It seems I’ve had a busy, as well as extended (albeit not by choice), weekend.  I’ll elaborate further.

Friday night was a long awaited concert I was excited about attending.  Enduring the harsh climate to make my way down to the Xcel Energy Center to see Trivium, Coheed and Cambria, and Slipknot perform.  Out of the acts present that night, I was most looking forward to seeing Coheed.  I’ve seen Coheed once before when they headlined a smaller venue a number of months ago.  As an opening act, I knew that my time with them would be limited but I find them excellent musicians and always embrace the opportunity.

I was a little worried however.  Mostly because of the other two bands on the bill.  Without getting into needless classification, one could put Slipknot and Trivium into the Metal bucket.  Coheed on the other hand is a little more elusive in their home genre.  What I do know is I would not lump them in with the other two bands.  This created a little apprehension as I was unsure how the fans of the other two bands would react to Coheed’s performance.

As much as I love the genre of “Metal”, I tend to hate every single fucker at any metal show I go to.  “Why?” you might ask.  Well, they are typically indeed fuckers.  Through the use of mass stereotyping, “metalheads”, in my mind, tend to represent a sub-class of human being.  Loud, ignorant, repulsive and violent.  An archetype of person who is not especially adept at accepting new and unfamiliar things into their collective conscience.  Luckily, my fears were not fully realized.  The crowd was more indifferent than anything, although I think a young concert-goer did throw something at Coheed mid-performance.  Ultimately, I believe the show was a success and I enjoyed myself.  Lower level, 8th row is difficult to beat.

Saturday I spent my evening with a few coworkers playing a little Guitar Hero World Tour and Rock Band 2.  World Tour was a new experience for me as I had not played it previous to Saturday.  I have always found GH’s handle of interface and specifically faux guitar integration relaxing and easily accessible.  But how does it fair on a whole band front?  I think it scored quite highly.  It was more a case of trying to overcome my dependence on Rock Band hardware.  Although both are similar, they do have distinct qualities that make them their own.  Most notably, the drums.

I especially enjoyed the song selection available.  While Rock Band 2 (in combination with imported Rock Band 1  tracks) has far more songs to choose from, I felt a slightly closer connection to the World Tour choices.  This is just a personal preference as my musical tastes seem to more readily align with what World Tour has on tap.  They have 3 Tool songs.  I need not say more.

This leads me into Sunday (and subsequently today).  Apparently the few hours I spent at my coworkers on Saturday was long enough exposure to contract some kind of deadly ailment.  I use the term deadly because I have a penchant for overstating facts.  It has felt like the usual precursor to a run-of-the-mill cold infection.  The difference being I am beginning to feel better without experiencing any further symptoms.  So, what is currently ravaging my body is unknown.  If all goes well, I will never know.  Perhaps two days of aches and pains and chills throughout the entirety of my body is punishment for attempting to enjoy myself the other two days of the weekend.  Hard to tell.

We shall see what tomorrow brings in terms of health.  I’m not morally opposed to remaining home for another day.  Missing work is something I will gladly do when the opportunity presents itself.  But, I suppose, at the end of the day, I would prefer to be in good health rather than bad.  Even if bad health gives me a chance to catch up on my backlog of anime and Stargate SG1 episodes.

I hope to be in higher spirits tomorrow.  I blame the current forecast for my condition.  This winter seems to be particularily frigid and it’s beginning to gnaw away at my sanity (what little remains).  With that, I am going to return to my bed tightly wrapped under the sheets where I can dream of warmer days and less achy bodies.  Peace.

If you aren’t excited for the film adaptation of Alan Moore’s Watchmen, then you are either horribly unawares of just how phenomenal the graphic novel is, or you have no taste whatsoever. While Moore is reportedly a grade-A douchebag about adaptations, and purportedly rebuked V for Vendetta (can you tell I’m defensive), I’m anticipating Zack Snyder’s translation to do for Moore what 300 did for Frank Miller: make him a household name.

After seeing trailers laden with the trademark slo-mo goodness and heavy Smashing Pumpkins in the background, I decided it was time to grow my catalogue of exposure to adult-themed comics. I say that as a fan and supporter of other comics, especially to the extent that they typically do not patronize children by oversimplifying or prettying-up the message. However, I don’t remember Superman ever having a ménage à trois with Lois Lane.

The graphic novel is more than just a shocking read, although I would imagine it was just that in 1986 when compared with most other literature of its kind. The story is inventive, unique, reflective, suggestive, charitable, even-handed, and absurdly realistic. Every character has their strengths, but what makes them three-dimensional and exceedingly interesting is their weaknesses. The omnipotent demi-god who is impotent against fate, the patriotic hero who happens to be a misogynist rapist, the relentless and demented detective who fights against his own shame and bizarre sexual issues—all contribute to the psychotic, yet plausible narrative of a world where superheroes are really just concerned citizens who put on an outfit.

What impressed me most about the book is the naked honesty with which it delves into the various psyches of the comic book archetypes. What would compel a being with limitless powers and no particular attachments to protect a world of creatures no more significant than microbes are to us? How could a vigilante driven purely by revenge reconcile the gray areas of morality in order to tell friend from foe? How does a superhero cope with aging and insignificance? How does society deal with beings that give it great strength, yet simultaneously cripple it? I guess you’ll have to read and find out for yourself.

–Casimir

I took it upon myself to upgrade the version of WordPress we were using here on CL.  The admin interface seems to be luxuriously updated.  This of course also brings about a little confusion into functionality and use, but with a some time I’m sure I can figure it out.  I also want to update the look and feel of the site eventually at some point.  I might start fucking around with options and themes and see what comes out.  This means either I’ll make the site unavailable for a while or just let you see the horrible choices made behind the scenes.  We shall see.

I’m excited.  Peace.

Hello friends (not sure who I’m addressing exactly).  It has been a long time since I have spent any time here.  I would apologize for this egregious act but I will in all likelihood do so again at first opportunity.   

Much has happened over the past couple months.  Well, not “much” per se, but “stuff” for sure.  This is certain.  Cas came into town alond with the Mistress and we were able to enjoy some quality buddy time.  We only get to join in this fashion a couple times a year now, so when we get the chance we do not let it go to waste.  Rejoicing followed.  Which in turn was followed by drinking. 

I blame a certain level of my absense on the weather currently inhabiting this state.  I use the world “inhabiting” because it feels as if the climate is inside me; beating my will into submission and using me for its own perverse ends.  Just to give a small glimpse into the world that I reside, the temperature is at this point negative eighteen degrees.  That’s cold.  Actually, that isn’t cold.  It isn’t even weather.  It’s imaginary.  It’s a fairytale inside of a young child’s subconscious.  You tell a five-year-old that it’s negative eighteen outside and they say “you made that up”.  I wish. 

Other than the forced hibernation, I have been spending most of my time completely and hopelessly consumed by Stargate SG-1.  Eating through season after season like some inmate’s last meal.  Luckily for me, there is not a shortage of sustenance.  With ten complete seasons and the series ending on the tenth, I have all the episodes I need to sustain myself through this frigid “season”. 

When I’m not watching Stargate – which is not often – that conniving temptress, World of Warcraft, still has a veritable kung-fu grip on my soul.  I suppose it is fair to concede I do enjoy playing.  I don’t believe I would if I didn’t.  But, it still feels like some part of me is being trickets into thinking I like it.  Perhaps a spell I have yet to learn.  I’m making my way through the harsh, unforgiving terrain of Northrend – almost entirely too ironically like my own fucking backyard.  It will probably take me quite a bit to make my way through all the new content and reach the pinnacle of level 80.  Even then, my time will be submerged in other functions such as gathering, crafting, grinding, or raiding.  If you play at all, you know of what I speak.  I can’t wait. 

I may regret saying this immediately after typing it, but I would like to dedicate more time to this.  The year has begun anew and with it perhaps a renewed sense of purpose or motivation.  I can always bundle it up into my New Year’s resolution.  ”Post more on my blog”.  Is that as lame as it sounds?  Probably. 

A couple things before I disappear back into the abyss.  I have disabled the forums for now and possibly permanently.  They weren’t really being used for anything susbstantial and I don’t know how many more alerts I need about Cialis or Viagra and how cheap I can get it.  Also, I have added a new link to the blogroll.  It’s my Twitter!  That’s right, now you can keep up with my daily tedium in real time!  If you have it, feel free to “follow” me.  If not, totally sign up. 

That’s all I’ve got for now.  Trying to catch up in terms of blogging can really make for a disjointed, unfocused post.  I hope to be back again with a more sharpened mind.  Peace. P.S.  I hate MSWord.