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Racing Into History

Congrats, Danica

By Shawn Borton ~ Sunday April 20, 2008

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And This is News...How?

Regional nuclear war would affect entire globe, study says

No shit, Shawn says.

By Shawn Borton ~ Monday April 7, 2008

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In an Absolut World...

…I’ll be drinking Grey Goose

By Shawn Borton ~ Sunday April 6, 2008

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Hunting Easter Eggs

Is it just me or have easter egg hunts always been held in an open field with the brightly colored eggs in plain sight? Because it seemed to me when I was the proper egg-hunting age, we had to look for them hidden in trees, under tall grass or bushes or maybe buried under gravel in the playground.

Whatever the case, we need to stop having our kids so easily find the eggs. Make ‘em earn it.

Oh, and Happy Easter / Late Vernal Equinox.

By Shawn Borton ~ Saturday March 22, 2008

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Am I Wasted?

While Karol‘s comment system was down, I got called out.

Well, you shouldn’t worry, Mark. I don’t smell what The Barack is cookin’. Full disclosure, though, I did vote for him in the Texas primary, but that’s because because I’d rather see him as the Democratic nominee.

That said, I don’t think I was incorrect either. There is something very typical, old-school, run-of-the-mill, whichever about Hillary’s tactics in this campaign. The "3am Phone Call" commercial, desperately trying to seat Michigan and Florida delegates, the picture of Obama in traditional Kenyan dress, those sort of things strike me as, like I said in the comment, "politics as usual."

On the other side, you do have "politics based on hopeful change." Say what you will about its lack of substance, it has nevertheless energized a whole cadre of Obamaniacs to canvas, to blog, to get out there and push their candidate to victory. Are they buying into a promise that Obama can’t possibly hope to fulfill? I’d say that’s very much likely. And in some ways, the constant talk of hope and change is actually disempowering when you think about it. Who’s going to be the catalyst for change in your family or your city? Obama? If elected, he’s going to park his butt in the Oval Office. Maybe make some legislative suggestions, sign some laws, write some signing statements, all those things you’d expect from a chief executive.

I think one of the things folks have to realize is that regardless of who’s president, change starts locally, so long as you’re willing to make the effort.

Would I like to see Obama as the Democratic nominee? Sure. But at this point, I’m likely voting McCain.

By Shawn Borton ~ Friday March 7, 2008

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Long Live the Dungeon Master

The books are closed this evening, the rolling of 20-siders quiet. Gary Gygax, one of the creators of Dungeons & Dragons, has passed away.

As nerds go, I was more into the White Wolf system of games (Vampire/Werewolf/Mage). In fact, my favorite RPG character was an Uktena Theurge named Shining Moon. Problem was the game he was in didn’t run long.

But in the D&D campaign I played all the way to the end, I had another memorable character. In game terms, Seran was a dual-class Ranger/Cleric, but in story terms, he was a 16-year old war priest who led his army in loud cathartic praises to a god who would eventually lead to our enemy’s demise. Seran was also the luckiest character I ever rolled for; he barely survived a red dragon’s fiery breath. I chalked it up to his cloak, which deflected most of the heat (in reality, it was due to a most gracious Dungeon Master).

The army he helped to build was wiped out during the final siege on the main bad guy’s stronghold. It was Seran’s solemn pledge to see the quest through to the end and he and the party succeeded.

Yeah, we were all a big bunch of nerds. But we had fun. And we owe Gygax and others like him a large debt of gratitude.

Thanks, Gare. Keep those dwarves, elves, paladins, rangers and magic-users in line at that tabletop in the sky.

By Shawn Borton ~ Tuesday March 4, 2008

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Texas Prima-Caucery Predictions

Dem: Hillary Clinton
GOP: Mike Huckabee with the upset.

By Shawn Borton ~ Tuesday March 4, 2008

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Some More Good News

Deal Brings Hope That Kenya’s Dark Chapter is Over

Let’s hope so. Things didn’t work out so well in the Congo

By Shawn Borton ~ Thursday February 28, 2008

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Isn't It Pwecious?!

Aww, wook at snookums...

BERLIN – Police dogs in the western city of Duesseldorf will no longer get their feet dirty when on patrol — the entire dog unit will soon be equipped with blue plastic fiber shoes, a police spokesman said Monday.

“All 20 of our police dogs — German and Belgian shepherds — are currently being trained to walk in these shoes,” Andre Hartwich said. “I’m not sure they like it, but they’ll have to get used to it.”

You wook so pweci-OUS! Issum ready for patwol? Issum ready to catch bad guys?

By Shawn Borton ~ Tuesday February 26, 2008

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Who Knew Rockstar Could Predict the Future?

The following is taken from the video game Grand Theft Auto III. This is just one of the exchanges on Chatterbox, Liberty City’s talk radio station.

It’s also what I think of when I hear people speak about Barack Obama. Since Texas matters this year, though, I may yet have the chance to learn more about him.

Thanks to Packing Heat for the transcript and to GameFAQs for hosting it.

Lazlow: Let’s go over here to line 4, hello caller, what’s your name?

Jeff: Jeff from Rockford.

Lazlow: Hello Jeff, what’s up?

Jeff: I want to tell you and your listeners about a once-in-a-lifetime chance to make a difference. There’s a rally tomorrow evening at the park. Starting at 7. Although we’ll be painting banners and singing songs and all day to prepare for it. Then, when tens-of-thousands have gathered in the park, we’re gonna march onto Town Hall. Lazlow, the people have spoken! And they have said ‘no, not in my town!’ So folks, if you’re listening, and want to make a difference, get yourself down to the park, and prepare to bring democracy back to the people.

Lazlow: So…what’s this rally about, Jeff?

Jeff: It’s about people standing up and being counted. It’s about the future. It’s about telling those morons in the suits ‘no thanks! Not in my town! Not while I have a breath in my body and hope in my soul! I will not, I cannot let this pass!’

Lazlow: Let what pass?

Jeff: It’s about grabbing the town by the balls and saying ‘listen son, either put-up, or shut up! No more Mr. Nice-guy. No more easy solutions for difficult problems!’ It’s about what it means to be an American. It’s about giving something back.

Lazlow: Giving what back, Jeff?

Jeff: Hope! Dreams! Belief!

Lazlow: Belief in what, I mean, look Jeff, I..I admire your passion, really I do, but…what will people be marching for? Wh..what’s your rally about!?

Jeff: It’s about justice, Mr. Low! A chance to shine and make a difference! About thousands of people walking side-by-side as brother marchers. Only one thing on their minds – the chance to make a difference! Bring your friends! Nothing shows a man how much you mean to him more than the chance to walk together for justice! Bring your kids! They can paint signs, and we’ll even have a face-painter, and a vegan bar-be-que. Bring your parents, dude, even the elderly care about tomorrow!

Lazlow: I understand that, it sounds like a great rally, but w..we’re not a political station and you haven’t really told us why people should do this…what is it about?!?

Jeff: Look..look, do you wanna help or not??

Lazlow: I don’t know what I’m helping!

Jeff: You’re helping America! What kind of patriot are you? It’s a rally!!

Lazlow: You don’t know what it’s for, do you

Jeff: It’s for hope. Please come, everybody! It’ll be real good!

Lazlow: Alright, you fight the power, brother!

By Shawn Borton ~ Friday February 8, 2008

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