You know, I'm not a big gamer. I love old school video games, you know, where the story is short and you can't save and all that. Today, they call those "platformers." Today's platformers have more in-depth stories and such, but it's a very, very rare game that captures my attention enough to play it all the way to the end (I really miss the days when games didn't have ends).
Anyway, I love the Playstation 3, for its beautiful graphics and mostly for its Blu-Ray player. But so far, not a single game on the PS3 has kept me interested for more than an hour or two. The Nintendo Wii, on the other hand, is pretty great.
I mentioned a few months ago that Super Mario Galaxy ranks up there with the best games ever created. Prior to it, the only modern games I'd played all the way through were Final Fantasy VIII and Kingdom Hearts, and really, I'd lost interest in both of them by the time I was done. I just finished them because I'd already put so much time in.
Well, Nintendo recently released Super Smash Brothers Brawl. It was their present to me, because it came out on my birthday. I didn't get it for my birthday. But I got it as an Easter Bunny present for myself and for Eric. And it's FANTASTIC.
For those of you who don't know, the Smash Brothers games take characters from the most popular Nintendo games, like Mario, Pikachu, Kirby, and Zelda, and put them into a fighting game. It's a Nintendo-fied fighter, though, because there are all sorts of bizarre "weapons" that you can use. New for this edition is the "Superspicy Curry," which will make your character breathe fire for a few seconds. There are 35 characters in all, and a number of them have to be unlocked. Plus, for the first time in a Smash Brothers game, there are some characters that aren't owned by Nintendo, like Sonic the Hedgehog (I haven't unlocked him yet).
In addition to the fighting game, there's a platformer with a story featuring all the characters that will take probably 10 hours to play. I'm about 8 and a half hours in, and it's loads of fun. I haven't tried it yet, but it also has online play, so you can battle against people all over the world.
Like I said, it's loads of fun, and you don't have to know the original games the characters are from to enjoy it... I certainly don't know all of them, and there's even one playable character who is from a game that wasn't ever even released in the U.S.
So the Wii is just wonderful, even though it isn't in high def (it will support 480p as its highest resolution) and even though it has virtual surround sound (Dolby Pro-Logic versus true 5.1), it has absolutely the best games. After the dominance of Sony's Playstation 2 for years, I'm really glad to see Nintendo on top again. The Wii outsells the PS3 four to one in Japan, and apparently they're still hard to come by here in the States.
If you've got one, go get Super Smash Brothers Brawl. You won't be disappointed.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Friday, March 28, 2008
The Future
Today, I'm thinking about The Future. I'm starting to think that, as much as I would really love to teach theatre at the university level, I'm not so sure I want to go to school anymore. I'm already really in debt from student loans, I'm 36 years old, and, honestly, I'm kind of tired of school and work as my entire life. So I'm thinking about what kinds of jobs I could do with a BFA in Theatre and an M.Ed in Storytelling. Really, there are lots of things I could do that would be useful to lots of companies, but the problem is the companies don't realize that this position would benefit them. I could create training programs. I could motivate. I could work in creative advertising. I could do all sorts of things.
If I'm not working directly in the theatre (oof- no stability) or in education (oof- no opportunity), my dream job would be to work in the theme park industry. With my love (and deep understanding) of what makes rides and park shows work, along with my grasp of pop culture, imagery, and most especially, my knowledge of Story- and I mean DEEP Story, I could head teams that would turn the ride and attractions business on its EAR. in fact, I just had an idea for a show/ride attraction for Dollywood what would really, REALLY be popular. I'm not going to say what it is. :) But how do I get into that line of work? Most of the parks don't actually create their own rides. The attractions are contracted to various companies, who are remarkably nameless. I've found one company, Thinkwell Attractions, that I've been planning to put together a proposal to. They're based in LA (which would be great weather for Eric).
The only other company I've found that deals directly with this is Disney Imagineering. Another dream job, and one I would really be quite perfect for. But for the life of me, I can't seem to find any inroad there except internships- and that's something I really can't afford to do.
The point is that I would be extremely valuable- if only someone else had done it first! I've always wanted to Make My Own Path- but damn, figuring out how to do it is a bitch.
If I'm not working directly in the theatre (oof- no stability) or in education (oof- no opportunity), my dream job would be to work in the theme park industry. With my love (and deep understanding) of what makes rides and park shows work, along with my grasp of pop culture, imagery, and most especially, my knowledge of Story- and I mean DEEP Story, I could head teams that would turn the ride and attractions business on its EAR. in fact, I just had an idea for a show/ride attraction for Dollywood what would really, REALLY be popular. I'm not going to say what it is. :) But how do I get into that line of work? Most of the parks don't actually create their own rides. The attractions are contracted to various companies, who are remarkably nameless. I've found one company, Thinkwell Attractions, that I've been planning to put together a proposal to. They're based in LA (which would be great weather for Eric).
The only other company I've found that deals directly with this is Disney Imagineering. Another dream job, and one I would really be quite perfect for. But for the life of me, I can't seem to find any inroad there except internships- and that's something I really can't afford to do.
The point is that I would be extremely valuable- if only someone else had done it first! I've always wanted to Make My Own Path- but damn, figuring out how to do it is a bitch.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Spring Planting
Yesterday, it snowed for about 3 or 4 hours. Didn't amount to much because it had been so warm earlier in the day, but there was enough of it to dust everything. Judging from what was on the table on the deck, must've been about a quarter inch. It was still there this morning. But today, Spring is here. It's so beautiful out that I did a little planting. I bought some iris and tulip bulbs in the fall and never got around to planting them. 50 tulips and 40 irises. I figure they won't grow, but I might as well try. Turns out the packages say now is the time to plant them, but I'm not sure. They've been under the deck for the past six months, and all the tulips have sprouted; so have about half the irises. So I planted them all, and let their little green tips just barely stick out where they could get some sun. Just BARELY. If you know better, let me know. I also planted 50 caladium, the edges of the raised beds and in front of the boxwoods along the front of the house. I'm sure they'll grow. I love planting. Actually, I hate planting, but I love plants. And I do not have a green thumb. Plants die when I simply get near them. But since we moved here, I've gotten better. My pansies bloomed through the whole winter outside and are still thriving, even though I killed my palm plant. It didn't like being inside over the winter. Anyway, the buttercups are coming up all over town. I just wish there would be some buds on the trees. After last year's late (very late) snow and freeze, followed by a really bad drought, I worry about them. I'm afraid my dogwood may not come back at all, and the rose of sharon looks pretty piddlin'.
So that's the news from here. My jaw still hasn't unlocked ( haven't been able to eat a hot dog without a fork since January), so I'm going to have to go to the dentist for it. I can afford to go to the dentist- but I can't afford the TMJ treatment. I've tried some stuff myself- massage, magnesium, glucosamine and chondroitin- but I still can't open my damn mouth. Which sucks since Spring makes me want to sing!!!
Be good.
So that's the news from here. My jaw still hasn't unlocked ( haven't been able to eat a hot dog without a fork since January), so I'm going to have to go to the dentist for it. I can afford to go to the dentist- but I can't afford the TMJ treatment. I've tried some stuff myself- massage, magnesium, glucosamine and chondroitin- but I still can't open my damn mouth. Which sucks since Spring makes me want to sing!!!
Be good.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
My Tennessee Mountain Home
I wasn't going to buy Dollywood season passes this year. I really can't afford it. But about a month ago, when I got the email telling me to Act Now And Save Money Before Prices Go Up, I just couldn't resist. I really love Dollywood and since it's less than 2 hours away, I love being able to go down on a Friday or Saturday on the rare day I have time and/or just need a break. So I did it. A Gold Super Pass for me, which gives me free parking and a discount on food and at the shops, and a Super Pass for Eric. Usually he buys his own. But he couldn't afford it this year either. And if he doesn't have a pass, there's no reason for me to have one. So I got them for both of us.
When I was young, I was always jealous of people who had season passes to Opryland. Season passes are expensive, you know! But these days, park admission is expensive, too. A single ticket to Dollywood is almost half the price of a Super Pass, and the Super Pass will get you into Dollywood and into the water park, Splash Country. In fact, if you're going to go to Dollywood twice- and they're open through December 30- you're only $18 shy of the Super Pass. And the water park is almost as expensive. So it's really a good deal. Plus it got me a great discount when I took my friend to Biltmore. I think I saved about $20 on those tickets because of it.
So, guess what? It's opening weekend at Dollywood! But I had lots of homework to do. Guess what? Screw that! I went to Dollywood, and had a great time. And I needed it. We rode all the big rides, Thunder Road is back in the simulator theatre, and the new River Battle is GREAT. Little kids (and big kids) will go CRAZY for it. It's a gentle boat ride, except you don't face forward. You face off the side, 4 people on each side sitting back to back. And you have a water cannon that you fire by turning a crank. There are lots of targets to hit that make things happen to get you (or someone else) all wet. And the "course" is laid out so that three or four times you come face to face with the people on another boat- and you work your darnedest to soak them with your water cannon. And there are even more water cannon set up for people not on the ride, but watching. It's very gently, wet (but not too wet), I've never been on anything like it, and, like I said, kids will LOVE LOVE LOVE it.
Associated with River Battle is another big change at the park I've been looking forward to for years. Originally, the park was laid out sort of like a Y, or like a tuning fork, with an entrance area, and then two long "fingers" leading to Craftman's Valley and up to the Country Fair area. A few years ago, they added a third finger. It's not quite trident-shaped, but that image works well enough. If Craftsman's Valley is the "middle finger"-haha- then then the newer finger is on the far left. It leads you to the Thunderhead, Timber Tower, Mystery Mine, and River Battle, in that order. And now, it continues past the River Battle and connects with the end of Craftsman's Valley, just past the Tennessee Tornado. It makes the park much more maneuverable and really cuts down on traffic on some of the older paths that weren't wide enough to handle all the traffic.
So we had a great time, pretty low-key, and ate some food I've been craving: Miss Lillian's fried chicken and the giant 1/3-pound hot dogs (we split one). I needed to do the homework, but I also needed to have some fun before I could DO the homework. So I took a Mental Health Day and rode roller coasters. Eric was very pleased with the looks he got now that he's skinny and hot, and wants the water park to open. Not that he's into the water park, but now he'll look good in trunks.
I took a lot of video with our little HD camera- and I found out (when we got home) exactly why I've had problems getting it to focus. There's a switch on it that moves you from close up to more distant focus... I didn't know about the switch, so it's always been in close up mode. I'd planned on putting together a little trip report video to upload, but 90% of it's out of damn focus. Guess that means I have to go back. As soon as possible.
Oh, and I was happy to see that Ghost Town in the Sky didn't fold after last summer. There's a big billboard for it on I-40. Their coaster should be running this year, and I can't wait to try it out.
Be good!
When I was young, I was always jealous of people who had season passes to Opryland. Season passes are expensive, you know! But these days, park admission is expensive, too. A single ticket to Dollywood is almost half the price of a Super Pass, and the Super Pass will get you into Dollywood and into the water park, Splash Country. In fact, if you're going to go to Dollywood twice- and they're open through December 30- you're only $18 shy of the Super Pass. And the water park is almost as expensive. So it's really a good deal. Plus it got me a great discount when I took my friend to Biltmore. I think I saved about $20 on those tickets because of it.
So, guess what? It's opening weekend at Dollywood! But I had lots of homework to do. Guess what? Screw that! I went to Dollywood, and had a great time. And I needed it. We rode all the big rides, Thunder Road is back in the simulator theatre, and the new River Battle is GREAT. Little kids (and big kids) will go CRAZY for it. It's a gentle boat ride, except you don't face forward. You face off the side, 4 people on each side sitting back to back. And you have a water cannon that you fire by turning a crank. There are lots of targets to hit that make things happen to get you (or someone else) all wet. And the "course" is laid out so that three or four times you come face to face with the people on another boat- and you work your darnedest to soak them with your water cannon. And there are even more water cannon set up for people not on the ride, but watching. It's very gently, wet (but not too wet), I've never been on anything like it, and, like I said, kids will LOVE LOVE LOVE it.
Associated with River Battle is another big change at the park I've been looking forward to for years. Originally, the park was laid out sort of like a Y, or like a tuning fork, with an entrance area, and then two long "fingers" leading to Craftman's Valley and up to the Country Fair area. A few years ago, they added a third finger. It's not quite trident-shaped, but that image works well enough. If Craftsman's Valley is the "middle finger"-haha- then then the newer finger is on the far left. It leads you to the Thunderhead, Timber Tower, Mystery Mine, and River Battle, in that order. And now, it continues past the River Battle and connects with the end of Craftsman's Valley, just past the Tennessee Tornado. It makes the park much more maneuverable and really cuts down on traffic on some of the older paths that weren't wide enough to handle all the traffic.
So we had a great time, pretty low-key, and ate some food I've been craving: Miss Lillian's fried chicken and the giant 1/3-pound hot dogs (we split one). I needed to do the homework, but I also needed to have some fun before I could DO the homework. So I took a Mental Health Day and rode roller coasters. Eric was very pleased with the looks he got now that he's skinny and hot, and wants the water park to open. Not that he's into the water park, but now he'll look good in trunks.
I took a lot of video with our little HD camera- and I found out (when we got home) exactly why I've had problems getting it to focus. There's a switch on it that moves you from close up to more distant focus... I didn't know about the switch, so it's always been in close up mode. I'd planned on putting together a little trip report video to upload, but 90% of it's out of damn focus. Guess that means I have to go back. As soon as possible.
Oh, and I was happy to see that Ghost Town in the Sky didn't fold after last summer. There's a big billboard for it on I-40. Their coaster should be running this year, and I can't wait to try it out.
Be good!
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Oh, and...
I told my office time and time again that the problem with our website was a firewall at the server. Of course, the people who own the server swore that wasn't it. They finally got it fixed. Guess what? I was RIGHT.
Little Friends
So when we got this house, there was a washer and dryer under the back deck. The "office" was apparently an addition, and it juts out of the house next to the deck. There was an electric range under there. The washer and dryer were gotten rid of after a few months, but I kept the range. I kept saying I was going to bring it inside to see if it works. It's actually a nicer range than the one in the house- it has a ceramic glass top- and when you spill on the stove as often as I do, that's wonderful. It's a Frigidaire. The one in the house is a Hotpoint. The Frigidaire is all pristine white. The Hotpoint is white and has a black door and the coils are all crooked and it's kind of ugly. And the thermostat in the oven is off by like, 25%.
So today I finally brought that range inside. Guess what? It works just fine! The oven thermostat is a little off, but it's closer than the current oven. I was really happy. I spent about 5 hours cleaning it (God knows how long it had been out there- we've been here a year and a half), and it looks really good! But... one of the things I cleaned out was a rat's nest on each side of the drawer. It was no problem to clean out. Of course, it's all sanitized and stuff. And of course, when it gets hot in the oven, you smell- you guessed it- mouse pee.
Now, I had a mousy-smelling oven once before, in Murfreesboro. I managed to get rid of the mouse, and after a few days, the smell went away. I don't think this smell is going to go away. I've got to open up the back of the range and clean it out. That's not too big a deal. If the insulation is soaked, I can actually replace that. I found a place online that sells it (I'm a little worried that the website doesn't show prices).
So then I started thinking... what if there are mice in there right now? The last thing I need is to bring mice into my kitchen! I'm sure the cats would be pleased. But I wouldn't. So I lugged the thing out onto the deck and it's staying there overnight. Anyway, wish me luck with my new (free) range. I feel like I was on The Price is Right! "What's Curtis won, Rod Roddy?" "A NEW RANGE!!!"
Plus, I have a friend I think might need a new range herself. She told me that she cooks on the woodstove at home. Now, if she cooks on the woodstove because she wants to, that's one thing. But if she's cooking on the woodstove because she needs a new range and can't afford it- well, hopefully I'll have one to give her soon. If she doesn't want it, I'm sure it'll just end up on the curb for a passerby. I can't imagine selling it quickly through the classifieds.
That's all. Be good!
So today I finally brought that range inside. Guess what? It works just fine! The oven thermostat is a little off, but it's closer than the current oven. I was really happy. I spent about 5 hours cleaning it (God knows how long it had been out there- we've been here a year and a half), and it looks really good! But... one of the things I cleaned out was a rat's nest on each side of the drawer. It was no problem to clean out. Of course, it's all sanitized and stuff. And of course, when it gets hot in the oven, you smell- you guessed it- mouse pee.
Now, I had a mousy-smelling oven once before, in Murfreesboro. I managed to get rid of the mouse, and after a few days, the smell went away. I don't think this smell is going to go away. I've got to open up the back of the range and clean it out. That's not too big a deal. If the insulation is soaked, I can actually replace that. I found a place online that sells it (I'm a little worried that the website doesn't show prices).
So then I started thinking... what if there are mice in there right now? The last thing I need is to bring mice into my kitchen! I'm sure the cats would be pleased. But I wouldn't. So I lugged the thing out onto the deck and it's staying there overnight. Anyway, wish me luck with my new (free) range. I feel like I was on The Price is Right! "What's Curtis won, Rod Roddy?" "A NEW RANGE!!!"
Plus, I have a friend I think might need a new range herself. She told me that she cooks on the woodstove at home. Now, if she cooks on the woodstove because she wants to, that's one thing. But if she's cooking on the woodstove because she needs a new range and can't afford it- well, hopefully I'll have one to give her soon. If she doesn't want it, I'm sure it'll just end up on the curb for a passerby. I can't imagine selling it quickly through the classifieds.
That's all. Be good!
Monday, March 10, 2008
On being a Good Student
Being a Good Student entails more than just getting everything done excellently. It involves more that doing Everything That Is Assigned to the best of your ability. It also involves being able to say, "Fuck that! It's unrealistic and I'm already doing better than everyone else in the class!"
Nerd Post
OK, this is going to be a Nerd Post, so I beg indulge. And if any of the people who read this blog - either of you - have any suggestions, they would be greatly appreciated.
As you may know, I work from home. My job involves downloading large pdf files from a server. Over the weekend, my company moved its service from a company in St Louis to a company in Minnesota. My company's website and the pdf files are located on two different servers. I can access the website just fine, but the pdf files now take FOREVER. I mean, like half an hour for what used to take a few seconds. My IT dept is busy putting out all kinds of other fires that the move has created, so they're too busy to help me.
I talked to Charter, my ISP. They weren't any help. Twice they put me on hold and hung up on me. Once, I tried their online chat. They couldn't help either, saying they tried to ping the server I need and got no response. They couldn't trace it, either. I can't trace it, myself.
I went to campus and tried to access the server using the school's network, and it was just as slow. Eric's computer is just as slow, even when running Windows through a virtual machine. I'm tempted to install Windows using Boot Camp, but I'm sure I'll have the same problem.
Here's what I think. I think the new server has some sort of firewall to block Charter IP addresses. I've had no problem at all with any other sites/servers on the web.
What do you think?
As you may know, I work from home. My job involves downloading large pdf files from a server. Over the weekend, my company moved its service from a company in St Louis to a company in Minnesota. My company's website and the pdf files are located on two different servers. I can access the website just fine, but the pdf files now take FOREVER. I mean, like half an hour for what used to take a few seconds. My IT dept is busy putting out all kinds of other fires that the move has created, so they're too busy to help me.
I talked to Charter, my ISP. They weren't any help. Twice they put me on hold and hung up on me. Once, I tried their online chat. They couldn't help either, saying they tried to ping the server I need and got no response. They couldn't trace it, either. I can't trace it, myself.
I went to campus and tried to access the server using the school's network, and it was just as slow. Eric's computer is just as slow, even when running Windows through a virtual machine. I'm tempted to install Windows using Boot Camp, but I'm sure I'll have the same problem.
Here's what I think. I think the new server has some sort of firewall to block Charter IP addresses. I've had no problem at all with any other sites/servers on the web.
What do you think?
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