Who? What? Me? I'm just making a flan...

new Kids in the Hall!

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 19:46:34 GMT

Okay, overheard on the radio during my drive home yesterday, that the Kids in the Hall will soon begin filming a mini-series! It is a murder-comedy, called Death Comes to Town, and all five Kids will be in it.

The Kids will (each?) be playing multiple roles, and - best of all - some characters from their show may return!

I'm so excited, I can't wait to see this - airing in the fall, if I recall the radio announcement correctly.

New Kids in the Hall, wooooohooooooo!!!!

Happy Happy Day!

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 19:52:49 GMT

Okay, I've been extremely remiss in posting, and actually have a few things I should have/might still write about, but there's no way I can not post this: last student loan paid off in full as of March 1st!! Wooooohooooooo!!!

If you could see my grin right now you'd hardly believe anyone could smile that broadly - to say I'm happy and excited would be a little bit of understatement, not to mention relieved that the weight of that particular burden has finally been lifted from my shoulders!!!!

Oh, and I'm not apologizing for the overuse of exclamation points in this post!!!!!

Yay!

Mon, 26 May 2008 19:32:41 GMT

I meant to post this just before last weekend, but we were preparing to go away for the long weekend and visit with college buddies so it got lost in the shuffle (what a fun weekend by the way - our friends ROCK!).

Anyway, I had sent my copy of Guitar Hero 3 away to get the free replacement disc - the Wii version didn't ship with Dolby Surround Sound like they said it did, so if you wanted it you had to send your disc away and wait for them to send you the newly (and properly) mastered replacement disc. So, 6 to 8 weeks with no GH3 for me - very sad and painful at first, but eventually you become numb and it sort of drifts off into the subconscious. Plus, I didn't really I'd been missing out on much sound quality anyway - no true surround sure, but it still sounded okay to me. Free replacement though, what the heck, right?

Got it back, tried it out both with and without headphones, and let me tell you - WOW! I'm hearing so much more from my guitar line, all of the other instruments, the singer, crowd noises, everything! And not only is there more to hear, but hell yeah does it sound better! Anyone out there with a Wii version of GH3, and you were wondering whether or not to bother getting the replacement disc - BOTHER! You will not be disappointed, I guarantee!

Wed, 07 May 2008 18:13:32 GMT

So, I was looking for info on The Golden Compass movie for work, and while at the official website decided to take the test to see what my daemon would be. I think what it told me is somewhat accurate (but maybe off a little bit), and I certainly like it, but I'll leave it up to you to decide if it's really close to to the truth or if it's actually way off the mark:

So, whaddaya think? Am I a snow leopard?

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 19:09:31 GMT

Well, I guess I'm going to have to post more often, and about more interesting stuff -deceptivelyevil just had a comment from someone other than our close circle of friends, and now I want some too! Don't get me wrong, comments and the like from friends and family are well and good, but to have external notoriety, however fleeting and inconsequential it might, has a certain allure to it, something tantalizing that I'm finding difficult to resists.

What this really boils down to, of course, is that those lovely friends and family that do currently read my 3.5 posts/per year will now have the option to read more of my insane ramblings and thus lose their own grips on reality. That is, presuming my overabundance of posts hasn't either caused them to abandon this site entirely or already driven them over the edge of reason...

Tough choices

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 19:25:58 GMT

Was in New Brunswick over the Easter long weekend, and while in Fredericton went to the Boyce Farmer's Market to get some samosas from my favourite vendor, 'Samosa Delight'. While waiting in line for my turn to purchase some of these extremely popular delectable munchies, I had a difficult decision to make:

How many samosas could I get, while still keeping an acceptable amount of money in my wallet to put away in my Xbox360/Rock Band savings fund?

Yes, I was actually torn in debate between samosas and Rock Band.

If you knew me, you'd know how intense and difficult that decision was!

Can't talk now, Guitar Hero 3!

Tue, 30 Oct 2007 17:27:04 GMT

Seriously, I've got some serious shredding to do! and the other stuff I was gonna mention from last week slipped my mind due to the deer incident, and now it's way past due, so nevermind.

RAWK ON!!!!

One way to wake up in the morning!

Fri, 26 Oct 2007 14:30:31 GMT

Okay, was almost all the way to work this morning when a deer ran across the road (as in highway) right in front of me. This deer took off from the left hand ditch like a bat outta hell and was giving it all it was worth! I could almost see the thoughts in its head leading up to the decision to run - "gotta cross this highway, c'mon you can do it, it's now or never, okay NOW!".

The problem is that the deer came to this decision when I was maybe 30 feet away. I saw it sprinting across the other lane, slammed on my brakes (made the tires squeal) and swerved fairly hard to my left. I barely, and I do mean BARELY, avoided colliding with this deer on the right front corner of my car, even with all my defensive tactics and the deer's breakneck pace!

I do know that I missed it completely though - didn't feel any impact, and did see the deer running into the ditch and woods on my side of the road through my mirrors. It was close though - I doubt that there was much more than a foot (if that) between my car and the deer when we avoided each other!

There was a truck behind me at the time, but thankfully they were practicing safe highway driving and were well back enough so that there was no danger of the two vehicles colliding due to my extreme braking or a potential deer/car collision.

complete truth

Sat, 20 Oct 2007 13:34:06 GMT

Okay, a friend sent me a link to this youtube video, and I dare any cat owners out there to deny the truth of this! Oh yeah, make sure your sound is on - it's not loud or anything, but kinda key to the whole experience.

Oh the weather outside is frightful!

Thu, 18 Oct 2007 18:51:58 GMT

Okay, one of my all-time favourite movies is being re-released into theatres! If that's not enough to get me excited, it's being released as an IMAX film!! And if *that's* not enough to get me really excited, it's going to be 3-D too!!!

I'm talking about Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas, and it's opening in IMAX 3-D this weekend - I'm practically giddy with anticipation, and I'm telling everyone about it. I only heard about this a few days ago from deceptivelyevil and I've been grinning ever since! I don't know about you, but I'm surprised at how little buzz there is about this: I would've thought there would be much more fanfare heralding this event than the complete lack thereof that I've seen so far. Well, I've never understood how Hollywood decides what to market, how to market it, and when to market it - they've been doing it for quite some time now and yet any of us can easily pick five flicks where the promotion hit the wrong audience or completely misrepresented the film or made some other serious and obvious mistakes. Ah well, I know about it now and that's all that matters, heehee!

In case you too are excited about this, or are unfortunate enough not to have seen the film in question (but have the good sense/taste to be curious) here's the website: http://adisney.go.com/disneypictures/nightmare/index.html

more Halo 3 info

Thu, 04 Oct 2007 16:59:56 GMT

Played some multiplayer Halo 3 last weekend - 12 guys, 3 machines/tv's. Sooo sweeet......

The options you have to customize a multiplayer match are so much more robust now, it's incredible - there might even be too many options this time! Also, many more options to customize the look of your toon, from helmets, shoulder/arms, chest, another thing I can't remember, colours, emblems, etc. Of course you need to unlock most of the alternate armour choices, but that's okay, the campaign has to be good for something.

New maps are very cool, and the new weapons that I could figure out how to use are also extremely nice - gotta love the gravity hammer! This was my very first time playing the game, so there were several new weapons and other items that I either couldn't get to work at all or else couldn't use very effectively - I'm not sure how many times that night I exclaimed "what the hell is this?". Of course, every time I did say that I got ganked shortly after :D

Graphics are very nice, definitely improved a lot over 1 and 2, although perhaps not as much as you might think. Sound and lighting are also very well done, the atmosphere is very much a part of this game even in the frenetic pace of a 12-man free-for-all melee!

Overall, much fun was had by all, and I did quite well - was in the top 3 for about half of the free-for-all's, was in the top 6 for the other half, and in team games was on the winning side for all but one or two matches. Best of all, I bested my friend (who shall remain nameless) in the standings almost every match, sometimes with a thorough trouncing - this is the guy who invited me to the party, had already beaten the game, and has always been far superior to me in Halo 1 and 2 by a significant margin. Ah, friendly rivalries with the appropriate associated trash talk and bragging rights - it's what gaming is all about!

Halo Day, woot!

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 22:35:37 GMT

It would not befit me as a video game geek were I to forget to mention that Halo 3 was released today. I won't be playing it today - I don't own an Xbox 360. However, I know at least 2 people who most definitely have had it for hours by this time, and I will be sampling this particular flavour of electronic joy very soon, don't you worry - whether those friends like it or not, as I'm practically vibrating with excitement just thinking about it!

Heavenly Sword - wow!

Mon, 24 Sep 2007 18:50:29 GMT

Played Heavenly Sword on the PS3 at a friend's place this weekend - we almost beat it in one sitting, just had the third and final round of the boss to go. We were too tired and full of beer at that point to continue, however :-D

What a beautiful game - the PS3 really shows it's graphical power with this game, truly phenomenal. And the gameplay is fun too - seeing all the crazy speed moves and massive power hits, plus the special attacks, what a blast. Best part of the game, for me anyway, are the shooting levels - cannon, crossbow, rocket, doesn't matter, it is just too much fun to use the aftertouch and guide your missile to exactly where it needs to go! I could replay those levels many more times before they get old, that's for sure.

Only problem, is that the game is too short - I mean I play a fair number of video games, and my friend does too, but neither one of us is what you'd call a hard-core gamer, and we basically beat the game in about 8 hours. A gamer could do the game in 5 hours I'd say, maybe even less. Of course we did unlock hell mode, which one presumes makes the game harder and thus will take longer to beat, but still... main game should be at least 10 hours, preferably 15-20. Still, I highly recommend renting it to the 30 or 40 people who might actually own a PS3, it really is fun and looks amazing. Just look out for the Raven King, though - what a PITA!

Sad day for fantasy lovers

Mon, 17 Sep 2007 17:00:07 GMT

Robert Jordan, author of the Wheel of Time series (and more) passed away yesterday after battling a serious illness. He was not quite 60.

Although I have yet to read the Wheel of Time, as I was waiting for the series to be completed before tackling such a huge project, I was thoroughly anticipating enjoying his work. He was at work on the 12th and final volume of Wheel of Time during his illness, and although he was unable to finish it he did pass on all major plot details to his immediate family. We may yet see the conclusion of his epic.

quick note

Tue, 24 Jul 2007 19:26:05 GMT

Yes, I suck, haven't posted in quite some time. And I lied on the last post, saying I'd post again that day. My vacation schedule is combining with my natural tendency to procrastinate to prevent regular posting. On the plus side, my vacation schedule totally rocks! 4-day long weekends all summer long baby, yeah!

So, went to PEI for the Blast at the Beach concert this past weekend. Impressions tomorrow. No really, I mean it!

yet one more quick Pirate Master note

Thu, 12 Jul 2007 18:06:09 GMT

Yet another Pirate Master post - even I'm getting kinda sick of these, I'm really gonna have to get better at posting more regularly. That said, there will be another post today. Shocking, ain't it?

Anyway, I was not surprised one bit that Azmyth and his officer remained in power last week - he's a tough competitor, and with a couple of weeks in a row as captain he's been able to cut out some competition (as well as some of the chaff - I can't believe it took that long for Joy to be cut adrift!). He is in a really strong position now, so unless his officers decide to help in a mutiny - and I really, really can't see that happening anytime soon - he has got an excellent shot at the top prize right now.

Joe Don is still an irritating jerk, but these losses and the precariousness of his position lately have toned him down somewhat, so that he's almost tolerable. Ah, what being on the bottom can do for one's humility. It is really interesting to see how he and Louie have had to get past their differences and work together now that they are big targets for Azmyth and pals, I'm quite curious to see how that will develop in the next couple of weeks. Well, unless Joe Don is gone this week like I suspect will happen. On a side note, Joe Don and Nessa are getting much closer - ewwwww!!!!

Wed, 04 Jul 2007 18:27:06 GMT

just a quick update - we were away for a long weekend, and our vcr clock wasn't set properly so we only caught the end of Pirate Master. I'm not at all surprised to see Azmyth as captain again, and I like the fact that he gave Louie the black spot, as Louie suggested the week before. How Joe Don remains on board at all is a mystery, and I am SERIOUSLY GROSSED OUT that he and Nessa (or whoever it was) are apparently going to be getting romantic this week. Also, Jupiter crying or whatever every time someone is cut adrift is really getting annoying. It's a competition lady, you should be happy when your opponents are eliminated instead of you!!!

Anyway, it still remains interesting, and I wish I could've seen the whole episode (I'm especially interested in figuring out how/why Azmyth chose the officers that he did), so I'll be tuning in this week for sure. On a side note, I'm playing the Pirate Master game on the ctv website, where you try and predict who will be captain, officers, black spotted, and cut adrift, but seeing as it all depends on how the challenges play out, which you can't predict at all, it's pretty much a crapshoot.

Oh yeah, one more side note. It seems to me that all I post about is Pirate Master, which is starting to bug me and I'm sure it's bugging you too. I'll fix that, and soon. Some impressions from the weekend away will be coming, I promise...

revolving captains

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 19:05:46 GMT

Well I have to say that I was surprised when Azmyth lost his captaincy last episode of Pirate Master. He is still one of the strongest competitors in the game, but it does go to show that speed is not the only thing you need to win challenges. He just didn't take that extra 2 seconds to make sure he had the right spot for the treasure, and for that he paid the price.

The introduction of the Pardon is very interesting, as it makes cutting someone adrift that much more difficult, plus the money from winning challenges is much more important, just in case you need to buy that pardon. And the fact that you can't keep the pardon more than the one week, meaning if it doesn't save you it was wasted cash (take that Joe Don you stupid idiot) lends some risk to the whole thing that might not be altogether comfortable.

I expect to see Azmyth in the captain's position again, he's just too good a competitor, but I'm going to enjoy Louie's tenure first. He's playing the game pretty straight up, not hiding his reasoning or his complaints, not shirking duty or responsibility (unlike one former captain who's behaviour was unbelievably lazy, dirty, underhanded, and cheap). Plus he's laughing all the time, and has a grudge against Joe Don, so really there's no reason not ot like him.

Tammy and I were discussing this before, and though the editing of the show makes it look as though the grudge is mainly about money, we think there is more to it than that, including Joe Don's lack of working while captain. But we think the main reason Louie (and I'm sure others who are just being careful about what they say) is mad is the food issue. When the ugly prick was captain, he had the cook make the most disgusting gruel for the crew, while he (and I think his officers) got to eat very well. Now I know if I was on the crew, the money-grubbing and laziness would tick me off, but feeding me that garbage while you got served like a king?!? That would kick in the vengeance drive big time, and I wouldn't stop working to get that captain gone 'til he was off the ship.

As for the actual cutting adrift last week, I knew Azmyth wasn't going and I figured (as I'm sure all playing/watching did as well) that Joe Don bought the pardon, so it wasn't much of a surprise that Cheryl was gone. And Jupiter whining and crying about how she didn't like how someone could get cut just because 'of who they're friends with" - gimme a break, please! This is a game after all, it's all about being the last one standing. AND you're supposed to be pirates, for crying out loud! You cut who you can, when you can, for whatever reason you can, until you are the winner. If you're going to start caring about your OPPOSITION you deserve to lose, and fast. No sympathies here.

The previews for tomorrow's episode make it look like there will be some interesting dealmaking and plotting going on - finally, people acting like pirates who are out to get the others while making their bid for their own survival! Joe Don can't have the pardon this week, so let's keep our fingers crossed, shall we?

Now we just need a keel-haulin'...

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 19:14:38 GMT

Great episode of Pirate Master last night, mainly because Joe Don lost his captaincy, wooohoooo!!!! It wasn't perfect, as he didn't get cut adrift, but still he's not in power anymore and that is definitely a good thing.

There are some interesting things going on in terms of side deals, bribes, and maybe some future backstabbing opportunities. And I really have to give Azmyth some praise here - a smart player, driven competitor, and all-around funky dude! He made the right opening moves as the new captain, both to distance himself from the idiocy of the previous captain and to cement his support among the crew. At first glance I thought it was a mistake not to give Joe Don a black spot (one of the officers has a deal with him and so was pushing for his not getting nominated), but now I'm thinking it was smart to a certain extent, as it may give him some support from the former captain as well.

Joy is really looking more and more like a weak competitor, and I won't be one bit surprised when she's finally eliminated - she just doesn't seem to have the physical fitness to compete. Or perhaps she doesn't have the competitive drive to push herself through the physical challenges. Either way, she drags her team down. That being said, the right person was cut last night I think, as the other two nominees hadn't really done anything that bad to warrant leaving, and Alexis' walking outside of the longboat instead of helping paddle was a very significant factor in the black team losing the challenge. Plus it didn't look like she was quite carrying her weight in on-deck duties.

So, I'm a little disappointed that Joe Don wasn't eliminated, but then again part of me hopes he gets captain again just so I can see the smug bastard's face when the mutiny happens. and of course it's always fun to have a villain to hate and root against, but some of the other people are starting to get on my nerves too so it wouldn't be too hard to find a replacement. I mean, if Cheryl mentions being a district attorney one more time...

no Rockstar this year?

Thu, 14 Jun 2007 19:31:49 GMT

Okay, so the unofficial word (which means I did a 30 second google search and trolled some forums) suggests that because Mark Burnett is doing Pirate Master (3rd episode on tonight, impressions tomorrow) this summer, he will not be doing a third RockStar show this year.

If so, that makes me sad. I really enjoy RockStar, as the contestants tend to have some history as performers and usually know how to play to the crowd and put on a good show. Plus, the house band totally and completely rocks!

I'm enjoying Pirate Master of course, but if I'd had a choice between the two, it would've been tough to pass on a new season of RockStar. Unless I wasn't the least interested in the band being auditioned for, of course, then the choice would be easy.

But what do I know, I'm not a hard-core reality tv junkie like many viewers. I think I'll hold out hope for a new RockStar season until I know for sure there won't be one, just in case.

On a completely unrelated note, new applicances and furniture have arrived at home, I can't wait to see how it all looks when I get off work!

no new job for me... yet!

Fri, 08 Jun 2007 18:47:58 GMT

Well I just heard from the search committee about my boss' job that I had applied for - I didn't get the position. They did think it was an excellent interview, and that there are noteworthy elements in my job history and stuff, and said I should pursue other Chief jobs in the future, but someone with more, and more relevant, experience was the successful candidate.

Oh well, I kinda figured I wasn't going to the get the job anyway, and it is definitely good to hear that I'm just about ready, so I'm not sad or discouraged.

Woulda been cool to be the big boss though...

Shiver me timbers!

Fri, 08 Jun 2007 15:11:57 GMT

So, i'm a relative newcomer to the reality tv 'genre', and still don't watch most of the major players - I've not watched even one episode of Survivor, don't care for the Idol series' (except for the tryouts - it still blows my mind that these people that are sooo bad, and obviously so, think that they're actually good!), don't watch the Amazing Race except for the occasional episode.

Tammy did get me hooked on So You Think You Can Dance halfway through last season (hello, awesome dancing by hot people!), and we did enjoy the last season of Big Brother, because the players finally got into the game and were really strategizing and backstabbing instead of worrying about being friends with everyone. Also, my all-time favourite Hell's Kitchen has started again - and wow, looks like it's going to be the best season ever, there was so much crying in the first episode, most of it without any prompting by Gordon Ramsay!

Now there is a new player on the scene, which looks like a lot of fun, and the second episode was on last night - Pirate Master. People pretending to be pirates, questing for treasure, making secret deals, all while on a beautiful ship (the Picton Castle, sailing out of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia) or in tropical locales. Recipe for success, if done right.

So far, it's been pretty good. There is a decent backstory to fuel the 'storyline', the props/sets/challenges have been interesting and well crafted (both aesthetically and as obstacles), and the crew is a mixed bunch of loonies, arrogant jerks, quirky types, annoying hyper-personalities, bland ones - y'know, the typical reality show cast.

Amazingly (at least to me), each episode the crew has 'cut adrift' (eliminated from the show - why they didn't go with the obvious and cool Walk the Plank is beyond me, and a major oversight by the creators IMO) the completely wrong person! Now, the first guy to go made a great argument to defend himself, had in fact been the main reason the treasure was found by his team, and he had the ships only handheld compasses! Still, he's gone. He did seem a bit weird (occupation was listed as Scientist/Exotic Dancer, I think you'd kinda have to be a little odd to pull off that combo), and in the second episode they talked about how he had alienated/isolated himself from the rest of the crew, so the decision to cut him adrift now makes a little more sense. Not a lot, but some.

Last night, they voted off a former NFL running back, for the supposed reason that his running was slow when they were slogging up a large hill for the challenge that evening. The team member that prevented them from getting to the beach to start running had also received the Black Spot (nominated for eviction, in other words), and really was the main reason they lost that night, but she stays. The girl who was sick the first episode and sprained her knee during this challenge, further slowing the charge up the hill, stays. And this is her second Black Spot. Neither of them I particulary care about, although of the three I think either of the women would have been a smarter choice. They're going to regret not having that serious muscle around later on, mark my words.

Who should have really gone, you ask? Hands down, by far, no doubt about it - The Captain. This moron is easily the most arrogant, obnoxious, slimy, infuriating prick I've even seen on television, and yet he was spared from a mutiny - AGAIN!. Even though he acts the way he does (see previous sentence), makes the crew eat nothing but small amounts of gruel and dry bread and work their butts off (while he eats like a king and does absolutely nothing), and doesn't give anyone any decent amount of money out of his share of the treasure! The stupidity shown by the crew in not deposing this jackass is truly astounding. In fact, their behaviour may warrant the use of my new word - yes, they are making me frustgusted by their shortsighted idiocy.

*Pant, pant* Okay, enough ranting for one day. Cool premise, good supporting elements, beautiful scenery, and jerks - what more can you want in a TV show?

soooo much fun!

Mon, 04 Jun 2007 18:55:30 GMT

I have a Wii! I have a Wii! I have a Wii! I have a Wii! I have a Wii! I have a Wii! I have a Wii! I have a Wii! I have a Wii! I have a Wii!

Umm, so I'm a little excited about the fact that I bought a Wii recently - can't blame a fella, that thing is the most fun I've had with videogames since Idunnowhen! And if you don't know what I'm talking about, or do know but haven't tried one yet, c'mon over to my place, 'cos

I HAVE A WII!

Sappiness alert, don't say I didn't warn you!

Fri, 01 Jun 2007 19:21:45 GMT

I was trying to come up with a poem for this day, but only really got one good line, so I think I'll just stick with that. It sums it all up pretty much anyway, I think. Well it does if you know me and my attitude towards life, anyway. Besides, it's not for you anyway, it's for her.

To the love of my life,
with whom I shall age but never grow old,
Happy Anniversary.

interview done!

Tue, 29 May 2007 14:24:22 GMT

Well, just had my interview for the boss' position - 1 and a half hours of four people asking me what I've done, what can I do, and why I should be allowed to do more. Ugh.

I actually don't mind doing interviews - I think I even prefer being interviewed to being the interviewer. And as far as interviews go, this was pretty good. I think I answered everything fairly well - maybe not super-great answers for all the questions, but overall a decent performance. I don't really think I'll be offered the job, mainly because I don't yet have the job experience in management that they are looking for in a potential chief. Which is fine with me - I'd love to have the job, but if that's the reason why I don't get it, it's perfectly legit and understandable, and something I can easily work on and improve. Of course, if it's because I'm too charming and cute, well I'll humbly accept that too.

Anyway, another learning experience, another blog topic, and maybe - just maybe, if you're lucky (or unlucky, depending on your POV) - it'll spur my creativity and productivity, both at work and at home. I know you'll wanna hear all about it...