The Considerably Interesting Curricular Compendium |
The home of Blerns & Sob
Saturday, May 28, 2005
A Sad Note (Something Else)
I've officially lost my ability to write short posts. That's really sad, isn't it?
UPDATE: Hey... wait...
I've officially lost my ability to write short posts. That's really sad, isn't it?
UPDATE: Hey... wait...
Brins would appreciate it if you didn't swear in your comments
Time to Sort These Things! (Site Update)
As you can see in this title, I'm trying to categorise the posts made on the CICC, so you can tell in advance to skip the big, long essays (unless you actually want to read them). This should be handy for frequent, busy visitors, and to find what you want out of the archives.
I hope this improves the user-friendliness of my site.
Here's the tentative code system, with the code represented by the bracketed part of post titles:
Essay - fairly large - large post, likely about some issue on which I am no expert, but you might like to read what I have to say on it anyway.
Site Update - a post giving info. about an update to the CICC
Review - a review on something from me (Brins). So far, there's just one of these - the Mario Kart: Double Dash post.
Challenge - a post referencing one of my competitions which you can take part in. Whether or not I make any more depends on whether anyone ever actually enters one.
About Brins - it's about me and things that are/have happened to me. I made a few of these at the beginning of the CICC - hence the name 'Curricular Compendium' - but sort of sidled away from it, as I appreciate that no-one cares what happens to me. Still, some more might come along.
Something Else - until I bother to think up some more categories, everything that doesn't fit into the other things goes here.
This is the system I aim to follow in future, and I will be applying it to previous entries over the next ever. Hardcore veterans of the CICC (you never know!!) may fondly remember a time when I didn't title my posts/records, but referred to them as 'A [something] post from Brins'. Yes! I will give them a title!
In case you're thinking, 'wow! Brins has been planning this for some time!' I haven't. I suddenly thought of it now. That's the way inspiration works, you see. It just comes to you.
Rob and I find that listening to old video game MIDI files helps it too. Don't we, Rob?
As you can see in this title, I'm trying to categorise the posts made on the CICC, so you can tell in advance to skip the big, long essays (unless you actually want to read them). This should be handy for frequent, busy visitors, and to find what you want out of the archives.
I hope this improves the user-friendliness of my site.
Here's the tentative code system, with the code represented by the bracketed part of post titles:
Essay - fairly large - large post, likely about some issue on which I am no expert, but you might like to read what I have to say on it anyway.
Site Update - a post giving info. about an update to the CICC
Review - a review on something from me (Brins). So far, there's just one of these - the Mario Kart: Double Dash post.
Challenge - a post referencing one of my competitions which you can take part in. Whether or not I make any more depends on whether anyone ever actually enters one.
About Brins - it's about me and things that are/have happened to me. I made a few of these at the beginning of the CICC - hence the name 'Curricular Compendium' - but sort of sidled away from it, as I appreciate that no-one cares what happens to me. Still, some more might come along.
Something Else - until I bother to think up some more categories, everything that doesn't fit into the other things goes here.
This is the system I aim to follow in future, and I will be applying it to previous entries over the next ever. Hardcore veterans of the CICC (you never know!!) may fondly remember a time when I didn't title my posts/records, but referred to them as 'A [something] post from Brins'. Yes! I will give them a title!
In case you're thinking, 'wow! Brins has been planning this for some time!' I haven't. I suddenly thought of it now. That's the way inspiration works, you see. It just comes to you.
Rob and I find that listening to old video game MIDI files helps it too. Don't we, Rob?
Brins would appreciate it if you didn't swear in your comments
Thursday, May 26, 2005
From Reviews to Counters (Essay)
I was earlier considering a review of a SNES (Super Nintendo Entertainment System) game, Dragon View, a game which seems to have been marooned in obsoletion in its time. I like it. Upon coming here to write this review, I decided to approach a different topic, namely one which criticises the whole reviewing process (why not, after all?)
Reviews are good, of course; without other people's opinions and scopes, we wouldn't be able to tell whether anything was good or bad. We need a source of some form - be it friend, magazine, etc. - to help us separate what is inherently bad from everything else. There are some things which are, by default, more sophisticated, intricate, advanced, or simply enjoyable than others. Tiddly-winks is more fun than being dead, for example. That's quite obvious.
Ultimately, though, while getting someone's review on something helps to give you a basic gist of something, what it involves, what its pros and cons are (from the person's perspective), etc. But I'm not very fond of rating systems.
The problem with rating things is that the final score of something is going to be determined almost entirely by the individual that reviews the item; a person is very complicated (too complicated, really), and such things as the individual's personality, views, tastes, dispositions and biases will irrefutably get in the way at some point.
Here's a case in point: I can't play football. All my life, I've been unable to play football. I don't know the first thing about the game aside from getting the ball into the goal, and I have never gotten involved in a game outside of enforced P.E. lessons (I'm glad they're over).
If I were asked to review the game of football, weigh up its good and bad points, as well as score it out of ten at the end, what do you think I would say? Obviously, I'd bring it across as bad (if I were making it a purely personal account).
But then, David Beckham comes along and gives it a ten, before toddling away again. It didn't take long for that to happen.
This applies with video games considerably more than with anything else, for the simple reason that they are one of the most diverse individual forms of thing which can be classified within an absolute whole in existence. Nobody is going to like every form of game. Nobody is going to like every game. But you're going to get an awful lot of people to weave in and out of opinions on these games, as well as their forms.
I've seen many websites which rate things like games, films, and books, with scoring systems. A rating only works, if you ask me, where the reviewer can take the item being reviewed out of his/her box of opinion, and view it from a greater perspective, weighing up what aspects would have varying appeal for different types of people. Perhaps even having multiple scores for the thing, branching different categories (as in, it rates this well as this kind of thing, that well at that kind of thing, etc.) This would work for video games, at least. In that context, you could rate it according to how well it plays as an Action-orientated game, this well as Puzzle-orientated, Adventure-orientated, and so on.
I don't think anything ever deserves 10/10, either. That would imply absolute perfection in its field, which is something which just doesn't happen. Unless the field was something like 'one yellow pixel is present', in which case a 10/10 may well be deserved, and dutifully awarded by Person X. 'But wait,' Person Y crosses over. 'Is that pixel really completely yellow? Hmm... 8/10.' You just can't win, can you?
If I ever make a website and review things, I'd take a different approach. Maybe even scrap the rating system altogether. Of course, that's just the way I see it. I'd be happy to hear your views on reviews. I'm glad of ratings, since they certainly help in some cases. But some leeway ought to be taken as regards personal tastes.
I'm not going out on that football pitch again, no matter what David Beckham says.
I was earlier considering a review of a SNES (Super Nintendo Entertainment System) game, Dragon View, a game which seems to have been marooned in obsoletion in its time. I like it. Upon coming here to write this review, I decided to approach a different topic, namely one which criticises the whole reviewing process (why not, after all?)
Reviews are good, of course; without other people's opinions and scopes, we wouldn't be able to tell whether anything was good or bad. We need a source of some form - be it friend, magazine, etc. - to help us separate what is inherently bad from everything else. There are some things which are, by default, more sophisticated, intricate, advanced, or simply enjoyable than others. Tiddly-winks is more fun than being dead, for example. That's quite obvious.
Ultimately, though, while getting someone's review on something helps to give you a basic gist of something, what it involves, what its pros and cons are (from the person's perspective), etc. But I'm not very fond of rating systems.
The problem with rating things is that the final score of something is going to be determined almost entirely by the individual that reviews the item; a person is very complicated (too complicated, really), and such things as the individual's personality, views, tastes, dispositions and biases will irrefutably get in the way at some point.
Here's a case in point: I can't play football. All my life, I've been unable to play football. I don't know the first thing about the game aside from getting the ball into the goal, and I have never gotten involved in a game outside of enforced P.E. lessons (I'm glad they're over).
If I were asked to review the game of football, weigh up its good and bad points, as well as score it out of ten at the end, what do you think I would say? Obviously, I'd bring it across as bad (if I were making it a purely personal account).
But then, David Beckham comes along and gives it a ten, before toddling away again. It didn't take long for that to happen.
This applies with video games considerably more than with anything else, for the simple reason that they are one of the most diverse individual forms of thing which can be classified within an absolute whole in existence. Nobody is going to like every form of game. Nobody is going to like every game. But you're going to get an awful lot of people to weave in and out of opinions on these games, as well as their forms.
I've seen many websites which rate things like games, films, and books, with scoring systems. A rating only works, if you ask me, where the reviewer can take the item being reviewed out of his/her box of opinion, and view it from a greater perspective, weighing up what aspects would have varying appeal for different types of people. Perhaps even having multiple scores for the thing, branching different categories (as in, it rates this well as this kind of thing, that well at that kind of thing, etc.) This would work for video games, at least. In that context, you could rate it according to how well it plays as an Action-orientated game, this well as Puzzle-orientated, Adventure-orientated, and so on.
I don't think anything ever deserves 10/10, either. That would imply absolute perfection in its field, which is something which just doesn't happen. Unless the field was something like 'one yellow pixel is present', in which case a 10/10 may well be deserved, and dutifully awarded by Person X. 'But wait,' Person Y crosses over. 'Is that pixel really completely yellow? Hmm... 8/10.' You just can't win, can you?
If I ever make a website and review things, I'd take a different approach. Maybe even scrap the rating system altogether. Of course, that's just the way I see it. I'd be happy to hear your views on reviews. I'm glad of ratings, since they certainly help in some cases. But some leeway ought to be taken as regards personal tastes.
I'm not going out on that football pitch again, no matter what David Beckham says.
Brins would appreciate it if you didn't swear in your comments
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
Microsoft: Attack on Base X (Essay)
I've been reading and observing a bit more, on the internet, about the ol' Microsoft-Vs.-Everyone-else war, and it gets a bit silly at points. They're just a company trying to make money (I heard that Bill Gates has been knighted for assisting Global Communication, though I can't confirm that). Granted, they've got the closest thing to a monopoly since water, but they're still fully entitled to take whatever actions they want to make said money. They have absolutely no legal obligation to make any of their software work properly (provided they don't lie about them), and furthermore, they are completely powerless without the companies who actually make computers (hardware specialists). At least, provided they're still a software-based company.
Everyone has things they love and hate, but Microsoft seems to cause some people to eruct greater ferocity than some other things. And that's unusual.
Of course, there's this other thing I found out about (another nefarious plan by that diabolical mastermind, Bill Gates - although it might not have been his idea), TCPA.
I don't know much about it, so I'll just direct you to the website of its virile opposition. TCPA seems to be an agreement which would, in a nutshell, cause an IT user to lose a lot of their computer rights, as well as restricting their freedom with computers, and confining them to using only certain applications (that's what I gather from that website, anyway).
Points to note: 1)The TCPA was set up in 1999, six years ago.
2)There's no way that the TCPA could dominate the entire computing market; if it ever reached the stage that every computer in existence was affected, there would undoubtedly be a massive rebellion (and that's assuming that it's as bad as is claimed to be. I personally doubt that such an allegedly tyrannical proposition would be suggested, or accepted, in the modern IT market).
3)Who's to stop you from not buying a new computer, anyway? I'm happy with mine, and there's no necessity for the faster processor speeds or whatever else is offered, at least for a casual computer-user (mind you, I can understand that the TCPA would certainly have adverse effects on businesses - which doubles as another reason why I can't see the idea being followed through in its unadulterated, sensationalised form)
That's just some points from the other (uneducated, viscerally-guided) side of the field. I like to take my time, swinging in my rocking chair, just waiting to see how everything turns out. Wedged inbetween all the stuffing of sensation, the truth will emerge, however obscure.
Oh, well. Someone, give me some more information about this TCPA thing, I've only picked up so much about it.
UPDATE!!: What the?! I only just noticed, that website hasn't been updated for almost a year! Their news links are broken! Has the whole thing calmed down or something? If so, I guess this was meaningless.
Seriously, I know I should be gathering a lot more information on subjects like this if I'm to make a solid, unbiased, factually-backed analysis of stuff... but I'm just a kid! Give me a break, here!
Besides, if I manage to make just one person laugh at how much I manage to mess up my facts, then I'm happy. If you're that person, check back on my politics posts for further funniness.
Final note: just scanning with the spell-checker there, I found that it didn't understand the word 'eruct'. I checked it in the dictionary, though, it does exist. Maybe it's just out of fashion... young ruffians, with their hip words... IN MY DAY --!!
I've been reading and observing a bit more, on the internet, about the ol' Microsoft-Vs.-Everyone-else war, and it gets a bit silly at points. They're just a company trying to make money (I heard that Bill Gates has been knighted for assisting Global Communication, though I can't confirm that). Granted, they've got the closest thing to a monopoly since water, but they're still fully entitled to take whatever actions they want to make said money. They have absolutely no legal obligation to make any of their software work properly (provided they don't lie about them), and furthermore, they are completely powerless without the companies who actually make computers (hardware specialists). At least, provided they're still a software-based company.
Everyone has things they love and hate, but Microsoft seems to cause some people to eruct greater ferocity than some other things. And that's unusual.
Of course, there's this other thing I found out about (another nefarious plan by that diabolical mastermind, Bill Gates - although it might not have been his idea), TCPA.
I don't know much about it, so I'll just direct you to the website of its virile opposition. TCPA seems to be an agreement which would, in a nutshell, cause an IT user to lose a lot of their computer rights, as well as restricting their freedom with computers, and confining them to using only certain applications (that's what I gather from that website, anyway).
Points to note: 1)The TCPA was set up in 1999, six years ago.
2)There's no way that the TCPA could dominate the entire computing market; if it ever reached the stage that every computer in existence was affected, there would undoubtedly be a massive rebellion (and that's assuming that it's as bad as is claimed to be. I personally doubt that such an allegedly tyrannical proposition would be suggested, or accepted, in the modern IT market).
3)Who's to stop you from not buying a new computer, anyway? I'm happy with mine, and there's no necessity for the faster processor speeds or whatever else is offered, at least for a casual computer-user (mind you, I can understand that the TCPA would certainly have adverse effects on businesses - which doubles as another reason why I can't see the idea being followed through in its unadulterated, sensationalised form)
That's just some points from the other (uneducated, viscerally-guided) side of the field. I like to take my time, swinging in my rocking chair, just waiting to see how everything turns out. Wedged inbetween all the stuffing of sensation, the truth will emerge, however obscure.
Oh, well. Someone, give me some more information about this TCPA thing, I've only picked up so much about it.
UPDATE!!: What the?! I only just noticed, that website hasn't been updated for almost a year! Their news links are broken! Has the whole thing calmed down or something? If so, I guess this was meaningless.
Seriously, I know I should be gathering a lot more information on subjects like this if I'm to make a solid, unbiased, factually-backed analysis of stuff... but I'm just a kid! Give me a break, here!
Besides, if I manage to make just one person laugh at how much I manage to mess up my facts, then I'm happy. If you're that person, check back on my politics posts for further funniness.
Final note: just scanning with the spell-checker there, I found that it didn't understand the word 'eruct'. I checked it in the dictionary, though, it does exist. Maybe it's just out of fashion... young ruffians, with their hip words... IN MY DAY --!!
Brins would appreciate it if you didn't swear in your comments
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
Mario Kart: Double Dash (Review)
Mario Kart: Double Dash is a strange game; it takes a few hours of playing (not consecutively) to 'get into it' in Single Player, after which it's quite addictive until you've beaten everything it has to offer. Multiplayer is its real strength, which is what I've never really taken advantage of.
Nonetheless, the game's biggest downfall is that the tracks feel much too claustrophobic and one-way, at least when comparing them to previous titles in the series, especially Mario Kart 64. You're really wedged in between two barriers, whether they take the form of bars or bottomless pits, and there's not nearly enough emphasis on exploration or short-cutting as there should be - even the 'shortcuts' are virtually all extra bends which lead to a power-up, which don't have much reason to exist in most cases.
The game is fun for a while, but I feel that the tracks weren't too well designed; they become rather boring when you discover that there's only one way to go. I remember back on the 64 version, when I had friends round and we had fun just exploring every corner of each course; it was amazing what you might find if you look around (anyone remember the train tunnel in the desert? The Rainbow Road mega-cut? The castle?). There's none of that here at all.
In short - the game itself is good, and fun for a time (probably forever if you have friends around all the time); I found it more challenging on the harder settings than '64, as well; the only problem is the course design - it's too restrictive.
I'm shoving this little review here because I've just been playing the game over the last few days (I got it a year and a half ago!). These are my impressions of it over this time.
The SNES version is the best, of course; at least, I'll always think it is. 'In simplicity lies perfection', they say, and you really can't improve on simplicity, can you?
Mario Kart: Double Dash is a strange game; it takes a few hours of playing (not consecutively) to 'get into it' in Single Player, after which it's quite addictive until you've beaten everything it has to offer. Multiplayer is its real strength, which is what I've never really taken advantage of.
Nonetheless, the game's biggest downfall is that the tracks feel much too claustrophobic and one-way, at least when comparing them to previous titles in the series, especially Mario Kart 64. You're really wedged in between two barriers, whether they take the form of bars or bottomless pits, and there's not nearly enough emphasis on exploration or short-cutting as there should be - even the 'shortcuts' are virtually all extra bends which lead to a power-up, which don't have much reason to exist in most cases.
The game is fun for a while, but I feel that the tracks weren't too well designed; they become rather boring when you discover that there's only one way to go. I remember back on the 64 version, when I had friends round and we had fun just exploring every corner of each course; it was amazing what you might find if you look around (anyone remember the train tunnel in the desert? The Rainbow Road mega-cut? The castle?). There's none of that here at all.
In short - the game itself is good, and fun for a time (probably forever if you have friends around all the time); I found it more challenging on the harder settings than '64, as well; the only problem is the course design - it's too restrictive.
I'm shoving this little review here because I've just been playing the game over the last few days (I got it a year and a half ago!). These are my impressions of it over this time.
The SNES version is the best, of course; at least, I'll always think it is. 'In simplicity lies perfection', they say, and you really can't improve on simplicity, can you?
Brins would appreciate it if you didn't swear in your comments
Monday, May 16, 2005
A Few Alters (Site Update)
Some rearranging of the side-bar has been done, nothing major.
If anyone would like Brins (it's me) to make some changes (however major/minor), now's the time to tell me! Comment below! I promise, I'll actually read and respond to you!
I'm serious this time.
Some rearranging of the side-bar has been done, nothing major.
If anyone would like Brins (it's me) to make some changes (however major/minor), now's the time to tell me! Comment below! I promise, I'll actually read and respond to you!
I'm serious this time.
Brins would appreciate it if you didn't swear in your comments
Sunday, May 15, 2005
Omnicron: Shadar Logath?! (Something Else/Essay)
About a year ago, I somehow ended up finding a freeware (which simply means it's free) game on the internet by complete accident: Omnicron. It's a Role Playing Game (RPG), very simple in concept, yet it begins to show some very deep and meaningful (if extraneous to the very basic plot) undertones as it goes on. The game is also extremely long and a bit disjointed, but it's still interesting to play just to see the considerable depth and enchantment the creator has put into developing the parallel world which it takes place in - at one point there is a colossal insight into a variety of the paranormal phenomena present in the game, and frequently you stumble upon philosophers who offer equally detailed and impressive spiritual observations and postulations. None of this is apparent until you play further into it.
The reason why I mention this here is because after I played the game, I scoured the internet looking for mention of it and its creator, curious to see how popular it was. However, all I found was the poor soul who made it posting on random message boards, trying to get people to notice his game, and to no effect.
So out of respect for the creator, and in the hope that more people might enjoy the fruits of all his efforts in making it, I thought I'd mention it here. Here's the link to his site again, and I'll put it in my links section later as well. Please at least look at his site - it's just one page - and if you want, download the game.
It's just that he's obviously put so much effort into it, it really isn't fair for him to receive no credit.
About a year ago, I somehow ended up finding a freeware (which simply means it's free) game on the internet by complete accident: Omnicron. It's a Role Playing Game (RPG), very simple in concept, yet it begins to show some very deep and meaningful (if extraneous to the very basic plot) undertones as it goes on. The game is also extremely long and a bit disjointed, but it's still interesting to play just to see the considerable depth and enchantment the creator has put into developing the parallel world which it takes place in - at one point there is a colossal insight into a variety of the paranormal phenomena present in the game, and frequently you stumble upon philosophers who offer equally detailed and impressive spiritual observations and postulations. None of this is apparent until you play further into it.
The reason why I mention this here is because after I played the game, I scoured the internet looking for mention of it and its creator, curious to see how popular it was. However, all I found was the poor soul who made it posting on random message boards, trying to get people to notice his game, and to no effect.
So out of respect for the creator, and in the hope that more people might enjoy the fruits of all his efforts in making it, I thought I'd mention it here. Here's the link to his site again, and I'll put it in my links section later as well. Please at least look at his site - it's just one page - and if you want, download the game.
It's just that he's obviously put so much effort into it, it really isn't fair for him to receive no credit.
Brins would appreciate it if you didn't swear in your comments
Saturday, May 14, 2005
The School Game: This (About Brins)
Over the one-and-a-half years I've been working on The School Game, it's transformed from a joke-game made for my fellow school-pupils to have a laugh at, into a massive epic which I now have serious thoughts of turning into a novel and maybe even a film one day (in theory; it's not going to happen, but I think there's some great material in it). I've never shown anyone the game, so no-one actually knows much about it except from me, but it's strange how it's turned out.
The thing is, I was always planning to finish the game and show it to everyone... but now that school's over almost completely, that's not going to happen. It's just a bit sad that I never got round to completing it to give them it, as it received some degree of interest from at least a few people.
The only solution I could think of would be to set up a website one day and shove it there, in the hope that my old classmates would find and download it, but that's a serious long-shot.
It's been an off-and-on project for the whole time, but it's sort of drawing to what could be described as a close (I finally know everything that's going to happen, I just haven't implemented it all yet), which is really weird for me as its creator.
I just thought I'd let you know about this, since it's something relating to me. Plus, I mentioned it away back near the blog's birth last year (I'd love it if you were to check the archives for it - I'd feel very appreciated).
On another note, Rob's Blerns & Sob movie is taking some twists and turns that will surely shock all loyal Blerns & Sob fans out there (which doesn't make any sense since no-one can see any of their episodes except us), and veer the series in a new direction. Check out robonthenet.blogspot.com and ask Rob about it if you want.
Over the one-and-a-half years I've been working on The School Game, it's transformed from a joke-game made for my fellow school-pupils to have a laugh at, into a massive epic which I now have serious thoughts of turning into a novel and maybe even a film one day (in theory; it's not going to happen, but I think there's some great material in it). I've never shown anyone the game, so no-one actually knows much about it except from me, but it's strange how it's turned out.
The thing is, I was always planning to finish the game and show it to everyone... but now that school's over almost completely, that's not going to happen. It's just a bit sad that I never got round to completing it to give them it, as it received some degree of interest from at least a few people.
The only solution I could think of would be to set up a website one day and shove it there, in the hope that my old classmates would find and download it, but that's a serious long-shot.
It's been an off-and-on project for the whole time, but it's sort of drawing to what could be described as a close (I finally know everything that's going to happen, I just haven't implemented it all yet), which is really weird for me as its creator.
I just thought I'd let you know about this, since it's something relating to me. Plus, I mentioned it away back near the blog's birth last year (I'd love it if you were to check the archives for it - I'd feel very appreciated).
On another note, Rob's Blerns & Sob movie is taking some twists and turns that will surely shock all loyal Blerns & Sob fans out there (which doesn't make any sense since no-one can see any of their episodes except us), and veer the series in a new direction. Check out robonthenet.blogspot.com and ask Rob about it if you want.
Brins would appreciate it if you didn't swear in your comments
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
Plok (Something Else)
Plok is a platform game for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) which is about 12 years old or something now.
In Plok, you follow a bright-yellow bodied, light-red appendaged Plok around his primary-coloured world on a quest to destroy a bunch of fleas.
Plok is the single most magical, enchanting and ethereal game ever. There is nothing that comes close to building an entire new world as Plok does.
In fact, words cannot describe the sheer other-worldliness of Plok; it stretches far beyond that of any science fiction tale (I assume, I haven't read any) in its complete madness.
It features the most insane sound-track ever devised, as well.
I used to own it years ago, but I traded it in for some reason.
You should really play it to see if you agree.
Update: taking the baton from what appears to be a long-dead website, I'm putting up the Plok 64 banner over on the right (guessed why I think the site's dead?). Click it to email one of Plok's creators and order him to remake the game on GameBoy Advance or something. I owned the game when I was quite young, and it has some considerable sentimental value for me, particularly for the soundtrack. I remember singing out the Akrillic Caverns tune most harmoniously.
Plok is a platform game for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) which is about 12 years old or something now.
In Plok, you follow a bright-yellow bodied, light-red appendaged Plok around his primary-coloured world on a quest to destroy a bunch of fleas.
Plok is the single most magical, enchanting and ethereal game ever. There is nothing that comes close to building an entire new world as Plok does.
In fact, words cannot describe the sheer other-worldliness of Plok; it stretches far beyond that of any science fiction tale (I assume, I haven't read any) in its complete madness.
It features the most insane sound-track ever devised, as well.
I used to own it years ago, but I traded it in for some reason.
You should really play it to see if you agree.
Update: taking the baton from what appears to be a long-dead website, I'm putting up the Plok 64 banner over on the right (guessed why I think the site's dead?). Click it to email one of Plok's creators and order him to remake the game on GameBoy Advance or something. I owned the game when I was quite young, and it has some considerable sentimental value for me, particularly for the soundtrack. I remember singing out the Akrillic Caverns tune most harmoniously.
Brins would appreciate it if you didn't swear in your comments
Sunday, May 08, 2005
Tapeful Returns (Essay)
My trend for strange titles actually dates back to my old 'Adventures of J & Fra' comic strips I started drawing when I was 11, and continued to infinity (I don't draw them now, but I would. I just don't). Never one to be restrained by paper (you should read some of my Primary School stories, you really should), the strip became a safe haven from normalness and a happy trip into some person's mind, and one of the things I started doing early on was to randomly think up the most bizarre-yet-actually-logical title for episodes. I understood them because I knew what I was thinking when I wrote them; if you wanted to get it, it probably wouldn't be easy.
I'll tell you more about J & Fra someday. I'm here now to say that, being ill, I settled for watching some old video tapes for the past couple of mornings, and one of the ones I viewed was the Batman cartoon series of my youth (I think they've made some fancy futuristic one now, according to Rob) - to be precise, two episodes.
I never watched that show when I was young, but when it happened to be there in the background of my living room, I was always confused by what seemed to be the immenseness of complexity, darkness and indescribable depression that seemed to revolve around it. As Rob has told me before, I've always had a strange knack for finding something, which is actually quite simple, insanely complex. That's usually the case with novels, particularly ones we were forced to read years ago in English, though that might be because I skip-read them (My summary of 'Hill of the Red Fox': some English boy goes to stay with his Scottish cousins because he wants to be Scottish. Unfortunately, someone wants to kill him and it turns out that the Russians are trying to take over Scotland, as well as capture the boy and his cousins. That is my entire understanding of the novel).
Anyway, the show probably wasn't like that, but with the jagged clips I caught every so often, it made it seem like a massive, intricate story. This has nothing to do with what I wanted to say.
Batman always made himself out to look really tough; but from all my memories of the programme, he never once got the better of anybody in a fight of any form. He could arrest them, chase them, do anything; but if it ever came to a one-on-one brawl, it was curtains for him. This point is further emphasised by the insane difficulty of bosses on the SNES' 'Batman and Robin: The Animated Adventures' game. Why?! Why can't he actually overcome someone on his own for once?! Even on the video I saw, he never got anywhere by attacking someone; ever.
If someone can explain to me why Batman always turns out to be so weak in combat, please tell me.
As Rob said to me once, the simplest solution is the one which he never considers: 'Why doesn't he just shoot The Joker?'
My trend for strange titles actually dates back to my old 'Adventures of J & Fra' comic strips I started drawing when I was 11, and continued to infinity (I don't draw them now, but I would. I just don't). Never one to be restrained by paper (you should read some of my Primary School stories, you really should), the strip became a safe haven from normalness and a happy trip into some person's mind, and one of the things I started doing early on was to randomly think up the most bizarre-yet-actually-logical title for episodes. I understood them because I knew what I was thinking when I wrote them; if you wanted to get it, it probably wouldn't be easy.
I'll tell you more about J & Fra someday. I'm here now to say that, being ill, I settled for watching some old video tapes for the past couple of mornings, and one of the ones I viewed was the Batman cartoon series of my youth (I think they've made some fancy futuristic one now, according to Rob) - to be precise, two episodes.
I never watched that show when I was young, but when it happened to be there in the background of my living room, I was always confused by what seemed to be the immenseness of complexity, darkness and indescribable depression that seemed to revolve around it. As Rob has told me before, I've always had a strange knack for finding something, which is actually quite simple, insanely complex. That's usually the case with novels, particularly ones we were forced to read years ago in English, though that might be because I skip-read them (My summary of 'Hill of the Red Fox': some English boy goes to stay with his Scottish cousins because he wants to be Scottish. Unfortunately, someone wants to kill him and it turns out that the Russians are trying to take over Scotland, as well as capture the boy and his cousins. That is my entire understanding of the novel).
Anyway, the show probably wasn't like that, but with the jagged clips I caught every so often, it made it seem like a massive, intricate story. This has nothing to do with what I wanted to say.
Batman always made himself out to look really tough; but from all my memories of the programme, he never once got the better of anybody in a fight of any form. He could arrest them, chase them, do anything; but if it ever came to a one-on-one brawl, it was curtains for him. This point is further emphasised by the insane difficulty of bosses on the SNES' 'Batman and Robin: The Animated Adventures' game. Why?! Why can't he actually overcome someone on his own for once?! Even on the video I saw, he never got anywhere by attacking someone; ever.
If someone can explain to me why Batman always turns out to be so weak in combat, please tell me.
As Rob said to me once, the simplest solution is the one which he never considers: 'Why doesn't he just shoot The Joker?'
Brins would appreciate it if you didn't swear in your comments
Saturday, May 07, 2005
Many Happy Successes For Brins (About Brins)
Don't think too long about the titles for my posts ('records' if I'm keeping to tradition).
I'm mostly content with what I have and don't make purchases too much; but I was most excellently blessed when I won an eBay auction for a SNES import adaptor. Since my old one stopped working, I couldn't get any of the 3 NTSC games I now own to work, but no more!
...
I know you don't care! Stop laughing!
Don't think too long about the titles for my posts ('records' if I'm keeping to tradition).
I'm mostly content with what I have and don't make purchases too much; but I was most excellently blessed when I won an eBay auction for a SNES import adaptor. Since my old one stopped working, I couldn't get any of the 3 NTSC games I now own to work, but no more!
...
I know you don't care! Stop laughing!
Brins would appreciate it if you didn't swear in your comments
Friday, May 06, 2005
Rob's Challenge (Rob)
You should head over to Robonthenet to take part in Rob's challenge. It's got me stumped.
And did you know you can now chat with Rob? I've got a link to his chat engine in the links section. It wouldn't hurt to have a look.
Did you know that Rob has some secret blogs? See if you can find them! Go on! Do it!!!
You should head over to Robonthenet to take part in Rob's challenge. It's got me stumped.
And did you know you can now chat with Rob? I've got a link to his chat engine in the links section. It wouldn't hurt to have a look.
Did you know that Rob has some secret blogs? See if you can find them! Go on! Do it!!!
Brins would appreciate it if you didn't swear in your comments
Brins Reviews (Essay)
I hope I haven't been giving off an angry impression over the last few posts; after considering my reference to Scaramonga from Blogsforbush.com and some stuff I said earlier, I wonder if I've appeared annoyed or irritated about the subject. That really isn't the case - it's hard to speak about such things without coming across as hateful. I also have a habit of saying and writing about things without delving into them (there are actually a few more reasonable angles to the marriage situation on the site - they're still against it, but at least their reasons are more respectable, though I still don't understand what the big deal is about it.). Plus, I've got a nagging feeling that Scaramonga is going to waltz in here and completely decimate me for what I said; it still stands that his statement was unreasonable, but then he may have very personal and complex reasons for making it which should be respected - I've learned over my time that it's possible to come to any conclusion if certain things are observed or happen in someone's life. People are complicated.
I notice that my writing style seems to suggest an air of superiority or authority - ignore it, because I really don't harbour such feelings. My supreme lack of self-esteem/confidence is quite apparent if you meet me in real life, and I can assure you that I'm not at all smart or clever. I actually hate to think of people as being 'clever' or 'stupid' - that's just unfair.
Agh!! Why do I bother?! The CICC isn't exactly a popular site anyway; people see it, look at it and move on; Scaramonger has better things to do than read this stuff; I've got the flu; let's leave politics behind, it scares me. Too complicated, too confusing for me.
That reminds me, did I ever mention my patented 'everlasting cold'? Since I was 3 years old and for years after I always had a snivel. I called it the everlasting cold. That's something interesting for you, plus it helps to swerve the blog back to what it's supposed to be: a Curricular Compendium.
Still, I hope you've had a good laugh at the mal-informed comments I've been making on American politics recently. And if Scaramonga actually is there, don't kill me. I'm ill!
Update: Blogsforbush kind of scares me now, since it looks to me to be more filled with hatred for what they refer to as the Democrats and 'left wing' than the aformentioned Democrats and 'left wing' have for them!
Nonetheless, I felt like looking there today just to see if they'd changed perspective (they haven't), but what I did find was a post regarding same-gender marriage which finally approached the issue more level-headedly, giving acknowledgement to the movement's proponents, and addressing the fact that their opposition to it is being misportrayed as dismissing homosexuality, while their actual stance is regarding the political reactions to any Constituational amendments which would take place for it; they are speaking out 'against' it in order that the issue be taken more seriously in political terms - the concern is that dealing with it too quickly or simply could undermine law and bring about dangerous amendment attempts as a consequence. This is a position which I can certainly respect, though it doesn't explain the apparent ulterior motives behind blogsforbush's opposition to the marriage issue.
Unfortunately, immediately after this post come a barrage of comments from 'Reverend Scaramonga', deriding the marriage approval movement as evil and immoral.
Scaramonga's views don't concern me; what does is the unusual lack of notice his anger-ridden comments get. Hardly anyone seems willing to question any of his principles, and the one person who did (see my previous post) was quickly smashed down.
Blogsforbush needs to broaden their perspective a bit. I'd love to see some different views and stances present and discussed maturely, rather than just one which is echoed through all the comment listings... or obliterated.
If this happened, I'd go there again. Until then, I'm staying well away - the site feels too angry.
I hope I haven't been giving off an angry impression over the last few posts; after considering my reference to Scaramonga from Blogsforbush.com and some stuff I said earlier, I wonder if I've appeared annoyed or irritated about the subject. That really isn't the case - it's hard to speak about such things without coming across as hateful. I also have a habit of saying and writing about things without delving into them (there are actually a few more reasonable angles to the marriage situation on the site - they're still against it, but at least their reasons are more respectable, though I still don't understand what the big deal is about it.). Plus, I've got a nagging feeling that Scaramonga is going to waltz in here and completely decimate me for what I said; it still stands that his statement was unreasonable, but then he may have very personal and complex reasons for making it which should be respected - I've learned over my time that it's possible to come to any conclusion if certain things are observed or happen in someone's life. People are complicated.
I notice that my writing style seems to suggest an air of superiority or authority - ignore it, because I really don't harbour such feelings. My supreme lack of self-esteem/confidence is quite apparent if you meet me in real life, and I can assure you that I'm not at all smart or clever. I actually hate to think of people as being 'clever' or 'stupid' - that's just unfair.
Agh!! Why do I bother?! The CICC isn't exactly a popular site anyway; people see it, look at it and move on; Scaramonger has better things to do than read this stuff; I've got the flu; let's leave politics behind, it scares me. Too complicated, too confusing for me.
That reminds me, did I ever mention my patented 'everlasting cold'? Since I was 3 years old and for years after I always had a snivel. I called it the everlasting cold. That's something interesting for you, plus it helps to swerve the blog back to what it's supposed to be: a Curricular Compendium.
Still, I hope you've had a good laugh at the mal-informed comments I've been making on American politics recently. And if Scaramonga actually is there, don't kill me. I'm ill!
Update: Blogsforbush kind of scares me now, since it looks to me to be more filled with hatred for what they refer to as the Democrats and 'left wing' than the aformentioned Democrats and 'left wing' have for them!
Nonetheless, I felt like looking there today just to see if they'd changed perspective (they haven't), but what I did find was a post regarding same-gender marriage which finally approached the issue more level-headedly, giving acknowledgement to the movement's proponents, and addressing the fact that their opposition to it is being misportrayed as dismissing homosexuality, while their actual stance is regarding the political reactions to any Constituational amendments which would take place for it; they are speaking out 'against' it in order that the issue be taken more seriously in political terms - the concern is that dealing with it too quickly or simply could undermine law and bring about dangerous amendment attempts as a consequence. This is a position which I can certainly respect, though it doesn't explain the apparent ulterior motives behind blogsforbush's opposition to the marriage issue.
Unfortunately, immediately after this post come a barrage of comments from 'Reverend Scaramonga', deriding the marriage approval movement as evil and immoral.
Scaramonga's views don't concern me; what does is the unusual lack of notice his anger-ridden comments get. Hardly anyone seems willing to question any of his principles, and the one person who did (see my previous post) was quickly smashed down.
Blogsforbush needs to broaden their perspective a bit. I'd love to see some different views and stances present and discussed maturely, rather than just one which is echoed through all the comment listings... or obliterated.
If this happened, I'd go there again. Until then, I'm staying well away - the site feels too angry.
Brins would appreciate it if you didn't swear in your comments
Marriage Problems (Essay)
Sorry to bring this up again, but this just takes the biscuit for me (Scaramonga again, replying):
___________________________________________________________________
"My Uncle's partner of 40 years died a year or so ago. My Uncle'partner's legal family was estranged and it took them two months to claim the body from the coronor. Only then could he be buried. It was a burden to travel for the family.
It is a difficulty for all involved. There must be an easier way for some rights to be worked out.
Posted by: Crackpot PRess at April 20, 2005 12:37 PM
'My Uncle's partner of 40 years died a year or so ago...'
Boy, that's a real tear-jerker. So there are consequences for deviant behavior after all? Who knew?
'It is a difficulty for all involved. There must be an easier way for some rights to be worked out.'
No need. Sexually abnormal behavior doesn't deserve "rights."
Posted by: Scaramonga at April 20, 2005 12:47 PM
_____________________________________________________________
I cannot reserve much respect for Scaramonga's stance after reading this; this is out-and-out prejudice, cruelty and lack of empathy whatsoever for people living in different circumstances to him/herself, let alone their tragically early demise. If Scaramonga somehow ends up reading this (you never know), I would appreciate a seriously good explanation for what you said up there if you want to be taken seriously by me.
Sorry to bring this up again, but this just takes the biscuit for me (Scaramonga again, replying):
___________________________________________________________________
"My Uncle's partner of 40 years died a year or so ago. My Uncle'partner's legal family was estranged and it took them two months to claim the body from the coronor. Only then could he be buried. It was a burden to travel for the family.
It is a difficulty for all involved. There must be an easier way for some rights to be worked out.
Posted by: Crackpot PRess at April 20, 2005 12:37 PM
'My Uncle's partner of 40 years died a year or so ago...'
Boy, that's a real tear-jerker. So there are consequences for deviant behavior after all? Who knew?
'It is a difficulty for all involved. There must be an easier way for some rights to be worked out.'
No need. Sexually abnormal behavior doesn't deserve "rights."
Posted by: Scaramonga at April 20, 2005 12:47 PM
_____________________________________________________________
I cannot reserve much respect for Scaramonga's stance after reading this; this is out-and-out prejudice, cruelty and lack of empathy whatsoever for people living in different circumstances to him/herself, let alone their tragically early demise. If Scaramonga somehow ends up reading this (you never know), I would appreciate a seriously good explanation for what you said up there if you want to be taken seriously by me.
Brins would appreciate it if you didn't swear in your comments
Politics Cover Up (Essay)
After what I said yesterday about pro/anti-Bush websites, and how the pros aren't as sensationalist as the antis, I have to retract that statement; having a closer read through Blogsforbush.com, I can see that they do make some unfair attacks on Democrats and the 'Left Wing' as they call them. In fact, I now feel equally concerned for them as their opposition!
I find many posts and comments which contain remarks which tend towards suggesting that the Democrats are completely incompetent and that John Kerry is as useless as Bush is claimed to be from the other side (considering how the responsibility falls on pro-Bushes to defend the accusations of Bush being an idiot, this mud-slinging is really quite uncalled for).
Furthermore, I'm more than a bit surprised at the apparent fanaticism of Blogsforbush; they seem to regard Bush as completely inerrant - every one of his policies and propositions are incontestably the best ones, and anyone who disagrees is a left-wing anarchist who prefers Saddam's government to Bush's (I have seen that stated). It rather horrifies me to see them vehemently backing his position on marriage and abortion; it makes me feel as if they're just agreeing because Bush said it, without actually considering the effects on those affected.
This is probably due to the religious dimension of Bush's rule that I mentioned earlier; I've heard Christianity in America referred to as a cult, and when I read some of the opinions and statements of some of them, I can see this disturbingly well - everything in the Bible is inherently true, and they'll follow it before their own conscience or morals. Not to undermine those that believe in the inerrancy of the Bible, but Bush is being backed about the same-gender marriage ban simply because it's in the Bible. This isn't a moral or rational decision; it's a close-minded one, made by people who obviously don't appreciate that such a proposal surely makes those affected feel more isolated and despised than they already are. No-one should be blamed for something over which they have no control. (On the subject, I note that Jesus himself never actually did appear to say anything on the subject; followers did, but not him as far as I'm aware. I might be wrong about that though.)
I refer to the religious aspect of the Bush war because I feel both sides of the argument are much too heavily rooted in destroying their opponent and glorifying their own - both sides seem to raise good arguments which should be discussed while acknowledging those of the other. I've said it before and I'll say it again, too many aspects of life involve two massive opposing factions who have their own completely opposite views on certain things and wouldn't touch their opposition with a barge pole (unless they wanted to injure them); the arbitrator who takes both sides into account and adds their own points is usually the more accurate and reliable point on the subject. I'm going to keep searching the internet, because I want to find the person who has done this already; it makes me uncomfortable seeing the pro-Bushes messing up their otherwise respectable stance with Democrat assaults and lack of acknowledgement of Bush's failings (because everyone has them; he's not God).
I'd encourage you to check out the pro/anti-Bush blogs and see if you agree with me. If you support one side or the other, please don't take offence at anything I've said that isn't true; I'm not God either.
I swear, I start 8/10 of these posts just to write a few sentences and leave. I get too roped up in what I say (I'm a touch-typist, so it only takes minutes to write what you see here). I don't plan these essays, they just flow as I go along; don't take me as a reliable source for what I say, as I'm not. Still, opinions are fun.
Time I stopped writing so much, I'm going to come across as arrogant, which I'm not, don't worry. You're better than me, just to clarify that.
UPDATE: Here's a quote posted by 'Scaramonga' on Blogsforbush:
"...But you would have a vote as a stockholder. Homosexuals are trying to impose acceptance of their deviant behavior on the American public by judicial fiat, since they cannot win the battle in the arena of ideas."
The term 'deviant behaviour' is uncalled for, as is 'impose acceptance'. To me this implies that we shouldn't even accept people who are born with different sexual tastes from the majority along with their 'deviant' behaviour. Are they second-class citizens who should exist but be bottled up for decency? Anyone remember Martin Luther King? No? Didn't think so.
After what I said yesterday about pro/anti-Bush websites, and how the pros aren't as sensationalist as the antis, I have to retract that statement; having a closer read through Blogsforbush.com, I can see that they do make some unfair attacks on Democrats and the 'Left Wing' as they call them. In fact, I now feel equally concerned for them as their opposition!
I find many posts and comments which contain remarks which tend towards suggesting that the Democrats are completely incompetent and that John Kerry is as useless as Bush is claimed to be from the other side (considering how the responsibility falls on pro-Bushes to defend the accusations of Bush being an idiot, this mud-slinging is really quite uncalled for).
Furthermore, I'm more than a bit surprised at the apparent fanaticism of Blogsforbush; they seem to regard Bush as completely inerrant - every one of his policies and propositions are incontestably the best ones, and anyone who disagrees is a left-wing anarchist who prefers Saddam's government to Bush's (I have seen that stated). It rather horrifies me to see them vehemently backing his position on marriage and abortion; it makes me feel as if they're just agreeing because Bush said it, without actually considering the effects on those affected.
This is probably due to the religious dimension of Bush's rule that I mentioned earlier; I've heard Christianity in America referred to as a cult, and when I read some of the opinions and statements of some of them, I can see this disturbingly well - everything in the Bible is inherently true, and they'll follow it before their own conscience or morals. Not to undermine those that believe in the inerrancy of the Bible, but Bush is being backed about the same-gender marriage ban simply because it's in the Bible. This isn't a moral or rational decision; it's a close-minded one, made by people who obviously don't appreciate that such a proposal surely makes those affected feel more isolated and despised than they already are. No-one should be blamed for something over which they have no control. (On the subject, I note that Jesus himself never actually did appear to say anything on the subject; followers did, but not him as far as I'm aware. I might be wrong about that though.)
I refer to the religious aspect of the Bush war because I feel both sides of the argument are much too heavily rooted in destroying their opponent and glorifying their own - both sides seem to raise good arguments which should be discussed while acknowledging those of the other. I've said it before and I'll say it again, too many aspects of life involve two massive opposing factions who have their own completely opposite views on certain things and wouldn't touch their opposition with a barge pole (unless they wanted to injure them); the arbitrator who takes both sides into account and adds their own points is usually the more accurate and reliable point on the subject. I'm going to keep searching the internet, because I want to find the person who has done this already; it makes me uncomfortable seeing the pro-Bushes messing up their otherwise respectable stance with Democrat assaults and lack of acknowledgement of Bush's failings (because everyone has them; he's not God).
I'd encourage you to check out the pro/anti-Bush blogs and see if you agree with me. If you support one side or the other, please don't take offence at anything I've said that isn't true; I'm not God either.
I swear, I start 8/10 of these posts just to write a few sentences and leave. I get too roped up in what I say (I'm a touch-typist, so it only takes minutes to write what you see here). I don't plan these essays, they just flow as I go along; don't take me as a reliable source for what I say, as I'm not. Still, opinions are fun.
Time I stopped writing so much, I'm going to come across as arrogant, which I'm not, don't worry. You're better than me, just to clarify that.
UPDATE: Here's a quote posted by 'Scaramonga' on Blogsforbush:
"...But you would have a vote as a stockholder. Homosexuals are trying to impose acceptance of their deviant behavior on the American public by judicial fiat, since they cannot win the battle in the arena of ideas."
The term 'deviant behaviour' is uncalled for, as is 'impose acceptance'. To me this implies that we shouldn't even accept people who are born with different sexual tastes from the majority along with their 'deviant' behaviour. Are they second-class citizens who should exist but be bottled up for decency? Anyone remember Martin Luther King? No? Didn't think so.
Brins would appreciate it if you didn't swear in your comments
Thursday, May 05, 2005
Some More On Politics (Essay [Politics])
I tend to spend most of my free time browsing the internet as of the last half year or so, and it's funny how much you happen to come across when trekking through it.
You may have read a post I made earlier called 'Politics' about the disconcerting amount of ridicule targeted at President Bush. I'm well aware that they have good reasons for it, and I must stress again that I know next to nothing about American politics, Bush's policies, or anything else that might cause people to rise against the big B.
However, I continue to find it strange how many anti-Bush websites/blocs out there take an incredibly sarcastic, infuriated, almost anarchical approach to Bush and friends; the ones I've noticed recently are crammed with complete hatred towards Bush, Cheney and the Republican (that is his party, isn't it?) government; every second sentence is riddled in degrading sarcasm and disdain towards the President. It's as if there's something deeply personal behind it, stretching back years and years. I can't help but get the feeling that through all the facts and information displayed that behind it all is just a seething hatred for all things Bush which would pull through even if he abolished world hunger, found a cure for cancer or lifted his ban on same-gender marriage.
Certainly, people can disagree with his policies; the whole marriage thing does appear unreasonable, and apparently he's gotten the Iraq situation into a serious mess. Nonetheless, seems to be more popular to slander him than his policies. The anti-Bush sites generally take a much too violent, unprofessional approach to professing their views which makes them come across as rather hurtful to even read. Blogsforbush.com, for example, takes a much calmer, untainted-by-emotion stance when supporting their party (which is what I believe they concentrate more on, rather than attacking the opposition directly and constantly).
I wonder if part of the reason for this angry feel of anti-Bush sites (even the term 'anti-Bush' rings with this sentiment) is that religion enters the war-ground as well; Bush has publicly professed himself to be a dedicated Christian, and apparently a fairly fundamentalist one (his marriage policies are alleged to be related to this). I note that these same anti-Bush sites are all over issues such as the separation of church and state (which I was pretty sure had already happened decades ago). From this, it's much more understandable that they would be annoyed - religion is a very deep issue, and when two worldviews are forced into conflict in such a field as politics, there are bound to be a lot of angry words tossed around. When we discuss religion, we effectively discuss the very things which make up an individual's entire perspective of everything, be they religious or anti-religious; few things will get someone worked up more than someone else undermining their beliefs (as Bush must do for many people with his marriage principles and open admittals of his spirituality). Not to undermine by any means the reasons such people have for disapproving of Bush's government, but that's my two chips anyway.
I'm not going to stop stressing that I'm no expert (nor even novice) when it comes to politics in any form; I'm just stating what comes to my mind as I observe the ongoing debates.
In case you're wondering just why I'm writing so much today, it's probably because I'm not feeling very well at the moment; I don't have the energy to do much else. Mind you, I find it quite refreshing to write about matters like this - I never mention my views on things usually. I need some rest now, though. *Sniff* Bye.
I tend to spend most of my free time browsing the internet as of the last half year or so, and it's funny how much you happen to come across when trekking through it.
You may have read a post I made earlier called 'Politics' about the disconcerting amount of ridicule targeted at President Bush. I'm well aware that they have good reasons for it, and I must stress again that I know next to nothing about American politics, Bush's policies, or anything else that might cause people to rise against the big B.
However, I continue to find it strange how many anti-Bush websites/blocs out there take an incredibly sarcastic, infuriated, almost anarchical approach to Bush and friends; the ones I've noticed recently are crammed with complete hatred towards Bush, Cheney and the Republican (that is his party, isn't it?) government; every second sentence is riddled in degrading sarcasm and disdain towards the President. It's as if there's something deeply personal behind it, stretching back years and years. I can't help but get the feeling that through all the facts and information displayed that behind it all is just a seething hatred for all things Bush which would pull through even if he abolished world hunger, found a cure for cancer or lifted his ban on same-gender marriage.
Certainly, people can disagree with his policies; the whole marriage thing does appear unreasonable, and apparently he's gotten the Iraq situation into a serious mess. Nonetheless, seems to be more popular to slander him than his policies. The anti-Bush sites generally take a much too violent, unprofessional approach to professing their views which makes them come across as rather hurtful to even read. Blogsforbush.com, for example, takes a much calmer, untainted-by-emotion stance when supporting their party (which is what I believe they concentrate more on, rather than attacking the opposition directly and constantly).
I wonder if part of the reason for this angry feel of anti-Bush sites (even the term 'anti-Bush' rings with this sentiment) is that religion enters the war-ground as well; Bush has publicly professed himself to be a dedicated Christian, and apparently a fairly fundamentalist one (his marriage policies are alleged to be related to this). I note that these same anti-Bush sites are all over issues such as the separation of church and state (which I was pretty sure had already happened decades ago). From this, it's much more understandable that they would be annoyed - religion is a very deep issue, and when two worldviews are forced into conflict in such a field as politics, there are bound to be a lot of angry words tossed around. When we discuss religion, we effectively discuss the very things which make up an individual's entire perspective of everything, be they religious or anti-religious; few things will get someone worked up more than someone else undermining their beliefs (as Bush must do for many people with his marriage principles and open admittals of his spirituality). Not to undermine by any means the reasons such people have for disapproving of Bush's government, but that's my two chips anyway.
I'm not going to stop stressing that I'm no expert (nor even novice) when it comes to politics in any form; I'm just stating what comes to my mind as I observe the ongoing debates.
In case you're wondering just why I'm writing so much today, it's probably because I'm not feeling very well at the moment; I don't have the energy to do much else. Mind you, I find it quite refreshing to write about matters like this - I never mention my views on things usually. I need some rest now, though. *Sniff* Bye.
Brins would appreciate it if you didn't swear in your comments
An Extemporaneous Museum Thing (Essay)
I hate when other people use big words that I don't know, so I understand how you feel if you don't know the word I used there. 'Extemporaneous' means 'impromptu' or rather 'unplanned, spontaneous'. Now that that's cleared up...
A couple of years ago, Rob and I went to the local museum to see a fun 'Game On' exhibition; a special temporary event all about games, from the oldest to the newest.
What's most funny is that out of all the games we played, the one we had the must fun with (aside from the cinema-screen Pong one) had to be the text-adventure game.
I'm young, so I grew up with graphics, not text. Why was the game such fun? Because, for all the missing graphics and icons, it felt like the most flexible, freedom-giving, amazingly large and difficult game ever:
You wake up with a headache.
Rob: That's nice. What now?
Brins: I don't know.
Rob: Where are you? Try looking around. (Look around)
You're in your house.
Rob: Let's leave. (Exit)
You hit the door and die. Game over.
Rob: ?! Stupid game! (I hate you!)
What did I ever do to you?
Rob: What?! (Who are you?)
I'm the narrator. What do you think?
Rob: Bah. (Commit suicide)
Game over.
After about ten minutes, we found out you had to open the pocket of a jacket which was apparently in the room and take an aspirin from it. Then you can leave - and get run over by a steamroller.
We were both amazed by the number of things you could do and say which the computer understood. Rob even had a conversation with the narrator at one point, and we had a blast trying to stop that steamroller from killing us. Strange as it may be, I have to say that text-adventures are the best multiplayer games ever. Ideal for parties! Now that would be fun.
With all the emphasis on graphical communication in games, I think it's sad that they've neglected these text-driven games. They have such a strangely mystical quality to them, and as I said the sheer vastness of possibilities with commands are astonishing. You feel more like you're in a virtual world than with graphics.
If you ever go partying with friends, see about getting one of these games round; I have a hunch that a drunken text adventure could be a real hit.
I hate when other people use big words that I don't know, so I understand how you feel if you don't know the word I used there. 'Extemporaneous' means 'impromptu' or rather 'unplanned, spontaneous'. Now that that's cleared up...
A couple of years ago, Rob and I went to the local museum to see a fun 'Game On' exhibition; a special temporary event all about games, from the oldest to the newest.
What's most funny is that out of all the games we played, the one we had the must fun with (aside from the cinema-screen Pong one) had to be the text-adventure game.
I'm young, so I grew up with graphics, not text. Why was the game such fun? Because, for all the missing graphics and icons, it felt like the most flexible, freedom-giving, amazingly large and difficult game ever:
You wake up with a headache.
Rob: That's nice. What now?
Brins: I don't know.
Rob: Where are you? Try looking around. (Look around)
You're in your house.
Rob: Let's leave. (Exit)
You hit the door and die. Game over.
Rob: ?! Stupid game! (I hate you!)
What did I ever do to you?
Rob: What?! (Who are you?)
I'm the narrator. What do you think?
Rob: Bah. (Commit suicide)
Game over.
After about ten minutes, we found out you had to open the pocket of a jacket which was apparently in the room and take an aspirin from it. Then you can leave - and get run over by a steamroller.
We were both amazed by the number of things you could do and say which the computer understood. Rob even had a conversation with the narrator at one point, and we had a blast trying to stop that steamroller from killing us. Strange as it may be, I have to say that text-adventures are the best multiplayer games ever. Ideal for parties! Now that would be fun.
With all the emphasis on graphical communication in games, I think it's sad that they've neglected these text-driven games. They have such a strangely mystical quality to them, and as I said the sheer vastness of possibilities with commands are astonishing. You feel more like you're in a virtual world than with graphics.
If you ever go partying with friends, see about getting one of these games round; I have a hunch that a drunken text adventure could be a real hit.
Brins would appreciate it if you didn't swear in your comments
Dirge For A Blackboard
Something very sad happened today - there is a very special room at myself and Rob's school where we tend to go during free time (we stay as far away from the common room as possible - be warned, that room doesn't suit everyone), and in it is a very special blackboard which we've spent the whole year drawing all kinds of excitingly unrelated things on; bananas, ghosts and Ash from Pokemon to name a few.
However, after an entire year of blood, sweat, and tears, it's just taken a few brisk swipes with a duster to take it all away. My guess is the room was being used for an exam and they took it off so they wouldn't get distracted.
Upon seeing this, my first action was to immediately draw a face ordering for it not to be scrubbed again and to move the board up if it needed to be blank. Then Rob told me it seemed too cruelly angry, so I made it sad.
I don't know if we can be bothered to fight back with more drawings, but it's really a shame to see something we've worked hard on get taken away like that. We feel like the McDonalds brothers or something.
Something very sad happened today - there is a very special room at myself and Rob's school where we tend to go during free time (we stay as far away from the common room as possible - be warned, that room doesn't suit everyone), and in it is a very special blackboard which we've spent the whole year drawing all kinds of excitingly unrelated things on; bananas, ghosts and Ash from Pokemon to name a few.
However, after an entire year of blood, sweat, and tears, it's just taken a few brisk swipes with a duster to take it all away. My guess is the room was being used for an exam and they took it off so they wouldn't get distracted.
Upon seeing this, my first action was to immediately draw a face ordering for it not to be scrubbed again and to move the board up if it needed to be blank. Then Rob told me it seemed too cruelly angry, so I made it sad.
I don't know if we can be bothered to fight back with more drawings, but it's really a shame to see something we've worked hard on get taken away like that. We feel like the McDonalds brothers or something.
Brins would appreciate it if you didn't swear in your comments
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
Please Help Brins
Maybe you could help me with this. I want to get the site to show post titles (the large green words you see on posts) above the main text rather than beside it. I'd really appreciate it if someone could just comment down there and tell me how to do it. I'm very thankful in advance.
Maybe you could help me with this. I want to get the site to show post titles (the large green words you see on posts) above the main text rather than beside it. I'd really appreciate it if someone could just comment down there and tell me how to do it. I'm very thankful in advance.
Brins would appreciate it if you didn't swear in your comments
Batman: Something Happens
Some months ago, I was having tremendous fun browsing the children's fiction section of the school library (being the last school year, I've found myself looking at all those things I couldn't care less about before), and one of the funniest books on display there was, without question, a Batman novel (yes, a plain-text novel) whose name eludes me. The front cover shows Batman and the Joker engaged in an intense sword fight while a small boy quivers in fear in a corner. They say you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, so don't. Let's have a plot summary of this unforgettable adventure...
In this action-packed thriller, the caped crusader meets up with a young boy (naturally) who loses his cat and ends up getting kidnapped by the Joker - who has decided for absolutely no good reason to become a pirate and pilot a flying ship with his face on it - while looking for it. After this, Batman rescues the boy from a fall and takes him to the Batcave, where he tries hypno-regression therapy or something in order for the boy to remember what happened (apparently Batman was unsure as to who might have been flying around in an airship with the Joker's huge beaming face on it).
In order to protect his alter-ego, Batman has Alfred - his butler - wear a Mickey Mouse mask during the hypnotism session (why he's even there at all is beyond me).
Eventually, the boy proves Batman's sneaking suspicion: the Joker's behind the dastardly plot! It later turns out that the Joker's evil scheme is to rob a bank (yes, he dressed up as a pirate and built a flying ship to rob a bank. And before you ask, I don't know.)
Things happen, Batman and the Joker have a sword fight, and everything ends. I'm not giving away the ending (hint: Batman doesn't die. In fact, no-one does. Actually, nothing has been achieved by anyone come the end).
You really don't need a review for this novel; reviews exist to help potential consumers decide whether or not they would want a product. This is a children's fiction book; if you don't want it, you'd better be lying.
Nonetheless, this book so kindled my imagination that I decided to write my own Batman novel! I finished the first chapter and it's lain untouched on my computer for some time, but it's there nonetheless. I call it, 'Batman: Attack of Penguin Hood'.
If you don't want to read it now, I'm really confused.
Unique Seling Point!! Batman befriends a girl, not a boy.
On the subject of Batman, the whole concept's always baffled me. If you're living in a city harbouring no less than seven twisted super-villains who deploy all kinds of diabolical attacks and schemes on its citizens, why on earth haven't you moved out?! And why does Batman even bother? For all the years he's been fighting crime, not one of the evil villains he's fought against has given up or even been caught to my knowledge. Maybe he's the one that should move out.
For a final note, the Gotham police shouldn't even exist. I wonder if they actually do.
Some months ago, I was having tremendous fun browsing the children's fiction section of the school library (being the last school year, I've found myself looking at all those things I couldn't care less about before), and one of the funniest books on display there was, without question, a Batman novel (yes, a plain-text novel) whose name eludes me. The front cover shows Batman and the Joker engaged in an intense sword fight while a small boy quivers in fear in a corner. They say you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, so don't. Let's have a plot summary of this unforgettable adventure...
In this action-packed thriller, the caped crusader meets up with a young boy (naturally) who loses his cat and ends up getting kidnapped by the Joker - who has decided for absolutely no good reason to become a pirate and pilot a flying ship with his face on it - while looking for it. After this, Batman rescues the boy from a fall and takes him to the Batcave, where he tries hypno-regression therapy or something in order for the boy to remember what happened (apparently Batman was unsure as to who might have been flying around in an airship with the Joker's huge beaming face on it).
In order to protect his alter-ego, Batman has Alfred - his butler - wear a Mickey Mouse mask during the hypnotism session (why he's even there at all is beyond me).
Eventually, the boy proves Batman's sneaking suspicion: the Joker's behind the dastardly plot! It later turns out that the Joker's evil scheme is to rob a bank (yes, he dressed up as a pirate and built a flying ship to rob a bank. And before you ask, I don't know.)
Things happen, Batman and the Joker have a sword fight, and everything ends. I'm not giving away the ending (hint: Batman doesn't die. In fact, no-one does. Actually, nothing has been achieved by anyone come the end).
You really don't need a review for this novel; reviews exist to help potential consumers decide whether or not they would want a product. This is a children's fiction book; if you don't want it, you'd better be lying.
Nonetheless, this book so kindled my imagination that I decided to write my own Batman novel! I finished the first chapter and it's lain untouched on my computer for some time, but it's there nonetheless. I call it, 'Batman: Attack of Penguin Hood'.
If you don't want to read it now, I'm really confused.
Unique Seling Point!! Batman befriends a girl, not a boy.
On the subject of Batman, the whole concept's always baffled me. If you're living in a city harbouring no less than seven twisted super-villains who deploy all kinds of diabolical attacks and schemes on its citizens, why on earth haven't you moved out?! And why does Batman even bother? For all the years he's been fighting crime, not one of the evil villains he's fought against has given up or even been caught to my knowledge. Maybe he's the one that should move out.
For a final note, the Gotham police shouldn't even exist. I wonder if they actually do.
Brins would appreciate it if you didn't swear in your comments
