The Trial of Mister Mori

Coheed and Cambria - Year Of The Black Rainbow Initial Thoughts

2010-05-07T22:50:00.000-05:00

Alternate Title: "Spending that $10.99 on Amazon was Totally Worth It"

It been some time since I've cared enough about an album to buy it. The last ones I purchased, those being the debut self-titled album by Ghost Hounds. That was a pretty decent album, but besides the songs that sold it for me--those songs being "Ashes To Fire" and "Wind Me Up"--the album itself was fairly underwhelming.

That was until today, when I happened to see that VEVO had linked me to a new video by Coheed and Cambria. I though about what this meant: the last album by C&C (*takes breathe*), Good Apollo I'm Burning Star IV: No World For Tomorrow (*wheeze*), was somewhat disappointing for me. It wasn't that it didn't sound terrific, it's just that it sounded like what would happen if the band tried to reconcile its Emo past with its Progressive Metal style of today... and that sounds as meh as you think.

Despite being whole-heartedly in agreement with Sturgeon's Law, I gave the link a click, for the first single off of the album, "He We Are Juggernaut". What follows is awesome.

This song completely blew me away. It's like Claudio and the rest of the band finally figured out what made Good Apollo Part One good: mixing awesome, heavy, complex rhythm and catchy (if sometimes nonsensical) lyrics. I decided to go with my gut instinct and buy the album.

I'd think of some snarky or clever remark, but my ears are crying in joy right now.

More to come soon.

Finally...

2010-05-03T06:11:00.003-05:00

I'm up a little to early today, so I thought I'd do something a little different today. Hopefully this won't be the end of posting... I've got a lot to post about this summer. Besides that, nothing to report. Finals are going to be brutal.

-Shawn

The Ballad of Carlos A.H.S.G., Day 1

2010-01-31T18:01:00.007-06:00

As per normal Sunday protocol, I went shopping for food for my dorm, this time with my friend Dan at Wal-Mart. I didn't expect to see thois when I got back:

This was not photoshop'd.

Dubbed "Carlos The Abbott Hall Snow Giant" by Ashcon--a guy on the first floor--this is probably the greatest snow man I have ever seen in my entire life. Complete with a broom, a trash can hat, a red cup nose, and Copenhagen mouth, this monster was constructed from the product of the first Carbondale snowstorm of the season (snow and boredom). We get fairly carried away with anything that breaks the ice.

Pun intended.

“Why did you do such a thing, you mediocre dunces?”

2010-01-28T15:27:00.005-06:00

Not much has happened recently. Classes have been going smoothly, so fortunately I can't report on epic fails in that regard. Too bad.

Conversely, in terms of internet shows and entertainment, many new and awesome things have been happening. TeamFourStar's new season of DBZ Abridged has debuted, with Episode 11 here.

Have you been having a good week too? Want to change that? Try watching BennetTheSage's most recent episodes of Masterpiece Fanfic Theater, in which he delves into the horror that is My Immortal.

Part 1:

Part 2:

I'm out of ideas for today. Sorry.

Instead, here's a picture of a nun punching a shark while a robot watches.

A Lot Of These Titles Have Nothing To Do With What I'm Writing

2010-01-23T00:10:00.006-06:00

I played Smash Bros. Brawl today with Steve. Apparently, I still whoop ass with Zelda, but not so much for being out of practice for a good three years. Also, Mario Kart Wii is a cruel, cruel game.

I recently took notice that one of my favorite online reviewer/comedians Brad Jones, aka The Cinema Snob, is now a part of Team TGWTG! His most recent video is posted down below, a look into the horror that is The Nudist Colony Of The Dead.

Good stuff.

Meanwhile, I eat Spaghetti O's. Om nom nom.

P.S.: Note to self... 384 x 301.

Can one person own too many dice?

2010-01-21T23:43:00.000-06:00

I like to think that isn't true.

Thanks to the check I received from the school roughly five months ago, I got a nice discount on my textbooks... sort of. The total came up to roughly $250 for this semester's books, which I can live with, even if they appear to have all been used extensively already. Hopefully, it will be worth it.

Nothing much is going on this week... wait, that's not true. I'm running the FIRST EVER SESSION of the Pathfinder RPG for the SIUC Gaming Club on Saturday, with a homebrew campaign I'm calling Final Fire: Kingsport. In theory, things will go well. In practice, I also tried GMing a d20 Modern Session once. So yeah.

One final thought before I nod off: I was thinking of my future computer, and a problem came up.

Above: A Problem

I thought about the cost of anti-spyware and anti-virus programs, and how they're, well, pretty high. I mean, I know I may have to drop $1k one the project, but I want to salvage every decent program I can. Worst case scenario, Kaspersky works well, so I may just stick with that. I just hope I have the funding in question as well... I'm going to start searching for work in spring, so I may be spared from the warehouse for at least one summer.

Everybody On Omegle Is Horny For Some Reason

2010-01-21T00:04:00.000-06:00

As it turns out, I'm not a horny girl with a cam.

While I'm still awake, I might as well say a few words for the blog. Today (or yesterday, at the time this entry) I helped Steve and his girlfriend Natascha move into her apartment from a really, really bad trailer park she'd initially tried to lease out. It's amazing what you can get for the same price...

Classes so far have been good; the most difficult, even this early, is Speech Communication 101. I knew that one day I'd have to take it, but I never thought I'd be making a career out of it. The world is a funny place.

Maybe not as funny as I thought.

The Ninties were TWENTY YEARS AGO.

2010-01-19T15:17:00.000-06:00

So now that I'm back in school with a whole new major, I might as well follow through and start keeping a steady blog schedule. Also note, however, that only one person reads this and I am an incredibly sad person for this.

Before coming back, I did manage to see the last great movies of the 00's, or whatever history will call the first decade of the 21st century. Films that come to mind include Up, Sherlock Holmes, Inglorious Basterds, and District 9.

Also, an update for my pet project, The Abridged Series Survival Guide. My mic got Chris Brown'd by the vacuum cleaner at home, which left me without a suitable recording device. I'm going to put this project on hold until circumstances permit me to try again.

She knows what I'm talking about.

In it's place, I'm looking into building the PC I've always wanted... my perusing of Amazon for parts and instruction from various online How-To guides leads me to believe that, for the time being, I can only do just that: research parts and building guides. I'll need between $700-$1000 to invest in this, but hopefully this machine will last much longer than the computers my family and I have bought from retail stores for so long. I'll need a steady job during summer to pay for all this, as well as budget the project with saving up for school.

So much to do, and so little time.

Speaking of sine bass, here's the latest sample remix from Australian DJ Pogo!

I Can't Come Up With Clever Titles All Of The Time

2009-12-13T15:05:00.000-06:00

DarkSideIncorporated hasn't gotten back to me about my pilot episdoe, so I'm going ahead an finding a different show to review. I've got Freeman's Mind on my--well--mind, since it's essentially an abridged video game play-through. I'll contact Accursed Farms to see what the creator says.

It's nearly the time to go back home for the holidays, and that will be so awesome. Christmas, a new year, my family and friends... so much to look forward to. I'll see you guys soon!

You lose! Good day, sir!

2009-12-08T14:27:00.000-06:00

Finals have everyone, including me, strained in studying and cramming, and going through the process of switching majors has only made it all that much hectic.

There was a video being featured today at the top of the YouTube home page, and I gave it a look. It was, to put it lightly, somewhat creepy and cool at the same time.

The MO of this video was to act as an intro to RE_, a channel dedicated to global warming information and propaganda. So yeah.

And since this is bound to come up:

1. I do not believe that global warming is as extreme as the media claims it to be. The Earth has been cooling down and heating up since day one.

However...

2. It would be idiotic to suggest that humans have not been a source of woe for this planet. Our track record in regards to care for our world's quality and cleanliness is horrific, at best. Just because we are making a smaller impact than otherwise stated doesn't mean we should go ahead and pollute our brains out.

I may be a futurist, but I'm also a realist. Comments like this:

"Zionist And Illuminati Corporate/Banking Elites Want To Reduce The Population, Taxing The Remaining Ones Within Their New Order Of Global Government. POWER TO THE RESISTANCE, PEOPLE." -MeGaDeThHeAd

...Make me yearn for the day I will finally be able to punch people through the internet.

What Has Been Seen Cannot Be Unseen

2009-12-02T01:18:00.000-06:00

Nothing much to comment on tonight, as it's been pretty uneventful.

Actually no, I take that back. I found this on a site I was browsing.

This is pretty much the scariest ad I've seen in my entire life.

This reminds me of the ending of Who Framed Rogger Rabbit?, where Christopher Lloyd's character revealed his character's nightmarish true face. Why mywebface.com? Are you TRYING to get me to see your product in my nightmares?

If so, mission accomplished.

Return To Azeroth, Part 1

2009-12-01T01:35:00.000-06:00

So my friend Steve gave me a WoW free trial with his Scroll of Resurrection about two weeks ago. It's been pretty cool so far... with the possible setback of not having any of the cash I had back when I played before. I started in familiar terrain, hunting kobolds...

Meet Morriana, Human Warrior.

"You all look like kobolds from up here!"

My journey went pretty well, despite the somewhat tedious nostalgia. I'm on the fence wether or not I'd actually want to play again, since when I asked Steve if he'd make a level 1 character to play with me, he said, "maybe."

A typical skirmish in Noobtown, Eastern Kingdoms.

I started out like all humans do in World of Warcraft: attacking poor, defenseless kobolds and wolves for profit and experience points. Our heroine, ladies and gentlemen. I then took a break from killing kobolds to take the train to Ironforge, to hang out with the dwarves and learn the ways of hitting things with big weapons.

Shake it, girl.

It wasn't until I got back from Ironforge that I discovered something in my mailbox in Stormwind. An egg? What could it be?

I definitely wasn't expecting Pen Pen from NGE.

With a new ally in my crusade for justice, I reembarked on my quest(s); with nothing left to do in Northshire Valley, I was on to Goldshire. I could barely remember what was in Goldshire when I went... I played a dwarf way back when, so this was somewhat unknown to me.

Apparently, leaping Tauren are not allowed in Goldshire.

Sergeant Bigticket of the Horde had himself some fun at the guards' expense for a while, but was eventually routed out of the area by a level 80 Mage that was passing by. All in all, so far so good.

"BUY A CAT OR I'LL CUT YOU!"

Stay tuned, imaginary viewers, for more.

It's waaaaay too late.

2009-11-30T01:20:00.000-06:00

I got back from Thanksgiving break and I'm settled back into my dorm room. Nothing much to report, but when has that ever stopped me?

"TALK TO THE HAND!"

So I was stupidclumsy enough to break Josh's Shining Gundam action figurine. I'm perusing Amazon for a new one, but I'm not sure whether or not to get him a model or another figure. His Gurren Mark 2 must be feeling lonely now that I've killed his friend's leg. I also want one for myself, but that's an afterthought as of right now.

Speaking of gifts, Paw of Team TGWTG PM'd me back with advice on what I should get for replacement headphones. He wrote:

"Honestly, I hate on-the-ear headphones so I would skip those you linked me. My main headphones are Bose QuietComfort 2s and they're pretty decent. Good for drowning out noise buy kinda pricey. My kick-around headphones are these I'll link you. They sound great, bass is good, and with the design they don't slip or get yanked out when you're walking. Cheap too! I have like.. 5 of these things."

The man knows what he's talking about. Check out his videos here. You won't regret it.

It's Time To Clean Housing

2009-11-19T22:41:00.000-06:00

Me and Steve are still considering our options for housing next year. Although I love Abbott, the second floor just isn't my thing. Steve said he had problems living on the first floor, but he didn't elaborate.

Meanwhile, I need to prioritize Friday. Not only do i need to finish packing up, but I need to finish my perishables, organize and clean my dorm, the whole nine yards. Hopefully this won't take me too long, as my train leaves at 3ish AM on Saturday. No sleep 'till Grayslake, it seems.

In other news, The Mashable Open Web Awards have begun their voting process. Be sure to vote for your favorites. TGWTG, Spoony, and LK FTW!

Stylin' for the Forces of Good

2009-11-18T17:02:00.000-06:00

I checked my mail today, and low and behold, my clothing from J!NX had arrived. My army green hoody is nice, but the t-shirts I bought are far better, as they support a great cause. The Powell Boys and Girls Club iCan shirts are brilliantly designed, and every penny J!NX receives from the sale of them goes directly to the club itself. Is there a better way to spend $15? I've yet to think up a way.

Anyway, I'm almost set to go home for Thanksgiving. In the mean time, I'll try to clean up my script a bit, though I haven't heard from ShadyVox of xthedarkone regarding permission to review their show yet. If this doesn't work, there are plenty of other fantastic abridged anime I can comment on.

EDIT: Oh yes, how could I forget. Never EVER piss off Dan Green.

Card Game School Is Serious Business.

2009-11-17T18:39:00.000-06:00

So I've decided to follow through and begin producing my idea of The Abridged Series Survival Guide, with the pilot episode featuring DarkSideIncorporated's Yu-Gi-Oh GX The Abridged Series, assuming ShadyVox and xthedarkone will allow me access their videos for production in the video. If not, the only setback I have is to entirely rewrite the script, which is sort of crap right now anyway, so no big loss.

It's not like my fifteen minutes of internet fame would even last fifteen minutes if this thing took off, so I wouldn't be butthurt if no one watched.

Of course, what post would be complete without a video to compliment it? Here's Linkara's review of Doom #1. Be sure to visit TGWTG.com for more great videos.

Speaking of David Bowie...

2009-11-17T14:34:00.000-06:00

Two in one day. Nice. Maybe more to come, considering the energy I have today!

The episode of The Venture Bros. that aired on Sunday was totally sweet, and probably the best one of Season 4 thus far. The clip below has a taste of what you've been missing, if you've been missing it. The latest episode is streaming on the Adult Swim website. It would behoove you to watch it.

Apparently, Kakashi is David Bowie

2009-11-17T12:40:00.000-06:00

So I found out today that this blog-o-phone thing is free to use. I decided to give it a shot.

In other news, I have learned that LittleKuriboh--famed creator of Yu-Gi-Oh The Abridged Series and mythical internet goliath--has recently begun to abridge an abridged series in the form of Naruto The Abridged Comedy Fandub Spoof Series Show. It's good stuff thus far, although it doesn't have quite the pizazz as LK's original series... but really, that's a quality that's incredibly hard to come by.

Looking to update my intorblag again soon. Until then, here's an embedded video of the second episode, since the first has been widely seen already (at least by people who care to read this entry).