In keeping with her Imperial Guard kick, Selene attempts to manoeuvre herself into a position where she can claim she's "hull down".
11.5.07
Friday Rodent Blogging
In keeping with her Imperial Guard kick, Selene attempts to manoeuvre herself into a position where she can claim she's "hull down".
Less Interesting Day
Today, May 11th, is the sixth anniversary of the day that the world became significantly less interesting because a great man left it.
9.5.07
Ego-A-Go-Go
An online petition is campaigning to have Paris Hilton's prison sentence pardoned because - you couldn't make this up - she "provides hope for young people all over the US and the world. She provides beauty and excitement to (most of) our otherwise mundane lives".
Yep. Really.
See, Hilton was sentenced to 45 days in prison for drunk driving and, in the tradition of the rich and famous getting a better class of justice than the rest of us, has until the 5th of June to decide whether she's going to bother doing it before she'll get - gasp - a double sentence.
But the gemstone comes in the form of Hilton's own message endorsing the petition on her MySpace page:
Yes, by all means, do go and sihn that petition. Join the 17,000 people who are passionately fighting for special rights for the rich and shameless.
Yep. Really.
See, Hilton was sentenced to 45 days in prison for drunk driving and, in the tradition of the rich and famous getting a better class of justice than the rest of us, has until the 5th of June to decide whether she's going to bother doing it before she'll get - gasp - a double sentence.
But the gemstone comes in the form of Hilton's own message endorsing the petition on her MySpace page:
"My friend Joshua started his petition, please help and sihn it. I LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!"
Yes, by all means, do go and sihn that petition. Join the 17,000 people who are passionately fighting for special rights for the rich and shameless.
8.5.07
Ooookay...
Members of the Utah County Republican party actually debated a resolution tabled by one of their number which declared that illegal immigration is caused by Satan.
Wow. Mmmkay.Don Larsen, chairman of legislative District 65 for the Utah County Republican Party, had submitted a resolution warning that Satan's minions want to eliminate national borders and do away with sovereignty.
In a speech at the convention, Larsen told those gathered that illegal immigrants "hate American people" and "are determined to destroy this country, and there is nothing they won't do."Illegal aliens are in control of the media, and working in tandem with Democrats, are trying to "destroy Christian America" and replace it with "a godless new world order -- and that is not extremism, that is fact," Larsen said.
At the end of his speech, Larsen began to cry, saying illegal immigrants were trying to bring about the destruction of the U.S. "by self invasion."
7.5.07
Spider-Man 3
Spider-Man 3 is, in many respects, a fitting addition to the series. It's a reasonably cracking yarn, with the kind of jaw-dropping special effects that are starting to become mundane through overuse.
Spider-Man has some problems. First that never-ending (and frankly it's getting a little old) drama with MJ gets out of hand because he shares "their" kiss with Random Ditzy Blond Whom He Saves And Who Turns Out To Be Daughter Of Someone Important In The City. She also gets fired, and Parker is too caught up in all his celebrity to notice.
Add to all that the fact that the webslinger has just been attacked by an alien symbiont which has become an entirely black black version of his normal costume, and which is causing the darker side of human nature to emerge, and the scene is set for the bad guys.
Spidey goes up against not one, not two, but three super-villains this time. There's the Sandman, who can become - er - sand. There's Venom, created when an annoying git picks up the symbiont suit Spidey finally gets rid of. And there's Green Goblin Jr, still pissed at the wallcrawler for killing his father.
Spidey must battle everyone as well as himself. Again.
Just as with most sequels, this is more of the same. If you liked the first two, you'll like this one. If you didn't like the first two, why bother going?
If there is a problem with this film it's that a storyline that ran almost forever in the comics has to be condensed down into two hours and twenty minutes. In the comics, the progression from performance-enhancing symbiont to life-threatening parasite took months. Here, we have to accept that it takes minutes.
Doombreed Rating: * * * *
Spider-Man has some problems. First that never-ending (and frankly it's getting a little old) drama with MJ gets out of hand because he shares "their" kiss with Random Ditzy Blond Whom He Saves And Who Turns Out To Be Daughter Of Someone Important In The City. She also gets fired, and Parker is too caught up in all his celebrity to notice.
Add to all that the fact that the webslinger has just been attacked by an alien symbiont which has become an entirely black black version of his normal costume, and which is causing the darker side of human nature to emerge, and the scene is set for the bad guys.
Spidey goes up against not one, not two, but three super-villains this time. There's the Sandman, who can become - er - sand. There's Venom, created when an annoying git picks up the symbiont suit Spidey finally gets rid of. And there's Green Goblin Jr, still pissed at the wallcrawler for killing his father.
Spidey must battle everyone as well as himself. Again.
Just as with most sequels, this is more of the same. If you liked the first two, you'll like this one. If you didn't like the first two, why bother going?
If there is a problem with this film it's that a storyline that ran almost forever in the comics has to be condensed down into two hours and twenty minutes. In the comics, the progression from performance-enhancing symbiont to life-threatening parasite took months. Here, we have to accept that it takes minutes.
Doombreed Rating: * * * *
4.5.07
3.5.07
The Wedding Of The Century
Officiant: "We are gathered here today to celebrate the marriage of Warhammer 40,00 and Stargate: SG-1. For them, this marriage is both a pledge of enduring love, and an expression of their commitment to each other grounded in law. For the rest of us, this marriage is an occasion where we are reminded of the bonds to our own families and friendships and how important and wonderful these bonds are to us.
"Marriage is dedication. You give yourself, your life, and love into the hands of the one you love. You do so trustingly and generously. By the same token, each of you receives a gift--the life and love of the other. You receive this gift not only from the one you love, but also from the parents who brought you into the world and reared you and from the personal world of friends and family who are joined in friendship and faith in your marriage.
"Mark Twain once said that "a marriage makes two fractional lives a whole. It gives to two purposeless lives a work, and doubles the strength of each to perform it. It gives to two questioning natures a reason for living. It brings a new gladness to the sunshine, and a new fragrance to the flowers, and new beauty to the earth, a new mystery to life."
"It is appropriate that you, the family, are here to participate in this wedding. The ideals, the understanding, and the mutual respect, which these two bring to their marriage have roots in the love, friendship, and guidance with which you have provided them.
Officiant - "You may now exchange your vows."Warhammer 40,000: "I, Warhammer 40,000, take you Stargate: SG-1, to be my TV show, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until we are parted by death. With my earnest and complete devotion, I give you my love."
Stargate: SG-1: "I, Stargate: SG-1, take you Warhammer 40,000, to be my table-top war game, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until we are parted by death. With my earnest and complete devotion, I give you my love."
Officiant: "Do you, Warhammer 40,000, take Stargate: SG-1 who you have promised to love and cherish to be your lawfully wedded TV show?"
Warhammer 40,000: "I do."
Officiant: "Do you, Stargate: SG-1, take Warhammer 40,000 who you have promised to love and cherish to be your lawfully wedded table-top war game?"
Stargate: SG-1: "I do."
Officiant: "Traditionally, the marking of the passage to the status of table-top war game and TV show is marked by the exchange of rings. These rings are a symbol of the unbroken circle of love. Love freely given has no beginning and no end. Love freely given has no giver and no receiver, for each is the giver and each is the receiver. May these rings remind you always of the vows you have taken here today."
Warhammer 40,000: "This ring, a gift for you, symbolizes my desire that you be my TV show from this day forward."
Stargate: SG-1: "This ring, a gift for you, symbolizes my wish that you be my table-top war game from this day forward."
Officiant: "And now, may the confidence, trust, and affection you have for each other on this day sustain you as you go forth upon your journey of life together with its joy, its laughter, its sorrow, and its pain. May you fulfill your personal goals with each other's help and guidance. May you dwell together in peace, love, and joy."
"Warhammer 40,000 and Stargate: SG-1, having witnessed your vows for marriage with all who are assembled here with you, I announce with great joy that you are from this time on, table-top war game and TV show."
"Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. and Mrs. Warhammer 40,000-Stargate: SG-1."
*sniff* ... damn ... I swore I wouldn't cry ...Yes, that's right. 28mm Stargate: SG-1 figures. The Jaffa are excellent if you have a Chaos army and want something a little different as troops, but the SG-1 team are perfect for Imperial Guard and would make a cool-looking Command HQ.
Now, if only there were someone who liked both Warhammer 40,00 and Stargate: SG-1, and who collected Imperial Guard, and who had a birthday coming up soon, and whose wife reads his blog.
Phoenix Icons homepage.
HEALTH AND SAFETY IN THE BLOGPLACE WARNING:
Please mind the hint that was carelessly dropped and negligently left laying on the floor.
With sincerest apologies to Muriel at AP, from whom I blatantly ripped off the incredible Atheist wedding ceremony.
Save SG-1
As I reported last year, the SciFi channel has taken the unbelievable move of canceling Stargate: SG-1, and they're not backing down yet.
Well, you can join the fight to save this beloved show.
Find out how at Supporting Stargate.
Well, you can join the fight to save this beloved show.
Find out how at Supporting Stargate.
2.5.07
Mostly Finished
Paint Day saw my Hardened Veterans (top) get finished and, until I can find a more suitable model, I'm using my Catachan Lieutenant as their Veteran Sergeant.
Also finished were my Ratlings (bottom).
Worked on (not pictured) was my heavy weapon platoon.
More as this story develops.
29.4.07
Next
Next is something of a puzzler. Cris Johnson (Nicholas Cage) was born with the ability to see into the future. It's only by two minutes, and he can only see things that are going to directly effect him, but he can do it, and he's using it to eke a meager living as a stage magician in Las Vegas, and also a quite handsome living cheating at blackjack. We meet Cris as he's obsessing over the one time he was able to see further, which was a vision of a mystery woman who turns out to be smokin' hot Liz (Jessica Biel), months before they meet.
Enter Special Agent Callie Fields (Julianne Moore) who wants his help finding a nuke that the Ruskies lost. Now, quite what the FBI think they are going to do with two minutes warning that a nuke is about to go off is anyone's guess, but she wants him to help. What follows is a fairly straightforward story about one of the most difficult concepts to grasp. Seeing the future and then changing it. If you changed it, won't you now have then seen the new changed future that is actually happening, as opposed to the future that you changed which was going to be happening?
Cue some interesting effects, some funny Groundhog Day style "trial and error" scenes, a scene which is totally unnecessary for those members of the audience not in possession of a penis (Biel, fresh from the shower, clad only in a towel), and some seriously cool scenes where we get an inkling of exactly how useful it would be to be able to see even a little way into the future.
All in all, this film is not great. I've seen the whole "future sight" thing handled much more expertly. But this film is good entertainment, fuel for discussions for the technically minded, and fun filled eye candy.
Not too shabby.
Doombreed Rating: * * * *
Enter Special Agent Callie Fields (Julianne Moore) who wants his help finding a nuke that the Ruskies lost. Now, quite what the FBI think they are going to do with two minutes warning that a nuke is about to go off is anyone's guess, but she wants him to help. What follows is a fairly straightforward story about one of the most difficult concepts to grasp. Seeing the future and then changing it. If you changed it, won't you now have then seen the new changed future that is actually happening, as opposed to the future that you changed which was going to be happening?
Cue some interesting effects, some funny Groundhog Day style "trial and error" scenes, a scene which is totally unnecessary for those members of the audience not in possession of a penis (Biel, fresh from the shower, clad only in a towel), and some seriously cool scenes where we get an inkling of exactly how useful it would be to be able to see even a little way into the future.
All in all, this film is not great. I've seen the whole "future sight" thing handled much more expertly. But this film is good entertainment, fuel for discussions for the technically minded, and fun filled eye candy.
Not too shabby.
Doombreed Rating: * * * *
And It Comes Again
Tuesday is another day off, and as such I will once again fail to paint my heavy weapon squad. I intend to not finish my veteran squad, and run out of time before finishing the highlights on my Ratlings.
If procrastination allows, I'll also fail to start painting my second infantry platoon.
If procrastination allows, I'll also fail to start painting my second infantry platoon.
28.4.07
Friday Rodent Blogging
Oh, yeah... Now that's definitely a 4+ cover save...Selene goes all Imperial Guard sniper on you.
26.4.07
25.4.07
World Cup Winner Dies
Alan Ball, the youngest member of England's 1966 World Cup squad - our one and only World Cup victory - died today aged 61.
Ball, who won man of the match in the '66 final, suffered a heart attack outside his home after tackling a bonfire that had gone out of control.
He's now the second member of England's greatest ever squad to die, after Bobby Moore died in 1993.
England players will be wearing black armbands as a mark of respect in their first game at the new Wembley Stadium against Brazil on June 1st.
Ball, who won man of the match in the '66 final, suffered a heart attack outside his home after tackling a bonfire that had gone out of control.
He's now the second member of England's greatest ever squad to die, after Bobby Moore died in 1993.
England players will be wearing black armbands as a mark of respect in their first game at the new Wembley Stadium against Brazil on June 1st.
23.4.07
22.4.07
Vacancy
Vacancy is a run-of-the-mill movie, with nothing much to get excited about. The storyline's laughably simple. Married - but Soon To Be Divorced™ - couple Amy (Kate Beckinsale) and David (Luke Wilson) are on their way home from a "keeping up appearances" visit to Amy's parents, when David decides to take A Shortcut™, and their car experiences A Mechanical Problem™, forcing them to spend the night at A Remote Motel™ run by A Creepy Bloke™. The motel is Not What It Seems™, and the creepy manager, aided and abetted by two Locals™ is actually murdering people in their rooms, whilst filming it.
Yes, that's right. This movie should have been called "Slasher Flick Clichés By The Tonne."
We even get a visit from A Large Number Of Rats™, The Sporadically Working Flashlight™, The Recently Deceased Offspring™, and Fat Sheriff Who Is Going To Die After Giving Our Hero And Heroine A Brief Period Of Hope™.
If you're a fan of Kate Beckinsale, go see it. She's as hot as ever. But on almost all other points, this movie falls flat.
Quite why it rated an "R17" is beyond me. Maybe it's the brief shot of a murdered woman's breasts that did it, as Americans are very prudish about these things. Certainly there's not enough graphic violence, blood nor gore to justify it, especially considering that Canada only rated it 13+.
Humdrum stuff. Not going to make anyone's top 10 list. Not terrible, just not great.
Doombreed Rating: * 1/2
Yes, that's right. This movie should have been called "Slasher Flick Clichés By The Tonne."
We even get a visit from A Large Number Of Rats™, The Sporadically Working Flashlight™, The Recently Deceased Offspring™, and Fat Sheriff Who Is Going To Die After Giving Our Hero And Heroine A Brief Period Of Hope™.
If you're a fan of Kate Beckinsale, go see it. She's as hot as ever. But on almost all other points, this movie falls flat.
Quite why it rated an "R17" is beyond me. Maybe it's the brief shot of a murdered woman's breasts that did it, as Americans are very prudish about these things. Certainly there's not enough graphic violence, blood nor gore to justify it, especially considering that Canada only rated it 13+.
Humdrum stuff. Not going to make anyone's top 10 list. Not terrible, just not great.
Doombreed Rating: * 1/2
21.4.07
ATHFCMFFT
Mrs Doombreed and I Went to see Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film For Theaters last Sunday and I cannot believe I forgot to write a review.
For those wondering whether to go, forget it. If, upon hearing that there was going to be a ATHF movie, you didn't immediately decide then and there that you would cut off at least one limb if it meant you could see it, you won't like it.
ATHFCMFFT is an hour and thirty minute-long episode of ATHF. It contains the exact same effects, same animation, same humour, same Carl..
It is, in short, number one in the hood, G.
And it is good. It is good.
For those who have reviewed it and pronounced it somehow lacking, I must ask:
Have you seen the show? Even one episode?
It's about a giant floating carton of french fries that can shoot lightning from his eyes, a giant milkshake and a large blob of ground beef.
Plot subtleties and character development will not feature highly in this movie. Silly jokes will.
Doombreed Rating: * * * * *
For those wondering whether to go, forget it. If, upon hearing that there was going to be a ATHF movie, you didn't immediately decide then and there that you would cut off at least one limb if it meant you could see it, you won't like it.
ATHFCMFFT is an hour and thirty minute-long episode of ATHF. It contains the exact same effects, same animation, same humour, same Carl..
It is, in short, number one in the hood, G.
And it is good. It is good.
For those who have reviewed it and pronounced it somehow lacking, I must ask:
Have you seen the show? Even one episode?
It's about a giant floating carton of french fries that can shoot lightning from his eyes, a giant milkshake and a large blob of ground beef.
Plot subtleties and character development will not feature highly in this movie. Silly jokes will.
Doombreed Rating: * * * * *
These Are Our Allies?
One thing that is really getting on my wick is the way that the media over here are treating the 15 Britons just released by Iran.
This whole story must have been quite the dilemma for the rabid right-wingers, especially those at FAUX News and their spiritual brethren.
See, the right-wing mainstream media over here has been very vocal in its support of the Bush administration and, especially, for their efforts to legalise the use of torture - sorry, that's "aggressive interrogation techniques" - by US troops and intelligence personnel. Of course, this means that FOX couldn't exactly condemn Iran for using similar techniques, even when it was concerning illegally detained members of a closely allied power, and especially when the techniques used weren't as bad as those described by some in the media as "frat hazing."
FOX and their ilk have also taken great pains to play up the effectiveness of torture. Phrases like "a weapon in the war on terror" are often trotted out. This all means that they couldn't very well point out that the British troops resisted their captors quite effectively, and, true to their training, provided minimum cooperation whilst doing everything shy of sending up parachute flares to signal that they were appearing in videos and pictures only under duress.
So, the right can't condemn Iran, nor can it support the troops. What's a girl to do?
Well, it seems that The Powers That Be sent down an order from on high: Impugn the troops!
British troops are cowards who crumble as soon as you give them a hard look.
That's the thanks we get for nearly 150 dead and six years of support for Bush's little profit-making scheme.
But it's catching on outside of the conservative-dominated mainstream media.
Top-ranking (and publicity-hungry) US military officers have arrogantly and repeatedly stated that US soldiers would have offered more resistance, that they wouldn't have given up without a fight.
FreeRepublic, the deranged right-wing fucktard's deranged right-wing fucktards, has multiple threads where the Fightin' Keyboarders, safe in mommy's basement, tell us about how the soldiers should have acted, and how they would act if they were captured (and had the balls to join up in the first place).
Hell, even AMERICAblog - one of the more progressive, liberal blogs out there - fires a shot o'er our bows on this issue, erroneously describing Iran as "the enemy."
Yes, it's unfortunate, but the gung-ho, Rambo, Dirty Harry, John Wayne culture in America is so ingrained that some just can't hear for the roar of the testosterone. Stupidity and thoughtless violence is becoming a virtue. Luckily, it's mainly the media and a few wankers with computers, because most people I've spoken to face-to-face understand what really happened and join me in just being thankful that the guys made it home.
Americans in the media (and a minority I've spoken to) stand aghast that the fifteen Brits didn't whip off their shirts, tie on a headband, grab an M-60 and slaughter the entire Iranian Navy before invading Tehran, disposing of the Revolutionary Guard, planning, staging and executing a coup, planning, staging and executing free democratic elections, posing for statues commemorating their bravery and then swimming back to England, making it in time to give 'er indoors a good seein' to, and all in time for the 10 O'Clock News.
Sadly, there are those amongst my countrymen who feel the same way.
Here is the pertinent fact in this case:
The United Kingdom Of Great Britain and Northern Ireland does not, at this time, exist in a state of war, neither declared nor undeclared, with The Islamic Republic Of Iran.
Geddit?
This means that the 15 Brits weren't POWs, they were accused criminals.
They weren't captured by the enemy, they were arrested for a crime.
The Geneva Conventions do not apply.
Name, Rank and Number is bullshit.
The Brits weren't cooperating with the enemy, they were doing what they had to in order to survive.
And for all the armchair warriors who believe that there was something dishonourable about the way the Brits surrendered, here's something that I guess would never occur:
Royal Marine Captain Chris Air was in charge of fourteen people; seven Royal Marines and seven Royal Navy sailors, on a mission from HMS Cornwall to board and inspect a vessel suspected of smuggling. These fourteen people were lightly armed and traveling in two "Gemini" rigid raiders. The were confronted by forces from the Iranian Navy and accused of violating Iranian waters. Captain Air knew from his GPS that he was still, at that point, within Iraqi waters, but he also knew that his small crew didn't stand a chance of resisting the Iranians even for as long as it would have taken the Cornwall to arrive. But, more importantly, he was also aware of the fact related above; that Britain and Iran weren't at war.
Capt Air had a choice. Open fire or surrender. Certain of our allies would have you believe that the latter was dishonourable and he should have done the former, even if it cost his life and the lives of his subordinates.
Here is the choice:
Either:
Open fire and "go down fighting", thus sacrificing the fourteen lives under your command, and instigating armed conflict with someone you are not at war with, creating a massive international incident and quite probably sending Britain into a war at a time we can scarcely afford it, with a country with which we have always maintained diplomatic relations and are hoping to have diplomatic relations with in the future, in a region where our activities and the activities of our allies are being viewed with considerable hatred and are already breeding the very terrorism we're supposed to be fighting.
Or:
Swallow your pride, surrender, and let the diplomats sort it all out.
British soldiers are sworn to defend Crown and country, even if the cost is high. Laying down one's life for one's country is a great sacrifice. Capt Air did something much harder, something a lot of Americans - and some Brits - are having a hard time understanding. Most of us wouldn't have had the courage to do it. Most of us would have taken the easy way out and called it "honourable."
Capt Air laid down his ego and his weapon, and in doing so, defended his country.
Bravo.
This whole story must have been quite the dilemma for the rabid right-wingers, especially those at FAUX News and their spiritual brethren.
See, the right-wing mainstream media over here has been very vocal in its support of the Bush administration and, especially, for their efforts to legalise the use of torture - sorry, that's "aggressive interrogation techniques" - by US troops and intelligence personnel. Of course, this means that FOX couldn't exactly condemn Iran for using similar techniques, even when it was concerning illegally detained members of a closely allied power, and especially when the techniques used weren't as bad as those described by some in the media as "frat hazing."
FOX and their ilk have also taken great pains to play up the effectiveness of torture. Phrases like "a weapon in the war on terror" are often trotted out. This all means that they couldn't very well point out that the British troops resisted their captors quite effectively, and, true to their training, provided minimum cooperation whilst doing everything shy of sending up parachute flares to signal that they were appearing in videos and pictures only under duress.
So, the right can't condemn Iran, nor can it support the troops. What's a girl to do?
Well, it seems that The Powers That Be sent down an order from on high: Impugn the troops!
British troops are cowards who crumble as soon as you give them a hard look.
That's the thanks we get for nearly 150 dead and six years of support for Bush's little profit-making scheme.
But it's catching on outside of the conservative-dominated mainstream media.
Top-ranking (and publicity-hungry) US military officers have arrogantly and repeatedly stated that US soldiers would have offered more resistance, that they wouldn't have given up without a fight.
FreeRepublic, the deranged right-wing fucktard's deranged right-wing fucktards, has multiple threads where the Fightin' Keyboarders, safe in mommy's basement, tell us about how the soldiers should have acted, and how they would act if they were captured (and had the balls to join up in the first place).
Hell, even AMERICAblog - one of the more progressive, liberal blogs out there - fires a shot o'er our bows on this issue, erroneously describing Iran as "the enemy."
Yes, it's unfortunate, but the gung-ho, Rambo, Dirty Harry, John Wayne culture in America is so ingrained that some just can't hear for the roar of the testosterone. Stupidity and thoughtless violence is becoming a virtue. Luckily, it's mainly the media and a few wankers with computers, because most people I've spoken to face-to-face understand what really happened and join me in just being thankful that the guys made it home.
Americans in the media (and a minority I've spoken to) stand aghast that the fifteen Brits didn't whip off their shirts, tie on a headband, grab an M-60 and slaughter the entire Iranian Navy before invading Tehran, disposing of the Revolutionary Guard, planning, staging and executing a coup, planning, staging and executing free democratic elections, posing for statues commemorating their bravery and then swimming back to England, making it in time to give 'er indoors a good seein' to, and all in time for the 10 O'Clock News.
Sadly, there are those amongst my countrymen who feel the same way.
Here is the pertinent fact in this case:
The United Kingdom Of Great Britain and Northern Ireland does not, at this time, exist in a state of war, neither declared nor undeclared, with The Islamic Republic Of Iran.
Geddit?
This means that the 15 Brits weren't POWs, they were accused criminals.
They weren't captured by the enemy, they were arrested for a crime.
The Geneva Conventions do not apply.
Name, Rank and Number is bullshit.
The Brits weren't cooperating with the enemy, they were doing what they had to in order to survive.
And for all the armchair warriors who believe that there was something dishonourable about the way the Brits surrendered, here's something that I guess would never occur:
Royal Marine Captain Chris Air was in charge of fourteen people; seven Royal Marines and seven Royal Navy sailors, on a mission from HMS Cornwall to board and inspect a vessel suspected of smuggling. These fourteen people were lightly armed and traveling in two "Gemini" rigid raiders. The were confronted by forces from the Iranian Navy and accused of violating Iranian waters. Captain Air knew from his GPS that he was still, at that point, within Iraqi waters, but he also knew that his small crew didn't stand a chance of resisting the Iranians even for as long as it would have taken the Cornwall to arrive. But, more importantly, he was also aware of the fact related above; that Britain and Iran weren't at war.
Capt Air had a choice. Open fire or surrender. Certain of our allies would have you believe that the latter was dishonourable and he should have done the former, even if it cost his life and the lives of his subordinates.
Here is the choice:
Either:
Open fire and "go down fighting", thus sacrificing the fourteen lives under your command, and instigating armed conflict with someone you are not at war with, creating a massive international incident and quite probably sending Britain into a war at a time we can scarcely afford it, with a country with which we have always maintained diplomatic relations and are hoping to have diplomatic relations with in the future, in a region where our activities and the activities of our allies are being viewed with considerable hatred and are already breeding the very terrorism we're supposed to be fighting.
Or:
Swallow your pride, surrender, and let the diplomats sort it all out.
British soldiers are sworn to defend Crown and country, even if the cost is high. Laying down one's life for one's country is a great sacrifice. Capt Air did something much harder, something a lot of Americans - and some Brits - are having a hard time understanding. Most of us wouldn't have had the courage to do it. Most of us would have taken the easy way out and called it "honourable."
Capt Air laid down his ego and his weapon, and in doing so, defended his country.
Bravo.
Friday Rodent Blogging
Selene's house has been redecorated. New blue bedding, a new edible food bowl that's shaped like a volcano (just visible behind the wrecked car) and a brand new wheel to replace the one chewed into oblivion.None of which prevented her from giving me that look.
19.4.07
Battlewagon Bits
Thanks to TSOALR, I have discovered This World's Greatest Retail Website. It's called Battlewagon Bits, and is worth a look.
As the name suggests, they sell GW bitz, so if you're looking for that one, special bit to finish off that luxurious conversion, or just something to glue to the side of your latest tank to make it look that little bit more spiffy, BWBits is for you. Their prices are outstanding too, as is their "Bits trade-in" scheme, whereby you can send them your discarded crap and earn credit to use in the store.
Whilst we're on the subject, I must give a quick bundle of kudos to the guys at TSOALR for their touching tribute to the fallen at Virginia Tech. Simple, yet beautiful.
As the name suggests, they sell GW bitz, so if you're looking for that one, special bit to finish off that luxurious conversion, or just something to glue to the side of your latest tank to make it look that little bit more spiffy, BWBits is for you. Their prices are outstanding too, as is their "Bits trade-in" scheme, whereby you can send them your discarded crap and earn credit to use in the store.
Whilst we're on the subject, I must give a quick bundle of kudos to the guys at TSOALR for their touching tribute to the fallen at Virginia Tech. Simple, yet beautiful.
17.4.07
God Is Love
I'm a great believer in freedom of speech. I believe that it is one of the most fundamentally important rights that any person can claim. I also believe in freedom of religion. People should be free to practice their religion (or lack thereof) without interference, especially from the government.
Having said all that, some people really need to learn when to shut the fuck up and fuck the fuck off.
(Via AMERICAblog)
Having said all that, some people really need to learn when to shut the fuck up and fuck the fuck off.
(Via AMERICAblog)
University Shooting Kills 33
Today, I watched, dumbfounded, as events at Virginia Tech unfolded. The number started at 21 and kept climbing. The current total is 33 dead, including the perpetrator. That's 32 innocent lives ended. 33 families sundered. The concept is staggering, almost impossible to comprehend.
As the enormity of what we were seeing began to permeate, people in the break room at work were hardly speaking above a whisper. Our thoughts turned to the families. Anyone with kids at Virginia Tech must have been waiting by the phone, hoping it would ring but at the same time dreading it. Police urged students to phone their families. 32 families never received a call, at least not the one they wanted. It's enough to make anyone pause and ponder the fragility of life, how easily it's ended. Such a situation demands pause and reflection, requires dignity and consideration.
Unless you're CNN.
The coverage I saw came from CNN's "Situation Room", with host Wolf Blitzer. CNN had secured some footage, shot by a student, in which gunshots - a lot of gunshots - could be heard.
CNN showed that footage - and this is not a joke, trust me - with a counter ticking off the shots. A counter. A cheerful little graphic with numbers changing as merrily as Sesame Street's resident bloodsucker counting cupcakes. 27 shots. 27 bullets. How many dead were being ticked off by that counter?
But that's not the worst. Blitzer introduced the segment by saying something to the tune of "watch, and count along with us."
I'll leave you with your speechlessness.
As the enormity of what we were seeing began to permeate, people in the break room at work were hardly speaking above a whisper. Our thoughts turned to the families. Anyone with kids at Virginia Tech must have been waiting by the phone, hoping it would ring but at the same time dreading it. Police urged students to phone their families. 32 families never received a call, at least not the one they wanted. It's enough to make anyone pause and ponder the fragility of life, how easily it's ended. Such a situation demands pause and reflection, requires dignity and consideration.
Unless you're CNN.
The coverage I saw came from CNN's "Situation Room", with host Wolf Blitzer. CNN had secured some footage, shot by a student, in which gunshots - a lot of gunshots - could be heard.
CNN showed that footage - and this is not a joke, trust me - with a counter ticking off the shots. A counter. A cheerful little graphic with numbers changing as merrily as Sesame Street's resident bloodsucker counting cupcakes. 27 shots. 27 bullets. How many dead were being ticked off by that counter?
But that's not the worst. Blitzer introduced the segment by saying something to the tune of "watch, and count along with us."
I'll leave you with your speechlessness.
16.4.07
Paint Day - The Aftermath
This is the end result of a long weekend's painting. Top is my hardened veterans unit, who need basing and are, as yet, lacking a veteran sergeant. I have a Praetorian lieutenant model, with a chainsword that has been filed down to make a power sword.Bottom is my newly expanded Ratling sniper squad and, judging by the pic, I need to go back and lighten the highlights on the five new guys' skin.
Still to come, my two heavy weapons squads. Both were undercoated this weekend.
14.4.07
Driving Rules For Lexington, Kentucky
One of Mrs Doombreed's colleagues recently forwarded this message.
Enjoy:
Enjoy:
Driving Rules For Lexington, Kentucky
1. First of all, if you are going to find yourself driving around outside the city limits, you must learn to properly pronounce the name of the surrounding towns. Yes, we all know that the famous city in France is pronounced “Ver-sigh”, but around here Versailles is known as “Vurr-sails. Also, that famous town in Greece, you know.. Athens? Well, around here, its pronounced “A-thins’....much like the old redneck favorite.. the A-Team. And that other famous city in France? Well you might think that Paris, Kentucky, would be pronounced locally as fairly normal. Well NO, here it resembles more of the golf term “par”...instead of “pair-is”, we have “par’s”. I am so proud...
2. As for driving in Lexington, forget the traffic rules that you might have learned elsewhere. Lexington has its own version of traffic rules: at any 4-way stop sign, the vehicle with the loudest sound system goes first, then the one with the loudest exhaust goes next. The truck with the biggest tires goes after that.
Note: UK students, especially incoming freshmen, driving anything. have the right of way at anytime, (or at least they all drive like they do - be forewarned!)
3. To locate any street address in Lexington, it is first required that you know where “Keeneland” or “Rupp Arena” is; they are the Alpha and Omega of everything. Simply the beginning and the end of everything. From there. it would be a wise thing to study up on “thoroughbred racing history”....everything here is named after a dead horse.
4. There is no such street in Lexington as “SLIMESTONE’. It’s South Limestone, the street signs just look like that. Same goes for the one seemingly named after the evening meal. There’s no SUPPER - just South Upper.
5. Lexington is small; we don’t have a “rush hour”. We have a “mess everyone for two hours”. The main road here is Nicholasville Road. From 7-9 in the morning and 4-6 in the afternoon... .the lanes literally switch. The only way to tell is the lighted markers every quarter mile or so. If you are an out-of-towner, you are about to become the most hated person on earth and possibly a victim of an accident. The turning lane (usually reserved for the middle of the 5-7 lanes) has switched based on where the bulk of the traffic is going. If you understand that last sentence, you have lived here and don’t count. If you don’t you are dead. Just writing it confused me and I live here. Basically it means your normal turning lane is now a lane for us locals going 70 trying to get to work on time. Horns are fun in the morning.
6. A special note of caution about "red lights". If you actually do stop at a yellow light, please be assured: you will most likely be rear ended; you will definitely be cussed out and/or “flipped off’, and very possibly you will be shot. You only stop after the light has been red for a good 5 seconds or a when truck is aiming at your front end.
7. You must know that “East Main Street”, “Richmond Road”, State Highway 25, and Athens-Boonesboro Road are all one and the same. There are a lot of other place names like that too~ Street names, by law, must change every six blocks, or every six months, whichever comes first. When searching for a cross street, remember to look to the left and the right. as they will most likely have different names!
8. Thanks to an unusually able city council and equally able road planning department, construction is considered a permanent fixture in Lexington. Completion of any project is not to be contemplated; it just never ends. You might think that it does, but the traffic barrels are just moved around in the middle of the night just to make the next day’s driving a little bit more exciting for y’all. There is actually a vote coming in the November elections to nominate the “Orange Barrel” as our official city flower.
9. Please watch out at all times for road hazards such as deer, skunks, dogs, cats, traffic barrels (i.e. city flower), traffic cones, cows, horses (and horse manure.. especially downtown), pot holes, (lots of pot holes), pieces of other cars, truck tires. Possums, raccoons, squirrels, rabbits, and random articles of clothing with the crows or turkey vultures feeding on any of the above mentioned animal parts.
10. If you should happen to witness someone’s car with their turn signal on as a courtesy to others, you should assume he or she is from out of town. Immediately wave the offending driver over to the shoulder to let them know that this safety device has been “accidentally activated”. Some of our locals think if they use it too long, the air bags will deploy.
11. If you are in the left hand lane on any major roadway, and are only going 70 in a 55 mph zone... you are legally considered a road hazard; headlights will be flashed, car horns will be blown, and you will be “flipped off’ accordingly. Get the hell out of the way or ride a bike.
12. The minimum acceptable speed on “Man 0’ War” Parkway is 85 mph. Anything less than that is considered “just downright sissy”. (Please note: Man 0’ War is Lexington’s version of NASCAR.)
13. We are not the only city in the world that has a loop that surrounds the city making it easier to get from one side of town to another. We are the only inbred people who would put stop lights on half of it. It is half highway, half nightmare.... we are geniuses here in central KY my friends.... Where education pays...
13.4.07
Friday Rodent Blogging
Selene is trying to decide if she likes Mexican food or not. This could go either way.
12.4.07
Paint Day.. ish
Paint day didn't go quite according to plan. Still, I went and bought a pack of five Ratlings to boost my sniper squad, plus a Mordian heavy bolter which, when combined with the two heavy bolters I already have makes another support squad.
I have three days left. More will be done.
I have three days left. More will be done.
11.4.07
New Fraud
This would be more disturbing if it wasn't so typical. I received this email the other day:
I am not the named person, that's not my details and I never made that purchase so I was, apparently, supposed to click the link in a panic over my account being charged $270, and then, as requested, log in and thus give some arsehole my Paypal account details. Theft would follow.
Oh, but I'm smarter than the average bear, so I simply went direct to Paypal and checked my account. No $270 is pending. Rat smelled. I sent them the message and my suspicions were confirmed.
Nice try, though. The email even had all the Paypal graphics at the top and everything.
| This email confirms that you have paid Amazon Inc. $270.00 USD using PayPal. This credit card transaction will appear on your bill as "PAYPAL Amazon*".
If you haven't authorized this charge, click the link below to cancel the payment and get a full refund.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Thank you for using PayPal! The PayPal Team | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
I am not the named person, that's not my details and I never made that purchase so I was, apparently, supposed to click the link in a panic over my account being charged $270, and then, as requested, log in and thus give some arsehole my Paypal account details. Theft would follow.
Oh, but I'm smarter than the average bear, so I simply went direct to Paypal and checked my account. No $270 is pending. Rat smelled. I sent them the message and my suspicions were confirmed.
Nice try, though. The email even had all the Paypal graphics at the top and everything.
Paint Day Cometh.. Again
I have tomorrow off, so paint day is here again. I intend to finish off my Hardened Veterans squad, plus my all lascannon heavy weapon squad.
I also have Friday, Saturday and Sunday off, so there could be real headway made this week.
Maybe.
I also have Friday, Saturday and Sunday off, so there could be real headway made this week.
Maybe.
It's a what with a who, now?
A visitor just found my blog by searching blogcatalog for "hot indian girls," believe it or not.
Seriously. Check it out. I'm on page 814. It's my review of Ghost Rider, which contains the word "hot", but neither "indian" nor "girls" appears anywhere.
Weird..
Seriously. Check it out. I'm on page 814. It's my review of Ghost Rider, which contains the word "hot", but neither "indian" nor "girls" appears anywhere.
Weird..
10.4.07
Scientists "perfect" bacon butty
No, really.
The bacon butty didn't need perfecting. The bacon butty is already perfect.
Here's a recipe:
A bacon butty - any bacon butty - is so perfect that even a crap bacon butty is still better than almost any food on the planet.
And don't even get me started on the magnificence that is the chip butty.
Silly scientists pursuing impossible goals..
Scientists have created a mathematical formula of how to make the perfect bacon butty.Experts at Leeds University discovered the secret to the ideal sandwich lay in how crispy and crunchy rashers were.
They found that two or three back bacon rashers should be cooked under a preheated oven grill for seven minutes at about 240C (475F).
The bacon should then be placed between two slices of farmhouse bread, 1cm to 2cm thick.
The bacon butty didn't need perfecting. The bacon butty is already perfect.
Here's a recipe:
Doombreed's perfect bacon butty:
Two slices of bread (any type, at least moderately fresh)
Some bacon (number to taste, but the more the merrier), cooked to taste.
HP brown sauce or Heinz tomato ketchup.
Put cooked bacon on once slice of bread. Add sauce. Put the other slice on top. Eat.
A bacon butty - any bacon butty - is so perfect that even a crap bacon butty is still better than almost any food on the planet.
And don't even get me started on the magnificence that is the chip butty.
Silly scientists pursuing impossible goals..
8.4.07
There Is Nothing I can Add To This...
Cast of "Spamalot" hoping to break "world's largest coconut orchestra" record.
There is a world beyond awestruck. I am there.
There is a world beyond awestruck. I am there.
They Never Cease To Surprise Me
In his Easter address, Dr Rowan Williams, the Archbishop Of Canterbury, will "call for reconciliation around the world."
Okay, I'm getting a familiar vibe here..
Hey, dumbass, the majority of the world's population doesn't believe in your god. To them, your little Easter tale is nothing more than a fairy tale. It is not instructional, it doesn't point the way to anything, it reveals nothing. It was a story invented to take Eostermonath away from the Pagans. It means nothing to most of the people on the planet.
Happy Eostermonath, everyone. Hope the fertility Goddess blesses you and yours.
In his sermon, Dr Williams will say Christianity's most important festival - marking the resurrection of Jesus three days after his death by crucifixion - shows how reconciliation can be achieved in the present day.
He will say that its account of devastation followed by joy shows how if those engaged in conflict can admit their own faults, they can escape the deadlock of mutual hatred and suspicion.
Okay, I'm getting a familiar vibe here..
"Give up the struggle to be innocent and the hope that God will proclaim that you were right and everyone else wrong. Simply ask for whatever healing it is that you need, whatever grace and hope you need to be free, then step towards your neighbour.
"Easter reveals a God who is ready to give you that grace and to walk with you."
He will add: "When in our world we are faced with the terrible deadlocks of mutual hatred and suspicion, with rival stories of suffering and atrocity, we have to pray for this resurrection message to be heard."
Hey, dumbass, the majority of the world's population doesn't believe in your god. To them, your little Easter tale is nothing more than a fairy tale. It is not instructional, it doesn't point the way to anything, it reveals nothing. It was a story invented to take Eostermonath away from the Pagans. It means nothing to most of the people on the planet.
Happy Eostermonath, everyone. Hope the fertility Goddess blesses you and yours.
7.4.07
Friday Rodent Blogging
Selene appears to be changing colour again. Her muzzle is getting darker, as is her forehead.
She's also perfected that seriously evil look..
5.4.07
Catching Up
For one reason or another, I haven't blogged for a few days, so we'll call this a catchup post and hope nobody notices (or cares).
Adam Finley over at TV Squad linked to my entry about the ATHFCMFFT shown on [adult swim] the other night. Over two hundred people clicked through and visited. This means that I'd had more visitors by the 3rd than I average in most months, so everyone can take the next few weeks off. Also linking was Seth at Mostly Muppet Dot Com, so cheers, guys.
For more on ATHFCMFFT, check out KingColon.com, the official site for the movie. It not only has the trailers, but also the aptly named "worst game ever", and the opportunity to send a personalised message from one of the ATHF characters to your friends (HINT: Pick Carl, and type in a hobby rather than picking one from the list. It's hilarious.). Best of all is the music video, which has Meatwad performing The Planet's Best Guitar Solo Ever In The History Of Everything, Ever, I'm Not Kidding, Seriously, Trust Me On This.
And, finally, Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film For Theaters comes out on the 13th.
Go.
See.
It.
P.s. You can preorder the soundtrack album, Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film For Theaters Colon The Soundtrack (ATHFCMFFTCTS) at Amazon right now. Or just click the "soundtrack" link on KingColon.com and listen to a bangin' sample.
Adam Finley over at TV Squad linked to my entry about the ATHFCMFFT shown on [adult swim] the other night. Over two hundred people clicked through and visited. This means that I'd had more visitors by the 3rd than I average in most months, so everyone can take the next few weeks off. Also linking was Seth at Mostly Muppet Dot Com, so cheers, guys.
For more on ATHFCMFFT, check out KingColon.com, the official site for the movie. It not only has the trailers, but also the aptly named "worst game ever", and the opportunity to send a personalised message from one of the ATHF characters to your friends (HINT: Pick Carl, and type in a hobby rather than picking one from the list. It's hilarious.). Best of all is the music video, which has Meatwad performing The Planet's Best Guitar Solo Ever In The History Of Everything, Ever, I'm Not Kidding, Seriously, Trust Me On This.
And, finally, Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film For Theaters comes out on the 13th.
Go.
See.
It.
P.s. You can preorder the soundtrack album, Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film For Theaters Colon The Soundtrack (ATHFCMFFTCTS) at Amazon right now. Or just click the "soundtrack" link on KingColon.com and listen to a bangin' sample.
2.4.07
ATHFCMFFT World Premiere
ATHFCMFFT (Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film For Theaters - the acronym might be a jibe at the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie which is, everywhere, simply being listed as TMNT) is Adult Swim's first full length movie. So why would they show it on TV two weeks before it was due for release in theaters?
The commercials said it was because they are "****ing insane". The date for this premiere? 1st April 2007.
Oh, yeah. Uh-huh. Hah. April Fool.
Nope.
ATHFCMFFT did show last night. In its entirety.
It's just that there was no soundtrack and the screen, on my telly, was about an inch wide, and it was down in the bottom left corner whilst Adult Swim's usual programming went on as normal.
****king funny, I call it.
If you don't know about Aqua Teen Hunger Force, suffice it to say that it is one of the funniest shows ever made. Find it, watch it, enjoy is, go see ATHFCMFFT when it comes out. Such genius deserves rewarding.
The commercials said it was because they are "****ing insane". The date for this premiere? 1st April 2007.
Oh, yeah. Uh-huh. Hah. April Fool.
Nope.
ATHFCMFFT did show last night. In its entirety.
It's just that there was no soundtrack and the screen, on my telly, was about an inch wide, and it was down in the bottom left corner whilst Adult Swim's usual programming went on as normal.
****king funny, I call it.
If you don't know about Aqua Teen Hunger Force, suffice it to say that it is one of the funniest shows ever made. Find it, watch it, enjoy is, go see ATHFCMFFT when it comes out. Such genius deserves rewarding.
1.4.07
"Human" Rights?
A court in Austria is hearing a case which will decide if Hiasl, a chimpanzee, is entitled to be protected in the same way as a human child would. The animal sanctuary where Haisl lives is about to close, and rather than see him shuttled off to a zoo or lab, Paula Stibbe is applying to become his legal guardian. Unfortunately, the whole business of appointing a guardian only applies to cases where a human, who requires legal representation, is incapable of making informed decisions on their own.
So the case, allegedly, boils down to the question of whether Hiasl is human or not.
People are getting way bent out of shape over this. Comments like "what next? He gets to vote?" are commonplace where this is being discussed.
But this case isn't about whether Hiasl is human. It's not about granting human rights to chimps. It's about whether this one chimp deserves protection because the animal sanctuary he lives at is going bankrupt and the new owners have indicated they don't care.
Also, Hiasl has received donations from benefactors but, legally, cannot spend them himself, nor have them spent on his behalf unless a guardian is appointed by the court.
Of course, the fundies are getting out of their prams on this. They were mad when science said apes were intelligent, for The LORD Your God only gave humans intelligence. They were mad when science said we were related to apes, for The LORD Your God did make us in His image. They were mad when science said that, not only were we related to chimps, but that we share over 99% of the same DNA, for The LORD Your God said that DNA.. well.. to be truthful, The LORD Your God didn't say anything about DNA because when The Bible was written, nobody knew what it was. But you can bet that, had they known about it, The LORD Your God would have bloody well made sure that ours was 100% unique.
Quite what the fundies think The LORD Your God said about an animal being granted, even in the most limited and restricted way, rights more often reserved for humans is anyone's guess. But they are upset. And they are trying to find a way to claim it is wrong.
Look. In the specific, limited context of this one, single case involving this one, single ape, and in no way condoning any weird, baseless fantasies about apes voting, standing for office, being given driving licences and passports, or extending human rights to dogs, cats, rats, spiders, stick insects, bananas or bacteria, I support Hiasl's side in this. If this is what it takes to protect this one, single animal, then sure, why not?
Human rights are an artificial construct. In the wild, rights are nonexistent. In human society, the only rights you have - proclamations of universal human rights notwithstanding - are those either granted by the society in which you live or those that you can physically claim and defend by yourself. Drop a human into a pride of hungry lions and his right to life will mean precisely nothing. Rights are granted by society. So why can't certain rights for animals be granted in the same way? Is it really going to hurt you?
The situation in Spain, where one party is going to put forth a law that would, if passed, recognise apes as having basic human rights. If the law passes, and those who voted for it retain their jobs at the next election (thus signifying that the Spanish electorate approves of the law), what's it got to do with anyone outside Spain?
But - just a thought - leave the fantasising to the moviemakers and authors. This isn't going to bring about The Planet Of The Apes.
So the case, allegedly, boils down to the question of whether Hiasl is human or not.
People are getting way bent out of shape over this. Comments like "what next? He gets to vote?" are commonplace where this is being discussed.
But this case isn't about whether Hiasl is human. It's not about granting human rights to chimps. It's about whether this one chimp deserves protection because the animal sanctuary he lives at is going bankrupt and the new owners have indicated they don't care.
Also, Hiasl has received donations from benefactors but, legally, cannot spend them himself, nor have them spent on his behalf unless a guardian is appointed by the court.
Of course, the fundies are getting out of their prams on this. They were mad when science said apes were intelligent, for The LORD Your God only gave humans intelligence. They were mad when science said we were related to apes, for The LORD Your God did make us in His image. They were mad when science said that, not only were we related to chimps, but that we share over 99% of the same DNA, for The LORD Your God said that DNA.. well.. to be truthful, The LORD Your God didn't say anything about DNA because when The Bible was written, nobody knew what it was. But you can bet that, had they known about it, The LORD Your God would have bloody well made sure that ours was 100% unique.
Quite what the fundies think The LORD Your God said about an animal being granted, even in the most limited and restricted way, rights more often reserved for humans is anyone's guess. But they are upset. And they are trying to find a way to claim it is wrong.
Look. In the specific, limited context of this one, single case involving this one, single ape, and in no way condoning any weird, baseless fantasies about apes voting, standing for office, being given driving licences and passports, or extending human rights to dogs, cats, rats, spiders, stick insects, bananas or bacteria, I support Hiasl's side in this. If this is what it takes to protect this one, single animal, then sure, why not?
Human rights are an artificial construct. In the wild, rights are nonexistent. In human society, the only rights you have - proclamations of universal human rights notwithstanding - are those either granted by the society in which you live or those that you can physically claim and defend by yourself. Drop a human into a pride of hungry lions and his right to life will mean precisely nothing. Rights are granted by society. So why can't certain rights for animals be granted in the same way? Is it really going to hurt you?
The situation in Spain, where one party is going to put forth a law that would, if passed, recognise apes as having basic human rights. If the law passes, and those who voted for it retain their jobs at the next election (thus signifying that the Spanish electorate approves of the law), what's it got to do with anyone outside Spain?
But - just a thought - leave the fantasising to the moviemakers and authors. This isn't going to bring about The Planet Of The Apes.
More Fool Who?
Well, it's April 1st tomorrow (okay, today), so we can expect the usual round of lame practical jokes followed by shrieks of "April Fool!" from those with the sense of humour of a placemat and the sophistication of a comatose puppy.
Real April Fool's jokes require subtlety and skill.
The all-time greatest has to go to the BBC who, in 1957, fooled thousands into believing that spaghetti grew on trees and, in 1976, beloved BBC astronomer Sir Patrick Moore had people jumping up into the air because a unique alignment of the planets would temporarily decrease the Earth's gravity. Scarier is that hundreds called into his show to say that the experiment worked and they had, indeed, gently floated back to the ground.
Then, in 1980, they reported that St Stephen's Tower (the big clock tower on the side of the Houses Of Parliament in London, often erroneously called "Big Ben" which is actually the name of the giant bell with the off-key note) was going to be upgraded with a digital face. Thousands - from all over the world - contacted the BBC to protest.
In 1999 Auntie Beeb announced that the British National Anthem - God Save The Queen - was to be replaced by a "Euro anthem" and, what's worse, it was sung in German. Apparently, even Prince Charles' office was taken in by that one.
And way back in 1965, the Beeb conducted an experiment into "smell-o-vision", which many, again, reported was successful, claiming they actually could smell the odours from their TV sets.
Oh, but one can never forget The Great Grandstand Dust Up. In 1989, whilst Des Lynam was presenting, a heated discussion between two men was going on behind him. The discussion escalated and a full-scale fight broke out, whilst Des, apparently oblivious, continued to read his script. The whole thing was staged, but the clip often turns up on "bloopers" shows that believe it was real. I saw it myself on a show over here just last year.
Somehow, in comparison, filling the sugar bowl with salt in the work canteen just seems.. pathetic.
Still, have a happy Intelligent Design Day. And watch out for the fools..
Real April Fool's jokes require subtlety and skill.
The all-time greatest has to go to the BBC who, in 1957, fooled thousands into believing that spaghetti grew on trees and, in 1976, beloved BBC astronomer Sir Patrick Moore had people jumping up into the air because a unique alignment of the planets would temporarily decrease the Earth's gravity. Scarier is that hundreds called into his show to say that the experiment worked and they had, indeed, gently floated back to the ground.
Then, in 1980, they reported that St Stephen's Tower (the big clock tower on the side of the Houses Of Parliament in London, often erroneously called "Big Ben" which is actually the name of the giant bell with the off-key note) was going to be upgraded with a digital face. Thousands - from all over the world - contacted the BBC to protest.
In 1999 Auntie Beeb announced that the British National Anthem - God Save The Queen - was to be replaced by a "Euro anthem" and, what's worse, it was sung in German. Apparently, even Prince Charles' office was taken in by that one.
And way back in 1965, the Beeb conducted an experiment into "smell-o-vision", which many, again, reported was successful, claiming they actually could smell the odours from their TV sets.
Oh, but one can never forget The Great Grandstand Dust Up. In 1989, whilst Des Lynam was presenting, a heated discussion between two men was going on behind him. The discussion escalated and a full-scale fight broke out, whilst Des, apparently oblivious, continued to read his script. The whole thing was staged, but the clip often turns up on "bloopers" shows that believe it was real. I saw it myself on a show over here just last year.
Somehow, in comparison, filling the sugar bowl with salt in the work canteen just seems.. pathetic.
Still, have a happy Intelligent Design Day. And watch out for the fools..
30.3.07
Friday Rodent Blogging
Selene, caught by Mrs Doombreed in the act of overbalancing and falling into her food bowl, tries desperately to maintain the illusion that it was all deliberate and she meant to do a faceplant.
29.3.07
SpongeBob's Kidnapper In Court
For those who have been following the story of SpongeBob, the rare Bolivian monkey who was stolen from Chessington World Of Adventures in England, one Marlon Brown, 23, has been charged with the theft and is undergoing trial at Kingston Crown Court.
Unfortunately, the BBC reports, SpongeBob has been rejected by the other monkeys at Chessington and has been given a temporary home at Battersea Zoo.
And now for the "aww" factor:
Staff at Chessington have started "SpongeBob the Squirrel Monkey's Blog"(or SpongeBlog, as it's called), which allows him (ahem) to update interested parties with his progress.
Keep us updated, little fella.
Unfortunately, the BBC reports, SpongeBob has been rejected by the other monkeys at Chessington and has been given a temporary home at Battersea Zoo.
And now for the "aww" factor:
Staff at Chessington have started "SpongeBob the Squirrel Monkey's Blog"(or SpongeBlog, as it's called), which allows him (ahem) to update interested parties with his progress.
"Hi, my name is SpongeBob the Squirrel Monkey. I used to live in the Zoo at Chessington World of Adventures and you may have heard about me as I am the little fella who was stolen from the Zoo on the 17 July. Someone broke in and took me away from my friends and my home - can you believe it?
Although they managed to find me again and I came back to Chessington, I have now had to move to another Zoo as the other monkeys didn't want me back with them! It's been a bit of an adventure, so I thought I'd tell you about it all in my SpongeBlog. Check back often to learn about all my experiences and how I am settling in in Battersea Park Zoo."
Keep us updated, little fella.
28.3.07
Praetorian 22nd
Here it is, the Praetorian 22nd as it now stands. Still experimenting with my camera trying to get decent results.
26.3.07
Oh No..
GW is bringing back the Harlequins. Me likee. Especially the new Death Jesters.
Has anyone told Wilf yet?
Eh, I bet he's already pre-ordered his.
Has anyone told Wilf yet?
Eh, I bet he's already pre-ordered his.
25.3.07
Rough Riders Declared Done
Someone mildly famous once said that no work of art is ever finished, merely abandoned.
Today, I abandoned my Rough Riders.
Today, I also started on turning some Steel Legion models into a hardened veteran squad. Pics once they, too, are abandoned.
P.s. Kudos to the delectable Mrs Doombreed for suggesting the white and gold combination for the lances, which look very effective.
24.3.07
Friday Rodent Blogging
And lo, it did come to pass, that on that fifth day the protective seals did fail, and the chains did break, and the gates did fall, and the mighty beast emerged thirsting for blood and flesh, devowering all who stood in its way.
Selene, disturbed from her rest, goes on a minor rampage.
22.3.07
Wow.. Just.. Wow..
People who spent most of the night - and the previous day - queueing up at the Virgin Megastore in London's Oxford Street in order to get their sweaty paws on a PlayStation 3 console got more than they expected. Not only were they kept awake with free coffee and coca cola, but each of them was given a free taxi ride home. Which they needed. They needed it because Sony also gave each of them a TV to play it on.
A £2,500 high-definition TV.
Wow.
And the console they're going to be playing on that TV doesn't sound like it was named by a five-year old who needed the loo.
A £2,500 high-definition TV.
Wow.
And the console they're going to be playing on that TV doesn't sound like it was named by a five-year old who needed the loo.
21.3.07
Pizza, Subs and Physical Impossibilites - Delivered To Your Door
Whilst waiting for a pizza recently, I noticed that our local Domino's has a sign on their oven. The sign reads something like "GREAT PIZZA IS A MATTER OF DEGREES" and then has the warning "CAUTION: OVEN +/- 500 DEGREES."
Now, I know what it's supposed to mean. It's supposed to mean that the oven is to within a few degrees either way of 500 ℉.
However, the way it's worded actually means that the ovens could either be 500 ℉ or -500 ℉.
And seeing as absolute zero is -459.67 ℉ (or -273.15 ℃), Domino's pizza ovens appear to violate the laws of physics.
It's a good job Scotty doesn't work there..
Now, I know what it's supposed to mean. It's supposed to mean that the oven is to within a few degrees either way of 500 ℉.
However, the way it's worded actually means that the ovens could either be 500 ℉ or -500 ℉.
And seeing as absolute zero is -459.67 ℉ (or -273.15 ℃), Domino's pizza ovens appear to violate the laws of physics.
It's a good job Scotty doesn't work there..
20.3.07
Ever Felt That Dumb?
This morning, before leaving for work, I perused my "library" for a book to read. I think I've mentioned on here before how I have a book for work and a book for home. This moment's home book is The Bourne Supremacy, purely because I'd just read The Bourne Identity and will, no doubt, be continuing on to The Bourne Ultimatum next. Workwise, I'd just finished Deathwing*, so I needed some more reading material.
I ran my eye along my modest collection of Games Workshop books. Farseer? Nah. Storm Of Iron? Maybe next. Into The Maelstrom? Hmm.. I remember reading that and not liking a few of the stories, but I could always skip those and read the good ones. I almost didn't. I almost went back to Storm Of Iron.
But off I toddled to work, Into The Maelstrom tucked into my pocket. First break rolls around and outside I go. The first story, Salvation by Jonathan Green, is very good. But I don't remember it. Next came Into The Maelstrom by Chris Pramas. Also very good. Again, I don't remember it. After that, and by now I'm back outside for my lunch, I read Emperor's Grace by Alex Hammond. Not quite so good, but also unknown. Then I hit The Raven's Claw by Jonathan Curran. Now I know I've never read this one before. I would definitely have remembered this one. As I cross over into Children Of The Emperor by Barrington J. Bailey, I find, hiding between the pages like some anorexic bookmark, the original receipt from when I bought the book.
That's right. For two years this book has been sitting on my bookcase, me thinking that it was "okay" and "not the best", and I had never even read it. Ever.
Sad.
*And not the crappy new Deathwing either. This is the old version, where Grimm's still a Squat and compacks aren't called "vox casters".
I ran my eye along my modest collection of Games Workshop books. Farseer? Nah. Storm Of Iron? Maybe next. Into The Maelstrom? Hmm.. I remember reading that and not liking a few of the stories, but I could always skip those and read the good ones. I almost didn't. I almost went back to Storm Of Iron.
But off I toddled to work, Into The Maelstrom tucked into my pocket. First break rolls around and outside I go. The first story, Salvation by Jonathan Green, is very good. But I don't remember it. Next came Into The Maelstrom by Chris Pramas. Also very good. Again, I don't remember it. After that, and by now I'm back outside for my lunch, I read Emperor's Grace by Alex Hammond. Not quite so good, but also unknown. Then I hit The Raven's Claw by Jonathan Curran. Now I know I've never read this one before. I would definitely have remembered this one. As I cross over into Children Of The Emperor by Barrington J. Bailey, I find, hiding between the pages like some anorexic bookmark, the original receipt from when I bought the book.
That's right. For two years this book has been sitting on my bookcase, me thinking that it was "okay" and "not the best", and I had never even read it. Ever.
Sad.
*And not the crappy new Deathwing either. This is the old version, where Grimm's still a Squat and compacks aren't called "vox casters".
19.3.07
This is why religion is dangerous
A few months ago I mentioned the fact that the British government had just announced that the Catholic church has to obey the law just like everyone else. The law in question is new regulations concerning discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Part of the new law deals with adoption, and how agencies aren't allowed to refuse placement on the grounds that the couple are same-sex. The Catholic church attempted to put themselves above the law and were told, basically, not a chance.
Now, the Catholic church is hitting back by whining about MPs "rail-roading" the laws through Parliament, despite all regulations being met and all proprieties being observed. Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, who presumes to speak for all of England and Wales, claims the process was "an abuse of parliamentary democracy" and said "profound public concern about aspects of these regulations has not been heard."
I probably don't need to mention what those two lines translate as.
That's not really what prompted this post. A church having a whinge because somebody reminds them that they aren't, after all, the sole voice of law in the universe is funny, but not unusual.
What's prompted this is the report mentioning that, if the Catholics don't get their own way, the Catholic adoption facilities which, apparently, "handle some of the most difficult-to-place children", will close rather than adhere to the new laws.
There it is. Right there. Rather than occasionally having to consider placing a child with a same-sex couple, the Catholic church, in its compassion, love and humanity, is going to abandon all of them.
Yeah, nice.
I doubt many same-sex couples would bother going to a Catholic adoption agency if they had any sort of a choice, but rather than take that minuscule risk, the "God is love" brigade will refuse to help any child in need of a family.
All that "compromising beliefs" talk is bull. The Catholic church wanted to be above man's laws and they got slapped down, so they're taking their ball and going home.
Any faith that can prompt a person to make such a ridiculous, harmful decision is a faith that deserves no respect, a faith that does more harm than good.
Now, the Catholic church is hitting back by whining about MPs "rail-roading" the laws through Parliament, despite all regulations being met and all proprieties being observed. Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, who presumes to speak for all of England and Wales, claims the process was "an abuse of parliamentary democracy" and said "profound public concern about aspects of these regulations has not been heard."
I probably don't need to mention what those two lines translate as.
That's not really what prompted this post. A church having a whinge because somebody reminds them that they aren't, after all, the sole voice of law in the universe is funny, but not unusual.
What's prompted this is the report mentioning that, if the Catholics don't get their own way, the Catholic adoption facilities which, apparently, "handle some of the most difficult-to-place children", will close rather than adhere to the new laws.
There it is. Right there. Rather than occasionally having to consider placing a child with a same-sex couple, the Catholic church, in its compassion, love and humanity, is going to abandon all of them.
Yeah, nice.
I doubt many same-sex couples would bother going to a Catholic adoption agency if they had any sort of a choice, but rather than take that minuscule risk, the "God is love" brigade will refuse to help any child in need of a family.
All that "compromising beliefs" talk is bull. The Catholic church wanted to be above man's laws and they got slapped down, so they're taking their ball and going home.
Any faith that can prompt a person to make such a ridiculous, harmful decision is a faith that deserves no respect, a faith that does more harm than good.
18.3.07
Rough Riders Update
I managed to get a little painting in whilst watching Gridiron Gang (good movie, BTW) today. Some small progress has been made with the Rough Riders.For those counting, that's more progress in four days than in the last six months.
Paint Day Celebration
With paint day come and gone, and unlikely to be repeated in the near future (although I may get something done tomorrow, it just depends) I thought I should commemorate it with a picture of my now completed Command HQ.Rear row (l-r): Veteran, Standard Bearer, Medic, Colonel Ironfist, Nork Deddog, Vox Operator.
Front row: Anti-tank support squad.
For reasons that I just can't properly articulate, the Vox Operator is my favourite model. He just stands out from the rest of the squad and looks exactly as I planned him.
17.3.07
Friday Rodent Blogging
Selene's food bowl is wedged between her house and the wall of her cage, leaving a small cubby hole which, for some reason, she considers the perfect place to hide and eat the latest pumpkin seed.Still, makes for a good photo op.
15.3.07
Paint Day.. Sorta
Paint day turned out, in fact, to be laundry day, so not as much painting was done as I would have liked.
I did get my Rough Riders started, and my command squad finished, so I did what I set out to do.
I am very pleased with how the command squad came out, and the Rough Riders (well, their mounts) look very promising.
More updates as and when I find time.
14.3.07
Legion Of The Damned
Whilst I was rooting through a second-hand bookstore a while back, I found a copy of a book by William C. Dietz, called Legion Of The Damned.
Now, for some time, I had been hearing rumours that Games Workshop were planning to release a novel concerning the Legion Of The Damned, which would answer some of the many questions concerning that mysterious band of undead Space Marines, so I grabbed it.
Of course, I didn't check the cover too closely. If I had, I would have noticed that the GW logo appears absolutely nowhere.
Anyway, I eventually got around to reading it and.. well, it took me about three lines to realise something was amiss. I closed the book and looked at the cover. Legion Of The Damned. "Across a thousand years, across a thousand stars, they stand alone..."
Sounds good. Flip the book over. Read the back.
Disheartened, I put the book down and reached for another.
Some time later, I picked up another book that looked promising. Steelheart. After reading it I decided to look into what else the author had written, because it was a very enjoyable story.
Guess what?
Steelheart was written by none other than William C. Dietz.
Cautiously, I returned to Legion Of The Damned and picked it up..
..And didn't put it down until it was finished.
Legion Of The Damned is a fantastic book. It's actually better than I was expecting when I thought it was a Warhammer 40,000 novel.
So now I'm looking out for The Final Battle, By Blood Alone, By Force Of Arms, More Than Glory, For Those Who Fell, and When All Seems Lost, which continue the story started in Legion Of The Damned.
Yes, picking up that book may well turn out to be an expensive mistake.
Now, for some time, I had been hearing rumours that Games Workshop were planning to release a novel concerning the Legion Of The Damned, which would answer some of the many questions concerning that mysterious band of undead Space Marines, so I grabbed it.
Of course, I didn't check the cover too closely. If I had, I would have noticed that the GW logo appears absolutely nowhere.
Anyway, I eventually got around to reading it and.. well, it took me about three lines to realise something was amiss. I closed the book and looked at the cover. Legion Of The Damned. "Across a thousand years, across a thousand stars, they stand alone..."
Sounds good. Flip the book over. Read the back.
"When all hope is lost-for the terminally ill, for the condemned criminal, for the victim who cannot be saved-there comes one final choice.
You can choose life-as a cyborg soldier in the Legion.
Both more and less than human, these steel warriors with determined human minds are the most elite fighting force in the Empire.
The are fearsome-and expendable. They are the...
Legion Of The Damned
...God help them."
Disheartened, I put the book down and reached for another.
Some time later, I picked up another book that looked promising. Steelheart. After reading it I decided to look into what else the author had written, because it was a very enjoyable story.
Guess what?
Steelheart was written by none other than William C. Dietz.
Cautiously, I returned to Legion Of The Damned and picked it up..
..And didn't put it down until it was finished.
Legion Of The Damned is a fantastic book. It's actually better than I was expecting when I thought it was a Warhammer 40,000 novel.
So now I'm looking out for The Final Battle, By Blood Alone, By Force Of Arms, More Than Glory, For Those Who Fell, and When All Seems Lost, which continue the story started in Legion Of The Damned.
Yes, picking up that book may well turn out to be an expensive mistake.
13.3.07
News From The Land Of The Bizarre
Not much time to blog tonight, because I've been making a hot rod with a chainsaw again.
One day left 'till paint day.
And, for your dining and dancing pleasure (not to mention, so that you don't feel completely cheated) here is more News From The Land Of The Bizarre:
An Oklahoman woman calls the cops to buy drugs, a Californian guy breaks into a woman's house and then falls asleep, butt nekkid, on the couch, a Wisconsin resident chops off his electronic "house arrest" ankle bracelet so he could go appear on The Jerry Springer Show, a city in Maryland finally gets around to fixing a twenty-year old sign that directs visitors to the "Municple Stadium", a 19-year old Iowan tries to bribe his way out of an underage drinking charge* with seventeen dollars, and in Arizona, a dude accidentally sets fire to his meth lab, and then pops down to Walmart to buy a fire extinguisher, little realising that the fire brigade just might be there by the time he gets back.
Legal Alien: all the news that's fit to laugh at.
*it's 21 here, not 18 like back home.
One day left 'till paint day.
And, for your dining and dancing pleasure (not to mention, so that you don't feel completely cheated) here is more News From The Land Of The Bizarre:
An Oklahoman woman calls the cops to buy drugs, a Californian guy breaks into a woman's house and then falls asleep, butt nekkid, on the couch, a Wisconsin resident chops off his electronic "house arrest" ankle bracelet so he could go appear on The Jerry Springer Show, a city in Maryland finally gets around to fixing a twenty-year old sign that directs visitors to the "Municple Stadium", a 19-year old Iowan tries to bribe his way out of an underage drinking charge* with seventeen dollars, and in Arizona, a dude accidentally sets fire to his meth lab, and then pops down to Walmart to buy a fire extinguisher, little realising that the fire brigade just might be there by the time he gets back.
Legal Alien: all the news that's fit to laugh at.
*it's 21 here, not 18 like back home.
12.3.07
Paint Day Cometh
I have Thursday off, and I'm excited about this because it's my first day off since last Sunday. Yep, I'm on day eight of a nice ten-day stretch.
Anyway, this Thursday is going to be paint day. I intend to finish off my command squad and at least get started on my Rough Riders.
Expect an update on Thursday night.
Riiiight..
Anyway, this Thursday is going to be paint day. I intend to finish off my command squad and at least get started on my Rough Riders.
Expect an update on Thursday night.
Riiiight..
I Love YouTube
Kind of appropriate, given the time of year that's rapidly approaching, here is Eddie Izzard on Easter and Christmas..
Enjoy.
Enjoy.
11.3.07
Daylight Savings Time
For reasons best known to themselves, the American government decided to start Daylight Savings Time (DST) as of today. This means that it's actually 4.34 am here, and we're now 4 hours behind England, where British Summer Time (BST) doesn't start for another two weeks.
Yes, that means my little "My Time" clock down there on the right is wrong, so I'll have to go update it.
Yes, that means my little "My Time" clock down there on the right is wrong, so I'll have to go update it.
10.3.07
Friday Rodent Blogging
"Yes? You wanted something?"Your gracious host rudely disturbs Selene and gets The Look for his pains.
8.3.07
Rowan Atkinson on..
Two hilarious videos from the great comedian Rowan Atkinson.
The first,via WasShe at AP, is Rowan Atkinson on the Jesus "water into wine" miracle:
The second, straight from YouTube, is "Welcome To Hell":
Abso-bloody-lutely hilarious.
The first,via WasShe at AP, is Rowan Atkinson on the Jesus "water into wine" miracle:
The second, straight from YouTube, is "Welcome To Hell":
Abso-bloody-lutely hilarious.
Olio
Yesterday's entry attracted a comment, my first for a while, from Lee, who had found me via Atheism Online.
Which was nice.
Lee's blog is called Olio, and is worth a read. And, as a bonus, one of the thing I like to do upon seeing a blog for the first time is to rummage through the links list and see what's there. Olio has a large links list. This could take a while.
Meanwhile, read the blog. Enjoy.
Which was nice.
Lee's blog is called Olio, and is worth a read. And, as a bonus, one of the thing I like to do upon seeing a blog for the first time is to rummage through the links list and see what's there. Olio has a large links list. This could take a while.
Meanwhile, read the blog. Enjoy.
6.3.07
This Page Intentionally Left Blank
Blogging is going to be a little light tonight because I'm in the middle of building a hot rod out of some WWII tanks using only a chainsaw and an arc welder.
Not buying it?
Okay, I'm actually playing games over at Neopets.
Yeah, really.
Mrs Doombreed is a big Neopets fan and she is trying to fulfill all the daily challenges, but there's some games I'm better at playing, so I get drafted.
Fun.
Not buying it?
Okay, I'm actually playing games over at Neopets.
Yeah, really.
Mrs Doombreed is a big Neopets fan and she is trying to fulfill all the daily challenges, but there's some games I'm better at playing, so I get drafted.
Fun.
5.3.07
Crocodile Hunter Meets His Match
Thanks to Mrs Doombreed, who knows my sense of humour all too well, I recently saw this amazing video from the Jay Leno show. The late Steve Irwin was paired up with Ross, Leno's intern who is slightly less masculine than John Inman.
After a nervous start, where Irwin clearly had no idea how to handle the effeminate Ross, a few jokes are exchanged and it just takes off like a rocket. Enjoy.
After a nervous start, where Irwin clearly had no idea how to handle the effeminate Ross, a few jokes are exchanged and it just takes off like a rocket. Enjoy.
4.3.07
Zodiac
Zodiac is about a serial killer that most people outside of the US would only have heard of because of one of the Dirty Harry movies.
Zodiac was active in California in the late sixties and early seventies. He took delight in sending notes and encrypted messages to the press and, most unusual for a serial killer, was never caught.
I don't know how accurate the movie is, seeing as it is based around some speculation, but it is very much worth watching.
Jake Gyllenhaal plays Robert Graysmith, a cartoonist at a San Francisco newspaper. The movie is less about the actual Zodiac murders and more about Graysmith's obsession with them. In real life, Graysmith authored what is considered to be the definitive book on the Zodiac murders and, many believe, has correctly identified the killer.
The movie is deep without being unwieldy, fast paced without being mindless, gripping without being cliche, true-to-life without being kitchy.
I loved it. 3 hours went by and I only noticed when I stood up to leave and almost couldn't walk.
Doombreed rating: * * * * 1/2
Zodiac was active in California in the late sixties and early seventies. He took delight in sending notes and encrypted messages to the press and, most unusual for a serial killer, was never caught.
I don't know how accurate the movie is, seeing as it is based around some speculation, but it is very much worth watching.
Jake Gyllenhaal plays Robert Graysmith, a cartoonist at a San Francisco newspaper. The movie is less about the actual Zodiac murders and more about Graysmith's obsession with them. In real life, Graysmith authored what is considered to be the definitive book on the Zodiac murders and, many believe, has correctly identified the killer.
The movie is deep without being unwieldy, fast paced without being mindless, gripping without being cliche, true-to-life without being kitchy.
I loved it. 3 hours went by and I only noticed when I stood up to leave and almost couldn't walk.
Doombreed rating: * * * * 1/2
New Dark Angels
I've been a fan of Games Workshop since I was very young. I kid you not, it's been about twenty years or so. But every so often GW does something that, well, pisses me off.
Squats. Don't get me started.
But now GW has done something weird.
The new Dark Angels. Okay, I don't have a problem with much of the range. The new DA Company Master model is awesome. Like the Blood Angels character Captain Tycho, it's based off of the original four Space Marine captain models (DA, SW, BA, and UM) , and the change is a big improvement. The new Master of the Ravenwing is just droolworthy. No, it's the Deathwing that I have a problem with.
For those not up with the history, this unit gets its name and its colours from a very old story called, appropriately, Deathwing by Bryan Ansell and William King. The story is about a group of Dark Angel 1st company terminators who return to their homeworld to find it overrun with genestealers. They resolve to rid the planet of the invaders and, knowing that their small squad would most likely perish in the attempt, complete the rite of deathwing. The ancient rite involves wearing white warpaint and basically considering yourself dead already, so the terminator suits are painted white and off they go. The background is that, in honour of this brave group the DA 1st company was renamed "The Deathwing" and their terminator suits were all painted white.
Yep. White.
Not, I repeat, not the colour of rancid butter, Games Workshop.
Deathwing wear white, not "bone".
Grrrrr..
Squats. Don't get me started.
But now GW has done something weird.
The new Dark Angels. Okay, I don't have a problem with much of the range. The new DA Company Master model is awesome. Like the Blood Angels character Captain Tycho, it's based off of the original four Space Marine captain models (DA, SW, BA, and UM) , and the change is a big improvement. The new Master of the Ravenwing is just droolworthy. No, it's the Deathwing that I have a problem with.
For those not up with the history, this unit gets its name and its colours from a very old story called, appropriately, Deathwing by Bryan Ansell and William King. The story is about a group of Dark Angel 1st company terminators who return to their homeworld to find it overrun with genestealers. They resolve to rid the planet of the invaders and, knowing that their small squad would most likely perish in the attempt, complete the rite of deathwing. The ancient rite involves wearing white warpaint and basically considering yourself dead already, so the terminator suits are painted white and off they go. The background is that, in honour of this brave group the DA 1st company was renamed "The Deathwing" and their terminator suits were all painted white.
"He looked at Weasel-Fierce. The gaunt man had finished painting out all the icons on his armour. It was now white, the colour of death, except on its left shoulder, where the skull had been left unchanged. It seemed somehow appropriate."
-Deathwing
Yep. White.
Not, I repeat, not the colour of rancid butter, Games Workshop.
"For the bone-colored Deathwing armor, start out with an undercoat of Skull White Spray Paint. Then, basecoat the model with Graveyard Earth. Once the Graveyard Earth is dry, wash the model with some watered-down Brown Ink and make sure the wash gets in all the crevices."
Deathwing wear white, not "bone".
Grrrrr..
3.3.07
History Channel
The History Channel is airing a programme about the Dark Ages, the promo for which can be seen here. The promo finishes by describing the Dark Ages as "600 years of godless, inhuman behavior".
Well, call me Mr Pedantic, but the reason why the Dark Ages were so horrific was because the church ruled Europe with an iron fist. Calling this inhuman behavior "godless" is absolutely inaccurate.
"600 years of God-inspired, inhuman behavior" would be better.
People who think that history should at least bear some resemblance to actual events can email the History Channel at thc.viewerrelations@aetv.com.
I did.
Well, call me Mr Pedantic, but the reason why the Dark Ages were so horrific was because the church ruled Europe with an iron fist. Calling this inhuman behavior "godless" is absolutely inaccurate.
"600 years of God-inspired, inhuman behavior" would be better.
People who think that history should at least bear some resemblance to actual events can email the History Channel at thc.viewerrelations@aetv.com.
I did.
Friday Rodent Blogging
This is a habit that Selene seems to have picked up from somewhere. Whenever we put a new box into her cage, she immediately whips inside it to investigate the interior. I don't know why, or what she expects to find in there, but it never fails.
1.3.07
Idiot Of The Month: Feb 2007
A man in Indiana tries to cash a cheque* signed by..
..God.
All together now.. D'oh!
*Yes, that's how we spell it in Britain. For British users, the "check" in the article is the US spelling.
..God.
All together now.. D'oh!
*Yes, that's how we spell it in Britain. For British users, the "check" in the article is the US spelling.
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