Vegas Vacation
I'll be visiting Las Vegas over Christmas - arriving late on 12/23, leaving the morning of 12/28.

If anyone wants to get together, please leave a comment here.

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ConDuit
Well, I'm back from another fabulous weekend at with the Evil Overlords of Conduit. I had a great time (there were a few rough patches, but there always are).

Got a chance to play . A lot like Puerto Rico, but it adds an additional randomizing card mechanism I found fascinating.

What filk I made it to was great, but I was having a hard time staying awake, so I didn't hear as much as I'd like. The Utah Filk Organization did a great job putting stuff together at the last minute.

Speaking of the last minute, guys, the pocket program is a simple photocopy for a reason - you do it at the last minute so programming changes can be made. Panel and event room changes NEED to be documented somewhere.

Also, for the gripe/suggestion column, either consistently use the hotel's room names, or use your own. If you have 'changed' the names of meeting rooms, provide an translation table in the pocket program. While we're at it, please provide a map in the pocket program. Programming space on 3 separate floors relying only on the hotel's map in the lobby (esp. when you're wondering if Ursula's House of Horror is the ballroom or the boardroom) is irritating.

Started, but didn't finish, Hacker. A lot of similarities to Illuminati, which made me suspicious, but I was enjoying myself. Sadly, most of the other players bailed to enter the Munchkintournament, which I did NOT enjoy. Winning by virtue of yelling the loudest and throwing a temper tantrum might be the point of the game, but that's not my style. Of course, I demonstrated that he was not the only person capable of throwing a temper tantrum.

There was the usual Sunday dinner run to Rodizio, where we all ate way too much meat, but a few of us also stayed up talking, and did a late night (2am) food run, keeping the Dead Dog party alive until 3:30. It turns out there's very little open in Salt Lake City that late. In fact, it appears that Denny's was it. The place was quite crowded.

One of the more exciting parts of the trip was when the dashboard computer went belly-up on the way there. Speedometer, gas gauge, temperature gauge, all packed it in. At different points the speedometer said we were going 120 mph (regardless of actual speed, or the fact that the van would probably not be able to reach that speed), we were going variously 15, 30, or 60 mph faster than we were really going, or we were going 55 mph, regardless of actual speed. Fortunately, we had a GPS that would display current speed, so we could use that, then set the cruise control and not worry so much. The only tricky part was coming down from Donner's Pass (in the dark, with random construction zones popping up), as the van would accelerate even without pressing the gas pedal (we were pretty heavily loaded).

We got back to the Bay Area at around 1am, and I got home around 2, and went straight to bed. Unpacking this morning, doing some laundry, cleaning the kitchen (some truly awful science experiments, aka mold-covered perishable food, had been left out) and getting ready to go back to work tomorrow.

So, did everyone else have a good holiday weekend?

Alex

Current Mood: refreshed

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Stupid Meme of the Day
Ganked this from cangmom on FaceBook. It looked interesting, so I figured what the heck. I haven't posted anything for a while, right?

Another Question Thing

Just answer yes or no. (There's a lot more 'Yes's that I expected here.)
( It's a long list, and some of you probably don't care.Collapse )

Alex

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Watchmen movie
Well, it Did Not Suck.

I was pleasantly surprised with how well it turned out. It did feel pretty rushed at several points, but if they were going to make a faithful adaptation, it really should have been 2 to 3 times longer. (Let's face it, it should have been a 12-part miniseries, keeping the same structure as the comics.)

For those of you that haven't seen it, a word of warning - it's graphic. It earns its R rating the hard way, with nudity, sex, violence, and drug use.

I did spot one Easter egg. In the opening credit montage, it shows the moon landing, and you can hear Neil Armstrong say those famous words, "Good luck, Mr. Gorsky."

Alex

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SMotD
Yet another Stupid Meme of the Day

I wasn't going to do this, but some of the answers were just too good not to share.

Google Fun
Type your first name into Google with the phrase that comes after each question. Answer with the title of the first site that makes sense. (gakked from cangmom

(I'm going to put the context here, rather than the page title. Also, I use Yahoo, rather than google. YMMV.

Q: Type in "[your name] needs" in the Google search.
A: Alex needs IV dextrose (Alex has Medium Chain Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase Deficiency)

Q: Type in "[your name] looks like" in Google search.
A: ALEX LOOKS LIKE OLD IN TAMPA - New York Post (Bad grammar. Good baseball)

Q: Type in "[your name] says" in Google search.
A: Alex says, "Calm Down." (Alex is an African Gray parrot with good advice.)

Q: Type in "[your name] wants" in Google search.
A: Alex wants your blood! ("Moonlight" star Alex O’Loughlin encourages blood donations to help save lives.)

Q: Type in "[your name] does" in Google search.
A. Alex Does Drugs (anti-drug use propaganda book by Janine Amos)

Q: Type in "[your name] hates" in Google search.
A: Alex Hates Me (a punk band from Iowa)

Q: Type in "[your name] asks" in Google search.
A. Alex asks for move (Brazilian soccer player leaving team)

Q: Type in "[your name] likes " in Google search.
A: Alex Likes to Move it (shake it baby shake it! YouTube dance video.)

Q: Type in "[your name] eats " in Google search.
A: Alex Eats World (a food blog)

Q: Type in "[your name] was arrested for" in Google search.
A: Alex was arrested for allegedly embezzling two hundred and seventy-three thousand dollars from the post office (from plot summary of "First Class Male" by Raven West)

Alex

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Merry Christmas, One and All!
And what does Christmas bring us every year? Yuletide Treasures!

I was browsing through, and thought I'd post a few of the stories that caught my eye.

Three Part Harmony
Fandom: Armistead Maupin - Tales of the City series, post "Michael Tolliver Lives"
Shawna comes out to her dad as poly.
A little on the earnest side; you can tell the author is trying th Educate the Masses about the poly lifestyle, but still very entertaining.

Strength in Numbers
Fandom: Army Wives, post Season 2
Introspective look at the various characters, and how they got to where they are. A bit hit-and-miss, Pamela and Roxy get a much better treatment than Denise and Claudia Joy, and Roland got skipped over altogether, but still worth reading.

Of Scrooges and Sweets
Fandom: Bend It Like Beckham
If you can deal with the femslash (PG only), this is a fun story.

There's a number of fun concepts in the 'Big Bang Theory' section, but nothing executed well enough to warrant specific recommendation. Feel free to browse on your own.

A Cure for (almost) All Ills
Fandom: Blood Ties (tv, but could be book series just as easily.
PG-13 slash, but the author really has fun with it. I really like Mike in this story.

8-Tracks and Razor Blades
Fandom: Burn Notice, pre-series
A wonderful little flashback to a teenage Michael Weston. I suspect that there's a ton of tiny factoids that make this non-canon, but ignore them and go with the flow.
(It seems like everyone else wrote a pre-series 'Michael and Fiona' story; this was a refreshing change of pace.)

Becoming a Lesbian: Megan Bloomfield's Guide for Cheerleaders
Fandom: But I'm A Cheerleader
Read this even if you've never seen the movie. It's that good.

The Tiger Song
Fandom: Calvin and Hobbes (drabble)
Oh, god. I snorted Tang all over my keyboard.

Well, this is it through the C's. I'm going to post this before it gets too long.

So what are you reading today?

Alex

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Star Trek Experience to re-open in 2009
Star Trek finds new home (Skip down about half-way through the article to find the section on the Experience.)

It's pretty light on the detail, but it's great to know that they're not going to just scrap all the materials.

One source I read indicated that the rides would remain basically the same, but the Klingon Adventure would have new footage shot to reflect the new location. Another indicated that both rides would be completely overhauled. Only time will tell.

Alex

EDIT: For those not familiar with it, the Neonopolis is located at the south end of the Fremont Experience in downtown Las Vegas.
Google Map
Wikipedia article

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R

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Go vote! A plea.
Before we get started on the media frenzy of the DNC, I want to remind you all of what's really important in our society - a way to make a difference! I refer, of course, to television.

The Emmy Awards are celebrating their 60th anniversary, and they're letting us vote on 'The most memorable moment' of television.

So, why should we care? In the drama category, one of the choices is the death of Edith Keeler in 'City on the Edge of Forever' Classic trek, at it's best.

Come on everyone! Let's push it over the top! Tell your friends, tell your family, tell the dog, tell everyone!

Alex

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Rowling speaks to Harvard grads
JKR gave Harvard's commencement address, titled The Fringe Benefits of Failure, and the Importance of Imagination. There are text and video versions available.

There's a lot of good stuff in there, both inspirational, and interesting trivia bits about her life. One of my favorites was:

At our graduation we were bound by enormous affection, by our shared experience of a time that could never come again, and, of course, by the knowledge that we held certain photographic evidence that would be exceptionally valuable if any of us ran for Prime Minister.

Anyway, I just thought I'd share it with you all.

alex

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"Truth is stranger than fiction, because fiction has to make sense"
Or, in other words, you can't make this s*** up.

Darth Vader attacks congregants in Jedi church in Wales

Seriously. Go ahead. Click on the link; I'll wait. Don't forget to watch the video. Yes, there's video footage of the attack. Came in handy at the trial.

Is that weird or what? Oh, there's the magic phrase, The court was told he had a "chronic alcohol problem" and had drunk the best part of a 10-litre box of wine. In other words, "alcohol was involved."

So, I just figured I'd share this with y'all, and brighten up your day.

Alex

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Happy Mothers' Day
I just wanted to take this opportunity to wish a Happy Mothers' Day to any and all mothers on the flist who I won't be speaking to today.

Also, I reminder to the rest of you to make a phone call!

I just called my mother - I'm planning on calling my sisters shortly.

Alex

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Stupid Meme of the Day
Swiped from rmjwell

Bold if you've seen them all, italics if you've seen at least one full episode.

In the spirit of great TV, I've added commentary!
( I've also added a cut-tag, to protect your precious screen real estateCollapse )
Alex

EDIT - fixed the attribution. Wow. I really should make sure I'm awake before posting.

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Political PSA
I'm not sure who (if any) of you all this applies to (much less whether you already knew), but here it is:

If you are registered to vote in California as 'Independent' (not registered with any party, also known as 'Declines to State') you can vote in the Democratic Primary, but you will need to specifically request a Democratic Primary ballot when you arrive at the polls. (This information is also available in the Voter Information Guide pamphlet you received a few weeks ago.) You do not have the ability to vote in the Republican Primary, however.

Alex

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SF Antiquarian Book Fair
Next weekend is the San Francisco Antiquarian Book, Print, and Paper Fair, and 7th and Brennen in San Francisco.

I've been several times before, and they always have lots of cool, old, collectible, and generally odd books.

I've already got plans for Saturday, but I'd love to go Sunday. Anybody else interested?



Alex

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Merry Christmas!
I just wanted to wish you, one and all, my very best this holiday season, whatever your particular day of significance.

My thoughts go in particular to chriso who was in the ER this morning, to our servicemen abroad, and to anyone else who is unable to be with those they love.

My niece just called, and her son sang "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" for me (I'll be meeting him and his mother tomorrow - I've never seen him or his brother before.

People are the best presents. So go say thank you right now. Or as soon as possible, OK?

Alex

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Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it
For those of you Joss Whedon watchers out there who haven't heard yet, Fox has a new chance to screw up.

Short version: Joss has a new series on Fox, starring (and produced by) Eliza Dushku. I'm not going to describe it here (what, you're too lazy to click on the link above?) so I'll wait while you read the article.

Done? Good. This looks very much like an Eliza Dushku vehicle - not an ensemble show. I have no idea how that is going to affect things. Am I misreading this? Or will the show be dragged to a more familiar style?

It looks like Dollhouse is going to be similar to The X-Files, where we have arc shows (set inside the Dollhouse) and encounter-of-the-week shows (outside the Dollhouse), and never the twain shall meet. One of my questions is whether there is going to be any continuity between the two types of show? How many people are going to want to watch the arc shows? OK, let's be honest. How are you going to avoid driving viewers away with the arc shows? 'Cause I gotta tell you, they look like they're going to come across as pretty boring, especially to the casual viewer.

Anyway, I'm going to give it a watch. I figure I owe Joss that much, after I so blithely dismissed Firefly without even giving it a chance (that the stars for the DVD set, which gave me a chance to rectify that mistake). What does everyone else think?

Alex

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Harry Potter, in 3D
So, I find myself once again, with a free weekend (well, at least partially free).

So, I'm going to go see Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix in 3D, at the Regal Hacienda in Dublin. Possible times are 10:35(am), 1:25, 4:15, 7:05, or 10:00. Probably Saturday, but Sunday is a possibility.

Anybody want to go with me?

Alex

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And now, for something completely different.
And, in other news, check out lolcode; this is wrong in so many ways. One of them, the fact that I'm considering joining and working on it. (stole link for this from loreleif

Still haven't seen the new POTC. Hopefully this weekend.

Had a good time at ConDuit last weekend. David Weber is an interesting guest.

That's all for now. Move along.

Alex

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My take on the whole thing.
While I have definite opinions on the LJ/fandom/WFI kerfuffle (apparently my word for the week), they are long and rambly, and I'm not in the mood to do all the digging to write up something coherent. I'm both angry and apathetic, and I guess the second is winning out.

I'll leave you with these two links:

rmjwell said some good things I agree with.

So did helholden. While not nearly as cogent or enlightened an opinion, it does have the benefit of being amusing.

EDIT:

OK. Since wymsie asked, and I had to type up some of my opinions anyway, here you go.

I don't like Zero Tolerance Policies. No, no, I am not suggesting we tolerate pedophilia and the like. However, LJ is not showing zero tolerance for pedophiles. They're showing zero tolerance for indications of pedophiles. Zero tolerance can mean many things. Often it means that any hint or accusation is sufficient cause for action (not investigation, but action). It can mean that an anonymous complaint to LJ about your journal will result in suspension, and you are obligated to prove the action is unjustified (guilty until proven innocent).

In this case, it means that any journal with the interests of 'incest' or 'pedophilia' listed will be banned/suspended/deleted. Regardless of whether it is A) an illegal site. B) a fandom site. C) a survivor's site. D) a law enforcement site. You can probably come up with other examples. Zero tolerance means ANY journal that meets that criteria will be shut down. Zero tolerance means zero discretion. LJ abuse said flat out "we had to suspend the journal. We have no discretion." That's why.

Zero tolerance means a child who picks up a razor blade in the playground and gives it to his teacher will be suspended. It means that a restaurant can be shut down if there's traces of drugs on the money in the cash register.

Zero tolerance is the law of robots and computers. Not people.

Til later.
Alex

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