Sunday, October 12, 2008

Monday, April 28, 2008

WOAH WOAH...what?

So today snuck up on me like a bad case of hemorrhoids. I thought I'd have enough time to get my final project up and going but alas that did not happen. But fear not I will be posting a video shortly on here (hopefully 2 more days at the most).

From the Sidways book...

I was torn between a couple different areas in the book so I'll give a run down of them along with some quotes.

Dreams: I think most people are fascinated by what pops into their heads at night. This chapter gives examples of the various kinds of dreams we have.

The one example that struck me as interesting was a story of a particular lucid dream. Three people undergoing a dream study agreed to rendezvous in the dream world. They picked out a specific bench in a particular park at a certain time. Two of them "met" in the dream world while the third never showed up. Later he said he had forgotten to remind himself of the meeting place before going to bed. Now this story sounds all nice and neat, but we never learn how long it took for the two to actually find each other in their dreams (how many nights of sleep), nor do most people have complete control on what and when they dream. But I would not be the least bit surprised if it actually happened. Imagine the possibilities dreams would offer if we could willfully shape them and "meet" with anyone from around the world.

Fact - We spend about 25 years sleeping (some even more, like yours truly) and 7 % of that dreaming.


Synchronicity: This "chapter" is just fun to read. It deals with behaviors that are carried throughout a species using brain powers from the 10th DIMENSION! *wooooeeeeeooooooo*

The example the book gives (and what I've seen on a PBS program) is an instance where an isolated island off of Japan is introduced to sweet potatoes. The native wild monkeys in this area are unable to successfully eat these new vegetables without getting sand and dirt on them. Well one super smart simian decides to wash one off in the water and viola, now has an edible potato. Naturally the other monkeys learn from this and follow suit. However, monkeys on the mainland and in other isolated islands begin to do the same behavior (washing the potatoes) without ever being shown how. Without any sort of concrete evidence on why this happened, we are brought to the possibility of being linked together within the same species (mind wise). Although this could be written off as a coincidence. Which leads me to...

a similar example of the above mentioned situation on pg. 82 that deals with human behavior (I suggest checking it out).


Paradigms: Basically how you see the world through your lens.

One quote sums up this chapter:

'How delightfully the fishes are enjoying themselves', exclaimed Soshi.

'You are not a fish', commented his friend, 'how do you know that the fishes are enjoying themselves?'

'You are not myself', answered Soshi; 'how do you know, that I do not know, that the fishes are enjoying themselves?'

- Taoist dialogue

And something I stumbled across that deals with paradigms: http://www.theflatearthsociety.org/

Yes it's real. Am I the only one that feels like a genius right about now?

Breaking the Rules

If defiling The Mona Lisa isn't breaking the rules, then I don't know what is.

Sunday, April 27, 2008

Connections


My friend code for Super Smash Bros. Brawl is: 4768-7860-7658 Hit me up anytime in the evening, usually on the weekends!

This is a way of connecting right?

Senseless Senses

I decided to give up on my sense of sight for 10 minutes today. To me, losing my sight would be one of the scariest and toughest things to encounter. Therefore I decided to give up this sense. Safe to say that I was totally thrown off and it was extremely difficult to navigate even my own house. I've heard that when sight is lost, hearing will naturally improve in order to pick up the "slack". I think that this is true to some extent but I think that it has more to do with the visually impared consciously picking up on subtle sounds that everyone can hear but don't take the time to actually "hear" or decipher. Ten minutes is obviously not enough time to give my hearing enough time to adjust to a new way of seeing, nor did I know what to listen for. So yea...I think the below picture explains what happened.

Saturday, April 26, 2008

Midterm Questions

  1. What has been the single best aspect of this class thus far?

I'm not going to lie. The single best aspect of this class is that I don't feel like I NEED to attend class every week, nor does it count against my grade, i.e. missing 3 classes is a letter grade off. Seriously wtf is that bullshit? I pay to go to class. If I can't/don't want to attend a class then that is MY business. Not showing up to a class already has implied consequences: Essentially I'm wasting my own money and the fact that I missed that days materials, I am that much more at a disadvantage when it comes to getting a good grade. Why should I get slapped with another penalty of having my final letter grade lowered at the end of the semester? Did I just take a jump back to High School, for shits sake...

So thanks for treating us like adults, it is a nice feeling for once. I also like the flexible due dates for assignments. Sometimes things just don't come to me. I work a lot more efficiently under pressure :P.

  1. What is the single most important thing you want to walk away with from this class?
Let's see...well I don't think I will initially walk away with anything after the last class. I might shed a few tears knowing that I will not be seeing my fellow students for awhile - not really. But I would like to think that a couple years from now I will remember a few instances that may just fit into a specific situation that I am currently in. That is what I would like - a gift from the past.

Onion Assignment

I'm sorry but I can't do this onion (shudders) assignment. You see I hate onions. I even hate saying that awful O-word. It's offensive to all 5 senses and sometimes the 6th one. If I were to complete this assignment then I would be condoning that onions are ok...but they're not.

Object Assignment (Fork)

Ok, so the very first week we were given a fork to love and to cherish. I gave all the love and time that I could to this fork, but it still wasn't enough. At the time of the due date I was too embarrassed to say that my fork had up and left me for better things, never to return...or so I thought.


It was very hard to cope with my loss but I pushed on, never looking back, and certainly never shedding a tear.


Well some time had passed and wouldn't you know my fork came back. But he wasn't the same fork as before. It turns out that my fork had traveled to the future in order to escape this world where forks were used merely as tools. Not only does he have a new look but he can also shoot lazer beams (pew pew). Oh, and did I mention he's pissed?



Thursday, April 24, 2008

Play-Doh Caves

ZOMG I LUV MAKING PLAY-DOH CAVES! Sometimes the play-doh gets in my fingers and then I have to spend a lot of time washing them so that people don't think I'm dirty.


But in all seriousness, Plato's cave metaphor brings up an interesting premise, and to me contains an undeniable truth. I think that it is human nature to accept what you see as truth and it can become very difficult for a different paradigm to take place when something new or unexplained is introduced. I try to be as opened minded as I can in order to prevent dismissing ideas or thoughts that could otherwise benefit me or expand my thinking.

(I'm not sure why the picture has inverted colors.)

What Ifs...(FINALLY!)

What If...

a big red arrow appeared over your head every time you farted and lasted until the smell was gone?
cars were powered by farts?
Taco Bell and White Castle didn't make you fart?
Harlod and Kumar went to Taco Bell instead of White Castle?
I had super powers, would I be good, evil, anti-hero?
Moby wasn't bald, would he be as cool?
my parents loved me?
I loved my parents?
my thoughts could materialize?
the end of the world was tomorrow?
I was a wanted criminal?
everyone looked like Larry King (yes even women)?
no oxygen existed on earth starting.............NOW?!
I was the last man on earth?
the U.S. truly practiced freedom?
computers used humans to access the internet and play games?
pokemon were real?!?! I CHOOSE YOU PIKACHUUUU!
there was always a chance that wild spider-monkeys would chase you when you left the house? - wicked awesome
I could tell what the fuck women were thinking?
this assignment was 20 instead of 50 "What Ifs..."? - I'd be done by now
I didn't procrastinate from this point on in my life?
I was the last human on earth?
you didn't need to work to live comfortably, would society crumble?
I did turn into what I ate?
I had to "pass" what I ate without it being digested? yikes
ninjas and pirates ruled the earth?
Skrulls existed and our teacher was one of them?
blogs didn't exist, would our class have assignments?
I ran out of What Ifs?

JUST KIDDING

the prohibition hadn't failed?
we could use 100% of our brain's potential?
those stupid little croc shoes were created by Nancy Grace (spawn of satan) to capture your soul, would people still wear them?
higher education was actually affordable to everyone?
I could pick up the phone and dial God's number?
this person next to me took a shower every once and awhile? It really could do them some good.
you actually read all of these?
everything in the Bible was true/literal?
the earth was going through a global cooling?
sex was painful/unenjoyable (jokes aside)? Would we reproduce strictly based on the premise that we need to keep our species alive?
I had a bazillion-million-kajillion-infinity^10-ninety dollars?
my dog could talk to me?
cats were cool?
I HAD COMPLETE PEACE OF MIND?
this assignment was 44 instead of 50 "What Ifs..."? - I'd be done by now
your actions had no consequences?
I was Eddie Vedder, would you like me any better?
I had never been born at all?
my car was a TRANSFORMER! fawk yea!
I had no doubts?
this assignment was 50 instead of 50 "What Ifs..."? - I'd be done by...oh wait.

Sunday, April 6, 2008

"What the Bleep Do We Know" thoughts

I had seen the movie before but not in it's entirety. I think a lot of being able to enjoy this movie is to have a very open mind, especially on matters that haven't even been touched on in school. It still hasn't sunk in completely and I'm writing this a month after seeing it so that goes to show you how abstract it can be.

I do agree with most things that were said in the film, for example, I think that the attitude that one carries with them truly affects all aspects of that persons life. The example of the water crystals showed this and really surprised me with the results.

I found the part with the wedding party particularly interesting. (Warning: Long Sentence Ahead) I knew we had a complex system of nerves and connections that we used to create emotions but I never really thought about how past experiences can create new connections while severing others which can create completely different reactions, most of which are undesired. Our bodies are amazing, especially the human psyche.

I didn't completely understand the small part about the atoms that repel each other (negative repelling positive, or something like that). What I got from it was that nothing really completely touches each other. They gave the example of the basketball "hitting" the pavement, when in actuality it gets repelled from the pavement's surface. Maybe I am reading that part completely wrong but I just didn't fully comprehend it. I mean, I know I can touch things because I can describe how they feel.

All in all it was a very interesting and entertaining movie. I hear there is a second one out and plan on watching that one as well.

The 2 hours + some of my own time...

I know this is a long time coming however I still remember what I did for the couple hours of my own time.

I went out to a bar with a friend to meet one of my other friend's parents, kinda weird huh? Not really.

I truly have never met parents like this - we shall name them D and S. I had been going to their house on a regular basis all 4 years of high school to chill with my friend. Every time we hung out at their house they made me feel utterly and completely welcomed, like a part of their family. I was at their house so often that they eventually left the door unlocked for me to come in (I'd knock first of course). They didn't treat just me like this though, we had a core group of about 4 other guys that they made just as welcomed. Through this time we celebrated birthdays, family gatherings, camping trips, cedar point vacations, and made countless films in their basement: astronaut, wild west, ninja - you know all the standard stuff.

Anyway getting to present time...We met D and S at a local bar and had many drinks and cheers to the "good ol' days". Lots of shared memories were had and tons of laughing. It was just a great way to relax and spend time with friends. So yea that's what I did for my "Do whatever the hell I want" time.

Monday, March 24, 2008

So I have been slacking off this semester so unbelievably, I think my brain is just ready to be done with school forever. At the moment I am in the midst of an epic battle with it (my brain). I WILL get these assignments done, I plan on hitting them up hard this week. Pllllllllllllease be patient with me, I will not disappoint (I hope).

Sunday, February 17, 2008

Daily Post (from Sat.)

I didn't post anything Saturday but this is probably what it would have been (keep in mind I was at the bars all night).

ZOMgGGG I'm asoooooo drunnka. iM pushing sthsese buttons on mah keybarod and you are reading it AGAIN lawl.

Daily Post (from Fri.)

I didn't post anything Friday but this is probably what it would have been (keep in mind I was at the bars all night).

ZOMgGGG I'm asoooooo drunnka. iM pushing sthsese buttons on mah keybarod and you are reading it lawl.

Daily Post

Listening to:

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=6440334

Playing:

http://www.worldofwarcraft.com//index.xml

Watched:

http://www.apple.com/trailers/fox_searchlight/juno/

Reading:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Y:_The_Last_Man

Thursday, February 14, 2008

V for Vengeful

I'm wallowing in my loneliness in that dark and empty well that you are yelling into, now leave me alone!

Monday, February 11, 2008

What moves me?

Many things "move" or keep me going. Some of which are the following:


Mephistopheles


Music

As lame as it sounds, nothing gets me out of a rut more than listening to my favorite music artists. Unlike friends or other people you depend on, it is 100% dependable and will never refuse to help you through the tough times. Unless of course the CD skips in which case it's turned into one of my most hated things.


Family

My family has been there for me a lot but my little bro has probably helped me out the most. It helps to watch him play or hear him talk all without a care in the world. Makes you realize the important things through some of the things he does. I'm kind of being vague at the moment, maybe I'll go into detail later. I think he's flicking me off in this picture, tough love huh?


Beauty

Beauty comes in all forms right? It's hard to show the inner kind though so I went with the skin deep (I don't think any of the guys will complain though). The above women I am pretty much in love with. Not only are they amazingly HAWT but they exhibit a confidence that I find equally attractive. They keep their lives private and don't seem to starve for attention, 'nuff said.

and...


Ben


There are many more things that move me or keep me going, perhaps I'll expand on this later.

Sunday, February 3, 2008

Video Feedback

I already knew I liked Robot Chicken so nothing came to me as a surprise. I've actually seen the episode we watched - funny stuff.

I watch PBS a lot, usually around 3 a.m. before I go to sleep (I have no cable). I've never seen the program we watched and I did enjoy seeing the artist's pieces but some of them came off too artsy-fartsy for me.

I didn't really care for the last video. It didn't seem to have a story and the lack of dialogue/narration drove me crazy. I guess it's meant to be ambiguous for people to put their own meaning to it but that's bullshit in my opinion. The CG animation was pretty good and it showed off some neat visual effects. My input - hire a writer.

What If... (made reality)

I took my "What If..." from Garin Grist's "What if a zombie outbreak really did happen."

I'm not going to lie...I almost anticipate a zombie outbreak to happen sometime before I pass on to the next life. Whether it's brought on by some space comet that magically brings the dead back to life. Or maybe a viral infection that causes a thirst for blood. Or maybe god just wants to fuck with us and see who wins in a fight. In the back of my head, I have prepared myself to go this way - I'll meet my maker with a sizeable chunk missing from my jugular (but not before chowing down on a few unfortunate bystanders first).

After watching several zombie movies you can't help but think "What would I do in the same situation?". I think that's what makes zombie flicks so great. They don't even have to be of Romero quality for you to think about how exhilirating (scary) it would be to have a zombie army rampaging through your town while being stranded with only a can of cheez wiz, a lighter, and your smarts (or lack there of).

I would like to think that I would pass a zombie attack and live to tell about it. I would like to think that I would do exactly the opposite of what everyone does in the movies when a zombie "situation" happens:
  • Lets go see what that crunching noise is in that ominously dark room. - No thanks.
  • Hey lets pretend we're zombies, that could fool them! - Zombies aren't that dum.
  • These soldiers with the guns can't help us, lets split off! - Um, I'm fine sticking with the guys carrying the boom sticks.
  • OH $&%#!!! I left Dinkus my pet turtle at home...across town, we have to go back!. - I'll buy you a new Dinkus.
Of course the outcomes of these situations can be easily averted. But what if cutie-pie stupid face (you know, that one person out of the whole group who's too stupid too realize the gravity of the situation and usually ends up being a girl that has nice assests but lacks the brain cells) just couldn't help nab a free Gucci handbag from the recently ransacked fashion mall. Well she got a free $4,000 purse but little did she know ted the undead was giving away free bites with every bag. She somehow escaped but now has a non fatal bite wound...at least not yet.

FOR THE LOVE OF ALLAH YOU NEED TO DITCH THE BITCH!
  • Tell her you're going to meet up at one place but go somewhere else then gtfo (get the fuck out).
  • Tell her that tomorrow is national sleep in day, recognized by humans and zombies alike, so you wont be getting up early to continue your journey to safety, then gtfo early morning.
  • Tell her that it's just a flesh wound and there's nothing to worry about then gtfo right in front of her.
I know I know. She has looks that rival Jennifer Connelly and you had this crazy idea that you would get married, have a black labrador named Rosco, three lovely children, and live in a house just off the coast of Maine with the sounds of the surf beating against the rocks and the smell of the salty air to greet you every morning. But things are looking grim when she starts to see you as a meal in about...oh a couple hours or so.

So what I'm trying to say in short is that one must do anything in order to survive a zombie attack, even put a bullet in your best friends head in order to stem an outbreak within your survival party (or create some sort of collar and keep him/her as a zombie pet - not recommended).

Guild leader is bugging me to come raid Stormwind and I still need to buy some consumables for the vicious battles ahead so I'll leave you with the above.