tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55168252011-04-21T14:21:16.199-07:00Bloggin' with AscentStudiosJoin Alex's epic journey as he experiences the trials, tribulations, thrills and chills as an RPG designer...Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.comBlogger3931100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-49281560843410110342009-01-08T09:45:00.000-08:002009-01-08T10:13:11.065-08:00Strange Days in OaklandMINOR SPOILER WARNING: If you haven't seen Strange Days and want to keep completely in the dark - skip this post and go rent the movie already!I dunno if you all have been following this one, but a young man in Oakland, Oscar Grant, was shot in the back by a transit officer after being pulled off a train on New Years Eve. Captured on film, Grant was laying on his stomach Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-74511704848922903282009-01-08T09:13:00.001-08:002009-01-08T09:18:06.755-08:00Joe the...War Correspondent?Welcome to the twilight zone - Joe "The Plumber" Wurzelbacher is being sent by a conservative media outlet to cover the Israeli war on Gaza. Seriously. The famous plumber will be focusing on the Israeli perspective on the situation. "It's tragic, I mean it really is,” Wurzelbacher told CNN affiliate WNWO “I don't say that in any little way. It's very tragic, but at theAlexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-5797810492061978992009-01-08T09:11:00.001-08:002009-01-08T09:12:57.083-08:00Welcome to 2009!Hey all, So we made it through the Year of the Gigantic Turd, and into 2009, the Year of the Terrified Citizen. Congrats! I hope your holidays have gone well - I'm deep in the midst of my move cross-country and so will still be spotty for the next few weeks while I gear up for that. Cheers - things can only get better from here!Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-41666020424406664402008-12-10T09:03:00.000-08:002008-12-10T10:01:50.953-08:00Memoirs of a Sound ByteI've been a writer for 15 years - first as an aspiring comic book scribe, then short story writer, then an essayist, then a poet, then an essayist again, then game developer, tech writer and PR hack - nearly 10 of which have professional, legitimate jobs where I was hired specifically for my ability to put words to the page. Every workday, I talk about and teach people Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-73397667401828500952008-12-04T14:22:00.000-08:002008-12-04T14:26:05.981-08:00I Wish I Could Write a Bio as Well as This GuyFound on The Register's Odds and Sods page on the death of Barney the Purple Dinosaur's lawsuit against a website hating on him: Bonhomie Snoutintroff is a plain-spoken strong leader in cyberspace. He did poorly in school but his family is rich and well connected, so he's served as CEO of numerous, well-known Internet ventures that for various reasonsAlexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-66573641198899178562008-12-02T14:19:00.001-08:002008-12-02T14:20:18.721-08:00Thought of the DayMorrisey's "Every Day is Like Sunday" is the most catchy tune about nuclear holocaust ever written.Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-34322588823811906672008-11-11T13:13:00.000-08:002008-11-11T13:14:14.454-08:00No Comment NecessaryAlexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-53628436105101234392008-11-10T18:13:00.000-08:002008-11-12T23:47:20.123-08:00The LineThank you, dear most right-wing of Republicans, for broadcasting your intent so very clearly. Those of us paying attention to the nascent line of attack are already imminently aware. He doesn't hire guys who you like, or who have any Washington experience? "So much for change!" He calls for national service? "Socialist!" He demonstrates the ability to rally people with charisma, at a Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-76663191507137504292008-11-06T19:52:00.000-08:002008-11-06T19:54:50.891-08:00Nader = ToolTo Fox's Shep Smith's credit, one of the best lines of the campaign: "Really. Ralph Nader...what was that?"Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-42889254075712256682008-11-06T12:07:00.000-08:002008-11-06T12:10:59.502-08:00DOOM! :)Now that the nation's finally shitty enough that we can vote for progress, we must face the horrible aftermath of this great victory for America:Obama Win Causes Obsessive Supporters To Realize How Empty Their Lives AreAlexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-85140699348196431252008-11-05T10:36:00.000-08:002008-11-05T10:37:29.685-08:00The Electoral Results Map is InAlexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-252815749430887812008-11-04T16:39:00.000-08:002008-11-04T17:12:37.121-08:00The AftermathThe race is starting to look like a Obama massacre, and the question I already find myself thinking is, 'Did Obama win, or did McCain lose?'. There are interesting signs that point to the power of Obama's campaign strategy (his standing vs. McCain exactly 2 years ago - 28 electoral votes to 510 ), there are many other signs that show it was 2000 McCain's race to lose. He had garneredAlexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-88196062572202707592008-11-04T09:59:00.001-08:002008-11-04T09:59:49.733-08:00Oh My God...AwesomeObama Undertakes Presidential Internship To Ease Concerns About His Lack Of ExperienceAlexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-28548479688078213082008-11-04T09:55:00.001-08:002008-11-04T09:55:22.018-08:00And For Those Worried about Voter FraudVoting Machines Elect One Of Their Own As PresidentAlexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-67274409114046301252008-11-04T09:49:00.000-08:002008-11-04T09:50:24.313-08:00More Humor to Get Me Through the Day21Created by OnePlusYou - Free Dating SitesAlexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-9293154368709321832008-11-04T09:15:00.001-08:002008-11-04T09:15:20.673-08:00DON'T FORGET TO VOTE!See more funny videos at Funny or DieAlexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-37280245352758939142008-11-03T19:57:00.000-08:002008-11-03T19:58:32.192-08:00Just in Case the Worries about the Bradley Effect are Justifed...Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-77678627524986545032008-10-30T10:25:00.001-07:002008-10-30T10:26:09.462-07:00NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-73328160966532072212008-10-29T09:42:00.000-07:002008-10-29T09:58:17.262-07:00NERDCORE!This is pure, straight-up alpha-nerd here. Witness...The Game Room (full details on its construction here). On another tip, I found a great little website called Mavericks: The Blathering, chronicling this arduous campaign in the form of Magic cards. Examples: Check the site for more....awesome.Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-38798975507836535432008-10-26T14:25:00.000-07:002008-10-26T14:31:17.649-07:00The Rats Putting on Life Jackets...Oh the sweet irony - the clash of social conservatives and classical conservatives within the GOP has now struck the very heart of their party. Apparently, internecine strife within the McCain-Palin campaign is starting to tear things apart, as Palin moves to protect herself for a run in 2012 or to "become the future leader of the party." Though we think of thisAlexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-92110802627104081172008-10-24T15:58:00.000-07:002008-10-24T16:24:15.375-07:00I Called ItRarely do I brag about my political prowess, or aptitude at predeliction - I'm generally a student of news after it's already passed me by. But in this case, I'm feeling a certain sort of glee that my long-winded theory about the implosion of the Republican blok actually has some traction. Other folks are seeing things in the same light, such as in this interesting article from The NewAlexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-16766017222341432162008-10-23T14:13:00.000-07:002008-10-23T14:14:02.517-07:00Quote of the Day"I look at these people and can't quite believe that they exist. Are they professional actors? I wonder. Or are they simply laymen who want a lot of attention? To put them in perspective, I think of being on an airplane. The flight attendant comes down the aisle with her food cart and, eventually, parks it beside my seat. "Can I interest you in the chicken?" she asks. "Or would Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-11239922061548503902008-10-22T14:33:00.001-07:002008-10-22T14:34:58.942-07:00The Dangers of Brand MismanagementFor your consideration - a fascinating story from the New York Times Magazine on the marketing of McCain and the struggle for narrative. Damn fine reading for those of you who create, write, or sell for a living.Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-21222757507664585622008-10-21T18:50:00.000-07:002008-10-22T11:24:27.400-07:00Player Hatin' at its FinestNow that this election cycle's starting to look like a tidal wave against the GOP due to McCain's failure to shore up support in battleground states (a bad thing for America, IMO, if one party runs everything...they'll inevitably overextend themselves and there are no checks on the dogma/revenge to be exacted), the desperation of the Republicans is being nakedly bared. Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-84659954486725634572008-10-20T09:56:00.000-07:002008-10-20T09:58:42.463-07:00Facebook Bombin'Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-86448876507761122422008-10-17T11:29:00.001-07:002008-10-17T11:32:53.566-07:00My Dream CampaignBack about 6 months ago, when everyone was promising not to run negative campaigns, still high off their primary victories, many speculated that an Obama/McCain battle would be gentlemanly, issue-based, and not leave anyone feeling the loser. Well, we can see how that turned out, BUT it's worth noting neither of these men are just candidates - they're actually funny and can be Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-84789063224137013552008-10-16T14:55:00.001-07:002008-10-16T14:56:14.721-07:00My New Favorite WebsiteCheck it every day until Nov. 4! http://www.palinaspresident.us/Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-52281305735313470642008-10-15T21:52:00.000-07:002008-10-15T21:54:52.537-07:00BlameConsidering the suffering that's been inflicted on the McCain-Palin ticket by the crumpling of Wall Street, and today's stock market nosedive ahead of the debates, I'm waiting for them to start blaming their campaign's woes on "broker bias" or "gotcha economics."Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-2189014237566610372008-10-15T15:17:00.001-07:002008-10-15T15:20:39.909-07:00The DifferenceFollowing up on my earlier post about the rift between conservative and populist Republicans, and why it has come to be this way - I found this video which captures the very essence of that arguement. Embedded video from CNN VideoOn one side, you have a discussion of the virtues of saying "We can be better," and on the other, "We shall not apologize for being Americans." But the Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-51031901289501188692008-10-12T00:14:00.000-07:002008-10-12T00:24:00.079-07:00The Search for an ExcuseTo all those who insist on referring to Obama by his first name, I refer to you this website. To those asking if he is an Arab, let me remind you - that is racism. How, exactly, is this relevant to you as a voter? Does it change the content of his character? Or is it an excuse to not vote based on your prejudice. It is tremendously disappointing to see the McCain campaign Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-52601635447129426212008-10-10T16:57:00.000-07:002008-10-10T17:01:45.577-07:00Banking and YouTo celebrate a sub-150 point market loss for the weekend (and a narrow dodge of sub-8000 in the DOW...phew, only 40% down off last year!!1!), I bring you a brief history of banking in the US and the WSJ's thoughts on new panics precipitated by opaqueness in the Treasury. The first article is particularly relevant, considering the US has now decided to place stakes in many troubled Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-68664003954593290552008-10-10T10:27:00.001-07:002008-10-13T09:15:07.786-07:00The Anti-Intellectual CrusadeIn this election, I have seen a number of my Republian friends turn their back on the Republican ticket, with a few even switching to Obama, because they felt the direction of the party no longer shared their values. For those of us in the middle-left-leaning Dem wing, I say "Huh? Isn't the Republican 'values' voter the definition of conservative?" In my research and Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-65287761297911119062008-10-10T09:40:00.000-07:002008-10-10T09:42:11.101-07:00ZOMGDon't let people like this decide our future: Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-19277891752652551252008-10-09T15:32:00.000-07:002008-10-09T21:52:57.409-07:00A Weepingly Funny Double StandardMcCain sets the Ayers attacks in the context of a question of honesty into full steam. You lying sonofabitch - shall we got to the tape?In his strongest personal criticism since his faltering campaign began casting Obama as an unknown and unacceptable candidate, McCain told supporters that Obama had not been truthful in describing his relationship with former Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-80340395775742725862008-10-08T10:56:00.000-07:002008-10-08T11:12:57.934-07:00"That One" and Knife FightsSo as my disgust grows with the tone of the campaigns as we enter the home stretch -and blessed relief! - I did not watch the full debates last night. I have, however, seen McCain's snarky reference to "that one" as he was talking about energy, IIRC. What struck me about it was not, what some folks seem to have jumped, implicit racism, but the attitude "that one" Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-32160096737029149422008-10-04T11:40:00.000-07:002008-10-04T11:41:05.370-07:00You Can't Deny ItNo matter your political bent...Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-60894339576042605932008-10-03T13:39:00.000-07:002008-10-03T14:04:01.689-07:00The Flaws of the Gospel of Greed ExposedWhen I'm not an amateur left-of-center pundit, I tend to be an amateur sociologist, particularly in the realm of religion (all thanks to the great Menno Froese, my collegiate mentor, friend and fellow son of the working-class intellectual set). I've spent a lot of time fiddling with theories on the intersection of marketing and religion, work and religion, Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-62440969155359768662008-10-03T11:17:00.000-07:002008-10-03T11:20:07.874-07:00Purile and HilariousA local radio station currently runs a radio drama called George Bush - Boy President. While it's juvenile and silly, this episode is pretty damn funny.Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-34334350399839353182008-10-02T22:09:00.001-07:002008-10-02T22:23:53.101-07:00Steven Colbert is a GeniusThere are no words for how utterly clever and true this clip is. No words, other than this is the best political send-up I've seen this campaign."Remember, when you vote for a candidate, you're actually voting for every stance they've ever held. So slow down, Ashley - you've just met this guy. Don't so something you'll regret....FOREVER."Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-67341991340792006732008-10-02T22:04:00.000-07:002008-10-02T22:08:46.520-07:00A Good Day for Video PunditrySadly, I missed the VP debates tonight to work on Crafty/job interview stuff, but in a time of great screeching and outrageous pundityr, I did catch some truly great videos: First, a wonderful articulation of positions by an Obama foreign policy advisor: Embedded video from CNN VideoSecond, something that I feel is a very rare, honest, and candid moment on the Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-31636433288573022932008-09-23T22:56:00.000-07:002008-09-23T23:06:46.645-07:00Ill Humors and Desperate LiesThis week has me ranting a LOT - no wonder my best friend made a comment about the particular sharpness in my mood being "ill humors." Why, I'm sure you're asking yourself? Well, today's fills me with wicked glee; after a week of trying to paint Obama both as a product of the Chicago's worst political establishment (even whipping out the boogieman Daley name in a Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-12902544540126371322008-09-23T14:02:00.001-07:002008-09-23T14:02:51.239-07:00Awesome. I love Oregon federal reps: Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-87760115290480593722008-09-22T23:24:00.001-07:002008-09-22T23:28:19.115-07:00TIME is Some Entertaining ReadingHoly crap. George Carlin has returned from the grave, filtered his bile through a mainstream filter, and fed it to TIME magazine as an article about how we became the United States of France. It just drips, drips, venom, I say. Then there are these incredibly cutting remarks about the current direction of the McCain campaign, including the ridiculous crocodile Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-16669254426579094472008-09-22T12:03:00.000-07:002008-09-22T23:28:50.526-07:00Pure, Unadulterated GeniusI wouldn't count myself as a fan or even viewer of The West Wing, but this fictional meeting of President Barlett and Senator Obama is funny, biting, honest, and brilliantly written. Because it's from the NYT, I'm going to have to copy-paste to preserve it for posterity. Aaron Sorkin Conjures a Meeting of Obama and Bartlet By MAUREEN DOWDPublished: September 20, 2008 Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-91082154918158970602008-09-18T16:41:00.003-07:002008-09-19T16:39:23.375-07:00Glad to Know the Bush Doctrine Transcends the Lower 48Only 1 of 13 subpoenaed in the Palin trooper firing probe appears for court. This really is outstanding, folks. The antimedia brush of the McCain-Palin campaign is now being used to paint everything - including previously ongoing ethics investigations - as "partisan." Or, was that "Democratic partisans?" (thanks for that sound bite, guys - if Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-23031214173298483322008-09-18T16:41:00.002-07:002008-09-19T14:31:33.298-07:00In A Follow Up to the Character Post From Last WeekIgnore the direly cute anchor and listen to the discussion of genetics and personalities in the campaign: Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-85515437748209329222008-09-18T16:41:00.001-07:002008-09-18T16:59:31.032-07:00Shameless, Filthy Stinking LIARS.I say again...what happened to John McCain of 2000? If this works...well, it's not the first douchebag liar we've had in the white house this century, and maybe that's all our country deserves.From FactCheck:There He Goes AgainSeptember 18, 2008McCain ad misrepresents Obama's tax plan. Again.SummaryThe McCain-Palin campaign has released a new ad that once again Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-45018884416157534922008-09-18T16:41:00.000-07:002008-09-18T16:43:17.501-07:00As It Turns Out......Iraq has no exclusive claim on religious crazies who will abuse politics and narrow margins to reauchambeau peace.Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-9506657557579427172008-09-16T16:39:00.001-07:002008-09-16T16:40:42.154-07:00Meanwhile, in a Place Where Issues Actually Matter......5 ex Secretaries of State call for the new president to abandon the current administration's take on Iran. Ouch.Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-10649275154067107692008-09-12T12:40:00.000-07:002008-09-12T12:42:25.124-07:00Character and Decision-Making for the Next PresidentThe Obama campaign has a bit of cult of personality. McCain's campaign has recently started telling people to vote the man rather than the issues. This is a great non-partisan examination of the core traits of both men and how it might affect their leadership of our country. Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-199071816219279172008-09-10T14:55:00.001-07:002008-09-10T14:55:59.685-07:00Welcome to My Underground Lair...Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-55266820062407117232008-09-03T23:35:00.000-07:002008-09-04T08:59:33.249-07:00Don't Vote Against Your InterestsIn Unequal Democracy: The Political Economy of the New Gilded Age, Larry Bartels discovered that overwhelmingly in the last 30 years, more Americans have voted against their economic interests than ever before. Both McCain and Obama have proposed plans which will lower taxes - though for who is quite different. Let's take a look at what the Washington Post has to Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-73017105425407782542008-08-28T11:59:00.000-07:002008-08-28T18:22:08.204-07:00Announcing My Newest NieceCharlotte Amelia Christensen, born healthy and weiging in 6lbs 14oz, 19in. long. Mom and baby (and dad and big sister) are all doing well. I can't wait to meet her!Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-55909197374328697562008-08-28T11:03:00.000-07:002008-08-28T11:05:52.391-07:00Ph3@r H!mI said it when he took over, and I'll say it again - meet the most dangerous man in the world.Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-84873640692411231352008-08-28T11:01:00.000-07:002008-08-28T11:13:29.337-07:004 Years Too LateIf only he had this sort of fire in 2004 we might have been spared a lot of pain...Surprisingly impressive work, John.Juicy quotes: I have known and been friends with John McCain for almost 22 years. But every day now I learn something new about candidate McCain. To those who still believe in the myth of a maverick instead of the reality of a politician, I say, let’s compare Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-15131864044994226452008-08-28T09:40:00.001-07:002008-08-28T10:11:03.644-07:00Who's Having the Unity Problem, Again?Funny to watch the Republican "commentator" scramble at the DNC convention this week in Denver. The strategies of the home stretch are becoming clear: "Obama's not ready to lead - even his opponents for the big seat said so in political advantageous settings!" - but of course, it could be said that conservatives say very nice things about Obama, too. Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-2214573477191887202008-08-27T15:39:00.000-07:002008-08-27T15:46:25.805-07:00It Must Be BloggedI work in a cube farm in the beigish hell of a college building; in such an environment, you get to know too much about your coworkers. I have one co-worker who is particularly emotive, to the point where I have scripted a daily audio log for him: 8:30 a.m.: Arrive at work9-9:30 a.m.: Bitch about the registrar's office10 a.m.: Coffee11 a.m. - noon: Heavy sighingNoon - 1 p.m.: Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-35390126229873817932008-08-25T12:10:00.000-07:002008-08-25T12:14:56.963-07:00So RoneryDrawing my inner Kim Jong Il there for a second....it's been nearly 2 weeks since Beckers left for Omaha and it's starting to settle in a bit. While I don't feel that different, Evan says my mood is noticably different. It's amazing how easy it is to take for granted the presence of someone, even if you never were to see them. Nothing changes at the house now - I leave and everything Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-34463547075797857502008-08-19T13:57:00.000-07:002008-08-19T13:58:41.514-07:00Oh You've Got to Be Kidding MeApparently, I've never met a rich person in my life (please ignore general quality issues and focus on the point...): Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-3771299077344436032008-08-19T13:25:00.000-07:002008-08-21T09:36:16.788-07:00McCain Hates GamersSure, he hates the Vietnamese. He hates liberals. He hates the national media. But gamers? Surely not...until I read this. When confronted with a McCain P.O.W. story that sounds suspiciously like a story from The Gulag Archipelego (even though this is currently being debated) campaign aid Michael Goldfarb said “It may be typical of the pro-Obama Dungeons & Dragons crowd to Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-26446204841469941442008-08-11T17:52:00.000-07:002008-08-11T17:53:37.195-07:00D'oh!Replace the phrase "Homer Simpson" with "Chuckles" and you have one great goddamn article.Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-33675552706188934872008-08-11T13:42:00.000-07:002008-08-11T13:43:29.983-07:00Error: Computers(Programming) check - 4 Action Dice. Oh, you KNOW someone's been caned for this. Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-76771610348908261632008-08-11T09:52:00.000-07:002008-08-11T09:53:56.988-07:00It Gets No BetterSequel to the Star Wars Nerds...Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-1564133990165017772008-08-08T09:43:00.000-07:002008-08-08T09:57:35.741-07:00Swift Boat from HellWell, we have to hand it to McCain's campaign - they finally found their angle of underhanded attack on Obama combined with a way to scare evangelicals to voting for McCain. All it took was painting Obama as the Antichrist.Watch then read on: Read a good analysis at Time.com. The amazingly insidious power of this ad is both that it's tapping an established vein of evangelical Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-60909438801543090552008-08-05T10:55:00.000-07:002008-08-05T11:09:30.467-07:00Fill Your TiresSo I see McCain ragging on Obama for suggesting that inflating your tires increases gas mileage. Those of us who actually drive know inflating your tires works well. Now we can see who exactly has had their gas pumped and paid for them over the last few years. I'm not crazy about the Dems' sometimes vicious "out of touch" message they pounded McCain with, but this IMO is proof his Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-10661397377397666842008-07-08T22:57:00.000-07:002008-07-08T22:59:10.773-07:00Most Amazing Video Ever GORBACHOV: THE MUSIC VIDEO - BIGGER AND RUSSIANERA video starring zombie Stalins, a Conan-esque Gorbachov, amazingly hot Russian women and twinkies? I'll have 3.Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-56300053571013781662008-07-08T22:56:00.000-07:002008-07-08T22:57:30.089-07:00Things Progress ApaceStill alive. Busy as hell. Too many things to do, not enough time to do them. Job interviews in Omaha going well - on to round 3? We'll see. House secured. Cross your fingers for me, folks.Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-69738875657994063992008-06-16T21:53:00.001-07:002008-06-16T22:05:13.717-07:00Carl SandburgIf you're not familiar with Carl Sandburg, you should do something about that. AZTEC MASKI wanted a man's face looking into the jaws and throat of lifeWith something proud on his face, so proud no smash of the jaws,No gulp of the throat leaves the face in the endWith anything else than the old proud look: Even to the finish, dumped in the dust, Lost among Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-85349008908225199842008-06-10T20:50:00.001-07:002008-06-10T20:51:16.059-07:00PilloryThis word has been hanging in my head all day. Fascinating to learn the noun, too - I always thought they were called "stocks": Main Entry: 1pil·lo·ry Pronunciation: \ˈpi-lə-rē, ˈpil-rē\ Function: noun Inflected Form(s): plural pil·lo·ries Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French pilori Date: 13th century 1 : a device formerly used for publicly punishing offenders consisting of a Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-66477320400299261412008-06-09T09:41:00.000-07:002008-06-09T11:27:37.728-07:00Kicking and ScreamingThis morning, I woke up screaming, the first time that's ever happened. I had a dream I was in a dried riverbed in the southwest, with tufts of sagebrush growing here and there and the sand hard packed and carved by the waters. It was hot, and my family and I were dehydrated and staggering towards some undetermined point for some undetermined reason. For some reason, I lookedAlexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-43143548714785415352008-06-09T09:40:00.000-07:002008-06-09T09:41:33.831-07:00THIS...is an INTeresting PROfileThe man, the myth, the legendary ham...William Alan Shatner.Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-9773482953278902422008-05-29T16:35:00.000-07:002008-05-29T16:37:33.509-07:00PC Comes Full CircleNo longer are we worried about not offending people, no, in fact, we're deliberately making sure we're drawing cultural lines in the sand. In Dunkin' Donuts ads. Call me a hippie, but I know what paisley looks like...and that's definately paisely.Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-28245484428874104672008-05-29T09:01:00.000-07:002008-05-30T00:06:39.876-07:00Young. Hillary. Clinton.Oh man, this is awesome. Thanks to Laconic for sending it on: Young Hillary Clinton on FunnyOrDie.comEdit: video fixed - stupid YouTube!Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-61342906224012782162008-05-22T09:24:00.000-07:002008-05-22T09:26:36.448-07:00A Fair QuestionTRUE patriots support humans for the Presidency...All inspired by Is America Ready for a Cylon President?.Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-4566866216467024982008-04-30T10:19:00.001-07:002008-04-30T10:22:01.312-07:00Lesbians sue lesbians for name rightsIt's like something straight out of South Park...Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-80923124993359462282008-04-29T16:05:00.000-07:002008-04-29T16:13:43.052-07:00Fight the Powah, Brotha!First, there was the Magna Carta. Then, there was the UN Declaration of Universal Human Rights. Now, there's The Declaration of the Rights of a Husband Gamer. We must all rise up and defend our fundamental right to play Grand Theft Auto IV, by all critics' measures the most perfect video game of all time.Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-16538624272686161742008-04-25T15:32:00.000-07:002008-04-25T15:34:51.873-07:00GeniusIt's rare that I get wistful about high school, despite the fact I really came into my own, traveled the world and met some of my best friends there, but this senior prank makes me proud (as official cartoonist of the Lincoln Underground newspaper thrice threatened with suspension) be a Licoln alum. WTG Cardinals!Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-46157712180120449192008-04-21T11:03:00.001-07:002008-04-21T11:04:03.298-07:00Green War is Good WarIn The Know: How Can We Make The War In Iraq More Eco-Friendly?OK, enough with the Onion videos. Man, that's good TV.Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-72377621312206733052008-04-21T10:54:00.000-07:002008-04-21T10:55:25.117-07:00Just Remember This is Why Many People Vote the Way They DoPoll: Bullshit Is Most Important Issue For 2008 VotersAlexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-16230987074838509052008-04-18T14:02:00.000-07:002008-04-18T14:12:21.601-07:00Let's See How Long it Takes for This One to DieBarney Frank and Ron Paul Sponsor the "Make Room for Serious Criminals Act," which would stop federal prosecution of marijuana smoking (thus leaving it solely to the states to decide legality). This would also prevent the government from literally making it a federal case when a person prescribed medical marijuana actually uses it. Revolutionary, I Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-69313556508037275662008-04-14T22:40:00.001-07:002008-04-14T22:46:39.556-07:00Gary Gygax Meets Santa Claus Meets Blacula = ?!?!Truly awesome.Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-6894616421432960192008-04-10T11:41:00.000-07:002008-04-10T14:46:38.197-07:0012...I mean, 6 Steps to a Better USAA thoughtful article by Glenn Beck. It's interesting to see something in this election-crazed time of the year that's not about parties, but about good politics. I'm finding myself disagree more and more sharply with the protectionist/isolationist economic agenda coming from pols like Hillary (and even my man Obama), and the wishy-washy open ended commitment toAlexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-31487829450788047902008-04-08T13:02:00.001-07:002008-04-08T13:08:58.920-07:00Don't Forget! The Surge is Working!Yep, nobody starving or dying there...Who's facing the crisis of credibility now, Joe Leiberman?Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-90228912685907757772008-03-31T12:44:00.000-07:002008-03-31T12:54:42.976-07:00Make No Mistake...the race is over, no matter what the pundits try and tell you. I think the protracted fight against all odds from the Clinton camp is only the last ditch effort of the campaign to convince the voters, spoon-fed by a media starving to be rake in ad revenue and remain in the spotlight themselves, that those who do not win by what the campaign defines as "necessary victories" (ie Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-65259017723244611852008-03-25T13:30:00.000-07:002008-03-25T13:32:32.868-07:00News FlashWal-Mart is fucking evil. No really--read the whole thing.This week I'm in hell - must touch about 1500 web pages individually in 3 days, plus 2 hours of training/day and numerous fights with clients who don't agree with the way we've set things up. Doing a con all this weekend. Collapsing sometime next weekend.Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-65854479958307568642008-03-18T22:47:00.000-07:002008-03-18T22:48:35.143-07:005 Years Later...our president is a cocky, one-note, ignorant asshole. I hope you rot, GW.Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-77760909560989757862008-03-18T12:24:00.000-07:002008-03-18T12:26:16.888-07:00What I want in a commander-in-chief.....is encapsulated in this speech.Responsible. Straight forward. Balanced and cognizant of the needs and positions of people he does and does not agree with.Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-65190689206496308392008-02-26T10:10:00.001-08:002008-02-26T10:10:05.472-08:00Star Wars according to a 3 year old.Sheer genius.Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-38336685704737385092008-02-22T09:27:00.001-08:002008-02-22T09:31:47.633-08:00Xerox This, Hilldawg.
Ain't it just like a Clinton - not less than a week after bounding on 10 seconds of an Obama speech that was borrowed from a supporter and friend (and not even that well, mind you), Hillary uses key lines from a few other presidential candidates to try and pull her campaign out of a death spiral, and all the more blatently/perfectly stolen.
Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-71077480140065576182008-02-22T09:09:00.000-08:002008-02-22T09:14:18.038-08:00Witness to Madness(this one's been in draft for 2 weeks, so please forgive - the humor remains fresh. - Ed.)The entire crazy overanalysis of this election season reminds me a lot of some other news coverage I've seen before...But then there's the spin, including the rhetoric of the states that matter, so it sort of balances out. I mean, what would Tracy Flick say?Still, it's great to see our man Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-11854748927923207372008-02-15T16:44:00.000-08:002008-02-15T16:45:46.516-08:00Bad Fanfic, Ahoy!(4:25:27 PM) Chester99: how would you feel about a little cross over action(4:25:32 PM) Alex: ?(4:25:37 PM) Chester99: the borg show up in the starwars universe circa empire(4:25:43 PM) Alex: mmmm...nah(4:25:52 PM) Alex: jedi killing trekies would be cool, tho(4:26:13 PM) Chester99: borg + empire == darth vader fithing robots(4:26:15 PM) Chester99: it would rule(4:26:22 PM) Alex:Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-31642261996339908282008-02-07T12:25:00.001-08:002008-02-07T12:36:20.911-08:00Sorry, Cory...But this is simply too damn funny not to post: Oh man.Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-66758113190729438492008-02-04T13:35:00.001-08:002008-02-04T13:35:47.317-08:00From My Brother In LawPresented verbatim: "From the Letters to the Editor, Economist, 2 Feb 2008: 'SIR - Your reivew of a book on happiness and where to find it mentioned that Republicans are happier than Democrats. This can probably be explained in the same way that dogs are happier than their owners; they can't grasp the concept of cleaning up the mess they leave behind.' John Smith-Hill, Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-60796342314007818422008-01-31T09:00:00.000-08:002008-01-31T16:23:08.260-08:00News You Can UseInside the European Sex Trade (or, why Prague is not as cool as your college friends would have you believe). ZOMG, actual reporting by someone willing to dig into a very dangerous and overlooke situation - is this actually the media?A double whammy - McCain leads Clinton and Obama in a general election poll, explained by why the Democrats want to lose the presidency, but so do Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-37305140002560365482008-01-25T16:20:00.000-08:002008-01-25T16:33:45.140-08:00Best of CraigslistI think I found my favorite new killing-time website - The Best of Craigslist. There's some crazy shit on there, like the Pink Vagina Couch, a Dear John letter to internet porn, or the personal ad by an ogre mage. 'Scuse me, but I could be wasting some perfectly good time right now.Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-74962020916885529692008-01-23T14:25:00.000-08:002008-01-23T14:26:09.507-08:00Ugh.I wouldn't put this past them.Goddamnit.Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-30930266032502444492008-01-23T11:24:00.000-08:002008-01-23T14:29:42.780-08:00Another Reason to Avoid BaptistsI don't know how you feel about Heath Ledger's death - I'll miss watching his career develop and am most concerned if we'll see his pitch-perfect version of the Joker in The Dark Knight - but this goes so far beyond the pale...We cannot let this people win the election. We cannot afford to empower them to bring this hate into politics. We cannot legitimize their Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-19995535220513947572008-01-19T10:40:00.001-08:002008-01-19T10:41:09.360-08:00Obama: Political Abberation or Back to Basics?You decide. Here's a good explination of my take.Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-28632473575458330492008-01-19T00:07:00.001-08:002008-01-19T00:07:34.807-08:00Just Because This Video RocksThirsty MonkeyAdd to My Profile | More VideosAlexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516825.post-91381394170088559672008-01-09T14:03:00.000-08:002008-01-09T14:10:24.085-08:00Revenge of the BlogHey everyone, happy New Year. Hope you and yours entered 2008 happily and safely. After a long winter's "break" (which actually involved not only the holidays but a major purge/cleaning of our house, rewiring of my basement, and gutting and reconstruction of our bathroom), I'm back in the saddle and working away at a number of projects, including FantasyCraft (finally!). First Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453511487294262978noreply@blogger.com0