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. ;)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Preemptive Memorial Honors Future Victims Of Imminent Dam Disaster

Terrible, terrible news. Sad to see, but encouraging to see so many local officials taking responsibility, if not action.

Woo Hoo! Another 'on the map' for us, and now not just Johnny Cash and the Prison :)

Laughing Babies

What they don't tell you about this clip is that this little infant is laughing at the Wii's poor graphical quality and inadequate motion control.

Quotes from Love Your God...

I have been steadily digesting (in both senses of the word) J.P. Moreland's Love Your God With All Your Mind. By this I mean that I have been progressively enacting his thoughts in my life and have been reading the book in digest-like chunks in order that they may seep in more deeply. Although I will admit to some academic weakness in not making it through more quickly.

At the moment I am in Chapter 8, "Worship, Fellowship, and the Christian Mind." As a bumper to each chapter Moreland includes quotations fitting to the chapter's subject. I found two noteworthy for this chapter. That alone would not have been enough to blog them, just perhaps underline, but these I would like to etch into my thinking and remember for future times when my intellectual fervor struggles. They are as follows:

Lord and Savior, true and kind, be the master of my mind;
Bless and guide and strengthen still all my powers of thought and will.
While I ply the scholar's task, Jesus Christ be near, I ask;
Help the memory, clear the brain, knowledge still to seek and gain.
~Bishop H.G.C. Moule - Church of England Bishop

If there is a religion in the world which exalts the office of teaching, it is safe to say that it is the religion of Jesus Christ... A religion divorced from earnest and lofty thoughts has always, down the whole of history of the Church, tended to become weak, jejune and unwholesome, while the intellect, deprived of its rights within religion, has sought its satisfaction without, and developed into a godless rationalism.
~James Orr

Current undertakings

At the moment I have been seriously investing in some of the best material I have encountered in a long time; books, shows, and games have all been amazing.

On the game front, I still have not posted (wow), I did finally get the 360 of my dreams, it is black and it does sound the trumpet of Valhalla with its might. On deck in that arena is Bioshock, amazing in both depth and scope (YES! Both, mind you BOTH, intended). Also rented the Orange Box from our friendly local Hollywood video. I arrived at the point this morning where I have beaten Episode 2 to my great satisfaction. Portal was another game therein that pleased my senses.

On the boards and playing bard have been some superb shows (aired first on TV, but not in this house). Just got the second disc of Jericho in the mail today, that should probe rewarding and I have been catching up on Heroes as well on our fantastic Netflix Watch Instantly feature (practically worth the price of admission alone). Previously I had patronized MovieLink which is an outstanding service, but with our subscription we get 17hrs/mo free and they have excellent TV shows; the aforementioned and The Office.

Page turners around my reading chairs have been J.P. Morelands Loving God With All Your Mind, World War Z (on the final pages, and various comic books in the series House of and Decimation M prompted by the advice of a coworker and friend.

Also - Linds got a started pack of Hero Clicks for me from the comic store gentleman: apparently they have events every Thursday - will keep posted on how that goes. She has a soccer game tonight, should be amazing, the last two have been thrillers to watch.

Racing 360

Looks like if I am in need of a racing game, when I get the 360, I am covered.



Covers all the bases, yes?

(again, this is further indication that my blog is simply becoming a clearing house for up and coming software titles. As this may, indeed, seem to be true, I will, nonetheless, update it with incredibly profound insights and discoveries from the dredging of my caves of thought. Think of it like Lucky Charms, only at least for right now with more marshmallows and fewer compressed wheat/rice figures.)

Crescendo

A musical motif in an RPG? Sounds divine, eh?

The high notes (pun intended) of this game round of as these: existentialism, musical fortitude, Chopin, less dungeon crawling, simple yet rewarding battle mechanics, and a decent not daunting play time.



Oh, and in another note, I may actually be looking into getting our house an XBox 360, there were some unpleasantries (not really a word) with Metroid. I won't go into it in detail yet here, but needless to say, my loyalties might be swinging a different way in a time.

Another Note

Spent Saturday in the wonderful location of Walnut Creek. I was made a quest of some awesome and wonderful people who are at the cusp of the board game revolution. They are the stalwart warriors who are venturing forth into books of complicated rules, varieties of play mats, and a litany of game mechanics and concepts. I had a wonderful time, played new comers "Ra," "Up Words," "Dungeoneer," and enjoyed each.

Carnival

In other news, the worlds most interesting game is apparently out for purchase.


This comes on the exact heels of my fabulous trip to the California State Fair. Where I, first hand, bore witness to one of the single greatest expressions in motoring; the Demolition Derby. I descended those bleachers like Achilles from Olympus, the bearer of superhuman powers having witnessed the feats of the gods in their element.

Back to Carnival, or as Creed (The Office) would correct us, Carnivale'. All I really need to know, is that it has Skeet Ball, for my amazing mother (but I may never play my Wii again if she gets a hold of that ;)) and the ball toss game where the camels/horses race. Super coolness. Of as my buddy Jeff would say, Awesomesauce.

Stats

Status check here. Have the day off, which is nice, but it would be pleasant to get back to having weekends off sometime soon since all of my days off have pretty much been scattered.

Picked up Metroid this afternoon and have enjoyed playing it immensely thus far. It does however fall to the notes to call attention to an already existing flaw in game play. I have already encountered my first puzzle that seemed so far beyond the realm of intuitive or even problem solving that it that it ruined the amazing and progressive experience I was having up until that point. Apparently it was due to a glitch in the game code, wonderful, it seems as thought the Wii cannot produce a single game without a glaring error in its construct.

Long and short of it was that I was standing on a platform, endlessly shooting down flying enemies and trying to find out how to get to a particular platform. Ended the game out of frustration, tried again, shot three or so of the creatures down on try 2 and triggered a cut scene that allowed me to proceed. ?!?!? Hmmm, not sure how that could happen and/or make it out of testing unless I experienced and infinitesimal fluke.

I am hoping that it doesn't do that to me again because from all appearances it seems to be a flawless game. Really gorgeous (although I support NO assertion that it has brought the Wii on par with current systems, much much closer, but not up to 360 or PS3, excellent game-play mechanics and stellar design. Really an ecstasy to play, I just am hoping for no more chasms interrupting the ride.

Oh yeah: and day 4 without hot water and counting. Good help, it seems, is hard to find.

Metroid

This trailer was uploaded to my Wii this morning. The blue light of glory shown forth a light that promised something: something new.



This is what it had in store. Although, on the Wii, with a much cooler interface.

Another really good ad for our favorite Rabbids. Not sure of the release date, but I will post up more when I know it. Also, I am getting some really heady stuff worked up, very profound, as to make seem less that my blog is all about upcoming game previews... I have more to offer, promise ;) heh

Sim City: Societies

I know my dearest love is a huge fan of the series, we are thinking of getting the Sim City on the DS, this looks like a very good step in a new direction.



Now if only Metroid Prime: Corruption would come out. :D

Poolside

Yes indeed. Thanks to NetGear my signal reaches all the way to the pool. So very nice to know that. I suppose I don't need to tell you then that I am posting, at this moment, from the very same aforementioned pool, the side of it at least.

I really hope this doesn't come off to "cell phone phenom" or anything like it. Allow me to explain. I am sure you remember when Cell Phones came out and every Joe/and or Steve Schmo' had to call his family or friend some various locations, just because he could. You would see him, in line at Wendy's or whatnot, talking, above normal (which oddly enough is still a problem), saying something to the effect of, "yeah, no, un-huh, guess where I am, no, yeah, I'm in Wendy's, no, I'm inline, yeah I KNOW, IN Wendy's, okay, I'll call you back."

Much of the cell industry's infrastructure was paid for with call like these.

I, at this moment, am 4 feet from a pool.

Morning

A good Sunday morning to ya. Hope the day is bright and not too hot for your taste. I am readying myself for church and eagerly anticipate the day.

Recent gaming events:

My brother in law in middle dungeons of Ocarina of Time and is seriously contemplating starting a new file on Twilight Princess which would be awesome.

I, also just downloaded the og Paper Mario (64) and am rocking that one until I get the Wii version, have to meter them out, better that way ;)

So, in honor of Zelda and Link, here's this: