tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52890286857369379192012-01-23T22:11:19.191-07:00Picketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16865606790701130326noreply@blogger.comBlogger372125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5289028685736937919.post-13481239662636787912012-01-23T22:11:00.001-07:002012-01-23T22:11:19.240-07:002012-01-23T22:11:19.240-07:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><p>This being the first time I've ever attempted classical Ukrainian poetry, I admit it was somewhat slow-going the first slog through, but nevertheless, I could feel the anger and the sadness of the work. If you'd like to read along or ahead, or even later, I found a decently poetic translation <a href="http://www.utoronto.ca/elul/English/248/Shevchenko-Kateryna-Skrypnyk-trans.pdf" title="Katerina translation" target="_blank">here [pdf]</a>.</p> <p>In it, a village girl falls in love with a <em>moskal',</em>&nbsp;a Russian soldier and symbol of the Russian empire. The girl, Katerina, frolics in the garden with this young man, and then he leaves. Later, she finds herself pregnant. Her family disowns her and her child, and she leaves the village, vowing never to return. She sets off in the general direction of Russia, hoping to find Ivan, the <em>moskal'</em>&nbsp;she once loved, the father of her child. After travelling through the storms of early winter, she finally catches up to Ivan who does not--or refuses--to recognize her, refuses his son, and rides off. Delirious with grief, Katerina abandons her son Ivas and drowns herself in a nearby <br />pond.</p> <p>Yeah, it's not a very uplifting one. But for good reason. First, a quick aside: when I told my friend Zabavka that I was taking a Ukrainian literature course this semester, she asked if I was doing modern stuff, or the classics. I told her that I was doing some of both. As much as text can groan, I sensed a groan in her reply. "Oh just skip the classics," she said. "Every one of them is so depressing." I laughed it off then, but after reading this poem I see her point. But the sadness isn't just for sadness' sake: at the time when it was written, Ukraine was ruled and basically enslaved by Tsarist Russia. Taras Shevchenko wrote this as a serf, living at the time in St Petersberg, and it is a reflection of and an outlet for his frustration with the state of Ukraine vis a vis its relation to Russia. The Ukrainian maid falls in love with the strong Russian soldier who uses her, knocks her up, then abandons her and her son twice over. The word that Shevchenko uses to describe how Ivan leaves in infant son in the road is <em>bayduzhe</em>, or indifferent. Russia tossed Ukraine out like spoiled food when it was done with her, then couldn't be bothered to care about the damage it had wrought.</p> <p>This is the first thing for this class I've read. I'm excited for the rest of it!</p> <div><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Katerina2" height="550" src="http://getfile1.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2012-01-23/uHBiABJAJItddGtaknEHGDtHsoJtzmDkGjuvoHxBGokbheutItCyAjxBhJbA/katerina2.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="414" /> </div> </div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://blog.nathanielray.com/reading-shevchenkos-katerina">BLOG.NATHANIELRAY</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5289028685736937919-1348123966263678791?l=thejhexp.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/LXve9xi7w74n1fBR27a7UcqdmWg/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/LXve9xi7w74n1fBR27a7UcqdmWg/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/LXve9xi7w74n1fBR27a7UcqdmWg/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/LXve9xi7w74n1fBR27a7UcqdmWg/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/LKPi/~4/Dc76nMfwAjI" height="1" width="1"/>Nathaniel Ray Picketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01277645216407095007noreply@blogger.com0http://thejhexp.blogspot.com/2012/01/reading-shevchenko-katerina.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5289028685736937919.post-87619548546045321162011-12-31T20:00:00.001-07:002011-12-31T20:00:05.959-07:002011-12-31T20:00:05.959-07:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><p>This SFW gallery is organized in the countdown style. It's also experimental; I've never tried posting gifs up using Posterous before that I can remember. You might have to click on them to pop them up into the viewer thing for them to play. Also, some of them are quite large and might take a couple seconds to load.</p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Zelda_just_friends" height="641" src="http://getfile2.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-12-30/yxHiucrsvIsmyhElacbGslcrqojidrijEgaEDgFEugqwGEuBGpHaaowIboaj/zelda_just_friends.gif.scaled500.gif" width="500" /> <a href="http://getfile0.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-12-30/DpGJagjgqwjIzpmipjrkuebbtplAziGpjanEhcurIFDbCdefBhrbsdfraAkp/pokecats.gif"><img alt="Pokecats" height="500" src="http://getfile4.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-12-30/DpGJagjgqwjIzpmipjrkuebbtplAziGpjanEhcurIFDbCdefBhrbsdfraAkp/pokecats.gif.scaled500.gif" width="500" /></a> <a href="http://getfile0.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-12-30/BoiwjyIfvevExCzrjfhFondFqBtxmnmcAsHvEiCphBFfAnHEnJAjqqwoviqG/nice.gif"><img alt="Nice" height="281" src="http://getfile2.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-12-30/BoiwjyIfvevExCzrjfhFondFqBtxmnmcAsHvEiCphBFfAnHEnJAjqqwoviqG/nice.gif.scaled500.gif" width="500" /></a> <img alt="Milk_boom" height="234" src="http://getfile5.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-12-30/kHBqsvygxBajjFiHhmgJblctxkqisfGpCcobBioAfBbJJgmuxhHCJggjpvts/milk_boom.gif" width="278" /> <img alt="Jurassic_chicks" height="298" src="http://getfile9.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-12-30/gsHeGjujbAoyBEttaxDdxDGIooHDhgwaofcFDxfyrjefojAuBkcCIGnygser/Jurassic_Chicks.gif" width="330" /> <img alt="Reaction_shot" height="216" src="http://getfile1.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-12-30/sAFlsgBnJcGqwomyFhmqAiAouebGaqGAjCoAiHmjtemEjjsthhbeeBcletGG/reaction_shot.gif" width="295" /> <img alt="Ugh" height="168" src="http://getfile3.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-12-30/jsujrsrffsCkuubqBteICCEhIBHizwADxDsGgyiuyGdCwiaEiuljpDJicFAg/ugh.gif" width="300" /> <img alt="Ja_nein" height="213" src="http://getfile5.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-12-30/mllJJIAzvwzkqkvvvuogidynpkpbnFcEilzxpFwJGBIgAeIehbEGFsIqeJts/ja_nein.gif.scaled500.gif" width="500" /> <img alt="Zomg" height="130" src="http://getfile2.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-12-30/jzyvBmtCEpxjuoreByboJpDyEkJJvCkizhwtAvgpfycsbCpuAEBIBmqwliic/zomg.gif" width="195" /> <img alt="Joff_slap" height="221" src="http://getfile8.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-12-30/apEEadkqdhdBGomlzmoDIsrvbIlakzamjbjphzsbImFfHtDyvjalkyIzrfsH/joff_slap.gif" width="393" /> <div class='p_see_full_gallery'><a href="http://blog.nathanielray.com/2011-top-ten-gifs">See the full gallery on Posterous</a></div> </div> </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://blog.nathanielray.com/2011-top-ten-gifs">BLOG.NATHANIELRAY</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5289028685736937919-8761954854604532116?l=thejhexp.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/qaY83BxruHfr4-giz8ciwGYxlQ4/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/qaY83BxruHfr4-giz8ciwGYxlQ4/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/qaY83BxruHfr4-giz8ciwGYxlQ4/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/qaY83BxruHfr4-giz8ciwGYxlQ4/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/LKPi/~4/MpKkpkDnP34" height="1" width="1"/>Nathaniel Ray Picketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01277645216407095007noreply@blogger.com0http://thejhexp.blogspot.com/2011/12/2011-top-ten-gifs.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5289028685736937919.post-86446540311975332172011-12-30T20:48:00.001-07:002011-12-30T20:48:23.469-07:002011-12-30T20:48:23.469-07:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://getfile6.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-12-30/xtIDHuDoDFHxkefBvmrFtdxasGEAHsHfypkkxddtieIwekvpEHCdAnsxhsGJ/Logo.png.scaled1000.png"><img alt="Logo" height="185" src="http://getfile3.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-12-30/xtIDHuDoDFHxkefBvmrFtdxasGEAHsHfypkkxddtieIwekvpEHCdAnsxhsGJ/Logo.png.scaled500.png" width="500" /></a> </div> </p> <p>Top 5 Videogames I Actually Played This Year:</p> <p>5. <strong>Terraria</strong></p> <p>4. <strong>Fallout: New Vegas</strong></p> <p>3. <strong>Uncharted: Drake's Fortune</strong></p> <p>2. <strong>Batman: Arkham Asylum</strong></p> <p>1. <strong>Saints Row the Third</strong></p> <p>Top 5 Videogames That Came Out This Year That I Will Be Enjoying Next Year When They Are Cheaper And/Or When I Have Time To Play Them (And Yes I Know It's Silly To Make A Top 5 Of Things I Haven't Experienced Yet):</p> <p>5. <strong>The Witcher 1 &amp; 2</strong></p> <p>4. <strong>Skyrim</strong></p> <p>3. <strong>Uncharted 2 &amp; 3</strong></p> <p>2. <strong>Deus Ex: Human Revolution</strong></p> <p>1. <strong>Portal 2</strong></p> <p>Other games of note:&nbsp;Dungeons of Dredmor, The Binding of Isaac, Bastion.</p> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://blog.nathanielray.com/2011-top-ten-games">BLOG.NATHANIELRAY</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5289028685736937919-8644654031197533217?l=thejhexp.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/y0K3V3Ahv4CWXAu75-O688RoX18/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/y0K3V3Ahv4CWXAu75-O688RoX18/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/y0K3V3Ahv4CWXAu75-O688RoX18/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/y0K3V3Ahv4CWXAu75-O688RoX18/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/LKPi/~4/ixHA7qluISA" height="1" width="1"/>Nathaniel Ray Picketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01277645216407095007noreply@blogger.com0http://thejhexp.blogspot.com/2011/12/2011-top-ten-games.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5289028685736937919.post-8999383107295227772011-12-15T21:25:00.001-07:002011-12-15T21:25:03.963-07:002011-12-15T21:25:03.963-07:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><p>10.<span style=""> </span><strong>1Q84</strong>* (Haruki Murakami)</p> <p><span style="">9</span>.<span style=""> </span><strong>Habibi</strong>* (Craig Thompson)</p> <p><span style="">8</span>.<span style=""> </span><strong>Ice Trilogy</strong> (Viktor Sorokin)</p> <p><span style="">7</span>.<span style=""> </span><strong>The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Black Dossier &amp; Century</strong> (Alan Moore)</p> <p><span style="">6</span>.<span style=""> </span><strong>Bloodlands </strong>(Timothy Snyder) [included even though Snyder's a total dick in real life]</p> <p><span style="">5</span>.<span style=""> </span><strong>The Slynx / Кыс</strong>&nbsp;(Tatyana Tolstaya)</p> <p><span style="">4</span>.<span style=""> </span><strong>Casanova: Luxuria &amp; Gula</strong> (Matt Fraction)</p> <p><span style="">3</span>.<span style=""> </span><strong>Snow Crash</strong> (Neal Stephenson)</p> <p><span style="">2</span>.<span style=""> </span><strong>Buddha's Little Finger /&nbsp;Чапаев и Пустота</strong> (Viktor Pelevin) [this also represents the 3 or 4 other books of his that I read this year, but this one is the best]</p> <p><span style="">1</span>.<span style=""> </span><strong>A Song of Ice and Fire: A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords</strong> (George R.R. Martin)</p> <p>*I have both of these books, and I plan to read them still this year (or at least start them), which is why they're at 9 &amp; 10.</p> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://blog.nathanielray.com/2011-top-ten-books">BLOG.NATHANIELRAY</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5289028685736937919-899938310729522777?l=thejhexp.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/crW1IXq4B2rtl3h97CXWWBz4_Vo/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/crW1IXq4B2rtl3h97CXWWBz4_Vo/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/crW1IXq4B2rtl3h97CXWWBz4_Vo/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/crW1IXq4B2rtl3h97CXWWBz4_Vo/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/LKPi/~4/CfN7gz2wCWU" height="1" width="1"/>Nathaniel Ray Picketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01277645216407095007noreply@blogger.com0http://thejhexp.blogspot.com/2011/12/2011-top-ten-books.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5289028685736937919.post-64826571149182428182011-12-14T22:33:00.001-07:002011-12-14T22:33:45.877-07:002011-12-14T22:33:45.877-07:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><p>Behold! The ten best tv shows I <em>watched</em> this year (even if they didn't come out this year).</p> <p><strong>10.<span style=""> </span><a href="http://www.buffyworld.com/">Buffy the Vampire Slayer</a> </strong>(The WB)</p> <p><strong><span style="">9</span>.<span style=""> </span><a href="http://www.fox.com/fringe/">Fringe</a> </strong>(Fox)</p> <p><strong><span style="">8</span>.<span style=""> </span></strong><strong><a href="http://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-it-crowd">The IT Crowd</a> </strong>(Channel 4)</p> <p><strong><span style="">7</span>.<span style=""> </span><a href="http://www.fxnetwork.com/shows/originals/archer/">Archer</a> </strong>(FX)</p> <p><strong><span style="">6</span>.<span style=""> </span><a href="http://www.hbo.com/bored-to-death/index.html">Bored to Death</a> </strong>(HBO)</p> <p><strong><span style="">5</span>.<span style=""> </span></strong><strong><a href="http://www.hbo.com/boardwalk-empire/index.html">Boardwalk Empire</a> </strong>(HBO)</p> <p><strong>4.<span style=""> </span></strong><strong><a href="http://www.nbc.com/parks-and-recreation/">Parks &amp; Recreation</a> </strong>(NBC)</p> <p><strong>3.<span style=""> </span></strong><strong><a href="http://www.nbc.com/community/">Community</a> </strong>(NBC)</p> <p><strong>2.<span style=""> </span><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/dw">Doctor Who</a> </strong>(BBC)</p> <p><strong>1.<span style=""> </span><a href="http://www.hbo.com/game-of-thrones/index.html">Game of Thrones</a>&nbsp;</strong>(HBO)</p> <p>Let's discuss in the comments!</p> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://blog.nathanielray.com/2011-top-ten-tv">BLOG.NATHANIELRAY</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5289028685736937919-6482657114918242818?l=thejhexp.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/vh-C3JNsgwy2ooGt8L_Ma3o1E94/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/vh-C3JNsgwy2ooGt8L_Ma3o1E94/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/vh-C3JNsgwy2ooGt8L_Ma3o1E94/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/vh-C3JNsgwy2ooGt8L_Ma3o1E94/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/LKPi/~4/UwxQsKCM4nA" height="1" width="1"/>Nathaniel Ray Picketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01277645216407095007noreply@blogger.com0http://thejhexp.blogspot.com/2011/12/2011-top-ten-tv.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5289028685736937919.post-1733461776674399442011-12-07T16:28:00.001-07:002011-12-07T16:28:54.796-07:002011-12-07T16:28:54.796-07:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><p>Well now. It seems like I've forgotten to lay out the entire month of November. Whoops. No matter, here is this week's haul.</p> <p><strong>Animal Man #4 and Swamp Thing #4</strong></p> <p>I'm lumping these two together this week for a couple of reasons. First, the thematic link between these two books--and the characters of Buddy Baker and Alec Holland--becomes explicit. Each are implicated as major warriors for their elemental powers versus The Rot. Second, the art in both of these books is <em>phenomenal</em>. Seriously. Both Paquette and Foreman are at the top of their respective games, and these two books once again have earned their top spot on my theoretical hierarchy of new-release comic books.</p> <p><strong>Stormwatch #4</strong></p> <p>The art in this book is fantastic as well. It always surprises me how much detail a skilled artist can fit onto one page. The rendering of the monster, of Apollo's crash-landing, and the emergence of the buried city are all jaw-droppingly stunning. The story, too, is alright, although I feel like I would have a better handle of what's going on if I had peeked back at the previous 3 issues of this rum and/or read any previous runs of Stormwatch. No doubt, though, this is one damn fine book.</p> <p><strong>Spaceman #2</strong></p> <p>(This book came out last week, but I didn't read it until today) I love the feel of the pulpy paper in this book. It lends itself to the story, itself pulpy, grainy, and decidedly non-glossy. The events of this issue make sense of the first one and provide more of a background to Orson's story and the future-world Azarello conjures. There's also a hint I feel to the forthcoming overarching plot that will tie this mini together, and that feeling is exciting.</p> <p><strong>The Defenders #1</strong></p> <p>I saved this one for last because it's the only Marvel entry into my monthly comics haul. Defenders was actually the only other Marvel book I remember buying monthly, back in 2005 or so. It's a team book, consisting of Dr Strange, Hulk, Silver Surfer, and Namor (usually) and here they toss in Red She Hulk (I guess that's her name?) and Iron Fist. I have no real opinion of Namor or RSH, but I do kind of like Hulk. Dr Strange I feel is a fascinating Marvel character. He is, in my limited knowledge of the Marvel universe, the only blatant magic-user. Other "magical" types are usually classified as mutants (like Scarlet Witch) and therefore have some sort of pseudo-scientific underpinning. Stephen Strange though, is a straight-up occultist (and a cad at that) and as such, a total black sheep. He reminds me a lot of many DC magic users, and I do love me some DC magic-types (Zatanna, Madame Xanadu, John Constantine--basically anyone in JL:D or the Shadowpact books). Silver Surfer was my most favorite character as a kid, hands down. For a while, he and Gambit shared the throne, but SS is still the king. Iron Fist is a recent addition to my list of Marvel faves, largely because of Matt Fraction's run on the Immortal Iron Fist. Oh lookee here: Fraction is also writing Defenders. This is also a major reason why I'm picking up this book, even though the events of the plot flow from the Fear Itself event that I know absolutely nothing about. But, the issue was alright, and I have to give it at least 3 issues to see if it'll shape up into something awesome.</p> <p>Other books this week: Huntress, Action Comics (featuring a Steel backup), Batwing</p> <p>Here are this week's covers:</p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://getfile6.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-12-07/wilcayjmEsvvCgzvckbEaxobJCkABsIvECqnfArBneGnywzhDBqayGHplGqd/OCT110212.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Oct110212" height="750" src="http://getfile4.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-12-07/wilcayjmEsvvCgzvckbEaxobJCkABsIvECqnfArBneGnywzhDBqayGHplGqd/OCT110212.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> <a href="http://getfile0.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-12-07/DJpojIroebHHAtBmBbAEioJJHifjbfeqstiwagFhaHusBivBqwnpzhhoEwJy/ST_Cv4.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="St_cv4" height="759" src="http://getfile1.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-12-07/DJpojIroebHHAtBmBbAEioJJHifjbfeqstiwagFhaHusBivBqwnpzhhoEwJy/ST_Cv4.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> <img alt="20836_400x600" height="600" src="http://getfile9.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-12-07/yzfbugCJGsiuwEbJGIoGkpumpiGxwJlHauAxvxahACfeCeejGAmaBBGDulvw/20836_400x600.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="400" /> <img alt="20751_400x600" height="600" src="http://getfile1.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-12-07/rzumCjfzlhxdmdosBjbgwbpjkgGJuyxfbcFsibfklBJuurCcEvdlxEvfrHnI/20751_400x600.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="400" /> <a href="http://getfile9.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-12-07/cijnwiJFcHsvHxJxkIaqvucaBbzjjkoFlupnrvsIyFGrajFvEFxqtnmwvgzF/The-Defenders_1-674x1024.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="The-defenders_1-674x1024" height="760" src="http://getfile6.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-12-07/cijnwiJFcHsvHxJxkIaqvucaBbzjjkoFlupnrvsIyFGrajFvEFxqtnmwvgzF/The-Defenders_1-674x1024.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> <div class='p_see_full_gallery'><a href="http://blog.nathanielray.com/comics-i-read-week-of-1272011">See the full gallery on Posterous</a></div> </div> Happy reading! Don't forget to support your local comic shops.</p> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://blog.nathanielray.com/comics-i-read-week-of-1272011">BLOG.NATHANIELRAY</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5289028685736937919-173346177667439944?l=thejhexp.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/tEOhNDD0wpaSyaU6lFRqzVs4Ydw/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/tEOhNDD0wpaSyaU6lFRqzVs4Ydw/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/tEOhNDD0wpaSyaU6lFRqzVs4Ydw/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/tEOhNDD0wpaSyaU6lFRqzVs4Ydw/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/LKPi/~4/lhrbWh6n6EA" height="1" width="1"/>Nathaniel Ray Picketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01277645216407095007noreply@blogger.com0http://thejhexp.blogspot.com/2011/12/comics-i-read-week-of-1272011.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5289028685736937919.post-10784710654557563622011-11-29T21:01:00.001-07:002011-11-29T21:01:25.640-07:002011-11-29T21:01:25.640-07:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><p>The other day:</p> <p>Katie says that she thinks it'd be cool to have a piano, since she hasn't had one for a very long time and she misses playing (or something to that effect). She even shows me a couple craigslist ads.</p> <p>I find some more craiglist ads for pianos that are cheaper and closer. I send the OPs emails. I get some back. One, some keys don't work. Crossed it off the list. Two, it all works, just a bit out of tune. I give the girl a call, arrange a time to come look at it. She gives me her dad's number since she's going to be at work. I call Dennis, he says swing by at 4:30.</p> <p>So we show up today in Baldwin City. Apparently he's recently shuttled off his 92-year-old mother to an assisted living joint, and they're looking to dump the piano (and an electric organ, and a rocking chair, but both were beyond the scope of reasonability). Katie tickles some ivories, everything works, looks good. We arrange a time--the upcoming Saturday--to come back with a truck to pick it up.</p> <p>Katie calls her Truck Friend John (TFJ hereafter). TFJ is all, oh yeah that's cool, no problem, but hey look, I'm good to go right now, let's do this. We're about 20 minutes outside of town, we call Dennis back he says that's no problem. We roll up to the local grocer's to find some cardboard for padding. I find some interesting-looking sport drinks and snag a couple. We head up to the cashier and we both realize that neither of us has a debit card.</p> <p>This is bad news, because neither of us have cash, nor do we have cheques. We start scheming. TFJ's already on his way so we can't go home then come back because that would just take too long. We decide that we will go back to the grocer's and volunteer to buy someone's groceries with our cards in exchange for cold, hard cash. It is a brilliant plan.</p> <p>Cash in hand, we roll back to Dennis' mom's now-derilect duplex. The whole neighborhood has replaced the outdoor garage lights with alternating red-and-green bulbs. It's cute and festive. TFJ rolls up, we put the piano in the truck, I squish my finger but not too bad. It take a good 10 minutes to tie up the piano. Dennis helps; he's a really nice guy. Then TFJ's battery dies. We find this out when we try to leave. At this point the whole situation has gotten so ridiculous I am dying of laughter on the inside.</p> <p>I give TFJ a jump, we say adios to Dennis, and we head back home. En route, Katie calls up The Guys, who are just finishing up dinner. They are just a couple minutes after us in arriving at our place. TFJ backs into the yard like a boss. The Guys, me, and TFJ unload the piano and we plop it inside. We'll rearrange the furniture later.</p> <p>Mission accomplished, we open up the piano bench to view its contents. It's all learn-how-to-play books of Patsy Cline's greatest hits, 100 golden oldies, Christmas music, and a collection of WWII songs. We kick everyone out because we were hungry and needed some food, since our half-hour-long-trip-to-look-at-a-piano-then-eat-some-dinner took 2 hours without the dinner part.</p> <p>Look, here's a picture of it set up:</p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://getfile6.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-29/EbdrmaopfpjirywamJuiAdwvzgHzxvEBJBHrHDiJoyztmaAaCldBGowpGwnC/IMG_20111129_210514.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Img_20111129_210514" height="375" src="http://getfile3.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-29/EbdrmaopfpjirywamJuiAdwvzgHzxvEBJBHrHDiJoyztmaAaCldBGowpGwnC/IMG_20111129_210514.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div> </p> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://blog.nathanielray.com/pianohyeswedid">BLOG.NATHANIELRAY</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5289028685736937919-1078471065455756362?l=thejhexp.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/X3slG8eEoJwr0zzNFdGO5ebS8Sk/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/X3slG8eEoJwr0zzNFdGO5ebS8Sk/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/X3slG8eEoJwr0zzNFdGO5ebS8Sk/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/X3slG8eEoJwr0zzNFdGO5ebS8Sk/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/LKPi/~4/S7uozL9urxg" height="1" width="1"/>Nathaniel Ray Picketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01277645216407095007noreply@blogger.com1http://thejhexp.blogspot.com/2011/11/pianohyeswedid.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5289028685736937919.post-63423300096324662402011-11-07T23:03:00.001-07:002011-11-07T23:03:59.062-07:002011-11-07T23:03:59.062-07:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><p style=""><img src="http://i.imgur.com/4InpD.jpg" alt="" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></p> <p>I think that this <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/search/%23occupy" target="_blank">#Occupy</a> sign sums up how I feel at the moment about the current state of politics. One man, one law, isn't going to fix the situation. Even if our votes weren't tampered with either before or after the polls close, they change nothing. We can only vote on the laws that are presented to us, we can only vote for the people put before us. The vote in this country has been neutered, reduced solely to a mildly interesting statistic for political scientists.</p> <p>Want to take back the vote? Abolish the electoral system; take corporations and all large donations out of campaigns; establish a streamlined procedure for referendum, initiation, and recall nation-wide, on every level of government; and enable citizens to propose laws at all levels of government, which all to-be-affected citizens would be allowed (and encouraged) to vote on.</p> <p>While we're at it, let's can the two-party system and allow candidates for any office to declare non-alignment to all parties.</p> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://blog.nathanielray.com/me-and-my-politics-the-vote">BLOG.NATHANIELRAY</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5289028685736937919-6342330009632466240?l=thejhexp.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/zv-QUEcdaYxlGAyywlijz62otjk/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/zv-QUEcdaYxlGAyywlijz62otjk/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/zv-QUEcdaYxlGAyywlijz62otjk/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/zv-QUEcdaYxlGAyywlijz62otjk/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/LKPi/~4/Ovh9HDIAHa8" height="1" width="1"/>Nathaniel Ray Picketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01277645216407095007noreply@blogger.com1http://thejhexp.blogspot.com/2011/11/me-and-my-politics-vote.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5289028685736937919.post-48946874620013177132011-10-26T18:16:00.001-06:002011-10-26T18:16:09.918-06:002011-10-26T18:16:09.918-06:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><p> <p><strong>This week's new comics verdicts: </strong>(check the bottom for the covers)</p> <p>SPACEMAN #1: debut issue of a Vertigo book by Hall of Famer Brian Azzarello. This guy's a super solid write, and this book was a total surprise. I didn't know much about it going it, but ho boy did I enjoy it. Weird, cool, science-fictiony (a place where comics have been failing me lately), and packed full of awesome. Putting this one on my pull list for sure. Also, I love the pulpy feel of the paper in this book. Maybe not as pretty as a glossy mag page, but so much more gritty.</p> <p>JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #2: this is going to be a book that I have to look back at the previous issue every month to remind me of what's going on. There is just so much happening, it's hard to keep straight: lots of different threads, working their way to the central plot. I'm still sticking with it, though, especially because it feels like a serialized graphic novel, and I dig that, even if it requires more patience for the payoff. Totally digging: Zatanna's new digs, Deadman's cameo. Hoping that Constantine will get more than a page or two in each issue though!</p> <p>ALL-STAR WESTERN #2: this issue seemed a little short for two reasons. First, there was just so much jammed into the first issue, and second, there was this cool backup story on the last 8 pages or so, an Old West zombie thriller (which was pretty sweet). There's a pretty sweet gun battle where Hex takes out a dozen gunmen on one two-page spread, but other than that, this feels very much like a 'middle issue.' No matter though, as this is still one of the freshest and best books coming out of the relaunch.</p> <p>VOODOO #2: I don't know why this series, or at least the first issue, picked up as much flak/hate as it did. Sure there was some (gratuitous) cheesecake, but I think this book is shaping up to be quite the fun one. Once again, I'll use the word 'fresh' for this title especially as there's a new super bad guy (Black Jack, some super-soldier-dipped-in-super-goo type). Never was into the Wildstorm Universe from which Voodoo is from, but I'm thinking of checking it out.</p> <p>Other books this week that looked cool: I, VAMPIRE #2, AQUAMAN #2, and FLASH #2. Oh, if I were made of dollar bills.</p> <div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="20545_400x600" height="600" src="http://getfile6.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-10-26/ixmBofJIHbBHpHDaIkqwHBJqEBwrvfHJcekjHGEdzAGFJHwnrHhhnJaazBkx/20545_400x600.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="400" /> <img alt="20478_400x600" height="600" src="http://getfile6.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-10-26/tzgGBzECxJDGrldmuxvBdxqfAxtlqEAugzBwzwjcFgiIeHubaEpqAicGCsup/20478_400x600.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="400" /> <img alt="20474_400x600" height="600" src="http://getfile3.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-10-26/FoIylGoqJagjyIxueohtliljbCJmwzwxrsgmAuEEqgFoydClBonIpvhfhjyg/20474_400x600.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="400" /> <img alt="20489_400x600" height="600" src="http://getfile4.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-10-26/zGdErkkgownDAxIGrgBtggrusHgIIpkCAhAGjetxdFkfsqhuECCxlhEhBsEm/20489_400x600.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="400" /> <div class='p_see_full_gallery'><a href="http://blog.nathanielray.com/comics-i-read-week-of-10262011">See the full gallery on Posterous</a></div> </div> </p> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://blog.nathanielray.com/comics-i-read-week-of-10262011">BLOG.NATHANIELRAY</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5289028685736937919-4894687462001317713?l=thejhexp.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/q4DFEMPFcazQSbWG0AaLwhMqjxA/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/q4DFEMPFcazQSbWG0AaLwhMqjxA/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/q4DFEMPFcazQSbWG0AaLwhMqjxA/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/q4DFEMPFcazQSbWG0AaLwhMqjxA/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/LKPi/~4/o1zuR8pTVQ8" height="1" width="1"/>Nathaniel Ray Picketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01277645216407095007noreply@blogger.com0http://thejhexp.blogspot.com/2011/10/comics-i-read-week-of-10262011.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5289028685736937919.post-90165191869767626072011-10-12T15:57:00.001-06:002011-10-12T15:57:23.279-06:002011-10-12T15:57:23.279-06:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><p><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">- wonderful, beautiful book. There are parts that look like oil painting, others like collages, others like watercolors, all of it solid. Williams and Blackman play with the paneling and storytelling in some very inventive ways. In no way was this book skimpy on story, though--in fact it felt like there was more plot in it than most monthly books.</span></span><p /><span style="color: #000000;"><strong style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">UNWRITTEN #30</strong><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">&nbsp;- the conclusion to the On To Genesis arc. This one went a little too quick, as in it felt a little skimpy, but it wrapped up quite nicely. Readers will pick up on the obvious, nefarious connection between Tom and the Tinker, and the ending, once they get back to the apartment, is powerful. Still one of my favorite series.</span></span><p /><span style="color: #000000;"><strong style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">GREEN LANTERN #2<span style="color: #3366cc;">&nbsp;</span></strong><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">- I'm impressed with how unlikable Johns has written Hal Jordan. I've been a Hal fan forever, but so far, both in this series and in JUSTICE LEAGUE, he's quick a dick. He's brash, unthinking, and-</span>let's face it-<em style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">stupid</em><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">. Sinestro gives him the what-for in a major way, and I found it oddly but very satisfying. Shaping up to be an exciting book.</span></span><p /><span style="color: #000000;"><strong style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">AMERICAN VAMPIRE: SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST #5</strong><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">&nbsp;- First off, this mini has been&nbsp;</span><em style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">wonderful</em><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">. I cannot speak highly enough of Sean Murphy's art--if he proves to be this consistently good, I will buy every book he draws. Snyder also happens to be my #1&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">favorite comic writer at the moment, and he does not disappoint. I'm definitely looking forward to more minis as the series continues.</span></span></p> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://blog.nathanielray.com/comics-i-read-week-of-10122011">BLOG.NATHANIELRAY</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5289028685736937919-9016519186976762607?l=thejhexp.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/d78S_JLKgHsGT9OIl6iF5iF3pAU/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/d78S_JLKgHsGT9OIl6iF5iF3pAU/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/d78S_JLKgHsGT9OIl6iF5iF3pAU/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/d78S_JLKgHsGT9OIl6iF5iF3pAU/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/LKPi/~4/oyAwYz_VpCM" height="1" width="1"/>Nathaniel Ray Picketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01277645216407095007noreply@blogger.com0http://thejhexp.blogspot.com/2011/10/comics-i-read-week-of-10122011.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5289028685736937919.post-57606395391751931922011-10-05T17:22:00.001-06:002011-10-05T17:22:37.556-06:002011-10-05T17:22:37.556-06:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><p><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; color: #ff0000;">[This was a comment to a post on Google+, but I'm x-posting here on my blog so everyone can see it. My language gets a little rough towards the end, and it's long, but please read it and share it. If you're looking for a TL;DR, read the bold stuff.]</span></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; font-size: medium;">I have lost faith in the government. Perhaps the time for a representative law-making body, currently constructed, is over. Yes, we are supposed to elect people who 'know better' than us to make the decisions on running the country, but in my opinion they have failed. Miserably. And look who is even running, let along elected: an abundance of millionaires, old white men, and people playing off the emotions of their constituents to get into the biggest money-making racket ever.</span></strong></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Here's a challenge: I make less than $20k a year, every year (translated: I am a wage slave). Can anyone name an elected (hell, even appointed) official currently serving in the House, the Senate, or the White House who is in my income tax range? How far back do you have to go? How can someone who made over $100k after taxes (which they more than likely loopholed themselves out of paying any normal amount), who hasn't worked for a wage either ever or since they were 16, who hasn't lived in a condemned apartment building because the rent there was the cheapest even begin to believe that he or she represents my interests?</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">How much money does it take to have a chance in any election above the local (city, county) level? It's become a money game, pure and simple. More money means more votes. Those with money prop up others with money. This is how the income gap increases. Well, that and not raising wage levels commensurate with the inflation level, so the poor and middle class get poorer. Everyone sitting on Capitol Hill and at 1600 Pennsylvania is moneyed; either old or new, it doesn't matter, and to be there and to be moneyed means to have taken money from someone for something--be it a vote, a stance, an abstention, or whatever at some point along the road. The system is as dirty as it can be without directly throwing out the constitution and establishing a plutocracy in name (because the deed is already extant).&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">And yet we still pin our hopes on <em>one man</em> to get the job done. It was Barack Obama in 2008, and for 2012 it looks like many are looking toward Ron Paul. Yet the only one man who could affect any real change would have to strong-arm the other two branches of government into bending to his will, but even in a dictatorial-coup-from-the-inside situation there is no guarantee that the system will be cleansed and purged in a way that benefits the people.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Instead of on <em>one man</em>, we <strong>must</strong> put our hope in ourselves, which translates into action. I'm not talking about the joke of voting, which we "get" to do once every 2, 4, and 6 years for our officials. I'm talking about rising up, speaking out, and taking the power back. Back from the rich, back from corporations and banks turned people (the biggest fuck you to the people ever!), back from those might-as-well-be-anonymous politicians who legislate with their wallets and their party lines rather than the will of the people who they are supposed to represent, back from foreign investors and governments and international organizations bleeding the world dry, back from any who would not willingly give it up.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Representative democracy fails when the representatives elected by the people no longer represent the people. The republic is dead, the United States is dead--or at least in its final death throws. And what are we doing about it? Hoping that one man can magically heal the country? Or just keep it on life support for long enough to find a better solution? Me, I'm for a resurrection. Let the fucker die; hell, I'll even gladly help put the mercy bullet in its head, then let's restore it to glory, to its basics: power for and by the people.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">One man will not be able to change a thing, except to make things worse, to prolong the suffering, maybe to put a bandaid on the hole where the heart of the American system used to be but is not bleeding profusely and gangrenous. </span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium; color: #000000;">We need 537 new men (and women, too) in office selected by the people by their merits to replace the 537 currently in power. We need an extermination of the entire lobbyist system. We need to turn corporations back into things, inhuman, neutered things. We need to regulate Wall Street and keep it the hell out of government. We need to listen to the people, empower the people, and have the people rule.</span></strong></span></p> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://blog.nathanielray.com/me-and-my-politics-enter-the-revolution">BLOG.NATHANIELRAY</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5289028685736937919-5760639539175193192?l=thejhexp.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/_WV_6IZ7ujv5FzCKnkCJ3khBQ1U/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/_WV_6IZ7ujv5FzCKnkCJ3khBQ1U/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/_WV_6IZ7ujv5FzCKnkCJ3khBQ1U/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/_WV_6IZ7ujv5FzCKnkCJ3khBQ1U/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/LKPi/~4/X1qJUxdzEgg" height="1" width="1"/>Nathaniel Ray Picketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01277645216407095007noreply@blogger.com1http://thejhexp.blogspot.com/2011/10/me-and-my-politics-enter-revolution.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5289028685736937919.post-79575455184369229982011-09-17T02:04:00.001-06:002011-09-17T02:04:25.357-06:002011-09-17T02:04:25.357-06:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><p><img src="http://i.imgur.com/h9MpF.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p>I've seen this movie at least 5 times since it came out 16 years ago. Aside from Disney cartoons and other kid movies that I grew up on, I can't say that about hardly any movies. Why this one? Because it is awesome.</p> <p>Basic formula: <em>Blade Runner</em> + <em>Akira</em></p> <p>Both of those films have a cyberpunk feel to them, and this film cribs the hell out of them, and all for the good. The plot rundown, if you haven't seen it or haven't seen it for awhile, is this: a special-ops cyborg with a human soul (called a ghost) confronts what amounts to be an arch-enemy, what it means to be "human" especially in an age of cybernetic enhancements, and the purpose of existence all in a most fantastically beautiful 90 minutes.</p> <p>I would say more about the plot--in fact, I had a couple drafts of that paragraph before the final version--but I don't want to spoil too much. The themes that this film deal with though are powerful, especially as humanity begins its ascent out of the physical body. To some extent, we've been doing this for centuries, slowly, first in oral traditions, the legends of mythical men, women, and gods existing not in reality but in the words of people. Then more "people" were brought into existence on paper, and now with the one-two punch of the internet and the emerging biotechnical field of science, "people" or versions of ourselves at least are created and destroyed in real-time online, and bits of metal and electricity and plastic are simultaneously altering our bodies to help us--and then by extention, our multiple virtual personae--live longer. Disagree? 1) is the "you" on your facebook profile actually representative of your entire self, or only a part--a version--that you want to portray? 2) pacemakers and prosthetic limbs have been around for ages now, it doesn't have to be all sciencey-fictiony.</p> <p>Set after two more world wars--one nuclear, one not--the film (and its sequel, and the comics it is based on, and the 2 TV series that follow the second film) portrays a world in which everything has changed and nothing has changed. Technology has advanced in the film to literally build an entire human being, and to augment those popped out of a vagina. Yet the people in the film live their lives, do their jobs, have their families. They haven't discovered the great mysteries of the universe, or of humanity itself. What, really, is a person? A collection of memories stuffed inside a brain which makes some bone and sinew move? Is it personality plus phenotype? Watching Motoko--a cyborg, remember--experience a profound existential crisis is an exercise in self-examination and, for lack of a better term, truth-seeking.</p> <p>One word about the visual style of the film: gorgeous. Literally, that one word. Aside from all of the cool tech and the action and the character design itself, for me the most stunning are the backgrounds. Many of the buildings and city-scapes shown in the film are only on screen for a couple seconds, yet each background was hand-painted with such care and attention to detail that it boggles the mind. It is to the director's great credit that the camera often lingers on the atmosphere-building visuals, because they are simply wonderous to behold. Here's a few high def samples to send you off with:</p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-09-17/FduxjveuEwIFscswphrlkupDewmkwlpGpyAHiIanoungeprxHoyvrvmuivox/vlcsnap-2011-09-17-02h19m51s43.png.scaled1000.png"><img alt="Vlcsnap-2011-09-17-02h19m51s43" height="269" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-09-17/FduxjveuEwIFscswphrlkupDewmkwlpGpyAHiIanoungeprxHoyvrvmuivox/vlcsnap-2011-09-17-02h19m51s43.png.scaled500.png" width="500" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-09-17/keguxpjndvhkBalxFtjABatiszvstfzagGmmgCfjcnglozrcyolmdioHJabu/vlcsnap-2011-09-17-02h21m24s245.png.scaled1000.png"><img alt="Vlcsnap-2011-09-17-02h21m24s245" height="269" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-09-17/keguxpjndvhkBalxFtjABatiszvstfzagGmmgCfjcnglozrcyolmdioHJabu/vlcsnap-2011-09-17-02h21m24s245.png.scaled500.png" width="500" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-09-17/uqHFpBmhqzodcJpGvgICuhdytwEuEcufaxnoiHBkrqBmasErHJqslnkJlIHa/vlcsnap-2011-09-17-02h51m08s175.png.scaled1000.png"><img alt="Vlcsnap-2011-09-17-02h51m08s175" height="269" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-09-17/uqHFpBmhqzodcJpGvgICuhdytwEuEcufaxnoiHBkrqBmasErHJqslnkJlIHa/vlcsnap-2011-09-17-02h51m08s175.png.scaled500.png" width="500" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-09-17/ziGqzGioAjyyoazHwnlrDDcwjgnGADxsumoeeooidifhCzepnewpoHytfGAn/vlcsnap-2011-09-17-02h52m01s208.png.scaled1000.png"><img alt="Vlcsnap-2011-09-17-02h52m01s208" height="269" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-09-17/ziGqzGioAjyyoazHwnlrDDcwjgnGADxsumoeeooidifhCzepnewpoHytfGAn/vlcsnap-2011-09-17-02h52m01s208.png.scaled500.png" width="500" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-09-17/qfdvbrrJnjahoDvzEJbwtpEkluaEFyqtHetIjhcFeGkhonboHciByyCvcJun/vlcsnap-2011-09-17-02h55m05s252.png.scaled1000.png"><img alt="Vlcsnap-2011-09-17-02h55m05s252" height="269" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-09-17/qfdvbrrJnjahoDvzEJbwtpEkluaEFyqtHetIjhcFeGkhonboHciByyCvcJun/vlcsnap-2011-09-17-02h55m05s252.png.scaled500.png" width="500" /></a> <div class='p_see_full_gallery'><a href="http://blog.nathanielray.com/better-late-than-never-movie-review-ghost-in">See the full gallery on Posterous</a></div> </div> </p> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://blog.nathanielray.com/better-late-than-never-movie-review-ghost-in">BLOG.NATHANIELRAY</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5289028685736937919-7957545518436922998?l=thejhexp.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/FXJAP8XXDiVb6Zh-vU7yvWq7Tx4/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/FXJAP8XXDiVb6Zh-vU7yvWq7Tx4/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/FXJAP8XXDiVb6Zh-vU7yvWq7Tx4/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/FXJAP8XXDiVb6Zh-vU7yvWq7Tx4/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/LKPi/~4/GI8170cGnk8" height="1" width="1"/>Nathaniel Ray Picketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01277645216407095007noreply@blogger.com0http://thejhexp.blogspot.com/2011/09/better-late-than-never-movie-review.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5289028685736937919.post-18330316630885778262011-09-12T00:47:00.001-06:002011-09-12T00:47:50.462-06:002011-09-12T00:47:50.462-06:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><p>In the next paragraph, I am going to use the phrase "I don't understand." Actually, I do understand, really I do get the thought process whereby everything that one does, one expects the maximum amount of money from the maximum amount of people possible, usually by whatever means necessary. I just think that that whole thought process is absurd, destructive, unhelpful, and it inhibits innovation, creativity, and risk-taking.</p> <p>I don't understand game developers that are in it for the dollar bills, that don't make games because they like making games. I'll save my anti-capitalist rant for another time. What it comes down to for me, here, in this instance, is playability. When I start a game, I want to be able to play and beat it start-to-finish in one sitting (this never ever happens, unless it's a short little Flash ditty). If I pay for a game, then I expect a gaming experience commensurate in quality and length with the amount of money spent on it (more or less). What I do <em>not</em>&nbsp;want is to spend $50 on a game that lasts 5-6 hours and doesn't even finish. I do <em>not</em>&nbsp;want to spend $10-15 on a release-day DLC (or any other) that will allow me to finish the game. DLC should always be extra stuff that won't effect the game's play or balance. TF2's fancy hats are a great positive example. Things like Diablo III's cash-shop, where players can spend real money on super-powered items, are a fantastic negative example.</p> <p><img src="http://theborg.me/wp-content/uploads/fuck-you.jpg" alt="" style="display: inline;" />Also on the wrong side of my scorn here are Flash and other indie-ish games that <em>stop you from playing</em>&nbsp;after a certain amount of time, unless of course, you convert your real money to in-game currency and buy more time to play. Virtually all of these so-called social games have and depend on this feature. They establish a compelling (or at least addicting) gaming experience, but then stop you right as you're getting into it and force you to take a break for howeverlong--countdown timer included--unless you pay out. This, for me, breaks the game. Especially if there's some sort of multiplayer component, doubly so if the only way to opt out of the multi experience is to pay real money for protection.</p> <p>I am willing to spend money on games in order to play them. I am significantly less willing to have to pay <em>multiple times</em>&nbsp;for parts of the same game, and if a game makes me do that in order to finish it, then I am probably not going to buy their next games. If I want to play them, I'll find a copy and I'll play, but that studio will not receive my money because of their "good business policies," which are actually rapacious, conniving, and dastardly.</p> <p>Here's a good busniess policy for game studios: make a good game--actually, truly, really good, and not just the product of the hype machine or coasting on your company's "legacy" or reputation--price it accordingly, and then release it. This, I think, is the reason why there is a huge proliferation of indie games that are kicking the teeth out of big-studio games. Super Meat Boy, Bastion, Minecraft, Terraria, VVVVV, etc., are all fantastic, and each can be bought for less than $15.</p> <p>So please, big game devs, make good games and treat your gamers right. Don't try to steal our wallets. If the industry still operated on the values of a decade or two ago, we would have games of much higher quality from everyone because it's the quality that sells. Unless, of course, you've hooked an army of teenagers to CoD and they'll buy whatever drivel you put in front of them.</p> <p>*PS, that picture is for all you capitalist swine. Make quality art for the sake of the experience. No one likes looking at a shitty painting, no one likes reading a shitty book, no one likes watching a shitty movie (not talking about so-bad-it's-good here). Same goes for games. Get over yourselves.</p> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://blog.nathanielray.com/games">BLOG.NATHANIELRAY</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5289028685736937919-1833031663088577826?l=thejhexp.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/7-6wwQH7rveBdsbDo8pE_dI6YxM/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/7-6wwQH7rveBdsbDo8pE_dI6YxM/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/7-6wwQH7rveBdsbDo8pE_dI6YxM/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/7-6wwQH7rveBdsbDo8pE_dI6YxM/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/LKPi/~4/EVAFYBd8IjM" height="1" width="1"/>Nathaniel Ray Picketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01277645216407095007noreply@blogger.com0http://thejhexp.blogspot.com/2011/09/games.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5289028685736937919.post-17505278339392865752011-09-03T15:55:00.001-06:002011-09-03T15:55:54.817-06:002011-09-03T15:55:54.817-06:00<div class='posterous_autopost'>Today I got a singing telegram from the Jayhawk mascot of KU from the Chancellor and the Provost. It went like this:<p />KU: &quot;Dear Students, please don&#39;t bother trying to come up to campus today to get anything done, unless you are going to the football game. We&#39;ve whored out every single parking spot to the rest of the town. What, you need to go to the library? Well, you&#39;re either going to have to just walk up from home or find the one tiny parking lot we&#39;ve kept open for students, faculty, and staff, but we&#39;re not going to tell you where it is. Ok fine, we will. It&#39;s on the exact opposite side of campus from the library. Oh, you&#39;ve already been driving through the traffic jam-ridden campus for 20 minutes trying to find it? Well, at least you go there!<p /> &quot;As you walk to the library from this parking lot at the bottom of a gigantic hill, it&#39;s going to rain. Just so you know. Oh, and you really need to watch out for the marching band and the flag-whirling girls to whom we&#39;ve given very expensive uniforms and equipment. We&#39;d hate for you to break any of it.<p /> &quot;Just because we care so much about you, halfway through your printing job, you are going to run out of paper. Don&#39;t worry, the little phone we have set up just for this situation <i>will</i> be connected. All you have to do is call then wait 5-10 minutes for us to bring up a ream.<p /> &quot;Please remember that we very much value your education. We just value the money that comes in through our sports programs more.<p />&quot;Rock Chalk!&quot;<p />Me: &quot;Fuck you, KU.&quot; <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://blog.nathanielray.com/game-day-sucks">BLOG.NATHANIELRAY</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5289028685736937919-1750527833939286575?l=thejhexp.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/RvFxLhUUXOGJ9s90k9VdDERrmDs/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/RvFxLhUUXOGJ9s90k9VdDERrmDs/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/RvFxLhUUXOGJ9s90k9VdDERrmDs/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/RvFxLhUUXOGJ9s90k9VdDERrmDs/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/LKPi/~4/N-hf3bv8jBU" height="1" width="1"/>Nathaniel Ray Picketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01277645216407095007noreply@blogger.com0http://thejhexp.blogspot.com/2011/09/game-day-sucks.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5289028685736937919.post-56914111721506614802011-08-26T01:32:00.001-06:002011-08-26T01:32:30.726-06:002011-08-26T01:32:30.726-06:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><p>My friend <a href="http://www.austinmcraig.com/" target="_blank">Austin Craig</a> linked to a <a href="http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DMC4gTkbGJGk%26feature%3Dshare&amp;h=BAQCBXAbUAQDsziU8_W4h-xNuaLYREajpv-ID7onhTiCxJQ" target="_blank">video montage of Ron Paul soundbits</a> up yesterday, and so being genuinely intrigued by this particular politician, I gave it a listen. Browsing on Reddit as I am like to do, I know a bit about the man, but I decided to investigate a little bit, and see where he and I match up, and where we clash.</p> <p>Full disclosure: Austin and I do not share the same political views, but I think he's a great, smart guy and I respect his views. This isn't intended to be a bash fest, neither against Ron nor Austin, but rather a place to get my ideas down, and so you can see them too. I'd love to chat with you, reader, about them if you'd like.</p> <p>What are my views? According to the <a href="http://www.politicalcompass.org/" target="_blank">Political Compass</a> quiz thing (which has its merits and shortcomings to be sure), I am a -8.88, -6.31. Generally speaking, that translates to Quite Economically Liberal, Rather Socially Libertarian. Look, a picture:<div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Polcom" height="541" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-08-25/lugwFDwaDbrsIflFyfzzyrdfEcdFlrbnrDGvoChDCbgdhFcgcJxcJcGbxAvz/polcom.png.scaled500.png" width="489" /> </div> </p> <p>Ron Paul is, as far as I can tell, Quite Socially Libertarian, a tad further south on the chart then I am, and much further to the right from me. Or maybe not. If I tried to answer this quiz thing as him I'd just horrible confuse myself.</p> <p>Here though, are some things that Ron Paul says and supports, and then under them (since putting tables in would be more of a chore than a benefit), how I feel about the given topics.</p> <p><strong>Ron Paul: noninterventionism and making peace/love, not war</strong></p> <p style="padding-left: 30px;">I'm not trying to be glib here: making love (in a general sense) was one of his campaign things in '08. Here, I totally agree with him, with one odd exception, which I'll get to in a minute. I deplore the Team America approach to foreign policy that the US has employed since the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish%E2%80%93American_War" target="_blank">Spanish-American War (1898)</a>. At its nascence, this trend grew out of economic imperialism, which grew out of Turner's frontier hypothesis, which grew out of the (foolish) notion of Manifest Destiny, which itself was a byproduct of the Enlightenment. Now, it means 3 simultaneous oil wars in foreign countries at the cost of internal stability. I will stand by Ron Paul's side every time when he says Let's get out of Iraq, let's get out of Afghanistan, and why did we get into Libya? I don't even, let's just get out of there too. Which brings me to my one odd exception, which is really just a weird thing that Paul did in 2002 where he put forth the motion to legitimize Bush's illegal war in Iraq. He didn't vote for the resolution himself, but he nevertheless put the motion forward form what I term his sense of Constitution preservation. This is where I take issue. More on that later.</p> <p style="padding-left: 30px;">He is also against supporting Israel, although for him it comes down to the dollar. Why, he postulates, spend American money on a non-American issue? I can get behind that, but I also think that creating the State of Israel was a bad decision in '47. Perhaps it was the least bad decision that could have been made at the time, but the emotionalism behind that decision has caused all kinds of problems that exist solely because the US funded and streamlined the creation of Israel.</p> <p><strong>RP: US withdrawl from supernational organizations like the World Bank and the UN</strong></p> <p style="padding-left: 30px;">Once again, I'm on the Ron Paul love train. The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund do nothing but extort second- and thrid-world nations, holding them effectively hostage for the repayment of their exorbitant loans with horrifyingly impossible interest rates. These leaders of these countries pretend they want to better the standard of living for their fellow citizens, but in reality, most of the money gets pocketed by the elites and the people keep on starving and civil warring. Then the leaders get booted, but then all of a sudden the International Loan Sharks come calling demanding billions and billions of dollars from newly-minted revolutionaries. Nothing else I can think of can crush a soul soul thoroughly.</p> <p style="padding-left: 30px;">Also, the UN is a joke. Does no one any good, never gets anything done, and soldiers in powder blue berets don't exactly inspire confidence. Pull out of there quick.</p> <p><strong>RP: Pro free trade, anti-protectionism, anti-Free Trade Agreements</strong></p> <p style="padding-left: 30px;">This is where Ron's politics and mine start to go to the opposite ends. He argues that FTAs don't actually promote free trade and thinks they should be abolished. I could get behind that, because in effect, FTAs only provide free trade for a limited number of trade partners. Not much free about that. However, he says abolish, I say do it right and do it better and do it fairly.</p> <p style="padding-left: 30px;">Paul is all about the free trade, the free market, that the market will solve the problem that the banks have gotten us into. I agree with the second part about the banks, but I think that the last 400 years have shown the problem with free trade: people. If I could depend on every business owner, every shareholder, every <em>person</em>&nbsp;to behave in a fiscally responsible manner on the magnitude of the <em>greater good</em>&nbsp;and not just their own personal profit margin, I would preach free trade until tongue fell out. However, my experiences have told me that I cannot depend on everyone to act altruistically (or at least not selfishly). Greed is ever-present, and we as a human society can't seem to overcome it. I have theories about that too, come talk to me later about them.</p> <p style="padding-left: 30px;">Ergo, the end result of "free trade" is what we have now: a globalized clusterfuck. The banks run amok, the corporations even amoker since the <em>absolutely inane</em>&nbsp;ruling that gave corporations rights. Who in their right mind gives a non-entity rights? If PETA (whom I loathe, but I'm making a point) can't even convice a tenth of the US population that animals have rights, how did we make it so a computer program and a stack of papers living on a few floors of a New York skyscraper can have rights? Utter bullocks, I say. But this is what happens when you have an unregulated market: greed takes over because <em>it's so easy</em>. And then you don't have healthy competition like every economy textbook likes to pretend that capitalism is all about, innovation and friendly pats on the back where everyone gets richer. Free trade doesn't work.</p> <p><strong>RP: Anti abortion, pro marijuana legalization</strong></p> <p style="padding-left: 30px;">I'm half-and-half on this one. I'm pro choice, pro pot. Why? Because stupid kids, bad people, and harmful cultural practices get girls and women pregnant when they don't want to be and then in many of these cases, their lives are either ruined or endangered. This is called <em>rape</em>. Rape is bad. If no one raped anyone ever, and if everyone was properly and honestly educated about sex, and everyone used protection when they weren't aiming to get pregnant, then you would never have an unwanted pregnancy, and then the abortion argument is moot.</p> <p style="padding-left: 30px;">Pro marijuana. I could go on for ages about this, but here's the skinny: alcohol and cigarettes kill millions of people a year. Alcohol poisoning, drunk driving accidents, alcoholic rages, lung cancer, and pulmonary disease. Guess what? You can't overdose on MJ, it has curative properties, you can grow it <em>naturally&nbsp;in the earth with no additives</em>&nbsp;(looking at you, Big Pharma), and--here's the kicker--unless you're allergic, it's harmless. While I don't think you should drive or go to work while you're high, that both the sale and possession thereof are illegal befuddles me to no end.</p> <p style="padding-left: 30px;">Besides, if you legalize it, you can tax and regulate it, just like the government already does with America's biggest 4 addictions: alcohol, cigarettes, gambling, and gasoline.</p> <p><strong>RP: US-Mexico border enforcement and pulling benefits for illegal aliens</strong></p> <p style="padding-left: 30px;">Now, I'm not as read up on this topic to know if this is cast in a generally anti-immigration light or not, but seeing as he's a Republican from Texas who is pro border control, I'm going to sya he leans that way. He says that illegal aliens put a toll on social services. I say, only in that they are doing the work that the people scamming welfare aren't doing by and large. I am all for an open border if harsher punishments were given to businesses--large or small, I don't care if you're a struggling mom-and-pop--who pay illegal workers in cash under the table. Not only do they duck their tax obligations, they are doing a disservice to the US as a while. The problem with illegal aliens lies not with the border-crossers themselves, but the people that continue to pay them.</p> <p style="padding-left: 30px;">But say someone doesn't have papers, but they're here working, sending money back home to support their family, and they get sick. RP wants to deny them free hospital coverage. I say that's inhuman. Treat the poor man. In fact, why not treat everyone? And why not for free? This is where I might get a bit angry, because this next barb is directed at every self-proclaimed Christian who comes down hard on universal health care. How dare you claim to believe in Jesus and a benevolent God at the same time you would deny treating a sick child whose parents cannot afford the care that you (or your family) can. I don't remember Jesus ever turning away someone looking to be healed because they couldn't pay the deductable. I mean, you pay your church enough--some a flat 10%, others even more at the collection plate or in your fast offerings--but does that entitle you to getting the miracle of healing before someone else? Shame on you, and dishonor on your house.</p> <p>Alright, I think that's enough for tonight. Ron Paul's got more in his bag-o-tricks than what I've covered but it's late and I have to be places in the morning. But please, if you want to say something--comment and/or call/email/text me/drop by my place. I'd love to chat about this stuff.</p> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://blog.nathanielray.com/me-and-my-politics-ron-paul">BLOG.NATHANIELRAY</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5289028685736937919-5691411172150661480?l=thejhexp.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/TsfFzAUiozx6PMSz9no2aBjGrzI/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/TsfFzAUiozx6PMSz9no2aBjGrzI/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/TsfFzAUiozx6PMSz9no2aBjGrzI/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/TsfFzAUiozx6PMSz9no2aBjGrzI/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/LKPi/~4/8jzc_df3eTY" height="1" width="1"/>Nathaniel Ray Picketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01277645216407095007noreply@blogger.com0http://thejhexp.blogspot.com/2011/08/me-and-my-politics-ron-paul.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5289028685736937919.post-45166857467580882642011-08-10T21:16:00.001-06:002011-08-10T21:16:37.465-06:002011-08-10T21:16:37.465-06:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <object data="http://i.adultswim.com/adultswim/video3/tools/swf/viralplayer.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="350" width="425" style="display: none !important;"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="movie" value="http://i.adultswim.com/adultswim/video3/tools/swf/viralplayer.swf" /><param name="FlashVars" value="id=8a250ba1318c049201319b6e5e8c0133" /><p /><embed allowfullscreen="true" src="http://i.adultswim.com/adultswim/video3/tools/swf/viralplayer.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="350" flashvars="id=8a250ba1318c049201319b6e5e8c0133" width="425" style="display: none !important;" /></object> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://www.aintitcool.com/node/50759">aintitcool.com</a></div> <p>Aww hell yeah! The Black Dynamite pilot for Adult Swim! This is going to be such a bad-ass series.</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://blog.nathanielray.com/aint-it-cool-news-the-best-in-movie-tv-dvd-an">BLOG.NATHANIELRAY</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5289028685736937919-4516685746758088264?l=thejhexp.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Yyst5OXbYLrgjjE5W04_IGOvdkM/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Yyst5OXbYLrgjjE5W04_IGOvdkM/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Yyst5OXbYLrgjjE5W04_IGOvdkM/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Yyst5OXbYLrgjjE5W04_IGOvdkM/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/LKPi/~4/kUXG1rKsM0s" height="1" width="1"/>Nathaniel Ray Picketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01277645216407095007noreply@blogger.com0http://thejhexp.blogspot.com/2011/08/ain-it-cool-news-best-in-movie-tv-dvd.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5289028685736937919.post-34592688146430832302011-08-08T15:08:00.001-06:002011-08-08T15:08:47.260-06:002011-08-08T15:08:47.260-06:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><p>After a weird-for-sleep weekend, I took a nap this afternoon, which I woke up from not 45 minutes ago. While I was napping, I had the following dream, which I'm sure was greatly influenced by the forthcoming <a href="http://dcu.blog.dccomics.com/" target="_blank">multiverse-wide reboot that DC Comics is undertaking next month</a>. I've been reading about this upcoming major reboot, which includes restarting <em>all</em>&nbsp;of their titles at #1, including <em>Action Comics</em>&nbsp;(where Superman started and is currently at over 900 issues) and the flagship <em>Detective Comics</em>&nbsp;(where Batman started, currently numbered at 600 something). I understand if you don't care about comics, but there you go, now you have context to this dream.&nbsp;</p> <p>Katie, myself, and a bunch of friends are over at my friend's house for a party, and since we were obviously partying so hard, just about everyone there passed out on the floor and furniture. I woke up in the middle of the night and everyone was still out of it--I was the only one awake--when I saw an odd light outside. Stepping over people, I grabbed my car keys and went out the side door on the other side of the kitchen, walked down the driveway, and saw these huge black cars parked in front of the house (the house, by the way, looked remarkably like the one that Ashley and Merrianne lived in a couple years ago).</p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Police" height="448" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-08-08/lpkBsuvaHJoirGgnJazaaxtdGrnBsloqohkmJHtwcpxfIdeiqDuhwErwqgjt/police.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="295" /> </div> </p> <p>A British police officer was there and he asked me what was going on. I said I had no idea and we checked the license plates, which were odd, because they looked like plates from the States, but there was just logos on them, no numbers. There were also decals and add-ons to the cars from all kinds of different countries. When I turned around back to the house, it was instead a huge office-building-like apartment building, with the huge glass wall facing the street, about 10 stories tall. Out of nowhere, I saw my friend Morgan, who I haven't seen or talked to in almost 3 years now and who is a red-head, dressed up as Supergirl floating up in the air against the building.</p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-08-08/EsjmrgkqzxAnhieuihIktisxcifwchujtoqrspDqchjqEqhgrsArACkprhEu/supergirl-j-g-jones-2.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Supergirl-j-g-jones-2" height="751" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-08-08/EsjmrgkqzxAnhieuihIktisxcifwchujtoqrspDqchjqEqhgrsArACkprhEu/supergirl-j-g-jones-2.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div> </p> <p>She floated down when she recognized me. She gave me a hug, confirmed that she was Supergirl, but she didn't remember getting that way. She also told me that I was looking sharp. I looked in the mirrory glass of the building and saw I was wearing a fancy, trendy suit and a nice shirt with cufflinks (but not tie, because I don't wear those, even in dreamland alternate universes). That was when I knew that I was a big-time lawyer with one of the country's biggest firms. That was neat.</p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Frothy_blue_dress_in_field" height="573" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-08-08/AIGncwylwFdirhdxcBconFtFaJsxqbtcwiAgBvugiaEodkxskxEidddmsBIC/frothy_blue_dress_in_field.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="430" /> </div> </p> <p>We walked down the street, and I saw Katie wearing this light blue ruffly, frillydress with a parasol on her arm and her hair all done up, Morgan flew off to go fight some crime, and Katie and I walked along the boulevard which was brimming with buskers and carts and vendors, told her I was all of a sudden rich, and she told me she was all of a sudden British. Then we went into a restaurant and I woke up.</p> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://blog.nathanielray.com/universe-reboot">BLOG.NATHANIELRAY</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5289028685736937919-3459268814643083230?l=thejhexp.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/xtiBkE6QcbsAEgGylGjDx7ziWr4/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/xtiBkE6QcbsAEgGylGjDx7ziWr4/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/xtiBkE6QcbsAEgGylGjDx7ziWr4/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/xtiBkE6QcbsAEgGylGjDx7ziWr4/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/LKPi/~4/O445XP8KTN0" height="1" width="1"/>Nathaniel Ray Picketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01277645216407095007noreply@blogger.com0http://thejhexp.blogspot.com/2011/08/universe-reboot.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5289028685736937919.post-9719897879168236172011-07-19T21:06:00.001-06:002011-07-19T21:06:39.506-06:002011-07-19T21:06:39.506-06:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><p style="padding-left: 30px;">Q: Who are the kind of people that pirate music?</p> <p style="padding-left: 30px;">A: People that really like music.</p> <p style="padding-left: 30px;">Q: Who pirates movies?</p> <p style="padding-left: 30px;">A: People that really like movies.</p> <p>If these people did not enjoy movies or music, there would be no incentive to download them. Even any perceived benefit (like a good ratio on a tracker, for instance) is only a benefit insofar as it helps the user obtain more content. That the RIAA and MPAA do not understand this baffles the mind.</p> <p>TorrentFreak <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/suppressed-report-found-busted-pirate-site-users-were-good-consumers-110719/" target="_blank">posted an article</a> today about a report that 1) reaffirms the above and 2) shows that people that download movies and music are also more likely to pay for more music and movies. This report, paid for by the industry, was immediately shelved and not released because it would unravel the dominant argument of the film and recording industries, that pirates are nothing but thieves and horrible, horrible people.</p> <p>Here are some examples illustrating how wrong the RIAA and MPAA's approach is:</p> <p>If you enjoy listening to some sweet tunes and you find someone talking about an artist you've never heard but sounds like you might, you go snag their album. When that artist comes into town, hey look, you're now a fan and you go to the show and buy a t-shirt and maybe an album or a limited-release vinyl single or something, not to mention you're a lock for their next album. Doesn't sound too horrible to me.</p> <p>If you are somewhere between a casual movie-goer and a cinephile and you happen across someone talking about a cool film, perhaps with a couple scenes or some screenshots to illustrate a point, you go and download a copy. You really admire what a particular actor or the director did, and so when their next film comes to theater, you make the effort to show up on opening weekend. Doesn't sound too horrible to me.</p> <p>Does it work like this every time? Surely not, but the aforementioned report says it happens more often than not. But what happens when these supposedly evil, horrible people get punished by the ancient, crumbling establishment? The accused get angry after being burned and not only do they increase their "illegal" activity, but they do so with a fervor and a zeal and the intention of causing harm to the Man. They become less likely to go to the theater or to the concert, because in doing so they know that they would be supporting the digital Spanish Inquisition.</p> <p>So, dear MPAA, RIAA, and anyone else: welcome to 2011. Your shit is going to get downloaded. Deal with it. Instead of spending billions of dollars on punishing your consumer base and tying up hundreds of police for your bullshit raids that could be, you know, actually helping people, invest in making a better product with more ways for your consumers to buy it. Just an idea.</p> <p>Oh, and while you're at it, stop with all those silly anti-piracy ads. If your car gets stolen, you have no more car. If your movie gets downloaded 2,635 times, you still have a copy of it <em>in your hand</em>, and so so 2,635 other people. Don't even get me started on the unskippable ads and warnings on DVDs, either.</p> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://blog.nathanielray.com/aaarg-matey">BLOG.NATHANIELRAY</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5289028685736937919-971989787916823617?l=thejhexp.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/GNNa3b1AQBKQrUz_Alia3--Rr-M/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/GNNa3b1AQBKQrUz_Alia3--Rr-M/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/GNNa3b1AQBKQrUz_Alia3--Rr-M/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/GNNa3b1AQBKQrUz_Alia3--Rr-M/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/LKPi/~4/YekP76g7rEQ" height="1" width="1"/>Nathaniel Ray Picketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01277645216407095007noreply@blogger.com0http://thejhexp.blogspot.com/2011/07/aaarg-matey.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5289028685736937919.post-90445174006060162052011-07-03T16:36:00.001-06:002011-07-03T16:36:17.097-06:002011-07-03T16:36:17.097-06:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><p>So I was reading an&nbsp;<a href="http://www.lrb.co.uk/2011/06/30/john-lanchester/once-greece-goes">article today I found via Reddit</a> about the Greece financial crisis/impending default. If you've been under a rock, their economy is tanking fast, people have taken to the streets, there's a general strike, and everyone there knows they're on the wrong end of the stick. The article above gives some good background and context to what's going on, I recommend it.</p> <p>I've taken an increasing interest in the events in Greece for a couple of reasons. The first is personal: my wife is Greek, I have Greek family now, and any children we have will be Greek. I might as well be Greek. The second is that what happens in Greece (and how it happens) will echo the world 'round. There is no doubt that Greece will default on its loans, the Western banking and economic system has seen to that. The vultures in the IMF and World Bank promise to 'bail out' Greece by giving the government an enormous loan, tacking more than 5% interest on top of that, and all of this on the backs of Greek taxpayers (which usually doesn't include the rich).</p> <p>That article suggests the "easy" way out: Greece says 'Okay, we'll take your money at a huge loss then have to repay it back to you and then some in a relatively short amount of time, and when we can't do that, we'll take out another loan, which means even harsher austerity and economic woe for the entire country for the foreseeable future.' I think this is bullshit. This scenario benefits only two small groups: the wealthy Greek elite who will continue to not pay taxes and abuse the system and the even-more wealthy Western banks who are loaning out the money. Neither are deserving.</p> <p>There is a second, riskier option, and that is to follow Argentina's lead: give the IMF the finger, default on all their loans to international entities, have a bank holiday until things get worked out, and then work on rebuilding on their own terms. Argentina, after doing this, has since had the most dynamic economy of South America.</p> <p>I am all for this. Why? If you couldn't tell already, I believe the IMF and World Bank are nothing but powerhungry behemoths who will stop at nothing to keep the world under their control. They run the most successful cartel in the world, because they run the world. If a country gets in trouble, these banks (which are for profit, mind you) give a substantial loan but only on their conditions, such as the austerity plans on the table for Greece at the moment. Don't play by their rules, and you tank.</p> <p>Secondly, the eurozone and the EU are imbalanced and broken. Germany, France, and Britain are powerhouses, sure, but what about Ireland, Portugal, and Greece (which have all had severe economic crises already) and the new, weak member states of Romania and Bulgaria? Those countries only serve to bring down and destabilize an entire continent. This is entirely foolish of the EU and in my opinion makes no sense. In fact, the EU doesn't even make a whole lot of sense any more.</p> <p>So Greece default, things go bad, the EU dissolves, the euro breaks, the world changes, and everyone has more of a blank slate than they've had for a long time. Bring on the chaos, I say. The world is a mess right now but adding more shit to a pile of shit doesn't help anything. Best to shake it down and try again.</p> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://blog.nathanielray.com/greek-crisis-thoughts">BLOG.NATHANIELRAY</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5289028685736937919-9044517400606016205?l=thejhexp.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/8SqljdiT5iqHG7k4aAQmcYo1XkQ/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/8SqljdiT5iqHG7k4aAQmcYo1XkQ/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/8SqljdiT5iqHG7k4aAQmcYo1XkQ/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/8SqljdiT5iqHG7k4aAQmcYo1XkQ/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/LKPi/~4/1CD7WdOVGoY" height="1" width="1"/>Nathaniel Ray Picketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01277645216407095007noreply@blogger.com0http://thejhexp.blogspot.com/2011/07/greek-crisis-thoughts.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5289028685736937919.post-6091130759141555822011-06-19T18:07:00.001-06:002011-06-19T18:07:32.826-06:002011-06-19T18:07:32.826-06:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-06-19/FEuDEtrsqadmirrBGirHawGDtdzEwAmbewFrBmFDHegiFqJnqIAusdHrfICB/30_days_of_games.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="30_days_of_games" height="313" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-06-19/FEuDEtrsqadmirrBGirHawGDtdzEwAmbewFrBmFDHegiFqJnqIAusdHrfICB/30_days_of_games.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div> </p> <div>As I make my way through the internet, I have made a habit of downloading pictures that I think are pretty rad. Here are some of them.</div> <p /> <div>All of them have something to do with video games. The one above is from the 30 Days of Games series. I would ackowledge who made it and where I got it from, but since I can't remember and it's not showing up on the first page of google results, I'm just going to skip the attribution. Ditto goes for everything below.</div> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-06-19/FfrBtohaBimcIgqmGCJiezfJbJFCbvjqFuGGoAqDsvmagrpauHdhrkwCIyly/magicka.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Magicka" height="313" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-06-19/FfrBtohaBimcIgqmGCJiezfJbJFCbvjqFuGGoAqDsvmagrpauHdhrkwCIyly/magicka.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-06-19/hkzDrsonBiqwkitdjDigHbwmiavztphrdIrFsBpfpdayfBzalHxxCbjfABAj/pokemon_emergency_room.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Pokemon_emergency_room" height="366" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-06-19/hkzDrsonBiqwkitdjDigHbwmiavztphrdIrFsBpfpdayfBzalHxxCbjfABAj/pokemon_emergency_room.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-06-19/lFyIosEdlcawfIaiqjdzAlorJpGskssDDxEwmEsyfIgbhCHqyGCjfJEyiHlb/mega_man_rebuild.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Mega_man_rebuild" height="647" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-06-19/lFyIosEdlcawfIaiqjdzAlorJpGskssDDxEwmEsyfIgbhCHqyGCjfJEyiHlb/mega_man_rebuild.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> <img alt="Nuveau_damacy" height="629" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-06-19/wHwFsaEBnkDEiwzvEppygFdkjxJdyAEmhpmakhEyfwgeCIhFhdwnHxyGDBCe/Nuveau_Damacy.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-06-19/IbJCkkgJFmaExEwJxjosBEsygqjzicDgJuwdezxCtIHfvzHcFjqHctzuDjcc/shadow.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Shadow" height="647" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-06-19/IbJCkkgJFmaExEwJxjosBEsygqjzicDgJuwdezxCtIHfvzHcFjqHctzuDjcc/shadow.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-06-19/qxiDydBpChCDlhoJqwDffbHgfwnJhpCAktfuCniGwguhbzHaztzJphoCbtfy/starcraft_medic.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Starcraft_medic" height="680" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-06-19/qxiDydBpChCDlhoJqwDffbHgfwnJhpCAktfuCniGwguhbzHaztzJphoCbtfy/starcraft_medic.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-06-19/cgcdmhJrFuJytetlwcbevyqabnCGpkibtCqApGrHpherpqbzkmrHBqohiBHf/ukiyo-e_fuedal_nintendo.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Ukiyo-e_fuedal_nintendo" height="785" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-06-19/cgcdmhJrFuJytetlwcbevyqabnCGpkibtCqApGrHpherpqbzkmrHBqohiBHf/ukiyo-e_fuedal_nintendo.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-06-19/dHeEmwGiAIEdfytFfAsediwlhJeiEaFeDlDfkGAznsJgtAjjihGtgyhrodvk/kevin_tong_tetris.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Kevin_tong_tetris" height="667" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-06-19/dHeEmwGiAIEdfytFfAsediwlhJeiEaFeDlDfkGAznsJgtAjjihGtgyhrodvk/kevin_tong_tetris.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> <img alt="Zelda_just_friends" height="641" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-06-19/sfbbtErtanztriipblEwGbABGrmwldxxurtfrbnHGGeuDdqoiIohpmvbzjqf/zelda_just_friends.gif.scaled500.gif" width="500" /> <img alt="Mortal-kombat-disco" height="333" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-06-19/kfubkqEGDjJpkIeBjcIDEmqyeoaxGAAndunereusGvliEtCnCAAcvorpJwwp/mortal-kombat-disco.gif.scaled500.gif" width="500" /> <div class='p_see_full_gallery'><a href="http://blog.nathanielray.com/image-dump-games">See the full gallery on Posterous</a></div> </div> If the titles were less than obvious, here are the ten games/series represented in this gallery: Magicka, Pokemon, Megaman, Katamari Damacy. Shadow of the Colossus, Starcraft, Mario, Tetris, Zelda, Mortal Kombat.</p> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://blog.nathanielray.com/image-dump-games">BLOG.NATHANIELRAY</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5289028685736937919-609113075914155582?l=thejhexp.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/P5r72-Yr0IUeg9aHJ91baOyG76w/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/P5r72-Yr0IUeg9aHJ91baOyG76w/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/P5r72-Yr0IUeg9aHJ91baOyG76w/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/P5r72-Yr0IUeg9aHJ91baOyG76w/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/LKPi/~4/ezPd9XTWfCI" height="1" width="1"/>Nathaniel Ray Picketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01277645216407095007noreply@blogger.com0http://thejhexp.blogspot.com/2011/06/image-dump-games.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5289028685736937919.post-20468511698150901562011-06-11T14:09:00.001-06:002011-06-11T14:09:18.514-06:002011-06-11T14:09:18.514-06:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <object height="370" width="450"><param name="movie" value="http://www.liveleak.com/e/cb1_1307584288" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /><param name="flashvars" value="autostart=false" /><embed src="http://www.liveleak.com/e/cb1_1307584288" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="370" flashvars="autostart=false" width="450"></embed></object> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=cb1_1307584288">liveleak.com</a></div> <p>Painful, yes, but it gets the point across. </p><p>A sidenote, but I need to get it off my chest: to all the drivers, especially in Provo, stop honking at bikers for your amusement. That's a good way to get us to not ride in the bike lane, hunt down your car, and run into it repeatedly until you die.</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://blog.nathanielray.com/stay-in-the-damn-bike-lane">BLOG.NATHANIELRAY</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5289028685736937919-2046851169815090156?l=thejhexp.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Mo3yNVmNRfP2H5Jvp_f03HH5PLA/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Mo3yNVmNRfP2H5Jvp_f03HH5PLA/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Mo3yNVmNRfP2H5Jvp_f03HH5PLA/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Mo3yNVmNRfP2H5Jvp_f03HH5PLA/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/LKPi/~4/qP4nLYyXsqY" height="1" width="1"/>Nathaniel Ray Picketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01277645216407095007noreply@blogger.com0http://thejhexp.blogspot.com/2011/06/stay-in-damn-bike-lane.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5289028685736937919.post-75438960935422605492011-06-10T14:24:00.001-06:002011-06-10T14:24:30.418-06:002011-06-10T14:24:30.418-06:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><p>I have wanted to see Cake since I was at least 14. That's over a decade. And for that over a decade, every opportunity I've had to see them has been thwarted. They came to Kansas City when I was in high school, but my parents said I couldn't go. Without their money and theiry driving me, I had no recourse.</p> <p>Cake never came to SLC while I was in Utah because the last time they were there, an audience member threw a shoe at John McRae. This year, the one I lived in Kansas in, they went to SLC.</p> <p>But, last weekend they came to Buzz Under the Stars, an event show put on by a local radio station. Thing was, the other three bands they booked are all going on tour together. Cake was the outlier, which meant that one of my most absolutely favorite bands in the history of music only had a 60 minute set and they were technically supporting Mumford &amp; Sons.</p> <p>I found this unreasonable, shocking, and a crime. But, it was Cake, so I went.</p> <p>Here's a breakdown of things (pay no attention to the timestamps because they are wrong. <a href="http://media.twitter.com/blackbird-pie/">Blackberry Pie</a> can't seen to get them to work):</p> <p> </p> <div class="bbpBox" style="background: #022330; padding: 20px;"> <p class="bbpTweet" style="background: #fff; padding: 10px 12px 10px 12px; margin: 0; color: #000; font-size: 16px !important; line-height: 22px;">Parking was a bitch, but we're in! <a href="http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%23buzzunderthestars" target="_new">#buzzunderthestars</a><span class="timestamp" style="font-size: 12px; display: block;"><a href="http://twitter.com/thejhexp/status/76790699487535100" title="Fri Jun 03 23:21:44 ">Fri Jun 03 23:21:44 </a> via <a href="http://levelupstudio.com" rel="nofollow">Plume&nbsp;&nbsp;</a></span><span class="metadata" style="display: block; clear: both; margin-top: 8px; padding-top: 12px; height: 40px; border-top: 1px solid #e6e6e6;"><span class="author" style="line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://twitter.com/thejhexp"><img src="http://a3.twimg.com/profile_images/1186163349/headshot_normal.jpg" alt="" style="float: left; margin: 0 7px 0 0px; height: 38px;" /></a><strong><a href="http://twitter.com/thejhexp">nathanielraypickett</a></strong><br />thejhexp</span></span></p> </div> <p>The first band up was Matthew and the Atlas. Overall, they had a good sound, but they couldn't hear themselves in the monitors and with all the sound/tech problems they had, they only got to play bout 5 songs.</p> <p> </p> <div class="bbpBox" style="background: #022330; padding: 20px;"> <p class="bbpTweet" style="background: #fff; padding: 10px 12px 10px 12px; margin: 0; color: #000; font-size: 16px !important; line-height: 22px;">Too bad Matthew and the Atlas isn't a better banter band. So far half of their set has been tech difficulties <a href="http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%23buzzunderthestars" target="_new">#buzzunderthestars</a><span class="timestamp" style="font-size: 12px; display: block;"><a href="http://twitter.com/thejhexp/status/76801883943084030" title="Sat Jun 04 00:06:10 ">Sat Jun 04 00:06:10 </a> via <a href="http://levelupstudio.com" rel="nofollow">Plume&nbsp;&nbsp;</a></span><span class="metadata" style="display: block; clear: both; margin-top: 8px; padding-top: 12px; height: 40px; border-top: 1px solid #e6e6e6;"><span class="author" style="line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://twitter.com/thejhexp"><img src="http://a3.twimg.com/profile_images/1186163349/headshot_normal.jpg" alt="" style="float: left; margin: 0 7px 0 0px; height: 38px;" /></a><strong><a href="http://twitter.com/thejhexp">nathanielraypickett</a></strong><br />thejhexp</span></span></p> </div> <p>The next guy, Nathaniel Ratclif and the Fairchildren (forgot his name at the time of the tweet) was pretty good.</p> <p> </p> <div class="bbpBox" style="background: #022330; padding: 20px;"> <p class="bbpTweet" style="background: #fff; padding: 10px 12px 10px 12px; margin: 0; color: #000; font-size: 16px !important; line-height: 22px;">As much as I like this Nathaniel something and the Fairchildren, I want them to finish because then it's Cake <a href="http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%23notalie" target="_new">#notalie</a> <a href="http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%23buzzunderthestars" target="_new">#buzzunderthestars</a><span class="timestamp" style="font-size: 12px; display: block;"><a href="http://twitter.com/thejhexp/status/76816977569656830" title="Sat Jun 04 01:06:09 ">Sat Jun 04 01:06:09 </a> via <a href="http://levelupstudio.com" rel="nofollow">Plume&nbsp;&nbsp;</a></span><span class="metadata" style="display: block; clear: both; margin-top: 8px; padding-top: 12px; height: 40px; border-top: 1px solid #e6e6e6;"><span class="author" style="line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://twitter.com/thejhexp"><img src="http://a3.twimg.com/profile_images/1186163349/headshot_normal.jpg" alt="" style="float: left; margin: 0 7px 0 0px; height: 38px;" /></a><strong><a href="http://twitter.com/thejhexp">nathanielraypickett</a></strong><br />thejhexp</span></span></p> </div> <p>CAKE! CAKE! CAKE!</p> <p> </p> <div class="bbpBox" style="background: #022330; padding: 20px;"> <p class="bbpTweet" style="background: #fff; padding: 10px 12px 10px 12px; margin: 0; color: #000; font-size: 16px !important; line-height: 22px;">It's criminal that Cake is opening for Mumford &amp; Sons by the way <a href="http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%23buzzunderthestars" target="_new">#buzzunderthestars</a><span class="timestamp" style="font-size: 12px; display: block;"><a href="http://twitter.com/thejhexp/status/76823346179870720" title="Sat Jun 04 01:31:27 ">Sat Jun 04 01:31:27 </a> via <a href="http://levelupstudio.com" rel="nofollow">Plume&nbsp;&nbsp;</a></span><span class="metadata" style="display: block; clear: both; margin-top: 8px; padding-top: 12px; height: 40px; border-top: 1px solid #e6e6e6;"><span class="author" style="line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://twitter.com/thejhexp"><img src="http://a3.twimg.com/profile_images/1186163349/headshot_normal.jpg" alt="" style="float: left; margin: 0 7px 0 0px; height: 38px;" /></a><strong><a href="http://twitter.com/thejhexp">nathanielraypickett</a></strong><br />thejhexp</span></span></p> </div> <p>One of the best part's of Cake's set was 1) they played their singles, which they apparently never do, and they never ever end their concerts with 'Going the Distance' but they did for me, and 2) their set seemed like a big F U to M&amp;S and the organizers, not having them headlining. Even in their banter, Cake acknowledged the fact that more people were at the show for Mumford than Cake, which I think is definitely the wrong way around. Oh, and 3) the music was awesome. I only wish they had more than a 60min set to light up the stage. Sigh. But, here's some video I shot of Cake. First some of 'Never There' and then the audience participation part of 'So Sick of You' which was indeed, pretty sick.</p> <p> <object height="344" width="425"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7__NJubeN5w?hl=en&amp;fs=1" /> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /> <param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7__NJubeN5w?hl=en&amp;fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="344" width="425"></embed> </object> </p> <p> <object height="344" width="425"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/hUVkVQ57pHE?hl=en&amp;fs=1" /> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /> <param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/hUVkVQ57pHE?hl=en&amp;fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="344" width="425"></embed> </object> </p> <p> </p> <div class="bbpBox" style="background: #022330; padding: 20px;"> <p class="bbpTweet" style="background: #fff; padding: 10px 12px 10px 12px; margin: 0; color: #000; font-size: 16px !important; line-height: 22px;">Sheeeeeit that Cake set was awesome <a href="http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%23buzzunderthestars" target="_new">#buzzunderthestars</a><span class="timestamp" style="font-size: 12px; display: block;"><a href="http://twitter.com/thejhexp/status/76841897322225660" title="Sat Jun 04 02:45:10 ">Sat Jun 04 02:45:10 </a> via <a href="http://levelupstudio.com" rel="nofollow">Plume&nbsp;&nbsp;</a></span><span class="metadata" style="display: block; clear: both; margin-top: 8px; padding-top: 12px; height: 40px; border-top: 1px solid #e6e6e6;"><span class="author" style="line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://twitter.com/thejhexp"><img src="http://a3.twimg.com/profile_images/1186163349/headshot_normal.jpg" alt="" style="float: left; margin: 0 7px 0 0px; height: 38px;" /></a><strong><a href="http://twitter.com/thejhexp">nathanielraypickett</a></strong><br />thejhexp</span></span></p> </div> <p>Then Mumford &amp; Sons played, and they had a pretty nice feel and sound. I was really into them for the first couple songs, the vibe they had going, but then two things happened. One, a girl collapsed and they stopped the show to get her out. Broke the momentum totally. Then, they played some new music from the upcoming record. I was excited about this, but then I payed attention to the lyrics and I couldn't shake the feeling that M&amp;S are a secret Christian band, pulling an <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/oct/09/insane-clown-posse-christians-god">Insane Clown Posse stunt</a> on the world. Now, I have no problem with Christian bands, I just like to know that ahead of time. I felt, and still feel, tricked. At that point, the fun was kind of sucked out of the concert, and we had been standing up for like 6 hours in the same spot, so we went home.</p> <p> </p> <div class="bbpBox" style="background: #022330; padding: 20px;"> <p class="bbpTweet" style="background: #fff; padding: 10px 12px 10px 12px; margin: 0; color: #000; font-size: 16px !important; line-height: 22px;">Wait, is Mumford &amp; Sons a christian band? Why did no one tell me? <a href="http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%23buzzunderthestars" target="_new">#buzzunderthestars</a><span class="timestamp" style="font-size: 12px; display: block;"><a href="http://twitter.com/thejhexp/status/76859616385966080" title="Sat Jun 04 03:55:35 ">Sat Jun 04 03:55:35 </a> via <a href="http://levelupstudio.com" rel="nofollow">Plume&nbsp;&nbsp;</a></span><span class="metadata" style="display: block; clear: both; margin-top: 8px; padding-top: 12px; height: 40px; border-top: 1px solid #e6e6e6;"><span class="author" style="line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://twitter.com/thejhexp"><img src="http://a3.twimg.com/profile_images/1186163349/headshot_normal.jpg" alt="" style="float: left; margin: 0 7px 0 0px; height: 38px;" /></a><strong><a href="http://twitter.com/thejhexp">nathanielraypickett</a></strong><br />thejhexp</span></span></p> </div> <p>I don't want to knock M&amp;S too bad, though; they are great live. I have a clip of them, but Youtube gave me licensing issues (insert copyright rant here) and this site won't let me upload videos &gt;100MB. Oh well, you'll just have to believe me.</p> <p>In all, I had a good time. Yeah, the venue was over-large with 10k people, and it was too long and too hot but the music was good and I had a fun time. Oh, also I saw Cake. I SAW CAKE PLAY MUSIC LIVE. Some pictures to round things out:<div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-06-10/bHgiiinaxzkvIlHqAzFvCebdCHwcFltvqqxupvmctaiajrwupqooJFgGymlg/buzz_under_the_stars_1.JPG.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Buzz_under_the_stars_1" height="333" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-06-10/bHgiiinaxzkvIlHqAzFvCebdCHwcFltvqqxupvmctaiajrwupqooJFgGymlg/buzz_under_the_stars_1.JPG.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-06-10/CakvbrfzhtEJhnrCnIDigEyhBgvtHEjiDeztsGayjrJkyslfedzyhdkzovfz/buzz_under_the_stars_2.JPG.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Buzz_under_the_stars_2" height="333" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-06-10/CakvbrfzhtEJhnrCnIDigEyhBgvtHEjiDeztsGayjrJkyslfedzyhdkzovfz/buzz_under_the_stars_2.JPG.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-06-10/qCsaHAIplAuBlrxBkDHHutscdrbjHECkIJIbGgmezajGDbivaveckIrmCcgb/buzz_under_the_stars_4.JPG.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Buzz_under_the_stars_4" height="333" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-06-10/qCsaHAIplAuBlrxBkDHHutscdrbjHECkIJIbGgmezajGDbivaveckIrmCcgb/buzz_under_the_stars_4.JPG.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-06-10/npbyHbuGBHGmczvnvAjcpachyJyCypDjpFJJxqtakqvjmxwwCCszCwdhhxtn/buzz_under_the_stars_5.JPG.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Buzz_under_the_stars_5" height="333" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-06-10/npbyHbuGBHGmczvnvAjcpachyJyCypDjpFJJxqtakqvjmxwwCCszCwdhhxtn/buzz_under_the_stars_5.JPG.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-06-10/lwaAeiAzmwsupBvvHpfznvGvmqsnIcJfHdAacmphwuBmwdvghqBBBnhwEnea/buzz_under_the_stars_11.JPG.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Buzz_under_the_stars_11" height="333" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-06-10/lwaAeiAzmwsupBvvHpfznvGvmqsnIcJfHdAacmphwuBmwdvghqBBBnhwEnea/buzz_under_the_stars_11.JPG.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-06-10/wjbErnGbwHChEGmkEmtIejechmkizArFbznxCBkrqmmHcFehCyFweExdEkem/buzz_under_the_stars_12.JPG.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Buzz_under_the_stars_12" height="333" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-06-10/wjbErnGbwHChEGmkEmtIejechmkizArFbznxCBkrqmmHcFehCyFweExdEkem/buzz_under_the_stars_12.JPG.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-06-10/cmrGhojwFuFjDolvqGjbhsxwtcJbdmuizaqfbiCjapGcJFyvEpovpseydigj/buzz_under_the_stars_13.JPG.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Buzz_under_the_stars_13" height="333" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-06-10/cmrGhojwFuFjDolvqGjbhsxwtcJbdmuizaqfbiCjapGcJFyvEpovpseydigj/buzz_under_the_stars_13.JPG.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-06-10/eeafhIzccyDnvagBCInugbwpAoGdmmDuGAyEoskDEilBgvqHCvHhybyyxsuy/buzz_under_the_stars_14.JPG.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Buzz_under_the_stars_14" height="333" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-06-10/eeafhIzccyDnvagBCInugbwpAoGdmmDuGAyEoskDEilBgvqHCvHhybyyxsuy/buzz_under_the_stars_14.JPG.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> <div class='p_see_full_gallery'><a href="http://blog.nathanielray.com/cake">See the full gallery on Posterous</a></div> </div> </p> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://blog.nathanielray.com/cake">BLOG.NATHANIELRAY</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5289028685736937919-7543896093542260549?l=thejhexp.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/wsDQscDD5r6gLmQdw-bZuAEJ6rc/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/wsDQscDD5r6gLmQdw-bZuAEJ6rc/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/wsDQscDD5r6gLmQdw-bZuAEJ6rc/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/wsDQscDD5r6gLmQdw-bZuAEJ6rc/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/LKPi/~4/7gCbB3blfiM" height="1" width="1"/>Nathaniel Ray Picketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01277645216407095007noreply@blogger.com0http://thejhexp.blogspot.com/2011/06/cake.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5289028685736937919.post-66955223848708654812011-05-28T16:30:00.001-06:002011-05-28T16:30:44.663-06:002011-05-28T16:30:44.663-06:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><p>I think I have not partaken of soda for two weeks. This is something I've wanted to do for a while now, but since school's out it's been much easier. Also, I don't work at the Hospital anymore, where I drank <em>so much soda</em>&nbsp;I'm sure I could have filled a couple bathtubs from all of it.</p> <p>The start date is a little nebulous, which is why I think it's been two weeks. Could be less, who knows. I wish I could say that I feel so much better, have more energy, and gained super powers because of cutting out soda, but in all honesty, the aforementioned positive benefits more likely come from all of the running and biking I've been doing. Katie and I have been out getting our excercise on all week (more or less), which is great for many reasons. I get to play with her, we get some excercise, and we get some sun. Or at least some covert UV rays through all the cloud cover. I also went on a 13mi bike ride a couple days ago. Kicked my ass, but I made it.</p> <p>The plan is to go a couple more weeks without the colas, let's say until Flag Day, a personal favorite useless holiday. That will put me at about a month, or close enough to it. If I can do a month, I can do forever.<div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Title_products" height="175" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-05-28/wxmlgIHJeaHCzgHgehHygmaIelcCgxlhHlAlgEoafqedigrpsFFdhjBJhdAE/title_products.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /> </div> </p> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://blog.nathanielray.com/going-on-two-weeks">BLOG.NATHANIELRAY</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5289028685736937919-6695522384870865481?l=thejhexp.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/7QgoNQtfK-65h6BeYTnbeBmGWNk/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/7QgoNQtfK-65h6BeYTnbeBmGWNk/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/7QgoNQtfK-65h6BeYTnbeBmGWNk/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/7QgoNQtfK-65h6BeYTnbeBmGWNk/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/LKPi/~4/Di7OPmnqsJw" height="1" width="1"/>Nathaniel Ray Picketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01277645216407095007noreply@blogger.com0http://thejhexp.blogspot.com/2011/05/going-on-two-weeks.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5289028685736937919.post-32269249950240869952011-05-20T02:53:00.001-06:002011-05-20T02:53:05.349-06:002011-05-20T02:53:05.349-06:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><ol> <li>Arkham Asylum</li> <li>Uncharted</li> <li>Portal 2</li> <li>Final Fantasy XIII</li> <li>Magicka</li> <li>Uncharted 2</li> <li>Assassin's Creed 2</li> </ol> <p>I might read a book or two in there as well.</p> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://blog.nathanielray.com/summer-plans">BLOG.NATHANIELRAY</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5289028685736937919-3226924995024086995?l=thejhexp.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/OVYbAphF6_v0dNhdLUW6wdVLgfs/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/OVYbAphF6_v0dNhdLUW6wdVLgfs/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/OVYbAphF6_v0dNhdLUW6wdVLgfs/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/OVYbAphF6_v0dNhdLUW6wdVLgfs/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/LKPi/~4/3l3A-QbXDvs" height="1" width="1"/>Nathaniel Ray Picketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01277645216407095007noreply@blogger.com0http://thejhexp.blogspot.com/2011/05/summer-plans.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5289028685736937919.post-48834443363797186962011-05-04T22:43:00.001-06:002011-05-04T22:43:54.966-06:002011-05-04T22:43:54.966-06:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><p>Under normal circumstances, which is almost all of the time, I do not write congressmen about anything. I think I had to for a school assignment at some point, but today, for the first time in my adult life, I wrote one. To whom? Matt Dean, the Republican Majority Leader in the Minnesota House. To what end? Simply put, he's being a dick.</p> <p>Offense the first: he has introduced a bill that he doesn't understand--in fact he admitted that his "superiors" handed down this bill--that could in effect tank Minnesota Public Radio (among other things). MPR has a few channels, one of which is <a href="http://minnesota.publicradio.org/radio/services/the_current/" target="_blank">The Current</a>, which is unequivocally the greatest radio station in America, perhaps the world. You can stream it from their site at any time. You might not think that a public radio station would play such fantastic music across all genres, but alas, here it is. Bonus pretzel: no commercials.</p> <p>Offense the second: he has, on the House floor no less, said that he<a href="http://www.startribune.com/politics/statelocal/121223134.html" target="_blank"> "hates" the "pencil-necked little weasel" of a thief that is, according to this man, Neil Gaiman</a>. Set aside the fact for a moment that he is one of my most favorite authors and look at the language here. The Majority Leader of a State House of Representatives says that he hates someone. Why? Because <em>Coraline</em>&nbsp;scared you? Because you didn't get <em>American Gods</em>? Because you really wanted <em>Beowulf</em>&nbsp;to be good movie? You hate people that kill your family, for example, not ones that are more famous than you and make more money than you and are less Republican than you.</p> <p>For these reasons, I wrote the man the following letter:</p> <div style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;"> <div class="nH" style=""> <div class="nH" style=""> <div class="nH"> <div class="no"> <div class="nH nn" style=""> <div class="nH"> <div class="nH"> <div class="nH q0CeU z"> <div class="l m" style="background-color: #406480;"> <div class="l n" style="background-color: #406480; margin-left: 5px;"> <div class="k" style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"> <div class="diLZtc"> <div class="nH"> <div class="nH"> <div class="nH"> <div class="nH"> <div class="nH g id" style="color: #000000;"> <table class="Bs nH iY" style="border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #ffffff; padding: 0px;"> <tr> <td class="Bu" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: top; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"> <div class="nH if" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px;"> <div class="nH"> <div class="nH hx" style="color: #000000; padding-top: 4px; padding-right: 8px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 8px;"> <div class="nH"> <div class="nH"> <div class="h7 ie" style="clear: both; padding-bottom: 0px;"> <div class="Bk" style="margin-bottom: 10px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-color: #efefef; border-right-color: #efefef; border-left-color: #efefef; border-bottom-color: #e2e2e2; border-top-width: 0px; border-top-left-radius: 7px 7px; border-top-right-radius: 7px 7px; border-bottom-right-radius: 7px 7px; border-bottom-left-radius: 7px 7px; border-style: solid;"> <div class="G3 G2" style="padding-top: 3px; background-color: #ffffff; border-top-left-radius: 7px 7px; border-top-right-radius: 7px 7px; border-bottom-right-radius: 7px 7px; border-bottom-left-radius: 7px 7px; border: 1px solid #bcbcbc;"> <div class="nH"> <div> <div class="HprMsc"> <div class="gs"> <div class="ii gt" style="font-size: 13px; margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 15px; padding-bottom: 20px;"> <div>Dear Mister Dean,<p />As both an elected official and a leader among other elected officials,<br />your words carry a certain weight. Your comments about author Neil<br />Gaiman--a resident of your state and mine--are simply deplorable. You have<br />used the same terminology that people reserve for Hitler to describe a<br />popular fantasy and children's book author in addition to frankly silly<br />name-calling that has absolutely no place in any place of business, let<br />alone the State Legislature. If anything, you have only revealed yourself<br />as an ineffectual leader, one in whom all respect has been lost. No one<br />likes a bully, Mister Dean, and no one wants a bully for a leader.<p />I sincerely wish you all the best of luck in your reelection campaign,<br />should you choose to run again, as it will no doubt be the hardest one you<br />have ever--or will ever--had to run.<p />By remaining in the position of Minority Leader for the Republican Party<br />in Minnesota, however, you are doing the office, the party, the state, and<br />the people a terribly disservice.<p />Sincerely,<p /><br />Nathaniel Ray Pickett</div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </td> </tr> </table> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <p>Look him up on <a href="http://congress.org" target="_blank">Congress.org</a> if you want to do the same.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://blog.nathanielray.com/congressman-writing">BLOG.NATHANIELRAY</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5289028685736937919-4883444336379718696?l=thejhexp.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/0FB9zNtACqoC3vrPPpe51AZz5pY/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/0FB9zNtACqoC3vrPPpe51AZz5pY/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/0FB9zNtACqoC3vrPPpe51AZz5pY/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/0FB9zNtACqoC3vrPPpe51AZz5pY/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/LKPi/~4/XQx3cEgLtqg" height="1" width="1"/>Nathaniel Ray Picketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01277645216407095007noreply@blogger.com0http://thejhexp.blogspot.com/2011/05/congressman-writing.html