Monday, January 13, 2003

 
Looking at my calendar, I realized it was once again time for our monthly checkup. Its not always fun but it sure beats the proctologist, right? Anyway, things don't stand all that different from how they did last time.


-I just yesterday returned from break, and while I was greatly enjoying my afternoon wakeup times and late nights, I am unspeakably pleased to get out of the house again. As many of you who know me know, my parents and I get along less than famously. Which is not to say the break was unpleasant. I actually had a decent time seeing my family, friends, and aquaintances drunk. I just wish I had seen that side of them in high school. Actually, much of my holiday survival is owed to Vanessa, who saved me from the wiles of crotchety parents more times than I can recall. Vanessa and I have been dating for a couple of months now and I feel like the luckiest bastard alive. She is the most amazing person in my life by far, and if not for her, I probably wouldn't even be back at UT this semester. I could go on and on about her, so I'll spare you and stop now.

-Speaking of academics, how many of you have seen American History X? You know the scenes after the shower rape scene where Edward Norton does nothing but cry and walk with a limp? Thats how I feel after last semester. Yeah, it was that bad. I've got alot to make up for this semester so Vanessa is the only distraction I'm permitting myself. If I can't handle that much, then I don't deserve to be at a major university.

-While we're on the subject of distractions, I got a new raft or games for christmas, as well as some drool worthy hardware for my computer. But software first. Neverwinter Nights, the latest in a long tradition of D&D computer games, hit my ready hands christmas day, and I must say my reviews are positive, but not extatic. The environments are not terribly interactive and the plot (from what I've seen) is pretty basic. The level of detail in the graphics nearly brought me to orgasm. I'll never get tired of watching my character's shadow dance around as light sources change. Its multiplayer capabilities are also very intriguing, though my experience on this matter is somewhat limited. The part of it I was most impressed with was the DM function, which basically allows you to create your own levels, plots, encounters, etc. Its the first time I've seen a game of this sort give authorship power to the consumer, and I must admit I am quite impressed. Also, on the Software front, Warcraft III. I'm nearly always enamoured of a game that will allow me to control a host of the evil undead, but I must say that Warcraft III is one of the more addictive games I have played recently. The story in single player alone is good enough for me to reccommend the purchase of the game, but I find the gameplay to be excellent as well. I have developed a childlike joy in the hero system. If you don't understand, get the game, see for yourself, if you don't enjoy it, return it and say it was a christmas present.

-Enough about video games though, lets talk hardware. My father had the good sense to take a rather blunt hint I dropped in late November and got me a badass DVD-Rom player for my PC. What does that translate for you? Movies, my room, anytime. Show up, bring blankets, popcorn provided. Also, I discovered I had a sizeable cache of money sitting in a bank somewhere, wondering why I was neglecting it. Well I, when I found this out, I was in the process of lamenting the fact that my decrepid old TNT2 would not play Neverwinter Nights, so I decided to kill two birds with one stone. I picked Vanessa up and headed to Altex, where she once again proved to be an invaluable source of computer related knowlege. After considering my options, I bought the Radeon 9500. I can't fucking tell you how wonderful it is. Everytime I mention it in person I giggle and grin like the village idiot. No shit, I really do.

-My parents got me a CD Player with MP3 playback for christmas, so I will be mixing CD's in my spare time soon. If you want one of said thematic mixes, let me know. Satisfaction guaranteed or you get a free coaster. Can't beat that.

-I have a couple more days to sign up for one more class and i am at a loss as to what I should take. Currently, I'm in physics, Jap culture, Nutrition, and Classical mythology. If you have any suggestions, toss em at me. Thanks.

-I left my toothbrush here over break and it turned brown... I've already brushed with it twice and its getting white again, so I guess all is ok. Not sure that really belongs in my montly update, but If any of you find me dead and they're having trouble figuring out how I died, that might be a good place to start.

Well, I'm gonna stop stretching for material and let you guys get back to whatever you were doing before this. I'm going to leave you with a quote from Stargate SG-1. Hopefully you'll find it as humorous as I did.
Old Hobo Guy: "Well, all good things must come to an end."
Insane Alien Warrior: "No, my friend. Only evil things must come to an end."
-David out
posted by David 2:53 PM