Why Was It That I Don't Have A Girlfriend Yet? Ah, Yes...

I am now among the Magic initiated. I even have a DCI number!

My first prerelease was absolutely delightful. I pulled a pretty nice field from black and red (though a good deal of people did that). I even managed to get my hands on this fine little number:


My matches went less than smoothly, ending with a record of 2-5-0. Still it was a fun, if exhausting, day (I slept it off for much of Sunday).

Highlights included:
-winning a match on the last turn before time by a creature steal spell
-encountering a deck that refused to die due to a combination of bounce-back abilities and a life resetting artifact
-Nick milling out Joe (and almost quite a few more people) with one of the most adorable cards ever:


In the end only Maks received a place of note, earning a couple boosters for his troubles. Zendikar is a ridiculously fun set to play and the Landfall mechanic proved very interesting. My first Magic event proved very fruitful and Nick and I are planning to hit a few Zendikar draft events for some rewards, a fancy new (and more durable) DCI card, and because Zendikar is just so much fun to play.

So that's my delightful prerelease report. Stay tuned for the next time I feel the need to share my awesomeness.

Why do I bother with these sign-offs?
Travis T

By Popular Demand

After the continual harassment I have received today (NICK!), I have decided to update my blog. What shall I speak of? I suppose I could start with the media I have been consuming recently.

First we have 9, the new Tim Burton CG movie. As much as I loved it conceptually, it came up short of my expectations. I love portrayals of post apocalyptic worlds and the use of automatons, both conventionally sci-fi and sackboyish. It was certainly visually stunning, in line with Mr. Burton’s other works. Where it fell short was the lack of a clearly driven plot. It was full of vagaries and loose ends which are never resolved yet don’t provide a clear lead into a sequel. Frankly, I expected more.

Keeping on the Tim Burton track, I saw Sweeney Todd at our house warming party. The one did live up to my expectations. It was every bit of the gothic, macabre and fascinatingly grotesque masterpiece I expected it to be. The visuals were stunning, the songs entertaining and it ended in a fashion rather reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet. It proved a delightful watch.

In gaming, I’ve been playing Worms Armageddon and Fallout 3. Worms is a game that has always delighted me and I’m glad to be playing it again. Fallout 3 is post-apocalytia done right. It offers an expansive world that is beautifully rendered and intriguing in every sense. Exploration is seldom tempered with the same repetitiveness that some free exploration games offer. I’m certain I’ve hardly broken the surface of this decimated Washington DC but I’m already thrilled with it. I foresee many hours being sunk into this game.

Those are my reviews. I am also obligated to give a “shout out” to my good friend Oleksi Derkatch from upstairs. Also I’d like to commend Michael Overmeyer on his attempt at the Godfather Burger at Mel’s diner. Though you didn’t manage it this time, it was a valiant effort and quite the spectacle to see.

That’s it for now. At the end of the week I’ll be attending the prerelease for the launch of Magic the Gathering’s Zendikar set. I’ll get one of these shiny little guys:

That’s all for now. Hopefully this will appease the masses.
Travis T

Like My Helm? It Gives Me +5 To Sexterity!

I’ve been meaning to check out the Guild for a while now. I’m glad that my roommate from last semester had the good sense to remind me of it on a weekend where I had so much time to fill and no one around to need the internet. I found the series thoroughly entertaining throughout, though Calan thought the writing took a dive near the end. The nerd in me was enthralled by this piece on the interactions between the players of an MMORPG. The normal person in me was unavailable for comment (I think he fears fanboys). If you are familiar with the workings of an MMORPG, I suggest you check it out here. It’s has Felicia Day in it!

What else have I been doing? Mostly reading comics. I picked Runaways: Dead End Kids (Joss Whedon was writing!) and the first volume of Neil Gaiman’s Sandman. Both were absolutely stunning though completely dissimilar. I also read all the scans of Ultimate X-men I had on my computer. I must say, the series took me by surprise. It was something I jumped to as a “What’s next?” after devouring what I had of the Ultimates and Ultimate Ironman. I was quite amazed at the depth of the storytelling as it examines the team as both part of a hated and feared minority and as youths developing their own identities. Normally I just look to X-men to provide me with my fill of adamantium claws and the action that comes with them but I was absolutely drawn into each character’s own inner struggles and triumphs. They were even tackling insecurities related to looks and sexuality. It was a thrilling ride and I hope to find more of the series soon so I can sink my teeth into it.

So, umm, I’ve finally posted in August. Yay! Gold star for me!

Handsomely yours,

Travis T.

A Civil Civilian In This Civilization

In spite of my complaints, I am quite fond of my television. The channel selection is limited but occasionally I come across a rare gem that would have certainly escaped my notice otherwise.

This evening I came across such a jewel in a W5 special on the decline of civility in modern society (narrated by William Shatner!). It explored many of the issues surrounding the decay of proper manners including sixties counterculture, urban sprawl, technological saturation and isolation, a lost sense of community and emergent situations with no established protocol. It very fascinating, particularly the discussion on how the rejection of the almost oppressive etiquette of the fifties by well meaning idealists led to the elimination of protocols necessary for the functioning of polite society throughout North America.

What I find most interesting is how much of a formative influence civility has had on my decisions. It has certainly had an influence on my distaste for texting and social networking sites. There’s a very dehumanizing quality associated with short, textual messages that makes me uncomfortable. There’s none of the free and easy flow of conversation that comes with speaking face to face or over the phone; there’s none of the care and consideration present in a well thought out letter or e-mail. I find no discomfort in being alone but being alone and spitting messages out into the great unknown leaves me a little uneasy. I’m also fairly certain that my respect for common courtesy is key to my distaste for alcohol. Alcohol eliminates inhibitions and suddenly our respect for others and even ourselves is washed away in a drunken haze.

I’m not advocating stringent behavioural controls. I am far from conventional in many ways and I enjoy free expression. However, I do believe it is possible to offer simple kindnesses without damaging or demeaning yourself. I’ve seen the crime of discourtesy often, even among my friends and family. I’m certain I’ve transgressed myself. What disservice do you do to yourself holding a door open for a stranger? What do you gain by defaming another? Is it impossible to be chivalrous without wishing for something in return? I fear my own observance of civility has earned me a reputation as one who is cold and emotionless. Does discretion and self control mean I am unable to love? Does it make me unlovable? I’d like to say no but I have no track record to speak of. I’m sure I’m not alone in my respect for civility but sometimes I feel I’m the only one who grasps what it means. Rather elitist of me, yes?

Tip heavily (another courtesy)

Travis T

And What Are Men But Chariots Of Wrath...

… by demons driven!

I’ve avoided blogging for quite a while. I’ve managed to avoid posts on my trip to Florida, my regrettable absence the Brandon Family Bonfire and my Bayfest experiences. So what has stirred me from my long, blogless stupor?

Swamp Thing.

Yes, reading comics has outranked anything else that has happened to me in the past month as a blogable issue. Truly Alan Moore knows how to tell a story. I loved his work in the Watchmen and Swamp Thing was even better. What writer in his right mind begins by taking out the title character? It’s particularly astounding when you take into account that this was his first act as a newcomer in an ongoing series. Yet somehow he manages to use this as a device to add incredible layers of depth to the character. Then he proceeds to resurrect Swamp Thing in a manner that sets the rest of the story up perfectly. Coupled with the striking visuals that tie it all together, it is one the most enjoyable reading experiences I’ve had to date.

READ IT NOW!!!

Also, I finally located my Writer’s Craft anthology. That made me happy.

Too Much Time On My Hands

I finally got around to seeing Bowling for Columbine. It’s rather odd that it took so long considering it’s been sitting around the house for awhile (actually, I bought it as a present for my dad for some occasion or another) and I absolutely loved his work in Roger & Me. Personally I felt more affected by Roger & Me as the slow descent of the town of Flint into poverty is absent of the loud, punctuated climax of gun violence. Regardless, I found the piece to be brimming with the poignant satire & bleak comedy that I love in his work.

Since I’m in a contemplative mood at the moment, I’m going to write a bit of a response to Shane’s post on eugenics. I think it sets a dangerous precedent when a society attempts to put controls on reproduction. While it’s not entirely analogous, restrictions on reproduction in China led to the extermination of female children in favour of sons who would make better labourers & would not cost the family a dowry when the time came to marry her off. The “stupidist” idea is impractical & highly susceptible to corruption if implemented as a legal control. First is the issue of standardization. Who can we trust to form a sound & objective opinion on this matter? What tests could be administered to evaluate one’s fitness as a parent? IQ tests really have no bearing on one’s capabilities as a parent & most good psychological theory is only predicative of behaviour about 30% of the time. This leaves most of our assessment to an after the fact evaluation which renders eugenics completely useless. Another concern is enforcement. Castration? It would be the most effective but it’s probably too severe. Depression & suicide is quite common in current cases so it carries a weight not much less than a death sentence. Procedures such as vasectomies & tube tying would not diminish quality of life in such a dramatic way but these are reversible & in an age where couples shell out exorbitant amounts on fertility treatments both these & fines could prove ineffectual. At best we can offer a system that takes needed finances from a family that already has financial strain in its future. Now it’s not that I disagree with the sentiments expressed about unfit parents but eugenics can in no way act as a substitute for proper education on these matters. Certainly the programs in place are inadequate for the purpose of eradicating issues of poor parenting but I believe that it is the proper direction.

Ahem. That is all I have to say about that. Until I receive some responses that is…

FLAME WAR, HO!

Now I’ll treat you to something a little lighter. I have unexpectedly had the entire week off due to the lack of a job that is ready for us to tackle. As such, I have spent much time lying around playing Disgaea. So to conclude this post I will provide you with a prinny.

CAUTION: EXPLODES WHEN THROWN

Ethics, Technology and Speculation

In recent years I’ve been looking into a great deal of science fiction novels, particularly speculative pieces. A great deal of this can be attributed to my grade twelve English teacher, Mr. Jamieson, who reminded me of the magnificence of Ender’s Game as well as introducing me to the work of Heinlein.

Last week I indulged my hunger for sci-fi by picking up Robert Sawyer’s Mindscan and Tesseracts 10 (I bought an anthology? Who does that?). I am enjoying both books completely and am quite glad that I haven’t made a waste of my money. They certainly make me feel good about the state of Canadian sci-fi (Sawyer and the authors featured in Tesseracts are all Canadian). Sawyer in particular has me impressed. I’ve read a few novels by him in the past and the sheer depth of his storytelling is astounding. He rigorously explores morality and technology as well as their points of intersection while crafting a vibrant narrative populated with an array of very convincing characters. All of his work is meticulously researched with many of his books bearing several pages offering mention of the people and organizations from which he got his information. I don’t even mind that Mindscan is written in first person, something I find tedious in most other novels.

I have come to realize that I have been saying that my friends have been sucking without specifying which ones. To clarify, it was a select group from my area who had thoroughly aggravated me with their inability to mobilize and venture to the theatre to see Wolverine. Those involved have since stopped sucking and seen the movie with me. I apologise to any I have caused undue anxiety through my careless diction. 

Also, Wolverine was cool. That is all.