Happy Columbus Day!

As someone with a now provable and significant percentage of mesoamerican heritage, I say indigenous people's day can go screw itself, because it's Columbus Day!  The indigenous people of this land, despite having some aspects to their culture that were admirable, have not, and likely never would have brought us the things we love about our world and culture today. 

In Columbus' time, Europeans were exploring the world, establishing free trade around it, advancing in technology, developing concepts that would evolve into modern medicine, and attempting to reform their culture to be more civilized. On the other hand, at the same time, the indigenous people in the Americas were making human sacrifices, raping young children, had little concept of personal property, hunted more species to extinction than the 'white man', and had an insane amount of tribal warfare that killed far more of them than all the incursions from the 'white man' ever did. Heck, some that consider themselves "educated" on them would also have you believe they didn't even have the wheel (which I think is a crock of crap, but I digress). 

Back to the original subject: on this day, we celebrate a man who may not have been an exceedingly righteous man, but he certainly did not commit anything close to what the uneducated masses seem to think he did. No, he did not commit genocide, no he did not enslave natives, or intentionally bring them disease (germ theory, let alone warfare, was not developed until the 1800s). 

In fact, here's a great site with an exhaustive list of sources.

That, and many seem to be under the mistaken impression that he didn't accomplish much. He was vastly influential in how we see our world today.  What he did do was prove what mathematicians and others had been saying for years: that the earth was not only round, but that the oceans would be a viable way to open new trade routes, discovered the difference between magnetic north and true north, was the first to effect true global trade, and he did discover America to the benefit of the world. He was an incredibly good tradesman, negotiator, diplomat, an accomplished and experienced navigator.  Ships even to this day still use the courses he plotted and sailed in his time. 

No, he was not a saint, but we don't celebrate him for being one in the first place. For example, many US presidents hailed by many in a higher regard than Columbus, have knowingly done far more insidious things if people were to actually look into their dealings. 

Columbus went out of his way to deal as fairly and justly with the natives he encountered as he knew at the time (and was really a progressive mind for his age).  He also harshly punished those under his command that did not treat the natives in what he thought was fair or just. 

So far all that, yeah, I think he deserves a day and maybe a few statues that should stay up. Just a pity that nobody but bankers really get to enjoy it. 

Obligatory weekly music post

 Because I can't be bothered to write anything today, here's some more music:

Havok - Prepare for Attack

How do you kill that which cannot be cancelled?

So the big hot button topic in the news recently is the "outrage" over Dave Chappelle's latest Netflix special. Every time one is released, it seems to me that Netflix is the one that starts to manufacture the so called "outrage" as a marketing ploy to increase the viewership.  But, even with manufactured outrage comes people who are duped and actually believe the outrage and start fighting over it. Actually, mecharandom42 has a pretty good opinion on that, which sums up my own.

I am of the opinion that Dave Chappelle is one of, if not the best comic of our generation outright. I can understand if people don't like him, as some of his humor can be more crass or vulgar than even I can enjoy sometimes. However, I can't deny that he is not only incredibly funny, but has earned his reputation as one of the best comics around. Why? Because the man is not only riotously funny, but he hates political correctness, and intentionally makes his jokes revolve around topics that are hot-button issues, that are divisive, controversial, and even political in nature, then manages to get people on both sides of the issue to laugh about it. Then goes on to that every single time he performs.

It's obvious that he is on the other side of the political spectrum than I, but I can appreciate that he not only doesn't want to shove it down his audience's throat, but he goes out of his way to construct his jokes so everyone can laugh, and thus not restrict his future audience. Also, he does seem to like to do things to try to help the world become a better place, as well as seeming like a genuinely live and let live personality, to all he comes across. He's specifically stated he wants to help people come together not only through his comedy, but with all of the charity he does. I wouldn't say he's a class act, but he's certainly seems like a genuinely good guy.

So, I've only gotten about halfway through his new special, but what I saw so far, I loved. I'm going back to finishing it, and I'll share one of my favorite older bit of his with you here. Also, since it's now the weekend and you're hopefully either off work or soon to be off of work, so:

Where no game has gone before or since then

So, Wednesday was my brother in law's birthday, and I was at a loss for what to get him as I was near broke and couldn't get him the gift I initially wanted to get him. Thankfully, Good Old Games came to the rescue and are now offering some of the best trek games on it's platform now. I got him Star Trek Voyager: Elite Force 1 &2, along with Bridge Commander. Definitely some the best officially made games that Trek has to offer.

Trek kind of has a history of making less than stellar games, be it from mediocre gameplay or very behind the curve tech.  It's sad that nobody else making trek games seems to get the fact that people (especially fans) just want to feel like they are in the Star trek universe or in the show.  Despite being an otherwise standard shooter, the Elite force games capture that extremely well, along with the aforementioned Bridge Commander (taking notes, freaking star trek online, you hacks?).  Even the gosh dang menus in the game made you feel like you were using an LCARS system. 

But,  it seems we may never get another good trek game ever again, because since I last talked about it, Star Trek has been shot into the crapper and is not even a shadow of it's former self.  CBS is insistent on pushing it's newer garbage shows on people, even though the numbers prove nobody likes it. Good job, CBS, you morons. Because insulting the legacy of the show, your built-in fanbase, and anyone with common sense was a good choice. As well as having your heads so far up your own assess, you can use your stomach as a helmet. Freaking dipwads.  I think this was the only article by a major outlet that I saw who actually spoke the truth; the rest being willing shills for CBS.  

What all trek fans wish they could do to all the bastards responsible for Discovery, Picard, and Lower Drecks.

It's so bad, that I heard at one point a writer (or producer) for the current show (Discockery) was laughed out of a bar popular with writers in Los Angeles, everyone mocking their incompetence. (I can only hope this happens at every business they try to go to).  Unfortunately, that's the only good thing to come out of this mess so far, and it may be the last, as they are doing so much damage as to kill Star Trek forever. 

Thankfully, there is still the older, actually good trek still out there, and we can only hope trek might be saved by not only cancelling the current literal shit-shows and by promoting/replaying all the good stuff (along with possibly making a show people actually WANT to see).  In the meantime, we still have these awesome games as well, which I can't wait to enjoy playing some coop with my brother.

Some minor upkeep

Some may notice that there's been a fresh coat of paint put up, a few things changed, rearranged, and at the same time, I've been trying to go back to fix a bunch of broken links and videos in some older posts.  Despite my best efforts, some seem like they will be lost to time forever, but I tried to correct as many as I could, particularly with the old music posts. 

Why I will never trust "experts" unless I trust them personally

My sister in-law; love her her to death, but she chooses the oddest things to be headstrong about. She is a registered nurse as a consequence of her profession, will bring up health topics on occasion. Some time ago, my father in law was to undergo a surgery and she was worried about him getting sick and having to reschedule it. So, she insisted that everyone in the family get the annual flu vaccine, and was being quite insistent about it, as she is a healthcare professional. 

Now, I have no qualms about vaccines, but the annual flu shot is something I tend to skip for the reasons that it's never been particularly effective for me, as well as the fact that the strains they choose to vaccinate against is simply chosen by a (relatively) educated guess from recent trends. My wife also abstains from it because she tends to get quite sick after getting it, so we both were vocal bout not doing so then. 

Now, my sister wasn't visibly upset by it, but she did seem to bring it up more and more often after that point, and made a point about going to get it herself. The irony here being that she was the only one in the family to get the flu shot, and was subsequently the only one in the family to actually get the flu that year. 

I don't say this to denigrate her and her logic is fairly sound (other than relying on educated guesses). The point here, is that no matter how educated or experienced, humans are all fallible, we make mistakes. As well as just because there is a system in place doesn't make the conclusion set or more reliable.  Lastly, to not disregard your own judgement and education on anything just because "experts" say something different.  

My name is Saint Grendel and I'm an alcoholic

Okay, not really. My Achilles heel is really soda. Specialty sodas. I just can't not try all the specialty soda out there.  The problem is that there's not a whole lot of places in my neck of the woods that stock anything worthwhile or interesting.  Too many places think stocking up Boylan's soda is good enough, when I don't know of anyone who thinks that swill tastes any good. 

Thankfully, if I'm willing to take a short trip, I can visit my favorite enablers at the The Root Beer Store in Sandy, UT.  It's not often I'm able to get up in that neighborhood, but they have just about everything I've ever heard of along with a bunch of stuff I haven't.  It's a cool little place that's totally worth it if you're looking to catch the diabeetus. 

Its certainly a cozy and unassuming place, but the're a little ma and pop place that does have an excellent selection of fizzy potables.  Also, it may be something to do with supplier shortages due to the 'rhona, but they are now the only place I know of that stocks anything close to regular 'ol grape soda.

 

Also, this is not sponsored in any way shape or form, but hey, if you root beer guys see this, you can send a cheque in the mail. Total tip o' the hat to Eric for telling me about it. Now, if I can just come up with an excuse to go there again so I can single handedly fund their children's tuition. 

Crappy jokes

Because I am a socially crippled nerd, my friends and I have a rare tendency to resort to bathroom humor.  Okay, okay, it's actually pretty often. As in it's a running joke between my friends and I to make jokes about the bathroom right after using it during any LAN party.  Due to popular demand, I have now been obligated to record some of the best hits of these one-liners for the enjoyment of those who like this kind of crap (pun intended).  So, to all who were there and those who weren't; the following brief lines of dialogue transpired right after exiting a bathroom:

-That was like having a shoving contest with a tree trunk.

-Sounded like I was dropping nightsticks in there.  Seriously, it made a 'clank' noise!
-Now I know what a play-dough factory feels like.
-Other people have been exiled for less.
-I'm pretty sure I was generating pounds of thrust out of that exhaust pipe.
-Um, how many kidneys can you poop out and still be okay?  Really?  None? (yanked from this).
-I feel like a tube of toothpaste squeezed right in the middle.
-Wow, I'm feeling so young and full of life.
-I was awash in a sea of poo.
-Haven't seen that much brown since I got all my amazon orders for the month on one day. 
-At one point I was just along for the ride, there was no controlling it.
-I'm surprised I didn't get a flat tire after that....you know, a loose shutter.
-Never looking at peanut butter the same way again....ugh.
-I may be a bit bow-legged after that last one.
-I had to hold down that handle like I was strangling a freaking monster!
-Hey, you ever ridden one of those mechanical bulls?
-The only way to feel more empty than this is clinical depression!

When I fail to point out something cool

Photo shamelessly taken from Wikipedia

I completely forgot to point out that yesterday was German Unity Day!  What's even worse is that the only reason I was reminded of this was an update to the game War Thunder on Steam. I decided to skim all the major mainstream news sites to see if this was mentioned anywhere, but I didn't see anything about this on any mainstream media sires. Likely because it's an event in history that completely exposed the horrific nature of living under communist/socialist rule, but you don't have to take my word for it.  

Also shamelessly taken from the Wikipedia article.

Funny how certain people (mostly socialists) here love to wail and complain about how horrible the United States of America is. Obviously any country will have issues and we have more than our fair share that needs fixing, but when a large chunk of people who have actually lived in socialist countries will risk death just to come here, maybe we ain't so bad. 

Kinda like how politicians, activists and the news is happy to jump on the bandwagon of declaring we are all horrible, classist, sexist, racist, and corrupt, but then the news will still be reporting people from an endless list of places are constantly making caravans to rush the border. 

Good riddance and don't come back.

Well, back to the original topic, Germans have suffered quite a bit the last century to atone for their horrible and horrific choices, but the wall coming down and the country unifying was a big ray of hope not just for Germany, but the entire world.  This also may have directly contributed to the fall of the Soviet Union; all of it starting with a big bureaucratic screw up by some guy in the eastern socialist side. 

Fast forward to today, and Germany may be on the verge of paying for it's own sins again, with a host of other problems (including a resurgence of socialist ideas) creeping up.  Hopefully, not only Germans, but the rest of the word can still look back at this event and try to work towards a better future (and hopefully take advantage of more socialist screw ups, too!). 

Happy (belated) Unity Day!

Ah, the weekend. Finally.

Currently busy enjoying some pajama church as well as working the weekend. So, I'll just put up an oldie but a goodie. I'm not usually one for clubbing music, but this one hits the spot. 

Phantogram - Fall In Love