Happy birthday to me!!

Yeah Buddy! I did it. I made it another year. I am 26 years old, and somehow I managed to do it without any major crap-ups.

I would like to thank everyone who wished me a happy birthday. Those of you who wrote on my Facebook wall will find that I thanked you all personally with a response wall post. I'm old school like that. I started on Facebook back when you needed a verified college email address to be on it. Your wall posts were kind of like how popular and well liked by your friends you are. So every wall shout was like someone thinking of you and actually saying hello, or Happy Birthday. It was like a step away from actually calling you up. So nowadays, people make a catch-all status remark like, "Thank you everyone for the birthday wishes!" Not me. I'll thank you all individually. It's the proper thing to do.

I got a veritable plethora of gifts from all those who were able to afford it, and let me say once again, it wasn't necessary, but thank you once again. All you mugs are great! And those that couldn't are actually just as thanked. It's great to simply hear from you all and to know that I'm loved.

My warranty on me isn't void yet, so let's get another year in. Thank you all!!!

-The0

More like LAME Moon

I don't know how to preface this, so I'll just out with it.

I. HATE. Twilight.

I hate it. I hate that through the adoration of prepubescent "tweens" Vampires have gone from horrible wraiths of bloodlust and deception, paragon disciples of Vlad the Impaler, terrors of the night to lousy, brooding pretty boys with perfect hair, who only want to be loved and understood. Instead of bursting into flames in the sunlight, they sparkle?! Like someone sprinkled them with glitter. They sparkle like a beautiful, metro sexual, candyass fashion model. OH MY GOD HAND ME A TOWEL BECAUSE I'M SOAKING WET!!! You girls who helped to make this story a bestseller can all fucking choke.

And heaven forbid some form of brutality should remain in these Ken-dolls-in-halloween-costumes. No! They don't even feed off of humans. They feel that's Wrong. They drink animal blood. That's bullshit. Vampires are immortal. What do they care if something is ostensibly wrong? (Side note: I am a proud carnivore. Bite me [you are what you eat, eat a human, be a human]). Seriously, I am pissed that this movie/story has utterly removed the edge of Vampires and turned them into us. They might as well just be the Backstreet Boys or something.

Where's the line anymore? Is every legend going to be pissed upon and stripped down to it's most potentially appealing factor? Vampires used to be the ultimate predators, and then that turned into sexual predator/physical predator, to intellectual predator. Then it was sexual predator. Still kind of awesome, but now, they're just sex symbols. Lame, glittery boy toys. Who thought of this nonsense?

Stephanie Meyer ruined everything cool about vampires, and turned them straight from dark lords to masturbatory aids. Fuck You, Stephanie. Fuck You, Edward Cullen. Fuck You, Bella. Fuck You, Summit Entertainment, And Fuck You, Moviegoers. I hope New Moon burns your eyes out of your sockets.

-The0

Love Is For Everyone

Wer wartet mit Besonnenheit
der wird belohnt zur rechten Zeit
Nun, das Warten hat ein Ende
Leiht euer Ohr einer Legende

~Rammstein, Rammleid

They're back, ladies and gentlemen, and though this first verse off their latest album is self-aggrandizing, for this fan, it's true. The wait is over today, and the legend returns.

At first listen, it seems unrecognizable, yet familiar. Some say that Rammstein has joined the mainstream and started to simply make homogeneous metal. I would say that this is not the case, as they still have every element that made me like them from every album previous. Massive sound, heavy distortion of very melodic patterns, driving songs (mostly, more on that later), and above it all, Till Lindemann's grinding and operatic vocals.

Most of the songs from this album have a clearly recognized melody, but others are much harder, literally and musically. Yet, if you sit through long enough, listen to the lyrics (do some translating while you're at it) you'll find yourself on a beautiful, embracing bridge or chorus. It's true of almost every song they've put out. Which brings me to the the next point of happiness for me.

In previous albums, occasionally Rammstein will make a song referencing some horrible act of society or person, be it real or fictional. The last one on Rosenrot was about a guy who was cheered into jumping off of a bridge (which strangely doesn't need an exact reference. It seems to happen every once in a while). This time, it's Wiener Blut (Viennese Blood), a creepy, frightening recounting of the recent Fritzl case. No real melody here, just guitars, synths, and a psychopathic German man telling you an emotional ghost story.

The title track Liebe ist für Alle Da is a more worldly sound for metal. Translated it means "Love is for Everyone." A hammering song, it still has the aforementioned melody somewhere in there. The main reason I bring this up is because with Rammstein, and on this album especially, nothing is as simple as it sounds. They flip around common German idioms, make divine cultural references behind your back, and trick you into thinking you're going to be in one mood, but put you in another. Further explanation will require you to listen to the song first.

And on that note, the dark tone of this album is occasionally put to the side. The extended edition of this release has roughly 4 ballads on it. It's a little maddening, but on the whole, well, I do enjoy falling sleeping to metal. I never knew Till Lindemann could sing such lovely French. A couple of these songs are of the special (read: slightly saddening) kind where the song is exactly the same, but the lyrics are different. Oh well. You only get to enjoy that if you bought the extended edition.

In summation, Ramming Stone's latest album is a very welcome and long overdue addition to my Rammstein library. Not every song appealed at first listen, but many of them grew on me very quickly. Songs to buy this album for are Ich Tut Dir Weh, Haifisch, Pussy, and if they're your taste, Rammlied and B********. Songs that will quickly grow on you are Liebe ist für Alle Da, Waidmann's Heil, and Frühling in Paris (again, if it's your style.) This isn't their greatest album, but it's good, and well worth my purchase.

SEO Purposes: My fellow fans and pattern-watchers may appreciate this: 916139, 9 1 6 1 3 9, Rammstein.

Questions, Comments? Please feel free to comment, and leave questions!

Rock On!!!!

-The0

A Credit List

They say that if you wind up with 3 good friends in life, you've lived remarkably well. I have lived a life of total luxury if that's the case.

Walter: Thank you for being there to help me through schoolwork, bike stunts, bad ideas, and good times.

Ben: Your pennywise sense has rubbed off on me finally. I'm glad you made me do your laundry back in college.

Craig: My first friend, your life is a veritable tome of accomplishments. Every time we speak, I feel like a kid again.

Matt: If there is a man more baddass and intense on a daily basis, I don't think he'd really compare to you.

Evan: Technology makes sense because of you. You make me feel dumb in a learning way.

Kurt: Music has never been more enjoyable. My instrument sounds great because of you.

Dré: You turned me from a brooding sociopathic boy to a semi-socially savvy man. You put me onto the path I am on today.

Adam: I finally enjoy being behind a computer again, like I did in high school.

Webb: I am of the strong opinion that everyone needs a mad scientist for a friend.

Renny: You help me deal with everyday. You help me feed my addiction, and keep me sane.

Andy: Every time I hear from you is a total joy. I love just talking about what's going on with you.

Gigi: You're the best of the kin, and you make me swell with pride everyday.

Mom: You help me deal with life crises. You keep me well furnished, and you keep me going with my grind.

Dad: My ultimate role model. If I wind up half the man you are, I've done very well.

Dr. Girlfriend: You make me want to be the best man I can.

Edits to follow, as I think of more things to say about the best people in my life.

-The0

Open Doors, Closed Windows.

So much for a clever title.

I have significant confusion regarding the Windows 7 release on the horizon. I can't figure out the exact differences between Windows 7 and my current, not-hated Vista. Apparently, it's just like Vista, a couple features removed, and a bit of a streamlining.

Personally, I have never purchased an operating system in box or off a shelf. I always buy it new with the machine. Even if I did have the will, want, or cash to buy it new-in-box, I think I would always wait until the first service pack comes out. You know, let them get all the kinks out, let the drivers get developed, etc.

The interesting conundrum is that new PCs bought within a certain time frame, get a free upgrade to Windows 7 from Vista. Will there be driver issues? Will profiles be lost? Knowing Microsoft and the negative attention they tend to garner, they may very well half-ass the upgrade release, and have inadequate support too. But then again, it may be baddass.

Dr. Girlfriend happens to be eligible for this upgrade, and it's her choice whether she's going to or not is up to her. But the fact that Windows 7 is supposedly going to be less resource-intensive, it's probably a good idea for high-end laptop owners.

So while this is a very cool thing for Microsoft to do, especially in the wake of Vista's "problems" and remembering Windows ME, I would proceed with caution. Lots of forum reading on the horizon.

Thoughts anyone?

-The0

Liebe ist für Alle Da

As my closer friends and relations no doubt know, I am a HUGE Rammstein fan. I'm not the biggest fan in the world, but they are hands-down my favorite band in the world (though some others do come as close seconds.) The thing is, it's been several years since they've last been in the studio, ever since they worked on Rosenrot. They have a new album, and it comes out very soon. As such, they have started marketing the singles and such that have been selected off the new album, Liebe ist für Alle Da. This post is to review their latest video, to attempt to divine what the band wanted to portray to us, and to compare it to their best videos of albums past. A review of Pussy.

First off, the video (WARNING: EXPLICIT, GRAPHIC, ADULT-ORIENTED CONTENT!!!!!!!)

This video is either Rammstein's greatest or worst video. Speaking from a mature adult standpoint, It's pure porn. It's a very shallow story, comparing to earlier videos like Du Riescht So Gut and even later ones, like Benzin and Rosenrot. Rammstein has had a talent of putting together very compelling stories in their videos, ones which usually match the song nicely, but this simply pales. The lyrics also disappoint, as Till Lindemann is an accomplished poet, but as far as this song is concerned, even I've written better. As a Rammstein enthusiast, this is not their best representation.

As a sex-addled post-teenager still in love with the industrial genre and all things German, this is outstanding. The heavy use of English to speak to a wider, sex-addicted audience is a good demographic move. Their show their nationality brusquely, with smatterings of definitively German-branded words and concepts. It also speaks to their shocking side. Truly shocking, and not a moment too soon. With their rumored retirement on the horizon, I think they are probably just doing their best to go out on a literal bang. I am still in love with the driving, ass-pounding song, and you'll find me humming it at work sometimes. I have been starving for more material from them since they released Rosenrot 4 years ago. Bravo! Gimme fucking more!

Rammstein has always been known for their brutality, depravity, and stage presence. They have a provocative method of framing the very worst humanity has to offer. But what are they framing this time? Simply fucking? Does it all boil down to just fucking? I suppose in the loosest sense, it really does. They had the presence of mind to acknolewdge most of the settings in which porn stars, well, star. It isn't ironic, but definitely pulls some point. It just has to. Please?

How about:

Anyone can do a porn, Rammstein is pulling out, and at the end of the day, all we want to do is fuck.

-The0

Edit: 03/05/2010

Because of the release of the newest Rammstein video, the old link now goes to that. This link here seems the least infectable site for the whole, uncensored video. As a rule still, turn on your anti-virus, and again, make sure you're not at work.

Edit: 03/19/2010

Disregard. Fixed it again. Still NFSW.

The Usual, Please

Tonight was weird. I spent all day recovering from last night and grocery shopping with a friend, and then when I get home, I notice my beer tastes a little warm. My refrigerator is busted. I noticed this at 7, well before a shift end for the emergency maintenance crew. No one returned a call, no one came. That's just sad. I have food spoiling in an ice-laden chill chest, and the maintenance crew, the management, and everyone in the group to whom I pay my rent are going to drag their feet.

Now this is only a gripe, but goddamn, if I have to pay out the ass for rent and work said ass off just to earn the money, why can't I get someone who is paid to be on call, to come fix this? Nonsense!

If all this food goes bad, I'm dumping it in their office...

-The0

Lucky Birthday!!!

Today is apparently Google's 11th Birthday! A joyous day indeed! Another annual celebration for a company which whose motto is "Don't be evil."Good day. It's a little poignant for me, because 11 happens to be my lucky number for some reason which I have long buried but quite vividly remember. Also, I depend on Google to bring me most of my news, knowledge, and general fact-seeking in this lifetime, so I'm very happy for them.

Today is also my final day of work before I finally get to enjoy another day off. While I'm happy for the overtime, I've been working my ass ragged and all the while, been watching others work themselves 10 hours more ragged. Is that an actually a measure of job skill? Or job trust? Or am I simply going more crazy? The money will barely stretch itself to the next paycheck. Through Passion I gain Strength, and I feel horridly weak right now. Thank goodness for alcohol.

Today, It ends. Girls and Boys, be prepared for a very pessimistic, hateful, irreverent,lewd, cynical and tired weblogger in the coming post(s).

-The0

Like eHarmony

Always, always always always, Always always always check the compatibility of components before you ever install them.

I still feel like I am a relatively smart person, but it's been just over 2 years since I last learned this lesson, and I've killed another computer. Happily, I decided to buy my Cassima before I did this, upon which I write now. I bought a new Intel Q9550 processor, like I've always wanted to, and promptly murdered my giant gaming rig the instant I installed it.

After further testing, it now seems that the chip itself is busted (may have been a DOA) but still, I've been planning this upgrade ever since I bought the main box. It's taken like, 3 months to save to afford this thing. I may have stepped on a couple of toes, and potentially have stressed friendships to get this thing. Now my motherboard is fried. There's a lesson in this somewhere.

But I still have friends. A couple of dear brothers feel that this is kind of unfair, and despite my own ignorance, they're willing to chip in and help me get a new motherboard. One of them has even declared that he forbids me from getting anything that isn't an upgrade. God bless you all. Or Good Fortune! Or whatever you happen to believe in. Thank you!

Check for EVERY level of compatibility, anytime you make an upgrade. My rig's symptoms are available upon request. And now, time to file an RMA (here's hoping.)

-The0

Nein, Es ist Gut!!!

So I saw 9 with the Dr. Girlfriend, and I have to say, it was worth the cash in my opinion. There was a lot of hype, and while it pays off on most of it, I suppose I was looking for a little bit more out of it.

The movie was a quick show, at about 75 minutes. Nearly the whole thing is action, and well played at that. There was just enough exposition to keep you quiet during the film, and the colors kept my 2-year-old attention span spellbound the entire time.

I really enjoyed the environment they created for this movie as well. It had an air of World War II America, with '40's styled cars and white picket fences. Granted, everyone's dead, but I very much felt like it was Nightmare on Tranquility Lane.

Something I was looking for was a bit more of a character from Crispin Glover. Granted, he usually plays an odd character, but it was hard to build when few of his lines consisted of more than 20 words. I liked him in BTTF, of course, and he was astounding in Willard. I just wish we could've gotten more than just 6-is-our-resident-freakshow.

Lastly, a cool theme was the implied Science versus Spirituality battle. Although, I am beginning to get sick of the idea that the instant humanity finally develops AI, we're fucked. And to the other end of that argument, I know for a fact I don't want to run around as a sock puppet after the Armageddon.

Go see 9. In the theaters. It's worth the price of your ticket, I promise.

-The0

Intelligent Design

Have you ever had one of those days where you feel like you are getting progressively more stupid? I think I have been having more and more of those lately. It's not much of a comfort, but apparently, there are different types of intelligent, and I believe I just need to find the one that fits me best. In the meantime, damn, do I feel dumb.

I know I said this was a work in progress, but honestly, I didn't have much else to say. I had an awesome idea that I would love to make come to fruition, putting off the robots for a while. It's good metal work practice though, so pictures to come if I can get it together. Secret-ish Project! Oooh!

I finally have a Java book headed my way, so we'll see if that fits my intelligence style. Joy!

Off to sleep!

-Theo