Delving further into M:tG

I have decided to try my hand at delving a little further into the world of Magic: the Gathering by going to a few more tournaments. While I have not done all that well (41st of 73 at States and 6th of 10 at first City Champs), but I have learned from my experiences. Unfortunately, I am a little short on funds and cannot go play in a draft tonight, but will play some sealed next week. This has turned out to be quite a challenge, which is something my mind loves. Also, trying to come up with new, interesting, powerful, or unique decks is the closest thing to a creative outlet I can get my mind to embrace (I am not by nature a creative or artistic person; I am an accountant).

I can't imagine I will ever be good enough to make a living, let alone play on the Pro Tour. However, I have fun playing, and with enough improvement, could potentially get enough rewards to help the hobby pay for itself.

Wish me luck!

Peace,
A-Dork

Wal-mart's Effect on Public Education

Wal-mart Steals Billions from Public Schools

There's More to it Than Meets the Eye

I am sure no one will argue...I am a dork. I love dorky things, past and present. One of those things is the Transformers. I grew up on those robots that transformed into everyday things, like cars, guns, and cassette players. They were quite possibly the most awesome thing back then. Now that I am grown, they are coming back, being made into a movie using some of the most incredible technology Hollywood has. Needless to say, I am quite stoked - I am foaming at the mouth, aching to go rushing to the theater to be sure I am there to see something I thought only my dreams could create - a live action Transformers movie.

As excited as I am, I am strangely sad about the whole thing. When we grow up on something, and it is ingrained as a part of our past, we want to see it in its former glory; we want to see it as we remember, only better. That is what I thought this would be - the Transformers of my childhood, only better. However, I was stunned when I saw the first trailer that featured Bumblebee. Everybody's favorite friendly little Transformer, Bumblebee was a VW Beetle. Therefore, I was incredibly shocked to watch the trailer and see that, in the movie, he is a Camaro. "Seriously!?!?!?!?" Why couldn't he be a VW Bug? I mean, his name is Bumblebee; it is only right for him to be a bug...what about Camaro says "hi, I'm Bumblebee"??

At this point, I was wondering if that was the only inconsistency. Are the other transformers the same things they were in the past? Have they all changed? Are these even the same characters? I looked into it further as more info about the movie was released and found that, yes, they were the same familiar characters - Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Jazz, Ratchet, and Ironhide, but only Optimus appeared to be the semi truck he was originally (although he is now a blue truck with red flames).

Further analysis reveals the true reason for the change - there is a contract with General Motors. So that GM can get in their advertising, all our favorite Autobots have been changed - Bumblebee is a Camara rather than a VW Bug, Jazz is a Pontiac Solstice rather than a Porshe, Ratchet is a Hummer H2 and Ironhide is a GMC Topkick rather than the Nissan Vanettes they used to be. Are they trying to ruin the Transformers? Seriously - Porshe vs. Pontiac - you tell me which is cooler. I can understand them trying to use more "current" vehicles, but they could have at least tried to use the same vehicles, if only newer (I can understand not trying to replicate the Vanettes, but could have found something much closer).

On top of that, they had to go and mess with the paintjobs. The whole reason the Autobots are automobiles is that the automobile forms were a disguise. What about a blue semi truck with red flames serves as a disguise??? Even farther off course, Ratchet was originally white and Ironhide was originally red; now Ratchet is yellow and Ironhide is Black. How hard would it have been to use a white Hummer and a red truck? Well, at least Peter Cullen still voices Optimus Prime.

I am torn about seeing the movie, although I am sure I will do so. Transformers are simply too much a part of my past to not go see this. I just hope they got the personalities right...it will be all wrong if Starscream doesn't try to undermine Megatron.

Peace,
Alphadork

M:tG resurrected

So, I guess I can add a new topic that may encourage me to post a little more often (though it may only be interesting to a select few nerds like myself): Magic: the Gathering. I had not played for quite a few years, but recently got together with some friends who were interested in the game and brought by cards out of storage. I am quite happy I did...it really is a fun game, plus it makes my think. It is always a challenge to get better or overcome a new situation, and I can really enjoy challenges.

Right now, it is primarily a group of four playing duals and multiplayer free-for-alls. However, as we get more comfortable, who knows...play with strangers at the local game shop, enter tournaments, whatever. We are also trying to plan a M:tG-themed geocache. Yeah, I know...Uber-nerds...but, we are having fun, and that is what matters. You have to be true to yourself, and I am most certainly a dork!

Peace,
Alphadork

Death of the Album?

In a recent New York Times article, The Album, a Commodity in Disfavor, the future of the album is discussed. With the vast majority of music now being downloaded in the form of single songs, music labels are beginning to sign acts to record one or two songs, not full albums.

I have trouble thinking that iTunes and digital music overall with transform the industry so much that labels will stop releasing albums. I certainly hope it doesn't. That is one area in which I do not feel so willing to accept change. I choose to be old-school; I like my albums; I like my tangible CDs, the inserts, the artwork, the hidden tracks.

It is no doubt that these technological advances have changed the industry. However, when you really think about it, you realize that the changes are to the pop sector of the industry, where the "young people" are, for whom everything is digital. One of my initial concerns was, "what about artists who build around an entire album, who tell a story?" I realize I answered my own question, they are artists - they will still release an album. They aren't pop acts, meant to push cookie-cutter music and merchandise down the throats of the country's youth - those will be the digital acts, because it is "hip," and they have to be too.

My next question is, how can an act signed for one or two songs ever make it? If one of those songs goes big, it's not like they can tour; who will go to a one- or two-song concert? I guess that may all change as well - concerts will become a display of 5-10 different pop groups.

Well, it's something to watch.

Peace,

Alphadork

Roller Coaster

I just came up with this one. It isn't amazing by any means, and it certainly will not be inscribed in the annals of history be read by future generations, but I enjoyed it:

"Life is a roller coaster, designed by Circumstance...Circumstance flunked out of engineering school."


Things have made little sense lately, and I certainly feel like I have been upside down and sideways quite a bit. I will survive, and I will learn from it, but that doesn't mean I won't come out with a headache.


Peace,

Alphadork

Wincing is One Thing I'm Not Doing

It's been awhile, I know, but I have finally come up with a new recommendation - Wincing the Night Away, by The Shins. It is more great indie rock. James Mercer is an intriguing songwriter - the music is constantly fabulous, and the lyrics are interesting, though sometimes they seem nonsensical (though that may just be my thick skull not letting the real meaning in). This album features some poppy work, like "Phantom Limb," some funky, like "Sea Legs," and almost all works of art, such as the water-drip sound that resonates like a steel drum on "Red Rabbits". A few tracks get some instrumental assistance from The Decemberists' Chris Funk. All in all, this is a really good album that I haven't been able to stop playing for awhile. I've also heard it isn't nearly as good as "Oh, Inverted World." Well, if this is mediocre, I really need to get a copy of "Oh, Inverted World"!

On a related note, I finally watched "Garden State" this weekend (this movie helped The Shins gain popularity, for those who don't know). I cannot seem to explain why, but that movie was amazing. Go watch it, if you haven't already.

Peace,

Alphadork

BEEP!! BEEP!! BEEP!!

What idiot decided it was a good idea to make a smoke detector beep when you install the battery? One of my detectors was chirping last night to indicate a low battery. This particular detector had been placed on the ceiling in the hallway, so I was standing on a chair to reach it, which got me a little closer than an arm's length away. I didn't think that a big deal at the time. I pulled out the old battery and set to put the new one in. As soon as it made contact, the detector let out three piercing screeches in that wonderfully ill tone only a smoke detector can make. Needless to say, I was not expecting that, so it scared the shit out of me and my ears rang the rest of the evening. So, thanks to whoever made that brilliant decision!

Peace,

Alphadork

Nazis March on Columbia

Columbia Daily Tribune article: Aryan agenda includes creating white nation

Tomorrow, the "National Socialist Movement" is marching in my town to promote an "all-white America" and their "white people political party." Not kidding.

From the article:

"America was a white country and these other people don’t belong here," Schoeb said. "When you force cultures together, it’s very difficult for them to get along."

Prior to us, there were the "redskin" NATIVE Americans. Yeah, that sounds like a "white country" to me. Seriously, how many people in this country are really all-white? Many people of some sort of "non-white" ancestry.

I could go on, but is it worth it? I find it hard (and sad) to think that there are so many people in this country that still cling to the belief that skin pigment makes someone inferior.

The article indicates a likelyhood there will be more counterprotesters than actual protesters (the Nazis are marching to protest something about Marxism at MU). I just hope that, because the marchers' prime objective is likely to be to rile violence out of the counterprotesters, that those countering them can resist that urge, sit back with their signs, and laugh in pity at those who hold on to such hateful ideals. Just like how you shouldn't react to terrorists out of terror, you shouldn't react to hatemongers out of hate; show pity, show that they are the fools.

Peace,

Alphadork

Fatigue

I am tired. I have never been this busy at work before...consistent 60 hour weeks, and I am still falling behind. I know, there are people busier for more of the year than I, but I try to keep it in check and not become a workaholic. All in all, I have far too much going on. I honestly feel quite low, but there isn't time for it, which makes me feel worse because I am wasting time feeling low (and trying to get it out of my head through this writing).

Life is weird; mine is weird, complicated. You know, I often feel like my life really is droll and something no one would want to hear about...I'm a frickin' accountant and a geek. What is interesting about that? I feel like nothing every happens, but I am still overwhelmed. That's probably because I don't talk enough...I don't release the shit welling inside.

Have you ever known one of those people for whom every molehill is a mountain? Everything is worse for them, every time. When you have a bad day, their's was worse. It is as though everything is a challenge to see who has the worst life. I don't like playing that game, but that means I never get to feel like someone cares that I am having a rough time. I feel low, but they feel lower.

I feel a bit better, hopefully I can refocus now.

Peace,

Alphadork

The End?

What do you do when they tell you it's ending? What do you do when they say the flair is gone? What do you do when they say you're still great friends, but not lovers? What do you do when they tell you it's boring; you're no longer interesting? What do you do when they say we've grown apart?

I realize things I have taken for granted. The friendship, companionship, the love - I thought it would all be there forever. I thought it was a standard around which I could build the rest of my life. While nothing is certain, I have been forced to think about what it may be like without these constants in my life. I can see some good, some bad, but it is impossible to weigh either group. After nearly a decade, it becomes difficult to differentiate good from comfortable.

Maybe it is true that we've grown apart. Perhaps this was inevitable. However, I can't stop thinking that it's because I've grown too complacent, that if I could just rediscover that zeal, the feeling of growing apart would dissapate. Questions without solid answers are so frustrating....

Peace,

Alphadork

Email Scams

I just want to give a really quick note to all those email scammers out there - give it up and leave me alone. Seriously, I know that I have not been entered in any valid lotteries in the Netherlands, or wherever else you dream up. I know that I have not won a million-billion Euros, or whatever. Most importantly, I know that the word "below" is not spelled "belluw" and "sorted" is not "soughted".

I understand, though...I've never been able to figure out spellcheck either...

Peace,

Alphadork

The Federal Budget

OK, not really much to say (or time to say it), just sharing a must-read item:

Read Maybe We Deserve to be Ripped Off by Bush's Billionaires, by Matt Taibbi.

Peace,

Alphadork

Winter Weather

Is winter weather about as close to armageddon as we get? I wouldn't think so, but the weather people on the news seem to think that way. They are going to stay up all night; they'll update us every 5 seconds; they are keeping a close eye on the doppler radar; they're watching the future caster thingy for potential changes, etc...

People, it is one, two, maybe even four inches of snow, perhaps even a touch of ice. That means it will be white outside; everyone should drive slower, and brake sooner; schools could be canceled - check in the morning; it will be cold; it may take a little longer to get to work, etc... That really isn't all that bad, but everyone seems to act more concerned about it than if we had tornados rolling in like they did in the South last night.

They talked about this end of the world winter weather for the last few days, but because it rained until sometime really early this morning before changing over to snow, the road crews in town were still "caught off-guard." As much as this was talked up, I would figure they would have all stayed home yesterday to get in extra sleep and had the snowplows warming up at 2:00 this morning ready to clear the roads as accumulation started. Instead, I drive to work through four inches of snow (with little, if any, difficulty). On top of that (literally) was a dusting of cinder, or whatever they were putting down...why they don't clear the snow, then put down the traction materials rather than putting down the traction, then clearing it off with most of the snow, I will never know.

Enjoy the last of winter; spring is almost here, and though I enjoy a good winter (and this one has been), I can't wait to get out an play some frisbee.

Peace,

Alphadork

Cingular or AT&T?

So, Cingular is now the new AT&T, or so they say. As I understand it, thanks to The Daily Show - where I get *almost* all my news - this means that Cingular is changing its name to AT&T.

Why?

Cingular seems so much better to me. The name is unique, the color is unique, the name is known nation-wide, and they have that fun little orange guy. AT&T is old-school (but not classic, fun old-school like the original NES). It conjures up images of anti-trust lawsuits and land line phones (all the kids out there say "land-what? You mean there's another kind of phone? Does it text too?"). Cingular is modern and forward thinking (can anyone say "rollover minutes"?). AT&T is "you're too big for your britches."

I really hope they aren't changing their name. In my opinion, it's a bad move, but I'm no millionaire board member.

Peace,

Alphadork

Funeral Etiquette

I recently attended a funeral for a family member. It was a decent service...recalling some good memories and attributes of the departed, a few hopeful words of heaven and eternity to those of Christian beliefs, and reunion with some distant relatives. However, one thing really irked me. The individual giving the eulogy spent what seemed like 30-45 minutes speaking solely to put the fear of God in people's hearts, convert the non-believers, and solidify the beliefs of the believers. Not one mention during this lengthy rant of the deceased, just "serve God or else." Please don't get me wrong, everyone has the right to believe what they will, but there is a time and a place for everything. This was the time and place to honor the dead, not to scare a few more people into going to church. While I may not have known him as well or as long as others there, I never knew him to be a converter; I knew him to be a joker, a lover of fun, and a lover of music. Those things were mentioned, but not nearly as much as the rapture.

Quick question: with the Iraq war going poorly, little support from allies or the citizens of our country, and an over-exerted military, why is the administration foaming at the mouth to trick us (again) into going to war with Iran?

Peace,

Alphadork

Are You Drunk?

Really quick...to get this off my mind. I would guess you've probably seen the Dept. of Transportation's recent PSAs the depict someone really really drunk doing something goofy, like the girl dancing with a bottle of beer in her hand that knocks her own front teeth out. It then says something to the effect of "It's really easy to tell when you've had way too much to drink..." It then shows what I assume to be the friend of those individuals preparing to leave and taking one more swig of their beer and the voice-over says something like "...but what if you've only had one too many...? Buzzed driving IS drunk driving." Good message, really. There are a lot of people who, sadly, don't realize this. This is a step in the right direction, in my opinion, because prior to this, it seemed that drunk drivers were always depicted as really obviously drunk individuals.

My question about this one is: the "buzzed" individual who has had only one too many usually seems to be depicted as someone who still has a slight stagger; someone moving in a way that would indicate they are feeling, at the very least, a good strong buzz. So, what about the person had a couple, along with some food and maybe a little water, but has not felt a buzz...how can they be sure whether or not they are Ok? I know, the answer is that, if there is any question at all, they should simply get another ride, but you know that not everyone will do that, and I can still wonder...

Peace,
Alphadork

Double Standards and Dog Crap

Ok, so I had some sort of rant in my head, but cannot seem to remember what it was about...anyway...

I decided this morning to take my dog for an actual walk around the block instead of just out to the grass (she's a small dog, so she doesn't need as much exercise - chasing a squeaky toy up and down the hallway a couple times is enough to wear her out). Anyway, we're trucking along, about halfway around the block, when she stops, right in the middle of the road, and drops a deuce. My dog certainly does not discriminate when it comes to where she poops.

I think I've remembered one of the rants...it's something that my wife has pointed out a number of times in the past, but has really been standing out to me recently. Have you ever paid attention to the double standard for genders on TV and film? It is rare (and usually a supporting character) if women are not slim and pretty. Men, however, can be anything and are, more often that I like, rather ugly. The Axe commercials are especially bad, depicting gorgeous women as unable to resist the lure of Axe on a hideous man. Have you ever seen the sitcom "Jim"? That's another one with average, overweight men married to slim, attractive (and younger?) women. When will the average, overweight woman be on TV, happily married to some guy that looks like a Desperate Housewives gardener?

Ha! Now, every time you watch TV, it's going to bother you too!

Peace,
Alphadork

Happy New Year and All That Jazz

OK, so I am trying out the "new version" of blogger presented through Google, or whatever. Brilliantly, I did not save a text copy of my previous HTML, although the online software supposedly saved a backup copy. I cannot find the backup copy. I fought for way too long yesterday trying to get things laid out the way I want them and trying to edit the HTML with little luck, only to find that it really is very simple. However, I wish that when I add objects, they could be placed outside the green and blue boxes on the right; I liked my Google search bar much better when it was between the boxes, not in them. I also tried to do a different link style for the Amazon thing, but it kept giving me a bad address for the picture and nothing would show up. Frustrating.

Well, that's all I have for now...

Peace,
Alphadork