Obaba's Hut

Say "Yes" to Avatar?

Sun, 27 Dec 2009 13:50:13 GMT

X-Posted
All they hype and buzz about this movie is great, and I have to state that it lives up to much of it, as I can easily see the marketability of this as a franchise with sequels and the lot.
However there was the a little nagging at the back of my mind...

Artist, Roger Dean did numerous covers of albums back in the 70's. This one is one that we had growing up and I loved the art on it.
Avatar seems to do a little bit more than Pandora being a twin of Dean's design concepts. I fully expected to see his name in the credits for artistic design, consultant or something.
When nothing did, I was more than a little upset. I really like the movie and for the most part, but some pieces such as "Arches Mist" and works "Floating Islands", a movie Dean has been working on, is a ringer for the Avatar movie. The fact that at night, the forest turns into a a glowing blacklight poster makes it even more 70's-ish. It just seems there were 2 ways people saw this movie visually. Those that embraced it it as something totally new, and those that saw it as something old, wrapped in something else old. (I disagree with the notes on furries as Vanity Fair's opinion on the matter is retarded).

I did love the story and characters of Avatar. It was a very treehuggie movie that will make the anti-enviromentalist rage.
There were those moments where the foreshadowing lumbered hugely into view and sat until said plot device is needed. The design and execution of the Na'vi characters is phenomenal and will be the new standard in photo realistic character rendering. But what I loved the most is the visuals of Pandora's flora and fauna. And to appreciate that, I would very much want to see that Roger Dean be acknowledged as an influence in Pandora's evolution and design. This walks a fine line between just innocent influence and art theft.

I know at least someone on the crew was old enough to remember that old "Yes" album they had and see there is more than just a mild resemblance. It's like they are genetic twins.

Current Mood: Sleeping
Currently Listening To: Zzzzzzzzzz...

Blogged with the Flock Browser

A meager harvest.

Sun, 27 Dec 2009 12:02:52 GMT

Reading a little about the public perception of Kwanzaa and revisiting this leaves me feeling a little alone again. The holiday season in general has me a little miffed and frankly the overall obsession with it I think is unhealthy, but still, most random acts of kindness occur this time of year. Working back in retail, the obsession is clear as sane people take leave of their senses and throw themselves into debt to fill a material void in their lives. When at a loss to know someone's secret material want, they resort to throwing money at them in hopes that they will use it to fill their own material void.

In my world, people only know of Christmas. The iconic images are played with for both secular and folks of faith as well as those images that walk the fine line between both. Yet what I have seen in recent years is a merging happening to Kwanzaa as well. A few years back, I had the chance to ask Dr. Karenga, Kwanzaa's founder, what he felt about the commercialism that has cropped up in his idea. He expressed that he welcomed it and that more people had come to celebrate it.
But what I have also seen is religion injected into a secular holiday, which wouldn't be so bad until one would read the opinion of Ms. Barber.

Those turning Kwanzaa into a Christian observance is likely detrimental to the holiday as a whole. It loses it's identity from Christmas and excludes thousands of people of other faiths that observe it as a Thanksgiving at the end of the year. The Nguzo Saba then and now are about believing in one's self, community and what part your faith plays in your personal life:

Umoja: Unity - My family. My friends unified in substance and able to overcome any challenge as a whole.
Kujichagulia: Self-Determination - Knowing myself, Self-Esteem. Understand relevance in my work and how I can contribute.
Ujima: Collective Work and Responsibility - Not to turn a communal blind eye to each others problem's when they are a detriment to everyone as a whole.
Ujamaa: Cooperative Economics - Support each other economically by becoming patrons in community businesses and reward good practices.
Nia: Purpose - Constantly striving for excellence and never stop learning. Create a goals and meet them .
Kuumba: Creativity - Personally, it this was a chance to use my gifts. My contribution was always to create something from nothing for everyone to both learn and benifit from. My stories and comics grew out of this principle that what I create will only help the community grow and learn.
Imani: Faith - On the last day of Kwanzaa, family, friends and community come together on the dawn of a new year and exchange simple gifts, and a feast that represents the harvest. What I took away from this is when you bowed your head in thanks for the meal and the good fortune of being together with everyone, this prayer defined your faith. You can observe the entire holiday through the perspective of this lens, but for everyone at the table with you, they shouldn't have to feel excluded as they may have at Christmas.

Ya feel me?

I do enjoy both Christmas and Kwanzaa.
I like them as a quiet snow in a field with songbirds feasting on a bounty of seeds. Squirrels hear the birds come and join in. Deer follow the squirrels and take they're fill. They leave full with only tracks as evidence of their presence. The snow still falls and covers their tracks, but they survive till the spring because of this bounty.

Reality for me is Christmas more so than Kwanzaa is more of a feeding frenzy in a flock of pigeons. The observance of Christ's birth has little to do with an XBox 360 or Foot Spa. Kairi once asked me about everyone else getting gifts on your birthday, except you. It was both funny and sad.
Kwanzaa has little to do with religion less to do with extending the same bad behaviour that is observed for Christ's birth to another holiday.

The stress and madness and all the season brings. could easily be remedied with a little reverence to what each holiday is and not what they are hyped as.

Current Mood: Tired
Currently Listening Too: My FooPet Barking!

Blogged with the Flock Browser

A princess for our age.

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 01:45:59 GMT

I thought I should weigh in some opinion of the recent Disney movie after hearing MUCH about how this recent flick portrays African-Americans.

First off, I haven't seen this movie, however I have seen how the real audience has received it. Princess Tiana merchandise is very popular. It has been flying off the shelves and racks and the truth is kids don't have the hang ups adults do about race until someone comes along and points it out. The other thing is that Tiana is American. All little girls are princesses: spoiled or gracious. Tiana is smart, sweet and driven by self-determination to reach for her dreams. Her background is more of that of Cinderella and Belle than Auroura or Ariel.
Like Belle, Tiana isn't pining after some Prince Charming, she comes to it through self discovery.

One of the controversies seems to have focused on Prince Naveen being of undetermined ethnic background. I get it, but it is hard to be critical of it and be in an interracial relationship oneself. Tiana had a crush on Naveen prior to him being an amphibian, however they both gathered a lot about each other in the telling of the story.
One must become friends first and then, God willing, love follows. Race is superficial and even moreso for kids today. Adults still hold the same divisions and mistrusts and do much to pass them on to another generation.

Bonus points the movie scores:
Mama Odie. Sage old woman with a snake familiar I can relate to.
Tiana's green dress completes a color scheme among the Disney Princesses. Her other soft blue dress is much the same color of Cinderella.
Oprah is in this movie.
/a/ and /co/actually liked this movie. They rage about Bleach but give Disney props. I don't know what is scarier. However on a dour note, they called rule 34 on it as well.

Anyway, I'll be heading to see it on Tuesday with husband.

Current Mood:Yay!
Currently Listenting to: More 東方 Project...

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Reclaimed! Nerd Victoly!

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 06:06:40 GMT

After my C drive space was whittled down to 500MB, I had a serious choice to make. I really don't have the resources to upgrade to Windows 7, and I found the culprit was my "Documents and Settings" folder bloated with over 7GB of Obaba's indiscretions and whatnots.

The truth is, I hate my C drive. It's like a dishrag that is so very useful, but is full of everything it has ever come in contact with. Most of the usefulness I've extracted to my other drives, by moving the "My Documents", "My Music","Program Files" "My Images" to other more creatively named folders.
The C Drive is a holdout for Windows only.
After considering the offender, I simply imagined there was a way to move it, like I had done for the rest of my folders.

As it turns out, this isn't a simple C&P. Most of the files will deny access if you try too, with good reason. 10 minutes of googled research later and I found
a solution. There are some naysayers, but this does work:

Moving the '\Documents And Settings\' Folder to Another Drive

The following is based on KB236621 but revised for XP.

1. Open Explorer.
2. Create a new folder called 'Documents and Settings' in
your desired drive.
3. Create a new profile with administrative permission and
call it "move".
4. Logoff then logon to the "move" account.
5. Copy all the folders inside 'C:\Documents and Settings\'
(except the 'LocalService', 'NetworkService', and 'move'
folders) to the new location. (The LocalService and
NetworkService folders will be re-created automatically.)
6.
++++DANGER! DANGER! WILL ROBINSON!++++
================================================
Registry Edits are serious business! An error could make your computer INOPERABLE!
Back up the Registry before you make ANY changes. You will thank yourself for it!!
================================================
Open the Registry Editor and use Find & Replace all
instances of "C:\Documents and Settings\", including:
   • '\Device\HarddiskVolume1\Documents and Settings\'
   • '%SystemRoot%\Documents and Settings\'
   • %SystemDrive%\Documents and Settings\'
   • 'C:\Docume~1\'
Change them all to "*X:\Documents and Setting", where "*X:" is the drive letter you moved it too.
If you have something in a different place, "*X:" is the entire file path to the "Documents and Setting" folder.
(Personally, if there was a "C:\" I just changed it to "X:\")
7. Shutdown your computer, wait 30 seconds and turn it on.
8. Logon to the 'move' account.
9. Repeat step 6 until you get no results. That means you got them all
10. Reboot and logon to your original account.
11. Test by renaming the '\Documents and Settings\' folder
in drive C. If you can rename it then it worked!
12. If everything's OK, you can delete the 'move' account
you created before.

I now enjoy some performance improvement after defrag. I did have a few program issues, like some settings were lost or confused.
We had pizza and snuggled down in a comfy robe.

Current Mood: FLAWLESS VICTOLY!
Currently Listening to: More (東方Project) I recognized most of the songs, which is kinda scary at this point.

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Observation of Serpents...

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:09:52 GMT

I happened to be thinking about Hagane and listening to news coverage about the Health Reform debate and it hit me something likely unintentional about the series, but very symbolic of this issue:

This is the Flamel, as it appears in the series:

It is a variation of the Rod of Asclepius and Serpent Cross, symbolizing healing, wisdom and alternatively victory over the devil. What is obvious is the resemblance to the symbol that is referenced all over medicine and those that practice it. It is ironic that this symbol is used as an alchemist in reference to the series is much of scientist or doctor, typically understood to be secular and seekers of truth through research and science. But this rare instance, (there are only 3 characters that bear ths symbol), are worn by those that came to realize that even with all their wisdom, some things can only be achived by God.

I found this to be the health and human side of health reform. A physisian uses their skill to heal others. It is a task they know is full of uncertainty sometimes, but they do what they can, and what they can't is in God's hands.

This is the Ouroboros, as it appears in the series:

It is a known symbol of perpetuation and cycles. In the series however, it is worn by those that work to the ends of their own means. While they run things behind the scenes, they may take care to make sure the populace is content with the status quo The many that die are consider nessecary sacrifices for their long term existance, even if each death only sustains them a short while.

I likened this to the insurance industry. Capitalisim in America is fine when there is a human conscience behind it. But when an industry is completely for profit, people become little more than a crop for harvest.
Customers become $$ and this detachment allows a cycle to continue.

There is a lot of fight over Health Reform at the moment, most coming down to either politics or a irrational fear that a change in what we know currently isn't working will get worse. Without the burden of a struggling economy, why isn't universal coverage currently the status quo now? It's been stalwarted for years as corporations gained a foothold that makes enough profit to lobby for their interests to be considered over human health concerns and needs. The President saw his own mother deal with this cycle and made it a priority as premiums are projected to climb cripple Americans economically over the next 20 years.

Lastly, a note to reflect on. The talk of "Kill the Bill" by a lot of people that also protest against a woman's right to chose is laughable.

A child is born into this world to a young mother who was resticted from Planned Parenthood counseling via the same movement, yet unable to save an ill child due to a pre-existing condition that isnsurance won't cover.

Job 13:16, "an hypocrite shall not come before Him."

Let's keep that in mind, shall we?

Current Mood: Reflective
Currently Listening to: "Beloved Tomboyish Daughter" from Touhou Project

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Deer Me

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:45:32 GMT

I occasionally decide to rave about games I stumble into. I do enjoy a certain fun factor, but occasionally I am struck but an innovative look at what can not only be produced by creative dreamers, but others that want to play and make the dream real.
The Endless Forest is one of these gems.

You simply are a deer, and while it is understated, when you get to the game play, there isn't much more to it. In fact, it oversimplifies things so much, one can easily miss the subtle ways communication is achieved. As it turns out, deer don't speak. They don't have names the way humans would understand either, instead pictograms identify individuals. So the community has worked out ways to communicate without words. Starting as a fawn, you must watch and learn from other players how to communicate. All the deer have the ability to use illusion magic, which is cute, not what makes the game attractive.
There is a way you should greet, and ask for different things. If you are lost, you can listen carefully to find places and other deer, or call to them to guide you.
And the older deer will share the forest secrets with you.

Of course you could go to the forum too, but logging in to try it is more relaxing. The forest is beautiful full of life and there are no predators, although the forest can sometimes be eerie and foreboding when you are alone.

Oh! Did I mention the deer have human faces? I didn't? Well once you get over the creepiness of that part, a nap in the forest by the pond isn't so bad.

Current Mood: Surprised.
Currently Listening to: Virtual deer calling in the night

Blogged with the Flock Browser

More Politicks: Election Day 2009

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:49:07 GMT

All the coverage for elections last night seemed to be focused on it being "the referendum on the president's performance". I found the local conditions and opinions of the candidates weighed heavily on the outcomes.
In New Jersey, Corazine wasn't the most upstanding guy. Christie didn't have much to offer except that he wasn't Corarzine and defines being fiscally conservative as cutting taxes for the upper 1% of wage earners. So it was a choice of the devil you know or take a chance on the devil you don't know.

Virginia should have been expected to go to Republicans. It traditionally does, so why did people act as if this was some surprise?

It was by FAR more telling to see the election in NY 23rd where the Republican candidate was so maligned by her own party, she dropped out to support her Democratic rival against the Conservative party candidate who:
A. Didn't live in the area
B: Didn't know or care about local issues
C. Ran on Glenn Beck's 9/12 principles, (seriously, Beck is a cartoon character) which honor the horror Americans felt on the most dreadful day in recent history
D. Had been supported by many visible and vocal Republicans, even though they demonized their own candidate.

Needless the say, the Democrat won in a district that has has been always smartly secured by Republicans because he was a moderate and not overly liberal.

This is how checks and balances work. You may have a someone in the White House, pressing social issues, but there are people in congress that are SUPPOSE to see to it the issues are addressed in a fiscally conservative manner. Not sit on NO out of principle and in corporate pockets to block addressing the social issue.
Knowing this, NY 23rd district, just sent a Democrat to Washington. Where is your Beck now?

Current Mood: Another Hot Flash...
Currently Listening to: "The Depths" Playlist

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Politicks par deux

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:18:27 GMT

Former President Carter made a pointed argument that some of the heat current president Obama has been getting is due to his heritage.

In reality, that is likely true, but as with all things that are considered black and white, there are mutable shades of gray. I am pretty sure some of the animosity has been due to race, as well as his age, but let's flip that for a bit. To say people supported him exclusively because of his race or age regardless of ideals and party divides.

It is easy to take one's on ethnic background and identify with them and in doing so, overlook their flaws and accept any position they take based on that. So when more than 53% of the American populace voted for Obama, it's far easier to say that there were less people that had an issue with his race and more about the message that was out there. There is also the opposition that has a small percentage of the remaining 47% that actually do have issue with race.

In the current Health Care debate raging in Congress and all over the country, I am definitely aware that BS is BS regardless of who spews it.
Race has nothing to do with politics and lobbyists. The conservative argument sounds a lot like this in an almost cruel in it's denial to block any serious discussion or alternatives because even an alternative can be perceived as a "win" for the President.
Some of the things I hear are scary, not about the President, or his policies, but the raw callous poison of not just pundits, but elected government officials. To first instill fear and anger and then to prop themselves as the only refuge in a storm they created.

I know the November elections are right around the corner and some of these folks are looking to get re-elected, but it may be telling in South Carolina, Joe Wilson, the Senator that caused an uproar in the Joint Session speech, has been elevated to heroic martyr and raised millions for his re-election. Meanwhile his opponent, has raised about the same amount.

Going to be a hell of an election season. Bring your boots and shovel.

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Lessons from Baltimore

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 01:35:16 GMT

I would like for a moment to revisit a crucial time in my past where I met Rei, before I was Obaba. It is more of what made our friendship strong than just a simple statement of facts, since sometimes what we perceive is the illusion we make to comfort ourselves.

When both Rei and I met in 1997, I was admittedly self centered and unconcerned with anything outside the scope of me own personal world. This was mostly my family.
I met a girl at the Echelon Mall and we were both eying Ryo-oh-ki plushie . Since I had a seemingly disposable income, I made the purchase, but in classic style, we were rivals that had come to terms.

The second time we met, in 1998, was the more substansial as I was eventually able to come visit her afterwards. I was rather laughable in my arrogance about her. Thinking that she respected me because I was older, and idolized me because I could buy things that she, in her youth, could not afford. I did all of the talking and and talking and talking...
And what was even more absurd is that I called this girl a friend and didn't really have an interest in who she was, just that the illusion I created about her was really comfortable.

It wasn't until later that year, at a time when a lot of my illusions were disolving in front of my eyes, that I was forced to look at this little girl as more than a mere accesory to my life.
She was deep, thoughtful and faced multiple tragedies in her short life. She had a wisdom beyond her years and I felt a deep shame for everything I assumed about her, about life and about family.
I had to re-evaluate our friendship from scratch. Consider what could I bring that she could not achive through her own strength of character. Nothing really. But I did see an opportunity to better myself.
With my mother in her last days, I resolved to once again, have a go at continuing my education. The hardest year of my life followed. A year of 6:00 AM wake ups to 4:00 AM bedtimes,crushing loss, Insecurities, leaving a job to become a full time student and living out of my car.

In this time, I learned from both school and from Rei. I was never confidant with my math skills and she was a patient and learned teacher. In my home, we always seemed in dire straits, she taught me the value of budgeting time and income, she taught me how to cook inexpensively, and how the barter and the art of negotioation were as effective as cash. And most importantly, she taught me how to make real friends, and how to love.
In June of 1999, I graduated in the top of my class.

One of Rei's tennants has always been that respect is not something afforded with age, status or title. It is hard won.
The comfort in general courtesy comes cheaply. And honesty can be a bitter pill.

While many in my family have always questioned Rei's motives and actions, I always expect her to be honest with her feelings in her usual abrasive way.

I'm sure this post will be lost on some that read it, but I have become weary of the back and forth of late. I am going to take a rest and go back to things I enjoy. When the meaning of this post is gathered, I'll be more receptive...but give me at least a week, okay!

Current Mood: Drained
Currently Listening to: "Paper Moon" by Tommy Heavenly6

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Google Overshooting

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 02:45:39 GMT

On occasion I do recommend people search Google to see how much personal info is stored in web form to be gathered by web trolling bots and data miners.

However, since a year ago, I find that anything associated with my nickname has usurped by the President's first name.
I've been mocked for it as well, either by people thinking I misspelled the President's name, don't like the President, or both.

I mean there is a Spanish from 2005 movie with the same name that is completely unrelated to the Japanese word or the President at all.

I was also a little put off that my site name "Obaba's Hut" sits side by side by side with stories of Israeli settlements and the President's half-brother...
I do like my nickname and don't intend to give it up, but I now understand what kind of animosity it can attract.

Going to be an interesting 3 years in that respect.

Current Mood: Subdued
Currently Listening Too: "Ultimate Showdown" by Lemon Demon

Blogged with the Flock Browser

"It looks like rain today"

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 23:24:50 GMT

x-posted

The passing of a matriarch.
There have been a lot of great civilizations that have risen and faded into antiquity. The people and their chronicles can become legend to those that come after.

This is how I feel about our family. We have faced some pretty serious history and the world fell away as we drew strength from one another. We have been 4 generations strong and yet our Achilles heel is our own humanity.

I received word that of my grandmother passing away a short time ago and I can't help but think about the misgivings I've been feeling the last month. The other day, I seemed to get an unseasonal cold and have been feeling horrid in general, andI then received word on her condition right before heading to work on Tuesday.
About an hour ago, I got up and brought the phone into the bedroom and climbed under the covers to break a fever.
I woke up with a start of nausea and rushed to the bathroom, and as I got back to the bed and picked up the phone, it rang...

It's all like Rain. It washing away the traces of what made us so strong and into the cracks weakening foundations that should stand the test of time.

But in truth, let it be like Rain. Wash away the pains soothe our souls. Let it bring renewal and hope from under overcast in our hearts.

My family is my heart, and I know there are all sorts of emotions we are facing right now, Don't be afraid of a little rain on your face.

Current Mood: Numb
Currently Listening To: "Overture" From Sirius no Densetsu in the "Midnight Room"

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Joined the Flock

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 00:11:42 GMT

Felt like garbage as the day dragged on. Missouri is having a Tax Holiday this weekend and people took advantage of the savings for back to school.
The kids go back to school August 13th.
Anyway, I had someone mention at work about Flock.
For people using Internet Explorer, WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH YOU?!!?
For Firefox users, this is what you've been asking for.
For Chrome users, this is some of what you can expect from Google Wave, albeit primitive at the moment.
Everyone else, I wouldn't know, I've used quite a few browsers, but I usually settle what allows me to be the most productive.
At a 3rd of Firefox's memory footprint, Flock basically takes most of your social extensions from Firefox, and integrates them in the browser functions.
This journal post is part of it's features as well as "Flockcasting" to my other social networking sites. RSS feeds are not as ambiguous as they used to be, and the best part for me is that most Firefox extensions that were not included in Flock, are compatible with it.

All the issues I have had with it seem to be based on the fact that it's still new. When logging into Flickr, it logs me out of Yahoo. and vice-versa. I do recommend backing up your old browser info, as there are some reports of Flock eating Favorites, and History, but overall satisfaction won me over. I'm "Flockstar" now, so
give it a try and become a Flockstar!

I told you so's and whatnot

Sat, 01 Aug 2009 03:23:07 GMT

Well Jason's "Compooper" whent kaput the other day, well the internet did. The man thrives on internet, so this was a major blow to him.
So this meant that Obaba had to put on the tights and cape and come in for a rescue...

GAH!!!

Meanwhile, 2 days later, on the verge of an "eff it WIPE EVERYTHING" I start an actually thinking process to get things going.

For anyone that is googling this, The symptoms are:
• PRISMSVR.exe "Prisim Profile Manager" crashes when trying to establish a connection (sometimes with PRISMCFG.exe responding the same)
• No wireless internet connection.
• The internal modem and chipset devices are disabled in the Hardware Profile.
• System Restore lulz what's that?

First things first. Clean up your computer. As with any mess, you have to start somewhere. Run regular diagnostics (Defrag, scan disk in through mode). Disk Cleanup as well. There are a slew of files that get dumped in your system during installs, updates and regular internet usage that slow a system down and take up space.
After the basics are done, got the the next tier of maintenance: Virus/Mallware/Adware/Spyware scans. Run you virus checker with a through scan of your system. Chances are you picked up something as your root issue. Once it's done, check your log files to make sure the offenders were deleted, removed quarantined from the hard drive.
Next, Reboot. Afterward, look at those disconnected devices in your Device manager. Glare at them if you wish.
Note the make and model of your desktop or laptop and head to the manufacture's site and look for support drivers for the modem ad chipset on your machine. Burn or move them via flash drive to the comp with an issue. Install and reboot.
On reboot, go to start button and select "Run" and type "services.msc" This will bring up the Services panel from the Administrative Tools.
While some recommend messing with Zero Configuration settings. Don't bother. Look for (RPC) Remote Procedure Call. And a few other Remote related entries. Right click and under properties, start or restart all except Remote Desktop Help Session Manager.
Then go into your wireless client utility, and sometimes it doesn't even take that much, but it will detect your connection like crazy after everything is enabled.
I would like to thank Ruby for being a trooper and hanging out with me all day. She slept quietly the whole time.

Current Mood: Accomplished with a bit of exhaustion.
Currently Listening To: YPP sound effects. Got sunk in 2 Sea Monster Hunts. @_@

Back in the Sloop again.

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 16:42:02 GMT

(Rambling post but trying LJ's remote posting feature)So Obaba is back at YPP again. Well Toji is mostly and the thrill with playing as Toji is that my alt pirate is much better at everything than my main pirate. Same player, but oddly better. This far Toji has memorized 86% of the Midnight Ocean, while Obaba has about 21%. Sad really, but consider that Toji as a captain is really expected to provide charting services to the crew and should be able to chart anywhere.
Toji is also a "playable pirate", as while I can play around and shop for furni, clothes and pets as Obaba, Toji is all about the business of piracy. Pillaging, commodity and gem runs. Clothes are rarely a concern, as Toji's a one trick pony when it comes to attire. However the Captain is not without vices. The poker palour is one place to find Toji losing some hard earned coin. I have taken to removing the ability of Toji to gamble all of my PoE (Pieces of Eight) away by hoarding it with Obaba, Kai and Oyaji, (the latter 2 Jason's main and alt). So essentially Toji pays for the time on Midnight Obaba could be playing. The most of the rest goes to the crew fund. This leaves Toji with about 2K on hand at any given time.
So speaking of Toji in the more artistic sense, I am taking much pleasure in writing and drawing related work, including a certain neglected comic.
Writing Toji's dialog is hilarious as it gives me room to play around a lot. Hardest part seems to be, "to be" as the verb and tenses tend to be butchered often. Toji has actually penned a few things for the crew and while the general dislike of Swabbies is apparent, the captain has a soft spot when it comes to Greenies, (no surprise) but is quick to plank a disrespectful cur for lack of tact or "bad form".
In Le Freccette, Obaba is the crew Muse as it seemed appropriate, however in life, the Captain has been a muse to me, both inspiring on a artistic and personal level, regardless of what villainy may lie under that spiffy hat.
Arr!

Frustration and solace

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 13:23:17 GMT

2 things in this post.
First, the death of my $@%@! monitor. It has been replaced by a wide and sexy 1600x900 HP that hurts my eyes with love.

I can now see the true beauty of that graphics card I got last year. Splendid. My toolbars in openCanvas don't get in the way anymore too! I was also completely forgot the old monitor had speakers and never thought about replacing monitor AND speakers. Not to worry, the new one has speakers too and they sound better!!morexlamationpoints!!11!!!!!!

The test drive continued with Puzzle Pirates.
Mein Gott Himmel!! I can see the whole island while standing on the docks.
I put Toji on a sloop and I could see the whole ship!

Next test was Guild Wars. Correcting the resolution was nothing as once fixed, the vivid colors obscured by my old monitor came to light.
In Whirled, I can walk across my hut without the screen scrolling.
The downside is all the little mistakes I saw in my art are 200% more obvious to me.

Second topic., working at the nations largest retailer once again has put me back in a comfortable spot. I also hear from my former co-workers daily about the new less reasonable policy that is putting the entire on notice that failure is eminent. People are stressed and even if the job pays well, it's hard to simply find another at the same rates in a predominantly rural area as we have around here. One thing about changing to higher paying job in this area, is that my needs didn't change, so I really wasn't spending much more than when I was working at the store. For people whose lives have changed due to income increase at that employer, they may be faced with some crushing financial issues because of a job loss.
I really feel for them. It's a sad state that most people in the area have been digested by this company, now ejected and are struggling. How many people can my store absorb due to this deluge of new applicants I am unsure of. I am part time, working 4:30pm to 9pm today. Some weeks 3 days off. Whatever is going on at my old employer may need some perspective that a client that makes such a demand that causes your implosion, find another client. It's not worth your soul as a company. If it is indeed the company with the policy. Shame on you for neglecting your workforce in such a cold manner.

Current Mood: Heading out to get my monthly injection in my butt! Then, to Hogwarts!
Currently Listening To: Sound coming out the speakers to my lovely new monitor!

The hate the love and Goodbyes

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 22:21:13 GMT

I watched the memorial for Michael Jackson this morning/afternoon. There was the usual media frenzy that gave me gave me a bad taste that dissipated after it started in earnest.
I was concerned for the family, honestly. And as for seeing Michael or some open casket nonsense, I feel the man, although a genius as an artist, was eccentric and had plastic surgery-ed himself far beyond superficial changes. Even to note the images in memories shared we're mostly from 10 years back or so.

It was moving at times, Brother Jermaine choking back emotion as he performed "Smile", Mariah Carey opening and getting overwhelmed herself. And Stevie Wonder as solemn as I have ever seen him. The tears started and didn't stop.
And then Paris in defense of her father.

There were those times I wanted to slap a "STFU" on Sheila Jackson's campaign speech as well as Berry Gordy for bust when tact was needed. It was also heavy on religion, but in times like these, people need faith.
There have been a few people going on about anger, elation and sometimes hatred toward a man that lived for so long in the public eye without relent. His moves and words so overstaurated the media, he became a caricature of all that was sensational about fame. In that, a lot of the substance was lost.

In a way, I can relate to Jackson family. I have always cherished the fact I was blessed with and a big family overflowing with love, encouragement and creativity in our own right. We never became the next "Jackson 5", but we never stopped being creative, or giving back. Most in the family went into occupations in service to others: Nurses, firefighters, police officers, social services, teachers, armed forces, or simply through our church or masque and giving of ourselves.
And we have suffered the loss of those called home sooner than we expected.

At it's core, the whole whirlwind of media attention has made Jackson's death a spectacle. Entrepreneurs profited off of it with the sale of his image slapped on a shirt or a poster. The memorial was for those that looked past that...

If there was an image that I have of Michael Jackson, this is it. An adorable little boy with so many dreams and the will and talent to launch himself to super stardom. This is our brother and we will miss him dearly.

Current Mood: Saying my goodbyes.
Currently Listening to: "I'll Be There"

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 03:47:10 GMT

"Were sendin' out
A major love
And this is our
Message to you
The planets are linin' up
We're bringin' brighter days
They're all in line
Waitin' for you
So look the truth
You're just another part of me"

Current Mood: Better.

Sunset of icons of the past

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 22:56:59 GMT

I remember when I got my first stereo. Silver and blue with tinted cover and dual tape deck. It was so 80's It served our family for years before I parted ways with it. I got one album with it, and that was "Thriller".
While a lot of people may not have liked everything about the man and his "madness", he was loved and and adored by countless many, respected by his peers, and and frankly he had an inspirational story.
There was so much that can be said of him, but now begins the child custody battle, estate affairs, the tabloids having a field day grabbing a reports that he's been swooped up by aliens at the last moment or this was a conspiracy for him to escape the accusations and crushing debt he had incurred.
But that is for later. For now, we need to understand that even a Peter pan can die and I reminisce that I am playing that LP for the first time once again. And then smile again.

Rest in Peace Michael Jackson.

Current Mood: I never believed that silly on stage kiss. I knew it wouldn't last.
Currently Listening to: "Thriller" on my stereo on a December morning in 1982.

Kick in the Head.

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 06:24:30 GMT

Jason feels slighted by "friends", that he pays money to for commissions. So much so that he is losing faith in a community that once was a comfort to him. Now, with AC around the corner, he is charging that it will be the factor in how he lives the rest of his life: Waiting in anticipation for the next convention, or living walled in his own world oblivious to anything else.
I am of course part of this. Being an artist, I cannot produce enough art for my husband at the capacity or content that he wants it.
As time goes by, and internet fame fades, to some peoples he is becoming just another commission request.
So. There was rage at the community, the sub community and artists ,never mind that I have suggested he try his hand at art dozens of times), shying away from moving to the east coast because there is nothing for him there, even tho' I have said that he has family there, he's not a family oriented person.
But, I am.
Maybe the truth is hard that what he has always asked for, has been done to death or artist don't feel challenged by it. I don't know how to illustrate what I mean short of beating a dead horse. The formula of "Draw your character A in poses X, Y, and Z" has played out for over 10 years. It also could simply be that not everyone likes him, although I find Jason adorable.
Is it wrong of them to shut down on him in general? Sure. A customer contacts you about your advertised product, ANSWER THEM.
Some artists seem to think that they have every right to be a snob because they think their steaming pile smells better than the general public.
Not true. The fact that they put color and digitally edit just means it's a pretty steaming pile. Just come out and say that your pile isn't for sale and be done with it. Write don't criteria and stick to it and stop cherry picking the criteria after the fact.

Current Mood: Miffed because there is so much to say and I don't care to say anymore.
Currently Listening To: my iTunes Sorted Playlist

Comp scare.

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 08:00:27 GMT

Know how much power your USB devices are using? I don't but it wasn't pretty a bit ago when my comp basically shut down and would not boot up. I followed the advice on the Asus website and booted all the basics, then turned one device on at a time. Things are running well, but I will watch what I do and the heat. It's too hot even for me!

A taste of SPAM

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 18:52:21 GMT

So both GoPets and Puzzle Pirates have added survey options to earn a little in game money. One of my fellow YPP players and I took them for a spin, and here's what we found.
The surveys are actually through a third parties Gambit and Peanut Labs, so it was unfortunate for my pirate friend, as he is not of age to participate in these surveys. Most requested at the least your name and email address. The next tier in the annoyance factor was the request of home address and phone number. The top annoyance factor was when it required credit card numbers, social security numbers, and cell phone number. How presumptive to think that everyone has a cell phone or credit card number to throw out there.
So most surveys are not able to be used by a good chunk of users that have neither credit cards, cell phones or are underage to have either.
I fall in 1 out of 3, but am not contribution my credit card number to someone that promises "Free" in one sentence and payment info in the next.
I did make an error and used my actual phone number in one of these (in appeared in an auto fill form), and I get no less than 5 calls a day for one survey, 3 from the same Orlando vacation offer at 8 am, 10 am sometime in the afternoon and in the evening while I am at work.
In emails, I received a explosion of spam, but since it goes into may spam email account, I had no real clue on what was created by the surveys or not. So with Gopets, I tried their surveys which are through Peanut Labs. While essentially being the same, they play a lot more on the annoyance factor. For example you can take a survey that claims to be free, and be directed to a pay survey to compete the offer. A pay survey is any survey that requires a credit card number. Many will say that it's not fair to expect something for nothing, however, it is also not fair to call them surveys either. These are data miners. They requires one to give a lot of information for an illusory reward. Information is a valuable thing in these times. So now that your information is collected, it is farmed and spewed into your email box as more data miners.
One literally was "Click here to find out" 12 times in the email, consecutively. No other content was there except for an tiny addendum for an unsubscribe whose font was so light, it was to be missed.
In the Gopets surveys, I created a 24 hour email and tried 4 surveys. In addition to the 4 that acknowledged I tried the surveys, 19 additional data mined emails appear in my mailbox within minutes of the sign up.
It's gross. Cell phone offers. TV offers. Camera offers. Contact Lens offers. Even an offer for a loan. And how many surveys did I complete?
None.
With these Pandora's Boxes, I get nothing in what I wanted, but I do get all this nonsense I never wanted. Both companies need to look at their users and understand that these services do nothing to encourage loyalty or even gameplay. They're just parasites. Step away and wash your hands of them.

Current Mood: Booo.
Currently Listening To: Trying to find that song that played when I was working at the Golden Nugget/Grand/Hilton

For the love of Dug

Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:32:09 GMT

Pixar is the one bit of the Di$ney franchise that carries the concept of originality. After it's acquisition they made the intelligent choice of leaving it to it's own devices and make blockbusters.
In "Up", they accomplished that and introduced a character that brought back some heartfelt memories and indulge in some self criticism.
Dug the Dog was altogether adorable. Automatically he reminded me of my ol' buddy Toby

If it's not clear, Dug is in the clip on the right.
Dug is a a dog with a gift for gab. And that isn't a good thing. As it turns out, dogs really don't have much to say. He is fairly single minded and absolutely seeks the approval of his master. The other dogs, with years of honed skills, shun him and leave Dug to bumble about in whatever bliss is in his head. What he lacks in common sense, he seems to make up for in moments of inspired genius.
They never actually say Dug is a golden retriever, but it is clear he is one, albeit a bit on the chubby side.
Toby, was a dog's dog. He was a best friend and a neighborhood sled puller. His teeth bared only to smile and never to threaten (worse guard dog EVER). He would always come back, even when shunned. Always eager to please, he had been given rules to follow and did his best never to break them...unless the cats talked him into it. Even then, it was to please Augie and B.K.
You never see an unruly Golden on "The Dog Whisperer", or "It's Me Or the Dog". They may have issues with insecurity or overly boisterous greeting of guests, but in all these years I have yet to see a Golden that does anything but try to make his master pleased.
When you lose something as loyal as a Golden, or anyone who imparted unconditional love, you crave it. If you are lucky, you learn from it.
In my "doggishness", I realize that I aspired to what he gave me back then. To give and recive love, unconditionally. To seek approval from others, even awkwardly so. To put on my best face, even when the situation looks grim.
Watching the movie in the theater, a teared up a little behind my 3D glasses. Sure the movie was good, and sometimes even moving.
Being moved by this little bit of the familiar was the best feeling I've had in a while. I would hope my next dog will be a Golden. I won't be able to relive those blissful days, but I can always impart the wisdom of "The Dog's dog".

Current Mood: Nostalgic
Currently Listening To: "Squirrel!"

Gamers rejoice

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 14:56:31 GMT

Long post about E3, so here is a Table of Contents:

Microsoft
Project NATAL and XBox 360 enhancements
Beetles Rockband
Tony Hawk's RIDE
Saboteur
Final Fantasy XIII and Metal Gear Solid
Modern Warfare 2
Left 4 Dead 2 and Crackdown 2
Alan Wake
BUNGIE and Halo Franchise
Forza Motorsport and Joyride
Splinter Cell and Shadow Complex
EA Games
Mass Effect
Brutal Legend
Star Wars: The Old Republic
Ubisoft
Boring!
Academy of Champions
More Splinter Cell
Tween Games 2.0
Your Shape
Rabbids Go Home
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Smash Up
Assassin's Creed 2

Caught some highlights from E3 today. Some of the glimpses were truly mouth watering, while others just got caught in my throat. Links are provided when available.
Microsoft, Ubisoft and some of EA Games, were presenting today, and they it was pretty much a mix bag. Microsoft was the first console base to present it's plans for the next few quarters. As technology goes, they sugar-coated their "no controller" system, "NATAL" (pronounced "näh-täl"), still in it's neo NATAL stages. They had a demo that involved a lot of non-existent phantom tech and some buggy motion recognition demos. It is a nice concept, but the actual presentation was left to Lionhead Studios, Peter Molyneux, who brought a demo of the way this non-existent technology could work. But the best announcement about NATAL is that it will not require anyone to shell out for a new console.
Web Applications, Facebook Twitter and lastfm are coming to the Xbox 360 as well, giving ability to mini blog from the living room. What I guess I liked more was the fact that Felicia Day participated in the presentation. Other additions to the console were streaming live 1080p HD movies and TV to console, eliminating downloads. There is also a feature that allows you to invite friends to sit down in their own living rooms, wherever they are and watch movies with you.
And of course, GAMES.
First presenting Beetles Rockband with slated downloadable content seemed interesting to me more from the intro sequence. The feel of it was pretty fun. Getting Paul and Ringo to come one was pretty spiffy, if they had any idea what this was all about. They seemed lost on the stage and resorted to some comical antics. Good ice breaker, but as with all star power, "just because you can, does not mean you should".
Tony Hawk's Ride with a rocking skateboard controller, is made moot by NATAL, but since the board controller exists, and NATAL is somewhere in-between current tech and pie in the sky, the board controller actually functions practically. Since I don't play sk8tr games, I guess it's my loss.
I did enjoy the Saboteur, which is yet another game set in WWII era. The stealth options are pretty good, reminiscent of Assassins Creed, with a few add-ons.
The announcement that Final Fantasy XIII and Metal Gear Solid being developed was welcome, however Solid Snake has been retired and replaced with known exhibitionist Raiden. I have always thought that Raiden was being groomed to replace Snake at some point. But lets face it, the man is pretty while Snake was tough and gritty. It's demo was a build up of images with a reveal of Raiden, so no real game play. As always, I'll believe it when I see it.
FFXII was livelier with a full summon of Odin demoed. I was more curious about the little chick that appeared in the battle demo than the actual characters. Once again, they are banking on a female lead. The sidekick somehow reminded my of Richard Pryor after he sanitized his career.
May look at the full game when it has more meat on it's bones, but for now, I'm a little reserved
Modern Warfare 2 presented a stunning demo. Call of Duty developers, Epic, brought it seriously. It looks highly emersive and the graphics are sleek. Put a pick into the ice and it makes a noise like you put a pick in the ice. The ice sprouts spiderweb cracks as you do so, and it's little touches like that I enjoy. The firefight was simply chaotic, and I am sure an ally was in there somewhere. I don't know if he was occasionally a victim of friendly fire, but as much as I hate it, if the game is going to be realistic in other aspects, your allies should have issues with your bullets/grenades/mines taking them out.
4 Left for Dead and Crackdown 2 got into the gut of the matter. 4L4D2 seems to take place in New Orleans with 4 more survivors and more undead to face. Crackdown, looks more like the superhero version of the same genre.
Alan Wake was presented as a psychological thriller game. A writer who has retired to the woods, who's wife goes missing and the events in the book he's penning coming true. The presentation is terrifying as you pursue a informant as he is dragged away by forces unknown into the night. The tree line in the distance is torn apart as you make chase. Enemies are revealed in the dark and armed with a flashlight and a shotgun.
It just made me hope whatever this guy had to say had better be worth the trouble.
Bungie presumptuously appeared and presented 2 new Halo titles: Halo 3:ODST and Halo: Reach. In H3: ODST the firefight demo presented nothing I haven't seen before, but the story is a mystery to be solved with the perspectives of several ODST's that come under your control. Halo Reach was presented as going into Beta, but not much was said on that. I am not a Halo player, so the intro likely had more significance to someone that knows the franchise.
Forza Motorsport 3 and Joyride were the racing titles presented. Joyride is a free presentation that allows your XBox avatars to play a cart racer. While it offers a level of customization, Forza redefines the customization on racers. The ability to import graphics and customize your experience seems interesting. At first it was a regular racing game. But what's this, a drift racer option? Sweet! Interactivity and community seems to be very enhanced and so much to wrap my head around, I'll likely just need to try it to see what they meant.
I almost neglected the new Splinter Cell, Conviction...stunning. I love games that encorporate creative stealth in with gameplay and 2 games stood out with that Splinter Cell and Shadow Complex. Of course Splinter Cell uses the creep in the shadows system, but a new "target and execute" adds something new, allowing you to plan the best options to take out an opponent/s. Shadow Complex does much the same, but relies on the environment more. It is also a 3D side scroller, limiting the emersiveness somewhat, but seems to switch randomly between horizontal and vertical advancement. They made the comparison to classic Castlevania, but it is hard to understand how to be stealthy while the target is on the same plane and you are only covered by a well placed stack of crates. Criticism aside, i like the concept of the foam gun that allows you give yourself cover from enemy fire and climb to some normally inexesseable places.

I guess moving on to the other big presentations was a let down. Mostly because EA and Ubisoft presentations bored me to tears.
For EA, I did get a glimpse of Mass Effect 2. I saw the Normandy come into view and my only reaction was, "Jason will like to know about this".
There was also a littie title that I was oddly interested in. Brutal Legend looks like it could be a cult favorite. It's graphics are cartoony, the premise outlandish and a star studded cast with a metalhead appeal. I am interested how a heavy metal RPG will play out, but it looks brutal.
There was also an obligatory Star Wars nerd parade. A new franchise MMO in the works called simply, Star Wars:The Old Republic - Deceived. Evil Sith, Jedi lightsaber battles...
And that's all I have to say about that.
Ubisoft carted out James Cameron to talk about the Avatar game when my ADHD kicked in and I channel surfed to Style Network's Clean House...it is also a problem that most of Ubisoft's staff is French, so I instinctively tuned out whatever I didn't understand.
When I came back to the press conference, Cameron was still going on and I passed out.
I awoke to see Pele on stage and after a WTF moment, saw a trailer for "Academy of Champions", which looked like a Hogwarts for soccer players. Maybe it was a little to cartoony for me, but I was not interested.
More Splinter Cell was demoed, but it was pretty much the same demo as before.
I was appalled when some graphs were brought out. I know what everyone was waiting for and there is such a thing as dramatic build up.
Presented to appeal to the pre-teen girl market, Tween Games 2.0 was shown to cater to all that is girly and frivolous. Style Lab and a Jewelery making game that allows girls to create costume jewelry and they buy the creations in an online store.
I have to admit the ability to purchase actual stuff was cool, but these games encourage girls to break out gender roles and excel academically. Give me Brainage or Puzzle Quest.
As if to further degrade female body image, the game Your Shape scans your body and assists with a workout programed tailored to you requested needs. It seemed to present some more "phantom tech", but looks like if it is a archived, a lot of people will shell out the bucks for this and forgo a gym...even if they use it once before it's shelved and starts to collect dust.
One of the best presentations from Ubisoft was for the Rabbids franchise. The game was silly and fun and the humor was good. I found it odd that the Rabbids have an instinct about going to the moon and thinking that it's home. Someone at Ubi has an interest in Japanese folklore, I think.
TMNT debuted a fighter title that seems to play like SSBB, and...4 turtles, Shredder and April? There has got to be more than that, although it says you can play as anyone. Any one of the 6 characters? It has to be more than that.

They FINALLY got to what everyone was waiting for: Assassin's Creed 2
There was no game play demo, but the trailer is looking mighty sweet. Rumor: that water is no longer instant death is helpful since Venice is a heck of a lot of water. The addition of a little pistol alternate the dagger slot hand weapon gave me all sorts of ideas to use it in target elimination. Rumor: There is also said to be the ability to blend in more effectively with any group of people. If it has any of the gems that I saw in Saboteur, this game will win me over easily.

Looking forward to a lot of these, but Nintendo and Sony have yet to roll out their stuff. Stay tuned. G4 TV is airing a lot of the press conferences live, but they are also available to watch live, or in streaming format @ Gamespot.

Current Mood: Interested
Currently Listening To: the News

Obaba the Gamer

Fri, 29 May 2009 03:48:06 GMT

So I have gotten back to my roots, so to speak. I am actively playing both Puzzle Pirates and Guild Wars again. I love hanging out on Whirled, I need to find my niche there again.

For Puzzle Pirates, much has changed. There are new puzzles and challenges. I've falling in love with it all over again. But with more choices, comes a little confusion. I still hope to open a iron monger stall, and hope in some way that the old foraging comes back. Foraging for fruit adds an extra, less than piratey feel to the process.
I do like that you can find treasure maps, hunt and dig it up.
I SO WANT A SERPENT FAMILIAR LIKE YOU DON'T BELIEVE!

Toji is captain again, but the crew is on a slow burn with activity. Toji has whittled away the hours scoffing behind a hand at poker, and failing miserably on the new rigging puzzle. I swear, that puzzle encourages lazing. I prefer canvasing the canvas, speaking of which, THE COMIC, OBABA!! What are you doing?!?!?!!
Well, the game has changed by leaps and bounds since I started the story. Player and ocean dynamics have changed too. So I'm pretty much going to settle on a sufficiently piratey storyline based on what I know now. If things happen to change in the direction I am writing, then I luck out. If not, people will kindly point out my errors.

For Guild Wars, they recently celebrated their 4th anniversary and offered more storage. I am always loving more places to hoard my collections and pets. They also are giving people an option to buy credits to change character appearances. This would normally not be something I'd be interested in, but since I created my Prophecies characters Ayanna and Shaniqua, I would really like if they had faces from Nightfall so my cousins all have some sort of coherence. I have also floated the idea of adding a male Assassin into the mix as well as a warrior sister for Mare. This may mean a backstory change, but that's not so bad.
And somewhere I wanted to get a monk character, but that would require another character slot. If I ever get a new one, it will be a monk.
The other interest I have is exploration and completion. I have yet to complete any campaign. I have phobias about some areas and would love to do a few missions with friends. I also love to capture skills. I'll go on a reconnaissance mission to scope out an enemy and terrain and return to assult them appropriately. My heroes are a lot of fun too. A lot of, "Koss! What are you doing you crazy $#%$@%^#!!!" ao on and so forth. Gwen, Olias and Dunkoro are also much adored.
I'd never be able to solo missions without them.

In Whirled, I like the games and the company. I like to chat there for short periods of time, but am distracted often by the games availible or working in other tabs on Firefox. The only thing I enjoy more is the creative bits that tend to bloom like boils on my brain as I browse or change my rooms. One new things I am regreting is not adding more rooms when I had the chance. Rooms now cost 10K coin or 1 bar.
I am hoping to do a Sryusai series for Sleeping Dragons, but one of my greatest obstacles with the concept is the Flash content. I am simply horrid at it. And there are so many kids playing, learning and producing some aswesome work. So it's always a question of making things to share, or work on my visions and sell anything that happens to be useful.
I love the game on another level as well. I remember when it wasn't much more than one room and all of the testers just going, "What am I looking at?"
i remember getting my room and it being all pink. It was like so many other things I enjoy in life. Adventurous, creative and full of endless possiblities.

As for the other games that I play/distract/fill idle time with.
Gopets is becoming a grind. It's trying to be like WoW and it's economy is rather unstable.
Subeta is cute and absorbing, but rather portentous. It gains my interest every week or 2.
Neopets...um, I used to like it, but the corporate sucking noise ruined it for me.
Fable II has some nice new add ons, but the dog is still an idiot, the people are jerks and I am still the most awesome hero Abilon has ever seen. With Reaver gone, everything is boring.
Fallout 3. I realized it was post-apocalyptic Oblivion.
Oblivion is Fallout 3 without the Expiramental MIRV

Current Mood: Pretty good! The doctor said I am healthy and will see me again in September.
Currently Listening To:Guild Wars playing in the background

Oh. the irony...

Wed, 27 May 2009 14:02:38 GMT

I remember when I was working, I applied for time off in February to see my doctor and was denied. Undeterred, I applied numerous times and these were also denied, however several times on the days I applied, they had early releases, that would have afforded me the time, if I had made an appointment. The reason they were denied was due to projected staffing requirements for that day.
Now that I am without work, I can finally see my oncologist today. I am glad that Jason does have insurance and I am on it.
I remember when I was on another team last year before I found out I was sick, one of my co-workers up and quit. She was much in the same situation.
"I didn't survive cancer, just to put up with their BS"
It's insulting that someone has to go thought something so potentially life threatening, survive it, only to be faced with a real risk of stress and relapse brought on by employer apathy.

I would hope employers would require some sort of employee Wellness and preventative care programs. Most offer flu vaccines, but beyond that, no one should have to beg and pull teeth just to maintain basic health care requirements.

Current Mood: Relieved
Currently Listening To:Jason's Watch Alarm