August 27, 2011
Confession Time
With the storm almost upon me I feel the need to confess something I have been holding back for a couple of years.
I...
I liked Pani Poni Dash.
It is a terribly stupid, pointless show but every bonecrushingly inane episode made me laugh. Worse, as the jokes reference everything from Matango to Scott Pilgrim, the fact that I understood many of them is a damming condemnation of my wasted life.
Also: Taeko explains much about the world.
I...
I liked Pani Poni Dash.
It is a terribly stupid, pointless show but every bonecrushingly inane episode made me laugh. Worse, as the jokes reference everything from Matango to Scott Pilgrim, the fact that I understood many of them is a damming condemnation of my wasted life.
Also: Taeko explains much about the world.
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It Is a Dark and Stormy Night
The storm is a cat 1 as I type this so the worst fears won't be realized. Though the eye is still over 100 miles away, it is POURING here and has been for several hours. The street is already completely flooded and nearly impassable. I've moved my car into the driveway of a neighbor who evacuated.
Being half over the water, the storm is still able to pick up lots of moisture, so this Floyd type rainfall may continue up north, where they really don't need any more rain. That and the huge storm's surge are likely to be the most dangerous things.
I still expect to loose power once the winds get here.
Being half over the water, the storm is still able to pick up lots of moisture, so this Floyd type rainfall may continue up north, where they really don't need any more rain. That and the huge storm's surge are likely to be the most dangerous things.
I still expect to loose power once the winds get here.
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August 26, 2011
Red Tailed Hawk
Today was spent running around getting the last few items secured in the yard and adding to our stockpile of petrol for the generator. This last was a minor adventure as there was no longer any gas to be had in our part of Portsmouth. I went to Newport News and on the way back saw a Hawk on I-164 get thwacked by a car and knocked into the service lane.
I pulled over, checked it out and it was alert but immobile.
Now, red tailed hawks are endangered, so If I touched it in the process of taking it to the bird rehab place I could get sent far away and fined. Also it was a red tailed hawk...it could take my face off. So, I called animal control.
After a bit a Portsmouth Policeman arrived, followed by a State Trooper. We stood around while the bird glared at us. As animal control pulled up, the bird, sensing the paddy wagon approaching, staggered up and soared away.
Now, red tailed hawks are endangered, so If I touched it in the process of taking it to the bird rehab place I could get sent far away and fined. Also it was a red tailed hawk...it could take my face off. So, I called animal control.
After a bit a Portsmouth Policeman arrived, followed by a State Trooper. We stood around while the bird glared at us. As animal control pulled up, the bird, sensing the paddy wagon approaching, staggered up and soared away.
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Some Good News
My Mom had cataract surgery yesterday. While not major surgery, it did involve the eyes, and, with everything else going on it was an unwelcome stress for her. She had also developed this terrible fear that there was going to be another earthquake just as the knife was applied. Today my Dad took her in for her post-op and the operation seems to have been a complete success.
The Bahamas got hammered terribly. Much worse than one would expect from a category one storm in a hurricane savvy area. However it appears that there were NO deaths!
While it seems to be strengthening a tad overnight and has hurricane force winds over an unusually large area, the storm looks to be less intense than feared.
The Bahamas got hammered terribly. Much worse than one would expect from a category one storm in a hurricane savvy area. However it appears that there were NO deaths!
While it seems to be strengthening a tad overnight and has hurricane force winds over an unusually large area, the storm looks to be less intense than feared.
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Huh
Yeah yeah yeah, impending storm and all that...
...but you know what jumps out to me on this latest NOAA map?
...but you know what jumps out to me on this latest NOAA map?
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The Bright Side
One good thing about the approaching hurricane. It will probably put out the huge peat fire in the Great Dismal Swamp which has been stinking up Southeastern VA periodically (dependent on wind direction). Some days its seemed like pea soup fog, but it's really smoke. It smells like wet dog with a hint of charcoal. This has gone on for weeks.
Here's how it looks from the International Space Station:
Here's how it looks from the International Space Station:
...and here's how it looks going into the Monitor Merrimack Bridge Tunnel when the wind is blowing from the swamp.
Some days it's like living in Silent Hill.
So, this month we've had fires, earthquakes and now the hurricane.
Soon...
So, this month we've had fires, earthquakes and now the hurricane.
Soon...
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Blackberry Test
UPDATE: For some reason the Blackberry Browser does not recognize anything in the "make a post page" of Me n' You except the post title field.
Anything posted after power goes out will be posts disguised as big wordy titles.
Anything posted after power goes out will be posts disguised as big wordy titles.
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August 25, 2011
Bahamas still Getting Pounded
In the comments to an earlier post Steven Den Beste asks about the situation in the Bahamas. I've heard very little except that the storm has been slowly moving up the archipelago. I'm beginning to think this is because not much news CAN get out. The only pic I've seen is from Weather
Underground It purports to be taken in Nassau this morning. It does not look good.
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Battening Down
This close in the forecasts are generally pretty accurate. Radio says the eye is likely to cross over us at Category 2. The geometry of the storm is such that I expect a LOT of water to be forced into the Chesapeake Bay. This may be as bad as Isabel. I certainly do not expect to have power (or water) for several days after Saturday.
If you are on the Outer Banks or the Eastern Shore you need to be somewhere else very quickly.
ODU's Classes start Monday (in theory) so students are incoming right now. I just received an E-mail that ODU is shutting down the dorms. This will be awkward for the incoming students as some will arrive with nowhere to stay and a hurricane on the way.
This close in the forecasts are generally pretty accurate. Radio says the eye is likely to cross over us at Category 2. The geometry of the storm is such that I expect a LOT of water to be forced into the Chesapeake Bay. This may be as bad as Isabel. I certainly do not expect to have power (or water) for several days after Saturday.
If you are on the Outer Banks or the Eastern Shore you need to be somewhere else very quickly.
ODU's Classes start Monday (in theory) so students are incoming right now. I just received an E-mail that ODU is shutting down the dorms. This will be awkward for the incoming students as some will arrive with nowhere to stay and a hurricane on the way.
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August 23, 2011
GHAAAH!
The ground is not supposed to DO that!
UPDATE 17:33: Did a quick check of the house and boat. Damage in Churchland and West Norfolk is almost nil. There may have been some settling. Given Irene's anticipated festivities this weekend, I hope the flood gates in the tunnels and sea walls aren't out of alignment now. Cell phone service has been very sketchy. After that distraction, I finished getting my grandmother packed and on her way to Raleigh with my uncle to ride out the storm.
UPDATE 17:52: Chimneys fell and windows broke north of here.
UPDATE 17:52: Chimneys fell and windows broke north of here.
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Irene Has a Full Itinerary
Our friends the Bahamians are in for a hellish week.
The barrier islands and river towns of the Carolinas are going to get pasted like they haven't in a great many years. A Cat 3 Storm making a near direct hit on Hilton Head, Wilmington, Moorehead and New Bern is going to make quite a mess.
As an aside, this has the eye passing right over Brickmuppetburg on Sunday. We'll probably dodge the serious wind damage but a direct hit is never good and it looks likely to sweep a good bit of surge into the bay just like Isabel and the 1933 storm did. When it hits it will have been half over land for a while, meaning we may get an impressive rain dump like we did with Floyd. All 3 of those storms hit as CAT ones and did inordinate damage via flooding. I'll be testing the generator tomorrow.
School starts Monday.
The barrier islands and river towns of the Carolinas are going to get pasted like they haven't in a great many years. A Cat 3 Storm making a near direct hit on Hilton Head, Wilmington, Moorehead and New Bern is going to make quite a mess.
School starts Monday.
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August 22, 2011
VL Day?
It looks like the rebels in Libya have overrun Tripoli.
Whatever ones thoughts on this adventure we can all rejoice that having staked our reputation on this, the US has achieved a proxy victory. Really, we ALL can come together on this which is rare in these partisan times. The reason for this happy convergence is that those of us who thought this was a dumb idea understand that once the nation has crossed the rubicon to war then we damned well better win the thing for the good of the country. Those that don't understand this...supported this war kineticism. (Bipartisanship FTW!)
Perhaps I'm being unfair. I mean its not like there was a vote in congress or anything.
Oh well, lets call out the purple suit cheerleaders and rejoice at a NATO victory together in a bipartisan fashion.
(Also, lets have a big bipartisan thank you to the crews of HMS Liverpool and FS Charels De Gaul. )
Galrahn has thoughts.
Update: Oh dear.
Whatever ones thoughts on this adventure we can all rejoice that having staked our reputation on this, the US has achieved a proxy victory. Really, we ALL can come together on this which is rare in these partisan times. The reason for this happy convergence is that those of us who thought this was a dumb idea understand that once the nation has crossed the rubicon to war then we damned well better win the thing for the good of the country. Those that don't understand this...supported this war kineticism. (Bipartisanship FTW!)
Perhaps I'm being unfair. I mean its not like there was a vote in congress or anything.
Oh well, lets call out the purple suit cheerleaders and rejoice at a NATO victory together in a bipartisan fashion.
Yay!
(Also, lets have a big bipartisan thank you to the crews of HMS Liverpool and FS Charels De Gaul. )
Galrahn has thoughts.
Update: Oh dear.
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Irene
It looks like Puerto Rico is getting hammered, and this thing has only just begun its mischief.
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August 21, 2011
HIGH SCHOOL OF THE DEAD
Oh boy...another high school show.
Much like Hidemari Sketch, this show concerns cute girls in a high school who get stressed out over the little curveballs life throws at them.
HIGH SCHOOL OF THE DEAD differs in that the curveballs include flesh eating zombies.
more...
Much like Hidemari Sketch, this show concerns cute girls in a high school who get stressed out over the little curveballs life throws at them.
HIGH SCHOOL OF THE DEAD differs in that the curveballs include flesh eating zombies.
The whole zombie apocalypse idea has been done so often that it is a cliche' and this show breaks no new ground in overall concept. However, it is a very well executed example of the genre.
Now I have heard some complaints about the show and the most persistent one is that the fanservice is excessive.
There is some truth to this...
Not only are there lots of powertools...
Now I have heard some complaints about the show and the most persistent one is that the fanservice is excessive.
There is some truth to this...
Not only are there lots of powertools...
....but we get to see cute, snarky, intelligent girls using said power tools and doing so in a manner not consistent with manufacturer recommendations!
Oh golly willakers!
Oh..wait....yeah...the other fans.
Actually this show did come close to diminishing returns. as it is quite gratuitous in both its horror...
...and occasionally its cheesecake.
However, the show has superb pacing, likable characters and very good writing. The dub is one of the absolute best I have ever heard, with rapid-fire dialog that is fantastically delivered. The rewrite for the dub is faithful but a bit more engaging than the subs. This is one of 3 or four shows that I think are better in their US dubbed versions. The American VA's do a stellar job in bringing out the characters They really make this show work with character nuances the subs can't quite catch.
The show is an excersize in gratuity, but it never bored me and did not devolve into utter nihilism. I quite enjoyed it.
UPDATE: The dubiously researched fluid dynamics animation above is from one particular episode that is...excessively...excessive in that regard. However, switching gears did serve as a welcome respite from the horror. As gruesome and silly as the show can be, it was actually that episode which made it clear that the show is ultimately about people who looked into that dark pit and determined that they will not abandon their humanity.
Shorter version...HSOTD is a sucking chest wound of awesome.
Slightly spoileriffic character sketches below the fold.
Actually this show did come close to diminishing returns. as it is quite gratuitous in both its horror...
Just think. Men who have never seen real boobs move were paid money to animate this.
However, the show has superb pacing, likable characters and very good writing. The dub is one of the absolute best I have ever heard, with rapid-fire dialog that is fantastically delivered. The rewrite for the dub is faithful but a bit more engaging than the subs. This is one of 3 or four shows that I think are better in their US dubbed versions. The American VA's do a stellar job in bringing out the characters They really make this show work with character nuances the subs can't quite catch.
The show is an excersize in gratuity, but it never bored me and did not devolve into utter nihilism. I quite enjoyed it.
UPDATE: The dubiously researched fluid dynamics animation above is from one particular episode that is...excessively...excessive in that regard. However, switching gears did serve as a welcome respite from the horror. As gruesome and silly as the show can be, it was actually that episode which made it clear that the show is ultimately about people who looked into that dark pit and determined that they will not abandon their humanity.
Shorter version...HSOTD is a sucking chest wound of awesome.
Slightly spoileriffic character sketches below the fold.
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Best On-Air Apology Ever
Testify!
Testify!
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August 15, 2011
It's A Mandelbrot Set of Crazy
Fandom is often an eclectic collection of hobbyists and can be a very cool thing.
And then there is this.
Perhaps we should rejoice, for if these people interacted with the real world they'd form homeowners associations or something.
'Hat Tip' withheld to protect the innocent.
And then there is this.
'Hat Tip' withheld to protect the innocent.
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66 Years Ago
On August 8, 1945 Emperor Hirohito was presented with a report. The report concluded that the annihilation of Hiroshima had indeed been the result of an atomic bomb. The report went on to state that the US could not possibly have enough nuclear material for any more bombs...America had blown their wad. Thus, to have used this powerful weapon indicated desperation on the US side and that the Americans had no stomach for an invasion.
The next evening, August 9th, the Emperor received yet another report, this time from Nagasaki. The Americans had blown their wad...again.
Over the previous weeks bombers had hit 35 cities with leaflets. This did not bode well.
Now, Hirohito was not a strong Emperor, but he was aware of and had explicitly and implicitly approved the whole horrid mess. He knew damned well what had gone down in Nanking, and he was quite aware that the Americans would be looking for heads as payment for Wake island, and the rape of Manila. His would be the most sought after head. Nevertheless, to save his people, he decided to accept the unthinkable US demand for unconditional surrender. When he informed his Generals and ministers of this and the fact that he intended to personally present himself to the allies, there was an uproar. The little man stood by his guns however and after 4 days of heated deliberations he went to the palace and made preparations to broadcast the news to the Japanese people.
Then, on the night of August 14-15, over one thousand troops led by Major Kenji Hatanaka stormed the Palace to prevent the surrender.
Asshat
However, the speech had already been pre-recorded and the phonograph record containing it had been hidden, so the soldiers began tearing the place up looking for the recording. A general and a colonel were murdered and an office building was set afire. Meanwhile, the phonograph of the surrender was smuggled out in a basket of womens underwear. Early in the morning General Shizuichi Tanaka drove into this mess himself and singlehandedly ended the coup, berating the officers in charge and dispersing them.
Professional
Kenji Hatanaka later attempted to force his way into the nearby NHK station to stop the broadcast and plead his case. This was spectacularly unsuccessful and he ended up killing himself in the street. At noon, 66 years ago today, some NHK DJ broadcast a tape that saved countless lives and effectively ended the Pacific War.
The next evening, August 9th, the Emperor received yet another report, this time from Nagasaki. The Americans had blown their wad...again.
Over the previous weeks bombers had hit 35 cities with leaflets. This did not bode well.
Now, Hirohito was not a strong Emperor, but he was aware of and had explicitly and implicitly approved the whole horrid mess. He knew damned well what had gone down in Nanking, and he was quite aware that the Americans would be looking for heads as payment for Wake island, and the rape of Manila. His would be the most sought after head. Nevertheless, to save his people, he decided to accept the unthinkable US demand for unconditional surrender. When he informed his Generals and ministers of this and the fact that he intended to personally present himself to the allies, there was an uproar. The little man stood by his guns however and after 4 days of heated deliberations he went to the palace and made preparations to broadcast the news to the Japanese people.
Then, on the night of August 14-15, over one thousand troops led by Major Kenji Hatanaka stormed the Palace to prevent the surrender.
Asshat
Professional
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August 13, 2011
Gai Rei Zero Thoughts
Humans are imperfectable beings that exist on a narrow ledge between virtue and the abyss. Within the noblest of our number there still festers a potential for unspeakable darkness. Even the most virtuous amongst us can release their grip and slip into that abyss in a moment of utter despair. Conversely, people can express kindness, nobility and courage of the highest order, even when their only available choices in life are a selection of horrific options.
Few shows I've seen have managed to explore those truths as well as Gai-Rei-Zero. This show is a story of kindness, responsibility and love told using a series of merciless Gatling gut punches to the audience.
The basic premise is actually 'by the numbers'. It concerns a group of government paranormal investigators who fight the ephemeral things that the general public believe to be myths. This is the formula for a dozen or more shows but this show is very character driven and the execution is superb. This, is not an easy show to watch at times but it is fantastic drama. It's 12 episodes and while 11 might have sufficed it is still very tightly written. The characters are well realized, like-able and develop believably. The animation is well above average, the action sequences are top notch, the horror is horrific and the comedy relief is funny. Hell, even the dub is above average. Alexis Tipton and Leah Clarke in particular play off each other very well. Rewatch value is low for me because as a grown man it is not right for me to cry.
Do note that the first episode is somewhat different in tone from the rest.
If you don't mind spoilers Wonderduck has a very thorough play-by-play style overview of every episode. It can be accessed here.
If you dislike spoilers do NOT buy from the Funimation site as their sales page inexplicably describes the last story arc in detail.
Humans are imperfectable beings that exist on a narrow ledge between virtue and the abyss. Within the noblest of our number there still festers a potential for unspeakable darkness. Even the most virtuous amongst us can release their grip and slip into that abyss in a moment of utter despair. Conversely, people can express kindness, nobility and courage of the highest order, even when their only available choices in life are a selection of horrific options.
Few shows I've seen have managed to explore those truths as well as Gai-Rei-Zero. This show is a story of kindness, responsibility and love told using a series of merciless Gatling gut punches to the audience.
The basic premise is actually 'by the numbers'. It concerns a group of government paranormal investigators who fight the ephemeral things that the general public believe to be myths. This is the formula for a dozen or more shows but this show is very character driven and the execution is superb. This, is not an easy show to watch at times but it is fantastic drama. It's 12 episodes and while 11 might have sufficed it is still very tightly written. The characters are well realized, like-able and develop believably. The animation is well above average, the action sequences are top notch, the horror is horrific and the comedy relief is funny. Hell, even the dub is above average. Alexis Tipton and Leah Clarke in particular play off each other very well. Rewatch value is low for me because as a grown man it is not right for me to cry.
Do note that the first episode is somewhat different in tone from the rest.
If you don't mind spoilers Wonderduck has a very thorough play-by-play style overview of every episode. It can be accessed here.
If you dislike spoilers do NOT buy from the Funimation site as their sales page inexplicably describes the last story arc in detail.
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Oh Fzzkt
It seems that some wondrous update from the church of teh Jobs is preventing me from ripping a DVD to get screencaps. Well, in any event something isn't working.
As compensation for the meta-blogging here is a sweater-vest, mid-length socks, Saber and toast.
As compensation for the meta-blogging here is a sweater-vest, mid-length socks, Saber and toast.
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August 10, 2011
Ga-Rei-Zero Very First Impressions
I've worked down my "to watch" pile to Ga-Rei-Zero.
The set is encased in a very hefty box, over an inch thick. It is being sold only in DVD blue-ray combo packs which gives Funimation an excuse to jack up the price. There is a thin layer of plastic surrounding the box upon which is affixed a sticker that says $44.99. This is a point of some consternation as the price plummeted days after I bought this set. The plastic around the set breaks easily. The box with disc 2 is not individually wrapped, but the one containing the first disc is. It requires a knife to open. Despite the weight and size of the packaging there are no fannish extras in the box whatsoever (aside from a Funimation subscription card but that hardly counts). The only thing accounting for the extra weight and bulk is the presence of 2 discs in a format I did not want. They are packaged with 1 BD and 1DVD in each volume-specific case so I can't even sell the Blueray discs.
Well...those are my first impressions. Sometime this week I'll have to watch it, but first I need to do Queens Blade and Hidemari Sketch reviews...the combination of which I fear might give me whiplash.
The set is encased in a very hefty box, over an inch thick. It is being sold only in DVD blue-ray combo packs which gives Funimation an excuse to jack up the price. There is a thin layer of plastic surrounding the box upon which is affixed a sticker that says $44.99. This is a point of some consternation as the price plummeted days after I bought this set. The plastic around the set breaks easily. The box with disc 2 is not individually wrapped, but the one containing the first disc is. It requires a knife to open. Despite the weight and size of the packaging there are no fannish extras in the box whatsoever (aside from a Funimation subscription card but that hardly counts). The only thing accounting for the extra weight and bulk is the presence of 2 discs in a format I did not want. They are packaged with 1 BD and 1DVD in each volume-specific case so I can't even sell the Blueray discs.
Well...those are my first impressions. Sometime this week I'll have to watch it, but first I need to do Queens Blade and Hidemari Sketch reviews...the combination of which I fear might give me whiplash.
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