We rock the NTN Trivia!

Mike invited me to go to Buffalo Wild Wings tonight with his girlfriend Ashley, and her friend Lindsey. We got there, enjoyed some delicious and very hot wings, and watched the Cubbies play the Rockies.

After a while, we finally got our hands on a Playmaker, the device used to play trivia. Tonight, PasTimes was the game to play. I'm not that hot at history (which is all it was), but we played anyways. Between Mike and I, we ended up with a score of around 11000 points. It's a 15 question game, and each question is worth a maximum of 1000 points, so we only missed out on 4000 possible points. We actually answered every single question correctly, it's just that you get more points the quicker you answer... so if you don't answer right away, you may only get 300 points instead of 1000.

We won the game at the Buffalo Wild Wings location... not bad for a couple of college students. After the game shows who won at the location, it starts to break down your performance versus other people nationally, and finally, compares your score to other high scores at that location. Mike and I got the 8th highest score ever recorded at that Buffalo Wild Wings location.

I love Buffalo Wild Wings... they need to build one in Ames. I wonder if any bars in Ames have NTN Trivia... if so, I am so there this fall.

E/N to the Extreme!

While my parents were out of town about a week-and-a-half ago, Zakk and I were struck my the hunger bug. Katie was working it up at TJ Maxx, so we decided we would make a meal for just the two of us.

We were able to find some ground beef, so we were going to grill up some hamburgers, except we couldn't find any buns. Shit. We then located some Rye bread and some onions. Who knows where I'm going with this already?

Yes, we made patty melts, and yes, I took pictures.


Sauteéing some onions in butter and garlic. Mmmmm.


More hot, hot sauteéing action.


Zakk's mad seasoning and grilling skills at work. Step off his grill, dawg.


The finished product. Note the grilled rye, the perfectly grilled ground beef, and the melted cheese and onions.


What would a picture post be without pictures of Jamie's Tupac chip? If you missed the original post, you should click here and check it out.

Re: Disgusted

Why is common sense at a goddamn premium at this day in age? If you're going to drag race (particularly at THOSE kinds of speeds)... aren't there far better places to do it? This is the only part of First Avenue that is 25 MPH, and the reason is because of the amount of pedestrians. If I wanted to drag, I could think of so many better places than there. Highway 30, for example.

If he in-fact did not have a seizure, I hope they throw the book at him. Again, I'm calling for Second Degree Murder, and he better get sent to pound-me-in-the-ass Anamosa.

This just bugs me so much. Alcohol was involved in the fatal accident on East Post Road. The Linn-mar accident on the Marion Bypass (Highway 100) was from lack of auto knowledge (if the car keeps accelerating, put it into neutral). A recent drug overdose also occured. All of these accidents were tragic, but entirely avoidable. Abby did nothing wrong, except be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

I didn't know her very well, but I am very upset by this.

Disgusted

Most of you have probably heard now about the accident on First Avenue that occurred late Sunday / early Monday.  You've also probably heard how the car skidded more than a city block, hit a lightpole, and a tree.  What you might not have heard in the initial reports (what the Gazette wrote in their Monday edition) was that the car also hit two pedestrians.

Later, the reports did indicate that the car hit two pedestrians -- one Abby Bowman and a friend... and Abby didn't make it.  I was very saddened by this... Abby sat in front of me during math class my senior year.  I didn't know her particularly well, but she was always smiling, always in a good mood, and was a very pretty girl.

It's a rotten shame that the driver of this car didn't take proper care and happened to hit two people simply walking across the street.  Things happen in life that don't always make sense, and this is no exception... how does a car driving 25 MPH surprise someone walking across the street badly enough to kill them?  The speed limit is 25 at that particular point on First Avenue.  I'm a bit confused by why Abby died, but things like this do unfortunately happen, so I wasn't particularly enraged about it... just sad and upset.

Talking to my dad this morning, my view drastically changed.  He has several friends on the police force, and he had heard the complete events of what occurred. 

The car driving down First Avenue was traveling at speeds between 80 and 100 MPH.  Abby probably didn't even see the car when she went to cross the street.  She was struck with such force that her body was split in two and her upper torso struck the windshield of the car, causing the driver to lose control, skid for a block, and then hit a light pole and then the tree.

This was not an accident.  This was a man with an utter disregard for the safety of his fellow human beings, and is guilty -- in my humble opinion -- of Second Degree Murder.  I am just so sickened I don't know where to begin.  Had this man followed the rules and regulations of traffic... Abby would've been struck at worse by a car traveling 25 MPH, and would be injured, but most likely not dead.  At 25 MPH, swerving would've been possible, and Abby also probably would've seen the car coming and never would've walked out in the first place.

I am the first to admit that I'm not always the most... emotional person.  We've had a few deaths regarding Wash students, Wash grads, and other area schools... but they have almost always been at the result of poor decision making... and while sad, were not entirely unavoidable.

This is not such an example.  This is a girl who was doing nothing more than cross a street, and was sadly taken from us before her time. 
 


Rest in peace, Abby.

As long as we're on that topic...

As long as we're chatting about Computers, I have a funny story to relate, courtesy of Mr. Jamie Barron.

You see, Jamie has been having problems with his computer. It is blue-screening. A lot. This is bad. So I did the whole nerd thing, trying to discover what the problem is.

During my detective work, I decided that perhaps the cooling system was inadequate. I'll try to explain this in a simple fashion for those who aren't as computing-inclined. Every computer has a processor -- the workhouse of the computer -- it does all the computation. There are two major manufacturers of processors -- Intel and AMD. While Intel chips are more commonly found in "off-the-shelf" computers you'd find at Best Buy, AMD chips are much more common in self-built computers, such as Jamie has.

AMD's processors sit on a ceramic wafer that is probably 1.5 by 1.5 inches. The actual processor, or "core" as it is called is less than the size of a stamp! It's probably 1/4 the size of a stamp, in fact. It is very tiny. This tiny little SOB puts out a ton of heat. Now, as you may or more not remember, heat is very difficult to dissipate from a small surface area. So we use what is called a "heatsink" to draw the heat away from the tiny little core and increase the surface area. I was guessing that something was awry with the heatsink.

Upon removing the heatsink, I noticed that Jamie's processor's core was CHIPPED. An entire corner of the processor was missing. Now, when a company makes something 1/4 the size of a postage stamp, you can damn well bet that the entire thing is important, and losing even a milimeter of material is NOT GOOD.

So we had discovered where the problem was. I tried reinstalling the heatsink and starting up the computer, but had no luck. It wouldn't even boot.

Goddamnit. Oh well, Jamie has a new CPU on the way anyways (he ordered a new one).

I'm playing a game with Zakk, and Jamie is screwing around with his comp. All of a sudden, I hear the familiar beep of a PC. His computer was running. This defies all logic.

I asked Jamie what he had done, and he replied, "I resurrected it." I asked him how he resurrected it, and he replied...

wait for it...

wait for it...

"I got that Tupac chip."

My Baseball Thoughts for the AL

We've reached a crossroads in the baseball season now. The mid-summer classic has come and gone, and now there's only one thing on the horizon -- the post-season.

There are so many teams that can be reasonably optimistic, but in the end, only eight teams will see post-season daylight. Let's break it down.

American League East
If you know me at all, you know I'm a huge Red Sox fan. As much as I hate to say it, I'm already becoming pretty focused on the Wild Card for my beloved Sox. The Yankee juggernaut looks to be too much for anyone to stop now -- plus ESPN says they have the easiest second-half schedule of any team in the Majors. Barring a meltdown of nuclear proportions in the Bronx, I would say the Yanks have it wrapped up.
Predicted Winner: New York Yankees

American League Central
Here we have a close race, with four teams all within 4.5 games of each other. The White Sox are clinging to a slight lead, with the Twins just a half-step back. Detroit (!) and Cleveland are both a mere 4.5 games back -- ground easily made up or lost. Detroit is vastly improved from a year ago, as-is Cleveland, but neither is ready to compete in the post-season. I'd look for Cleveland to have yet another fire sale -- they are still not ready to go balls-out and go for the World Series. As for Detroit, signing Pudge was a good start... with a few more smart moves, they could be competitive next year.

The White Sox enjoy the second easiest second-half schedule in the Majors (again, so says ESPN), and the Twins have few remaining home games, and play a very tough set of opponents. Despite the Twins being a very aggressive and heart-filled team, I think it's finally time for the pale hose to return to the play-offs.
Predicted Winner: Chicago White Sox

American League West
What a race we have going on in the AL West! First off, Texas of all teams has the 3rd best record in the Majors, and you have the always-strong A's and Angels right behind them. The A's and Angels are tough teams, and people have been trying to find a chink in Texas' armor all season... but at this point, I just don't see it happening. Texas is for real, and as opposed to finding faults, people should start noticing that they're winning... a LOT.
Predicted Winner: Texas Rangers

American League Wild Card
Boston, Oakland, Anaheim, and Minnesota are all Wild Card contenders this year. Boston enjoys the 4th easiest schedule in the second half, but Oakland's right behind them in the 7 spot. I'll say right now, I don't think Minnesota will win the card. Oakland has their last seven games at home, and that is tremendous. Boston's last six are on the road. I think Anaheim will fizzle at the end of the year, much as they have underpeformed all season. Colon has been a huge bust, and despite the stellar play of stars such as Chone Figgins, the Halos just don't seem to be a playoff team this year.

So, that basically brings it to a 2 horse race... Oakland or Boston. I am going to have to give Boston the nod in this one, because I think Theo Epstein will make some kind of deal to get the team fired up and ready for the playoffs... maybe Houston will be interested in dealing Beltran. Either way, Boston should be playing better baseball, and I think they'll take the card. Oakland is playing very good ball, considering the team they field, and I'd look for them to continue on the same pace... Boston, on the other hand, has proven they are a better team than this, and that team will hopefully appear sooner or later.
Predicted Winner: Boston Red Sox

American League Divisional Series
Boston Red Sox vs. Texas Rangers
Once again, the card carrying Sox will be matched up against an AL West team. Texas has been tremendous at home, but simply good on the road. Unfortunately for the Sox, Texas will enjoy home-field advantage in this one -- 3 games at The Ballpark. This didn't stop Boston from knocking off Oakland last year, but Texas is a much better home team than Oakland is. If Boston is in the playoffs at all, they will be playing better baseball than they are currently, and I like the Sox in this one.
Predicted Winner: Boston Red Sox

American League Divisional Series
New York Yankees vs. Chicago White Sox
This will be a classic series. Chicago has been a very strong team this year, and New York has really seemed on Cruise Control at times. I think the 'hose could prove to be a very large disruption in the Yankee plans. Do I think Chicago will win? Not really. Do I think it'll be a hell of an ALDS? A whole-hearted yes.
Predicted Winner: New York Yankees

American League Championship Series
Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees
After meeting 19 times in the regular season, fans will have another 7 games to look forward to. Boston leads the season series 6-4 at this point, with 6 more games at Fenway and 3 in the Bronx. If Boston makes a deal like I believe Theo Epstein will make before the trade deadline, the new-look Sox could really make trouble on the Yankees. The Yanks can take games from Wakefield and Lowe, as long as Schilling and Pedro take the hill twice, that's all the Sox will need for victory.
Predicted Winner: Boston Red Sox

Random College Advice

Well, the greatest event in many of your lives is soon to be upon many of you. That's right, it's your first year at college. As I write this, I can't help but grin ear-to-ear. Going to college ranks right up there as one of the single greatest events in my life. Of course, it wouldn't have been nearly as fun without having a lot of advice.

Following in the footsteps of Baz Lurhmann, I will dispense this advice... now.

Attitude
It doesn't matter if you were the King Shit in high school, or just a shit. No one cares who you were in high school. N-O O-N-E. Check your pretentious attitude at the door, because it's not worth anything here, except an opportunity to make your freshman year hell.

Stop caring what other people think
College isn't like high school. Everyone doesn't know everyone else's business, and further still, even if they know your business, they don't care. *MOST* people stop judging everyone else (yes, FINALLY) and just let everyone be. If you ever start an action and think, "Gee, what would everyone think?"... you have the wrong mentality. Zakk couldn't believe I would walk down the hall wearing a t-shirt and boxers to the bathroom. NO ONE CARES.

Meet people; don't be afraid
Don't be afraid to walk up to people in the first couple of weeks and say, "Hey, I'm Adam, what's your name?" There are two easy conversation starters for freshman -- ask them what they're studying, and ask them where they're living. Again, this isn't high school where the cliques from middle school followed. This is a fresh slate... a clean start. No one knows more than four or five people. That means a lot of new bonds have to form quickly, so be a go-getter -- I promise you that NO ONE will find it weird if you introduce yourself to them. It's the one time in your life when you can basically just walk up to people and strike up conversation. Exchange names, exchange where you live, exchange majors -- it's that easy.

Iron out details with your roommate early
Not everyone is going to get as lucky as I did with my roommate last year. Form a roommate agreement -- a written document that irons out details for nearly any situation -- sex with the girlfriend, drinking, bedtime, lights, locks, whatever. WRITE IT DOWN. Keep it safe. Also, when you're going to bed at night, there's no finer time to discuss things... so make sure you do exactly that. If you have things ironed out ahead of time, you won't have any problems.

Go to Class, Go to Class, Go to Class!
Go to class. Period. End of sentence. Need some motivation? Go look at your University Bill. See that nearly $3000 for tuition? Yeah, that's right. Go to class.

Read the book
In my opinion, the academic part of college isn't hard. It's the part where you have to learn to control yourself and discipline yourself. If you go to class regularly, if you read the book, and if you do your homework, you will succeed.

Make yourself known to your professors / TAs
It is very easy to give someone a low grade if you don't know them. It becomes much more difficult to grade someone low if you can place a face to the name. Make a point of going to a professor's office hours at least two times during a semester, even if you don't really have any questions. The few minutes you spend doing that will pay huge dividends on your grade.

Do not be afraid to email them either. Email questions often, even minor ones. Your professors will not only help you understand, but again, they see that you are putting in effort, and will tend to give you better grades as a result.

Everything in moderation
Drinking can be fun, to be sure, but don't make it the highlight of your college experience. Studying can be important, but it isn't the only thing there is to do either. If you drink too much, you will lose track of your academic priorities, and the thrill will be lost. On the other hand, if you spend too much time studying, you'll miss out on other fun opportunities.

Solution? Keep everything in moderation. College is all about experiences (yes, plural). So yes, you should experiment. Just keep it in line. Don't do anything too much, especially drinking.

Take it easy
No one likes an alcholic or a drunk. No one likes a study addict / nerd. No one likes someone who does nothing but play games. No one likes someone who is often in a sour mood. Just as you should keep everything in moderation, you should also take it easy.

Honestly, nothing is that big of a deal. NOTHING is worth freaking out over, so don't. Drama is a rare commodity compared to high school... everyone is just so relaxed -- roll with it.

Make your room visitor friendly
If you want visitors (and why wouldn't you?), you need to make your room visitor friendly. Many people are very cool people, but have a room that just doesn't lend itself to having visitors. This is a mistake you should avoid. Make sure there is plenty of seating facing the TV -- if people can't come in and have a seat (and your bed DOESN'T COUNT), then they won't come in at all. Make sure the seating is someone comfortable and has a nice view of the TV. Perks such as ReplayTV, TiVo, GameCube, Xbox, or PS2 will help make sure people swing by.

Keep it clean
How often have you had a microwave, refrigerator, computer desk, bed, and TV in the same room? Probably never. My brother has a tough time keeping his computer desk clean. He also has a tough time keeping his video games clean. He also has a tough time keeping his bedroom clean. I shudder at the thought of his dorm room.

If you have a messy room, people won't come see you. A certain amount of disarray is to be expected, but don't get carried away -- people really don't like messy rooms... they are just... uncomfortable.

Attempt to eat right
Dining Service food is gross. Period. A time has come in your life when you need to stop being picky and fucking eat what is provided for you. Never has good nutrition been more important than college. If you don't eat right, you will get tired, cranky, and lethargic. This is not good. You will have less sleep and more stress than you've had before... the only thing that will keep you from getting very ill is solid nutrition. Don't just eat pizza and drink pop. Just because you CAN doesn't mean you should. Try to drink some milk or juice with every meal. Eat a verity of foods. Eat some fruits and veggies. Make sure you get some grains too. Trust me, it's important. Don't be a picky bastard.

I'm sure I'll have more advice later, but this is a good start.

You Adventure #1: Baseball Ballyhoo

This is a flash game made by the brilliant Fragmaster (yep, the same guy who read the F-Zero rant). It was made in late 2002, when a strike threatened Major League Baseball. It is quite possibly the funniest thing I have ever seen regarding baseball. You must play this.

You Adventure #1: Baseball Ballyhoo

Kill Bill rocks

I would just like to say that Kill Bill is one of the greatest films I have ever seen in my life. Everything from the music, to the performance, to Uma Thurman's hotness, to David Carradine's masterful performance as Bill just makes me love this movie so much. I am using the singular form of film, because it basically is one film, just released in two parts. Kill Bill Volume One is light on story, Kill Bill Volume Two has a little less action, but together, they make an amazing movie.

If you haven't seen both yet, the moment Volume Two is released on DVD, you owe it to yourself to see both.