Happy Birthday Mike!
and also to some illegal mexi gardener named jesus
but mostly Mike.... my only loyal follower.
p.s. Watch my SOA dvds yet?
12.25.2010
11.09.2010
how to polish a turd
Day five of the sunless sky, the rain continues... this morning it's subsided to a damp drizzle. It's unusual to go without the sun for this long in the fall. My mood has changed and I'm feeling truly unmotivated today.
Even though I successfully returned Failout: New Lost Wages yesterday, I'm still pissed off about the whole 'gaming industry/marketing machine'. People/gamers have this widespread acceptance that if it is only a game, it is okay to sell you a broken product and then tell you that they're going to fix it.
I know they have to really fix this and make it playable or future sales plummet. But this becomes the movie industry marketing plan at this point. I think the further out that they start showing off/hypeing a polished turd, the more the company is are relying on it's pre-orders to hide the epic fail they will be releasing. Movies are no different. If they start pumping it for a release date 6 months away, 95/100 of the time it's going to be shite.
Release day and the following 3 or 4 days are critical. But does it really matter. No. Because once you buy the product, the company in theory has your money. The risk is all yours at this point. To ensure it works properly, you have to open it. And once you open it, your options for being made whole diminish.
If it works.... awesome... Game On. If it doesn't too bad you opened it therefore you own it. Exchange for the equally defective unopened product, or trade it in for a pittance of the original purchase price.
The problem with Bethesda is trust and a clear lack of deadlines. Saying a patch will be forthcoming in upcoming weeks, is at best, vague. The return clock is usually 14 days on software, which games are, and once you open it... it's yours. Broken or not.
Although it took every shred of my willpower not to open it, it paid off. I got my $91.99 back. A full refund. Good luck to the rest of Betathesda's Beta Testers (aka the customer).
Even though I successfully returned Failout: New Lost Wages yesterday, I'm still pissed off about the whole 'gaming industry/marketing machine'. People/gamers have this widespread acceptance that if it is only a game, it is okay to sell you a broken product and then tell you that they're going to fix it.
I know they have to really fix this and make it playable or future sales plummet. But this becomes the movie industry marketing plan at this point. I think the further out that they start showing off/hypeing a polished turd, the more the company is are relying on it's pre-orders to hide the epic fail they will be releasing. Movies are no different. If they start pumping it for a release date 6 months away, 95/100 of the time it's going to be shite.
Release day and the following 3 or 4 days are critical. But does it really matter. No. Because once you buy the product, the company in theory has your money. The risk is all yours at this point. To ensure it works properly, you have to open it. And once you open it, your options for being made whole diminish.
If it works.... awesome... Game On. If it doesn't too bad you opened it therefore you own it. Exchange for the equally defective unopened product, or trade it in for a pittance of the original purchase price.
The problem with Bethesda is trust and a clear lack of deadlines. Saying a patch will be forthcoming in upcoming weeks, is at best, vague. The return clock is usually 14 days on software, which games are, and once you open it... it's yours. Broken or not.
Although it took every shred of my willpower not to open it, it paid off. I got my $91.99 back. A full refund. Good luck to the rest of Betathesda's Beta Testers (aka the customer).
11.08.2010
the return of FAILOUT: NEW LOST WAGES
After much hand wringing, over earlier pre Newvemberlutions about my Fallout kood-aid addiction, today I returned my unopened FAILOUT: NEW LOST WAGES Collectors Edition to Best Buy for a full $91.99 refund.
It was hard to leave it unopened... but it was for my own good. I expected this to work, and be a great game, and it may eventually be playable, but I wasn't willing to trust them again. The new game update on Bethesda's forums says "we’ll have something available in the coming weeks. When we have more details, we’ll let you know."
Reads, thanks for the money suckers. I'm not that trusting anymore.
Fuck you Bethesda and your lack of respect for your customers.
It was hard to leave it unopened... but it was for my own good. I expected this to work, and be a great game, and it may eventually be playable, but I wasn't willing to trust them again. The new game update on Bethesda's forums says "we’ll have something available in the coming weeks. When we have more details, we’ll let you know."
Reads, thanks for the money suckers. I'm not that trusting anymore.
Fuck you Bethesda and your lack of respect for your customers.
11.02.2010
Día de los Muertos
Día de los Muertos.
Or for those of you that speak no Spanish, Day of the Dead.
There's a new book out called The Day of the Dead: A Pictorial Archive of Dia de Los Muertos.
Comes with a CD that contains woodcuts by José Guadalupe Posada.
Days since Failout: New Lost Wages release: 14
Days until Failout: New Lost Wages patched: :who knows:
*NEW*
Days until Failout: New Lost Wages returned: 6
Tenga un gran día de los muertos mis amigos.
Note: Newvember will officially start tomorrow!
Or for those of you that speak no Spanish, Day of the Dead.
There's a new book out called The Day of the Dead: A Pictorial Archive of Dia de Los Muertos.
Comes with a CD that contains woodcuts by José Guadalupe Posada.
Days since Failout: New Lost Wages release: 14
Days until Failout: New Lost Wages patched: :who knows:
*NEW*
Days until Failout: New Lost Wages returned: 6
Tenga un gran día de los muertos mis amigos.
Note: Newvember will officially start tomorrow!
11.01.2010
newvember
So, after all the Halloween trick or treater interruptions and mayhem... I'm slowly OD-ing on the left over chocolate treats and coffee.
But it's okay. I'm going to start a new month. And this NEW month will be called... Newvember.
Newvember (previously known as November) will now be like new years. The post apocalypse of all hallows eve is over and we shall start the freaking out season that precedes (insert your own religious holiday appropriateness here).
In Newvember we will make unrealistic expectations of ourselves for the upcoming 27 days. These will be called Newvemberlutions. I will lose 10 lbs. by aimlessly hunting in a mall to find the perfect gift for someone who will put no thought into my gift by getting me a gift card from a store that has no retail locations east of toronto. I will spend less money on sh!t I don't need to sustain my existence on the planet. I will update my blog every day. I will make more Newvemberlutions that are easily attainable.
Oh wait, first we have to get through tomorrow which is officially Día de los Muertos.
Memo: Newvember officially starts on the third day of the eleventh month, so that we may preserve the Day of the Dead on November 2.
But it's okay. I'm going to start a new month. And this NEW month will be called... Newvember.
Newvember (previously known as November) will now be like new years. The post apocalypse of all hallows eve is over and we shall start the freaking out season that precedes (insert your own religious holiday appropriateness here).
In Newvember we will make unrealistic expectations of ourselves for the upcoming 27 days. These will be called Newvemberlutions. I will lose 10 lbs. by aimlessly hunting in a mall to find the perfect gift for someone who will put no thought into my gift by getting me a gift card from a store that has no retail locations east of toronto. I will spend less money on sh!t I don't need to sustain my existence on the planet. I will update my blog every day. I will make more Newvemberlutions that are easily attainable.
Oh wait, first we have to get through tomorrow which is officially Día de los Muertos.
Memo: Newvember officially starts on the third day of the eleventh month, so that we may preserve the Day of the Dead on November 2.
10.31.2010
10.26.2010
top 3 bethesda fallout grifts of all time
So Fallout: New Vegas aka Failout: New Lost Wages arrived yesterday. I didn't open it. And I probably won't. Sadly it's probably just going to be returned to BestBuy for a full refund. I can't believe I fell for it. Bethesda has got to be one of the worst game companies ever. Customer disdain from these fuckers is almost unfathomable. Most gamers are hoping for a patch, because that'll hopefully allow them to play.
It shouldn't be that way. Someone posted this morning about pre-ordering the patch. :rofl:.
Days since Failout: New Lost Wages release: 8
Days until Failout: New Lost Wages patched: :evenmorecricketsounds:
*NEW*
Days until Failout: New Lost Wages returned: 13
TOP 3 BETATHESDA FALLOUT GRIFTS
3. FailOut 3: GOTY (Grift Of The Year) for Playstation 3
2. FailOut: New Lost Wages (choice of platforms (XBox, PS3 or PC) pick you poison
and the #1 BETATHESDA FALLOUT GRIFT OF ALL TIME
1. the NEXT ONE.
Do not give these fuckers any more money EVER!
It shouldn't be that way. Someone posted this morning about pre-ordering the patch. :rofl:.
Days since Failout: New Lost Wages release: 8
Days until Failout: New Lost Wages patched: :evenmorecricketsounds:
*NEW*
Days until Failout: New Lost Wages returned: 13
TOP 3 BETATHESDA FALLOUT GRIFTS
3. FailOut 3: GOTY (Grift Of The Year) for Playstation 3
2. FailOut: New Lost Wages (choice of platforms (XBox, PS3 or PC) pick you poison
and the #1 BETATHESDA FALLOUT GRIFT OF ALL TIME
1. the NEXT ONE.
Do not give these fuckers any more money EVER!
10.25.2010
the changing of seasons & related chores
So a weekend of manual labour has come to an end. Which will lead to a week or more of additional manual labour. Less intense, but hopefully more gratifying.
Finished building the storage platform in the attic, which is completely insulated underneath. The remaining work will be to finish the scavenger hunt for post-war relics and putting the rest of the insulation down. There doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day sometimes. And it's hard to stay focused on the task at hand. But the end may be in sight... which is a pleasantly warming thought.
We have just over a month to get our re-test for our home energy audit, so we can get our rebate. So the somewhat frantic finishing of odds and ends will be in full swing for the next week or two. Should make a significant difference in our furnace oil consumption.
Miss Slippers has been outside for an extended jaunt this morning, so it must be warming up a little. There is so much to do outside for our fiesty lil' girl at this time of year. Blowing leaves to be stalked and dealt with, partially naked trees to be climbed, neighbours doing outside chores to socialize with. It's a busy time of year for her.
crisp October air
chills while dawn melts the darkness
of another day
Days since Failout: New Lost Wages release: 7
Days until Failout: New Lost Wages patched: :stillcricketsounds: (no weekend updates)
Finished building the storage platform in the attic, which is completely insulated underneath. The remaining work will be to finish the scavenger hunt for post-war relics and putting the rest of the insulation down. There doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day sometimes. And it's hard to stay focused on the task at hand. But the end may be in sight... which is a pleasantly warming thought.
We have just over a month to get our re-test for our home energy audit, so we can get our rebate. So the somewhat frantic finishing of odds and ends will be in full swing for the next week or two. Should make a significant difference in our furnace oil consumption.
Miss Slippers has been outside for an extended jaunt this morning, so it must be warming up a little. There is so much to do outside for our fiesty lil' girl at this time of year. Blowing leaves to be stalked and dealt with, partially naked trees to be climbed, neighbours doing outside chores to socialize with. It's a busy time of year for her.
crisp October air
chills while dawn melts the darkness
of another day
Days since Failout: New Lost Wages release: 7
Days until Failout: New Lost Wages patched: :stillcricketsounds: (no weekend updates)
10.23.2010
Sons Of Anarchy s03e07
So finally had a chance to watch this weeks Sons of Anarchy episode (season 3, episode 7). Things are starting to pick up, story line wise. Wasn't expecting Gemma to be going to Ireland, that kind of threw me, as well as she didn't know that JT had fathered a daughter.
I'm not sure what's in store for next week (episode 8)... but I'm running scenarios through my braincase, and they all seem to be hyper violent. Wishful thinking perhaps. Especially for Jimmie O, the tosser, and now surprisingly the Belfast Sons (bloody traitors). Well McGee and O'Neill. I'm seeing a parallel between the two charters. The Clay (President) and Tig (Sgt at Arms) secret (and disastrous) attempt on Opie's life, and McGee (President) and O'Neill's (Sgt at Arms) secret alliance with Jimmie O. Just the not keeping club brothers in the loop kind of vibe. Maybe something, maybe nothing. Just a feeling that somethings not right.
And what's up with Huey, Dewey and Louie, the three new prospects. Kinda srcaping the bottom of the band camp, dungeons and dragons barrel there, aren't we. No wonder the reaper crew is in trouble. Hopefully some back story on the three mouseketeer flunk outs will be forthcoming.
I'm not sure what's in store for next week (episode 8)... but I'm running scenarios through my braincase, and they all seem to be hyper violent. Wishful thinking perhaps. Especially for Jimmie O, the tosser, and now surprisingly the Belfast Sons (bloody traitors). Well McGee and O'Neill. I'm seeing a parallel between the two charters. The Clay (President) and Tig (Sgt at Arms) secret (and disastrous) attempt on Opie's life, and McGee (President) and O'Neill's (Sgt at Arms) secret alliance with Jimmie O. Just the not keeping club brothers in the loop kind of vibe. Maybe something, maybe nothing. Just a feeling that somethings not right.
And what's up with Huey, Dewey and Louie, the three new prospects. Kinda srcaping the bottom of the band camp, dungeons and dragons barrel there, aren't we. No wonder the reaper crew is in trouble. Hopefully some back story on the three mouseketeer flunk outs will be forthcoming.
10.22.2010
FAILOUT: NEW LOST WAGES ARTWORK
I have re-worked/created the artwork that should have appeared on Fallout: New Vegas. Based on the post-release game title FAILOUT: NEW LOST WAGES.
I am aware of the problem and am currently working on a patch ; ]...
Days since Failout: New Lost Wages release: 4
Days until Failout: New Lost Wages patched: :cricketsounds:
I am aware of the problem and am currently working on a patch ; ]...
Days since Failout: New Lost Wages release: 4
Days until Failout: New Lost Wages patched: :cricketsounds:
10.20.2010
bestbuy.ca sucks and Failout: New Lost Wages
Pre-ordering from BestBuy.ca SUCKS. I'm not going to back away from that statement. Because it's the truth.
Although this morning there were 3 emails from them, apparently the night shift in customer service has a better grasp of how things work in BB's fucked up supply chain. And today there is an In Stock symbol in the cart with my Fallout: New Vegas Collectors Edition. One of which, should be mine. It doesn't change the fact that my order has still not been processed and after that it will still be another 5 days to actually receive the game. Maybe.
But should it ever arrive.... it will remain unopened... so I can return it for a full refund.
In typical Bethesda fashion, the Fallout: New Vegas Hardware and Software Issues forum has been created and the all telling stickie at the top almost doesn't need to be read. But just for shits and giggles... here it is
WOW, well that's a relief.
I would like to point out at this time that the GOTY version for Fallout 3 was NEVER fully fixed or patched. Despite a Bethesda moderator stickie stating
The crashes, bugs and freezing patches were never fully released for the GOTY edition. Horrible stories then and now.
But it's so funny to go back and re-read the Gamespot.com previews of the Failout: New Lost Wages from 'hands on testers', who tester it twice. Now a short 5 weeks later Gamespot.com has posted this video review and think the game is almost unplayable.
So where was this little snippet of honesty... pre-release date. By not reporting issues within the game they are in fact endorsing it. But the gaming industry is such an incestuous thing. Shhhhhhhhh, we're still waiting for our cheque from BetaThesda to clear.
A sad thank you to all the BETA TESTERS across all three platforms, that PAID $60 -$90 dollars for the honour of attempting to play Failout: New Lost Wages on release day. Note to self: check worstbuy.ca return policy.
Although this morning there were 3 emails from them, apparently the night shift in customer service has a better grasp of how things work in BB's fucked up supply chain. And today there is an In Stock symbol in the cart with my Fallout: New Vegas Collectors Edition. One of which, should be mine. It doesn't change the fact that my order has still not been processed and after that it will still be another 5 days to actually receive the game. Maybe.
But should it ever arrive.... it will remain unopened... so I can return it for a full refund.
In typical Bethesda fashion, the Fallout: New Vegas Hardware and Software Issues forum has been created and the all telling stickie at the top almost doesn't need to be read. But just for shits and giggles... here it is
Posted Today, 12:48PM
Just wanted to let everyone know, we are currently working on releasing patches/updates as quickly as possible for Fallout: New Vegas, for all platforms. Announcements regarding the patches are forthcoming.
WOW, well that's a relief.
I would like to point out at this time that the GOTY version for Fallout 3 was NEVER fully fixed or patched. Despite a Bethesda moderator stickie stating
We're aware of issues being reported. We are currently working on releasing patches/updates as quickly as possible for Fallout 3, for all platforms. Announcements regarding the patches are forthcoming.
The crashes, bugs and freezing patches were never fully released for the GOTY edition. Horrible stories then and now.
But it's so funny to go back and re-read the Gamespot.com previews of the Failout: New Lost Wages from 'hands on testers', who tester it twice. Now a short 5 weeks later Gamespot.com has posted this video review and think the game is almost unplayable.
Some quotes:
"Absolutely swarming with disastrous bugs"
"Not to mention frequent crashes on both consoles and corrupted game saves, which might cause you to lose progress."
" These are but a small number of the major bugs we encountered. Fallout: New Vegas is a technical mess."
So where was this little snippet of honesty... pre-release date. By not reporting issues within the game they are in fact endorsing it. But the gaming industry is such an incestuous thing. Shhhhhhhhh, we're still waiting for our cheque from BetaThesda to clear.
A sad thank you to all the BETA TESTERS across all three platforms, that PAID $60 -$90 dollars for the honour of attempting to play Failout: New Lost Wages on release day. Note to self: check worstbuy.ca return policy.
10.19.2010
bestbuy.ca (aka Worst Buy Canada) pre-order backorder lying clusterfuckers for the Fallout: New Vegas Collectors Edition
So after much twisting in the wind, and anticipation as the impending October 19, 2010 release date of my Fallout: New Vegas Collectors Edition for Playstation 3, the day has finally arrived. No more sleeps. Everything is right with the world...
Until I log in to see that my item that I pre-ordered will be shipping today, aka release day.
OUT OF STOCK!
WHAT THE FUCK Best Buy Canada. What exactly does pre-order mean to you people. Back in the good old days of 2009 the Best Buy policy for pre-orders was that if you pre-ordered, you were guaranteed a game on the release date. This is from the glorious 2009 Best Buy Pre-Order Portal.
Well apparently not any more. By the time I received a response from my very early morning email and phone call to their customer service departments, my local Best Buy store was also sold out.
So what was the advantage of 'pre-ordering' Fallout: New Vegas from bestbuy.ca? Besides the crushing disappointment of presuming I had ordered a game. NONE.
Except, instead of the expected confirmation email today saying it had shipped, I am instead stuck in some sort of twilight zone, submitted for your approval, you've pre-ordered and today is the day of release limbo where I supposedly have a pre-ordered game, that I don't have, or can't have, or can't get, because of some fatal cart flaw, and where no one can tell you if you will ever get the actual game you pre-ordered weeks ago for the sole purpose of avoiding all this 'Sold Out' , 'Out of Stock' and 'Back Ordered' on the day of release bullshit, because email queries and phone calls to BestBuy.ca customer service in Brampton, Ontario, are responded to our highly skilled blind deaf mute customer service representitives.
For a slow and vague response, please enter your question in the space provided below, then click submit. For an even less gratifying, but more immediate non answer, followed by cricket sounds and then a dial tone from an actual customer service representive, please press 1.
This call may be recorded for quality assurance purposes OR for the amusement of our staff during breaks and lunches.
Until I log in to see that my item that I pre-ordered will be shipping today, aka release day.
OUT OF STOCK!
WHAT THE FUCK Best Buy Canada. What exactly does pre-order mean to you people. Back in the good old days of 2009 the Best Buy policy for pre-orders was that if you pre-ordered, you were guaranteed a game on the release date. This is from the glorious 2009 Best Buy Pre-Order Portal.
'Lining up for games is COOL. Not. When you pre-order online you're guaranteed a copy without the early morning drive. If you pre-order, you're getting your game; we don't oversell our pre-orders.'
Well apparently not any more. By the time I received a response from my very early morning email and phone call to their customer service departments, my local Best Buy store was also sold out.
So what was the advantage of 'pre-ordering' Fallout: New Vegas from bestbuy.ca? Besides the crushing disappointment of presuming I had ordered a game. NONE.
Except, instead of the expected confirmation email today saying it had shipped, I am instead stuck in some sort of twilight zone, submitted for your approval, you've pre-ordered and today is the day of release limbo where I supposedly have a pre-ordered game, that I don't have, or can't have, or can't get, because of some fatal cart flaw, and where no one can tell you if you will ever get the actual game you pre-ordered weeks ago for the sole purpose of avoiding all this 'Sold Out' , 'Out of Stock' and 'Back Ordered' on the day of release bullshit, because email queries and phone calls to BestBuy.ca customer service in Brampton, Ontario, are responded to our highly skilled blind deaf mute customer service representitives.
For a slow and vague response, please enter your question in the space provided below, then click submit. For an even less gratifying, but more immediate non answer, followed by cricket sounds and then a dial tone from an actual customer service representive, please press 1.
This call may be recorded for quality assurance purposes OR for the amusement of our staff during breaks and lunches.
10.18.2010
sons of anarchy
Tomorrow night will mark the half way point, episode 7, of the third season of Sons of Anarchy on fx. We don't have cable that goes that high, so we're left to try and watch it some other way... which we do.
In my defense, I own the first and second seasons on dvd. Paid for on the first day of release. I understand the economics of it and support the show through buying officially licensed merchandise.
Unlike some Harley Davidson USA dealerships...
and Kurt Sutter, the SOA principle was PISSED enough to tweet these 140 character micro rants on Twitter.
SOA has boosted HARLEY sales and we get next to nothing in return. now i find harley shops are selling bootleg soa gear. fuck you HD usa. Sun Oct 10 17:27:25 2010
next season, SOA upgrades to VICTORY, the other great american bike. i'll make a story point about it, start to put a dent in the HD market. Sun Oct 10 17:29:20 2010
and two hours later (when calmer heads prevailed) this,
Okay so I probably won't pull them off harleys, that'll hurt the show, I just hate when big companies throw their monopolistic weight around. Sun Oct 10 7:21 PM 2010
So even big kids have copyright problems. They probably should have called the Sheriff and have them seize ALL the merchandise in the Anaheim HD store.... including the bikes. As potential evidence that needed to be processed looking for 'knock off or counterfeit product'.
Sometimes all you can get is 'sorry'. Which is followed up by your own 'Ooooops.... my bad'.
The good news is that SAMCRO will have a Season 4 also via Twitter.
Picked up for SEASON 4 motherfuckers!!! thanks to FX for the early pickup. Thu Oct 7 16:48:18 2010
We warmed up for the new season, by watching 4 -6 episodes a day on dvd, to get back into it again. The show seems to drag this season, especially as individual episodes, but I think that's in large part due to the week in between shows. I'm struggling with that now... but when season three comes out on dvd, it'll be all good again, except for the 9 month wait for season 4. Damn it.
In my defense, I own the first and second seasons on dvd. Paid for on the first day of release. I understand the economics of it and support the show through buying officially licensed merchandise.
Unlike some Harley Davidson USA dealerships...
and Kurt Sutter, the SOA principle was PISSED enough to tweet these 140 character micro rants on Twitter.
SOA has boosted HARLEY sales and we get next to nothing in return. now i find harley shops are selling bootleg soa gear. fuck you HD usa. Sun Oct 10 17:27:25 2010
next season, SOA upgrades to VICTORY, the other great american bike. i'll make a story point about it, start to put a dent in the HD market. Sun Oct 10 17:29:20 2010
and two hours later (when calmer heads prevailed) this,
Okay so I probably won't pull them off harleys, that'll hurt the show, I just hate when big companies throw their monopolistic weight around. Sun Oct 10 7:21 PM 2010
So even big kids have copyright problems. They probably should have called the Sheriff and have them seize ALL the merchandise in the Anaheim HD store.... including the bikes. As potential evidence that needed to be processed looking for 'knock off or counterfeit product'.
Sometimes all you can get is 'sorry'. Which is followed up by your own 'Ooooops.... my bad'.
The good news is that SAMCRO will have a Season 4 also via Twitter.
Picked up for SEASON 4 motherfuckers!!! thanks to FX for the early pickup. Thu Oct 7 16:48:18 2010
We warmed up for the new season, by watching 4 -6 episodes a day on dvd, to get back into it again. The show seems to drag this season, especially as individual episodes, but I think that's in large part due to the week in between shows. I'm struggling with that now... but when season three comes out on dvd, it'll be all good again, except for the 9 month wait for season 4. Damn it.
10.17.2010
furkids and Fallout
Sunday. Quiet. Inner calm.
The warmth of the coffee pulses through my veins after a trip across the street to medicate, feed, water and litterbox clean the furkids I have been entrusted with for the last 5 days. I'm starting to dread when the neighbours go away. Sam is pushing 20 and needs his meds twice a day. Griffin is maybe 4 or 5 and a bully when it comes to food. My greatest fear is something happening to Sam while they are away. Hopefully it won't be on my watch. They are supposed to be home today. To say he's always more than vague with details would be an understatement. So at what time today? That would be at best, a guess on my part. I think we'll be back on Sunday he says, as he drops the keys into my hand.
Todays agenda. Fire up the PS3 and play some Fallout3 to get ready for Tuesday's release of Fallout: New Vegas.
Although after being booted off the Bethesda Fallout3 forums for calling their GOTY edition for PS3 the 'Grift Of The Year' edition. The truth is, they totally fucked the PS3 owners. And the retailers stopped taking the games back because of the problem. And all Bethesda would post was that they were aware of the issue. Not working on a patch mind you.... but aware of the problem. It left me with a nagging doubt in my mind.
I had never had a problem with my plain vanilla collectors edition. So I chose not to 'upgrade' with any of the DLC's (downloadable content) or BUY the unPS3 unplayable in some regions 'Grift Of The Year' version. Bethesda's customer service leaves a lot of room for improvement.
So I have pre-ordered Fallout: New Vegas Collectors Edition. The love fest of game review sites is always sickening. I guess you never bite the hand that feeds you. But the hype for this game is leading me to wonder if this isn't the same 'Pump and Dump' scheme as their GOTY edition of Fallout3. I guess time will tell. The key will be to not open or play it until I can see some platform specific reviews.
Two more sleeps.
Ah, Sunday morning
cold grey and windswept dawn
hints at next season
The warmth of the coffee pulses through my veins after a trip across the street to medicate, feed, water and litterbox clean the furkids I have been entrusted with for the last 5 days. I'm starting to dread when the neighbours go away. Sam is pushing 20 and needs his meds twice a day. Griffin is maybe 4 or 5 and a bully when it comes to food. My greatest fear is something happening to Sam while they are away. Hopefully it won't be on my watch. They are supposed to be home today. To say he's always more than vague with details would be an understatement. So at what time today? That would be at best, a guess on my part. I think we'll be back on Sunday he says, as he drops the keys into my hand.
Todays agenda. Fire up the PS3 and play some Fallout3 to get ready for Tuesday's release of Fallout: New Vegas.
Although after being booted off the Bethesda Fallout3 forums for calling their GOTY edition for PS3 the 'Grift Of The Year' edition. The truth is, they totally fucked the PS3 owners. And the retailers stopped taking the games back because of the problem. And all Bethesda would post was that they were aware of the issue. Not working on a patch mind you.... but aware of the problem. It left me with a nagging doubt in my mind.
I had never had a problem with my plain vanilla collectors edition. So I chose not to 'upgrade' with any of the DLC's (downloadable content) or BUY the unPS3 unplayable in some regions 'Grift Of The Year' version. Bethesda's customer service leaves a lot of room for improvement.
So I have pre-ordered Fallout: New Vegas Collectors Edition. The love fest of game review sites is always sickening. I guess you never bite the hand that feeds you. But the hype for this game is leading me to wonder if this isn't the same 'Pump and Dump' scheme as their GOTY edition of Fallout3. I guess time will tell. The key will be to not open or play it until I can see some platform specific reviews.
Two more sleeps.
Ah, Sunday morning
cold grey and windswept dawn
hints at next season
10.16.2010
it's a Vespa
Today, during a nor'easter, 'the nomaD' and I loaded our arses into his truck for a 9 hour round trip road journey to fulfill one of his bucketlist quests.
Mission accomplished.
He bought this white 1980 Vespa P200E. He has always wanted a Vespa. And now this little beauty has a loving new home.
è un motorino grazioso
Mission accomplished.
He bought this white 1980 Vespa P200E. He has always wanted a Vespa. And now this little beauty has a loving new home.
è un motorino grazioso
10.12.2010
Post Thanksgiving Bloat Post
The title says it all.
Apparently I consumed an excess of everything yesterday.... in some misguided attempt to prove how thankful I was. It was a mistake. Not being thankful... but the over-indulging part. I feel like a snake who's eaten an elephant.
Stretched beyond capacity.
But today is garbage day. A chance to burn off all that food with the multiple trips to the curb to continue purging the attic of 60 years of 'stuff'. The majority of which, is not even ours. The abandonments of former tenants dating back to the 1950's. There is a lot of history up there. Glassware for home canning, old newspapers, an old 75 pound cast iron sink, three old chairs... and cardboard boxes filled with other cardboard boxes filled with more cardboard boxes like Russian nesting dolls.
An urban archeological mecca of abandoned history.
Anyway back to the task at hand.
Apparently I consumed an excess of everything yesterday.... in some misguided attempt to prove how thankful I was. It was a mistake. Not being thankful... but the over-indulging part. I feel like a snake who's eaten an elephant.
Stretched beyond capacity.
But today is garbage day. A chance to burn off all that food with the multiple trips to the curb to continue purging the attic of 60 years of 'stuff'. The majority of which, is not even ours. The abandonments of former tenants dating back to the 1950's. There is a lot of history up there. Glassware for home canning, old newspapers, an old 75 pound cast iron sink, three old chairs... and cardboard boxes filled with other cardboard boxes filled with more cardboard boxes like Russian nesting dolls.
An urban archeological mecca of abandoned history.
Anyway back to the task at hand.
9.30.2010
is summer really over?
It's warm this morning. 17C.
More summer than fall.
I had coffee on the deck to take advantage of the fact that although we are in the middle of hurricane season.... the cold harsh reality of the next season will soon clench it's icy grip on the Great White North.
It's been a month since I had the mighty KLR out for a stretch... so that's my plan for today. Made half a dozen phone calls by 9AM... and then piss some time away from the saddle. I've earned it.
Yesterday's suckerpunch from my ongoing legal skirmish over my copyright's has really pissed me off... and I need to clear my f'n head.
From one Starving Artist to another... your day in court is coming you thieving no talent bitch. Stuff your lazy ass $200 offer and choke on your lame apology. I rather ruin your career at this point than listen to any more of your lies.
sipping the stillness
at the end of september
pre-dawn coffee warmth
More summer than fall.
I had coffee on the deck to take advantage of the fact that although we are in the middle of hurricane season.... the cold harsh reality of the next season will soon clench it's icy grip on the Great White North.
It's been a month since I had the mighty KLR out for a stretch... so that's my plan for today. Made half a dozen phone calls by 9AM... and then piss some time away from the saddle. I've earned it.
Yesterday's suckerpunch from my ongoing legal skirmish over my copyright's has really pissed me off... and I need to clear my f'n head.
From one Starving Artist to another... your day in court is coming you thieving no talent bitch. Stuff your lazy ass $200 offer and choke on your lame apology. I rather ruin your career at this point than listen to any more of your lies.
sipping the stillness
at the end of september
pre-dawn coffee warmth
5.31.2010
5.29.2010
Easy Rider Down
Dennis Hopper
May 17, 1936 – May 29, 2010
Actor, Artist, Director, Painter, Poet, Photographer, Sculptor,
Father, Grand-Father, Human Being
May 17, 1936 – May 29, 2010
Actor, Artist, Director, Painter, Poet, Photographer, Sculptor,
Father, Grand-Father, Human Being
"It's not who you boys are or what you look like,
it's what you represent that scares these people."
George Hanson quote from the movie Easy Rider
it's what you represent that scares these people."
George Hanson quote from the movie Easy Rider
Struggled to find words for this, and put off posting it as I thought about it. I'm a fan of his art and his movies. Easy Rider is in my Top Ten Favourite Films of all time. It was a film that changed me. Whether that was a change for the better is debatable, but it helped shape who I am. Don't bother to post a comment if you haven't seen it. If your excuse for not seeing it, is a preconceived notion of 'biker movie', shame on you. Even if you can't get into the plot, it is still some of the best wide open vista road footage ever, and one of the top 3 counter-culture films of all time.
Rest In Peace Billy
5.26.2010
Birthday Haiku
The b'day today... and I'm off on my annual pilgrimage
two birthdays today
silence substitutes for song
remembering yours
whoooops... totally forgot to post this after I wrote it
two birthdays today
silence substitutes for song
remembering yours
whoooops... totally forgot to post this after I wrote it
5.22.2010
The first 'long weekend of summer'
It's 9AM. Saturday morning on the first 'long weekend of summer'.
My goal this weekend is to get on the motorcycle. It's all ready to go, and has been for well over a month.
If I can get some more yardwork done.
My goal this weekend is to get on the motorcycle. It's all ready to go, and has been for well over a month.
If I can get some more yardwork done.
5.20.2010
A sheep in wolf's clothing
With the underpinnings of privacy of social media sites on the internet, there is a groundswell of opposition to who exactly owns your data. The fine print in the legalese of the privacy statements of sites like Facebook and mySpace is precocious... and removing your data, from their 'service' is, at best, a painstaking ordeal.
Some have gone so far as to launch a QuitFacebookDay, although saying it and doing it are two wildly different undertakings.
Not exactly what you thought you were signing up for.
One such 'new' social media site is Diaspora*.
Some have gone so far as to launch a QuitFacebookDay, although saying it and doing it are two wildly different undertakings.
Not exactly what you thought you were signing up for.
One such 'new' social media site is Diaspora*.
diaspora /dī-ˈas-p(ə-)rə, dē-/
origin: Greek, διασπορά – “a scattering [of seeds]”
1. the privacy aware, personally controlled, do-it-all distributed open source social network
In many ways open source works. And diaspora* is showing some of the 'theory' behind how they plan to make it work. They have a plan. They raised money by using Kickstarter, which itself, is a very cool concept, and I encourage you to check out the site. There's been some interesting projects funded by using it. The project is not overfunded, but they have certainly exceeded their initial expectations of $10,000 by June 1, 2010.
As of today have raised $175,894.03.
1759% funded with 12 days to go.
So as the 'who owns your info' debate crawls along, will an upstart protect your rights. The problem will be with the creators. At some point it will become big enough, to be a takeover target. That's the reality of it. Is it another great idea that will be bought out, and then data mined to provide more targeted advertising.
Only time will tell.
5.19.2010
Eric Schmidt's anarchy quote
'the internet is the first thing that humanity has built that humanity doesn't understand, the largest experiment in anarchy that we have ever had.'
Eric Schmidt
April 2, 1997
Eric Schmidt is now the CEO of Google.
Shaman or sage?
Eric Schmidt
April 2, 1997
Eric Schmidt is now the CEO of Google.
Shaman or sage?
5.17.2010
braincase: blockages and blurts
Monday morning... pre 7AM. Coffee, the sound of the wind howling outside. Feels more like fall than spring. Ms. Slippers (aka the cat) has gone out for her morning reconnaissance mission. I'm not sure I have anything to write about, other than hockey, and my bad mood.
I am tired. Drained. A talk with the lawyer on Thursday, put me in a bad mood, that is only now beginning to subside. More money and still no result. I'm not sure I'm getting good counsel for my money. All I know is that, it's expensive, and I'm no further ahead than I was before.
The braincase switches to the abstract. My friend Damons' dad was a lawyer, he passed away a few years ago. Mike Cooke was a great lawyer... and crappy business man. The kind of lawyer that would give you 110% in court and took clients on a 'pay what you can' basis. It's times like these, when a loss is felt so deeply, that it seems fresh.
In 9 days I'll be making my annual pilgrimage to the cemetery. Sadly. To wish my friend Mike Dixon a happy birthday. Mike was the best man at my wedding. We had the same birthday, he was exactly a year younger than me. After he got married, he sort of fell off the face of the earth. Saw him maybe a handful of times over 20 years. That's what happens when you marry up socially. You get a new 'class' of friends... her friends. Sadly, that usually means you are forced to abandon your friends. The friends that knew you best. A tragic end to a life and a friendship. The choices he made, still effect me to this day. For the past 4 years, I reflect on my failings as a friend.
I can't seem to move passed it.
I am tired. Drained. A talk with the lawyer on Thursday, put me in a bad mood, that is only now beginning to subside. More money and still no result. I'm not sure I'm getting good counsel for my money. All I know is that, it's expensive, and I'm no further ahead than I was before.
The braincase switches to the abstract. My friend Damons' dad was a lawyer, he passed away a few years ago. Mike Cooke was a great lawyer... and crappy business man. The kind of lawyer that would give you 110% in court and took clients on a 'pay what you can' basis. It's times like these, when a loss is felt so deeply, that it seems fresh.
In 9 days I'll be making my annual pilgrimage to the cemetery. Sadly. To wish my friend Mike Dixon a happy birthday. Mike was the best man at my wedding. We had the same birthday, he was exactly a year younger than me. After he got married, he sort of fell off the face of the earth. Saw him maybe a handful of times over 20 years. That's what happens when you marry up socially. You get a new 'class' of friends... her friends. Sadly, that usually means you are forced to abandon your friends. The friends that knew you best. A tragic end to a life and a friendship. The choices he made, still effect me to this day. For the past 4 years, I reflect on my failings as a friend.
I can't seem to move passed it.
5.14.2010
Reckless Restless
Having trouble getting jump started today. Coffee isn't helping at all. Reflective, somber and sense memory overloaded.
Now that I've gone to all the trouble of digging out this gear, I'm surprised by how much camera gear is in my possession. It's sad because it should be used, that's what it was built for.
Every piece of gear, has it's own history. Whether it started with me, or has ended with me. I have a great old, circa late 1920's box camera.
A Kodak Rainbow Hawkeye No.2. Red. Uses 120 film, it's still available. On a good day it's worth maybe $35. And yet it's still usable for what it was designed for, taking photographs. Solid mechanical design, nothing fancy or complex, but it works... 90 years on.
Wait and see if there are any first versions of an iPhone 90 years from now. Things are disposable now. It helps fuel consumerism, if you make product with a finite lifecycle.
Braincase Query
Do we ever truly own something, or are we merely caretakers of it?
Now that I've gone to all the trouble of digging out this gear, I'm surprised by how much camera gear is in my possession. It's sad because it should be used, that's what it was built for.
Every piece of gear, has it's own history. Whether it started with me, or has ended with me. I have a great old, circa late 1920's box camera.
A Kodak Rainbow Hawkeye No.2. Red. Uses 120 film, it's still available. On a good day it's worth maybe $35. And yet it's still usable for what it was designed for, taking photographs. Solid mechanical design, nothing fancy or complex, but it works... 90 years on.
Wait and see if there are any first versions of an iPhone 90 years from now. Things are disposable now. It helps fuel consumerism, if you make product with a finite lifecycle.
Braincase Query
Do we ever truly own something, or are we merely caretakers of it?
5.13.2010
Kijiji's Late 'n' Lowballin' Douchebags
The Kijiji sale fell through. Wanker.
I think I'll take it over to the eBay place, and see what they think they can get for it. They have some darkroom stuff on eBay now, so it may work as cross promotion, save on shipping sales. Their commission is kind of steep at 30% of the final price, but I've emailed them to see about selling it anyway. They take all the photos, post it all, answer all the retarded questions, so maybe it is worth 30%.
Now that I've dug all this stuff out, it's in the way, as opposed to stuck in unlabeled boxes, and sort of out of the way. So it's going somewhere, goddamnit, first of the week.
I'd list it on Kijiji, but I don't want to hang about, waiting on the no-shows and lowballing douche bags, like today. I know you wanted $300, but I just got one that used to belong to Sherman Hines for $30. BTW, Sherman Hines has owned every bit of photo gear made. Ever. And if you buy a used piece of photo gear in Nova Scotia, the guy selling it to you will swear on his dead mother's grave that it used to belong to Hines. FYI, I was shitting in this outhouse when Sherman Hines took this photo. I left the light on when I was done, just to piss him off. So now you can say you met me too.
I don't think Kijiji is worth the grief... or my time, n'est pas. Waste of half a day, thanx for nothing a$$h*le.
Got a Kijiji story? Leave a comment!
I think I'll take it over to the eBay place, and see what they think they can get for it. They have some darkroom stuff on eBay now, so it may work as cross promotion, save on shipping sales. Their commission is kind of steep at 30% of the final price, but I've emailed them to see about selling it anyway. They take all the photos, post it all, answer all the retarded questions, so maybe it is worth 30%.
Now that I've dug all this stuff out, it's in the way, as opposed to stuck in unlabeled boxes, and sort of out of the way. So it's going somewhere, goddamnit, first of the week.
I'd list it on Kijiji, but I don't want to hang about, waiting on the no-shows and lowballing douche bags, like today. I know you wanted $300, but I just got one that used to belong to Sherman Hines for $30. BTW, Sherman Hines has owned every bit of photo gear made. Ever. And if you buy a used piece of photo gear in Nova Scotia, the guy selling it to you will swear on his dead mother's grave that it used to belong to Hines. FYI, I was shitting in this outhouse when Sherman Hines took this photo. I left the light on when I was done, just to piss him off. So now you can say you met me too.
I don't think Kijiji is worth the grief... or my time, n'est pas. Waste of half a day, thanx for nothing a$$h*le.
Got a Kijiji story? Leave a comment!
5.12.2010
Can I built it myself?
Braincase Quest:
To make the 'new' blog a bit more visually appealing for you, the reader, and me, the designer.
First, I couldn't find a 'stock template' that I liked. So I settled on Rounders... me and 25% of the blogspot squatters.
The goal is to lay it out using the 'golden canon of page construction' based on Jan Tschichold's book, The Form of the Book.
It's an exquisite piece of design, and math. Web designers are just now starting to adopt traditional 'print' design aesthetics into their web work. A rudimentary search for this kind of coding has turned up... well a lot of false starts. The math isn't all that complex, but the coding could possibly end up being a horrorshow.
All I can do is try, and like gardening, it will be a work in progress.
p.s.
Sitting here, iTunes has decided today shuffle feature should be a weird mix of aggressive alt grunge and late 70's 'new wave'. Make no mistake. iTunes has an agenda.
To make the 'new' blog a bit more visually appealing for you, the reader, and me, the designer.
First, I couldn't find a 'stock template' that I liked. So I settled on Rounders... me and 25% of the blogspot squatters.
The goal is to lay it out using the 'golden canon of page construction' based on Jan Tschichold's book, The Form of the Book.
It's an exquisite piece of design, and math. Web designers are just now starting to adopt traditional 'print' design aesthetics into their web work. A rudimentary search for this kind of coding has turned up... well a lot of false starts. The math isn't all that complex, but the coding could possibly end up being a horrorshow.
All I can do is try, and like gardening, it will be a work in progress.
p.s.
Sitting here, iTunes has decided today shuffle feature should be a weird mix of aggressive alt grunge and late 70's 'new wave'. Make no mistake. iTunes has an agenda.
5.11.2010
Old School v. Tech Cool
Tuesday, garbage day. 7:30 AM
A better nights' sleep, but I still don't feel rested. And, again this morning, my stomach is upset. Most of that's caused from the looming ethical issue surrounding yesterday's post, in particular the second paragraph. At least that's what I'm telling myself. It started around the same time, and the more research I did, the worse it got.
So, Tuesday, bloody, Tuesday. The list of things I should have well underway, has grown by one item.
There is a 'new-ish' photography club is town, they have an ad on Kijiji looking for darkroom equipment. Not the run of the mill amateur gear, medium and large format. In a previous career, not only did I work as a freelance photographer, but also, as a darkroom technician. Black and white photography is a passion of mine, and around the age of 13 I was smitten with it. Hook, line and sinker, I was lured to it. Later it became a career. Yes, there was a period in my life, when I got paid to do what I loved. It was always just enough to pay the bills and eat, but it was 1000 percent better than any McJob I had ever worked at.
There's lots of gear packed away... somewhere. Most of it was going to get binned, so I took the decent stuff home when the 'digital revolution' started. I found most of it a good home, and the rest became mine. So I need to make a list for the guy in charge of acquisitions. So he can pop 'round see if they want to buy any of it.
Hopefully they have a need or use for most, or all of it, because that's what it was built for, to be used. Not hoarded away gathering dust. This stuff takes up a lot of room, I could use the space and the money. I won't sell it all though, I'd still like to keep enough to have a working darkroom, should I ever wish to return to the dark arts.
I'll be keeping cameras, aka the retirement fund, in the hopes that it will eventually pay off, and that my small collection, will be worth something.
Does anyone even 'print' photos or is it a post thing now. I have negatives, a tangible archival hard copy, from which to make reproductions, until my estate gets them and my rights of copyright for fifty (50) years after my death.
Braincase query: In an age of digital photography, and the pre-planned or built-in obsolescence of technology (e.g. hard drives, memory cards, etc.), will there be a generation of kids that have giant gaps in their photo history? Sorry honey but the photos from when you were 5 to 9 were 'lost' in the hard drive failure of 2007.
A better nights' sleep, but I still don't feel rested. And, again this morning, my stomach is upset. Most of that's caused from the looming ethical issue surrounding yesterday's post, in particular the second paragraph. At least that's what I'm telling myself. It started around the same time, and the more research I did, the worse it got.
So, Tuesday, bloody, Tuesday. The list of things I should have well underway, has grown by one item.
There is a 'new-ish' photography club is town, they have an ad on Kijiji looking for darkroom equipment. Not the run of the mill amateur gear, medium and large format. In a previous career, not only did I work as a freelance photographer, but also, as a darkroom technician. Black and white photography is a passion of mine, and around the age of 13 I was smitten with it. Hook, line and sinker, I was lured to it. Later it became a career. Yes, there was a period in my life, when I got paid to do what I loved. It was always just enough to pay the bills and eat, but it was 1000 percent better than any McJob I had ever worked at.
There's lots of gear packed away... somewhere. Most of it was going to get binned, so I took the decent stuff home when the 'digital revolution' started. I found most of it a good home, and the rest became mine. So I need to make a list for the guy in charge of acquisitions. So he can pop 'round see if they want to buy any of it.
Hopefully they have a need or use for most, or all of it, because that's what it was built for, to be used. Not hoarded away gathering dust. This stuff takes up a lot of room, I could use the space and the money. I won't sell it all though, I'd still like to keep enough to have a working darkroom, should I ever wish to return to the dark arts.
I'll be keeping cameras, aka the retirement fund, in the hopes that it will eventually pay off, and that my small collection, will be worth something.
Does anyone even 'print' photos or is it a post thing now. I have negatives, a tangible archival hard copy, from which to make reproductions, until my estate gets them and my rights of copyright for fifty (50) years after my death.
Braincase query: In an age of digital photography, and the pre-planned or built-in obsolescence of technology (e.g. hard drives, memory cards, etc.), will there be a generation of kids that have giant gaps in their photo history? Sorry honey but the photos from when you were 5 to 9 were 'lost' in the hard drive failure of 2007.
5.10.2010
Print v. Post
Lazy Monday morning, not super warm... but at least it's not raining, and the wind has calmed a bit. I should do yard work today, now that I have fallen behind. At a minimum, I should try to get some fresh air.
The last couple of weeks, have been spent researching copyright law, and sitting within arms length of a landline, waiting for industry people to call me back. For obvious reasons, none of the details can be posted on the internet, until there is some sort of resolution. It is causing me to lose sleep. And my appetite. The moral and ethical scope of protecting my work is expensive. Not just financially, but mentally. If it goes unchallenged, someone 'gets away' with something. But if I pursue it, I'll ruin somebody's career and livelihood.
The last couple of weeks, have been spent researching copyright law, and sitting within arms length of a landline, waiting for industry people to call me back. For obvious reasons, none of the details can be posted on the internet, until there is some sort of resolution. It is causing me to lose sleep. And my appetite. The moral and ethical scope of protecting my work is expensive. Not just financially, but mentally. If it goes unchallenged, someone 'gets away' with something. But if I pursue it, I'll ruin somebody's career and livelihood.
5.08.2010
dreaded post #1
The dreaded first post.
Every blog starts at post #1... and then either dies a slow horrible lonely death, or is updated occasionally/whenever you think about it, or becomes a thought provoking tour de force.
The litmus test of whether anything I have to say (or type, as it were) is important, relevant, sane, or useful, is up to you.
Unlike the Marines, I have left a blog behind. It served it's purpose and then was promptly abandoned by me. Like digital trash. 0110001010000111100100100111101001010101010 littering at least one server somewhere. Litter sucks...
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