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
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Thursday, August 09, 2007
Monday, July 02, 2007
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
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
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
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
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
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
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
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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
