I Love Beaker!

July 23, 2008 at 9:38 pm · Filed under Commentary

These two videos had me laughing pretty hard.

BONUS!  Feist on Sesame Street singing a special rendition of her song “1 2 3 4″.

Comments

The Case of the Subliminal

July 17, 2008 at 1:18 pm · Filed under Commentary, Life

It sometimes amazes me how my subconscious works insidiously behind my back. I suppose that is the nature of the subconscious: to provide subtle hints toward true motives and emotions.

I am a big proponent of the well thought out mixtape. I derive great joy in modelling a mix around both the tastes of a person as well as a theme. Sometimes the theme can be as simple as a pregame mix or as complicated as a story told through song. For me to make a mixtape for someone usually takes between three days to a week. I’ve even had a mix take two weeks before I finally thought it was complete.

Yes, you could say I take a mixtape too seriously. In some ways, I would agree. But to me, handing someone a mixtape is like saying, “Hi, my name is Mattie and this is who I am right now.” I’m just now realizing how true that statement is.

I’ve been looking back at the playlists to various Matsie Mixes from the past few years. (Yes, I name and number every mix I make for someone.) After looking at the songs put on different mixes for different people at different times, I can see subtle hints as to how I felt at that time. Emotions that I only realized later, rather than actively feeling them.

In a mix I made for a friend last year, I can hear the distrust I had for that friend make itself evident in the music I chose. I didn’t come to grips and address this distrust until several months later.

A mix I made several years ago for a very close friend hinted at the fear I had of losing this friend. All this unbenknownst to me until quite recently.

Perhaps this is a case of perfect hindsight. That is very possible. But I do find it fascinating that despite all the effort I put into conveying a specific message in a mix that another almost subliminal message can be found.

Comments

Wow! I Can’t Believe It!

July 15, 2008 at 10:12 pm · Filed under Games

I hate World of Warcraft.  I loathe World of Warcraft.  It is the bane of my existence.  No, it’s not because of a ruined past relationship or the slow deterioration of a friend’s social life.  It’s because it sucks me in.

I used to ridicule those who play WoW.  They were losers with no lives, right?  Come on, can’t you have a social life outside of a game?!  Then I found out I was wrong.  After the coaxing of a friend, I downloaded the free trial of WoW with him and we played together.  I was the one who ended up playing after the free trial was over.  He moved back to Counterstrike (which I love).

So there I was, friendless in a foreign land.  I would grind and quest all by my lonesome.  Soon I became frustrated.  I wanted to have an impact on the world around me.  I wanted the quests I did to matter, damnit!  I wanted to be the hero or the villian, not just a player!  Alas, my insatiable desire for meaning was never found in Azeroth and I stopped playing in December.

So here I am, after the coaxing of a few friends trying WoW out again.  Again, I am getting that instant zeal for the game that I had when I first started playing nine months ago.  Unfortunately, I feel that if the social aspect of WoW doesn’t begin to appear for me, I will put the game down for good.  I’ve realized the reason I liked playing WoW when I started that free trial was because I was playing with a friend.  Otherwise, the futility of the game overwhelms me and I give up.

What will be the result of my recent foray into Azeroth?  Will I become addicted and give up all real world social engagements?  Will I ding level 70?  Will I get frustrated and give up?  Only time and my level of geekery will tell.

Comments

Now Boarding

July 2, 2008 at 8:14 am · Filed under Writing

The last few minutes before boarding a plane can be the most stressful.  I definitely felt that way on Saturday.  I knew I was forgetting something, but I just couldn’t put my finger on it.  I went through my mental checklist one by one.

Yes, I shut down the computer.

Yes, I set the alarm.

Yes, I have my money.

I thought I was going crazy before I boarded my plane bound for Amsterdam.  It was like a sardine can: a sardine can with a really nice entertainment center.  I was sitting next to an obnoxious blonde bound for Kenya.  With a sigh, I got up to go to the bathroom once the plane was stable.  When I returned to my seat, someone else was sitting next to me.

I didn’t bother asking questions.  Luckily for me, my new rowmate was very nice and fun to speak with.  Then there was Amsterdam and my lethargy.  Good food, though!  After a bit in Amsterdam, I was on a plane again and in no time I was in Poland.  Half asleep and feeling exhausted from travelling, I arrived at my grandmother’s home.  Another hour or two of conversation and I was dead tired.  My grandmother shows me to my room and reminds me where the toilet and showers are and then I finally get a chance to sleep.

Shit!  Where are my pajamas!?

Comments