Biggs' Zone

A Geek's Cogitations, Conjectures and other Cortical Experiences

Passion and Humility

By

On August 1, 2012

In General Cogitation

I firmly believe people should be passionate about the things they believe in and enjoy but I’ve learned recently that its important to know limits. You can be passionate to a fault. If you don’t learn to know your limits you become obtuse and irrational. If you do know when you have reached your limit, you also learn humility. I have learned this lesson recently and its a tough thing to swallow because unfortunately I became obtuse and irrational before I discovered humility.

While I’m not going to mention specifically what brought me to this uncomfortable place, it might become obvious to some. I really wanted something to succeed and I did all I could to present a positive image despite all the negative feedback and news that seemed to happen on a daily basis. The more people cried and spat the more I became angry at how ugly they were making it out to be. The recent statistics are indisputable which has only proven the ugly truth that the trolls have been spouting all along.

I have been taught a painful and valuable lesson in humility. It isn’t the first time and it won’t be the last time because despite the fact that I fought a losing battle I still remained true to my beliefs. This is what is good and bad about American politics and the feuding political parties. It’s good to see people fighting for what they believe in but some fight it so blindly that they do not allow room for compromise and defeat. This is an equal flaw among both parties.

So I have decided that while I will continue to support my passion, despite what the future holds for it, and ignore all the negative comments and news. I don’t care anymore. I will not let it affect my enjoyment even if I am in the minority. Life is too short to allow “me too” trolls to burden my passions.

The MMO Times: Mechs, Pandas and More!

By

On July 26, 2012

In Gaming, MMO Times, MMORPG

Issue 42

Greetings Gamers. I want to start this issue off by offering my thoughts and prayers to the families of the Aurora movie massacre. It’s awful that such a thing could happen but don’t let that discourage you from seeing the movie. Its a great film and a great finale to The Dark Knight Trilogy (you can read my review here). I’ve only managed to see it once but I would see it multiple times (if it weren’t so expensive to see a movie in the theater).

So if you have the Guild Wars 2 beta test out of your system (unfortunately I didn’t get a chance to participate in the beta) and you are on a break between your viewings of TDKR, check out the following headlines. It has been a pretty interesting week this week. Of course some big announcements from Blizzard (which I’m sure most of you have already heard) as well as some more MechWarrior Online videos. Read on and enjoy!

Read More

Soapbox: Movie Theater Etiquette

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On July 24, 2012

In Soapbox

I recently saw a movie and I rarely see a movie in the theater, mainly because I think its too expensive to see movies anymore. I really dislike movies that are only available in 3D because I really don’t want to pay an extra $4 per ticket just for a gimmick whose fad is starting to wane. But I digress.

So my past movie theater experience was The Dark Knight Rises (you can read my review of it here) and I had a rather rude stranger sitting next to me. He started by arriving late so his girlfriend kept texting and calling him but it was only during the previews so it wasn’t that upsetting, but it set the precedent for the remainder of the evening. He sat right next to me and seemed to want to check his texts or respond to texts every 10 minutes. In fact at one point he was talking on the phone to his girlfriend who he sent out to get him pizza (from the local pizza place located in the same building as the theater).

I couldn’t believe how rude and obnoxious this asshat was. There were a few times I became really tempted to start screwing with the guy. I even thought about trying to reach over and grab a slice of his pizza. In fact I think from now on if you are sitting next to me and you feel the need to read and respond to your text messages, expect to share your messages with me. If I see you reading and sending texts I am going to purposefully look at your phone. I’m not going to try to hide it either. I am going to lean over so you can feel my breath on your neck because obviously your text messages are more interesting then the movie.

There is a reason that theaters have the promotions that play just before the movie asking all patrons to turn their phones off. All of us paid to watch the movie but your texts and phone conversations are not part of the experience, unless you are sitting next to me … then I will make them part of my experience.

/end soapbox

Movie Review: The Dark Knight Rises

By

On July 21, 2012

In General Cogitation, Movies, Reviews

[rating: 5]

Starring: Christian Bale, Tom Hardy, Gary Oldman

Synopsis: It has been 8 years since Batman took the blame for Harvey Dent’s evil indiscretions and in that time nobody has seen or heard from Batman or Bruce Wayne. Now a new evil emerges connected to Bruce Wayne’s past, Bane. Now Batman must learn to accept the past tragedies and save Gotham once again but he isn’t alone as some new allies come to his aid.

Biggs’ Review:The previous Batman franchise began degrading after the second film, when Tim Burton was no longer involved with the movie and Michael Keaton was no longer Batman. This was the stigma Christopher Nolan had to overcome. The fact that this film kept the same director and the same actors for all three films already puts it ahead of its predecessors.

I would say that The Dark Knight (the second film) is the best movie of the franchise but this movie definitely comes in second place. I thought Tom Hardy was incredible as Bane. Just as Heath Ledger, you hardly knew it was Tom Hardy but Heath Ledger’s Joker is still far more legendary. Joseph Gordon-Levitt was also incredible. I really liked him in this movie and his character’s story takes on an unexpected twist at the end. In fact the end of the movie leaves a few options open for a spin off or two. Christopher Nolan does a great job of wrapping up his Dark Knight trilogy. I think one of the best things about this movie, its not in 3D!

The MMO Times: Before The Dark Knight Rises

By

On July 19, 2012

In Gaming, MMO Times, MMORPG

Issue 41

Greetings again, Gamers! Now that all the hype of Comic-Con is out of our systems we are all watching diligently for news of the next big titles. Granted Gamescom is coming up and there might be a few surprises for MMO gamers. I know everyone is also anxiously awaiting the final Batman movie (to begin at midnight tonight) so here are some articles to keep you occupied while you wait in the lines.

In this issue there is more news for those awaiting MechWarrior Online, more news about SWTOR despite all the vile hatred spewing from some gamers and MMO “pundits”, and the reviews are in for The Secret World. Read on gamers and don’t spoil the ending of Batman for those that haven’t seen it yet.

Read More

Soapbox: Don’t Punish the Students

By

On July 19, 2012

In Soapbox

When the accusations emerged of the atrocities of Jerry Sandusky, I admit that I gave Joe Paterno the benefit of the doubt. I thought that perhaps he was so disgusted with the accusations that he wanted nothing to do with Jerry Sandusky again (now why Sandusky remained on the staff, I don’t know).

However, after the findings that came out of the Louis Freeh report I regret ever saying anything in defense of Joe Paterno. Whether he was coerced into cooperation or was involved with the decision to cover it up, he is just as creepy just for covering it up. I don’t care how much football is embedded into your life, you shouldn’t place your career, or the wonderful sport of football, above any form of sexual abuse prevention. I don’t blame the university and the NCAA for giving consideration to tearing down the Paterno statue or even striking his achievements from the record books. (As a side note, whether its written or not he will still be remembered as the former “most winning-est” college football coach).

I don’t agree, however, with the possibility that the NCAA might shutdown Penn State’s football program. Perhaps if it was decided to do it for one season, while harsh, is warranted. There are some that seem to be calling for the permanent shutdown of Penn State’s football program, which is just a little too far. I understand that the high ranking university officials need to be punished for allowing such terrible things to happen, but shutting down the football program punishes the students!! It will destroy an already severely damaged student body population. I’m sure enrollment will be almost non-existent and recruitment will be even more sparse, but if you shut down the football program then they should downgrade Penn State’s status has a major university.

I just can’t believe that they would even consider shutting it down permanently. Haven’t the students, and the current football players, been through enough devastation? Football was not the reason Jerry Sandusky did what he did so why take that away from the students? Such a decision could literally smash the dreams of many aspiring athletes. I do not condone any of the actions of those university officials involved with the cover up but keeping the football program alive won’t be perpetuating their grievous actions. The law will see to it that they are properly punished but keep the football program open so Penn State has a chance to try to rebuild its lost rapport.

/end soapbox

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