Arrived In Chile

12.28.05 - 10:27pm
mood: Tired
 
Got here safe and sound this morning. After the most uncomfortable flight ever.

It was impossible to get into a sleeping position. My seat was above the wing by the emergency exit. The movie on the flight was Must Love Dogs, I was about to pull the emergency exit hatch when it came on.

After I arrived here, took a nap after meeting everyone. Then grant and my sister showed up and we went out.

This spanish keyboard is insasne so I´m wrapping this up now because typing is crazy annoying.

Valla Con Dios

12.27.05 - 06:55pm
mood: meh
 


I'm off. See you all next year.

- Ciao

(have I ever mentioned that I'm quite weary of air travel? ... well I'am... and now I'm off on a 12 hour flight... bye)
Fight Club - Airplane Crash Scene Special Effect Pre-Viz

Movie: Chronicles Of Narnia - The Lion The Witch And The Wardrobe

12.26.05 - 11:17pm
mood: meh
 
I read the Chronicles of Narnia sometime in grade 3, so I really didn't remember much about the stories. Other than the fact that I remember really wanting to eat a Turkish Delight, and to this day, being bitter about not having one.

With that in mind, my review of the movie is that it was great. It rekindled my love of wardrobes, lions and beavers. The movie was excellent, and brought back nostalgic childhood memories, and the beavers cracked me up, as they usually tend to do. I highly recommend watching it.

Computer Fixed (Cursed Computers!)

12.26.05 - 05:01pm
mood: meh
music playing: Kate Bush - Moments of Pleasure
I managed to sneak some time into fixing the computer. And by time I mean several hours. After meticulous testing of several hardware components, I finally tracked the problem down to the CPU. I've now dropped the voltage to 1.1V with a 100 multiplier, and the bastard is now running without freezing up on me (yes for those that know how to do math, thats a weak ass speed).

Stupid Computer Woes

12.23.05 - 08:35pm
mood: meh
 
This is just great, days before my trip, and at a point when I have absolutely no time to bother trying to fix it, my desktop computer is dead.
My internet connectivity is minimal to say the least, so if you need to reach me between now and my departure on Tuesday, don't bother with the instant messaging since I won't see any of those messages. Email me and I might eventually see it, or you know phone/sms me if you want to actually hear a response.

Holiday Itinerary

12.21.05 - 11:35pm
mood: meh
music playing: Bach - Aire for the G string
I keep having to explain this, so I figure I'll make a post out of it so everyone can reference it.
I'm taking a leave of absence from work starting today. I'm going to get my travel visa and rest of paperwork stuff done in the next two days. My sister is flying out this weekend, I'm flying out Tuesday (we couldn't get on the same flight, due to the hurried booking). After that we'll all be in Chile seeing our grandfather, after 19 years of not having seen him, let alone anyone else from our family outside of ourselves and our parents.

For anyone I don't get to see before leaving, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Movie: King Kong (2005)

12.19.05 - 11:03pm
mood: meh
 
For those unfamiliar with King Kong, it is a story about a man destroyed by his hubris... well not really it's about a giant monkey. A giant monkey that falls in monkey love with a hot blond, and is then tragically monkey destroyed due to his touching monkey affections.

The movie was pretty good, and quite a faithful adaptation of the original. The effects were good for the most part, although WETA really do need to learn to composite. After the crapulence that were some of the terrible composites in the 20+hrs of Lord of The Rings material, you'd think that they would have pulled out the Shake manual and figured out how to colour match some of the elements before throwing them into the same scene. But I jest (well not really... stupid composites), the movie was good, as were the effects, for the most part. I recommend the movie.

Book: Exotique

12.18.05 - 11:55pm
mood: meh
 

Ballistic Publishing's latest art book Exotique has been released, and from the art work samples I've seen it looks beautiful.
If not for the fact that I have purchased two other Ballistic titles within the last two months (EXPOSÉ 3, and D'artiste: Character Modeling), I'd be giving them my credit card number as we speak.

I know what everyone is thinking and I'm just as surprised about my restraint towards money spending as the rest of you. I guess the holiday season has gotten to me : )

Erin & Frank's Combined Bday Party

12.18.05 - 02:27am
mood: meh
 
With such little free time available to schedule things at this time of year, it was decided to make thing easier by combining Frank and Erin's birthday party's into one big party.

It was held today, at the Fox & The Fiddle, and it was loads of fun.

The evening culminated with Paul and Myself preforming, in front of a large crowd, a bolstering karaoke rendition of Chef's - Chocolate Salty Balls. People were impressed with our soulful musical prowess.

Erin on the other hand, was not so impressive. At one point the karaoke DJ asked him at what age exactly he had become tone-def, we all laughed. The songs that poor bastard had to do were Britney Spears - Oops I Did It Again, and Ozzy - Crazy Train, neither one sounded anywhere near as good as the cry of a walrus stubbing his toe.

In case anyone has forgoten the words, here are the lyrics to the song that I drove the ladies at the bar wild with,

Chef - Chocolate Salty Balls:
2 tablespoons of cinnamon,
and 2 or 3 egg whites,
a half a stick of butter, melted.
Stick it all in a bowl baby,
stir it with a wooden spoon,
mix in a cup of flour.
You''l be in heaven soon

Say everybody have you seen my balls they're big and salty and brown.
If you ever need a quick pick me up, just stick my balls in your mouth.
Oh! Suck on my chocolate salty balls, put 'em in your mouth and suck 'em.
Suck on my chocolate salty balls, they're packed vitamins,
and good for you, so suck on balls.

pour in a cup of unsweetened chocolate,
and a half a cup of brandy
then throw in a bag or two of sugar,
and just a pinch of vanilla,
grease up the cookie sheet.
Cause I hate when my balls stick!
then preheat the oven to 350, and give that spoon a lick!

Say everybody have you seen my balls they're big and salty and brown.
If you ever need a quick pick me up, just stick my balls in your mouth.
Oh! Suck on my chocolate salty balls, put 'em in your mouth and suck 'em.
Suck on my chocolate salty balls, they're packed full of goodness,
and high in fiber, so suck on balls.

(Chef Speaking:) sniff, sniff, hey, wait a minute, what's that smell.
It smells like something's burning.
Well, that don't bother me none, as long as I get my rent paid on Friday.
Baby, you better get back in the kitchen, cause I got a sneakn' suspition.
Oh man baby, baby, you just burnt my balls.
My balls are on fire, come on, my balls are burning, gimme some water pour some water on 'em, o goodness, blow
on them, do something

Say everybody have you seen my balls they're big and salty and brown. (they're on fire baby)
If you ever need a quick pick me up, just stick my balls in your mouth.
Oh! Suck on my chocolate salty balls, put 'em in your mouth and suck 'em. (Put 'em out, blow on 'em.)
suck on my balls baby,
suck on my balls baby, suck on my red hot salty chocolate balls.
Woo, woo, suck on my balls (blow, blow, blow)

Sarnia Road Trip, Denied

12.16.05 - 09:38pm
mood: meh
 
Preemptive reply to all the complaining that is to ensue.

Yesterday my usual 15min commute from work to my domicile took more than an hour because of the snow conditions. The news said that today was going to get even crazier. Traumatized from last year, I was worried about taking my new ride out on the road. So with the warnings from the weather people, who showed me animated cloud coverage of storm fronts and these impressive lines overlayed on top of a map, I believed their forecast of "more snow to come", and decided to cancel the 4hr road trip to Sarnia.
Fast forward to right now, the skies are crystal clear, and I look like a fool for having canceled. So great, I look foolish for having been duped by the hot British Weather Network chick, and her convincing storm front... diagrams. In my defence she had a British accent, and was hot, so I assumed I could trust her.

My apologies to everyone, and their packed tooth brushes, next time I'll totally disregard my cars friends safety and well being and just go for the dangerous trip. At least this gives everyone time to watch the prime minister election debate tonight.

Belly To The Moonlight

12.13.05 - 11:22pm
mood: meh
 
Did you know that tuna fish float up to the surface
Belly to the moonlight just to cool their heart down
Cause it helps them just to think about the hurtful things
I guess it's just one way to get them some sedation

Big Ass Grapefruit

12.12.05 - 11:30pm
mood: meh
 
Right now, I'm eating a grapefruit that is so big, it is truly an affront to God himself.
I don't know what sort of genetic chicanery was required to create this thing, but all I can say is kudos.

I've taken a picture of this thing, to cherish its enormity. I'll post the picture later on, so everyone can be in awe of this magnificent fruit.

First Winter Gleam Of the 05/06 Season

12.11.05 - 10:50pm
mood: Stoked
music playing: Kate Bush - Pi
Went out to Mount St. Louis today for the first gleam of the season. The conditions today were great, especially considering how early in the year it is. The base depth was 35cm, with plenty of fresh powdery natural stuff.
Thank god I've been Bo-Flexing as of late, because of that endurance training I was in great form out there today. I'm a bit sore now from a botched half pipe run. But other than that, I was riding great, and even tried out a few tiny kickers.

Fun, fun stuff. Can't wait till next time I can get out there.

Concert: From Autumn To Ashes, Abandon Your Friends Tour 2005

12.11.05 - 10:42pm
mood: meh
music playing: Stephane Pompougnac - Reality Check
I only discovered From Autumn To Ashes earlier this year. With their being up to a third album now, I was obviously behind the curb on this great band. So it was with great pleasure that I finally got to see them live in concert yesterday.
They have a dynamic that is unique to say the least, the lead singer provides more of the angry screaming vocals, while their drummer provides very melodic, soft overtones. It is a combination that has been described as bi-polar in more than one album review. Live, they pulled of the switches in singing styles flawlessly. They preformed one of my favourite songs Short Stories With Tragic Endings near the end of the set, and it was awesome. I was front row center in the moshpit during that song, and I have to say, I got somewhat injured in there, but I took some people out with me so it was well worth it. Unfortunately they did not preform I'm The Best At Ruining My Life, but that's alright, they had plenty of other great songs on their setlist.

There were three opening bands, missed the first one. Second one was uninspired. The third one though, was great. They were called Emery, I highly recommend checking them out.

Concert: Static-X, Start A War Tour 2005

12.08.05 - 09:53pm
mood: meh
music playing: Static-X - December
I think I've seen Static-X live about 8 or 9 times now. But it's been a strangely long time since they've been back in Toronto for a concert. So fan expectation (ie. my expectation ;) was building up for them to come back on tour.
Ever since guitar player and lead programmer Koichi left the band, they just haven't been the same. Their last few albums, while decent, did not live up to the great sound of the Wisconsin Death Trip era. So you can imagine how excited we were with the news of his rejoining the band and going on tour with them!

With the original line up together again, they manged to put on one hell of a show. Classics like Love Dump and Bled For Days, along with plenty of new stuff like Dirthouse and Set It Off were faithfully rendered with a blaring acoustical assault. The left side of my neck hurt the next day from the non-stop head banging they made us do with no breaks between crazy fast, heavy songs (they did not even try to slow down the show with more ambient classics such as December, [which was a let down, because I really like that song]).

I'll now mention that the opening bands sucked. This review is over.

$_LIFE Release Regularly, Release Often

12.04.05 - 07:40pm
mood: Amused
music playing: Maria Callas - La Mamma Morta
$_LIFE Release regularly, Release often
Right after fixing my 5.1 issues I sent DC a message saying "HOLY CRAP 5.1.1 JUST CAME OUT!!! IF THIS BREAKS EVERYTHING AGAIN I WILL FLIP OUT". So based on that story you can see how incredibly funny this comic strip was to me. : )

Bound

12.03.05 - 12:41am
mood: Pensive
 
He who Binds Himself to a Joy
Does the winged life destroy

He who kisses the joy as it flies
Lives in Eternity's sunrise