The Voice of Reason's Journal

I am the dog, you are the cat. How do you like that?
Salutations. I'm updating via this journal and not

jeroenwing JUST TO MESS WITH EVERYONE'S HEAD.

Valentine's Day is almost here, OMG! I think I will celebrate by making out with the Dead or Alive 2 instruction booklet. Booyakasha.

No one is here, my brother's car is broken down (again!), and I'm painfully bored. No one is online, either. I will probably spend all of today playing a pirated Final Fantasy Tactics Advance ROM image.

Current Mood: bored
Current Music: Wayne Brady Show, for some ungodly reason

Another update begins. (end disclaimer)

I have been playing basketball on the outdoor courts at a nearby park on a semi-regular basis over the last few weeks. In addition to rendering me too tired/lazy to bother with online shenanigans for the most part, my skin seems to have become less pale. It's too early to tell whether or not this is a good thing.

While watching the Stanley Cup Playoffs, I've noticed that I often become the sort of television viewer I loathe - the armchair coach. Yes, despite the fact that I've been to an ice rink all of twice in my storied life and have never played hockey on ice, I feel compelled to tell the players on the screen that they should skate to the net without the puck and apply forechecking pressure. I knew that all of those hours invested into NHL '94 on the Sega Genesis would amount to something!

Try as I may, I just can't seem to take the threat of SARS seriously. They should have thrown a C in there and called it SCARS, now that's a menacing acronym. "FEEL THE WRATH OF SCARS!" I would definitely be more afraid of it in that case.

(post)

and you will believe in love
From now on, I'm going to start updating this journal and checking my friends' journals on a regular basis. Also, when I do update, the content will actually be interesting for a change.

April Fools.

Current Mood: conscious
Current Music: Peter Gabriel - Games Without Frontiers

Damn, I love orange juice. And painkillers.
I've just spent the last six and a half hours editing the Eastside Hockey Manager player database, simply because I cannot bear to play a game where the players' stats aren't 100% accurate to their real life counterparts. ("They put Doug Gilmour's checking at 68?!? He's a 74, at the least!"). Also, I think it is because I am slightly insane. I haven't gotten around to editing the European prospects yet, partially because I would just be making things up if I were to edit their statistics, and partially because I don't really care to do so.

I read that Mido of Ajax has been suspended from the team for the rest of the year because he threw a pair of scissors at his teammate Zlatan Ibrahimovic. I suppose such an action could arouse some dissent within the team, yeah. I like the way he plays and refers to himself in the third person, though, so I hope he stays around in the Eredivisie.

Notice how this entry included nothing of interest? This is why I haven't updated in months.

Current Mood: somatic
Current Music: Afro Celt Sound System & Sinead O'Connor - Release

Wow, I was actually able to log in to LiveJournal! Considering how I've been unable to connect to AIM, send e-mail, or view most websites due to time out errors, I'm impressed. There was a major ice storm in this area that knocked out the power for a few hours, and ever since my wonderful dial-up connection has been infuriatingly sluggish and unresponsive. It's like...not a steady stream of data, just short bursts. I'm hoping that this will be resolved soon, but given my ISPs rather unstellar track record regarding incidents such as these, it's difficult to be optimistic.

I fully expect this entry to be lost completely when my connection cuts out on me as I press the "Post" button.

I think about how cool it would be to be in possession of The Power Cosmic far too often as of late. Or even just the Cosmic Cube. I have to clean the pool today for the last time this year before "winterizing" it (I'm not sure if that's the proper terminology, but it will do). And I think, "if only I had the power to do it merely by wishing it so, I'd have it made." Why I'm updating my journal about this, I have no clue. I suppose that if my mind begins to slip even further into my daydreaming fantasies, therapists will have a point of reference as they try to deduce where it all went wrong.

Ooh, Family Feud with Richard Karn is on.

Current Music: Psychedelic Furs - Highwire Days

For too long now...
I am in need of a job. Or a substantial donation to my bank account by a mysterious benefactor. Either will suffice. If it weren't for the extreme anxiety that goes along with job applications/interviews, I probably would have one by now. As it is, I've only submitted two applications: one to a drug store, another to the library. I doubt I'll get hired at either establishment, but at least I'm making an attempt.

I watched Alias for the second week in a row tonight. I can't tell whether or not I like it yet. The initial La Femme Nikita-esque premise seems cool, but then they have to add in the fact that Sydney is also a college student into the mix. Uh, okay.

I'm looking forward to tomorrow, because there's a chance I may receive the latest issues of Blade of the Immortal and Legion in the mail. And yes, if that happens it will be a top contender for the highlight of my week. Such is my life.

The Lost Highway soundtrack is a lot better than the actual movie, IMO.

Current Mood: indifferent
Current Music: Barry Adamson - Mr. Eddy's Theme 1

They've just NOW started blaming video games for the rise of the Maryland sniper. I was beginning to worry about our media losing its edge. Someone on the Today show keeps talking about the motivation is game-like, the "I am God" message being indicative of the sniper being a gamer, that the shooter may be as young as 15.

BITCH PLEASE

random thoughts masquerading as an entry
I am in love with the game Jagged Alliance. It's seriously the most entrancing game I've ever played. I like the way the mercenaries have their own personalities and idiosyncrasies. For example, if you order Fidel to retreat in the middle of a battle, he refuses do so until the enemy is killed/retreats! And Ivan doesn't speak a word of English and when he talks, indecipherable (to me, anyway) Russian text is displayed on the screen. Genius.

PSV suck in the Champions League this season. Lost their last two games 0-4 and 1-3, respectively. They are doing well in the Dutch Eredivisie, however. Milan is doing well in both the Champions League and their domestic league. Filipo Inzaghi has scored 12 goals in his last 5 matches, and on Tuesday they beat Bayern Munich AT Munich.

I've started drinking coffee again. It has helped me with my inertia problems and I'm actually doing things now. Caffeine is blessed.

I hope Lula wins the presidential elections in Brazil, as he seems a very progressive choice for leader. Former socialist workers' union leader who led the first revolts against the military dictatorship in the 1970s who has calmed down considerably and is currently leading the polls. The BBC World News seems to imply that his election will spell doom for financial markets in South America, BUT WHATEVER.

I wonder if I'll remember to update more often after this.

Current Music: Felipe Carvalho DJ & MC Gambit - Elas Tomam Tiro de Fuzil

Breaking the silence
LiveJournal just informed me that my password is too easy to guess, and that I should change it. To that I say, "STOP TELLING ME HOW TO RUN MY LIFE".

It has been quite awhile since I last updated. I wish that I had an acceptable reason for that, but there is none. Today seemed like a good day to update, though, particularly since I slammed headfirst into a brick wall of boredom that rivalled that which inspired me to start my first livejournal, jeroenwing, in the summer of 2000.

Look at me, I'm getting nostalgiac about two years ago, as though it were worthy of a Bryan Adams song treatment. Somebody help.

I hate the gym. Nevertheless, I've been going every other day in an effort to regain some semblance of being in shape. I've learned that I am not very proficient in the field of working out. Today is one of my days off. I chose to waste it utterly and completely by reading comic books and lounging in the pool. And being online, of course.

blah blah blah blah blah pretentious crap blah blah blah

Current Music: Queensryche - Eyes of a Stranger

I knew I shouldn't have mentioned anything about the World Cup. Upon writing that, both of the teams that I wanted to win...didn't. Alas. The weauxf gods strike again.

I've updated the team and player data for the 2002 FIFA World Cup game by EA Sports so that the stats and characteristics of all eight teams that played in the quarterfinal are 100% correct. Only 30 more teams to go! Actually, I probably won't even bother with editing the non-qualifier teams like Austria, Australia, Greece, and Israel. I was planning on making a patch that would introduce Holland into the game (replacing Israel), but apparently the information at the Team Select screen can't be edited without crashing the database. Which sucks. At this point, I blame the KNVB for wanting too much money for the image rights for EA Sports to include Holland in the game. Bastards.

In other news, Shenmue II and the soundtrack to Chariots of Fire by Vangelis are keen. Also, the official 2002 FIFA World Cup score is by Vangelis, too. What can I say, the man is multi-talented.

Back to Shenmue II.

Current Music: Vangelis - Eric's Theme

unsurprisingly, I feel like hell. being a hypochondriac on top of that makes it worse.
[over two years]

In between random vomiting and fever, I've been playing Planescape: Torment. I borrowed it from one of my brother's friends (who is surprisingly cool, despite that fact). I installed it and played it for a few hours about two weeks ago, then let it sit gathering dust until I decided to find something to get my mind off the alien burrowing inside of my digestive tract/illness. Thus far, it seems to be succeeding.

I'm trying to refrain from commenting on what has gone on in the World Cup as of late, in order to stave off any potential jinx I might impose. Ridiculous, yes, but it has been doing the trick. I will speak no more of this.

Some time ago, I mentioned reading The Fall by Albert Camus. For some reason, I can't bring myself to finish the rest of it. I put it down with about 24 pages left, and I'm strangely reluctant to resume where I left off. I suppose it's because almost all endings leave me disappointed, regardless of how well-written and thought out they may be. Probably because I don't want them to end, I want to be able to return to them at my leisure and find myself surprised by the events that have taken place since I last checked. The Neverending Story resonated pretty strongly with me as a kid, I guess.

Lately, I feel that fear and disappointment have become the defining influences in my life. I can't seem to convince myself that life isn't as I imagined it would be. Things do not come easily. The potential consequences that go along with taking risks seem to outweigh any potential benefits. Every minor thing is made into an epic struggle, etc.

Wow, this entry went to hell rather quickly. I think I'm going to take some sinus medication along with a shot of Pepto Bismol, and call it an afternoon.

Current Music: The The - This Is the Day

I'll admit my fatigue.
Watching the World Cup and playing Uplink has overtaken the majority of my time (or at least, the time that would be used to update my LiveJournal). Also, there is the distinct possibility that I may be driving on a regular basis. My life is as thrilling and exciting as a rerun of Hill Street Blues, I know.

Which reminds me - I've had the good fortune to stumble upon some truly awful movies in the last week or so. Showtime Extreme and the Encore Action channel are simply the best sources for these. A few days ago I caught Soda Cracker (apparently also known as The Kill Reflex). I really cannot find the words to accurately describe how uncomfortably generic and retarded it was. Check out the trailer and see what I mean for yourself.

I also saw a movie with Danica McKellar (Winnie Cooper from The Wonder Years) where she thinks her neighbor is a serial killer and says "motherfucker" a lot. Additionally, it featured Billy Dee Williams as a recovering alcoholic cop! I only wish I were lying.

I'm not sure whether or not I want to renew my paid livejournal account after it expires. At first I thought that the fact I was paying for it would encourage me to write more often (in general, not just journal content), but obviously that hasn't been the case. Alas.

Current Music: doctor who - theme

keep that funk alive
Is there an unwritten rule that states that any moderately amusing or sucessful commercial must be followed with a string of increasingly inane and annoying sequels? Like so many other companies' advertising campaigns, Nike have totally ruined that 70s retro funk commercial with the sequel. It's such a lame attempt at recapturing what made the first one relatively entertaining. Then again, the same could be said for most sequels.

The first match of the 2002 World Cup is a mere 32 HOURS AWAY. Defending champions France take on Senegal in the first match. Senegal will be making their first ever appearance in the World Cup, so I expect them to be blown away rather handily by the French. Even though Holland failed to qualify for this World Cup, I'm eagerly anticipating this edition. I've picked Spain as a my dark horse favorite to go all the way, but I've yet to accurately predict the winner of a World Cup.

In 1990, I picked Holland to win. (Crashed out in the second round to eventual Cup winners West Germany)

In 1994, I picked Italy to win. (Italy lost in the final to Brazil on penalty kicks - I was pretty close)

In 1998, I again picked Holland to win. (France beat Brazil 3-0 in the final. In the semi-final, Brazil defeated Holland on penalty kicks. Holland lost the 3rd place match to Croatia)

So, given my past track record, look for Spain to bomb out in the first round.

You've caught me at a bad time
So why don't you piss off

I love that last line. It's spoken so low that you can barely make it out, but it conveys the quiet bitterness perfectly.

Current Music: New Order - Your Silent Face

I really need to upgrade my computer, in order to enjoy the new games out there. Too bad that requires money.

Also, Doctor Who: Death Comes to Time is spiffy. It reminds me of watching those slide projector educational programs in elementary school, only much cooler.

And man, it must suck to be Santiago Canizares, the would-be starting goalkeeper for Spain:

Dropped bottle rules Canizares out of World Cup
Spain goalkeeper Santiago Canizares was sensationally ruled out of the World Cup on Friday night after dropping an aftershave bottle on his foot. "The glass shattered on impact and cut through a tendon," said national-team spokesman Fernando Garrido.

Current Music: MPro - Jinsei Shinzaki

Uh...
Pressing that "I'm Feeling Lucky" button on Google tends to produce some strange results. For example, just recently I found this. A page full of reviews about What Does This Say?, a compilation of Family Circus comic strips by Bil Keane. Here is my favorite review...

(3 stars out of 5) Kinda Maiden-like, April 27, 2000
Reviewer: MaidenFan (see more about me) from Newark, New Jersey
Reading Bil Keane is much like listening to seminal 80's metal band Iron Maiden (who rulz!). I can't wait for the Sunday morning funnies 'cause those are the ones that usually have those cool "follow the trail" Circus'. While I'm checking those out I like to play a Maiden song that's fitting, like "Run to the Hills" off of "The Number of the Beast", or "The Trooper" off "Piece of Mind". When Billy gets in trouble, I'm reminded of the tune "Flight of Icarus", because it's like Billy flew too close to the sun on wax wings. Figuratively.

Somewhat disturbed by this, I now go to sleep.

Apparently, LiveJournal no longer supports international characters? That's odd. In my last entry, Romario (with an accent ague over the a) showed up as "Rom?rio". Strange.

Yeah, I know, I should be sleeping now. I tried, but I can't make myself tonight. Sucks to be me.

Current Mood: restless

and you feel that this moment in time is surreal
Lately I seem to be getting parts of extended guitar solos in my head, and it drives me crazy until I force myself to remember what song they're from. Today's installment of this eternal puzzle happened to be "Stranglehold" by Ted Nugent. For some reason, I was thinking it to be a Dire Straits song. The part in question sounded vaguely like Mark Knopfler's playing in "Sultans of Swing".

The Fall by Camus is a book that I'm enjoying so far, but for some reason I find myself putting it down for a week or so before resuming where I left off. It requires a certain mindset for me to be able to get into it, I guess.

I'm probably never going to watch another movie while in the same room as my grandparents, as they have to talk throughout and ruin everything. Either that, or they leave the room for 15-20 minutes and want me to fill them in on everything that has happened since they were gone (and subsequently act shocked when that request annoys me). Basically, I want everyone to shut up while I'm watching something. Unless the program in question sucks, and merits disparaging comments.

Political news: Chirac was re-elected, thankfully. I'm not so thankful for Fortuyn's assassination, even if I disagreed with his ultra right-wing stance. Apparently his killer was a vegetarian/animal rights activist. I'll never understand those who claim to respect life, then go out and kill someone whose views differ from theirs. It's like those "Pro-Life" activists who gun down doctors who perform abortions. Nice logic, Cletus.

I have a feeling this World Cup isn't going to be as much fun as the last two were. Not only did Holland fail to qualify, but Brazil and Italy excluded Romario and Roberto Baggio from their squads, respectively. Maybe the US will surprise me and actually make it to the quarterfinals or something.

Hm, it's been a long time since I've produced any kind of creative writing. I need to find some motivation.

Current Music: Bruce Dickinson - Tears of the Dragon (Orchestral Version)

Now that was a storm. Winds up to 40mph, hail the size of golf balls, complete with the token several hour power outage! Fortunately, there was no tornado in sight (as originally expected by the weather forecast).

What sucked, however, was that my grandparents decided that I should join them downstairs. I'd just gone to sleep, so I was a bitter asshole. "Wow, I'm glad you guys had me come downstairs! I wouldn't have wanted to sleep through this or anything!" and many other similarly surly remarks were made.

The Great Satan (aka Real Madrid) defeated Barcelona, 3-1 on aggregate goals. I was not pleased. Hopefully Leverkusen will destroy them in the final on May 15th, but since they are likely to be missing Zé Roberto and Michael Ballack...eh. Oh yeah, there were two car-bombings by the Basque-separatist group ETA before the match. Only six people were injured (slightly at that), so it was all good.

Current Music: The Psychedelic Furs - Highwire Days

Advertisement