another brick in the wall
Begin brain dump:
If you've been following the news at all, it will be no surprise that I'm very busy today blogging at CardSquad.
I'm also writing for a new ACME show, which I'll have details on in the future.
The story is not that Mark Foley is a disgusting pervert. The story is that Mark Foley is a disgusting pervert, the entire House GOP leadership knew about it, and covered it up because they are more concerned with protecting and expanding their power than anything else. The National Republican Campaign Committee also wants to take Foley's campaign money and spend it on other campaigns. Isn't that money pretty tainted? Wouldn't it be more appropriate to send it to an organization for victims of sexual predators? And where is the Christian Right on this? Their silence is deafening. Update: The American Taliban's own James Dobson blames an "oversexualized society" instead of Mark Foley for his behavior. So much for personal responsibility, huh?
I submit links to Netscape News. Here is my user page.
This week's Games of our Lives is one that I'm pretty happy with. Yie Ar Kung Fu:
Gameplay: Yie Ar Kung Fu recalls a simpler time, when enemies were named after their mode of attack, like Chain, Pole, Sword, and Feedle, and fighting styles were limited to the kick, the punch, and the jump. Beginning in Hot Fighting History, you take on relatively easy opponents on your way to Masterhand History, where things get really tough. There are a few basic combo moves, but just like in real-life kung fu, the best strategy is to be the first to the field, and the last to the couch. Also, punch a lot and jump.
Could be mistaken for: Five Deadly Venoms, 10 Magnificent Killers, 11 16-bit Fighters
Har. "Also punch a lot and jump" really made me laugh when I wrote it. I get almost no feedback on Games of Our Lives. What do you you guys think? Be honest. Next week's (which I just turned in) is another classic Intellivision game. Man, I love those Intellivision games, and I wish I hadn't been so intimidated by their crazy ass controller when I was a kid. It's great to play them on XBox, but I wish I could have played them "for real."
I'm listening to The Wall and The Final Cut today. It seems appropriate.
My stepson Ryan was accepted into Mensa! He had one of the highest scores in his group, too. This proves that intelligence comes from the mother, and geekiness, while not hereditary, is certainly transitive.
I'm madly in love with Threadless, and have a blog there, because what I need is another fucking blog. This is specialized, though, all about T-shirts and designs I love. Warning: if you love T-shirts like I do, stay as far away from Threadless as possible. You will get hooked, you will spend all your money there, you will run out of room in your house for new clothes. Of course, if you don't heed my advice, please spend all your money through this link, so I get kickbacks and free shirts.
I'm late to the party on this, but boy have I fallen for Sufjan Stevens. I got a crush on the music with the Little Miss Sunshine soundtrack (by the way, that's one of my favorite movies of this year, so go see it, if you care about movies I've liked this year) and it turned into a full-blown schoolyard romance with Illinois and The Avalanche.
End brain dump.
To conclude that story, Mark Foley is TRULY a disgusting pervert. Make that bold, italics, and underlined... O.o
Posted by: JeromeJohn | October 02, 2006 at 03:36 PM
Hey Wil,
I have to say I've enjoyed nearly every "Games of our Lives" you've written thus far. Not just because it brings back some great memories of hanging out at the local arcade all freakin' summer but also because of phrases like "Also, punch a lot and jump.". That's good stuff Maynard!! Thanks and keep'em comin'
Posted by: shrednfred | October 02, 2006 at 03:43 PM
I was in Mensa, but during a very lean time in my life had to let my membership lapse. Does that mean I'm not smart anymore? :O
Posted by: Elizabeth | October 02, 2006 at 03:48 PM
Plus, BTW, congrats to Ryan. :)
Posted by: Elizabeth | October 02, 2006 at 03:49 PM
congrats to Ryan for being accepted. While I doubt he has any chance of this, given who his parents are, please don't ever let him allow his membership in Mensa define him as being somehow 'better than' non-members. While I'm not a member (and never cared to be one), I've known folks throughout my life who were members and they were pretty elitist about it.
Posted by: tony mcdowell | October 02, 2006 at 04:17 PM
Congrats to Ryan!!!!! And to you and Anne for raising him to do his homework ;)
As for threadless, it is completely true. You made me visit the site with your last post, and now, I'm trying really hard not to give in to temptation.
Posted by: starshine_diva | October 02, 2006 at 04:28 PM
Wil,
I don't usually comment here but you do make a very good point. How does the fundamentalist right weigh in on this issue? Deafening indeed. More like "Silence is golden".
Posted by: Fred | October 02, 2006 at 04:34 PM
Wil,
This is what I get for not reading your entire entry before commenting.
HOW FREAKING AWESOME OF A MOVIE IS LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE?!?!?
I mean really, how freaking awesome? If anyone who reads these comments has not seen it, do so now. Not later. NOW!!!!!!!
Posted by: Fred | October 02, 2006 at 04:38 PM
I just bought the Miss Scarlet... t-shirt because of you. (shakes fist)
Posted by: Kelly | October 02, 2006 at 04:50 PM
Hey Wil,
I read your Games piece, and always think it's a romp down memory lane. I appreciate the turn of phrase closing this one. 10% of writing is getting the last sentance right. 10% is getting the first sentence right. The other 80% is blinding torment.
Rabbit (ATgamerswithjobs.com)
Posted by: [GWJ] rabbit | October 02, 2006 at 04:53 PM
I've always gotten a kick out of the Games of Our Lives articles - I remember how fun (or lame) some of these games were, and it's cool when you bring up the ones I was particularly fond of. And besides, some of the articles are just so goddamned funny as all I don't know what. I especially enjoy the captions at the bottom of each entry in italics with the link to your blog. For those of you who dig retro gaming and have slacked at reading these or following the links when Wil mentions them, you should really check out the archives - Goodtimes.
Posted by: Natalie | October 02, 2006 at 04:57 PM
I just saw "Little Miss Sunshine" yesturday and laughed my butt off. Everyone I've talked to about says its their favorite movie. Threadless has some super cute stuff. How can Mark Folery not go to jail?
Posted by: Kornham | October 02, 2006 at 05:10 PM
Wil,
Is your appearance on Revision 3's InDigital a one time event or a permanent gig?
Scott
Posted by: b117sat | October 02, 2006 at 05:16 PM
Check out Sufjan on emusic for easy access to all of his album.
http://www.emusic.com/artist/11570/11570419.html
Posted by: spi | October 02, 2006 at 05:28 PM
Re the Little Miss Sunshine soundtrack: funny, the version of the movie I saw had a soundtrack by DeVotchKa. (One of my favorite bands even before the movie ... I saw them open for the Dresden Dolls once. I mean, how frakkin' amazing is a band that contains not only a tuba festooned with glowing Christmas lights, but a theremin?!?)
Posted by: meredith | October 02, 2006 at 06:27 PM
WHY WHY WHY DID YOU SEND ME TO THREADLESS?!!?!
Bad Wil!!
There goes my homework time...
Posted by: starshine_diva | October 02, 2006 at 06:49 PM
Funny you should make the 11 16-bit fighters joke, as I have ALL of the SHAW brothers films!!
Posted by: pokerwannabe | October 02, 2006 at 06:54 PM
Oh, no! A website selling nothing but t-shirts? I already have more t-shirts than I could possibly wear and I still saw some I wanted. Wil, you're killin' me here.
And a big congratulations to Ryan. That's quite an accomplishment.
Posted by: Liz | October 02, 2006 at 07:07 PM
I don't even play video games (I want to be a geek but I just can't get it right. I'll settle for loving them) and I love GoOL. I read them whenever you link to it.
Posted by: Abbie Williams | October 02, 2006 at 07:17 PM
Your games of our lives entries are always good for a laugh. I don't always recognize the games (did you have a life in the 80s?) but even those get me to chuckle. If you're looking for constructive criticism, sorry you'll get none from me this time. I've loved every single entry.
Posted by: Squirrelgnome | October 02, 2006 at 08:12 PM
Wil:
Great post ... however .... as a natural independent I am willing to accede that both sides in the political maneuverings are the most interested in maintaining and expanding their political power. Great news about your stepson, Ryan. I would probably be able to qualify for Mensa, but have never really taken the time or interest to investigate it. Contrary to what some people might say or think, just belonging to an organization like that does not guarantee elitist attitudes .... that takes a whole lifetime of learning. I'm sure that Ryan has a well-balanced outlook, especially with you around ... everyone tsake care.
Posted by: GDISTORM | October 02, 2006 at 08:15 PM
Those who exposed the situation knew the intimate details for months and months, only to wait for the crucial 40 day window before elections. That's 90% the crime that Foley committed IMO.
And the American Taliban?
What suprises me most is how the unhinged sit around and wonder, "How did Republicans end up owning the country?"
Well, there ya go; times two.
Posted by: SAL9000 | October 02, 2006 at 08:52 PM
All-Rush mix tape?! NICE!
(I gotta love the Canadian content.)
I think all men love Rush. Something about changing time signatures and bass players that are also lead singers.
Posted by: WestsideKef | October 02, 2006 at 09:20 PM
Wil: Speaking as a current Mensan, bravo to Ryan for qualifying for membership. Now what he does with that knowledge will either make him smart or merely highly intelligent. Trust me, anyone in Mensa can tell you there's a BIG difference. :-p
Elizabeth: It's never too late. Come back to the fold... rejoin the dark si-- er, the Mensa family. ;-)
Posted by: Brian | October 02, 2006 at 09:36 PM
Hey Wil,
First comment after years of reading, but two pieces struck a chord. First off, I'm glad to see you're heading back to ACME. A friend of mine dragged me to "Love Machine" a while back, and it was one of the highlights of my time in Los Angeles. I can't watch TNG with a straight face anymore, because I always hear your voice screaming "I love stealing cars!" If this new show is half as good, I'll do backflips of joy!
Also, I love "Games of Our Lives." As a devotee of the arcades of old (I did most of my bonding with my Da over games of "Gauntlet"), it makes me positively giddy and a bit wistful reading about games I loved and may never play again. Actually, I got my hands on a "Yie Ar" machine a few weeks ago, and when I beat it I let out a whooping sixteen-year-overdue venting dance to let the machine know that it was now my bitch. I think I may have also lapsed into a chorus of "You're the Best." The teens around me must have thought I was insane.
Posted by: Declan Dempsey | October 02, 2006 at 10:02 PM