Not dead, just in the middle of the worst proxy season yet. If I'm lucky, it will end two to three weeks from now.
A quick update though:
- In July the Web site will have a huge overhaul with sizable increases in video and audio.
- I'm completely enthralled with the Gunslinger Girl series.
- Dropped about ten pounds, then gained five.
- In June Maggie and I are going to Manila, then Tokyo for about a month.
- Otakon and DragonCon are creeping ever closer.
Must sleep.
kittens,
Ed
Ed
Thanks again everyone for coming out!
Ed
I've been trying my hand at cooking recently with moderate results. The last batch of sausages I touched looked pretty offensive when all was said and done. The kielbasa and cabbage I cooked last week had its charm, but wasn't salty enough. The cod pictured above was my first success, I think and gives me hope for all food-kind. It was cooked evenly and had little flavor, but I expected that from the whitefish. The rub was a good off-the-shelf McCormack's lemon pepper sauce that mostly burned off on the grill.
I'm going to try pork next week. Truth be told I love my mom's baked and salty recipe, but I'm in the grilling mood at the moment.
Ed
The company finally went public on Friday, which resulted in a surreal day. People were buzzing around the news of a 30% increase on day one, and also the four cases of "help yourself, I'm trying to get rid of them" Bawls in the kitchen. Ever have one of those days where you feel like you got a lot done, yet nothing accomplished? That was Friday.
Kittens,
Ed
http://www.lasagnacat.com/FinalFantasy.mov
I've been updating my new Zune and it has forced me to look at my music collection, for better or worse. Since I tend to leave New Year resolution lists in smoldering heaps behind me, I decided to make a top 30 list of my favorite songs instead. They're harder to come up with, yet easier to maintain.
Many of these songs may not be my total favorite by the given artist, but what fun can you have reading another 'Stairway To Heaven is number 1' countdown. Also, I tried to pick only one song per band or else this would become the Led Zeppelin/Iron Maiden listravaganza.
In no order:
Album: dope/revenge
Song: go! go! vietnam
This is pretty much my favorite non-canonical band at the moment for many reasons. I'm aware that most of these songs are inside jokes I'll never get, but you can get the gist of it and music is second to none.
Artist: Stephen Rippy, Kevin McMullan (Ensemble Studios)
Album: Age of Mythology
Song: Adult Swim
Rippy and McMullan have made the already spectacular "Age of..." games even more addictive. In fact, It was this was the first game where I took notice of the soundtrack as something I would listen to on my own outside of the game. In the end, I may have listened to this album more than any other on this list.
Album: Greatest Hits
Song: I'm Gonna Love You A Little More, Baby
It's Barry at his best. Moaning, seducing, foreplay...
Album: ...And Justice For All
Song: Harvester of Sorrow
Probably the best album of all time. It was a close call over "To Live Is To Die" and "Blackened", but I think Harvester has a little bit of everything that makes this one so good.
Album: IV
Song: When The Levee Breaks
I bet most people thought of this album when I said that And Justice For All was the greatest of all time. IV has some HoF songs that...wait a minute, you already know how this album rocks, so I'll shut up.
Album: White Album
Song: Blackbird
Always reminds me of my Uncle Dave on his guitar (no sad story; he's still rockin'). Very lyrical, innocent, and beautiful.
Album: Best of Bowie
Song: Suffragette City
Bowie's best out and out rock song never lets up.
Album: Black Holes & Revelations
Song: Map of the Problematique
I'm new to Muse (thanks Trevor and MCR). If you have to sound like anyone, you can't go wrong with Radiohead.
Album: I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love
Song: Our Lady of Sorrows
As much as I love their newer stuff, this one sticks out like a rough indie work.
Album: Greatest Hits
Song: More Than A Feeling
If it works for Carl, it works for me.
Album: Comin' From Where I'm From
Song: Comin' From Where I'm From
Great gritty and commanding voice. An honest song.
Album: Daylight
Song: On Her Mind
Not really representative of the rest of his work, but it's a good blend of his lighter and dark sides. Check out any of his albums, but avoid Phantom Moon.
Album: Greatest Hits
Song: War Pigs
Ozzy did a good job, but he's no Nick Tsocanos
Album: Greatest Hits
Song: Barracuda
Screw you. The song rocks.
Album: Greatest Hits
Song: 25 Or 6 to 4
I don't know why I like Chicago.
Album: Greatest Hits
Song: Jane
With Grace Slick gone, there was nothing to fear.
Album: Hail To The Thief
Song: Sit Down, Stand Up
Moody and awesome. God only knows what the lyrics meant to convey, but who cares.
Album: Greatest Hits
Song: Tin Man
At their peak.
Album: Houses of the Holy
Song: The Ocean
This song is so Zeppelin, I had to add it.
Album: Human Being
Song: Excerpt From
Ultimate Seal album. No pop, all moody depression and rhythm. Best album you (and the world) never bought.
Artist: James Taylor Quartet
Album: In The Hand of the Inevitable
Song: Keep On Moving
British Acid Jazz has something I should hate about it, but it's actually the opposite.
Album: Lean On Me
Song: Use Me
If you haven't listened to Bill Withers outside of Lean on Me (which I actually hate) you'll find more soul than Wilson Pickett and James Brown combined, with a sense of manhood that's missing today. Also check out 'Grandma's Hands'.
Album: Live After Death
Song: Powerslave
Means the world to me.
Album: The Mirror Conspiracy
Song: Shadows of Ourselves
If jazz had to evolve, I'm glad it turned into this.
Album: The Mouse and the Mask
Song: Sofa King
Songs about cartoons that rock.
Album: The Spirit of Radio
Song: Tom Sawyer
If you don't like this song you're dead to me.
Album: St. Elsewhere
Song: Go-Go Gadget Gospel
Sets you up for one of the best musical sets of all time.
Album: Greatest Hits
Song: Renegade
No Dennis DeYoung, no problem.
Album: Third Season
Song: An Aperitif
I wasn't getting married without Hank and his lip hangin' cigarette playing at the reception.
Artist: Weezer
Album: Blue Album
Song: In The Garage
Any song that professes the love a dungeon master feels for his minions gets a spot on my list.
I know this is your last CES as a MSFT-man, but you'll always be the guy who picked the BASIC lock on the PC and made it the Crysis-crunching machine it is today. Add in the 360 and the Zune and you gots a one-way ticket with a never ending visa to my heart. On which note...
I'm in love with my Zune. Don't get me wrong, I'm still wrestling with getting album cover art to transfer easily without committing an entire weekend to it, but damn when I watch ATHF on the big sexy screen I giggle a little.
I'm also in love with Vista and getting really tired of those lame-from-the-get-go Mac ads. I think they're just running with the original pitches from the agency:
"There's a referee, you know, like in the sporting games on television...as an official whose professional opinion is highly respected as an authority he says how our product is better than the competition. Wow! What applause, thank you very much! What? Oh, thank you for the offer, but that phone won't sync with my Outlook very well if at all."
Primaries you say? Why yes I do have an opinion (but no transition)!
I will honestly admit I was leaning Hillary until the Iowa caucus. Man, what a showing for Obama! I think I really have to re-evaluate whether the built-in (and often shallow) negatives Hillary brings with her would sink her in the general election. Disgruntled Republicans are probably likely to go to the polls if they think they'll have to listen to Hillary's voice for the next four years of war, er...government rule. However, I think they would just as soon stay home if Obama was the 'worst-case scenario'.
Now I see earlier today she decided to follow the Tao of Rove and play up the terror politics. I'm pretty sure Obama's my man. At least, as long as Joe Biden is out of the race. My pics?:
BARAK OBAMA - BILL RICHARDSON '08.
Make it happen, Obama. Just change the layout of your homepage. It looks like a Pepsi ad.
Love and Kittens,
Ed
This may only thrill Chad and myself, but apparently there's a new Nobunaga's Ambition game coming out for the PS2 in February. NA rocked my junior high school world in the pre-Madden days. I put at least 20 hours a weekend in this game for a few years with no remorse. Homework never stood a chance.
This was supposed to come out for the 360, which it did, but only in Japan. I'm not holding my breath on this one, but at least if it does come out I won't have to pocket lunch money for three weeks to get it this time around.
Now, onto Romney's 'religion' speech:
JFK, he ain't. Romney seemed pretty harmless as a Taxachusetts governor, but I don't appreciate his colossal 180 on serious issues. This new distortion of our Founding Fathers as embedding religion into our Constitution bothers me a lot. If I don't believe in God, that does not mean I'm not fit to live in a democracy. This sounds stupid to say given it's common sense, but when statements like Romney's go unchallenged they tend to 'become' fact.
Jefferson would take issue with that, as would Washington. For instance:
August 21st, 1790
To the Hebrew Congregation in Newport Rhode Island.Gentleman.
While I receive, with much satisfaction, your Address replete with expressions of affection and esteem; I rejoice in the opportunity of assuring you, that I shall always retain a grateful remembrance of the cordial welcome I experienced in my visit to Newport, from all classes of Citizens.
The reflection on the days of difficulty and danger which are past is rendered the more sweet, from a consciousness that they are succeeded by days of uncommon prosperity and security. If we have wisdom to make the best use of the advantages with which we are now favored, we cannot fail, under the just administration of a good Government, to become a great and happy people.
The Citizens of the United States of America have a right to applaud themselves for having given to mankind examples of an enlarged and liberal policy: a policy worthy of imitation.
All possess alike liberty of conscience and immunities of citizenship. It is now no more that toleration is spoken of, as if it was by the indulgence of one class of people, that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent natural rights. For happily the Government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance, requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens, in giving it on all occasions their effectual support.
It would be inconsistent with the frankness of my character not to avow that I am pleased with your favorable opinion of my Administration, and fervent wishes for my felicity. May the children of the Stock of Abraham, who dwell in this land, continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other Inhabitants; while every one shall sit in safety under his own vine and figtree, and there shall be none to make him afraid. May the father of all mercies scatter light and not darkness in our paths, and make us all in our several vocations useful here, and in his own due time and way everlastingly happy.
G. Washington
It's gonna be an ugly election, folks. Just because Bush isn't running doesn't mean we're done with religion driving our national politics.
Ed
