stoff
Every once in a great while my brain does something right and I come up with a funny idea that even I can be proud over. And today was one of those occasions – ImOnlyKidding.com. Believe it or not, but that domain wasn’t take. But it is now, so in a couple of days typing “imonlykidding” will land you on this site. It’ll take a couple of days for the DNS entry to replicate to the DNS roots due to the distributed architecture of the IP protocol. Don’t you just love computer lingo!? 🙂
There must be a God somewhere, let’s call it the “God of Joy”. I must owe that f*cker money in a previous life or something! After last weekend when everything was going against me and I just said “to hell with it” I started the project of upgrading my computer at home. And yesterday when everything (except the new harddrive) was in place I enjoyed the most incredible gaming computer I’ve ever had! For the first time I was able to run a really graphics heavy game totally maxed out without any problems. Me = happy! This mornig, I got up and was still happy. Got to work, still happy. And then the “God of Joy” said “that’s it!” and decided to ruin everything, and the mechanic called me and said “repairs on your car will cost about $250″… me = not happy! Why, why oh dear God of Joy won’t you let me be happy for one continuos day! Please!!!
Or another example – took the train this morning (since my car is in the shop) and saw a very, very pretty woman on the train (who I really hope isn’t reading this). Usually I would just think to myself “nice :)” and that’d be it. But oh no, I had to notice that she had something that appeared to be an Adam’s apple, and all of a sudden I remember this “women don’t have Adam’s apples”-comment from Friends. But this one did, noway she was now or have ever been a guy, way too pretty for that. But it still ruined the entire trip for me.
I’ve got a terrible confession to make. I actually like Jen Lopez’ “Jenny from the Block” 🙁 It’s not the lyrics (I couldn’t care less about her trying to reconnect to where she grew up, and I’m surprised anyone else does!), and it’s sure as hell isn’t the video ( 1) She’s in it 2) Affleck is in it 3) I don’t pitty her one bit for having paparazzi’s everywhere she goes), but there’s just something there in the song that I like, and I don’t like liking a Jen Lopez song!!! Somebody please say there’s a hidden message in there that effects me on a subconscious level, that might explain it…
After a hellish week at work (including working until 10 pm on wednesday fixing a crashed server) I was pretty happy when the clock hit 5 on friday to finally kick back, relax and enjoy a weekend without concerning myself about anything. But as I drove home my car started making funny noises, so I guess I’ll have to take it to the shop for a $200 checkup plus fixing whatever is broken. And then it got even worse as my harddrive on my workstation quit on me – 50 gigs of data I’m never getting back, and I have to buy a new asap, that’s another $150 right there.
So what does a normal, sane person do when stuff go this bad and it feels like the entire world is against hime? I have no idea, but I know what I do – I turn it off, tune it out and just watch a couple of movies. Which is what I spent saturday doing. One of those movies was “Shawshank Redemption”. I don’t think I can emphasize enough how incredible that movie is! It’s just awesome! And especially when I was feeling like things were really not going my way, then seeing this movie which is basically about just how much a human being can handle and how incredible life and hope is, that felt like exactly the right medicine at the time!
Thank you Mr. Darabont!
I accidentally saw an interview with the t.A.T.u chicks on MTV and got they came up with a pretty good quote – “we’re not lesbians, we’re just in love with each other”. I liked that quote. Actually I like people who refuse to be labelled, and that quote pretty much summons that up!
Let’s combine two subjects I’ve already covered – prejudice and peoples likes/dislikes. Is it ok to like some artist or something because that person is say… TOTALLY HOT? Not without being very shallow! Well what if that person is very talented, still ok? But the real question is – can other people accept that you may like that person because of his/hers talent, not only because of ‘that other thing’?
Confused?
Let’s take the example that prompted this question – t.A.T.u! When I was listening (yes, I listen to the TV which means the TV is on but I’m sitting in front of my computer!) to the pre-show to the MTV EMA’s last thursday I heard this song that I like, “All The Things She Said“. Pretty good song, very catchy. But I had no idea who did the song. So I turned around to see who it was. Turns out the “group” is called t.A.T.u. They are two teen chicks from Russia (one of which is totally hot). Then they start making out on the stage! Nothing much, hugs & kisses but still surprising. Although I should be if I’d pay attention to lyrics like “They say it’s my fault but I want her so much”… Then my friend Dazza says that’s one of the things they are famous for. So the question I asked myself after that experience is – will people judge me as “superficial, typical guy who likes seeing two chicks go at it” simply because I like their music?
It’s the same with Jeri Ryan (7 of 9 in Star Trek Voyager). I’ve always liked her, and not only because she’s like the apex of sexiness, but because she’s actually a good actress. But everytime I mention that I like her in any forum what so ever, people judge me because I can’t possibly like her for her acting skills, can I?
What doesn’t make this any better is the fact that I do it! A friend of mine likes Pamela Andersson, and I immediately threw that out the window as “shallow guy who likes big breast”. Although in that specific case I might have been right, but it doesn’t make me any better than anyone else 🙁
Everyone who knows me will tell you that I’m pretty childish and immature, and I’m fine with that. But yesterday I felt old and obsolete! I was talking to Dazza (of NP.com) on ICQ and he was telling me about the EMA’s going down on MTV. I had no idea that was on, completely out of the loop. But I switched over to enjoy the show. And as I was talking with my friend on ICQ I found myself dissing almost everyone and all the modern pop music! Totally dissing it! Either that’s because I’m too old, or the music has gotten worse! The only thing thing that saved it was Röyksopp’s opening act and Moby’s closing act, everything inbetween there was more or less dissed by me! And there was only one category in which I DIDN’T diss all the nominees – “best new act”, so maybe there is hope for me or the music industry yet!
And Moby finally got recognition for his website! It’s been way overdue!
But one thing I’m pretty sure of – MTV has really lacked off over the years! They used to be cutting edge, no holds barred unrestrained music and entertainment! Today Pink can’t say “bitch” in her lyrics, half of eminem’s song has some mute built into them and that naked chick yesterday (I’m pretty sure that was pre-arranged!) will have some parts blurred out in the re-runs!
Just how geeky am I? One example – I laughed my ass of today at the following joke:
> SELECT * FROM USERS WHERE CLUE >0
> 0 rows selected
Don’t worry, if you didn’t get it, you’re normal.
One thing about LAN parties everyone should know is what a beating your body takes! The food is terrible – pizza, cola, chips and snacks. And you suffer from sleep deprivation. Then your mind is focused 95% of the time when your playing some LAN game. And then ofcourse all the carrying around with your computer equipment. But believe you me – it was so great to get home and slip down in my bed and sleep for a good 10 hours, then it was up and go to work again 🙁
But I had a helluva time!
This weekend I’m gonna do something I haven’t done in a long time – attend a LAN party. Here’s a short description – a bunch of gamers pack their computers and head off to one building, hook everything up and just play games against/with each other for a few days, and there’s usually a tournament. Now I know what you’re thinking – “oh my good how anti-social, pathetic and geeky”. You’re wrong! It’s not anti-social – there’s plenty of human interaction, and you can actually go around blowing up your best friend or anyone else you want to and laugh it off. You get to meet the people you’ve been playing against/with, swap war-stories. Pathetic? What’s pathetic about a bunch of people getting together at one place to train and tune their skills? It’s the same as a friendly game of soccer! Geeky? Just because it’s with computers, isn’t it? Do you know how much a computer, with monitor, weighs!? Carrying all that around builds muscles, and we’re not geeky anymore!… ok, that was a longshot, but I really don’t like how people think “dude, that’s pathetic” when I describe what I’m gonna spend my weekend doing. Or perhaps this is just more of my late teenage rebellion against my mother always saying “why don’t you go outside and play”? (I never said my parents were perfect!)
What a wacky weekend that was! Saturday was a national holiday here in sweden, so we only worked half a day on friday. And I’m not sure I can call that working because I didn’t do that very much there. Then I went “home” (to my parent’s place that is) for the annual halloween party that my sister arranges every year for the kids and guess what, didn’t do anything then either. I actually think friday was the laziest day all year for me. On saturday I actually worked, but to compensate for that I went to good old friend Markus’ to celebrate his 30th. Damn good party, but I had to leave early though, ’cause I have to study for another certification this afternoon. Throw in the arrival of Star Wars Episode II DVD and you’ve got a hectic weekend right there.
But one thing is certain – I have the best parents in the world! I’m pretty sure everyone (ok, most people) think they have the best, but I know I do. I could write pages and pages about how great my mother and my father, but I’m afraid I’d forget something and they’d make sure I never forget it, so I’m not gonna write a list, I’m just gonna say that I really do have the best parents in the world 🙂
Every time I get into a discussion about violence in movies, in computer games and bad things about the internet I use myself as an argument that most of that is bullshit, because if there was some truth to it I should be a mass murdering, bomb-making anarchistic pedophile. But I’m not, and the reason is that my parents did such a great job with me that I’m not screwed up in any of those ways, they made sure I knew the difference between violence in the movies and in real life and they made sure I got that little switch in my head that says “no, this is wrong”.
So mom, dad – thank you and I love you 🙂
Some people have asked me how I can be this open and expose myself and the weird thoughts that are going through what little excuse I have for a brain. I don’t think I’ve got a good answer for that yet. But this morning, as I was slouch-surfing around the web I ended up on a webpage that made this place look like the Vatican – AsiaCarrera.com! Yes, that tri-lingual piano-playing, HTML-typing woman with a registered IQ of 156 that have done some adult movies. I wasn’t sure what I was gonna find on her very own site, but I wasn’t expecting to end up laughing my shoes off as I read the F.A.Q! If you’re not afraid of a little porno-talk and love humor then please, head over there and take a look!
It was also a bit self-enlightning when it comes to prejudice and being judgemental…
Another thing about me that I’m also pretty proud over is the fact that for the past 6 years or so I’ve been able to plan my economy so good that on the 25th (payday) of every month I’ve had between 0 to $10 in my bank account! No matter how much expenses, or incomes, I have that month, I’ve always ended up with basically nothing exactly when it’s time for the salary. Then I bought a car, and somehow I was actually able to equal that out as well. That is until this month… and this is why I hate our capitalistic society so much – I actually lost sleep trying to make my budget go together in my head! And if I get so out of wack thinking about it, what about people who have a family to support? Like all those single moms you read about!? It actually got so bad in my planning that I was thinking about not going to my friends 30th birthday this weekend because I couldn’t afford anything, and that felt awful! And who do I have to blame (except the company I work for who won’t give me a raise)? Noone but myself! With a little bit of planning last month I should’ve been able to balance it out this month, and with alot of planning I should by now have been able to put some money away for that rainy day! So I guess I’m no better than the people who I constantly harass for doing things they know are bad for them!
Fortunately I have great (supportive) parents, but that sucks having to ask them for a loan!
Oh yeah, and happy halloween to everyone in the states!
I happened to catch 60 minutes today. One of the stories was, appropriately, about something I’ve talked about on this page in the past week – TV shows. And not in a good way. The story was about how different TV networks in the states market themselves and their shows – some target the usual “age 18-49”-group, and some don’t. The actual point of the entire story almost got by me because I was so upset at hearing how 2 network execs, 2 researchers in the field as well as a PR firm exec sat and debated, without any emotion, about how shows are created to appeal certain demographics, and how “strong” these demographics where when it comes to sales and advertisement. Like “people at 55 may watch more TV than a 24 year old, but the 24 year old spends more money so we’re gonna go after him/her instead”. Am I being too naive in thinking that TV-making wasn’t as capitalistic as movie-making is? Listening to these people it actually seemed worse! One of them actually mentioned “Ed” as a show they created to target the more intelligent 30 something white viewer with a deep wallet. I was quite offended at hearing that, not that I fall into that category (although I hope to one day), but at how pathetic it sounds. I used to think of TV making as a form of art, but after seeing this, I’m having my doubts.
But that’s just one more point in my “evidence that human values are being replaced with $-signs”-list that is getting quite long now. Remember people – in Starfleet there is no such thing as currency!
(I wish I could say “Star Trek”, but after the Ferengis it’s all gone to hell)
How about Ed? Totally the opposite of CSI! Not the least bit exciting, no action, no suspense. Just a good hearted show about good character, with alot of humor and something that CSI lacks – extraordinary well written, funny and great delivered dialogue!
Do I spend too much time in front of the TV? Probably, but considering I payed $1500 for it, you bet!
On another note – I’m attending a course this week , Advanced Novell Administration. One thing never siezes to amaze me and that is how totally different Microsoft and Novell are in the way they do things, but the weird thing is that their server operating systems (Windows 2000 and Netware 5.1) appear to be doing the EXACT same things! Almost all services and stuff you get in Windows 2000 you also get in Netware 5.1. Netware is just ten times more difficult than Windows 2000!
But I shouldn’t really be complaining since this just gives me extra work…
Do you watch “C.S.I” ? That US show about some forensic experts in Las Vegas. I’m still trying to learn how to like that show. I mean, it’s a pretty good show, good stories, good science, acceptable acting and, of course, Marg Helgenberger. But there is one thing that I don’t like about it. One thing so important and so bad about it… the dialogue. I really don’t like the dialogue! Half of it is written to make Grissom sound like Yoda (seriously, when someone says something he always fills in with something philosophic) and the rest is just a set up for some good one liner. I don’t like that, but they are getting better at it. And now they have a spin-off as well, “C.S.I Miami”. Gee wiz, I shouldn’t be surprised at the length some people go to to exploit a good idea as much as they can. But this did.
One of the hardest things to define about me is my taste in music! To give you an example of how diverse my taste is you can download my 2 favorite songs at the moment – 1) The theme from “Red Planet”, really good techno & ambient feeling there and 2) Norah Jones “Don’t Know why”, really nice and soft song. After listening to these two, try and put me into a genre…
Speaking of music, the other day I flipped over on VH1 and saw the video to Leann Rimes’ “Life Goes On”… I remember her in the video to “Coyote Ugly”, didn’t react that much, but DAMN is she beautiful in this video! Simply amazing… damn I love women…
But to switch topic and talk guy-music – also just saw the video to Jimmy Fallon’s “Idiot Boyfriend”… DUDE, I was laughing so hard I missed half of it and had to download it and laugh at it again! I absolutely LOVE his clothes, coreography and… well, you just gotta see it yourself!
Why are people (including me) in such a hurry as soon as they get into a car? One of the first things you learn here in drivers ed. is that your greatest two foes are lack of time and sleep deprivation. I’ve been trying to start 5 minutes earlier when I go to work recently and I somehow arrive at work 10 minutes earlier… anyway, usually I’m queuing all the way into the central parts of Stockholm and in those queues you see som really fun behaviour, most of which are caused by everyones desire to go faster. The funniest example was last month : I come to a roundabout and was going to do a 270, i.e go off on the left exit. Problem was that it was jammed so I stopped halfway through to let the people coming from the other way through. Very nice, right? Well, the woman in the space wagon behind me didn’t think so! She backed up and drove around me and filled the gap in front of me, effectively stopping a pretty heavy roundabout (Gullmarsplan, if you happen to live in stockholm). What was the point of that? She gaines like 3 meters!? People should really take more time when they are out driving!
Right now everyone who’s even been in a car which I’m driving are saying “kris, you’re pretty good at driving fast too!”… true I am, when it’s all clear an no jams, yes I do. Like to feel the small g-forces my car can generate. But I’m not cursing or anything in traffic jams!
Let’s talk about Moby! I’ve been a Moby fan for a couple of years now. Hell, if I had a theme playing when I entered a building it’d be “Everloving”! First time I heard of him was when he did the techno cover of the Bond theme. The video for that was shot in Stockholm btw. And I love the Play album! What I also like about the dude, besides his music, is his personality. And his journal on his website that he updates, even when he’s out touring the world! And I love how he bashes the political establishment in the US of A! I bough his 18 album the day it was released (I did not even download anything before that!) and loved it too. Although it was much more… calmer, smoother, subtle than his previous work. Anyways, I’ve somehow never seen the dude live, not even when he was here for the MTV EMA’s in 2000, so I had to make due with the live part of the DVD. So when it was announced that he was gonna give a concert here in Stockholm I got excited, but that turned to disappointment as I didn’t find anyone that wanted to pay $33 do go with me. I just accepted the loss, but then Henke (the old friend from my school daze) asked me a couple of weeks ago and wondered if I wanted to go! I hadn’t even thought about asking him, because he’s more into… the techno part, high BPS and stuff like that than I am, and since this concert was gonna mostly be with the new 18 songs I didn’t think he’d be interested. But he was, and he got us ticket and yesterday was the M-day! The opening act was “Röyksopp”, that Norwegian duo who makes OK music but really freaky videos. They opened with a bang and never stopped. And I mean that, loud bang that never stopped. At first I digged it but after 30 minutes it got a bit old. So they went off, the stage was rearranged, and then the dude came running in like he was on fire! Seriously, every thing I’ve ever seen with this guy he’s always been calm and collected, even the live shows. But in those he’s just had a few square meteres do work with, here he had the entire stage and he was everywhere! He mostly played songs from the Play and 18 album, but he also played the Bond theme and something totally unexpected… HEY , HO… LET’S GO!… Didn’t see that coming! Add to that a hilarious DJ battle, a nice guitarr solo and ofcourse the usual Bush-bashing and it turned out to be a hell of a show!
In fact, I just have one little thing to compain about… they never played “Everloving” 🙁 I really missed that, but the tempo of the evening, which more suited Henke than it did me, kinda made hard to play it.
Twelve hours later and my right ears is still ringing! Trust me, use ear protectors when going to concerts like this! I though “nah, it’s not gonna be that loud, and I almost never go to concerts so my ears can take it”… yeah, right!
But to quote the great man himself – that was some noble shit!
May I make a suggestion to a social study in human behavior? Why are certain people fans of certain teams!? I’m not sure why I’m a supporter of Djurgården hockey, but I think it was that at that time I thought they were the best, and for the past 15 years I’ve been a supporter of theirs, although the past season was sucky (and the current seems to go even worse). And I’m a fan of Ferrari’s since -97, when they were just getting good and now they are undeniably the best, to my great delight. But how comes a person becomes a fan/supporter of a team? It’s not genetics, if it was my sister wouldn’t be a fan of Ferrari’s competitors McLaren! It doesn’t have with upbringing either, becuase why would my upbringing lead to me favoring an Italian team? And how comes certain people just can’t be converted, and when they’ve made up their minds, everything else is ‘wrong’. In the F1 community there is a debate right now as to what really went on during that last corner of the race in Indy, and a lot of people are just too serious about some stuff. Like a column written on a swedish motorsport website, Forza-Motorsport, a site I’ve come to respect and posted alot in their forums. But now they had a column that basically said “Michael Schumacher is an asshole”. How can he say that, it’s not like he knows him or anything, he just drives for the competition? I can understand Finns or Columbians being fans of “their drivers!”, but we swedes can’t really say that… This is a pretty interesting side of human behaviour for me…