Its not often that a show, even a good one, lives up to the hype surrounding it when a major event is plugged. In most cases, a show usually pulls out the 'someone on the show is going to die' bit as the last resort of a show in big trouble.
Not so with Smallville's 100th episode.
Fans have known since the beginning of this season that a major character was going to die sometime this season, and that it would mean HUGE changes in the development of our boy Clark. And the 100th episode of the show saw exactly that happen. About as major a character as you can get died just as foretold.
Just in case you haven't seen it yet, I won't spoil who dies, but I will say that I had it between 1 of 2 people beforehand and I was right. In point of fact, both of them died in the episode, but Clark got to go back in time and undo only one of the deaths.
What a great show. Whether it was Clark telling all to Lana and asking her to marry him, or Chloe nodding to the original movie with the whole 'earth spinning on its axis' bit, or the look on Lex's face as he witnesses Clark using his powers, or the tragedy of Clark choosing to save the person he loves only to lose that love forever, that really was the best episode of the show so far.
And I'll freely admit to completely falling apart during the funeral scene at the end. I don't cry often, but it was completely warranted.
Anyone who says that science fiction television cannot equal quality television doesn't watch Smallville.
Labels: smallville
Superwife and I watched 'Castaway' tonight, and between that and watching LOST every week, I got to thinking about the things I'd want to have handy before my next plane ride. Just in case.
Here they are, in no particular order:
• Compass watch
• Battery-free Flashlight
• Firesteel knife
• A good pair of running shoes
Obviously I omitted things that would be too big to fit inside a carry-on as well as cop-outs like satellite phones; what fun would getting rescued be?
Labels: everything else
fuck
Labels: politics
So my wife and daughter and I are all sitting somewhat uncomfortably in front of the tv, wondering just who the hell is going to be in charge of Canada come tomorrow morning.
It's election night again for the second time in 18 months, and never in my lifetime has the outcome of an election been so much in doubt. Will it be the Scandalized Liberals? The Crazy-as-Fuck right leaning Conservatives? Those folk music playinghippies NDP?
And while we sit here and wait for the results to begin in a few minutes as they are released across the country, first from the Maritimes, then Quebec and Ontario, then the Prairies and finally BC, we are subjected to all manner of political punditry, running the gambit from what will happen to our Health Care system to whether there will be yet another referendum on Quebec separating from Canada.
Man, I wasn't this worked up yesterday when I had to bite my nails to see if the Steelers would make it into the Superbowl.
All I know for sure right now is that if we have a Conservative PM tomorrow morning, the rich will soon get richer, the poor poorer, the sick will have less access to health care, and the rights of women to choose and homosexuals to marry will soon disappear. And it will be illegal again to be in possession of even minute amounts of marijuana.
That, and that it's going to be a long night.
It's election night again for the second time in 18 months, and never in my lifetime has the outcome of an election been so much in doubt. Will it be the Scandalized Liberals? The Crazy-as-Fuck right leaning Conservatives? Those folk music playing
And while we sit here and wait for the results to begin in a few minutes as they are released across the country, first from the Maritimes, then Quebec and Ontario, then the Prairies and finally BC, we are subjected to all manner of political punditry, running the gambit from what will happen to our Health Care system to whether there will be yet another referendum on Quebec separating from Canada.
Man, I wasn't this worked up yesterday when I had to bite my nails to see if the Steelers would make it into the Superbowl.
All I know for sure right now is that if we have a Conservative PM tomorrow morning, the rich will soon get richer, the poor poorer, the sick will have less access to health care, and the rights of women to choose and homosexuals to marry will soon disappear. And it will be illegal again to be in possession of even minute amounts of marijuana.
That, and that it's going to be a long night.
I have never played a scarier game than Silent Hill 3 in my life. I bought it for the PS2 when it came out a few years ago, and played it consistently late at night, with all the lights off, as was suggested by early reviewers.
The game was flat out pants-shittingly scary, and I don't frighten easily.
So it has been with a large measure of expectation that I've been awaiting the release of the film adaption of the Silent Hill franchise, purportedly based heavily on the 3rd game.
'Why write about this now', you ask?
Well, Sony has released a full 2:30 minute trailer, and it looks like the movie is going to live up to the game, and then some. Even the website is done in the style of the games, flipping you seamlessly out of the 'normal' page and into the otherworldy style. Very creepy.
Check out the trailer here.
Movie hits theaters April 21st.
Labels: gaming
So I just finished figuring out the css file protocols for MT 3.2.
I know, I know, an updated Version 3 was just released, and the bastards at Movable Type are forcing users to PAY for this latest version - don't even get me started on that one.
So I'm a little behind by figuring the css out months after 3.2 swept the net. But in my defence I will say that this is the first time I really tried.
Anyway, bottom line is that the exclusive use of css for formatting pages generated with Movable Type makes for easy editing when modifying the site for viewing on a mobile device, say a PSP browser.
And because of that and the afforementioned late night tinkering, this blog now looks killer in all browsers, including the PSP's.
Yeah, I know: I rock.
But I do like to hear it often, so go ahead.
I know, I know, an updated Version 3 was just released, and the bastards at Movable Type are forcing users to PAY for this latest version - don't even get me started on that one.
So I'm a little behind by figuring the css out months after 3.2 swept the net. But in my defence I will say that this is the first time I really tried.
Anyway, bottom line is that the exclusive use of css for formatting pages generated with Movable Type makes for easy editing when modifying the site for viewing on a mobile device, say a PSP browser.
And because of that and the afforementioned late night tinkering, this blog now looks killer in all browsers, including the PSP's.
Yeah, I know: I rock.
But I do like to hear it often, so go ahead.
Labels: gaming
So I just finished setting up a webserver to stream tunes to my PSP via my wireless network thanks to the RSS feature in version 2.6 of the PSP firmware. Now no matter where I am in the house or the yard, I can listen to my music. How cool is that?
I'd like to take all the credit for writing the code used, but really all I did was modify a few lines of code and set up a webserver.
But I'll pat myself on the back anyways, because only a geek with not a hell of a lot to do but sleep at 1:00 am would bother.
If you have a PSP, a wireless network and the burning desire to get the most out of your gadgets, AND you want to thumb your nose at those snotty iPod owners out there (family excepted of course), check out the walkthrough here.
Labels: gaming
A friend posted an article about internet pet peeves the other day, and his feelings about how people should have more tact in their digital communications with others. I have my own feelings about behaviour displayed by people in forum posts and emails that they would never consider repeating in the 'real world'. And those feelings just happen to be pretty much identical to those of the aforementioned blogger.
To wit: I have no patience for assholes.
Be it WRITING ALL IN CAPS, or forwarding inspirational messages of survival, or any other of a number of infractions that just set your teeth on edge.
By a funny coincidence, I received an email just last night that displays the worst of bad internet taste, an email that urges multiple recipients to do what the author says, without any prior knowledge of his recipients' position. You know what I mean. "Everyone boycott Esso Stations on Thursday!", etc. Except this one was telling everyone how to vote in the upcoming Canadian Federal election.
And here's the thing: The sender doesn't (and can't possibly) know how his recipients vote, and he obviously doesn't care.
Man, this sort of thing burns my ass.
Here's the original email:
And, after debating between responding to this unsolicited political advice, and deleting it, I sent the author the following response. And yes, I felt better afterwards. You'll note that I left out any mention of the atrocious spelling and grammatical errors peppered throughout this silly diatribe, or noting that his argument has holes in it big enough to fly the entire House of Commons through.
My only regret is that I didn't address my response to 'Asshole'.
To wit: I have no patience for assholes.
Be it WRITING ALL IN CAPS, or forwarding inspirational messages of survival, or any other of a number of infractions that just set your teeth on edge.
By a funny coincidence, I received an email just last night that displays the worst of bad internet taste, an email that urges multiple recipients to do what the author says, without any prior knowledge of his recipients' position. You know what I mean. "Everyone boycott Esso Stations on Thursday!", etc. Except this one was telling everyone how to vote in the upcoming Canadian Federal election.
And here's the thing: The sender doesn't (and can't possibly) know how his recipients vote, and he obviously doesn't care.
Man, this sort of thing burns my ass.
Here's the original email:
-----Original Message-----
From:Name Removed
Sent: January 7, 2006 10:56 PM
To:My Email Removed
Subject: Election 2006-And a Happy New Year
Interesting read -SOMETHING WORTH THINKING ABOUT -which ever way you decide to vote.
Hello.
My name isName RemovedI am a Canadian. One voter out of millions of Canadian voters.
Paul Martin is no friend of mine. Liberal governments have not made my life any better. Liberal governments have made the future worse for my children.
Jean Chretien and the Liberal Party became Prime Minister many years ago. Guess who was the Liberal Finance Minister.....Paul Martin...LEST WEFORGET
Since 1993:
(1) My taxes have increased.
(2) My family's share of the national debt has increased.
(3) My personal expenses have increased.
(4) My waiting time to see a doctor has increased.
(5) My concerns for my family's safety have increased.
(6) My costs to educate my children have increased.
(7) Government interference in my life has increased.
(8) My personal debt has increased.
(9) My income has stayed more or less the same.
(10) My savings have decreased.
(11) The buying power of my dollar, in Canada, has decreased.
(12) The value of my dollar, in the U.S., has decreased.
(13) My trust of elected officials has decreased.
(14) My trust in the justice system has decreased.
(15 )My trust in the immigration system has decreased.
(16) My hope that a Liberal won't waste my tax dollars has decreased.
(17 )My dreams for a better future for my kids, in Canada, have disappeared.
That is my story since the Liberals came to power.
I am not voting for Paul Martin's Liberals. I am voting against Paul Martin and his Liberal Party in January.
Do I like the Conservatives and the NDP? Not particularly......I don't really like Politics. I am not political by nature. I am not passionate about politics. I am a middle age guy (48). I live in a small house on a fairly quiet street in Edmonton. I have a wife, Kathy, and two children
(ages 19 and 17). I have no pets. I am a middle class man. I don't usually say too much.
Until now.
Now I am going to say something!
In 35 of the past 37 years, Canada has been ruled by:
(1) Pierre Trudeau - a multi-millionaire lawyer from Quebec.
(2) Brian Mulroney - a multi-millionaire lawyer from Quebec.
(3) Jean Chretien - a multi-millionaire lawyer from Quebec.
(4) And now we are going to vote for Paul Martin???? - a multi-millionaire lawyer from Quebec???
But wait! Paul Martinis now saying the same thing. My mother told me forty years ago: "Fool me once - shame on you. Fool me twice - shame on me!"
The Liberals have had 34 years to be financially responsible. Remember, Jean Chretien was Trudeau's Finance Minister. Remember also, Paul Martin was Jean Chretien's Finance Minister These people have been raising my taxes for thirty four years. They have been mis-spending my tax dollars for 34 years.
34 years!
And now Paul Martin says he'll stop taxing and spending. No way.
Thank you for reading my story so far!
Why am I telling my story to you?
Although I feel alone, I know that I am not alone. Your story may be similar to mine. And you may also feel alone. One small voter in the midst of millions of voters.
What can you and I do together to change things?
Here is my idea: Lets you and I join up together. Just you and I. Together. As a small team of two.
How can you and I fight a huge political machine?
You and I have two things that we can use:
(1) Our individual personal connections.
(2) The Internet.
The Internet is supposed to be this global zing tool, right? Let's put it to use.
I have 27 Canadians in my personal e-mail address book. I am sending this e-mail to each of them.
I'm asking you to do two things:
(1) Forward this e-mail to every Canadian in your own address book.
(2) Vote against Paul Martin and the Liberal Party in January of next year.
I have probably written this e-mail too late. As I said I am not politically adroit. I feel like Peter Finch, in the 1976 movie "Network", when he shouted: "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take this anymore!"
Please, forward the e-mail RIGHT NOW!!
I hope the Internet is as fast as some people claim it is.
This may not work. This e-mail may "fizzle out" and go nowhere. But you and I will have tried, won't we have?
My best wishes to you. My best wishes to Canadians everywhere.
My thanks to David Stokes from Toronto He actually wrote this just (5) days before the last federal election. Fool me once - shame on you. Fool me twice - shame on me!"Name RemovedEdmonton, Alberta
And, after debating between responding to this unsolicited political advice, and deleting it, I sent the author the following response. And yes, I felt better afterwards. You'll note that I left out any mention of the atrocious spelling and grammatical errors peppered throughout this silly diatribe, or noting that his argument has holes in it big enough to fly the entire House of Commons through.
-----Original Message-----
From: Derek
Sent: January 7, 2006 11:34 PM
To:Name Removed
Subject: RE: Election 2006-And a Happy New Year
I vote liberal and while I try to appreciate other points of view as they pertain to political ideologies I don’t appreciate uninvited emails soliciting me to do otherwise.
I’m not sure why you think its appropriate to send out emails specifically requesting recipients to ‘Vote against Paul Martin and the Liberal Party in January of next year’.
Next time why don’t you just send out an invitation to your next church function? Or a collection of web links on your stance on abortion or stem cell research? Something nice and light, like politics, that everyone loves to get unsolicited emails about?
I don’t even know how I know you or how you obtained my email address. In the future, I request that you refrain from sending any similar correspondence.
Derek
My only regret is that I didn't address my response to 'Asshole'.
Man who knew how fast 6 months could go by?
Unbelievable.
Well, I would say the first six months of parenting have gone a lot better than expected. You are funny and happy and you hardly ever cry. You sleep for almost 9 hours straight most nights, and I think you woke up for one early morning feeding this month. Not that any feedings have much to do with me, but I thought I'd mention it.
You can sit up on your own pretty well now, although you haven't yet found out how to balance yourself if you reach too far for something. And you still need an assist to sit up at all.
But man are you talking now. One day last week you discovered that you could make a kind of growling noise, and you spent the better part of the next two days growling through everything: changes, feedings, naps, etc. And every day since, you figure out new and interesting consonant sounds to add into the repertoire. It’s really fascinating to listen to.
You made it through your first Christmas and New Year's. And for a six month old baby, I'd say you did pretty well. You had a hand in opening many of your own presents, and you even managed to meet the big guy, thanks to a very cool Uncle.
Just FYI, some of your favourite presents from your first Christmas were a four key piano (from your Mom and me), a cartwheeling Tigger (from your Grandma Yemm) and a camcorder (from your Aunt Lisa and Uncle Dino). I say that its yours because they got it for the fam to record all the fun stuff you do. And if you're old enough to read this you're probably old enough to roll your eyes at this point, as I'm sure I've trotted the DVDs out many times.
Don't worry. I plan to save the good stuff for your wedding.
I hope that the next six months are as much fun as the first.
Love Daddy.
Unbelievable.
Well, I would say the first six months of parenting have gone a lot better than expected. You are funny and happy and you hardly ever cry. You sleep for almost 9 hours straight most nights, and I think you woke up for one early morning feeding this month. Not that any feedings have much to do with me, but I thought I'd mention it.
You can sit up on your own pretty well now, although you haven't yet found out how to balance yourself if you reach too far for something. And you still need an assist to sit up at all.
But man are you talking now. One day last week you discovered that you could make a kind of growling noise, and you spent the better part of the next two days growling through everything: changes, feedings, naps, etc. And every day since, you figure out new and interesting consonant sounds to add into the repertoire. It’s really fascinating to listen to.
You made it through your first Christmas and New Year's. And for a six month old baby, I'd say you did pretty well. You had a hand in opening many of your own presents, and you even managed to meet the big guy, thanks to a very cool Uncle.
Just FYI, some of your favourite presents from your first Christmas were a four key piano (from your Mom and me), a cartwheeling Tigger (from your Grandma Yemm) and a camcorder (from your Aunt Lisa and Uncle Dino). I say that its yours because they got it for the fam to record all the fun stuff you do. And if you're old enough to read this you're probably old enough to roll your eyes at this point, as I'm sure I've trotted the DVDs out many times.
Don't worry. I plan to save the good stuff for your wedding.
I hope that the next six months are as much fun as the first.
Love Daddy.
Labels: trinity
How did I miss this? I am a huge fan of the Final Fantasy game series, right from its humble beginnings on the NES to drooling over the forthcoming PS3 release.
I have a tattoo of The Zanarkand Abes logo on my shoulder for chissakes!
So how could I not know about the Final Fantasy PSP game that is supposed to be coming out this year?!?
Well, at least I know now, and can drool along with all the other fanboys (and girls - I'm looking at you Cosplay Angel).
The game is tentatively called Crisis Core, and is a Final Fantasy VII spinoff game involving the Zack character. It sounds like it could be cool, and will be a do-not-rent-go-directly-to-buy game for me. IGN has a few articles that collects the information available to date here. Apparently Sony is being hush hush about the whole thing. Maybe a dual PS3/PSP release for both games? We'll see.
And now to one of the funniest things I've ever seen: Video of two people dressed up as Pacman and a ghost running through a library and computer room as Pacman screams hysterically and the ghost wonka wonkas menacingly behind him. Seriously funny shit. Download here.
Labels: gaming
I've been playing around with my PSP a bit more since I got back from xmas with the inlaws and have decided that my first resolution of the year is going to be to teach myself how to program PSP-friendly web pages. It's a good exercise to keep my skills up and who knows? I might be able to get some work designing for clients who want PSP enabled content.
It doesn't seem too tough; the PSP browser reads html and javascript well enough, though there's not a ton of other language support.
The big thing is the resolution, which is at 480 x 272. Pretty small, but still very workable.
In fact, I just made my first PSP wallpaper and installed it (see image above), taking a page from my favourite book of all time, The Hitchhiker's Guide to The Galaxy. If you haven't read it (or seen the movie), and you think books that poke fun at how silly human civilization is, you should.
The wallpaper looks pretty sweet, non? If you would like a copy for your PSP wallpaper, download it here.
The irony about all of this is that my blog actually looks like shit on the PSP. I'll get around to making it a little more friendly once I work the bugs out.
