On Offices

This'll be brief, both because it's simple and that I need to stop procrastinating.

I watched an episode of The Office and House tonight, and I loved them both so much that I had to share...

http://www.hulu.com/watch/192863/the-office-wuphfcom

This one is jam-packed with both humor, including classic pranks, and the precious, serious, commanding moments of Michael.

http://www.hulu.com/watch/191198/house-office-politics

This one introduces a new character who might? become a regular. I don't really know. What I do know is that her qualms with ethics and lying are right up my ally, and it's like seeing two parts of me argue. It certainly helps that it's taking place on one of my favorite shows, too. I'm hoping to learn something from this.

Further on Space Cowboys

I have to really try to keep focus when writing M2G2. "The Pillows" article shows that the most, where I go from video games about music to music to anime and back around again. I often have to take a step back (while sitting?) and say, "This is on a video game website." Too often I start feeling like I'm writing a blog entry here.

(Strangely, though, the one where I strayed the most was the one that got the most attention of all.) Go Tech!

Still, with all that in mind, I made a tough decision to not include a second image in my post today. It was so close to making a cool connection, a great point, and an intriguing thought, but it just wasn't working.

So I thought I'd throw it up here. The real shame is just that, when you put it with SMB and the rest of the article, it just doesn't sit well. You can't look at Spike and listen to "Swingtown" without feeling strange. He epitomizes the song "Space Cowboy", for sure, but contrasts with the more lubby-dubby.

It would work if the focus was inverted, if it was about the show and its influences.

In essence, Steve Miller Band provides one layer of Spike's character, but certainly not all of it. And this makes sense when paired with the fact that every episode of Cowboy Bebop is a different band, genre, theme, feel. But, again, my column isn't about comparing and contrasting anime.

...Heh, and he didn't work, either.

I'm sorry, Johnny...

I just can't do it. I just can't.

http://johnnyisakson.com/on-the-issues/social-values/

On NASCAR

A post I made on Reddit. I hope it gets some attention, because I think it's important.

With all the buzz from the rally, I have a question: does Jon Stewart the comedian conflict with Stewart the activist?

I've been having an argument with someone who's not a Jon Stewart fan or a fan of rally, about its purpose, significance, and political leaning. Beyond Yusuf and other things, one specific point that strikes true is Stewart's divided position in all this.

Stewart's statement at the end of the rally was heartfelt and a sentiment I feel many in the US share. Politics is divided, derisive, and distracting. Enough attack ads and hackery; stick to the important issues. Do it civilly. Do it for America, not for reelection.

But Stewart actively subverts this end with his show, to some extent. He made an excellent point in Crossfire[1] about the show's flaws, but so did the host critique The Daily Show. In essence, the argument was that important news shows on politics do not do their job of enlightening viewers to facts and politicians' positions on issues. The host countered with the same accusation towards The Daily Show. "Puppets making crank phone calls" and "comedy show" can't hold water forever, and especially not with increased activity on the activism front.

Stewart can't simultaneously pander to politicians on his show and "Fuck you"[2] everyone while keeping a straight face in that speech, can he? Even if it's comedy... Maybe the Obama interview was better, less pandery, though.[3]

I love this man, I really do, but there's a disconnect here. Is The Daily Show subverting John Stewart's pleas for political understanding?

Important links:

[1] Jon Stewart on Crossfire + Quotes from interview with John Kerry

[2] Relevant compilation

[3] Interview with Obama

On Digital Legos

The Minecraft server in which I've poured hours and hours into may be getting wiped for updates, corruption, the works. It's got me a little depressed.

I mean, I knew this game was in Alpha, and I read that Notch said not to get attached to what you build. But I think I did.

Or, at least, I didn't have the extreme fragility of the world in my mind when playing. I assumed, given the massive infrastructure and buildings around me (the bank, roads, abundant resources, gigantic castles, tiki statue) that this was built to last. Since I came in and bought the game a bit later than others, I assumed this had gone on long enough to be assured it would remain intact. Or, at least, be informed before it all came crashing down.

But now it might all be wiped. There are positives to this, of course: I can explore the world myself this time, claim my land, help build up communal areas. That's great; that's fine. But I'll have to recollect resources, too. And rebuild anything I liked. And, at this point, have nothing to show for all my previous time.

What would make this all okay would to be able to get on once more and record my creations. If that can't happen, at least I can remember what I did...

• Built a cozy wooden house on the shoreline
• Built underground water channels
• Created a farm outside my house
• Created an underground resource and storage center
• Built a large underground staircase with flowing water
• Started an underwater lake, but didn't finish
• Built a tree house; burnt it down
• Built a path from spawn to my house, under my house, and past it
• Built a cool structure out in the water that became the entrance to my mine
• Built a large Chess board over the water, with piece designs and a high view point

Of course, I have to wonder what the guys who made massive pyramids and floating fortresses are feeling right now. I guess a lot of my time is in resources that didn't have much to show for themselves yet.

The biggest thing I hope for is that this isn't a regular occurrence. I hope my interest in pure creativity isn't hindered by instability.