I feel old. Very old. That I am tired is a given, and to be expected, so I won't try to act surprised. But I just feel old, burdened by responsibility larger than my mere 28 years. I understand my wife and I chose to have children early in our lives (most likely far earlier than many think we should have). I don't regret that, not for a minute. We love our children and our lives are far more rich because they are part of it. But our oldest is just in Kindergarten. There are only s...
Untitled VAPOR TRAILS By: Rush Year: 2002 Click here for the artists site After the 1996 release of 'Test for Echo' tragedy struck. Painful, personal losses in the life of drummer Neil Peart left the future of Rush uncertain. Alex Lifeson kept himself busy with some producing and his restaurant The Orbit Room. Geddy Lee released a solo album that helped to tide some of us over. And Neil rode his bike, trying to find some healing on the road. Faithful fans wa...
It's a double standard, and frankly I am sick of it. I am talking about dress codes. Yes, that's right. I am. Men of the world, unite! Throw off the ties that so egregiously weigh you down, decrease your respiratory rate, and just flap in a most absurd manner in the wind! Give those wingtips the boot and take your 17½-36-37 dress shirt and tell it where to go! Professional dress my foot. Just another chance for those XX people in the world to stick it to us XYers. The inequalit...
It's a double standard, and frankly I am sick of it. I am talking about dress codes. Yes, that's right. I am. Men of the world, unite! Throw off the ties that so egregiously weigh you down, decrease your respiratory rate, and just flap in a most absurd manner in the wind! Give those wingtips the boot and take your 17½-36-37 dress shirt and tell it where to go! Professional dress my foot. Just another chance for those XX people in the world to stick it to us XYers. The inequalit...
Saying that Real Life has been insane lately would be a bit of an understatement. Studying, lab responsibilities, family visiting, wife singing some concerts, and four children to care for. . . Interestingly, it is the oldest and the youngest that have required the most attention. The youngest simply because Big Al is only 7 weeks old. The oldest because she is old enough to make poor choices, and consequences follow. Sadly that has left the two middle ones, our very own Jess and Aub...
I completely missed season one. I was entirely disinterested. Caught some of the auditions of season two and found them quite funny, so we started watching. And our enjoyment of American Idol was born. We watched regularly all through season two, cheering on those we liked and agonizing over those who should have left the scene earlier. We enjoyed it, and didn’t feel embarrassed at all. It was fun, it was entertaining. We were excited for season three. It started, and we watch...
Untitled THE HUMAN EQUATION By: Ayreon Year: 2004 Click here for the artist's site Arjen Lucassen has built quite a reputation for himself in the realm of progressive rock/metal. Frequently called a genius by fans, the buildup on the net for the latest Ayreon release was nothing short of monumental. The release of names of some of the guest vocalists was stirring up quite a buzz, long before the album ever reached stores. And with good cause. As background fo...
As I have often professed, I love music. Following Dusk411's lead (and with her gracious permission) I decided I wanted to take that love of music, and my desire to improve my writing, and begin writing music reviews. So here, at The Prog Geek, I will be showcasing many albums, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses. Just one note, each review will have two scores. The first score is an attempt at an objective score, judging the album based on its own merits, and trying to leav...
On numerous occasions (when I used to frequent game forums) I often saw it said that gaming is a privilege, not a right. This was often pulled out when some infantile poster was whining about the price of games, that they couldn't afford the appropriate hardware, or when they talked about piracy. In those cases, sure, I agree. Gaming isn't a right that we all should have. I don't think we should just be able to download (for free) any game we want. And people whining about not being ...
" Often Guests forget their things Leave their hats, their coats and rings Other people leave their stains Leave their shadows leave their pains Some people leave their bones Some things you can't return " -- Devon Graves (Dead Soul Tribe) "Some Things you can't Return" We would like to think we are all individual, autonomous beings. We would like to think that what we does only affects us. We would like to believe that others have no power over us. We would like to. Bu...
There is no other way to put it. I have ADHD when it comes to customizing my desktop. I can't keep it the same way for more than a few days. Literally. I change my wallpaper, cursor, icons, WB, and OD+ settings at least 2-3 times a week. Even when I get a particularly sweet set up that I think I am going to like for at least a week, within a day or two it is changed. I need to take action and stop it. It bothers even me (hence I call it a disorder). But there are just so many grea...
I have a secret fear. Some might say it is a weakness, and I would tend to agree with them. Others often think I am making it up, and I often wish I was. I can be very self-defeating. As far back as my memory serves me this has been the case. Growing up I was never very athletic. I quit playing soccer at the age of 5 because I was afraid of the ball. I participated in PE in school, but didn't enjoy it. I just never felt comfortable. My self-esteem was always quite low. I could...
I have an incredibly active imagination. Some might say it is over-active, and while I don't think it is, I wouldn't argue with them over that point. As far back as my memory serves me this has been the case. It used to infuriate my father to no end. I could be sitting off, by myself, and still be waging intergalactic war against the most recent aliens that dared to attack us. Explosions, space ships, laser fire (yeah, I know lasers are silent!), and the ominous enemy all had their own...
Just dropped by Dreamtheater.net (looking forward to their new album!) and saw the press release for GIGANTOUR 2005. Heh, silly name, probably a silly tour. Then I looked at the bands. Megadeth, Dream Theater, Fear Factory, Dillinger Escape Plan, and Nevermore. Holy crap. Holy, stinking crap. With the exception of Fear Factory (I am not sufficiently familiar with them), those are some amazingly talented, rocking metal bands. Dave Mustaine, long maligned for getting the boot fro...
. . .and step away from the urinal! Spray, drippage, flush flings, all sorts of stuff flying around the bathroom. And someone thinks that would be a good place to eat? I just walked into the bathroom here by my office and there was a medical student, standing at the urinal, aiming with one hand, eating a donut with the other. And yes, he was eating. Not just holding it. Taking bites. While he peed. I don't think I would do that. Change that. I know I wouldn't do that. It is j...