Cool Beans

Occupy Wall St, well Toronto for me

2011-10-26T21:52:00.000-07:00

Occupy Wall St. is a glimmer of hope in a tunnel of darkness. It seems the sense of morality has disappeared in politicians over these past few years, decades even. How long has it been since we had someone to believe in in public office? And actually come through with what they said they would? Obama, awesome campaign. troops back on day 1? more like troops back on day one of the next campaign trail. universal health care? I being in Canada must compliment you on a most, utter failure. You didn't even include people with pre-existing coverage, you just made insurance cheaper for the poor by taxing the middle class (incomes of up to 400% of the Federal Poverty Level(FPL) = incomes of $88,000 or less a year have to cover this. You need public support, you need the states to adopt it, you can't just push a bill through and expected it to get passed in a congress that has opposed time and time again the idea of universal health care.

But back to the point, wait, did i even have a point? Anyway, there's nobody in public office to trust, so, we have to take things into our own hands, it's what our nations were built upon, the ideal of liberty. the belief that no one man should ever have to answer to the state except for punishments of the severest crimes to society or taxes if he decides to become a part of the society. Even since the turn of the century, there have been more and more laws, not to mention more brutal punishments, it seems after we cooled down on the whole liberty thing we allowed them to start slowly constricting us. We've become Neo-Liberals, or as I like to call it, lazy Liberals!

So it's now our job to right their wrongs. Number One: REFORM THE BANKING SYSTEM. I know there are a lot of reforms that we're kinda behind on, but seriously, you want the economy better? less taxes? LESS NATIONAL DEBT? You need to reform the banking system. See, since we (well, most countries) have a central bank, we have the option of printing our own money, at no cost to us except for the ammount we're taking out. But most countries have started to 'contract' their money production to international banks, which you know, want something out of it. Not just interest, compound interest. so ask for $1,000,000,000 at say prime? 3%. so if it takes them 5 years to pay off their debt they would have to payyyy 1,161,184,142.30. and that's just 5 years, at one of the lowest interest rates ever. 161 million dollars? where are they going to get that money? from us, from our money that they printed, which the government has to also pay interest on. does something sound fishy here?

Our monetary system is a debt based one, which means, if your country has no debt, you have no money in circulation. so 95% of Canada's money is printed, which all has interest to be paid on. So if there are one trillion dollars in circulation, there's 3% compound interest on all of those. the gov't has to pay it off with the only money it can get, either international trade (which is why we export so many raw resources to be produced somewhere else) or on us, as lovely taxes. (and gov't owned companies). So there's less and less money in the system, which makes money not necessarily worth more compared to other currencies, but more valuable in our societies as we need more and more money to battle the rise in inflation.

So, guys? let's do it one step of a time, but you know the first one is the most important, so, do something big. EDUCATE THE PEOPLE! once they know this shit is happening nobody will want any of it.

But yeah, reforming our monetary systems would be really cool beans.

Did I mention one of the companies who prints bills for Canada was responsible for the hyperinflation seen in Germany during the 1930s? oh, and you know that Zimbabwe trillion dollar bill? those were their handwork as well.

I will post links to info if people would like.

Jack Layton Dead at 61

2011-08-24T12:54:00.000-07:00

As many of you may know the leader of the first time official NDP opposition has died on August 22nd. Which coincedentally was my birthday! sweet 19, In Canada that means I can buy/ do everything now, well, all the legal things of course. A nation mourns a great man. many of the people I've talked to about this seemed to revere him as the only politician that they could trust. Even as a minor party he still united opposition parties to rally against the Conservatives on crucial bills that has improved social welfare and general well being of the worst off in our society. He even stopped an election by voting for the conservatives on a vote of non-confidence where an election would otherwise have been called, as he knew that it would produce little result and eat up millions of dollars.

Really, the summary of him and his work is best said in this AFP article

Harper was traveling in the Arctic but recalled for reporters on Tuesday his last meeting with Layton in June, saying Layton looked tired.

"But even at that moment, with the big personal challenge he had in front of him and with the big (political) battle we had going on between us, he was just still full of optimism and good will, and that's what I'll remember," Harper was quoted as saying by Canadian media.

Layton passed away Monday morning surrounded by his family in his Toronto home.

The mustachioed social democrat who helped his New Democratic Party surge past the Liberals to become Canada's official opposition earlier this year, lost a battle with cancer.

His body will lie in state in the foyer of the House of Commons on Wednesday and Thursday for all to bid him a final farewell before it is returned to Toronto for a state funeral -- usually reserved for prime ministers or governors general -- on Saturday.

The New Democratic Party had long been a marginal party in Canada, touting higher corporate taxes, a cap-and-trade system to reduce carbon emissions and a doubling of pension benefits.

But Layton electrified Canada's last election campaign in March, striking a chord with Canadian voters impressed by his grit and political fervor.

The NDP tripled its seats to 103, finishing second only to Harper's Conservatives and earning the right to form the official opposition for the first time in the party's history.

There are even discussions going on about making a national holiday immortalizing this 'revolutionary' figure. A nation mourns, but his accomplishments have broken the two party system, Jack's legacy will live throughout Canada's whole political future. Canadians have started to vote for what they want.

Good night sweet prince.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hrEr_v-3Bckhpo2cIgK1FD-h0V5A?docId=CNG.6e522651c7bd6c27e7ae3b200a632171.471

Maybe This Will be a 5th of November to Remember

2011-08-10T13:16:00.000-07:00

As many people are aware about Anonymous's recent hacking. Most attributed to LulzSec which seemed to start this movement. Guy Fawkes (The English terrorist/freedom fighter, call him what you will) tried to blow up parliament on November the 5th, an act of rebellion that has been popularized by the movie V for Vendetta. (If you haven't seen it, I urge you to do so. It may bring out the revolutionary in you,w ho knows?) They are proposing the liquidation of Facebook. Thy have a solid case, Facbook has millions of people's personal info's and has sold it multiple times to companies, law enforcement, government agencies etc. The whole problem with Facebook is that if you're part of this generation, you will 99% have it, because 99% of your friends all have it.

Peer Pressure is fucking stuff up like usual.

I personally support this whole-heatedly as I do not like Facebook, the only reason I have it is so I know about certain events, things that are not Facebook's prim function.

The Video can be seen here: I don't know you or care about what your views are, but do your research, take a side and fight for your end to the teeth, if you care about it that much. if not it was just another Cool Beans story to you.

Oh, and apparently thy killed the guy that shot down the US chopper: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/11/world/asia/11military.html?_r=1

The Stock market is cool and doesn't afraid of anything

2011-08-08T23:51:00.000-07:00

(Please excuse any small typos, my 'e' key works about 75% of the time and is dropping)

SO, America's dollar? up

America's credit rating? AA++
well, that's better than most of their inhabitants.

Stock Market?

It's in a bit of trouble to say the least. Dow Jones took another hug hit today as did most of the major indexes. It's a great time to short some stocks if you know what you'r doing!

I recently took out some money to start trading on the stock market. well, what I thought was the stock market. You see I have always had a liking of silver and the difference between that and gold is the largest it's been ever. SO what I got into was a futures market that allows you to trade 200:1 ratio with your dollar. so essentially you buy 200x more than the amount you're putting down. I (like the ignorant fool I was) put all my money in the market. I was up at the start (... up $1000 in two minutes?...) It didn't feel like real money. SO i kept it in, went up to make some delicious peanutbutter on toast, came down to see i had roughly 600$ left. I assumed what I owned I would keep, so I knew all of these commodities would rebound after a small drop, and they did... but not before thy sized my assets as I had no remaining cash to back them. (I'm not sure exactly how they can do this) but long story shot, I got kind of screwed. But I'm glad this happened, because to truly understand that fire's hot, you have to get burned by it. Knowledge only becomes wisdom with experience in my opinion.

London Riots!

Today (As I'm writing it) marks the fourth day of London riots. A lot of rioting and looting. A whole lot of energy and violence aimed at nothing... so senseless. You can see what has happened up to now at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/8689355/London-riots-all-incidents-mapped-in-London-and-around-the-UK.html

Libyan Civil War

You don't really hear much about Libya in the news anymore, since that whole 'people fighting for their freedom' month has passed, and we're back onto newer events. I'd like to give you some perspective on how the country's doing.

Well, it seems that the people are generally rallying behind the rebels and the government is holding on by sheer military control. As you can see from the picture to the left the government controls the central part of the country (mostly desert) as will as a small area around the capital with ongoing fighting for control of Tripoli. Uhh yeah, so looking pretty good for the rebels right now. Hopefully Gadaffi doesn't make a deal with North Korea.

Cereal Smash Off

2011-08-06T11:14:00.000-07:00

Now, most people, if they're not crippling poor, have had cereal. now I consider myself a sort of, fiend, if you will, for sugary cereals. They are delicious without milk and even more amazing within. Long story short, I'm making a list of my top three sugary cereals. I'm going for TASTE, none of that health nut crap (although it is important to live a healthy blah blah blah). hmm, I guess it wasn't that long of a story. But it was cool, a very cool story.

#3 -Bronze metal (well, at least you made it)

Special K

Ketamine, better known as Special K is a potent horse tranquilizer. It Is said to give an out of body experience, and many report seeing god and/or other religious/spiritual experiences. Oh wait... right, cereal... okay, yeah Special K gets the bronze metal for my tasty cereal list (I guess that's the name now, It can't be the sugary cereal list) is Special K. Although it may be healthy, it is dam delicious. By itself, the cereal is pretty good and the crunchy-ish dried strawberries are pretty good. All thought I find there is not enough of them. It's especially good with other fruits cut onto it like bananas and strawberries, raspberries and blueberries. I do no means endorse ingestion without the aid of milk. I'm serious, shit's dry bro.

#2 - Silver metal (Remember, If you're not first, you're last - Ricky Bobby's Dad)

Apple Jacks

Although I haven't had them in a while (due to an inability to find them) but take my word they are delicious. imagine delicious apples + sugar in the form of a cheerio, doesn't sound good? Well then you're insane, unless you don't like apples, or have an irrational fear of cheerios. Well, I guess it's not thaaaat irrational. But yeah, Delicious and such, great for snacking on.

#1 - Gold metal (GJ, you get what you set out to accomplish)

Cinnamon Toast Crunch

everybody who eats cereals should know this and revere it as one of their top cereals. No matter if you're a health nut or not, this is simply DELICIOUS. It really is the taste you can see, even alone they look and smell mouth watering. The combination of cinnamon and sugar on a small baked flake is the epitome of orgasmic. Great alone and amazing with milk, it's the best choice for any occasion (unless you have diabetes). It tastes like a punch of sugar right into your mouth, more or less.

Cool Beans Bonus Choice!

Reese's Pieces Cereal

Those of you that have read the Calvin and Hobbes comics by Bill Waterson all know about Calvin's fascination of sugary cereals, most notably, chocolate frosted sugar bombs. Well, the title of his favourite cereal more or less explains what Reese's cereal is. its just a chocolaty, sugary ball, so delicious. This is my personal favourite to snack on since it doesn't get my hands all sugary like cinnamon toast crunch does. Really good in milk but gets soggy, and Reeses' soggy is absolutely horrid, which is why this cereal isn't part of the list.

All in all, cereal is a very versatile food, snacked on dry or doused in milk it's good anytime, anywhere.

Canada's Budget seems like it's doing alright.

2011-08-03T13:14:00.000-07:00

Four months after the Conservatives won a majority. I can't really complain, roads are being built and fixed. There are incentives to hire students, which helps me. Canada is coming out of the recession as one of the top preforming countries. Our dollar is up (but that's no doubt due to the recent crises in the United States).

The NDP are actually calling some shot a as a MINORITY opposition. you f*ck with them and they're gonna filibuster your ass, and then talk for a long time. But Jack Layton is off fighting cancer, which could prove a very vital problem. Because in my opinion, in the last election most Canadians weren't voting for their local MP, or even particularly the NDP, but for Jack Layton. the future of the NDP is very uncertain at this moment.

They have reached an agreement and Canada should be showing surpluses in the next decade

The Internet Billing meter was killed, thank god, and that's mainly due to online petitioning sites such as avaaz and care2petition. it takes a minute or two (literally) to sign up and you can instantly sign any cause you care for, I think it's a great new initiative popping up.

Many people around the world desire to move to Canada as their #1 destination, and there's no reason that they shouldn't except for the weather.

*** IF YOU ARE THINKING TO MOVE TO CANADA PLEASE HEED THE FOLLOWING ***

- Our weather is whack. you think it's cold? if you haven't come from a country that has parts in the arctic circle, let me tell you it is a B*TCH. Be prepared for cold for about 6 months of the year... all... the... time... during out 2 month spring and two month fall the weather is generally good, but greatly fluctuates. It may be seasonable, but then for a few days BAM it's FREEZING or REALLY INEXPLICABLY HOT. our summers get HOT, you may not expect it (hey, Canada, cold right? NOPE) the last two weeks have been parched with bating sun and temperatures as high as 43 degrees (Celsius, about 109 Fahrenheit for Amurikahns).
* This is from the experiences of a lifetime resident of the Greater Toronto Area or
GTA for short

- We have many social expenses, so say hello to some taxes. depending on how much you make income tax is about 18 - 32 % with 8-13% tax on bought goods (depending which province you are in)

- Awesome Healthcare

- People are generally frindly

- Depending on where you go it can be completely Asian, black, ethnic European, etc. like in any city but it is a lot more noticeable.

- Business is Booming

So in short, Canada? doin alright

Revolution in America?

2011-06-14T22:10:00.000-07:00

There has been much news recently as to America's declining state. It that "America #1" wont b there for long. Perhaps in due to the recent influx of peaceful protests for basic rights has awoken something in a people who have lived in the dormancy of Neo-Libralism. The fleeting value of commodity goods have left a de-industrialized behemoth. Unemployment is up, crime follows as well as Homelessness. The growing divide between rich and poor is the highest it has ever been. Reckless spending and the unchecked wall street circus has far surpassed the extent which spawned the Great Depression.

The breaking up of peaceful protests which is a clear infringement of their first amendment rights.

"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety"

The foreign wars they carry on in, constantly impeding their mission of freedom with their presence. This was apparent in 2004, they knew it, so did everyone else, and yet they stayed. It couldn't be another lost American War.

The Technological infrastructure of even the most "secure" networks can be bypasses by amateurs. Government security is most likely worse than your work's. http://lulzsecurity.com/releases/

not implying that those that infiltrated these websites are amateurs by any extent.

Much 'revolutionary' sentiment, if you will, is being communicated through the internet. Countless videos have been created to point out the flaws in the American system. Many of them asking others to join up and topple an already staggered giant. Blogs, like never before have people communicating on such a level that the vast wealth of information that you or I hold is truly at your fingertips. This is the free speech that those philosophers of old had envisioned, complete and utter freedom of expression.

"Gerald Celente, the CEO of Trends Research Institute, is renowned for his accuracy in predicting future world and economic events". Celente has predicted that by 2012, America will become an undeveloped nation. He believes that America will be in revolution in the coming decade.

"We're going to start seeing huge areas of vacant real estate and squatters living in them as well. It's going to be a picture the likes of which Americans are not going to be used to. It's going to come as a shock and with it, there's going to be a lot of crime. And the crime is going to be a lot worse than it was before because in the last 1929 Depression, people's minds weren't wrecked on all these modern drugs - over-the-counter drugs, or crystal meth or whatever it might be. So, you have a huge underclass of very desperate people with their minds chemically blown beyond anybody's comprehension."

http://www.commodityonline.com/news/Revolution-food-riots-in-America-by-2012-13062-3-1.html

So, what will you do in the coming revolution? embrace it, run or fight it

Fast Cars & Small Arms

2011-06-04T11:39:00.000-07:00

There are two fairly interesting stories that I would like to bring to you on this raining depressing Saturday-day. Ah I love these days.

The first is about a playboy millionaire. Ryan LeVin, a 36 year old offspring of wealthy jewelry owners was sentenced to two years house arrest in the United States. LeVin, who has already had over 50 trafficking charges throughout his life as well as a history of drug abuse and parole violations ran over two businessmen killing them both and then speeding off. Initially LeVin had blamed this on a friend but has since plead guilty to the charges. He never apologized or showed any remorse for what he had done. He was supposed to be sentenced to 35 years in prison for double vehicular homicide, but after a deal was reached with the widows, his sentence was reduced to a measly 2 year house arrest in his parent's beach side resort summer house. He essentially bought the two women out. Broward Circuit Judge Barbara McCarthy stated that "The need for restitution does outweigh the need for prison". My question for you is, how, at every turn, does our society and judicial, political, economic and every other system preach equality yet favours the wealthy over the impoverished? How long will it be before the plebes realize this and revolt, or will they never, because ignorance truly is bliss, even in everlasting sorrow.

"Couldn't help but make me feel ashamed to live in a land Where justice is a game. "
- Bob Dylan

The second story I stumbled upon was of a Nepalese soldier that single handedly held his position against 30 Taliban troops during his tour in Afghanistan. Although I never advocate the taking of lives, this is a great triumph of the human spirit if you will, the willpower that each and every one of us has in us. A great man once said that "Bravery is not the absence of fear, but the will to overcome it." Ah, survival mode can make people achieve great things. Dipprasad Pun, the 31 year old British soldier proclaimed "I had so many of them around me that I thought I was definitely going to die so I thought I'd kill as many of them as I could before they killed me." this only serves to concrete that there is really nothing to fear but fear itself. We humans are just as capable as each other, if one man can peacefully obtain the rights of their people, so can anyone. Pun was awarded with the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross, one of the highest awards to be given out by the Brits. If anything it was an amazing feat of the human will to go on in the face of overwhelming adversity. If he can do it, so can everyone, but 30 kills and 0 deaths? pretty sure this guy's hacking.

Stories:

LeVin
http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/news/local/ct-met-levin-hit-and-run-2-20110603,0,7039906.story?page=1&track=rss

Pun
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110602/wl_uk_afp/britainmilitaryafghanistannepalaward;_ylt=Agt7xCGst9IlNfMBum6XHeltzwcF;_ylu=X3oDMTE1ZmprcnFlBHBrZwNpZC05Njk2NwRwb3MDNQRzZWMDTWVkaWFIQ00EdmVyAzc-;_ylg=X3oDMTJyOW5xY3N0BGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDZDUyNjk1ZWQtMzNlNy0zMzM4LWJiODgtMzBiZGRhY2U5NDFkBHBzdGNhdAN1cwRwdANzdG9yeXBhZ2UEdGVzdAM-;_ylv=3

GotW: Warhammer Online

2011-06-02T07:53:00.000-07:00

Hey guys, sorry I haven't been posting in a while but I actually managed to somehow get a job *angle cheers*. I didn't even get the job conventionally, it was only because I bumped into my friend randomly and he referred me to the place he was leaving. It really is true that most jobs aren't obtained through want ads, it's pretty much who you know. My new job, which really isn't all that interesting along with my new obsession Warhammer Online have pretty much been taking up all of my free time that I would otherwise have. But thinking about this blog I have returned with a new found fondness and structure to my blog that I feel you will all enjoy.

Well, enough with all that chitter-chatter, time for toady's post. I'm going to be doing something new with my blogs, well, not so much new, but, better structured.

Today is the first post in a segment called Game of the Week. I will show & explain different games that I have either played or found interesting enough to share with you all. so with out further adui, let's get this show on the road.

Warhammer Online is an MMO much to the style of World of Warcraft. Its aims were a bit different as it focuses almost entirely around PvP. Sure you can do the single player or group based PvE if you like, but the main alluring factor of this game is its unrivaled player versus player and more importantly Realm versus Realm combat. The PvE is like any generic MMO, go here, kill this, talk to this guy, walk here, gather 10 of these, etc. etc.

ps. you can make your character look BALLIN as hell.

But this game takes the meaning of constant war to a new level. In fact, if you want to level up faster in any one of your three ranking bars, PvP is the best choice. as I mentioned there are three experience type bars. the first is your level experience, this is the regular xp gained from killing monsters, players and doing quests to get you from rank 1 to 2, 2 to 3, and so on. there is also a 'Renown Rank' this is the experience you get for participating in Realm versus Realm, Player versus Player combat and doing public quests. The higher your renown rank, the better PvP armour you can buy and wear. While not essential but it does help a lot for PvP

Oh man, now I gotta explain public quests, I forgot how complexly awesome this game is. A public quest is like any type of quest with a few differences. 1) there are different parts to a single public quest, like you have to kill so many of x creature (which are all around the quest area constantly respawning) to start part two, then you do part two whatever it is and usually kill a boss in part 3. the interesting thing about this is anyone can help the public quest and be rewarded even if they're all not in the same group. Warhmammer Online has a cool system of reward, at the end of the quest all the players get to roll for their place in receiving loot, based on your performance throughout the entire quest you will get +xxx to your roll, if you're first it will be +500, and it goes down accordingly to your place. you roll a number from 1 - 1000 and add your respective number and that's how it's decided which loot you get to pick from.

Now Realm vs Realm combat is probably their most exciting feature. you know open PvP in wow, where every day you might see an enemy in your area that kills you or vice versa? yeah, well, imagine that on crack. imagine maybe a group of 30 players constantly fighting against a group of 40 players in the open world. if that isn't enough, imagine them fighting over specific objectives having to keep an assemblance of order and making holding the line a necessity rather than a preference. once more, imagine these 70 some people fighting in a castle siege with archers and mages fighting from the parapets of the castle wall while a swirling melee goes on in front of the gates trying to destroy the battering ram that's battering down their gates. are you salivating yet?

All races have 4 classes, there are 6 races. in the game, there is a total of 24 classes, a good variety to choose from. and all races have a DPS, Healer and Tank + 1 other unique class, such as the warrior priest, who is a melee healer, I know, badass right? hitting people to heal them.

Now, I think I've gone over much of the important parts of the game, oh wait, each side (order and destruction) has a capital city. this whole Realm vs Realm stuff isn't only significant on the local level. if one of the factions, lets say destruction owns most of the tier 1 - 3 realms, then they will be able to start advancing on tier 4. if destruction takes all of the tier 4 objectives, they get to assault the enemy's capital city, which means, a huge city siege complete with raping and pillaging (rape isn't a mechanic in the game yet but you can emote it haha).

OH, and one more thinggg, it's free to play. forever.

So yeah, if this sounds like something you'd like to play and have time for, i would really suggest trying it out. the player base for this game took a big hit due to Wrath of the Lich king coming out. It's the best MMO imo. So yeah, check it out.

ps. the 3rd experience bar is for influence, the more you do in a certain area the more you are rewarded.

Cool Beans Bros and Brolinas

May 2-4

2011-05-19T21:10:00.000-07:00

Well my friends, it is May 2-4. the long weekend in the spring that allows you to appreciate the coming of summer by getting wasted. Also for those working on Monday getting time and a half ain't bad. This weekend also means sun and shine with awesome temperatures for people in the GTA.

Well, going on to our neigbours to the south, The United States has reached its max debt limit."The U.S. Treasury will settle $72 billion in maturing bonds on Monday, which will push the country right up against its $14.294 trillion borrowing cap". Looks like shit has hit the fan, but i'm sure they'll find a way around it. they're proposing to raise the debt limit even more. And, basically, they're just going to take the money for pension funds But don't worry, they'll raise the debt limit, then hit it again, suspend your pensions for a few days, raise it, suspend it, raise it, suspend it. Until they can't anymore. Somehow America is going to have to realize the hypocritical nature of their government, so I say vote for ron paul, he really wants to be president.

Time to go to bed. after a hard days work tomorrow my friends, May 2-4 (y).

Stories Here:

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2011/05/as_us_reaches_debt_limit_geith.html

http://www.zerohedge.com/article/treasury-confirms-debt-ceiling-be-breached-today-will-tap-pension-funds

Most Looked forward to game of 2011

2011-05-17T15:10:00.000-07:00

In an age of rapidly advancing technology gaming has become a behemoth of an industry in comparison to that which it used to be. Limits are being stretched every day and countless games are being developed. There is one game that sets itself apart from all the others in my mind. It was released to be the most realistic game that was possible on a computer, which it still is to this day. It aimed at giving FPS players a game that looked and felt realistic. It is a WWII shooter (no matter how many WWII shooters there are I'll never get sick of them). If you don't already know it by now, the game is called Red Orchestra,

Red Orchestra chronicles the lesser explored Eastern Front; the war between Germany and the Soviet Union. this was the most brutal and savage war that this world has ever seen. tens of millions died on the fields of battle, and millions more civilians died than soldiers. This game is the most realistic shooter out there (save for maybe ArmA, but not after RO 2 comes out) Red Orchestra 2: The Battle for Stalingrad revolves around the famous battle on the Volga river that turned the course of WWII. Fun fact, if the Germans took Stalingrad Russia would have most likely lost the war (90% of all their oil was derived from the Caucus region, south of Stalingrad).

Sniper scope in Red Orchestra

Tripwire (the developer of Red Orchestra) is implementing many new features to the game. eg. blind fire (the ability to shoot over walls without exposing your head. blind fire is truly blind), an online campaign (players fight for 10 strategic locations in Stalingrad and ultimately win or lose the city of Stalingrad. some regions give bonuses in the form of better weapons, manpower, etc.), morale (not sure how it works) and more.

If you're looking for a fun FPS, I humbly recommend that you at least give RO a try, it is one of the funnest (that's right funnest, no matter how many people tell em that's not a word i don't care, if D'oh is a word then by Odin's Beard funnest should be) games out there.

This game is so cool beans that they're frozen

Also, Anchorman is an awesome movie

College

2011-05-13T16:44:00.000-07:00

College is an awesome place at an awesome time in your life. You spend your prime years studying what you want to do for the rest of your life, or what you think you'd like to do. even if it's not practical (Peace Studies) or if it can even get you a job (Philosophy). You learn a lot academically and about life. You learn to be responsible by being irresponsible. It gives you experiences on which to make judgement in later life.

Yet there are many aspects of college that people miss out on. Some drop out, don't make friends, get a degree in something cool but useless or in something they realize they don't want to do at all. Some people just don't enjoy college because it's not the place for them or they simply do not do enough.

I know that I wanted to do a lot more in my first year than I actually did. I made a bunch of friends and pulled through my grades like I always do, but I feel I could have done so much more. I wish I was more active in school clubs/life/politics. I should have done more hw and got a job and less dicking around. And talked to more women, ah, the women.

What's one thing that you wish you did/did more in College today?

College, Cool Beans?

Good Books

2011-05-09T12:47:00.000-07:00

Now that I'm off school I have a good amount of time to read things that I want to read. I got this book for Christmas from my friend and I have to say, it is on of the most masterfully told stories I have ever read. It chronicles the Battle of Stalingrad from both German and Soviet perspectives, from enlisted men to generals and dictators.

The book is: Enemy at the Gates by William Craig. For those of you that made the connection between it and the popular movie with the same title they are nothing alike. The book does tell of Vassili Zaytzeff with about as much detail as it does for any other soldier in th book. The book really allows you to feel how horrid the war was and how pointless and stupid the loss of life. Even though you know the Germans are going to lose you still root for them, not their ideology, but the individual soldiers that made up the entirety of 6th Army. You realize that the hardships each soldier went through were mutual, and you love all of them for it, you root for every soldier you read about. For a history book it is on of the best told stories ever written. For those of you who like history I implore you to read this, and those of you who don't I very strongly recommended this book, because if you read this, you will like it.

My question for you is, what are some of your favorite books? (any history books would b greatly appreciated)

This book is very, very Cool Beans

If you wish to buy it I have provided a link:
http://www.amazon.com/Enemy-at-Gates-Battle-Stalingrad/dp/1568523688

Osama Bin Laden Killed. Tory Majority. Slut Walk

2011-05-06T19:33:00.000-07:00

Well, it has been a very busy week for news indeed. for those of you that have been living under a rock, allegations of Osama Bin Laden's death have surfaced. apparently a team of navy seals found his hiding complex, killed him and buried him at sea without any real photographs take. (photographs were released of his deceased body but they were confirmed to be fake. soo yeah, I for one don't think he's really dead and this was just done as a publicity stunt for the widely unpopular Obama administration, but let me know what you guys think. I have set up a new poll for whether you believe Osama really is dead or not.

For those of you that live in Canada it is an exciting time indeed. The Conservatives won a majority (an have control over the senate) essentially allowing them to do whatever they want for the next four years. the NDP is the biggest it's ever been and has officially changed Canada from a two-party state into a three party state.the Bloc has been dissolved into a 4 seat non-party alignment. even the party leader Duceppe lost his seat that he had held for 20 years. The Liberals have received their lowest number of seats in their entire history and also lost their party leader who will now be teaching at University of Toronto. The Green party has officially gained an elected seat, it's first in history. yeah, the next four years will be interesting for us Canucks.

And now we get to the important news, thats right, the next 'Slut Walk'. alright, so the rundown on this is: some cop said that "man, deze bitches that gt raped n shit only get raped cause they look like sluts" then some bitches were like "yo fuk dm cops it's da rapist doin the rapin not me dressin whorish" and then th cop was like "nope" and the bitch was like "SLUT WALLLLLLLLK!". thus the creation of an annual event was cemented. and now we have 'slut walks' to raise awareness of rape, wait, no, sluts. hmm, actually, i think it's just an excuse so women can dress slutty, hey, I'm not complaining. chances are if you live close to a metropolitan city there's a slut walk near you! have fun

So I'd say this week was pretty cool beans

If you have a PS3, you should have Demon Souls

2011-05-01T11:09:00.000-07:00

I got a PS3 for Christmas because my brother was getting a new one so I got his old ones (fuckyeah hand me downs) I'm a much more dedicated PC gamer than i am console, so I wasn't sure what games to get for it.

My friend introduced me to the game Demon Souls and let me tell you it is FUCKING AMAZING.

It's an RPG game that's set in a land taken over by demons. their souls act as your currency. the combat mechanics are as of yet unmatched in the realism and style. there are 5 worlds all with various themes, and a boss at the end of each part of the level (5 parts per level, 5 levels = 25 levels, 25 - 30 bosses). you can utilize any style of play you wish, a quick squishy ninja, a dual-ax wielding barbarian, a heavily armoured knight, a sorcerer or just a regular knight. oh, and there's bows if you want to be Legolas.

All of these roles are awesomely powerful in their own way, but you have to adapt to their style of play. this allows for each playthrough with a different character will be a different experience with different outcomes.

the enemies are imaginative and very demon-like, there's always new creatures in every level.

one of the major attractive features of DS is the online capability. while you are fighting through your world you may encounter phantoms. Phantoms are other players that are either trying to help you (Blue Phantoms) or trying to kill you along with the monsters (Red Phantoms).

there is also a neat feature called 'world tendency'. it ranges from black, to neutral to white. the more you die, the blacker it gets (Black means you are less powerful and enemies are moreso) if you kill bosses and blue phantom it switches tendencies to white (the vice versa of black).

after you finish the game doesn't mean it's over by any means. after beating the game you go to 'Game+' and then 'game++' and so on. it is the same as the original 25 levels, only much harder (the units are more powerful, have different attacks, different units in various places, etc.)

Demon Souls is a widely acclaimed game and the sequel 'Dark Souls' is in production aiming at a October release date.

But once this game comes out, the servers for Demon Souls will be closed down meaning the online feature of the game will be lost, one of its major attractive features. they do this because they claim the first game to be done, while Dark Souls will be current.

Warhammer 40K!

2011-04-26T11:52:00.000-07:00

So, now that I'm done school, I have a lot of time for other things and hobbies. One of my favourite hobbies is Warhammer 40K, a very expensive and time consuming game that's totally worth it. Imagine world war two, except all over th universe, and the 'sub-races' actually are different races.

If anyone hasn't checked this out I strongly urge you to, as long as you have spare time on your hands that is.

The new set of Daemon hunters is out and they do look totally BA. now known as they Grey Knights, they are no longer a sub faction but their very own independent one.

Also, if my post is missing e's it's because it only works about 30% of the time.

Here's a link to the Games Workshop site, the creators of Warhammer: http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/home.jsp

Finally Done! (also 420)

2011-04-19T19:05:00.000-07:00

Yes my friends, I have successfully finished my first year at McMaster University. Well, I'll see how successfully after my exam marks come out, but I have a pretty good feeling.

Good news for you, this means that I will have more time to post Blogs and will be updating them much more regularly.

As many of you may know it is 420 tomorrow. My question is, What are you guys doing for such an auspicious occasion? I'm waking and baking, saying goodbye to everyone I know at university, spend the day with my girlfriend, then catch a 3 hour train home and smoke with friends back home. It seems like it will be a very relaxing day :)

even if you don't smoke, what are you doing for April 20th, the day that Hitler was born (Yes, that's right, Hitler's birthday was on 420. It probably explains some of his philosophies on life).

VOTE

2011-04-12T14:06:00.000-07:00

This is a message to every Canadian citizen reading this. Register to vote, exercise your right that people are dying for. Unless you want seniors dictating what you can and can't do... VOTE. my grandpa thought black people were going to take over the world and was damned worried about it, there's a few more important issues i'd rather be addressed. and please, make an educated vote, take a little time to see what you really care about and who represents that. we have one of the most free societies in the world, don't take it for granted.

UpDaTe

2011-04-11T08:23:00.000-07:00

Hey guys, I'm sorry I haven't been posting lately, but, I'm currently in university and it's exam season. I know what you're all thinking, it only takes 30 minutes (realistically less) to write a blog post. you see, I have this style of studying, it's called I procrastinate. So instead of studying the global history of the 20th century, I'll read about say Argentina and Peron's reforms, then wonder what Argentina is like today, look it up on Wiki and before you know it, I'm playing the Hitler-Wikipedia game. one time i clicked random article and Adolf Hitler just appeared, so, pretty sure I've won the game forever.

Now I could procrastinate by making a Blogger post, yes. but, it includes writing about cool stuff and my brain's so full of fuck at the moment that I cant be cool, unless you're into history, I know a lot about that. Ya, you don't need to tell me, I don't have a future, but that's for future me to deal with. screw that guy anyway, hes a dick.

P.S. if anybody knows anything about culture studies send me a message or leave a comment, it would be greatly appreciated if you want to help me.

Since my brain's so full of fuck (history) at the moment, I bring you a 1000 year history of wars in the world, in video form (y).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hsDn2kNriI

99 things you should have seen on the internet

2011-04-04T17:46:00.000-07:00

GREG RUTTER'S DEFINITIVE LIST OF THE 99 THINGS YOU SHOULD HAVE ALREADY EXPERIENCED ON THE INTERNET UNLESS YOU'RE A LOSER OR OLD OR SOMETHING is packed full of interesting, funny and amazing clips and websites. Most of them are videos are pretty funny and i would suggest going through this list whilst high. Have fun watching hilarious videos. http://youshouldhaveseenthis.com/

Watch Megaideo movies without the 72 minute time limit!

2011-04-01T15:18:00.000-07:00

Using EZwatch you can ignore the pesky 72 minute limit. thus making many more movies that much more watchable. (it seems to not work for some movies, but for the most part it works).

http://ezywatch.com/

The Colonoel's secret is out

2011-03-29T17:42:00.000-07:00

the closely guarded recipe for the Colonel's prize chicken has been sought after for many a years. that finger lickin', artery clogging heavenly taste that KFC has had a monopoly on has finally been recreated. It's as you would expect, complicated as F*CK. for anyone craving that respite enough, you can now recreate it in the comfort of your own home. bon appetite. www.kfcchickenrecipe.com

Intelligent people do more Drugs!

2011-03-28T22:03:00.000-07:00

A recent study has proved that smart people do more drugs, and explained why. The Jest of the article is: every type of people do drugs. Smart people do more drugs because they have the capability to do more drugs. Now how they determined the higher intelligence individuals from the lower was based on IQ, not always the most reliable source, but better than nothing.

They found that smarter people, that is, people with higher IQs are more prone to do stupid things, BUT, they realize that they are doing these things and seek to counterbalance this. For instance, if a person with a high IQ eats an entire pie, they are proven more likely to go to the gym after to work of the fat they had just gained than those with lower IQs. so, inherently when smart people do drugs, they do things that will repair their bodies as opposed to less intelligent people who will do the drug and not do anything beneficial for their body.

Story Here: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-scientific-fundamentalist/201010/why-intelligent-people-use-more-drugs

I Just found this funny

2011-03-27T23:16:00.000-07:00

A Catholic mayor has been court ordered to stop praying in his councils. I know that church and state should be separate, but this is a bit too far. when you fine someone $30,000 when they wont stop praying, that's a little too anti-religious. Doesn't this come under freedom of speech? the right to religion? I'm sure if a Muslim was mayor and had to do one of his 5 daily prayers he would be allowd because he HAS to do it. when it's optional suddenly shit hits the fan about what one can and cannot do. as long as he's not pushing it on anyone i don't see the problem with it

Story Here: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/quebec/mayor-told-to-follow-court-order-stop-praying-at-council-meetings/article1926094/

It's FRIIIIIIDAAAAAAYYYYYYYYY

2011-03-27T18:36:00.000-07:00

A heavy Metal version of Rebecca Black's Friday... Hilarious