I wrote something in for Thursday. I just thought i’d mention that. I may write more in for the rest of the week, things have been happening, its just been too busy to write.

I’ve now seen “28 Days Later” and i have to say that i enjoyed it. I think that in many respects that it is what “Resident Evil” wanted to be. There are viral zombies, an overwhelming feeling of claustrophobia, and a hero who can only carry about six items.

He’s wearing scrubs for most of the movie, so i can understand the limited carrying capacity a bit more than “Oh look, i’m a big bad commando who can carry six keys at a time” that RE had. I know that you have to make it challenging, but it can’t be that difficult to give the man a key ring and do it by weight. I mean i was carrying over a hundred explosive shells for my bazooka but nooooo, i can’t carry enough herbs for three damn heals.

But i digress. There will be inevitable comparisons to Matheson’s I am Legend, but then there always are. “Night of the Living Dead” was actually compared to it at one point, so i guess its really fruitless to try and get out of his shadow. Matheson, of course, is a visionary and should be read almost as often as Lovecraft. His stuff really is that good. I plan on bothering Jason when he comes down here this weekend and making him read it. I don’t know why i never lent it out when i was working at TW, but that’s an oversight to remedy.

It will also be compared to Romaro, but then he really shaped zombie horror. Its understandable. Civilians running from the ravenous dead and ending up with army guys could only be compared to a few movies, and “Day of the Dead” is one of them.

Do i think that “28 Days Later” stands on its own without comparison to other movies or books? Well, the jury’s still out on that one. I will probably buy it when it comes out, or when i think that the Region 0 version on eBay is cheap enough. So if we all end up going this weekend i may ask somebody to pay my way. I do think it is the movie that RE should have been, i’ll reiterate. I don’t think i was screwed out of my $11 (I payed Kristi’s way) and i think that i actually did get my money’s worth. I may even write up a review in a bit and let people know how i feel in detail. Or i could just flesh this out, you never know.

I recieved my drive adapter in the mail today (all the way from the Great White North) so i’m beside myself. This and the matched pair of PII 350’s i found while scrapping PC’s this week leaves me able almost to scrap together a working Scylla. There will always be room for improvement, but i’ll be needing to think of an actual role for the damn thing. I’m pretty sure that the big server could be made into a file server with a minimum of effort on my part, but this one could be fitted with a backup tape drive and made to do backups. However i could probably just get a USB tape drive and run that. Either way i’ll think of something.

I generally always do.

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And i mean that literally. I was totally not expecting this. I open my door today and lo and behold there is Amazon stuff i haven’t orderd. This is, of course, the best kind of stuff. I do admit there was a moment of confusion: “Hey, what’s up here, i thought all i had coming in the mail was eBay stuff from Canada” but i openned it up anyway. I have a history of odd mail arriving for me.

I’m off work. I thought i may have to go pay a speeding ticket but thanks to modern Delivery Confirmation technology i know that my payment made it. Just thought i’d clear that up before i continue.

But no. I always get odd things in the mail. I may have some sort of Fight Club insomnia thing going on, but i damn sure hope not. Seriously, the last time i got random mail it was from Japan and featured some adorable chick taking her clothes off. No seriously, i don’t order that kind of stuff.

This was different though. I have now recieved a Birthday gift from Chatty. She kicks ass, i have to say. Well, i have to say that and i have to apoligize for avoiding the EGC for, what is is now, three years? Four? I do need to start writing again, i think that i wasn’t too bad, in a high school sort of way. Anyway, thanks Chats. I’ll be sure to get on this as soon as i’m done with my woman’s Harry Potter. I’m about halfway and i think that if i got some time i could clean the thing out pretty damn quick. I’ve been wanting to read Theo’s Odessy for a while now, and i haven’t been able to find it anywhere around here.

Its the hardcover for God’s sake! I certainly owe this girl something nice.

Also i hope this is an isolated thing: I just noticed a few months ago that i hadn’t changed my address on my wishlist since moving out of the house. I hope i don’t have to go bother the people who moved in for back gifts. I hear they’ve really messed my house up.

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So i’ve ended up house-sitting (plus dog and cat sitting) for my parents tonight. We all know what that means: No Florence. Sorry guys, i feel like something of an ass, of course this means that you will have to find yourself another friend who plays a rogue and rock Ragnarok like nobody’s business. I am an abject failure as a human being and should be dipped in concrete and dropped into the bottom of the ocean.

Wait, wrong journal.

*Ahem* Was that assholish? Sorry if it was, i am of course meaning it in the nicest possible way. I certainly know that you Florence people won’t be too annoyed by this, as it is completely out of my control. On the other hand if you want to come down here we can have the geekiest house party ever. (Sweet, my parents are out of town! Roll that d20!) And/or there is always the aforementioned iRO.

I’m kicking ass in iRO of the moment. I’ve managed to sell some slotted sandals to my girl for 10k zenny (two pair, before you think i screwed her) and with the resulting profit and a heafty no-profit DC i managed to score a two-slot chain. Yesterday i managed to get three base and two job levels, bringing me up to 33/22 and i am now well able to rock the casbah. I have Heal up to level 5 and i drop 157 hp for 25 sp so its alright. Also i’ve been upping Vit and Dex so i hit harder and am in turn hit less hard. If anybody wants to be a support Aco in my general vicinity i’m sure that Eggyra could be beaten into submission, or something.

I am sorry about missing the D&D though. The books on CD and Ghostwalk are really quite kickass and meant to be shared, that’s for sure. I can definately get up there next weekend, maybe even on friday. I’m certain if we get two days of gaming in then we may actually even begin Role-playing.

Speaking of Role-playing there have been some recent interesting articles on 3rdedition.org. First start with a letter from an annoyed character and continue with another letter from an annoyed rules-bender. I should say rules-fucker but this is a family blog and i think actually read by my family. Anyway, i’ll call later and we can see what’s up. Comment or whatnot if you don’t hear from me and i’ll get to you.

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I’m on iRO and i’m in the desert map with wolves, condors, pickeys and eggs. I may move one east to the desert with Pecos, but that’s a for now thing. I’m still Hwang Hung Lo, so you know how to get in touch with me. I found an egg shell, and it is pretty nice. I wish i could get rid of this damn Mr. Smile though. I could mayhaps afford a biretta, but that would signifigantly detract from my “Buying a Chain some time this week” plan.

Anyway, you know how to find me.

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It would really help if i made my wonderful wit and so forth available to my readers. That would really get me more comments i think.

Especially when i’m giving Jason important planning info. Sorry, i do feel like an ass.

Check out friday and saturday, i answer questions and boy is it funny.

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1. You own a restaurant and serve fresh rolls with every meal. Often they’re returned to the kitchen seemingly untouched. Do you serve them again?
Case by case basis. It the napkin folded over them hasn’t been touched at all and the rolls are still completely “virgin” then yeah, depending on our profits for the month. If two have been eaten then hell no, i run a clean establishment.

2. In a close fight for re-election, you learn that your rival recently had a nervous breakdown. Do you leak this to the media?
If he has provoked me or if it is because he has been sleeping with too many taiwanese hookers then yeah. Depending on how his campaign has been run i may even bring it up in debate.

3. You have a clear view of an attractive neighbor who does yoga in the nude. Do you ask this person to draw the curtains?
For God’s sake yes. And while making them as uncomfortable as possible. If possible at some public place or block function. “You know, i was taking some snapshots of my house to present to an appraiser and i had no idea the human body could bend like that. Does it take special training?” If their kids or parents are there i imagine i would get bonus points. Also the snapshots would be kept. There’s lots of money in nudie pictures.

I hate manual labor. I just thought i’d put that out there.

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So i’ve never done this, but i guess i can start now. You know, get a little weekly content here if i decide to post or not.

1. What’s one thing you’ve always wanted to do, but never have?
Travel. That one’s easy. I have a long list of places i’d like to visit, and if possible i would really enjoy getting a passport and striking out.

2. When someone asks your opinion about a new haircut/outfit/etc, are you always honest?
I’d have to combine Martin and Jason on this one. I don’t think that i would be rude about it (unless i though that i could get away with it) but i don’t think that i would lie to people either. I like to think that people tell me the truth so i strive to do the same.

3. Have you ever found out something about a friend and then wished you hadn’t? What happened?
Most of the things that i find out about friends that i don’t want to is that they are or have been for a while assholes. Generally this does things to our continued “friendship.” As i said before i tend to let people know how i feel about them.

4. If you could live in any fictional world (from a book/movie/game/etc.) which would it be and why?
Yow. Do i get to choose my role? If i said i wanted to live in Metropolis, would i be able to say “as Superman” or would my role be picked for me (”Welcome to Metropolis, garbage man!”) I think that decides it.

5. What’s one talent/skill you don’t have but always wanted?
Rhythm. This is distinct from Martin’s want for musical ability because i am actually completely untalented musically. I’ve never been able to sing or play an instrument even the smallest bit. I’m finding that i can atleast be somewhat conditioned physically with the Kung fu, but i still can’t carry a tune in a bucket. Even if its just the ability to drum on my steering wheel properly, i’d still be happy.

So sorry, Jason, but i won’t be able to make the Phantom this weekend. I hope this doesn’t stop you from going, because i will require a 500 word essay describing how much ass it kicks. Also as you are the DM if i keep you from something you obviously want to see then i can just about count on an incredible rise in the “random deaths of rogues” disease.

See today my dad is coming by with a friend to check out our plumbing, Saturday will be spent in yardwork, and Sunday is Father’s day. This makes breaking away to Florence a bit tricky. Sorry.

Speaking of D&D, i’ve got a bit of a surprise. A friend of mine who works with my girl gave me an early birthday gift. Seems he was able to DL PDF files of all of the TSR official D&D suppliments. Basically up to the Unapproachable East FR book and the Ghost one i bought. So yeah, we now have access to all the stuff we didn’t before with the Stronghold Builder’s Guide, Arms and Equipment and all that jazz. Also, the Book of Vile Darkness is fasinating. I’ve thumbed through it and i have to say that the flavour text is fascinating. I will allow my closest of associates to score copies when next i’m up there, so you guys will have to wait. I may be up there next week though, so you may not have to wait long.

Also all the kickass stuff that thieves get that was absent from the PHB? Its all in Arms and Equipment. I kinda went on a shopping spree, but fear not, it is all with the cash i got off the sapphire. Or pending DM approval it can be from party loot and we can keep valuable gold in 1300 gp sapphire form.

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In case you were wondering, burning a CD-R at 2x is almost not worth it. Lord this is taking forever.

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You are Agent Smith, from “The Matrix.”
No one would ever want to run into you in a
dark alley. Cold as steel, tough as a rock,
things are your way or the highway.

What Matrix Persona Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

Can’t say i’m entirely sure how to take that. I mean “driven, ruthless” that’s ok. I’m not sure if i’m all that cold or tough. Ah well, it looks cool though, doesn’t it? I’m always evil though.

This weekend was a blast, that i’ve got to say. Work continues on fleshing out my D&D character, as we discussed while the DM was down here. Yeah, Circle Kick will have to my my next feat, as it does require the 3 base attack bonus. Ah well, such things will come in time, i suppose. Possibly Alertness then, or something else that would seem character-appropriate.

Jason and i discussed feats and multiclassing and seem to see eye-to-eye on i’d say everything. See, i think that nothing should happen to my character that cannot be explained by current events. Say i want to get some points in “Use Magic Device,” i think that i would probably have to actually have had some difficulty in using a magic widget recently to advance that stat in any signifigant area. Or atleast to have something magical on hand to mess with. This, of course, means that any additional points to standard rogue skills will be constantly rolling in. I mean “Open Locks?” I lock myself out of my hotel room just to practice openning the thing up again. As to feats, both the DM and i think that it has to make sense, and not just in a “Isn’t this cool” sort of way. Take the aforementioned Alertness: I need it for the Dungeon Delver prestige class i’m working on, but i think it would be silly just to say “Well, 3rd level, i think i’ll take Alertness.” Rather i think it would make more sence to say that my character is taking Alertness as a feat because of the burglary that we didn’t notice until the kobold was out of the window and pretty far down the road.

I do intend to have words with the constables before we set off to kill this Ogre.

I was sniped out of my first auction since i bought broadband last night. It was a horrible experience. I’m almost frothing at the mouth to actually go out and win something. I mean who puts stuff up for bid now without a “Buy it now.” Hey, he’s put another of the adapters up for bid, i wonder if i can get him to end the auction now if i toss cash his way.

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Hey, feel free to come down here. I shouldn’t be doing anything this weekend (anything more than the ordinary, that is) so i’ll be free as anything. If you want to see Reloaded i could definately see it again. Or if you’d care to hit Italian Job i haven’t seen that one yet. No coming down Friday morning (if such a thing was even a glimmer of possibility), i have some ’round the house puttering to do. Mainly yardwork, that sort of thing. Though there is some furnature rearranging that i could use a hand with. How do you cats feel about schlepping a 200 pound cabinet a few feet, turning it around, then putting it back? Its damn heavy, so i could use some more arms. The actual lifting is taken care of via a hand truck, so the rest is up to me. I could also show off my new black rack: it is quite sweet.

Speaking of rack-related stuff: I had a bit of a problem with the 4u server. Seems that when it slipped when i was unloading it this damaged the power supply. Thankfully we were throwing away ancient computers back at the office, so i got a decent enough ATX power supply to run the thing. The install went a champ and while i had the thing open i swapped out the lame old heatsinks with the kickass new taiwanese fans. They apparently play Fur Elise when they slowdown or the processor overheats. This will probably never get tested as the only way to get a PPro 200 up to 70 degrees is Morimoto style (with a blowtorch). Anyway the hardware replacement went swimmingly and the whole thing is sewn up now. Now the thing is back to being a Linux box with two 200 mhz processors, a 3 gig hard drive and a completely uncertain future. Of course i could always say “Screw it” and fill the last PCI slot with either the Promise ATA/100 controller i’ve got or either of the Adaptec SCSI controllers. This would open up a whole new vista of hard drive possibilities. Or i could sell the whole thing piecemeal. I’ve already got a friend who would pay $150 for the case and PSU.

I’ve officially named the servers also. In keeping with the Greek Myths thing i’ve started by naming my patchwork clone Chimaera, i’ve decided that the two servers will be called Scylla and Charybdis. The 2u will be Scylla and the 4u will be Charybdis. I’m glad we got that all sorted out. Anyhow, i’ll have to spend some time working on the FastHub, as i’m not sure it works quite right. Of course it has the management port on and enabled, so there may be old bad settings left in it. Other than that, not much has been going on.

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