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Let's play make pretend!
There's a intergalactic civilization about 30,000 light years away [henceforth known as Z]. They went "intergalactic" because their sun was about to go Red Giant, thus making the entire area uninhabitable.
The Red Giant that destroyed this ancient race's home planet was observed today, at some observatory. This event happened Z years ago in our time, but we're only just now seeing it, due to light speed.
Well, fortunately, we can travel faster than light. So, we hop in our space ship, and take off towards the Red Giant to check it out.
As we approach the Red Giant, it will begin to dim and collapse much faster than it is actually happening.
Why?
Imagine "light" as being a line of painting coming towards you. As you stand still, the paintings will hit you at a set speed, and then you'll get to see the next one. If you move forward, you'll get to see the next picture sooner, but for less time. If you move backward slower than the picture's speed, they'll appear to slow down. If you move backward at the speed of the pictures, they'll appear to not move at all. However, if you go backwards fast enough, you'll begin seeing the images you already saw (assuming you didn't rip them apart, idiot).
Back to the Red Giant. As we move toward it, it will dim faster. By the time we get there, everything in that galaxy would have aged Z years, even if we were in space for mere seconds of our time.
Now for the fun part. Since there's nothing left at our destination, we turn around and go home.
But, as we look at Terra, we see no civilized people. If we can see humans, they're simple cave-men, and no buildings could possibly exist.
This is because from our current location, we're seeing Terra Z years BEFORE we left. But, if we go back, time on the planet will appear to speed up, and Z years of human progress would happen in barely a moment aboard our ship.
By the time we reach home, it will appear as if we have never "time travelled" in the first place, even though we just saw two planets go through Z years in our instant.
And keep in mind, this is both consistant and conservative. If we were to travel with our ass hanging out towards our destination, we'd see Terra slowly go "back in time", and likewise when we come back, the red giant will appear to inflate and grow younger.
I am not a professional on the subject. This article assumes that FTL is possible by all means. I use "Terra" to distinguish our earth from others. |
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I had been wondering for over three years, did this girl have a crush on me in high school? All of our social interactions seemed inhibited, like a really shy person that has a crush on you. It clicked at the time, but my mind was elsewhere.
So, I did what any normal guy would do. I asked her, "Did you have a crush on me?" with the normal "no you don't actually have to answer this question if you don't want to" jargon at the bottom. This is the response I got:
"uh random lol no todd i liked asian boys lol no i'm just kidding"
Too bad she lives in houston =(.
Also, some quick updates on things i've been checking up on:
Kanye West and Taylor Swift:
get off it plz. You were almost a month late on the news anyway, why are you pretending its new? He's a dick get over it, get on with life.
The mythical release date of Stargate Worlds (mmo):
From hours of forum crawling, I managed to gather that the game is no longer doomed into financial abyss and may have some future. I just hope they don't ax too much due to the loss in funding and staff =(
Alot of people have suggested that they might end up taking world of warcraft's approach, and put endgame in free major content patches, and eliminate pvp (excluding world encounters) until much later after release. That way, they can have a solid release of a good game, shorten production time, and make everyone happy.
Stargate Universe (show):
Two more weeks till series debut! Can't wait! ^.^;
Expanding smoking bans (UTA was a recent victim):
I'm all in favor for banning smoking to keep places cleaner (espescially inside), but to be honest guys, you put zero ashtrays across campus and what the hell do you expect us to do with our butts? I'd happily save it to put it in an ashtray... but there are none. And if you're going to resort to such drastic solutions instead of the obvious ones, at least give us somewhere to go. Make a smoker's lounge or something. That should solve both the health and sanitation concerns for non-smokers.
Our economy:
It's looking like Obama's $3 billion in the Cash for Clunkers program ~may~ have stimulated the world economy into greater recovery than the $~750billion stimulus package he approved. I'm no professional though, and even they aren't sure yet. Over 60% of the nation does strongly feel that he could have done this better. And apparently about 80% of our population is okay with legalizing marijuana. o.o;; politics.
Cougar Town:
is way over-advertised, but will it turn into another hit Desperate Housewives-esque drama, or is the plot just spread that thin that marketing has to pick up the slack? Guess we'll find out soon enough, anyway. (oh Courtney Cox if only you didn't steal my soul so long ago). |
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This was my first dream ever that contained a false awakening, so it was quite scary to me, again, being so vivid it was real.
Names of people that were made up for this dream are randomized.
My friends were all ready to go to the club. Jack was about ready to explode, just wanting to dance everywhere. It's only thursday, and I was supposed to DJ on friday, not thursday, so I didn't have everything set up for him here. The others were starting to feel the E they had taken earlier, but since it doesn't affect me anymore, I got to be the DD to the club.
We danced, we laughed. Nothing special this night. After a few hours, I found this really cute chick I began chatting to. Soon enough, we began snuggling, until she noticed her boyfriend. Although the friendliness of the club atmosphere saved me from any sort of fight, my soul was still distraught. All these people were filled with artificial happiness; although it works in my favor in this scenario, it doesn't make life any better.
The four of us bored and left after a couple hours. Some people started showing up, somewhere between 9 and 10. I created a quick playlist and just let people play DJ themselves on my computer, so that I could mingle a little bit with the cute girls who showed up. We danced and drank around the den, all of us, till we began to tire and bore of the dancing. People started passing out, and before I knew it I was in lala land myself.
I awake at 6am. I run around my house in a panic, barely remembering the night before. About half the people are passed out or left aparently, but there was five of us still awake. So we began chatting.
My heart began racing when I heard the door open. "Someone must have forgot something...", I thought aloud. But I was wrong. It was Joslyn and a guy who's name I never caught. However, he was all over her. My heart couldn't take it anymore, I had to rescue her. But much to my dismay, her kisses to me were no different than to him. Something was amiss here, and I was not quite myself, so I took myself a quick little drive around. Well, actually a 2 hour drive heading towards lousiana, then back.
I thought, this must be some sort of hunger hallucination. There is no way, she wouldn't, that's not even like her! So, I jumped by whataburger on my way back, but after pulling in the parking lot, I decided not to. But, I didn't want to go home alone; i wouldn't be able to take it if that guy was still all over Joslyn.
After flipping through my phone to try to find someone to call, I quickly realize its way too early to be calling people over. I look up from my phone, to find a fucking Suburban with its grille pointed straight at my car, so I slam on my brakes as quickly as possible. I pull up next to him, and ask, "Why are you driving in the wrong lane? Are you TRYING to kill someone?"
He looks at me with a blank face, as does the guy at the drive-thru window next to him. I look to the other side, and noticed I had run over a curb to avoid him, a curb in the drive thru. It was me who went the wrong way, and it wasn't a street, but a drive thru. God, I felt so embarassed, I rushed home.
After telling my awoken roommate my story, I walk back into my room to check and see if anyone passed out on the couch. No, but there is that guy, feeling a little too far up Joslyn's shirt for my taste, and just all over her in general. This time, there is no going back; I've been gone far too long, and there's no way my interference will do anything useful now.
So, I go back to the den, and the only other single chick there was just about to pass out on the floor from not feeling so well, while the others were just chitchatting away.
Then, who do I turn to? The person to my left, Jack. Me and Jack have sort of a special connection, both being attracted to each other, but me not being gay. I don't know, maybe it's because I'm the only one who still sees the girl she used to be, and not the guy she is now. But I let it all out on him, and he has nothing to tell me. Although he does agree it was kind of a dick move for Joslyn to do that, and cuddle with me. After getting done saying how jealous I feel, and how I'd do just about anything to be that guy, and how much I miss her and how happy she makes me when shes around. Even those few brief shared kisses were nice.
Me and Jack talk a little more, but right as I'm about to burst into a crying fit, I awaken. I must have passed out again and forgotten, so I grab my phone and check the time to see if its okay to call up someone to cuddle with. I notice the house is no longer the same, and that hungry cats are whining at the base of my bed.
This is the reality I know. And it's funny how my mind escapes from this reality with dreams of an even worse world. |
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[22:19] manvsmachine00: like this: http://www.communityuuchurch.org/pages/labyrinth although it seems like they have to mow that thing every now and then
[22:20] manvsmachine00: couldn't they have just put in cheap sheets of plywood across the path to keep more grass from growing? maybe they did that after the photo was taken...maybe I'm psychic and can predict what happens after any given photo
[22:21] hinata soul: or you could do what i did to kill a patch of plants
[22:21] hinata soul: and barf all over it =D
[22:21] hinata soul: worked for about 6 months before it regrew =P
[22:21] hinata soul: bleach works too, or anything highly acidic
[22:21] manvsmachine00: hmm....
[22:21] manvsmachine00: maybe they did that
[22:22] manvsmachine00: the bleach thing
[22:22] manvsmachine00: or maybe they got everyone together to puke on it, you know, community effort
[22:22] manvsmachine00: fellowship
[22:22] hinata soul: lol
[22:22] hinata soul: some spiritual time there
[22:22] hinata soul: man
[22:22] hinata soul: why not just form a cum circle? seems easier and much more spiritual to me
[22:23] manvsmachine00: you can visit at any time to cum in the circle and perpetuate the spiritual engagement
[22:23] manvsmachine00: seems like a Druidic concept
[22:24] hinata soul: LOL
[22:24] manvsmachine00: the cumming rock
[22:24] manvsmachine00: The Ancient Cumming Rock
[22:24] hinata soul: now you're catching on buddy =D |
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As you may know, I am a BIG Stargate fanboy. Or you may not. But I am. I can't get enough of it, and guarentee I will quit wow for the Stargate Worlds MMO whenever it comes out.
But back to the topic. I was listening to the song in this post's title, and found it eerily similar to a description of the Stargate movie, the precurser to SG-1 and subsequently Atlantis. So, I did some googling, and lo and behold, in his own biography:
The Eye of Ra
Based on the movie ‘Stargate’ the song tells the story of an interstellar transport device found in Egypt. A crew, sent out on a mission through the gate, encounters humans resembling ancient Egyptians who worship the god Ra. For the crew to be able to go back home, the gate needs to be activated but first the seventh sign needs to be found. Then, alerted by the presence of the crew, an alien ship arrives. An alien, inhabiting the body of a little boy, has subdued the people living on the planet by presenting himself as Ra; he is unwilling to give up his rule over the planet and seeks to destroy the gate.
As it turns out, all of the CD was based on different Sci-Fi movies. Another one of my favorite songs from the CD is "Starchild", aparently based on "2001: ASO" and "2010: TYWMC". "Master of Darkness" is based on Star Wars.
I highly recommend this CD to anyone who's into progressive metal, also his other projects: Ayreon, and Stream of Passion. Though Star One is by far his best, next to Ayreon, that is. |
| » The battle for flames long lost, part 1 |
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"Oh my god, Tina, what the hell are you doing here?" I am ecstatic to see her after so long.
"What do you mean, what am I doing here?" John comes up and squeezes her, as I used to do, only, he's gay, so it's okay.
"Were you off in San Diego?"
"That was a lie, I had to tell my friends something to keep them off my back. My parents had me locked up, working for them."
"All this time? It's been over three years!"
"Yeah, well, they finally let me actually go to college, but only so long as I still work for them."
"They're crazy."
"No, they're family."
After a tad bit more catching up; we realize there's a lot more we should talk about. So, we drive around for a bit. Then, she asks me if I would like a tour of their new house.
This mansion had several rooms I didn't even have time to go check out. Her mom greeted me ecstatically, and asked me to stay for dinner. Her brother was nowhere to be found.
On the first floor before we took the stairs, I noticed two dishwashers, two full stoves, a microwave, a dining room, and possibly a den through the kitchen. Her dad might have been there, and he was never too fond of me.
On the second floor, I keep losing my clothes. You think you'd remember where you put them, but when you've found your long lost flame, nothing else matters. I'm happy walking around naked, at least until I learn there might be others in the place. It's been at least three times. Eventually I get sick of it. and stick to my shorts. I'm just curious to see as to what Tina's been up to... kinda hard to disappear off the radar for years, knowing her.
In fact, this whole place makes me kinda creeped out. I'm not sure why, but after knowing her for so long, there's no way Tina could be happy here. She's good at faking contentment, and it's grown so much on her that if I didn't recognize those pleading eyes, I might have thought twice about what happened next. She wants me to take her away, but I don't know how.
"Let's go to Miranda's, and talk more there." Miranda is her old friend, I'm surprised she's still around too. I'm all down for it, since she seems to be. But, I wouldn't want to go anywhere looking like I did then. I needed a shower.
I took a shower on the second floor, and my clothes are gone again. I find boxers and my shorts, and remain satisfied. But there's no toilet in this shower room...
"That's on the third floor."
Apr. 26th, 2009 @ 11:13 am
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| » The battle for flames long lost, part 2 |
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... Here, you'll need this"
After getting acquainted with her second floor, she shows me to the third. She immediately runs back down the stairs. All I hear are heroin addicts... people shooting up and the satisfying "sighs" they get thereafter.
I walk up the spiral staircase and round the corner. There's five guys, all with guns pointed at me. I sprayed and prayed, hoping all those FPS's growing up taught me something. It worked, and the way to the restroom was clear. Thank the gods, because I was out of ammo. This one guy in a blue shirt... not quite sure if I got him or not, but now's not the time. I gotta drop this deuce.
Entering the restroom, there was another guy. I was unsure if he was armed or not, so I slammed him into the mirror with a frying pan. Not as convenient as the assault rifle, but it got the job done.
"Man, they can't even let you toss a duke in this place safely." Empty assault rifle in lap, I showed the dirty/smeared toilet what it had comin' to it. After that event, I exited the bathroom.
Blue shirt dude started flinching. I checked my weapons, and among them found a chainsaw and got really excited. Bloody mess be had, I went straight for that dudes neck as he was reaching for his weapon. Head severed, blood everywhere, I had to go. What if the cops catch me, oh this is scary.
I decide it would be best for everyone to drop the evidence. I run downstairs to try to escape, but there comes the red mini-van I remember from years before up on the driveway. I quickly run back to the second floor; flush my bloody pants, and keep nothing but my unsoiled shirt, boxers, and the frying pan. And the chainsaw, which was abnormally easy to hide on my person for something of that size.
Back down to the first, Tina's mom seems not surprised I forgot my pants upstairs. Maybe she thinks I've been banging her daughter and is okay with it, maybe she's just really good at not exploding about it with guests around. Who knows, who cares. She directs me to the two washing machines, and I drop the frying pan in one and start it.
They brought back pizza, but I brought back fear. I had to get out, fast. I claimed a slice of green pepper pizza, grabbed Tina and ran.
Apr. 26th, 2009 @ 10:29 am
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| » The Wedding Singer philosophy |
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Back in the day, I ended my blog posts with a posted statement. Some of them were creepy and weird, but there was one that actually made sense, the one I used the most:
"I just want someone to hold me, and tell me everything will be alright."
I've been using that line for years, without knowing it was from a movie. In fact, between 2000-2003, it was my life philosophy. I woke up this morning to The Wedding Singer, and watched it for a couple minutes. And that line came up.
I'm sick of it. No one else wants what I want. I'll admit, high school was a joke, but I've made my most genuine efforts trying to keep the women I love close to me. But for the first time, without drugs mind you, I've realized that I don't need a girlfriend to live. But the second I start believing that, my dreams change tone, for the worse.
My brain has been getting stronger during my sleep. It's been telling me what I need to do, from my obligations to my goals. Most of them have been fears instead of dreams, often waking me in a panic. But the last couple of nights, it's been quite a bomb. The last dream that wakes me up in a panic, is Fonzie telling me "Todd, you really need a girlfriend, man".
This has never occurred to me in a sleeping dream. And I tend to ignore all my daydreams that involve women, because from my experience, it only ends in heartache and depression. I'm so torn, do I follow my heart and soul, or do I let logic take over again?
The hardest part is that not only are my dreams against me, but the fact that I've refound my old philosophy. If God actually is among us, in any way, these are signs I can't ignore. But I have no idea where to start anymore.
Apr. 1st, 2009 @ 02:49 pm
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| » Stuck in life. |
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Jan 06, 2009, 12:16
edit:Private -> Public, added last two paragraphs
So, I was taking a personality test online, and one of the questions was "do you fall in love easily?"
Who would answer yes to that question? I can't think of a single person who would. Except me.
Love is something you're supposed to guard, not something you're supposed to give to just anyone. But I would, and have, regularly, done just that. Anyone remember Melissa? Yeah, I'm crazy.
Well, how come it isn't happening now? I don't get that electric charge anymore, I don't feel like a little kid in a candy store when I see possibilities for love. Before I was always excited, and lived my life for my lover. I'm not getting that anymore. I don't know why, either. It's not my meds; I still felt it with Sarah when I was on them. Even Jessica, whom I admittedly didn't love as much as I could, I still got a little spark from.
I've noticed that I WANT to fall in love. I WANT to find someone that makes me happy. And the second I finally found that woman, bam she flies off to Missouri to be with her WoW buddy. Two weeks after she told me she wasn't looking for a serious relationship and dumped me like last week's newspaper, she got into one with him. I'm beginning to think that WoW might be a better way to pick up chicks than real life. At least those couples tend to have more stability, which is something I've craved ever since I graduated high school.
My longing for the past is going to make me cry. So, i'm done.
Mar. 11th, 2009 @ 12:16 pm
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| » Music Monopoly |
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And you are listening to Astropolis radio top 100, All requests, all the time!
Number 10: Been So Young, Johnny Daggudero
Number 9: Come Again, manashhdimo, Johnny Daggudero
Number 8: Temper Pop Baby, Johnny Daggudero (sugoi!)
Number 7: HEY!, Johnny Daggudero
Number 6: Mishyuu, mandagaiyo, Johnny Daggudero
Number 5: Loop in my Lard, Johnny Daggudero
Number 4: Mirro sotenaito 2012, Johnny Daggudero
Number 3: D.O.D., Johnny Daggudero
Number 2: Summer Time Debbu, Johnny Daggudero
And, on Astropolis radio top 100, March 28, 2017, The sweet, number 1, is
oh my god, for the fourth straight week, kimmina koisita I LOVE YOU Johnny Daggudero!
Sound familiar? Then you've listened to m-flo's Cosmicolor album. The funny thing is, all the songs are plays on songs they acctually made (some of them were quite easy to figure out...)
The actual song titles:
10: Been so Long
9: Come Again
8: Tripod Baby
7: HEY!
6: Miss You
5: Loop in my heart
4: Mirrorball Sattelite 2012
3: A.D.D.P.
2: Summer Time Love
1: she loves the CREAM
Oct. 29th, 2008 @ 05:58 am
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| » MOVIES |
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I took this dumb movie quiz on facebook just now, and thought I'd tell the world via LJ my exact thoughts on it:
It's actually not that dumb.
I just found the results really surprising: one of the people I just recently met (and became friends with) scored really high, and his girlfriend is my top match. Never seen a movie with the two, but they're pretty cool regardless.
As for the rest, that freaking movie quiz was actually a good way of how I rate all the people I know. Looking at the "Best" side, I see mostly people I've thought were cool, BA, or are/were my buddies. On the "Bad" side, I see people I generally dislike or find annoying.
Why did they put 8 Mile on there? I don't think anyone with half a brain thought the movie was "great" by any means, I just rate it well in my book because that's the only movie that made me feel seriously depressed. Like, I wanted to kill myself after seeing that movie.
Oct. 9th, 2008 @ 01:32 pm
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| » Extremely vivid dream. |
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This is the second crazy vivid dream I had this week. I even woke up to check my phone afterwards, for texts and calls. My car wasn't parked around the corner, and my "old apartment" is my current. The dream starts at midday, but the rest takes place at midnight, or shortly after sundown. That's the only detail that my brain didn't explain to me, which is odd.
The cop told me to stay put. I couldn't. I had to run, I had to go. Thank god the campus cops pulled four people over, I managed to escape without any resistance. But the cop knew who I was, and he knew I was on probation. I shouldn't have ran, but I did.
I made it home, parked around the corner, and walked into my temperary residence. I moved out of my old apartment, but told no one, except the flatmates I had at the time. To avoid the cops. You gotta be safe.My boyfriend walks into the room, and kisses me on the cheek and tells me he'll see me soon. I take my shower, and run out. I took my mandatory walk, and called my ex-girlfriend on the way. I end up at her place; I had no shame, even though I knew my boyfriend would be dedicated, I wasn't attracted to him. I never was. It was just out of desperateness I even found him, and his flat just happened to be clean and neat. I don't know why I cheated on him, but I felt no guilt over it. I didn't want to be found by the cops, so I ran.
I had two warrants out for my arrest, I had good reason to run. It didnt feel good, but I knew I could do it.
My job called me, and told me that there was a fire, and I was to help put it out. I got to the scene nearby, but there was no fire. It was just a joke. All my guy flatmates and their friends were lying dead on the stairs, to scare me. As i crawled over them, they woke up and scared me half to death. I shouldn't have laughed, but I did. It was a good joke.
I hung out with the girls for a while, whos room was quite clean. Both were involved, no live-ins, so we cuddled. We had fun watching a movie, but I got another call. Fire, they said. Duty calls.
It was in a parking lot closeby, lots of furniture involved. I asked the doctor nearby what happened, but she didn't tell me anything. So I tried to blanket it with furnature in there, but i ended up spreading the fire. My working buddies laughed, but the fire was a joke anyway. The parking lot was ablaze, and all we had was fun. Once we finally put it out by turning the hot furniture upside down, I came home. I ran in to my old flat, which i was still living at, according to the government. A cop was there, looking around. I pretended to be someone else, used the bathroom, and left. I had used it before, to clean my wound, and no one was home either time. Its summer, I guess they moved out. I couldn't get cought now, but the cop asked me who I was. I ran out the door, and he persued. But not far. He knew where my car was, it was around the corner, there was a gate nearby. It was a trap, i knew that gate was there as a trap. I ran back. My boyfriend told me everything was alright, kissed me on the cheek, and made an offer to me. I couldn't, I don't like guys. But we still cuddled asleep. Or at least he did, and I escaped from his grasp soonthereafter.
My ex sent me a funny video on my phone, but I couldn't retrieve it. I tried to call her, but she was already asleep. I had to do it. My boyfriend was never home anyway, and I really wanted my ex back, so I broke up with him. I told him I wasn't attracted to guys, and it was a mistake. He understood. He was always understanding. Sometimes I wish I was attracted to him, so I could envision a future with him. But i couldn't, and he knew.
Jul. 21st, 2008 @ 03:14 pm
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| » Dell v HP v IBM v Apple |
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I originally wrote this for my dell rep position, but the results were so surprising I just had to post it here.
Keep in mind, I own a HP laptop. I've been an avid supporter of it, until, well, now. And I also favored apple, but after writing this, I don't believe apples are worth it anymore.
I originally posted this as a comment on someone else's post, but now I decided to actually go in-depth and figure out what's the big deal about Dell vs. all these other major competitors.
I went ahead and configured a dell with the following components:
Tuxedo Black Casing XPS M1530
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T9300 (2.5GHz/800Mhz FSB, 6MB Cache)
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition
High Resolution, glossy widescreen 15.4 inch LCD(1440x900) & 2MP Camera
4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz (2 Dimms)
Size: 320GB 5400rpm SATA Hard Drive
Slot Load DVD+/-RW (DVD/CD read/write)
256MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8600M GT
Dell Wireless 1395 802.11g Mini Card
Dell Wireless 355 Bluetooth Internal (2.0+Enhanced Data Rate)
56 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
Integrated Sound Blaster Audigy HD Software Edition
Finger Print Reader XPS M1530
(also, dell COMES WITH the following warranty:)
3Yr In-Home Service, Parts Labor, 24x7 Phone Support
Add Accidental Damage and LoJack Theft Protection to 3Yr Warr.
Included 10GB DataSafe Online Backup for 1Year
The Dell XPS M1530 configured as-so costs about $1,624
(Note: I had to go with 2.5ghz instead of the featured 2.6 ghz because HP DOESN'T OFFER IT)
Now, let's check out HP:
(Their site is really hard to navigate compared to Dell's. This is almost impossible to configure)
Components
* • Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 (32-bit)
* • Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo Processor T9300 (2.50 GHz, 6 MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)
* • 15.4" diagonal WXGA High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1280 x 800)
* • 4GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
* • 50% OFF 256MB NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS - For Core 2 Duo Processors
* • HP Imprint Finish (Radiance) + Fingerprint Reader + Microphone
* • Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network Connection
* • 120GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
* • SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-R/RW with Double Layer Support
* • No TV Tuner w/remote control
* • 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
* • FREE Upgrade to Computrace LoJack for Laptops, Four Years from LoJack for Laptops, Three Years
* • Microsoft(R) Works 9.0
* • 3-year HP Accidental Damage Protection with Pick Up and Return
Okay guys, I really tried with this one, but they just didn't have the discrete graphics card dell offers. I built the best laptop HP would sell me at that size. It comes out to: $1,548.97
Now, keep in mind, the dell laptop comes with a better screen to begin with, which might account for the difference. And, it has more options, a faster, more secure hard drive (drop protection), and even an option for a SOLID STATE drive. Also, HP does NOT offer a Blu-Ray burner, just a reader, and Dell offers many screen options (all the way up to 1080p!!!), whereas hp doesn't. Not to mention, I had a million days of trouble trying to configure that hp system!
Okay, now for IBM: Their key is that their laptops are more durable, but only in the sense that you could throw a thinkpad against the wall and it will still work. Unless you're in construction, I don't know how useful this will be. Espescially for students, whose worst worry is spilling coffee on their laptop (which dell covers).
IBM wouldn't give me an easy to past summary, but the main differences were:
Screen comperable to HP's (but lesser than Dell's, and no upgrade options)
Smaller hard drive (250GB, with no option for anything larger, just smaller.)
The price came out to $1,572.60, but that was only with a 1yr warranty (no accidental damage coverage).
Alright, to compare the main three laptop PC's, I'd have to say, they're all of equal value per buck, but dell offers more for less. Also, the base configuration for the XPS model I used was the MOST UPGRADED for HP and IBM. Look, if you want a laptop that will survive the test of time, both physically and technologically, you're gonna need a dell. That's the only way to go about it.
Now, Apples are good, right?
Let's configure it to the same as the rest of these.
15.4" macbook pro:
o 2.5GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
o 4GB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM - 2x2GB
o 250GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm
o SuperDrive 8X (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
o MacBook Pro 15-inch Glossy Widescreen Display
o Backlit Keyboard/Mac OS - U.S. English
o AppleCare Protection Plan for MacBook Pro (w/or w/o Display) - Auto-enroll
Total price:
$3,248.00
Wow, that's uhh...
WOW
WOW
WOW
WOW
THATS MORE THAN TWICE AS EXPENSIVE!!!!!
And one last note: The only notebook that would let me get the 256MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8600M GT discrete graphics card that dell includes is apple, who also includes it. IBM would only offer me a quadro, and hp an out of date lower-model card.
So, if you want to get the latest and greatest for the least, do yourself a favor, GO WITH A DELL.
And if you want to get FREGGIN RIPPED OFF, have fun with your macbook pro. I'll be in a corner laughing at your overhead, with my sweet dell.
Apr. 19th, 2008 @ 12:52 pm
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| » Get skinny now with the pink patch! |
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I just saw this ad on facebook. It makes me sick.
http://micro.thepinkpatch.com/s-Pturn300BT24s/lp
The supplement offered in this "pink patch" is simply 5-HTP, a drug that's supposed to replenish depleted seratonin levels, to help treat depression, mood disorders, and "curb your appetite". Unfortunately for you, the four month supply of "patches" you buy on their site for $123.96 can be bought as a pill at GNC for about $15 a bottle for a month's supply. That's half the price.
And not to mention, it doesn't even work. I took it for two months, but then was prescribed Lexapro, a SSRI for depression/anxiety, which also replenishes seratonin levels. Immediately after taking the two in conjunction, I noticed a vast improvement over taking just 5-HTP alone for my depression. I've since stopped taking 5-HTP, but that's simply because lexapro works a million times better.
All it does is treat depression. I noticed no change in appetite, but my depression wasn't affecting my appetite at the time. In fact, 5-HTP isn't proven to do anything for your appetite, unless it just happens to be depression related. And if that's the case, you don't need a pink patch, you need serious help.
So, buyers beware, what you're buying may not be what you're getting. Not to mention the market for weight loss products is so damned saturated it's hard not to indulge occasionally.
Another one I've been angry at for a while is Hydroxycut. It's just simple multivitamin with caffeine and other herbs that aren't proven to improve weight loss at all, just regulate blood sugar levels, which I can't imagine why anyone but a diabetic would ever need.
They sell Diet Rock Star energy drink at your local GNC. Fortunately, it IS proven to help lose weight, but only due to the massive amounts of vitamins and caffeine in it. Short of exercising regularly, and eating healthier, there isn't much else you can do legally these days. Ever since ephedrine and pseudophederine have been taken off the market, you're limited to caffeine and good ol' cocaine if you want to lose weight fast. Not that I recommend either as a weight loss supplement, but if you're feeling low in the metabolism, taking some vitamin B-6 and B-12 and maybe drinking a few cups of coffee a day might help you out. Investing hundreds in a pink patch that just treats depression is such a silly waste of time, it makes me sick. How can they legally sell this stuff?
Feb. 6th, 2008 @ 10:46 pm
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| » Have had |
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Why do we use the phrase have had? It's just two tenses of the same verb - nevermind the perfect tense. Just remove the have part.
It's so much simpler.
Dec. 13th, 2007 @ 04:50 am
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| » Relocation of the soul |
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I saw an old high school buddy of mine today.
Well, maybe not buddy, more like enemy. I didn't like him much in high school; in fact, most of the routes I took between classes were specifically to avoid seeing him. But, I still waved and said Hi. Even held a short conversation, and watched him pack and go back to Spring. All from my balcony.
Isn't it about that time I let go of all my old grudges anyway? It's about time I packed my bags and finally moved on.
But, that leaves the last dilemma I have left as of now: where do I go?
I could go to California. Scenery, beaches, technology, coast, and even a diverse culture I'm already used to. Not to mention, arcades, food, other venues, life's just fun out there. And I shouldn't have trouble finding a job =D
I could just stay here. Richardson is a nice city, actually. I'd love to raise a family here. Everything's pretty close; I could even live out my dream of being able to live comfortably car-free. Dallas would work for that too: both areas can be very pretty, and spacious! Driving isn't too bad most of the time, and there's lots to do in this really populated city. If only it had the spice of houston, but the closeness of everything makes up for it. I've already got alot here, it would be really easy to settle here.
And then, there's my love, Massachusetts. I really really want to live there. I spent the best week of my life with the love of my life there, and to be honest, I couldn't have had more fun. The whole area is really dense, and still very very pretty. I walked to the grocery store every day, middle of the summer, without breaking a sweat. I could work out and be able to carry groceries long distances, and easily live without a car. SNOW!!!! Colder, but still temperate climate. Lots of fun. Lots of love. And boston? I find it fun there, actually! And the place is really chill too; gay marriage is even legalized there!
Japan's cool too, as would be Italy or Germany, maybe even England! Looks like I have alot of travel still left to do...
I can feel it creeping up... it looks like I might have to make a decision soon. Looks like i'm going to need to start saving up some serious cash...
Dec. 7th, 2007 @ 07:00 pm
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| » Let go |
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I just want to be a dependable person. Have your fun, don't worry, I got your back.
That's the limbo I'm stuck in at the moment. I also want a moment where I can let go, have nothing to worry about, and just have my own fun.
Someday.
Nov. 27th, 2007 @ 05:06 pm
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| » Schedule time! |
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Oh my.
DATA STRUCTURES & ALGORM ANALYS CS -3345
AUTOMATA THEORY CS -4384
STORYBOARD AND PRE-PRODUCTION ATEC-2331
INTRO ORGANIC CHEM II RECITATION CHEM-2025
INTRO ORGANIC CHEMISTRY II CHEM-2325
INTRO ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LAB II CHEM 2125
INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY PHIL-1301
So like, they didn't have the Software Engineering and ECS comm class I wanted, so I had to rapidly pick two classes to fit into my schedule; so I chose Philosophy and Storyboaring. I guess. It's about time I took a real art class anyway, i've been avoiding it all my life =D
Being a double major in CS and Chemistry is such a pain.
Nov. 13th, 2007 @ 12:50 pm
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| » Missing content! |
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I deleted moved all my former entries to a super secret location.
They just don't represent my character anymore. In fact, they've been reflecting poorly on me for quite a while now.
I'm not the same person I was back then.
Thank fucking god.
Nov. 12th, 2007 @ 02:29 am
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| » Just a little fun |
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I had the best run around Wal-Mart ever yesterday. It was the first time in forever that I just picked up every single bottle, and read all the labels I could, as fast as possible. It made me feel like a kid again.
I think that all of this bullshit is finally over. I don't know why I was torturing myself, but last night, I just stepped to the side a moment.
"Todd, so, what exactly do you think of all this?"
I came to the realization, that cum slut's always been a little ugly. Even when I first decided to let myself go, I knew it was going to only last two months. Why then, was I so hard on myself when it ended? I totally predicted it, I knew it was going to happen.
I just didn't know how. I thought I would be the one who had control in the end, but by that point, I was actually OUT of control. And now that I'm slightly more normal, I realize... god she was so fucking stupid. And annoying. And a brat. And overall, just a bad character. Not someone I'd normally be seen with, not someone I even like.
I've been depressed most of my life, as pretty much everyone can attest to in some way. The psych finally gave me some meds - and it feels like i'm rolling every day. Well, without acting all goofy and shit. I still get a little sad sometimes, but it isn't this constant nagging depressing feeling. And, I feel slightly more motivated, and for the first time in my life, I can actually just sit my ass down and relax, without needing pity or comfort.
Earlier today, I tried my best to remember last night. Fortunately, my memory was clear, so I went over everything that happened, and my heart just swelled up.
I've gotten multiple threats to have my balls cut off if I ever hurt Jes. It's actually kind of endearing, in a pretty freaky way. But, both objectively, and consciously, I think I've really hit a turning point in my life, finally, a time I can make everything right. Without going crazy.
And over the last week, I came to realize what a clingball I am. And i've always hated people like that, too. It's good to finally not HAVE to cling on to someone, all the time. I can live! Without desperation. Finally.
Nov. 9th, 2007 @ 03:21 pm
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