for those about to rock

Austin and Taco one in the same

2006-05-15T10:30:00.000-05:00

According to the latest Google Trends Search: Austin is the number one researcher of Taco's.

This Bitch couldn't be a shellback, even if she wanted to!

2006-04-27T08:55:00.000-05:00

Spanked employee seeks $1.2 million

Alarm company says it was part of a team-building exercise

Thursday, April 27, 2006; Posted: 1:25 a.m. EDT (05:25 GMT)

Plaintiff Janet Orlando leaves court during a break Wednesday.

FRESNO, California (AP) -- Lawyers for a woman spanked in front of co-workers as part of what her employer said was a team-building exercise asked a jury Wednesday for at least $1.2 million for the humiliation she says she suffered.

Janet Orlando, 53, quit her job at the home security company Alarm One Inc. and sued, alleging discrimination, assault, battery and infliction of emotional distress.

Employees were paddled with rival companies' yard signs as part of a contest that pitted sales teams against each other, according to court documents. The winners poked fun at the losers, throwing pies at them, feeding them baby food, making them wear diapers and swatting their buttocks.

"No reasonable middle-aged woman would want to be put up there before a group of young men, turned around to show her buttocks, get spanked and called abusive names, and told it was to increase sales and motivate employees," her lawyer, Nicholas "Butch" Wagner, said in his closing argument.

Lawyers for Alarm One, which is based in Anaheim, California, and has 300 employees, said the spankings were part of a voluntary program to build camaraderie and were not discriminatory because they were given to both male and female workers.

"This is being done for one reason and one reason only -- money," said K. Poncho Baker, the company's lawyer.

Alarm One officials ceased the practice in 2004, the year Orlando sued, after another employee complained of being injured, according to court records.

BAH? No... NCIS!

2006-04-11T21:40:00.000-05:00

Navy sinks marriage-for-money scam

Eight sailors charged with taking $35,000 for sham marriages

Tuesday, April 11, 2006; Posted: 9:14 p.m. EDT (01:14 GMT)

JACKSONVILLE, Florida (AP) -- Eight sailors were charged Tuesday with arranging sham marriages to Polish and Romanian women to help the women obtain U.S. citizenship and to collect bigger military housing allowances for themselves.

An investigation by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement found that none of the women lived with the sailors they married.

In all, the eight sailors received $35,000 in fraudulent basic housing allowance payments, investigators said. One sailor was allegedly getting $1,836 per month.

The Navy terminated the allowances in November. If convicted, the seven current and one former sailor from the USS Kennedy and USS Simpson could face up to five years in prison per count.

Basic housing allowance is a tax-free payment that active-duty members of the U.S. military receive to offset their housing costs if they do not live on base. The amount is based on location, marital status and the number of dependents.

One of the women, a Polish nanny, was also charged, and authorities were seeking seven other women, six of them Polish and one Romanian.

Each paid $6,000 for the weddings to the sailors so they could petition for U.S. citizenship, according to U.S. Attorney Paul Perez.

The NCIS investigation began last September when a Navy petty officer assigned to the Kennedy was approached by a seaman from the Simpson with the opportunity to receive a basic housing allowance for marrying a Polish woman.

The seaman who arranged the marriage was to receive $6,000 from the woman and the petty officer was to receive the basic housing allowance, officials said.

Five of the sailors appeared Tuesday in federal court in Jacksonville. They were released after each signed a $10,000 unsecured bond.

Four of them face charges of conspiracy to enter into a fraudulent marriage and conspiracy to present false claims to the government: Isaac Gordon Bell, 22, of Susanville, California; Joe Conn, 23, of Little Rock, Arkansas; Isidro Cruz III, 22, of Newark, New Jersey; and Horatio Alexander King, 34, of San Diego, California.

The other, Ryan Timothy Dodge, 22, of Joliet, Illinois, faces one charge of conspiracy to enter into a fraudulent marriage.

Former sailor Timothy Richard McNomee, 21, also appeared in court on the two charges, as did Monika Kubaczka, 27, who works as a nanny in Ponte Vedra Beach. The two were married last year but never lived together, officials said.

Two other sailors charged in the case are on deployment with the USS Simpson off the coast of Italy.

listen

2006-02-20T19:14:00.000-06:00

here

Anchors Away M'Boy

2006-02-08T07:27:00.000-06:00

Navy to increase numbers inside Iraq

Move aimed at easing pressure on stretched Army forces

From Mike Mount
CNN

Tuesday, February 7, 2006; Posted: 11:05 p.m. EST (04:05 GMT)

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The U.S. Navy will try to lift some of the burden off U.S. Army troops in Iraq this year by increasing the number of sailors inside that country and taking on duties soldiers have been doing, according to the Navy's top sailor.

The move is designed to ease the pressure on the stressed and stretched Army in Iraq, which has soldiers doing everything from combat, medical and security duties to countless support operations.

In a briefing to Pentagon reporters Tuesday, Adm. Michael G. Mullen, the Chief of Naval Operations, said the Navy will start playing a bigger role in Iraq by adding to the 4,000 sailors already operating in the country.

About 138,000 U.S. troops are in Iraq; the Army makes up about 99,000.

Mullen would not say how many sailors he is expecting to put into Iraq or when they will start filling the various duties. He did say the number of sailors would be less than 12,000.

The additional sailors will take on existing roles in the combat arena as medical corpsmen and in special operations roles, with more SEAL teams in some cases, he said.

Other duties will include security roles, with some 500 sailors expected to take over operations at a prison inside the country, Mullen said. He would not say which facility the sailors would take over.

While not giving specifics, Mullen said sailors with expertise in disposing of explosive ordnance will also be brought in. Such teams are used in disposing of the countless weapons caches found in the country as well as assisting in roadside bomb removal.

The increase in sailors in Iraq comes as the Army struggles with rotating troops multiple times into the country, trying to give soldiers a break back in their home bases before deploying again to Iraq or Afghanistan.

Air Force airmen are already heavily used in convoy security and other security and logistical roles on the ground in Iraq. The Air Force took more of that role over so Army commanders could use soldiers in needed combat roles.

The Navy has some 10,000 sailors in the southwest Asia region, Mullen said, including the 4,000 already in Iraq.

In all, the Army has about 130,000 soldiers in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait, according to Army officials.

Also Tuesday, Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the Guard and Reserves will play a decreased role in the next year.

"When we first went into combat, we had about 40 percent of the total force was Guard and Reserve," he said. "It is 30 percent now."

"The force that is deploying over the next year, from March of this year to March of next year, will be about 19 percent Guard and Reserve," he said. "So the size of the force is coming down, and the need for contribution from the Guard and Reserve is coming down." (Full story)

A Pentagon-commissioned study last month warned that the Army needs more troops for Iraq and Afghanistan.

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld disputed the study, saying the service was nowhere close to its breaking point.

The study by Andrew Krepinevich, a military analyst and former Army officer, found that the Army's manpower needs for those conflicts "clearly exceed those available for the mission."

Your Momma...

2006-02-05T08:00:00.000-06:00

If you guys get a chance, read the "Your Momma's so fat" post on TSG:SH, and post your comments!

TRIBEUS Show

2006-02-01T09:10:00.000-06:00

This is a Post from this guy Mike who is Promoting my Cousins Show, coming up this Friday...

Holla Back and get freaky with us on Friday...
and vote for Tribeus i hear theyre hot...
Tribeus.com
Chris made us all look awesome...or horrible - i havent decided yet.

This Friday, February 3rd, 2006

MOlloy College Presents: A Battle of the Bands...

Featuring Six of Long Island's most up and coming bands:

Murder Flirt
THrough Elysium
A Late Design
Tribeus
Attempt at Perfection
All Grown Up

(all bands also have a myspace page)

...Come out and enjoy a night of great live music!!!

THE WINNER IS DETEMINED BY THE AUDIENCE'S VOTE!!!!!

Where: Anselma Room @ Molloy College
Time: 8:00 P.M
Admission: $10 for Non-Molloy, and $7 for Molloy

(if you are under the age of 18, and want to attend, please let me know ASAP)

There will be free food, and $1 beers!!! Plus, merchandise from each of the bands...

To get to Molloy COllege: Take The Southern State Parkway to Exit 20S and Follow the Signs from that Point.

Any questions feel free to call my cell phone or drop me a message, don't miss your chance for an amazing night of music!!!

Peace Out - Mike Rodgers (516) 978 - 8193

here is to MARDI GRAS! in GALVESTON!!!!

2006-01-21T21:13:00.000-06:00

come one come all!
Once again for 12 days and 11 nights, Galveston Island will be overtaken by live music, spectacular parades, elaborate masked balls, and flamboyant costumes. Mardi Gras! Galveston 2006 will last from February 17th through Fat Tuesday February 28th, and is projected to be one of the biggest Mardi Gras the island has ever seen.

According to Cathy Veniegas, Special Events Coordinator for the Park Board of Trustees, "We are gearing up for one of the best Mardi Gras celebrations ever. Everyone is getting ready for the masquerade balls. Krewes are lining up their floats, and planning their parties. It is all coming together as we near Mardi Gras! Galveston 2006."

Mardi Gras! Galveston 2006 will be a traditional Mardi Gras with a touch of New Orleans style. Traditional Mardi Gras colors of green, gold, and purple will be displayed throughout the streets of Galveston. Although there isn't an official theme this year, this Mardi Gras will "Salute the Gulf Coast" in recognition of the strength and endurance of the many people who live in the area.

Typically, the Mardi Gras season starts on January 6th with King's Day. But that's just the beginning. On both weekends of Mardi Gras! Galveston there will be non-stop live entertainment. More than 25 bands will perform on 3 stages in the heart of Historic Downtown. Headliners include Dr. John, a New Orleans jazz icon, Roger Creager, and Blues Traveler, just to name a few.

In addition to live music, the festivities include 10 parade processions with hundreds of krewe members dressed in elaborate costumes. And two new parades have been added to this year's line-up, including the Bards of Bohemia; a Krewe from New Orleans that will be making their debut in Galveston. The Mardi Gras! Galveston celebration also features art exhibits, sporting events, and elaborate masquerade balls.

For more information on Mardi Gras! Galveston 2006 visit www.mardigrasgalveston.com, or call Cathy Veniegas, Special Events Coordinator at 409-797-5157.

One of Texas's most anticipated events of the year is just around the corner. That's right; Mardi Gras Galveston 2006 is almost here! The festivities will kick off on Friday February 17th and will last thru Fat Tuesday, February 28th 2006. During that time more than half a million people will descend on Galveston from neighboring cities, states, and countries to celebrate the 22nd annual tradition of merrymaking and revelry.

This year's unofficial theme is "A Salute to the Gulf Coast". It will be a traditional Mardi Gras with a touch of New Orleans style. The Park Board of Trustees is projecting this to be the biggest Mardi Gras Galveston has ever hosted, as we honor the strength of the gulf coast.

Advance ticket sales for the event will start on December 1, 2005. To purchase these tickets you can go online to mardigrasgalveston.com. Starting December 16, 2005, you can also purchase tickets at any Moody National Bank location, and the Galveston Island Visitor's Center.

Throughout Mardi Gras! Galveston more than 25 bands will be featured, including Dr. John, a New Orleans icon. And also coming from New Orleans is the Bards of Bohemia. Watch them make their debut in Galveston on Friday, February 24th.

for the love of GOD ask me!!

2006-01-08T16:08:00.000-06:00

I want to talk about something at the next SXSW. Some one ask me!

The SXSW INTERACTIVE FESTIVAL brings together uber-geeks, tech entrepreneurs, and digital innovators from around the world for four days of keynote speeches, Trade Show, panels, parties and assorted evening fun. Now in its thirteenth year, this is the event where the web's most creative minds share their ideas about how interactive technology will shape our future. The 13th annual SXSW Interactive Festival will take place March 10 - 14, 2006.

I don't care when just make it happen!

hey I'm in Austin, be back soon!

2006-01-08T16:02:00.000-06:00

till then my mind is...

TSG:SH Info 01/05/06

2006-01-05T12:47:00.000-06:00

TSG:SH INFO

Due to the excessive amounts of Morons calling in to the Optimum Online Technical Support Group Call Center, TSG Spanish Harlem has invoked a new calling procedure in hopes that all TSG Technicians will take into effect beginning immediately.

If a subscriber calls in stating that they are a network administrator all technicians will begin by using the following script.

"I understand sir/ma'am that you claim to be a network Administrator. Yet due to the excessive lying that many people tend to do over the telephone we here at Cablevision are now obligated to ask you a short five question survey to affirm that you are indeed a Network Administrator."

All technicians will then begin by asking the following five questions.

1. Please define the acronym TCP/IP.

2. What is the difference between a DHCP assigned IP Address and a Static assigned IP Address?

3. What ports do POP3 and SMTP receive and transmit through?

4. What is the Scope of a class "C" IP Address?

5. A tisket, a tasket... how many monkeys can you fit in a basket?

If at any time the customer on the line refuses to take the five question survey please inform them that you cannot continue with the call until they have completed the questionnaire.

If at any point of the survey the customer gets a wrong answer, please inform them that they have answered incorrectly, that they are a pathological liar and to please call back in at another time. Advise them the next time they call in to not identify themselves as a Network Administrator or the call will be terminated immediately. Then afterwards immediately terminate the call and at this point you do not have to use the proper closing.

Also be sure to document Remedy accordingly and please save the Issue Description as CTS ID: (V)ORON.

If you have any questions, please see a senior or supervisor

**PLEASE DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS EMAIL**

Thank You,
TSG Spanish Harlem

my book 7th grade

2005-12-30T20:35:00.001-06:00

Before I knew it I was out of 6th grade and on to 7th. 7th grade started off with a bang, I was in the band, more so the prep rally band. This meant that we would have to meet in the summer. Not so bad right? Well it really wasn’t until we got some bad news. Apparently the night prior us practicing there had been a horrible accident on the ally behind the main hall. That is where we would congregate between the practices. What happened was a student and his cousin were riding their go-cart around the school, and since it was late at night they did not see the chain that was strung across the street to stop cars. They went under a chain because as far as they knew it was not there. The story goes that it ripped off the cousin’s head and knocked out the other ones teeth.
I and the other students found this to be incredibility sad. I decided to take it to the next level. I was going to rebel against the school for being so ignorant in regards to safety. I, among other students, found a dolly, and havoc began to set in. It started easily enough by us pushing each other around. With no adult supervision, the speed got faster and we became more reckless. Then an acquaintance of mine, JC was pushing me around. I told him to push me faster. Once I had determined I was pointed in the right direction, I used my foot to speed myself up. Traveling at that speed, I hit the wall as fast as I could. This left a large dent in the wall, and a scared shitless band instructor. The school charged my parents for the damage done, and I ended up owning a part of the school. I think the dent remains there today.
The rest of the summer was rather boring. But when the school year finally started, we were in for a major surprise; Soda Machines. They were stocked with all the good things my mother would not let me drink. Coke was leading the pack with their revolutionary drink called OK Soda. For those who have never had the pleasure of having OK soda, it was an orange soda packed to the “T” with caffeine; many years later I can still remember that it always came in a silver can, with a black and white artistic photo on it. The soda even had its own 1-800 number. When I would call the number, I would be given inspirational reasoning to drink the product. I have reason to believe that we enjoyed this soda as much as we did because it had the power of 10 pixie sticks in it. It was a cure all, for the tired 7th grader.
Everyone I knew would spend almost every cent we could scrounge up on this new treat. It became so bad that I can remember when a friend of mine bought one with his only fifty cents he had and was pissed off to find out that instead of a soda he got a hat. A hat would be cool but when you have an odd addiction, you need to feed the addiction rather than sport its hat. We were so hooked; it became so bad that we would rather buy an OK soda than buy lunch. So friends of mine would steal food, just so they could get another OK soda. Can you say harsh drug addiction in 7th grade?
With the ability that OK soda gave me I could destroy all that the school could throw at me, it also allowed me to hang out with the cooler crowd. This crowd would later be called the grunge crowd or generation X. There was a musical movement involved with that group of people. They were different, they wore black steal-toed boots, torn jeans, and a flannel long-sleeved tee-shirts. They also had long hair, and somehow it was always greasy. As far as I was concerned they were the cool crowd. This group of people introduced me to a new type of music. This music came with out of tune guitars, people who sang with their hair in their faces. Did I say sing? I meant scream. They were all on this new found channel I found, it was called MTV. Older kids listen to MTV right?
Believe it or not I played football in 7th grade, it was the only year I did. In Texas I think everyone should play football at some grade. My parents kind of made me saying that they were paying such a high amount in taxes that it would be a waste if I did not take advantage of that opportunity. Ironically they did not push my two younger brothers. Since I was playing football I kind of had it in with the coaches. I would use this to my advantage by not doing a god damn thing during PE. In fact I would wonder the back wall of the school. I don’t remember why I did, but I did. I really wish I had been introduced to hacky sack by that point; it would have really helped pass the time.
One of the PE teachers was my home room teacher. I felt fearless. Not because I played football, I really was not too good but played in games because I could pass my classes. Really I don’t know why I felt so fearless. Anyway, I would show my defiance by doing what I thought was funny. I would do anything to get a rise out of the class. Mostly what I did was not funny or interesting; one worth noting though was a thing I would do called “book stacking”. In homeroom they would try to instill the idea that reading is a good idea. I really did not understand it at that time as much as I do now. I would rebel by getting all the textbooks in the class and see how high I could stack them before the teacher would catch on. Some time at the end of class I would knock them all down creating total homeroom havoc. I once made one almost ten feet tall. I really wish I knew now what I was thinking then.
I didn’t really start dressing “grunge” until I was in 8th grade, but I did wear one tee-shirt that showed my total defiance. It was green and said “dookie” on the front and “green-day” on the back. Both words were sitting in a pile of dookie. It was tee-shirt irony at its best. I did not fit the bill other than that, I wore circle thick glasses, and had a blond bowl cut. But damn it, they would totally accept me even in my geekness affair.
My geekness had taken on a mind of its own. I was such a geek that I was making friendship bracelets on the school bus. I was also selling them; this would actually feed into my OK soda addiction. I thought I was so cool, making purple and blue friendship bracelets. Upon later looking at it I think that people were making fun of me. I once had a guy who wanted me to make one long enough to make a whip out of it. You can’t make a friendship bracelet into a whip. That’s not friendly. This did help me become better friends with an acquaintance, as mentioned earlier it was JC. He became my short term manager, I would make the bracelets and we would sell them. It was awesome until I realized how totally ridiculous friendship bracelets were. By the way the guy, who wanted the friendship whip, was JC’s brother.
In the second semester we were starting to form our own “click”. It was me, James, JC, and a few other people that I don’t remember their names. Since there was a large group of us, we began to start picking on people. I think that it’s a group mentality; I mean it happens in nature right? As the year progressed we began to become more and more like the grunge people that we associated with. Our clothes changed, some of our hair lost the gel but maintained the greasiness, and we become down right mean. Like every aspect in life people want to belong. So we became a large group of people that had people trying to latch onto our group, much like we had with the grunge group of earlier.
I’m not sure who came up with the idea but, it is apparent that it was someone watching the news when they were talking about gangs. It was evident because we would beat up the people who tried to hang out with us. I say us, but it was me and JC, who did the beatings. If someone was lucky enough to skip this stage, we would play human pinball with them in a circle. Looking back again, it was down right mean. Kids can be so cruel. Did I mention as we would do this someone would make a country fiddle sound and James would dance a jig.
At this time there was a popular card game called Magic. I never learned how to play it but I did know that some people were as obsessed with it, similar to my obsession with OK soda. I don’t remember exactly why, but we came up with an idea to sabotaging their card game. The idea was simple, find a magic card circle, jump in the middle, scream a bit, and eat a few cards. Brilliant! We got away with this a few times before they moved into the library, never to enjoy their lunch again in the hall. Ironically that kind of set the mood for me in high school, it made me feel cool. But upon later looking at it, it’s total insanity, from an outsider prospective. We were dominating the nerds, ironically we in and of our self, were the nerds.
Also around this time period school dances began to pop up. They ranged in cost from about five to ten dollars. I, like my friends, went to a few of them. We never had dates, but we were leaving our options open (or so we sold it to ourselves). I can distinctly remember that I had such an awesome strut, I still don’t know why women didn’t flock to me. I guess it was the greasy long hair, or wearing a flannel long-sleeved tee-shirt in 100 degree weather. Whatever the case I didn’t care, I was a grunge king in my eyes.
OK soda was slowly being replaced by my new addiction; I had picked up the habit of smoking. I was smoking Marlboro Reds. That was just another feather in my hat of coolness, or so I thought. We would skip class and go into the woods behind the school and have chain smoking contests, the winner would have bragging rights. I don’t know what made us think it was cool, it was not Joe Camel, it may have been that the whole generation X crowd thought it was cool. This carried over to us. I was on a train wreck of defiance, middle school style.
I made a lot of friends this year that would disappear at the end of the year, because they would move onto the fun that is high school. Granted we would once again be reunited but it was still a year away. I made a friend named Will, he was the true metal head, and he played trombone. Will would expand my taste in music to beyond grunge and into a new world of Pantera, and many other bands. He was kind of dorky, but hell so was I, and he had long hair. I was growing my hair out at this point, so someone who had long hair was a plus.
I never could understand why people didn’t cling to Will; he was a genius as far as I was concerned. He would come up with quotes that made total sense, but yet had two or three words in it that never went together. As an example: Macaroni Scrotum. These are two words that when screamed out together says LOOK AT ME I’M INSANE! Or the way I saw it LOOK AT ME I’M AN ENGLISH IDIOT SAVANT! He would also do things like head bang to anything that sounded like a beat. It could be the sound of the road and he would rock the fuck out, it was great. Will would later instill great wisdom towards other people by doing good deeds like fixing his car with a beer can. I have since lost touch with him but last I heard he got married and was running a radio station. If I could talk to Will again I would tell him to keep on living the dream!
One year my parents allowed me to have a Christmas party. It was one of those deals where the gifts would make their way around the room before they finally meet their owner. The prize gift was a Smashing Pumpkins tape. I got it. The worst prize was a half used Boyz-2-men CD, Will got it. We burned the CD, and walked around the bock reeking havoc. This time we would do so by taking out one light out of peoples Christmas lights. This could short out the whole strand. Thus making it a real pain in the ass to find that one bulb, sometimes we would take out two. I read about people complaining about the vandals in the next month newsletter.
By wondering around we saw two girls jumping on a trampoline in their back yard and began yelling at them. I don’t remember why we were yelling, but I would come to find out later that one of the girls was named Paula. Paula turned out to be a cool person despite that fact that at this time she was trying to call the cops on us, or so she said.
Also there was Joey, and Mario. I didn’t really know the power that was Mario until high school, but Joey was another story. Joey had all kinds of roamers associated with him. Not that he was the most rebellious student but the rumors were to die for. My personal favorite was one where our schools theoretical gay art teacher put his hand on Joey’s trying to seduce him, and Joey retaliated by stabbing him in the hand with a pencil. Now I know that was total bullshit, but at the time it made Joey look like a total hard ass.
Joey took to the rumors associated with that teacher to the max. As another example towards the end of the year Joey said that he made a ceramic dildo and locked in the classroom with the teacher, and you can guess where it went from there. Joey and I got along great we would scream profanities at each other in the hall ways and between the busses.
There was also a group of people that were all about the grunge scene. This was Jerry, Ryan, Robert, and Ben. Jerry was friends with James and only lived a few houses away; his brothers were older and were in a band. In fact Jerry was going to start a band with James but it never materialized. As for the rest of the guys they play a larger role in my high school years.
Again I found the need to have something outside of school. Since I was still totally into playing in the woods, me and JC came up with a game called “Rock Ball” the objective of the game was to dig a hole. Then get a ball and large two rocks. The idea was to throw the rocks at the ball and hit the ball into the hole. Whatever destruction ensues was just added pleasure. I am so surprised that we never killed each other or broke any bones. The game was total chaos, and it was great.
Yeah smoking, Ok soda, “rock ball”, fighting, and cool struts were about the extent of my 7th grade year.

my book 8th grade

2005-12-30T20:35:00.000-06:00

Despite the fact that I was dressing grunge, I was not really listening to the music. This did not really happen until a school trip. When James and I switched music that we were listening to, I was listening to Weird Al Yankovic, and he was listening to something more risqué. It was music that his sister had turned him onto a band called Smashing Pumpkins. When I had heard this new type of music, my whole outlook on life changed. Granted I had heard it before, yeah I watched MTV like every other kid on the block. But, my music scope was changing. Another plus was James’ sister turned him on to it. She was older, rebellious, and incredibility attractive. I never really got to know her because I was way too young to care about that stuff then, and she was never at home.
Since I had a new taste for music in my mouth, I had to do the next best thing. Grab that bull by the horns and start getting tapes. I talked James into making me a mix tape of music he was rocking out to. As far as I knew only adults had dual tape players, so I think that he held a tape recorder to the speaker, this took away from the quality of the music. I gained a large collection of music on those tapes that James would make me. But I would not start collecting my own music until I got my first stereo that Christmas.
I remember my mother asked me if I would like to go to Wal-Mart one day, I said yes hoping to talk her into buying me some music. I ran to the CD area and found what would be my first CD. It was Metallica’s black album. Granted it had been out for a while by this time. I brought it to my mother proudly showing her what I wanted, it was a quick denial. I took the CD back to the electronics section; I whispered to the CD that I would be back and that it would be my first CD. About a week later it was mine, I had to buy it behind my mothers back. Upon later reflection buying music from Wal-Mart was the worst idea, because they censer their music, thus destroying the musical integrity.
Seeing how I was in 8th grade now, I was the older of the students at my school. I had an example to set for the other students. We had to recruit new people to smoke and hang out with. Our legacy was not going to die with us leaving the school the following year. So we did our best to counteract the possibility of losing any ground. We started dating girls in the grade below us. I really don’t know why older men are attracted to younger women but this is a key example, even at 14 we knew.
There were also a few new editions to our group of friends that are totally worth mentioning. There was a gentleman by the name of Matt. Matt was a redhead, and his mom was a nurse. He used to use his mother’s education to make himself seem smarter than the rest of us. After a while it didn’t work in most regards, but it did on yet another addition to our group. His name was Keith; he also had a hot older sister, he was also the lady’s man. The times I remember Matt using his mother’s education to trick some one it was always on Keith. He would try to use it on use but no one would ever listen to him. As an example: we were walking up my street once, smoking a cigarette. Keith was also eating an apple; Matt began to convince Keith that eating an apple and smoking a cigarette greatly increases your chances of getting cancer. Keith, scared shit-less threw the apple in the air and began yelling at Matt for not telling him earlier.
Matt was a real interesting character, although his character was to be completely independent he did fall into smoking cigarettes with us. He had an interesting problem though. Matt could not inhale the smoke with his mouth. Being the smart person that he was, he devised a way to do it through his nose. It went like this, he would suck the smoke into his mouth hold it there and inhale through his nose, thus forcing the smoke into his lungs. At the time we would make fun of him, but upon later reflection it was pure genius. Matt’s parents at this point did not know that he smoked, so he would always tell us that he hoped someone in his family would die so that he could break the news to his parents telling them that he started smoking because he was so heart broken and it was the only way he could release the pain.
Together we would instill total wrath upon our middle school. It was the little things like prank phone calling 911 on the pay phones in front of the school. There was no caller ID at that point so we felt like we were unstoppable. I would call 911 and ask the questions that were pondering me at that point like who should I take to the upcoming dance, and what type of soda they enjoyed drinking? These questions were crucial to what was going on at the time. Later they would take the phone away, but not until after a few other students had used it to make a few bomb threats to the school. I mean what would you expect? In the mornings they would crowd us together like bulls in a pin waiting to go to class. They had a gate that would come down stopping us from entering the halls.
We had a few other ways of passing the time at school. As far as I can remember we really did not skip much school at that time. Mostly because we had no cars, and therefore no where to go, but I did skip class a few times and go hang out in the woods. I also remember hanging out in the bathroom to skip a test. I was in there for forty-five minutes, doing nothing. It may have made more sense to just go take the test but there is nothing I can do about it now.
Also at some point, (I think it was JC came up with the idea) we began drinking hard liquor at school. We would steal it from our parents and conceal it in cologne bottles, despite the fact that we probably reeked of booze it must have been weird to see a student drinking and passing around a bottle of Brut. Again, I think D.A.R.E gave us the idea that drinking was cool. We had no idea what to mix with what, so we were doing rockstar stunts like mixing Kahlua and sprite (D.A.R.E. did not give us a bartending book). I don’t remember how bad it tasted but we would be some drunken 14 year olds going to class. This probably contributed to me having large hole in my reclamation of 8th grade, and my bad GPA.
I would eventually get caught with a backpack full of booze. It was really just a matter of time. I also got in trouble for having a pocket knife.
The reason I had a pocket knife is a story in and of it’s self. At the time our school was broken down into clicks, you had us (the grunge rocking generation Xers) we were called “bangers”, you had preps (the sport jocks), the rednecks (the people who dressed like they had been riding horses their whole life, but had never seen a horse, come on it’s AUSTIN TX?) and the rap people. As far as I can remember they did not have a name associated with them. The rumors had it that there was going to be a really big fight between the rap people and the “Bangers”. I guess we had a problem with the song “Rappers Delight”, and they had a problem with “Black hole sun”, really I don’t remember. So I always kept my handy boy scouts Swiss Army knife handy, you know worst case type stuff.
Anyway back to the booze in the backpack. I got pulled out of class my the vice principal he made me get my backpack out of my locker, and told me to walk in front of him. I thought, easy enough I’ll walk quickly enough and dump the booze in a trash can. I tried walking fast but he was on to me, he told me to “slow down”, I knew I was sunk. We were sitting in his office and he opened my backpack. I thought I could still get away, there in cologne bottles. Upon later looking back I now realize that 10 types of cologne in one backpack is a dead give away. Furthermore, I didn’t look like the kid who would wear cologne. He began to open the bottles up and smell them, I knew I was sunk. Weirdly enough he said two of the bottles were cologne, I knew that was a bold face lie, unless JC had been giving us real cologne. That may have explained the nasty taste.
He then took out my knife and showed how it can be considered a deadly weapon by cutting a piece of paper. I said “I can rip a piece of paper in half does that make me a deadly weapon?” He did not see the humor. I knew I was going home, what was going to happen to me, I had no idea and really I didn’t want to know. He made me wait in his office until my mother came to get me. She was crying and apologizing, but really the only alcohol we had at home was Old Crow, she knew that it did not come from our house. This brought on further questioning. It reminded me of a movie JC had shown me called Casino. I remember what happens when you talk and I was not about to break and “drop the dime”. Until today no one has known, but since it doesn’t matter anymore. IT WAS JC, his father had all kinds of cheap alcohol and they were all in my bag. But I held stone cold, and stuck to my guns.
As I was walking to get my trombone from the band hall, all my mothers crying got to me and I had to hold myself back. JC asked me what happened, I told him I got suspended; I was so about to cry. I held it back, I was too hard core to cry over something so stupid. Plus I was trying to have that rebel with out a cause look.
My mother got me back by making me go to work with her at 5 am, which was 4 hours earlier than I wanted to wake up. She was a nutritionist at one of the local hospitals, and I think her boss hated me. Since I was not a hospital employee, I was force to watch Oprah through the fuzziness of a TV that was in a hospital version of a basement for 8 hours. That in and of it’s self is reason enough to never want to get in trouble. To make it worse it was double whammy because Oprah had bad guests on her show and there was a static sound every minute or so, it was torture. I was so bored that I tried to help the other nutritionists and my mom’s boss would not allow it. I’m not sure I would have been that much help anyway. Being held captive at his hospital I probably would have messed something up, or killed a diabetic.
At a later point I ended up getting my revenge on the school by finding a stray dog outside and letting it in to enjoy lunch with the rest of our students. It was a golden retriever and it managed to scare the crap out of those students who had the pleasure of that dog jumping on the table and joining them for lunch. Although, I didn’t get into trouble for that I did however get questioned by the schools local cop as to who was the other booze contributors were. I didn’t feel the need to divulge that information at that time, and after a few minutes of badgering he gave up.
Since my friends and I were becoming more artistic we began to keep a community journal. I could maybe blame it on the music, peer pressure, or again D.A.R.E. but the journal was a good out source to the stuff that was going on in our heads. It was my opinion it was more masculine than the girls’ passing notes or a diary even though we were keeping and passing around a journal. This journal was special it was chalked to the teeth with our attempt at beatnik poetry, what we thought about our teachers and classes, and what we thought it would be like to take LSD or other hallucinogens. You know average 8th grader stuff.
We would also write about the retarded things we would do like, smoking, sneaking out, and stealing. There were also stupid more personal things in the journal like when James was being chased by JC and me and pushed his bike off a small cliff screaming “fly bike fly”. “Fly bike fly” became the quote that the term for James that year. Stories like this would have been written in grave detail. But mostly the journal was full of bold face lies, stuff that we would make up and try to convince each other that was true.
The binder was taken up at some point; I think it was in James’ possession at the time. In the beginning we all signed and printed out names in the front of the book so they knew exactly who to call to the office and blame. The interesting thing about the book was it was all hearsay. They could not do anything to us but lecture us trying to change our evil ways.
The head principal called me into her office and was asking me if all the stuff we had written in the journal was all true. I told her no, and for the most part it was true.
This binder could have determined our fate yet we were dumb enough to record every stupid thing we did. I guess I can relate to the people who make video tapes of themselves doing illegal things. This was our attempt, but what 8th grader can afford a video camera. Also, I blame the band the Doors; in particular I’ll blame Jim Morrison. We used his ideal of beatnik thinking to come up with the idea.
I would like to say I had many girl friends at this point in my life, but that would be a bold face lie. The matter of the fact is that I really didn’t come out of my shell until high school, if you can even say I did it then. I do however remember having a few girlfriends in middle school.
One comes to mind Leah; she a fun person who never really discovered herself (at least as long as I knew her). Prior to joining the ranks of being one of my ex-girlfriends, she joined JC’s. This was at a time when people would break up and still be friends. That may have been due to the age thing, or due to the fact that the reason people would break up was so trivial. No one is looking for their life’s partner at that age. Never the less, I think JC introduced us.
I say that she was an indecisive person because in middle school she was all about the music that I liked, heavy metal and stuff like it. I was a grade above her so when we broke up we stopped talking. I didn’t see her again until she was in high school. By that time her taste in music and friends had changed so dramatically that she had determined she was a gangster girl. That was total bull-shit because I knew where she grew up and she did not come from that background. Much like the people who dressed like they cowboys and had never encountered a cow, the gangster people dressed and acted like they were from the “hood” but there was no “hood” within a large distance of my school. I guess that she found she like the people more, but I always felt that her change was not justified, but “to each is to own”.
Our romance was short and sweet. Since she was in the grade below me, we would meet in between classes. I don’t think we were together long enough to go to a dance, or do any couple things but hold hands. I mean how close can you be when your parents are taking you to the mall and to each others house. In fact I think she only came over to my house once or twice. I doubt my parents even remember her. Anyway we spent most of our time walking around her sub division. Because that’s what you do when you lack a car.
Although this is trivial, it was the first time I meet my friend Matt D.; me and Leah were walking around smoking cigarettes and happen to run into Matt D. looking for his sister. He had cigarettes, so we connected instantly.
My relationship with Leah ended on trifle when we were at her house waiting form my dad to pick me up. As we waited in her room we were making out, as I proceeded to make it to second base (boob action) her dad opened the door. I took this as an opportunity to bolt past him and out the front door. Running down the street I saw my dad’s car. I was the perfect get away.
It also turns out that she was trying to make out with JC on the side; JC rejected her and told me. The theory is “Bros before Hoes”. Looking back at my yearbook she signed it “I hope you have a great summer and one question: Did you hate me, do you hate me?” for the record I didn’t hate her, I was scared shitless of what her father would do to me if he saw me again! Plus she tried to cheat on me, we never really talked again.
Another one of my girlfriends was named Maria, she had kind of an interesting name, and she was an interesting chick. One drawback was she was not into the music that denoted my total existence. She was more into the hippie thing, although she could rock out to Pantera like the rest of us. She was a fun girl and had large boobs, unlike Leah who had a larger nose than she did boobs. We were together for awhile. It seems like a long time, but then again when you that young everything seems like it is a long time.
My time with Maria was over the summer, I don’t really even remember how we meet. But I will never forget her. She had a deaf sister, thus giving her the ability to use a teleprompter to have an operator call me. It was so annoying talking to a person on the phone who would then type what I say in a message format and send it back to her. It really takes away from the personal aspect of it all. This is just one the things I remember about her. She also allowed me the pleasure of rounding third base; ironically this was also my first experience with blue balls. I broke it off with her before I got into high school in order to keep my options open. When she got into high school she wanted us to go back out, but I said no. We really stopped talking around then, I think it was because she was dating a smelly hippie.
Some years later she would pop up again, this time a friend of mine picked her up at a bar. He did not know that I dated her in middle school, and really who cares what happens that long ago. He went out with her a few times, I guess they were talking about where they went to school and she told him the same high school I went to. He asked her if she knew me. She said yes, and that we had dated a long time ago. Their relationship didn’t last too long. She left him with a few select memories and a clogged toilet!
8th grade took smoking cigarettes to a new level. Not really the smoking part, by this time we had that down. It was gaining the cigarettes, and finding a place to smoke where our parents would not know what we were doing.
We had a few theories on how to get away with smoking and a few places where we could get away with smoking. Now, we had to have places where we would smoke and our parents would be none the wiser. This led to the idea of walking in the woods, or to a part of the sub-division that no one lived. Eventually we would grow ballsy enough to smoke while walking down the street, but we would always hide the fact from passing cars. Since you never knew who was a cop, or a friend of your parents all cars counted. We even had hidden areas among the subdivision where we could go. A popular hang out was a drainage ditch hidden by bushes and a fence. It also had a sewer entrance so if we discovered we had a quick get away, it was commonly referred to as “the pit”. I would not be surprised if young people are still smoking there; it seemed to be a right of passage. Also, in our subdivision they hid the electrical outlets by surrounding them by bushes; this was a prime hiding spot but I’m sure that with the smoke rising they looked like they were on fire. Some how no one ever caught us, but I bet that no one really cared that much to bust some teenagers smoking.
The Since I rode the bus to school, I would smoke a cigarette while I waited for the bus. I probably looked like a moron, but I felt cool. The other kids would try to lecture me about smoking, but I knew what was cool. At some point I was catching a ride to school and would have to smoke a cigarette before they would come and pick me up. My answer to the problem was to suck it down real quick in my back yard before they would arrive at my school. Yes, I had crossed into the addicted category.
Now the theory was that if we walked and smoked at the same time the only thing that would smell like smoke was our hands. So we were compulsive hand washers, I always wondered what that looked like to our parents, maybe they thought we were totally afraid of germs.
Gaining cigarettes was also a problem. JC’s dad smoked, but none of the rest of our parents did, so we would buy them from people at school. I remember that I was buying my cigarettes from a really dirty kid. He kind of reminds me of that kid form the Charlie Brown cartoon that always has a cloud of dust following him. Isn’t funny how I can’t remember his name or even the color of his hair, but I can remember that he was the dirty kid.
JC would steal cigarettes from his dad. Problem was they were an off brand and he could only steal one pack at a time with out his dad catching on. This was ok for a while since we could share one cigarette and be set for a day or so. But as our addiction grew so did our need for cigarettes. The only person that was not affected by this was James, he was the type of person who would get a few cigarettes and two days, give them back. James was wise head of his time and never gave into peer pressure. Anyway, by the time that our supplies went south we had a new friend. His name was Eric and his mom smoked those long women cigarettes, but beggars can’t be choosers.
A combined effort of Eric and JC stealing cigarettes from their parents kept us going for a while. However I can remember being so low on my cigarette luck that we would steal them out of the ask tray at the pool and smoke half burnt ones. It was the closest I came to being a heroin addict. We did have one more answer to our problem at this time. We would empty the cigarette tobacco into a bag, once we had enough we would load it into a hand crafted pipe and smoke that. The interesting thing was that we made the pipe out of a carrot, yes that’s right a carrot. I guess smoking those women cigarettes wasn’t too bad after all.
I had this class called industrial technologies. In it I would learn things that would be good to know in the real world. I did stiff like learn how to use power tools, and a CAD program. Also, it was a class that had the internet. Now the internet was a new idea at that time. I was lucky; my parents got it when I was still in Lubbock. But at this time AOL was not that big and most of the web sites were nothing more than just text. Really it all worked out because most of the screens were black and green anyway, therefore not being able to show what ever graphics was there.
I once got into trouble in that class and the teacher made me sit in front of the computer for the entire class. I was so board not being able to hang out with my fellow classmates, but was able to fight the boredom by surfing the web. Somehow I was able to find the script to Pulp Fiction. I really didn’t know what the movie was able, all I knew was it was rated R. So I skimmed through it and saw that they repeatedly used the word “fuck”. I was overjoyed, because although I was in trouble I found a loop hole in the system alloying me to read the word “fuck” in a public school. I began to show the passing students that I had the word “fuck” on the computer screen. It was just a matter of time before the teacher caught on and off I went to the vice principals office.
This class had other good attributes to it. In it they shot the daily news, published the schools news letter, and developed black and white photography. It’s a shame I can’t really remember doing any of those. What I do remember is trying to convince a classmate by the name of Chris that his girlfriend was a slut, therefore sparking a fight. I also remember another classmate named Patrick polling the class and eventually shaving all of his hair off leaving just a square on top of his head. Granted it must have been done in the 80’s but in 1996 it was almost unheard of. It really looked kind of dumb because you couldn’t even tell since his hair was so long, but that’s not the principal behind it. It was total rebellion.
This pretty much sums up 8th grade.

my book 6th grade

2005-12-30T20:34:00.000-06:00

I’m your average white American male, currently going to college. I figured it would be fun to write a book about my life experiences (seeing how most of them are funny or thought provoking). This way the whole world can get a laugh at my expense.
I was born in Austin TX, the self proclaimed “Live Music Capital of the World”. I lived there till I was in about 3rd grade, then my family and I moved to Lubbock TX. I really didn’t enjoy my time in Lubbock, but it opened my eyes; I saw things that should only happen in the movies, like a real tumble weed rolling down the street. This was done by itself, no help from an outside source like a production team. Also one of the few things to do there was visit the local prairie dog farm, how much fun (drag).
Luckily around the time I was going into 6th grade, my father got a job offer back in Austin and therefore back we went. Although I was a hyper child, I was not a very interesting one until I got into middle school (or 6th grade). Since I was young, my mind was real impressionable. As an example, when I left Lubbock I was convinced that the only type of music out there was country and only hippies and bums had long hair. My opinion was soon to change.
In 6th grade I was thrown into a situation that would force me to become my own individual. Austin was a lot weirder than Lubbock. People had their own ideals. They also had long hair, and they listened to the type of music that went along with that hair. I was not really introduced to music until around 7th grade. There were a few interesting moments in that year.
Most of my 6th grade year was a blur. I can probably blame that on the amount of Alcohol injected at a later point in life, or the long time span between then and now. There are a few moments that do stand out to me. I once heard that you can judge man by the friends he keeps dear to him. Should this be true the first person I was introduced to James in my Biology class. The class it’s self was one of a kind. My teacher had a bunch or stories associated with her. As far as I know they could have been true, seeing as I was in the first graduating class at my middle school.
Her name is not important, but more is what she did. She would always reek of booze and would sleep in class. This was not the best idea to do to a sixth grade class, because we were all hyper active and really saw no end to the torment we could induce upon here. Rumor had it that people were breaking into her car and stealing pot. Pot was a new introduction to us. It was due to D.A.R.E. that we all knew that we wanted it, but I don’t think anyone really knew what it was. All we knew was we had heard so much about that it had to be cool. I never was able to prove the validity of the pot-stealing rumors.
What I can prove was that while she slept we would steal her keys and flushed them down the toilet. I always wondered how she could wake up every day in class and not be able to find the keys and still have the audacity to fall asleep the next day. This is yet another fine example of the Texas tax payer’s money at use.
At some point she found a way to stop us from stealing her keys, (or at least she thought so). Her cure-all was a laser disk about sperms whales. I must have seen the first half of that movie 20 times. It was becoming so bad that me and my new found friend James would use our dandruff to our advantage and see who could make the largest dandruff pile. It was very obvious who was ahead because the desks were black and showed the white specks very well. Despite the fact that it was gross, we would continue to do it almost everyday. I feel that I won, every time, but James may disagree.
Eventually, enough students would complain and she would be fired. By the time she was replaced we were far gone, and we knew we where home free. Her replacement was a new younger teacher. He told us that Mr. -- was his father and we were to call him by his first name. I think it was Ernest, although I cannot remember. I once heard that the only teachers you remember are the really good ones. Ironically I can only remember the really bad ones. What ever the case, it was too bad for Ernest, we knew that there was no way we could fail that class, and it was reflected in our work. We even told him that we knew we could not fail the class, he denied it. I did no homework and still passed.
You would think that the possibility of having a teacher go nuts during your time in school is slim. I guess you could say I was blessed, it happened twice in one year. The first obviously was my biology teacher, the other one was my social studies teacher. In order to protect the innocent I will also withhold her name. Her story was not the same as my last teacher. She had a tragedy in her life and it was reflected in her teaching methods. As far as we knew her brother (a family renegade) had hooked up with a hooker in New York and had been killed.
Although it was a tragedy from her aspect, it was a blessing to us students. I mean we did not know her brother, and furthermore we were insensitive middle school students. In a sadistic way it worked to our advantage. I guess her brother was a huge U2 fan because all she got from his estate was a bunch of U2 videos, VHS of course. I must have seen “Sunday, bloody Sunday” at least 100 times, seeing how it was only a few minutes long and the VCR player was on repeat. She had a nervous break down towards the middle of the semester, and tore all of her posters off the walls. So her classroom began to look more like a prison cell with apricot colored walls, with a small TV in the front of the class room constantly playing U2. To add to the affect of this new found prison based classroom, our teacher would sit in the back of the class and cry, I found it to be depressing.
Seeing how school was more and more depressing, I had to find a thing to do outside of school. This turned out to be the woods behind my house. I was living in a remotely new subdivision. Since it was new, there was a lot of undeveloped property, and therefore tons of woods to wonder through. In those woods they had stakes marking property, I’m sure that it took countless hours to measure, tape off, and plant those stakes. Problem was at that age I really didn’t see the merit of leaving them there when they made such a good sword, or machete. In fact I would get one stick and attack the other sticks. The way I saw it I was at war, with the sticks. And in a strange way the Mexicans who put them there. I say with the Mexicans because they were working back in the woods and I would have to avoid them to take out their stakes. I think that on a good day I could take out 50, maybe even more.

just for the record finals suck!

2005-12-12T09:43:00.000-06:00

-Aaron Rules!

here world you have 1 day

2005-11-22T16:40:00.000-06:00

old game system
& another

Watch the MTV doc. on SXSW

2005-11-22T13:28:00.001-06:00

do it here,
you need to use crappy ie though...

10 inch Danzig doll, just in time for x-mas! How cute

2005-11-18T17:35:00.000-06:00

This holiday season, won't you give the gift of Glenn Danzig? The quick-tempered, long-in-sideburn rocker has scads of merchandise on the horizon, including a 10-inch-tall Danzig doll scheduled to surface right before Christmas. The doll is the first

"I'm done after this tour. Maybe I'll change my mind and do some local shows. I don't want to tour anymore. Unless I change my mind." — Glenn Danzig

in a series Japanese toy manufacturer Medicom is calling "The Three Faces of Danzig."

"That first one's going to be the Misfits-era Danzig," explained Danzig, the former/founding frontman for the hardcore-punk cult favorites. "The second one'll be the Samhain version of Danzig, all covered in blood, and the third one will be [Danzig II: Lucifuge-era] Danzig, with the upside-down medallion and the belt buckle. They debuted at the San Diego Comic-Con this summer, and Medicom's booth was mobbed."

First, though, there's Danzig's Blackest of the Black Tour, which features a lineup handpicked by Glenn himself: Chimaira, Behemoth, Himsa, Mortiis and the Agony Scene, with Danzig headlining. Former Misfits guitarist Doyle Von Frankenstein is joining him onstage each night for a special 30-minute set of Misfits classics. The 22-date trek runs through October 29 in Los Angeles.

"It's something I've been working on for a long time, and we're finally getting to take it all over the place," Danzig said. "But I don't want it to be like Ozzfest. It's for bands that get ignored by radio and television but sell out venues that are either the same size or bigger than venues that, say, bands that get played a lot on the radio can't sell a ticket to save their lives. It's exactly like when Danzig and Slayer came up. No one would play us, but we would go in and sell out venues, to everyone's shock. The Ozzfest is a corporate buy-on, and this is my answer to it.

"The first year we did Blackest, it was Superjoint Ritual, Opeth, Nile, Behemoth, Lacuna Coil," he continued. "The next year on Ozzfest, a bunch of those bands were on the bill — that's no coincidence. I'm hoping [Blackest] will maybe expose these bands and help them get on some of those other mainstream festivals. But, again, it's not going to be like Ozzfest. I'm not going to be on it every year."

In fact, Danzig said Blackest of the Black will be his last tour — well, maybe. It's possible but not definite. We think.

"I'm done after this tour," he said. "Maybe I'll change my mind and do some local shows. I don't want to tour anymore. Unless I change my mind — I might just take a break for two or three years. I'm just burned out on it. I don't enjoy it anymore. I love being onstage. But the other 22 hours of the day, spent bouncing around on a bus — I don't know anymore. I'll still be doing music, because that's my first love. But no more tours. This is it."

Of course, Danzig's a man of many loves: He's a determined weight lifter and a certified teacher of Jeet Kune Do. And he's just finished penning the third draft for "Ge Rouge," a "voodoo zombie" flick he'll also direct, which is based on the comic he publishes through his Verotika firm; Rainstorm Productions will release the project. The film is set in New Orleans at the turn of the 20th century, and Danzig says he plans to shoot part of the movie in the storm-ravaged city.

"We had scheduled at least seven to 10 days down there before this whole Hurricane Katrina thing happened," he said. "But there is a light at the end of the tunnel. The French Quarter is not underwater, and that's where I need to shoot. Everything else I can fake here in Hollywood. But you can't re-create those French Quarter houses. So we'll have to go down there to do that."

Later this year, Danzig will release Black Aria 2, the sequel to 1993's Black Aria. He said it's been written for years but wasn't recorded until last year. "It's [a classical, operatic piece] based on Lilith," the mythological first wife of Adam, Danzig said. "It's different from the first record but similar in a lot of ways."

He's also been working on a two-disc Danzig box set. The collection will feature all unreleased material recorded between 1988's Danzig up to now.

"It's called The Lost Tracks of Danzig, and it's incredible," he said. "There'll be tons of old photos inside. There's a cover of Bowie's 'Cat People' that no one's ever heard. There's a cover of [T. Rex's] Marc Bolan's 'Buick Mackane' no one's ever heard, from the Danzig III sessions. Just tons of songs no one's ever heard, like 'Bound by Blood' and some other tracks. People will just be blown away." That should surface sometime next year and contain 25 tracks.

The two things Danzig's not planning on undertaking: Samhain and Misfits reunions.

"That's not going to happen," he said, laughing. As for the Misfits, "there's too much bad blood between [bassist] Jerry [Only] and me, and I think there's some problems between Doyle and Jerry that would have to be worked out as well. I don't keep in touch with any of those guys anymore. If I see [drummer Ron Reyes], he's a nice guy. I haven't seen [drummer Arthur] Googy in a while, but we don't have any problems with each other. I don't know about any of the other guys. I don't even know where the f--- they are."

..More story to tell!

2005-11-18T00:16:00.000-06:00

So where was I? Oh, yeah so I walked around until finally I found the local free paper (aka city paper) and looked up the address of the Pontiac Grille. I was nowhere near where I wanted to be, but luckily I still had time to get there get some grub and make it back to the Trocadero for the Misfits show. I finally found it and I had an hour before I was supposed to meet my friend Mary (date for the evening). So I go in and there was a show upstairs, but the door guy gave me a coupon for 25% off food, so I tell you my friends the night just kept getting better!! I ordered a "blue rare" burger and a PBR on tap, because they have it #1. I wasn't looking to spend huge amounts of cash either, so it was working out well. Food was great and suck down my second pint of PBR for dessert and have a smoke and pay for my food and it was 7:00p. So I knew I had to get going to drop off my backpack before the show. So literally I walk back to my van and I counted 12 blocks, on the way there in my confusion, I easily walked 20 extra blocks. I know my way now though. Drop off my bag at the van, and walk over to the Troc, which is only 2 blocks, and I end up there at 7:38p and Mary is not there. Bollocks!! I get ready to call her and my phone rings its her, she is 10 minutes away, and believe me I wouldv'e just met her inside, but I had to wait because she was my guest on the guestlist. So I wait and she doesn't know where to park. She finally gets there and we go in. The band 45 Grave is on. We go upstairs to the balcony and I'm almost sure we won't be able to find a seat, but we do and we get a beer and go sit down. 45 Grave were pretty rockin', just a rock band on tour with the Misfits. They finish and there set-up gets broken down pretty quick and about 15 minutes go by and the lights dim. The Halloween them song starts playing and the Misfits semi-elaborate stage set is unveiled. I can feel my heart pumping and adrenaline flowing. It was very strange though too because Mary was holding my hand and I didn't think we were going to go beyond friend status, I could be wrong. Out comes Jerry wacking on his signaure "Devastator" Bass and Dez on his guitar, Robo gets behind the kit and they slam into "Halloween", they rip through it and Jerry goes "will somebody please turn off that fucking cd"! It was feeding back through the monitors and giving an unnecessary and undesired fuzzy feedback effect. They go into 4 more songs and its still doing it in betwteen, then the sound guy finally figures it out and the fuzz goes away. They played all of the favorites though as always, and it was a wicked good show!!! The favorites included "Teenagers from Mars, Skulls, Hybrid Moments, Horror Business, Earth AD, American Psycho, and more..they just plowed through it! Then they played an encore of course, because the crowd demanded it! When they finshed Jerry jumped right down into the crowd and started signing autographs and giving hugs and posing for pics and what not. When it was over Mary and I went back to the bar for 1 last drink and so she could tab out. My mission was to get Robo and DEZ to sign my jacket naturally. I waited patiently with the others and Jerry was being mobbed and I was going to go say hi but there was too many people! First I got Robo's and patted him on the shoulder and said "good work on the drums man", then i waited for Dez to make his next round. There was some lady yelling come down here and she realized she already had something signed by him and he was like "oh", and when she turned around I go you can sign mine and he did! I shook his hand and went bakc up to get Mary who had gotten stuck talking to some guys trying to score or something!! She finished chatting with them and we went back in the bar I skulled down the beer. Then, we were walking down the stairs and shes like "I have to pee", and I say I'll be inside talking to Jerry on the floor. So I go back inside because at this point he only had a few people aound him. So I took the opportunity to ask him a few questions. He was chatting with a crowd of about 7 people and walked into the middle of the floor. He turned looked at me and holds out his hand and I shake and I was thinking "what a good guy he is". He had a look like he recognized me vaguely from a show or 2 before. So I asked him "so Jerry when are you going to let me do a documentar film about the Misfits" and he goes "well, we are coming out with a home movie and I don't think there is anything that you could mention in a documentary that wouldn't be covered", I go "ok understandable", someone else asked him a question and he answered. Then I got my second one in "How do feel about Doyle going with Danzig for his last tour"? He goes "well, I think he is making a big mistake doing that, they offered me a lot of money to do it too and I wouldn't because we get a lot of kids coming to our shows and they don't want to be seeing all of that black mass shit and upside down crosses, and I'm having more fun with these guys too, plus Glenn is an Asshole", I responded by saying that makes a whole lot of sense. He continued to say "you know this band he's getting together with his wife(Gorgeous Frankenstein), I think he's making a big mistake with that too because why would you start a band with no musical talent besides yourself, its ridiculous, but he's my brother and I love him, I always will, but I think he has to make his own way and find out on his own". Those probably weren't his exact words, but that's the best I can do without having typed this right after I gt home form the show. Anyway, so Mary came up right about then and showed Jerry a picture of her son that she took and he goes "he looks like he could be in a Downy commercial", then he goes and signs the back of it with some ghoul rock words of wisdom. I was like "Mary you know he may not ever get to really appreciate that". We say goodbye and i walk Mary to her car which is in a garage a block and half away. She gives me a ride back to the lot where my van was. We chat for a few minutes and she goes "can I give you a kiss on the cheek" and I'm like "yeah". So then I get in my van and drive back to the Pontiac Grille for a nightcap! I saved all of my money because we didn't pay to get in the show and then Mary paid for all of my beers, because I got us in free, when it would have cost 22$. So I go in the Grille and there are a few people and I get a beer and chat with the tapster for a minute and come home. What an excellent night!!!!

I Got The Scoop!

2005-11-16T23:18:00.000-06:00

So it's taken me this long to write about the latest happenings here in South Jersey/Philadelphia, what a turd I am!
Work at Tower has been going pretty good, but I'm off of that high when you get a new sweet job and you think you are doing quite good and you are all stoked??! Well that's finally worn off now, it's like the salad days in a relationship, right?? Is that a good enough metaphor?? Anyway, so I'm kind of sick of the managers being all anal retentive and shit, except for one supervisor "Mike", he's a fucking awesome guy and he doesn't give a shit really because well he's in a band called "Sickidz", who are a local punk rock band from back in the day and he's the guitarist for them. They have a few albums out I guess, the most recent of which has the band when they were young and on the other side of the cover is them only recently, so older obviously. I just found this out recently though, so that's why I'm telling you all now.
Also, most recently I've beening winning shit non-stop from "91.7-WKDU" as well, which is Drexel Univ. radio station in Philly. A couple of weeks ago I won a copy of "Jello Biafra and the Melvins"'s album "Zieg Howdy". Somewhat of a hommage to our idiot president and his administration. I thought I was winning tickets to the show too, because it was that night and i was planning on going, but it was sold out it was at the Unitarian Church in Philly. Anyhow, here is the story I was listening to WKDU naturally and I'm driving to somewhere and they announce that they are going to give away the album and tickets, (I heard them wrong) but that it won't be that easy there is going to be a trivia question. So after the PBA (public Service announcement) he comes back and asks the trivia question "what is Jello Biafra's real name, first and last"? I'm like oh, shit I thought that was his real name, I guess I'm not as hard-core of a punk rocker as I thought!! So I call Aaron aka RockstarWannabe and I ask him if he's at his computer which he is and I say quick what is Jello Biafra's real name first and last, and he's like "i thought that was it"! So he Googles it of course and reads Jello's bio and says "his real name Eric Voucher" I say great I'll call you back! All of this in a matter of seconds, mind you!! I call the station I have them on secondary speed dial, because I dig the station. I hear the DJ answer "WKDU" and I say "did anyone win yet?" He goes "No you are the first caller" I go "I know Jello's real name". He goes "Go ahead", and I say "Eric Voucher", there is a short pause and he goes "you are the winner", I'm like "hell yeah", the Dj takes down my name and address and all of that, and says "alright man we'll have that sent right over to you". So I'm thinking sweet I'm going to get to go to the show which is sold out tonight. I call Aaron back and tell him I won and "he's like you owe me one, buddy", because he always does that!!! Ask him for one little thing and he expects something back, but that's just the way he is.
So the second time was WKDU again and it was the Friday before Halloween. So naturally they are playing a lot of Halloween types shit. A bunch of Misfits, Dead Kennedy's, Mudhoney, Sonic Youth, but mostly Misfits and the old radio recording of "War of the Worlds" in small bits and pieces. So the dj comes on and i think it was the same one but I wasn't sure. Anyhow, he says "ok so we are going to be giving away a pair of tickets to the Misfits show @ the Trocadero Theater on November 9th even though Glenn Danzig is not with them anymore"! Of course, i'm excited because then I wouldn't have to pay for it, so I'm stoked, plus I know any trivia he possibly throw at me like before though probably without looking it up! Then he says "its not going to be that easy though, the winner has to give me their best Danzig impression. So I'm already dialing and he answers after he puts on the next set of songs. I say "did anyone win yet and he goes no, you are the first" and he says Give me a Danzig impression and in my best Danzig impression I go into.."Halloweeeeeeen, Halloweeeen, Halloweeeen, Halloweeen". He says "that was pretty good, good enough that I'm giving you the tickets". I'm like "woowhoooo, I won"! Takes down my info and says 'ok, you'll be on the guest list, I'm like "ok sweet"!
The third win was I think a week plus 1 night ago on tuesday, 1 night before the Misfits show. I was just listenng to 91.7 as normal and talking to my new friend Mary on the cell and I hear them say "ok, we are going to give a pair of tickets away for 'Dropkick Murphy's show' at the Electric Factory on Friday, November 11th, and I'm going to take the 1st caller or how about the 5th or the first caller because we have five lines". I say "Mary I'll call you right back in a minute", hang up and dial the station. I can faintly hear the dj because I turned my radio down "ok we got callers" and he goes "WKDU" over the radio, then he says "ok,WKDU" again, and my phone was still unconnected, but about to connect, and the third time he says "WKDU" but this time to me over my phone and over the radio, I can hear my voice briefly. I say "am I the first or fourth caller?" He says "you are the guy who won the tickets" and I'm like "oh, hell yeah". He says let me give rid of this other "dickhead" and I'm like "OK", comes back, takes down my info and goes "usually we just get you on the guest list, but this time we have the actual tickets in hand and you'll have to come down to the studio and get them", so I'm like ok he gives me directions and shit, so I tell him I'll be down to the studio about 3p, then we hang up. Then I realize I can't go I'm working Friday night until 12:30a I would have called out but I needed the hours and the money, so i call Mary right back and tell her the news and ask her if she could get her friend to go with her, the one who is into punk rock and shit and shes like "hell yeah, she'll want to go", so I say "I'll bring them with me tomorrow since we were meeting up for the Misfits show @7:30 anyway.
Wednesday finally comes and i have the day off! It's the Misfits show, it's going to be a good night! That was an understatement, so I start the day as normal coffee and a smoke, its a nasty habit kids! Eat breakfast, have an intense workout, eat lunch, take a shower, and proceed down to Drexel U student center only I'm about an hour and a half later than I said I would be!! Park illeglly, go in get the tickets, and drive back to Arch St. to park. I park for 15$ for 7 hours and hoist my backpack on my back with my intent to write my letter to "Joanne"(my lover from Michigan), because we've been keeping up the nastalgic way to write letters, tha last one of whic was a break-up letter, but we weren't ever officially dating, and proceed to walk to where I think the "Pontiac Grille" is in south Philly( which i definately do now!!) Needless to say I got turned around a couple of times and walked about 20 uneccessary block more than If I'd know exactly where I was going.....

so good

2005-11-15T12:34:00.000-06:00

really?

2005-11-15T11:14:00.000-06:00

click here

Wacko Jacko

2005-11-14T09:47:00.000-06:00

2005-11-13T11:38:00.000-06:00

Sony stops making anti-piracy CDs

2005-11-12T13:34:00.000-06:00

Sony stops making anti-piracy CDs

The CDs affected in the US include Natasha Bedingfield's Unwritten

Sony has said it will suspend the production of music CDs with anti-piracy technology which can leave computers vulnerable to viruses.

The move came after security firms said hackers were exploiting the software to hide their creations.

The software has been used by viruses to evade detection by anti-virus programs and infect computers.

Sony said it had a right to stop people illegally copying music, but added that the halt was precautionary.

"We also intend to re-examine all aspects of our content protection initiative to be sure that it continues to meet our goals of security and ease of consumer use," the company said in a statement.

Viral trio

In late October Sony BMG was found to be using stealth techniques to hide software that stopped some of its CDs being illegally copied.

Windows programming expert Mark Russinovich discovered that the Sony XCP copy protection system was a so-called "root-kit" that hid itself deep inside the Windows operating system.

XCP uses these techniques to install a proprietary media player that allows PC users to play music on the 20 CDs Sony BMG is protecting with this system. The CDs affected are only being sold in the US.

Soon after Mr Russinovich exposed how XCP worked security experts speculated that it would be easy to hijack the anti-piracy system to hide viruses.

Now anti-virus companies have discovered three malicious programs that use XCP's stealthy capabilities if they find it installed on a compromised PC.

Backdoor virus

Security firm Sophos said it had found a virus attached to a spam message posing as an e-mail from a British business magazine. The subject line of the message is: "Photo Approval Deadline".

Those opening and running the program attached to the mail will have their computer infected with the Stinx-E trojan. The virus is also known as Breplibot and Ryknos.

Sony was trying to stop illegal copying of its CDs

This virus opens a backdoor into infected machines and tries to download more malicious code from the net to further compromise an infected machine.

A bug in the code of the first variant of this virus prevented it working properly but now other versions of the malicious program are appearing that fix this problem.

So far the numbers of people caught out by the virus is thought to be very low.

Graham Cluley from Sophos said he expected other virus writers to start exploiting the Sony XCP code.

Sony apologised, saying it was working with computer security firms to address the problems.

The news came as more legal challenges to Sony's use of the anti-piracy program were being launched.

At last count six class-action lawsuits have been started against the company.

As the Boycott Sony blog pointed out, the appearance of these viruses could make it much easier for lawyers to argue that the XCP software can cause real harm to a user's computer.

Once Again the Internet is blamed...

2005-11-11T05:09:00.000-06:00

Parents: Online newsgroup helped daughter commit suicide

Online newsgroup members trade messages about suicide desires, methods

From CNN's Thelma Gutierrez and Kim McCabe

Friday, November 11, 2005; Posted: 3:09 a.m. EST (08:09 GMT)

Suzanne Gonzales poses for a self-portrait photograph.

(CNN) -- Suzanne Gonzales seemed to have everything going for her.

A bubbly 19-year-old with loving parents and good friends, she was also a strong student and earned a science scholarship for college.

But everything changed one spring day two years ago, when Suzanne's parents, Mike and Mary Gonzales, received the following e-mail.

"Dear Mom, Dad, and Jennifer, I will make this short as I know. It will be hard to deal with. If you haven't heard by now, I've passed away," the e-mail read. (Watch the parents talk about their shock -- 4:15)

Alone in a Florida hotel room, just miles from her college apartment, Suzanne methodically prepared and swallowed a lethal cocktail of potassium cyanide, lay down on the bed and died.

In doing so, she joined the roughly 4,000 people between the ages of 15 and 24 who commit suicide each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Suicide is now the third leading cause of death among young people, the CDC reports.

But Suzanne's case has an unusual twist. She frequented an Internet newsgroup called called ASH, short for Alt.Suicide.Holiday.

Members of this news group trade advice on how to commit suicide, using code words like 'transitioning' and 'exiting' and 'catching the bus.' Suzanne found this group nine weeks before she died, posting nearly one hundred messages detailing her plans.

"My chosen method is potassium cyanide....I've stopped eating so my tummy will be nice and acidic," one of Suzanne's posts read.

Suzanne's father claims the newsgroup gave her everything she needed to kill herself.

"The knowledge, the tools, their psychological encouragement. ... She was led to her death," Mike Gonzales said.

Newsgroups like ASH work something like an online bulletin board. Anyone with a computer and some basic Internet knowledge can gain free access to thousands of messages about suicide. And they can post their own messages.

An archived section of the site called "The Methods File" contains a list of recipes, recommendations and tips on the best and worst ways to commit suicide.

Suzanne's dad believes one of those messages taught her how to illegally obtain and use cyanide to end her life. And he was horrified to learn that an older ASH member who goes by the alias "River" may have helped her.

"Suzy had me proof-read her notes and we went over all the details of her exit, just to be safe," reads one ASH message from "River."

But "River" disputes his role in Suzanne's death.

"No one in ASH encourages anyone else to commit suicide. ASH is pro-choice," he wrote in an e-mail to CNN.

"Geo" is another ASH member. He was the same age as Suzanne when he joined the group last year and thinks suicide groups like ASH actually keep people from committing suicide.

In fact, "Geo" credits ASH with saving his life.

"If it weren't for it, I think the chances of me having committing suicide would have been greater," he said. "Having a place where you can write those thoughts, get them out of your head. It can be very therapeutic."

But Suzanne's dad thinks otherwise.

"That's not pro-choice," Mike Gonzales said of the site. "That's brainwashing. And they are not being held responsible."

learn morse code

2005-11-07T15:40:00.000-06:00

learn morse code: "LEARN MORSE CODE in one minute !
This is a code listening tool. Print it on your printer.
Place your pencil where it says START and listen to morse code.
Move down and to the right every time you hear a DIT (a dot).
Move down and to the left every time you hear a DAH (a dash).
Here's an example: You hear DAH DIT DIT which is a dash then dot then dot.
You start at START and hear a DAH then move down and left to the T and then you hear a DIT so you move down and RIGHT to the N and then you hear another DIT so you move DOWN and RIGHT again and land on the D
You then write down the letter D on your code copy paper and jump back to START waiting for your next letter.
The key to learning the code is hearing it and comprehending it while you hear it.
The only way to get there is to practice 10 minutes a day.
Listen to code tapes or computer practice code while tracing out this chart and you will find yourself writing down the letters in no time at all without the aid of the chart.
The chart brings repetition together with recognition, which you don't get from any other type of code practice aid.

HEAR slow morse code This code speed is slow enough to follow the chart above.
HEAR morse code at the speed that the FCC test is playedThis code speed is too fast to run down the chart so only practice with slow code until you know the letters without the aid of the chart.

And the character to emphasize that there she was, she was walking down the street, is :
do-wah-diddy-diddy-dum-diddy-do "

Half Baked a Mile High

2005-11-03T07:24:00.000-06:00

Denver voters OK marijuana measure

Wednesday, November 2, 2005; Posted: 10:12 a.m. EST (15:12 GMT)

DENVER (AP) -- Residents of the Mile High City have voted to legalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana for adults. Authorities, though, said state possession laws will be applied instead.

With 100 percent of precincts reporting early Wednesday, 54 percent, or 56,001 voters, cast ballots for the ordinance, while 46 percent, or 48,632 voters, voted against it.

Under the measure, residents over 21 years old could possess up to an ounce of marijuana.

"We educated voters about the facts that marijuana is less harmful to the user and society than alcohol," said Mason Tvert, campaign organizer for SAFER, or Safer Alternatives For Enjoyable Recreation. "To prohibit adults from making the rational, safer choice to use marijuana is bad public policy."

Bruce Mirken of the Washington-based Marijuana Policy Project said he hoped the approval will launch a national trend toward legalizing a drug whose enforcement he said causes more problems than it cures.

Seattle, Oakland, California, and a few college towns already have laws making possession the lowest law enforcement priority.

The Denver proposal seemed to draw at least as much attention for supporters' campaign tactics as it did for the question of legalizing the drug.

Tvert argued that legalizing marijuana would reduce consumption of alcohol, which he said leads to higher rates of car accidents, domestic and street violence and crime.

The group criticized Mayor John Hickenlooper for opposing the proposal, noting his ownership of a popular brewpub. It also said recent violent crimes -- including the shootings of four people last weekend -- as a reason to legalize marijuana to steer people away from alcohol use.

Those tactics angered local officials and some voters. Opponents also said it made no sense to prevent prosecution by Denver authorities while marijuana charges are most often filed under state and federal law.

The measure would not affect the medical marijuana law voters approved in 2000. In June, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that medical marijuana laws in Colorado and nine other states would not protect licensed users from federal prosecution.

Also Tuesday, voters in the ski resort town of Telluride rejected a proposal to make possession of an ounce or less of marijuana by people 18 or older the town's lowest law enforcement priority. The measure was rejected on a vote of 308-332.

We lost another battle...

2005-10-28T09:23:00.000-05:00

George Takei, 'Trek's' Sulu: I'm gay

Friday, October 28, 2005; Posted: 8:15 a.m. EDT (12:15 GMT)

George Takei and his partner have been together for 18 years.

LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- George Takei, who as helmsman Sulu steered the Starship Enterprise through three television seasons and six movies, has come out as a homosexual in the current issue of Frontiers, a biweekly Los Angeles magazine covering the gay and lesbian community.

Takei told The Associated Press on Thursday that his new onstage role as psychologist Martin Dysart in "Equus," helped inspire him to publicly discuss his sexuality.

Takei described the character as a "very contained but turbulently frustrated man." The play opened Wednesday at the David Henry Hwang Theater in Los Angeles, the same day that Frontiers magazine featured a story on Takei's coming out.

The current social and political climate also motivated Takei's disclosure, he said.

"The world has changed from when I was a young teen feeling ashamed for being gay," he said. "The issue of gay marriage is now a political issue. That would have been unthinkable when I was young."

The 68-year-old actor said he and his partner, Brad Altman, have been together for 18 years.

Takei, a Japanese-American who lived in a U.S. internment camp from age 4 to 8, said he grew up feeling ashamed of his ethnicity and sexuality. He likened prejudice against gays to racial segregation.

"It's against basic decency and what American values stand for," he said.

Takei joined the "Star Trek" cast in 1966 as Hikaru Sulu, a character he played for three seasons on television and in six subsequent films. He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1986.

A community activist, Takei ran for the Los Angeles City Council in 1973. He serves on the advisory committee of the California Civil Liberties Public Education Program and is chairman of East West Players, the theater company producing "Equus."

Is that you eating a human, not wait it's Tofu, no wait it's Hufu?

2005-10-27T13:26:00.000-05:00

FEATURE STORY

Fiji: The Cannibal Islands
For the adventure-seeking cannibal enthusiast, Fiji is one of the world's most exciting and exotic destinations, home to the greatest cannibal society of modern times. As Professor G.C. Henderson of Australia has written, in Fiji "there is romance everywhere, witchery and enchantment too." And blood thirsty cannibals. Commodore Charles Wilkes raved after a visit, calling Fiji "the abode of a savage, ferocious, and treacherous race of cannibals."

need I say more?
drink some beer!
Aaron

What a disappointment.. mentally "blue balled" by rock stars!

2005-10-21T11:34:00.000-05:00

It is finally Friday again and of course it is frickin' raining again, Fuck this weather! I have to work in a couple of hours. Oh yeah another fun filled day of finding music and movies for the automotons. I'm not sick of it already, don't get me wrong, it is just many customers haven't a clue, they are almost helpless.
On the start of Tuesday's workday, though one cool thing did happen as soon as I started my shift, a representative from WMMR 93.3FM, the local philly rock station, calls and says he needs to speak to a manager because they need to arrange to come out and visit. I don't know how we finally got the privelege because we are the Cherry Hill, New Jersey store and most of the time the downtown Philadelphia store gets all of the in-store signings and visitations because well...they are in downtown Philly! Granted Cherry Hill is only 20 minutes away roughly. You know what I mean though. So today when I go in I'll ask my manager if they are coming out to visit us. Although, I just checked the station and they are playing 80s glam/cock/mullet rock "Def Leppard", and I don't pretend at all that I like that shit! Even though Def Leppard were a british band and their drummer only had one arm, they still were a direct contributor to people thinking that the MULLET was at the time cool, which you know what?? IT NEVER WAS COOL! My ex-girlfriend is into cock-rock and she is going to see Def Leppard on Sunday at the Palace of Auburn Hills, Michigan, don't worry I denounced her for it and if I were to go, kicking and screaming, it would be to do one thing, get pictures of mullet wearing mullets, maybe if she bought me a mullet wig. I shouldn't even be using the words "MULLET" and "COOL" in the same sentence!! A customer came in the store the other night and he had what looked like a Mullet in a ponytail, I couldn't tell because it was pulled back, and I couldn't see if it was "Business in the front", so if in fact it was then most definately "party in the back",...DISGUSTING!

So here is the disappointment Wednesday evening, I drove to Atlantic City. I had given up on the guy who came into Tower as a customer and said he'd get me on the guest list for the Blackest of the Black Tour at the House of Blues in Atlantic City. The guy called me at about 3:30 p on Wednesday afternoon, asked if I still wanted to go, and I said "Heck yes I do" and confirmed that I was now currently on the "House guestlist", so I avoided paying for the ticket. He advised me to get there to catch the first five bands before Danzig, I said I would, which meant leaving at 4:30 p to get there by 5:30 or 6:00. I was waiting for my mum and she didn't get home until 5, but I was also working out to fill in the time, needless to say I didn't leave until 6:15p. It was still free, free I tell you, so I already saved 30$+! I rode my bike around the trails because I was waiting for my mum to get home so I could maybe schmooze some more money out of her so I could have a water on the way there, few beers while there, and a coffee for the late drive home. So I made the drive and officially missed 3 bands already, damn it I wanted to check out the other ones too, however I did get to see part of the "Behemoth" set and the whole set of Chmaira. I didn't realize that the sticker that the box office guy gave me, put me in a semi-priveledged seating aka "Opera Box on Baltic" or some crap, I stuck it on my chest. I was watching Behemoth and they seemed like "Dimmu Borgir" (swedish death metal), stage dress similar as well. Sounded similar to Cannibal Corpse. anyway so I grabbed a 5$ Yingling gave the tapster 6$ because she was cute and working hard. Then, I made my way up stairs to the balcony. Grabbed another beer, only a BUD this time hoping I'd save a buck 5$ again, sorely disappointed of course, being in Atlantic City, they had to pay for that neon somehow!! Plus, there was a casino downstairs and upstairs next to the music room, how odd I thought. So I walked down the stairs and the balcony wasn't full with people yet, but I picked my special spot, which was a big soft-cushy bench instead of a annoying flop-down seat. Well, shortly thereafter a tiny, security guard came down and told me I couldn't sit there, I flopped my leather jacket open to expose the special sticker and he said "ok, yes you can, enjoy". Then, the waitress came down to tell me I couldn't sit there, unknowing that the security already tried that, I did the same with my jacket only much more cocky and smooth like because she was cute. I said "oh, yes I can", and she said "oh ok, would you like something to drink, but I had a drink in hand already, so I said "no thanks". Then "Chimaira" came on and they were pretty good, one of my co-workers in the store likes them a bunch, so I had heard them a few times. They were pretty good and then, they got the crowd riled up especially the balcony because a lot of people were sitting down and the singer-frontman said "how would you like it if I were just sitting here not moving, no enthusiasm, performing, that wouldn't be cool would it, now get the fuck up!" I usually don't listen to every frontman commanding a crowd, because then I would be a sheep, but it seemed like a good idea at the time so I did. I started rocking out, banging my head and all, and pumping my fists and my rock'n roll sign, just a warm-up for Danzig I thought. They finished up and they were pretty good, then they broke down there set amps and rolled the drum kit off to be broke down.
Then, it seemed like in no time at all the lights went dark/dim and "Wotan's Procession droned over the PA, everybody screamed and cheered, and then Johnny Kellycame out, from Type-O Negative but currently touring with Danzig, came out and got set behind the Danzig drum kit it was time to stand-up!! Then, Jerry Montana and Joe Frauloub, bassist and guitarist respectively, came out getting the crowd riled for about 30 seconds, then the man Glenn Danzig followed with that Evil Elvis strut, picked up the mic and they slammed into the first 3 songs off "Circle of Snakes" the most recent album. "Skincarver", "Cirle of Snakes" and "1000 Devils Reign", they sounded great, but into the second song Glenn's microphone started to cut out, he was gesturing to someone on the side of the stage while belting out the song, but the mic cut out again and he threw it hard to the side of the stage, and walked back up to the front and grabbed the back-up mic. They were slamming and driving out of new and old classics alike "Twist of Cain", "Not Of This World", it was going pretty good, then the moment I had personally been waiting for the paused in between three song sets. Glenn says "I was going to bring Doyle out, but..inaudible"(he could have said "..you guys ar being a bunch of pussies"). Nonetheless, he must of got a satisfying response from that comment, maybe a bunch of "fuck you"s, He yells "Dooyyyle" and doyle comes stomping out with his custom "annihilator guitar" pounding on the chords. It was the moment I had been personnally waiting for!!! Glenn whispers something to him and says "this ones called "Astrozombies, one two!" I was about pissing myself! The only thing I didn't understand was why the hell was Joe playing along on his guitar, I thought he'd be taking a break when Doyle came out, but nonetheless, the crowd, especially the pit went bonkers! Next song was "20 Eyes", and"Skulls" followed by "Mommy can I go out and Kill Tonight", then "Hate Breeders" and "Last Caress". The unthinkable happened Doyle stomped offstage and the Misfits set was over, I couldn't believe it, they cut it short, 6 fucking songs, I was upset and unsatisfied! Then, I thought well maybe that will be the encore, more Misfits and older tunes from Danzig. During the Misfits set though, the "pit-idiots" were living up to that description and beating up each other and the bouncers, which I think could have been the reason they cut it short.
I haven't searched the web for an article of review on the show yet, but it sucked let me tell you. Stupid Neandrethals in the fucking pit. Glenn ended the show with "Mother", "Its Comng Down", "Her Black Wings", and "The Hunter". They walked offstage and the house lights didn't come-up so I thought "well this will be the encore I was waiting for, but they had already played the favorites out of Danzig's material, here comes the other 20 Misfits songs, but NO! The roadie came out and started to dismantle Johnny's drum set, I couldn't fucking believe it, it was finished, over, kaapuut! I said "shit I want an explaination and I'm not leaving until I at least get Glenn's autograph on my "Misfits" leather jacket. So I walked out of the House of Blues, head hanging, going "what went wrong?" I walked over to the side where the busses were parked and waited w/the 3 other kids who were presumably waiting for the same. I kind of chatted with them to see what they thought and they were also taken aback by the shortened performance because they had gone to the New York show on Monday night and said it was 100 times better. They said Glenn played about 10 Danzig songs, then Doyle came out and they slammed through about 15 Misfits songs, then finished up the Danzig set with a few, and then followed it up with an encore. So there was definately an issue at this venue or with the crowd in particular. Hopefully we'd find out. Other kids were coming up now wanting an explanation and signatures too. All in all there were about 15 of us, not a threatening crowd by any stretch. We waited about 20 minutes and then Glenn came out and went straight onto his tour bus. We were all like "what the hell" because we were at least 20 feet away, and there was a huge bouncer keeping us from "storming the castle", finally after 10 minutes more, the bouncer says "How many of you guys are waiting for autographs"? All of raised our hands pretty much, so he picked a chick and said she be taking all of our stuff to Glenn for signatures and it would only be one time and one thing. If we didn't give our thing to be signed to her then, no dice. We loaded her down with as much as she could carry, ticket stubs, shirts, vinyl, and my jacket (which was definately the heaviest). The bouncer escorted her to Glenn's bus and they walked on. She came back about 6 or 7 minutes later with everything signed, except for one back of an old Mifits t-shirt with all of the members new and old, of the Misfits autographs except Glenn's. The guy was like "hey mine didn't get signed", I thought hmm that's too bad, my mission was sort of complete, I had my jacket in hand with the man who started and ended the Misfits single handedly, but I didn't get to ask Glenn anything. The girl who went with all of the stuff to get autographed got barraged with questions when she came back too. We said "what was he like", "was he pissed"? She said he was talking to his assistant the whole time and just kind of non-chalantly signing our stuff, and didn't seem to pleased about the show and the venue. I wanted to personally ask Glenn "hey what happended to the show, why so short, why'd you blue-ball all of us"? Above all no picture!
So then, we were all waiting to see if "Doyle Wolfgang Von Frankenstein" would come out and sign our stuff and meet all 20 of us. We saw Doyle come out in his hoodie and he was still wearing his stage pants and boots, still had his face paint on even. Meanwhile, this car that was parked right next to us in between the tour buses, had turned around and backed up to in front of Danzig's bus, still running, Doyle and Glenn talked for a second then they shook hands and Glenn went back in the bus, and Doyle got in the back seat of this car and some bouncer guy got in the shotgun seat, and they drove off without explaination. What a "goat-fuck"!! I decided that it was obvious Glenn wasn't going to come out and greet us. So I walked back to my van and made the drive back to Moorestown, I got home at about 1 a.m., and decided that I was glad that I hadn't paid to get into the show. I was fruituitous enough to have been working when the guy with the hook-up on venue guestlists came into Tower, Josh, and I talked to him at just the right moment to network a connection to be put on the guestlist. It was overall a mediocre evening though, to say the least. I never would have guessed that a show of this magnetude would be such a DISAPPOINTMENT, and the hard-core fans would get.. MENTALLY "BLUE BALLED" BY ROCKSTARS!

Absolutely Fuckin Amazing

2005-10-21T09:02:00.000-05:00

A Man that needs no more money... gets more. This is what happens to the poor guy on the corner, who just spent his last dollar... hoping he can make a better life for his family.

Sen. Gregg wins $853,000 in Powerball

'I don't plan to quit my job'

Friday, October 21, 2005; Posted: 8:32 a.m. EDT (12:32 GMT)

Sen. Judd Gregg, R-New Hampshire: "Even senators can be lucky."

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Sen. Judd Gregg won $853,492 from the Powerball lottery after matching five of six numbers in Wednesday's drawing, adding to his already sizable wealth.

"Even senators can be lucky," he told reporters outside the D.C. Lottery claims center, where he picked up his check.

The Republican from New Hampshire -- who chairs the Budget Committee and who has a reputation as a strict fiscal conservative -- said his wife is currently remodeling their home and already has plans for the new money.

"She's already told me, 'Don't spend it. I've already got plans.'"

He said he bought about $20 of tickets on Monday at a D.C. Citgo gas station as he headed from Baltimore to Washington for a Senate vote.

"I don't plan to quit my job," he said with a smile.

He will owe 25 percent in federal taxes on the $853,492. New Hampshire doesn't have state income taxes and so he will get to keep the rest.

Gregg already is a millionaire, according to personal financial records that senators are required to file annually.

His latest filing, which documents his financial records for the calendar year of 2004, shows that Gregg has assets between $2,697,000 and $9,430,000, mostly in an extensive stock and real estate portfolio.

After hearing the lottery news, Sen. Kent Conrad, D-North Dakota, the top Democrat on the Budget Committee, quipped the money should be used to pay down the federal deficit.

"We'll take it all," he said.

Gregg was one of 49 winners of the runner-up cash award in a drawing that also earned one lucky winner from Oregon $340 million.

The Gregg family was in the news for less happy reasons two years ago when two men entered their McLean, Virginia, home and abducted Gregg's wife, Kathleen. She was driven to a nearby ATM where she gave the knife-wielding robbers money before escaping from them.

Watch the fuck out FL, Hurricane wiesel cock is coming your way

2005-10-20T17:47:00.000-05:00

are you scared?Scared of Wilma?
I know I am

Hard Time

2005-10-20T12:25:00.000-05:00

Man requests longer prison term to honor Larry Bird

Posted: Thursday October 20, 2005 12:10PM; Updated: Thursday October 20, 2005 1:16PM

	Larry Bird not only is leading the Pacers, it appears he is also leading fans of his to request longer prison sentences. Rick Stewart/Getty Images

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A man got a prison term longer than prosecutors and defense attorneys had agreed to -- all because of Larry Bird.

The lawyers reached a plea agreement Tuesday for a 30-year term for a man accused of shooting with an intent to kill and robbery. But Eric James Torpy wanted his prison term to match Bird's jersey number 33.

"He said if he was going to go down, he was going to go down in Larry Bird's jersey," Oklahoma County District Judge Ray Elliott said Wednesday. "We accommodated his request and he was just as happy as he could be.

"I've never seen anything like this in 26 years in the courthouse. But, I know the DA is happy about it."

Half Snatch!

2005-10-20T05:36:00.000-05:00

Hello there guys...

My cousin is in a Band called Half Snatch. You can check them out at http://halfsnatch.tripod.com. They have been basically playing together for E-V-E-R! Hehe. But anywhoo, if anyone in the Ny-Tristate Area wants to check 'em out this saturday here is the info.

Saturday, October 22, 2005: Performing at....

The Rock Lobster

(aka The North Shore Boys & Girls Club)

200 Glen Head Rd., Glen Head NY

....with A-Life and others!!!

5 PM / $5-All Ages!!!

Directions: Take Northern State Pkwy to Glen Cove Road North - exit 31. Stay on Glen Cove Road for approx. 5 miles. Turn sharp left onto Glen Head Road. You'll see The Rock Lobster (Boys & Girls Club) in less than a mile.

While I'm here...

2005-10-18T23:45:00.000-05:00

I guess my sob story the other bight/morning caused somewhat of a rouse, considering I got 5 comments about it. Mostly referring me to singles websites and something along the lines of "cheer up" as if I were bringing down the vibe that much! One person asked me if they stay with me and to that "bilbo baggins", I will say "no, most definately not". Not only because of the fact that I am living at my mum's house "DREAD" horrors of horrors, I say!!! I also, and especially because I DON'T KNOW YOU "BILBO BAGGINS"!!
"Inspector" I will shoot you an email and we'll yes, handle the pleasantries, as you so succinctly put it.
so I was trying to convince Aaron that the world was coming to end soon. I believe that are country is going straight to shit, thanks a fucking pantload GW BUSH, once again for nominating a hardcore Conservative to the bench. Also, on that note GM is shutting down it's Pontiac Truck & Bus plant, the one my dad retired from 4 ears ago, so he's ok, but now he just recently got married and his wife/my step-mom has been there for 17 years, what the shit is she gonna do?? What about all of the other people who work there, you think they are all going to transfer to Mexico for a piddly little wage change?? Now granted there are a lot of minorities in Pontiac, I can assure you, but I don't think they want to go to MExico either, why would they be there in the first place?? That plant has a lot of workers!
Furthermore, the trial of the century is about to start with Saddam Hussein, there are mudslides and ridiculous amounts of rain happening in California (which will eventually fall into the ocean, or become an island unto itself), the crazy big earthquake in the Pakistan/Afghanistan region has killed over 35,000 people and still counting, Baltimore-Maryland had a terror threat that closed down a tunnel causing major back-ups, Hurricane Wilma is going to maybe..slaughter Florida not to mention maybe some of Cuba and the Yucatan Penninsula quite possibly, and the Bird Flu H5N1 virus could mutate and cause a pandemic among the human race (all of you aliens will be fine you aren't succeptable) after blowing through Europe, it could happen. Oh, and Japan and China are at odds with each other.
So tell me all of you out there Where is your GOD, where is the Son of God, where is the Devil, where are these supreme beings that you believe exist?? I'll believe it when I see it, but for now I'll stay an Atheist!!!

This Mac is a big piece of poopy!!

2005-10-15T19:41:00.000-05:00

Hi,hi,hi then!! Jake-O is back and my typing skills have gone to the shitter too, along with my life. My mum's computer that was the shit about 3 years ago is now a big piece of crap, with low memory warnings at every turn and errors abound with those warnings! It's a MAC not a Pc, which was very encouraging from the standpoint of a dial-up connection on a Dell w/ a Pentium III @ my Dad's house, of course, indubbidibly I was going to be on the MAC a lot more because it was going to be like the Roadrunner compared to the Coyote. I hope everyone liked that comparison, creative I thought!! Needless to say, it is fast, but I frequently get the beachball from hell, for those of you on a MAC you know what I'm talking about!! Also, those damn errors and warnings of low-memory, because it is so bogged down with files and crap, are damn frustrating. Essentially what I'm saying is that my dad's computer is much slower due to connection but it doesn't freeze that much and doesn't get these errors. Fuck Technology!!
I haven't got any friends out here so if there is anyone from around the South Jersey-Philadelphia region, give me a shout, I'd love to hang out!! I'm a poet and I don't know it.
I will be going to the Danzig show wsg/ Doyle Wolfgang Von frankenstein this coming Wednesday (10/19/2005) in Atlantic City, New Jersey, by myself but yet with bells on!! It's been a long time coming to get these veterans of Ghoul-Rock back together, even though it's not the whole origianl Misfits it's half of the battle! Of course, Glenn and Jerry won't really be in the same room with each other, for those of you who are fans you know who and what I'm talking about. Then, Jerry,Dez and Robo aka The Misfits will be in Philadelphia on the 9th of November. All of the great shows happen in the fall in the Northeast, I love it!
So I have no social life because I have no money to go out anywhere to meet anyone, but I will soon, because i just got a job working at Tower Records,www.towerrecords.com as a sales clerk and I think I'm damn good at it and corporate america should pay more than $6.15/hr, shit! I interviewed at Border's Books first and they are a bunch of chauncies, but they pay $7.25/hr to start, but after just recently watching "The Big One", directed by Michael Moore, I don't want to work for them anyway!! As corporate as Tower Records is it's not that bad, I didn't really know how customer friendly I was until this job, well delivering pizzas, but that's just kind of a liason job, a diplomatic service if you will!! My knowledge in music and movies is expanding very rapidly, plus they will probably carry "Mr.Jingles" when it finally goes to Home video, in the next couple of months. So if anyone I am checking out at the counter happens to be buying campy-B-type horror films, i'm going o try and get them to buy "Jingles". Anyway once I get back on my feet financially, I'm going to be a the mother-fucking man, Philadelphia was made for me and I'm made for the East coast period. Sorry metro-Detroit area, this area doesn't resemble anything post apocolyptic. On top of that Moorestown , New Jersey was voted best to live in some guide that my mum reads occasionally!!
My first order of business socially will be to go and check out this "Live-Punk rock karaoke" at the Pontiac Grille (pontiacgrille.com)in downtown Philly on Tuesday night after work, then of course Wednesday you all know what I'm doing from my earlier rant!! Then, Saturday night I'd like to be able to make it to one of the 3 Social Distortion shows at the TLA, they are playing 3 nights in a row and the first show is sold out. That tells me that there is a huge fan base for Social D here and those are pretty much the types of people I hang with, tattoed pierced kids who like good fucking rock'n roll shows and for the most part it is an older crowd too, more pickins for me on the hot single punker chicks. When they played in Detroit last year, there was a good crowd, but it was not sold out by any means, disappointing I thought.
Worry not Glenn I will be up to see you soon because I feel like I must come see CBGB's before it gets demolished in one way or the other. Hey what are you and Wendy and the kid doing for Thanksgiving?? My mum, stepdad, and sister are going to Michigan for that so I'll probably be stuck working those few days before and after, with no one to spend it with!!
So the school stats has been in stasis for about a month and a half and I'm not happy about that. I finished my short essay on my Temple University application 2 weeks ago and my mum hasn't looked over it yet. I shouldn't bitch though because she hasn't had the time grading quizzes/tests/papers and teaching 4 days of the week hasn't aloud her to do so. She is going to do it tonight though, what a Saturday night huh?? Here I am posting on the blog I'm 25 and it's Saturday night the night i hang for all week, what a NERD!
After all of this I say "Fuck being Broke"!! I'm so lonely I could die!!!

nude in the woods

2005-10-14T20:07:00.000-05:00

BBC NEWS | Entertainment | George home 'had 13 cocaine bags'

2005-10-12T08:44:00.000-05:00

BBC NEWS | Entertainment | George home 'had 13 cocaine bags': "George home 'had 13 cocaine bags'
Boy George
Police attended Boy George's home following reports of a burglary
Thirteen bags of cocaine were allegedly found in Boy George's New York home when he was arrested, papers released by Manhattan's district attorney show.

The singer was charged with possession of drugs on Friday and faces up to 15 years in prison if found guilty.

His lawyer, Lou Freeman, previously said a 'small amount' of drugs was found at Boy George's apartment.

Mr Freeman said the star, who must attend a Manhattan court in December, did not know who owned the cocaine.

'He's a very social person. He has a lot of people over to his apartment,' Mr Freeman added.

'Sizeable amount'

Boy George, whose real name is George O'Dowd, called police on Friday to report a burglary.

Officers allegedly found drugs next to a computer in his apartment.

Substances found in the 13 plastic bags weighed more than one-eighth of an ounce (3.5g) in total, the legal papers stated.

'That is a sizeable amount of drugs,' said Maggie Gandasegui from Manhattan's Special Narcotics Prosecutors office.

O'Dowd, 44, faces one charge of drug possession and a charge of falsely reporting an incident. He returned to London on Sunday following his release.

After attaining global success as a member of pop group Culture Club, Boy George became addicted to heroin but kicked the habit to become a solo artist and DJ.

His autobiographical musical Taboo became a hit in London but closed after less than three months on Broadway. "

BBC NEWS | Europe | Croatia's homosexuals go public

2005-10-11T17:05:00.000-05:00

BBC NEWS | Europe | Croatia's homosexuals go public: "Croatia's homosexuals go public
Detail of newspaper advert
A letter denoting sexual orientation sat by each name
More than 1,000 Croatian gays and lesbians have had their names published in several of the country's newspapers in a bid for greater tolerance.

One thousand two hundred names appeared in the advert under a banner reading: 'I don't want to hide any more.'

It also carried the message: 'Little divides us and a lot unites us. Reconsider your prejudice.'

Homosexuals face severe prejudice in Croatia, where the influence of the Catholic Church is very strong.

Softening of opinion

Many have been the subject of hate crimes and five years ago, when the country's first gay pride march was held, there were anti-gay protests and violent incidents.

Police at Croatia's first gay pride march
Croatia's first gay pride march was marred by violence

The advert, which appeared in three newspapers and several magazines, was sponsored by the government and several rights groups.

The people named on the list identified themselves as either gay, lesbian, bisexual, transsexual, queer or heterosexuals who support the campaign.

A letter denoting their orientation appeared by their name.

Although surnames did not appear on the list gay rights campaigners say it is still a significant gesture.

'Even though it's just a symbolic coming out, without full names, this is a good reflection that gays in Croatia are gathering courage to fully expose themselves and that society is growing more tolerant,' Dorino Manzin, head of the country's leading gay and lesbian group, Iskorak, said.

An estimated 88% of Croatia's population of 4.4 million people are part of the Roman Catholic Church, which says that homosexuality is morally wrong. "

Martial Arts Poll

2005-10-10T09:45:00.000-05:00

I'm a Gamer... and dammit I'm addicted

2005-10-08T09:22:00.000-05:00

They can't stop playing video games

Addiction has proved deadly in some cases

Friday, October 7, 2005; Posted: 10:20 a.m. EDT (14:20 GMT)

A pedestrian walks by a billboard promoting gaming. Video games are hugely popular in South Korea.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) -- Jun Mung-gyu remembers the throbbing pain in his head and shoulder aches from spending as many as 15 hours a day hunched over a computer keyboard battling his online foes.

"You have no life, you only focus on gaming, putting off everything, like getting a haircut," recalled the 27-year-old Jun, who was able to kick the habit earlier this year though he remains in the milieu, running an Internet cafe in southeastern Seoul.

For others, the addiction has become all-consuming, raising concerns about the health of the millions of gamers in the world's most wired country.

The habit has even been deadly: In August, a 28-year-old man died after nearly 50 straight hours of playing online computer games. The man, whom police refused to identify by name, was moved to a hospital after he collapsed while gaming and died three hours later.

Many of South Korea's 17 million gamers -- some 35 percent of the population, principally males in their teens and twenties -- are obsessive. At the 1,000 won-per-hour ($1) Internet cafes popular among young South Koreans, they'll sit eyes glued to monitors for hours on end. Sometimes play will extend for days.

"I've seen people who play games for months, just briefly going home for a change of clothing, taking care of all their eating and sleeping here," Jun said.

Gamers camped out at Internet cafes typically live on instant cup noodles and cigarettes, barely sleeping and seldom washing.

In this country of 48 million people with the world's highest per-capita rate of broadband connectivity at 70 percent, the rise in addiction to multiplayer online gaming is alarming psychologists.

The number of counseling sessions for game addiction quadrupled last year, the government says. There were 8,978 sessions in 2004 compared with 2,243 cases the previous year, and the first seven months of this year saw 7,649 sessions.

This year's gaming death wasn't the first such case of someone dying at a computer terminal in this game-crazed nation: In 2002, a man died in Kwangju after 86 hours of marathon gaming.

The latest casualty collapsed August 5 in the southern city of Daegu after having eaten minimally and not sleeping.

Doctors said they presumed he died of heart failure; no autopsy was performed. So obsessed by gaming was the man that he was reported to have lost his office worker job due to absenteeism.

"Such an addiction upsets the foundation of your life," said Kim Kyung-bin, a Seoul psychiatrist who counsels gaming addicts.

'I do it to win'

Players stake out computers at an Internet cafe.

One of Kim's patients, a high school student, would leave his house and not come back for weeks, practically living in Internet cafes playing games, Kim said.

Computer games can also be a path to big rewards. Three cable channels are devoted to broadcasting game matches and a total of 4.5 billion won ($4.4 million) is given out as prize money in competitions each year.

Even the government is embracing electronic sports, or "E-sports," funding construction of the world's first e-sports stadium, to be completed by 2008, where online competitions will be displayed on huge screens.

Hong Jin-ho, a 24-year-old professional gamer, earns more than 133 million won ($130,000) a year, living and training with his fellow game team members in an apartment in central Seoul.

Hong, who specializes in Starcraft, a science-fiction strategy game, says he has never thought of video games as an addiction.

He admitted, however, that the seven to eight hours of daily training -- which sometimes drags on for nearly 24 hours before competitions -- can be physically challenging.

"My body doesn't welcome it, but I do it to win," Hong said.

Physicians working with professional e-sports teams recommend gamers rest 10 minutes with their eyes closed after every five matches, and never play in the same posture for more than two hours.

"The energy you consume (while playing) is immense. The degree of concentration and absorption is so great that you lose yourself," said Han Hye-won, 30, a university lecturer who says she plays four hours a day.

Han said she went through a phase when her mother had to pull the plug to get her to stop playing the battle simulation game Starcraft. She teaches "digital storytelling," the craft of writing scenarios for computer games.

Even Han's interaction with her students has gone virtual. She sets a certain time at which the class meets inside the game world, each in their virtual persona.

"You can play games like that because others are involved," Han said of serious game addiction. "It's not a game problem, it's people who had difficulty communicating with others resolving that difficulty through online games."

LINK TIME!

2005-10-05T13:05:00.000-05:00

BBC NEWS | Business | Google and Sun want Office users

2005-10-05T09:40:00.000-05:00

BBC NEWS | Business | Google and Sun want Office users: "Google and Sun want Office users
Sun Microsystems chief executive Scott McNealy, left, and Google chief executive Eric Schmidt
Sun and Google are hoping for a flush fit
Google and Sun Microsystems have joined forces to challenge the dominance of Microsoft's Office software.

Google aims to 'explore opportunities to promote' Sun's OpenOffice software. Those downloading Sun's Java program will be offered Google's toolbar.

Word processing and spreadsheet products are some of Microsoft's biggest sales generators, earning the company $11bn (�6.3bn) last year.

Microsoft is feeling pressure as firms offer cheaper or free rival products.

Changing market

Google and Java are two of the most widely recognized technology brands because they provide users with online tools that enhance their lives on a day-to-day basis
Eric Schmidt, Google chief executive

One of the biggest challenges facing Microsoft, the world's biggest software company, is convincing customers to pay for bundles of software like Office and Windows when they can find cheaper or free versions elsewhere.

Companies like Google and Sun, meanwhile, are looking to eat further and further into Microsoft's market share.

'Working with Google will make our technologies more available more broadly, increase options for users, lower barriers and expand participation worldwide,' said Scott McNealy, Sun's chief executive officer.

Sun has long supported plans to create more open source software.

The deal may prove to be the first of many projects, the firms said.

Google chief executive Eric Schmidt described the arrangement with Sun as 'a very significant deal'.

'Google and Java are two of the most widely recognized technology brands because they provide users with online tools that enhance their lives on a day-to-day basis,' said Mr Schmidt.

'We look forward to exploring other areas of collaboration.'

Java software is needed"

Rollie, Pollie, Ollie

2005-10-03T11:58:00.000-05:00

HI EVERYBODY!

2005-09-30T16:14:00.000-05:00

here are some more links!
here is a link to test your pop up blocker!
here is a link to transpose sentences into Morse code
here is a link to join in a rock paper scissors team
here is a link to the muppets web site
here is a link to walk like a drunk
here is a link to a random game.
here is a link to a cool photo project
here is a link to a person beat-boxing and rocking out on a harmonica
here is a link to a web site where you can burn people with a magnifying glass
here is a link to a web site where you can see creapy pictures from alice and wonderland
here is a link to the "world's best" sketching thing

and that's it for now!!!

what? get your war on!?!

2005-09-29T22:24:00.000-05:00

2005-09-29T18:10:00.000-05:00

here's what A&M said about the weather

2005-09-29T12:04:00.000-05:00

To:  Faculty, Staff and Students

Subject:  Hurricanes Rita and Katrina -- A Nasty Pair

For the second time in three weeks, Texas A&M University on September
20th mobilized to care for evacuees from a major hurricane – Rita. 
This time was dramatically different than for Katrina because, as of
mid-day on September 21st, Rita’s path was projected to pass about 20
miles to the west of College Station, placing the campus on
the “dirty” -- most dangerous – side of the hurricane.  So, we not only
had to prepare for evacuees but also for a giant storm potentially to
pass near or over the campus.  As with Katrina, there would be many
Aggie heroes over the days to follow. 

A second major difference from Katrina was that Texas A&M was asked to
convert the large animal hospital at the College of Veterinary Medicine
and Biomedical Sciences into a facility to care for several
hundred “special needs” patients from Houston and Galveston.  The
hospital was emptied of animals, sanitized and converted to human use
in less than a day thanks to the extraordinary efforts of Dean Richard
Adams, Dr. Bill Moyer (head of the Department of Large Animal Clinical
Sciences), Dr. Dean Gage, Dr. Debbie Kochevar, and scores of other
faculty, staff and students -- all volunteers. 

By Friday night, the night before the hurricane was due to make
landfall, the huge facility housed some 650 patients, families and
care-
givers, and had become the largest human hospital in central Texas. 
The 350 patients included a number of recovering badly-burned children
from Shriners’ Hospital in Galveston, geriatric patients from nursing
homes, and physically handicapped children.  Everyone pitched in, as
doctors, nurses, medical and veterinary students, and many other staff
and student volunteers did whatever needed to be done – from medical
treatment to changing diapers – to make the patients comfortable and to
care for them.  The medical care was supervised by Dr. Paul Carlton of
the Health Science Center (and a former Surgeon General of the U.S. Air
Force), and his team included many other HSC staff as well as
representatives of the Centers for Disease Control, the Public Health
Service, FEMA, and the Army – which brought and deployed an entire Army
Field Hospital equipped to treat 500 patients. University Food Services
also played a critical role in keeping everyone fed.  In all this –
remembering the aftermath of Katrina -- was an unnoticed minor miracle:
so many federal, state, local, university and A&M System agencies and
organizations, and so much cooperation and teamwork.  Rank and title
were meaningless.  All had but one common purpose – to care for the
most vulnerable among us.

The sights at the hospital ranged from the amusing (a full professor
driving a forklift truck to move a porta-potty), to the inspiring (Dr.
Nancy Dickey, President of the HSC and a former President of the
American Medical Association, in her scrubs spending all the first
night giving a physician’s touch to many patients), to the deeply
moving (Dr. Evelyn Castiglioni, head of Integrative Biosciences and
Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs who, as an accomplished
harpist, relaxed patients with an impromptu concert, entertaining
especially the post-burn recovery children, who then themselves played
the harp -- including the children missing their fingers).  To walk
those halls was to experience the whole range of human emotions – pride
and joy in seeing what A&M was doing to save lives and to care for the
handicapped, the sick, and the elderly; sorrow at seeing so many torn
by the storm from familiar surroundings; tears at the courage and
resilience of the badly burned little children; humor at the efforts of
so many to bring a smile to faces young and old; admiration for the
dedication of so many, working through fatigue.  Humility in the
presence of so many heroes.

The hospital is nearly empty now, soon to be returned to its four-
legged patients.  But those who were there during Hurricane Rita will
never forget what happened in that special place during six days in
September, 2005.

Once again, we were called upon to shelter evacuees in Reed Arena. 
Once again, I called upon Lt. Gen. John Van Alstyne, Colonel Jake
Betty, and the Corps of Cadets to shoulder the lion’s share of the
burden.  And what a task it turned out to be.  During Hurricane
Katrina, we sheltered about 450 evacuees.  During Rita, by Friday
night, Reed held more than a thousand – and many of their pets.  This
time, the cots not only covered the entire floor, but also the practice
gym, and the corridors on all three levels.

Once again, many campus organizations and hundreds of individual
volunteers participated, providing medical care, child care, fresh
linens and towels, food, and more. The Aggie Dance Team again
established and operated the supply distribution center; the Sigma Phi
Lambda sorority operated a first-class child care center; residents of
Lechner and Hart halls repeatedly volunteered, along with many from
other halls; and the Aggie Emergency Care Team provided the best of
emergency medical services 24/7.   There were many other Aggie heroes
at Reed during those long days and nights.  An inevitably incomplete
list must include:  Dr. Wynn Rosser of Student Affairs, who seemed to
be everywhere all the time; Cory Arcak of the Forsyth Gallery and Dr.
Darby Roberts of Student Life Studies, who pitched in everywhere and
touched the lives of so many; Lt. Col. Jim Harrison, a logistics
officer who performed miracles; cadets like Jordan Smith, who worked
countless hours; and, most especially, Lloyd Crouch and Keith Richards
from Food Services, who remained at Reed for nearly 48 hours straight,
cooking around the clock for over 1,000 evacuees, with little external
support.  The list goes on and on with people from every corner of the
University.  Heroes all.

There were heroes among the evacuees as well.  They included Ms. Alva
Wills, age 95, "Ms. Katie", also 95, and Mr. Siddell Rabb, an 80 year
old African-American veteran of World War II, all of whom taught
everyone at Reed about growing old with grace and style, and never
losing hope, kindness or dignity;  Rose Hinajosa of Corpus Christi who,
discontented with just sitting around, volunteered and was invaluable
as an interpreter; the children, who kept going and going and...going
at this great party; a group of Hispanic ladies who could not speak
English but whose repeated tearful thanks upon departure brought tears
to the strongest Aggies.  A thousand stories.  More heroes.

I need to mention two other organizations.  First, the staff of the
Office of Environmental Health and Safety, led by Chris Meyer.  Chris
was, for all practical purposes, A&M’s crisis manager for all of the
services we were providing, through long days and nights overseeing all
of the various activities in which we were involved and, at the same
time, serving as our vital link to county, state and federal
authorities.  Second, the University Police Department and its chief,
Elmer Schneider.  On duty at both Reed Arena and the hospital 24/7,
still carrying out all their regular protective and law enforcement
responsibilities – these incredibly professional men and women, who
really care, should make every Aggie proud.

Another difference with Katrina: our campus became a major staging
point for rescuers.  450 National Guard troops stayed at the Student
Recreation Center Friday and Saturday nights, the parking lot at Olsen
Field filled with Army and Air Force trucks, humvees, and numerous
semi-
trailer trucks loaded with supplies and equipment.  We prepared to host
800 members of Texas Task Force 1 at G. Rollie White, but when on
Thursday Rita thankfully began to move well to the east of us, the Task
Force deployed onward to Houston.  Rick Hall and James Nash from Rec
Sports and Mike Tomchesson from Health and Kinesiology played critical
roles in these preparations along with James Massey and Chuck Ray of
Facilities Coordination.  And, of course, we cared for hundreds of pets
at the Pearce Pavilion.

I need to note as well the many faculty, staff and students who
volunteered their time and efforts in the local community and in
churches to help evacuees.  And a number of student groups have
sponsored campaigns on campus to gather supplies for evacuees and to
raise money for relief efforts and the victims.

While so many faculty, students and staff were caring around the clock
for evacuees and patients – serving others, we also had to prepare to
take care of ourselves as we waited to see how close the hurricane
would come.  Folks from the Facilities Division checked and deployed
back-up generators, sandbagged buildings prone to flooding, dispersed
heavy equipment around campus, secured all objects around campus that
might become projectiles in high winds, and so much more.  Maintenance
and repair crews remained on campus to ride out the storm and do
whatever was necessary to deal quickly with possible damage.  Chuck
Sippial (Vice President for Facilities), along with Les Swick, George
Parker and Jim Riley and countless others in the Facilities Division
were there to look out for all of us who remained on campus -- and for
the campus itself.

What worried us most was the danger to our branch campus in Galveston,
which was so long in the bulls-eye of Rita. Under the leadership of
Dean of Undergraduate Studies Dr. Mark Weichold and TAMU-Galveston CEO
Dr. Bowen Loftin, a wonderful team of people spent most of last week
mapping out how we would absorb all 1700 of our Galveston students,
whose faculty would re-create their curriculum in College Station until
damage to their campus was repaired.  Thankfully, all that work would
prove to be unneeded.  And all this on top of the effort just three
weeks ago to receive and enroll some 350 displaced students from
Louisiana and Mississippi universities and colleges after Katrina.

Perhaps the toughest decision for me as we prepared for Rita was
whether to encourage students to remain on campus.  I did so on
Wednesday afternoon, persuaded by experts that the storm would weaken
considerably by the time it reached Bryan/College Station and that
students were safer in our sturdy buildings with back-up power,
communications, medical care and security, than on the road or even at
home.  (We have encouraged faculty to grant university excused absences
to those students who left prior to Friday to help their families
prepare for Rita or who did not return by Sunday night because they
were helping family recover or simply could not return because of the
lack of gasoline.)

The second toughest decision was whether to cancel the football game
with Texas State or move it up to Thursday night.  For those of you who
thought I should have cancelled the game, your view was shared by about
half of the senior administrators in the University.  I was pretty torn
myself, and finally opted to move the game up because of the strong
desire of our student-athletes to play and because so many students
wanted to attend.  However, I had another, more substantial motive in
moving the game to Thursday night.  I believed playing the game would
encourage more students to remain on campus, where I was convinced they
would be safest during the storm.  As it turned out, the student 12th
Man turned out in force for the game, some 26,000 of them nearly
filling the east side of the stadium.  And, judging from the rest of
Kyle Field, most non-local former students and fans stayed home and off
the highways, as I had asked.

Well, our students have had quite an experience. The first month of
school has been dramatically interrupted by these two hurricanes and by
A&M's response to each.  Still, classes have been meeting (except for
last Friday), we are a month into the semester, and mid-terms are
coming soon.  Students need to hit the books hard, and I ask faculty to
remember what the last month has been like for all of us -- especially
the students.  It was a different, and difficult, start to the school
year.

Together, we have been through an extraordinary four weeks.  A four
week period where, above all, our students – but also many faculty and
staff – once again showed Texas, and the whole nation, the meaning of
our Aggie culture and Spirit.  Where an entire campus opened its arms
and its heart not just once, but twice, to those fleeing disaster. 
Where different agencies, different organizations, different student
groups, different parts of the University came together to help
strangers from every walk of life.  Where those who gave of themselves,
and those who received were, in different ways, changed forever.  Where
today's students proved the Aggie Spirit endures, undiminished.

Let us all hope and pray we never have to go through this again.  But
let no Aggie ever forget September, 2005.  Four weeks when Texas A&M
University added another extraordinary chapter to its unique history of
selfless service to Texas and to America.

Robert M. Gates
President

Here is proof jake

2005-09-28T22:18:00.000-05:00

Will Ferrell joins Queens of the Stone Age

Peanut Butter or Jelly?

2005-09-26T05:19:00.000-05:00

Just when you thought Osama Was our Only Threat

2005-09-25T13:12:00.000-05:00

Move over Superman, the Arab super heros are here!

Fri Sep 23,12:31 PM ET

CAIRO (AFP) - Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's Jalila, the new Arab super heroine, coursing across the sky, black hair flying, in her battle to right the wrongs and ensure that justice prevails in the Middle East.

AFP/File Photo: An Egyptian artist draws cartoons for the Arab comic book series AK Comics, which presents...

"I'll make you swallow your teeth, killer!" she threatens her foe, muscles rippling under her skin-tight garb, as she lands a hard right to the chops.

Tough as she is, Jalila, the creation of 36-year-old Egyptian Ayman Kandeel, is not left on her own to fight the forces of evil.

There are also Aya the Princess of Darkness, Zein the Last Pharaoh and Rakan the Lone Warrior. Each month, an entire issue is dedicated to just one of the four.

Kandeel founded AK Comics in Cairo in 2003 to create a comic to compete with Superman, Batman and other Western super heros, in hopes of dominating the local market.

"AK Comics characters are to represent a role model for Arab youth and also to promote, advocate and endorse a positive as well as civilized image of Arabs in the West", according to the company's mission statement.

Zein, Aya and Jalila live in an imaginary era, sometime after a 55-year-war, which ended with a peace in the Middle East that is maintained by the United Arab Forces.

Rakan, on the other hand, lives in the past, in a time when his parents perished in the Mongol invasion.

Of the four, who all have a profound distaste for violence, only Rakan kills his enemies, and then with the greatest reluctance.

"This sad display of man's evil nature makes me sick," Rakan muses, as he surveys a battlefield littered with the arrow-pierced corpses of soldiers.

Following on from that first hint of morality-tale-wrapped-in-entertainment is another key element of Kandeel's philosophy. Religion is a taboo subject, and no minaret or church tower will be seen.

"These characters are meant to be a role model for children," says AK Comics director Marwan al-Nashar. "To spell out their faith would be the same as saying that one religion is better than another."

Though the guidelines stipulate that "there are no direct references to political disputes", politics is heavily suggested in some stories.

For example, Jalila lost her parents in the explosion of the Dimondona nuclear reactor, whose name is remarkably like that of Israel's Dimona reactor.

She is also the Saviour of the City of All Faiths, an implicit but transparent reference to Jerusalem, which is holy to Jews, Christians and Muslims.

And Aya's archfoe is the chief of the underworld gang, Jose Darian, a name reminiscent of the late Israeli general, Moshe Dayan.

The comic first appeared in Egypt in February 2004, with only 400 copies printed. A year later, the figure was up to 6,000, and by July it had reached 11,000.

AK Comics say 54 percent of the readers of the magazine, published in both Arabic and English, are between the ages of seven and 14.

In a country where the average monthly wage is just under 100 dollars and an imported comic book can cost around three dollars, AK Comics has come out with a black-and-white version that sells for only 15 cents.

Earlier this summer, the comic appeared for the first time at bookstores in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates. It should hit the shelves in Lebanon, Syria and Jordan next summer.

But while the comic will be selling in the Gulf, the highly conservative cultures in Saudi Arabia and in other countries there has necessitated cutting the dynamic quartet to ... well just two.

Jalila and Aya's buxom bosoms, silky tresses and made-up faces would not set well with censors.

Back home, meanwhile, the comic has become popular enough that a very Western-style spinoff has appeared, with one company in Egypt producing chewing gum with the wrappers bearing pictures of the super heroes.

And an animated cartoon is just about to come out as well.

MAMMA I'm Comming home

2005-09-25T11:08:00.000-05:00

Current Status

Sunday, September 25, 2005 10:00 a.m.
The Texas A&M University at Galveston campus remains closed due to Hurricane Rita. The initial damage assessment has determined that the three campuses on Galveston Island sustained only minor damage. Essential services have been restored. Faculty and staff should return to campus by noon on Monday, September 26 if possible to begin opening offices. Faculty and graduate students using laboratories at Fort Crockett should refrain from operating the vent hoods until they are approved for usage. There is a safety concern with the hoods due to vent stack damage.

Classes will resume on Thursday, September 29, and students may begin arriving no sooner than noon on Tuesday, September 27^th. For students returning on Tuesday, please note that the first meal served in the cafeteria will not take place until the Wednesday, September 28 breakfast.

Aaron 0, hurricane rita like 3

2005-09-22T17:10:00.000-05:00

Ok Like I've said I'm here in Austin, an "evacuiee". I know everyone's is wondering how am I doing? Well I am doing ok I went on a great 1 hour bike ride today. Am I worried about my awesome apartment in Galveston? Well it was not that awesome to begin with. But I did forget some stuff there that is un-replaceable, so I'm kind of bummed. But what are you going to do right? I know, I'm going pick up my life and move on. I did get recalled from the sea-bees. I am not mobelized yet though. So as per being a few days out from total Texas size distractions, I really don't know. I am getting ready for the news that I have lost all. To be more short term, I am having a hurricane party, on Friday. My theory: If I am going to see my apartment in shambles I want to do it drunk.

ok here I am, I ran away

2005-09-21T12:38:00.000-05:00

I am back in Austin Tx. Because of hurricane Rita, I guess I'm living it up. Now I don't have to worry about that test I didn't study for. But to what can I owe this problem to the potently loss of my apartment. It really makes me think if I grabbed all that I needed to, shit I just moved in like a few weeks ago. I did grab my computer, stereo, and my important Doc's But I forgot my framed navy awards! I did however grab my pool stick. I am now rocking it out with my few loves, my girlfriend, my dog and my family (no real order), To those of you who care then I am ok. I may be moving up to what I am calling media refuge level soon, But I am expecting the best. Maybe I will have my apartment destroyed but all my stuff intact, that would be ok... I guess. I really trying to remain my "the glass is half full" point of view. Take care, I'll keep you updated.

Here I am in Galveston, hurranane RITA

2005-09-19T23:21:00.000-05:00

Ok, they are telling us to leave tommorow as of 2 pm. I really have to say I kinda want to stay. Really it is because of NPR, they were telling poems of people who stuck it out through hurrancanes. I really have to say I am torn. They have buses leaving tommorow, roumer as per the sailing team is A&M galeston is there will be a volunteer evac. tommorow at noon. I have gotten gas, in preperation for the hurracane, they say that gas has gone up 4 dollars a barrel, the most that has ever gone up. My plan I'm going to Austin, you hear that Austin! Am I scared? Not really, but gov, Perry has not made my nerves easier, they even say that there are no hotels open for people. I really don't know, In case you care I am taking my computer to Austin, along with my needed items, so I will be able to post. And post I will, I mixed the words Hurricane and Insane, yes I know.

money shot

2005-09-19T21:35:00.000-05:00

it's coming for me!!

2005-09-19T14:55:00.000-05:00

ok, So I'm about to go to sailing pract., SXSW 2006

2005-09-19T14:38:00.000-05:00

yes I am rockin the sailing team, yeah!
any-hoo I came back to say that I want to be on a pannel
At the Next SXSW 2006!
I am giving the world well in enough time to invite me!
So I have a few hundread people reading my blog, make it happen!
I know some-one knows some-one
what ever,

Revolution Controller Finally Revealed News Story From 1UP.com

2005-09-19T13:21:00.000-05:00

Revolution Controller Finally Revealed News Story From 1UP.com: "Revolution Controller Finally Revealed
We've seen it, touched it, played games with it. Read this now.
by Mark McDonald, 09/15/2005
1,102 of 1129 users recommend this story.
The entire industry has been clamoring for a taste of Nintendo's so-called next-generation 'revolution.' So have we. Every time Nintendo president Satoru Iwata has opened his mouth, he underscored time and time again Nintendo would not be following the traditional path of a new console. Rumors have persisted for weeks about touch screens, gyroscope functions, virtual headsets, and everything else under the sun.

Nintendo always emphasized they weren't following Sony and Microsoft, and boy, they weren't kidding. Nintendo decided Tokyo Game Show (an event the company typically forgoes in favor of Space World) was the right time to sit down with select members of the press and unveil their vision of gaming's future. And guess what? We were there.

We've seen the Revolution, touched and played with its radically different take on the game controller, talked with visionary designer Shigeru Miyamoto about the reasoning behind Nintendo's new approach and we're back with our lengthy, hands-on impressions.

Has Nintendo struck gold again? Read on to find out, and then watch the video of it in action that's available on our download page.

The Revolution Controller Basics: What The Hell Is It?
The controller for Nintendo's upcoming Revolution home console system is a cordless remote-control-like device designed to be used with only one hand. Two small sensors placed near the TV and a chip inside the controller track its position and orientation, allowing the player to manipulate the action on screen by physically moving the controller itself. For example, you could slash an in-game sword by actually swinging the controller from side to side, turn a race car just by twisting your wrist, or aim your gun in a shooter by pointing the contro"

Man Here I Go Again!!

2005-09-19T12:59:00.000-05:00

I know what your thinking, how in the phuck does one person have so much time to surf the net and find retarded websites, and great web art? Well I'm going to answer that question right now. I drink a lot! It's like a Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde... No that's really not true, I guess it is just a good break from
studying. (I'm an an engineer student, so I study like 20 hours a day). Another tid-bit of information so you know when you are watching the weather, I live in Galveston! (Hurracane "comin" my way yeah!

Here enjoy some links
one to take out sheep
one to look at particals
one to show what happens when your friends send you animal porn
one to show the best online short films of the month
one to hit boys with rocks, hey I'm a boy WTF
one to help you with your history class
one to see the time through blocks
one to prove I'm obssessed with bruce campbell
one to prove that you can get a signed poster from Henry Rollins for $10
one to prove that it is easy to get a signed copy of Asia Carrera's movies etc.
one to ditto for jenna jamison
one to see the trailor and extra's for the movie DOOM (yes, based of the game)
one to shoot babies

i need everyone to watch this

2005-09-18T16:27:00.000-05:00

http://boss.streamos.com/wmedia/capi001/okgo/amillionways/video/amillionways_v300.asx

I want free hosting

2005-09-18T13:17:00.000-05:00

I was wonering if anyone knew a site that does free audio hosting
Iwant to do more audio posts and need a hoster to have the abilty
to edit them, give me a shout if you know anything!!

now I really don't like rap, but rock has it's bad lyrics too.

2005-09-18T11:58:00.000-05:00

1. a classic in terms of horrable lyrics

The raindrops
The raindrops
The raindrops
The raindrops
The raindrops
The raindrops
The raindrops
The raindrops
The raindrops
The raindrops
The raindrops
The raindrops
The raindrops
The raindrops
The raindrops
The raindrops
The raindrops
The raindrops
The raindrops
The raindrops
The raindrops
The raindrops
The raindrops
The raindrops
The raindrops
The raindrops
The raindrops
The raindrops
The raindrops
The raindrops
The raindrops
The raindrops
The raindrops
The raindrops
The raindrops
The raindrops
The raindrops
The raindrops
The raindrops
The raindrops
The raindrops
The raindrops
The raindrops
The raindrops
The raindrops
The raindrops
The raindrops”
Radiohead, Sit down. Stand up.

Thom Yorke’s THE RAINDROPS key must be stuck on his keyboard.

granted these are just cuts, here's number 2 in my book

“Story of a man who decided not to breathe.
Turned red, blue, purple. Colorful, indeed.
No matter how his friend begged, he would not concede.
And now he’s dead, you see. That silly man should know you got to breathe.”
-Dave Matthews Band, Big Eyed Fish

number 3 is known for their off the wall words, yes it's the Flaming lips

The seance has just been told,
The slaughter has just been sold,
To some people who won't get old,
Cause their skin is getting cold.

The room that's in the back,
That's where I lost it all.
In the room that's in the back,
Let's go have a ball.

Cause I'm slipping into the Charlie Manson Blues.
I'm a stupid dressed Jesus son.
I'm slipping into the Charlie Manson Blues.
I'm a stupid dressed Jesus son.

Head burning up, chain-smoking,
Everybody here is choking.
Shrunken heads are joking,
And new-born skull is broke.

And the room that's in the back,
Is where I lost it all.
In the room that's in the back,
Let's go have a ball.

Cause I'm slipping into the Charlie Manson Blues.
I'm a stupid dressed Jesus son.
I'm slipping into the Charlie Manson Blues.
I'm a stupid dressed Jesus son.

Cause I'm slipping into the Charlie Manson Blues.
I'm a stupid dressed Jesus son.
I'm slipping into the Charlie Manson Blues.
I'm a stupid dressed Jesus son.

Whoa, Goddammit!
Shit!
-Flaming lips, Charlie Manson Blues

and lastly here is fear factor, need I say more?

These weapons of mass destruction
Around our world, threat to us all!
Operated by fears, cold over years
Systematic death, terminal breath!
Leaders of our time just stand behind
An arsenal to end us all!
Fighting a war, we can't ignore
Destined to fall, cowards to all!...
We are losing, weapons controlling
This is the hour of your reckoning
These weapons of mass destruction
Around our world, threat to us all!
Fighting a war we can't ignore
Destined to fall, cowards to all!...
We are losing, weapons controlling
This is the hour of your reckoning
No more arsenal threatens all
Heading for a downfall
Mass destruction, mass destruction
Mass destruction for all
-Fear Factor, Hi-Tech Hate

Top 5 Crappiest Rap Lyrics of All Time

2005-09-18T11:16:00.000-05:00

As Much as I love Rap, here are the Top 5 Crappiest Rap Lyrics of All Time.

Number 5. Will Smith - Willenium

"Here it comes the party of a lifetime
31st of December
Man I remember when the ball dropped for 90
Now it's 9-9, ten years behind me
What's gonna happen?
Don't nobody know
We'll see when the clock gets to 12-0-0
Chaos, the cops gonna block the street
Man who the hell cares?
Just don't stop the beat
No time to sleep, yo it's on tonight
K-C you feeling me right?
2-0-0-0, the Will 2 K
The new millennium, yo excuse me Willennium
It can't get thicker than this
Slick like Rick, I can't miss"

Who on Gods Green Earth, names a Measurement of Time after themselves, then raps about it?!
Oh... Will Smith, thats who.

Number 4. The RZA From Wu-Tang Clan, "Triumph"

This one hurts me the Most, cuz I am A Wu-Tang Fanatic

"Watch for the wooden soldiers, C-Cypher-Punks couldn't hold us
A thousand men rushing in, not one nigga was sober
Perpendicular to the square, we stand bold like Flare
Escape from your Dragon's Lair, in particular
My beats travel like a vortex, through your spine
to the top of your cerebrum cortex
Make you feel like you bust a nut from raw sex
Enter through your right ventricle clog up your bloodstream
now terminal, like Grand Central Station
Program fat baselines, on Novation
Getting drunk like a fuck, I'm duckin five-year probation"

I mean honestly.. what the fuck is he talking about?

Number 3. Bizarre From D-12 - Amittyville

"I fucked my cousin in his asshole, slit my mother's throat
{AHHHHHHHH!} Guess who Slim Shady just signed to Interscope?
My little sister's birthday, she'll remember me
For a gift I had ten of my boys take her virginity
{Mmm mm mmm!} And bitches know me as a horny ass freak
Their mother wasn't raped, I ate her pussy while she was 'sleep
Pissy-drunk, throwin up in the urinal (YOU FUCKIN HOMO!)
That's what I said at my dad's funeral"

This guy is sick as hell! People listen to this and these albums sell. And you thought Goth was bad?

Number 2. The RZA - B.O.B.B.Y. From the Album "Bobby Digital"

"The B the O the B the B the Y
The D the I the G the I the T the A the L
The B the O the B the B the Y
The D the I the G the I the T the A the L
Digital"

Imagine hearing this same hook over and over again... in a seven minute song.

Number 1. Noreaga - Superthug

Aiyyo, we light a candle
Run laps around the english channel
Neptunes, I got a cockerspaniel
We on the run now, yo, it aint no fun now
And where I go, you niggas cant even come now
You aint the law, nigga, break it, I dont care
And when ya get caught, remember that I dont care
N.O.R.E., nuthin but the atmosphere
Yo for now we on the run, yo if that aint clear
Weak niggas wanna stick, you but that aint fair
You we down in vegas, money, skies too courageous
And yo, Im on the run, but still rip stages
And call me animal thug, when Im in cages
I used to proof phrases, rolled dice with no aces
Now Im just included in the oasis
Gotta take faces, no time for car races
Check my SkyTel, I got five pages

oh... and there is more...

"Yo hit Lousiana, then Atlanta, Indiana
Forget a city slicker got country grammar
Aiyyo we goin places, where my sound scan aint tough
So when I say I aint Nore, yo it aint that rough
I leave the jake in my fake, askin all this stuff
I gotta keep my mouth shut and dont say what, what
But yo its hard to, Netherlands got the heart to
Yo from New Orleans, L.A., V.A. to Queens
The I-95, now we hit the Phillipines
But now its different, we gotta stay sober
Yo, communicate, startech, motorola
Keep it on the hush hush, dont talk to much
Thugged out entertainment, you know we touch
All our whips got navigation
While you whips is just garbation
Is you knowin what you facin?"

Now you know why THAT my friends... is number one. Absolutely no sense made at all... whatsoever.

love,
Glennjamin FaMzWoRTH

2005-09-17T16:48:00.000-05:00

let me clear out my bookmark folder

2005-09-17T16:06:00.000-05:00

enjoy

rather than telling what they are click on the random letters to go to a cool web site
g k y d i c i e u l b y d w 5 i ] n t d y o [ b j , t i 6 i o n t

Now remember boys and girls, BOOKMARK this blog, read past posts, and tell your fiends!!

Hey, what is going on in Aaron's head these days?

2005-09-17T14:45:00.000-05:00

Hi, I just came back from an all-inspiring drive. I call it that because it puts my life into prospective. I live on Galveston Island; it’s a nice historic place to be (Hurricane of 1901). I really enjoy it here partly due to the Navy inspiring me to love the ocean, not living on it for six months, but more enjoying it from a living room, hammock, or chair. Anyway I drove about 30 min down the coastline. As always I am totally amazed with the houses on the beachfront. I remember driving from Ponte Vedra to St.Augustine and seeing all the insane houses.

Anyway, I can say that my prospective have changed over the last few years (like 5). In high school I was all about the rock music and therefore I had this insane idea that I wanted to live in some large city like Seattle, New York, or something. Get a loft downtown and a high paying job, collect art, I mean all the good stuff. I had no idea what I wanted to be though, so long as it was high paying. Then I served 4 years in the Navy; it had its ups and downs. It really opened my eyes to the stupid ness that is our government, but changed my outlook on what I wanted to do. Before I knew it my 4 years was over, and I was in college.

I was still grasping on to that idea of living in a large city though with a preverbal “jaws of life”. This time in my mind I was a high paid photographer. Still I had the rock and roll dream. I didn’t give it a second thought. I guess reality was going to set in at some point, that I would never make the living I wanted as a photographer. So what was the next step? Reevaluate my life, yeah! Ok, I love photography but I lack the cutthroat nature to make a living out of it. So I had to ask my-self what was the aspect that brought me to photography? Well, it was the art, and I can’t draw so I can never be an artist, so that killed that idea. I did enjoy figuring out the math involved with the photography, like how you could manipulate everything to make it appear more artistic.

Math, what a great idea right? Well interesting enough I sucked at math in high school so why is it that I was good at it now? Well, it was the dream of making money, yes lot’s of money, and I would be willing to put in the time to make that dream come true. Then one day I could have a Dodge Viper, a large house, and again collect art. It was all coming together. So now I am a civil engineer student at Texas A&M, a top 10 engineering school!! But once again my prospective has changed.

I like it on the beach, I like it a lot, and I like it so much that this is now my goal. I want to have one of those large houses on the beach, one that the only thing protecting it from the insanity of the ocean is a wimpy sand dune. I would like a decent car, but now I want a motorcycle to drive the coast in. Rather than a Dodge Viper I want a sailboat. These are my new aspirations. Just think about it, sitting outside in a hammock on a day where the temperature is about 75-80F. A cool ocean spray hitting you in the face as you drink you cold beers, watching the tide come in, waves curling. Seagulls flying around in warm air, calling to you get your feet a little wet in the cool ocean, play in the warm sand, or just sit and enjoy the sun. Since it is Texas the beach is a little dirtier than the ones you think about in Hawaii, but not bad and totally affordable.

This is my new dream. Since I cannot have it tomorrow, it is nice to be able to drive down the coast and see all the people who are living out my dream, inspiring. Just think about it. It’s nice to have goals, it’s what keeps us going.

soo true

2005-09-16T17:04:00.000-05:00

i'm back, here is some love!

2005-09-16T15:03:00.000-05:00

a big ball of shit
a chess game.... form HELL
ugly x-mas lights
proof that john stewart went to college
curve ball
a game made by the bush admis.
the dept. of energy want's to konw if you were ripped of for gas
fliker search
our friend chuck, or is it you gary? any way hella funny
online documentary! RED ALERT!!!
VESPA
this is how AIDS moves
web frog. how cool is your internet
cows aren't fun

glad to have my web back, got to run,
Aaron

A Poll, fo that @$$

2005-09-16T10:05:00.000-05:00

Apparently this is a HUUUUUGE debate over the internet. So I want to see what the people think.

(Un)Honorable Mentions

2005-09-05T05:49:00.000-05:00

Well since Aaron still apparently doesn't have his internet connection at his new house, I decided to go into labor day with... well, labor. Taking advantage of a little triple overtime at my job for eight hours, thats about Fifity-Six dollars before taxes, I decided to browse around the other blog sites that exist on blogspot. Just to see what kind of crap I'd find.

Some honorable, and others... unhonorable mentions.

Striped Shirt Episodes - This guys is fuckin hilarious. Absolutely no shame in his blog... whatsoever.

Jennifer Garner - Can't tell if it's Jennifer Garner or not.

Displaced American - She's stuck in france, bleh. But she's hot.

My life - This baby is the smartest baby ever! She can write her own blog! AMAZING!

Whacker - Found this site and decided to spam his tag board, hey... lets all SPAM HIS TAG BOARD!

Ambiguous Freak - Actually a really good blog, this guy put alot of time into it.

and last but not least...

OOL Tech - This fuckin guy is an anonymous blogger, who works at my job! Yeah doesn't sound so bad, all the guy does is badmouth the company and give away Cablevision's secrets to tech support. Management is apparently looking for this guy, here... have a gander.

Balls

2005-09-03T09:24:00.000-05:00

Do your balls hang low?

Do they wobble to and fro?

Can you tie them in a knot?

Can you tie them in a bow?

Can you sling them on your shoulder?

Like a continental soldier?

Do your balls hang low?

----------

Do your balls hang low?

Do they wobble to and fro?

Can you tie them in a knot?

Can you tie them in a bow?

Can you sling them on your penis?

Like an alien from venus?

Do your balls hang low?

In Case ya cared

2005-08-25T07:14:00.000-05:00

Hey guys, just popping in to say I am also running another blog. That Doesn't mean that I won't be posting here anymore, nor does it mean I will be taking any effort away from Rockstar! C'mon guys, I always rock out with the cock out! But I have a work blog, for me and the fellas just to clown around on. It might not be too amusing for you guys, but ya might catch a few funny things here and there. Most of it though, is office humor from my job. So if ya don't understand all of it, don't feel bad... I don't understand some of it, and I work there.

In the immortal words of OS3 "Bubba-Gump" Burney...

"Peep game whodi." Check out... Spanish Harlem.

Just to be Hip!

2005-08-24T20:50:00.000-05:00

just to prove I'm Hip.

Welcome back Aaron...

2005-08-24T19:25:00.000-05:00

I am back posting, kinda good. Here is a web site I really enjoy, it's like Stomp on crack. How about some phyics? The pokernater 3000 helped me with my game by teaching me the odds. Then I ended it all by kicking some ass on my bike. No really though, I am moving to Galveston in a few days, I just finished packing. It was kinda hard because I was making snowflakes in Texas, and I thought it was too much fun to put down.

So at my new apartment I will have no TV, it will be my experiment to see if that inspires me to read more. But most likely I will surf the web and find fun sites like the worlds ugliest car, becoming obsesed with flash sites, or mabye even making my own starship (to scale). Lite bright any-one? Watch microsoft phuch up. Star wars for Glenn. Speaking of take on Darth Vador you can take him on through intellect (again Glenn). Screw telling your future by the stars tell your future by selecting your favort colors. Have your very own firework display at work (Gary). Well that's enough folks!!

enjoy

Here I am again...

2005-08-22T23:01:00.000-05:00

Sorry I have not been posting it seems like everything went down shit hole all in one week. I have not forgotten about the blog though and am looking foward to having 1 hour where I can sit down do some reaserch and post (welcome back Gary). In case you are wondering I am in the middle of packing and getting ready to move to Galveston Tx. that in conjunction with the voices in my head make it hard to sit down and type. Sorry I hope to post for realz, madye tommorow.

Just when ya thought you've seen it all...

2005-08-22T05:31:00.000-05:00

Well boredom at work can only lead to one thing when you work for an ISP...

Browsing the internet of course! What did you think I was going to say? I know what GaZZ wanted me to say, but no GaZZ we aren't underway anymore. So I happened to be looking around EBay for a New Slimline PS2, since my other one shit the bed, and I founda few here and there. But then I started looking for some other things, and here is what I found.

19 Year Old Male's Virginity

World of Warcraft Charector Account - Is this guy fucking crazy?

Scary ass He-Man Costume - Look at the Mask

Penis Pump

Back to the Future Time Circuits

I tried not to put too many on here because in a week from now, most of you guys won't be able to view these items anyway, once they are off the Market. And boy, I'm mad that I couldn't find that Jesus Perogi from a week ago! That one was for Jake!

Bilbo Baggins

2005-08-21T09:56:00.000-05:00

Because I have been personally requested to post this.

This crap is absolutely hilarious!

http://www.rocketage.org/images/news_images/bbaggins.mov

The Return

2005-08-17T17:44:00.000-05:00

Yes It's me again. I know I haven't posted in a while, but that seems to be the thing to do around here. I was originally going to just do an annual post with maybe an occasional seasonal standard post like about how christams has gotten too commercialized or how long my new years resolution will last before I start hitting the crack pipe again or some gay shit like that. However, I decided to drop a pragraph or two in whenever it gets slow 'round here. I would solicit comments from the ten people that read this blog, but if they had anything interesting to say they would have their own blog, huh?
Now on with the show. It's been about three years now since The Impossibles broke up and I'm still not over it. In June of 2002 they played their "final show". So where are they now?

In the interest of replicating Aaron for a bit I decided to post a link to an uber cool website. However, I'm not going to just let you sit there and just click away from the rest of the post (or if you have firefox, tab away from it). No, I'm not going to post the anchor tags so you're just going to have to copy and paste it into the address bar. But I'll make it look like it's a hyper link if it'll make you feel better. Mkay the site is www.LiquidGeneration.com.
This website is based in Chicago which is cool because I can prankcall their office and it's not a long distance call for me.

And since everyone knows all about that loveable little breeding ground for underage internet hookups known as MySpace I thought I would post this Read ME. Let's just say it has something to do with Rupert Murdoch...

Ok my little darlings, that's all from me. Don't forget to take all of your meds, question authority, and listen to gangsta rap only if the situation calls for it. Peace.

Ali G, represent!

2005-08-17T11:02:00.000-05:00

If you guys don't know who Ali G is, then you are surely missing out.

Click me...

So just who is Ali G, and how did he get on TV?

In his own words: "Me woz born in da heart off da Staines ghetto. I has lived wiv me Nan in Staines at 37 Cherry Blossom Close from da day me woz born, coz wiv both me parents havin been smoked, dere werent no one else around to look afta her. Me has been carin for her ever since. Me woz failed by da skool system and hated every minute me spent in da classroom. In fact added together, dat time woz probly da most borin 3 hours of me life - altho me do still go to a skool re-union every second Monday at Staines Job Centre... As well as bein unemployed - i iz also got a lot off well important careers. As head of Da West Staines Massive, me control da most peace lovin and violent gang in da hole of Barkshire. Afta happearin on some crap programme dat woz on at 11 a clock or somefin, it werent long before me ad me own show. Dis meant me was able to take a in depf look at a lot off serious issues.... I iz now easily da most respekted face on Brittish telly and it iz probably only a matter off time before me get offered me own slot on Channel 5 - or hopefully even cable..."

Basically he is a Comedian that started off in Britain and now is basically running HBO Late Night, well in a wierd cult kinda way. This guy is absoltely hilarious. Definately check out www.disbealig.com and www.hbo.com/alig to find out more information on him, his antics and when he is playing in your local area. I check him out here in NY from 10:00-11:00 est., Sundays Nights on HBO Comedy. So definatly check him out.

How Now Brown Cow...

2005-08-08T05:55:00.000-05:00

Hey guys. I would start off for apologizing for not posting in a while, but than again... I'd be sporatically doing that everytime I haven't posted... so I won't. But what I will do, I'll give ya guys an update on whats going on recently.

I would like to say "Sorry Aaron!" Everytime he calls me, I am either at work or don't have my phone. I *PROMISE* I'll call ya soon enough. Well I tried using the phone blog thingy once or twice and It didn't post. So either I am a complete and utter moron, which GaZ will gladly says "YES!", or I was just not doing it right. So I will have to figure it out.

Been messing around with myspace alot lately. So if you guys wanna get down on my little site, which I just updated, go for it! And if ya don't have an account, whatcha waiting for?! Set one up ya wanker!

The MUD I have been an administrator for is down. They're changing servers so I have been extremely bored at work lately, and I take great comfort in crying myself to sleep at night now.

Dustin Meyer finally got a Nextel, so we have been using the two-way alot to talk to one another. He came to visit NY also about two months ago. So it was good seeing him again.

And for youre viewing pleasures...
A PHOTOSHOPOGRAPHY!

Austin's best craig...

2005-08-02T18:18:00.000-05:00

you all know craigslist, here are some of my favort postings,
1. haunted toaster
2.Free Microwave of Mysteries!
3.My Ipod Shuffle thinks I'm Gay
4.I lied. I don't want to see your cock.
5.Dear Whomever: I Have Adopted Your Dog, and He is Safe
6.$100 to steal my roommate's cat
7.Lazy girl seeks same in boy form - 26
8.You were Dumpster-Diving at the Goodwill off Lake Austin Blvd. - m4w
9.RE: Am I really that broke...
10.Rant: Did I ASK For a Picture Of Your Penis?
more to come...

let's make this intersting

2005-08-02T13:14:00.000-05:00

Here for all the world to see it Jake's (now) x-wife's myspace site, feel free to leave comments,
game the phuck on

Sorry have not posted in a while

2005-08-01T11:59:00.000-05:00

Here are some good links
1.a google book searcher
2.union of concerned scientists
3.a lesbian sold her virginity on e-bay for $20,000 to a BT engineer
4.fun game
5.good online game guide (free)
6.good art site
7.i really don't get it
8.the coolest cult
9.zelda
thanks all folks

2005-07-15T20:14:00.000-05:00

One link per person

2005-07-11T22:23:00.000-05:00

Glenn
here
Gary
here
Jake
here
Miriam
here
Aaron, Me (man I got the messed up one!!!)
here
you want me too find a site for you?? Leave a freakin comment!!!
oh hell, until then this one is for you world
here

flash art

2005-07-11T13:27:00.000-05:00

A few flash sites that caught my eye, they talk a lot of time to make these site, take a second and look at them
1.hello
2.art in tech
3.Fericstudio
4.thirsty giraffe
5.video game TV
6.the thought project
7.not flash but REAL INTERSTING, and nude women
8.european classic surreals
9.SP*C**L D*F*CTS

thank you for viewing, remember you can allways visit my podcast too

2005-07-10T14:02:00.000-05:00

this is kind of scary but she has like 30 billion shots like this, don't belive me look for yourself

Keep on rockin

Listen to a drunk talk

2005-07-10T01:53:00.000-05:00

awsome

2005-07-07T12:09:00.000-05:00

Come back to TEXAS

a song for bush...

Just like Glenn I like MUD too

2005-07-06T19:27:00.000-05:00

here is the MUD I like

I Love The MUD

here is some more web art, just can't get enough

2005-07-05T17:57:00.000-05:00

1. can someone explain the Bush admin. through cartoons?
2.iraq uncensored
3.drop the half naked chick (for real!!)
4.awsome podcast!
5.1980's commercial downloads
6.pixel museum
7.make your own break beat
8.i can't get enough photography
9.make a tee-shirt out of a dollar bill
10.memories
11.nuke 'em
12.get your war on
13.awsome flash
14.disco
15.mouse eatting thing
16.bad game
17.flash

I wanna Play is the MUD all day long...

2005-07-03T10:08:00.000-05:00

So I play in MUD. Well... a MUD. And I am a MUD Administrator...

What the Hell am I talking about? I am talking about a Multi User Domain or Dungeon. A MUD is the original online Multiplayer game. Basically it all works in a text based environment, kind of like "Oregon Trail" or "Trucker", just without the Graphics. Everything is text based. Here's a little history on the MUD's...

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The first MUDs appeared in 1977 on the PLATO system, and their popularity escalated in the USA during the 1980s, when (relatively speaking) cheap, home personal computers with 300 to 2400 baud modems enabled role players to log into multi-line BBSes. Roguelike games were also becoming popular at that time. In Europe at around the same time, MUD development was centered around academic networks, particularly at the University of Essex where they were played by many people, both internal and external to the University. In this context, it has been said that MUD stands for "Multi-Undergrad Destroyer" due to their popularity among college students, and the amount of time devoted to the MUD by the student.

The very first MUD was Oubliette, written by Jim Schwaiger, and published on the PLATO system in 1977. It was so difficult that one could not play it alone: in order for players to survive, they had to run in groups. The second MUD was also on PLATO, a game called 'Moria,' written in 1977, copyright 1978. Again, players could run in parties but in this MUD it was also possible to effectively play while only running one character. Early MUDs from England were created in 1978 by Roy Trubshaw and Richard Bartle at Essex University on a DEC PDP-10 in the UK [1]. They chose the acronym MUD to stand for Multi-User Dungeon, and was designed to be a multi-user version of another PDP-10 game called Dungeon (or DUNGEN due to the six character filename limit), which was later commercially released by Infocom under the original development code name Zork. Zork in turn was inspired by an older text-adventure game known as Colossal Cave Adventure or ADVENT.

Another early MUD was Avatar, written in 1979 by Bruce Maggs and Andrew Shapira, both high school students using the PLATO system at the University of Illinois. This MUD was 2.5-D game running on 512x512 plasma panels of the PLATO system, and groups of up to 15 players could enter the dungeon simultaneously and fight monsters as a team.

A version of MUD is still running at www.british-legends.com and versions of its descendant MUD2 run at www.mud2.com and www.mudii.co.uk. Two versions of Avatar, one from ~1979 and one from 1984, are still running at www.cyber1.org. Moria is also available, but the system owners have yet to be able to procure a working copy of Oubliette.

(The book "Dungeon Master" by William Dear, and some other sources suggest there were earlier MUD-type games that the Essex authors never knew about.)

These text-adventure games (both single and multi-player) drew inspiration from the paper-and-pencil based role-playing games (RPGs) such as Dungeons & Dragons which were approaching their peak popularity at this time, especially with the release of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons (AD&D) in 1977.

This strong bond between RPGs and MUDs continued through the years with the release of dozens of AD&D modules and series of related books and stories (i.e. Forgotten Realms and Dragonlance). Influences also came from the gamebooks such as Fighting Fantasy, Choose Your Own Adventure and Lone Wolf, and also other RPGs such as Vampire: The Masquerade, and Middle-earth Role Playing (or MERP).

Other MUDs that appeared around 1985 included Mirrorworld, run by Pip Cordrey and developed and written by Tim Rogers, Lorenzo Wood and Nathaniel Billington, and SHADES, the world's first commercial MUD. This was accessible in the UK via the Prestel system. Mirrorworld was the first MUD to feature rolling resets.

Another popular MUD was AberMUD written in 1988 by Alan Cox, also known as Anarchy, named after the University of Wales Aberystwyth. Avalon, the Legend Lives, started in 1989, was the first MUD to combine a consistent fantasy story-line with a commercial venture.

In 1989, TinyMUD introduced the ability for the players to easily participate in creating the online environment, as well as playing in it. The TinyMUD code spawned a number of descendants, including TinyMUCK and TinyMUSH, which added more sophisticated programmability. (MUCK versions 2 and higher contain a full programming language named MUF, or Multi-User Forth, while MUSH greatly expanded the variety of commands and functions available and allowed them to apply to all objects.) Some use the term "MU*" to refer to TinyMUD, MUCK, MUSH, MUSE, MUX, and their kin; others simply allow the term "MUD" to apply universally. "MUVE" is a recent coinage, intended to stand for Multi-User Virtual Environment. UberMUD, UnterMUD, and MOO are some other MUD servers that were at least partially inspired by TinyMUD but are not direct descendants.

Also in 1989, and inspired by TinyMUD and AberMUD, LPMud was developed as a more game-oriented MUD that allowed participants to program the behavior of its "monsters."

In 1991, the release of DikuMUD, which was inspired by AberMUD, lead to a virtual explosion of hack-n-slash MUDs based upon its code. DikuMUD inspired several derivative code bases as well, including CircleMUD, Merc, ROM, and SMAUG.

Though seeing some decline in the past few years due to the advent of graphical MUDs and other networked games, the MUD scene is still very much alive on the Internet, and can be accessed via standard telnet clients, or specialized MUD clients that give a more pleasant user experience. Anyone wanting to play these games online can find them listed at various web portals such as mudconnector.com or mudlists.com

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I originally used to do something called Simming. (And honestly..., I know I put alot of links up here. But I honestly suggest on clicking on Simming and MUD to get a feel for the post) Back in the days of AOL 2.0 I used to Sim, we used to either do Star Trek or Star Wars Sims. I would log into a chat room and basically type all my commands out, like I was doing them. i.e. "The Jedi walks into the room, and slowly looks over the room's occupants". And I did that for a long time. I even was the leader of a simming organization that would do so over message boards and Chat rooms... called the JKA. The Jedi Knight Alliance. We simmed with that "guild" you could call it for about two years, and had alot of fun. Then One day my friend Matt was asked to help out one of our fellow Sim members on a MUD. So he logged in, and was instantly hooked. It was better than Simming, and it was easier to type commands than to type entire phrases or paragraphs.

So of course Matt, who is my best friend, drafted me in... to check it out. That was 1998. Yeah... about seven years ago. Then it was like a wierd addiciton. On again, off again... until I left for the Navy in 2000. I finally picked up mudding again... in 2003, and of course... drafted Matt. So we played for a few months, but then then the Mud we were playing closed down. But then about three months ago I found another good MUD... and was playing for quite some time. But to be honest... I had a fight with one of the Administrator's of the MUD. And they call themselves Immortals. Basically they didn't agree with the way I was roleplaying. So never ever play...
Star Wars: Galactic Dominion

Instead... I joined a MUD as an immortal so I could shape the MUD the way I want it... and Administer the game fairly. Soooooooooooooooooooo I want eveyone that reads here to play...

Star Wars: RoR the address is socks.wolfpaw.net and you want to connect on port 7000. My Immortal/Administrator name is Patch. And if ya ever see me, just say ya got the link from Blogspot, I'll give ya an in-game gift. ;)

What I would suggest... that if you want to play... you download a telnet client, since MUD's work off of a telnet base..., because the Telnet Client that you'd use would be alot easier and has a ton of options to it. I personally use GMUD, but alot of people use ZMUD. Then once you Download these... just read through the basic help files... and they'll show you how to do it.

And if your just interested in mudding, MUD's or want to play something else besides star wars check out...

www.mudmagic.com
and
www.mudconnector.com

"Mr. Jackson, do you think the Jedi should be punished for their actions?"
"YES THEY DESERVE TO DIE... AND I HOPE THEY BURN IN HELL!!!"
- Samuel Jackson, in reference to Jedi Allegations

it was a matter of time, enjoy

2005-06-30T18:22:00.000-05:00

here's to the many tears in my many beers!!!
make sure to check out my new podcast
http://www.texasdonkey.com

What do you do with a drunken sailor,
What do you do with a drunken sailor,
What do you do with a drunken sailor,
Earl-eye in the morning!

Chorus:
Way hay and up she rises
Way hay and up she rises
Way hay and up she rises
Earl-eye in the morning

Shave his belly with a rusty razor,
Shave his belly with a rusty razor,
Shave his belly with a rusty razor,
Earl-eye in the morning!

Chorus

Put him in the hold with the Captain's daughter,
Put him in the hold with the Captain's daughter,
Put him in the hold with the Captain's daughter,
Earl-eye in the morning!

Chorus

What do you do with a drunken sailor,
What do you do with a drunken sailor,
What do you do with a drunken sailor,
Earl-eye in the morning!

Chorus

Put him the back of the paddy wagon,
Put him the back of the paddy wagon,
Put him the back of the paddy wagon,
Earl-eye in the morning!

Chorus

Throw him in the lock-up 'til he's sober,
Throw him in the lock-up 'til he's sober,
Throw him in the lock-up 'til he's sober,
Earl-eye in the morning!

Chorus

What do you do with a drunken sailor,
What do you do with a drunken sailor,
What do you do with a drunken sailor,
Earl-eye in the morning!

Chorus

What do you do with a drunken sailor,
What do you do with a drunken sailor,
What do you do with a drunken sailor,
Earl-eye in the morning!

Chorus

2005-06-29T14:58:00.000-05:00

Killin Time, web art!!!

2005-06-25T20:37:00.000-05:00

I spent all day at meps,
man getting CE is becomeing a pain in the ass!!!
here's your web art mother phuckers!!

Yet another good photography site, I seem to have this love for photography becasuse I was and am a photographer, I even own my own busness, although I don't do enough work. I don't know, last night was a almost full moon, it was kinda scary (I guess it could be if you don't have any silver bullets, no not miller) luckly for me I can now make my own sliver bullets with this $50 kit, totally worth it. Speaking of scary things, here is a web site dedacated to photographing tomb stones. Quantum theory is the most important discovery of the century, totaly random huh?I don't have a mailbox, in fact out of all the authors on this blog, I think Jake is the only one who does, but here are some carzy ones.I don't normally post other blog sites but damn, I learned something!! Speaking of learning, watch this bit on "I'm a lonly little bit" can you say conjunction junction? It explains through 1970's song how memory works, real cool!!! We are the enemy.

I know I write about old school games way too much but, come on who does not like intellvision? And it's free. Speaking of free, did you know there is a Google that is in the only true language that I know, pig latin. To clear my mind, here's to the creater. (*sob) But cheer up there is a prime number shiting bear!!

Here is Texas politics.watch the video.

Photoshopography

2005-06-24T17:03:00.000-05:00

Well folks... I'll see what I can do about bringing one of these every friday. So here's another for your viewing pleasures...

just a day in my life....

2005-06-23T21:17:00.000-05:00

sorry guys I feel like shit, I'm not going to post much tonight, although I will be writing hella cool stuff tommorow. Just a few things that I do want to mention however... The new season of six feet under seems to suck there is no drama, three epsodes in and notnearly enough drama. Second I did allright on me Cal tast, that I thought I was going to fail. Last but not least I signed up for my last class at the community college, it's philosophy, YEAH!!! fun right, well it is logic based and so is math so I'm looking foward to it,

Till tommorow...

You may be this, You may be that, But are you an Asshat?

2005-06-23T13:38:00.000-05:00

In an effort to get my boyfriend off my ass about this.... Here are some weird/wacky/cool/entertaining sites I found on the internet....

1. While stumbling across the internet for nothing in particular, I found this cool website with apparently some really famous art... you should check it out!!!2. This is from some dude that has way too much time on his hands... I mean, its cool... just wondering what possesses some people to waste this much time....
3. Now this one is funny as hell... I spent hours laughing at all this website has to offer... I think the guys are from austin that make it, which is even better... rock on!!!
4. Here is the ultimate website for stupid inventions... I thought it was a joke, but this actually includes british patent codes.... I'd be interested to see who would buy this crap... but it is funny!
5. I happen to be someone that has problems with the war in Iraq and does not appreciate all the money they take out of my check every two weeks.... so here is a little perspective. I find the counter on the lefthand side to be the most interesting. Check it out!
6. A quick and sick anecdote to a bad day... if you like monkeys that is....
7. This was worth a second's laugh or so... try them all!!
8. Ever looking for the word of the day... this one qualifies as the word for all days... if we start saying it today, maybe in a few weeks/months/years it will be nationwide. Woo Hoo!!!!

That's all for now, hope I kept you slightly entertained on your Saturday afternoon.... let me know what you think of the sites.... so leave a comment and thanks for visiting.

Oh, and remember, whether or not you are a rockstar, or even a rockstarwannabe, live every day like you are, and maybe one day you will get there....

nude in the woods
Created by rockstar2131 and has 0 votes on Bzoink
if you were to go camping with a friend and you woke up naked bent over a log covered in vaseline, would you tell anyone?
	yeah, depending on how drunk I still was
	NO, GOD DAMN WAY!
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Martial Arts
Created by Inspector Glennson!
What is the best form of Martial Arts?
	Karate
	Kung Fu
	Ju Jitsu
	Hapkido
	Akido
	Ninjitsu
	Tae Kwon Do
	Brazilian Jujitsu
	Jit Kun Do
	Polish Arm Wrestling
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Self Pleasure
Created by Inspector Glennson!
If you had the opportunity & the ability, and no one would ever... ever find out, would you perform oral Sex on yourself?
	I cannot tell I lie, I would most definately do so
	Nope. No way, and no how.
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Sandwich Making
Created by Inspector Glennson!
When making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, which do you put on first?
	Peanut Butter!
	Jelly, Jelly, Jelly!
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Fight Club!
Created by famzness and has 0 votes on Bzoink
Who would win in a throwndown? (Thats a fight, for you LaMeRz)
	A Pirate, argggghhhhh!
	A Ninja, hiiiiii yahhhh!
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