Tastefully Odd Blog Entries

Just learned something new today about iTunes. They added a toolbar in the latest version! (4.7) Check it out:

Just make sure you have “minimize itunes to system tray” unchecked for toolbar convenience!

You know what I’d like? A few days in a row without rain. That too much to ask? We’ve gotten triple the average monthly amount already, so I think we could use the rest of the month to dry out. Fortunately, predictions indicate a dry week ahead. If those predictions turn out false, I’m starting a basement repair service. I’ll make millions!

Edit (6PM): Apparantly the rain has resulted in flooding back home in Ottawa. Guess I’ll stop complaining.

Behold, the mac mini. Finally, I’ll be free from responding to knee-jerk complaints of “it’s only got a one-button mouse,” (byodkm) “they’re too expensive,” and– well, I guess I’ll still get misinformed gripes about incompatibility and lack of software (along with a few legitimate situations). *sigh*

The iPod shuffle is pretty awesome too.

Wow. Didn’t get anything done over the weekend. Nothing. No parties either. Yeah. Pretty dull over here.

Jason posted this bit about a bunch of disrespective kids who think they know something about video games over a week ago, but I decided to save it for a rainy blog day. Here’s direct linkage to Part I and there’s even a Part II to be seen.

I don’t know what to say about these young whippersnappers who don’t appreciate quality 8-bit gaming and only know about the softer side of Sears. Between them and the jock crowd (the jock being the antithesis and natural enemy of the geek) the video game industry has pandered to with titles like Halo and GTA, (I’d reference the PS1 games that began the glamorizing of video games, but then some whippersnapper would call one of those games old school and I’d get all cheesed off) it’s not enough to have someone identify themself as a ‘gamer’ and share an instand bond anymore. Basically, all I’m saying is I don’t expect to have much of a conversation with a 10 year old about classic games, or even entertainment in general. Totally different worlds. Loosely connected by a common medium. Same thing applies to Movies, TV, and Music. It’s not the kids’ fault, but it still irks me to hear that Tetris “is boring.”

The article did have its moments however.
“Tim: My line is so beating the heck out of your stupid line. Fear my pink line. You have no chance. I am the undisputed lord of virtual tennis. [Misses ball] Whoops.” – classic.

Ok, I promised Jason a lighthearted post for Wednesday, but it didn’t quite happen. Sorry. Busy day at work followed by busy night of X-Men Legends. We didn’t even get to the Mario Party 6 action we had planned on having because a. Tone couldn’t keep his promise and come to game night (he’s the one that missed out though, so meh) and 2. we got so caught up in gangbanging foes into the corner in X-Men.

Damn, 2AM again. Two nights in a row of late night gaming has messed me up something fierce. But it’s worth it. Probably.

It didn’t ruin the holidays, but it made them somewhat more somber. My Grandma, Wilma Tobe, passed away Christmas Eve morning.

She’s been in a nursing home for the past year, her health deteriorating almost day by day. And with a recent turn for the worse, it wasn’t entirely unexpected. That softens the blow somewhat, along with the fact that it’s been over a decade since her stroke, which, as I talked about before, began to take her away from us mentally, memory by memory, limiting her cognitive abilities, and later, physical abilities. In many ways, the grandma I knew had already left us.

Because of this deterioration, her passing brings closure and relief. I am sure she is free from suffering now, and able to find peace. Enjoying music, solitare, gardening, and watching us “katzenjammers” from heaven.