Wall-E
Cute. But that's to be expected. I'd actually wanted to see it in the theater, and never got around to it. (That happens more often than I care to admit.) Very sweet, plenty of constant action, not-so-subtle poke at American "sit on your butt" culture. :) (Reminds me, I need to exercise.) Might buy it - not on my "Gotta have" list, but it's a definite "Keep in mind."
The Inspector General
Classic Danny Kaye. I love this movie. And White Christmas, Court Jester, the Five Pennies.... well, everything he's done, honestly. But I really, really, REALLY wish some company would go through and restore this movie. You can TELL the source is getting old. It really needs some cleaning up, crisping up, that sort of thing. And I'd love to know that someone did so (and put it in widescreen, not TV-ratio 4:3.)
Someone? Anyone?
I'm not sure which version Netflix uses (sent it back already,) but I picked up the "Alpha" edition of it (another distributor,) which looks the same. The Neflix version has some good biographies and such. Worth renting.
These are too good to let fizzle out. "Give 'em the fist, give 'em the wrist, give 'em the finger!"
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
So why did I vote for Obama?
Yeah, politics. The race is over, he's president-elect. In not too much more time, he'll be President. So, what got me to vote for him? Was it a reaction against Bush? Am I a loyal Democrat?
I don't belong to any political party. It's a personal view of mine. I don't want to be "counted" as probably voting one way or another, or having someone trying to take a shortcut counting me among X many other Republicans or Democrats to say "There's this much support." And I don't think either party really stands completely for what I do.
I see myself more as a centrist. I'm for rights and government aid - with restrictions. I'm for smaller government, but not just blindly cutting away at services and departments. I hate votes going with partisan lines. I believe fully in the right to bear arms and private gun ownership - but believe before you can own a gun, you should be licensed - or rather, have to go through gun safety courses and get an approved area to store them. This can be handled by the NRA, most likely. I'm for supporting welfare and universally available health care - but with limits, and with care, unless circumstances dictate otherwise, tied to attempts to gain employment and/or "paying back" with civil service. I support the cause of same-sex marriage - as well as the right of any religious institution to protect *their* beliefs by refusing to hold the ceremony. I believe we have the right to defend ourselves as a nation and promote our interests - but when they involve other nations, that we should have a solid case for what we're doing and tacit support.
Part of this is what lost me to Bush in 2004. Kerry spoke about being part of the international community again. Bush twisted this into "He thinks we need France's permission to defend ourselves." Meanwhile, we'd invaded a nation (Iraq) on what turned out to be incorrect intel, a nation that we already had sanctions and *supported* military presence on (no fly zones and the like,) and that was barely more of a threat to us than Mozambique. Saddam was bad, yes, but he was also anti-Islamist, not for the sake of the world, but his own regime. He rejected the Taliban and al-Qaida.
Compare it to Afghanistan, where we *had* international support and backing, proof that this IS where the attack came from and that we *did* have to go in. And we were doing well... until Iraq. Our outgoing president seemed to have forgotten that.
Did I think Kerry would make a great wartime leader? Though he was a soldier, probably not - but I *did* feel he'd be better at regaining support, stabilizing Iraq faster with help, and bringing our troops home.
John McCain, in 2004, had he won the primary, would have had my vote unchallenged and unreservedly.
The John McCain I saw in 2008 was a vastly different person. Hostile, heavily partisan (and trying to pass himself off as a "maverick,") but indecisive and somewhat out of touch, relying on attacks instead of *information* on what he'd do. He didn't impress me. In fact, he repulsed me. I was actually *hoping* he'd get the nod at first, before the campaigns really kicked in.
The selection of Sarah Palin came off to me as a cynical grab at female voters, as well as trying to get more into bed with the heavily right wing Religious Right groups - another reason I wouldn't vote Republican. She had no experience, and while "folksy" came off as generally evasive and ignorant to me. An ideologue, perhaps - but we've had too much of them.
Obama, meanwhile, came off as respectful, but driven. Someone who knew how to present his ideas and defend himself without (much) slinging of mud. He turned his back on some of his supporters when they started attacking McCain personally (like... whatsisface, the rapper,) saying that was not what he wanted in his campaign. When he spoke about others attacking his patriotism and love for the country - and in that same speech, said that nobody could question John McCain's patriotism, either, that he had given more than he had to in serving, enduring torture as a POW, then coming back and entering public life, that he had respect for him - Obama definitely had his hooks in me then. He got me.
In debates, he didn't get into what could have been very frustrating, emotional debates, such as the charges about "palling around with terrorists." That debate also turned me against McCain. He brought that up, and Acorn, and Obama just waited his turn, said "Let me address that, since it's being brought up so much. I was eight years old when he did those acts. he was on a board with me in Chicago, along with so and so, so and so, so and so (a republican,) he's not part of my campaign." Very clear and concise, unemotional - and McCain went back to beating the drum about it the very next time he got to speak.
He showed himself a calm, rational thinker early on, understanding individual situations while keeping a bigger picture in mind, back when he spoke to General Petraius. He maintained that even with the oil problems and economic crisis. And even now, as he puts his cabinet together, he's not making a *democratic* cabinet. He's picking and choosing people from both sides who can get the job done - including people from teh current administration.
I dont' think I'd have seen that from a McCain-Palin administration.
And that is what convinced me he'd be able to look past The Democratic Party Line and do what's best for the country. That's what gave me hope for the future... and what still does.
I don't belong to any political party. It's a personal view of mine. I don't want to be "counted" as probably voting one way or another, or having someone trying to take a shortcut counting me among X many other Republicans or Democrats to say "There's this much support." And I don't think either party really stands completely for what I do.
I see myself more as a centrist. I'm for rights and government aid - with restrictions. I'm for smaller government, but not just blindly cutting away at services and departments. I hate votes going with partisan lines. I believe fully in the right to bear arms and private gun ownership - but believe before you can own a gun, you should be licensed - or rather, have to go through gun safety courses and get an approved area to store them. This can be handled by the NRA, most likely. I'm for supporting welfare and universally available health care - but with limits, and with care, unless circumstances dictate otherwise, tied to attempts to gain employment and/or "paying back" with civil service. I support the cause of same-sex marriage - as well as the right of any religious institution to protect *their* beliefs by refusing to hold the ceremony. I believe we have the right to defend ourselves as a nation and promote our interests - but when they involve other nations, that we should have a solid case for what we're doing and tacit support.
Part of this is what lost me to Bush in 2004. Kerry spoke about being part of the international community again. Bush twisted this into "He thinks we need France's permission to defend ourselves." Meanwhile, we'd invaded a nation (Iraq) on what turned out to be incorrect intel, a nation that we already had sanctions and *supported* military presence on (no fly zones and the like,) and that was barely more of a threat to us than Mozambique. Saddam was bad, yes, but he was also anti-Islamist, not for the sake of the world, but his own regime. He rejected the Taliban and al-Qaida.
Compare it to Afghanistan, where we *had* international support and backing, proof that this IS where the attack came from and that we *did* have to go in. And we were doing well... until Iraq. Our outgoing president seemed to have forgotten that.
Did I think Kerry would make a great wartime leader? Though he was a soldier, probably not - but I *did* feel he'd be better at regaining support, stabilizing Iraq faster with help, and bringing our troops home.
John McCain, in 2004, had he won the primary, would have had my vote unchallenged and unreservedly.
The John McCain I saw in 2008 was a vastly different person. Hostile, heavily partisan (and trying to pass himself off as a "maverick,") but indecisive and somewhat out of touch, relying on attacks instead of *information* on what he'd do. He didn't impress me. In fact, he repulsed me. I was actually *hoping* he'd get the nod at first, before the campaigns really kicked in.
The selection of Sarah Palin came off to me as a cynical grab at female voters, as well as trying to get more into bed with the heavily right wing Religious Right groups - another reason I wouldn't vote Republican. She had no experience, and while "folksy" came off as generally evasive and ignorant to me. An ideologue, perhaps - but we've had too much of them.
Obama, meanwhile, came off as respectful, but driven. Someone who knew how to present his ideas and defend himself without (much) slinging of mud. He turned his back on some of his supporters when they started attacking McCain personally (like... whatsisface, the rapper,) saying that was not what he wanted in his campaign. When he spoke about others attacking his patriotism and love for the country - and in that same speech, said that nobody could question John McCain's patriotism, either, that he had given more than he had to in serving, enduring torture as a POW, then coming back and entering public life, that he had respect for him - Obama definitely had his hooks in me then. He got me.
In debates, he didn't get into what could have been very frustrating, emotional debates, such as the charges about "palling around with terrorists." That debate also turned me against McCain. He brought that up, and Acorn, and Obama just waited his turn, said "Let me address that, since it's being brought up so much. I was eight years old when he did those acts. he was on a board with me in Chicago, along with so and so, so and so, so and so (a republican,) he's not part of my campaign." Very clear and concise, unemotional - and McCain went back to beating the drum about it the very next time he got to speak.
He showed himself a calm, rational thinker early on, understanding individual situations while keeping a bigger picture in mind, back when he spoke to General Petraius. He maintained that even with the oil problems and economic crisis. And even now, as he puts his cabinet together, he's not making a *democratic* cabinet. He's picking and choosing people from both sides who can get the job done - including people from teh current administration.
I dont' think I'd have seen that from a McCain-Palin administration.
And that is what convinced me he'd be able to look past The Democratic Party Line and do what's best for the country. That's what gave me hope for the future... and what still does.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Early voting - go do it!
Because, frankly, I think this year is going to be nuts. I'm going in tomorrow (well, later today) to toss my vote in for Obama.
Now, I'm not a Democrat. Or a Republican. I deliberately stay unregistered, for the simple facts that (a) I don't want the parties to make any assumptions about me and (b) it cuts down on junk mail. (And some of the ads coming in have been absolutely vile.)
I grew up in the 80s. Loved Reagan, thought he was incredible. First vote was for Bush Sr, then - I think Perot, actually. Then Nader, as I had no faith in Bush Jr. or Dole and wanted to encourage more third party participation. Kerry after that, seeing how Bush was acting (and how slanderous his attacks would get.)
But I'll tell ya, watching Obama versus McCain is night and freaking day. I really, REALLY was pulling for McCain four years ago, hoping he'd get the nod from the Republicans - but they pulled together behind Bush, unfortuntely. And somewhere between then and now, McCain lost ... a lot. Integrety, I suppose is a word for it. He's certainly not the same person *now* I'd have happily voted for four years ago.
He hasn't offered anything I've seen other than attacks, and Sarah Palin - oh, my, god. Yeah, she's "folksy," or something, great. She's NOT VP - or more importantly, Presidential - material. I can't see her as anything but a cynical grab for the women who were supporting Hillary Clinton as well as the radical right. (Didn't we - aren't we, still fighting against a theocracy? Why do we want to introduce one at home?)
Obama's been respectful. He's shushed supporters - even denounced them - when they started attacking McCain. He's offered answers to the horrid attacks from the Republicans ("He's a muslem terrorist, he supports terrorism, and his christian preacher is nuts!" What?) He's said flat out he *respects* those who serve their country, and mentioned McCain specifically, seeming very firm in that he would NOT tolerate anyone questioning his opponent's service or patirotism... meanwhile, that same opponent's camp has twisted and turned everything they can.
One side's slinging mud, the other's giving answers and hope. Who the hell do you *think* I'm voting for? I've said it before, I'll say it again - it's like the Republicans WANT to lose this race.
I'm looking forward to four years - preferrably eight, I think he'll do thta good of a job, even with the rough road he's going to have to start on - of Obama.
Now, I'm not a Democrat. Or a Republican. I deliberately stay unregistered, for the simple facts that (a) I don't want the parties to make any assumptions about me and (b) it cuts down on junk mail. (And some of the ads coming in have been absolutely vile.)
I grew up in the 80s. Loved Reagan, thought he was incredible. First vote was for Bush Sr, then - I think Perot, actually. Then Nader, as I had no faith in Bush Jr. or Dole and wanted to encourage more third party participation. Kerry after that, seeing how Bush was acting (and how slanderous his attacks would get.)
But I'll tell ya, watching Obama versus McCain is night and freaking day. I really, REALLY was pulling for McCain four years ago, hoping he'd get the nod from the Republicans - but they pulled together behind Bush, unfortuntely. And somewhere between then and now, McCain lost ... a lot. Integrety, I suppose is a word for it. He's certainly not the same person *now* I'd have happily voted for four years ago.
He hasn't offered anything I've seen other than attacks, and Sarah Palin - oh, my, god. Yeah, she's "folksy," or something, great. She's NOT VP - or more importantly, Presidential - material. I can't see her as anything but a cynical grab for the women who were supporting Hillary Clinton as well as the radical right. (Didn't we - aren't we, still fighting against a theocracy? Why do we want to introduce one at home?)
Obama's been respectful. He's shushed supporters - even denounced them - when they started attacking McCain. He's offered answers to the horrid attacks from the Republicans ("He's a muslem terrorist, he supports terrorism, and his christian preacher is nuts!" What?) He's said flat out he *respects* those who serve their country, and mentioned McCain specifically, seeming very firm in that he would NOT tolerate anyone questioning his opponent's service or patirotism... meanwhile, that same opponent's camp has twisted and turned everything they can.
One side's slinging mud, the other's giving answers and hope. Who the hell do you *think* I'm voting for? I've said it before, I'll say it again - it's like the Republicans WANT to lose this race.
I'm looking forward to four years - preferrably eight, I think he'll do thta good of a job, even with the rough road he's going to have to start on - of Obama.
Saturday, June 07, 2008
How to make a customer annoyed.
1. Hype a game (Hellgate: London.)
2. "Suddenly" require a subscription before release.
3. Be vague about what's needed (do you REALLY need to subscribe? Oh, only for new content. Can you see it single player? I still don't know.)
4. Be buggy and slow.
5. Make sure selecting a nice, clear "System Requirements" option does not bring up, oh, system requirements. In any way shape or form.
Hellgate sucks. And I was so looking forward to it, oh, a year ago or so.
2. "Suddenly" require a subscription before release.
3. Be vague about what's needed (do you REALLY need to subscribe? Oh, only for new content. Can you see it single player? I still don't know.)
4. Be buggy and slow.
5. Make sure selecting a nice, clear "System Requirements" option does not bring up, oh, system requirements. In any way shape or form.
Hellgate sucks. And I was so looking forward to it, oh, a year ago or so.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
How long?
How long does it take to no longer be angry at an ex?
All I know is, I need to find someone. Not having someone means I end up with time to think. Which sometimes leads back to her. Heck, I'm realizing I don't recall seeing anything of the first miscarriage in insurance or hospital bills... convenient that it was while she was away from me.
Yeah. I need to get my butt out there and hook up with someone, I think. This isn't healthy.
All I know is, I need to find someone. Not having someone means I end up with time to think. Which sometimes leads back to her. Heck, I'm realizing I don't recall seeing anything of the first miscarriage in insurance or hospital bills... convenient that it was while she was away from me.
Yeah. I need to get my butt out there and hook up with someone, I think. This isn't healthy.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Yay!
So, two things I've been waiting for arrived today.
See, I've been planning on getting back into model building - it's one of those "essential parts of me" I've neglected since divorce, just from feeling so lost and "not-me" since.
Well, I couldn't pass these up, and as I got that *urge* to build again - I've been getting a few kits together and supplies. I lost thousands thanks to the bitchy, forced nature of the move I had to do - and not just little things like the kits and such, but irreplacable things, like my high school yearbooks. Something I can't forgive being forced into the position I lost hem from.
Anyway... my "stuff."
First, I used to have an airbrush, an Aztek 470. It's a nice brush, with a unique system of tips instead of full needles, and a resin (of some sort) body that can't be disassembled. I lost that during the move. I finally turned round, hearing Badger had a "yard sale," and bought a Thayer-Chandler Omni 4000.
I still may buy another Aztek, but... this is a gorgeous brush, with comfortable heft for it. Normally runs something like $130. I got it for $40 or so. Then another 10 for an air hose with water trap built in. NO air cans for me any more (something that always irked me.)
The other thing?
A Dragon HE-162D kit.
I love this airplane. It, the P-36, and the F-5/T-38/F-20 series are my all time favourites. They just look *right.* The D's a forward-swept wing variant... yes, on an early (WWII German) jet.
... I can't wait to get building.
Edit: 6000. Not 4000. Still an awesome little brush.
See, I've been planning on getting back into model building - it's one of those "essential parts of me" I've neglected since divorce, just from feeling so lost and "not-me" since.
Well, I couldn't pass these up, and as I got that *urge* to build again - I've been getting a few kits together and supplies. I lost thousands thanks to the bitchy, forced nature of the move I had to do - and not just little things like the kits and such, but irreplacable things, like my high school yearbooks. Something I can't forgive being forced into the position I lost hem from.
Anyway... my "stuff."
First, I used to have an airbrush, an Aztek 470. It's a nice brush, with a unique system of tips instead of full needles, and a resin (of some sort) body that can't be disassembled. I lost that during the move. I finally turned round, hearing Badger had a "yard sale," and bought a Thayer-Chandler Omni 4000.
I still may buy another Aztek, but... this is a gorgeous brush, with comfortable heft for it. Normally runs something like $130. I got it for $40 or so. Then another 10 for an air hose with water trap built in. NO air cans for me any more (something that always irked me.)
The other thing?
A Dragon HE-162D kit.
I love this airplane. It, the P-36, and the F-5/T-38/F-20 series are my all time favourites. They just look *right.* The D's a forward-swept wing variant... yes, on an early (WWII German) jet.
... I can't wait to get building.
Edit: 6000. Not 4000. Still an awesome little brush.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Anniversaries
Two days ago was my ex's birthday. Emailed her a week before - as I don't really trust myself to talk to her, or, honestly, just trust her. Haven't heard a thing.
Somehow, this doesn't really bother me, given my thoughts, when turned to her, are either those of feeling used or downright angry.
And in less than a month - March 6, to be honest - is the second anniversary of my emancipation.
Heck of a thing to call a divorce, hmm? Yes, I celebrate the day we signed the papers, even though life went to hell shortly after, and I found myself driving cross country to the barely-open arms of my brother - not, in hindsight, that I could blame them. I had, for her, burned bridges... two weeks after that, I left, to live with a friend for a few months, then move back in with my mom to help get me on my feet.
I'm getting there. I still feel adrift, somewhat - I can't say I'm of my job, but it's a job, and if I don't think of where I could have been, it's... tolerable. Still not where I want to be, but it's there, and letting me collect bits of myself back.
Meanwhile... I turn to ME. I'm still rediscovering who I am - quiet and somewhat of a loner that I am, never satisfied and always curious. Soon, I'll have to find a focus for that building energy.
Somehow, this doesn't really bother me, given my thoughts, when turned to her, are either those of feeling used or downright angry.
And in less than a month - March 6, to be honest - is the second anniversary of my emancipation.
Heck of a thing to call a divorce, hmm? Yes, I celebrate the day we signed the papers, even though life went to hell shortly after, and I found myself driving cross country to the barely-open arms of my brother - not, in hindsight, that I could blame them. I had, for her, burned bridges... two weeks after that, I left, to live with a friend for a few months, then move back in with my mom to help get me on my feet.
I'm getting there. I still feel adrift, somewhat - I can't say I'm of my job, but it's a job, and if I don't think of where I could have been, it's... tolerable. Still not where I want to be, but it's there, and letting me collect bits of myself back.
Meanwhile... I turn to ME. I'm still rediscovering who I am - quiet and somewhat of a loner that I am, never satisfied and always curious. Soon, I'll have to find a focus for that building energy.
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