Citizen Oldfart's Interrogation Room

I'm Baaacckk......

2012-01-29T11:37:00.001-05:00

The Interrogation Room is back and open for business. When I think of some random shit to say, Ill post it.

Xin Sheng, Baby! Yeah!

A Broken Heart Is A Terrible Thing.

2010-08-03T01:05:00.003-04:00

I'm hurting right now. To the point where I don't care about much at this moment.

It's been a long time since I posted here. But I feel the need to vent a little. It helps in the long run.

Affairs of the heart haven't been a strong suit for yours truly, Sian's finest. It seems every time I let someone in close, I end up getting hurt. Or I keep someone at a distance, and end up hurting them after being bitten in the previous relationship. It's a vicious cycle.

Maybe everything will turn out for the best. I'll keep updating this little saga.

The Big Lie Takes Another Blow......

2010-01-19T00:40:00.002-05:00

I love it when people try to tell me, that journalism today, is an onward march toward the "truth". And the masses, in a so-called "free society", have a "right" to know (most of these assholes who preach this tend to be leftists).

Now, that sounds all nice and peachy. But what if the "Big Media" is part of the problem?

Now, this ties in with my little snarky comment about 'leftist assholes' above. They truly believe this shit because the Big Media organs cater to their rosy little world-view. What the media says must be true, because it's what the leftist viewer/reader/listener BELIEVES to be true in the first place.

Now, the debate about the leftist mega-media outlets has raged for decades. But in the Post-Bush era of the demagogue Barry O, things are getting more and more obvious. In fact, it goes beyond mere bias. It blatantly fucking obvious. They don't even bother hiding it anymore. Even during the reign of King Klinton the First, they were still up to their clever little tricks to appear unbiased. Or at least, merely make it appear that they were simply reporting with a "slant" toward leftist bullshit.

They've shown that they are nothing more than the propaganda machine of the left. We of the so-called "vast right-wing conspiracy" have known this shit for years. Of course, the sheeple needed a little more input into their brains to get the point. With Big Media dropping their time-honored practices dating back to Joseph Goebbels toward gradually hammering in the "Big Lie", and being so friggin' transparent in the last year, the people are finally waking up.

And the left doesn't fucking care anymore. Because they hold all the cards. And they're going to save you from yourself, whether or not you want them to. "For the children", of course.

The fuckers, however, have been getting some first-class scares here of late.

I know that MSNBC's Ed Shitz....er, I mean SCHULTZ...is nervous as hell. Nervous enough to drop all pretenses of "journalistic integrity" and advocate breaking the law. Demonstrating plainly their "editorial school" of journalism is sickening enough, but helpful to the Good Guys (liberty-loving individualists) in the long run. But the latest low demonstrated by Ed the Shithead is just plain fucking sad.

It seems that history is about to be made again. But this time, not in a way that makes Ed the Mouthpiece (and his butt-buddies at Rockefeller Center) happy.

It now seems that a [sarcasm] (OMFGOTEHNOES!!11!!!)[sarcasm]...wait for it...REPUBLICAN has a good chance of taking the Chappaquiddick Kid's seat in the U.S. Senate. In liberal, fucking Masshole-astan of all places. Who would have thought it?

If Brown wins it. the Demoncraps will lose the magic number, the "Socialist Sixty" as I call it, to help finalize the destruction of the best health care system in the world. He has stated his opposition to Obamacare in the past. And it appears that even in the Kennedy Kingdom, voters are agreeing enough to scare the leftist establishment in this country (who think they know what best for the voters better than the voters do).

Here is what Mr. Shitz...sorry, SCHULTZ...had to say about the Massachusetts Senate race. It's a direct quote, by the way.

Schultz: "I tell you what, if I lived in Massachusetts I'd try to vote 10 times. I don't know if they'd let me or not, but I'd try to. Yeah, that's right. I'd cheat to keep these bastards out. I would. ’Cause that's exactly what they are."

How fucking classy can this dick-lick get? Jeeze...

Yep, folks. The handwriting is on the wall. And we are at the crossroads in the Nation's history. Collectivism or Liberty. The veneer of intelligence and intellectual discourse has been blown away like a fart in a hurricane, in the camp of the collectivists. It's open war between lies and tyranny, versus truth and Liberty. Too much is at stake for both sides to wear the kid gloves anymore.

The Media Cartels have never represented the truth. At least, not in the last few decades. And it's showing like the sun glowing bright in a clear, summer sky. Ed Shitz (Aw, fuck it. I like "Shitz" better. It's more appropriate) isn't an isolated example. Every since Great Leader was elected by millions, based on something akin to a fucking high school popularity contest, the wolves have taken off the sheep costumes, and are ready for some delicious "Sheeple Surprise". And I can assure you, the wolves aren't the ones getting surprised.

Many have awakened. And more are doing so everyday. I just hope that this new "awareness" taking hold isn't too late. If so, the moonbats, and their leftist masters, win. And the America we know dies.

Pick a side and decide. What do you want? Individualism or failed collectivism? Don't expect the news media to give you the "facts" to make informed choices. You'll have to find them yourself and search your own heart.

And choose wisely. For the future generations that will have to either live with the legacy of our wisdom. Or live with the legacy of our stupidity and love of "feel-good" bullshit.

Have a good night.

9/11/2001: Never Forgive, Never Forget.

2009-09-11T23:54:00.001-04:00

Almost midnight of the 12th. I wanted to make this a separate post from the other one.

The World Trade Center.

The Pentagon.

The Heroes of United Flight 93.

We will never forget the victims and the heroes.

And to the Jihadists who planned and executed this horror, we will never forgive. Even hell is too good for the likes of you motherfuckers. But we'll send you there, anyway. Along with those we've sent ahead of you in Afghanistan and Iraq. Let the devil decide if he wants your filthy asses or not.

Have a good night, folks.

Cool T-Shirts That Send A Message.

2009-09-11T23:29:00.003-04:00

Anybody that reads this, despite my infrequent posting, who cares about the shitty direction this country is taking, should check out this site:

http://matternow.org/index.php

Now, I'm not much for advertising on my blog. But this gal has her shit together and her shirts make a simple, but very powerful, statement.

Her name is Ashleigh Kenny. And because of this young lady exercising her First Amendment Rights, she's generated some degree of ire from leftist fucktards and Obama knob-slobbering pricks on the internet. No surprise there, of course.

So, give her site a look-see, and maybe buy a shirt. It's for a good cause (if you're not a "progressive", that is).

A little word of advisement. The site tends to be down from time to time (possibly due to traffic, thanks to her fifteen minutes of fame on the net and Fox News). So, be patient and don't give up if the site is down when visiting it.

A little public service announcement from the Maskirovka's favorite SSB asshole.

Is The Ammo Run Almost Over?

2009-06-14T20:05:00.002-04:00

Almost, it seems. Or at least, I hear from interwebs land that it's getting a little easier to find.

I went to the local dealer I do business with recently, and what he says seems to contradict some of the good news. He put together an order that ranged into the several thousand dollar mark. And guess what? All the wholesaler had that he needed was one measly box of ammo.

He did manage to come into a couple of boxes of Fiocchi .223 and two boxes of FN 5.7mm earlier on. Talk about luck.

My luck wasn't any better. I went to the shop, looking for some .45 ACP for my HK USP45. The last box of defensive ammo he had was Federal PD 165gr. Expanding FMJ. Don't care much for that load, but I took what I could get. The only other option was among the few boxes of FMJ he had left. But I wanted proper ammo for defensive use, not "hard times" ammo. That will come later on.

However, I'm not pissed off about the situation. Just frustrated. The reason being is that I don't blame people for taking the "better safe than sorry" route. The run on mags, firearms, ammo, and reloading supplies is just part of the natural order of things, when the political tide turns. Many of us remember the years between 1989 and 1994 all too well. And if given half the chance, where it wouldn't hurt them too bad politically, The One and his disciples would be more than happy to make similar moves. Fucking "progressive" douchebags.

In any case, I'm going to be watching closely. When my upcoming job prospect pans out (hopefully), then Citizen Oldfart is going to start stocking up again. If the stuff is available, that is.

From the capital of the Greater Humanity, glorious Sian, signing off.

A Little Update For Your Amusement...

2009-06-13T04:18:00.002-04:00

Remember my little entry about work and backstabbers? Well, for the last two and a half weeks, I've been among the glorious ranks of the unemployed. Well, somewhat, anyway. I'm still on the payroll, just not on the schedule. Which is bullshit.

I guess it's because of the manager looking for an excuse to ditch me. Well, she got it when the State called regarding my work history. It seems that the "gub'mint" job I've been shooting for will soon be mine (in the final stages of the employment process as of now). They're probably stringing me along, until the day I give final notice. That way, I get screwed out of unemployment benefits.

I'm simply biding my time. When the State job is a given, I plan on fucking my former employer up big time, using legal means. My home State is a "right to work" State, and they have violated several provisions of that law in my case. The right people and agencies will hear of it, as will the labor board.

Considering that the "big boss man" is a State politician in the State legislature, some managerial heads will roll in the company.

Moral of this story: Don't fuck with someone with "common learnings" AND education. I'm not one of the usual "mouth breathers" they employ.

Killzone 2

2009-06-12T16:56:00.002-04:00

Been playing Killzone 2 here of late, and I have to say it's pretty impressive. Superb graphics and gameplay, along with better AI.

But nothing is perfect. Not being able to truly blind fire from cover, as the AI does, is something of a let down. The lack of secondary fire modes on the weapons is also a black mark in my book. The single player campaign is too damned short, even if the story was actually pretty well done. However, I was expecting that long before I read the first reviews before actual release. Everything revolves around cooking up a first rate online play experience these days. Single player, story driven campaigns take a distant third, if even that.

But overall, it's a GREAT game. And well deserving of the high score it gets in the reviews. Shit, just the part of storming Vasari palace in a nuclear hell alone is enough to justify a high score.

One thing does bug me in relation to the storyline: The watered down capabilities of ISA and Helghast military forces. In the first Killzone (PS2), "secondary fire" weapon modes and high tech, "high horsepower" gear was the name of the game. The Helghast hover vehicles and Rico's nasty chaingun/anti-tank rocket system are two such examples. If you are going to assault, or defend, a high stakes target like Helghan, you would expect the best gear available, right? I suppose that they just wanted to pay homage to Killzone: Liberation (it was part of the Vekta story arc, after all), and make room for cool new toys (like that flamethrower, which is fucking awesome). I really have no real gripe with Guerilla's choices. It just seems a bit weird.

In any case, Killzone 2 will keep yours truly amused for a long time.

Double Standards And Going Too Far.

2009-06-11T02:04:00.002-04:00

"Double standards". A term many like to throw around. And it has a nasty ring to it.

When a big time media hotshot or public figure makes a dumb move (or stupid comments), the fervor that arises depends on what area of "offensiveness" the dumbass treads in. That's where the double standards come into play.

When that jackass Imus made his infamous "nappy headed hoes" comment to that girls athletic team, all hell broke loose. While it was tasteless and impolite (putting it mildly; it was more like a kick in the balls), it wasn't what it was made out to be.

His comment, while reinforcing the fact that he was/is a big fucking assclown, was far from racist, since he was referring to the team AS A WHOLE. And there were whites on the team. But even if there wasn't any Caucasians present, it still can't be mistaken as such by thinking people. It's basically a slang-y way of calling somebody a filthy whore. Which is still inexcusable by any standards. Imus went too damned far in my opinion. However, pop on a label that fits, not some bullshit race-baiting PC garbage.

But the "honorable" "Reverend" Al Sharpton saw the chance to get some more air time for his sorry, attention whoring ass by playing the race card. And the media, both tabloid and "mainstream", ate it up as usual.

Then there was that little scandal involving everybody's favorite royal party-hardy, Prince Harry. And that rather stupid choice of costumes. Now, I could give two-shits less if somebody wants to dress up as a NSDAP goon or WWII Waffen SS trooper, for whatever reason. But let's get real here folks. If you are a high profile public figure, who's being watched by Britain's shitstain tabloid "media", you don't dress up like a French maid, a cheap hooker, a gay leather daddy, or a fucking Nazi. It's not a good thing to have on your resume, even if you're a blue blood.

Harry, being a young shithead at the time, exercised bad taste and made a stupid bad call. Punishment by the Queen and a personal public apology should have sufficed.

But, no. It didn't. The media played it for all it was worth to sell papers and get the ratings. Charles made a big move to cover his ass by ordering his sons to visit Auschwitz , to "learn" the horrible realities of the history of the Holocaust (as if two of the best educated young men in the world, products of the finest schools, didn't know about it already). Then, some politico by the name of Lord Janner, called what Harry did "stupid and evil".

Stupid and evil? Stupid, yes. But referring to typical youth asshattery as evil is a bit extreme. There was no evidence that the Prince intended to slight the memory of the Holocaust and other National Socialist attrocities. I chalk it up to typical emotional appeal political rhetoric on this Janner guy's part.

Imus went too far. Harry went too far. Recently, David Letterman went too far.

And here, the double standard come into play. This is the main focus of this little rant.

Last Tuesday night, that gopher toothed prick made some comments about Sara Palin and her daughter that irked even a jaded motherfucker like me. And he exercised a lack of civility toward Mr. Alex Rodriguez.

However, that is par for course for Late Night twits who host these shows. And while the "slutty flight attendent" comment was crude, rude, and out of line, public figures like Palin can expect that sort of crap from media shitheads and talentless twats like Letterman (who is probably still bitter that ol' Skunk Head beat him out as Carson's replacement). However, Letterman could have cracked some more tasteful, but still suitably obnoxious jokes, rather than sinking to Larry Flint's level of political satire ( the "Nailin' Palin" porn flick starring Lisa Ann).

But the real kicker was the comments about Palin's daughter. Attacking a politico or other public figure is one thing. Nasty commentary about their family crosses the line. Big time. Especially if they ARE NOT public figures.

It is irrelevant that Letterman may not have known that it was 14 year old Willow, instead of 18 year old Bristol, attending the Yankees game with her mother. The dumb bastard should have done his homework before opening his mouth (as if insinuating that Bristol is a cheap whore is any better). The fact is, he made an inappropriate joke that involved an underaged girl. And the seventh inning knock-up comment did a big disservice to Mr. Rodriguez as well, implying that he would engage in such illegal activities with a minor.

Now, what I want to know is why there isn't a big outcry? Where is the media shitstorm? Where are the massive demands for public apologies and atonement? Why aren't the feminists and child victim advocates slamming Letterman six ways from Sunday already?

There is no big controversy. Hell, I didn't find out about it until tonight, lurking ar15.com. I read the linked news story from those Neocon hacks on FoxNews.

And I'm willing to bet that there will be no major feeding frenzy over this. Not like it was with Harry and Imus. Oh, the Fox Neocons will play it up. But the leftist mega media outlets? They'll barely touch on it.

The double standard? Palin is a conservative politican from a State of hardy conservative types. Something that the leftist elitists hate with a passion. The Harry and Imus fuck ups involved issues that are holy writ to the political and social left. But a big shot liberal "entertainer" making vile jokes, in poor taste, about a "conservative biscuit making bimbo" (old movie quote here) and her family? Oh, I'm quiet sure that's fine in the eyes of Marxists and their sheeple supporters. Even if it involves child victimization and slurring off on an ahtlete that isn't involved in Mrs. Palin's politics. At most, you'll get "He shouldn't have done that, but it was kinda funny" comments from these fuck heads.

Letterman crossed the line further than Imus. Where is the Sharpton-esque figure to stand up and raise hell over bad taste and stupidity going too far, hmm? Why isn't this being turned into a sexist issue, eh? Where are the stalwarts of social engineering to make an example out Letterman? Why isn't CBS out kissing the public's ass with CYA (Cover Your Ass) statements?

Yeah, right. Odds of all that happening are pretty fucking low. If it does, I'll be shocked.

I'm all for free speech. But people should have some courtesy about them. Even an asshole like me can be critical without sinking to the lowest level possible. Exercise a little self-control and not take it too friggin' far. And no, I wouldn't want to see this turned into a PC circle jerk. But I felt the need to point out the very real double standard in today's socio-political landscape, particulary amongst the left. Thus the Prince Harry and Imus examples for comparison (to start off with).

If you step on the left's dogma, for any reason, expect a media circus. Go too far in regards to someone who is politically conservative, cross the line all you want.

Fucking hypocrites.

Rant mode off.

Mirror's Edge

2009-05-10T15:25:00.002-04:00

On Friday, I picked up a copy of Mirror's Edge from Wally World for twenty five bucks. It was reduced in price. They must not have been selling many copies. Which is a shame, really. It turned out to be a fine game.

I consider this game to be a "sleeper". In other words, an excellent game that the masses won't catch onto until later down the road (despite the good reviews). The main reason is that it doesn't fit into a popular genre of electronic gaming. Much like the Valkyria Chronicles, it appeals to a niche crowd in the market for now.

It's something different, which is what I like. Willingness to try new avenues is what pulls in fans for a new title and keeps things fresh. There's talk of this title being a trilogy. I certainly hope so.

I also highly recommend gamers give Mirror's Edge a try.

It's also convinced me that EA can actually market a decent game, with a chance of lasting appeal, outside of the sports genre. The only other non-sports EA game I cared anything about was Black. However, despite being a decent (and over the top gonzo) shooter, the appeal of the title is not what I would call enduring. I played through Black a couple of times, then lost interest.

But there are trophies and time trials that will keep me playing Mirror's Edge for a while.

The only real gripe I have with Mirror's Edge is the use of animated cutscenes, as opposed to CGI similar to the in-game experience and character interactions. They don't really "fit", and disrupt the "flow" of the game overall. But this is only a minor nit pick on my part.

Well, that is it for my random bullshit for now. As I said before, I highly recommend Mirror's Edge. I suspect that many of you won't be disappointed with it.

As they say in "happy land", have a nice day.

Out Come The Knives...........

2009-05-06T16:08:00.002-04:00

Same old shit, different day. That's how the old saying goes.

A new manager was hired a few weeks ago, and I had a bad feeling from the get-go. Experience is a harsh teacher. And my suspicions are slowly being validated.

It's almost eerie how history repeats itself. Or else, Human nature is just that damned predictable.

Here's how it goes......

1. The new manager has (or so I'm told) similar experiences from her past as the last long serving manager we had.

2. She's jealous of her position, to the point of being paranoid and insecure of employees "undermining" her, by going over her head or being friends with past supervisors. Just like the last long serving manager at this place (who's currently pulling time for embezzlement).

3. People whom I have known PERSONALLY for years (and consider friends outside of work) are getting cozy with her, to secure better standings for themselves. My Rule Number Five, on my list of rules of workplace survival, is "Don't Trust Co-workers Who Try To Get In Good With The White Hats". My rules are ironclad, because they work. And they have ALWAYS rang true.

4. She already has a list of family, friends, and associates that she want's to get "in the door", so to speak. The last long serving manager also had a nepotistic streak.

5. The guy over her, who was traditionally anal about having a hand in the hiring and firing, has now done a 360 degree turnaround. He's now telling us that all handling of such matters fall squarely on her. See number four above.

6. She doesn't like me. And I don't like her. And we both know it. While the professional interaction between us is cordial, it still doesn't bode well for me.

Already, the knives are already coming out of the scabbards. And they're very... fucking... sharp. So-called "friends" will eventually turn on each other, because of the "every man for himself" mentality in that place. Looks like I'll have to start watching my back, and return to my old policy (from previous jobs) of trusting no one. I'll simply clock in, do what I have to do, clock out and go home. Period. It's my longstanding policy to stay out of workplace politics. I'm simply going to take that policy to the next level.

Sure, it all sounds paranoid and melodramatic. Hell, it sounds like something out of a friggin' daytime soap opera. But sadly folks, it's all too true. If you worked there, you would see what I'm talking about.

In any case, I'll post updates as time passes for your amusement folks. As much as I hate the drama, even I have to admit that this shit is better than Jerry Springer. And I have to put up with some of the same shit stains he features on his poor excuse for a talk show.

On a side note, I'm seriously considering taking my Associate's Degree to the next level, and shoot for my Bachelor's. If all goes well, then a Master's in Criminal Justice. Then I can teach on the Community College level (I sure as hell don't want to teach High School students, not with how kids are today). I need to get the fuck out of constantly falling into jobs loaded with backstabbers and "mouth breathers".

Xin Sheng and Good Day.

No Big Deal, But Still Proud Anyway.

2009-05-05T04:13:00.002-04:00

Well, I finally "completed" Motorstorm: Pacific Rift tonight. I broke Legend (Bronze) on the Online Ranking. Thus giving me the gold "Legend" trophy. My 49th trophy.

Which, in turn, unlocked the platinum trophy "Overachiever". The final one. Now all vehicles are unlocked.

It's been one hell of a thrill ride. I'm just a bit miffed that the online leaderboards are not updating like they should.

Aw, screw it. I'm pretty much done with online Ranked play, anyway. If I race anymore online, it'll be casual games. Which won't be much, since hardly anybody plays casual races online. So, I should not give a rat's ass what the boards show.

All that matters is that I finished the game, as I did with the first Motorstorm. The "complete freak" in me is satisfied. I'm feeling pretty damned proud of myself, even though it's really no biggie.

Now, I'm just waiting for Motorstorm: Arctic Edge. And the accompanying frustration that'll come with it.

But I'm a sucker for punishment.

The Fox And The Capellan.

2009-05-04T00:47:00.003-04:00

Over the last few days, I've been seeing a small number of "baby" foxes in my backyard. Apparently, they have a den in what we call the "Old House", which has long since collapsed. It's the perfect hiding place for these critters.

I'm kinda glad that foxes are doing well around here, despite the presence of coyotes. Coyotes, an invader species in Southeastern North Carolina, has been (supposedly) putting a dent in the fox population.

In any case, I saw the female today bringing the little foxes something to eat (probably a rabbit).

Normally, when I'm out and about, I keep a rifle on the back porch (either my Winchester M1894AE or WASR 10/63 AK clone) in case I see a coyote (there are numerous coyotes in my area, and our policy is "shoot on sight"). But I have no intention of popping the foxes unless they attack my outside cat (who has her kittens well hidden).

These little symbols of Davion imperialism has been providing this Capellan fan lots of sightseeing amusement. I'll enjoy it while I can, since they are about big enough to leave the den here soon.

The joys of country living.

More Of "Barry's" Antics.................

2009-05-02T16:31:00.002-04:00

Our old buddy Barry O is at it again. Of course, anything he does is no surprise to me anymore.

There was the Air Force One photo op incident here recently, which Obama bin Biden feigned ignorance of. I find it hard to believe that our Community Activist in Chief had no idea that his personal ride was being used to buzz the Statue of Liberty for a PR shoot (and no one in the NYC government being informed about it). But that is old news, and another story for another day.

What concerns me is the recently planned release of 17 Chinese Uighur terrorists from Guantanamo Bay. These "bomb throwers" were part of the East Turkestan Islamic Movement, who were captured at an al-Queda training camp. Not shocking they were there really, considering that group's ties with Bin Laden and al Queda.

Okay. Now we all know that Komrade Obama made it clear that Gitmo was going to be done away with at some point. Stupid, to be sure. But to be expected of a Marxist of his ilk.

Now, here is where it gets better..........

They are planning on releasing them right here, in the United States. That's right, ON AMERICAN SOIL.

What...the...mother....fuck?!?

There was strong opposition to this by the interagency panel created to deal with the issue of terrorism. The loudest griping came from the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security. And guess what? The White House overrode their recommendations. Congress will be "briefed" on the planned release (if they hadn't already). I only hope that our Congressional critters will raise enough stink to get Dear Leader to change his tune. But I highly doubt that will happen, with the number of Obama's ideological soulmates in the legislature. The War on Terror is a legacy policy from the previous administration. And most hard leftists believe that current "evils" affecting America are somehow all Bush's fault, even those that arise in this post-Bush era (I'm only half joking here).

I also wouldn't be surprised that the DHS's opposition was a political smoke screen. After all, it's headed by Obama appointee, and radical feminist ball buster, Janet Napolitano. I can't see the minons of His Royal Higness offering (or daring to offer) opposition to his policies. It's not a good idea in the political arena to bite the hand that appoints you.

This is stupidity of the highest fucking order. These guys are part of the international Islamic terrorist network, a collection of terror groups with differing levels of ties with one another. al Queda is one of the "big boys" in this society of cutthroats. And the East Turkestan movement is associated with them. Hell, al-Queda is TRAINING (and possibly equipping/funding) the motherfuckers.

The friend of my enemy is my enemy, in this case.

Add in the fact that we've had these asshats detained, I'm sure they don't like us too awful much (as if they did before they were busted). All it would take is for al Queda to "ask nicely". Over time, we may see these boys on the news again, after they've blown the fuck out of something here in the States.

They shouldn't be released. Period. Here or anywhere else.

I would hope that this would be a wake up call for the morons who fell under the sway of Hopenosis and Changeology. There have been examples previously of why Obama was a Bad Idea(tm). But it just keeps getting worse.

Is the next election here yet?

Would You Like Some Cheese With That Whine?

2009-05-01T09:27:00.002-04:00

Let's get straight to the point here. We ALL complain about something. Hell, some of us like it.

For me, the little bitch sessions I carry on sometimes are a way to vent off steam. It's the same with many folks. When you talk about about your "bad day" with someone close to you, that's complaining, but in a positive way. There is nothing wrong, at the very core of it, with complaining.

But there is a such thing as negative complaining. Whining (aka: Pissing and Moaning) is one such example of bad (read: fucking annoying) complaining.

I post over on the Ubisoft forums. The HAWX boards, to be exact. And talk about whiners! Jesus H. Christ, some of them are worse than five year olds with a tooth ache. Over a Goddamned game.

I generally ignore them and post in a civilized manner. And I only pay attention to the posters that air their complaints concerning the game's problems in a mature manner. But it gets worse when the trolls come out to feed. The whiners at Ubi.com are as bad as the dumbasses, over on 4chan, who just can't resist the urge to feed the trolls. Some threads that start out decent, degenerate into pointless bickering between childish members and those that troll them.

As they say on 4chan: "Successful Troll Is Successful". But on some sites, the trolls don't have to work awful hard.

Anyway......

People have to realize that Ubisoft has a rather mixed history concerning game quality. I've known this since I first played Ghost Recon on my then-brand new (and rather bulky), first Playstation 2. Some of their games have been problem free for me, others glitchy/buggy as all hell. HAWX falls somewhere in between in my experience.

Yes, I get pissed when I get booted (or have hosted players get kicked) from a Team Death Match. I've had minor issues with online co-op. And offline, I've had occasional "game freeze" and frame rate glitches.

But that's par for course for Ubisoft. And Ubi vets, like yours truly, have learned that's part of the deal when buying their products. You may get get Sterling Silver. Or you may get Pure Shit. Which means patches and updates out the ass (which only concerned me recently. I've only been gaming/downloading PS3 stuff online for roughly a couple of months).

Now I understand some feeling like they're not getting their money's worth, especially with the price of third generation console games. But air your grievences like an adult, and not like a spoiled, rich teenaged socialite whose parents didn't buy them the Beemer they wanted.

The patches will come whenever. The remaining bugs may, or may not, get fixed. DLC? Yes, we're getting some cool planes (Viggens and Floggers for the fucking win). Be happy we are getting SOMETHING from Ubi this soon after release. Hell, the Motorstorm fans are still wondering when the shit we're getting ANY downloadable content from Evolution Studios, for Pacific Rift. I'm sure we will get some new maps for HAWX. It's just a matter of being PATIENT.

But some assholes want it all NOW. And whine like spoiled brats when they don't get it.

If one wants instant gratification, that's what jerking off/ fingering yourself is for. It doesn't necessarily apply to everything else in life.

And maybe if people could be more mature, then some Ubi developer would be happy to address the issues on the Ubisoft forum. But until then, all we'll hear is the crickets chirping.

End of rant. From glorious Sian, Citizen Oldfart signing off for now.

Rosario + Vampire: Something Good After All.

2009-04-08T02:20:00.002-04:00

A while back, I ran across this fansubbed anime on Youtube titled "Rosario +Vampire". While it was amusing, I wrote it off as typical harem/romantic comedy anime. You know, the ones where there is no resolution and the guy never picks one girl over the rest?

Of course, the only real blight on that series was the bat. He got on my fucking nerves by episode two.

After seeing it, it soon passed from my mind as I moved on to other bullshit to kill time.

About a year or so ago, I took up reading scanlations online. To be honest, despite being a little rough around the edges in quality, I came to prefer fan work over licensed stuff. The sad fact of the matter is, other than some of Dark Horse's imports, many publishers (TokyoPop being the most notorious) heavily censor and edit what they bring in for content. Which is a crock of shit, in my view. If you want to market to a younger audience, then market the right manga for the fourteen year olds. In other words, material aimed specifically for that age group. Don't butcher up the stuff for the older crowd, who like manga/anime as much as the young kids.

Ahem....anyway.....to get back on topic here......

While reading some Full Metal Panic online, I ran across the Rosario + Vampire manga. At first, I wasn't really interested. But something made me check it out. I'm glad I did.

The first few chapters were drawn in a cartoon-y style, with a storyline that started out having a similar tone as the anime. But I stayed the course, and noticed that it was all building up to some awesome shit. The artwork matured over time, almost symbolizing the maturing of the characters.

The were conspiracies galore here. And while I don't like everything I read being "dark and gritty", with this supernatural themed manga, I didn't much mind. Mostly because there is many positive themes and lessons mixed in with the bad.

I won't go into much detail about the plotlines, since I recommend that anybody reading this (who likes manga) go find it through Google and check it out. But I will discuss some of the characters.

The characters are both somewhat the same, and a lot different, than the anime. Some of the basic traits are still there, but the cast tends to be a lot deeper and richer than in the anime. Kurumu is a perfect example of this. She's still a flirt. But she is also a tender hearted girl, who is hurting inside. Kokoa is a lot more developed as a character than the bratty little bitch seen in the Capu 2 anime (she actually cares about other people). Mizore is, at heart, a very vulnerable girl. Ruby is a lot more serious and mature than in the anime. Which is no surprise, considering the trama she suffered in her younger days. And Yukari is truly a genuis, and a hell of a lot tougher than she looks (and her magic isn't as silly as in the anime).

I like the portrayal of Gin in the manga. He's still a pervert. But he considers the Newspaper Club members as close friends (perhaps as a family of a sorts). He's also a lot more serious in the manga and has put his life on the line for his friends.

The two Dark Lords seen so far, the Head Master and Bus Driver, play a larger, more active role in the manga. They have an agenda, and seem to truly believe in the mission of the Youkai Academy. Tsukune and Moka, it seems, figure into their plans. And I don't believe that Tsukune's father found that application to the school by accident.

"Outer" Moka is a lot more aggressive when it's called for (it appears that she develops a spine over time). The "Inner" Moka is capable of showing compassion, and even tender emotions, at times. And as always, she's wise beyond her years.

Tsukune Aono is the big talk among fans of the manga. His growth as a character is all about learning life's hard lessons, while trying to be true to what he stands for. He's put into a position of having to learn a delicate balance between the kind, gentle nature he developed from his sheltered, middle class Japanese background and the need for occasional violence in the real world (and in the supernatural world). Sometimes you have to fight to protect someone, or to right a wrong.

But the buzz is all about his accquired "bad ass" side. Throwing himself in danger constantly has had the unfortunate side effect of his eventual "degeneration" into a ghoul. He was pulled back from the abyss, so to speak. But now he has to deal with the growth of his supernatural abilities, and still maintain the essense of what makes him Human.

Great stuff. Of course, not everyone will get what I got out of it. But it's still worth a look-see if one hasn't already.

It turned out to be something good, after all.

I can't wait for the Season II, Chapter 18 translation.

Government Motors

2009-04-02T01:34:00.002-04:00

Well, ain't it something? It seems that Dear Leader can call the shots now for companies who take greenbacks from Uncle Sugar. The recent socialist bail-out package, to be exact.

Since when does a "President" tell a company, or a top employee, who to hire or fire? The Federal Leviathan has showered corporations with mula in the past, but still didn't meddle too awful much (with the exception of government regulations, which is a different matter). And the companies generally paid the government back. This kind of help is a LOAN, not a freebie.

Obama the Infallible's recent actions with GM (and to a certain extent, Chrysler) is akin to a bank dictating how a company should run it affairs just because it gave them a loan. If a corporation defaults on a government "loan", then the Feds should take action to get their money back. Just like a bank.

However, banks don't set conditions on how a company should structure itself, or restructure to the bank's liking, as a prerequisite to get a loan. The Feds have long been in the business of playing banker. Thus, they should ACT like a banker. Not this smoke and mirrors populist bullshit just to keep up the approval ratings and potential future votes. Which Mr. Empty Suit is doing.

If you are afraid of voter backlash because of how your debtors are using borrowed money, then get out of the lending business. Let the private banks loan out the cash, or let the natural forces of the Free Market take over.

If I were Wagoner, I would have told Obamessiah to go fuck himself. If I had my say, I wouldn't have recommending taking the money with such bullshit "Leviathan State" conditions. I would've have recommended exploring other avenues. And if all else fails, then GM would have just gone under, which is what should happen to failed corporations in a true Free Enterprise system. General Motors has had a damn good run. But nothing lasts forever.

It would have been amusing to see all those UAW assholes, who always demand more than they're worth, in the unemployment line.

Nationalized industries, here we come!

I'm Going Friggin' Nuts.

2009-04-01T00:39:00.002-04:00

I've been playing Motorstorm: Pacific Rift here of late. It's a neat game, but it's driving me up the freakin' wall.

I'm a Motorstorm vet, having spent much time playing the first one (got it free with my 60 gig PS3). In the past, I avoided racing games, generally favoring other genres. But Motorstorm got me hooked on the franchise. Damn you, Evolution Studios!

Naturally, I picked up Pacific Rift. In some ways, it's better than the first. It's been challenging and fun. But now I've hit a speed bump on my path to off-road glory.

For a while, I've been doing the online thing with the game. It was mostly due to getting the top trophy, which requires you to win online trophies in addition to the single player awards. This is something I don't approve of and what many game developers are doing now. It puts those who don't care to game online, or can't for whatever reason, in a position where they are not getting their money's worth out of the game.

Anyway, after a few days of that, I decided to backtrack and pick up the remaining single player trophies. I'm working on the last two: Champion (all gold medals) and Hire Me (beat developer's ghosts in Time Attack, with every vehicle on every track).

This is where the problems have popped up.

The last Rank 8 race in the Earth Zone involves using a bike on a track called The Razorback. And no matter what route I take, or what kind of tactics I use, I can't manage any better than the occasional second place. I don't know what the hell I'm doing wrong. But it's driving me bonkers, which is why I haven't played in a couple of days.

The second major problem has been in Time Attack. More specifically, the Monster Truck run on the Wildfire track.

As I've mentioned before, I've been a Motorstorm player for a while. And I've played Pacific Rift enough to notice things that are out of the ordinary. And there is definitely something fishy here.

The developers "ghost" is moving a hell of a lot faster than I'm capable of, even if I follow the same path exactly. And jumping a hell of a lot farther on the ramps. To confirm my healthy sense of suspicion, I did a little test.

And sure enough, the only way I could run with the dev's ghost was to constantly use "boost". And the "ghost" vehicle had far greater boost endurance than the player vehicle. Far more than I've seen even with the AI in the game proper. Despite trying every route and using proper boost tactics, I can't beat the dev's ghost. I've come close once, but only by running in the red on the boost gauge half the damned time.

If I had to take a guess, the dev who did so during development ran the course earlier on in the process. The boost function was probably toned down later, but the course wasn't replayed for Time Attack.

What was strange was some of the times posted on the Time Attack rankings, which looked pretty fucking impossible, considering my experiences with this particular race. I later learned of a "boost exploit" used by players early on to get some pretty spectacular times. However, I didn't start running Time Attack courses until AFTER I downloaded the update/patch (which I had to do before playing online). Which causes all these 1:20 runs listed to make me scratch my head in wonder.

I dunno. Maybe I'm just missing something here. All I can do is just keep playing and find out.

And continue to be driven bonkers.

I've Finally Cooled Off Enough To Say This Much.....

2008-12-23T05:22:00.002-05:00

In case you're wondering, it's the election results last month.

Yeah, it took this long for me to feel like saying anything about it. And it ain't much, to be honest.

It's a perfect case of old fashioned demagoguery. And it puts to rest the "Big Lie" of an impartial media, who was influential in planting that empty suit's lanky ass in the Oval Office. But Leftists are going to stick together, regardless of the end results. I'm going to laugh at these "progressives", when all that "Hope" and "Change" rhetoric from The Chosen One proves to be as hollow as any other politician's promises.

In other words, complete BULLSHIT. We'll see more pushing of Leftist agendas, on those of us who need no master or keeper to wipe our asses for us, that we saw doing Komrade Klinton's administration. Although, I suspect it might be a bit worse than last time.

Fucking modern liberal idiots. They'll never learn. Obamessiah is another Jimmy Carter, with twice the charisma of Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan combined. That is a scary thing, when combined with Obama's radical past (a kind of past that is common among many Leftist politicans in the Democratic Party).

Now, I was no big fan of John McCain. But considering the mess we're in, both at home and abroad, I would have been more comfortable with him as President, considering his experience.

But that is NOT what we got. And I cringe to think about the next four years. Combined with a Congress that is willing to march lock step with their ideological soul mate in the White House, the damage that can be done is great.

That's all I'm going to say on the matter. What's done is done. The Electorial College will never go back to running as it was supposed to originally, which is one reason the country is in the shape it's in now. So, we free minded, rationalist, and self-determinist Americans have to put up with shit like this from time to time. I'm just going to ride out the next four years, and hope that things won't turn out too bad.

Have a nice day.

Arguments To Avoid.

2008-10-28T12:46:00.002-04:00

Someday, I'll learn not to get into discussions using FACTS. Especially in this day and age, when popular opinion is accepted as gospel truth. Then, there is the belief that the vagaries of chance makes something into a thing that it is not.

Take the first assault rifle, for instance.

It's generally accepted by most that the Sturmgewehr 44 is the first true assault rifle in history. A carbine, with a detachable box magazine and capable of select/full automatic fire, and chambered for an "intermediate" cartridge. Just like the modern descendants of this history making weapon. It set the criteria of what constitutes an "assault rifle" as we understand it today.

That is, if you know what an assault rifle actually is. Some continue, out of ignorance, to refer to weapons such as the FAL and G3 as assault rifles. They are NOT assault rifles, but "battle rifles", since they use full powered rifle cartridges.

Which brings us to the Fedorov Model of 1916. In some quarters, it has become popular to proclaim this innovative rifle as being the actual father of the modern assault rifle. It does meet SOME of the requirements, except for one major key point. It was chambered in the 6.5mm Arisaka round (6.5mm Meiji 30), which is considered a full powered service cartridge. Thus, the Fedorov Automat would correctly labeled a battle rifle. It is not an assault rifle.

However, since it used a lower powered cartridge in relation to the 7.62 X 54R, some argue that it is the same concept as the StG44. Thus, they say, it qualifies. It is irrelevant that the "intermediate" classification didn't exist at the time, they say.

I say BULLSHIT. If it isn't chambered in an intermediate cartridge, then it isn't an assault rifle. And if true intermediate rounds didn't exist at the time, which wouldn't allow such a chambering, then the facts should be obvious. The Fedorov being the first assault rifle is historically incorrect.

But some fuckers just don't get it. I blame Wikipedia, and disgust with Sturmgewehr fanboys causing irrational denial of the facts.

(That was a joke, by the way).

Another weapon touted as the father of modern assault rifles is the M2 Carbine. This one really makes me laugh my ass off.

Nevermind the fact that the StG44 actually predates the M2 (it's irrelevant that the M1 Carbine was originally supposed to be a select fire weapon, the fact was that it wasn't in it's final form), the .30 Carbine cartridge, while technically a rifle round, has ballistics closely akin to a hot autoloading .357 Magnum fired out of a rifle length barrel.

In other words, it's a glorified handgun round posing as a rifle cartridge. Which makes the the M2, at best, what we would consider today a Person Defense Weapon (PDW), much like the M1 Carbine that preceded it. At worst, it's a glorified submachine gun. It's not an assault rifle.

There is an old Chinese saying about the first steps on the path to wisdom, is to call things by what they truly are. In this day and age, when we play fast and loose with terminology, we lose wisdom. But people today just don't see that, or just don't care.

Even minor disagreements, like the assault rifle discussion, sticks in my craw when people argue from point if view (opinion) when the hard facts are staring them right in the face. This is almost as bad as arguing from pure ignorance.

I fully realize that no one likes a "know it all". And it's even worse when the "know it all" actually knows what the fuck they're talking about. But I look at the desire to wallow in misconceptions to be a tragic thing. No matter what the subject at hand is.

Don't get me wrong. I don't push myself on others, nor mouth off about shit I know nothing about. But I have a bad tendency to allow myself to get pulled into discussions where the other guy gets pissed when proven wrong. I'm like a fucking magnet for the easily butthurt types.

I really need to sharpen my detection skills, and head off such discussions/arguments with those kind of people before they get started.

*sigh*

Well, that's my rant for the day.

Macross Frontier Revisited

2008-10-18T16:15:00.002-04:00

Well, the series is over. And to be honest, I was somewhat disappointed with the final episode.

As with Macross Zero, I felt that the ending was rushed. Sure it had a fast paced, kick ass space battle in the end. But the closure of the story was one big high speed blurring clutter. They should've stretched the ending out over three episodes. That would have allowed for a deeper, more dramatic ending. Not to mention, explain things in more detail.

But overall, I still give the series two thumbs up. I had no problem with the series until the final episode. And I still highly recommend that Macross fans (or anime fans who are just curious), who haven't seen it yet, check it out.

Highschool of the Dead.......

2008-09-26T19:42:00.003-04:00

Been reading an interesting manga online here of late. It's titled "Highschool of the Dead".

It's your basic Romero-esque "zombie apocalypse" story, involving a group of teenagers from a private school, a school nurse, and young girl, who get caught up in an outbreak of the undead in Japan.

It's interesting. While the kids in the story are somewhat extraordinary, the story lacks the usual "superteen" crap seen in some manga /anime. No sixteen year old girls commanding supersubs , or fifteen year old boys "coming of age" while piloting super-secret military mecha. While each member of the group has certain skills and talents, they are for the most part, just high school kids caught up in terrifying events.

The writers did their best to be as accurate as possible when it came to firearms and firearms nomenclature. And I like how the group discusses plans and deals with tough choices/situations that would come up in a survival situation, while struggling to retain something of their civilized humanity.

There's lots of action and some comedy relief, not to mention, heroic deeds. It's a character driven story that doesn't rely exclusively on sex, slapstick silliness and gore to keep readers coming back for more.

If you, dear readers, happen to come across it while surfing the 'net, I highly recommend it.

Whoopteefuckingdo

2008-08-27T15:23:00.002-04:00

A couple of days ago, I was banned on 4chan's /k/ (weapons) board. It was something of a surprise. Just fired up the ol' laptop, decided to check out /k/ for some good pics (for potential avatars on other forums), and there it was.

I did appeal it, just on principle, since what I was banned for supposedly doing is common bullshit on most 4chan boards. And I didn't recall posting anything that might constitute trolling. It was denied, probably because I didn't leave my email address for any questions the Admins might have. I'm not that stupid. You never give your email to ANYONE on 4chan. Period.

In any case, it really doesn't matter in the long run. It's a six day ban. Big freakin' deal.

In this day and time, the only reason I even visit /k/ is for pic hunting, or to see if "Drake" posts any more pics of his amazing collection. I rarely post, since I don't waste time getting into childish cussing matches with underaged kids who've never fired a real gun in their entire lives. The play Rainbow Six, Call of Duty 4, and Counterstrike. Thus, they're suddenly weapons experts. Or someone who just turned eighteen, buys their first Mosin Nagant or .22 rifle, and now they know everything (most of it bullshit they read in books, Wikipedia, or in gun magazines).

Yeah, right.

So, when the ban is up, I'm going to play it even more low-key, and not post PERIOD. That way, my little image hunts don't get interrupted when I decide to do so on a whim.

Macross Frontier

2008-08-01T01:57:00.002-04:00

So far, I like what I see. Mr Kawamori and Crew has done a bang up job with this latest installment in the Macross universe. I hope it has a spectacular ending, with some closure for a change, instead of leaving us hanging with certain story elements like Macross 7 did (no resolution of the "love triangle"). But it seems that this series may touch on some of the questions left unanswered by Macross Zero. Or will it generate even more mysteries?

We'll find out soon enough.

Yet Again............

2008-07-28T18:33:00.002-04:00

There was a church shooting in Knoxville recently. My heart goes out to the folks and their families. Thankfully, some brave souls took the guy down while unarmed. And they say that courage is dead in our increasingly lazy, selfish, and materialistic society.....

And now, I'm waiting for the inevitable fallout (thanks to the anti-gun media and lobbyist).

If there isn't, considering the fact that odds are good that a "progressive" (i.e. "modern" liberal) will make it into the White House (with a strongly Democratic Congress), I will be shocked. Blood is good for totalitarian agendas, who sometimes hide their true intent with "good intentions".

However you, dear readers, won't ever see me hold my breath, hoping that the whiners who bleat for Big Brother and Big Mommy will ever get it. More infringing gun laws aren't the answer. But politicians will continue to shovel "feel good" bullshit to the sheeple, to secure votes and their political positions of power. It would be nice to see an honest politico come right out and say that there are no easy answers, and some things can't always be prevented, no matter what steps you take to stop problems before they happen.

But "honest" and "politician" are oxymorons.

And bad things happening to good people, while sad, is a part of life. Deal with it.

Nutcases flipping out, and committing acts of violence, have been around forever. And while instances of something like this are thankfully rare (although the media would have you believe, in their sensational reporting, that stuff like this is an "epidemic"), it's going to happen. And in the most unlikely of places. The only thing we can do is have law enforcement be prepared for it, and that law abiding citizens take measures to ensure their defense against such criminals.

But unfortunately, the Establishment keeps it's head up it's big fat ass. We still have "gun free zones" (aka: "criminal safety zones"), many of our schools still have poor security, and there are still many places where lawful CCW holders can't carry. As if the crooks, dopers, and crazies will abide by such restrictions. That leaves the decent people in those areas perfect targets for the perpetrators of illegal violence. Just like that father in Minnesota who had his head bashed open, when he tried to stop six head of punks from fondling his twelve year old daughter. The mall in question proudly proclaimed that it was a "gun free zone".

I apologize for sounding so fucking callous today. But the truth isn't always pleasant. However, people want something/someone to blame. And in these cases, it's guns, gun ownership, honest gun owners, and the "Evil Gun Lobby". It's easier to pass blame, and infringe on the rights of the honest folk, than to admit that there are no easy answers and actually WORK to solve (or reduce the impact of) the root causes of such crimes/tragedies.

No rampant anti-gun propaganda, due to this tragedy, has reached my ears as of yet. But consider this a "preemptive" rant of a sort.

Wake up America, and actually use the brains that God put between those ears. THINK and use COMMON SENSE. We are supposed to be a proud nation of strong people. And a thinking people are a powerful people.

Guns aren't the problem. Gun owners aren't the problem. The NRA and other gun rights groups aren't the problem. It's the lack of individual responsibility and decay of character resulting from societal decay and/or change. Let's work on these problems America, and quit passing the buck and believing in quick and easy fixes for every fucking thing. Life isn't about convenience.

A Little Shooting Recently.......

2008-07-25T01:36:00.003-04:00

Been getting a little trigger time in here at the farm (don't freak out all you "progressive" pussies out there).

It's been a long time since I've done any serious shooting. But with a cut in hours at my shitty job, and BLET coming up August 25th (no need to look for another job right now), I need a little extra to kill time. I figured since I needed to catch up on my gun cleaning, I might as well shoot the damned things while I'm at it.

I'd forgot how tough the ol' Mosin Nagant was on the shoulder, even that monster M39. My 1891/30 felt even more mule-ish. It was something of a relief to finally run out of ammo, and switch to the SMLE. But I still love the old "Moist Nugget".

I broke out my grand daddy's old Remington Model Four. I tend to be a sentimental turd at times, especially with the influence he had in my life. My eyes watered up as I wiped it down before shooting it. It's the only thing of his I have in my possession. Everything else is just happy memories.

And every time I use this weapon, whether on the range or in the deer woods (and it's been a while since I last hunted), it's almost like I feel his spirit with me.

I spent a while burning some old .270 ammo through it, and my Savage Model 111. Both shot some nice groups, despite being in the gun safe for so long. I'm not surprised, really. When it comes to my hunting rifles, I only use good quality glass. The scope makes the rifle in this case.

Two long guns that are the most fun for me is the Winchester M1894AE Ranger Carbine and WASR-10 (semi-auto AKM clone). I'm a big fan of the old .30-30 Winchester cartridge. And the Kalashnikov family of rifles ranks among my favorites. Both are time tested designs, rugged, and are extremely reliable. Can't ask for more. After last week's fun, it's time to restock the ammo.

I got some handgun time in too. I don't shoot the 686 and 629 Smiths too often. Ammo was pricey for me, even before the recent price hikes. But I felt the desire to get some practice in with them. The same goes for my two Glocks. The problem with the last two is that .357 Sig and 10mm is hard to find around here. Only one local gun shop carries these calibers. If they're out I have to drive forty miles out of my way to pick up a few boxes. Now factor in gas into the costs.

Oh, well. What can a gun owner do, but suck it up and take it like a man?

Tomorrow, I'm going to mess with my Beretta M950BS some. Got some old Hornady .25 XTPs I want to burn up. I may also shoot my great grandfather's .32 Iver Johnson some. Sure, it's an old "belly gun", but it has a certain charm to it. Next week, I'm going to see if Ken-Bo has some .32-20 WCF in stock. I've had this bug for a while to squeeze off some rounds through the ol' M1892 Winchester.

Microsoft Update And Firewall Programs

2008-07-13T15:02:00.002-04:00

Sometimes Micro$oft annoys the hell out of me.......

My sister's computer was set up to receive automatic updates. Recently, a Security Update went out that wreaked havoc with firewall programs, causing inability to access the internet. Fortunately, it's an easy problem to correct. But future problems might not be.

I don't blame the software developers, who come up with excellent security programs (firewalls, anti-virus, anti-spyware/malware,etc.). Micro$oft needs to be aware that these programs are common among Windows users (some of them PAID programs), and be more careful in the future. Or at least, get the word out ahead of time to the public, so developers and users can take steps to prevent problems. I didn't know what the fuck the problem was, when everything (equipment wise) was working fine, but no internet.

It took a long, anger-inducing session of listening to shitty "easy listening", on hold waiting for Embarq Technical Support, to learn this.

Linux is looking more appealing every day.......

Mechwarrior Stuff

2008-07-09T20:58:00.002-04:00

Got that Vanguard booster I ordered last week. Not a bad little mix of units. Netted myself a Davionista Towed Gauss Rifle and MHI Amphibious APC (with the Crucis Lancers standard, no less!). Also got myself a Dominion Clan Battlearmor piece for the collection.

I'm really happy with the 'Mech, a Wolf Clan Thor (with Alpha Galaxy markings). It's not a Unique, but I'm satisfied.

I received an email from the ebay seller I ordered my Poseidon battleforce pack from. It seems that the post office damaged it and sent it back. But the seller will make good on it, and ship another one out Thursday. I can't wait to get it, so I can do my Ares article on CBT Forums.

We Need More Rain

2008-07-08T10:23:00.000-04:00

I'm glad to see the sky start to cloud up some. Hopefully, we'll get a nice, hard rain. Things are a bit dry around here.

We've had a fair amount in the last week. But usually, it was just enough to make the damn grass grow. What we really need is one good day and night of a steady rain. But that's not how it works. When we do get a substantial amount of water, it'll be too much.

Hello, flood warnings!

Heller Decision.

2008-07-07T23:17:00.000-04:00

After many years of claiming that Miller vs. U.S. (1939) supported their claims that the Second Amendment was a "collective right" Amendment (which it actually didn't), the anti-gun lobby's position seems to have fallen flat. After decades of avoiding the Second Amendment, the high court finally stated what should be common sense to all Americans.

That's right.

It's an individual right.

What's sad is that it takes nine old coots in black robes to hammer in what any idiot reading the Constitution can see with their own eyes. But I guess the sheeple need a little prompting.