chirp, chirp

Yeah, there's been lots of that going around lately.  What can I say?  The second I'm on vacation, I am on vacation!  Taking a holiday from everything, apparently.  Plenty of interesting things have happened in the news recently, and a few somewhat interesting things have happened to me since I last posted, but I doubt anyone has really been missing that info.  So, in lieu of actual information on what's happening in my life, how about I just call this good for now, and get on with writing all the interesting stuff on the morrow.

Suit up!

Well, as it turns out, there is one bit of American TV I'm really enjoying.  Despite my constant vow to avoid a vast majority of American programming, How I Met Your Mother is actually totally legen -wait for it- dary!.

Such a freaking geek

I was perusing the daily news and links on SayUncle's blog, and ended up clicking on a link to the official Advanced Armaments Corp. Blog.  The title of their post there was, "Evolution45 (one of their suppressors) on an H&K45C.  Except, it's not an H&K45C, it's a USP45 Tactical Compact.  Man, I sure am nitpicky.

On another note, I forgot to post some solid music yesterday, so here goes:

Taylor Davis - Morrowind/Skyrim Theme

that sums it up

As seen on 9gag moments ago....

Too true.

Reason why I'm single #6,314

There's a relatively new girl at work whom I converse with regularly.  Now, by converse, I mean we like to exchange pleasantries by giving each other a litany of light insults to make the day go by easier.  So, my story begins when she approaches my desk, asking where a coworker in my department had gone.  I told her he had gone to the training meeting on ethics.  She then asks why we weren't told to go to the meeting.  I sarcastically state that it's probably because she is such a shining example of an ethical person.  She then says, "well, maybe that's because I'm just really good at hiding how bad I actually am."
I then reply, "So, wait.  Are you saying that this is just your day job?"

I'm honestly shocked that I wasn't given a hearty regimen of slaps to the face after that little comment.

12, wait. no... 14 days of breakfast

So, I was told that everyone basically get a free pass for being fat around the holidays.  Man, I wish that were true, because even if it is, never be true in my mind.  As if my opinion matters.  Anyways, my department decided we needed to have a 12 days of Christmas countdown by having everyone sign up on a sheet to bring in breakfast on a particular day for everyone, so we could all enjoy breakfast everyday until the holiday.  Something tells me this will not end well for my health in general. 

Not much else relevant to contribute, on the other hand.  Things are progressing rather boringly on my end.  So, T.T.F.N.

Miserable musings

So, I love my job.  Love it.  But that doesn't mean I think all the people I work with are even up to a standard level of intelligence.  Take for example, this screenshot of an email I sent to a coworker that was complaining about a program crashing constantly.  Note: his reply is on the top, my original question is on the bottom.

Some people are just mother f-ing retarded.   

The Jackie Chan "Brain full of f**k" added for emphasis.

Self Discovery

So, I have found out some interesting things about myself in the past week.  Well, maybe not so much found out, as rediscovered.  I have found that if the electricity is unexpectedly shut off, I have a really good time.  I'm not only able to deal with no stove, heat, computer, or TV (as if I had that in the first place), but I really kind of enjoy it.  It's like camping, but better.

On the other hand, if the power is on, but there is no internet, I simply go into blood-rage mode.  I am frustrated and pissed off by just about anything that attempts to interact with me.  It's especially frustrating when you've just slapped together a new computer, but are unable to get any drivers for the dang thing.  Even more upsetting, is trying to check the balance of your bank account in your underwear.  Apparently, the only time you can do anything like that, is if you have the internet.

So, thank you for coming back, internet.

Terrible timing

So, it's been half a week, and still no internet.  This is getting rather frustrating, since I've been trying to finish building my new system, but am unable to get any of the latest drivers and bios updates.  Well, my misfortune will mean I'll just have to post some music and be done for the day.  Naturally, I decided I just HAD to post this one, once I saw it.

Hell froze over again!

Two posts?  In one day?  Have I gone mad?!?  Well, maybe. 

So, I was given the glorious task of hanging up our department’s Christmas cards up to display at work yesterday. It wasn’t long until I really started loathing the whole task, because half of the cards were inexplicably covered in glitter. As I was in the bathroom trying to rid myself of the arts and crafts version of herpes, I saw my boss, who questioned what was wrong. I simply said, “Whoever invented glitter, just needs to f-ing die in the worst way possible!” My boss, then asks, “Not a fan of glitter, eh?” I reply, “Look, the only time glitter is acceptable, is if you’re having unicorn meat!”

Everyone got a bit of a kick out of that one

 

Oh, and as an added note, we currently have power, but no internet, so I have to write these things on my lunch break and post 'em later at work. 

It's the end of the word as we know it, and I feel great

I have taken a peek at how the end of the world begins, and I found it more than just somewhat amusing.  be prepared for a longer story than usual, as this one is interesting.

So, apparently we had what meteorologists are calling a type 2 hurricane here in northern Utah. The winds were somewhat severe, but after growing up in a town called “Hurricane”, it was nothing that bad to me. The real fun lay in the resulting aftermath. Due to the force of the winds, trees all across the valley were snapped like twigs, which resulted in the electricity for multiple counties being knocked out in the middle of the night. The power company said electricity would either be completely out for 48 hours, or just sporadic during that period. The roomie and I decided to take the opportunity to visit some relatives in the neighboring valley, and pick up a few supplies, since we were of dreadfully low standard of preparedness.

Here's a grainy photo of a power line that was down at my work the next day.  It actually started melting the pavement.

The problems of single men

So, at work today, I was having another geeky conversation with a friend. Of course, the subject would be Star Trek. We first started talking about how they desperately need a new show that was halfway good, then the subject took a dark turn to unforgivable fandom. We started talking about strategies for making our own kit-bashed model ships, and where to get the supplies to do so. Yeah. But, to top it all off, I make a comment to my friend about how geeky were being at that very moment, and how this new found activity would end up eating what little was left of my free time and money. He responds by saying, “See? Who needs women?”


I retort with, “Me! Dammit! I do!”

We were obviously not working on the same plain of thinking.

how to offend women in 12 syllables or less

What can I say?  I have the magical ability to do just that.  That's okay though, I hear that just leaves more time for gaming.

Speaking of general nerdyness, I got into a conversation today with a coworker about making my own kit-bashed Star Trek starships with model kits.  Yeah, maybe I should look into being nicer to girls, and find one for myself before it's too late.

Oh, and no, I don't think I need to explain what happened that made me decide on the title of this post.

Conversations at work: part deux

So, since my conscious thoughts that empowered me to come up with good topics have gone the way of the dodo, here's some more dumb ramblings from me and my coworkers:

My roomie was ogling at a picture of the very fine (and overpriced) HK417, while looking around HK's website.  I was walking by the conversation and heard him say, "I really want one of these sooooo bad."
Me:  Yeah, too bad it costs about 18 first world souls to acquire one.
Roomie:  Say, doesn't H&K make shotguns, too?
Me:  They only made some prototypes; no production guns.  For that, they partnered with Benelli, and for a short time, Fabarm.
Coworker:  What?!  The Germans and Italians are partnering up to make guns?!  Yeah, that's gonna work out about as well as it did the last time...

Yup.  Good 'ol H und K.  Because you suck, and they hate you.

A new personal record

It's just been eons since I've been seen hanging around my little corner (more like speck) of the interwebz, but then again, Skyrim along with massive vacation time will do that to you. Of course, it's not like the dozen or so of you that actually read this thing really missed my ramblings all that much.

So, I'm finally in a position to get all the parts for my semi-new, ad-hocked PC, and I have to say I am stoked!  No more running Skyrim on minimum settings for me!  Now, I just need to save up for that XCR....

Oh yeah, and I forgot to tell you, I went down to Las Vegas and visited some family and had a fairly good time over my Thanksgiving break.

delayed dosage

More belated music.  I don't know what it is, but I have become an all out fan of Portishead in the past few months.

Portishead - Glory Box

We are everywhere, and yet, we are nowhere

So, I love it when you're getting to know someone professionally, and you inadvertently both start talking about gunnie topics.  I had this happen more than three times today at work.  Most of the three occurrences were with some new hires in our company.  One guy brought up how everyone in the IT department wears tactical pants, which lead to a really fun conversation about 'what gun for bear?', the next was when I was wisecracking with the new girl about "the quickest way to a man's heart" when she brought up that she was actually getting her CCW, which led to a conversation about 'what gun for a deranged ex?'  and then had a conversation with with my boss about the infamous crossroads of the west gun show.  Man, I love my job, and (most) of my coworkers!

We'll have to see if we can get some cross-department shooting trips scheduled, or something.  All the more reason to nab me an XCR sooner rather than later.

Soon, my darling, we will be together at last.

The groove, it is being thrown off

Not many days now until that time comes for ultimate hedonism in order to give thanks, and I'll be off gallivanting around Las Vegas for some odd reason. Celebrating the holiday in style.  Huh. As if.

But yeah, I'll be off doing who knows what, for I don't know how long, for the Thanksgiving weekend.  Rest assured, however, that I will be posting during that time, because why not?  It's not like I'm going to Skyrim or something...

Oh, and here's a random thought for the day: why is it that every lesbian I have ever heard of, is absolutely crazy about Catherine Tate?  It just makes no sense.

Base!

So, I'm back from the land of the Nords and Dragons, albeit just temporarily.  I have to say, Skyrim is better and yet not as good as I thought it would be at the same time.  My system just struggles to run it, and I swear I can hear the screams of the gerbils that turn the wheels in my computer when I fire it up.  Dang good stuff nonetheless.

As for other news, well, there is none.  I thought I would be quite content with that, as I usually am, yet it feels like there's something missing.  A presence I haven't felt since...ah whatever.

Oh, and I heard not too long ago that the USMC will buying up 70 of Britain's old GR.9 Harrier's to bolster the current USMC fleet until F-35B replacements come in.  Totally called that back when I heard that Britain was retiring it's harriers.  The question I ask now is, will the USMC be removing all the brit avionics, or just simply slap the AN/APG-66 radars on 'em along with a new paint job?  Or will they even do that?  It'll be interesting to see.

Here's a British GR.Mk.9 for example

And Here's a USMC AV-8B II+.  Notice the difference in sensory equipment on the nose of both aircraft.

The final countdown

Today, I ended up voluntarily sitting through a five hour meeting that detailed the status of the economy (well, certain sectors of it), along with a two year forecast about it's future along with some other mumbo-jumbo I have already not bothered to remember.  never thought I'd attend something that was so simultaneously fascinating and completely boring at the same exact time.  Still, it was worth it.

Anyways, the roomie and I are just sitting staring at the clock, waiting for the inevitable release of The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim to release.  Just a couple hours more, and I won't care about the world around me any more.  Well, not for a significant amount of time, at least.

whoops

My last day being somewhat of a productive member of society isn't until tomorrow, and I'm already skipping days to post stuff?  Shame on me.  The only excuse I have, is that I've been gallivanting around on Dead Island for the third time with another friend, who just got the game not too long ago, so the dead zeds are taking nearly all my time.

What's new with me?  Uh, well, I did have a winning moment at work yesterday.  In the department meeting we discussed the hard drive prices skyrocketing because of what's going on in Thailand.  My boss wasn't educated on the news, so everyone was giving their best 9:00 am groggy explanations about the flooding.  After about five minuted of terrible explanations, my roomie just blurts out "Its something to do with massive amounts of excessive liquid!"  To which, I responded, "Yes, you could say they were...liquidated."  It was easily one of my better moments.

Well, not much else is going on, I'm sorry to say.  I'll be taking a significant amount of time off for Thanksgiving this year, so I'll pretty much be dropping off society's radar from Friday till then.  Sporadic posting may be an understatement.  It was nice knowing ya!

Oh yeah, I've been trying to save up money for a newer, halfway decent computer, but it's really freaking hard to do that when I know that new version of the XCR is out.  I'm almost staring to get "that feeling" mentioned by Terminal Lance whenever I think about it:

Nostalgic nitrate...

for some classic celluloid.  I remember a long time ago, watching a short, independent film about a man that declares war on the IRS.  Called Harry's War, it was filmed entirely in southern Utah, and stars Edward Herrmann.  I dunno why I started thinking about it, but I just had to spend a few minutes to find a copy to see it again ASAP (without resorting to VHS like a freaking caveman).  It actually took some searching to find it, and it seems this movie is relatively unknown, because of a very short theatrical run, and never having been aired on network TV and hasn't been on cable since 1982.  The only copy I could find was a bootlegged one floating around on youtube, that was missing the first 10 minutes or so. 

Click on the pic to start watching

I have to say, I forgot a good portion of that movie, and it was a good watch that dealt with some serious issues, despite it's deadpan comedic presentation.  It almost makes you cry knowing that nobody is still giving a crap that the issues presented in this movie are not only real, but have have gotten significantly worse with the advent of the patriot act.

Heck, almost makes me wanna run into the hills with some friends, start calling ourselves the wolverines, and try to beat back the feds.  But, if I remember correctly, those people at Waco tried to do that a while back, and all that happened was that the crooks got to have some live target practice.  However, on the other hand, the live targets were not all completely sane or blameless, either.

You knew it was coming

The most fun music video this week, and not too bad of a song either.

Mayer Hawthorne - The Walk

Has the dust settled down yet?

Well, I think I got to bed sometime around 4:30 this morning, maybe a little later.  I'm still tired to the point that I have no desire to even leave my bed yet, so I'm still sitting in it as I type.  Ugh.  I guess I have to get up now, because someone is trying to call me.  Oh, wait.  Never mind.  Nobody important.

Last night fared mostly well; my bedtime being a good indicator of it's success.  Not too many technical hiccups, other than one person's copy of SoSE crashing on start up, without a fix.  The night started with some Starcraft 2, followed with the obligatory round of Sacrifice of Angels 2.  Copious amounts of junk food and soda was consumed, along with a continual marathon of Archer at the same time.  Yeah, we had fun.

However, I'm still dead tired, yet unable to sleep anymore.  Perhaps I'll fire up some of nutnfancy's youtube channel, to put me back to sleep.  Oh, wait.  I just noticed he has a video up of a product I might actually like.  Well, it was nice to entertain the notion of sleep while it lasted.

Bad timing

You know, I can't stand it when I try to join in on someone's game, only to have everyone I know quit right when I join in.  That's freaking annoying, right there.

In other frustrating news, my experiences in the uneducating disinformation campaign continues uninterrupted.  An insanely busy day, followed by a lack of knowledge on several changed policies, and forgetting to reply to a management meeting, really bites.  Hopefully the day that I am not looking like a complete douche is not too far in the future.

Anyways, time to see if that project reality mod for BF2 is any good.

There goes the whole day

Finally got the roomie to reinstall COD4 to try the ROTU zombie mod for it.  Needless to say, that's why I'm writing this one so late.  So, yeah.  Feel free to join us on the 4thID clan's server.  It's by far the best one.

Oh, and just to illustrate that I wasn't bull crapping about that costume, you can check it out after the jump.

Let's celebrate Halloween like they do on Mars!

Eh, maybe not.  I'm just one of those people who have nothing against Halloween, but I can't motivate myself to get in a costume more than once every five years.  I should work on that.  Of course, everyone at work was having a costume contest.  I was initially interested in checking it out, because one of my coworkers had dressed in the greatest costume I had seen in years.  She had the gumption to strut the most impeccable Carmen Sandiego costume I had ever seen.  Epic Win!

Okay, so that pic don't really get the point across, but trust me, it was more than supercalafragalistic.  Well, on that note, I better get the heck outta here before those little spawns of mammon show up asking for free crap food that I don't got.

The great pumpkin missed it's cue

Strike up the band, because I nearly forgot to make my weekly obligatory music post.

The Lively Ones - Surf Rider

Love for your fellow man

Remember when I posted that 9gag comic that said "everyday I contemplate becoming a serial killer"?  Yeah, that's a bit more true than I'd like to admit sometimes.  I just have this unquenchable rage when I encounter people more dumb and inconsiderate than me (which, if you know me, HAS to be bad).  Take for instance, a situation that happened today.  I'm at church (obviously a setting that should illicit the opposite response, but whatever), and there's a couple sitting next to me, that just can't sit still.  Which wouldn't normally bug me at all, but they aren't just fidgeting, they are nearly making out (while the guy is fiddling with his iphone at the same time).  It's not like they are a couple dumb teenagers either, they are in their late 20s; they should know better.  Freaking annoying.

Then the guy, when someone is going through a very personal moment on the podium, just starts cracking up.  Way to go, a-hole.  Look, there are plenty of people who go to speak on the podium that are blithering idiots, but whether or not you are laughing at them or something else, that was more than rude, that was a seriously dick-bag move. They are trying to spill their guts about something personally and spiritually meaningful to them, and you find it a good time to start laughing?

Then, the couple decides the speakers aren't interesting enough, and try to begin a conversation with an Ecuadorian girl sitting opposite from them, while the service is still going.  Though, what's even more infuriating then them doing that, is the fact that the guy is being the most stereotypical retarded American, by not knowing anything about the subject of his conversation, and the girls spend a solid 10 minutes explaining to him where Ecuador is, and that Central America, is not a country.  Then, he proceeds to ignorantly spout racist comments about this girl's accent and how it sounds "white".

I'm telling you right now, that it takes every last milligram of public decency in me to not just get up and stab this guy (and others like him) right in the dick.

So yeah, other than that, church was pretty good....I guess.... judging from the small bits I could actually hear over the sound of blithering morons.

Smooth as Egyptian whiskey

So, how was the past few days?  Well, I had to do up to Boondocks again, because I apparently missed my quota of laser tag, go-karts, and bowling.  Had a great time, just playing games with everyone while busting out horrible Family Guy quotes until I was reminded that someone's name, is in fact, Meg.  Crap.  Once again, I miserably fail at human-style interaction.

That's okay though, I found out that I'm not as bad as my Boss.  I recently found out that he's into the Twilight series, both the movies and the books.  What a sad, sad man.  I would gladly accept death first.

Nothing else interesting is really going on, other than that I have to keep an eye one of my friends this weekend, since his wife is away visiting family.  Guess it's time to call in the hookers and blow.  Just kidding, Sarah.  We'll keep it toned down to dope and beer (insert evil laughter here).

As for news not related to me but that I find kind of interesting, is that it seems that the war correspondent Michael Yon is in hot water with special operations soldiers, after erroneously (or misleadingly) reporting about a "broken" Army medivac system. Which, may or may not have had something to do with him being escorted off of a special operations FOB.  He later ends up arguing with actual special operations officers about his article on a popular SF website's forum.

I bring this up, because I was one of those fools that thought that he was a respectable reporter at one point, and that he was really breaking the mold by offering honest reporting; turns out he's just a normal scumbag reporter that never bothers learning the facts of a situation before spouting off his uninformed opinion.  I used to think he was smart, whereas now, if I met him I'd probably want to punch him in the face myself.  Note to all those who fancy themselves to be friends of the troops:  Don't misinform millions of people by not knowing what your talking about, then lash out at servicemen that are sacrificing all for you, when they just try to educate you about the truth of what you're talking about.  So go suck a lemon, Yon; hope you get an opportunity to be educated the hard way when you mouth off to the wrong people in person the next time.

Help I'm stepping into the twilight zone...

Ugh.  Drama.  In any form.  I just hate it.  Long story short (and not very explicit), I had the weirdest day at work.  Not bad, not good, just weird.  I'd love to go into details, but suffice it to say that it just involved some oddly behaving man placing a bag of his old phone on my desk.  Yeah, you heard me.  A bag of phone; not phones, as in plural, no.  Just a bag of phone.  Seriously.

The secret ingredient is... phone.

What do I do to relax after such weirdness?  Well, I have no new games, no new movies, no place to go, things to see, people to hang with, so I guess it's biting the bullet and giving the show Fifth Gear a try.  Hopefully that's more entertaining than the rest of my day.

Betcha no matter how good it is, it's not as good as Top Gear.

Every single day.

A friend of mine invited me to his daughter's birthday party, and I am at a complete loss of what to get as a present for her.  I mean, I'm a single guy in his mid 20's, who's never had any sisters, sisters in-law, or any girl playmate in his elementary years, so how the hell am I supposed to know what to get a 9-10 year old for her birthday? 

So, I turn to the only source I have for such information.  Her dad.  He then tells me that she's into the normal little girl type stuff.  "well, I have no idea what the crap that entails!" I responded.  He then proceeds to give examples of stuff she likes, such as (but not limited to), clothes, makeup, nails, jewelry, and etc.  Great.  More crap I can't (and won't) even begin to relate to.  So, he then brings up that she likes Justin Bieber.  I swear, I could just feel the blood rage start seeping through my veins just at the sound of the evil one's name.  The only thing I could do to avoid the imminent hatred fueled cleansing by death with blood stained eyes, was to simply say that I'll think of something to get her...

Hokay, so.

We have the ice caps melting, meteorites crashing into us, the ozone layer leaving us, and me not posting jack squat for a few days.  I know, right? 

Well anyways, what's going on in my little valley of the world?  Well, the primary reason for me not writing is really due to an acute lack of sleep.  I spend Friday afternoon with couple friends of mine, wining and dining at an very unexpectedly expensive restaurant, then spent all day Saturday gaming with some more friends, and then finished my weekend off by hanging out with some other friends.  The rate that this paragraph is going, you'd probably already be fooled into thinking I have loads of friends, or something.  This is not so.

Well, what more do want me to say?  Um...sheesh.....ah.....ugh, I'm just not good at these endings, so here's some music I conveniently forgot to post yesterday.

The Cloud Room - Hey now now

ATTENTION EVERYONE!

This is breaking news!  I think that may actually be a first for this blog, but it's true nonetheless.  Special kudos to the roomie for bringing this one to my attention.

Remember the public realtionship-challenged, yet promising company Robinson Armament?  Well they're back, and with more good news than you can puke rainbows at!  Where do I start?  Whadda ya say we just have a good ol fashioned list:

1.  They finally released a 5.45x39 for all of their XCR-L models!
2.  They have a much more functional redesigned folding and now adjustable stock!
3.  They're back to selling VEPRs, but now have models that accepts M-14/M1A magazines (limited supply)!
4.  A completely new, redesigned website, that is much easier to navigate.
5.  The XCR-M (.308 Win and .260 Rem) is now released to the public!
6.  For those that care, they also offer their short barrel models in .300-220 as well.

The 7.5in SBR model with that sweet little new butt stock

Here's the new XCR-M in .308

And they still have plenty more ideas on the table, such as: continued development of the 6.5 Grendel  conversion, a .22LR conversion, nabbing a booth at the shot show, along with (so far) better communication with the outside world and their customer base, along with a new twitter account.  So go check 'em out!  Seriously, stop wasting your time here.  The post is over, finito, done.  Be gone with thee!  Okay, fine.  Here's another pic:

The New Standard 16in barrel XCR-L

Books! They're not healthy...

So, I've finally come to admit that Wikipedia is a bad thing for me.  Why?  Well, first, one must understand my reading habits.  I have two bookshelves that nearly look like they were carbon copied from Brigid's home.

Seriously, I own more than a couple of the same books she's got there.  Anyways, as soon as I hop on to the online encyclopedia of doom, I invariably end up either reading about over-sized gatling guns, Soviet small arms development, or today I found myself wasting hours just reading about the Chinese made copy of the AL-31F engine that powers the Chengdu J-10 fighter, which made me read more about Chinese fighter development in recent years, such as the Xian JH-7A, and the J-8.  No joke.  All day wasted, just like that. And do you like how I'm posting the links to 'em, so you can waste your day as well?  Nah, I doubt anyone I know cares to read it, let alone find it fascinating.

Also, just to keep the gratuitous gun porn quota up, I recently saw via Soldier Systems, that Magpul makes a variant of the P-mag for the HK G36.  Excuse me, while I go drool some rainbows while huffing unicorn farts.

Conversations at work

Okay, so this actually happened last week, but it's really good.  A friend of mine was goofing off on his phone then suddenly pipes up with, "Hey! did you know there's a type of government called a kleptocracy?
the roomie responds with, "No, what is it?"
"It's when the entire government is ruled by thieves, who only give the illusion of service to the public."
The roomie replies,"Wow, that's gotta suck living under that kind of rule."
Then I say, "Huh.  I thought that's what we already had."

I welcome death again into my home

With a new season of The Walking Dead and Dexter.  I love me some good old fashioned killing in the evenings.  Kinda makes me want to go play more Dead Island after watching all that.  It practically puts one into a zen like state after seeing throngs of the undead return to whence they came.

What's going on in the non-infected world, you might ask?  Well, not much, other that having a rousing success in getting a massive gaggle of people to show to the LAN party to end all LAN parties.  It was mostly Starcraft2 and Age of Empires III all night, but hey, on the bright side, that means it was nothing but fun the whole time.  Looking forward to the next one being even bigger.

Oh, and to those who think I have no shame, no.  Just no.  I will not be dating any eighteen year old, no matter how much guile and trickery you try to use on me.  Sickos.

This whole week

has been riddled with zombification, and it's a dark, cloudy night.  So why not have a zombie song posted this week?

Left 4 Dead Soundtrack- 'No Mercy'

Kitchen conversations

Was discussing with the roomie about the mental retardation necessary to think that the ipad is a good business device, and brought up an example of someone that worked in a marketing department, who is completely unable to access their own company's sales website because he uses an ipad, and the website is completely flash based.

The Roomie:  Yeah well, he's in marketing.  His whole job is to live in a fantasy world.
Me:  Okay, that's the funniest thing you've said all week.  This is going on the blog.
The Roomie:  Hey, it's true.  When it's your job to tell the lie that much, you end up believing it.

post absence

So, as some of you already know, I have been utterly lazy the past couple days!  Well, not so much lazy, as still going crazy with Dead Island.  I've experienced a good chunk of it, but I'm already taking a look out there to see if there are any mods for it (yep! they're here!).  But, I've talked enough about that.

What I have done in the real world recently, was fiddle around with the new Samsung Galaxy SII. Slick stuff.  Makes me wonder why anyone in their right mind would possibly want the iphone, when this offers better hardware, open-source software, and more capabilities, all for the same (or cheaper) price. 

Also, out of sheer boredom, I went on a wiki-about, and found out that Springfield Armory made 37mm anti-aircraft Gatling gun!  Holy crap!  Apparently it was a competitor to the abysmal failure that was the Sergeant York AA system. How the York won, and this didn't, is beyond me, because this thing looks just as awesome as it sounds.

Oh yeah.  I definitely want one.

Yay! It's virtual fireworks day!

Another day of death, mayhem, destruction and debauchery has been scheduled for this coming Saturday.  Come one, come all for the greatest gathering of nerds, geeks, and creeps playing PC games into the wee hours of the morning.  Hopefully we'll all die of sugar overdosed epileptic seizures.  The only sad part, is that this may be the only human contact I'll have outside of work until the holidays come around...maybe.

Yup, that's what it'll look like.

How do you know a design is good?

When everyone and their hairdresser is ripping off your invention as soon as the patent is expired.  I only just realized not too long ago that Benelli's inertia system patent had expired back in '06.  This in itself is somewhat interesting, but what gets me, is watching the all the shotgun makers of the world immediately start making inertia *cough!* Benelli wanna-be*cough!* systems of their own.  I have a feeling that in the coming months and years, that just about all the major gun manufacturers will be spewing forth "inertia driven" systems like a twisted rerun of The Exorcist made for the Bradys.

The Marocci SI 12

The Firearm Blog has already noted two that have come out so far, the Marocci SI 12, and the newer Browning A5.  Considering that it's been over five years since that patent expired, I'm sure any other companies with a mind to produce an 'inertia gun' are either finishing up their R&D on a new line of guns, or may end up just jumping on the bandwagon towards making one, if the marked proves good for them.

As for these guns already released, I think they are pretty cool, but I find it a bit of an annoyance when Browning insists on styling a brand new system on a 100 year old gun, which actually has absolutely nothing in common with the new gun other than a similar name.  Just my opinion, but wouldn't ripping off someone else's design, to make a gun to succeed one of Browning's originals by giving it the nickname to the original weapon, and styling the receiver in the shape of the old one, kind of a little bit insulting to the big J.M.B.?

The ridiculous (if not misleading) Browning A5

Before the night is through

I forgot to make the obligatory music post.



I never get tired of the Zep

Zombies: the other happy ending to the story.

Early Thanksgiving was wonderful, thank you.  I stuffed myself with the best mashed potatoes, pies, turkey, ham, and punch this side of the state. Not many things beat eating Thanksgiving dinner with the roomie's family.

So, what else have I been doing to prevent me from posting the past couple days?  Dead Island.  Wow.  That is a game that will destroy your social skills.  An open world, first person zombie slayer, co-op multiplayer shooter?  It is so, and it works well.  I always knew killing zombies with cars, trucks, and Macguyver-ed weaponry would be awesome, and now I am vindicated.  I highly recommend that you try it, given the chance.  Heck, if you have me as a friend on Steam, I'll be happy if you join in at any time.

How 'bout a nice vacation, eh?

Darkened skies

Well, it appears Thanksgiving will come early this year, which suits me just fine, in that it will give me more time to enjoy a vacation to Skyrim.  Finally a REAL fake world to lose myself in, that will eventually make me lose all touch with reality (I can only hope).

In other news, I'm reminded that I'm completely out of touch with local news.  The Salt lake valley's wanna-be version of the Exploratorium , The Leonardo, is opening to the public on Saturday.  Seems like a cool place to take a few friends (or a date), and I'm dying to check it out.  Most of the city's attempts at making something nice end up being quite lackluster, but this actually seems like it might be worthwhile.  But don't take my word for it, go check it out.

Who knows?  Maybe I'll even take my assigned wife there one day.

I'm a reeeeeal bastard.

Gee, where to start.  I'm really digging the rain we're getting.  Certainly missed the comfort and nostalgia that weather invokes in me.  Kinda having an odd time writing this right now, because I'm simultaneously talking to my brother, while sending an email to my Mom, and updating my profile all at the same time. 

Anyways, I'm sure people are getting sick of me droning on and on about how much I like the people in my department, but I can't help it.  These guys are cool.  There were several moments in the day where we just discussed various calibers/cartridges and firearm operations.

Oh, and of course it would be my luck that the day after I mock the crap out Apple, Steve Jobs would just up and die.  Way to make me look like a prick, man.  So, I will say this about the man: He was quite the innovator and inventor, who had a vision.  It's just a pity that his empire is now modeled after that Soviet one.

Well, that sucks dude.

So, I finally gave my roomie his belated D-day B-day present, and he immediately told me that I always give the best gifts to him, and that the best his family has done, was to just give him pajamas for the past ten years.  So, let that be a lesson: if you don't know what to get someone for their birthday or Christmas, shop Magpul!

So, as far as the rest of my day goes, work was a complete exercise in patience dealing with the mindless babblings of Apple-fanboy-fag-itus that comes with the unveiling of a new iphone.  Ugh, the sad part is that I practically have to watch the entire Apple presentation filled with outright lies, misleading propaganda, and communistic sheeple, because I'm going to be managing an entire wireless account stocked with these sentient little bastards.  I swear, it's like watching a North Korean made documentary about Kim Jong Il.  So, not looking forward to doing that at all.

The dawn of a new age

Well, not really.  Just trying to think of what to say.  The past week (including the weekend) was just so busy, I swear, I just have no individuality anymore.  Not even enough individuality left to hang around unimatrix zero.

So, just slap the nano-probes in me, I'll just make with the robot zombie moves already.

and another one

Cuz it's never the wrong time to listen to the blues.

Saturday slacking

The time has come for the weekend of wisdom, where all plans take a backseat to edification and enlightenment, and as always, it's shaping up pretty good.

On an unrelated note, I feel I haven't said a proper goodbye to a nice friend of mine.  I say goodbye, because she's going out of town soon, and I'm sure as hell am not willing to join facebook or buy a texting plan to keep in touch with anyone.  I am of the opinion that if anybody wants to talk to me, they can email me or call, but apparently, my mentality is in the minority.

Mini-rant aside, I wish her luck in her musical endeavors.  Take care, Rachahi, Cha-cha, or whatever the heck your name was.

Pity this pic doesn't show how blue her teeth are from all that bubblegum Jones soda she drank.  Yeah, she's nuttier than a pecan log.

Just don't understand your generation

So, I was trying to explain to my boss just how awesome Winchester 1897 trench guns are, but he seems to think they're pointless.  His whole philosophy was exactly as follows:  "it's ugly.  It looks like something that you would find in an old trunk you rummage through after your grandfather dies."  Then there's this little gem: "why would you want one of those old things, when there's so many better things out there?"

Henceforth, my rebuttal:  First off, why would you not want an old gun owned by your grandfather, and/or a historically significant piece such as that?  Secondly, how is ANY shotgun out there better than that one?  All the rails, sights, grips, and accessories in the world won't make the gun any more powerful, and won't make you a better shot.  Lastly, it's got a foot long bayonet/pigsticker on the thing!  You can keep your damn "pretty/modern firearms and accessories", because that bayonet alone is just mother-fing majestic!  It screams "don't f with me, because I will still be deadly long after I run out of ammo."

So, there.  Rant concluded.

The abyss

Kind of an odd week.  I'm usually not too busy and get frequent calls from loads of different people, but this week is the exact opposite.  Super busy, and no one has called me in a week.  It's quite the weird combination. In short, it leaves me with a serious lack of crap to talk about, really.

Oh! I nearly forgot to mention that it was the roomie's b-day yesterday.  I just wish that gift I got for him wouldn't take so long to get here.

Yep.  That's right.  Magpul XTM rail covers.  He's gonna be as giddy as a girl getting a diamond ring!  Okay, maybe not that exited, but still.

More mindless meanderings

  So, there's a girl that works at my job as a temp, who's leaving at the end of the week.  She was bugging me one day by being all giddy over the fact that she'll never have to come so early in the morning again.  I didn't exactly pay attention to what she said as I was working, and she took it as indifference.  She said, "Hey, admit it, you're gonna miss me when I'm gone."
"I guess"
"What do you mean 'I guess'?"
"Because you're like the little sister I'm glad I never had."

Yeah, that's what the end result looked like.

Teh snark.  I still gots it.

Almost forgot

Today is the day I'm supposed to make a poor excuse for a post, and just throw some music your way.  Since I've been on a bit of a James Bond kicker, here's the best Bond movie intro of all time.

Chris Cornell - You Know My Name

Gun nuts: candied edition

Oh temptation, why must you torture me so?  Every time I go to the gun show, I'm always on the lookout for things that I find to be old, unique, rare, or just darn pretty.  One gun in particular that I like to look for, is the Winchester 1897.  I've always held a fondness for them, but I hardly ever see 'em.  Well, yesterday, I beheld the absolute greatest 1897 I have ever seen. It was one of those short barreled Norinco reproductions that had the heat shield and bayonet lug, along with the full foot long bayonet!

Yeah, this is exactly what it looks like.

The worst part is that the guy was only asking about 425 for it.  Granted being a secondhand Norinco, it may need a bit of work, but that deal is still worth it in this man's opinion.  When I was looking at it, I told my roomie that he may have to physically pry me away from it, to get me to leave without buying it (and he did).  Needless to say, I'm constantly debating in my head whether or not I should just starve for the next two weeks, so that I can go over there right now and get it.  Cursed temptation.  It's moments like these that I kinda hate life for putting such nice things in front of me that are only barely inaccessible.

One thing's for sure, if I end up owning one of these, I would never take the bayonet off.  Unless I'm carving the Christmas turkey with it.

Into the black

So, another day of posting chalked up to being actually busy. I wish I had something interesting to say about it, but I’m tired enough that all I can do is have all my grey matter spill out of my ears this morning at work.

I’ve also come to the conclusion that a social life is overrated and that I should have spent my whole week at home playing the star-battle map for StarCraft 2, or just finishing up my play through of Deus Ex: Human Revolution, since that’s what nearly all my closest friends were up to this week. Hopefully, with any luck, we might even get to play some Battlefield 2 next weekend. I could medically use that about now.

Click on the pic for the Star battle website.

Predecessor's perogative

Another one of those days.  In which, I get in trouble for not knowing anything about something my predecessor should have told me about.  That's always just a freaking delight.

So, enough of that nonsense.  Now, for those in the know, in reference to my post yesterday, I had to send this to the matchmaker:

It's funny and creepy!

We gather here today

So apparently, before a pre-arranged marriage takes place, you do get to make one phone call to the bride.  Kinda like jail, or prison.  Hopefully, there won't be any conjugal visit.

And now for something completely different.

You ever have people that tease you with the idea of something nice, like for example, a root beer float, then not actually get you one, without giving you any explanation, until you decide to inquire about it?  Yeah, that's not annoying at all.

Social life? What is this you speak of?

So, I've been playing mass amounts of the new Deus Ex Human Revolution.  I was a fan of the original, and I'm glad to see they have a very pretty, innovative, fun, and challenging game, that still keeps the spirit of the original.  My only complaint here is the need to have all that day 1 DLC bullcrap, but that unfortunately is the norm in the industry now.  Anyways, go check it out and and realize all too late that you no longer have friends or family after you're done playing it.

Inconspicuous Interlude

Too busy.  Only music.  Enjoy.

insubordinate behavior

It's getting to the point that I'm disappointed in myself whenever I miss a day of posting, yet that sill doesn't stop me from missing the occasional day here and there.

Nothing too exciting to report on, other than that the arranged marriage still hasn't gone through (to the massive disappointment of some). 

I did, unfortuneately, watch that terrible new movie "Contagion".  Quite a boring movie, that does nothing but try to glorify the CDC, and portray news bloggers as wing-nuts.  Anyways, the only part of the movie that kept me entertained (other than a famous actress' head getting cut open), was a scene in which the CDC/FEMA were running a large containment/treatment facility, and were all giving all the infected people blankets.  Guess what blankets they got?

Yup the infamous Red Cross burn victim blanket.  Hate to say I told you so, but, TOLD YOU!

Are those new slacks?

I forgot why I stared this post.  Not really.  So, as a team building exercise, the entire IT department went out to Boondocks fun center.  It was actually kinda fun, especially the go carts.  Nothing really to write home about, but hey, getting paid to ride around in go carts, I'm already there.  Everyone in systems wanted to just make a video of us in the ball pit, one by one popping out of the pit, screaming, "Bazinga!", but apparently adults aren't allowed in the ball pit.  Phooey.

Next year, though we absolutely have to just have a huge LAN party where we all play BF2/AIX.  Now there's some synergy for ya!  Actually, that's what the entire systems team wanted to do for the past three years, but we keep getting denied by the higher ups and the programmers.  Friggin' programmers.

I may have strange ambitions, but....

I think it would be freaking hilarious to see some very small girl with dyed hair put on some Vulcan ears, then approach my boss, and boldly state: "I'm a woodland elf!"  I think it has the makings of the greatest office joke ever!  I will not rest until this has been done, but I may have to use the worst coercion and bribery I can muster to get it to happen.

On a more technophile (or in my case, familiar) note, I had no idea that there were Gatling guns chambered in the 7.62x54mm rimmed cartridge.  The first one I found out about was the Chinese Hua Qing Minigun; which as the name suggests, is loosely patterned after the home-brewed M134.  Your standard 6-barrel, electrically powered death machine.  That is so cool.

Why design something original, when you can just be communist?

 However, this was simply the appetizer for a the technological feast that is the Russian guns!  Say hello to the four barreled GShG-7.62 machine gun.  The best part is that it's not electrically powered, but is actually gas operated!  Self powered!  Man, I have never wanted something so much before in my life.  Behold, in all it's glory:

This thing secretes pure coolness.

And as perfect as that is, it's really just a simplified and modernized version of the same concept pioneered by the Slostin machine gun.  Feast your eyes on it's insane epicness:

Wow.  I may have to go to bed early just to rest my eyes after such exhausting ogling.  Talk amongst yourselves.

Practically awesome

I love the idea of playing practical jokes on people who deserve it.  Take, for example, an acquaintance of mine, who decided to get some professionally-done photographs together with his girlfriend.  Seriously, they all look like engagement photos.  He shows 'em all off on facebook, but then gets all butt hurt when everyone asks when the wedding is. 

Come on man, you're the one that showed off your sappy photos, so either be proud of your relationship, or I'm photo-shopping rings on each of your hands, and sending wedding invitations to your parents and extended family.  Then maybe you'll be forced to actually stand behind your decision.

And the magic 8-ball says...Try again.

Just can't be bothered today.  Way too distracted.  If it hurts you that much, leave a message.

May God have mercy upon my enemies

Because I won't.  My strongest wishes of peace to those who were directly affected by the tragedy of ten years ago, and my deepest contempt for those responsible.  Even more hatred for those who "don't have room" for the people who risked all to save lives on that day.

For lack of better, more thoughtful wording, here's some music to end the post on.

Adagio in G Minor (Albinoni)

One of the many reasons I don't drink.

I feel pretty crappy after staying up late alone, why would I want to add a hangover to that as well?

Anyways, time to attack the day with gaming!  Or, just chillin' I guess.

Out of mojo

Some say that he’s not as funny as he used to be, and that his posts contain much less pretty pictures as they used to, for occupying the minds of those that don’t like reading the whole post.


What can I say? Sorry for the lack of posts, and the vacuum of good humor. Well, I’ve been out of the groove for so long (all four days of it), that it’s just gonna take me a while before the vision goo returns. In the meantime, I added some visual enhancements to some selected posts made in recent days, so as to keep some of you from falling asleep.

Man, I need to have another LAN party, that’ll do the trick. A fresh, long list of virtual kills ought to do the trick. Maybe some more AIX will be on the menu in the future.

The best reason for saying the PC is the greatest gaming platform; mods!

Nothing to report, sir.

So, my class is finally over, and I actually managed to retain some pretty useful information.  The only thing I haven't gotten, is my promised certificate; which I doubt I'll possess without calling the school up and giving them some mild hatred in the form of a rebuttal.  Seriously, what is it with these hot teachers hitting on students, and blackmailing them by withholding certs unless they concede?  J/K.

On a completely different note, I finally saw X-Men: First Class, which turned out to be a pretty darn good movie.  Well, much better than I expected it to be.  I also must say, that even without my attitude towards villains, this movie has definitely changed my favorite character from Wolverine to Magneto.  That guy is way cooler than all those other pansies.  Long story short: I give it two mutations waaay up.

And for those in the know...

I hate that mother f-ing wolfman!

It's him, and he's back for mooooooore!

So, I'm skillfully developing the problem of dropping off the face of existence while on vacation.  I'm sure it's greatly appreciated by many.  Especially those who are trying to arrange a marriage for me against my will.

The trip down to the homefront wasn't bad, and the weather was almost enjoyable by about the last day I was there.  That still didn't stop me from griping about it's general crappyness, though.  The boy and the mother-figure are doing fairly well, and I also enjoyed picking on the dog while I was there.  I generally stayed in a state of general disarray and laziness, but I managed to find the time to fire off a few guns.  Maybe I can nab some pics of that, even though I was too lazy to even do that while I was there.

So, right now I'm sitting in a classroom taking a Windows 7 familiarization course, which is already proving to be quite handy.  Hopefully, I won't need to study like a maniac for a week afterward in order to pass the cert test.