Redwolf's Journal (continued)

Movies, Christmas, gaming, all sorts of stuff. Things are fine, lately. The holiday was pleasant and the drive (while slow up the hills) was relaxing. All yayness. I'm even getting used to a 22" widescreen monitor at home, though mostly I'm just happy I can see the shades of black that blended together on my CRT. Watched a couple movies in the last few weeks. The Golden Compass was decent young-fantasy fare. Neat effects, pretty airships, talking bears (and I have to agree with some reviewer I'd read that the main bear really did seem like he was talking ALL IN CAPS all the time). I just wished the storytelling weren't aimed so low as to be distracting to me. The deeper things I wanted explained weren't, while obvious things were overly explained. Also saw I am Legend which was a totally different experience. I thought it was good, but I expected more about what was happening and how instead of what we got: a close-up of the psychology of a zombie/whatever...

One fuse, one fuel filter, and a week-and-a-half later and I'm vehicularly mobile again. This is good, as it was just starting to really get to me yesterday - though I think it was waiting and wondering that was getting to me more than not being able to drive around at my leisure. Best part is the whole deal involved relatively minor repairs not costing me all that much.

Okay, I know when I have vehicle problems, they tend to be this time of year. A couple years ago, I believe, it was radiator issues seriously cutting engine power. Well, this time I'm coming back from getting a treat at Dairy Queen and my truck dies. Didn't even sputter to death, just cut out. Stranger still, the hazard lights only seemed to be working on the left side - I thought that might be a bad bulb, but it was front, back, and inside dashboard display. Coupled with some oddities about a week ago (that hadn't recurred), I assume some sort of electrical problem at the least, though I don't know if that would kill an engine like that. Towing insurance? Good. Waiting an hour instead of the estimated half that to get towed? Not so fun in this cold, but I had enough layers that it was unpleasant rather than serious. Ah well... we'll see what the shop has to say this time.

Hilarious. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xciuYTeu4Qc Edit: Also quite good, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yw0V33_hgr0 (and it's all slydyr 's fault that I have this link)

I know the Christmas season "officially" starts after Thanksgiving (though stores insist on advertising earlier), but sheesh. I woke up this morning to the first snowfall of this season. I am, however, thankful for the day. With school out and so many people taking the day off work, the roads were all but empty as I drove in. If I have to drive in snow (and clear a good six or more inches of snow off my truck), I much prefer to do so without traffic.

Beowulf : Interesting movie. Excellent CGI - the faces are getting particularly good, though liquid and sometimes movement still come across as very artificial. The story is changed some from the source material, but I think I have a preference for this particular twist as it makes the monsters less "just there." I'm surprised, however, that it is PG-13. There's a lot of sexual references, a fair amount of nudity (though without actually revealing "bits"), and gobs of violence. I can't help but think they couldn't have gotten away with that rating using live actors for the same things. Why is everyone surprised (or outright disbelieving) when I mention that Arizona Green Tea (and green tea in general) contains caffeine? It's not loaded like some drinks, but shouldn't the "decaffeinated" version for sale usually right next to the regular would be a tip off? I had a chance to look at the second edition Exalted rules recently. Arg...

Typical. I give voice to my feelings and end up hurting someone, thereby feeling bad in turn. Maybe "honesty is the best policy," but it sure can be a painful path to take. And now I get to walk on eggshells around work to boot. So, a little request. The next time you feel the urge to say "go for it!" to me as far as a relationship goes, give some serious, serious thought to refraining from that impulse.