogar, Priest, Flax, and Phelix rush in to attack, Gordon and I focus on the magic-user. He kills Gordon's horse with an orb of acid and I turn him to a burning cinder. Flax takes a beating but Priest comes to his aid. This kobold slaughter yields 5 gold, 23 silver, and a necklace with the symbol of Sharr on it (obsidian disk with a ring of amethyst encircling it).
We arrive at the dragon burial grounds only to find Doven, a gnome, hailing us. "Come on down and join us" he says. There are several human workers and other creatures (drakes I believe) with him. Upon reaching the bottom of the excavation site, we realize we've been duped. A halfling appears at ground level and begins slinging projectiles at us. We also realize that the gnome is not Doven. Doven appears to be tied up under a blanket on the ground. Battle ensues and we are victorious as usual. We manage to keep the halfling alive so we can question him. There are some new interrogation techniques I'm eager to use on him.
Until next time...
Gevarn shows us around Winterhaven and points out prominent persons, the dwarven smithy Thyler Coalstriker, the innkeeper Whosy Whatshisname, the Lord of the town Padrig, etcetera. One thing that's obvious upon initially entering the town limits is that Winterhaven is pitifully small; just the sort of place for an evil cult of Sharr to congregate.
In need of libation, we visit the inn's pub, called Raftins, and speak with several townsfolk there. Gordon talks with the local sage while I chat up a farmer who is a little too interested in the occult. I will need to keep an eye on that one. Bearwynn Wildervan encourages us to visit his shop for, what turns out to be, a limited selection of mediocre goods.
We decide to visit the temple of Chanti where we learn from Lady Lenora that there is no hard evidence of, nor information about a cult operating in the town. However she does tell us about Doven, an archeologist, who has been missing for a week. He was last seen heading to a dragon burial place. Given the kobolds we annihilated yesterday, we believe he ran into some trouble with them. She also tells us of shadowy, dark figures seen in the road at night that disappear into thin air. She also produces a black, obsidian dagger with the symbol of Sharr enscribed upon it. I take this from her as it could 'open doors' for us in the days ahead.
We decide to rent horses and travel out to the dragon burial place to investigate potential cult activity and determine what happened to Doven the archeologist. On the way, we stop by Bearwynn Wildervan's shop. I show him the dagger, ask if he's seen anything like it, and how much it's worth. He seems very interested and offers 100 gold but, as I think it may be more useful to us down the road, I keep it. He also tells us about the location of a cave hidden behind a waterfall that we may have interest in. We decide to take a gander after visiting the dragon burial grounds.
On our journey a group of kobolds attack! This group is better equipped than the last and have a magic-user with them. As Rhogar, Priest, Flax, and Phelix rush in to attack, Gordon and I focus on the magic-user. He kills Gordon's horse with an orb of acid and I turn him to a burning cinder. Flax takes a beating but Priest comes to his aid. This kobold slaughter yields 5 gold, 23 silver, and a necklace with the symbol of Sharr on it (obsidian disk with a ring of amethyst encircling it).
We arrive at the dragon burial grounds only to find Doven, a gnome, hailing us. "Come on down and join us" he says. There are several human workers and other creatures (drakes I believe) with him. Upon reaching the bottom of the excavation site, we realize we've been duped. A halfling appears at ground level and begins slinging projectiles at us. We also realize that the gnome is not Doven. Doven appears to be tied up under a blanket on the ground. Battle ensues and we are victorious as usual. We manage to keep the halfling alive so we can question him. There are some new interrogation techniques I'm eager to use on him.
Until next time...
Monday, July 14, 2008
From Oblivion's Journal
Making my way to Cormyr by way of the Dales, I pick up the scent of a hanger-on that will do nicely to help me in my quest for the One. He calls himself Priest, a simple name for a simpleton cleric of nothing. He knows not whom he serves and thus, will ultimately worship Nod, Oblivion, the nameless One...me.
We quickly recruit others to serve my cause; twin Tieflings, one a trickster type named Flax, the other a shield for me named Phelix. These siblings know of others they met recently who aspire for greatness in Cormyr...Gordon, a supposed wielder of the arcane, time will tell if he shall prove worthy of serving under me, and a dragonborn reziatch named Rhogar.
It is quite apparent that these subjects are wise enough to know that their only chance at achieving greatness it by aligning with me.
Highmoon, DeepenDale, the capital city is fine enough for a stayover. We are enjoying a drink at the Guilded Lady on the North end when a group of ruffians strike up a nasty convo with another patron. Had they kept it quiet, I may not have noticed and not gotten involved...unfortunate for them.
Uncharacteristicly, I give them fair warning. They reply with much bravado but little skill and I dispatch them easily. The rotting meat known as Rhogar stands in place, stunned. No surprise to me as I've seen his kind hesitate in battle time and time again...I'm not quite sure from where his races' reputation surfaced.
The threatened patron, Gevarn, a priest of Chanti, submits his thanks and begs that I rid his town (Winterhaven) of a cult that has set up shop there. I agree to the mission and set out along the Eastway when a group of dragonshits attack. Using dark, Eldritch power, I vanquish the lowly squad of beasts easily. Rhogar serves his purpose well...drawing their fire and steel. This may be a good arrangement.
Through the Thunderpeaks, Winterhaven appears and I need to rest.
We quickly recruit others to serve my cause; twin Tieflings, one a trickster type named Flax, the other a shield for me named Phelix. These siblings know of others they met recently who aspire for greatness in Cormyr...Gordon, a supposed wielder of the arcane, time will tell if he shall prove worthy of serving under me, and a dragonborn reziatch named Rhogar.
It is quite apparent that these subjects are wise enough to know that their only chance at achieving greatness it by aligning with me.
Highmoon, DeepenDale, the capital city is fine enough for a stayover. We are enjoying a drink at the Guilded Lady on the North end when a group of ruffians strike up a nasty convo with another patron. Had they kept it quiet, I may not have noticed and not gotten involved...unfortunate for them.
Uncharacteristicly, I give them fair warning. They reply with much bravado but little skill and I dispatch them easily. The rotting meat known as Rhogar stands in place, stunned. No surprise to me as I've seen his kind hesitate in battle time and time again...I'm not quite sure from where his races' reputation surfaced.
The threatened patron, Gevarn, a priest of Chanti, submits his thanks and begs that I rid his town (Winterhaven) of a cult that has set up shop there. I agree to the mission and set out along the Eastway when a group of dragonshits attack. Using dark, Eldritch power, I vanquish the lowly squad of beasts easily. Rhogar serves his purpose well...drawing their fire and steel. This may be a good arrangement.
Through the Thunderpeaks, Winterhaven appears and I need to rest.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Out of Action
I've been sick, been busy, been out of town and haven't been able or really wanting to post. Plus Vista SP1 install went very badly...computer with no operating system for a week!
I'm trying to get back into the flow.
Started D&D 4th Edition this past Wednesday. May consider posting the journal of the nameless character I'm playing, a Tiefling Warlock. Keep checking back.
Here's a video of a little duckling I found.
I'm trying to get back into the flow.
Started D&D 4th Edition this past Wednesday. May consider posting the journal of the nameless character I'm playing, a Tiefling Warlock. Keep checking back.
Here's a video of a little duckling I found.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Progressive Nation '08
Opeth. AWESOME!
Three. AWESOME!
Dream Theater. AWESOME!
Headed down to the Fillmore in Miami Beach for a metal fix this past Friday. It's been a while since being thrashed at OzzFest but this one did the trick. Pete and I headed down 'round 6pm, blasted A Perfect Murder in the minivan, downed a few beers, purchased $11 shots, and rocked on.
The Fillmore was great, good sound (not so loud that the music becomes a haze of noise), clean bathrooms, and smoke-free. Unfortunately, the venue was so well soundproofed that we missed the first 10 minutes of THREE...you could not hear the bands from the concession/pitstop area. There were a few missteps along the way though (read on my brother).
Other than everyone wearing jeans and a black T, it was an odd crowd; lots of balding heads sitting down during the show. WTF? During THREEs' performance you'd have thunk we walked into dinner theatre. I was in the orchestra section, so maybe things were really different upstairs...maybe there was lots of moshin', slammin', and head bangin'.
Anyways, THREE put on a stellar show. I truly believe they caught some new fans; Pete included. After the show, Pete and I talked with the singer, Joey Eppard (pictured), about his influences and guitar playing style. We also provided some business advice (yeah right)...call up Sharon and Ozzy and get on the OzzFest tour! Check out http://www.theband3.com/.
In talking with Joey, we missed the second act - Between The Buried and Me. Oh well!
First and foremost, I dragged Pete to this show to see the third act, Opeth. It's not everyday that a Swedish progressive death metal band comes to Florida. Things livened up a bit during their set; you could actually see some people banging and grinding albeit sitting down. Their set was flawless from a musical standpoint; the stage curtain came down during their third song separating the guitarists from the drummer and keyboardist. Mikael pointed out "Who cares about them anyways?"After 20 minutes of near riot-inducing angst, Opeth reappeared to finish their set. Beautiful and flawless. Check out http://www.opeth.com/
The final act was Dream Theater and I was impressed. Not having heard anything by them prior to purchasing the tickets to this concert, I can now recommend them as excellent purveyors of metal. They utilize central themes to tie the songs together and their songs are epic (read LONG). The lights and cameras were saved for this act and, other than a sound/video misstep during the first track, looked good. They play very tight and their keyboardist gets a prominent role...mirroring the guitar solos, note for note, on the keys. Their homage to Super Mario Bros was really kewl too.
All in all, a crunchy good metal evening.
Later Alligator.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Nooblog
This being my first blog, I'm not sure what to expect from this. My initial goal was to simply upload video clips for friends and family to view. Now it's seems that I could use this to dump my brainRAM here for retrieval later.
What might I dump here? Oh, just the various tidbits of nonsensical nonsense; such as why do I dislike following pool cleaning trucks on the road? Is it because I have concern that the chemicals eating away their tailgates and hitches may be splashing onto and rusting out my car or maybe these chemicals will find their way into my air vents...slowly choking me with a mustard gas-type poison? Perhaps.
Signing off, checking out, falling down.
What might I dump here? Oh, just the various tidbits of nonsensical nonsense; such as why do I dislike following pool cleaning trucks on the road? Is it because I have concern that the chemicals eating away their tailgates and hitches may be splashing onto and rusting out my car or maybe these chemicals will find their way into my air vents...slowly choking me with a mustard gas-type poison? Perhaps.
Signing off, checking out, falling down.
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