Thanks to my guild leader, my Blood Elf Paladin's name will be imortalized in his new web comic Ding!
The other day Scott asked me if he could use LilGalKills for the name of the Blood Elf Rogue in the comic. Of course I said yes. It should be starting soon, I'll make another post at that time.
2008-01-19
2008-01-05
American Airlines
In regard to American Airlines allowing BAE Systems to test an anti-missle defense on test airliners:
"Fort Worth-based American, a unit of AMR Corp., has said anti-missile defense is best handled by stopping terrorists from getting missiles that could shoot down commercial jets and by improving security around airports."
That could be the most ignorant statement possible with regard to this situation. Both "solutions" are naieve.
The first aspect is considering how many shoulder launched missle systems are in the hands of underpaid soldiers in former-Soviet countries. If you aproached one of those units and said you'd pay 80,000 for a single launcher, what do you think they would do? 80k and all they have to say is that one was destroyed by a forklift in a warehouse, or in a training accident. This reeks of the same ignorance that thinks guns can be kept out of the hands of criminals.
The second, airport security, is full of dumb when you consider that these launchers have at least a 5 kilometer range. That includes straight up. So if they stood 10 miles from an airport, directly under an ingress path or holding area, they just have to point up, and any plane aproaching will be vulerable. This is a system that could easily be transported in a small car, truck, or even a motorcycle if the bad guys were bold enough.
American and BAE aren't using live flights or live weapons in the tests. Right now it's just testing the system to see if it can withstand the workload of an airliner. I presume one of the next steps will include a remotely-operated empty aircraft, and live missiles.
I do take my hat off to them for allowing these tests. But I can't help think American is getting some kickback for this. The DHS awarded this contract to BAE, and there is almost surely a provision in the contract that rewards airlines for participating.
BTW, I bet I jsut tricked Annie into reading this, just from the title.
"Fort Worth-based American, a unit of AMR Corp., has said anti-missile defense is best handled by stopping terrorists from getting missiles that could shoot down commercial jets and by improving security around airports."
That could be the most ignorant statement possible with regard to this situation. Both "solutions" are naieve.
The first aspect is considering how many shoulder launched missle systems are in the hands of underpaid soldiers in former-Soviet countries. If you aproached one of those units and said you'd pay 80,000 for a single launcher, what do you think they would do? 80k and all they have to say is that one was destroyed by a forklift in a warehouse, or in a training accident. This reeks of the same ignorance that thinks guns can be kept out of the hands of criminals.
The second, airport security, is full of dumb when you consider that these launchers have at least a 5 kilometer range. That includes straight up. So if they stood 10 miles from an airport, directly under an ingress path or holding area, they just have to point up, and any plane aproaching will be vulerable. This is a system that could easily be transported in a small car, truck, or even a motorcycle if the bad guys were bold enough.
American and BAE aren't using live flights or live weapons in the tests. Right now it's just testing the system to see if it can withstand the workload of an airliner. I presume one of the next steps will include a remotely-operated empty aircraft, and live missiles.
I do take my hat off to them for allowing these tests. But I can't help think American is getting some kickback for this. The DHS awarded this contract to BAE, and there is almost surely a provision in the contract that rewards airlines for participating.
BTW, I bet I jsut tricked Annie into reading this, just from the title.
2008-01-04
Iowa was funny!
Obama beat Hillary, Hahahahahaaaa! She couldn't even win the female voters, and that was supposed to be her core. Of course Iowa is just one state, but the political types seem to think it's a big deal, so I guess it is. They say New Hampshire could really solidify Obama as the lead Democrat, and I'd love that.
Tonight, as I read about his victory, I realized time that if he wins the Democratic nomination, for the first time in over 15 years, I won't be upset if a Democrat takes the office. This doesn't mean I'm voting for Obama, I'm still undecided and it will depend on the Republican candidate. But for once I won't be voting in an attempt to keep someone else OUT of office. It will be nice for a change.
However, if Hillary gets the nomination, I will definitely be voting Republican. I honestly don't think my vote will make a difference, but I'll be damned if I'm going to do nothing about it.
If you think about that last statement, it would really be wise for the Democrats to pick Obama as their choice. Republicans who are on the fence, may vote for him. But Democrats who would be on the fence with regard to Hillary would probably not be on the fence if Obama were a choice. I could see the sway go to the left, but not to the right.
Tonight, as I read about his victory, I realized time that if he wins the Democratic nomination, for the first time in over 15 years, I won't be upset if a Democrat takes the office. This doesn't mean I'm voting for Obama, I'm still undecided and it will depend on the Republican candidate. But for once I won't be voting in an attempt to keep someone else OUT of office. It will be nice for a change.
However, if Hillary gets the nomination, I will definitely be voting Republican. I honestly don't think my vote will make a difference, but I'll be damned if I'm going to do nothing about it.
If you think about that last statement, it would really be wise for the Democrats to pick Obama as their choice. Republicans who are on the fence, may vote for him. But Democrats who would be on the fence with regard to Hillary would probably not be on the fence if Obama were a choice. I could see the sway go to the left, but not to the right.
2008-01-03
My 2007 CD
We did another album for Christmas, and as usual, I didn't get the print out done that I wanted to. I was going to have Kinko's print out a little booklet that would fit in a CD jewel case, but didn't prepare enough in advance. So I'm blogging about my track selection instead.
My 2007 Tracklist:
1. Tegan And Sara - The Con
2. Tegan And Sara - Dark Come Soon
3. TNP - Myriad Harbour
4. TNP - Adventures in Solitude
5. Silversun Pickups - Checkered Floor
6. Silversun Pickups - Little Lover's So Polite
7. Silversun Pickups - Dream At Tempo 119
8. PJ harvey - When Under Ether
9. Iron & Wine - Carousel
10. Iron & Wine - Innocent Bones
11. Iron & Wine - Wolves
12. Iron & Wine - Boy With A Coin
13. The White Stripes - 300 M.P.H. Torrential Outpour Blues
14. The White Stripes - Little Cream Soda
15. Led Zeppelin - In the Evening
16. Stevie Ray Vaughan - Little Wing
17. Aerosmith - Back Back Train
Now the details:
1. Tegan And Sara - The Con
This is just an incredible song, it shouldn't need explaining. Hands down my favorite song from this album. What I love most about it is the energy of the vocals, guitars, synthesizer and the drums. I think they could have even sped it up a few BPM more.
2. Tegan And Sara - Dark Come Soon
I added this song mostly to try to put something on the album that I thought would have a broader appeal to the rest of the family. The guitar it starts out with is interestingly simple and pleasant, the kind of fun picking style that mom likes.
3. TNP - Myriad Harbour
I can't explain what it is about this song that I like so much. The vocal cadence at the begining is intruiging to me. That caught my attention almost immediately. The "question and answer" (even though no questions are asked and no answers are provided) style of having the rest of the singers join in with the lead is another aspect of what I like about it. It's really difficult to describe actually. Just listen to it and enjoy it for whatever reasons you find.
4. TNP - Adventures in Solitude
This is a happy-sad kind of song. It has a sad sound, and describes welcoming back the veteran of a war who feels guilt for surviving when their friends did not. But it does so with the tone an understanding friend would use when they welcome you back. I think it's the empathy in the song that sells it for me.
5. Silversun Pickups - Checkered Floor
I picked 3 SSP songs from Carnavas that were not regular radio songs, not that I have much of an idea what's on the radio. I was really expecting Marianne or Clayton to have a few SSP songs on their albums. Had I known they wouldn't, I'd have put on about 8 SSP songs total. Maybe it's good that I didn't know. Carnavas is an amazing album. It falls into the very exclusive category of albums that I can listen to more than a half dozen times in a row without growing tired of. I usually only change from this album because I fear that I will grow tired of it.
6. Silversun Pickups - Little Lover's So Polite
It's just got a good tempo and energy. After looking up the lyrics, it may not be the best topic though. I still love it.
7. Silversun Pickups - Dream At Tempo 119
I'm confident that Brian (the lead singer) is at least partially insane. This song is my proof. But it makes me wish that more singers were insane.
8. PJ harvey - When Under Ether
I almost didn't include any PJ Harvey songs for fear of everyone thinking I'm wierd. Well, more odd than you currently think I am. PJ Harvey is the kind of singer that you probably won't like from one song. You have to listen to a few, prefereably an entire album, over and over, to come to appreciate fully. I picked the song that, in my opinion, was the most accessible. Yes, the other ongs on White Chalk were even more odd. This at least had a pretty piano part to it.
9. Iron & Wine - Carousel
Have you heard this song. If so, then you know why I included it. You wouldn't even need to know English to appreciate how great this one it. That brings up a good point, do you have any music that you appreciate without being able to understand? The frist that comes to mind for me is Beethoven's 9th. I've looked up a translation, but that one symphony makes me want to learn German.
10. Iron & Wine - Innocent Bones
Just a nice slow smooth song. Odd lyrics. I enjoy it, like Carousel, without needing to listen to the words at all. A really cool banjo part fits in perfectly without making it "Ozark". Of course I'm a sucker for the pretty, whispy, background vocals that his wife provides.
11. Iron & Wine - Wolves
If you don't like the beat of this song, I can forgive you, but will probably never like you more than I like a passing stranger. All kidding aside, it's just fun to listen to.
12. Iron & Wine - Boy With A Coin
See the notes for track 11. I really didn't intend to have 4 Iron & Wine songs on this disc, but after picking a few, I found it difficult to remove them.
13. The White Stripes - 300 M.P.H. Torrential Outpour Blues
This is a great example of a modern blues song. It starts slow, crecendo's as it builds to it's climax, and then backs off slowly as the song ends. I almost added "A Martyr For My Love For You" from the same album, but I couldn't verify if it was singing about an inapropriate relationship or not. He was either too old to be dating the girl that is the focus of the song, or he just didn't consider himself worthy of her. Another great song, but my first impression of it was the age issue, and I didn't want to creep anyone out.
14. The White Stripes - Little Cream Soda
This is a great example of what The White Stripes mean to me: lo-fi and loud, fast and fun.
15. Led Zeppelin - In the Evening
A classic from one of Led Zeppelin's later albums "In Through The Out Door". I almost took this song off to make room for something more modern, then slapped myself for ever considering such a crime against classic rock.
16. Stevie Ray Vaughan - Little Wing
This is possibly my favorite SRV song ever. And this is easily my favorite version of his take on the Jimmy Hendrix classic (he has at least 3 versions of this song). If you listen to it, really listen, you can feel the sorrow bleed from his guitar.
17. Aerosmith - Back Back Train
A few years ago Aerosmith put out a mediocre album of electric blues. On that album was this gem (and at least one other song that made the album worth buying). This is electric blues at it's best; mean, dirty, and loud. It has an aural "momentum" to it, you feel like the song has the energy and innevitability of a train bearing down on you. Whatever the outcome of that approach, the train passes you as the song decrecendo's on it's way to another victim.
My 2007 Tracklist:
1. Tegan And Sara - The Con
2. Tegan And Sara - Dark Come Soon
3. TNP - Myriad Harbour
4. TNP - Adventures in Solitude
5. Silversun Pickups - Checkered Floor
6. Silversun Pickups - Little Lover's So Polite
7. Silversun Pickups - Dream At Tempo 119
8. PJ harvey - When Under Ether
9. Iron & Wine - Carousel
10. Iron & Wine - Innocent Bones
11. Iron & Wine - Wolves
12. Iron & Wine - Boy With A Coin
13. The White Stripes - 300 M.P.H. Torrential Outpour Blues
14. The White Stripes - Little Cream Soda
15. Led Zeppelin - In the Evening
16. Stevie Ray Vaughan - Little Wing
17. Aerosmith - Back Back Train
Now the details:
1. Tegan And Sara - The Con
This is just an incredible song, it shouldn't need explaining. Hands down my favorite song from this album. What I love most about it is the energy of the vocals, guitars, synthesizer and the drums. I think they could have even sped it up a few BPM more.
2. Tegan And Sara - Dark Come Soon
I added this song mostly to try to put something on the album that I thought would have a broader appeal to the rest of the family. The guitar it starts out with is interestingly simple and pleasant, the kind of fun picking style that mom likes.
3. TNP - Myriad Harbour
I can't explain what it is about this song that I like so much. The vocal cadence at the begining is intruiging to me. That caught my attention almost immediately. The "question and answer" (even though no questions are asked and no answers are provided) style of having the rest of the singers join in with the lead is another aspect of what I like about it. It's really difficult to describe actually. Just listen to it and enjoy it for whatever reasons you find.
4. TNP - Adventures in Solitude
This is a happy-sad kind of song. It has a sad sound, and describes welcoming back the veteran of a war who feels guilt for surviving when their friends did not. But it does so with the tone an understanding friend would use when they welcome you back. I think it's the empathy in the song that sells it for me.
5. Silversun Pickups - Checkered Floor
I picked 3 SSP songs from Carnavas that were not regular radio songs, not that I have much of an idea what's on the radio. I was really expecting Marianne or Clayton to have a few SSP songs on their albums. Had I known they wouldn't, I'd have put on about 8 SSP songs total. Maybe it's good that I didn't know. Carnavas is an amazing album. It falls into the very exclusive category of albums that I can listen to more than a half dozen times in a row without growing tired of. I usually only change from this album because I fear that I will grow tired of it.
6. Silversun Pickups - Little Lover's So Polite
It's just got a good tempo and energy. After looking up the lyrics, it may not be the best topic though. I still love it.
7. Silversun Pickups - Dream At Tempo 119
I'm confident that Brian (the lead singer) is at least partially insane. This song is my proof. But it makes me wish that more singers were insane.
8. PJ harvey - When Under Ether
I almost didn't include any PJ Harvey songs for fear of everyone thinking I'm wierd. Well, more odd than you currently think I am. PJ Harvey is the kind of singer that you probably won't like from one song. You have to listen to a few, prefereably an entire album, over and over, to come to appreciate fully. I picked the song that, in my opinion, was the most accessible. Yes, the other ongs on White Chalk were even more odd. This at least had a pretty piano part to it.
9. Iron & Wine - Carousel
Have you heard this song. If so, then you know why I included it. You wouldn't even need to know English to appreciate how great this one it. That brings up a good point, do you have any music that you appreciate without being able to understand? The frist that comes to mind for me is Beethoven's 9th. I've looked up a translation, but that one symphony makes me want to learn German.
10. Iron & Wine - Innocent Bones
Just a nice slow smooth song. Odd lyrics. I enjoy it, like Carousel, without needing to listen to the words at all. A really cool banjo part fits in perfectly without making it "Ozark". Of course I'm a sucker for the pretty, whispy, background vocals that his wife provides.
11. Iron & Wine - Wolves
If you don't like the beat of this song, I can forgive you, but will probably never like you more than I like a passing stranger. All kidding aside, it's just fun to listen to.
12. Iron & Wine - Boy With A Coin
See the notes for track 11. I really didn't intend to have 4 Iron & Wine songs on this disc, but after picking a few, I found it difficult to remove them.
13. The White Stripes - 300 M.P.H. Torrential Outpour Blues
This is a great example of a modern blues song. It starts slow, crecendo's as it builds to it's climax, and then backs off slowly as the song ends. I almost added "A Martyr For My Love For You" from the same album, but I couldn't verify if it was singing about an inapropriate relationship or not. He was either too old to be dating the girl that is the focus of the song, or he just didn't consider himself worthy of her. Another great song, but my first impression of it was the age issue, and I didn't want to creep anyone out.
14. The White Stripes - Little Cream Soda
This is a great example of what The White Stripes mean to me: lo-fi and loud, fast and fun.
15. Led Zeppelin - In the Evening
A classic from one of Led Zeppelin's later albums "In Through The Out Door". I almost took this song off to make room for something more modern, then slapped myself for ever considering such a crime against classic rock.
16. Stevie Ray Vaughan - Little Wing
This is possibly my favorite SRV song ever. And this is easily my favorite version of his take on the Jimmy Hendrix classic (he has at least 3 versions of this song). If you listen to it, really listen, you can feel the sorrow bleed from his guitar.
17. Aerosmith - Back Back Train
A few years ago Aerosmith put out a mediocre album of electric blues. On that album was this gem (and at least one other song that made the album worth buying). This is electric blues at it's best; mean, dirty, and loud. It has an aural "momentum" to it, you feel like the song has the energy and innevitability of a train bearing down on you. Whatever the outcome of that approach, the train passes you as the song decrecendo's on it's way to another victim.
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