World of Warcraft

Dear Lord, Phil downloaded WoW onto my computer. That was last friday night. I've played it a few hours a day, every day since then. It is surprisingly addictive. I say "surprisingly" not because of the millions of players on it, many of whom have virtually no life outside this fantasy world, but because it has ensnared me and I thought that I was "above" such sophomoric temptations.

Long story short. WoW is awesome. You all should play it. I'm on the Emerald Dream server. Look for player(s) Bladehorn or Theravos. They are my Warrior and Paladin, respectively. Jane also created a character today. She's a Blood Elf Mage named Pika. She be cute.

Mongol - by Sergei Bodrov

I just watched the best film since The Dark Knight. I watched Mongol directed by Sergei Bodrov. This film is beatifully shot, exquisitely acted, and simply well done all around. Mongolia's landscape is gorgeous and the actors portraying Temudgin and Borte (whose names, I am ashamed to say, I am unaware of) do a fantastic job. My only complaints are centered around a lack of visual explanation as to where Temudgin acquired his army toward the end of the film.

Also, there is shockingly little bloodshed for a film that's based on one of history's greatest conquerors. I'm looking forward to Bodrov's next two installments. You need to go out and see this movie NOW.

The Sorting Hat

So I'm sitting here watching Jane watch Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone. The scene with the sorting hat comes on and Jane begins talking about what House we'd be in. I'm easy. I'm a one-dimensional guy - Gryffindor. Our friends are easy as well. Aaron is Gryffindor, Joel is Ravenclaw, and Will (despite his protests that he is, in fact, Slytherin) is Ravenclaw.

Jane herself eludes me. She is the bravest girl that I've ever known. She's smart and clever as they come. And her plodding, steady work ethic speaks volumes. She could honestly be Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, or Hufflepuff. All three fit her equally well. What do you think?

Mildly Surprised

So I'm sitting here at about 12:45 in the morning while Episode One plays in the background. We watched Kindom of Heaven earlier and Jane wanted something a little more "kid friendly". I am being somewhat taken aback by how utterly not-crappy it is. I mean it's not Oscar worthy in any sense of the word but I remember this film being a lot crappier than it is. It's surprisingly decent. It's amazing what a few years can do to soften the hard edge of criticism. By the way, this upcoming May will be the TENTH ANNIVERSARY of Episode One. Doesn't that make you feel old?

I interview tomorrow morning with First Investors. I don't have a day of real financial experience in my life. Please pray for me. I really need a job. Soon.

Also, on a lighter note, I've begun the process of what Tolkien called 'sub-creation'. More on that in the future.

It's almost midnight on Tuesday night/Wednesday morning and Anderson Cooper on CNN is telling me that Obama is my next president.

So be it.

I voted for McCain, and yet, I'm not upset, oddly enough. The LORD is gracious, wise, merciful, and compassionate. He will not lead us down the path of destruction. And if He does, then He is wiser than I. I don't agree with almost ANYTHING that Obama stands for, but my allegiance isn't even really to America. I'm a resident alien - a Pilgrim in an unholy land. I will do what I can to help my brothers and sisters and give the rest to God.

So be it.

Thoroughly Corrugated... With some Sagely Advice to Boot.

Life is difficult at times. I sit here on a couch in the home of my soon-to-be mother-in-law as I type this out. The job search is going nowhere here in upstate New York. My degree is such that I am either entirely over-qualified for a position or completely under-qualified. Anything of value requires special certification to apply for. I can't be a teacher. I can't be a security guard. I can't be a children's worker. According to one site, I'm not even qualified to be a janitor.

A four year, one hundred thousand dollar education, and I can't even scrub skid marks out of a toilet bowl in the men's restroom. What kind of a sick world do we live in? I'm aware that the economy is particularly bad right now and everyone (especially employers) is nervous. But come on! I am supposedly in the top twenty percent of the most highly educated and financially affluent (until recently) state in the modern world and I have been unemployed - with the exception of a week long stint at a furniture store - since graduation. And believe me it hasn't been from a lack of trying. I am applying every single day, whether it be online or in person. Where in the name of Ba'alzamon are all the jobs?

I saw a commercial the other day that made the claim that one in four students drops out before finishing High School. How the hell are these irresponsible, unmotivated little shits finding work and being paid enough to raise a family, while guys with Bachelor's Degrees aren't even allowed to scrub toilets. Did I just waste the past four years of my life? With the very notable exceptions of my wife and my friends, I am tempted to say 'yes'.

And so, I continue to apply to local jobs here in New York, knowing that I will most likely never be called back for an interview - which is a shame, because I interview very, very well. At Jane's insistence, I've begun the process of applying to less conventional workplaces. I recently began drafting a writing sample to send to several Video Game companies in Texas, Canada, and the West Coast. I doubt the chances of my being hired by companies like Bioware, Obsidian, and Lucasarts are much above 0.025% but it can't hurt to try, and the thought of helping to create award winning stories that bring joy to millions of gamers the world over brings a smile to my heart. Jane convinced me to try when I saw that Bioware was looking for writers and the writing sample that they gave me (the one I'm supposed to do my best to emulate) was PATHETIC. I can do better than that. Much better. I'm going to prove to them. Damn it all, I'll show the bastards.

These past few months have taught me things.

First, never doubt how much your family loves you - be they your "real" family, or the family that has adopted you. Their love for you knows no bounds. Draw from it in times of need.

Second, a dog IS man's best. To those of you who doubt, or are "cat people"... May your blade chip and shatter.

Third, the love and devotion of a beautiful woman is to be prized and guarded above all earthly goods, loves, creeds, and causes.

Fourth, one's value MUST NOT be taken solely from the work one does, or the amount of money one brings home. This lesson is especially hard for young men with a more traditionalist upbringing.

Fifth, people WILL betray you. They are like serpents, even the Christian ones. Be ready for it. Show them love. Be polite and helpful. But don't dare trust them an inch. They can cut you to ribbons before you realize what's happened.

Sixth, death comes for us all. It must not be feared, dreaded, or anticipated. Instead, simply embrace it when it finally comes for you - not a moment sooner or later than it should have.

Seventh, Everything Japanese is AWESOME.

Eighth, be proud of your heritage. This is particularly applicable for those of you with Scottish, Irish, and Welsh ancestry. Never forget that the blood of Saints, Warriors, and Kings flows in your veins. Do not hesitate to draw from that wellspring of power. It is deep. And it is strong.

Ninth, don't EVER allow yourself to fall into the trap of the victim. You are a human being. And for all your weakness, frailty, and falleness, there courage, strength, and honor.

Tenth, Robert Downey Jr. is an amazing and hilarious actor. This isn't really that deep or profound... but that doesn't make it any less true.

Eleventh, without Christ, you are hopeless. I honestly don't know how those still in the thrall of the Dark keep going. If I was in their shoes, I would have killed myself by now. Life is hard enough when you HAVE hope. I don't know how people continue to breathe without it.

You know what I HATE?

Having my blog blocked due to a Terms of Service violation

I've had this thing for three-freakin'-days and they're saying this blog is acting like a spam blog. WTF mate? Ah well. I sent in a complaint and hope that all will be smoothed over soon.

FYI

By the way, I should probably mention that since Star Wars has been such a huge part of my life for the last 12 years or so, a LOT of the posts on this website will be rants somehow related to Star Wars or the larger scifi-fantasy genre in some form or another. Fair warnings unto you the reader.

STAR WARS - Attack of the Character Development

So I just finished watching Star Wars: The Clone Wars for the third time in two days just now, and I have to say - I applaud Dave Filoni and the people of Cartoon Network for the courage to actually show death and other "horrors of war" on a television network intended for children before 11 p.m. There is, sadly, more than enough kid-friendly battle droid humor to go around. However, the two episodes that I've seen have already dealt with more adult themes more thoughtfully and artfully than Lucas' much maligned prequel trilogy. In addition to CGI-bourne, bite-size looks at concepts of loyalty, spirituality, and the instrinsic value found in all sentient life, there has also been more character growth and development one hour of The Clone Wars than in the entire six hour prequel trilogy.

Well known characters like Skywalker and Kenobi are more fleshed out in this series (although, Ewan McGregor had already done as fine a job as anyone could have - given what he had to work with) Young Ahsoka Tano is cute and thankfully less annoying than I had initially feared. However, what truly makes this series give me hope for the future is its focus on peripheral Jedi - like Plo Koon and Kit Fisto - and, more importantly, the clones themselves. Filoni has managed to give each and every clone a unique and compelling personality. Despite the fact that every clone has the same face and is voiced by the same actor, I became interested in the plight of every single one of them. Well done Mr. Filoni. I pray that this streak of good SW writing can be extended well beyond two episodes.

F1RST P0ST!

I'm new to the world of blogging here on the interweb. It's late on a Saturday night and the call of the pillow... um... calls.. to me. Yeah.

Brief thought: If a religiously observant Jewish woman discovers that she has a yeast infection on Passover night, does she have to leave the house before the Passover Seder? Maybe I should ask a Rabbi. I don't why I'm asking you.