Water World

I've been up since 7:30 a.m.--bailing out my basement.
At least 680 L of water totalled. The house I'm renting has no sub-pump. Yet, I live in Windsor, the current 'rain capital' of Ontario this year (possibly even Canada). I think it's silly that my landlord hasn't installed one. The city offers a program to subsidize home-owners for installing them. But, I suppose he has his own reasons. Perhaps he doesn't know--the city isn't the greatest at advertising free money.
Anyhow, I skipped class and spent somewhere around three hours shovelling water with a bucket. My basement flooded--reason being the fact that it's raining outside and the city's drainage system failed.
Yes, I joked about surfing and sailing the treacherous tides of my under-home sea, but from now on I will always feel sorry for someone dealing with a watery basement.

Twilight: critics know best

Just checked Wikipedia's page for The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn. I only skimmed through the first few paragraphs, but I approve of something mention, "received mostly negative reviews from critics."
Twilight has been criticized by just about every English prof I've talked to as being an embarrassment--or disgrace--to literature. In fact, in my Creative Writing class, we constantly rag on the series. These are the books we insult. The movies can only be worse than the books--as is common when literature is transcribed into film.
I've never read any of the saga's books, or watched the movies. I don't want to. The main reason is that they label it as a vampire story; yet, there are no vampires in twilight. Twilight's vampires sparkle in sunlight and drink animal blood. This is a classic portrayal of a faerie. Va,pires are supposed to die by sunlight and feast off of humans.
It's also a clichè romance.
What's disgusting about it is that it was inspired by a dream Stephenie Meyer had. A wet dream, I've heard, but I'm not going to slam my hammer down on the verdict.
However, Twilight can be happy with the fact that, "response from fans and other viewers has been more positive," as stated by Wikipedia.

Umnumnum

I have this assignment where I have to make a map mashup. Since food seems to be on my mind (like most days) I figured I'd point out some of my favorite places to eat in the University of Windsor Area.
Enjoy!
Map of Food Places

You Draw

First came Karaoke, then Guitar Hero, DJ Hero, and a whole slew of mock music games. Now, the art games are spanning into a new direction--art.

Two days ago, the game uDraw came out. It gives the user a tablet-controller for their respective system and allows them to 'draw'. It offers drawing tutorials, fun games, and the option to be silly. From the video, it can be seen that the game is intended for younger individuals. However, this could offer the chance for older people to revisit their unexplored youth--and, learn how to draw something other than stickmen.
I think this is silly. But, it is also an awesome idea. I myself, suck at drawing. I try taking up a pencil every now and then, but then give up because I suck. Something like this could serve to teach people--like me--who don't have the patience/skills to learn the craft of visual/art. It's the same aspect with Guitar Hero. Many people who've given up on learning guitar, loved guitar hero--because, it's fun, and disguises learning. The only difference here is that Guitar Hero didn't teach guitar--uDraw teaches to draw (at least, I assume it does).
Anyhow, if this game does pick up, and should it drop in price, I may be willing to drop $40 or so on it.

To be!

Yes, I bought Skyrim.
I have to say, the game is simply phenomenal. It misses out on seamless action like a whole bunch of games do nowadays, but that isn't the purpose of the game. The game is about adventure, you're thrown into a quest to save the world (sounds cliché, don't it?)
But, minus the cliché, the world is beautiful and huge. I think it was said to be something like 15 square miles, or something close. In a game, that's huge. In life, that's still pretty big (try walking it).
If you liked Morrowind or Oblivion, you'l love this. The world takes a que from Morrowind and Oblivion by mixing the idea of a surrealist fantasy universe (like in Morrowind) and throwing it into a typical one (like in Oblivion). You don't have typical medieval structure. Rather, think of Norse (Vikings) structures, armour, and landscape. That's what you have, a Norse universe mixed with Norse mythology. But, it isn't all Vikings and Valhalla (Viking 'heaven'). There isn't even mention of Valhalla. Instead, they mix everything in with the mythology of all the other Elder Scroll games. This is awesome because the Elder Scrolls already have a diverse and detailed fantasy universe to rely on.
I cold ramble on and on about this game, but there's only really one point that I have to make.
Dragons.
That is all. 

Skyrim: to be, or not to be?

Alright, so today is the epic release for Skyrim.
My Facebook has been plagued with people posting about it--even to the point that Facebook told me that "x number of people have posted about Skyrim."
So, Bethesda has worked it's magic once again. I bought Oblivion way back when, and now I have to decide whether to buy this. I'm poor--a product of being a student. I'm also a nerd--which sucks when nerd candy like this come out. Anyhow, to feed some nerdy appetite, I found this Youtube video a while back. It's hilarious, so give it a try.

Also, here's the Gamespot review: http://www.gamespot.com/the-elder-scrolls-v-skyrim/reviews/the-elder-scrolls-v-skyrim-review-6344618?page=1

Murray found guilty

The jury has made their case--Conrad Murray is found guilty of the manslaughter of Michael Jackson.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-15624869

- BBC's report.

I think he deserved it. He supplied Jackson with the drugs. Therefore, he is responsible for what resulted. If a parent hands his toddler a gun, and the toddler accidentally shoots himself, the parent is held responsible. Jackson was like a toddler, dependant on the Doctor to care for him. The Doctor gave him a drug--which he shouldn't have been giving him--and Jackson died as a result. How is this any different from giving a toddler a gun (except for the fact that a kid dying is much more horrific and terrible than a celebrity dying)?
Not only that, but the Doctor was giving him drugs he should not have been giving him. If a druggie goes into a Doctor's office, asking for codeine because of an addiction to codeine, the Doctore legally has to say no.
Not only did the Doctor here give a drug to someone addicted to it, but he did it to profit. He profiteered off someone's self-destruction.
This is wrong.

The Postman Always Rings Twice

Just read The Postman Always Rings Twice.
I just have to say that it is an awesome book and I highly recommend it to anyone, especially if you're into noir fiction. The book is a little outdated, but the vocabulary doesn't knock you off your feet with confusion. The only things 'old' about it are outdated car mechanics (overheating really easy) and a few dollars being considered a lot of money.
It's a great story about a travelling bum who settles after finding the woman of his dreams. Chaos ensues.
That's about all I'm going to let on because I don't want to spoil it, even though it is a really old story.

Here's a trailer for the movie. Jack Nicholson looks young (1981).

To Occupy an Assembly

I checked out the Occupy Windsor site today. They have assemblies at 12 p.m. and 7 p.m. every day. I attended the later one.

I would like to mention that it is cold--even though today was a fairly warm in comparison to other days. They say they're going to insulate some tents to get ready for the coming winter, but I have a feeling that people will get sick.

I appreciated the free coffee and food.

Other than that, they seem to be semi-organized. They have a hand-signal system that lets each person to express their opinion on the topic at hand (they can say yay or nay with their fingers, or break in to mention a point). They are still trying to work out how to make direct-democracy work. They do however try to keep things organized. Their president is Paul Chislett, and they switch the roles of who runs each assembly. All are welcome to come and sit in on a meet.

They are a lot better off than I originally speculated.

I didn't get any photos, but WindsoriteDotca has a nice collection from when the group marched out to the riverfront on October 22.

http://windsorite.ca/2011/10/photos-occupy-windsor-marches-to-riverfront/

Bond it

Another bond movie is in the works. Daniel Craig will be returning as another bond in the new movie Skyfall, and is set to hit North America on November 9, 2012.
Many critique Daniel Craig as ruining the witty Bond previously seen from Sean Connery to Pierce Bronsnan (and all those in between). I think different. Craig has revamped Bond. After Robert Ludlum's Bourne series hit the big-scene, the idea of a spy thriller featuring a character who got by through sheer looks and charming personality, seemed too surreal. People wanted realism mixed with an insane amount of action. People seem to detest long scenes of conversation, they want guns and explosions.
This is where the new Bond comes in plays. Pure explosions--pure action.
A Sean Connery type Bond would be awesome, but he doesn't fit the times.

For news on the movie coming out:
http://www.windsorstar.com/entertainment/Daniel+Craig+bounces+back+Bond+film+Skyfall/5651451/story.html
http://www.toronto.com/article/703008--the-next-james-bond-film-will-be-called