I had the boys from work over to my house this past Saturday for a little night of gaming. A couple of us all own EA Sports' Fight Night Round 2, and we had all been talking shit to each other about how so-and-so was going to beat so-and-so. Well, Saturday night came around and it was time to settle all the grudge matches. The main one that was brewing was between myself and my friend Jason. He and his wife (sorry Christy; I swear they'll be more girls here next time so you won't be bored) showed up about midway through the night and it was time to fight. Up until Jason had arrived, we had already had a pretty fun time fighting each other in Soulcalibur II and then we had decided to start Fight Night. I had already decimated most of my opponents in Fight Night until the time Jason arrived; in fact, so complete was the destruction of my opponents that they usually resorted to DQ'ing themselves in the fight to avoid any more public humiliation.
But now Jason was here. It was time to prove who is the best. At first, Jason was having trouble fighting me like all the rest. In his defense, he was using a pre-made character versus my created character who I had built up through the career mode. Translation: my character is stronger overall than the one he was using. Also, he was playing on the opposite side from what he is used to. For those of you who might not understand this, in Fight Night (and in some other games) the first player is always oriented on the left-side of the screen no matter how much you move the character around. So, some people get used to this and have trouble when they have to play the second-player side which would always be oriented on the right. So being the benevolent gaming god that I am, I offered Jason a chance at redemption by allowing him to choose a more even character and letting him play as the first-player. Now, you would think that my benevolence would be rewarded with a good, clean fight. Nay, good sir/madam. You would be wrong!
Somehow, Jason paid off the virtual referee! We were in the middle of a classic heavyweight fight, going 10 rounds strong! I will easily admit that Jason was hurting me with brutal haymakers, but I was landing a lot more shots on Jason each round. Though mine were weaker, the fact that I was hitting a larger percentage and amount of hits was winning me rounds with the judges. Then sometime in the middle of the 10th round, the ref stops the fight! WTF?!? What gives you the audacity to stop this match?! Bah, so what if I can't see out of one eye? I still have one good eye! And I was winning on two of the three judges cards, and was set to win by decision after the 12th round! This treasonous attempt to usurp my throne by Jason will not go unchallenged! I was never knocked out, and I will never acknowledge any win that Jason might claim he has! He paid off the ref to save him, because he knew he was never going to win this fight!
Monday, May 23, 2005
Saturday, May 21, 2005
Rest in Peace, Red Dog ...
A couple of weeks ago, I was alerted to some horrible news. The Red Dog Bar & Grill had closed. A friend of mine from work, who also was the person to introduce me to this wonderful place, told me.
X, rotfiend and I have all gone there many times, and we got to know some of the people who had worked there. It was a fun place, with a rustic look and damn good music coming from the jukebox. Kinda small, but there was a deck out front that could accomadate quite a lot of people. Parking was shitty, but then we always parked next door in the shopping plaza anyway. The food was always great and they had a good selection of beer on tap and in bottles (who can go wrong with some Shinerbock). A lot of times, X and I would meet up there after a long day at work on a Thursday and just relax, roll some bones, and drink until we had to meet some friends later on in the evening. Oh, and did I mention that Thursday nights were Theme Nights. I don't really know how it started, and I don't really care. All I know is that I liked it! The women all seemed to enjoy it, and I'm sure their tips over the course of a Thursday evening got to be pretty nice. The bar also got a pretty good amount of people regularly coming in. It was located near Macdill Airforce base, so a lot of military came. I have personally seen players from the Tampa Bay Lightning at the Red Dog, including Vincent Lecavalier and Dave Andreychuk. When they won Lord Stanley's Cup, they even brought it there. Shit, we enjoyed going there so much that myself and two others were plotting to buy the place. Be much more fun than what we do now, that's for sure. Unfortunately, that's all over now.
I can't say it came as much of a surprise when I heard that the Red Dog was gone. Their website (luckily archived by the Wayback Machine) had been unreachable for quite a few months. From what I understand, near the end you could go there and ask for a certain beer only to be told that they didn't have any. How can a bar not have shit like Bud Light?
Well, it was fun while it lasted. Have to pick a new watering hole, I reckon. As X likes to say, I hate to watch you go, Red Dog, but I love to watch you leave.
X, rotfiend and I have all gone there many times, and we got to know some of the people who had worked there. It was a fun place, with a rustic look and damn good music coming from the jukebox. Kinda small, but there was a deck out front that could accomadate quite a lot of people. Parking was shitty, but then we always parked next door in the shopping plaza anyway. The food was always great and they had a good selection of beer on tap and in bottles (who can go wrong with some Shinerbock). A lot of times, X and I would meet up there after a long day at work on a Thursday and just relax, roll some bones, and drink until we had to meet some friends later on in the evening. Oh, and did I mention that Thursday nights were Theme Nights. I don't really know how it started, and I don't really care. All I know is that I liked it! The women all seemed to enjoy it, and I'm sure their tips over the course of a Thursday evening got to be pretty nice. The bar also got a pretty good amount of people regularly coming in. It was located near Macdill Airforce base, so a lot of military came. I have personally seen players from the Tampa Bay Lightning at the Red Dog, including Vincent Lecavalier and Dave Andreychuk. When they won Lord Stanley's Cup, they even brought it there. Shit, we enjoyed going there so much that myself and two others were plotting to buy the place. Be much more fun than what we do now, that's for sure. Unfortunately, that's all over now.
I can't say it came as much of a surprise when I heard that the Red Dog was gone. Their website (luckily archived by the Wayback Machine) had been unreachable for quite a few months. From what I understand, near the end you could go there and ask for a certain beer only to be told that they didn't have any. How can a bar not have shit like Bud Light?
Well, it was fun while it lasted. Have to pick a new watering hole, I reckon. As X likes to say, I hate to watch you go, Red Dog, but I love to watch you leave.
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
*^@G$!
I am simply going to stop mentioning how I intend to finish this, or do that, and just fucking write.
OK, took two tests in the past week that were linked off this journal of sorts that I read now. A friend of mine from work showed this site to me after I got back from Japan, and quite frankly it is awesome. I cannot say I witnessed any of the things that Azrael mentions in his posts (except for the hidden trash can in Kyoto; wtf is up with that?), but reading about his experience kind of makes me want to go back. If you are interested in a little read, go to I am a Japanese School Teacher.
As for the tests, here were my results.
OK, took two tests in the past week that were linked off this journal of sorts that I read now. A friend of mine from work showed this site to me after I got back from Japan, and quite frankly it is awesome. I cannot say I witnessed any of the things that Azrael mentions in his posts (except for the hidden trash can in Kyoto; wtf is up with that?), but reading about his experience kind of makes me want to go back. If you are interested in a little read, go to I am a Japanese School Teacher.
As for the tests, here were my results.
| Pretty good You are 64% smarty pants! |
| Good Also check out The Academically Hardcore Test. |
My test tracked 1 variable How you compared to other people your age and gender:
|
| Link: The Understand Stuff Around You Test written by backatcha on Ok Cupid |
| Softcore You scored 24 gunnerness! |
| You're Also check out The Understand Stuff Around You Test. |
My test tracked 1 variable How you compared to other people your age and gender:
|
| Link: The Academically Hardcore Test written by backatcha on Ok Cupid |
Saturday, April 30, 2005
It's Updating Time!
Been a long time, hasn't it? Ok, time to fill everyone in on what's been going on the last few weeks.
1. Japan
First of all, my vacation in Japan was awesome. Despite the fact that I was sick throughout (and felt progressively worse each day), I still felt it was all well worth the effort. I met a lot of cool people that I still try to talk to when I can. I definitely plan on going again, maybe next year. I must also give props to Pop Japan Travel, the company I booked the vacation through. I felt the tour was run in a way that gave us a lot to do, but didn't compromise on our free time in the country. All of our tour guides were very helpful, knowledgeable and friendly. I definitely plan on going out to Japan with all of you again!
2. Health
On the way to Japan, it seems I caught a cold. Thai Airways did not have the air conditioner running on the plane when it was sitting in the LAX terminal, so it was hot when we got on. It stayed warm almost the entire flight (12 hours), and one thing I cannot stand is being stuck in a warm area with no place to go to cool down. Upon landing in Kansai International Airport, I already had a sore throat. As the trip proceeded, I progressively got worse and developed a cough, congestion, stuffy/runny nose and nightly fevers. Unfortunately, I am unfamiliar with Japanese OTC medicine, and neither myself nor X had thought to bring more than a small amount of medicine (neither of us expected to get sick, but then who does ...). The worst part was still to come, however. The flights home were an absolute nightmare, as the changes in pressure that I experienced during all three flights (Kansai->LAX, LAX->Houston, Houston->Tampa) gave me a full-blown sinus infection. Finally home, I was able to go to my doctor and I got medicine for 10 days. After the 10 days were up, I felt pretty good and thought I had beaten it. I was wrong. I was well for maybe 2-3 days, and then I started feeling like I had a mild sore throat. It's never gotten any worse than that, just a mild sore throat and a cough. It's annoying, but it's much better than the sinus headaches I was having right after I got home. I plan on going to my doctor again on Monday to get another prescription for antibiotics and decongestants.
The other bad part about this infection is that it makes me lethargic and so I haven't gone to the gym since I got back from Japan. I was doing real good and going to the gym 3 times/week and really working hard at getting back into shape. I'm not really that overweight, in fact, I wouldn't mind weighing what I do if it was muscle and not fat. I just hate missing this time in the gym.
3. Gaming
I have four new items to review, but that will be in the next post. I will mention each one briefly, just so you know what's been occupying my time.
1. Japan
First of all, my vacation in Japan was awesome. Despite the fact that I was sick throughout (and felt progressively worse each day), I still felt it was all well worth the effort. I met a lot of cool people that I still try to talk to when I can. I definitely plan on going again, maybe next year. I must also give props to Pop Japan Travel, the company I booked the vacation through. I felt the tour was run in a way that gave us a lot to do, but didn't compromise on our free time in the country. All of our tour guides were very helpful, knowledgeable and friendly. I definitely plan on going out to Japan with all of you again!
2. Health
On the way to Japan, it seems I caught a cold. Thai Airways did not have the air conditioner running on the plane when it was sitting in the LAX terminal, so it was hot when we got on. It stayed warm almost the entire flight (12 hours), and one thing I cannot stand is being stuck in a warm area with no place to go to cool down. Upon landing in Kansai International Airport, I already had a sore throat. As the trip proceeded, I progressively got worse and developed a cough, congestion, stuffy/runny nose and nightly fevers. Unfortunately, I am unfamiliar with Japanese OTC medicine, and neither myself nor X had thought to bring more than a small amount of medicine (neither of us expected to get sick, but then who does ...). The worst part was still to come, however. The flights home were an absolute nightmare, as the changes in pressure that I experienced during all three flights (Kansai->LAX, LAX->Houston, Houston->Tampa) gave me a full-blown sinus infection. Finally home, I was able to go to my doctor and I got medicine for 10 days. After the 10 days were up, I felt pretty good and thought I had beaten it. I was wrong. I was well for maybe 2-3 days, and then I started feeling like I had a mild sore throat. It's never gotten any worse than that, just a mild sore throat and a cough. It's annoying, but it's much better than the sinus headaches I was having right after I got home. I plan on going to my doctor again on Monday to get another prescription for antibiotics and decongestants.
The other bad part about this infection is that it makes me lethargic and so I haven't gone to the gym since I got back from Japan. I was doing real good and going to the gym 3 times/week and really working hard at getting back into shape. I'm not really that overweight, in fact, I wouldn't mind weighing what I do if it was muscle and not fat. I just hate missing this time in the gym.
3. Gaming
I have four new items to review, but that will be in the next post. I will mention each one briefly, just so you know what's been occupying my time.
- God of War: Platform - PS2.
- Fight Night Round 2: Platform - PS2 & Xbox
- Jade Empire: Platform - Xbox
- Sony Playstation Portable (PSP)
That's it for now. I hope to have the full writeup for my Japan vacation up shortly, and then I will review the above games/system. Hope everyone's doing well, and I will be updating more frequently now that I have the energy.
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
Not quite finished, but almost there ...
OK, you've all been very patient with me and I appreciate that. I still haven't finished writing up my experiences in Japan, but I have gone ahead and made the pictures available to view online. If you go to my website I have created links to the folders that contain pictures for each day I was there. When the writeup is posted, I will be able to provide more context for the pictures so you have a better understanding of where I went and what I did each day of the trip. So I guess this could be considered a little teaser. Enjoy!
Aargh ...
Terribly sorry for the lack of updates lately. I do expect to be posting a major update tonight on both this blog and my webpage. I will have the pictures and summary for my trip to Japan up, as well as other thoughts since I have gotten back. No promises, but that's my only real goal for tonight after work.
Monday, April 04, 2005
I'm not dead yet ...
Cold is still kicking my ass, but now that I have American medicine and God of War in my hands I believe I will pull though. The pictures from the trip have been transferred over to my webserver, but I have not posted the link yet. Need to build up a nice page for them first. Also, I have some pictures that I got from one of the guys X and I met on the trip. He was rotfiend's roommate, and a really cool kid. I want to post some of his pictures too, but I will get his permission before I do anything. Any questions about my trip will automatically be referred to this one sentence.
PJT Spring Tour 2005 was XTREME!!!
Friday, April 01, 2005
Quick update ....
I know I said would be updating everyday while I was in Japan, but obviously that's not happening. Here's the quick update.
- Long and short of it is, the plane ride got me sick. After riding in that plane for 12 hours, I came out with a sore throat. This has now developed into absolute misery. Sore throat, fever, head cold, stuffy/runny nose ... yet I push on ...
- Despite my physical ailment, the trip has been absolutely wonderful. Have met some very cool people. Seen many cool things. And, hey, it's Japan!
- Pictures will not be posted until I get back. Sorry to those who were looking forward to them, but you'll have to wait a while longer.
OK, I'd like to say more but I can no longer breathe. I fear I may not be long for this world ...
Monday, March 28, 2005
Konbanwa!
As I write this, it is currently 9:36 PM in Kansai International Airport. All I have to report at this time is that 12 hours in economy class on a 747 would not I have been much of a problem if it hadn't been about 85 fucking degrees in the cabin. I have been flying on planes for about 20 years now, and I have never been in a plane that was that hot during the flight. Despite this, Thai Airways still gets a thumbs up for free alcohol (plenty of wine, cognac, and mixed drinks) and damn good food. No pictures yet.
Tuesday, March 22, 2005
Friday, March 18, 2005
My Love for You is Like Usurper!
| The Usurper You scored 52% Cardinal, 17% Monk, 29% Lady, and 78% Knight! |
| You have both the lust for war of the Knight and the wicked morals of the Cardinal. You are truly a dangerous one who likes power and will stop at nothing to get it. If the king dares stand in the way of your ambitions you will have no qualms about removing him from the throne and placing yourself there instead. You scored high as both the Knight and the Cardinal. You can try again to get a more precise description of either the Cardinal or the Knight, or you can be happy that you're an individual. |
 |
My test tracked 4 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender:
|
| Link: The Who Would You Be in 1400 AD Test written by KnightlyKnave on Ok Cupid |
Well, Badstar, how does this work for you?
Back on 03/11/05 I posted a link to an MSNBC story touching on how far robotics has advanced in Japan. I had joked about picking up a robot when I'm there on vacation starting at the end of next week. Of course, Badstar had an excellent comment on my post.
(Note: I have used this image without the original creator's consent. Please contact me if this is a problem, so that I can remove it.)
(Note: I have used this image without the original creator's consent. Please contact me if this is a problem, so that I can remove it.)
Wednesday, March 16, 2005
Real things, Egg?
I took something today.
I can see things no one else can see. Do things no one else can do.
I can see things no one else can see. Do things no one else can do.
Sunday, March 13, 2005
SEC Tournament Champions
Florida 70 - Kentucky 53
Please note: I do not own the above image. I grabbed it through a Google Image Search.
Friday, March 11, 2005
Might need to purchase my own robot while I'm in Japan
Just saw this on MSNBC.com. When I'm in Japan, I'll try to at least get pictures. This is damn cool.
Japan embraced new generation of robots
Japan embraced new generation of robots
Wednesday, March 09, 2005
Sunday, March 06, 2005
Friday, February 25, 2005
T-minus 29 Days and counting ...
My first real vacation of this year will be starting in about a month and I absolutely cannot wait to go. For those of you who haven't been around me lately, myself and two friends (X and rotfiend) are going to be traveling to the Land of the Rising Sun at the end of March. I'll be gone for eight days and during the trip I will be visiting Kyoto, Osaka and Tokyo (with possibilities for even more places to see).
Since this will be my first time traveling to Japan, I am going as part of a tour group. I would have liked to done this all on my own, but with the limited amount of Japanese I have learned so far and my unfamiliarity with that part of the world I feel it's better if I go as part of a bigger group. Also, I have always expected that this will not be my only trip to Japan. For all intents and purposes, this is more like a scouting mission. I see no reason why I won't be going back at another time, and when I do so I can explore the country more on my own.
For those who are interested to know exactly what I'll be doing in Japan, here's the itinerary.
I'll add more on this later, cause right now I need to get back to work.
Since this will be my first time traveling to Japan, I am going as part of a tour group. I would have liked to done this all on my own, but with the limited amount of Japanese I have learned so far and my unfamiliarity with that part of the world I feel it's better if I go as part of a bigger group. Also, I have always expected that this will not be my only trip to Japan. For all intents and purposes, this is more like a scouting mission. I see no reason why I won't be going back at another time, and when I do so I can explore the country more on my own.
For those who are interested to know exactly what I'll be doing in Japan, here's the itinerary.
I'll add more on this later, cause right now I need to get back to work.
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
Jack of all trades, Master of none ...
I have waaaay too many interests. I've found myself trying to take on too many different activities at one time, but I have no desire to give up any one of them. Between work, video games, learning japanese/spanish/german, building a web site, studying for CCNA certification, seeing family, spending time with friends, exercise, Iaido, etc., I guess it shouldn't surprise me too much that I never feel like I have enough free time ...
... guess that might be why I am currently single. (Note to self: fix that)
But I digress. I find myself having many various interests. Some are due to a desire on my part to be more knowledgeable in a certain way, to enhance my career choices and path. Mainly this is evident in my trying to maintain a website (yes, trying being the operative word; haven't had the site up in two weeks at least now. Need to get that back on track.) and with my studying for CCNA certification. Other interests I have taken up are purely personal, to improve upon myself as a whole. I see this in my studying of different languages, as well as in my study of martial arts.
All in all, I aspire to achieve mastery in all the things that I have undertaken. The problem is that sometimes I feel that I'll never master any of them. Only be marginal in all of them. Don't know how I'd feel if that turned out to be the case. I can only do my best, and for now remain the jack of all trades and master of none ...
... well, I am master of one thing. The Ladder Match! And not a damn one of you can defeat me!
... guess that might be why I am currently single. (Note to self: fix that)
But I digress. I find myself having many various interests. Some are due to a desire on my part to be more knowledgeable in a certain way, to enhance my career choices and path. Mainly this is evident in my trying to maintain a website (yes, trying being the operative word; haven't had the site up in two weeks at least now. Need to get that back on track.) and with my studying for CCNA certification. Other interests I have taken up are purely personal, to improve upon myself as a whole. I see this in my studying of different languages, as well as in my study of martial arts.
All in all, I aspire to achieve mastery in all the things that I have undertaken. The problem is that sometimes I feel that I'll never master any of them. Only be marginal in all of them. Don't know how I'd feel if that turned out to be the case. I can only do my best, and for now remain the jack of all trades and master of none ...
... well, I am master of one thing. The Ladder Match! And not a damn one of you can defeat me!
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