LadyCrimson

I consider Cruise to be extremely over-rated as far as acting goes. He's passable, but usually he's surrounded by actual stellar actors/chr. actors who are far better than he is that somehow manage to hide his flaws. When he makes a movie where that isn't the case, more often than not, it sucks. The one role where I actually did like him as a chr. was where he played the assassin guy.

Oh ok...the aiee smilie was confusing me w/it's frantic/freaked out face. heh And yeah, I guess the 23rd date was for the pre-order (in the US) shipping date or something...I think store date is actually tomorrow...assuming a store's shipment is on time, of course. :/

Fantasy book I'd recommend: Tad Williams, The Dragonbone Chair. Only problem is it takes about 150-200 pages before it gets going and I was tempted to put it down, but once reaches a pivotal point, I really loved it. The second in the series was also pretty good, but when the last book was so huge it required being split into two separate 800 page 'books' I wasn't able to finish. But the first one is great! heheh. I don't read much post-apocalyptic fiction, so can't help there. I read Robots of Dawn & Robots and Empire first, which were written much later and allowed more pages to tell the story...and I fell in love with Daniel & Giskard's robot chrs. The first two were a lot more limited in size...the later two were better. The first three robot novels are also, at heart, largely mystery novels in a sci-fi setting - whodunits more in line w/Holmes, say. The last one distantly tied in with his Foundation series, as well. But yeah, Asimov is a very dry-style writer...and he's terrible w/even any hint of the notion of romantic relationship, or female chrs. in general. Yet somehow I connect w/his robot stories (not much else of his, tho). If you read the whole series, you'll discover his settings are often (imo) about human prejudice/lack of self-control/suffering for greater good cultures - hence the lack of freedom you perhaps noted. Over the robot novel series, you'll see his chrs. start a movement against both the 'City' and 'Spacer' way of living. I'm not sure I agree about the lack of futuristic insight. You have to remember Caves of Steel was written in the 50's. The notion that they'd one day have chips the size of a fingernail tip was too much for most people of the times to imagine actually being possible. Almost all sci-fi/fantasy is like that to a degree - Star Trek and Star Wars (original one) among them.

Valkyrie - Gets a B-, despite Cruise being in the movie (and being a bit slow). Some good chr. roles for some other good actors. Starship Troopers - Each time I watch this movie, the more I like it and appreciate the over the top propaganda satire, which always slays me. Edit: oh yeah, also saw 'Defiance' w/Daniel Craig & Liev Schreiber. WWII refugees-in-hiding drama. Liev is outstanding, Craig good. Thumbs up/A-.

"Kill, kill, kill!"

Is that a bad thing? To be honest, I barely noticed it was there, or if there was a way to remove it. The demo has very limited options available tho so even if there is, it might not be in the demo. And minions chasing baby seals made me laugh, because I'm evil, or something.

Yup...it's just the demo tho, which is only long enough to make me want MORE. Going to the store tomorrow to see if I can snap it up. Demo has it being much like the first one...with new touches. Humor's the same, which I love. Still can't stand the glowy bloom effect(1st pic), I turn it off. And for some reason it's one of those games that looks 100% better while playing. Esp. on the big tv. Oh well.

Yesssss....... It doesn't look pretty because I installed it on my ancient pc first to see if it would even run. It does...mostly. Haha Now to put it on the somewhat better PC...

Ok, it's not technically a car...not to mention, not technically invented yet...but I'd like one of these. If I had the money, I'd get the guy to make me one. Forget those 30-second old style things...7-20 minute flights would be more than enough for quick trips to the store! Micro Turbine JetPack. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lcMHfJoY_M

Is this real? It's like what The Onion would do, or something. Worried about swatting a fly? Fly abuse, oh noes? Oh PETA....have a grand old time going after all the fly-swatter companies. *snicker*

Wasn't there a time where you could see the tally of your WoT posts? Or a percentage number, at least? I kinda miss that. Heh Most of mine are probably from the Kotor forums, way back when. I shudder to think what it'd be including WoT.

@Gorth - lol Boneless beef ribs are relatively cheap --$3-4 a lb vs. $6-8 a lb for the better sirloin/t-bone/ribeye steaks-- and taste pretty good (ie, like ribs) when BBQ'd. More tender than the cheapie steak cuts, too. Don't laugh, I never tried buying them before. I'd see them, but think "if I want ribs, I'll just buy the rack o' ribs..." And they cook faster/easier w/out all that bone. The gas-grill is working out nicely. Just leave the crusty stuff on the burner covers/drip pan area for the smoke effect and it starts to taste something closer to charcoal grilling.

Life is a mystery...

Oh yeah, hubby also liked the Oldsmobile 442's. I can't think of any new/modern cars either of us would have the hots for. The 50k+ sports cars are all so mundane...and only good for cruises down beach roads. ...but assuming I could comfortably ride one, I wouldn't mind getting one of these, because they look fun for casual riding. Piaggio MP3 500

I wanted a 911 for a long time...or a early/mid 60's Mustang...but I probably couldn't reach the pedals and see out the window at the same time. Problem w/most sporty cars for me.... Hubby used to want a mid-60's Ford Falcon - actually he had a very beat up one, but he wanted one in good condition, heh: He also liked Chevy Impalas.

I think hubby and I spent $20 on some sterling silver bands at a jewelry convention. Hahahaha. No engagement ring, we were poor then and I'd just lose it anyway. We haven't worn our rings for a while now...took them off one day while swimming and just never put them back on. Someday I'll get us some titanium bands or something, tho. And congrats, Kor. May you be blessed with decades of hall-sex bliss!

Agree about too many sub-genres. It's reaching ridiculous heights that I consider unsupportable. But that's just me. At this point in my life, I don't really have favorite genre of music....or even favorite bands, really. I hear and like an individual song, one at time, and that's it. I like music with varied rhythm tracks and melodies (think Stomp or Kate Bush)...or music that makes my "spirit soar" (Celtic/Gaelic/orchestra). Songs from any genre may fit either of these categories at some time, so just about every genre will have an album or three worth of songs that I might really enjoy. What I don't like is when music is instrumentally too "busy" or mixed/tortured to death, or too monotonous over the entire song. I don't typically like screaming as singing, either. In other words, usually I like melody over cacophony. I always dig my 80's roots. Lots of 60's rock n' roll and 50's/60's folk rock too. Modern rock/metal music mostly escapes my notice, except when TV/internet points it out to me.

Fever Pitch. Yes, I watched it because it's a Red Sox themed film...kind of. It was ok. I think While You Were Sleeping made a better romantic comedy, since Fever Pitch didn't really hit my funny bone that often. But it was watchable. Although I have to say...I can be an obsessive nut at times, but even I wouldn't go as far as Jimmy Fallon's chr. in the movie.

Still waiting for summer to arrive. Apparently it's on vacation.

Don't know of a 'best' method...not even sure there is one, for actual live streams (vs. prerecorded videos). Try a desktop video capture program. I'll let you Google.

The remake of Journey to the Center of the Earth w/Brendan Fraser. Did not watch in 3D. Cute in spots but mostly meh. The background props/paintings/sets seemed subpar too, reminding me of 60's/70's. Maybe that was intentional. Or they blew all their budget on the big dino scene.

I love taks. Just sayin'. Wondering what makes good backyard garden crops. Corn is out, too many crows/birds/squirrels. Tomatoes, strawberries, jalepenos, blackberries and honeydew this year....but thinking of expanding the 'farm' area for more plantings next year. Problem is we're not that into many vegies, particularly in large quantities. Maybe our own lettuce/cukes? Garlic/other herbs?

Twinkies will always be Twinkies, I'm sure. After all, they probably have at least 200 years worth already on the shelves...

So far today, I've stayed up all night, as I've unfortunately been doing a lot of ... stress ... but it has had the side benefit of my discovering all kinds of enlightening and useful info via the internet, such as the fact Squirmels have become available for purchase again in the past few years. I've also learned that Snuggies shed to nothingness before too many washes and have a tendency to fall open in the back, ala hospital gowns. This is brilliant stuff I'm learning, and it's all possible because of the internet! Later hubby and I going to visit my mother to help her some semi-techy stuff and I hope I can get some sleep.