Pretty Percusso

2009-05-20T01:14:00.000-07:00

Ok, to get a little participation, I am going to hold a blogger's scavenger hunt. It is to be internet based, and to run for a week, until next Monday. If you have ideas or comments, leave them here please. You can submit your entries in the comment box next Monday or anytime until then. Should we have a prize? I'm sure all of this will work out, just an experiment to get PARTICIPATION, and readership, and fun for all. That sort of thing. Glean from websites, then put the addresses on the comment box anytime until next Monday. Here's the list:

1. Picture of a cow.
2. Website that mentions the word, "quack" at least three times.
3. How to make something hilariously outrageous.
4. Blog from someone living in a place you didn't know existed.
5. Website full of inspiration.

That's all, have fun. I'll be searching too. Let me know if you like the idea, and we'll continue it.

Super Saimon Game

2009-05-17T00:18:00.000-07:00

play sequence memory games here

Numerology Card Trick Revealed

2009-05-16T22:04:00.000-07:00

Downloadable Movie

4 Card Trick

2009-05-11T21:13:00.000-07:00

something wicked this way comes

2009-04-07T15:29:00.000-07:00

so i'm back from new york. didn't update right away 'cuz i had to finish up my damn journals. i did pretty well though because i only had 10 left when i came home. so i'm not going to go into big detail BUT i really love the east coast. and it doesn't even matter that much WHERE i go because everyone pretty much travels from state to state. i visited harvard, yale, princeton, boston college, boston university, nyu, columbia, wellesley, brown, and upenn. i liked them all except princeton (it was in the middle of nowhere, literally, and it was kind of ugly) and boston college (same reason as princeton). my mom made fun of the harvard tour guide, which is sad, but everything she said was true. just think big-time nerd but nerdier haha. also, the east coast colleges are so much older, so the buildings have that beautiful gothic feel with tons of technology inside.

anyyywayyyyyyssss i'm really glad i visited all those campuses because you really can tell if you like it or not just stepping onto the campus and walking around. yes, i still LOVE columbia (or NYC for that matter) but i also have A LOT of other schools i really really really love. ESPECIALLY upenn and yale. not that i would bother applying to yale, but maybe for grad school?! haha i really liked brown and wellesley too, despite their lack of urbanness. and also. i know i could hack it in nyc because we took the subway to nyu & columbia, and i LOVED it. it is dirty, hot, smelly, and theres no such thing as personal space (my mother was horrified), BUT i thought it was a great experience. CMON COLUNMBIA (or nyu) i am so ready to be a new-yorker!

and yeah it was really great, and i have TONS more to say and lots of pics so you can ask me about it when i see you tomorrow...

...AT SCHOOL!!!!!!!!!! dun dun dun. the last first day of high school. and you know after meeting all those college students and seeing those campuses--I CAN'T WAIT TO GRADUATE!!! hey that rhymes. i know i'll miss high school, but DAMN it is time to move onto bigger and better things. so let's make this year memorable bitches. :D

Is there no forgiveness?

2009-03-29T22:31:00.000-07:00

It seems like I go through our marriage trying to attone for past sins. Yes, when we were first married I was immature and lazy. Later I was frustrated and lazy. Then I was just lazy and lazy.

I'm over al lot of that since even our first child. True if I'm home alone I revert, but not when the kids are around.

Recently I'm trying my damnedest to do my part and not be lazy around the house. I play with the kids. I bathe the kids. I wash the diapers. I really try to clean the kitchen; I unload the dishwasher and actually put things into it. When I think of it I even wipe off the table and the floor under it. I pick up toys and vacuum the living room floor a couple times a week. On rare occassions I actually, on my own, empty the kitchen and mop the fl that saying things in the wrong way will set her off so try to carefully phrase things to avoid offense. Sometimes that may mean long pauses and slow speech.

So I think I'm doing pretty good.

I get attitude and anger all the time though. Sometimes it's for things that I did or didn't do that day, but usually it seems like the smallest slight grows to tremendous proportions based on sins from 5, 10, 14 years ago.

Here's one from yesterday. I set her off based on two pauses. First I came home and she asked "did you take the cookies to work?" I pause, trying to decide how to answer.

Background: Kate makes delicious cookies that we both have trouble avoiding. She has frequently suggested that I take them to work to share. I have interpreted that to be mostly about getting them out of the house and not so much to fatten up my co-workers. Monday night Kate made some great cookies. The next morning I thought to save them for our camping trip this weekend. I wasn't sure if she might have made them to take to pre-school though. I considered waking her to ask, but I didn't. I packed them up and put them in the camper.

So I paused after she asked the question. I wasn't planning to lie to her, I just wanted to answer in a manner that didn't imply that I thought she had weak will control. To be honest if I had brought them to work I would have eaten most of the batch.

In my mind the memory goes from her asking once, to me pausing for a few seconds to process the answer, to the interrogation lights flipping on and Kate grilling me where the stolen cookies were. It didn't really play out like that though, she repeated the "did you take them to work?" a few times and I answered no, I packed them in the camper for the weekend.

Later we had escaped from the kids for just a few minutes of conversation in the kitchen. She told me some very disturbing news about a murder in the neighborhood. I wanted to talk about my job, how I was getting stuff done but was still very frustrated by the thankless position I'm in. In the lull between thinking about the murder and starting in about my day, she pops up that she's going to the store. Fine, time is limited.

A bit later though she's royally pissed. About the cookie delay, about me not engaging in the kitchen conversation, but I think mostly about the fact that our financial records aren't in order. She's especially mad that I "made her" drop the system she had before we married and go to a filing system that I never helped keep up. That was at least ten years ago! The trigger last night was looking for some documents she couldn't find.

So there I am, in the doghouse as bad as ever even though for the past few months I have really, really been trying. I don't expect her to forget, but what about forgive?

The Dundee Bistro

2009-03-28T15:25:00.000-07:00

On our second day in the Willamette Valley, we ate at the Dundee Bistro. The Dundee Bistro was opened by the folks at Ponzi winery. The cuisine focusses on local ingredients and what's freshest and in season, so the menu changes daily.

This is a salad with Pink Lady apples, red cabbage, chevre cheese, and balsamic reduction.

Smoked salmon with brie, toasts, and local strawberries.

Wild salmon on a bed of polenta and vegetables.

Steak, medium-rare with blue cheese.

100 Things about Me

2009-02-02T18:56:00.000-08:00

1. I used to like cats, until I had one.
2. A 45 lb. dog sleeps on my pillow.
3. I was baptized in a very cold creek.
4. It impresses me a lot to see religious devotion in my friends.
5. I am a perfectionist.
6. I've had a healthy obsession with all things British for over fifteen years.
7. I was a nun in a children's production of the Sound of Music.
8. I like lists, and talking about myself.
9. Books and cds are my main purchases.
10. I love tall leather boots.
11. Almost all of my shoes were stolen from my mother's closet (including the boots).
12. I brush my teeth with my left hand. (Long story - ask me.) So does my brother, coincidentally.
13. I love old bookstores.
14. I go through phases often, and keep personal traditions.
15. I still have waking nightmares of a horror book read when I was nine.
16. I think the right side of my brain needs those cardiac arrest panels.
17. I like black everything.
18. I wish I had more friends.
19. I wish the ones I do have were more intense.
20. I try to be interested in others (look who this list is about - me).
21. I just discovered three tragic childhood moments last week.
22. I love it when people share their true self with me.
23. I think a lot of people wear masks (including me).
24. My music tastes are quite varied.
25. My opinions and behaviors are easily swayed to seek approval.
26. There's only a few people who really let me cry.
27. I like the feeling when people turn to me for comfort.
28. I cry easily.
29. There are a few things imbedded in my heart that can bring true joy or sorrow.
30. I like trinkets that bring memories.
31. I read all day.
32. I was shocked when someone said they didn't.
33. I have a record player (and use it).
34. I feel bad about burning cds, but do it anyway.
35. I was shy as a child but am not now.
36. My carpet is blue.
37. My hobbies are all-consuming passions.
38. I'm prejudice towards every British person. I love them all, regardless of their character, just for being British.
39. I have control issues.
40. Working on it.
41. I am affectionate.
42. I love Monty Python (this week), of course, it's British.
43. I like whipped cream a lot.
44. I don't like swimming in the ocean.
45. I love to swim, though.
46. My favourite movie is Now, Voyager (this week).
47. I like personal jokes.
48. My last one involved grapes.
49. My Dad and I play the seatbelt game (who's fastest).
50. I love history.
51. I hate throwing things away.
52. I love throwing other people's things away.
53. I shop at Goodwill and Old Navy.
54. My niece is very important to me.
55. I like to sleep in the car.
56. I try to keep the word "I" out of letters.
57. I wish I had a "best" friend all of the time.
58. I hate one way friendships.
59. I like mint milanos.
60. I hate emminent property, light pollution, and pickles.
61. I get a unique sensation when I read the Bible.
62. I feel Yahweh working in my life.
63. I can't imagine how big He is in power and knowledge and influence.
64. I thing there aren't enough adjective to describe Him.
65. I love diamonds.
66. I love fresh flowers as gifts, to give or get.
67. I think healthy habits are very important.
68. Everyone should have them.
69. I watched a Jeremy Brett movie today.
70. I dislike voice dubbing.
71. I can't get awake until I wash my face.
72. I wish I could be more moderate in my feelings.
73. I wish I wouldn't carry burdens or blame.
74. I like people who spread life and laughter.
75. I like dimes best.
76. My eating tastes have changed.
77. I love massages and their benefits.
78. I wish I could write 100 things about someone else.
79. I leave out "i"s when I write.
80. I passionately love the British royal family, in spite of their mistakes, bad decisions and outdated jobs.
81. I cried while watching Gone with the Wind.
82. I've cooled in some passions.
83. I think smoking is extremely unhealthy.
84. I judge myself every time I think ill of someone else.
85. I try to be like Benjamin Franklin, Leonardo da Vinci and Queen Elizabeth.
86. I hate change (at first).
87. Bread is my favourite (band and food).
88. I like sticky toffee pudding, tea with milk, children's magazines, and augustine grass. Oh, and mimosa trees.
89. I have two middle names.
90. I would rather be named Mary.
91. I like fur coats.
92. I have money issues.
93. I have many issues.
94. I have way too many books.
95. I dislike using hand held phones.
96. I couldn't, couldn't, couldn't travel without a plan.
97. I can speak German.
98. I like Reader's Digest Treasuries.
99. I don't want to finish.
100. I wish a balanced life for myself.
101. I like to be different.

The road ahead

2009-01-28T01:01:00.000-08:00

I started reading the book "The Road Ahead" written by the master mind of Microsoft Bill.H.Gates. I wanted to read this since a long time

Is 'Genuine Windows Validation' a Good Thing?

2009-01-08T20:41:00.000-08:00

Windows Illegal Ediion Microsoft is planning what could end up being quite a shock for the Windows XP warez world, and what currently looks to be one of the most amazing moves made by Microsoft since Windows Product Activation was introduced.

Recently, Microsoft completely rewrote the algorithm for the way Windows XP Corporate keys are generated, and has rewritten the code for Windows XP to recognize this new algorithm. This new code was an added 'feature' of Service Pack 2 released last year.

At the present moment, everyone who upgraded to Windows XP SP2 from Windows XP with no SP1 installation, will not have any problems or errors about an invalid CD-Key on a corporate version of Windows XP. This is because the new algorithm feature has been switched off in SP2 upgrades. To get to see this new feature, you would have had to slipstream+ SP2 into the Windows XP installation media and setup Windows. Once you've reached the CD-key, no current Corporate Windows XP key (none of the 75 that were tried) will work, as they are all invalid. Even if a corporate key is managed to be found, the chances of it working after the SP2 has been installed are slim to none, as Microsoft is rumored to 'still be working on the algorithm for SP2 for Corporate customers'. When Microsoft 'decides' to 'turn the feature on', computers with non-valid keys will be out of luck.

So why is Microsoft keeping this a secret? To put it mildly, they are a bit perturbed that warezers have been able to exploit the corporate edition of Windows XP to completely bypass WPA. They were planning all along to keep it a complete surprise until SP2 final had been released and shut down as many warez users from using Windows XP as possible. They know if it's made widely known what they are planning, nobody would have upgraded to SP2 until an appropriate patch has been made.

And as far as patches go, as far as I can guess right now the only patch that is going to work will be the ever popular "Reset" patch. And you still will not be able to download the security fixes. If you slipstream a corporate version of Windows XP as you're supposed to do, it will upgrade the algorithm. Note that the slipstream patches the DLL files which generate the CD keys, it doesn't replace them. This is why you cannot slipstream a non corporate version of Windows XP and drop the corporate files in and expect the installation to work properly. Windows also checks for the DLL files version numbers and if they don't match, errors will be created during install. It could be possible to find these DLL's, replace the version numbers with those of SP2, and put them back into the installation media, but you'd also have to find a way to replicate the Microsoft signature on the DLL's as well as the CAB files for setup to actually copy the files to the hard drive.

The first thing that comes to mind when thinking about this is that the current Corporate users of Windows XP are going to have to get a new CD-key reissued for their versions of Windows with SP2. Microsoft has decided that the cost of current corporate customers having to get a new CD-key is less that what they are losing in the market of Windows XP being distributed as a corporate installation amongst warez users. Microsoft is also planning to warn those with corporate editions of Windows XP to not let the CD-keys slip into the mainstream. The EULA is going to be rewritten to fit a new type of 'Corporate release' and it's been rumored that if a customers key is to get into the market, Microsoft may take legal action against those consumers.

Another rumor that is running rounds at Redmond is that Microsoft may actually included a type of 'Phone home' feature in the corporate versions of Windows XP SP2 only. This feature would connect to a Microsoft server upon connection and deliver the IP address of the connected computer and what the Installation ID is. Before privacy advocates begin screaming, realize that if Microsoft was to want to do this, they could very easily make provisions in the EULA that they (Microsoft) have included a feature that makes sure the Corporate edition of Windows XP is not installed on more computers than it's contract is made out for, and the computers IP address and the Installation ID may be transmitted to a local Microsoft server thought 128-bit encryption. No more information would be transmitted to the servers, and for more information, see the Microsoft Privacy Statement. It's a possibility, as corporate versions of Windows aren't exactly tailored for use by home and everyday users, so the EULA could very well be expanded to include such a feature.

+For those of you unfamiliar with the slipstream technique, a slipstream installation contains the original release of the OS (i.e., Windows XP, Win2K) updated with the current service pack, plus any hotfixes you deem necessary for your site. A slipstream installation saves time when you're deploying many new workstations, and you want the system image to be fixed in time and consistent across the enterprise. If your images are well defined, you might want to distribute a new image every quarter instead of distributing 20 to 30 hotfixes per month to affected systems.

So.. get out there and spend the $300 for a legal copy... before it's too late and you are left with a large paperweight, suitable for re-formatting.

2009-01-03T01:16:00.000-08:00

I seldom chose what tv channel is on and most of my time wasting blogging and web surfing is stealing time from my employer, not my family.

Although I've been fiscally irresponsible in the past, my main financial vice lately has been lunch and coffee out every day at work.

I try to share my thoughts, dreams, aspirations, and feelings with Kate. I knowPoor thing ;-)

Little Johnny was filling in a hole in his back garden when his neighbour spotted him.

"What are you doing Johnny?" she asked,

"Burying my Goldfish, it died today" he replied,

"Oh dear, sorry to hear that but isn't that an awfully big hole for a Goldfish?" she laughed,

"Well it is inside your fucking cat!"

My three-day trip to Toronto went well

2008-12-21T00:31:00.000-08:00

Even though I made the trip to attend my great-uncle's funeral, it was nice to see some aunts, uncles, and cousins I hadn't seen in a long time.

While I was in Toronto, I stopped by the J-Town supermarket on Steeles Avenue in Markham. It's a supermarket and food court dedicated to only Japanese food. I had a yummy teriyaki salmon donburi there.

I also met up with an old high school friend and we had lunch at Ouzeri on The Danforth. I miss the Greektown area of The Danforth so much! I lived in Toronto for five years while I was working on my undergraduate degree at U of T in the early '90s and I used go to The Danforth all the time for a late-night supper of souvlaki. Good times.

The Bassguy Dot TK Video Game Awards

2008-11-28T15:12:00.000-08:00

In responce to the casual gamer bullshit that Spike TV spoon feeds the brain damaged Madden addicts every year, I have desided to make my own Video Game Award Show. I'll cover most of the quality games that where passed over, in favor of blood, guns, and football.

Role Playing Game of the Year
Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door

Coming from a RPG fan from way back, this is a role playing game for role playing gamers. The menu system is easy, without being simple. You can do about anything in the menu, within thirty seconds. The dialog is amusing and at some points, just out-right funny. You really get to "know" the characters as you progress. On a console, until recently, lacking RPGs, this is a must have.

Remake of the Year
Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes

What can you do to a game, regaurded by many as the best game ever made? Remake it with better graphics and gameplay, that's what. Silicon Knights already had the plot and the the game engine layed out for them, all they had to do was put it together. They certainly did a great job with integrating the classic game with the new graphics and gameplay. With completely new cutscenes and new Nintendo / Silicon Knights Easter eggs, this game can be chalked up with the original.

Action Game of the Year
Prince of Persia: Warrior Within

After the absolute gem that was "Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time", how can Ubisoft Monteal possibly follow up? With another "Prince of Persia", dummy. Starting a few years after we left the prince on "The Sands of Time", "Warrior Within" uses the same basic game engine as it's predisessor, except with a completely revamped battlle system. The new features and continued plot give veterans something talk about and people new to the game something to be in awe over.

First Person Game of the Year
Metroid Prime 2: Echoes

If you enjoyed "Metroid Prime", you'll love "Metroid Prime 2: Echoes." In the same fashion as "Majora's Mask," "Prime 2" uses a modified version of the same engine as it's predecessor, but adding new features, that make a great game, better. The added multiplayer aspect is limited, but considering it's a bonus, it's definatly a worth while addition.

2D Game of the Year
Final Fantasy I & II: Dawn of Souls

This game can be summed up in three words: Buy This Game. If you haven't played the original Final Fantasies, this is your chance to play through them in an expanded form. Updated graphics, new game engine, and hours upon hours of added content, all on a portable system gives RPG fans of all degrees something to love. If you hate yourself, don't buy this game. Otherwise, throw away your social life for a month or two and play this game.

Connectable and/or Online Game of the Year
Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles

While some people over looked this title, anyone that has a brain picked up this great action role playing game. This game uses the best of both the Gameboy Advance and Gamecube, to create a stunning and unique combonation of multiplayer experiance, graphics, and character development. Instead of leveling up you character like you would normaly, you have to help your allies achieve goals in each level to get a better chance at a getting a good item at the end.

Honorable Mention
The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventure

Although it was outdone by "Crystal Chronicles" in the Connectable catagory, this is a quality game. It doesn't really introduce anything new, but if you want to relive classic gameplay with the option of multiplayer, this should be at the top of your list.

I think that about sums it up, but I'd be glad to read your views on the subject. Post any games you'd like to see here in the comments (although I will probably just mock you).

A Terrible Story

2008-10-27T23:52:00.001-07:00

During my heady student days, I had the pleasure of stacking shelves on the late shift for a large supermarket chain.

Various members of the dairy produce aisle team, with whom I worked, would often help themselves to chocolate bars or bags of crisps. The thief would hide the stolen items in an empty box and each member of the team would help themselves to their share of the loot.

One evening I handed one of my colleagues 2 chunks of ex-lax(laxative chocolate), and walked away. He eat both of them. At the end of the shift I handed him the remaining 10 chunks and joked "Here is the rest of the chocolate bar" and walked away.

At this point it should be noted that each chunk has the word ex-lax written on it and as someone had been tricked the week before, I thought he would have got the joke, realised what happened and called me a cunt.

However... he ate the rest of the bar. All 12 chunks in fact! After checking the recommended dosage and discovering that 1 chunk a day should suffice, I decided to come clean and explain what had just happened. He was not exactly happy for obvious reasons and so we decided the best solution was for him to throw up, we tried the fingers down the throat which didn't work, and a few other things, before coming up with the idea of taking him back to our house where we could get him really stoned with bong hits. He had never smoked dope before so thought it wouldn't take much to get him vomiting. Hit after hit he took, until finally he did throw up, unfortunately we were too late, he begun chundering at exactly the same time as the laxative kicked in.

So now, I have one of my work colleagues stoned for the first time ever, puking up in to the washbasin, while sat on the toilet shitting as if it's going out of fashion and I am unable to do anything to help this poor victim of some stupid prank that had now gone horribly wrong.

The outcome was that he spent the next 4 days on and off the toilet and he never spoke to me again.

And another...

2008-10-17T23:51:00.000-07:00

I've got this mate who has a filthy mind which occaisonally breaks through into reality.

One night on his walk home drunk, he's dying to drop the kids off at the pool. He's getting more and more desperate until he's only about 150 yards from his house and he can't wait any longer. Now there's this fancy designer menswear shop nearby, and as it's in the wee hours (no-one's about) he squats on their step and marks his territory (dunno if it was a class-war decision or just hi-jinks).

He then proceeds to wipe his arse on his pants, which he then posts through the shop's letterbox to be found when they openmed the following Monday.

I mean, I ask you...?

Mind you, his brother once climbed on a pub roof to shit on it...

Sugar paper

2008-10-13T22:06:00.001-07:00

One time when I was in either first or middle school, I can't remember which, I remember being told that the paper they used as backing for all the notice boards where they used to pin all our shit projects and poorly draw artwork was called 'sugar paper'

I'm sure you all had the same paper at your school, its a standard of all schools along with bullies and dinner ladies. Anyway I decided, in my small child's brain, that if it was sugar paper it ought to taste quite nice and sweet. I tore a big corner of one of the notice boards when no one was looking and pocketted it to eat later and try out my theory.

I remember the paper was black and didn't taste sweet at all and moreover it turned my shit green for two days.