Friday, April 30, 2010
Supreme Commander 2
The story begins 25 years after the end of SC: Forged Alliance, the expansion of Supreme Commander, where the UEF, Cybran Nation and the Aeon Illuminate have formed an alliance. The story really revolves around the breakdown of that alliance, but in the end you will find out that all is saved. The campaign follows a chronological order, beginning with the missions of the UEF, then the Aeon and ending with the Cybrans. In the effort to connect the players with the main characters, they added personal histories and experiences to those characters. While it adds a little RPG into the game, but that all it does. Now the main characters, you will fight with their ACU and with them sitting in it. The main’s are Thalia Kael, who works for the Aeon, Ivan Brackman, is on the Cybran side, and last but not least the UEF commander Dominic Maddox. Throughout the game you will encounter a commander named Gauge. He’s the bad guy that tries to ruin the fragile alliance between the major factions.
A lot of gameplay features of SC are also present in SC 2. Like in SC every shell, missile or bomb fired never hits the same location. Again mass and energy are your main resources. Although this time they did things different and that’s not positive. You know get a steady income of mass and energy units instead of a stream. With this I mean that before you can construct a unit, you have to get a number of mass and energy. Where in SC you could queue a large number of units without looking at your economy, now you are forced to save units of mass and energy. My opinion is that this is a step down. It was an art in SC to get your economy stable and now you get a income system that has been made casual.
The maps in SC2 are smaller than the previous game. Instead of big maps we got maps that look great when you zoom out. Zoom in and you get a bit disappointed. To me, the maps feel empty.
Over to the units. In SC2 they threw away the concept of having T1/2/3 units and went to having a few basic units and more experimental units. Unlocking some basic units and experimental’s forces you to do research. This accounts for a lot of structures too. With research you can upgrade your basic units and structures, so they can do more damage, have more combat capabilities or are better protected. But for you to research something you have to amass research points. And to get them you need to build research centers. Very original, but let’s move on. To build your experimental units you first have to build gantries, for land and air experimental’s. Naval versions are build on water without gantry. Another thing they did was optimizing how your units merge into formation. A thing that I appreciate, because in SC you would see your units bumping against each other, eventually forming together in a sort of formation.
Well I really don’t have anything else to say about this game. I really liked the first one and waited long time to finally play this game. Now I have played it, I really think they took a step back. The maps are smaller, you have fewer units and the economy is messed up. But I wouldn’t say that it’s a bad game, it’s just a step back from a good game.
Purple Cow Transforming Your Business By Being Remarkable by Seth Godin
Purple Cow Transforming Your Business By Being Remarkable by Seth Godin
Seth Godin is a motivational speaker about business. His focus is on marketing goods and services. He does not just talk about marketing; he also has created a social network, Squidoo http://www.squidoo.com as well as a very popular blog http://www.sethgodin.com . His focus is on being exceptional and different. He is the most popular marketing blogger on the internet.
In his words, a "purple cow" is a remarkable thing to see. Of course, it is also a Mother Goose nursery rhyme which many people remember as well from their childhood, "I never saw a purple cow, I hope, I never see one, but I'd rather see than be one."
Mr. Godin combines an ethic of showmanship with a very straightforward style. The message is easy to follow in this book; produce a remarkable unique product, find the early adopters who will sell your product by word of mouth, and try and create a strategy that others have a hard time following.
He urges people to take risks, because people are no longer paying attention to the tried and true methods of advertising. Television and radio do not catch peoples attention as easily. Most everyones basic wants and needs have been met. You must create a unique message with strong knowledge of what you are selling. His statements are quite compelling. They sound like common sense.
Seth Godin's examples are of newer companies; Starbucks, Krispy Kreme, Jet Blue, Ben and Jerry's, Apple Computer, Google, and Yahoo. His pitch seems to come right out of new media.
He consistently combines design with marketing. If you look at the cover of the book, Purple Cow, it is bright purple with white splotches and a picture of a cow on the front of the book. The book itself is well laid out with black and white pictures and very simple charts. There is a list of very prominent companies in the back of the book which would appeal to most business people.
This book is entertaining, focused, well designed, full of snappy writing, and not boring.
Daily Thoughts 4/30/2010
Seth Godin, the author of Purple Cow, the book I am currently reading.
Daily Thoughts 4/30/2010
This is an article on self publishing in the New York Times http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/02/magazine/02FOB-medium-t.html?ref=technology It is kind of interesting. Some of our staff members have written books with Author House which is kind of interesting. The results in trade paperback form are about on par with many big publishing houses. http://www.authorhouse.com
The Friday Flashback
Watch more Yahoo! Music videos on AOL Video
Hope you all have a great day & weekend!
Studying
However for me it's OK, because the sooner I'm finished, the sooner I can feel free to enjoy the rest of the day with lovely friends. ♥
Thursday, April 29, 2010
I'm a smart girl...
But besides this "Sandra-clicking-on-a-random-button-before-realizing-her-mistake" incident, the day has been pretty good. The sun was shining almost the entire day, so I decided to have a coffee date/lunch with my precious sister at Café Linné Hörnan.
I had a brownie with vanilla ice-cream; it is really good...if you're in to chocolate that is! ^^
Daily Thoughts 4/29/2010
Intermediate commentator notes "the truck appears to be an electric and has solid tires."
Daily Thoughts 4/29/2010
I am looking at two books, What To Do When The Economy Sucks by Peter Sander and Bill McKibben Eaarth. This is about some changes which may be coming in how we live because of global warming. He is talking about how disasters like Katrina, rising oceans, and other things will effect us economically in our every day lives.
2010 Best Crime Novels from Booklist http://www.booklistonline.com/default.aspx?page=show_product&pid=4145591
I am reading Purple Cow by Seth Godin which is a book about marketing. Seth Godin is a very popular business writer. He is making the argument that to succeed in marketing a product these days you need to have a very unique product which will be taken up by early adopters and spread quickly. He is arguing that television does not work that well. I kind of agree with this, I rarely read television, and untargeted newspaper and magazine advertising are not read that much. It is surprisingly entertaining for a business book.
I also took some time to look through library recommendation lists for websites. Most of the ones I looked at have very few review sites for films, audiobooks, and games for libraries. They still are very book oriented. They even miss some of the genres completely like media tie ins or inspirational fiction.
Passion rail
Passion: The word itself evokes power, emotion, and a sense of pride.
It is the critical linchpin which binds leadership, inspiration, and ideas to actions which make a difference. It is the secret sauce which can not be taught, but can be found in every divinely inspired, beloved one of us. It connects us, and yet, it is most often the dividing force within our community.
"He/She is too loud, too confident, too proud... just plain ol' wrong, and I can't take it."
When passion rears its head, its power becomes known. It cannot be stifled, hidden or muted. Sustained with discipline, power is applied through a transmission of people to drive change, innovation, and progress.
The world fears change...thus we have learned to hide our passion within the walls of our heads, homes and indeed even our hearts. Touching the "passion rail" scares those who do the touching and those who are then touched.
My world is filled with fear, but my heart is filled with faith, fueled by the passion...The story of a love which transcends all of our inadequacies.
My personal passion frees me to lead, to change, and to evoke and encourage passion in others.
--image credit: Sandia National Laboratory
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Sandra Bullock files for divorce
Jesse James issued this statement...
"My whole life has been full of hard decisions.
"The decision to let my wife end our marriage, and continue the adoption of Louis on her own, has been the hardest. The love I have for Louis cannot be put to words. Not having him around to love and to hold has left a huge hole in my heart.
"Sandy is the love of my life, but considering the pain and devastation I have caused her, it would be selfish to not let her go. Right now it is time for me to beat this addiction that has taken two of the things I love the most in life.
"I have always taken great pride in proving people wrong. That time has come once again to show that I am not what everyone says I am. I know in my heart that I can be the best father possible to my four children, and the mate Sandy deserves, and realize that this is an incredible mountain to climb. But I believe that the steps I have taken in the last 30 days are the foundation for making this happen. The lifelong commitment I am making is what being a real husband and father is all about.
"I ask that you please do not judge Sandy for the things I have done. She has done no wrong. She played no part in any of this. She has been an amazing wife, mother, and best friend, for the over 6 years we have been together."
Bob Out
Hump Day Hunk(Keith Urban)
Daily Thoughts 4/28/2010
Daily Thoughts 4/28/2010
I finished reading What Distant Deeps by David Drake. It is basically an advanced reading copy. The book like most books in galley form had a few spelling mistakes, but was fairly polished. There were a few things I might have changed here and there, but it was an entertaining read.I also read Live Free or Die which I really can't recommend. I think John Ringo does a better job as an action writer than a humor writer. I liked his Posleen stories better than this. He is also drawing from the webcomic, Schlock Mercenary which I like a lot http://www.schlockmercenary.com . I would rather read Schlock than Live Free or Die.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
The Morph-mobile
But better, we have freedom other writers don't have. We can screw up, and our editor will go, "did you mean to put a weasel in your underpants?"
I mean, for most people, that's a screw up, but for a humor writer not necessarily so. The editor has does some hand-wringing, thinking, "there must be something funny about this that I'm not getting."
How liberating, huh?
Case in point. With my first book, "The Adventures of Guy ... written by a guy (probably)," there's a point in which my characters jump in an SUV and go off to battle telemarketers. But later on, I described the same vehicle as a mini-van. Later, it was an SUV again.
So my editor sends me a hesitantly phrased email asking, "Was this an 'oops', or is this the incredible morphing vehicle?"
I love putting doubt in my editor like this!
Anyway, yeah, it was a screw up, so I'm glad I had a sharp-eyed editor.
So when you're off writing your gut wrenching love stories, or twisty-turnie mysteries or whatever it is you write other than humor, remember ...
... we humor writers are laughing at you.
Norm
Get yourself some Fang Face today! $2.99 on ebook! A bit more expensive on paper, but worth it. Just go to my website www.normcowie.com, and follow the instructions.
Ina Garten's Rugalah
8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2-pound unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/4 cup granulated sugar plus 9 tablespoons
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3/4 cup raisins
1 cup walnuts, finely chopped
1/2 cup apricot preserves, pureed in a food processor
1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon milk, for egg wash
Directions:
Cream the cheese and butter in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until light. Add 1/4 cup granulated sugar, the salt, and vanilla. With the mixer on low speed, add the flour and mix until just combined. Dump the dough out onto a well-floured board and roll it into a ball. Cut the ball in quarters, wrap each piece in plastic, and refrigerate for 1 hour.
To make the filling, combine 6 tablespoons of granulated sugar, the brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, the raisins, and walnuts.
On a well-floured board, roll each ball of dough into a 9-inch circle. Spread the dough with 2 tablespoons apricot preserves and sprinkle with 1/2 cup of the filling. Press the filling lightly into the dough. Cut the circle into 12 equal wedges—cutting the whole circle in quarters, then each quarter into thirds. Starting with the wide edge, roll up each wedge.
Place the cookies, points tucked under, on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Chill for 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Brush each cookie with the egg wash. Combine 3 tablespoons granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon and sprinkle on the cookies.
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until lightly browned. Remove to a wire rack and let cool.
Bewinged Jungle Beasts
If so, then the most awesome vehicle would have to be a Curtiss P-40. This WWII fighter plane was instrumental in the operations of the Flying Tigers, an American volunteer group that defended China. In 7th grade my friend and I did a documentary on the Flying Tigers (my great-great uncle was one), and learned a lot about the P-40s in the meantime.
The reason I think the P-40s are so awesome is the fact that they were able to be awesome against a ton of odds. The P-40s couldn't match the maneuverability of the opposing aircraft and there was a severe lack of spare parts, so repairs had to be made constantly. Despite these and other issues, the P-40s were the pride of the Tigers-- they even painted Tiger mouths on their planes.
After spending a year researching and presenting about them, I definitely think P-40s are pretty awesome vehicles.
Kieryn www.kierynnicolas.com www.kierynnicolas.blogspot.com RAIN print preorders are available!
Tuesday Tidbits
I just checked my Google analytics and since I started this blog last September I've had almost 1100 unique visitors. However, I only know a few of you. Thanks for checking out my blog. When you stop by, say hi.
I am loving the weather this week. The temps here in Atlanta are in the high 60's and low 70's. That is perfect to me. Once it gets above 80 degrees I am done. That is just too hot for me unless I'm on a beach somewhere.
I tried making homemade mozzarella this past weekend. My friend, Bunny bought a kit that was supposed to make cheesemaking easy. NOT!
Daily Thoughts 4/27/2010
Daily Thoughts 4/27/2010
The system has provided us with a content management system called Book Letters http://bookletters.com/ , that allows us to create newsletters, add widgets, and add material recommendations to our website. I am hoping that it will be interesting and useful. We also have been working on revamping our website which should be a big improvement.
I am reading an E-ARC from Baen Publishers called What Distant Deeps by David Drake. It is part of the Lieutenant Leary Commanding series. It is also the second ebook which I have ever purchased. It is not the completely edited text, but I like the series enough to read it early.
GTA: Vice City
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City is the second game in the GTA III era. Although it was released after Grand Theft Auto III, it was set 15 years earlier. The game was released in 2002 for the PS2 and later on the PC and Xbox version were released in 2003 and 2004.
GTA Vice City is set in Vice City, Florida in 1986, and concerns the exploits of protagonist Tommy Vercetti as he rises to Vice City's major criminal power. And this time the character talks, hooray!
Having just made it back onto the streets of Liberty City after a long stretch in maximum security, Tommy Vercetti is sent to Vice City by his old boss, Sonny Forelli. They were understandably nervous about his re-appearance in Liberty City, so a trip down south seemed like a good idea. But all does not go smoothly upon his arrival in the glamorous metropolis of Vice City. He's set up and is left with no money and no merchandise. Sonny wants his money back, but the biker gangs, Cuban gangsters, and corrupt politicians stand in his way. Most of Vice City seems to want Tommy dead. His only answer is to fight back and take over the city himself.
A significant influence on GTA Vice City is the 1983 film Scarface, starring Al Pacino. Several in-game locations, such as the mansion that becomes Vercetti Estate, are obviously styled after locations featured in the movie. Elsewhere in the city, there is a hidden apartment containing a chainsaw within a blood-stained bathroom, a nod to Scarface's infamous chainsaw torture scene; and the Mr. Vercetti outfit strongly resembles an outfit worn by Pacino's character. Even Tommy Vercetti himself takes many character and lifestyle traits from Tony Montana, specifically his short temper and heavy dealings in the cocaine trade.
When you're playing this game it really feels like you're back in the 80's again. That's mostly because of the in-game radio stations, because you'll hear lots of 80's classics when traveling in Vice City. There has been put a lot of effort in those radio stations, because they all have a playtime of at least 45 minutes and there are nine radio stations in the game. You can also add your own music to the game if you don't want to listen to the in-game music.
If you've played GTA III you'll recognize most of the cars that are driving around town, but there are also some new cars. You're also able to take a boat and a helicopter, which is new. Another new feature is that you can now buy properties where you can save your progress. There are also some companies that you can buy, such as Kaufman Cabs and Sunshine Auto's.
You can play additional side missions for Kaufman Cabs and find cars for Sunshine Auto's. When you try to find these cars you'll recognize the same phenomenon as in GTA III: It's hard to find those specific cars but after you found one it'll appear a dozen times before delivering it.
I played this game on PS2 and PC, and I have to say that the PS2 version has better graphics than the PC version. The PC version also has a short draw distance, but I'm not really sure if I have to blame my PC for that or the game itself.
I really love this game, I often find myself laughing about the same radio joke over and over again, the game never gets old. I've played this game more than any other GTA game, I like it even more than GTA IV. You've never played this game before? Just buy it, you'll see how great it is.
A Big Beady-Eyed Bird
Monday, April 26, 2010
The drag race is over
Gentlemen, Start your engines
I am so addicted to RuPaul's drag race! If you guys are not watching it, you better
Daily Thoughts 4/26/2010
Daily Thoughts 4/25/2010
Publishing 3.0 A World Without Inventory http://ereads.com/2010/04/publishing-3-0-a-world-without-inventory.html . This is an interesting phenomenon. We can view print on demand as a reaction against physical inventory in bookstores. It is a way to limit returns. It is also a way to limit what gets printed. The number of titles which we order at our library which get cancelled has increased. If there are not enough copies for a particulr item ordered, the item gets cancelled. This has some benefits; we are less likely to get a book which no one will read.
However, not everything we order is based on circulation. There are prize winning books, or extremely well reviewed books which have literary quality which may be advertised, but not have enough demand from the warehouse. This brings up the question of how a publishers deals with very small runs in a print on demand system. With something like the Espresso Book Machine, it is very easy to print a single copy, but is that single copy economical. Do you have print on demand for small distribution houses like Small Press Distributors. http://www.spdbooks.org/Default.aspx
The other issue is the view about libraries. Libraries are even more of a warehouse for books and older materials than bookstores. We have far fewer returns than bookstores. We also store far more books for a much longer period. As print on demand increases will there be more demand for older books in libraries because they will be uneconomical to print for print on demand systems. Being careful with weeding and preservation will become even more important because of this.
Ebooks are another story. There are all sorts of issues surrounding ebooks in libraries. It is very easy to recommend free ebooks in a library setting. Many of the classics which are not available in the library are easily available as ebooks. We also subscribe to ebooks as part of our library system. The interesting thing about ebooks is that you can download them from any location with a library card and an internet connection. They do reduce inventory, but they limit access in some cases requiring specific devices. You might say, they exacerbate the digital divide. Making ebooks usable on any device, I think, is better for libraries.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Good morning
Chuck Klosterman Eating The Dinosaur
Chuck Klosterman Eating The Dinosaur
Chuck Klosterman writes novels and journalism. This book is a collection of essays focused on popular culture. It has a slight edge to it, a kind of independent feeling you might associate with independent rock or independent bookstores. I had heard comparisons between Chuck Klosterman and Hunter S. Thompson, but it really does not feel that way. There is no sense of outlaw violence or danger in reading Chuck Klosterman's writing.
The essays are very self reflective and can seem a little overwrought at times. Even so, I can identify with what the author is writing about. The topics he is writing about, alternative rock, sports, film making, and popular culture seem to be aimed at men in the age range of twenty to forty. There is a bit of humor thrown in. I especially liked his chapters on why he hates television laugh tracks and why time travel movies got it all wrong.
To understand some sections, of his writing you have to be familiar with pop culture. He makes statements like Details magazine was the best interview magazine from the 1980s. This can be silly sometimes. He also refers to major rock bands like Curt Cobain and Cheryl Crow. I can almost picture his ideal reader as being a thirty year old man who listens to Garth Brooks, watches the Super Bowl, and likes to watch PBS documentaries.
He is especially good at picking out interesting and eccentric figures in popular culture. I liked reading about Errol Morris, the most prominent American documentary film maker. If you look in the index it looks like he picked names out of popular culture dictionary running from Paula Abdul to Tom Wolfe.
This was a relaxing read; a way to spend an afternoon letting your mind wander.
An 80s fasion flashback
I am a child of the 80s.
I grew up watching MTV, with all the hair bands, skinny jeans, and wild accessories. Van Halen, Michael Jackson, Madonna, and Cyndi Lauper.
When people say that "history repeats itself," it's true.
Walking through some department stores the other day, I saw skinny jeans, patterned vests, and wild accessories. I saw a girl who looked like a carbon copy of Cyndi Lauper.
Pity MTV doesn't play music anymore.
~*~
Heather S. Ingemar has loved to play with words since she was little, and it wasn’t long until she started writing her own stories. Termed “a little odd” by her peers, she took great delight in exploring tales with a gothic flair, and to this day, Edgar Allan Poe continues to be her literary hero. To learn more, please visit: http://ingemarwrites.wordpress.com/ or follow her on Twitter: http://twitter.com/heatheringemar
Buy a story (or two or three): Heather Ingemar on Echelon Direct
Daily Thoughts 4/25/2010
Daily Thoughts 4/25/2010
Today has been a quiet day. I wrote my review of Eating the Dinosaur in the laundromat.