Kwummy August 30th, 2007
I’ll be gone for the holiday weekend. I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday.
It’s been a fun first week blogging for all of my adoring fans. I want to thank God, because without him this this wouldn’t have been possible. Oh, and I guess the Devil, too, because without the Devil, God wouldn’t have much to do. Everybody likes to feel useful.
Happy Day of Labor, kids!
Kwummy August 30th, 2007
I bought my first games in almost two months for the 360. I now own four. I’m so poor. That doesn’t count Arcade games, though (which I own well over 10).
Anyway, I picked up Command and Conquer 3 and Blue Dragon. I played about an hour of C&C and really enjoyed it. I’m an RTS whore so I can see myself getting into it. I didn’t play enough to really give full impressions, but I really liked how it controlled. It’s no keyboard/mouse, but you get used to it and it can be surprisingly fast - sometimes too fast. One thing I can see becoming a problem is when you get into some hectic battles the controller won’t be as responsive as a mouse. I don’t think it will detract from the overall experience, though. I only played the tutorial and the first mission. I do like that the hot chick from House is in it. She bosses me around a lot, but I don’t mind. I’d let her order me around any day of the week.
I didn’t play Blue Dragon because I’m going on vacation starting tomorrow and I didn’t want to engross myself in an RPG for an hour when I am just leaving the next day for four days. I plan on getting into it when we get back.
I also bought Puzzle Fighter and I have no idea why. I enjoy puzzle games, but I don’t know if I’m going to enjoy this one. It’s a little on the slow side for me and sometimes I have no idea WTF I’m doing. I kind of wish I would have bought Streets of Rage 2 instead. I still might (it’s only 400 points).
I’m trying to wait for Bioshock to drop to $50 or to pick it up used on Ebay for around the same price with shipping. I understand the attraction to the game, but I didn’t find myself as immersed in the demo as others did. I do hope it leads more to a more diverse amount of FPS games as opposed to the cookie cutter ones we see lately.
I also have added a text box to the sidebar of the games I plan on purchasing next. If I can find an RSS feed of ALL upcoming 360 games, I might add that too. But the text box is more for me than you so piss off. It will help me keep track of when I need to save money.
That’s enough geek talk for today.
Kwummy August 30th, 2007
The Tribune has a publication they distribute during the week called RedEye. It’s free and generally found outside train stations and bus depots. It’s actually a good publication, geared toward those in the 18-34 demo.
They have a weekly column in which people complain about the different problems with the CTA. Below is mine, sent today. I wanted to be more vulgar, but I knew if I did that it wouldn’t get printed. I want to see if this gets printed.
The letter after the jump.
Kwummy August 29th, 2007
Saw this on Deadspin today.
Someone snapped a picture of of what is supposedly Briggs’ Lamborghini about 10:30 in the South Loop. Said the anonymous reader:
…dude kept blowing through stoplights at 100mph, only to have my slow ass pull up behind him at the next light every time, which was funny.
I’m telling you folks, Briggs and the Bears are both hiding the fact he was drunk. He needs to man up to his mistake and take the consequences. Don’t want to hurt yourself or the team? Hey, don’t fucking drink and drive.
To make it better, that jackass Harry Teinowitz from the Mac, Jurko and Harry on ESPN Radio 1000 in Chicago said yesterday that he has no problem with Briggs running from the scene because it benefits the team. Had Briggs been arrested for DUI he would have faced an automatic 4-game suspension.
Are you fucking kidding me?
I fired off an email to ESPN Radio 1000 management telling them I’m boycotting the station until they fire his sorry ass. How can you have this dickwad get on the radio and basically tell people (including kids) that, hey, it’s okay if you run from the scene of an accident as long as you don’t hurt anyone.
He tried to back peddle once the angry calls started coming in but he still held his ground saying that Briggs did the right thing by not jeopardizing his playing time or the mental make-up of the Bears. He actually praised Briggs for thinking of himself and the team.
I was beyond shock when I heard that yesterday. I mean I was pissed. What Briggs did was wrong and what Teinowitz said was wrong. The last thing we need is more drunk drivers on the road knowing that if they get in an accident all they have to do is run and everything will be okay.
If I had any real motivation I’d picket outside ESPN Radio 1000’s offices until Teinowitz came out and then I’d punch his fat ass in the face and stick my sign up his ass.
Instead I’ll just blog about it.
And done.
Kwummy August 29th, 2007
One of the things I hate about where I work is this one employee who is very controlling. She’s very snide and always does her best to belittle you.
We were looking into purchasing a software upgrade that I thought was $135 a year. I simply misread the invoice and it was actually $1350 a year. Honest mistake, but a big one. I know that and I felt foolish for having made the mistake.
First of all, this shouldn’t even be my job. But, I digress.
I knew she’d get all pissy about it, which she did. Granted, instead of replying to all she did only reply to me, which is typically not her style. Which is why in the beginning I was very nice about it.
I owned up to it in an email and put the blame solely on my shoulders [pay attention to the part I bold here]:
Yes, I am sorry. I read the form wrong. It’s actually on the [company] site. You have to log-in to your account to view the screen. You go to manage users and then add more users. Once you get there you have to look at your invoice.
I’ll describe:
There were two columns, one mentioned the licenses were $112 and that tax was $135. I thought the $135 was the cost of the license. I mixed up the columns, even then, it’s a *monthly* charge, so it’s $112 a month plus tax.
It’s my mistake and I apologize.
She replies with her typical BS thanking me for “fessing up” [her words] and admits people make mistakes.
It’s over, right?
Wrong.
I get into work today and I see this email:
P.s. - you might want to re-read this email; here you say the license is $112. Still a far cry from $1350.
Cheers
Normally, I would let this go despite the fact she was dead wrong, but I’ve about had it with her attitude. I no longer give a hoot if she’s the Vice President or the CEO. I’m not going to let her try and make a fool out of me, especially when she’s incorrect.
My reply:
Actually, at the end of the email I said it’s $112 a *month*, which it is. It’s $112 month plus tax.
I understand how some of you wouldn’t really find anything wrong with my email. However, around here, my going back and forth with her is tantamount to slapping her in the face. I don’t care, though. She was wrong and I wasn’t going to put up with her shit.
She replied:
Good job [Kevin]- you’re on top it. Thanks for the clarification!
I don’t know if this will actually be the end of it or not. I’m sure she doesn’t appreciate me correcting her…even though she was wrong.
Anyway, I was sitting in my cubicle today, and I realized, ever since I started working here, every single day of my life has been worse than the day before it. So that means that every single day that you see me, that’s on the worst day of my life.
Kwummy August 28th, 2007
It’s all over the net now, but I just had to make a post about it. This kind of funny isn’t seen every day.
For those of you who have not seen Miss Teen South Carolina give the reason as to why 1 in 5 U.S. students cannot find America on the map, I direct you here. If you find yourself growing light-headed you can view this version with subtitles.
Also, do yourself a favor and check out her profile. And, of course, lest we forget, there are also pictures. [Those links all via Deadspin).
I hate to say it, but this is pretty much why hot girls need to keep their mouths shut. She could probably also stand to eat a cheeseburger or two.
Miraculously, she still finished in third. However, she seemed to have left her poise back at the ranch. Had she listened to the advice of Cosmo Kramer, she may have pulled out a victory.
There are also the “that poor girl” stories and remarks popping up all over the place calling those of us who poke fun at her fat virgins. Whatever, I’m sure after she’s finished giving all the children of Iraq, Asia and South Africa maps she’ll be serving you drinks at Applebees.
But yeah, I’m sure I would have been a much better student in school had I just got myself a map.
Damn.
[Update - Lauren Caitlin has recently re-answered the million dollar question. Her reply:
Well personally, my friends and I, we know exactly where the United States is on our map. I don’t know anyone else who doesn’t. And if the statistics are correct, I believe there should be more emphasis on geography.
Our map? Seriously, someone get this broad to STFU.]
Kwummy August 28th, 2007
The Monday Morning Punter over at KSK has another Brian Urlacher “I’m Sorry” post up. This time the target is none other than Mr. Franchise, Lance Briggs.
This comment to the post is one of my favorites:
Actually, the guy kinda seems like a genius. He left the scene of the accident and by the time the cops figured out it was his car, it was too late (supposedly) to check his BAC. So he gets off with a measly $1000 fine. I wonder who he called first after stumbling out of his wrecked car, his lawyer or his manager?
According to the story: Bears coach Lovie Smith indicated the team will not discipline Briggs, whose “spirits were good for being in a one-car accident.”
I like how he lets us all know that they’re not disciplining Briggs, in case anyone was worried about that. Why would they? Do they have a strict no-trashing-your-Lamborghini policy up there?
I’m sure the unobjective Bears fan sees this as a “no harm, no foul” situation, but you’re delusional if you don’t think this story smells something fierce.
[Update - Sports Frog also has a post up about a David Haugh article.
I have to agree: this is denial at its finest. Refusing to talk about the situation just proves Lance was doing something he wasn’t supposed to be doing. If he simply lost control of his car because he was stuffing a Big Mac in his face or texting one of his girlfriends then he would have said it. Instead, they’re trying to sweep it under the rug.
Stay classy, Chicago.]
I’ll copy and paste the actual KSK post for the lazy after the jump.
Kwummy August 27th, 2007
I stumbled upon this story earlier today about a former teacher, Keri 
McIntyre, who is outraged at a video of her that showed up on YouTube. (And before you go scouring YouTube for the video - it has already been removed. Rumor has that it’s on MySpace somewhere).
The alleged video zooms in on McIntyre’s, um, “features” several times over the course of a few minutes while playing “Hot for the Teacher” by Van Halen. Supposedly she is wearing some fairly tight, white pants that reveal the fact she is also wearing a thong. I don’t know about you, but it’s hard to look good in white pants. Kudos to her!
In her own words:
The video was three and a half minutes of me. It would go to my face, to my butt, to my face…And then he had his fun zooming in to my butt.
At first I felt a little sorry for her. I don’t know many teachers that wear pants like that, but she still shouldn’t have to worry about someone videotaping her while at a graduation ceremony.
Then I read the “About Me” section of her MySpace page [emphasis mine]:
Kwummy August 27th, 2007
10. He went to college in Florida. I kid; Florida is an awesome state. For example, 1 in 2 men in Downtown Orlando carry guns
9. His hands are better suited to wrap around a girls waist than a football
8. His career QB rating in the NFL is 72%. Last year, his 73.9% rating was good enough for 51st among all QBs
7. 4% of his passes result in touchdowns while 4% of his throws also result in interceptions. No one quite knows where the other 92% land
6. He was third in number of interceptions thrown in 2006. Had he thrown two more he would have been tied with the great John Kitna for second. You’ll get ‘em this year, Rex
5. One word: Rexettes
4. When it counts, Rex is no where to be found. In 2006 regular season games where the Bears either lost or won by no more than 10 points (8 games), Rex had a rating of 50.6, threw 16 interceptions and only 5 touchdowns. He also lost 5 fumbles
3. He’d rather party than study game tape
2. He has more nicknames than Michael Vick (Sex Cannon, The Cumslinger, Sexy Rexy, Rex Glassman, Wrecks Grossman, et.al)
And the #1 reason Rex Grossman sucks at football is…after the jump!
Kwummy August 27th, 2007
As many have probably heard, there will be a total lunar eclipse in the early morning hours of Tuesday. Unfortunately for Americans, if you want to see it you’re going to have to stay up very late (or get up very early).
I’m not going to bore you with the details of a lunar eclipse. If you want to read more about it check out this or this (both via Bad Astronomy).
After the jump check out a table I re-created to show which event you can see in your time zone.
Kwummy August 26th, 2007
I think this calls for a sexy party, yeah?
As we’re packing the car Friday night about 12:30 a.m. to go stay at my sister-in-law’s, a ComEd utility truck pulls up near the building. They two guys in it are staring at the building seeing if it has power. To the untrained eye, it looks like it does because of all the emergency lights that are illuminated. Katie and I are just staring at the truck trying to do mind control it and will it to stop.
Finally they pull up beside our car and ask if we have power. I tell them that we, and the two buildings next to us are indeed without power. Guy responds, “We’ll try to get you up and running by morning.” I thank the guy telling him that would be awesome and get in the car and leave.
After we get to Becky and Adam’s and we’re about to go to bed, I decide to call our apartment number. (Since the phone is powered by our building’s electric connection, if it rings, that means we have power). I call about 1:30 a.m. just to amuse myself before I go to bed. Sure enough, it rings.
That means it took them less than 45 minutes to fix the issue. That’s kind of frustrating considering we were without power for 36 hours. Anyway, I understand the fact that they can only take care of so many problems at once. Something tells me all they did was duct tape two wires together. Whatever, I’m just glad to have power back before it starts to really get hot again on Monday.
Yesterday we went to the zoo with Katie’s mom and then went out to dinner with her that night. We live about two blocks from the zoo so it’s always fun to hop over there to at different times of the day to see how the animals act. Dinner was phenomenal. I had steak because I was watching Iron Chef America before we left and the big food item of the night was wild boar. It made my mouth water for a big piece of red meat. I would not recommend watching the Food Network before you go to dinner.
Hope everyone else has been having a good weekend.
Kwummy August 24th, 2007
It’s 5 p.m. and our power has still not been restored. It’s now been over 24 hours. Chances are I won’t be updating until Monday, which also means no Two Worlds or Bioshock for a while because I’ll have to spend most of my money on new groceries and other things one buys when he has no common amenities.
I’m hoping I can still find a way to enjoy my weekend despite the fact I have no running water or electricity and I have to move from house to house looking for rations and a toilet like some vagabond.
Try to find some way to amuse yourselves in my absence, yeah?
Kwummy August 24th, 2007
We’ve all made road trips where we’ve had to drive through long stretches of land that look as if it has never been settled.
Well, how would you feel if you had to pass a stretch of highway that went on for 6 billion trillion miles?
Astronomers at the University of Minnesota have found a hole in the universethat is far bigger than anything they’ve ever seen before. Within this void there is nothing. No stars, galaxies or anything from the periodic table of elements.
Scientists have found voids before, that’s nothing new. It’s how big this one is that have scientists so baffled.
And before you ask about the matter in the universe that you cannot see, dark matter, no, this void doesn’t have that either.
Said astronomy professor Lawrence Rudnick:
This is 1,000 times the volume of what we sort of expected to see in terms of a typical void. It’s not clear that we have the right word yet … This is too much of a surprise.
I guess I will no longer be so impressed with the emptiness I experience every time I drive down I-65 in Indiana to visit my folks.
Kwummy August 24th, 2007
I decided to “borrow” some pictures of the storm from the Tribune website. These are all photos sent in by people so I think I can post them here. I spent the last hour going through them so you don’t have to!
See the damage after the jump.
