SimplePhrase Blog

B.L.O.G. Update

ethan — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 21:35:48 +0000

The SimplePhrase B.L.O.G. (aka Big List Of Games) has been updated with three new games: Cthulhu Dice, Song of Blades and Heroes, and Call of Cthulhu.

Mixology

ethan — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 20:08:23 +0000

I just finished a mix in record time. (That's as in a mix tape, or collection of songs intended to be listened to in a specific sequence.) I've got this somewhat new thing going on with my mixes this summer. In the past, my mixes were meticulously crafted, each song painstakingly tested for smooth song-to-song transition based on key signature, tempo, and instrumentation. With the past couple of mixes I've done, however, I've taken a more stream-of-consciousness approach: As a song plays, I'll wait for the next song to suggest itself based on the vibe of the current song. Then I'll put that song next in the mix, and assuming it's a passable transition, I move on to the next song. In this case, "passable transition" means anything that doesn't make me vomit or cause my ears to bleed. Because let's face it: Perfect transitions are exciting and all, but even with a mediocre transition, there's only about a second or two of adjustment and then you're into the next song.

The upshot of all this is that you get a more organic feel to the mix, and therefore a looser listening experience. I'm liking it.

Beemster Graskaas [cheese blogging]

ethan — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 16:43:25 +0000

Link.

Creamy, with a rich and complex flavor. The origin story at the link above makes it cooler. I would definitely eat this again.

3 year Australian Cheddar [cheese blogging]

ethan — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 21:06:15 +0000

Lo and behold! The Australians know how to make damn good cheddar. Aged three years, this cheese was oh so sharp and extremely tasty. If you like cheddar, that is, and I so do. That said, this would not be my first choice for a knock-your-socks-off gourmet cheese experience. I've been spoiled by the likes of Prairie Breeze, Marieke Gouda, and the BellaVitanos.

Zombieland

ethan — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 19:22:49 +0000

Wikipedia.

I watched Zombieland last night. I liked it a lot. There are probably more things I could say, including helpful information that would help you determine whether it was something you wanted to watch, but I just don't have it in me to write a full review today, even a review by my own low standards.

Suffice to say it was a feel-good zombie movie. If that doesn't tell you what you need to know, check the Wikipedia entry.

Queries

ethan — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 05:08:18 +0000

Q: What's stupider than making the back of a cell phone out of glass?
A: Nothing.

Q: What's stupider than, having bought one of these cell phones, not putting it in some kind of protective case?
A: Also nothing.

I have no sympathy for any of the blog posts I've been seeing that say "Oh noes! I dropped my iPhone 4G!" You knew it was glass, and you didn't have it in a case?

I think I'll go around with a hammer and smash every uncased iPhone 4G I see. They'll stare at me as I brush the flakes of glass off of my sleeve, and I'll say, "What? You didn't have a case on it; you knew this could happen."

Remembering the Happy

ethan — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 02:49:17 +0000

Sometimes, I'll experience a thing and enjoy it at the time. Then, later, I'll come to the conclusion that whatever it was is crap. Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace is an example. Twilight is another. I enjoyed both of these things when I was first exposed to them. When I subsequently concluded that they were both garbage, I became, if not ashamed, then certainly chagrined at my initially favorable impression. But that's stupid. There's little enough pleasure in the world without invalidating past enjoyment based on how I think I "should" have felt.

So, yes, I enjoyed the hell out of Twilight when I read it. I ranked Phantom Menace above Jedi on my way out of the theatre from watching it the first time.

Let's be clear: They both suck. But that doesn't mean they didn't make me a little bit happy for a brief period. There's real value in remembering the happy, regardless of its source.

Raclette [cheese blogging]

ethan — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 23:35:23 +0000

Wikipedia link.

I found this cheese interesting but ultimately unappetizing.

Sky Doll

ethan — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 16:23:57 +0000

Amazon link.

I had hoped for some marvy sci-fi with a twist of Heavy Metal. I was completely disappointed. Perhaps it's a bad translation, because a lot of the dialog came out of left field. There were many plot twists that were nonsensical, and most of the character motivations were utterly unfathomable.

The obvious punchline is, "Are you sure it wasn't like Heavy Metal?" To which I respond that I was referring to Heavy Metal's gonzo flavor rather than its typical execution.

If I had it to do over, I'd give this one a miss.

Marieke Gouda [cheese blogging]

ethan — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 15:39:57 +0000

Marieke Gouda is an award-winning cheese out of Wisconsin. It is insanely delicious. I can't really think of anything else to say about it, except that I want more of it.