Well at least this time I post before a full month has passed! I grab whatever victories I can get. No this is not going to be one of the three posts I have in mind to write, although I doubt I will write them now. It feels like I've built them up by talking about them that when I do write them down y'all might expect they're this big thing (which they aren't).
Quick updates. I expect Gigabyte home soon. I took pictures of my doggies but they kinda suck so I'm going to take new ones.
And the point to this post is that the webcomic Shortpacked! is now off probationary status. The bad news is I will no longer read it. It's not that it's bad. Trust me, there are a lot of bad webcomics out there. It's just that I am not interested in the characters or the storylines.
Starslip Crisis is still on probation and has done a swell job of engaging my interest. It's not my favorite webcomic but I don't mind reading it.
That's it. I'll get those posts up soon.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
On Privacy Issues
The thing is, I would get ideas I think I'd like to write here but I hardly if ever get them when I'm sitting in front of the computer so I file them away in my head and of course always forget about it. Or worse, I start figuring out how I want to write it and by the time I sit in front of the computer I've gone on for so long I've forgotten how to start.
So I started to write down the topic headings of my next three pieces (YES! I have THREE!). I haven't actually written them yet because I'm working something for my sister Michelle and it's so late that I'm surprised she hasn't eviscerated me yet (which she can do and still keep me breathing... she's very gifted). Anyways, I just finished reading a transcript of an interview with Rich Burlew, creator of the Order of the Stick (see link to the comic on the right) and something he said made me realize something. And since I am sitting in front of the computer right now I decided to let this one cut in line and come on out first.
He mentioned that he guards his privacy jealously and doesn't put much information of himself online. Now despite having a blog and constantly plugged in, I'm pretty paranoid about my personal information on the web. I'm actually quite active about shutting down accounts I no longer use and I follow up on webpages I had a presence on and see if I'm still there or not. Information on myself that I post are stuff I don't mind people knowing. All the same, I'm not as private as I thought I was.
First of all there's this blog, while it doesn't go into mind-numbing detail about my life, does reveal more about me than I thought it would. And then there are my accounts on friendster and myspace which goes into that mind-numbing detail I was talking about.
I know that even my email (both of which - gmail and yahoo - are web-based) isn't secure and can be hacked by a determined hacker. My only comfort is that why would anyone want to hack my email accounts? And (my two, TWO comforts are: why would anyone want to hack my email accounts and) there is nothing I have posted that I wouldn't mind people knowing and (three! my three comforts are: why would anyone want to hack my stuff, none of my stuff is super-secret and) I have a really good password. The password can NEVER be tied to me because it's a random password that I memorized. So yey me!
Before I sign off... if you noticed I started putting labels on my posts. I may eventually backtrack and label my previous entries (but don't hold your breath, for those of you who haven't twigged to it yet I'm a lazy bastard).
So I started to write down the topic headings of my next three pieces (YES! I have THREE!). I haven't actually written them yet because I'm working something for my sister Michelle and it's so late that I'm surprised she hasn't eviscerated me yet (which she can do and still keep me breathing... she's very gifted). Anyways, I just finished reading a transcript of an interview with Rich Burlew, creator of the Order of the Stick (see link to the comic on the right) and something he said made me realize something. And since I am sitting in front of the computer right now I decided to let this one cut in line and come on out first.
He mentioned that he guards his privacy jealously and doesn't put much information of himself online. Now despite having a blog and constantly plugged in, I'm pretty paranoid about my personal information on the web. I'm actually quite active about shutting down accounts I no longer use and I follow up on webpages I had a presence on and see if I'm still there or not. Information on myself that I post are stuff I don't mind people knowing. All the same, I'm not as private as I thought I was.
First of all there's this blog, while it doesn't go into mind-numbing detail about my life, does reveal more about me than I thought it would. And then there are my accounts on friendster and myspace which goes into that mind-numbing detail I was talking about.
I know that even my email (both of which - gmail and yahoo - are web-based) isn't secure and can be hacked by a determined hacker. My only comfort is that why would anyone want to hack my email accounts? And (my two, TWO comforts are: why would anyone want to hack my email accounts and) there is nothing I have posted that I wouldn't mind people knowing and (three! my three comforts are: why would anyone want to hack my stuff, none of my stuff is super-secret and) I have a really good password. The password can NEVER be tied to me because it's a random password that I memorized. So yey me!
Before I sign off... if you noticed I started putting labels on my posts. I may eventually backtrack and label my previous entries (but don't hold your breath, for those of you who haven't twigged to it yet I'm a lazy bastard).
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Two Discoveries
I've discovered a new webcomic, Starslip Crisis (link on the sidebar) which joins Shortpacked! on probationary status. Although I'm currently enjoying Starslip Crisis more than I am Shortpacked! so I think Starslip Crisis will probably end its probation sooner.
The other discovery is Musicovery, an interactive webRadio. Now those who know me know that I never listen to the radio. I don't like it because of the lack of control (what? I have control issues? who knew?). I'm forced to listen to either the choices of the DJ or the station. I used to discover artists on MTV until they began to suck and I pretty much stopped watching that too. If I discover a new artist on MTV it's by accident, usually because I'm channel surfing.
Anyway on one of my blogsurfing, I came across a link to this site and I immediately fell in love with it. You can set criteria so you don't have to listen to music you don't like (like most jazz and metal for me) but, more importantly, you can set the mood. You can set it between dark or positive and energetic or calm (and points between, literally). You can choose to pick songs that are hits or non-hits (or both). The site finds songs that fit those criteria and puts it up. If you don't like a song, you can skip to the next one. It's also pretty to look at so that satisfies my need to have beautiful landscapes around me.
I'll post the link below. It'll go on the sidebar when I have more links to start a new category of links. Check it out.
http://musicovery.com/
The other discovery is Musicovery, an interactive webRadio. Now those who know me know that I never listen to the radio. I don't like it because of the lack of control (what? I have control issues? who knew?). I'm forced to listen to either the choices of the DJ or the station. I used to discover artists on MTV until they began to suck and I pretty much stopped watching that too. If I discover a new artist on MTV it's by accident, usually because I'm channel surfing.
Anyway on one of my blogsurfing, I came across a link to this site and I immediately fell in love with it. You can set criteria so you don't have to listen to music you don't like (like most jazz and metal for me) but, more importantly, you can set the mood. You can set it between dark or positive and energetic or calm (and points between, literally). You can choose to pick songs that are hits or non-hits (or both). The site finds songs that fit those criteria and puts it up. If you don't like a song, you can skip to the next one. It's also pretty to look at so that satisfies my need to have beautiful landscapes around me.
I'll post the link below. It'll go on the sidebar when I have more links to start a new category of links. Check it out.
http://musicovery.com/
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Backgammon
If you look at the bottom I've included a nifty new thingamabob from LabPixies. It's backgammon! My most favorite boardgame ever since I beat Khashi 7 to nil. Yes you read right that's SEVEN GAMES TO NONE!!! In one go I must add, I've never seen a guy go from pink to red to purple so quickly.
I must warn you that the computer cheats but if you're smart it's really satifying to beat the sonuvabitch.
Check out other nifty gadgets at their website www.labpixies.com.
I must warn you that the computer cheats but if you're smart it's really satifying to beat the sonuvabitch.
Check out other nifty gadgets at their website www.labpixies.com.
Links! Links!!! LINKS!!!
At long last I got my links up! Watch that space because I will definitely be putting more links to sites that I frequent.
First up are the webcomics that I read. The best of the lot is arguably Questionable Content. This is my friggin' soap opera. This gets updated Mon-Fri and if you're at all familiar with webcomics that is friggin' fast. Most comics are updated once a week or two maybe three times a week.
Questionable Content is witty and has really engaging characters plus it's very well drawn. He balances humor and angst very well. Most of the indie rock references go over my head but it never felt that the series suffers for it (for any references I feel I need to know I just wiki it). His characters deal with real-life issues with wit and humor and without making light of it at the same time. He has a deft touch and I'm really jealous that he not only updates every freakin' day he does it with humor and panache (whereas I update every quarter of the year!).
I have to read it everyday and the only bonus to skipping a day is that I get to read two comics on the same day! To fully appreciate the comic it's best that you schedule a weekend to read the archive. And with 800 issues and counting that's a preeetty big archive but it's worth it. Struggle through the original art, it gets way better.
The next best webcomic out there is, of course, The Order of the Stick. Anyone who's ever played Dungeons and Dragons should read this. While it's not necessary to be familiar with the game to appreciate the humor (untrue in the first issues where the humor is primarily derived from the fact that the characters are aware that they are D&D characters), it's like eating cake without the frosting and the caramel-y bit in the middle and the sugared flowers. You'll think, "good cake but what's the fuss all about?"
The second runner up is No Rest For The Wicked. This is more of a graphic novel than a webcomic. I just found out from my friend Mahala that the artist/writer of this is a sister of a friend of hers. I told Mahala to get on her case and update it already! The art is very good but the writing is even better. I love fairy tales and she weaves different tales together to form an intelligent and fascinating whole. Some of the fairy tales are pretty obscure even for me. With one exception all the webcomics I read make use of humor and this one is no different, although the humor comes from the story and situation itself (and most of it dark, like a good fairy tale). This is my third favorite and it's no distant third!
All the rest are pretty much even at this point, so in no particular order:
Looking For Group is a new strip, with only about 25 issues. I read the first 18 at one go and couldn't stop myself from laughing. I'm definitely creating a character based on Richard.
Hero is a bit way out there but the art is beautiful so I put up with it.
Nodwick and Full Frontal Nerdity are done by the same artist (both strips I discovered and liked in Dragon Magazine). Similar to OOTS in that its appeal lies with gamers.
Zogonia is also a strip I discovered in Dragon Magazine. The humor is darker than Nodwick and FFN but also a lot of fun.
Shortpacked! is a strip I discovered recently. Similar to QC but not as subtle. It's on "probation." I'm giving it a couple of months before I decide whether to keep on reading it.
The other links (The Second Degree) are blogs of my brother (yes he has more than one...I did say he was prolific, didn't I?), my cousin Jenny and her husband James and the blog and online gallery of my friend Mahala.
The Lavender Blogs are obviously gay-themed blogs which I frequent. I'll add to this when I have more time as I only have a tiny fraction of the gay sites I visit on a regular basis.
Well that's it. No pics of the pups yet. I'll ask my wunderschwester if I can borrow her camera and then post at least Loki's since Gigabyte is in boarding school (and that's a story for another day!).
First up are the webcomics that I read. The best of the lot is arguably Questionable Content. This is my friggin' soap opera. This gets updated Mon-Fri and if you're at all familiar with webcomics that is friggin' fast. Most comics are updated once a week or two maybe three times a week.
Questionable Content is witty and has really engaging characters plus it's very well drawn. He balances humor and angst very well. Most of the indie rock references go over my head but it never felt that the series suffers for it (for any references I feel I need to know I just wiki it). His characters deal with real-life issues with wit and humor and without making light of it at the same time. He has a deft touch and I'm really jealous that he not only updates every freakin' day he does it with humor and panache (whereas I update every quarter of the year!).
I have to read it everyday and the only bonus to skipping a day is that I get to read two comics on the same day! To fully appreciate the comic it's best that you schedule a weekend to read the archive. And with 800 issues and counting that's a preeetty big archive but it's worth it. Struggle through the original art, it gets way better.
The next best webcomic out there is, of course, The Order of the Stick. Anyone who's ever played Dungeons and Dragons should read this. While it's not necessary to be familiar with the game to appreciate the humor (untrue in the first issues where the humor is primarily derived from the fact that the characters are aware that they are D&D characters), it's like eating cake without the frosting and the caramel-y bit in the middle and the sugared flowers. You'll think, "good cake but what's the fuss all about?"
The second runner up is No Rest For The Wicked. This is more of a graphic novel than a webcomic. I just found out from my friend Mahala that the artist/writer of this is a sister of a friend of hers. I told Mahala to get on her case and update it already! The art is very good but the writing is even better. I love fairy tales and she weaves different tales together to form an intelligent and fascinating whole. Some of the fairy tales are pretty obscure even for me. With one exception all the webcomics I read make use of humor and this one is no different, although the humor comes from the story and situation itself (and most of it dark, like a good fairy tale). This is my third favorite and it's no distant third!
All the rest are pretty much even at this point, so in no particular order:
Looking For Group is a new strip, with only about 25 issues. I read the first 18 at one go and couldn't stop myself from laughing. I'm definitely creating a character based on Richard.
Hero is a bit way out there but the art is beautiful so I put up with it.
Nodwick and Full Frontal Nerdity are done by the same artist (both strips I discovered and liked in Dragon Magazine). Similar to OOTS in that its appeal lies with gamers.
Zogonia is also a strip I discovered in Dragon Magazine. The humor is darker than Nodwick and FFN but also a lot of fun.
Shortpacked! is a strip I discovered recently. Similar to QC but not as subtle. It's on "probation." I'm giving it a couple of months before I decide whether to keep on reading it.
The other links (The Second Degree) are blogs of my brother (yes he has more than one...I did say he was prolific, didn't I?), my cousin Jenny and her husband James and the blog and online gallery of my friend Mahala.
The Lavender Blogs are obviously gay-themed blogs which I frequent. I'll add to this when I have more time as I only have a tiny fraction of the gay sites I visit on a regular basis.
Well that's it. No pics of the pups yet. I'll ask my wunderschwester if I can borrow her camera and then post at least Loki's since Gigabyte is in boarding school (and that's a story for another day!).
Sunday, March 11, 2007
A New Look
As you can see I've updated my blog's look, you like you like? I'm trying to figure out how all the features work but I think I'll get the hang of it.
Does this mean I'm back? Um... dunno. I'd like to answer an resounding YES! but my track record's spotty so how about a cagey maybe instead?
As I promised months and months ago, I'll have pics of my two puppies (puppies no more!) up soon. I'm a little sad coz Gigabyte is in boarding school for a month! How can I cope?! (By spoiling Loki of course!)
Will post again soon, promise.
Does this mean I'm back? Um... dunno. I'd like to answer an resounding YES! but my track record's spotty so how about a cagey maybe instead?
As I promised months and months ago, I'll have pics of my two puppies (puppies no more!) up soon. I'm a little sad coz Gigabyte is in boarding school for a month! How can I cope?! (By spoiling Loki of course!)
Will post again soon, promise.
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