Saturday, February 28, 2009

Hypocrisy is the greatest luxury

This study shows that lots of people are full of shit and like to throw stones despite their glass house.

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Flashback!


Got this photo emailed to me today. Not sure what the cause was exactly, but I'll take it. What makes it most enjoyable is the 70s pornstar stache that Adam is sporting here. I tell you, that guy in the photo has delivered a couple of pizzas and cleaned a couple of pools in his day... if you know what I mean. Wink wink, nudge nudge.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

the nerdiest nerd that ever nerded

So I've been playing quite a bit of Street Fighter IV, which I'm enjoying despite it being fuck me hard. I'm debating picking up a joystick to make it a little easier. I'm not completely sold on that idea, but I'm debating it. Of course, there is a complete drought of the things on the Internet. They are sold out everywhere and who knows when the supply will be replenished. Probably the best thing for me, so I don't drop $80 on another controller I don't really need.

Still plowing my way through season 3 of Entourage and it's good, but I find I actually prefer it when things are going smoothly. And things are going smoothly at the moment. I'm also up to date in Heroes, but it's getting harder to pay attention to that shit and Battlestar, which is dry at times, but there are only a few episodes left.

Started watching East Bound and Down, which is pretty damn funny. Lots of cursing and people being rude in inappropriate situations. If I didn't love those things I wouldn't have the friends I have.

Oh in slightly unmanly news, I'm halfway through the first Twilight book, which Jill gave me for my BDay (along with the second one.) It's an easy read, but I am definitely not the target audience. It's all about 15-year-old girls and titillating them without getting too naughty. I'm gonna finish it and see if I have any desire to know what else happens... we'll see.

Sweet Jeebus I consume a lot of pop culture in a weekend. I so need a life.

Monday, February 23, 2009

And the Oscar goes to Jim Varney

Watched the Academy Awards tonight and it was pretty good. I enjoyed it, although Trip seemed unsatisfied. But then again Trip is a joyless sack of shit that can't find the pleasure in anything. Every year he hates on the Oscars, which is the only award show worthy of my attention. Sure the system isn't perfect, but it's not completely useless. But for Trip the Academy lost all credibility when Forrest Gump beat Pulp Fiction (which is a decision I really can't defend.) Whatever, I don't consider it the gospel, but I want to enjoy it, talk about it and see movies that I wouldn't see otherwise. So anyway...

Not a lot of surprises in my mind. I did think Mickey Rourke would win best actor, but Sean Penn as Harvey Milk was flat out amazing. So I can't say that's a disappointment. Slumdog Millionaire rolled through like a big Indian tank having it's way with the Oscars. My initial reaction to Slumdog was mixed, but it grew on me with time. It's such an epic story in such an alien world and drags you into that life and makes you care about it's characters. Even when they are covered head to toe in human filth.

I suppose I have to see The Reader now, but I'm leary. I didn't think the book was all that, but Kate Winslet is always impressive. I also wanna see Revolution Road at some point.

In other news, I read Waiter Rant by The Waiter and enjoyed it quite a bit. It's an in depth look at what it's really like waiting tables and putting up with bullshit from customers, owners and chefs. Definitely a good read and I flew through it. I also finished Rock and Roll Cage Match, which had some fun moments, although I can't agree with all the conclusions reached by the various writers. Also some of the stories I did not care about, like Patsy Cline vs. Kitty Wells or The Four Tops vs The Temptations. Not to disparage these artists, but I don't care for their music. Still the book's gonna have something for everyone, which is a plus.

Well I'm off. I may try to play some Street Fighter IV, which I rented from Gamefly. I totally suck at that, but it's fun to try... well until it's so frustrating I want to throw the controller. This game also makes me want to buy one of those new gamepads that have the six buttons on the face, Sega Genesis style. Not sure I'm that invested tho.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

The underwear that's fun to share





Airplane food bitch

I'm totally addicted to Top Chef. I'm sure I've mentioned it before, but dammit this show pulls me in every time. Each Wednesday I could honestly watch every single previous episode from the season right up until the new one at 10p.m. It's got great competitors, especially the further you go in the competition. Chefs just seem to come with interesting personalities. You find someone to root for (and frequently against) and then just watch as they create gourmet food that you dream about being allowed to eat. I can't recommend it enough.

That said, what I hate is every other show on Bravo that is not Top Chef. The promos alone drive me fucking insane. Flipping out, The Matchmaker and the most heinous bullshit ever, The Real Housewives of whatever city they happen to be in. God, could those people be any more vapid and annoying. As I said, the promos annoy me to the point that I can barely function, I can't imagine what must happen to your soul if you actually watch those shows. After a full season you grow gargoyle wings, breath toxic gas and subsist on a steady diet of newborn's blood and raw sewage.

Finished Christopher Moore's new book last night, Fool. It's exceptionally funny. Anyone with an interest in Shakespeare will love it. It's an adaptation of King Lear, told from a fool's perspective and is so damn funny as to make you roll around on the floor in paroxysms of hilarity. Read it! Now I require food and entertainment. Adieu.

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Half awake in a fake empire

So I listened to All Songs Considered's podcast for Valentine's Day about lesser known love songs. I love this type of show. It's four people, well educated in music, playing songs they like and commenting on them. There seems to be a genuine affection between these people and it makes for a fun listen, even if all the tracks aren't to my particular taste.

While at work last night I started reading American Nerd by Benjamin Nugent, which Kevin and Courtney got me for Xmas. It's fantastic. I'm only 50 pages in, but it tells the history of nerds! I'm digging it. I'm only 50 pages in, but I can tell it's just going to be a great read. It combines the author's own tales of nerdiness with literary and historical examples of nerds. It even diagrams how jocks came to prevalence in modern America. Fabulous! I'm probably gonna be hitting up Amazon for his other book and maybe some of his reference material. It's important to understand your people's heritage.

Some of you may have noticed that I linked my Twitter feed over there on the left while back. Not sure anyone else I actually know is Twittering, but I jumped in, giving myself totally over to the social networking in spite of my antisocial background. Feel free to leave me a comment with your twitter page if you like. Currently I'm following people I only know through listening to podcasts.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

He ain't got no punk rock rhythm

I have been completely useless today. I didn't leave the house at all and barely got off the couch. I suppose that shouldn't come as much of a surprise. Trip's been ailing with the stomach flu and I've been forced to entertain myself. Sunday was easy, as I headed up to the Plaster household to exchange Xmas gifts. (My schedule and theirs are not easy to coordinate.) Had a awesome time, good food, good conversation and enjoyed playing with the kids. Argh, I'm mellowing in my old age, playing with children and all.

Monday I was bored out of my skull and ended up driving to Danville alone. It wasn't a bad trip really, listened to kickass music and did some minor shopping. I've been looking around for a 60 gig PS3, just seeing if I can find one, but they are rare and I've come up empty. (The 60 gig is the only one that plays PS2 games.) It's probably for the best, since I probably don't need to drop another $400.

Today I've pretty much been playing NCAA 09 all day. I won the national championship with Penn State. No small feat considering that every computer controlled QB in the game becomes John Elway (I've fought down the urge to say Ben Roethlisberger here, but I don't know if I'll be able to do it again.) on third down. But yeah, I think that has satiated my college football gaming desires for a while.

Wednesday, February 04, 2009

Digital taxation, football, dead grubs

Just filed my taxes online and it was rather painless. Had to pay some to Virginia, but it wasn't too bad. Usually I take them to someone else to work on, but I always kinda knew mine weren't that difficult, but I never felt like learning. I actually intended to continue that tradition, but when I went in today the place was packed and I didn't feel like waiting. So tonight I decided to finally figure it out myself and get it over with, it wasn't hard. So that's a plus.

Since Sunday I've just been chilling, enjoying the post Super Bowl talk about how great the Steelers are, and rightfully so. I think this team is going to be remembered as one of the all time greats. That defense is amazing and Big Ben gets it done when it counts most. Still, there's a lot of hate. A lot of referee talk, which is unwarranted, in my opinion, and a lot of people just angry because the Steelers are perennial playoff contenders. I suppose I can relate, I hate the Patriots for that reason, soo.... (although the Steelers never ran the score up on anyone.)

Tonight Trip and I finished Gears of War 2. It's a very good game, with a few weak spots. Still I recommend it to anyone. The stop and pop mechanic is fun and there are some really nice visuals, but man the dialogue is sad sometimes.

So next week I get my Sundays back. No football needs watching (yes, the Pro Bowl is on, but really, who cares?) and I got time on my hands. I'm bittersweet about it, although it's hard to complain about the season's end when your team won it all.

Sunday, February 01, 2009

SIX PACK!

Man, that was some game. After the first half, with Harrison scoring that int. return TD to end the half, I thought it was totally over. Man I was wrong. The Cards showed some serious heart and pulled it back to take the lead. I was shitting my pants and beating my couch like it stole my wallet. Man, the highs and lows, I couldn't take much more. I'm so glad I don't have to feel like shit for a week or longer.

One problem I did have was the fact that every big close play in the final two minutes I felt like I couldn't celebrate until the review had come through. It really ruins the immediacy. Still, when they confirmed Santonio Holmes' catch I knew it was a done deal. I'm sure a lot is gonna be made of the no review on the fumble to end the game, but whatever, even if they get the call (which they wouldn't have) no guarantee the last play is a TD anyway.

Also, as amazing as that catch was, I think Big Ben deserves the MVP. You don't get that catch or any of the rest of the drive without him. He made the clutch plays. Hopefully he'll get another chance to win it.

Ohh, one other plus about the Steelers, my good friend Mr. Michael Jessup will be wearing Steeler black and gold for this year's Techmo Lucky Breaks draft. He'll also be purchasing me a nice piece of Super Bowl memorabilia. Bragging rights are wonderful. Also I'd like to rub it in a little on Adam too, who is a Steeler hater.