All posts in Geek

Could He Be the One?

by Drey on February 20, 2010 in Books, Movies, What I Did Today with 2 Comments

Recently I decided to try reading the the Dune books in chronological order, including the extended universe books by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson. I made it about 100 or so pages into the Butlerian Jihad before I couldn’t stand it. The story seemed epic and could have been interesting, but the writing was just so juvenile I couldn’t justify spending more time in the series.

So I satisfied my Dune craving by rewatching the Dune Extended Edition with Nick and Amanda. Despite the horribly dated effects, it is still awesome.

Achievement Unlocked

by Drey on February 18, 2010 in Artwork, Board Games, House of Whack, Life, Reft, Something Real, Video Games, Work, Writing with 2 Comments

Sometimes I fall into that slough of self-examination where I feel as though I have accomplished nothing with my life. Or, when compared to Person X, I am found wanting. This often happens when I’m not currently working on a creative project, as they tend to define me and give me purpose.

So I think it might be helpful to recollect the things I have achieved. Not in a boastful, resting on my laurels sort of way. But to remind myself that I am the same person who did all of those things. Try it yourself when you are feeling somewhat less than. Continue reading →

Mike Doughty, Yeah

by Drey on February 17, 2010 in Music, What I Did Today with No comments

As with JoCo, it seems that going to see Mike Doughty has become a yearly ritual. This time he dropped by the soon to be closing Cactus Cafe on the UT campus. Entering the sleek, hip student union made me pine for college and youth.

This was the first time I had seen the Question Jar show, where he answers written questions from the audience between every few songs. He kept the answers pithy and amusing. It was a typical Doughty set, with a few Soul Coughing tunes and stuff from the new album thrown in. I hadn’t realized how similar the guitar riffs were on about half of his songs. It created a perpetual anticipation: Which song is this? Is it going to be Circles?

He played Looking at the World From the Bottom of a Well and Tremendous Brunettes, but no Gambler cover and no Pleasure on Credit. Can’t have everything.

Legend of the Seeker

by Drey on February 16, 2010 in Avatar, Television with 1 Comment

Legend of the Seeker, based on “The Sword of Truth” novels, is an archetypical (that is to say, cliche) fantasy show on par with Xena, full of sketchy special effects and cheesy dialogue. But I have a huge crush on Kahlan so I’ve decided the show is awesome and I’m going to watch it. So there.

Dying of the Light

by Drey on February 13, 2010 in Geek, Movies, Video Games with No comments

The little red light on top of my projector came on. While not quite as alarming as the Xbox’s red ring of death, the light is indeed a dreadful harbinger. The lamp has surpassed 1800 hours of use and needs replacing. Of all the material objects I possess, my projector is one I actually have attachment to. Without it, there would be no movies, no video games. The projector makes everything go. Without it, my PS3 is just a wedge-shaped hunk of (questionable) modern art.

Every month it seems that there is some event, some newly awakened need, which siphons away whatever extra money I might have. This month it will be the projector lamp.

Buzz

by Drey on February 12, 2010 in Geek with 3 Comments

This is getting ridiculous. Someone needs to write a compelling narrative which makes a case for how all of these social media widgets integrate in real life. These whatzits just appear on the internet and everyone starts using them because they are the new thing. Are they useful or are they answers to questions no one is asking?

I need to take some time and think about what it is that I want. How do I want all this information to be managed and what level of interaction I want with other people. By default it feels like there’s a fire hose of data. I want a single method of parsing that data down to the most granular level. I want to know about this person’s updates, but not this other person’s, but I want to have access to both of their contact information.

Time to give Facebook and Twitter another close examination. See what switches need to be flipped.

The Wire

by Drey on February 11, 2010 in Television with No comments

I finished The Wire season 2 tonight. I never really thought much about cop shows, but I really like this one. It’s one of those character driven shows where there are 6-8 story arcs happening through the season. The characters have true depth and facets. The good guys aren’t completely good and the bad guys aren’t completely bad.

Unless the quality takes a serious turn in season 3, I’m in it for the duration.

Disney Quest

by Drey on February 9, 2010 in Video Games, What I Did Today with No comments

Last night after Dave and I had recovered from our space shuttle adventure, we went back over to Downtown Disney where we checked out the magic store and the LEGO store and had lunch at Planet Hollywood. Later that night we popped into Disney Quest, the five story virtual reality and arcade complex. Continue reading →

JoCo

by Drey on February 5, 2010 in Music, What I Did Today with No comments

As is the tradition for this time of year, I went to see Paul and Storm and Jonathan Coulton at Antone’s. Jonathan Coulton has become even more Jonathan Coultonier than last time.

I must get to bed. I have a plane to catch in the morning.

This American Lab

by Drey on February 3, 2010 in Television with 3 Comments

I’ve been listening to Radio Lab and This American Life (available in podcast and radio flavors) and I’ve decided that they are the gold standard when measuring what a slice of life, short form documentary program ought to be. Beyond just superb sound design, the shows are edifying in a way that makes me feel better about the world in general. Also, if Ira Glass and Jad Abumrad interviewed each other, my mind would explode.

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