So the Winter Olympics are finally over. That went by insanely quick didn't it? It seems like they weren't even on?! They were really only on for like 4 hours each night and only one ONE channel. That doesn't make sense in this modern world, damnit! You'd be lucky if you turned on coverage and actually saw an event. Most of the time it was Bob Costas interviewing somebody, or recapping some earlier event. Fuck, I even saw Jimmy Fallon doing comedy skits one night! The value of the Winter Olympics is limited, but there they are every four years. They exist only to kill time until the next Summer Olympics. And to let us catch snowboarders doing some pretty crazy shit. It seemed to fly right by, with nary a chance to really get into it.
I think it went by due to the lack of coverage, which is only because of a lack of events. While there are some events that really shine and get all the coverage, some slip right under the radar and are missed entirely. Sadly this even happens at the Summer Olympics which gets much, much more coverage. Anyway this time around I would've loved to have seen some skeleton or the snowboard race but it was just too damn hard to catch. You could've watched the entire nightly broadcast but only catch a minute or two of those events. NBC has a huge umbrella of networks where in depth coverage could have been shown. This was not to be the case. Instead we were treated to limited coverage of the actual sports, and increased coverage of the happenings around the sports. Death of the luger from Georgia, tragic. Death of some random figure skaters mother, sad. But let's gloss that over for the ACTION! It's the damn Olympics!
So here is where I get to the point. They wanted drama. They wanted to cover the superficial drama because that's what the fucking ratings demand. Let's show only the medal rounds for sports instead of the entire event. Let's talk about this one person who had some drama in their life like they're a goddamn hero, like they're the greatest thing in the world. Oh they only got bronze? Well let's keep on talking about it for six more days while not showing the events going on at the time. I'm very disappointed. This happens during the Summer Olympics as well. Last time, in Beijing, NBC did a much better job with coverage than at these Olympics. It was broadcast on a range of networks from NBC to MSNBC to
I realize that there are only a limited amount of sports that can truly be represented at the Winter Olympics, but I think IOC officials should be more open to adding as many as possible in the future. There just aren't enough events to draw my attention (though I know they don't play to me, I've heard this as a common criticism). Winter sports attract only a fraction of the world's population anyway, might as well try and broaden the appeal and reach out to new audiences with new events. Only 20 something countries won medals at the 2010 games, while 86 countries had medal winners in 2008. That's a HUGE disparity between the winter and summer games. I'm just saying that IOC officials should look at the X Games and draw some more inspiration from there (adding snowboard was a step in the right direction).
What are some events I think should be added? How about dogsled racing? The Iditarod is a classic winter tradition. I say fuck PETA and bring dogs to the Olympics! How about Ice Sculpture? If you can give a medal to a fucking "ICE DANCER" you should give one to a dude with a chainsaw. Competitive Snowball Fight? YES!
Maybe with the snowball fight I'd finally have a chance to medal after my dreams of winning the Pole Vault in 1996 were dashed when I tore my quad.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Friday, February 26, 2010
Want a Laugh
Go read this comic now!
LINK IT!!!
Hell, go read the rest of Subnormality as well. It's a thinking person's webcomic (ie lots of words).
LINK IT!!!
Hell, go read the rest of Subnormality as well. It's a thinking person's webcomic (ie lots of words).
In Lieu of Writing
Kirsten Dunst dressed up all crazy and singing Turning Japanese while prancing around Akihabara.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
US State Flags
Quick post today on one of my favorite subjects, flags. I was looking at alternatehistory.com's forums earlier and found a huge post about flags for people's created timelines. I found several alternates for US states that vastly improved the generally uninspired design of many of the real banners. While a majority of the state flags are boring, there are a few that stand out as being really quite good. That's why I've decided to whip up a list my favorite five here.
5. Colorado
An attractive combination of the familiar three horizontal colors and a stylized letter C. Reminds me of the Honduran flag, just with a wannabe Cubs logo plopped on top. Either way I like it.
4. Arizona
A very simple design that really catches the eye. Evokes the Japanese Imperial flag somewhat, which may be why I like this particular flag.
3. Texas
The classic Lone Star flag is a simplified version of the US national flag, but has its own storied history. This flag screams Texas, and everything associated with Texas whenever I see it being flown.
2. New Mexico
A very nice flag for the southeastern state. It manages to pay tribute to the natives without playing on stereotypes. The Hulk Hogan color scheme is really bright and eye catching.
1. Maryland
The coat of arms of Lord Baltimore were turned into the Maryland state flag. This design is so amazingly different from others that it stands out from the lackluster crowd. It's so visually appealing that if I lived in Maryland I'd fly it on my front lawn. Just an awesome flag.
A majority of US flags are so unbelievably boring, a state seal or something else plastered on a boring blue background. Not even an appealing blue, probably the most yawn inducing blue to be found on the color spectrum. Many of these flags were designed in the early 1900s and reflect it in their outdated visuals. States should be doing everything possible to redesign these flags.
If a state is dependent upon tourism, wouldn't it make sense to plaster pictures of the flag all over useless crap? Now imagine seeing the Maine flag, a blue monstrosity featuring the ugly state seal, on stuff while visiting the coastal tourist zone. It's sort of an "Eh, I'll pass," situation. Now you're visiting Texas. You want to buy as much junk as possible with the Lone Star flag. That's how it works, you buy stuff that looks good. If these states redesigned their flags, revenues in tourist areas would go up simply due to the more appealing souvenirs. Something to think about Oregon, that ugly beaver on a black background isn't bringing in the chump's change.
You want some beautiful state/prefecture flag designs? Check out a few of these Japanese provincial flags. They're brilliant, simple and aesthetically pleasing.
Hell, there are even some cities that have engaging styles while the state flag is atrocious.
Take for example Wichita, Kansas.
It's really cool. A cross between the radiation symbol and the Japanese Imperial flag, as well as the symbol of the Zia Pueblo natives in the center. All of these elements create a nice flag. Now look at the Kansas' flag.
OH MY GOD NO! Who would fly this flag above the Wichita flag? How could you?! The archaic font spelling the name, an ugly flower or yellow blur on the top, and a seal so busy it looks like somebody threw up on a manhole cover. This flag shouldn't even be allowed within 500 feet of the city flag.
Here's an example of probably my favorite municipal flag, the flag of Ottawa.
Adopted in 2000, this flag updates a tired banner and represents the rebirth of a city in a wonderful way. It's modern. It's evocative. The colors are compliment each other screamingly well. The only issue I could possibly have with this is the ratio. It's too long making it look narrow. Not very noticeable though since the swirl in the middle really catches the eye.
That's enough about flags. Laters.
5. Colorado
An attractive combination of the familiar three horizontal colors and a stylized letter C. Reminds me of the Honduran flag, just with a wannabe Cubs logo plopped on top. Either way I like it.
4. Arizona
A very simple design that really catches the eye. Evokes the Japanese Imperial flag somewhat, which may be why I like this particular flag.
3. Texas
The classic Lone Star flag is a simplified version of the US national flag, but has its own storied history. This flag screams Texas, and everything associated with Texas whenever I see it being flown.
2. New Mexico
A very nice flag for the southeastern state. It manages to pay tribute to the natives without playing on stereotypes. The Hulk Hogan color scheme is really bright and eye catching.
1. Maryland
The coat of arms of Lord Baltimore were turned into the Maryland state flag. This design is so amazingly different from others that it stands out from the lackluster crowd. It's so visually appealing that if I lived in Maryland I'd fly it on my front lawn. Just an awesome flag.
A majority of US flags are so unbelievably boring, a state seal or something else plastered on a boring blue background. Not even an appealing blue, probably the most yawn inducing blue to be found on the color spectrum. Many of these flags were designed in the early 1900s and reflect it in their outdated visuals. States should be doing everything possible to redesign these flags.
If a state is dependent upon tourism, wouldn't it make sense to plaster pictures of the flag all over useless crap? Now imagine seeing the Maine flag, a blue monstrosity featuring the ugly state seal, on stuff while visiting the coastal tourist zone. It's sort of an "Eh, I'll pass," situation. Now you're visiting Texas. You want to buy as much junk as possible with the Lone Star flag. That's how it works, you buy stuff that looks good. If these states redesigned their flags, revenues in tourist areas would go up simply due to the more appealing souvenirs. Something to think about Oregon, that ugly beaver on a black background isn't bringing in the chump's change.
You want some beautiful state/prefecture flag designs? Check out a few of these Japanese provincial flags. They're brilliant, simple and aesthetically pleasing.
Hell, there are even some cities that have engaging styles while the state flag is atrocious.
Take for example Wichita, Kansas.
It's really cool. A cross between the radiation symbol and the Japanese Imperial flag, as well as the symbol of the Zia Pueblo natives in the center. All of these elements create a nice flag. Now look at the Kansas' flag.
OH MY GOD NO! Who would fly this flag above the Wichita flag? How could you?! The archaic font spelling the name, an ugly flower or yellow blur on the top, and a seal so busy it looks like somebody threw up on a manhole cover. This flag shouldn't even be allowed within 500 feet of the city flag.
Here's an example of probably my favorite municipal flag, the flag of Ottawa.
Adopted in 2000, this flag updates a tired banner and represents the rebirth of a city in a wonderful way. It's modern. It's evocative. The colors are compliment each other screamingly well. The only issue I could possibly have with this is the ratio. It's too long making it look narrow. Not very noticeable though since the swirl in the middle really catches the eye.
That's enough about flags. Laters.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Ooh Help Me Dr. Zaius
I'm bored and I really want to spooge out a quick blog post just to do something. So here's a list of stuff I like.
Shit I'm working on: Nigel Witherspoon YouTube page (featuring Nigel's Game Reviews, Nigel's News, etc), The Zombie Blog (still in the layout process two years later because I'm planning too big), a billion 1/2 short stories, and... y'know, finding a paying job.
- Screwing around on Google Earth
- Reading websites on haikyo/abandoned buildings
- Japanese architecture
- Marathoning TV shows that I like (30 Rock, The Office, The Simpsons)
- Fleshing out ideas about stuff to write (that I never get around to). Great ideas though.
- YouTube. Holy hell have I become addicted to YouTube lately. It's a timewaster folks!
- The Angry Video Game Nerd
- The warm weather that we're getting. It's so fucking spring like outside, it makes me sad that summer isn't for another 39 months or so.
- Zombies, always
- Skylines of major cities (except Dubai, it's just awful)
- Shenmue, god I miss Shenmue. It's been ten years now!
- Europa Universalis III - I'll write a whole post about this game soon, it's been dominating me for several months now.
- SOCCER! Although Liverpool complete ASS form lately has me really disillusioned. J-League is almost ready to go though!
- Steampunk. It's aesthetically brilliant and the concepts behind the whole genre appeal to me.
- Retrofuturism. You can't tell me that the 1950s-1960s idea of the "Space Age" or "Rocket Age" futures isn't some of the coolest shit.
Shit I'm working on: Nigel Witherspoon YouTube page (featuring Nigel's Game Reviews, Nigel's News, etc), The Zombie Blog (still in the layout process two years later because I'm planning too big), a billion 1/2 short stories, and... y'know, finding a paying job.
Monday, February 15, 2010
How I've Spent My Time
So you want to know exactly what I've been up to, eh? Beyond the entire time line I've posted? Well you're a bunch of greedy, capitalist assholes! Wait... what? You didn't ask? Well I think I'm going to tell you anyway. Or give you a few links and call it good.
CRACKED.COM
Yup, this single website has eaten up hours of my time. On some days I've spent 4 hours just browsing the site and reading articles, long after Ashes has gone to bed. Reading these articles until the wee hours of the morning, when I look up from my computer screen and say to myself "Where the hell am I?" I'm sure you've had a similar moment, in the internet age it's a common theme. Let me give you a few samples of their enthralling articles.
Worst Life Ever: The Story of Kazuyuki Fujita's Skull
Insane Fan Theories That Make the Movies Better
6 Movie Plots Mad Possible by Baffingly Bad Decisions
And more. Check it out.
CRACKED.COM
Yup, this single website has eaten up hours of my time. On some days I've spent 4 hours just browsing the site and reading articles, long after Ashes has gone to bed. Reading these articles until the wee hours of the morning, when I look up from my computer screen and say to myself "Where the hell am I?" I'm sure you've had a similar moment, in the internet age it's a common theme. Let me give you a few samples of their enthralling articles.
Worst Life Ever: The Story of Kazuyuki Fujita's Skull
Insane Fan Theories That Make the Movies Better
6 Movie Plots Mad Possible by Baffingly Bad Decisions
And more. Check it out.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Grumble Grumble
Do you know what this is in this picture?
It's BUBBLE TEA! Wondrous bubble tea from a faraway land. It's a sort of creamy, milky drink with edible chunks at the bottom that you suck through the straw. It's a fun drink and something I first had... in Canada? Maybe. I know they have it in Portsmouth and I make it a point to stop in every time I'm driving past the town. Y'know, since it was the closest place that actually served bubble tea (aside from Portland, but I never found it there).
Until the sushi bar known as Yoshi's opened up in Brewer. A new sushi bar opened in Brewer over the summer and it took a while to get its legs and really get going. We had intended to go at some point but never really found a reason. Until we found out they served bubble tea. When we saw that they had that on their menu we made plans as soon as we could pick up our car keys (which turned out to be later that week... but for story purposes just go with it). We finally make our way to Yoshi's on the weekend and sit down. We ask for bubble tea and... SHAFTED. "I'm sorry we don't have that available yet," the host said to us. It's on your fucking website you assturd! "Oh, well we haven't got it set up yet," he mumbles back to us. Well, fuck. Mildly disappointed we ordered dinner.
Several months fly past and now it's February. We need to do something for Valentines Day so we figure that bubble tea and sushi would be a nice treat. We head down to Yoshi's again and get a table. We ask the waitress for bubble tea and... NOPE! "I'm sorry, the lady that does that is gone and won't be back for a long time," she says to us with her dopey vacant stare. WELL FUCK FUCK FUCK! Why offer something menu if you aren't ever going to have it readily available. It's on the website and it's not even tucked away, in some hard to find corner. IT'S ON THE MENU BAR ON THE WEBSITE! It prominently features and is strongly advertised on the website. Why does this dump only have ONE person that can run the bubble tea machine? How hard is it to train one of the many members of the wait staff to make it? All they're doing is running miso soup everywhere and looking at you vacantly when you ask for damn bubble tea!
So needless to say I'm extremely disappointed with Yoshi's. The sushi is actually really good, though. Regardless, if you have something on offer you should have it available to order. Don't just serve it at special times and make me have to guess when that person might be working. It's extremely poor service. Still pissed man, still pissed. I want my effing bubble tea. I'll be driving past Portsmouth this weekend, though, so I'll get some satisfaction then.
It's BUBBLE TEA! Wondrous bubble tea from a faraway land. It's a sort of creamy, milky drink with edible chunks at the bottom that you suck through the straw. It's a fun drink and something I first had... in Canada? Maybe. I know they have it in Portsmouth and I make it a point to stop in every time I'm driving past the town. Y'know, since it was the closest place that actually served bubble tea (aside from Portland, but I never found it there).
Until the sushi bar known as Yoshi's opened up in Brewer. A new sushi bar opened in Brewer over the summer and it took a while to get its legs and really get going. We had intended to go at some point but never really found a reason. Until we found out they served bubble tea. When we saw that they had that on their menu we made plans as soon as we could pick up our car keys (which turned out to be later that week... but for story purposes just go with it). We finally make our way to Yoshi's on the weekend and sit down. We ask for bubble tea and... SHAFTED. "I'm sorry we don't have that available yet," the host said to us. It's on your fucking website you assturd! "Oh, well we haven't got it set up yet," he mumbles back to us. Well, fuck. Mildly disappointed we ordered dinner.
Several months fly past and now it's February. We need to do something for Valentines Day so we figure that bubble tea and sushi would be a nice treat. We head down to Yoshi's again and get a table. We ask the waitress for bubble tea and... NOPE! "I'm sorry, the lady that does that is gone and won't be back for a long time," she says to us with her dopey vacant stare. WELL FUCK FUCK FUCK! Why offer something menu if you aren't ever going to have it readily available. It's on the website and it's not even tucked away, in some hard to find corner. IT'S ON THE MENU BAR ON THE WEBSITE! It prominently features and is strongly advertised on the website. Why does this dump only have ONE person that can run the bubble tea machine? How hard is it to train one of the many members of the wait staff to make it? All they're doing is running miso soup everywhere and looking at you vacantly when you ask for damn bubble tea!
So needless to say I'm extremely disappointed with Yoshi's. The sushi is actually really good, though. Regardless, if you have something on offer you should have it available to order. Don't just serve it at special times and make me have to guess when that person might be working. It's extremely poor service. Still pissed man, still pissed. I want my effing bubble tea. I'll be driving past Portsmouth this weekend, though, so I'll get some satisfaction then.
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