Idiocracy

I don't understand much about why some people are just... idiots! Not even so much as in the things they say (which can be really stupid), but in the things they do. The floor I live on in my dorm - I'm surrounded... Unfortunately it has many names: the "General Floor", "Party Floor", (my personal nickname for it) "The Weekend Brothel"... It's an interesting place where a few people (such as myself) are stranded on an island of madness and stupidity. And I don't know if they mean to be stupid, but they seem to do a pretty damn good job of it.

As for one of my hall's latest endeavors... Wall Frisbee, in which you try to bounce a Frisbee (or of the like) off the walls down to the other end of the hall. Talk about noise. Then of course, there's the constant blasting of music (generally redneck or backstreet Chicago) which can get obnoxious after a few hours, and the partying on weekends. I don't mind parties, sex, music... or even Frisbee - but I am a staunch believer in "a time and place for everything - but not now" (okay Professor Oak!). Unfortunately, as I have stated before, my roommate is one of these people, and last night I was on the verge of murder.

My roommate went off to party with friends at 10:00, and I went to bed at 10:45 - plenty of time to get enough sleep to wake up at 6:45. Unfortunately, my hand hurt a lot, so it took a while to get to sleep. Then he decided to come back at 12:00 - noisily. From the darkness my eyes were acquainted to (as I was asleep), his light was obscenely bright... and stayed on for 20 minutes as he decided to take a shower. I can stand a light for a bit - fine. But he left the door open too, leaking in more light and providing a great cross-breeze for the 20 degree air from the window (it gets really warm at night, so leaving it open a bit can help).

He eventually got back and ended both the devilish white light and the ungodly arctic storm, only to decide to watch a movie - at 12:30 at night! So with the mix of more (this time colorful) bright light from the TV and lovely mix of 80's music (movie) and Native American music (his phone), my mind attempted to rest yet again. Eventually (1:15-30), he decided to turn off the TV and sleep. Thank god!

So now I'm tired, had to sit through a Philosophy class, and at work! Yay for lack of sleep. Yet, thanks to the food court, I have a Jamba Juice with an Energy shot!

More things you know about me:
- There is a time and place for everything!
- I don't like my hall. But the fact that I have the room to myself every weekend makes up for it.

Pain

No pain no gain? Well, sometimes. I'm pretty sure things such as arthritis and chronic pain have little to no gain - maybe patience, but that was yesterday's topic. What I find odd is that some people really like pain, and others absolutely adore it. My brother enjoys it (or at least he claims to), and I prefer not to have it but can live with it. And then there's the people who can't feel it.

Generally, pain signifies to your body that something's wrong. Sure, when you get punched, somethings is "technically" wrong with your body, and you will probably get a bruise because your body is responding. But what if it wasn't injury?

Not really sure how I got on this topic, but it's going to be short - I'm in pain. Since Saturday, my right hand has slowly become more painful each day. Yesterday it just ached, while today it hurts to type or write for too long. But I know that pain is a sign, and generally it's saying that your body knows that something's going on and that it's doing it's best as long as you do your best. In a strange way, pain is a gift.

Something else you know about me:
- Not sure why, but my hand really hurts.

Patience

You hear news of the latest feature that will be in the next game-to-be. You watch the previews about the upcoming episode in that TV series you really like. You look at that cool thing you want to buy online, but know you have to save up more money first. Yeah... it's called patience. At times, I hate it.

I've noticed more and more that advertisements as of late enjoy to tease you until the release so you must buy what they are promoting. Generally it works - that is if you are interested in the product. I know when it comes to certain things, I can go crazy trying to find whatever information possible so I can make up my mind whether I want it or not. And the latest example - "No Man's Sky".

Alas, I could spend hours talking about how cool that game will be, or imagining some scenario that could possibly happen - but I will not. There are times I know I need to back off of something, and other times maybe I back off too quickly (or not quickly enough). A great example that happened recently that may have been backing off too quickly is a girl.

Yup - there's a girl I've been meaning to speak to since... I don't know, two months? Yeah, a few times I chickened out, and the rest of the time I mean to, I can't because of one thing or another (many times because she isn't there). But I did - eventually! But (surprise), I froze when I heard something I didn't even expect her to say - something that didn't cross my mind. The words, "Sorry, but I don't really know you." Yeah, I should have actually expected that, especially since it's a fact. She doesn't know me (besides my name, when I talked to her), and I don't know her (not even her name). So in the end, it was more likely than not inevitable. But I did it! But maybe I backed off too quickly.

I can't know honestly, as I would have to continue going to actually know that, and that time is passed. But hey - I overcame a personal challenge, and maybe my patience will pay off - maybe not. But in the end, I feel that patience is a personal test to see how well you can handle things, ranging from unexpected events to the longest waits you know you'd have to endure. Patience makes you a better person, and I'm glad I'm challenged to keep that patience.

More things learned about me:
- Patience is not my strong suit, but I know it's good for me.
- I can fail at life :D But don't we all?

Neptune

I've always found planets exciting - not that they could be harboring aliens or something of that matter (another topic for another time), but they are so full of mystery. Honestly, space itself is a new and exciting frontier that we are barely on the verge to stepping into that void of scientific knowledge. Even within the next 20 or so years, we will probably just barely be learning some of the basics of our own solar system. Of course I can't wait for the day that Star Trek becomes a reality, but until then it's cool to know stuff and dream of what awaits!

One of my favorite planets is Neptune - that massively powerful gas giant that is like a blue marble! And powerful is almost an understatement as the outer atmosphere is -218 degrees C and the core is 5,000 degrees C. Talk about hot and cold! These major temperature differences give birth to absolutely wonderful storms that would pretty much rip you apart - 1340 mph (almost at supersonic).

Of course I'm the odd one that has always wanted to go there... heck, I even tried in Google maps! It was fun, but the camera can only go so far... I heard somewhere that if a satellite were to enter Neptune (sorry - I can't seem to find that darn article), it would dissolve within a minute from combination of the rampant gasses and high winds - that is after it froze within a few seconds.

I mean, I wouldn't want to go there myself - I value my life (however dying by visiting Neptune would be a really cool way to go!), but I would love to command a probe there and watch it's adventures! Just think of how amazing it would be to watch everything happen before the satellite was no more!

More things you learned about me:
- Neptune is my favorite planet!

TV

Game of Thrones is coming up soon, being shown from April 6th to June 15th! Just as amazing? Attack on Titan should be coming back this summer (Japan of course - yay subtitles), so tons of fans will be just as happy! Why do I say any of this? Because TV shows are amazing, and as of late, more in depth than most movies.

I used to love movies all the time, and disliked many TV shows because I had to wait for the next week to watch a little more character development. But that's changed since technology has become better (you can watch most TV shows online if you know how to look), and TV shows have started to become more in-depth. For an easy example, you used to be able to watch any Scooby Doo show at any time with the small references to past shows being non-important - the show was the same. With the new Scooby Doo series, "Mystery Incorporated", there is a lot more going on than just the mystery, and you have good chances of getting lost if you miss an episode. Even bigger TV shows like "The Walking Dead" make essential to watch the episodes in order so you can understand the whole picture.

But my favorite reason for being in favor of TV shows vs movies now - let me explain. Every series out there is in a world of it's own (some connected like Marvel shows), and generally the events are laying out a great scenario. Movies can set up amazing worlds and events, only to be over in two hours, whereas TV series can use the same world forever. The little windows into a different world that movies bring, make me wanting more, and that's where the TV shows win. You not only get more in-depth on the world the characters are in, but you become more attached to every character and the surrounding circumstances. Imagine if Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings was made into a TV series, on the same scale Game of Thrones is made on? The result would be a super EPIC, in-depth series that would show so much more story than the movies they were crunched into.

And I feel I'm not the only person who favors TV shows now - even video games have started to take a TV series approach. The latest Tomb Raider game? It feels like your in a SUPER long, and very detailed movie - the quality of a cinema combined with the length and appropriate character development of a TV series. The story line of many games is now starting to become essential, and games without much story don't seem to make it far before they are forgotten.

I believe that before long, movies will be near obsolete, and the majority of our cinematic attention will be led by video games and TV series, with the exception of a "The Hobbit" or a marvel movie approach. Any one seen the movie "2 Guns"? Good movie, but in comparison to the detailed worlds of everything else, a speck of dirt on a cathedral window.

So what's your favorite TV series? Is there anything you'd really like to see as a series? And hey - why not check out the new series, "Black Sails" on Starz. It looks pretty amazing!

Something You've Learned About Me
- I like TV shows a lot... I once watched the "Spice and Wolf" anime (two seasons) in two sittings over a weekend... Yeah.

Note: So there ends up being no confusion, it is my goal to post six times a week: Sun-Thurs for sure, and then Fridays will only be skipped if I cannot post (in which I will post on Saturday).

Time Shift

8:15 - outside looks normal, I feel normal, everything seems normal but the clock. It says 8:15. I'm supposed to wake up at 7:00. My heart is beating like crazy and I jump out of bed and quickly start pulling clothes on to then race to my math class starting in 15 minutes. Then I remember - Business Casual for my BUS190 pitch. All my movements of slathering clothes on is reversed until I'm in my towel on my way to the showers.

Yeah, my morning was off, and I propose a time/space continuum shift or some odd thing like that sort - a time shift. And apparently I'm not the only one who felt it, as a lot of other people said that their mornings were off as well. Sounds like today was just overall weird, but I'm thinking the time barrier was affected somehow... :-/

Expanding more on time/space though, ever thought about what it would be like to control time? You forgot to do a homework assignment, so you quickly pause time in order to scribble down the archaic words on your worthless sheet of paper. At the movie theater and need more popcorn, but don't want to pause it - pause time and get your popcorn! It sure would be nice to be able to control it... even just slow it down or speed it up.

But there would be consequences though... and I thank one of my co-workers for some ideas while we were talking about this very subject a few days ago. The only way I think it would be possible to control time is for you (and everything you are currently touching) to be placed inside a different section of space or next dimension. But everything would be unaffected by you - physics would just act out of whack. I mean, sure - you could carry that box from point A to point B, but because of the damn physics, the energy from moving it would build up and eventually shoot off as fast as a bullet (or faster) once time resumed.

To put that in SUPER easy terms, say you moved the box one mile while time was paused. Once you resume the time, that box will move at the speed of 1 mile per Planck (now an explanation of this... Planck time: 5.391 x e-44 seconds :: A nanosecond is only 0.000000001 second, which immediately makes it 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 times larger than 1 Planck [tP]). In other words, that would HURT LIKE HELL. That, or it would turn to dust.

Probably another downside of controlling time? Physics could possibly be decreased... maybe. Think of it - when you slow down time to 1/10 of normal speed, touching a surface of room temperature would be instant frost bite, or touching the same surface at speed x10 would be instant 2nd degree burns! Again - no way to prove it unless its done, but OUCH. 

Nearing the end of our conversation, we decided that breathing would probably be a pain in the ass as well... all the air particles would change because of time change, and therefore be really different. I'm not sure how, but it makes sense that everything would change. It would be like the next frontier - literally, a new planet inside our own just because we went a nanosecond faster/slower than time currently is - geez. Things like this make me glad I'm not going to be a math/science major!

Something Else You've Learned About Me:

- I'm a nerd (obviously)

- Time isn't necessarily my bestie.

Smoke

That billowy, cloud-like, grayish/white stuff that floats out of chimneys and is a byproduct of fire? Yeah - that also comes out of people's facial orifices as well. Smoke is a pretty interesting thing, but I've never really been a fan of the smell (besides that godly fragrance that is meat on a grill). The taste of smoked beef jerky or charcoal cooked steak? YUM. 

I've never smoked weed (pot/cannabis... just clarifying), nor do I intend to even though it's becoming legal now. My nose picks up on that lovely stench that is fresh as air from a skunks rear, and instantly I decide I would rather not smell like a cuddly black/white cat who could use a bath every once in a while. Cigars? I don't know much about you, but I'm guessing they stink just as much as cigarettes. Hookah? Now that's not too bad - I have had this before, and it doesn't smell bad. In fact, to me it smells like green tea and the smoke is fun to play with - something I would do again if I was with some friends. But cigarettes? I believe they smell the worst.

I don't care if you smoke, I just prefer not to smell it. One of the offices I work at, the Air Conditioner is currently broken in the server room (servers heat up the room like crazy!) where I happen to work. In order to keep the room cool enough to keep the computers running and me from turning into a puddle, we keep the window and door open for a nice cross breeze. Unfortunately, half the time the wind decides to blow the direction to the open window where a handful of people smoke - a place where they aren't supposed to smoke. It STINKS. To me at least. And I sit there in frantic attempt to find a Haz-Mask in order to breath, while my lungs are inhaling copious (okay, yes exaggerating maybe a little) amounts of putrid air particles that is known as second-hand smoke.

What I dislike the most though, are the cases when I'm walking on my way to class and someone decides to light a cigarette and walk in front of me - I always seem to end up down wind. It would be nice if they decided to sit on the sidelines to smoke so I can walk with little to no interruption in air quality, but alas there are no rules outside of personal views to control the situation. 

And even though I dislike the smell of smoke to the utmost extent, I am not a fan of other side effects as well - the most outstanding being macular degeneration. Although smoking does not directly cause AMD, it does increase the chances of it, and I have two examples of where it has taken it's toll. 

1) My mother used to smoke VERY early on (dino era...) whenever (I actually don't know when she smoked, but she did). Apparently she was a very polite smoker, and you could never tell that she actually smoked - smell was definitely not a factor. But she did smoke, and she did quit. But now her eyesight is REALLY bad, though not blind. But it's in the +4 something in eyesight O.o Part of it was probably due to her genes (just like me, though I'm only +/-? 0.5... nearsighted) but I have no doubt that some of it was because she smoked.

2) My grandfather used to be a mechanic, and a damn good one at that. But he also smoked, and now to this day, has very bad sight. Again, I can't prove, but I have a feeling that a bit of that was due to smoking. My dad (his son) has never smoked and has no inclination to start - he is far sighted and has pretty decent close ranged sight, but wears glasses just to help. Overall though, I have noticed that many people who cannot see too well used to smoke as well.

So that's my two cents. I don't smoke mainly because of the smell, but I like my sight as well. Hell, if you could puff out those epic ships of smoke like Gandalf, I would probably smoke too because it's cool. But I don't see any benefit as of now, so I don't think I'll join in to make my own clouds.

Another thing you learned about me:

- I dislike the smell of smoke... My nose is rather sensitive (seriously, according to my parents it's super powerful... like a dog!)

Disclaimer: If somehow I have offended you, I'm sorry you get offended easily. I write like I think. If you do get offended, may I suggest to take a puff of a cigar? I hear they have a nice kick :D

If the Price Is Right

I laugh whenever a copyright protection screen comes on the screen for the movies, because very rarely are they taken seriously. In fact, most anything that can be gotten digitally can be downloaded for free online, ranging from Blockbuster movies to the most obscure games that you will never hear of. And to be honest, some of these items up there are being downloaded only because the consumer is too cheap to pay the bargain deal being offered.

But the rest of the world (and I will state that I am one of these) buy when the price is right, and get it free when it's not. For a simple example I've been thinking about lately is by Nintendo: very rarely will anyone get a game for the 3DS that was made 10+ years ago for $10. You can go to your computer and get a rom and emulator, and play for free on a bigger screen. If the price was half that, the product would be selling like hotcakes!

And yet industries continue to charge premium prices and reaching into the gullible people's wallets to fill their fat bank accounts. Sure, I understand if you want to pay $200 for the upcoming Harry Potter Movie collection - Hell, I would! But that's because consumers have said it's well worth the cost, because the HP series has made it's way into people's hearts. Skyrim at $50 with all the downloadable extras? Most fans would say it's a steal, and would happily pay more if they were planning on getting it earlier on. I paid $80 for Skyrim and DLC, and I'm proud of it.

Still, people think they can sell movies at $20+, especially since a good majority of people planning to watch are poor students or low income families? Sure, I don't understand enough to say that it's a wrong plan, because companies obviously get their money for the products they offer. To me, it makes sense to lower the price of the movie a little lower (even if it's only $15/$10 a movie), and people will buy it because it makes sense to their wallets! $10? It's a bargain, and 2-3 times as many people will buy it too!

But that's just me and my values. I support when I feel they deserve it, and laugh at them when I think their products suck. And don't get me wrong, when I like something, I will buy it unless it's way out of a reasonable price range.

So while I'm on the subject of great deals, why can't I lead you to some cool places:
 - Humble Bundle is amazing, and most of the time they have some great stuff to offer! Why not check it out?  They don't ONLY sell games either, sometimes they do music, books, and audiobooks!
 - Melodishop offers some great quality music for cheap prices, almost too low! But why not check it out?

Enjoy :D

More things you know about me
- I speak with my wallet.
- I'm a HUGE Harry Potter fan.

Disclaimer: I do not condone any illegal activities such as uploading pirated material, though I do not lie either. Downloading isn't illegal (please do your research though!), unless it's some crap like child p*rn. Again, if I offended anyone currently reading this, I apologize that you get offended so easily.

Music

I am a huge fan of music - in fact, I have over 100 Gb of music on my computer! I listen to nearly every single genre out there that I know of... except redneck. Jazz? Nice and relaxing, keeping it cool. Rock? Get the blood moving. Electronic? Feel the beat! Soundtrack (one of my favorites!)? Go on an adventure ~ Inspire! But redneck? Hell NO.

Now what I mean by redneck is not country - I'm fine with country, folk, western, and all the classics that go with that. Even some (as in 50% ish) of country rock is great. What I mean by redneck is that crappy sound that they call a music genre that entails, but is not a complete list of: pop country, country rap, country electronic, etc. There are some genre's that should not be mixed, and I'm a HUGE fan of mixing many genres out there. But the Country genre should be tread lightly.

As to why I don't like this genre much? Great question, as a year ago I found it at least tolerable. But I do have a guess, and that would lie in my roommate.

Sure, he's a nice guy, and lives his life by his means. But there are some things that end up leaving you scarred throughout your life. And unfortunately with a roommate, they live with you. Allow me to explain...

- Leaves the door open constantly (even with the window completely open when it's below freezing) and sits on his bed in full winter clothing... Complaining when I shut the window because it's "HOT".

- Chews tobacco (I don't really mind this part) and leaves the spit jars [seethrough] all over (that I mind...).

- Watches TV constantly - even when he's out of the room for a few hours... IT'S ON! I don't mind the moving picture - it's the noise I have issues with. Kind of annoying when you're in the middle of a quiet part of Game of Thrones and all you can hear is Duck Dynasty!

- And the reasoning behind my topic today: Blasting Country noise (as I have decided that whatever it is, it's not music) at full volume while he sits on YouTube watching videos AND watching TV.... Talk about noise.

So overall, YES! I love music! But whatever it is that I define under the "Redneck" genre - that's not music. It's noise, and that's being kind. So do you have anything that you like to listen to? What's your favorite artist/genre?

And you don't just come here to read my complaints/opinions (thin line at times?), so why can't I offer stuff too? If you like music, and discovering new stuff, please check out Jamendo. It's a super awesome site with great music put up by people all around the world for FREE! And half of it is actually better than stuff you buy!

Whelp, at least I get my own room every weekend! Thanks for reading! Comments are always welcome :D

More things you know about me...

• I'm a HUGE music fan... except for the Redneck Country Noise...
• I'm not a huge fan of rednecks - they can be nice, but I prefer when they keep their distance... UNLESS I need a something done on my car - they can take a go on that one! 

Note: When it comes to Country and redneck, there is a HUGE difference. Country is: farmers, lumberjacks, ranchers, etc. Redneck are people who aren't of the most intelligent aspect of the world, who drive big loud trucks and think that Hunting, Trucks, and Sex are the most important pieces of life. Yeah. Redneck.

Disclaimer: None of this is meant to offend anyone - these are my thoughts as they course through my mind. If I offend you, I am very sorry that you are offended. 

Entitlement

I am part of Generation Y, and mostly proud of it as well, though there are some people that make you wonder why. But why the hell does my younger brother have to fit in it as well? Now I don't know when Gen Y was started, but it ended around 2005, where Gen Z took over. But the differences from 1996 (when I was born) to 2001 are huge. The kids act WAY different.

I think the biggest difference though is entitlement, as it effects their viewpoint, way of acting, and many other points of life. I understand most people probably aren't as bad as my brother, but the entitlement is just the same. I'll give a few examples of what I mean (bold is generally one of my parents, and for my brother... he will be referred to as Bob:

Bob, can you please bring down the rest of the produce to the chicken pen? (after asking sever times)

NO! I've already brought down ONE box! I shouldn't have to do more than that for right now! You ALWAYS overwork me!

Please go empty the dishes - your brother did it last night.

AND? Why should I do it? I've done so much today already! I went to school, I gave the goats some hay, and even talked to Grandpa!

Mom? Can I play on the Xbox?

No, after the way you've been acting today, I don't think you deserve it.

BUT MOM! I'm going to meet my friend on it today!

I guess you should have thought about that before you refused to help out.

But I DO help out. You're a bitch! I DESERVE to play on it. They are MY games on it, NOT yours! (No exaggeration in terms he uses... this is one of the less colorful names)

^That's what I mean by entitlement. He deserves everything, from a phone to text/call all his friends to an Xbox to waste meaningless HOURS on instead of doing something productive. Now don't get me wrong, I love to relax and play video games - but I can't sit there for hours doing one simple thing over and over like COD: Black Ops. 

So in the end, I vote moving the deadline for Gen Y to 2000, as it seems that those after that period are just turning into little brats connected via FB and texting.

Two more things you know about me:

• I don't like brats or entitlement. It's like trying to live off the system... A discussion for later.
• I dislike complete laziness - it shows lack of any motivation.

Huzzah!

So I now have explicit permission to write whatever I want here - which means I could very well discuss my plans for world domination... But alas, if they were to be written on an open site, they would be preventable. So therefore, there are still some things that should be kept secret. Shh!

Now the only hard part is figuring out exactly what to write, as I have a large range of likes. I guess today I'll start with something that bugs me though, and maybe a lot of people out there: Facebook Birthday Reminders!

That's right - I dislike the birthday reminders with a passion. Sure, it's fine when it's a good friend and all, but you eventually accumulate enough friends where you get reminders several times a week. And not just through the Facebook website or app, but you get bombarded via smartphone reminders, texts, and even Windows 8 will give you a notification saying, "Hey you! Get off your ass and say 'Happeh Birthdeh'!"

I wish the world at times wasn't so connected, or rather you have full control over your connection. It's not too cool to "unfriend" someone just because of the BD reminders (though the damn game invitations could be grounds for murder...), but you are almost forced into the wishing them a Happy BD or else they get upset. That type of connected is what drives me crazy. Hell, I don't follow it most of the time anyway, as I get on Facebook probably once or twice a month, but in the end society is tied in a large knot.

At the end of the day, if people weren't so picky about who says Happy BD online to everyone, and were instead just themselves online, the internet would be a much better place!

One More Thing You Know About Me

• I hate FB reminders.

Cheers! 

A Modest Welcome

Hello - and welcome to my blog. To start things out, my name is Christopher Harlan. I attend the University of Idaho (Moscow, ID) and have started this class for my English 102 course. Whether or not I continue to use this blog after the class ends is yet to be decided. Until then, I will figure out what I am allowed to write (albeit I may have my creative freedom).

So without further ado (and to prevent any potential readers from falling asleep to these words), welcome.