Friday, February 29, 2008

Rockband DLC: March 4, 2008

March 4th belongs to the Dead heads out there.

Grateful Dead Pack (all songs by the Grateful Dead)

“China Cat Sunflower” (Master)
“Casey Jones” (Master)
“Sugar Magnolia” (Master)
“Truckin" (Master)
“Franklin’s Tower” (Master)
“I Need A Miracle” (Master)

All songs can be bought individually for $1.99 (160 Microsoft Points) or the whole pack can be purchased for $9.99 (800 Microsoft Points).

Gears 2 Update

Did you know that the guy who does the voice of Marcus Fenix is the same guy who voiced Bender in Futurama? In this article, he talks about numerous things in the upcoming sequel. Including the now confirmed confrontation with Brumaks, the badass bug with a big gun on his back.

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Gay Men, Part Deux

Well, I am trying to do another week of commentary of American Idol (or AI according to THOSE people). I am so sick and tired of this drivel which is modern music. Give me '90's alternative' or 'Hard Attack' on Sirius Satellite Radio. Who knows how last year's winner, young black chick who is daughter of an NFL defensiveman, is doing. These people have no talent.

I don't even care to even do an individual commentary of each contestant. Most are not even inspiring me enough to think of something derogatory to say about them. But a few of them 'grind my gears' (because of how oblivious they are to their own deficiencies).

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'I am a rocker, dude' guy: dude, you are not a rocker. you make Daughtry look and act like Gene Simmons. no matter how much you tell yourself you can get the 'rock' minutia of the population, you have no ROCK aspect in your repertoire. Scott Waters has more 'rocker' than him.
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super, SUPER, super, SUPER, SuPeR, sUpEr, Gay Sanjaya!!!!
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I can't help but look at the comb-over. Grow that mullet longer; it might take my attention from all the neck hair on the forehead. New Rule: if you call yourself or someone calls you a 'rocker' then you have to lite a "J" on stage or expose yourself on the live show. That is what real rockers do. Not sell-out for corporate America. 'Rocker' means struggle, playing in dive bars, and road hoes. Not FOX primetime and 10 year old girls deciding your fate.

That's Why

There is a record drop for the home price index which is the steepest decline in the 20-year history of housing index, foreclosures are up 57 percent from the last year, wholesale inflation is at a 26 year high, a drug-resistant TB is spreading, Yao Ming will miss the rest of the season, consumer confidence weakens significantly, Starbucks will close all stores for three hours, and oil surges back over 100 dollars a barrel. What does Bush have to say?

He's mad at Democrats for not renewing the warrant-less wiretapping surveillance bill.

Sunday, February 24, 2008

Time to Get Yo Fit On

I just wanted to let everyone know (at least those that are in my wedding party... T, Redness, JHo, Big C, and Big Z) that NOW is the time to get fitted for your tux's. You can get fitted anytime before March 12th (that give you three weeks or so), before you'll have to pay extra for a "rush fee." You can get fitted at any "TUX" (formerly After Hours) location. All groomsmen are getting $20 off per rental, so the total is roughly $140 after tax, etc... As of last Friday, noone except for myself has been fitted. That included you, Z, who assured me that you were fitted before leaving for Egypt, you lying prick! You can choose to pick up your tux from any location, even the St. C store if you plan to be back in the valley that day. Pick up is Thursday, April 10th for the April 12th wedding. Let me know if anyone has any questions.

SPECIAL ASIDE FOR BIG Z: Apparently you lied about being fitted, or After Hours / TUX doesn't have a record of your sizes. Either way, they will need your measurements before 3.12.08. When you get the opportunity, get measured in Egypt and send those numbers to TUX, or even easier, get them back to me and I will call them in for you. Best bet would be to send them to me via email.

PS: Please, when you read this, post a small comment to let me know that you read this post. If I don't see a comment, I will be calling you in a couple of days.

Saturday, February 23, 2008

Though Shall Not Kill, But...

It's All Right:
Worshippers praise youth pastor for confessing to murder
Worshippers praise Texas youth pastor for confessing to 1994 slaying of store clerk
By The Associated Press

Story Created: Feb 18, 2008 at 10:45 AM EST

Story Updated: Feb 18, 2008 at 3:30 PM EST
HOUSTON (AP) - The youth minister who confessed to a 1994 killing is being widely forgiven by members of his former congregation, who say they admire his courage in finally surrendering to police.

Calvin Wayne Inman, 29, remains jailed without bail since he was charged Wednesday with capital murder in the stabbing death of a convenience store clerk during a robbery. He was 16 at the time.

During Sunday's service at the 800-member Elim Church, congregants praised the recently ordained Inman as a born-again role model taking responsibility for his sin.

"He's a hero, really," said Kelley Graham, 24. "I don't know how many people would do what he did. The Bible says you just need to confess to God. Calvin took an extra step."

Inman went to authorities on Feb. 5 and admitted that he stabbed Iqbal Ahmed, 64, nearly 14 years ago in suburban Pasadena. According to police, Inman said he and a 13-year-old friend planned to rob the convenience store. When Ahmed asked to see identification before giving them tobacco, Inman stabbed Ahmed in the chest with a kitchen knife, police said.

Inman resigned from the youth job in December.

"The debt he's paying to our society is teaching our young people to do the right thing," said Cheryl Ellis, a member of the church's youth staff. "To lock him away someplace and say he owes it to society is robbing the next generation of a mentor."

Robin Thac said her 17-year-old son was active in the youth group that Inman led.

"I am thrilled my son has a role model to accept responsibility the way Calvin has," Thac said. "There are way too many men who don't accept responsibility."

Police have said Inman's friend has acknowledged being involved in the robbery but not the stabbing. Because of 1994 juvenile laws preventing prosecution of people 13 or younger, police said they could not charge the friend.


(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

America's Greatest Men Have...

Pissed in the Ladies Room by mistake.

For Example,

A Toast. With George...

Friday, February 22, 2008

Rockband News

Big C has finally broke down and purchased Rockband. Quoted as saying "I hate myself for doing it."

Also, this weeks DLC is the NIN pack that I was talking about. It was supposed to be released in the middle of March, but has been moved up to Tuesday.

March of the Pigs
The Collector
The Perfect Drug

All three are master tracks. 160 ms points each or 440 for the pack.

Check it out here.

T this is Serious...

I know I'm starting to sound like a broken record about Chad's Bachelor Party, but there's only 3 weeks until the proposed March 14-16 trip. I was looking at the Quality Inn Suites in Windsor because they seem like the only place with rooms big enough to accomodate up to 7 people without having to get two rooms. For that weekend their rate says $226.61 per night. They have a free shuttle service to the Casino Windsor. Z, do you have any suggestions as to where to stay? Any info you can share would be greatly appreciated since I have no clue on anything up there. Anyone find out on any vacation time needed. I know Red was supposed to see about the time off and C will need to look at time off to fly/drive up to Cbus. We're probably going to have to take 2 vehicles depending on how many people are going. So far the list is Chad, me, C, Red, Juddy, Wasko, and Jackie's bro. I'll drive my jeep, maybe Wasko can take his new ride. It needs a roadtrip. Comment below. Red names are out.

To cross the border you will need:

1. Driver's License
2. Birth Certificate

Check the Crossing Made Easy website if you have any further questions.

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Drive, Repeat. Drive, Repeat.

Looks like XboxLive Nation agrees with me, Burnout Paradise has no replay value. I try to get into doing the same thing over and over again, but this Highly Repetitive game just bores me. I should have gone with my gut instinct and not bought it. I have spent more time playing a year-old racing game (Forza 2) than a brand new game.

Forza 2 is a great racin game. The fact that the car selection is so wide is a plus and the authenticity is great (especially with the force feedback wheel i bought just for that game). Even though I've played the game a lot (according to my standards), I can't get enough of it. A lot better than some games I have which is almost a chore to play. I don't get giddy for any of my games (except for a little for Forza 2); it's just a way to keep from being bored when I have nothing else to do (which, these past few weeks, I haven't been very bored).

It (Burnout Paradise) was getting great reviews. Whoever the reviewers were of this game must not have played it more than 6 hours. I don't think I have even logged that much time into it yet and I know the thing just repeats and repeats.

The games are the same, over and over again. Nothing different. The same stuff. No change. No variety. Move on. Do something different. Don't just re-hash the same stuff I did earlier. Get something new. It was a good idea, but Burnout just didn't push the envelope.

Videos

Here's a couple of videos that might interest you. Unless you've been living under a rock, living in egypt, or spending way too much time blogging about American Idol you might have heard about a certain game coming out in November.

Gears Of War 2 Teaser Trailer



GDC 2008: Unreal Engine III Tech Demo(GoW2 will be running on this. Watch out for the High Density Crowds section...Holy Shit!)

Cream your pants! GoW 2 Release Announced

Merry Freaking Christmas! Yesterday it was announced that Gears of War 2 will be released this November and apparently is ready for pre-orders now.

How interesting that everyone knew GoW2 was coming soon, but no one seemed to know when. It wasn't even listed in IGN's upcoming releases list.

Personally I can't wait for this game. I would not be surprised if this outsells Halo 3. Normally I'd do a sales pitch for the game here, but it doesn't need one. Release day purchase for sure...

nerf gun turned "Gears of War" lancer



man, this is more bad-assed-ness. go here for the link.

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

A Night Of Hopefully...

less weird people to watch sing. And by the looks of some of these contestants, I won't need to watch PORN or look at Lindsay Lohan's nude pics. I guess all the girls are sick/pukin'. Sheddin' those last few pounds before live TV? That's the only way some of these chicks will get a vote.

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Kristy Lee Cook: Sing 'Amazing Grace' again. And more scenes riding horses. She is a one trick pony (or horse).

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Jo-Ann Borgella: 'Say a little prayer for' me to get this song over quicker. Wow, a BBW can't sing!!!

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Alaina Whitaker: Saying what I want to say will put me in jail. Quit trying to act like Kelly Pickler.

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Amanda Overmyer: 'Please Don't Go' on tour. Wasn't she thrown out of 'Denny's Blue Angel' last weekend?

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Amy Davis: from her website: "I have an enormous capacity for learning and request that I do much more than smile and hand out literature. I prefer to be considered a temporary addition to your sales and marketing team at the trade shows you exhibit. I can learn on the spot about anything from software, mechanical specs on electromagnetic drills, to the capacity of a double-beam microlaser." Just get in a bikini and hand out flyers.

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Brooke White: Didn't she sing last night? ------------------------------------------->>






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Alexandrea Lushington: Alright (what! I can't have a positive response?)

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Kady Malloy: Wait for a mug shot showing her coked out, pulled over driving eradically, coming soon.

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Asia'h Epperson: Waaahhh!!! My dad died two days before the audition!! Waaahhhh!!

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Ramiele Malubay: Super Gay Sanjaya (wait, that was last night) --------------->


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Syesha Mercado: Whatever happened to black chicks named 'Mary'?

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Carly Smithson: I didn't know Trent Reznor can be on American Idol. Snape left Hogwart's?
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The women are tougher to comment on than the men. The men are so lame it is too easy. Going home: Kady and Amy

man, i need to get an XBOX here

i'm jonesin' for my XBOX360. since i've been in egypt, i've started eating healthier and joined gold's gym (tonight is night #2), but i still have my vices. i bought my first flatscreen, a 42" LCD from phillips. i flashback to playing GRAW2 on JHo's flatscreen, and it was an almost religious experience. i brought my harddrive and games, i just need to find an XBOX now. MAYBE i can wait until april when i head back to the states to bring my XBOX back with me. either way, i think i want to buy one of these jackets. i just need to find the compatible games (the net here is slow, so i couldn't watch the movie). this is such a great and frivolous idea, i just KNOW i need to get one. click on the picture to read more about this "force-feedback" vest.

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

The Top 12 Men...

and I don't mean the New York Giants offense and Tom Coughlin. Here is a brief summary of the first episode of American Idol Live Events. Since all these people suck royally, I need to pass the time by creating a blog about the excruciating experience of watching this show. I know what you are saying, "J Ho, how can a male be online for two hours and NOT watch PORN, but I did it!!! I did not look at porn for two straight hours on the computer (except for Lindsay Lohan's pics)So, I am giving a one phrase critique of each male contestant. Note: The photo first, then the name of that person and comment.


David Hernandez: Isn't he with the Yankees?


Chikezie: Chikezie, Breezy, Beautiful, Cover Girl


David Cook: Massive Comb-Over from the back of his neck.


Jason Yeager: Too plain to even comment on.


Robbie Carrico: He's not a 'rocker'


David Archuleta: 36 year old male pedofiles, 40 year old women, 10 year old girls LOVE him.


Danny Noriega: Super-Gay Sanjaya.


Luke Menard: Me-nard's are hurtin' from the boredom.

Colton Berry: (2 options): He want's to be a dentist, and he doesn't want to go back to the 'island of misfit toys' (OR) Bill S. Preston, Esquire


Garrett Haley: This is why this show sucks!!!!


Jason Castro: He's probably got good weed.


Michael Johns: He has probably bought good weed from Jason.

Who's going home? 'Super-Gay Sanjaya' and 'Me-nards'

Oh, Crap!!!

Well, I may have done it. I have the United States House of Representatives looking at my blog site. What will happen to me next?? Will I be followed by 'black choppers'? Will I be audited by the IRS? Will I start hearing a strange 'clicking' sound during my phone conversations?

Whoever he was (there were 2 visits total by the govt.) he sure as hell spent a lot of time on the site.

Betamax vs. VHS for our generation...

The writing's been on the wall for awhile, but I was one of those who thought the Blu-Ray vs. HD-DVD format battle might drag on for another year or so. Wrong. Today Toshiba officially announced "the look and sound of perfect" is dead.

The fact that I got an HD-DVD player for $200 and that most all of the discs could play in a regular DVD player as well was all I needed. I am sad. Here's to you, HD-DVD. I shall be buying all the HD-DVD movies I can at rock bottom prices in your memory.

The Beautiful People

...are NOT here.

Monday, February 18, 2008

Dexter on CBS

The Showtime series "Dexter" is now being aired on Sunday Nights at 10pm on CBS. This is, possibly, the best show on TV. I rank it up there with "The Sopranos" in terms of qualtiy, acting, and writing. And much like "The Sopranos" there is a lot of blood and vulgarity. CBS had to do some cutting and editing to get the show by the censors, but I have to say it remained pretty much intact.

If you have never seen the show, the CBS version will get your foot in the door to the greatness that is "Dexter". But if you want to watch the real version, you have to subscribe to Showtime, or find a site that has all the episodes to download.

You do not have to have a rapid$hare account to download, but the free side takes a while to get the episodes to download (you have to wait 2 minutes and can only download one part at a time). Once all 4 parts are downloaded, you need a archive program like winrar to extract the video.

The first episode aired last night, and, if you want to watch it, you can get up to speed before the next episode airs.

Or, if you want to watch the show legally, but on your computer, you can watch it from the CBS website.

Sunday, February 17, 2008

Saturday, February 16, 2008

sleep at work?


i gotta get me some of these. yeah, you look like you've been flying high on crack-cocaine for the past 72 hours, but passing a "random" drug test is better than getting fired for sleeping on the job, especially if you are an air-traffic controller or surgeon. if you CAN'T pass a "random" drug test, maybe you need to get to a head shop before you try these out. you can click on the picture for more details.

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

The Mug-O-Rita Incident


Freestyle with the Rock Band Drum Kit

When I first got Rock Band, I found out quickly that one of the funnest things to do is to freestyle on the drum set before the "drum" part of the song began. I know we've all done it. I mentioned to one of my friends that it would be pretty cool if Rock Band released a patch that would allow you to simply "play" the drums. Well, that day has come, sorta.

Someone has figured it out, however not for XBox360, but the PC. Basically, you download a driver that allows you to use your 360 controller on your PC. Then you download the drum kit software, plug in your Rock Band drums (via USB), and viola. I downloaded and installed the driver and software and let me tell you, it's pretty cool. The software even lets you modify how each drum sounds, so you can play around with different combinations.

If you want to give it a shot, this is the web site with complete information and step-by-step instructions.

ROCK ON, party people!

Tom Brady

professional football player, future Hall of Famer, insufferable golden boy, and a dick.

The Deuce...

What the deuce is going on with Chump's bachelor party?

When the deuce is Chump's wedding?

Friday, February 08, 2008

It's A Bird? It's A Plane? It's ...

UFL and Bracketology... reborn???

As me, T, and Wasko played what can only be described as the most explosive game of GRAW 2 that made you wet your pants laughing ever, we got to talking about the old Bracketology games I did for the Nascar season a few years back. The problem was that it was fairly time consuming each round to generate the bracket, and then it was more time to go through each entry each week and do the results.

However I have been using Access to develop some apps for work during the past two years and recently decided I was going to learn "real" mySQL and one or more other languages to develop web apps (probably .NET as I've heard it is the most secure but that could be incorrect... I don't have much first hand knowledge on that front) to utilize the mySQL database. I would do Bracketology in Access just to get it off the ground (I'm looking at trying to have that ready to go for the 6th race) and then a dry run of UFL later in the year, depending on when I actually get competent. That way we could roll it out for the beginning of 2009.

Or I may get busy and not do any of it. Who knows... but I like to think I'll try to do it anyway.

Back to video games before I take off... it's Late Nite GRAW 2 tonight around 11:00. Bring your Zeus and plenty of grenades... it's gonna be a frag-fest.

God bless The Beer Belly.

Tuesday, February 05, 2008

Monday, February 04, 2008

The 50th Running of the Daytona 500

We're less than 2 weeks away from the Super Bowl of Stock Car Racing. All BTBz's are invited over to my place for the event and the first race of the Draft and Play B Town Boyz Racing League. Make sure to sign up if you have been invited. The live draft will occur Sunday, February 10, 2008 at noon pacific time, 3:00pm eastern time, and 11:00pm Z time. If you are unable to attend the live draft, make sure to setup your pre-draft rankings so the computer will select your drivers from the list based on availability.

Today in Unnecessary Censorship...

Saturday, February 02, 2008

Real Eyes Realize Real Lies


Bush alone made 232 of these statements, according to the report.

Here are some samplings:

"Simply stated, there is no doubt that Saddam Hussein now has weapons of mass destruction. There is no doubt he is amassing them to use against our friends, against our allies, and against us." Vice President Dick Cheney -- August 26, 2002.

"The Iraqi regime possesses biological and chemical weapons, is rebuilding the facilities to make more and, according to the British government, could launch a biological or chemical attack in as little as 45 minutes after the order is given. . . . This regime is seeking a nuclear bomb, and with fissile material could build one within a year." President George W. Bush -- September, 2002.

In July 2002, Donald Rumsfeld had a one-word answer in response to reporters who asked whether Iraq was connected to Al Qaeda terrorists: "Sure." The report adds "An assessment issued that same month by the Defense Intelligence Agency (and confirmed weeks later by CIA Director Tenet) found an absence of "compelling evidence demonstrating direct cooperation between the government of Iraq and Al Qaeda." What's more, an earlier DIA assessment said that "the nature of the regime's relationship with Al Qaeda is unclear.’”

"We found the weapons of mass destruction. We found biological laboratories," Bush -- May 29, 2003 in an interview with Polish TV.

"What we're giving you are facts and conclusions based on solid intelligence. I will cite some examples, and these are from human sources," Colin Powell to the United Nations Security Council -- February 5, 2003.

Friday, February 01, 2008

I've Never Seen One of THOSE Before

Jackie and I went out to eat Wednesday night at a local pizza place. When we got our bill we noticed something odd on it. We did have a taco pizza, but I don't remember ordering anything even slightly Asian.

For Tobacco Use Only

The Turbo Bong