I'm Wayne Brady, bitch!
Anyways, totally random, but I just realized my friends band is on the label that Alkaline Trio is! My friend from work Ryan is the guitarist in a band called "Down to earth approach" and theyre signed to Vagrant Records. I knew Dashboard Confessional was on Vagrant, but I didn't know about the other bands. I went to the website and I was like, whoa. Pretty cool huh? Their 1st album comes out like in a month or two, and I've missed all their shows, but next time they play I'll let you guys know and maybe some of you emo-monkeez can go out with me.
The Daily Show is the GREATEST show I've ever seen. The one the other night where he was analyzing Condisleaza Rice's testimony was hilarious. Jon Stewart was all "People were a little shocked at the music she chose for her entrance." And they showed the clip of her walking into the 9-11 committee hearing with the Imperial March playing. So fucking rad.
Saturday, April 10, 2004
Friday, April 09, 2004
Ahhhh!
That's cool. Fuggers. Too bad it won't be available in time. Chopper suck balls. Fitty Bucks. How much is Battlecry? They even have a multiplayer rules setup that should be available online. Maybe they will have a preview at Kublacon? They are located in Saratoga, CA. Also in France... That would rule.
Johnny: It looks like the Author of the game, Richard Borg, also authored battlecry. I wonder if they had licence the idea from AH/Hasbro or if he retained the rights. Perhaps he presented it to AH/Hasbro passed on it and let him develop it on his own.
Doze Nutz a cleeze
That's cool. Fuggers. Too bad it won't be available in time. Chopper suck balls. Fitty Bucks. How much is Battlecry? They even have a multiplayer rules setup that should be available online. Maybe they will have a preview at Kublacon? They are located in Saratoga, CA. Also in France... That would rule.
Johnny: It looks like the Author of the game, Richard Borg, also authored battlecry. I wonder if they had licence the idea from AH/Hasbro or if he retained the rights. Perhaps he presented it to AH/Hasbro passed on it and let him develop it on his own.
Doze Nutz a cleeze
"My Only Regret...
.. is that my kids will never understand me." Or some crap like that from Conan. Also, my other regret is that this game is not going to be available at Kublacon. It is a WWII version of BattleCry, and we all know how rockin' that game is. Storm the beaches at Normandy, murder some Germans in Caen, eat some French Surrender-Monkey Cheese in Pointe-du-Hoc ! What fun!
It's release date is June 6th, the anniversary of D-Day, AFTER Kublacon is over....
Bummer.
.. is that my kids will never understand me." Or some crap like that from Conan. Also, my other regret is that this game is not going to be available at Kublacon. It is a WWII version of BattleCry, and we all know how rockin' that game is. Storm the beaches at Normandy, murder some Germans in Caen, eat some French Surrender-Monkey Cheese in Pointe-du-Hoc ! What fun!
It's release date is June 6th, the anniversary of D-Day, AFTER Kublacon is over....
Bummer.
Thursday, April 08, 2004
Air America Radio
Did I already plug this? If not, you guys gotta check out Air America Radio. Here in LA its at 1580 AM or on the internet at www.airamericaradio.com . It's the liberal talk radio station started by Al Franken. Its really really good. There's a few different shows - The O'Franken Factor is on from like noon-3, Jeanenne Garafalo (sp?) has the night time show, and even Chuck D from Public Enemy is part of the morning show. Its pretty damn cool. Very funny at times. Definately more palatable than KPFK, although I think it's important to have stations like KPFK too. Check out the stream or listen on your radio. It's good stuff.
I'm Rick James, Bitch!
Did I already plug this? If not, you guys gotta check out Air America Radio. Here in LA its at 1580 AM or on the internet at www.airamericaradio.com . It's the liberal talk radio station started by Al Franken. Its really really good. There's a few different shows - The O'Franken Factor is on from like noon-3, Jeanenne Garafalo (sp?) has the night time show, and even Chuck D from Public Enemy is part of the morning show. Its pretty damn cool. Very funny at times. Definately more palatable than KPFK, although I think it's important to have stations like KPFK too. Check out the stream or listen on your radio. It's good stuff.
I'm Rick James, Bitch!
Go Nvidia
So I thought it was rediculous that I had to connect a seperate rail power supply to my video card last year. Yet Nvidia one up-ed that. CHeck those quote out:
I am sure you have seen the pictures of the NV40 boards floating around here and there, and saw the two molex connectors sticking off the back. If this didn’t clue you in, let me tell you right out, Nvidia will be unchallenged in the power race. It seems each of those connectors will need to be plugged into a separate power rail, and nothing else can be plugged into that rail. OK, they will let you put a fan into it, but anything more is strictly forbidden.
Go Sloppy engineering
So I thought it was rediculous that I had to connect a seperate rail power supply to my video card last year. Yet Nvidia one up-ed that. CHeck those quote out:
I am sure you have seen the pictures of the NV40 boards floating around here and there, and saw the two molex connectors sticking off the back. If this didn’t clue you in, let me tell you right out, Nvidia will be unchallenged in the power race. It seems each of those connectors will need to be plugged into a separate power rail, and nothing else can be plugged into that rail. OK, they will let you put a fan into it, but anything more is strictly forbidden.
Go Sloppy engineering
Anne Rice
I have read four of her Vampyre novels. The divergence from the tradition vampyre model is this: Religious figures and icons have no effect on vampyres, large enclaves or clans of vampyres rule vampyre life (Particularly in Europe), the whole strengthening of a vampyre with age, and blood sharing between vampyres to increase the strength of younger ones. The whole eroticism thing is not new, but she definately takes it to a whole new level as it becomes an underlying theme throughout the books. Although they can not have sex, intimacy and blood sharing is their sexual outlet. She has a bit of homoerotism, statutory, and incestual erotism in her books. Quite weird, but goths and certain females eat it up, aka my Mom. I mean Yo Momma.
I just read a book called How to Build a Nuclear Bomb and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction. It is a serious objective look at what it takes to create a WMD and the how likely it is that rogue states and/or terrorists are to producing one. It is pretty sobering. In some ways you feel more safe, but in most others less so. It is a quick read and fairly well written by a Nuclear Scientist who used to work on atomics weapons research. Unfortunately, Because of his background, the information he presents on nuclear and radiological devices is much more thorough than the Biological and Chemical weapons. Pretty good read though.
I hate Boogers
I have read four of her Vampyre novels. The divergence from the tradition vampyre model is this: Religious figures and icons have no effect on vampyres, large enclaves or clans of vampyres rule vampyre life (Particularly in Europe), the whole strengthening of a vampyre with age, and blood sharing between vampyres to increase the strength of younger ones. The whole eroticism thing is not new, but she definately takes it to a whole new level as it becomes an underlying theme throughout the books. Although they can not have sex, intimacy and blood sharing is their sexual outlet. She has a bit of homoerotism, statutory, and incestual erotism in her books. Quite weird, but goths and certain females eat it up, aka my Mom. I mean Yo Momma.
I just read a book called How to Build a Nuclear Bomb and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction. It is a serious objective look at what it takes to create a WMD and the how likely it is that rogue states and/or terrorists are to producing one. It is pretty sobering. In some ways you feel more safe, but in most others less so. It is a quick read and fairly well written by a Nuclear Scientist who used to work on atomics weapons research. Unfortunately, Because of his background, the information he presents on nuclear and radiological devices is much more thorough than the Biological and Chemical weapons. Pretty good read though.
I hate Boogers
There's probably a vampire website tracking all this shit.... Buffy the movie came out probably a year or two after the Vampire RPG (movie: 1992). Anne Rice started the shitty romanticized vampire thing, but I'm not sure how the clans etc. worked in her books... I could never even get through Interview With the Vampire.
Eric, go check the 10d6 if you haven't yet--I set up a new account you can invite to the blog, which I'll then give the info to Pee-tah. It's time to get his ass back on there.
Eric, go check the 10d6 if you haven't yet--I set up a new account you can invite to the blog, which I'll then give the info to Pee-tah. It's time to get his ass back on there.
Wednesday, April 07, 2004
white wolf vs anne rice vs capcom!
Just saw Underworld - ya erlick, it wasnt that bad! I dunno how I'd feel about it in a theater, but it was definately enjoyable on dvd. Now you said this movie wouldn't be without White Wolf, but my question is: doesn't white wolf's vampyre universe owe a lot to anne rice and her angle on vampires? I've never read her books, but having seen the shity "interview with a vampree" movie and shit like that, didn't she take the typical dracula story and make it even more romantic and "aristocrical" (did i ivent that word?) than bram stroker? And then even Buffy, which takes a lead from those more contemporary v. ampirignton stories, didn't all of these other things influence White Wolf's universe? I totally see the whole white wolf connection (here's the plan: kill all the vampires) with the whole Vampire/Where?wolf war thingy, but thats only part of the whole image n shit. BTW, I didn't like the movie enough to watch it again with commentary, but I wonder if they ever give credit or acknowledge Vampire:Teh Masteraid games/books/etc...
I thought the main dude looked pretty lame when he was "transformed" at the end. He looked like that dude in that shitty old comedy Soul Man. BUt, ya, pretty cool flick.
Man, you're watching all kinds of crap since you got netflix, huh? :)
I enjoyed From Hell enough, but the comic is SO freakin good. The movie is alright, but it aint got SHIT on the book. Johnny Depp is the shit though. "Savvy!" :(
Ya menz - lets do drive con! I'm in. I don't know if I'll prereg for the con, but I probably should. Maybe I can meetup with some of you'z when you have your secret gaming sessions so I can see what games u guys signed up for etc.
I dunno about the new Descendents - I saw it at Aomeba the other day - ehhhh. I can't imagine it being good, but who knows. "You suck! Mr. Buttfuck!" Alright! YES!
Just saw Underworld - ya erlick, it wasnt that bad! I dunno how I'd feel about it in a theater, but it was definately enjoyable on dvd. Now you said this movie wouldn't be without White Wolf, but my question is: doesn't white wolf's vampyre universe owe a lot to anne rice and her angle on vampires? I've never read her books, but having seen the shity "interview with a vampree" movie and shit like that, didn't she take the typical dracula story and make it even more romantic and "aristocrical" (did i ivent that word?) than bram stroker? And then even Buffy, which takes a lead from those more contemporary v. ampirignton stories, didn't all of these other things influence White Wolf's universe? I totally see the whole white wolf connection (here's the plan: kill all the vampires) with the whole Vampire/Where?wolf war thingy, but thats only part of the whole image n shit. BTW, I didn't like the movie enough to watch it again with commentary, but I wonder if they ever give credit or acknowledge Vampire:Teh Masteraid games/books/etc...
I thought the main dude looked pretty lame when he was "transformed" at the end. He looked like that dude in that shitty old comedy Soul Man. BUt, ya, pretty cool flick.
Man, you're watching all kinds of crap since you got netflix, huh? :)
I enjoyed From Hell enough, but the comic is SO freakin good. The movie is alright, but it aint got SHIT on the book. Johnny Depp is the shit though. "Savvy!" :(
Ya menz - lets do drive con! I'm in. I don't know if I'll prereg for the con, but I probably should. Maybe I can meetup with some of you'z when you have your secret gaming sessions so I can see what games u guys signed up for etc.
I dunno about the new Descendents - I saw it at Aomeba the other day - ehhhh. I can't imagine it being good, but who knows. "You suck! Mr. Buttfuck!" Alright! YES!
Legend of the Five Rings was a good game (Jordan and I used to play quite a bit, actually), with fun world background stuff in a geeky kind of way. The big problem was that it was a fucking pain in the mental ass. See, whenever you go to a battle you commit many troops (and their personal items, honorable wives, etc.) to go to the battle. The winner of each battle is basically the one with a higher battle value (I don't remember what it is--it's been a long time--there may have even been more than one factor). At each battle you go back and forth playing a bunch of card which affect that value. Anyway, it's a card game, there are a billion variables. The thing is, whoever has the advantage completely wipes out the other side. And those troops and things you've been buying are not necessarily cheap or easy to get.
It's a fun system, but what it led to was a paralyzation about entering combat. The number of variables was so scary, and you had so much to lose, that normally we'd kind of dare each other to attack and then finally someone would do it, and then lots of cards would bite it. It was fun, but very tense and complicated, and the strategy was just a bit too much for me to grasp.
As a "fuck it, I'll attack" game it's fun, but I found it difficult to treat it like that. The armies are distinct and fun. I wouldn't buy any more cards ever or read the rules again, but I'd play it again.
It's a fun system, but what it led to was a paralyzation about entering combat. The number of variables was so scary, and you had so much to lose, that normally we'd kind of dare each other to attack and then finally someone would do it, and then lots of cards would bite it. It was fun, but very tense and complicated, and the strategy was just a bit too much for me to grasp.
As a "fuck it, I'll attack" game it's fun, but I found it difficult to treat it like that. The armies are distinct and fun. I wouldn't buy any more cards ever or read the rules again, but I'd play it again.
Bortz a Lot
How was Seven Samurai? I have always wanted to see it. I even rented it once and I didnt watch it before I returned it. Idjiot. I always liked the look of the Legend of the Five Rings, but I always felt intimidated by the hours of investment a single gameplay often requires.
You know, everything here in San Francisco normally appears pretty busy. The city is usually a buzz with activity, particularly on the roads. Yet, now, after dealing with the wildly chaotic traffic and the constant flow of pedestrians on the sidewalks, San Francisco seems almost sleepy. Particularly the driving part. In Rome, traffic lines dont mean shit. EVeryone seems to drive where they see fit, very aggressively to boot. To top it off most intersections do not have Street Lights. Even some of the major artery street intersections are lightless. Throw in a couple hundred thousand motorscooters that seem to fear nothing, including potential pedestrian collisions, and you have a recipe for chaos. I think the vehicles there run on Warpstone and not gas. The odd contrast is that San Francisco seems so sprawling now. Huge streets and large sidewalks, not at all like Rome. Nor Firenze. Venezia.. Well thats a entirely different story. Imaging the southbay totally built up with four story houses, no sideyards, frontyards, or backyards. No remove all the streets and one side of the accompanying sidewalks. Now you have Venezia. Bizarro. I think Walt Disney got a lot of ideas from there.
Elrock & Oetersen: What is the best way to contact Denish? And When?
Das Fucker
How was Seven Samurai? I have always wanted to see it. I even rented it once and I didnt watch it before I returned it. Idjiot. I always liked the look of the Legend of the Five Rings, but I always felt intimidated by the hours of investment a single gameplay often requires.
You know, everything here in San Francisco normally appears pretty busy. The city is usually a buzz with activity, particularly on the roads. Yet, now, after dealing with the wildly chaotic traffic and the constant flow of pedestrians on the sidewalks, San Francisco seems almost sleepy. Particularly the driving part. In Rome, traffic lines dont mean shit. EVeryone seems to drive where they see fit, very aggressively to boot. To top it off most intersections do not have Street Lights. Even some of the major artery street intersections are lightless. Throw in a couple hundred thousand motorscooters that seem to fear nothing, including potential pedestrian collisions, and you have a recipe for chaos. I think the vehicles there run on Warpstone and not gas. The odd contrast is that San Francisco seems so sprawling now. Huge streets and large sidewalks, not at all like Rome. Nor Firenze. Venezia.. Well thats a entirely different story. Imaging the southbay totally built up with four story houses, no sideyards, frontyards, or backyards. No remove all the streets and one side of the accompanying sidewalks. Now you have Venezia. Bizarro. I think Walt Disney got a lot of ideas from there.
Elrock & Oetersen: What is the best way to contact Denish? And When?
Das Fucker
From Hell
Finally saw this flick, it was okay. I liked it, and probably would have been disappointed if I had paid for it in the theatre, but it was a nice Netflix. In the process of watching Seven Samurai, and it has inspired me to want to get into Legend of the 5 Rings. I have always been interested in that card game, and I think Jon and Paul used to play it, right? Did you Jon? Denis? Anyone have any ideas of how it plays?
Of course, who am I really kidding? No one will play with me, so I would just be pissing my money away (again).
What is the status of the Kubladrivecon? Are you still game to drive Rudy? Last year, I left about 7pm on thursday night and made it to Johnny's around 1 or 2 am I think. Then I left sunday night @ 10.30pm, and got home around 3 or 4am. Traffic wasn't too bad on sunday night, so I think we should do the same schedule again. I have taken off friday and am in. Denis is looking into it. No idea about Jon. Rudy says that he can take the day off no problem. Are we a go?
Finally saw this flick, it was okay. I liked it, and probably would have been disappointed if I had paid for it in the theatre, but it was a nice Netflix. In the process of watching Seven Samurai, and it has inspired me to want to get into Legend of the 5 Rings. I have always been interested in that card game, and I think Jon and Paul used to play it, right? Did you Jon? Denis? Anyone have any ideas of how it plays?
Of course, who am I really kidding? No one will play with me, so I would just be pissing my money away (again).
What is the status of the Kubladrivecon? Are you still game to drive Rudy? Last year, I left about 7pm on thursday night and made it to Johnny's around 1 or 2 am I think. Then I left sunday night @ 10.30pm, and got home around 3 or 4am. Traffic wasn't too bad on sunday night, so I think we should do the same schedule again. I have taken off friday and am in. Denis is looking into it. No idea about Jon. Rudy says that he can take the day off no problem. Are we a go?
Tuesday, April 06, 2004
Greatest contrast eVaR!
Elrock, I found this blurb floating around in ESPN.com.
"Heading into their regular-season finale against the Atlanta Thrashers Saturday, the Lightning had established an unofficial NHL record for the healthiest season ever with only 34 man-games lost to injury.
Thirty-four.
The Los Angeles Kings rack up 34 man-games while boarding the team bus.
Earlier this week, the Kings established a new NHL record by hitting the 629 man-games-lost mark, eclipsing the 573 put up by the Boston Bruins in 1991-92.
In the past two seasons, the hard-bitten Kings will have topped the 1,165 mark for games lost to injury."
Look at the bright side at least next "season" we probably won't have to worry about injuries at all.
Bortz
Elrock, I found this blurb floating around in ESPN.com.
"Heading into their regular-season finale against the Atlanta Thrashers Saturday, the Lightning had established an unofficial NHL record for the healthiest season ever with only 34 man-games lost to injury.
Thirty-four.
The Los Angeles Kings rack up 34 man-games while boarding the team bus.
Earlier this week, the Kings established a new NHL record by hitting the 629 man-games-lost mark, eclipsing the 573 put up by the Boston Bruins in 1991-92.
In the past two seasons, the hard-bitten Kings will have topped the 1,165 mark for games lost to injury."
Look at the bright side at least next "season" we probably won't have to worry about injuries at all.
Bortz
I miss gaming with all youse guys too, although it's fun getting my fix with the 10d6 crowd. We've been playing a piratey game. I've been having fun running it, although sometimes the NPCs fight and that makes me sad.
Rudy, did you ever watch the Fatlip video/documentary on the Spike Jonze DVD? That was awesome, especially his story about the transvestite.
If any of you like documentaries, I just saw a good one called "Home Movies." The guy went to the houses of several people with unusual homes. One guy is this old nerd who believes in psychic powers and has his entire house wired robotically, there's a hippie couple who live in an old missile silo, there's a guy who lives on a houseboat in the swamps of Louisiana. That was one of my favorites 'cause it reminded me of Pirates of the Carribbean.
Rudy, did you ever watch the Fatlip video/documentary on the Spike Jonze DVD? That was awesome, especially his story about the transvestite.
If any of you like documentaries, I just saw a good one called "Home Movies." The guy went to the houses of several people with unusual homes. One guy is this old nerd who believes in psychic powers and has his entire house wired robotically, there's a hippie couple who live in an old missile silo, there's a guy who lives on a houseboat in the swamps of Louisiana. That was one of my favorites 'cause it reminded me of Pirates of the Carribbean.
Monday, April 05, 2004
10d6, the dirty secret
Buried deep in the valley of sugar plums is the 10d6 superfund site.
Elrock and Pump: I will not be available tonight to play. I am afraid I would be less than a brilliant tactician given my current state of sleep disorder. Perhaps tomarrow. I will update you tomarrow during the day as to how I feel. Denish... Give me a heads up on availablity tomarrow eve after 7pm.
Enron Sleepyton III
Buried deep in the valley of sugar plums is the 10d6 superfund site.
Elrock and Pump: I will not be available tonight to play. I am afraid I would be less than a brilliant tactician given my current state of sleep disorder. Perhaps tomarrow. I will update you tomarrow during the day as to how I feel. Denish... Give me a heads up on availablity tomarrow eve after 7pm.
Enron Sleepyton III
10d6 Ain't No Secret
It's just a place to blog for the sunday game group for scheduling, etc. Read on! There is only minimal Rudy and Enron bashing, so it shouldn't be too tearful of a read for you two. Since no one really knows Peter or Laurie, I figured I would not invite them to join the action team, cause they would be confused, and some of us would be confused by them.
So there you have it.
Enron: You have some BBing to do, my friend. You still gotta play Denis in the 4th round, so everyone else can play the 5th round, d00d!
Rdub, Leslie and I saw Hellboy on saturday, and it was fun. I don't know a lot about the comic, so it was all new for me, and it was interesting and fun. I'll let Ryan speak for himself, and Leslie didn't hate it. It was long apparently, though I didn't notice, and it went by fast I thought.
It's just a place to blog for the sunday game group for scheduling, etc. Read on! There is only minimal Rudy and Enron bashing, so it shouldn't be too tearful of a read for you two. Since no one really knows Peter or Laurie, I figured I would not invite them to join the action team, cause they would be confused, and some of us would be confused by them.
So there you have it.
Enron: You have some BBing to do, my friend. You still gotta play Denis in the 4th round, so everyone else can play the 5th round, d00d!
Rdub, Leslie and I saw Hellboy on saturday, and it was fun. I don't know a lot about the comic, so it was all new for me, and it was interesting and fun. I'll let Ryan speak for himself, and Leslie didn't hate it. It was long apparently, though I didn't notice, and it went by fast I thought.
The gig is up!
Or not really. Yeah I ran across that blog (www.10d6.com) about 6 months ago and was bummed. Not because I wasn?t part of it, but because I got LA homesick. If there is one thing I don?t get enough of it is gaming with the guys. Or just acting like complete idiots.
I am still way out of it. Every monkey and their Uncle decided to call when I was sleeping. Son of a... But I am over that. Speaking of out of it, in Fiernze on the second day it Italy I got the worst dizzy spell. It was like when you get way too drunk and the buzz starts wearing off and the spins start. Aggggg.. Hours of that fine eve. It just came over me slowly and at first it was minor and euphoric and then it just got worse and worse. BLAH! Anyway...
Rudy: answers your questions about costs and what not. It is pretty expensive. Almost every place charges an entrance fee (Most cathedrals, museums, other indoor sites, and some outdoor sites). I think Aimey and I each spent 110 Euro on those fees. Plus the Euro is not favorable to the US dollar. ~1.22 to 1. Although you are not going to get better than 1.26 to 1 for a conversion rate. So 20% of your buying power is lost right there. If you go on the cheap, grocery stores and cheap restaurant food, it?s not too bad. Restaurants on the other hand tend to be expensive. On the up side the food is fucking awesome and really an integral part of the experience. Low end restaurant food is not usually very good. Hostels are not too bad priced, but you do have to give up certain liberties and they are more risky. Most hotels are 90-120 Euros a night. Trains are great and usually on time, but they cost. BTW the Euro is great. No more converting your money every time you go to a new country. Unless you go to da UK.
My Top 8 Europe/Travel Tips:
1. Always take the Eurostar if you can. The other trains stop too much. It costs more, but it often takes MUCH less time (Anywhere from 1/2 to 1/4 the time) and time is precious there.
2. Do your research. As I learned when I went with Eric, nothing is more frustrating than getting to a city and not knowing what to do. You spend too much time researching the books spontaneously instead of preparing before you get there. You don?t have to have an itinerary, just an idea of what you want to see. This time I was more prepared and I felt much more accomplished.
3. Get good walking shoes. IMPORTANT! Make sure they are broken in before you leave.
4. Digital camera. Digital cameras rule there. So much less of a hassle. Last time I took 190 photos and about 30% were crap (Bad exposure, bad composition, bad idea). This time I took 1028 photos (1.2 GBs) and about 20% are crap. I deleted the ones I didn?t like on the spot. I could re-shoot images if I got something wrong because I could look at it on the spot. Make sure you have tons of memory cards or a computer to load them on to. Make sure you have plenty of batteries. Batteries are expensive there, especially if you are in a tourist district. Batteries other than AA and AAA are hard to find. Rechargeable is a good idea if your camera eats batteries. Mine is a hog. Without the flash in the Duomo I burned through one fully charged set in 10 minutes and the batteries were too hot to handle (I figure about 150 degrees). I brought both Lithium one time use batteries and NiMH rechargeables. The lithium?s last longer but they cost. I ate through 20 dollars of Lithium batteries in no time flat. I found if I brought a pair of lithium along with my NiMH and used them only when I ran out of recharge juice it was a good back up. Film is nice but it is expensive and can be a deterrent of taking shots. The more shots you take the more likely you are to get a good shot.
5. Beware the Audio tours. They can sometimes really be superficial and expensive. Buy a book. They are usually a little more than an audio tour but they can make the experience more enjoyable. Especially in art museums when you are not well versed in the era and the history behind the works. A lot of the captions in Italy are only in Italian or not very informative.
6. Day trips to small towns from a base city are really cool. Both times I enjoyed all my day trips.
7. Melatonin is the shit. Unlike most sleep aiding supplements, this one helps promote REM sleep, unlike Unison or Alcamahall. If you want to minimize jet lag, it is bar none the best tool. It helps force your body to sleep when you want it to. Just set it up with the right amount of sleep on the plane so that you will be pretty tired the whole first day in your destination. Then take some an hour before bed and konk, you are out. Not having it was a real detriment to both Eric and I when we went. We got jet lagged and off schedule real bad. Just as a warning, your dreams are much more recallable and a little weird.
8. Drink lots o water on the plane, you feel less shitty when you get where you are going. Read: Bring a bottle of your own. On a long flight 1.5 liters should do.
Anyway that is enough for now...
Giznad
PS Someday I would love to go to Rome with Futbol. I think he would be great to go with since he knows so much about Roman history.
Or not really. Yeah I ran across that blog (www.10d6.com) about 6 months ago and was bummed. Not because I wasn?t part of it, but because I got LA homesick. If there is one thing I don?t get enough of it is gaming with the guys. Or just acting like complete idiots.
I am still way out of it. Every monkey and their Uncle decided to call when I was sleeping. Son of a... But I am over that. Speaking of out of it, in Fiernze on the second day it Italy I got the worst dizzy spell. It was like when you get way too drunk and the buzz starts wearing off and the spins start. Aggggg.. Hours of that fine eve. It just came over me slowly and at first it was minor and euphoric and then it just got worse and worse. BLAH! Anyway...
Rudy: answers your questions about costs and what not. It is pretty expensive. Almost every place charges an entrance fee (Most cathedrals, museums, other indoor sites, and some outdoor sites). I think Aimey and I each spent 110 Euro on those fees. Plus the Euro is not favorable to the US dollar. ~1.22 to 1. Although you are not going to get better than 1.26 to 1 for a conversion rate. So 20% of your buying power is lost right there. If you go on the cheap, grocery stores and cheap restaurant food, it?s not too bad. Restaurants on the other hand tend to be expensive. On the up side the food is fucking awesome and really an integral part of the experience. Low end restaurant food is not usually very good. Hostels are not too bad priced, but you do have to give up certain liberties and they are more risky. Most hotels are 90-120 Euros a night. Trains are great and usually on time, but they cost. BTW the Euro is great. No more converting your money every time you go to a new country. Unless you go to da UK.
My Top 8 Europe/Travel Tips:
1. Always take the Eurostar if you can. The other trains stop too much. It costs more, but it often takes MUCH less time (Anywhere from 1/2 to 1/4 the time) and time is precious there.
2. Do your research. As I learned when I went with Eric, nothing is more frustrating than getting to a city and not knowing what to do. You spend too much time researching the books spontaneously instead of preparing before you get there. You don?t have to have an itinerary, just an idea of what you want to see. This time I was more prepared and I felt much more accomplished.
3. Get good walking shoes. IMPORTANT! Make sure they are broken in before you leave.
4. Digital camera. Digital cameras rule there. So much less of a hassle. Last time I took 190 photos and about 30% were crap (Bad exposure, bad composition, bad idea). This time I took 1028 photos (1.2 GBs) and about 20% are crap. I deleted the ones I didn?t like on the spot. I could re-shoot images if I got something wrong because I could look at it on the spot. Make sure you have tons of memory cards or a computer to load them on to. Make sure you have plenty of batteries. Batteries are expensive there, especially if you are in a tourist district. Batteries other than AA and AAA are hard to find. Rechargeable is a good idea if your camera eats batteries. Mine is a hog. Without the flash in the Duomo I burned through one fully charged set in 10 minutes and the batteries were too hot to handle (I figure about 150 degrees). I brought both Lithium one time use batteries and NiMH rechargeables. The lithium?s last longer but they cost. I ate through 20 dollars of Lithium batteries in no time flat. I found if I brought a pair of lithium along with my NiMH and used them only when I ran out of recharge juice it was a good back up. Film is nice but it is expensive and can be a deterrent of taking shots. The more shots you take the more likely you are to get a good shot.
5. Beware the Audio tours. They can sometimes really be superficial and expensive. Buy a book. They are usually a little more than an audio tour but they can make the experience more enjoyable. Especially in art museums when you are not well versed in the era and the history behind the works. A lot of the captions in Italy are only in Italian or not very informative.
6. Day trips to small towns from a base city are really cool. Both times I enjoyed all my day trips.
7. Melatonin is the shit. Unlike most sleep aiding supplements, this one helps promote REM sleep, unlike Unison or Alcamahall. If you want to minimize jet lag, it is bar none the best tool. It helps force your body to sleep when you want it to. Just set it up with the right amount of sleep on the plane so that you will be pretty tired the whole first day in your destination. Then take some an hour before bed and konk, you are out. Not having it was a real detriment to both Eric and I when we went. We got jet lagged and off schedule real bad. Just as a warning, your dreams are much more recallable and a little weird.
8. Drink lots o water on the plane, you feel less shitty when you get where you are going. Read: Bring a bottle of your own. On a long flight 1.5 liters should do.
Anyway that is enough for now...
Giznad
PS Someday I would love to go to Rome with Futbol. I think he would be great to go with since he knows so much about Roman history.
*!BUSTED!*
I found your guyzez secret blog site over at 10d6.com. The gig is up! Spill da beans! I was actually just trying to get elrocks number and went there thinking maybe it had a business number or something. No worries - I won't read it. I seriously felt like I was violating something by reading it!
Ya, Endless SUnshine is the SHIT. I think Michel Gondry is a WAY better director than Spike Jonez. I don't think Jonez would have been able to pull off this movie like Gondry did. You gotta see his DVD collection of videos - some of them are just insane.
I wanna see Hellboy! I totally didnt, but Ive read some good reviews and some friends i know who saw it said it was good. Might have to check that shit the fuck out.
I found your guyzez secret blog site over at 10d6.com. The gig is up! Spill da beans! I was actually just trying to get elrocks number and went there thinking maybe it had a business number or something. No worries - I won't read it. I seriously felt like I was violating something by reading it!
Ya, Endless SUnshine is the SHIT. I think Michel Gondry is a WAY better director than Spike Jonez. I don't think Jonez would have been able to pull off this movie like Gondry did. You gotta see his DVD collection of videos - some of them are just insane.
I wanna see Hellboy! I totally didnt, but Ive read some good reviews and some friends i know who saw it said it was good. Might have to check that shit the fuck out.
Welcome back Enron!
I watched "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" last night. Not just good, but really damn good... best movie I've seen in a while. Better than Being John Malkovich and Adaptation, I thought.
Before the movie there was a trailer for the Will Ferrell movie "Anchorman." I was laughing the whole time. I do believe that movie is going to shred.
I watched "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" last night. Not just good, but really damn good... best movie I've seen in a while. Better than Being John Malkovich and Adaptation, I thought.
Before the movie there was a trailer for the Will Ferrell movie "Anchorman." I was laughing the whole time. I do believe that movie is going to shred.
Sunday, April 04, 2004
I am Back like the Plague...
Back and delerious s hell. I have been up for 25 hours and counting. I feel like I am high. Blah... So I didnt get any pope paraphenilia. SOrry. Neo Holy ROman Empire eh... Sounds like the seeds for a new game for us to develop. What say you boys?
Rude: Yeah I saw that Photo essay a few months back. Creppy shit. I find abandoned disaster down strangly fascinating, yet freaky at the same time. Kind of like the Pennsylvania town Centralia that was condemned because of coal fires. WHat is really wierd about these fires is that they burn for decades. I guess Pennsylvania has some 48 still burning today. Bizarro.
Eric: Brilliant Anticdote.
Boys: I shall give an account of my exploits in Italia as soon as I am less insane. Perhaps tomarrow.
Broken
Back and delerious s hell. I have been up for 25 hours and counting. I feel like I am high. Blah... So I didnt get any pope paraphenilia. SOrry. Neo Holy ROman Empire eh... Sounds like the seeds for a new game for us to develop. What say you boys?
Rude: Yeah I saw that Photo essay a few months back. Creppy shit. I find abandoned disaster down strangly fascinating, yet freaky at the same time. Kind of like the Pennsylvania town Centralia that was condemned because of coal fires. WHat is really wierd about these fires is that they burn for decades. I guess Pennsylvania has some 48 still burning today. Bizarro.
Eric: Brilliant Anticdote.
Boys: I shall give an account of my exploits in Italia as soon as I am less insane. Perhaps tomarrow.
Broken
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