Okay, so there's no way I'd really refer to Christmas as International Gift Giving Day, but it really is a shame that we, as a collective society, have managed to place such stressful, and shallow, economic pressures on the holiday season.
George and I will be packing the car up and shipping our asses back to Vegreville this afternoon, where I will then proceed to gorge myself on Christmas treats and honeyed hams - whole hams - for two consecutive days. During this time, the gang (which would include an assortment of chums and buddies) will attempt to throw together a road hockey game of monumental proportions, if for no other reason than to burn off the turkey stuffing and make way for Turtles, Toffifee, and Ferrero Roche, er, Fer...ro...F...ah, whatever. I just pretend they're little chocolate planets, while I, Unicron, greedily devour their inhabitants one morsel at a time.
I would divulge the rest of my holiday plans, but the United States of America has descended in to Yellow, no Blue, no, shit!, ORANGE ALERT, and I must observe a state of "increased awareness." I'd sure hate for some uber-Grinch terrorists to rain Anthrax down on my merry festivities.
Currently: Wondering why I didn't go to bed 7 hours previously
Wednesday, December 24, 2003
Saturday, December 20, 2003
Down to Burritos
In the beginning, there was nothing.
Well, to be more exact, there was nothing but my jacket/pillow and a pile of pocket change, the first night I ever slept in my apartment. I didn't even sleep in my new bedroom, but opted to test out the floor of my new living room. It was August 1, and even though I was living just slightly below ground level, the ceiling fan from the kitchen turned the living room in to an Arctic Paradise when compared with the stuffy bedroom. Quite frankly, I enjoy laying on the floor - always have. In fact, I can still recall sleeping under the kitchen table at my parent's place because it was something interesting to try out. Even my mother can attest to the fact that I frequently used to lie on the kitchen floor, forcing her to step over me while preparing supper.
Supper was one thing that my apartment was completely incapable of providing me. The fridge didn't even contain a box of baking soda, and even the ice cube tray was empty. Tagging along with my parents and sister to Costco quickly changed this scenario, though my major edible purchase was a bag of 36 frozen microwave burritos. Having no microwave at the time, I reasoned that these fine morsels would hasten my decision to purchase a nuker, because there was no way I'd wait 20 minutes to cook one in the oven.
Over four months later, and having only owned a microwave since I ransacked my uncle's basement during the Grey Cup, those very same burritos are pretty much the only thing I've got left in the place. Chicken and pork chops have come and gone. Instant mashed potatoes and Shake-n-Bake used to ruled the roost. But now, as Christmas fast approaches and I'm hesitant to re-stock my shelves before the New Year, those gut-busting popsicles of frozen meat paste are all that stand between nourishment and starvation.
Having eaten spicy beef burritos for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, a stretch of Ghandi-esque fasting is looking more appealing with each processed bite.
Currently listening to: BOMBLE - bomble's ballbag!
Well, to be more exact, there was nothing but my jacket/pillow and a pile of pocket change, the first night I ever slept in my apartment. I didn't even sleep in my new bedroom, but opted to test out the floor of my new living room. It was August 1, and even though I was living just slightly below ground level, the ceiling fan from the kitchen turned the living room in to an Arctic Paradise when compared with the stuffy bedroom. Quite frankly, I enjoy laying on the floor - always have. In fact, I can still recall sleeping under the kitchen table at my parent's place because it was something interesting to try out. Even my mother can attest to the fact that I frequently used to lie on the kitchen floor, forcing her to step over me while preparing supper.
Supper was one thing that my apartment was completely incapable of providing me. The fridge didn't even contain a box of baking soda, and even the ice cube tray was empty. Tagging along with my parents and sister to Costco quickly changed this scenario, though my major edible purchase was a bag of 36 frozen microwave burritos. Having no microwave at the time, I reasoned that these fine morsels would hasten my decision to purchase a nuker, because there was no way I'd wait 20 minutes to cook one in the oven.
Over four months later, and having only owned a microwave since I ransacked my uncle's basement during the Grey Cup, those very same burritos are pretty much the only thing I've got left in the place. Chicken and pork chops have come and gone. Instant mashed potatoes and Shake-n-Bake used to ruled the roost. But now, as Christmas fast approaches and I'm hesitant to re-stock my shelves before the New Year, those gut-busting popsicles of frozen meat paste are all that stand between nourishment and starvation.
Having eaten spicy beef burritos for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, a stretch of Ghandi-esque fasting is looking more appealing with each processed bite.
Currently listening to: BOMBLE - bomble's ballbag!
Thursday, December 18, 2003
Life.rom
Looking back on the majority of my posts for the past month, I've noticed an alarming trend - a great deal of them deal with immersing myself in videogames. At the age of 23, many individuals would be a little sheepish to admit that such things still command frequent attention in their lives, but I'm certainly not one of those individuals. Granted, I do commit my energies to other pursuits, and many of these posts have gone up after late-night playing sessions, making videogames the freshest topic on my mind.
But if University has taught me one thing (and thank God it's been more than one thing) it's that videogames are absolutely necessary components of a healthy learning environment. For multitudes of students, and young adults in general, cable TV is an expensive luxury that can be done away with, and the Internet fast becomes redundant and dull. Between trying to juggle your course work, part-time job, and social responsibilities, videogames are a comfortable haven to focus your thoughts and temporarily escape the vying stresses of your life.
As a child of the 80's, I was raised on overtly-Conservative cartoons and videogames, so what better way to relax than regressing for a moment into childhood bliss.
Currently: Waiting for George to arrive from Vancouver
But if University has taught me one thing (and thank God it's been more than one thing) it's that videogames are absolutely necessary components of a healthy learning environment. For multitudes of students, and young adults in general, cable TV is an expensive luxury that can be done away with, and the Internet fast becomes redundant and dull. Between trying to juggle your course work, part-time job, and social responsibilities, videogames are a comfortable haven to focus your thoughts and temporarily escape the vying stresses of your life.
As a child of the 80's, I was raised on overtly-Conservative cartoons and videogames, so what better way to relax than regressing for a moment into childhood bliss.
Currently: Waiting for George to arrive from Vancouver
Tuesday, December 16, 2003
eMachine EMT
This morning I...aw, who am I kidding...this afternoon I was woken by one of the most irritating, persistent noises I've ever had the misfortune of audibly processing. At first I thought it was coming from outside, from the parking lot, where some jerk was running his car, knowing full well that his fan belt had fewer days ahead than already past. But no, the sound intensified as I stumbled out of my room in to the living room, where I discerned through the darkness that it was coming from my computer!
Now, I didn't piece this thing together myself, but I am aware that moving, mechanical parts are few and far between in this electronic device, and they rarely come in to play while in standby mode. Who would have thought that little 2" fan attached to my motherboard could emit such a cacophony of groans. Cleaning a noticeable caking of dust off the internal components did little to silence the problem, so I was forced to do what I used to do with the Festiva when it emitted strange clunks and pangs - crank the tunes louder.
So, with the help of iTunes and some of my favourite internet radio stations, I effectively evaded fixing the problem, and ushered my computer that much closer to the brink of oblivion before the factory warranty expires. I should work at Future Shop.
Currently listening to: DJ Q-Bert - Wave Twisters
Now, I didn't piece this thing together myself, but I am aware that moving, mechanical parts are few and far between in this electronic device, and they rarely come in to play while in standby mode. Who would have thought that little 2" fan attached to my motherboard could emit such a cacophony of groans. Cleaning a noticeable caking of dust off the internal components did little to silence the problem, so I was forced to do what I used to do with the Festiva when it emitted strange clunks and pangs - crank the tunes louder.
So, with the help of iTunes and some of my favourite internet radio stations, I effectively evaded fixing the problem, and ushered my computer that much closer to the brink of oblivion before the factory warranty expires. I should work at Future Shop.
Currently listening to: DJ Q-Bert - Wave Twisters
Monday, December 15, 2003
"Enmity it all!"
As my final exam schedule nears it's completion, I can honestly say I look back on my study-time with fond memories of perseverance and determination - such as the determination to complete Splinter Cell in close to one sitting.
Now, I bought this game when it first shipped, and played it like a madman for the first week I owned it, but I recently accomplished more in the span of 48 hours than I had previously done in the past year. Don't ask me why, don't ask me how - maybe the planets were out of alignment or Safeway Select cola wasn't stimulating my neural pathways - but up until this latest surge of playing, I'd never been able to complete level 3. I was surprised, and a little chagrined, to learn that the completion of this relatively short level was anticlimactic and easy, in fact, almost laughably so. But so help me God, I could not find the guy with the briefcase before time ran out and the whole offshore rig incincerated to ashes. Fast forward 8 months, as I re-play the level, turn a corner I'd turned a hundred times, and walk right in to the guy. "Well enmity, that bastard was easy to find."
With newfound vigour I bunkered down for the homestretch and sneaked, sniped, and s...er...hmmm...strafed my way through levels 4 to 9. Having completed the game, I am now left with the gamers remorse, but have vowed to continue working my way though my game collection, with Metroid Prime clearly in my sights. But if I'm to do it, I'd better do it before Christmas, 'cause I have a sneaking suspicion I'll be getting Prince of Persia from Santa, you know, considering I had to walk his representatives down to the store, point the game out, have the videogame Key Master open the case, and wait while they paid for it with their MasterCard.
Currently: Setting up my very first Christmas tree - no lights but plenty of balls.
Now, I bought this game when it first shipped, and played it like a madman for the first week I owned it, but I recently accomplished more in the span of 48 hours than I had previously done in the past year. Don't ask me why, don't ask me how - maybe the planets were out of alignment or Safeway Select cola wasn't stimulating my neural pathways - but up until this latest surge of playing, I'd never been able to complete level 3. I was surprised, and a little chagrined, to learn that the completion of this relatively short level was anticlimactic and easy, in fact, almost laughably so. But so help me God, I could not find the guy with the briefcase before time ran out and the whole offshore rig incincerated to ashes. Fast forward 8 months, as I re-play the level, turn a corner I'd turned a hundred times, and walk right in to the guy. "Well enmity, that bastard was easy to find."
With newfound vigour I bunkered down for the homestretch and sneaked, sniped, and s...er...hmmm...strafed my way through levels 4 to 9. Having completed the game, I am now left with the gamers remorse, but have vowed to continue working my way though my game collection, with Metroid Prime clearly in my sights. But if I'm to do it, I'd better do it before Christmas, 'cause I have a sneaking suspicion I'll be getting Prince of Persia from Santa, you know, considering I had to walk his representatives down to the store, point the game out, have the videogame Key Master open the case, and wait while they paid for it with their MasterCard.
Currently: Setting up my very first Christmas tree - no lights but plenty of balls.
Friday, December 12, 2003
Procrastination Junction
One can only study Sociology for so long, you know, before ever fibre in your being screams for you to do something, anything else. Tonight, it just so happened to be cataloguing my video games. Now, this isn't an exhaustive list of every game I've owned, because that would include titles from the following systems:
01) NES
02) Game Boy
03) Super NES
04) Virtual Boy
05) PlayStation
06) Nintendo 64
07) Sega Saturn
08) PlayStation 2
09) Gamecube
10) Game Boy Advance
Instead, I've merely compiled the games I currently have in my possession, whether they be legitimate purchases or emulated ROMs. It's only a start, but I've already listed 159 games total. You can check the list out here.
I would finish the list, but ever since Gregg mentioned Jeremy was enthralled with Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell for Gamecube, I dusted it off and began playing it again...and as can be expected, I am firmly in it's pixelated grasp.
Currently listening to: Genox - Budapest Homeboy
01) NES
02) Game Boy
03) Super NES
04) Virtual Boy
05) PlayStation
06) Nintendo 64
07) Sega Saturn
08) PlayStation 2
09) Gamecube
10) Game Boy Advance
Instead, I've merely compiled the games I currently have in my possession, whether they be legitimate purchases or emulated ROMs. It's only a start, but I've already listed 159 games total. You can check the list out here.
I would finish the list, but ever since Gregg mentioned Jeremy was enthralled with Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell for Gamecube, I dusted it off and began playing it again...and as can be expected, I am firmly in it's pixelated grasp.
Currently listening to: Genox - Budapest Homeboy
Thursday, December 11, 2003
Long Live the Grill
I was completely shocked and appalled to see that my good friend Gregg was incapable of stomaching two consecutive fast food meals in the span of mere hours. For an entire year I lived off nothing but fast food and water - and survived to tell about it! My rigorous eating schedule played out as follows:
Monday: McDonald's - cheap McChickens
Tuesday: KFC - Toonie Twosdays
Wednesday: McDonald's - cheap Hamburgers
Thursday: Burger King - cheap Whoppers/Wendy's - extra value menu
Friday: Burger King - cheap Whoppers/Wendy's - extra value menu
Saturday: Burger King - cheap Whoppers/Wendy's - extra value menu
Sunday: McDonald's - cheap Cheeseburgers
Quite frankly, I am very surprised that I survived the ordeal, and didn't end up morbidly obese or deathly malnourished. One thing can be certain, it most likely shaved several years off my life expectancy.
Currently listening to: Hoffman - Rewired Electronics
Monday: McDonald's - cheap McChickens
Tuesday: KFC - Toonie Twosdays
Wednesday: McDonald's - cheap Hamburgers
Thursday: Burger King - cheap Whoppers/Wendy's - extra value menu
Friday: Burger King - cheap Whoppers/Wendy's - extra value menu
Saturday: Burger King - cheap Whoppers/Wendy's - extra value menu
Sunday: McDonald's - cheap Cheeseburgers
Quite frankly, I am very surprised that I survived the ordeal, and didn't end up morbidly obese or deathly malnourished. One thing can be certain, it most likely shaved several years off my life expectancy.
Currently listening to: Hoffman - Rewired Electronics
Wednesday, December 10, 2003
Domain Master
Bah! That's correct, every deep rooted feeling and experience I have about the Information Superhighway can quite easily be summed up with those three simple letters. Bah!
If the World Wide Web were, in fact, a real superhighway, like the marvels of modern engineering sorely lacking in Edmonton but found in abundance in quaint US cities like Seattle, there would be rest stops every 5 metres with magazine racks overflowing with hardcore pornography and floors littered with pop out advertising inserts. There would be access to bathrooms, but in order to actually open the stalls and use the toilet you'd need to pay for a 12-month subscription, where you'd then discover that an upgraded premium membership is necessary to get your hands on a few precious squares of 1-ply. To top it off, even regular vaccinations wouldn't save your sorry ass from catching a virus each and every time you took the motorcar out for a Sunday drive.
Aw hell, I should be studying anyways.
Currently listening to: Irina & MNO - 1000 Pieces
If the World Wide Web were, in fact, a real superhighway, like the marvels of modern engineering sorely lacking in Edmonton but found in abundance in quaint US cities like Seattle, there would be rest stops every 5 metres with magazine racks overflowing with hardcore pornography and floors littered with pop out advertising inserts. There would be access to bathrooms, but in order to actually open the stalls and use the toilet you'd need to pay for a 12-month subscription, where you'd then discover that an upgraded premium membership is necessary to get your hands on a few precious squares of 1-ply. To top it off, even regular vaccinations wouldn't save your sorry ass from catching a virus each and every time you took the motorcar out for a Sunday drive.
Aw hell, I should be studying anyways.
Currently listening to: Irina & MNO - 1000 Pieces
Thursday, December 04, 2003
LOTR: Return of Blockbuster Video
Aw crap...
They say you have to have a really good memory to be a good liar, and if you tell yourself a lie long enough, it eventually becomes the truth. And I'm sure we've all experienced the sensation of waking up from a dream, believing that whatever you just dreamt (like owning that REALLY cool NES game you always wanted) has really happened, only to have cruel reality slap you in the face by the time you got out from under the covers.
Well, I'm not sure where this incident falls, but Blockbuster Video left me a message claiming that if I didn't return Lord of the Rings: Return of the King by midnight, they'd have no choice but to sick their goons on me. "Funny," I thought to myself, "Didn't I return that awesome game over a week ago...when it was already 2 weeks late!?" Well, to avoid reading another page of SOC 427 I began cleaning my apartment, and a very strange sensation overcame me as I stepped closer to my TV chair...like a repressed memory trying to claw it's way back to the surface. Spider-senses tingling, I flipped the chair over, and there it was, that damn game lying right there under the chair!
"How the fuck...!?"
Currently listening to: Saves The Day - Anywhere With You
They say you have to have a really good memory to be a good liar, and if you tell yourself a lie long enough, it eventually becomes the truth. And I'm sure we've all experienced the sensation of waking up from a dream, believing that whatever you just dreamt (like owning that REALLY cool NES game you always wanted) has really happened, only to have cruel reality slap you in the face by the time you got out from under the covers.
Well, I'm not sure where this incident falls, but Blockbuster Video left me a message claiming that if I didn't return Lord of the Rings: Return of the King by midnight, they'd have no choice but to sick their goons on me. "Funny," I thought to myself, "Didn't I return that awesome game over a week ago...when it was already 2 weeks late!?" Well, to avoid reading another page of SOC 427 I began cleaning my apartment, and a very strange sensation overcame me as I stepped closer to my TV chair...like a repressed memory trying to claw it's way back to the surface. Spider-senses tingling, I flipped the chair over, and there it was, that damn game lying right there under the chair!
"How the fuck...!?"
Currently listening to: Saves The Day - Anywhere With You
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