Dean Kamen, Inventor Extraordinaire

I imagine that you all remember the Segway? It was a handy little transportation device invented by a guy named Dean Kamen a few years ago, famous for its bizarre design and revolutionary auto-balancing ability (which our current U.S. President still somehow managed to outwit, it seems...).





Well anyway, the guy that invented the things has been hard at work on another project, one that was given to him by the united states government, and now that he's almost done with it, Yahoo posted an article about it (it should be noted that I get most, if not all, of my quirky world news from either my Yahoo.com homepage, Newsweek, the Daily Show or the Colbert Report). And it looks so wild.

It is, essentially, a cybernetic arm. Now, that's probably a term that's a little too sci-fi (and I'm probably not unsing it right, anyway). But it's still a wild device, akin to the thing that they put on Luke Skywalker at the end of 'The Empire Strikes Back'.

Okay, I'll shut up with the sci-fi references. The article and video will probably do a better job of wowing you, anyway.



(Sorry for the terrible sound quality.)

And HERE is the article I found out about this from, with a much higher sound quality.

Wii-Whoops!

Yeah, here it comes, another hot helping of video games news and commentary, right to your face.

So! Those of you out there that happen to be the proud owners of both a Wii and a wi-fi enabled house are probably happy to see that Nintendo has finally implemented a new system for downloading and playing games by less well-known developers, similar to the Playstation Network on the PS3 and the Xbox Live Arcade on the Xbox 360, and it's called Wii Ware.

Pretty exciting stuff, huh? I, personally, was pretty psyched to see it up and running, and to see some of the critically acclaimed launch titles that the service is starting out with.

But then I remembered: the Wii doesn't have a hard drive. While the 360 and PS3 sit contentedly on their pile of console options and triple-digit gigabyte space, the Nintendo Wii continues to amaze us with...512 MB of standard storage space. A DVD copy of 'Fight Club' takes up more space than that (which is funny, because the Wii also doesn't play DVDs. Which doesn't seem like a big deal now, but if your primary device for viewing movies is disabled, you're really gonna be ticked that Nintendo didn't include this seemingly obvious console capability). Those of you that are good at solving impressive mysteries may have already put two and two together.

If you're going to be downloading fully-fledged, stand alone titles from the wii ware channel straight to your Wii, you're going to eat up the 512 MB limit so fast it's retarded.

Sure, they offer you the ability to use SD cards to save Wii-related data (which is kind of cool because it gives the SD card more use than just a digital camera memory card), but you still have to copy the data you want to use from the SD card to the console whenever you want to use it.

That's only one of the big inconveniences, though. Apparently (because I haven't actually tried to buy anything yet) the interfaces leave not only a lot to be desired, but also leave a whole bunch of users frustrated out of their minds. As a security measure, they've made it so that you can't save your credit card information or billing address. Sure, it's safer, but I'd rather be shot, beaten, and mugged, than have to input my name, address, credit card number, zip code, area code, telephone number, social security number, date of birth, date of death, and date of nintendo-caused-suicide every SINGLE time that I want to buy a game.

This article probably does a much better job of explaining it than I do:

Try it out, though, and you'll find some big problems. The interface is average at best, and the limited storage of the Wii console means trouble for heavy users of the machine's Virtual Console service (which lets you download classic games), who are suddenly going to have to make some tough choices about which games to keep. With only 512 MB of on-board storage, players are running out of room, and although you can store games on an SD card, you have to copy them back before you can play them. If keen players are already reaching the limit, what's it going to be like in a few years?

This is, to put it mildly, a shame, because there are already a couple of gems waiting for WiiWare browsers. Despite having a title long enough to fill up the Wii's memory on its own, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King is harder to quit than crack cocaine and a real bargain at $15. LostWinds, an innovative platform game from a small British developer, is receiving some decent reviews and clocks in at only $10.

That's assuming you have the patience to get them downloaded in the first place. Compare and contrast the Wii's Shop interface with similar offerings on the PS3 and Xbox 360, and you'll see that although Nintendo is unquestionably the master at building easy-to-use, appealing hardware, it has a lot to learn about interface design.

Here's a hint: make it easy for us to give you money. The Wii Shop won't save credit card information, which probably makes it slightly more secure, but inputting all those numbers with a remote control is silly and tiresome. That's nothing next to the inconvenience of having to fill out the billing address every time, though, and the Wii makes you do that in minute, exhaustive detail. Hey, Nintendo: If my Wii gets stolen from my front room, it's a safe bet the culprits already know where I live.

OK, so you've juggled memory around to make space and filled out enough forms to give a mortgage broker nightmares. Surely things get better when you actually start downloading games, right? No, Nintendo has a treat in store for you there as well. Once you've purchased your chosen game, you'll be greeted with a cheery (and, for some reason, orange) Mario running repeatedly across the screen grabbing gold coins. What purpose this serves isn't immediately clear. Presumably it's some type of progress bar, but -- as far as we're aware -- there's no apparent relationship between fat Italian plumbers, orange or not, and download progress. Maybe Mario's interminable transit symbolizes Nintendo gobbling up the revenue from your purchase. Who knows.

Moreover, why are we still watching him? On the 360, we could be playing Grand Theft Auto by now, simply waiting for the helpful pop-up notification while a whole stack of games download in the background. Coin-grabbing Mario, as he sucks down my dollars, looks awfully happy about this state of affairs, but we're not.

Seriously, Nintendo, we're delighted you're supporting independent developers (and Square-Enix) and encouraging yet more innovation on what's already the most novel and exciting games platform out there. With the Virtual Console and WiiWare, you're well on the way to beating the selections of the competition's download services. But did you have to make it such a pain to use?

That's Ridiculous, Neal Peart!

Sorry about the post drought. Here's an embedded video to shut you the hell up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iONLKn5VHY4

By the way, uh, blogspot? Is there a particular fucking reason as to why I can't copy and past the 'embed' link straight from YouTube? I mean, why wont you let me do that? Bitches. Sorry, readers, just follow the link.

Whatever. Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and Neal Peart should kick your ass.

Special Guest Starring

So, John McCain just 'guested' on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, and it only made me realize: I actually really like the guy.

I respect John McCain, and I appreciate his honesty, his environmental policies, and his ability to lead. I don't really feel his overly agressive foreign policy is what's best for the country, but other than that, I'm absolutely fine with him being elected. (I also appreciate Jon Stewart and his refusal to keep from asking hard-hitting, controversial questions, even on a forum such as his laid-back half-hour entertainment block.)

That having been said, I still love Obama a whole, whole lot more. Obama is a passionate speaker, an honest politician, and a force for change. Obama is my pick, and my favorite.

My only reason for writing this was to say that I'm comfortable with either. Which would mark the first time ever, for me (even though this is my first election).

Have we forgotten the dead so soon?

Not that I assumed horse racing would be finished because of Eight Belles, but honestly, I need blog material. Ideas welcome.

"We've Struck Distractions!"

(New font, hope you like it.)

The human race is alarmingly good at ignoring the obvious. If the evidence is there, and accepting the facts means that you'll lose money and customers, you pretend like it's a hoax.

That's one of the most frustrating things in the world to me. Voluntary ignorance.

Apparently, the next big thing is Oil-shale:

Since we've become so dependent on technology that is powered by petroleum products -- from the gas that runs your car to life-saving pharmaceuticals -- more unconventional sources of crude oil are being investigated. One of the more promising reserves of oil that hasn't been commercially exploited yet is oil shale. This is essentially oil trapped in solid form within rock.
-taken from the linked article

So what's my beef? I think it should be obvious. We're wasting time, money, and resources in an effort to continue fueling our outdated culture of fossil fuel dependence. We're killing the planet because rich, white Oil executives can't spare some change and refuse to admit that the planet is getting hotter, people are getting fatter, and it's mostly thanks to dependence upon fossil fuels.

What REALLY grinds my gears is that there are so many viable alternatives to it, to this fossil fuel addiction. Don't believe me? Give me ten seconds and I'll do some research.

Biodiesel from Microalgae. (PDF file)

Before I delve into the Microalgae element, let me argue for biodiesel. Sure, it's not my personal favorite for the race to clean energy...Solar power is my favorite. But biodiesel has a lot of convincing benefits to it. For one thing, even though burning fuel will still contribute to the amount of CO₂ in the atmosphere, it will so ridiculously reduce the contribution that it should be no contest between itself and our current energy source. Not only does the stuff burn cleaner, but because sources of biofuel are generally plant life, growing and harvesting the stuff cleans CO₂ out of the air before putting it back in, creating a sort of equilibrium. Not to mention the fact that we probably wouldn't have to change our lives very much if we converted to biodiesel...from what I understand it works in a lot of vehicles already. More than if we turned everything electric, at least (which is still the best case scenario in my opinion).

Of the biodiesel crops, microalgae looks to be the most promising. The numbers alone are daunting: microalgae harvesting can yield (by liters per hectare) 795.9% more oil than corn can, in the same amount of space. Mostly because this new biodiesel source, this microalgae, is made up of more than 70% oil. Microalgae can be grown almost anywhere; in specialised factories, in ponds, on building roofs, all over the place. And because it's so small with such a massive ability to yield its oil, it's ridiculously efficient.

All of that is in addition to the fact that most of the other sources of biofuel on that list are foods, and could be put to much better use as such. Developing countries need corn, wheat, and rice, not biodiesel or electricity. Nobody eats algae (yet), so it's neither an expensive waste of resources or a ridiculous waste of space.

As I said, though, I still favor solar power over all of this. It's perfectly clean, insurmountable in quantity, and should last until our race has long since abandoned this planet (or, in other words, several billion years from now). Solar power also wouldn't require diversion of water resources to use in the same way that growing and harvesting algae would. And there are a slew of environmental hazards and difficulties that come from irresponsible irrigation. Solar powered cars and homes would nearly eliminate the need for any kind of fuels at all, and technological development coupled with research spending could bring about more advanced photovotaic cells and such that allow more energy to be stored and diverted to other needs. Our entire world ran on solar power until the industrial revolution; when will our mechanical creations run on it, too?

The worldwide rate of energy consumption in 2004 was approximately .471 Zettajoules (ZJ), while the amount of solar energy that is absorbed by the earth each year is around 3850 ZJ. That means that there’s 99.98776% of all the energy on earth not being used, and it’s perfectly clean and natural energy.

Like I stated before, though, I can be a proponent for biodiesel, if only because the infastructure is already in place. But we need to stop with the distractions. We need to stop fooling ourselves with 'new coal' and 'clean coal', we need to stop building coal power plants, and we need to realize a big, bad, looming titan sooner than later. Global Warming doesn't give a damn about your politics and about your beliefs. The only thing that's going to be able to put a stop to it before it puts a stop to us all is change.

Change. Not silly diversions.

Super Duper Delegates

Oh man, I was worried for a second there.

I'm an Obamamaniac, and proud of it. I love the man. I'm voting for him, asking all my friends to vote for him, asking all my enemies to vote for him, and would gladly give him my left kidney if he asked. He is, in my humble opinion, the best thing to happen to American politics since Lincoln. He's humble, honest, worldly, charismatic, and pure (as opposed to the corruption that has plagued our government since forever). He's in it for us, not himself, not for a legacy or power, but for the American people. But I was definitely worried about his chances at becoming president a few weeks ago.

It seemed like he was a shoo-in until Reverend Wright (see below) and his 'elitism' comment happened.


Hillary Clinton, who I dislike greatly (bitch be way too muh-fuckkin' partisan, ya dig?) took advantage of those two unfortunate events, and I can't blame her. I was a little disappointed in Barack for a moment because it seemed like he'd started pandering for votes. While I understand that, sometimes, that's what you've got to do, I still can't say I approve. Obama needs to stay true to himself, his values, and most importantly, his message. But Clinton made a comeback with her Pennsylvania win, and I just about cried.

That's why, when I logged on to yahoo.com today, I was ecstatic to read: Obama Passes Clinton in Superdelegates.

The article talks about how, despite Clinton's comeback in the Pennslyvania primary and her totally unfair lead in superdelegate endorsements at the start of the campaign trail, Obama is straight up beasting on picking up endorsements of his own. He's currently got more than she does:

In the overall race for the nomination, Obama has 1,863.5 delegates and Clinton has 1,697, according to the latest AP tally. Obama is just 161.5 delegates shy of the 2,025 needed to secure the Democratic nomination.

-taken from the linked article on Yahoo! news

I'm excited about the elections once again, and I'm rooting for Obama all the way. He's it. He's the chosen one, man. I honestly believe that he can get us out of the Iraq situation, he can help our economy, he can improve our national image, and he can restore the American people's faith in the American government.

And that's saying something.

Katrina is a Burmese Name

You know, hundreds of thousands of people shouldn't have to suffer long, painful deaths because of international problems and poor diplomacy skills. The U. S. isn't being allowed to give aid to the people suffering from the crisis in Myanmar because htey don't trust us:

"We are in a long line of nations who are ready, willing and able to help, but also, of course, in a long line of nations the Burmese don't trust," U.S. Ambassador Eric John told reporters in Thailand's capital, Bangkok.

"It's more than frustrating," he said. "It's a tragedy." Each day of delay means "a lot more people suffering."

Now, I can't really blame the Burmese people for not trusting the United States. If I were the leader of a foreign nation, I wouldn't trust us either. We're belligerent elitists with a hard-on for capitalism and prejudice against anyone that doesn't embrace our system of government, and I can understand not wanting to have anything to do with us. But what are we gonna do? Sneak a nuclear warhed into your country inside of a hot pocket? For your sake, Myanmar, let us help. Don't let your people suffer because of your paranoia.

(photo and quotes taken from Philly.com)

And as long as we're talking about immense natural disasters, I'm really fed up with people blaming all of these catastrophes on God. Oh, the Tsunami was an act of God, oh Katrina was God's doing, Myanmar is God getting ready to end the world!

Don't be fucking ridiculous. This is what we call "Global Warming". Ever heard of it? It's kind of a big deal these days. I don't know about you, but these disasters are as good evidence as any that Global Warming exists, and that it's ready to royally wreck our asses.


The invisible avenger in the sky isn't ending our world. We are. And, really, if you honestly think that Al Gore is trying to perpetuate a hoax for money, then you deserve to drown.

I Have the Powah!

Solar Power is so vastly underrated.

Honestly, I have no fucking clue as to why more money isn't invested in developing and deploying devices and stations that would harness the near-infinite power of the sun, that big ol' mass of incandescant gas that's floating up there, causing skin cancer and keeping our world moving.

I don't know if people are stupid, or if they're stubborn, or what, but there is a SHITload of sunlight to go around. All that daylight? That could be solar power. Solar power that causes no pollution, that doesn't hurt the environment, that will last us for at least another hundred million years. Humans have only been around for a couple thousand years. We've only been using fossil fuels for energy for one or two thousand. And we're already fucking ourselves royally.

That's why I get angry when I read stuff like this article.

Hawai'i could become the first state in the country to require that all new single-family homes come equipped with energy-saving solar water heaters.

Lawmakers last week approved the mandate, which advocates say would save new homeowners hundreds of dollars a year in electricity costs and help reduce Hawai'i's use of fossil fuels.

While I can appreciate that what they've done will reduce fossil fuel consumption, how tiny of a change is that? How insignificant of an act is that? Wow, homeowners in Hawaii (where they're already rich as all hell) will save a few hundred dollars annually. Is that the ONLY reason that you're doing it? To make your life easier, to save you money?

What-the-hell-ever happened to the greater good? What happened to self-sacrifice for a larger cause, for something more important than one selfish person and their money?

Oh, right. We're human beings. We never had that to begin with.

Animal Wrongs

Horse racing: it's fucking inhumane.

You may or may not have heard about the death of a certain horse on Saturday, Eight Belles, during the final stretch of the Kentucky Derby. She was the first filly, the first female horse, to compete in the race since 1999, and came in second place on race day. Second place only to be euthanized moments later.

Her two front ankles broke after the race was over, after she'd hit the backstretch. Since she didn't have a leg to stand on so that a splint could be placed, she was euthanized there, immediately, killed on the track.

Frankly, I'm not amused. Horses are such beautiful creatures, so free and wild when left alone. I don't see why it's necessary to imprison and breed them for this 'sport of kings'. We don't have a king. I don't know if you noticed, but 'King George' is just our president's nickname.

It's wrong. Put an end to it. And that's that.

Littering: An Essay

Littering is considered a "nasty side-effect of our convenience oriented culture." It's very common for people to take their wrappers, bags, and refuse from their unit-by-unit product consumption and callously toss them aside on roads, sidewalks, in parks and on beaches without so much as a second thought. The worst part is that so many people do it; almost everyone litters or has littered a decent amount in their lifetime. We all know we've done that thing where you wait until nobody is looking and then push a gum wrapper or receipt out of your pocket so it looks like it just "fell out." Why? Because it's convenient and you don't have to go and find a trash can.

Most developed countries in the world today, primarily and especially America, thrive and love convenience. America is a country that has been accused of having products with packaging that costs more to produce than the product itself, where disposable cups, Styrofoam boxes, individual wrapping and plastic utensils reign supreme. Our spoiled rotten culture is hurting the environment because we don’t like washing dishes and would rather buy in bulk than take a trip to the bakery. Recycling has gained popularity in recent years, but not enough so as to make a significant dent on the amount of waste produced by the country annually. As long as people are obsessed with the bare minimum required of them, litter will most likely continue to be a problem. Most people can’t even be bothered to hold onto their trash until a proper receptacle can be found…their trash ends up on the ground, for all to see.

An insignificant consequence of littering that seems to garner a lot more attention than it needs to is the fact that littering creates an eyesore. When an area is covered with garbage, it’s unpleasant to look at. The simple fact that this consequence is one of the first things that come to mind when people hear the word ‘litter’ is a testament to the negativity of our convenience oriented culture: it’s ‘inconvenient’ to look at it.

A much more important effect of littering is the many ways in which it affects the environment and individual ecosystems. Discarded cigarette butts decay slowly over the course of more than a decade, all the while leeching toxic substances like lead and arsenic into the water and soil. Plastic containers can have often bizarre and unexpected effects on animals (like the nefarious “duckling in a soda ring” scenario). Rusty, discarded aluminum cans can cuts things that brush past them, causing disease in both animals and humans.

Aside from the aforementioned impacts of littering, litter can have a significant impact on faraway ecosystems. Wind and rainfall can carry trash and toxins from one area to another, entering rivers, oceans, and other environments. Litter, and large amounts of it, can collect in one area, creating problems for the animals that live there. A great example of this is the pacific trash vortex, an area in the pacific ocean when tons upon tons of human garbage has clumped together in the middle of the ocean and is starting to have negative effects on marine life and birds. Litter is also costly to state and local governments – California spends over twenty-eight million dollars a year cleaning up litter from their cities and forests.

So what can be done about this problem? Is there anything already being done? There’s a lot we can improve on in our culture of convenience. There are a few volunteer organizations that spend time and effort cleaning up highways, parks, forests, roadways, and the like, and while that helps, it’s almost an exercise in futility because of the scale difference between how much trash is thrown out versus how much is picked up. To make a real impact and a real change, and to solve this problem, everyone must work together. Companies should use only biodegradable packaging. Junkyard items should be recycled. People need to eat, drink, and live in moderation. If all this happens, we might be able to avert this problem before it turns into something worse.

MADD About Games!

Before I go on, I'd just like to say: Mothers Against Drunk Driving, I appreciate you. I understand what you stand for, and your cause is one of a few that I wholeheartedly support. I have no problems with trying to keep people from taking to the streets intoxicated, and possibly harming innocent bystanders in the process.

Now that that's out of the way, no, I am not o.k. with MADD trying to coerce the ESRB to change the rating given to Grand Theft Auto IV from 'Mature 17+' to 'AO Adults Only'. (that link could've been integrated a whole lot better).

The organization is calling on the Entertainment Software Ratings Board, the independent organization that assigns video-game ratings, to reclassify "GTA IV" as an Adults Only game. The action-driving game, which includes the ability to drive while intoxicated, is currently rated Mature.

Big deal. Alright, my sympathies to you, I understand where you're coming from. I get it, drunk driving isn't a joke, drunk driving isn't funny, and drunk driving is a dangerous, "100% preventable" activity that can ruin lives and has done so countless times. But...okay, hold on, time for point-by-point debunking of your actions:

1. Given that the ESRB took all possible actions in GTA IV into account (including robbery, assault, 1st and 2nd degree murder, drug trafficking, alcohol abuse, prostitution, conspiracy, grand larceny, and all other types of assorted debauchery), why would the presence of drunk driving as an option make them change their rating? It's definitely not the worst thing on that list.
2. If you want the rating changed because you don't want people to think the big D.D. is a fun way to pass the time, get real. Anyone that would infer that from the context of a video game is already an idiot and cannot be helped. I suggest prayer.
3. The game is already exclusively avaliable to people ages seventeen and up, and the ESRB has determined that age seventeen is the age at which this content can be deemed 'appropriate'. Changing the rating to AO will, one, barely increase the age necessary to purchase the game (17+ to 18+, so the people that want the game will still be able to get it), and two, punish the developers and retailers that have strict 'no Adults Only' policies (which is almost every major retailer out there...K-Mart, Wal-Mart, Target, EBGames, GameStop, Babbages, Slackers, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera...). We don't need to punish the game's developers by destroying their sales and financial gain; I like the idea of Rockstar hanging around to wow us with yet another fantastic GTA, Midnight Club, or Bully game. Rather, we need to hold parents and irresponsible retailers who make games like this avaliable to kids that aren't technically 'old enough' to be playing them accountable for their actions.
4. Grand Theft Auto IV isn't about drunk driving. Just like Grand Theft Auto III gained infamy for the ability to kill prostitutes for a 'refund', this is an excellent example of crusaders missing the point. "For the same reason that you can't judge an entire film or television program by a single scene, you can't judge 'Grand Theft Auto IV' by a small aspect of the game," as said by Rockstar Games in a statement released on Wednesday.

Like I said, MADD, go get 'em. Just keep your mitts off my games.

Redbox Retaliation

Okay, really, I understand that you're low-budget and cater to the financially lacking and/or irresponsible, but...how inconvenient can one automated rental service be?

The other day, Jelani and Chance and I decided to trip over to FatDonalds for some fast, deliciously unsatisfying and unhealthy food (which reminds me...I really, really need to start biking again before I turn into an obesity statistic). With a large drink, you receive a tab that gives you one redbox rental DVD free for one night. Well, I had nothing better to do that night, so I figured why not? I peeled the tab and, when we finished eating, jiggled our fat asses over to the big, unsightly machine. I typed in the promo code, picked out a movie ("What should I get?" "Haha, barney." "Fuck that dude, I'm serious." "So was I!" "Shut up...what should I get?" "Good Luck Chuck was funny. Try that." "Eh, what the hell, it's free. Sure."). Suddenly, though, I was prompted for my credit card number, my home address, and all kinds of other shit. That was unwelcome, but I still filled it out. I could walk back and give the DVD back whenever tommorrow.

So, I get home. I watch it. It's funny, vulgar, and not as amazing as some people had made it out to be. But it's a decent view for free.

Andrew (my older brother) and I head back towards the FatDonalds that I got to DVD from, park the Beast, get out walk in, and are met with - what are the chances - an OUT OF ORDER sign. So I can't return my fucking DVD. And, now that the redbox company has all my delightful information, should I not be able to return it, they can start charging me for every day I don't bring it back. Personally, I was not only unpleasently suprised, but offended. I asked the folks behind the counter about it, and they didn't have ANY idea what to do. After asking the manager about it, they proceeded to tell me that Redbox and McDonalds (oops, sorry, FatDonalds) have nothing to do with each other, so I can't give them the DVD. Instead, they recommend to try another location, and tell my brother and I to drive over to the one on Kingshighway about two or three miles away.

What the fuck.

Well, there's not really a whole lot else to do. We drive, in the Beast (which gets about 10 miles to the gallon, I might add...), to the next Fatdonalds location. Again, we park, we walk inside, and we look around.

Where...is the redbox machine...?

The idiot at the other McDonalds sent me to another one, except this one doesn't have a Redbox machine. At all.

FUCK.

The kind cashier at THIS location told me that they were sorry, that if we wanted we could file a complaint (sorry, lady, I'm too easy-going to take it THAT far), and that Shop 'n' Save also has a Redbox.

UGH.

Yeah, I guess we had no choice but to trek over to the gorcery and give that one a shot. It wouldn't have suprised me if the redbox there had...blown up or something, I dunno. Anyway, it wasn't. It wasn't perfect either, though: there were two people in line ahead of me, and they were the SLOWEST PEOPLE ALIVE. I honestly had to wait fifteen minutes before I could use the machine, and all that I had to do was slide a fucking DVD case into a slot. Ten seconds of work, tops.

Well, I did finally manage to return my DVD. And the fifteen minutes gave my older brother a chance to buy booze to his hearts content...friggin alcoholic. I doubt I'll ever rent from Redbox again. The rest of my day was fine, though.

Online Multiplayer Anecdote of the Day:

In GTA IV, Graham [killograham] and I stole a helicopter, flew it to the top of the Empire State Building, and took turns skydiving to earth without parachutes. Awesome fails to describe that experience.

Le Premier De Mais

...Not sure if that's exactly how you say it in french, but Happy May First, everyone!

That means I only have a small amount of high school left. Like, two weeks left of high school. And then it's over, it's permanently and forever over. I am SO excited. When I have kids, I'm gonna totally be able to be all "high school sucks, I feel your pain, rah blah blah blah" and shit. Exciting.

Excuse me while I travel off to Microsoft Word so that I can complete my report for Dr. Gayzar. I mean Azar. Laters.

Online Multiplayer Anecdote of The Day:

Goodness me, Grand Theft Auto IV is fun. Especially the online gameplay.

The other day I joined a party with all of my black friends from school (most of them are black...the one white kid I play with regularly and go to school with is Zyka [FiercewarriorZ]). We screwed around in party mode for about an hour, then elected to enter into a team deathmatch against some other parties. It was all good.

Of course, the anonymity of the internet shows up in the most unexpected of places, as we were suddenly matched up against a whole bunch of ignorant white kids that seemed to feel it was A-OK to spout some of the most vulgar anti-african-american sentiments ever, just because of the people in my party. And when you bring race into an online conflict, you have t stay until it's resolved. I don't think there's anything as satisfying as annihilating an entire team of racists with a rocket launcher. Or mowing over one of their star players in an SUV again and again and again until they're dead. Oh, man, it was delicious. Especially when somebody said "I hope you get hit by a car," and then a Ferarri sent one of the racists flying about four hundred feet to his death.

Don't worry. We trounced them, We trounced the shit out of their ugly white asses in the name of tolerance. Redneck, KKK, pieces of shit, every one of them.