Let's see...where to begin...
1. I've started a new mega-geek hobby!
C++
Yup! For no reason at all, at least none I can think of yet other than "because the Fiance asked if I wanted to", I've started to learn a programming language. Although, I like to think this is just a practical use for all those symbolic logic classes I took in college. It's pretty different, but still kind of the same (apparently back in "the day" symbolic/analytic philosophers would realize that no amount of logical syntax was going to reveal the Truth about things, so they all went into computers-- less truth, but a lot more money. I feel like I'm following in their sensible footsteps.)...plus I get to use { and } now, and they were always my favorite symbols.
{Every Essay Header I Wrote My Sophomore Year Until My Professors Told Me to Cut It Out}
I totally love it, and am completely obsessed with this new hobby of mine. My goal is to "make computers my b*tch". I think this is reasonable. I'm fairly computer literate, but not quite at the level where I can do anything extraordinary. Becoming a master in Excel sounded kind of awful, so I'm glad I have a different area of focus now...really, I was making so many spreadsheets. For everything. I was like, "hey Boss/Mom would you like totals for all these weird statistics for work?" No. "Too late. Already did it..."
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| Y U NO USE EXCEL?! |
So now I've got Sam's Teach Yourself C++ in One Hour A Day and am working on it well...an hour a day...and doing all the practice-y programs. It's awesome. At first I was like, "vurt da furk?!" when I started since it didn't explain anything very well. But now it's a lot better and super-explanatory. So I highly recommend it if anyone is interested.
2. A Book Review! Kind of...I'll get there...but first...
Disclaimer- I've never been into Star Trek. Not really anyway (STAR WARS ALL THE WAY!!!!).... Until Abram's reboot with Star Trek and Star Trek: Into Darkness. I freakin' love both of these movies. In fact, I sat in the theaters about 2/3 of the way into Into Darkness and felt slightly depressed...
This is better than Star Wars...but I love Star Wars...how could this be better?...But it is...It's so much better...But...Star Wars? ....NOOOO....
Sorry Luke, it's better. To be fair, original Star Wars is still probably 1,000,000x better than original Star Trek. But omgosh, this new take on Star Trek is freakin' brilliant. And way better than the more recent Star Wars productions (and I say this as one of the few that actually likes Episodes I-III.)
My only consolation for this unpleasant shift in thinking is that there is the possibility that Abrams may make Star Wars better than Star Wars. Seriously, I'm so pumped to see what he could do with the franchise. If he can make me-- an non-trekkie-- love Star Trek. Then there is the distinct possibility that my head may explode from the awesomeness of future Star Wars...
That said, I semi-read a book recently called REDSHIRTS. It's like this weird parody/hommage to Star Trek. And if you are even a semi-fan of the series you will enjoy this book. Guaranteed. If you are a fan of SyFy's shitty Trek-wannabe productions, you will enjoy this book too. If you like Galaxy Quest, you too will like this book, probably. Star Wars fans? Eh. Jury's still out.
It's really funny though. Cleverly written, maybe not the way it's written-- which feels almost like a script, in that most dialogue is:
He said, "blah blah blah."
She said, "ditto."
He said, "yup."
She said, "this is fun."
But the story itself is fantastically clever. So that more than makes up for it. And often the dialogue is witty enough that it reads like a "who's on first?" routine, which I adored.
Now, I do have to say it's only a semi-read for me. I am notorious for not finishing books anyway, but this one is written in 3, maybe 4 parts. And each part is very different. The first two were great. The third was okay...And yeah, I guess there is 4, since that's where I seem to be stuck. It's definitely again, clever. But I don't feel compelled to keep reading anymore. And since I'm no longer a student anymore, I don't read anything "because I have to" anymore either. Mwahaha... But this does mean that I get to mail it to my advisor and friend, because he falls in that trekkie camp that ensure he will enjoy it. So much so, that I'm mailing it to him to make sure he reads it. This (loaning/giving away books) is something I also do not do. So that should tell you something...positive. (Please don't read that as "wow, I hated this book so much that I'm willing to give it away!" That would be incorrect...and almost like you didn't bother to read the entire review...)
Here's the link for the first few chapters-- for free!
http://www.tor.com/stories/2012/03/redshirts-prologue-chapter-1-a-2-excerpt
3. The Part Where I Discuss Gaming!
So, if you are at all into video gaming, than you must be aware that Microsoft announced their follow up to the Xbox 360. The Xbox One... I'm not going to be talking about that here. Why? Because I haven't a clue what to say about it. I feel a mix of anticipation and hesitation. And I'm reluctant to give up my 360 because I'm one of the losers that bought it within the last two years. Which is pretty recent considering how long it's been available. And I bought a Kinect only months ago. I'm not ready to move on! ...And it bothers me that they have widened their demographic to include non-gamers- like not just people that don't play often (I'm in that crowd most of the time) but people that don't play at all... I don't want to spend that much money on an "entertainment system". I want a game system. Almost exclusively. I believe that when you try to do everything, you excel at nothing (I say this aware that I am a jack-of-all-trades myself. Which is why I can say that statement with complete confidence). And I don't give a crap about fantasy football. And I don't want my Kinect to have to be on all the time. I think that's weird. And if that is the case, they better have improved the software, because when I do use it as an entertainment system - e.g. Netflix - it pisses me off that if I say something during the show the Kinect decides to pause or stop or go back to the menu. Because I was talking...I believe silence is golden, but come on now... And even though Call of Duty is going to be using a new game engine with upgraded graphics (about flippin' time), I think it's too late anyway. I want to hear more about the new franchises. Because if they are just going to sell me Just Dance 5 and Call of Duty Black Ops 3 etc. then I'm not interested in it as a gaming system either. That said, I think it will help when we do start hearing about the new features and new franchises. That should certainly help with the anticipation aspect. I know I sound like I dread it, but I am curious...honest.
So much for not talking about it...
What I meant to mention is that even though I'm behind the times, I've recently acquired a copy of Red Dead Redemption. And even though that game has been out for years (3-ish), I definitely recommend it if you too have not played it before. The graphics, unlike COD, are quite remarkable considering it's age- you could have told me it came out in the last year, and I would have believed you. The storyline is freakin' intense, and the gameplay is dynamic and just challenging enough to keep it interesting. I love that it's a Western too. I feel like this genre doesn't get enough quality attention, especially in the gaming world.
4. Doctor Who makes a comeback
I've started watching Doctor Who again. And it is glorious.
I admit. I loved Rose and the Doctor. A lot. They are my fave not-a-couple ever. So post-Rose I've been a bit distressed with watching Doctor Who. That wedding dress chick was super obnoxious. And Martha? Ugh. How can she be so anti-Rose-- you know nothing (Jon Snow)!! ...But on a whim, I watched a few episodes this weekend, and I'm so glad I did. Human Nature and The Family of Blood are possibly some of the better episodes I've seen yet. Martha still pissed me off, but not as much. And John Smith is so endearing, it was ridiculous! And I've finally seen Blink. FINALLY. I swear the Weeping Angels litter the Geek section of Pinterest. But now I finally know why -- they are amazing. Woot.
And even though I'm curious about the Ponds and the new Doctor, I'm still already sad about (Ten)nant leaving. :( I know it's coming, but I'm not ready! ...*sigh* Although fun fact, I loved Nine, and was super wary about Ten. So you never know...
5. ENDERS GAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The trailer. The epic super amazing trailer. It's here. And it's Harrison Ford. Be still, my heart!
Although I've decide Harrison Ford has reached maximum-awesomeness. He just sounds so...bored. In everything. Even in a PSA I saw recently for No Kidding, You Too? ...But then I guess if you were both Indiana Jones, Han Solo, the guy from that one sci-fi movie that everyone loves but I've only seen once and can never remember the name of-- Bladerunner! -- and even Linus Larrabee, then everything else would be kinda underwhelming...
OH WELL. I'M STILL EXCITED!
When I was trying to break out into non-Star Wars science fiction novels, I took a survey of known scifi experts and they both (yeah, there were only two of them) replied "Enders Game!". I took it as a good sign, and freakin' loved it. Fiance read it last week and I kept getting texts "I can't stop reading Ender's Game!" Lolz. It's that kind of a book. You just can't stop reading. I even started reading it over his shoulder, and was like, "wtf, I'm supposed to be reading Redshirts right now. I've already read this!" But it didn't matter. It's that good. So I have high hopes. And it's one of the those books where readers are like in this club/fellowship. When I read it last year, I posted on Facebook about how much I was enjoying it, and all these people I never talk to came out of the woodwork and were like "here, here! welcome to the club!" It was kind of amazing.
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Okay. I think that's it for now-- ha, that was lot. Congrats to whoever made it this far. Gold star!
'til next time!
BeetHats
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