Biggs' Zone

A Geek's Cogitations, Conjectures and other Cortical Experiences

Why So Much Ewok Hate?

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On July 3, 2013

In Geek Canon, General Cogitation, Star Wars

tumblr_static_7I’ve been a fan of the Star Wars franchise since I was 10 years old. I’ll always love the original trilogy first but I honestly don’t mind the prequels. I get the fact that there are some folks (so-called “fans”) that don’t like the prequel movies, but hey that’s their deal. The Empire Strikes Back is by far my favorite of the six but I had no idea that people hated Ewoks so much.

Again, I don’t mind the Ewoks. I thought it was great when 3PO stood up and they all freaked out and started bowing to him as if he were some kind of god; that was awesome. I suppose I get that people have a hard time swallowing the fact that all the power and might of the Empire was thwarted by fuzzy creatures using sticks and stones, but I think that’s the point. I think its the dichotomy of the two sides that makes the fight interesting and entertaining. The Empire’s overconfidence in their advanced technology was the character flaw and thus why the Ewoks were successful in their assault.

An arrogant enemy isn’t always a victorious enemy.

I liked the Ewoks. I’ll take a thousand Ewoks over one Jar-Jar any day! So why is there so much Ewok hate?? (oh, and the other thing that makes Return of the Jedi great … Speeder Bikes … I want one!)

The MMO Times: Dude, Our MMO’s Awesome!

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On June 27, 2013

In Gaming, MMO Times, MMORPG

Issue 80Issue 80: I’m pretty sure that’s what DOMA stands for. Anyway, in World of Warcraft the first of the PTR raid tests have begun. This is usually an indication that the latest patch is probably within 6 weeks of hitting live servers. Granted they’re only testing two bosses and there are several bosses to test, plus they are only testing normal modes, but it means we will soon contribute to Garrosh’s fate. Of course, that is if you even care about WoW. There are other things going on if WoW isn’t your thing, its just the thing that currently has most of my attention (though I have been checking out The Secret World lately).

Speaking of The Secret World, there is news about it in this issue, plus new content for Aion, Age of Wushu, RIFT and more. Also, don’t forget that this weekend is the second Double XP Weekend in SWTOR! Also, everyone have a safe and Happy 4th of July!

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Why I’m A Cubs Fan

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On June 25, 2013

In General Cogitation

me_gpav_wrigley-smGranted, I don’t think its necessary to explain why anyone chooses whatever team they choose to root for but I feel that my choices for being a Cubs fan are pretty sentimental. The picture you see attached to this post is a photo of me when I was 2 years old. I am seated with my grandfather in Wrigley Field. Documented proof that I have been a Cubs fan since I was 2 years old.

It’s more then just a 30 year old picture. I grew up in South Bend, Indiana but I fondly remember my grandfather showing up at our house in his 1986 red Mustang to pick up me and my dad and we drove to Chicago to watch the Cubs play. He did this quite often. He was a die-hard Cubs fan and he passed that on to my dad and me. He passed away never having seen the Cubs win a World Series. I hope that doesn’t happen to me or my dad.

I hope to instill this love for a baseball team in my kids one day and I know my dad will do all he can to perpetuate the love for the Cubbies. I think to be a Cubs fan is like a good marriage. You must endure the bad times and savor the good times no matter how abundant and/or few there may be. I will never give up on the Cubs because I know my grandfather never would have.

So now you know why when someone asks me “why am I a Cubs fan” that I respond with “because I’ve been a fan since I was 2 years old.”

Go Cubs!

Soapbox: No One Deserves A Pedestal

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On June 20, 2013

In Apple, Microsoft, Soapbox, Technology

mighty_have_fallenI’ll be honest, I was going to make this another post about Microsoft (because they are still pissing me off) but I decided that I would try to be more of an equal-opportunity troll today. Unfortunately, I am going to start with Microsoft since they are the ones who have most recently been in the (tech) news.

Microsoft has backpedaled for a second time this year, on a second product (that’s not a good track record). Obviously the first time are the changes they are making in 8.1, though I still argue that what they chose to change is half-assed. We wanted a Start Menu with the Start Button, not your vomit inducing Start Screen. But I digress. When Microsoft unveiled the XBox One they were expecting fanfare, instead they got fan-flamed. Their architectural decisions for the XBox One were not popular and they paid the price with constant mockery and ridicule. Yesterday Microsoft changed their policy on used games and the always-on DRM. I’m still not thrilled about the idea that I wouldn’t be able to play my XBox 360 games on the new console so I still don’t feel the need to buy the XBox One.

I’m kind of tired of folks putting Microsoft up on this mighty pedestal when they are actually teetering on the edge of the toilet stool. Honestly, I don’t think anyone really deserves to be up on any pedestal right now. Apple isn’t really coming up with anything truly innovative anymore. In fact I’d say they are starting to play the catch-up game right now with Google’s Android. Speaking of Android, they’re not exactly inventing much lately either.

The fact of the matter is, it seems like they (Microsoft and Apple specifically) don’t seem to be listening to their users. We’re no longer living in a vendor-driven market, this is a user-driven market. Microsoft and Apple no longer have the power to dictate to us what we will use, we are telling them what we want. It’s up to them if they choose to listen and when they don’t listen the viral backlash is awkward and unpleasant. If anyone deserves a pedestal it would probably be Google as they are the ones that seem to be taking all the Apple and Microsoft complaints and providing solutions with their phones and tablets.

So the first half of 2013 has been embarrassing and tumultuous for Microsoft and uneventful and dull for Apple. Both have a lot promised for the second half of the year, hopefully their plans will bolster their already bruised and waning reputations.

/endsoapbox

The MMO Times: RIP Tony Soprano

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On June 20, 2013

In Gaming, MMO Times, MMORPG

The MMO Times: Issue 79Issue 79: What does Tony Soprano and the death of James Gandolfini have to do with MMOs? Absolutely nothing, but since this is my blog and I am a huge Sopranos fan, he gets honorable mention in this issue. If you have never seen The Sopranos, get on Netflix and watch it now! I’m a sucker for mafia and mobster movies and shows and The Sopranos was the epitome. James Gandolfini’s endearing smile and extraordinary talents will be sorely missed.

Mobsters and Waste Management Consultants aside, there are a few exciting things happening this week in various MMO titles. I couldn’t find a specific headline worth posting so I will just let you know that Game Update 2.2 for SWTOR went live this week! There is also new content coming to GW2, Marvel Heroes, MWO and of course World of Warcraft as more details of patch 5.4 come out. So while you are watching The Sopranos, check out these headlines, and don’t screw it up or you’ll lose two teeth!

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My First Attempt At Smoking

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On June 17, 2013

In Grill Master Biggs

Smoking a brisket. I’m sure some of you knew that, others might have thought I lost my damn mind. No, I don’t smoke and I never will. Anyway, this past weekend was my first attempt at smoking my first brisket. I didn’t do anything too fancy. The meat I bought was a 3.81 lb beef brisket from Costco. I didn’t want to buy anything too expensive in case I screwed it up. I used charcoal and water with some hickory wood chips for flavor.

R2-B2 Smoker Droid

I call him R2-B2 (he’s a Smoker Droid)

The rub I used was a custom rub that a friend created using various spices from some research on the Internet (and whatever I had in the house). It was an excellent debut rub!! I didn’t use any BBQ, this time (but it will probably be part of the attempt for the next time). I started the smoker about 9:30 and placed the brisket on the grill about 10:00 to cook for about 6-8 hours. Using a suggestion by Iron Chef Bobby Flay, about every hour I would go out and spritz the brisket with some Apple Cider Vinegar from a spray bottle. The real trick was keeping the temperature at an ideal level. About half way through I had to add more charcoal and more water.

It was a far more tiresome process then I expected (especially since I was in the basement playing on the computer between spritzings). The rewards were worth the effort though. It turned out pretty damn good and I’ve already come up with some ideas for the next time. Perhaps a different rub with some different spices, maybe a marinade. Either way, I’d say it was a pretty successful first try! It’s just a matter of honing my skills and making a few minor adjustments and then I’ll be ready for Bobby Flay’s Throwdown 🙂

/cheers

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