End of the Year

Once again it's the end of the year.

I used to go out and party for new years. Now I prefer quiet night with an early turn in. This year, my buddy wanted to have a shaker, so we planned it for my house. Hopefully we get a few people over for drinks (jello shooters are currently chilling in the fridge), and some good times. I think I've heard some talk about belting out Rock Band tunes for part of the night.

I do work tomorrow, but not until later in the day. Should be interesting.

Now THAT'S Talent!

And no, I'm not talking about those stupid "Blank's got Talent" shows.

The video below is an example what someone who has the time, inclination, and love for something can do. I sat almost mesmerized by how seamless the effects were. Hard to believe he did it with a budget that was less than a million dollars. Hollywood's always trying to make it seem like the movies that they make are so super-expensive, and cutting edge. So far, the effects I've seen them put out still force me to suspend my disbelief enough to accept they are real. In Mr. Alvarez's video, the only spot the scenes don't consume you is a single blood splatter effect, in my opinion. 

"Mr. Alvarez had the idea to make a movie about the attack of giant robot aliens on Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay. It was similar project to “The Day When The Earth Stood Still”. He based the whole 5 minute movie budget on apparently 300-500$ but the sum that the sources say varies. The fact still stays the same. Federico Alvarez made his own dream come true, by using a simple way to distribute his work freely on YouTube. This way everybody who have seen it spread the word and slowly but surely the word reached producers in Hollywood and his career will soon be rising, better way to say it is skyrocketing after showing his skills in such a low budget but still high quality product." - Quoted from ExtraTorrent's article


Enough from me... see for yourself!

Santa Claus is Coming to Town!

Well, it's time to load the shotgun and board up the fireplace again.. Seems like every year someone tries to do a home invasion on the 24th. I'll be waiting this year.. Wait.. What? Santa? Uhm.. whoops.. Give me a minute to defuse this landmine...

Seriously, I like Christmas. More for the family gathering, and fun times we have. I eat too much food, and try to kill another lobe of my liver off, but it's all great. Younger kids are even more fun to be around at this time of year. I love to get them all wired for sound with sugar and excitement, then send them off to their Mom's and Dad's.  It warms my heart!

For anyone who has younger kids, here's a website you should check out: NORAD Tracks Santa. It's the North American Defense organization that tracks everything that flies over Canada or the United States. Every year, they monitor Santa as he makes his trip.

I'm pretty much done my shopping. I only have three things left to do: One last gift (the hardest to buy!), some groceries and food preparation for Christmas Day, and my most hated task every year: WRAPPING GIFTS.

I'm terrible at it. I've managed to bribe friends, pay others, or just plain avoid it several times in the past, but it looks like this year, I may be out of luck. Not only am I terrible at it, but I get so frustrated that I just want to pile everything up and light it on fire after mucking about for a few hours. I'm thinking about sedating myself this year with about 5-8 ounces of hard alcohol. Either the gifts will get wrapped and all will be well, or I won't care. Either way.. I WIN!

Unless something amazing happens over the next few days, I probably won't be posting until after the holidays, so please:

Have a Happy Holiday Season! 

And please DRIVE RESPONSIBLY.

White Christmas

Well, the snow arrived, and came with a vengeance. Two weeks ago it was enough above freezing (and no snow) that you could go outside in a windbreaker and be comfortable. Now, there's snow on the ground, and the temp has almost reached -40 (F or C).

It was a nice run while it lasted. Now let's hope the winter is short, and sweet!

Not much else to talk about lately. Things seems to be going smoothly, knock wood.

More as we get closer to the holidays.