Midweek Music

The Editors: An End Has A Start

I actually heard this tune during one of TCM's popular movie collages this weekend. Sounds too much like 'Interpol' to me, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Well, you tell me... Interpol: "Evil" is the following video.

I'm still working on the lost comments thing. Hang in there.




And courtesy of my dear friend Ed... YOUR HEAD A-SPLODE!

Stop putting stuff on our bodies, David Blaine!

And you know the scary thing? Click this link: HERE.

Blog Woes

AGH! I am working on getting this damn blog back to normal but things are popping in and out and up and down and even going away!

I don't want them to go away!

So I need to work on it some more.

CWAP!

Mario Monologues Part 2

The next one won't be until January.

The Songs in my Head

Ok... so I like Sesame Street. So sue me!

So I woke up this weekend and had this song stuck in my head... I'm such a girl.


This one was stuck in my head too... damn.

Best Hanukkah present EVAR!!!

So, as you all know, I am a fan of the GameJew. GameJew is a musical artist who writes folk songs about video games. It's where I created my online-persona of JewWario.

So Jen contacted him this past week before he went on a 6 week trip in the Carribian... and asked for a favor.

The "favor" is shown HERE (clicky) at 6:44 into the show.

A big "thank you" to GameJew & Ivory and my lovely Jennifer. I love you all.

The new "Mario Monologues" will be recorded this coming Monday at Freak Train (with a new intro song by GameJew)... and a "staged" version will be recorded and posted before Hanukkah.

Wednesday music

KEPC... that's the station to listen to, my friends.

Zero 7 - Destiny
This is the shorter YouTube song. The longer song is 5:37. Great stuff!


I lie awake
I've gone to ground
I'm watching porn
In my hotel dressing gown
Now I dream of you
But I still believe
There's only enough for one in this
Lonely hotel suite

The journey's long
And it feels so bad
I'm thinking back to the last day we had.
Old moon fades into the new
Soon I know I'll be back with you
I'm nearly with you
I'm nearly with you

When I'm weak I draw strength from you
And when you're lost I know how to change your mood
And when I'm down you breathe life over me
Even though we're miles apart we are each other's destiny

On a clear day
I'll fly home to you
I'm bending time getting back to you
Old moon fades into the new
Soon I know I'll be back with you
I'm nearly with you
I'm nearly with you

When I'm weak I draw strength from you
And when you're lost I know how to change your mood
And when I'm down you breathe life over me
Even though we're miles apart we are each other's destiny

When I'm weak I draw strength from you
And when you're lost I know how to change your mood
And when I'm down you breathe life over me
Even though we're miles apart we are each other's destiny

I'll fly, I'll fly home
I'll fly home and I'll fly home

The C.H.E.E.T. Museum

So I finally took recent pictures of my whole "C.H.E.E.T. Museum" collection. (Carmical Haven for Electronic Entertainment Technologies)

View it HERE.

I miss Strategy "Guido"

You are missed, my blue foul-mouthed alien friend.

Gradius
http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/132394

Ghosts & Goblins
http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/139926

Bubble Bobble
http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/146336

Blaster Master
http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/256749

Girls and pianos... I'm a complete sucker for them!

Tori Amos... Regina Spektor... (sigh).

Today's Monday Music features an artist who calls herself A Fine Frenzy. Wow. Astounding stuff. Enjoy.

And an added gift from me to you: HERE.






Well, and a completely off topic video from my favorite Japanese Rap group.

Halloween 2007

Well, another Halloween has come and gone and I am happy. I didn't "BUILD" a costume this year, but I did make a 'Mario' costume. But don't fret... under THIS hat...


... was my REAL hat!


My good friend Mike recently had a new addition to his family.

I won the costume contest at my work and scored a $50 gift certificate for Best Buy. I think (since Mario was my inspiration) that I will buy 'Super Mario Galaxy' when it comes out Nov. 12th. Thanks, Mario.

All in all, it was a very good week. Here are the links to the Halloween party from Saturday night at Forrest & Nancy's house. Thanks for having us over. OH! And I'll put in the "costumes" Jen, Kitty, and Wiggles wore too.

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Jen as the Lady Amalthia
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Kitty as Snow White
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Wiggles as... um... Wiggles with a bandanna
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Biggest F**kin' ape I ever seen!

Last night in Denver I performed at the 'Freak Train'. I did a thing called the "Mario Monologues". It was a hit. I had people telling me all night "Thank you, Mario". It was fun.

Warning: the below contains strong language probably not good for kiddies.

Last night: Donkey Kong
Next month: Mario Bros.

Music For You

Silent Shout by The Knife
KEPC just rocks.

Me When I Was Me - By Jennifer Carmical

Me when I was me
Without fear
Songs inside my heart
I was here

Now I live in clouds
Watching you
Like you were t.v.
Only true

Me when I was me
Was smiling without thinking
Of something to smile for

I remember her
How she used to be
Me when I was me

Don't take my picture
I look strange
To myself these days
Must be change

Walking's not skipping
Humming's not singing
And I used to
I used to be

Me when I was me
Smiling and singing
Skipping, not thinking
Of something to smile for

I will remember
Who she used to be
Me when I was me


2007 Author Fest of the Rockies
Picture from left to right (click the image for larger):
Student Poetry Winner - Julie Beebe
Adult Poetry Winner & Overall Winner - Jennifer Carmical
Adult Short Story Winner - Anita Romero
Student Short Story Winner - Patrick Lee

More good news!

So early on this month (the day after the Smashing Pumpkins concert) while my wife and I were in Manitou Springs, we came across this information about a poetry/short story contest (click for linkies). She decided to enter.

Long story short (too late) we got a call today that she won first place for poetry!

Yes, she won!

I'm so frickin' proud I could just plotz!

Bummers and Upliftings

I'm taking this week off from work as I use up the last part of my vacation (since Jen and I didn't take a vacation this year).

I'm getting a bit fever-y lately in the evening and my nose is still producing green stuff even after taking the antibiotics.

Sucks big time.

If it continues tomorrow then I'm gonna try to see the doctor because it's getting pretty bad.

Also, there was a problem with the recording of the TMBG concert and so they aren't offering it up for download. That's a big friggin' bummer.

On the lighter side, I found another great song that I have been listening to a lot: 'Challengers' by 'The New Pornographers'. Great song, give it a listen (hint hint hint). Also, 'Catch The Wind' by Bob Dylan has been a frequent listen today. Gawd, I love that song!

I also shopped victoriously. Great deal on a great item. I have no idea why I wasn't sniped... but I'm glad I wasn't. For a working Twin Famicom would be $130+ easy... and a working Metroid disk (with box, stickers, and insert) would be $30-40 as well. The rest is just whipped cream on the sundae.

I am so happy today...

So I found out that They Might Be Giants record all their concerts... and then allow people to purchase them for a small sum later on.

The concert I went to last month will be up today supposedly.

There's also a link to the concert set and musings of what happened.


And I got to participate in the GameJew podcast during my lunchbreak today too!!!

I just feel great today.

And don't forget to read my scary video game posting from last night here. I played a great game.

Sing with me: "Sunday was the worst day... that I've ever known"

For the Smashing Pumpkins concert on Sunday, we got there (Red Rocks) early and we got seats RIGHT in front of the sound guys and so there was nobody behind us. GREAT "seats"...



And the Pumpkins concert S-U-C-K-E-D! The opening band had 10 times more energy in them. The music was ok... Billy's voice didn't suck. But he spent almost half the night getting intentional feedback from the speakers by standing in front of them. Artsy stuff... that sucked.

And whoever did the lighting must have been told to intentionally blind the audience AND not to light the band in ANY WAY AT ANY TIME. You could see two things... jack and squat.

Then people started coming from other rows and were standing in front of us and next to us crowding us... like they had been there the whole time and we were just saving their place. PISSED ME THE F*** OFF!

SUCKED!

SUCKED!

SUCKED!

SUCKED!

SUCKED!

The only good thing was this lovely couple that we met who actually won concert tickets, airplane tickets, and hotel room from a radio contest in Dallas! Great couple.



I am NEVER going to another concert there and I am very close to not going to another concert ever... I mean, why go to a loud venue, with people that are rude, and expensive swag... when you can hear their music at home? At least TMBG put on a show. They talked to the audience... they spiced things up... made it fun.

The Pumpkins just played. Bo-ring.

Monday, however, really made up for it. Monday ROCKED.

Ok. The beer is READY!!!

Please comment here on how you liked or didn't like it. If you haven't gotten a bottle or a taste, let me know and I'll try to get one to you.

Derek has some MAD logo skillz, yo. He really made my cwap art look good.

That iPod nano commercial we keep seeing on TV

I found out the artist. She goes by the name "Feist".

1,2,3,4:

Mushaboom (the song I knew and liked her from):

If you like her, you might also like "Regina Spektor". She's a cutie.

Fidelity:

Us:

Sampson (my personal favorite):

The last gaming post for this blog

I really want to focus this particular blog on my life and have the JewWario blog be for my gaming. So make sure to add both to that blog-thingy that lets you know when new posts go up.

Anyways... here we go.


And it is done. I figured out the pattern and finally defeated Gannon. Total time: 42 hours and 16 minutes!
Spoilers abound.

For all that I received from the game in gameplay, storyline, adventure, and what-not... I was a bit disappointed in the ending. But That aside, it is a spectacular game in my view.

The ocean sequences were long and drawn out but, in retrospect, they really needed to be. To have treasures hidden all over the oceans and to have the islands diverse enough, they really needed to be THAT far apart. Getting the cyclone power helped immensely.

The side quests were extremely enjoyable even though I wasn't able to finish them all. I want to go back to my copied-save (before I went into Gannon's Tower) and try to get all them completed on my own.

I loved Ocarina Of Time, but this had a different feel. I don't know if it was because of the character styles, the non-linear gameplay or what... but I like Wind Waker just as much as Ocarina but for different reasons. To me, Wind Waker FELT like a Zelda game.

All in all when I sat down to play I knew I was going to have a fun time.

So for giving me such a great game in a way I was not expecting I give "The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker" 5 Zombie Warios.


Onwards and upwards. The last Zelda title for the GBA: The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap. I don't know what to expect from this game but I have high hopes. I have three wishes again for this one so.. let's-a begin.

Music Month

Went to the They Might Be Giants concert in Boulder on Thursday. That was GREAT fun. The venue was really nice. Boulder sucks, but the Boulder Theatre is really nice.

A great band from Dublin Ireland opened for them and I got their album signed after the concert. They're called Oppenhimer and you really ought to check them out. It's amazing that two guys can make such music... I mean their album is good, but they were fantastic live.

Next weekend is the Smashing Pumpkins concert in Red Rocks. The brilliant part of that is that Billy Corgan is letting people record the concert!!!

OH! I also forgot that I took a picture of myself right after getting my teeth pulled. It wasn't until I started uploading other pictures for my ZELDA blog (see the sidebar to the right) that I saw them. Seems I took one of my open mouth too... but I'll spare you that image.

That memory loss really did a number on me.

Otnemem...

Now I know how that guy from "Memento" felt...

The surgery went fine taking all 4 of my wisdom teeth out and I had very little pain (at first). But when they gave me the drugs to knock me out for the surgery they said "this may cause temporary amnesia".

So I "wake up" at home talking to my mom on the phone.

Supposedly I came out of the surgery fine (1 and a half hours later), thanked the doctor and nurses, asked Jen when I was going to get the syringe to clean out the sockets, we drove home, I asked Jen when I was going to get the syringe to clean out the sockets, then I watched a Bill Engvall DVD, called my aunt, then called my mom.

I remember nothing of all that!

When I came-to I asked Jen when I was going to get the syringe to clean out the sockets.

I ever tell you about Sammy Jankis? I never said he was lying. I just said that he got his wisdom teeth out... but I never said he was lying.

Now, where was I?

THIS is philosophy

While listening to the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy radio programme, I came across what I think is my favorite part. The gang comes across the ACTUAL Ruler of the universe. His view of life is inspiring... and very anthropological.

Here he is feeding his cat.

"Pussy.! Pussy, pussy! Coo-chee, coo-chee, coo-chee, coo-chee.!

Pussy want his fish? Nice piece of fish… pussy want it? Pussy not eat his fish, pussy get thin and waste away… I think.

I imagine this is what will happen, but how can I tell? I think it’s better if I don’t get involved. I think fish is nice, but then I think that rain is wet, so who am I to judge?

Ahhhh, you’re eating it. Fish come from far away—or so I’m told—or so I imagine I am told. When the men come—or when in my mind the men come in their six black shiny ships, do they come in your mind too? What do you see pussy?

And when I hear their questions, all their many questions, do you hear questions? Perhaps you just think they’re singing songs to you. Perhaps they are singing songs to you and I just think they’re asking me questions.

Do you think they came today? …I do. There’s mud on the floor, cigarettes and whiskey on my table, fish in your plate, and a memory of them in my mind. And, look what else they’ve left me.!: Crosswords…, dictionaries, and a calculator.

I think I must be right in thinking they ask me questions. To come all that way and leave all these things just for the privilege of singing songs to you would be very strange behavior—or so it seems to me. Who can tell? Who can tell?

I think I saw another ship in the sky today—a big white one. I’ve never seen a big white one, only six small black ones. Perhaps six small black ones can look like one big white one.

Perhaps I’d like a glass of whiskey. Yes, that seems more likely."

Will I be less smart?

I'm having my wisdom teeth taken out this coming Friday morning. Yup, you heard me right.

I can't avoid it any longer.

I know that this Saturday is the Spam-o-rama... I know that I have a concert next week... and Freak Train on the 24th... I can't help it.

So I'm still gonna try to make Spam-o-rama but not partake. I'll still make my stuffed Spam Bell Peppers. And they say I can go to work on Monday next so I can probably still go to the concert and sing at Freak Train...

Bad timing.

Royal Corgi Scottish Ale Home-Brew Beer Label

So, it's a well-known fact that I suck at computer art. So, here's my feeble attempt at making a label for my just-this-weekend-bottled Scottish Ale.

And yes, I was correct in the Alcohol by Volume... it really is that potent!

Other stats include:
241 Calories & 22 carbs

Seasons: 26 hours 34 minutes FINISHED!//Wind Waker: 2 hours 13 minutes

Man, has it really been THAT long? Well, I made it through "Oracle of Seasons" and forgot to take the screen image. I'll try from my save area and take one later on... but onward I venture to "Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker

As for "Seasons", it was a pretty good game. Being on the GB AND the GBA was a neat twist as certain things were available in the GBA version that weren't in the other.

All in all nothing really surprised me though. The seasons were fun to work through and finding ways to get to areas unavailable in 3 of the 4 seasons was quite the challenge.

The story was lacking greatly though, in my opinion. From Ocarina and Majora's deep and entertaining storylines to go back to a 1 dimensional pattern was very disappointing.

But my love of the 2/3 view of the original will never waver, I feel, and it was great to have another game that harkened to the one that started it all... although the difficulty was not very difficult at all and that was a bit of a disappointment.

So, for all its retro fun and all its faults, I give Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons one snowball Wario and one spring Wario... for the seasons of winter and spring. A good game if you can find it, but don't expect much out of it.


Now, my journey is drawing closer to the Wii... but first, I have two more games to complete. The first of these is the Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker for the Game Cube.

I will be playing this game on the Game Cube as I have been attempting to play all the games I get on the actual systems.

Already a few hours into it, I love the cel-shaded look of the game and the fun storyline. It's gonna be easy to get back to being used to a joystick instead of a D-pad.

Monthly update? OHNOES!

It has been quite some time since I wrote anything, but I really haven't had anything happen that I wanted to blog about.

Yesterday I brewed my first beer in 6 years. I'm pretty excited. This will be the 6th beer have ever made. I hope it turns out well... it's been a while. Now to wait while it ferments and ages. Should be ready to drink by the end of September.

Here's Craig with some great tips on Homebrewing. And yes, it is just that easy.

1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAJKWCdaPq4
2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uIfoTbaHaY
3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHrAkcSOi5w
4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hfd7p4r_RQ

And a funny one
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7sdBIbWKiM

I also made a label for it, but I am having problems figuring out how to make my pencil drawing into a good looking label. I suck at ink-work. SUCK!

Next Monday is Freak Train again and I'm going to go up to Denver again... woo! I have to memorize that poem still!

I haven't been sleeping well this past week. I have woken up at 4:00am every morning and it has taken some time to get back to sleep. But this morning I'm in a daze as I didn't go back to sleep... Thank Gawd for Black Black. (chew chew chew)

Saw 'Stardust' with Jen last night. It's a great faerie tale movie. SO ROMANTIC!

My friend Kieran is going to be in town this week. I am really excited to see him.

Getting a saw from Forrest to work on Eric's Pop'n Music controller. Justin with a saw???????

Remember that Freak Train thing I was gonna do in April?

Ok. The Freak Train is a show where people get up on stage (after paying $5) and get 5 minutes to do whatever they like. Acting, poetry, stand-up comedy, plays... anything. Depending on who shows up, they have a thing called the "13th freak" where an audience member will be asked to come up and perform... so don't be surprised.
Last night I was FINALLY able to go up and got a spot easily. And I did pretty well.

The whole show was full of different kinds of acts. I was the only stand-up comedian there. There was a transvestite belly dancer, a band, a vampire pianist, a Beasty-boys-esque rap group performing the Canterbury Tales, and even two magic acts.

Derek should have the videos of us up later this week and I'll post here with a link to them. I'll be going up next month for SURE. I won't be doing comedy, but I'm sure whatever I do will be fun.

My Harry Potter Predictions

So, I just got my silver wristband for the midnight book sell at the north Borders here in the Springs.

So before I read it, here's my predictions.

Rowling said two main characters will die. I think one will be Hagrid with the other being Snape.

There are 4 more Horcruxes to be destroyed (with the Gaunt Ring and Riddle's Diary being two which have been destroyed already and the missing locket being the third). I think the other three are Voldemort's wand,

Hogwarts is closed. Hogwarts will re-open during the book.

Wormtail owes Harry a life debt that has not yet been repaid. He'll die too... but I really don't think it'll be saving Harry.

Rowling said that one student will become a teacher. It's not Harry and it's not "who you think". I think it will be Neville.

Who is R.A.B.? No clue. Might be Regulus Black.

Is Snape friend or foe? He's loyal to Dumbledore.

Rowling has mentioned a Muggle will be able to cast magic... and it will not be Petunia Dursley. I think it will be Filch (the caretaker).

The rest... I'll have to read about.

The Pale Blue Dot

Two Versions

Short---


Long---

For your amusement...

A cat eating corn.

Monday Music - Sad Songs

Because I love a song that makes me depressed.

* Ben Folds - Brick
"She broke down and I broke down cause I was tired of lying."

* Fleetwood Mac - Beautiful Child
"I'm old enough to love you from afar... even I never hold you again."

* William Shatner - That's Me Trying
"See, if we never had a problem, then that's what life would be like."

* Ben Folds - Still Fightin' It
"You're so much like me... I'm sorry."

* Dido - Christmas Day
"And the last words I heard him say were the last words I ever heard him say"

* Joan Armatrading - The Weakness In Me
"And I need you... and... you."

* Bob Dylan - Most Of The Time
"Don't even remember what her lips felt like on mine... most of the time."

* Tom Waits - The Day After Tomorrow
"I'll be 21 today, I've been saving all my pay, and my plane will touch down on the day after tomorrow."

There are more, but this is what I have in my work playlist. So, what songs make you cry like a little girl?

3rd Year Anniversary

Today my wife and I celebrate our 3rd year anniversary.

We have known each other for 10 years, started dating 5 years ago, engaged 4 years ago for 1 year, married 3 years ago...

Wow. Time flies when you're having fun.

I'm Taking a Stand!

... and announcing my favorite albums... which is really hard for me to do.

**Top 3**
Smashing Pumpkins - Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness
The Cure - Disintigration
Nick Drake - Pink Moon

**extended to Top 10**
They Might Be Giants - Flood
Sigur Ros - ( )
Dandy Warhols - 13 tales from Urban Bohemia
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
David Bowie - Ziggy Stardust
My Bloody Valentine - Loveless
Crash Test Dummies - God Shuffled His Feet

Tag. You're it. What are yours?

Monday Myspace Music: Nick Drake

While he only released three albums, this artist really made some unforgettable music. He also suffered (like I do) from depression and it eventually got the best of him (he died from an overdose of antidepressants).

Please listen to this music and search out his albums. I have the last one he made (Pink Moon) and it has shot up in the one week I have owned it to one of the top three favorite albums.

Wiki
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_Drake

Many great songs to listen to (Northern Sky being a great one!)
http://myspace.com/nickdrake


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Friends of P

Was a moderate fan of this group (The Rentals)in 1996 when I heard the song "Friends of P" and, to tell you the truth I forgot about them. But I liked almost the whole album. Heavy MOOG and airy female vocals just really did it for me... besides the fact that the violin/viola player looked like Velma (well, you know...).

Well, I re-bought the album at the Entertainmart this past Saturday (for $3) and remembered why I liked them.

Today I saw that they're putting out a third album in August and their tour will be in Englewood on the 9th of August. $18. I'd like to go.

Friends of P


Waiting

Another Justin Carmical???

Yup, it's true. In Alabama, I have found another bloke named "Justin Carmical" same spelling and everything.

How cool is that? I mean, some people have very common first and last names. Until today I thought that MY family was the only ones who spelled it "Carmical" in lieu of the traditional Scottish "Carmichael".

Google is cool.

Tuesday Music

Some decent J-Pop/J-Rock this time

Ram Rider (electronica-pop)

GOT ITEM!

Yup, my hard puzzling work has paid off, and I have received my first two leitmarks!

You see when Season 1 of Perplex City was going on, the points you made from solving cards was added up. When you reached a certin amount of points, then they would send you a leitmark.

Well, even though Season 1 is over, they are still awarding these little tokens to people who complete the point requirement for season 1 cards. Cool, huh?

DIG IT!

What more need I say?

Perplex City... HUH???

Well, it seems that the game that I have been SO gung-ho about lately has had some troubles. They let several of the storyline writers 'go'. I have heard that this was for the ARG (Alternate Reality Game) and not for the card game.

I got into this game at the beginning of April, and was so excited about the Season 2 cards that I bought all of the red-purple Season 1 cards as well. I love puzzles and had subscribed to Games Magazine from 1981-1991. So I love Perplex City, but perhaps for a different reason than the British players in that I love the cards.

Being in the States I have a very small chance of winning any treasure hunt happening in Great Britain. So in all honesty, the ARG was not that important. In fact, it was really just a fun thing to watch... but the cards have always been the first factor for me.

I love having a story, I find the mini things on the backs of the cards of season 2 EXTREMELY fascinating and have come to care for the characters of Sente, Viloet and Caine (my favorite)... but the ARG means nothing to me or the friends and family that I have gotten into the cards.

I will buy the next waves as soon as I can to support the company and I will probably buy the kids puzzle-toys (which they are announcing) when they get made for my cousins Michaela, Jeremy, and Miranda... and for me. Because I love puzzles.

I hope the storyline does come back but if the Season 2 hunt/ARG is lost forever, then I will still support the company. They make good puzzles and that's good enough for me.

As for the last stories of Violet, Kurt, and Scarlet... they were sad indeed. Kurt's was truly touching (and many people have speculated that the Nicholas he talks about was Nicholas Hawksmoor.

For those of you in England who enjoyed the ARG, I really hope that you find other games. I really feel bad that the carpet has just been pulled from under you like it was.

But for those of you like me who like the puzzle cards just for being puzzles, then all I can say is: "See you for some trades in wave 2!"

Monday Music A Day Late

Heard this on the way into work today and it just stuck in my head! Proving, once again, that KEPC is the best station in Colorado Springs.

Stars - Elevator Love Letters

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Soup of the evening... beautiful soup

So Jen and I were watching the 1999 Hallmark/Jim Henson version of "Alice in Wonderland" tonight and I began to think of the many versions we own and which characters were my favorites. I must say that my favorite characters all come from (almost) the same version of the film: Through The Looking Glass done in 1998 by the BBC.

This version is by far the most accurate in that it keeps almost all of the words from the story and adapts the whole very well onto the screen. This version has my favorite renditions of the Tweedles, of the White Queen (although I hold Carol Channing dear in my heart), the Jabberwocky poem (where a young boy in cardboard armour is truly the vision of true youth), and of Alice (Kate Beckensale... even though she's older than 7 1/2). But my favorite character from this version must be the White Knight played by Ian Holm.

In this veersion he recites a poem I had never heard before entitled "A-Sitting On A Gate". I must say that the poem is not the best poem I have heard but it is indeed the way that he recites it that pulls at my heart. It is deep and meaningful and the visual of him as a Charlie Chaplin-ish character makes it even more meaningful and artistic. I tear-up every time I hear his reading of "A-Sitting On A Gate".

If you are interested, you can find this DVD in Entertainmart for fairly cheap. I would highly suggest it as it stays true to the book and even adds in the "missing chapter" of "A Wasp In A Wig".

On a side-note, I have contacted the good people at Mind Candy (the makers of Perplex City) and they are sending me some swag to share with my friends. If you haven't started playing Perplex City, then expect to get some cards from me very soon. (smile)

On a more personal level, I am currently ranked 138th out of 2500+ people in the world in the game.

Majora's Mask: FAIL

Ok. I can't finish it. I can't. I have tried to kill this boss made of bats (his name doesn't even respect mentioning). I know I have to shoot the green orb and then hit him with my sword, but he turns on the scythe of pain and hits me into death every time. So, I'm done. 6 (yes six) hours spent trying to kill him is enough for me.

GAWD I hate failing this game. I was really enjoying it until this damn mini-boss in the stone temple. So, I really hope that I can get some sort of hint and re-visit it so that I don't feel like I lost this game. This is really my favorite game even above Ocarina of Time.

So, I start on the next game in the series: Oracle of Seasons. I have had a much better average with the handhelds... so here we go.

So I know what you all are saying to yourselves...

Justin, where have you been?
Been here. Playing Zelda. Playing Perplex City. Reading the second Dresden Files book 'FOOL MOON' by Jim Butcher. You?

Why haven't you been posting?
Well, I have been busy at work and just haven't had much to say.

How are you doing on the Zelda games?
I'll write more about that tomorrow (Saturday), but I think I have failed on Majora's Mask... I just can't beat this one mini-boss. I know I'm near the end... but I just can't beat him.

Where's our Little Poet picture for this Friday?
Well, Jen and I haven't been thinking about her as of late. I'd like to do some more, but I need poems from her... and I can't ask for poems from her... I guess they have to be "inspired" (laughs). I'll try to get one for next week.

Who the hell is the guy in the picture below and to the side of your side-bar?
That is Satoshi. He's somewhere in the world. Remember that card game that I'm going on and on and on about? Well, this is one of the cards from last season's game... but he still hasn't been found/solved, so the offer is still up. Whoever finds him will get $1,000. It's a six-degrees-of-separation thing. A billion to one chance of finding him. So, how good are YOUR contacts? Can you find him? The picture-link on the sidebar has more info.

Peace iss Vonderful

Remember hearing about those cartoons that the animation studios made for the soldiers in WWII? Here are a few. Watch 'em while theys crazy, man!

Now, remember that these were made in the 1940's when America was gong-ho for the war. They were trying to make fun of the enemy. Now, we're friends with all three countries now. I post these not to insult, but to keep these cartoons alive. They're a history of sort (as poor taste as they may be now).

Gawd daym... GAWD DAYM the Pusher!

So I have been accused of being a "pusher". That is, a person who gives a 'taste' of something so people get addicted and want more. But, there's a reason... you see, I like to believe that I have good taste in some things. Not all... but some.

So a year ago (about) my good friend (and Gamer's Haven store owner) Rob showed me a game that was kind of interesting. It was a collectible card game called Perplex City, but you did not "play" the game against other people... you played against yourself.

See, each card had a puzzle on it. A mind bender. The red-bordered cards were common and easy. Then, like in the colours of the rainbow, they got rarer and more difficult with purple, black and then silver being the hardest.

I just last night picked up my first 3 packs at the store... and these two easy cards got me hooked.

(Click on the images for bigger pics)


When you think that you have the correct answer for the card then you scratch-off this silver area at the top of the card and go online. There, you enter the code and then give the computer your 'answer'. If you're right, then you get points for that card. Supposedly you can win things with a lot of points.



But it didn't stop there. There are sometimes puzzles within the puzzles. Glossy clear paints over the large 4 1/2" x 5" cards that have clues for something bigger, perhaps some writing on the back, or even a map... more devious... a TREASURE HUNT (and you all know how much I LOOOVE treasure hunts even though I don't win them!) This time, there's $200,000 offered for a "missing cube". Solve the puzzle within the puzzles, and win the prize. Or you can, like me, just enjoy the cards.



There is a board game of Perplex City that has a lot more of these mind-puzzling games and it too is offering a separate prize of $200,000 on the side for the game within the game! Or you can just enjoy the board game as it is. So interesting!

Great googaly moogally! I am so hooked right now. So, if you like the three cards above... and think you can figure them out for yourself... give this game a shot. It's ~$3.99 for a pack of 7 cards... and they're a fun time.

Consider these three cards your 'taste'.

Jen's new hair-style (large files)

Because I'm too busy here at work to re-size the damn things... here's 4 pictures of Jen's new "doo". Don't you think she looks European? Italian or Greek?

HERE, AND HERE, HERE AGAIN, AND THE LAST

Beautiful. Just beautiful.

Weekend Goodness

Well my wife has been a bit down on herself lately, and it's been a very tough couple of weeks. This week was a difficult one as well.

So, my mom came down to go to tea with us and to a Sky Sox baseball game, but my mom was concerned about the weather (with the HUGE gray clouds rolling in) and didn't want to go see the ball game. Little did I know that THAT hit Jen really hard... but she, being the sweetie she is, didn't tell me so that we could have a good day.

When my mom left at 5:20pm (the game started at 5:05pm) she really got sad. I finally got her to tell me what was wrong (like pulling teeth, I tell you), and she said how sad she was to not see the game. So, letting her know that we didn't miss much and trying to boost her up, I got her in the car and we took off for Sky Sox stadium to see the game ourselves.

We had (as per usual) a great time. We only missed the first three innings and still had plenty of game to enjoy. It didn't rain, and was quite fun (Sox won 7-1).

Sunday we went out to get my hair cut and she wanted a change herself. So, she got a perm. I haven't seen her so happy for (literally) MONTHS! What a change it did for her own happiness. And here I thought that she couldn't possibly look any more beautiful... but here she is! MAN! She looks like she's from Italy or Greece. Gorgeous!

On a personal note (not that my wife isn't the most personal person in my life) I finally got the USB/NES and USB/SNES adapters I ordered from RetroZone... and they look and work like a charm. Well worth the wait. With these two beauties and my new camcorder... that project shall be getting off the ground shortly.

Then, even better, I got this email from Cliff Johnson:

Justin,
Next year, I'll finally be able to do another April Fool's day contest — congratulations again on your 4th place win.

And... I truly appreciate your show of support in pre-ordering this game — thank you!

A quick recap, I’ve tracked down the Macromedia Director/Flash memory bug and I am in the process of re-wiring/re-working the couple dozen Flash programs. Then, a final beta test. And then DONE!

This April, or thereabouts,
I shall ship your copy of The Fool and his Money.

Your name shall be immortalized in the Compendium of True Believers inside the game as:

Justin Carmical — see a preview of your name.

This weekend Jen and I have been going over his game "Three in 3" again (since I didn't finish it the first time). She seems to be enjoying the puzzles and (most of the time) is faster on the draw to figure them out than I am.

I love her so much... and I'm SO glad she's happy again.

Little Poet

Who's the more foolish: The fool, or the fool who follows him?

So I just made a BIG decision today: I will wait on a bigger TV.

Why? Well, one Jen and I really need to save for our trip to England next year. A big TV would be fun... but I can't afford it. So I'll save... but it'll still be a while.

And two................ um... I bought a game. Not a Wii, DS, PS2, or any console game... but a Mac game. A Fool And His Money.



Lemme explain my reasoning behind this almost $50 purchase.

So I love puzzle/logic/cryptogram games almost more than anything else. Really. I love them. I started when I got my first issue of Games Magazine, and I never looked back. Hell, I even made my own Meta-puzzle game for here in Colorado (which nobody has won yet). I was the first person to crack the language of the little alien Prospero in the comic PS-238 and one of only 14 people to decrypt the Legend of the 5 Rings RPG Hare Clan adventure's puzzle.

I discovered "A Fool's Errand" when I was living with Collin (along with the great title "Heaven & Earth"). I didn't play it until I moved in with Jen in 2002/2003. WOW! What a great game! I immediately jumped into his other classic game "3 in Three" and STILL haven't finished it. Man, that one's tough.

So for years, now, I have been waiting for Cliff Johnson's sequel to The Fool's Errand... and waiting and waiting and waiting (for 3 years... as it is pushed further and further back). I have refused to pre-order because I always expected it to be a hoax (hence the name)... but deep in my heart I knew it was "real".

So, with that game in mind, I went to the site and just decided to go through with it. Hopefully it ships this month. If it's HALF as good as Fool's Errand was, or even three-quarters as intense as his 2005 April Fool's Day Challenge was (in which Jen and I placed Fourth Place by a mere 5 hours... there's a GREAT story to go with that as well) I'll be satisfied with this purchase.

You can download "Fool's Errand" and "3 In Three" for free from his website HERE. Please play them. They're MARVELOUS games and WELL worth the play.

Giving Blood

I just gave blood again today and found out that I was at 9 pints making me 1 pint over being a 1 gallon donor! I got a cool bag and a spiffy pin. Kinda' cool.

Give blood.

My interview with GameJew

YAY! The interview is up (Son Of Cheese Podcast #45), and it's not as bad as I thought. It was my first interview and I was VERY nervous... but it came out pretty well (great googally moogally was I giggly). Thanks again to Derek for allowing me the chance to interview GameJew on his show.

SO ENJOY!

Song Link:
Snow Fort

Project I have been working on for Gamer's Haven

I have just finished a league board for the game Anachronism for the Gamer's Haven group. I wanted it to look like a version of the Rosetta Stone but personalized. It has different writings on it with hidden (not so well hidden) History Channel 'H'-es throughout the board as the kingly names were in the Rosetta Stone.


How it works is when a player gets gain 25 wins, they will get your name on the board in the white area. 50 wins gets their name in the red area, and 75 wins gets their name in the blue area. The White symbol is a Celtic knot, the red is an Aztec face, and the blue symbol is a Fleur de Lis.

Each of these three areas has a metal strip for the name (with magnetic backing) to affix to.


Now, for those fortunate enough to get 100 wins, they get their name written in gold in this blank area here.


I'm really excited to see what people think of this board. I worked pretty hard on it, but I flubbed some of the areas getting too excited to get things done. But, if people at the Haven like it... then that's good enough for me.

Little Poet

Get on da Freak Train!

Ok. The Freak Train is a show where people get up on stage (after paying $5) and get 5 minutes to do whatever they like. Acting, poetry, stand-up comedy, plays... anything. Depending on who shows up, they have a thing called the "13th freak" where an audience member will be asked to come up and perform... so don't be surprised.

This month, I'll be going up to do some comedy that I have written... and you all have expressed interest in coming to see me. So here's the information and all. I'll be driving up with my friends Derek and Collin. Derek has a half-hour podcast that I was on speaking with the organizer of Freak Train. If you have some time to blow... give it a listen HERE.

Show is Monday (yes, Monday... sorry) April 30th, tickets are $5, doors open at 7, shows start at 8. If you can't make it, we will have video from (our part of) the show up that week on YouTube. I'll probably be doing this every month afterwards too... (last Monday of every month) so this won't be the last.

Monday Music

Great music from Bump Of Chicken

Interview, Camcorder, Majora's Mask...

Well, the interview with GameJew (Jonathan Mann) went along really well. He's sincerely one of the nicest guys I have ever talked to, and it was a pleasure to have my first interview be with him. Great guy. I'll let you all know when the interview is to be posted on Derek's site. It will be either this Wednesday or the next, I think.

Ordering the camcorder from online tonight. Very excited.

Now, onto Majora's Mask info: Majora's Mask: 21 Hours 15 minutes

So finding Epona was a chore and a half. I am quickly realizing that the Zelda games are meant to be enjoyed and not zoomed through (as I have mentioned before) bit I really am enjoying all this running around although these hint-less Zelda games are getting a bit tiresome. Very soon I can just sit down and enjoy Twilight Princess... but for now, Majora's Mask calls.

I hope to have this game finished by the end of the week so I can delve to the GameBoy Color for the next games... and one-step closer to Twilight Princess.

Little Poet

Jen's poetry, and my art.



Thanks to my aunt Ronda for suggesting this (hopefully) every-Friday thing.

I have a chance to interview GameJew!

So, I sent GameJew a couple of pictures for his website (see GameJew.com and JewWario) and mentioned that I would really like to interview him for Derek's podcast sometime. He asked me "When?"

So, I have been getting some questions together, and I'm emailing him now to see if he can do it this Saturday! TOO COOL!!!

Music Monday a day late...

... but hopefully you won't regret it. A new favorite song of mine.

Akeboshi - Yellow Moon


All day yesterday
My cellphone’s call signal kept going off
An out-of-tune fuzz guitar
In a strange park

On my motorbike, oblivious
Overtaking the wind
The crescent moon is history
Above me
The earth is my goal line
The dogs and the lions
Are all moving on to Venus
It’s kind of annoying

A yellow moon. Keep on counting
To three, and open your eyes
Shadow moon
Still dreaming

Look in my eyes, look in my eyes
As we stand with our backs to each other
Look in my eyes and tell me, yes or no?

Every day every night
I want to tell you right now, with words of love
About my love for you
Every day every night
With an ordinary signal
I want to tell you about this feeling that’s out of control

Feeling fine, with you this time
Holding each other in a golden church

Yellow moon
As the moon wanes in the night sky
It shines with a serene smile once again tonight

Look in my eyes, look in my eyes
As we stand with our backs to each other
Look in my eyes and tell me, yes or no?

Every day every night
I want to tell you right now, with words of love
Every day every night
About my love for you

Every day

A yellow moon. Keep on counting
To three, and open your eyes
Shadow moon
Still dreaming

Look in my eyes, look in my eyes
As we stand with our backs to each other
Look in my eyes, when will I see you again?

Every day every night
I want to tell you right now, with words of love
About my love for you
Every day every night
With an ordinary signal
I want to tell you about this feeling that’s out of control

A magic code change
In this sleepless town
A jazz guitar playing a soft minor
That changes every day

Camcorder for Justin!!!

For the project that I keep saying that I'm going to do I need a camcorder. So, since we're getting our Federal return back this week... Jen is letting me have a little for a camcorder that I can use on my Mac. YAY!

The Olympics will be coming to the C.H.E.E.T. Museum in 2008!

I know I am WAAAY planning ahead for this but, since the announcement of the Wii, I have not been so excited for some video game.

So Nintendo has announced that for both the DS and the Wii, they will be bringing out a game for the 2008 Olympiad starring both Sonic and Mario. How cool is that?

So I'm going to spend this year making plans for next year's Olympics at the C.H.E.E.T. museum. Yup. I want to make a big thing of this. I want people to really have fun. I'll look for some cool prizes for winners and we'll see what comes of this.

My wife rocks!

She's being modest here... but she won a contest based on a Smashing Pumpkins thing.

The thing is that the lead singer of the Pumpkns (Billy Corgan) chose the winner from the three finalists.

BACKGROUND: So a long time ago Billy Corgan had an alter ego that he made into an animated alter ego. There were a few animations made, but it eventually fell apart (mostly because of the Smashing Pumpkins falling apart). Well, people were stoked to hear that the Pumpkins were re-grouping. So the story Glass and the Machines of God (a.k.a. GATMOG) was re-viewed.

Jen is a hardcore Pumpkins fan and so she entered a contest from a MySpace GATMOG fansite where the winner was to be chosen by Billy. The three categories were video, graphic arts, and story. When she became a finalist... that was exciting. But she won the whole thing.

My wife rocks.

What a fan-TAS-tic ending!

So I go home from work on Thursday sick. I'm tired as hell, but when I lay down my eyes are glued open. So what to do... what to do... might as well try to finish this game...

And just as the 35th hour rolled around, I defeated Gannondorf. HURRAY! Then I needed to escape the tower.

"Huh? Strange ending..." I thought. Then... I realized that it wasn't over... and I had to fight GANNON! And what an epic battle it was! That I had the uber-two-handed sword made it that much easier... the trick is: (SPOILER ALERT!!!)
...
...
...
...
...
...
Attack the crotch.
...
You heard me right. If you stay facing his 'package' you can eventually slip between his legs and hit his tail. He can't hit you if you're that close to him.

And then I enjoyed the fruit of my labors: the ending (at 35 hours and 46 minutes). And what an ending it was! Truly, one of the top three best endings from any game I have played (best one still being 'Kingdom Hearts').

Review time!
It took me some time to get used to how Ocarina of Time wanted me to think as opposed to the other games. It was different and annoying at times, but I enjoyed the game all-in-all.
The graphics were really good. And while they were very much Playstation 1 graphics genre... I loved having no loading times. I'll pay more for no loading times. The princess (grown-up) was absolutely stellar. She was well-rendered and quite beautiful (for a video game character) with her eyes that spoke volumes... (dreamy sigh)

The only bit I didn't like about the game was the expected venturing about. I did discover that the game map helped out more than I thought it did in that every location had a circle. If it was flashing, something there was unresolved. If it had an arrow, then the main side-quest had something there next.

For giving me such a fun game and for a really wonderful ending, I give Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 4 Driving Warios

Now, I have the cart for Majora's Mask and a RAM expander for my system. I'm sick at home this weekend (and pretty tired right now as I type this) so I'll start when I feel better.