Thursday, March 6, 2025
Thursday, July 14, 2022
How to make cryptocurrency rocket to the moon in one easy step...
Which is to toss a lot of it into my wallets. Do it if'n you're brave.
Wednesday, July 13, 2022
News of the Weird
I'm going to PAW Con this November, pacanthro.org. I expect to return to form and take a lot of pictures and stuff.
Also, I purchased a 3D printer. Now if I could only get it to work.
That's it. That's the update.
Thursday, November 4, 2021
Saturday, February 27, 2010
I never got to the point last time...
I wanted to talk about going Gonzo for film reviews, but I'm no Hunter S. Thompson. He did what he did, regularly and occasionally with the aid of psychedelics. I, on the other hand, am pretty much sober. Meaning, I'll know exactly what I did to upset the masses...
Maybe I should go watch, 'The Crazies' for a bit.
Maybe I should go watch, 'The Crazies' for a bit.
I'm not particularly good at reviewing films
I'm not, really. You can take my word on it. I only review them semi-irregularly because it's like toilet paper: it beats the shit out of me. Plus, I have certain, if slightly bent, emotional attachment to movie, seeing as how I literally grew up around them. But that's a tale best left to doctor-patient privilege. *Grumble grumble grumble anti-social personality disorder and undiagnosed case of erratic, non-violent delusions of psychosis and megalomaniacal grandeur*
But, in broader terms (and NOT terms of broads {awaits getting beating for referring to the term 'broads'}), I attend movies for the same reason I attend fandoms, sub-fandoms, and conventions: to get out of my f***ing head for the weekend. It's all well and good, until the funs over, and I have to get back to reality. Work, family, career. It's not as fun when movies DON'T distract me from that.
But enough of my usual blather. Let's get down to the nitty gritty. Remember when Arnold took that stripper's sass at the beginning of T3, only to turn it around on the gas station employee when trying to get food for John Connor and Kate Brewster? Of course not, it was a pretty lame attempt to recapture the tough guy persona that was the Terminator. It was because everyone remembers when the Terminator either killed two of those punks in the first film, or beat up half the bar in the second film, just to get some clothes. And each time, he turned getting stabbed into his advantage. Now, the third one was a pretty lame, nearly forgettable attempt to continue cashing in on the franchise. I'll even admit that I saw it, with lowered expectations. But you know what, even that film went to #1 on opening weekend.
Unlike Terminator 4 (Because I refuse to acknowledge it without the number in the title), which got beat it's opening weekend by 'Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian'. And I chose to watch that one instead of CGI Arnold. And you know what? NatM actually had some decent special effects. Little sketchy at times, but certainly more entertaining than anything the Uber-Guber's been up to. And I say this, given that I live in California. Fortunately, I live in Imperial Beach, far away from both Hollyweed and Sack-a-Tomatoes, so I face neither the fear nor the terror on a daily basis.
Now, I'll admit my theater going experience is significantly not up to par, but I am making up for it by buying DVD's. Yes, I could illegally download movies, or at least purchase them online or rent them from online retailers like Netflix and iTunes, but I'd rather use my internet connection to play games online, like Team Fortress 2. Plus, I'd rather not have all my movies sitting on my hard drive. What if my computer fails? There goes everything. Plus, given that I grew up in a video store, I'm more inclined to partake in the old mentality of actually shopping around. I enjoy the anticipation of buying and opening a video for the first time, and watching repeatedly until it breaks tape (VHS, anyone? Worse yet, Betamax/Beta), but I also like looking at box art, something I feel is painfully missing from digital downloads.
Gee, it seems like I started rambling incoherently. Maybe next time, I'll prepare a more logical and reasonable rant. Until then, be cool, babe.
But, in broader terms (and NOT terms of broads {awaits getting beating for referring to the term 'broads'}), I attend movies for the same reason I attend fandoms, sub-fandoms, and conventions: to get out of my f***ing head for the weekend. It's all well and good, until the funs over, and I have to get back to reality. Work, family, career. It's not as fun when movies DON'T distract me from that.
But enough of my usual blather. Let's get down to the nitty gritty. Remember when Arnold took that stripper's sass at the beginning of T3, only to turn it around on the gas station employee when trying to get food for John Connor and Kate Brewster? Of course not, it was a pretty lame attempt to recapture the tough guy persona that was the Terminator. It was because everyone remembers when the Terminator either killed two of those punks in the first film, or beat up half the bar in the second film, just to get some clothes. And each time, he turned getting stabbed into his advantage. Now, the third one was a pretty lame, nearly forgettable attempt to continue cashing in on the franchise. I'll even admit that I saw it, with lowered expectations. But you know what, even that film went to #1 on opening weekend.
Unlike Terminator 4 (Because I refuse to acknowledge it without the number in the title), which got beat it's opening weekend by 'Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian'. And I chose to watch that one instead of CGI Arnold. And you know what? NatM actually had some decent special effects. Little sketchy at times, but certainly more entertaining than anything the Uber-Guber's been up to. And I say this, given that I live in California. Fortunately, I live in Imperial Beach, far away from both Hollyweed and Sack-a-Tomatoes, so I face neither the fear nor the terror on a daily basis.
Now, I'll admit my theater going experience is significantly not up to par, but I am making up for it by buying DVD's. Yes, I could illegally download movies, or at least purchase them online or rent them from online retailers like Netflix and iTunes, but I'd rather use my internet connection to play games online, like Team Fortress 2. Plus, I'd rather not have all my movies sitting on my hard drive. What if my computer fails? There goes everything. Plus, given that I grew up in a video store, I'm more inclined to partake in the old mentality of actually shopping around. I enjoy the anticipation of buying and opening a video for the first time, and watching repeatedly until it breaks tape (VHS, anyone? Worse yet, Betamax/Beta), but I also like looking at box art, something I feel is painfully missing from digital downloads.
Gee, it seems like I started rambling incoherently. Maybe next time, I'll prepare a more logical and reasonable rant. Until then, be cool, babe.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Further Confusion 2010 Report
FC was pretty alright. Felt a bit nervous with it being at a new hotel and everything. Unfortunately, I hadn't taken as many pictures as I'd like to have taken. This is coming from the fact that all my memory cards are full, and I have yet to download them onto a RAID 1 hard drive set up. But anyway, back to Further Confusion.
Be forewarned, this will be as detailed a report as I can make it.
---
Let me start off by stating that FC was great.
Great, despite having been been told the strangest thing by this one fursuiter (who shall be named X) I happened to run into in front of the hotel. I ran into him because I was hanging out with a group of friends, who are also fursuiters, while walking through the lobby while heading to the escalators. We happen to see X outside while going up. Things happened (mainly, acting like puppies in a pet shop window). I joined in, not really knowing or making a connection of who he actually was until my friend told me. Anyway, X decides to make a few crude hand gestures to me, which I could take the wrong way. Friend says, 'Maybe he wants to have sex with you.' Response, 'But I'm not gay. Hell, I'm not even bisexual.' 'I know, right?'
Fast forward, I find myself outside on the planter ledge about 15 seconds later, trying to get my friend's attention, X says to me, 'What are you doing?'
Me: 'Whatever I want. I'm a winner, that's why.'
X: 'I was trying to tell you to stick your hand up [your friend's] @$$.'
Now, I had the high ground there, as I was standing on a ledge and he was street level. I could have given him a boot to the head for what he said. But two things stopped me. First, he might have had his friends beat me up while he stood back, making me wish I had my cousins to help me out. And second, I might have spent the weekend in jail. Would have been worth it if my weekend wasn't already booked. If I was in Southern California, maybe. But it was Thursday evening and I've got four other people in my room who need to finish the remainder of the convention.
So I let it go. I live in California, and he lives in America's phallic symbol.
---
I checked in Thursday. Seeing as how I didn't want to park my car out on the street, I dropped it off with hotel valet, which would come in handy when I checked out. And, upon checking out, I paid cash. It was mostly in $20s. They couldn't complain, really. I saved them the 3% or whatever fees they get charged. And, let's not forget, that in this economy, cash is king. Now I know for next time how much the room is each night, so that if and when I have other people in the room with me, how much to really charge them. It's basically because I'd given people a price before the hotel charged my credit card for the first night and I found out how much the room was PLUS tax.
That, and perhaps charging people before the con. This is because of drama that came up during the stay. My only comment is that if you can afford to put down $200 for patron membership, you can afford to stay in the room for the whole weekend. I managed save enough money and then some to go patron, rent the room out, pay for gas, and buy food, and that's because of the fact that, because of my upbringing, I saved my money to be able to afford to go.
And yes, I thank all of you who stayed in the room with me, and chipped in your fair share for the room and gas money.
---
I didn't get to take as many pictures as I'd like. Forgot to pick up a memory card. But I did take some video, so it's not completely lost. And I had a lot of fun, too.
I even took video of two of the people in my room, one of them a fursuiter and several other fursuiters tagging along as well. It was hilarious as they were sounding like goats. It was pretty hilarious, actually.
---
I went to FNL. I miss the being able to vote on acts and everything. Reminds me, I'd like to create a video for FC FNL 2011. I'll put the word out soon. While waiting, the stage ninja was pulling audience members onstage and pulling some amazing tricks. I get pulled onstage. Before he does his trick with me, he pulls some fancy ninja tricks. My only response was to act like The Karate Kid, lifting both hands above my head, and lifting one leg in the air as if preparing for a kick. He jokingly runs away, leaving me to face the audience and say, 'Wax on, wax off.' He comes back, and we both do the trick. I return to my seat, giving my Richard Nixon impression.
---
I hosted a species panel. It felt more like a social gathering, really. But it felt right the way it was done. Could have gone a bit smoother, but hey, practice makes progress.
---
Decided that, for the hell of it, I would acquire a fursuit, even if it got worn for a little while. I must admit, wearing it is quite different than just being another anonymous photographer running around with a camera and trying to aggressively take an even better picture than my last one. But yeah, gotta enjoy that being able to dress up.
Hello heat prostration, hyperthermia, loss of peripheral and stereoscopic vision, dehydration. NO, bad cheetacoon. You got positive attention, hugs, and pictures taken while in suit.
---
I was one of two people who'd won a free print by Xian Jaguar. This was because she'd had a contest to name a new character of hers. Lo and behold, I'd chosen the name Aurora, while another person chose the name Jubilee. So, the new cheetah's name is Aurora Jubilee.
---
My car's battery was dead. That's what valet service told me. Probably the trunk light remained on, or perhaps parasitic battery draw. Either way, they jumped it for me. Good thing I left it with the hotel's valet service. Otherwise, who knows how long before AAA roadside service would come to help me start it up.
---
Well, that's it for now. That's all that my lack of sleep would allow me for now.
Good night.
Be forewarned, this will be as detailed a report as I can make it.
---
Let me start off by stating that FC was great.
Great, despite having been been told the strangest thing by this one fursuiter (who shall be named X) I happened to run into in front of the hotel. I ran into him because I was hanging out with a group of friends, who are also fursuiters, while walking through the lobby while heading to the escalators. We happen to see X outside while going up. Things happened (mainly, acting like puppies in a pet shop window). I joined in, not really knowing or making a connection of who he actually was until my friend told me. Anyway, X decides to make a few crude hand gestures to me, which I could take the wrong way. Friend says, 'Maybe he wants to have sex with you.' Response, 'But I'm not gay. Hell, I'm not even bisexual.' 'I know, right?'
Fast forward, I find myself outside on the planter ledge about 15 seconds later, trying to get my friend's attention, X says to me, 'What are you doing?'
Me: 'Whatever I want. I'm a winner, that's why.'
X: 'I was trying to tell you to stick your hand up [your friend's] @$$.'
Now, I had the high ground there, as I was standing on a ledge and he was street level. I could have given him a boot to the head for what he said. But two things stopped me. First, he might have had his friends beat me up while he stood back, making me wish I had my cousins to help me out. And second, I might have spent the weekend in jail. Would have been worth it if my weekend wasn't already booked. If I was in Southern California, maybe. But it was Thursday evening and I've got four other people in my room who need to finish the remainder of the convention.
So I let it go. I live in California, and he lives in America's phallic symbol.
---
I checked in Thursday. Seeing as how I didn't want to park my car out on the street, I dropped it off with hotel valet, which would come in handy when I checked out. And, upon checking out, I paid cash. It was mostly in $20s. They couldn't complain, really. I saved them the 3% or whatever fees they get charged. And, let's not forget, that in this economy, cash is king. Now I know for next time how much the room is each night, so that if and when I have other people in the room with me, how much to really charge them. It's basically because I'd given people a price before the hotel charged my credit card for the first night and I found out how much the room was PLUS tax.
That, and perhaps charging people before the con. This is because of drama that came up during the stay. My only comment is that if you can afford to put down $200 for patron membership, you can afford to stay in the room for the whole weekend. I managed save enough money and then some to go patron, rent the room out, pay for gas, and buy food, and that's because of the fact that, because of my upbringing, I saved my money to be able to afford to go.
And yes, I thank all of you who stayed in the room with me, and chipped in your fair share for the room and gas money.
---
I didn't get to take as many pictures as I'd like. Forgot to pick up a memory card. But I did take some video, so it's not completely lost. And I had a lot of fun, too.
I even took video of two of the people in my room, one of them a fursuiter and several other fursuiters tagging along as well. It was hilarious as they were sounding like goats. It was pretty hilarious, actually.
---
I went to FNL. I miss the being able to vote on acts and everything. Reminds me, I'd like to create a video for FC FNL 2011. I'll put the word out soon. While waiting, the stage ninja was pulling audience members onstage and pulling some amazing tricks. I get pulled onstage. Before he does his trick with me, he pulls some fancy ninja tricks. My only response was to act like The Karate Kid, lifting both hands above my head, and lifting one leg in the air as if preparing for a kick. He jokingly runs away, leaving me to face the audience and say, 'Wax on, wax off.' He comes back, and we both do the trick. I return to my seat, giving my Richard Nixon impression.
---
I hosted a species panel. It felt more like a social gathering, really. But it felt right the way it was done. Could have gone a bit smoother, but hey, practice makes progress.
---
Decided that, for the hell of it, I would acquire a fursuit, even if it got worn for a little while. I must admit, wearing it is quite different than just being another anonymous photographer running around with a camera and trying to aggressively take an even better picture than my last one. But yeah, gotta enjoy that being able to dress up.
Hello heat prostration, hyperthermia, loss of peripheral and stereoscopic vision, dehydration. NO, bad cheetacoon. You got positive attention, hugs, and pictures taken while in suit.
---
I was one of two people who'd won a free print by Xian Jaguar. This was because she'd had a contest to name a new character of hers. Lo and behold, I'd chosen the name Aurora, while another person chose the name Jubilee. So, the new cheetah's name is Aurora Jubilee.
---
My car's battery was dead. That's what valet service told me. Probably the trunk light remained on, or perhaps parasitic battery draw. Either way, they jumped it for me. Good thing I left it with the hotel's valet service. Otherwise, who knows how long before AAA roadside service would come to help me start it up.
---
Well, that's it for now. That's all that my lack of sleep would allow me for now.
Good night.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Star Wars in 3D?
http://paralleluniverse.msn.com/features/movies/the-wrap/george-lucas-starwars-3d/story/?Gt1=28140
I say, 'Sure. Whatever helps you make billions off the backs of whining, screeching fanboy nerds who are never satisfied with whatever technological means you try to implement in your films.'
I'm not a real big fan of the series. I liked the original trilogy and everything. It was great. I'm not a fanboy by any means, but even I thought that Episode III was really strained, plot-wise.
I say, 'Sure. Whatever helps you make billions off the backs of whining, screeching fanboy nerds who are never satisfied with whatever technological means you try to implement in your films.'
I'm not a real big fan of the series. I liked the original trilogy and everything. It was great. I'm not a fanboy by any means, but even I thought that Episode III was really strained, plot-wise.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Avatar...An epic event
Story might need a tiny, teeny, itsy bitsy, smidgeon of a bit of little work, but it certainly lives up to the hype. Two troubles got to me. A - there were three chatterboxes more interested in talking to each other than enjoying the experience; and B - my eyes usually fail me when I try and watch anything 3D. Thank you very much, eyes that aren't perfectly aligned, or at least aligned enough to enjoy 3D, but I can live with that.
It's kind of funny, three people paying $15 a pop to do everything except watch the movie. And a half hour into the experience, one of them turns to me and asks when the movie ends. Should've said, 'Hold on, let me ask your mom', but didn't. Could have, but meh. I said, 'I don't know', and turned my attention back to the film. And that just proves that if you have to ask someone when the movie ends on the day it's finally released to the public, before anyone's had a chance to see it, then you've just proven your complete and utter ignorance before someone who couldn't care less about when the movie ends, because he only wants to watch it.
Overall, it was a fun film to watch. Swipes were taken at a lot of things: Interstellar neo-colonialism; military force ousting sentient being diplomacy; dumping on the natives' home in a decidedly uneven fight using ridiculously overpowered weapons in comparison to what the natives use. That, and this film has sexy alien cat-people. NO BAD HOLCOMB!!!
What I mean is, the Na'vi sure d look realistic. Along with the natural environment, animals, rocks, water, imaginary jellyfish-squids-spirit things, pterodactyls, rhino things, and all the rest of the goodies. Also, it would be great to hear from professional bodybuilders and people who know details about anatomy in regard to how realistic the Na'vi's muscular structures are in comparison to human anatomy.
And speaking of which, these creatures look amazingly mammalian. And by that, I mean human. In other words, boobies. And I'm saying that not in a horrible, puritanical condemnation of Cameron in regards to suggestion. On the contrary, I personally know people who are into the whole 'zoomorphic creatures' thing. Specifically, furries. Aw, yes, furries. And I know that there'll be at least one who'll claim that Cameron is a closeted furry, and use the Na'vi's feline features as proof of that. I can only hope and pray to God that 'that guy' can hold off for at least a week before applying 'Rule 34' to "James Cameron's 'Avatar'". By James Cameron.
Now this is going to shock you, since these words are coming from the lips of a man who's more into the photography side of film making than the audio, but the sound was great. Pretty realistic sound, I must add. I mean, everyone's hyped how real the film will look, but how many will tout how great it also sounds. I wasn't entirely listening to the score and sound, but when I was, WOW!!! Now I know you audiophiles will enjoy that.
I can imagine that Cameron, in all his genius, will stand to reap great monetary benefits from this film. I mean, look at 'Titanic'. He'd given up his stake in it, because the studio heads didn't know if it would make money. Result: It makes a buttload of profit. Wins Oscars all around. He makes more money than God as a result of it. Now that he's got a bigger stake that he held on to, maybe he can add "...and everyone else" to the list of people he's got more money than. And, if he's got a stake in the camera system that he helped design, you can add "...and their mother" to the list of people he's got more money than. But I'm just being a speculative fan boy who's too lazy to do any actual research as to what his investment in the new 3D camera system is.
Now, if you'll excuse me, there's a film by McG, *cough*Terminator: Salvation*cough*, that I have to go tear apart.
It's kind of funny, three people paying $15 a pop to do everything except watch the movie. And a half hour into the experience, one of them turns to me and asks when the movie ends. Should've said, 'Hold on, let me ask your mom', but didn't. Could have, but meh. I said, 'I don't know', and turned my attention back to the film. And that just proves that if you have to ask someone when the movie ends on the day it's finally released to the public, before anyone's had a chance to see it, then you've just proven your complete and utter ignorance before someone who couldn't care less about when the movie ends, because he only wants to watch it.
Overall, it was a fun film to watch. Swipes were taken at a lot of things: Interstellar neo-colonialism; military force ousting sentient being diplomacy; dumping on the natives' home in a decidedly uneven fight using ridiculously overpowered weapons in comparison to what the natives use. That, and this film has sexy alien cat-people. NO BAD HOLCOMB!!!
What I mean is, the Na'vi sure d look realistic. Along with the natural environment, animals, rocks, water, imaginary jellyfish-squids-spirit things, pterodactyls, rhino things, and all the rest of the goodies. Also, it would be great to hear from professional bodybuilders and people who know details about anatomy in regard to how realistic the Na'vi's muscular structures are in comparison to human anatomy.
And speaking of which, these creatures look amazingly mammalian. And by that, I mean human. In other words, boobies. And I'm saying that not in a horrible, puritanical condemnation of Cameron in regards to suggestion. On the contrary, I personally know people who are into the whole 'zoomorphic creatures' thing. Specifically, furries. Aw, yes, furries. And I know that there'll be at least one who'll claim that Cameron is a closeted furry, and use the Na'vi's feline features as proof of that. I can only hope and pray to God that 'that guy' can hold off for at least a week before applying 'Rule 34' to "James Cameron's 'Avatar'". By James Cameron.
Now this is going to shock you, since these words are coming from the lips of a man who's more into the photography side of film making than the audio, but the sound was great. Pretty realistic sound, I must add. I mean, everyone's hyped how real the film will look, but how many will tout how great it also sounds. I wasn't entirely listening to the score and sound, but when I was, WOW!!! Now I know you audiophiles will enjoy that.
I can imagine that Cameron, in all his genius, will stand to reap great monetary benefits from this film. I mean, look at 'Titanic'. He'd given up his stake in it, because the studio heads didn't know if it would make money. Result: It makes a buttload of profit. Wins Oscars all around. He makes more money than God as a result of it. Now that he's got a bigger stake that he held on to, maybe he can add "...and everyone else" to the list of people he's got more money than. And, if he's got a stake in the camera system that he helped design, you can add "...and their mother" to the list of people he's got more money than. But I'm just being a speculative fan boy who's too lazy to do any actual research as to what his investment in the new 3D camera system is.
Now, if you'll excuse me, there's a film by McG, *cough*Terminator: Salvation*cough*, that I have to go tear apart.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
It's not easy starting a business
Sure, businesses that exist now are set, even they might eventually fail.
The president of the United States, or more exactly the guy running for the presidency, sure likes to talk a lot about how he'd like to help jump start the economy and create new jobs for Americans. But the truth is, most of the jobs that exist in this country are from small- to medium-sized countries. We'd like to lay a heavy burden on General Motors, General Electric, IBM, and all those guys, to create new jobs to keep the economy running. But the truth
is, the small businesses, and even the mid-size businesses, provide jobs that far outnumber the jobs that even Ford could provide.
Sure, places like McDonald's and AMC Theatres provide jobs despite being large business. Of course, those are the kinds of jobs that are interchangeable with small business. Of course I could provide services like fast food, large screen movie projection, and gasoline, but if I were to provide that under my own banner, and not by one under the vision of someone like Ray Kroc, then the government considers me a small business.
I could provide car service as Holcomb Car Care, instead of Meineke, Holcomb Video instead of Blockbuster Video, Holcomb Car Dealership instead of Ford Motor Company Car Dealership. The difference between me and them is, I'd probably only run one store, one shop, one dealershiip. And I'd only affect the economy on the municipal level.
Speaking of which, it's time for me to get to the point. You can talk about helping the economy. Most of the time, it's small business. Meaning that you'd have to file a fictitious business name, get a license, sign a lease, open shop, get supplies and equipment, open a bank account, hire help (if necessary), and the list goes on. If you've ever opened your own place, you exactly what I'm talking about.
But it all hinges on several key factors. Mainly, zoning. If you want open a place that relates to auto repair, you have to make sure that the building is zoned for it. You want to open a restaurant, not only must it be zoned, but you have to have running water, food storage, and an inspection by the county health board. Hospital or health care? I'm not sure, but if anyone who works in that area would care to enlighten me, I'm all ears.
Plus, business that deals with hazerdous materials, like chrome plating, must deal with agencies like the EPA.
Yes, you can start a business, but the president, or any other national leader, would almost be powerless to help. One must deal with (mostly) local, municipal, county, and state bureaucratic red tape, hurdles, and loops. Maybe a little national (EPA, FTC, and FCC) meddling, but mostly maintained withing the meager bounds of the home state.
If you want to vent about business frustrations, I freely encourage an open and reasonable discussion, here or elsewhere.
The president of the United States, or more exactly the guy running for the presidency, sure likes to talk a lot about how he'd like to help jump start the economy and create new jobs for Americans. But the truth is, most of the jobs that exist in this country are from small- to medium-sized countries. We'd like to lay a heavy burden on General Motors, General Electric, IBM, and all those guys, to create new jobs to keep the economy running. But the truth
is, the small businesses, and even the mid-size businesses, provide jobs that far outnumber the jobs that even Ford could provide.
Sure, places like McDonald's and AMC Theatres provide jobs despite being large business. Of course, those are the kinds of jobs that are interchangeable with small business. Of course I could provide services like fast food, large screen movie projection, and gasoline, but if I were to provide that under my own banner, and not by one under the vision of someone like Ray Kroc, then the government considers me a small business.
I could provide car service as Holcomb Car Care, instead of Meineke, Holcomb Video instead of Blockbuster Video, Holcomb Car Dealership instead of Ford Motor Company Car Dealership. The difference between me and them is, I'd probably only run one store, one shop, one dealershiip. And I'd only affect the economy on the municipal level.
Speaking of which, it's time for me to get to the point. You can talk about helping the economy. Most of the time, it's small business. Meaning that you'd have to file a fictitious business name, get a license, sign a lease, open shop, get supplies and equipment, open a bank account, hire help (if necessary), and the list goes on. If you've ever opened your own place, you exactly what I'm talking about.
But it all hinges on several key factors. Mainly, zoning. If you want open a place that relates to auto repair, you have to make sure that the building is zoned for it. You want to open a restaurant, not only must it be zoned, but you have to have running water, food storage, and an inspection by the county health board. Hospital or health care? I'm not sure, but if anyone who works in that area would care to enlighten me, I'm all ears.
Plus, business that deals with hazerdous materials, like chrome plating, must deal with agencies like the EPA.
Yes, you can start a business, but the president, or any other national leader, would almost be powerless to help. One must deal with (mostly) local, municipal, county, and state bureaucratic red tape, hurdles, and loops. Maybe a little national (EPA, FTC, and FCC) meddling, but mostly maintained withing the meager bounds of the home state.
If you want to vent about business frustrations, I freely encourage an open and reasonable discussion, here or elsewhere.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
The Company of Wolves - Graphic, not safe for children review
Made in 1985. Or, I should say, released in 1985. A lot of cutaways to cover for its special effects.
Yeah, I know, special effects only 3 years old is already antiquated. But let me tell you something. You see a men peel away his skin and hair to reveal muscle, with that and bone shaping into more lupine, werewolf features, all I can say is: George Lucas, eat your heart out. *Ptooie*
Yeah, I know, special effects only 3 years old is already antiquated. But let me tell you something. You see a men peel away his skin and hair to reveal muscle, with that and bone shaping into more lupine, werewolf features, all I can say is: George Lucas, eat your heart out. *Ptooie*
Thursday, April 30, 2009
I personally enjoy longer films...
Especially when those films have good story. Look at T2 and The Dark Knight. Yeah, sure, I may be fidgety and prone to sudden fits of short attention, but you sit me down in front of a good, long film, and I can devote my attention well.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
I smell butthurt - Ace Ventura Jr. commercial
I saw a commercial for "Ace Ventura Jr.", and the first thing I thought was, "Oh, great, another prequel! And a prequel involving Ace Ventura!" But as it was revealed to not only be a sequel, but one involving the titular hero's titular son.
It's usually not a good sign when the funniest parts of the trailer offer a mediocre "Meh!" response. Look, I understand that writing comedy can be more difficult than any other genre, but surely those people looking for a quick payday could surely come up with a few funny, commercial worthy scenes worth presenting. I would know that it's a sequel worth barely checking out, but at least give us a few nuggets of gold to checkout.
Saying that, I now feel compelled to now watch the movie and give a summary critique. Whenever I figure out when my local, non-Blockbuster Video owned video store carries it.
So, what's new on your end?
It's usually not a good sign when the funniest parts of the trailer offer a mediocre "Meh!" response. Look, I understand that writing comedy can be more difficult than any other genre, but surely those people looking for a quick payday could surely come up with a few funny, commercial worthy scenes worth presenting. I would know that it's a sequel worth barely checking out, but at least give us a few nuggets of gold to checkout.
Saying that, I now feel compelled to now watch the movie and give a summary critique. Whenever I figure out when my local, non-Blockbuster Video owned video store carries it.
So, what's new on your end?
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Why I watch movies
With such nihilistic cynicism, why would I continue to watch movies? It's simple, really. Because of the hopes that there's the occasional good film in the mountainous pile of turd.
For every 10 "Max Payne" films, there's the occasional "The Dark Knight". Sure, the photography in the former was great, but it doesn't make up for the film's strain, which is about as bad as someone who's constipated. The latter, on the hand, kept building up the action and intensity into one great climactic payoff.
I will admit that, despite being a film fan, I have a rather small DVD collection. This is due, in no small part, to my inability to afford to level up to a collection that can only be described as being legendary. Of course, if I were to be tempted with a contract to review movies released on DVD, with a reasonable paycheck which could go towards helping to me pay for the possibility of an awesome as hell collection that could pay for such, I would be tempted to accept such an offer, with the first check going towards buying as many movies released on video as I can and starting an official business out of it.
*Waits for offers to start pouring in*
Damn! Nothing! I guess I'll have to step up the relentless badgering and lulz-gathering in order to get someone's attention. Watch for my latest DVD review, "Max Payne". Coming soon, to a blog near you.
For every 10 "Max Payne" films, there's the occasional "The Dark Knight". Sure, the photography in the former was great, but it doesn't make up for the film's strain, which is about as bad as someone who's constipated. The latter, on the hand, kept building up the action and intensity into one great climactic payoff.
I will admit that, despite being a film fan, I have a rather small DVD collection. This is due, in no small part, to my inability to afford to level up to a collection that can only be described as being legendary. Of course, if I were to be tempted with a contract to review movies released on DVD, with a reasonable paycheck which could go towards helping to me pay for the possibility of an awesome as hell collection that could pay for such, I would be tempted to accept such an offer, with the first check going towards buying as many movies released on video as I can and starting an official business out of it.
*Waits for offers to start pouring in*
Damn! Nothing! I guess I'll have to step up the relentless badgering and lulz-gathering in order to get someone's attention. Watch for my latest DVD review, "Max Payne". Coming soon, to a blog near you.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Hancock semi-review...
First half showed some promise, if some seemingly improbable, situations. Take a superman, make him cynical, and see where it goes. But some time after the climactic bank heist in the middle (that's right), the film took a big dump. I'd make a review, but all the shaky camera work makes me dizzy. The characters were underdeveloped and contrived, the plot didn't push the envelope as far as how well you could make a film about a superman who really fits more into the anti-hero mold, and there really wasn't a nemesis that was worthy of Hancock's powers. Sure, there was the bank thief who lost his hand on account of Hancock, but there's not much there. Take a look at all the superheros, and they have equally matched villains: Superman has his Doomsday, Batman has his Bane, the Incredible Hulk has his Abomination. Hancock, by comparison, has a one-armed bank thief who manages to beat him with a fire extinguisher or some nonsense.
The lighting was forced or bland, the camera work neither grasped the notion of Blair Witchiness nor use of a tripod/Steadicam (C) rig, the acting either lacked the faith of the actors or was asking me to jump through the screen and slap the guy silly for being silly in his approach the PR character, and a fight that could have been great, but was poorly done because of the wrong reasons. Why people loved this movie is beyond me, I preferred watching The Dark Knight. Hell, even Space Chimps seemed more interesting, and it was a CGI children's film.
I know this review seems a bit forced, but that's only because it's a reflection of the film. Give me a film made of stool, I present stool. Give me a film made of pure awesomesauce, and my reviews will be awesomesauce, with bread pudding and whiskey sauce. Of course, I might just purchase this film if it came packaged with the official release of "The Wizard of Speed and Time", which is the only way to buy the latter film is with Hancock. And punch and pie.
Oh, well. There's always Sesame Street Presents Follow that Bird.
The lighting was forced or bland, the camera work neither grasped the notion of Blair Witchiness nor use of a tripod/Steadicam (C) rig, the acting either lacked the faith of the actors or was asking me to jump through the screen and slap the guy silly for being silly in his approach the PR character, and a fight that could have been great, but was poorly done because of the wrong reasons. Why people loved this movie is beyond me, I preferred watching The Dark Knight. Hell, even Space Chimps seemed more interesting, and it was a CGI children's film.
I know this review seems a bit forced, but that's only because it's a reflection of the film. Give me a film made of stool, I present stool. Give me a film made of pure awesomesauce, and my reviews will be awesomesauce, with bread pudding and whiskey sauce. Of course, I might just purchase this film if it came packaged with the official release of "The Wizard of Speed and Time", which is the only way to buy the latter film is with Hancock. And punch and pie.
Oh, well. There's always Sesame Street Presents Follow that Bird.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Guns N' Roses full of hype
I've said it before, and I'll say it again: "Seventeen years to produce THIS! But it's not ready yet!" I am, of course, referring to latest release of new material by the once mighty band, and I've got to say that I suspect that the only one who believes that it could live up to the hype is GN'R front man Axl Rose (more like Chubby Magoo and a bunch of guys who aren't Slash, Izzy, Duff, and Steven, amirite?).
And I'm not making this up, either. I've pulled it from an online source, Yahoo. Here it is: http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart_watch/22500/week-ending-nov-30-2008-wests-numbers-head-south/
So, you can decide for yourself and see that I'm not just pulling crap out of my ass, either. There are other, older bands that have done better. They've done better because they've learned to pull together, if only for the paycheck at the end. And, let's not forget, they never let a thing like sociopathic egotism get in the way of making a good album. There's nothing wrong with making a good album. It's promising to make an album consisting of the greatest songs in the world, and failing to even give us tributes, that will leave those who believed in you burned and reaching for the Preparation H.
Most anticipated album in the history of rock, my ass!
And I'm not making this up, either. I've pulled it from an online source, Yahoo. Here it is: http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart_watch/22500/week-ending-nov-30-2008-wests-numbers-head-south/
So, you can decide for yourself and see that I'm not just pulling crap out of my ass, either. There are other, older bands that have done better. They've done better because they've learned to pull together, if only for the paycheck at the end. And, let's not forget, they never let a thing like sociopathic egotism get in the way of making a good album. There's nothing wrong with making a good album. It's promising to make an album consisting of the greatest songs in the world, and failing to even give us tributes, that will leave those who believed in you burned and reaching for the Preparation H.
Most anticipated album in the history of rock, my ass!
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
A Chinese Democracy Review
Normally, I'd be uploading a submission in regards to my review on Guns N' Roses latest (and I use that term loosely, since their last latest release was a cover album released some fourteen years ago. And Gn'R has used that time to make what the stand-up at Best Buy has claimed to be the most anticipated album in rock history.
To which I say, "Fourteen years for THIS? But it's not ready yet!" The big reason why the earlier albums were so great, in terms of awesomeness and selling so many albums, is that it involved everyone originally in the band. You know who I mean. Axl, Slash, Izzy Stradlin, Duff McKagan, and both drummers, Steven Adler and Matt Sorum, both serving at different times. But, unfortunately for all of us, including the members that were forced out, Axl got it into is twisted, bloated head that the band was just about him.
Don't get me wrong. I know their reputation. When the band got together, trouble tagged along. When trouble took over, and the band didn't perform, riots happened like you would not believe. But when that trouble actually got the band to perform, they were awesome.
How the great Axl Rose has fallen. And he didn't even need a shove to do it. A light breeze was suffice. And that light breeze has come to us, the masses, in the form of A Chinese Democracy. It's easy easy for him to fall, with that big bloated head of his, too.
One song that stuck out, and not in a good way, is "Better". Pretty tart, really. But I'm thinking of the ending of the song, where it sounds like someone accidentally bumped the gain knob, and we are treated t the sounds of some kind of static accompanying the music and vocals. And most of the songs can be categorized as either being mediocre at best, or basically forgettable. If you listen to the album as a whole, you get a sort of schizophrenic feeling to it (apologies to schizos, for comparing you to this mess of an album and a man). And much of the music feels old and dated. Perhaps, I dare, more appropriate for a slightly different set of contemporaries that Axl was trying to sell the music to. And what's with the Spanish guitar?
Sounds incomplete for some reason. Like Rose has put in his part of the music, expecting the same product as previous albums. Then again, much of the talent that was the original band was kicked out, with the name having legally remained to Axl. I know there's Buckethead, who is great in his own right, some guy named Bumblefoot, and a few others, but Slash, Izzy, Duff, and Steven they do not make.
Then there's the issue of Axl's voice. It's not as high-pitched as it used to be. I suppose that all those years of singing, screaming, boozing, and smoking have deteriorated it. I know the original band produced some pretty awesome songs in the past that, if you recite one verse, the next person will feel compelled to sing the next verse. But it's time to face the facts: You spent so many years trying to create your masterpiece, that the rest of the world has picked up and moved on. I could, perhaps, believe that if A Chinese Democracy had been released circa 1997-1998, and possibly as late as 1999, then maybe we, the rest of the world, would have accepted it and said, "That's it, this is your last album. It's been a good run. Next!"
But we moved on and quit caring about awesomeness that would take too long to rear its shiny little head. And we learned a lesson from this, didn't we? This is not the greatest album in the world. It might not even be a tribute. I'd ask for a refund, but since it's opened, I'd only get an exchange for the same album.
As for the free Dr Pepper, all I can say is, "The coupon is a lie." Darn you, work! I missed an opportunity to get a free drink I probably wouldn't have appreciated as much. Oh, well, there will always be Pepsi.
To which I say, "Fourteen years for THIS? But it's not ready yet!" The big reason why the earlier albums were so great, in terms of awesomeness and selling so many albums, is that it involved everyone originally in the band. You know who I mean. Axl, Slash, Izzy Stradlin, Duff McKagan, and both drummers, Steven Adler and Matt Sorum, both serving at different times. But, unfortunately for all of us, including the members that were forced out, Axl got it into is twisted, bloated head that the band was just about him.
Don't get me wrong. I know their reputation. When the band got together, trouble tagged along. When trouble took over, and the band didn't perform, riots happened like you would not believe. But when that trouble actually got the band to perform, they were awesome.
How the great Axl Rose has fallen. And he didn't even need a shove to do it. A light breeze was suffice. And that light breeze has come to us, the masses, in the form of A Chinese Democracy. It's easy easy for him to fall, with that big bloated head of his, too.
One song that stuck out, and not in a good way, is "Better". Pretty tart, really. But I'm thinking of the ending of the song, where it sounds like someone accidentally bumped the gain knob, and we are treated t the sounds of some kind of static accompanying the music and vocals. And most of the songs can be categorized as either being mediocre at best, or basically forgettable. If you listen to the album as a whole, you get a sort of schizophrenic feeling to it (apologies to schizos, for comparing you to this mess of an album and a man). And much of the music feels old and dated. Perhaps, I dare, more appropriate for a slightly different set of contemporaries that Axl was trying to sell the music to. And what's with the Spanish guitar?
Sounds incomplete for some reason. Like Rose has put in his part of the music, expecting the same product as previous albums. Then again, much of the talent that was the original band was kicked out, with the name having legally remained to Axl. I know there's Buckethead, who is great in his own right, some guy named Bumblefoot, and a few others, but Slash, Izzy, Duff, and Steven they do not make.
Then there's the issue of Axl's voice. It's not as high-pitched as it used to be. I suppose that all those years of singing, screaming, boozing, and smoking have deteriorated it. I know the original band produced some pretty awesome songs in the past that, if you recite one verse, the next person will feel compelled to sing the next verse. But it's time to face the facts: You spent so many years trying to create your masterpiece, that the rest of the world has picked up and moved on. I could, perhaps, believe that if A Chinese Democracy had been released circa 1997-1998, and possibly as late as 1999, then maybe we, the rest of the world, would have accepted it and said, "That's it, this is your last album. It's been a good run. Next!"
But we moved on and quit caring about awesomeness that would take too long to rear its shiny little head. And we learned a lesson from this, didn't we? This is not the greatest album in the world. It might not even be a tribute. I'd ask for a refund, but since it's opened, I'd only get an exchange for the same album.
As for the free Dr Pepper, all I can say is, "The coupon is a lie." Darn you, work! I missed an opportunity to get a free drink I probably wouldn't have appreciated as much. Oh, well, there will always be Pepsi.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
I don't like Firefox as much anymore...
I say that mostly because of how it treats the website address in the bar at the top. In the older version, if there was particular site I was intrigued by, and wanted to see it later, I would just click on the url up above, press 'Enter', and voila I could save it for later. Now it won't even do that for me, which is a real waste. Like if I wanted to save a journal that I wanted to read later that day, but didn't want to bookmark it, because let's face it, bookmarks are a waste of time for me, I could click it, return later and post a comment.
Of course, all is not lost. I made the mistake of typing in my website address wrong, and not it's stuck in the address bar. To the "geniuses" in charge of screwing that up. I can't even get the correct spelling to stay there, and the misspelling stuck there forever. Why do I bother even trying to stay up to speed. *GAH* And just when I'm so used to the Google web page showing up first, with the default Firefox Google page showing up beneath that, I'm not even given the benefit of the doubt anymore. *Has nothing here*
First, Terminator 4 is going to be rated PG-13, then I lose my camera before I could upload about a year's worth of photos onto my hard drive, now this. Sometimes it doesn't pay to just roll with it.
Of course, all is not lost. I made the mistake of typing in my website address wrong, and not it's stuck in the address bar. To the "geniuses" in charge of screwing that up. I can't even get the correct spelling to stay there, and the misspelling stuck there forever. Why do I bother even trying to stay up to speed. *GAH* And just when I'm so used to the Google web page showing up first, with the default Firefox Google page showing up beneath that, I'm not even given the benefit of the doubt anymore. *Has nothing here*
First, Terminator 4 is going to be rated PG-13, then I lose my camera before I could upload about a year's worth of photos onto my hard drive, now this. Sometimes it doesn't pay to just roll with it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)