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I love The Thing. I put it right up there with Alien. The special effects, the characters and the music war absolutely great. The theme song for Halloween is very iconic. It's simple, yet brilliant!

I guess we can tell Walt isn't lurking anymore since he hasn't showed up to suck Michael Giacchino's wang excessively whilst calling us all stupid for not mentioning him.

Anyone try calling the Vault number? I’m at episode 6 now. There’s so many references and objects that give the nod to pop culture and games. The guys sitting in front of the television was such a Beavis and Butthead homage. Episode 7 starts out with Ponchorello, from Chips.

#1 I dunno, seems like a lot of gay men talk that way. Don't know if it's an affectation or maybe the result of too much estrogen affecting the vocal cords or what. There are gay men who don't talk that way. #2 happens all the time. Women do not stand a chance against men in sports, which is why men and women have separate sports events and teams. You'd never know it to watch the mainstream news, though, they all read the script they're given, and the script says it's okay for men to be in women's sports.

Right? That said... then there's this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdsVRegEJTA

Definitely a necessity. I've always wanted a canopy bed, myself.

I remember some radio station playing a new AC DC song made by AI. I could hear words and guitar riffs from all of their older songs. I wasn’t all that impressed with it.

yes and no. do I like the idea of being able to make a movie on my own at home? kinda. Do I like the idea of a hundred million bros making R-rated versions of Star Wars and jamming the internets up with endless terrible content? no. Am I a film classist? Probably. I'm with Hobbes in that I don't truly thing AI will ever be able to make anything GOOD on its own. It will always require human input for true creativity because it isn't true AI, it's machine learning collation based upon available models, meaning it's always going to be stealing from something a human made. Last year's writer's strike had as fighting the studios about not being allowed to replace writers with AI. We had a victory there, but the studios are doing it anyway. The problem is when the studios and the masses stop caring about innovation and originality and just want Star Wars for the billionth time, (but now as Steampunk!) it leaves working class people in the film industry out of a job. I can likely see myself using these tools to make a proof of concept for a movie to then present to others, but nothing will beat making an actual movies with real actors and artisans.

I got a $200 side sleepers pillow from The Company Store

I see these on my TikTok feed and they are pretty cool! However, I get the same feelings from AI as I do from knock off media like this. Some of it might be interesting, fun, or even good (like this). But at the end of the day there is a hollowness to it. Similarly, I recently learned of the new Netflix accent in which every syllable is pronounced so clear, there is no trace of an accent. I was finally able to understand why those campy Hallmark Christmas movies bother me. They are meant to be silly with generic characters, but because the characters are too perfect and (usually) do not have an accent that makes it hard for me not to not notice (kind of like in a movie set in the past where the teeth are pearly white--I can't stop looking at it).

Can you imagine the movies people will be able to make with AI in 5 or 10 years as the software gets better? It's gonna be crazy!

I'm supposed to hate AI for trying to take my job, but I love these sorts of things.

I have seen that one. The Droids and Obi-Wan were priceless. It's sort of like the old Buck Rodgers meets James Bond style.

Have you seen the Star Wars ones?

I guess things have died down a bit, probably thanks to the separation plan, but Q has still been down. I want this year over with. The control freak mom's daughter has also not been back at school, since spring break, so we are going on 2 weeks now. I have a feeling she is not coming back. I am clearing my calendar to attend their field trip to the Kangaroo Farm because I feel like I need to go so no one can accuse Q of something ridiculous. We signer up for a club's soccer tryouts kind of as a warmup/get out the nerves, but they ended up having such an overwhelming turnout that they are going to form 2 teams and now I have to take it seriously. She tried out for this club last year and I was convinced this was the right place for her because of what I've heard about the club culture (all good things, and they were moving to a new league that is less about the good old boys clubs and more about just letting any team play where they belong eithout their weird alliances). And then at tryouts the coach was weird. He walked up to Q because she was juggling very well and asked her what club she was from. She told him. It was apparently the wrong answer and he ignored her after that. I couldn't understand why this coach was completely ignoring her, despite playing pretty well and going all out. She had one rough moment when they paired them up for 3v3 and she got put with these girls who were absolutely terrible, but she did well otherwise. I was so proud of her. And then, no offer. We heard through the grapevine that they tried to poach as many girls as possible from a certain club, and now that club was unable to form a team because of it. Girls who played at that club and knew Q said that Q got screwed because she was a better player than some of the girls who got picked up. So we changed plans and went elsewhere. It really hurt Q and she was pretty embarrassed by being cut, she's never been straight cut by a club before. So I saw they were having tryouts and they are free, so I suggested what the heck let's just go so you can get the nerves out. The other tryouts aren't for another 2 weeks. However, now I am pretty sure she is going to get an offer this time. I actually sat in the car both nights and didn't watch because I'm tired of getting mad about adults ruining soccer for kids, but from the little I did see, Q held her own in the scrimmages and was working hard, which I was worried about because she's been so defeated lately. I encouraged her to play anywhere but defense, because she's small and honestly, defense just seems to be a crutch for her and doesn't use her best skills, so she doesnt really shine there (nor is she big, so she has to rely on all skill and not size). Personally I think she'd make a great defensive center mid because she's good at disruption and stopping counter attacks if her team doesn't hang her out to dry on 2v1 or 3v1 situations like her last team did. But she tried center mid, which I think is a good spot for her in general because of her first touch and passing skills, but its going to require more fitness if she stays there. I doubt she will make the first team because I was told that this club really emphasizes keeping teams together and protecting returning players, and it looked like most returned. The A team did really well last fall and played in the top division in the spring, which took them all over the state to play other top teams. Honestly, I'm not sure we want that anyway. I think she'd rather have shorter drives to games and a but of a break in the winter to ski. I'm good with that, too. I'm getting to the point where I'm getting a little more vocal about how none of these girls are going to play D1 soccer, and we all need to chill. As I used to say at my indoor soccer teams, D league is for Day Job. No one is going pro, so let's just have fun. If she doesn't make it, she's found out one of her former teammates is moving off her old A team because it's too much travel and just too much soccer. They are still figuring out coaches for next year over there for both A and B team. So she may want to play with them, but I'm waiting to see who the B team coach is first. Q wants to play with the A team girls because she likes them (and they are super nice girls), but the current coach is a no go, and I think it would be too much travel for her.

Yes, I saw that similarity to the scene on Jakku with Finn as well. Watched 3 more last night, so just the last one to go! It was way too late to squeeze it in yesterday!

So, I've been frustrated lately. My application package is getting great reviews. I'm told I am one of the strongest candidates my organization has, which has shocked the managament team. I'm trying to drive important, visionary work. Nothing is getting done unless I'm personally working on it. I've tried to set accountability measures up, and the simple fact is no one cares, and no money to make stuff happen out of thin air. While on vacation, my work bestie texted me about a job opening. I told her hell no. The reason she texted me is because this was my dream job 10 years ago. I asked the guy in the job if he would mentor me, and he told me no. He then started bad mouthing me to all the senior engineers. Finally someone asked my old boss if it was true that I was an idiot, and my boss stood up for me AND came to tell me what was being said behind my back. This guy had run multiple people out of their jobs, including a former mentor. They transferred, got laid off, you name it. He destroyed careers. I said screw it and joined my former mentor in his new organization. After a few years of being bored out of my mind, I went back to my old job, and looked that asshole straight in the eye and told him I was back. He looked legitimately terrified. A few years later COVID hit and he took a voluntary layoff package and retired. Last summer, we heard they were trying to hire him back and like 10 of us banded together and told our director how toxic and useless he was. The director actually listened and refused to listen to the VP who wanted him to hire him back. The VP responded by transferring him to work for her and forced him to hire him back. He's been back, bad mouthing everyone, and I have steadily avoided him. Everyone is furious. Well, I'm not sure if he's getting bored or what, but the VP decided she needs another one of him, and gave my organization a list of names. I was apparently the management team's first choice out of that list. I told them I'd love to take it but I have some serious concerns about working with that guy again, and that I needed the VP to trust me and not listen to this guy shit-talk me. I met with my new director who has my back and wants me to document ANYTHING this guy does. Since he is a consultant, he has to keep his nose clean and if I file a complaint of harassment, he is likely out. I was given discretion to keep my hybrid work schedule (I told them that summer was most of the issue, during the school year it is less of a problem). I am actually really excited about the new position. I've started attending meetings and this is a space that I am very comfortable in. My last role was what you would consider a stretch assignment because I am a mechanical engineer and it had a heavy software focus, which is not my strongest suit. I was never super comfortable there with all the jargon (and honestly I feel like some people were making shit up as they went and no one was calling them on it because they didn't know either). My last concern is my mentor. This was supposed to be his role. However, he's also a victim of this guy, and he's pissed off that VP in the past. He's also an introvert and doesn't like making a big stink. I told management they need to smooth it over with him a little bit because he IS getting screwed and pigeon-holed. He and I kept making eye contact at the office yesterday and he mouthed, "We will talk later," but he was swamped all day. I have a ton of respect for him and I want our working relationship to be intact. I don't think he's mad at me, but he should be mad at the situation. Also, I'm told my rival's application is not scoring well. He is a former manager who decided to return to engineering because he realized it was more cush and better paying. And because he thought he'd get this role no problem. Turns out that while he can fool management, the technical folks aren't fooled. His biggest ally also left, and with the new director, there's been a massive organizational shakeup, and it's been to my benefit. She is returning a lot of power to the workers and telling her management team to get their crap together, and asking why we do stupid things.

Maximus is VERY Finn. I thought this multiple times.

I finally got to sit down and watch the 1st two episodes. I'm enjoying it so far. I will say though, when our imposter Paladin showed up in Diamond City (the score board was seen when they entered), it felt very much like when Finn met Ray. I didn't hate on it. It was probably one of the funnier moments from that travesty of a trilogy. I'm hearing that Bethesda is going to give a free patch to Fallout 4, that will make the game 4K ready on the PS5 and Series X. Now to decide which console I need to get a copy for. I got rid of my PS4 version, after 100% completion.

Maybe now that AAA games have better writing, and we have adaptions that are actually good, Hollywood execs will stop thinking they need to completely rework games to adapt them. Last of Us was a 1:1 (ish) remake while Fallout was original but as true to game lore and design as possible. That's the way to go. Now lets manifest me getting to do Mass Effect.

Finished it! One of the better game adaptations. Between this, Last of Us and Twisted Metal, video game series are on a roll!

Watched the first 4 last night and enjoyed them a lot! They have nailed the world of the games so well. Looking forward to watching the rest!

I almost fell bad that I'm missing the Samoa Joe run as champion.

Well, I feel like I’m repeating myself. Neither of you have convinced me that I am mistaken. I don’t think I’m substantially misunderstanding either of you. If I keep restating your positions and saying that I think it’s wrong if what you want is what you want it’s only because you both keep restating your positions and saying that you think it’s right. There’s no way to know for sure short of President Biden changing his mind — I don’t have to ask myself why that hasn’t happened yet because I can see that it’d be bad for all directly involved (and, long-term, the US and the rest of the world too!) for that to happen so it makes sense he hasn’t! — or Netanyahu being assassinated. If either of those two things occur and it turns out the outcome is good I’ll be glad to eat my words. Although, I struggle to see either Netanyahu being assassinated or President Biden changing his mind actually happening. Neither is an absolute impossibility, of course. Somebody might kill Netanyahu. What would make President Biden change his mind? I don’t know. Maybe if Israel sinks the International Freedom Flotilla. Anything can happen.