Archive for February 12, 2009

Some games grow on you this one doesn’t

Posted: February 12, 2009 by datechguy in fun, gaming, tech
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I was very excited when the new colonization game came out. I remembered the old one fondly, loved the music and wasted much too much time playing it.

When the new one came out I liked the graphics, using the Civilization system seemed to work and the promotion system was an improvement.

However after a few months I find that it just isn’t fun anymore. We played it this week at game night and it was interesting to play for a while, particularly as a competitive game but without that competition it just is dull. I’m very surprised that I’m so bored with it but that’s the way it is.

Give me the old DOS version any day.

Do not forsake me o Obama (Arthur v Carter)

Posted: February 12, 2009 by datechguy in arthur vs carter
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No particular action for the Arthur vs carter watch at the moment but at Big Hollywood there is an excellent article on the subject comparing the decisions the president will need to make with that of Marshall Will Kane in High Noon:

It’s 11:57 in Hadleyville. The movie is “High Noon.” Marshall Will Kane (Gary Cooper) seals an envelope containing his last will and testament. He writes, “To be opened in the event of my death,” on its front panel. A train carrying a freed murderer, Frank Miller, who wants to gun Kane down will arrive in just three minutes. Marshall Kane has been abandoned by everyone. All that he believed is tarnished. He stands alone without a badge, with only his conscience. His new bride, the church, the state, old friends and allies have all turned their backs…

…Winter, 2009, Washington, D.C. It is 11:57 once again. Our new President, Barack Obama, must now choose how he will lead us in our continued response to the menace of Islamic terror. Will he appease the pacifists who believe the road to peace is paved with inane bumper stickers, humane treatment of savage killers, and good intentions? Will we capitulate to a world view which celebrates terrorist regimes while demanding that our true democratic allies in the war on terror, who have defended themselves, be tried for war crimes? Or, will he lead us to choose darkness and evil? Will he allow his new attorney general, Eric Holder, a man who orchestrated the release of convicted Puerto Rican terrorists, to prosecute the very people who have risked their lives to successfully protect us these last eight years? Or will President Obama lead us to stand tall and fight, choose light and life?

Economy or no this will be the question of this presidency that I care about. To get an idea of the tension the scene below from the movie says it all.

So much for the bookmakers

Posted: February 12, 2009 by datechguy in doctor who, fun
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As a reward for his Full scholarship and fees package that he got I cleaned out my oldest’s folder at That’s Entertainment today. Looking though the stuff there were several back issues of Doctor Who Magazine. The December issue has the following to say concerning the soon to be replaced 10th doctor:

At the time of going to press on October 30th bookies Paddy Power made Paterson Joseph their 3-1 favorite. With Christmas Special Star David Morrissey close behind at 5-1.

The odds list included John Simm (8-1), Russell Tovey (10-1), Anthony Head (10-1), Harry Lloyd (18-1), John Barrowman (33-1), Marc Warren (33-1), Dean Lennox (50-1), Richard E. Grant (14-1), Hugh Grant (100-1), James Nesbitt (6-1), Robert Carlyle (14-1), Jason Statham (18-1), Aidan Gillen (18-1) , Ben Whishaw (20-1), Julian Walsh (20-1), Nigel Harman (20-1), Bill Nighy (25-1), Stephen Fry (25-1) he would have been pretty good I think, Chiwetel Ejiofor (25-1), David Suchet (33-1), Paul Bettany (33-1) he’s more of a Master type to me, Joel Beckett (40-1), Christopher Villers (66-1) Ricky Gervais (80-1), Vinnie Jones (100-1), Robbie Williams (150-1).

Cripes the return of the 9th doctor Christopher Eccleston was even given 40-1 odds but nobody at all had Matt Smith on their radar.

Those guys much must have made a fortune.

Two more votes for Plan A

Posted: February 12, 2009 by datechguy in Blame Bush, opinion/news
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There are two new votes for my economic plan A today. One (via glenn) is from Philip Greenspun’s blog:

What did these guys want the government to do? Nothing, basically. “Back in the 19th Century, there were a lot of steep crashes, guys got wiped out, and the economy came back quickly.” What’s different now? The government is a lot bigger and more powerful. Rich companies and people can put some of their wealth into lobbying and demand that the government prevent them from getting wiped out (or at least slow the process).

Barack Obama promised on Monday not to rest as long as this economic downturn persisted. He promised to act decisively, change whatever had to be changed, spend whatever had to be spent. This is precisely what worries the investors to whom I spoke. They’d rather see the audacity of doing nothing.

The second comes from the news itself:

Sales at U.S. retailers unexpectedly halted a record six-month slide in January, an advance that may not be sustained as job losses climb.

The 1 percent increase followed a 3 percent drop the prior month, the Commerce Department said today in Washington. Excluding cars, the gain was 0.9 percent. Last month’s rise reflected higher gasoline prices and more spending on items including clothing and food.

Perhaps our democratic friends don’t want to risk a recovery that they can’t take credit for. If they can postpone it for say 18 months it might look really pretty come election time.

Even worse if it comes too fast then someone might think to Blame Bush for it!

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