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Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Back to the World

...of Warcraft.

Old joke, but these new spots do get me thinking of fond memories in the World... of, ah, never mind.





Yeah, gotta bring back my Night Elf Mo-Hawk.

And the comic book just came our yesterday, got issue one, good stuff. ;)

Saturday, November 17, 2007

Just ~ Everything

Check this out sometime:

Listen to how often people say the word 'just'. I have decided to work on a theory about what people are communicating when they say that; it might be a range of things, but my suspicion is that this range is very specific and centralized in some definable way. That is to say, there are common threads of meaning being communicated each and every time someone uses is along with some subsidiary meaning. This subsidiary meaning most often seems to communicate some extraneous detail about the topic being spoken about; nonetheless I think this detail will also be telling when analyzed and brought to bear on what they are communicating with their "just" in the subtext, something between the lines you know.

Some early conjecture:

'Just' seems to be used as a tool of oversimplification, but and oversimplification that is intended to produce a favorable standpoint for the speaker; to tip their statement in their favor when it should actually cast doubt or to off set the potential benefit their statement might give someone else, present or being referred to. For example, "I just asked him what's wrong." This speaker probably knows they had a tone or that the question was quite inappropriate in its context or timing, the just is inserted to play towards a balance of neutrality. This is a basic example and one that most people, I should guess, know the use of already. I hope to tap into more uses of 'just' and why I hear it in such common occurrence in modern speech patterns.

Additional phrases of note:

I was just wondering (or) I just had a question
Couldn't you just (some action)
I just think (or) I was just thinking (each seems used in very different situations)

I will have to think, and listen, for more because it struck me as being used not just in place of the word simply. I do believe something is being communicated and that there is an intention, perhaps in the public subconscious, by the use of this word and that that intention is derivative of the general inability to think abstractly, justify one's intentions by using specific words instead of tonally or contextually, and a signifier that, perhaps, many people are aware of this, even subconsciously, and are therefore mistrustful of others' ability to understand their meaning correctly. That, or perhaps a desire to control meaning and intent at will during the course of dialog. "Just" could be seen as a very easy word to backpedal from.

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Mormon & Christian Debate - Contrasting Footage

I was talking with a co-worker today about various religions. The topic has been coming up more recently lately and I have really enjoyed our discussions. He mentioned this viral video and I decided to check it out. I am sorry to say that almost no where, in the comments I briefly looked at, was much of value discussed in this piece and much of it seriously questions the individual poster's ability to observer, comprehend and subsequently to present cogent arguments on a piece of media.

The two other, two parter really, video I found linked in and a classic example of terrific faith in action. Well learned persons, speaking intelligently and out of love, give a response that is more thorough than the first. I offer it in lieu of the other failed commentary. I am from a classic AG (Assemblies of God) background and I love their image, they are the powerhouses of faith, and I think it's a mistake to bag on their style, I like it. Got my brown suit and tie waiting already for when I feel adequate to wear it. Okay, that was a bit of kidding, but no, I really do have the suit.





Sunday, November 11, 2007

Missing Action

 

Depicted are a few jolly gentlemen, dancing for the pleasure of Phylah and I in the Stormwind bank. Part of me misses the good ol' World of Warcraft. I think only Mass Effect will be able to ease the pain now. Even then, I'm not so sure.

:) Good times.
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Friday, November 09, 2007

Good Uplifting

Just some good uplifting vids for the weekend. Kind of a tiring week, but there may be bright prospects ahead. Next week I am going to a hiring seminar for Los Rios and that should get me all the info I need for getting into that system.



I love this song: it really helped me through the end phase of my thesis and is always there to pick me up spiritually when I am feeling weak. "Give of my self to the essence of your being"... so good.

Tuesday, November 06, 2007

Sleep

Still trying to get enough sleep. I haven't researched it yet, but I wonder how much my naps are making up for how early I get up. Still getting to bed at around 9, which gives me about six hours of sleep. Most days I still need to catch a few Zzz's after I get home but I have been getting better about getting stuff I need done before I do.

Adjusting, I think, best I can. There is a conference this Friday about getting into the Los Rios Dist. I am definitely going to attend; best thing is that is starts at 5 giving me plenty of time to get there from work, prob won't be able to work in a nap, however.

Sunday, November 04, 2007

All Buisness

 

It was a no nonsense weekend of gaming this weekend and I couldn't have had a better time. Saturday night was L's soccer game where LG, Budiak, and I all got to witness her penalty kick for a goal. GOAL!! After that I was introduced to some real card game keepers. We played 'For Sale', 'No Thanks', and for kickers we also checked out the XBOX Live's versions of Carcassone and Settlers of Cattan. I really had a great time and was very thankful for LG, who made the trip from wine country and braved Davis traffic just to be here - also was the purveyor of the games already mentioned.

And so now I look forward to the week ahead having enjoyed life to it's fullest these past couple of days.
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