Atreides

I like deluded little worlds when they are fun and nice. Not like North Korea though.

You can factor in inflation by buying an annuity with increasing payments. Set aside/invest enough money now for future payments that increase and hopefully adequately cover inflation.

I think I had bit under 30 hours... And it didn

How many hours did you guys clock on KOTOR2 on your first run through?

Here's a random thought - if you make a game by having many nodes/choices at each step/fork/quest you could end up with a lot of material but few steps. An example would be fleshing out detailed ways to solve the major quests by different ways using different classes, choices etc. The choices are the forks which end in nodes. Imagine a fanning-out pattern, or at least a straight line with lots of mini-fans at each fork. That could possibly be a lot of material but the number of periods (length of game?) would be short. Compare that with a more linear game - less choices would just mean stretching the effort into a straight line - possibly more periods (straight line vs fan). Short finish but lots of replay material for the hardcore dudes? Perhaps. If you're looking for your "40 hours" like I certainly am, the time may be in replaying the different outcomes.

Iran's president's said that they've successfully enriched uranium (for power) and are going to expand operations. Plus it's their right to peaceful nuclear energy and anyone that tries to stop them will be punished. Futures price of a barrel of oil has hit a "new" record high at USD73. Iraq's interim al-Jafari has agreed to step down so his post is open to reelection. Could be a breakthrough to form the new Iraq govt since the Sunnis and Kurds disliked him. Palestinian suicide bomber blew stuff up in Israel, Hamas said it's justified and the Israelis are considering action. Australia agreed a deal to sell its uranium to China. China's Hu visited the US on a mainly business trip - was hosted by Microsoft, bought a few Boeings and talked about the US trade deficit with Bush. National Geographic dudes ran a special on discovered authentic Coptic (ancient Egyptian) manuscripts that claim to be the Gospel of Judas. MTG's Dissension Prerelease will be held this weekend. I'll be playing in half an hour. Hope to make a top 16 finish!

Gorram hippies!

The container was microwave safe and engineered (and advised) to go on "high" setting. I should have factored in the increasing power of newer units.

He could swing his massive man meat to massacre his opponents before finishing them off with masculine man pudding. Cherry on top is optional.

So today my living unit had a fancy new microwave oven - the stainless steel type that looks real pro and all (previous one died). Thing is I had it on 100% power for 10 mins and it melted my rice cooker (which is meant to cook at full power on other microwaves). Turns out it's WAY more powerful than average (yay technology!). After finding out what it had done, there was one hell of a cleanup and the smell of burnt plastic has been cleared out. It works fine but it smells funky and there's the possibility the melted plastic could be toxic for future use. The interior of the brand new microwave has a yellowish sheen on it and it smells like burnt plastic. I'll talk to the front office on what'll happen on Monday. I've explained things to my unitmates in a long note and I've told them that I'll replace the cost if need be (if it's toxic etc). The microwave still works fine btw. I did tell them to keep an eye on when heating stuff though so they can avoid another meltdown.

How much cash or assets (convertible to cash) do you need/want before you call it quits on your job/investments and sit back to enjoy it? Rich investors probably got there because they didn't sit back but continued to keep working, investing what they had till they are where they are now. But eventually numbers in your bank account start to mean less if you've spent your youth number crunching and you're unable/too late to spend those numbers. Whether it's that romantic trip to the Caribbean or devoting your time to customizing bikes, why wait till you're 70? Anyway what's that magic number that you guys would say "I've enough cash, I'm going to stop doing any work and just enjoy myself"? I guess that figure's adjusted for cash for the kids or whatever.

^_^

Lol, and we were worried about running out of oil.

We better spend the cash in the pension funds on a 10 year party!

I'm sure the sociologists, spliced with a healthy dose of evolution theory can rationalise how the apes found it useful to either form communities while being hostile to others. It's all because of the _____.

I think a model for modern day ninjas would be GITS's Section 9 department. They're covert ops information gathering ass kickers.

Bank robbers?

I'm sure you can blame it on Fallout when the FBI are on your trail.

No, it's a typical case of average minds not able to come into terms with something that transcends their limited understanding. Exploitable.

Iran-NK would do fine.

Looks legit to me.

I just wish the dude kicked the cellphone guy in the nuts too.

HAHHAHAAAAAAAAAAA WIN!

I don't think so. If pop's equivalent to Buffy in tv-terms I know lots of very very very smart people that enjoy it.

Don't think they're calling Bulock-san "Doc Ock". Yet.