Thursday, February 14, 2008
Friday, January 11, 2008
Monday, December 17, 2007
Monday, November 12, 2007
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Map of the Green Valley lake slide fire
This was last updated yesterday but I'd like to note it anyway. The red is stuff that burned, the blue lines are the houses confirmed as okay. While the white lines denote that the firefighters haven't made it there, and they don't know yet.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Great conversations of the Day
Conversation #1
Employee #1 "ts all your fault."
Employee #2 "It couldn't have been me."
Employee #1 "How isn't it your fault?"
Employee #2 " Because I'm too lazy to have done it."
Conversation #2
Employee #1 "Bah, Killograms!! How many pounds are in a killogram?"
Employee #2 "I don't know let me think about it."
Me "Sheeze, one killogram is roughly equal to 2.2 pounds."
Employeese #1 & 2 "How did you know that?"
Me "Its the kind of thing you learn in high school physics."
Employee #1 "Oh"
Employee #2 "Well then, how many killograms is a 180 pounds?"
Me "About 90 killograms."
Employee #1 "No, it should be about 360 killograms."
Me "How did you figure that?"
Employee #1 "Oh, I was multipling, no wonder I was always loosing money!!"
Employee #1 "ts all your fault."
Employee #2 "It couldn't have been me."
Employee #1 "How isn't it your fault?"
Employee #2 " Because I'm too lazy to have done it."
Conversation #2
Employee #1 "Bah, Killograms!! How many pounds are in a killogram?"
Employee #2 "I don't know let me think about it."
Me "Sheeze, one killogram is roughly equal to 2.2 pounds."
Employeese #1 & 2 "How did you know that?"
Me "Its the kind of thing you learn in high school physics."
Employee #1 "Oh"
Employee #2 "Well then, how many killograms is a 180 pounds?"
Me "About 90 killograms."
Employee #1 "No, it should be about 360 killograms."
Me "How did you figure that?"
Employee #1 "Oh, I was multipling, no wonder I was always loosing money!!"
Monday, October 22, 2007
Monday, October 01, 2007
hmm, did these people came from the future?
From a RJ Q&A see post below
Question:
After reading a book like Misery by Stephen King I think that I would be terrified to be a writer. What has been your creepiest experience with a fan?
Robert Jordan Answers:
I haven’t had any creepy experiences with fans unless you count the bikers who came to a signing after hearing a rumor – untrue -- that I was in very bad health and threatened to desecrate my grave if I died before finishing the books. That was a little on the odd side, especially since they looked as if they might desecrate graves for a hobby. On the whole, my fans seem to be pretty sane. No freeze dried cats as presents. No requests for autographs in blood. Oh, a few women have volunteered to have my baby, but that’s a whole different thing.
Question:
After reading a book like Misery by Stephen King I think that I would be terrified to be a writer. What has been your creepiest experience with a fan?
Robert Jordan Answers:
I haven’t had any creepy experiences with fans unless you count the bikers who came to a signing after hearing a rumor – untrue -- that I was in very bad health and threatened to desecrate my grave if I died before finishing the books. That was a little on the odd side, especially since they looked as if they might desecrate graves for a hobby. On the whole, my fans seem to be pretty sane. No freeze dried cats as presents. No requests for autographs in blood. Oh, a few women have volunteered to have my baby, but that’s a whole different thing.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
And there was much sadness
To all that have read the Wheel of Time series Robert Jordan has passed away from a very rare blood disease September 16th.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
The first hive city I mean Arcology
The X-Seed 4000 is the tallest building ever fully envisioned, meaning that the designs for construction have been completed. However, due to excessive projected costs, the structure has not been constructed.
Its proposed 4 kilometer (13,123 foot) height, 6 kilometre wide sea-base, and 800 floor capacity could accommodate five hundred thousand to one million inhabitants.
It was designed for Tokyo, Japan by the Taisei Corporation in 1995[1] as a futuristic environment combining ultra-modern living and interaction with nature.[2]
Unlike conventional skyscrapers, the X-Seed 4000 would be required to actively protect its occupants from considerable air pressure gradations and weather fluctuations along its massive elevation. Its design calls for the use of solar power to maintain internal environmental conditions.
A sea-based location and a Mount Fuji shape are some of this building's other major design features — the real Mount Fuji is land-based and is 3.8 kilometers in height, nearly 213 m (700 feet) shorter than X-Seed 4000.
Some estimate that the cost to construct the X-Seed 4000 structure may be somewhere between US$300-900 billion, in current dollars.
I doubt this will work just from a stable geography point of view of Japan.
Its proposed 4 kilometer (13,123 foot) height, 6 kilometre wide sea-base, and 800 floor capacity could accommodate five hundred thousand to one million inhabitants.
It was designed for Tokyo, Japan by the Taisei Corporation in 1995[1] as a futuristic environment combining ultra-modern living and interaction with nature.[2]
Unlike conventional skyscrapers, the X-Seed 4000 would be required to actively protect its occupants from considerable air pressure gradations and weather fluctuations along its massive elevation. Its design calls for the use of solar power to maintain internal environmental conditions.
A sea-based location and a Mount Fuji shape are some of this building's other major design features — the real Mount Fuji is land-based and is 3.8 kilometers in height, nearly 213 m (700 feet) shorter than X-Seed 4000.
Some estimate that the cost to construct the X-Seed 4000 structure may be somewhere between US$300-900 billion, in current dollars.
I doubt this will work just from a stable geography point of view of Japan.
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
This time for real.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Behold and kneel in love and fear!
The day has finally come faithful citizens, the day you have all been awaiting anxiously (even if, ahem, you didn't know you were awaiting it).
Bow down in reverence before the glory of
NORMALITY RESTORED
Bow down in reverence before the glory of
NORMALITY RESTORED
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Harry Potter is DEAD!
Well, maybe not dead in the "he's died" way...but the series is over (though Rowling said recently, when asked if she would ever write another HP book, "never say never").
So the cheese wonders what all you faithful citizens thought of "Deathly Hallows." Your benevolent overlord will expound his opinion down yonder, so look away if you haven't finished it yet....
Let's start with the deaths. The cheese has to admit that he suspected Lupin was going to bite the dust, and at least one of the Weasleys. So, no shocks there. Once it became clear that Tonks was pregnant, the cheese really didn't think she would go also, but that heartless Rowling likes to kill of sets of parents, apparently. As for Mad-Eye, can't say it was a big surprise, although coming so early in the book it really set the tone for the rest of the novel. As for Dobby, well, that might have been one of the biggest shocks in the whole series...and possibly the saddest moment.
And what about Snape? Well, it wasn't that big of a shock. Perhaps the mode of his death, bitten by Nagini, was a good twist. But everyone and his brother knew that Snape was good, probably had been in love with Harry's mom, and would do something important to help Harry in the last installment. Rowling did a good job of fulfilling those expectations, but then moving beyond them. Sure lot's of people figured Snape was in love with Lily, but who guessed they knew each other before Hogwarts, that Snape was the one to tell Lily of her true power, that they would be "best friends" even while at Hogwarts? And reflecting back on the series, Rowling played the balance of Snape wanting to protect Harry against Snape's anguish that Harry was Lily's child from another man (one whom Snape despised) really well. And Snape becomes, as one might expect, a fairly empathetic character. And what Harry says about him at the close of the book is true. Snape was damn courageous. Not only for what he did for the Order, but to come to Dumbledore in the first place. Really, even if you had doubts about Snape, once you found out his punishment to Neville, Luna and Ginny (for trying to steal the fake sword of Gryffindor) was to send them into the forbidden forest with Hagrid, well, come on, Harry and Malfoy had the same punishment when they were FIRST YEARS!
And Dumbledore....here, really was Rowling's masterstroke. The background and history on Dumbledore was necessary. If all we had ever seen of him was the wise, venerable, and caring old sorcerer of the first books then he'd have, essentially, been just a plot device with a soothing voice. But we see a real man, one of immense power who struggled in his youth to properly understand and harness his power. One who, in immaturity, caused loss had to deal with the outcome of his actions for his whole life. It's nice because, like every other character in the books, Dumbledore is portrayed just as humanly as Harry or anyone else. In book Six, we were given a peek into Voldemort's past, and those things that helped to shape him, and book Seven gives the same look into Dumbledore. What you realize, though, is that Rowling is championing every individual's choices as what sets one person as good or evil. Dumbledore could have easily turned into Grindelwald or Voldemort, but he chose to be a teacher instead. And we sympathize with Harry's anger at Dumbledore. We want our heroes, especially those like Dumbledore, to be good and pure and perfect, and we are quick to anger when they fail to meet our expectations, but Harry, by the story's end, comes to the realization that the best anyone can do is try and do what they believe is right.
All in all, Rowling is an engaging writer, and the book read well. In fact, the action was so strong in this one, that it seemed to read even faster than the shorter novels. And while much of it was predictable it ended, really, in the only way it could.
So the cheese wonders what all you faithful citizens thought of "Deathly Hallows." Your benevolent overlord will expound his opinion down yonder, so look away if you haven't finished it yet....
Let's start with the deaths. The cheese has to admit that he suspected Lupin was going to bite the dust, and at least one of the Weasleys. So, no shocks there. Once it became clear that Tonks was pregnant, the cheese really didn't think she would go also, but that heartless Rowling likes to kill of sets of parents, apparently. As for Mad-Eye, can't say it was a big surprise, although coming so early in the book it really set the tone for the rest of the novel. As for Dobby, well, that might have been one of the biggest shocks in the whole series...and possibly the saddest moment.
And what about Snape? Well, it wasn't that big of a shock. Perhaps the mode of his death, bitten by Nagini, was a good twist. But everyone and his brother knew that Snape was good, probably had been in love with Harry's mom, and would do something important to help Harry in the last installment. Rowling did a good job of fulfilling those expectations, but then moving beyond them. Sure lot's of people figured Snape was in love with Lily, but who guessed they knew each other before Hogwarts, that Snape was the one to tell Lily of her true power, that they would be "best friends" even while at Hogwarts? And reflecting back on the series, Rowling played the balance of Snape wanting to protect Harry against Snape's anguish that Harry was Lily's child from another man (one whom Snape despised) really well. And Snape becomes, as one might expect, a fairly empathetic character. And what Harry says about him at the close of the book is true. Snape was damn courageous. Not only for what he did for the Order, but to come to Dumbledore in the first place. Really, even if you had doubts about Snape, once you found out his punishment to Neville, Luna and Ginny (for trying to steal the fake sword of Gryffindor) was to send them into the forbidden forest with Hagrid, well, come on, Harry and Malfoy had the same punishment when they were FIRST YEARS!
And Dumbledore....here, really was Rowling's masterstroke. The background and history on Dumbledore was necessary. If all we had ever seen of him was the wise, venerable, and caring old sorcerer of the first books then he'd have, essentially, been just a plot device with a soothing voice. But we see a real man, one of immense power who struggled in his youth to properly understand and harness his power. One who, in immaturity, caused loss had to deal with the outcome of his actions for his whole life. It's nice because, like every other character in the books, Dumbledore is portrayed just as humanly as Harry or anyone else. In book Six, we were given a peek into Voldemort's past, and those things that helped to shape him, and book Seven gives the same look into Dumbledore. What you realize, though, is that Rowling is championing every individual's choices as what sets one person as good or evil. Dumbledore could have easily turned into Grindelwald or Voldemort, but he chose to be a teacher instead. And we sympathize with Harry's anger at Dumbledore. We want our heroes, especially those like Dumbledore, to be good and pure and perfect, and we are quick to anger when they fail to meet our expectations, but Harry, by the story's end, comes to the realization that the best anyone can do is try and do what they believe is right.
All in all, Rowling is an engaging writer, and the book read well. In fact, the action was so strong in this one, that it seemed to read even faster than the shorter novels. And while much of it was predictable it ended, really, in the only way it could.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Wizard Rock
Every once in a while something comes along that restores the cheese small faith in humanity...and with the impending Harry Potter Pandemonium set to be released on the mass populace at 12:01 AM Saturday (local time), the cheese' introduction to Wizard Rock couldn't have come at a more appropriate time.
Special thanks to Gilgrim (wait...you don't know Gilgrim well, shit ladies, go find out) for the tip, list, and assorted synopses...
Special thanks to Gilgrim (wait...you don't know Gilgrim well, shit ladies, go find out) for the tip, list, and assorted synopses...
"WRock Awesomeness
Tom Riddle And Friends
http://www.myspace.com/tomriddleandfriends
well harmonized acoustic pseudo-folk
The Weird Sisters (aka Switchblade Kittens)
http://www.myspace.com/theweirdsisters
Shroud flavored uptempo, bass/keyboard heavy darkwave –old school electro-pop-goth. Very well produced and mastered (tone similar to Dressy Betsy).
theTonks
Folk, acoustic female band with well trained and controlled vocals – and nice arrangements. Mellow, and polished.
The Remus Lupins
http://www.myspace.com/theremuslupins
Indie – folk – pop, with digital/early electro influences. Voice reminiscent of early Nim Vind.
The Hufflepunks
http://www.myspace.com/hufflepunx
Old school pop-punk with influences from two-tone, the specials and some early Oingo and random Gnarles Barkley and hip-hop influences (read: Beck).
The Hinky Punks
http://www.myspace.com/hinkypunx
indie-folk-accoustic / emo. Early, early Weezer tones and feedback electric guitar. Melodies reminiscent of early Deathcab.
Ginny and the HeartBreakers
http://www.myspace.com/ginnyandtheheartbreakers
Lo-fi Le Tigre influenced acoustic punk with indie electro influences. Bonus points for making ref to Daniel Radcliffe’s performance in La Equis.
The Fizzing Whizbees
http://www.myspace.com/thefizzingwhizbees
Punk lo-fi inspired, male version of Le Tigre with more acoustic stylings and a folk sensibility in the lyrics.
The Cruciatus Curse
http://www.myspace.com/thecruciatus
Listed as metal but much closer to mid-year industrial and a light version of Acumen Nation. Goth influenced, pop-industrial, with a bent to more old-school electronica.
Severely Snaped
http://www.myspace.com/severelysnapedwizardrock
Classic rock influenced metal/hard rock. Pulling musical stylings and their visual presence from the darker side of the early-mid seventies rock scene – some obvious influences from early goth acts like Christian Death with some Judas and Maiden thrown in for fun.
Roonil Wazlib
http://www.myspace.com/roonilwazlibrock
Accoustic –solo-guitar-comedic-folk. Female vocalist, 90’s era coffee-shoppe bo-ho pseudo-hippie/fem-rock natural sounding vocals and interesting timber. (Voted best new artist 2007- Wizrocklopedia People’s Choice Awards)
Remus and the Lupins
http://www.myspace.com/remusandthelupins
Pop-experimental electro influenced. Heavy voice modulation, basic, but consitent and light-hearted programming showing some influences from very late 70’s early 80’s arrangements by electric bands like Manheim Steam Roller. (from
Ginny and the Weasleys
http://www.myspace.com/hermioneandthegrangers
Ecclectic weirdness as the first ‘virtual band’ in Wrock (inspired by the Gorilllaz) with all songs from Ginny’s perspective (female vocalist) – bizarre range of synth sounds similar to Stephanie / early mid 80’s idol pop from
Bella and the Death Eaters
http://www.myspace.com/bellaandthedeatheaters
Accoustic folk-emo – two female vocalists with guitar accompaniment. Untrained vocals and melodies – mixed bag…
Potter and the Lightning Bolts
http://www.myspace.com/potterandthelightningbolts
Pop-punk rock, with polished production, lo-fi garage sound and good arrangements with variations towards acoustic/comedy-folk.
The Quidditch Pitch Incident
http://www.myspace.com/thequidditchpitchincident
Accoustic reverse white-stripes dynamic with female lead vocalist, arrangements closer to Dressy Betsy/Le Tigre – lo-fi recording and mastering, perhaps purposefully awkward(?).
Dobby and the House Elves
http://www.myspace.com/dobbyandthehouseelves
Electronic influenced pop-rock. Well arranged, decently produced. Lyrics and melodies are reminiscent of folk (Simon and Garfunkle) and early hip-hop (Grandmaster Flash / Blondie) mixed with a range spreading from early electronica and funk heavy 70’s disco/modern house and Moby/Fatboy Slim. Voice modulated for elfish quality.
The Fleur Delacours
http://www.myspace.com/thefleurdelacours
Le Tigre inspired female–indie-avante punk, smashed with plenty of cowbell, garage recording, and energy.
Mostly Muggles
http://www.myspace.com/mostlymuggles
Garage rock influenced jam-rock band. Stylings vary from old-school rock/blues and rockabilly to jam-styled 70’s garage with super lo-fi recording and production.
Draco and the Malfoys
http://www.myspace.com/dracoandthemalfoysusa
Similar to a slower more acoustic/basic electric version of They Might Be Giants.
Dumbledork
http://www.myspace.com/dumbleeedork
Lo-fi electronica/experimental. Well produced, breakbeat influences and solid electro-clash, with some more progressive and industrial flourishes, reminiscent of Psychic TV. Very nicely produced, mostly instrumental- some arrangements sound like earl john carpenter or Goblin scores.
DJ Luna Lovegood
http://www.myspace.com/djlovegood
Experimental –electro-heavy punk-folk. Well arranged, with some early goth smatterings. Ecclectic mixes with guitar – electric/acoustic, bass and samples.
Voldemort – Wizard Metal
http://www.myspace.com/voldemorttruemetal
Basic metal inspired – pseudo horror punk comedy act.
The Mudbloods
http://www.myspace.com/mudbloods
Well polished indie-folk with electric overtones. Good arrangements and melodies, vocals reminiscent of Deathcab.
Death Eaters Anon
http://www.myspace.com/deatheatersanon
Comedic similar to Doctor Demento. Eclectic hodge-podge some influences ranging from Swithblade Symphony and Rasputina.
Sir Nick
http://www.myspace.com/nearlyheadlessnick
Electronica, sample heavy, experimental, not always well arranged or mixed, more underground DIY, obvious loops from Acid. Uneven, but with some promise, with the more ethereal songs.
For more Wizard Rock goodness - http://wizardrock.org/"
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