This reminds me a little of the Final Fantasy 6 opera scene, not so much the music itself but the context of involving a performance art like music in with the battle mechanic. In both instances, a music performance was a means of advancing the main plot and not relegated to a fun sidequest or … Wednesday Humpday Midday Music: “Song of Hope” from Octopath Traveler 2
WARNING: Nearly 100 photos! I know next to nothing about cars, so I can’t provide any more information other than the visuals you see here. I was glad to catch the fellow waving at the very end of the video. I know him from church but I forget his name. Sorry, fellow!
Something new for this series: an actual songs from an actual band. Filmed on a budget at one of their shows, but to great effect. There’s something appealing about the “crowd view” footage, with shots of the band obscured by the audience and impromptu, guerilla blurriness. It reminded me of Circa Survive’s “Child of the … Wednesday Humpday Midday Music: “Soul Catcher” by The Artificials
Here.
Ingredients Eggs Directions Boil a medium pot of water, then turn down to low/medium. Add eggs with a slotted spoon. Fill another bowl with water and some ice. After 6 minutes, remove the eggs with the slotted spoon and add them to the ice water bowl. Let eggs sit for 3 minutes in bowl, then … Recipe: Soft Boiled Eggs
A washed-up video game champion, two parentless siblings, and a welcome wagon go-getter must find everyman Steve and the Orb of Dominance to escape a strange land made of craftable cube, ruled by a pig witch queen. You knew this was coming, after the success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie a few years ago. … Movie Review: A Minecraft Movie
Only three photos here, but I thought they were noteworthy. Michael the Archangel, judging by the sword-brandishing. I actually don’t know if it’s him since I didn’t check the plaque and there’s no information online, but let’s go with it: Caught the stained glass in one of the bathrooms at just the right time of … Photos: Mt. St. Peter’s Church in New Kensington, PA
The Velveteen Rabbit A shy boy learns important lessons from a stuffed rabbit come to life. This was sweet. As expected, there were some differences from the book, namely giving the boy a character arc alongside the rabbit’s, but it was actually well-executed. They could have padded the runtime out with a lot of nonsense, … Sci-fi and Fantasy Movies and Series Reviews, Part 50
This is more west than north, I think, since the “triangle” of downtown Pittsburgh points northwest, and the side of the building I was on pointed squarely at the Point. Two notable landmarks without visible branding are PPG Place on the left—the tall, reflective, Batman-looking building, AKA, the Glass Palace—and the square, tree-lined clearing below … Photo: Pittsburgh Northwest Skyline
Ingredients Meatballs 3 lbs ground beef (or any 3 lb combination of meats) 2 cups crushed pork rinds 1 tablespoon salt 1/3 tablespoon parsley flakes 1/2 tablespoon basil flakes 1/2 tablespoon Italian seasoning 1/2 tablespoon onion powder 1/2 tablespoon garlic powder Lots of pepper Sauce 1 30oz can of tomato sauce 1 30oz can of … Recipe: Nonnie’s Meatballs and Sauce
Short answer: no one knows, and many scientists qua scientists probably know the least of all. If the age is being calculated using most Big Bang theories, it’s probably wrong. Assuming Alfvén was being truthful of what Lemaître’s said (the 3:00 mark), establishing a timeline of creation using Aquinas would be starting down the wrong … Video: How Big Is The Universe?
A follow-up to I Got Hacked. One of the other issues with jaydinitto.com being a fully operational battlestation was a certain plugin, Display Posts, a fine little bit of code that you easily control a list of WordPress posts. It’s how I had listed out all of my post titles and dates on the front … I Got Hacked, Part 2
This site, as well some of the other sites I subhost, were taken down a few weekends ago. Someone had hacked my hosting space somehow and deleted many of the front-end files. Thankfully, no databased were affected. Bluehost had a very recent backup of the files I needed, so some sites were back to normal … I Got Hacked
From the Naked Bible podcast, episode 8 (Spotify, YouTube): So how does this help us understand the passage? Briefly, baptism is not what produces salvation. It saves, in that it first involves or reflects a heart decision, a pledge of loyalty to the risen Savior. In effect, baptism in New Testament theology is a loyalty … Heiser on Baptism
One of the best video game songs I’ve heard in a while, and it’s one of the standard battle themes. I don’t need to say how unusual its usage is, given how carefree and playful it sounds, and what even the video game layman’s idea of what battle music should sound like. After doing some … Wednesday Humpday Midday Music: “Grain Rain, Wheat Wind” from Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & The Secret Hideout
Click/tap/select me.
Ingredients 2 parts oatmeal 1 part plain full-fat yogurt 1/2 part protein powder 1/2 part whole milk 1/2 part heavy whipping cream 1/2 part frozen berries Directions Mix and refrigerate for a few hours before enjoying. That’s it. Useless Information and Photos Aren’t “parts” measurements usually used with baking? I feel like with this recipe … Recipe: Overnight Protein Oats
A lounging deer at Genoa Park in Columbus, Ohio: The bathroom door at a Coffee Tree Roasters: Chocolatier lore at the Boulevard Sweet Shoppe in Oakmont: Huevos rancheros at Deluca’s. The lighting was very spotlighty—odd for a diner: Took a trip to the Phipps Conservatory. This Lovecraftian entity is hanging in the lobby area: All … Photos: Phipps Conservatory and Miscellany
I devoured Eddings’ Belgariad and Mallorean series as a kid. They hold up well as good YA fantasy, and even though the Mallorean was a literal copy of the Belgariad, he at least formulated an in-story reason for repeating the events. Anyways, I thought this news bit was funny, even if just for the photo … David Eddings Burnt His Office Down
Stallone’s work, aside from the first few Rocky installments and maybe Rambo, is cinematic candy or Wonder Bread. It’s nothing groundbreaking but it gets the job done if you’re in the right mood. Critics might look at him with upturned noses, naturally, but sometimes his dialogue can strike a decent vein of gold. Rocky doesn’t … Good Guy Dialogue
The story below is a work of fiction, but please read the footnote*. The evening of my first show with the band was that one annual autumn night where the season’s first frost comes. Pitch black by dinnertime, gentle smoke scent but no fire, powdered ice on the fallen leaves. Was there a significance to … Story: Cold Open
Ingredients 2 lbs chicken breast 4-5 strips thick cut bacon 1 cup heavy whipping cream 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese 2 cup diced onions (~1 large onion) 2 cup diced mushrooms 2 cup diced bell peppers (~2 whole bell peppers) 2 cup diced broccoli 2 tbsp minced garlic or equivalent 2 tbsp cumin 2 tbsp … Recipe: Jay’s CBV (Chicken Bacon Vegetables)
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails must deal with a powerful new foe that has been awakened from a multi-decade slumber. The Dark Herald has a good review here. I agree with him about Mufasa and the recent direction Disney has taken, of using hyper-realistic CGI retellings and sequels. The big disconnect is … Movie Review: Sonic the Hedgehog 3
I didn’t say anything particularly insight, but I wanted to post it here for safekeeping. From “Violence in Scripture and the Nonviolence of Jesus“: Might I suggest that theologians are complicating the matter? Canaan was a part of a larger plan God had, post-Babel, to establish a nation under His direct authority, apart from the … Quick Comment Re: Violence in Scripture and the Nonviolence of Jesus
I had to make this after watching a bunch of Robert Sepehr videos. He has some really interesting ideas but some of the word games he plays to “prove” connections to occult/secret society knowledge are just silly: An inside joke between Ed and I: My attempt at nonsensical Gen Z reaction image humor: I screenshotted … A Few Images for Safekeeping 03
On a recent trip to Massachusetts, I took a hike on the Assabet River Rail Trail. I didn’t find the trail on AllTrails app, so I did a Google search for nearby trails. This was the closest to where I was staying, and it had name recognition for me since my mom worked at Assabet … Photos: Assabet River Rail Trail Hike
I’ve been boning up on a lot of the Christian hair metal bands from the eighties that aren’t Stryper: the likes of Barren Cross, Bloodgood, Sacred Warrior. Some of these bands are still going today, Sacred Warrior included. Their sound has understandably modernized with their newest album, Waiting in Darkness, but echoes of the music … Music Appreciation: Sacred Warrior’s “Waiting in Darkness”
I hiked Hartwood Acres twice. The first was a route suggested by AllTrails, a mix of different blazed and unblazed paths. The second was the shorter, more standard Yellow blazed trail. In general, it wasn’t as scenic as I had hoped. All the leaves had fallen and there wasn’t much variation or interesting views. The … Photos: Hartwood Acres Hikes
AI video has come pretty far from the nightmarish productions from a year and a half ago. With some nuanced inputs and direction, it’s starting to look like highly-stylized stereoscopic images. The actual story here seems okay, and is based loosely on Zecharia Sitchin’s ramblings, who should’ve just written a sci-fi series instead of claiming … Somewhat Recommended: The Return of the Anunnaki Movie
Osmosis Jones A white blood cell cop and a cold pill agent team up to fight a foreign threat that found its way inside an irresponsible zookeeper. Inside Out meets Innerspace. The animation style reminded me of Don Bluth, but he had nothing to do with it; a script shot through with toilet humor doesn’t … Sci-fi and Fantasy Movies and Series Reviews, Part 50
Seen when attempting to view a Reddit page. I probably wouldn’t have gotten this if I were logged in, but I refuse to create a Reddit account. There has to be a better way.
Heh: Considering what the ancient Hebrews thought about the goings on in the heavenly realm with the Elohim council, and who rules the nations after Babel, a horrifying cosmic god-being directing America’s fate is not far off from the truth compared to other views. That is, if you share those ancient beliefs at all (I … Cthulhu For President, 2024
As seen in the Carnegie Museum of Art.
Here are some photos and videos from a recent trip to Massachusetts. Lake Williams in my hometown of Marlborough recently installed a walkway across the water, connecting one end the lake’s namesake trail to the other end. I didn’t know about the land-lubber part of the trail; I thought it was just a boardwalk, so … Photos and Videos: Lake Williams, Hampton Beach, Jellyfish
Carrie (2013) A bullied high school student discovers her telekinetic powers. I never saw the 1976 original, but checking out its synopsis and comparing that with the remake, they were fairly similar*. The 2013 version benefitted from better production values, so the telekinesis scenes could be played up a little more intensely. They were a … Sci-fi and Fantasy Movies and Series Reviews, Part 49
Ingredients 1 serving of tagliatelle (around 3.5 oz) 1 tbsp Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese 1 tbsp butter Directions 1. Boil the pasta 2. Move pasta from the pan/pot (tongs work best) to a plate or bowl; don’t drain the water 3. Mix pasta with the butter until melted 4. Add cheese and mix until well-combined 5. If … Recipe: Tagliatelle Alfredo
I made a comment on Mike Duran’s latest post: “What Does the Bible Say about Haunted Houses?“. Posting it here for safekeeping. Lots of good points here, Mike. The effects of Babel echo to the present day. God doesn’t direct the nations as they are now…that’s more under the control of the Elohim council, which … Haunted Houses and Babel
Alien: Romulus Young miners ransack a derelict Weyland-Yutani ship in a decaying orbit around their planet, only to find a wholly alien threat onboard. Alien for the Gen Z moviegoer, and I’m mostly saying that because the cast are older Gen Z. It makes some marketing sense, as Alien: Covenant, the previous film, had a … Movie Review: Alien: Romulus
Bingo bango bongo.
Wonder Woman 1984 Now an antiquities scholar, Wonder Woman must deal with a greedy businessman and a jealous coworker when the effects of an artifact, the Dreamstone, get out of control. I had left the TV on and this streamed on Tubi for free (I don’t pay for streaming unless it’s something specific), automatically, and … Sci-fi and Fantasy Movies and Series Reviews, Part 48
It’s weird. I tend to enjoy rock or metal instrumentals in video game soundtracks more than I do from traditional virtuoso artists. The reason is that instru-metal guys—who are mostly guitarists, obviously—can’t get past their virtuosity and present a coherent song without their chops getting in the way. A song that has “handles,” where you … Wednesday Humpday Midday Music: “Sunshine Coastline” from Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana
Today is Anne Bradstreet Day, dedicated to someone I never heard of: She was one of the first colonial poets to be published in the New World, the first Englishwoman to publish a book of poems and the first published American poet. While her early works were more rooted in the traditional poetry structure at … Anne Bradstreet Day
It’s not that movies need to be all realistic, but the dramatization of someone waking up from a nightmare has been overplayed for a while now. I can’t speak for everyone, but I never wake up from a bad dream by sitting bolt upright, breathless, and yelling out. That might be appropriate in a comedic, … How to Wake Up in a Movie
Taken over last weekend, near the Pittsburgh International Airport.
It’s been quite the minute since I posted, hasn’t it? I haven’t had the privilege of naming a wifi network in a while. I was going to do something like “FBISurveillanceVan” or “NSALogin” but I’ve seen that approach too much. There are some funny names in this forum thread—note all the “FBI” examples—but most of … You Won’t Pass
I almost didn’t want to label this as a “hike,” since it was more of an easy walk through mostly-paved paths. Really no elevation changes or rough terrain. Memorial Park in New Kensington is mostly a forest. The developed section has a road, parking lot, a small soccer field, basketball courts, tennis courts, not-ice-or-field hockey … Photos: Memorial Park Hike
We’ve probably come across many forms of the paradox before. The most amusing one I’ve ever seen was the two door dilemma from Labyrinth. Is the following statement true? This statement is false. If it’s true, it’s false. If it’s false, it’s true. What to make of this? There’s been many convoluted solutions to get … A Liar’s Paradox Solution
The Imaginary Rudger, Amanda’s imaginary friend, is forgotten and must learn to live with the other forgotten imaginary friends and evade the clutches of a strange man seeking to consume him. Toy Story meets Spirited Away, and I’m not referencing the latter because Studio Ponoc was related to Studio Ghibli. This was honestly more British … Movie Review: The Imaginary
As I mentioned in the “Love Death + Robots, Volume 3 Review” post over a year ago, I wanted to rewrite part of the “The Very Pulse of the Machine” short film to make it a little more effective in communicating what (I think) was the depiction of choice and risk. There are other themes, … How “The Very Pulse of the Machine” Should’ve Gone
Mars Express A pair of private investigators travel between Earth and Mars to probe into the disappearance of a college student and her roommate, who have been jailbreaking androids from their constraining moral programming. This was a French film, which I suppose means something. I was ready to dislike this because a movie about advanced … Movie Review: Mars Express
I watched part of a playthrough of this game a while back, back before playthrough videos on Youtube got obnoxious with overediting and spastic commentary. I was initially attracted by the watercolor portrait artwork and the hand-drawn, diagonal gameplay backgrounds, and the story was unique enough to bother paying attention. The soundtrack, written by Masashi … Wednesday Humpday Midday Music: “Rosekranz” from SaGa Frontier 2
Divergent In a highly-structured, post-apocalyptic Chicago, a young woman hides her “divergent” gift when she joins the peacekeeping Dauntless faction. Let’s get the negative stuff out of the way. Without knowing the books at all—which are in my library, yet to be read—I would be fine with the story: a paint-by-numbers dystopian teen sci-fi action … Movie Review: Divergent
A ginko tree on Forbes Avenue and Smithfield Street: The Citizens Bank Tower on William Penn Place, taken from PNC Plaza. On the middle right is the old Kaufmann’s building, with a basketball court on the roof. Bottom right is the Warner Theatre sign, which I believe has been there since 1918: Fifth Avenue Place/Highmark … Photos: Pittsburgh, June 2024
Labyrinth An irresponsible teenage girl is whisked away to another land to solve the labyrinth and rescue her baby brother from the Goblin King. A childhood staple of mine, but not nearly as much as one of the other weirdo Jim Henson 19980s movies, The Dark Crystal. I want to say maybe Labyrinth was geared … Sci-fi and Fantasy Movies and Series Reviews, Part 47
I was asked by a friend what I thought of the video on this page: Heavenly Fire – The John 10:10 Project. On the whole, I like what it says, despite the American evangelical bent of what’s expressed there. The explanation of the sun’s and Earth’s magnetic fields and how they interact is accurate, as … Made for Each Other
“Aragorn: tall, dark, ruggedly handsome, dangerous, brooding, of a royal bloodline, good with horses, a natural leader, slightly superhuman. He’s just like Jay!*” I missed the The Lord of the Rings trilogy the first time around in the theaters, in the early aughts. I was too single-mindedly involved with music and making websites at the … Aragorn: Book Versus Film
I’ve heard it a few times before, in the context of musical talent: “he’s good at what he does.” It’s applicable to other performative arts as well. It’s said when you want to admit someone is talented, but the subject in question isn’t talented in the manner in which you’d like them to be. I … “He’s good at what he does”
I took Daughter of Jay to the Sonic Temple Fest in Columbus, OH as a graduation present. The fest ran for four days, from Thursday and through the weekend. Her target was Evanescence, who only played Thursday, and passes for even one day were pretty pricey…so Thursday it is. I don’t think I could endure … Videos: P.O.D., Evanescence, The Ghost Inside
The thought occurred to me recently that a lot of the characters in Blade Runner 2049 act strongly against their profession while simultaneously maintaining that profession. Or, they act or are in circumstances that contradict their character in the previous movie. I don’t know how much merit there is in these observations. I suppose in … Acting Against Type in Blade Runner 2049
That’s it. That’s the whole street, in one photo. This is facing west on Sandusky Street, after getting off the Andy Warhol Bridge, and on the opposite end is Vulcan Way. The gray wall on the left belongs to the Burns White building. Burns White is a law firm that moved out of that building … Photo: Silver Street, Pittsburgh
Behold! The Plumber’s Hammer. I wanted to say this was the best weapon out of all possible weapons, including even the ranged ones, but let’s not go that far yet. Note the goal stated in this post’s title. It’s assumed that your main objective is to survive the zombie apocalypse, as opposed to going out … I Made the Best Melee Weapon to Survive a Zombie Apocalypse
I watched most of the first episode, not quite on purpose. I knew the writers were playing with atomic bombs like plastic toys when the detonation in the beginning failed to get the attention of the partygoers simply because they weren’t looking directly at it. The light from a bomb going off would be filling … Mauler on the Fallout Series
Ingredients 3 tbsp chia seeds 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream or 2% milk 1 capful of vanilla extract 1 capful of lemon extract 1/2 tsp powdered Stevia (around 12 drops of the liquid version) A few berries Directions 1. Combine everything into a container and mix 2. Let sit for at least 15 minutes 3. … Recipe: Bubblegum Chia Seed Pudding
Go get it.
Someone should do this. We’ve all seen forensic facial reconstruction artistry—it’s not really referred to as an art but one could easily peg it as such—for human remains, especially for prehistoric or non-modern-man/hominid species types. Why not transfer that skill to decorative skulls, like ones made for Halloween costumes or year-round decorations (people do that) … Youtube Channel Idea: Decorative Forensic Facial Reconstruction
I’ve seen things you people wouldn’t believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhäuser Gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain. Time to die. I always liked it. It wasn’t overwrought or overacted, and it was a … That Blade Runner Monologue
This was written, as was the entire Xenosaga III soundtrack, by Yuki Kajiura, who appears to be as prolific as Yoko Kanno in terms of soundtrack work. It’s a rather pretty song, and at first listen the pulsing electronic percussion starting up at 2:48 feels out of place for something so “natural” sounding. After hearing … Wednesday Humpday Midday Music: “Hepatica (KOS-MOS)” from Xenosaga III
A little over three years ago, we walked the same trail. Last Saturday afternoon was breezy and clear, in the mid-50s, and the trail was a little muddy from the storms the past week or so. My AllTrails app wasn’t cooperating for some reason, so I grabbed the rather low-resolution map from the park website. … Photos: Spicebush Trail Hike, Part 2
The Hobbit (1977) A hobbit is recruited by a wizard and thirteen dwarves to steal back the dwarves’ stolen treasure from the dragon Smaug. Any cinematic treatment of what’s probably the greatest children’s book ever written isn’t going to live up to the source material, but I will say this dated, all-animated version is much … Sci-fi and Fantasy Movies and Series Reviews, Part 46
May the waters spill as they glorify You. May the stones crack and crumble as they praise You. May the skies rend like threadbare garments as they honor You. May the galaxies spin and spend their flames as they bow down to You. May the cosmos return to the impenetrable chaos of the dark depths … Poem: Whither Creation
Taken at various stages. We had a lot of cloud coverage that broke up a bit in the afternoon, but I think the shots where clouds were involved added a nice effect. These aren’t very good, but I am glad to have at least something. My daughter used a pair of the eclipse glasses we … Photos: April 2024 Solar Eclipse
True to my plan early in 2023, I’m now listed as a UX Master on Nielsen Norman Groups’ certification page. Earlier this week I finished my last course and passed the last exam, and I think I owe it to myself to take a break from formal learning for a while. It can wreak havoc … UX Master Certification
A few things came to my attention after I posted the review of Dune Part 2 here. I mentioned that a nomadic desert culture like the Fremen should take from inspiration from real-world. This analysis of the costuming of Dune Part 2 suggest that this was the case, and Bedouins specifically were mentioned. Another video … Dune Part 2 Follow Up
Dune: Part Two With the House Atreides defeated on Arrakis, Paul Atreides and Lady Jessica work to win the favor of the native Fremen to push back against the Harkonnens. I liked this even more than Part One, if that were possible, because I think the runtime here is a little more justified. Part One … Sci-fi and Fantasy Movies and Series Reviews, Part 45
Walking around after dinner with some colleagues from work, heading southeast towards Liberty Avenue. Fun way to light up an otherwise dimly-lit alleyway. That building looming rather ominously in the background is the Centre City Tower. The exterior is rather bland, but its interior is nice. Your browser does not support the video tag. Otherwise, … Video: Overhead Lights at Garrison Place, Pittsburgh
Despite there being a ton of vendors at the World of Oddities Expo, I didn’t get as many pictures as I’ve done with other conventions. It was far less costume-based, so I was left with more or less taking photos of things that were for sale. Not necessarily bad, but it can be limiting and … Photos: World of Oddities Expo 2024, Pittsburgh
The best subversions in stories aren’t overbearing, or rely on jerking the viewer/reader around with cheap plot twists. Effective subversion—usually called one of the forms of irony—are more subtle and respectful of the audience’s intelligence. In this clip from The Ballad of Buster Scruggs anthology, the subversion is simple and easy to spot: The surface … How to Subvert Expectations in a Story
Every new idea or workaround is called a “hack” nowadays, even if it’s a technique that doesn’t involve technology. Some of the hacks listed in this “100 Home Hacks That Will Improve Your Life” could be considered engineering 101 hacks, but really they are just weird ideas that solve a problem or make something easier. … An Actual Hack
Item 1: I have new links to donwload Pale Blue Scratch and Bored in the Breakroom on the About + Books + Subscribe page for free. A few more online retailers. Item 2: My friend Graham, under the name Silent Music, put out a new album, called Taciturn Headphonetics. I have no idea how to … New Book Links and an Album
Even though HTML 4.0 specs were released after these sites were published, they still could be called HTML 4.0-era sites simply because it was the longest-running version of HTML before HTML 5 came around. The coding conventions, as well as the general aesthetic and subject matter, are often associated referred to using the 4.0 descriptor, … Long-Running HTML 4.0 Websites
Years ago, I had found garudoh’s YouTube channel, where he published videos of game soundtrack medleys. From that channel I found Supradarky‘s original account before he got nuked, where he had posted this song. I put a lot of Supradarky’s tracks on my iPod to listen to at work, and as I named the files … Wednesday Humpday Midday Song: “Yewbell (Balmy Breeze)” from Arc the Lad IV: Twilight of the Spirits
Ingredients 1/2 cup 2% milk 1/2 heavy whipping cream 2 tablespoons Optimum Nutrition Double Rich Chocolate protein powder (or whatever flavor) 1 tsp butter 1 tbsp cream cheese 1 tbsp peanut butter (sugar free) 1 tbsp chia seeds 1/8 tsp cinnamon 1/8 tsp cloves 1/8 tsp nutmeg Stevia/sweetener to taste Directions 1. Put all of … Recipe: Spicy Keto Porridge
I’m calling on Jill to get in here because this song has an accordion front and center. Some interesting time signature play here. The beginning is in 7/8, then a few bars of 4/4 before the verse (instrumentals can have verses and choruses, you know), and continuing into the verse. There’s a weird kind of … Wednesday Humpday Midday Song: “Clap and Walk” from Ragnarok Online 2
Over here.
I haven’t posted one of these in a while, so I thought I start again with one of my favorites from the Halo franchise. This plays right at the beginning of the game, with Master Chief’s AI doing the great voiceover, which if I recall correctly, was a new element for the Halo narratives. At … Wednesday Humpday Midday Song: “Luck” from Halo 3
I was able to plow through the first six Metal Slug installments, in between sleeping, writing, reading, eating, and doing other staycation-type activities, so the re-experiencing the action is fresh on my mind. I only played the first two games, long ago, when they were both in the arcades in the late nineties. It’s very … Three Cheers for Metal Slug
The Boy and the Heron In World War II Japan, a boy is guided by an annoying heron into a mysterious alternate reality, to find his father’s new wife and aunt. The heron wasn’t really annoying, except in the first few scenes, where he’s lightly terrorizing and gangstalking Mahito and taking dumps on his windowsill. … Sci-fi and Fantasy Movies and Series Reviews, Part 44
Here’s a nice still shot of nineties Gen X/Millennial culture. I was home from college on Christmas break when my brother took this photo. The date in the lower right corner is correct. Some things to notice: 1. The crazy-patterned bed comforter. 2. The Jim Lee X-Men poster, view it in its entirety here. At … Photo: Jay, 1995
Spotify’s cancelation confirmation screen has some creative content design: “Found art”: Life is waiting:
Ingredients 1 lb broccoli 2 lb chicken breast olive oil For the sauce: 1 c cream 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese 1/2 tsp salt 1 tsp garlic powder 1 tsp onion powder 1 tsp pepper 1 tbsp chives Directions 1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. 2. Slather the chicken with olive oil before placing it … Recipe: Chicken and Broccoli
After Earth After an injured Ranger Corps officer and his son survive a crash landing on a depopulated Earth, they must contend with the hostile environment and feral Ursa creatures to survive. There was something incomplete going on here, like M. Night Shyamalan just gave up halfway through directing the thing. I want to invoke … Sci-fi and Fantasy Movies and Series Reviews, Part 43
Interesting explanation of the similarities of worldwide accounts (stories, myths, cave drawings) of global disasters and observable cosmic phenomenon. I don’t know if it’s astrophysically possible without a detailed model of how electromagnetism would have 1) overcome the effects of gravitational forces between celestial bodies, and 2) place Saturn, Mars, and Venus into their current … Video: Remembering the End of the World
For her 18th birthday, I took DoJ (Daughter of Jay) to Boston to watch symphonic interpretations of Genshin Impact songs, played by the Boston Symphony Orchestra. I played the game for about 20 minutes once. It’s something I would like if I had the time and inclination to get into it, because there seems to … Photos and Video: Symphonic Genshin Impact in Boston
I checked on Pressure 4-5 the other day after coming across one of their videos on Youtube. I got into them during my Sam Goody days when we received the promo for their album and were able to spin it when we wanted to, instore. They were a bit set apart from the normal glut … What Happened to Pressure 4-5?
This is assuming, of course, your band has a domain* and website to begin with, and not just social media accounts. If you search for “[artist or album] lyrics,” most of the results you get won’t be on web properties belonging to the artist or even their record label. They will be lyrics-harvesting websites like … Bands: Publish Your Lyrics on Your Website
I took a trip to meet my brother and see YYNot, a Rush cover/tribute band, at the Arcada Theater in St. Charles, IL, just west of Chicago. That’s “Arcada”…not “Arcadia” or “Arcade,” like I constantly want to type or say. Here’s a photo of the Fox River from bridge on Main Street, facing north-northwest. The … Photos and Videos: YYNot at Arcada Theater
Ingredients 3 lbs grass-fed ground beef 1 large onion, chopped 8 cloves garlic (or 8 tsp minced) 2 x 15 oz cans diced tomatoes 6 oz can tomato paste 4 oz can green chili peppers 2 tbsps Worcestershire sauce 1/4 cup chili powder 2 tbsp cumin 1 tbsp dried oregano 2 tsp sea salt 1 … Recipe: Paleo-Keto Chili
A few recent shots. The first is not at night, but early morning, walking through Point State Park off the eastern side of Route 279, facing east-northeast. The Wyndham Hotel is in the (sort of) center, the Batman-cowl looking building on on its right is PPG Place. The gray-striped building I believe are the Gateway … Photos: Wyndham Grand Hotel, PNC Park