Ramblings of a Crowe

It Never Just Works

So I had to renew my Norton Anti-virus the other day. It's a day I dread each year. I put it off until my subscription has expired, because it gives me such a headache.

This year was no different.

Last year, my renewal nearly gave me an aneurysm, with the stupid instructions that contradicted themselves. I believe J might remember that day--he came over and I was about to throw my computer through the window. Of course, we ended up laughing so hard I was crying--too bad I can't remember why. But it was damn funny...

Anyway, this year wasn't much different. The people over at Symantec need to fire their technical writer. Last year, when I renewed, my download was immediate after payment was submitted. Sweet. Sadly, their stupid ass directions might as well have been a map for finding Atlantis. Not cool. This year, my download wasn't immediate. In fact, it took over 12 hours for the 'button' to appear. I checked my bank account earlier in the day and noticed that my funds were being held by Symantec, so there were no problems on that end. I fired off an email to the company, asking them why I still hadn't received my product and if there was a problem, I wanted my money refunded to me. Shortly after, I checked again and I had an email and download button.

So what's the big deal? First, it's just shoddy business to take someone's money and not give them their product. Example, Amazon.com sends me an email notifying me that my product is being shipped. Only then do they ding my bank account. However, with Symantec, there was no notification other than an email confirming my order. That email stated NO WHERE that my download may or may not occur immediately, or that I should expect a second email with another confirmation. Naturally, I assumed since I got an order confirmation, I could get my stuff.

Also, no where did Symantec mention they used an affiliate to do some purchases. The email I got was from Digitalriver. So I started to wonder if I'd been scammed. Only later, after I went through their FAQ steps, did I learn that digitalriver.com was an affiliate of Symantec. So, when I went to Symantec's site and typed in my order number, I was told I don't have any orders. Which is really wierd, because I ordered the product from Symantec's website, but somehow ended up on Digitalriver. I still can't figure that one out. Anyway, luckily I had bookmarked the page where I'd done my business (which is identical to Symantec), so when I entered my order number, my stuff was there (but with no button for over 12 hours). It was like curse of the doppleganger websites or something...

Eventually I got my download button. But my woes didn't end there. I've upgraded Norton before. I don't ever remember having to uninstall everything. This time, however, I did. I had to go through and delete everything single friggen piece of Norton I could find and even then I still had difficulties getting the new one installed. I restarted my computer at least five times, but eventually I got everything up and running. Shortly after that, my computer blue screened on me twice.

What a pain in the ass.

Jim Carey does David Caruso

The Timing Sucks

It's time for me to buy a new computer. Two blue screens today. Two. After a month of being blue screen free. I knew it would happen again eventually, but this is ridiculous.

That said, the more I read about Vista, the more I swing to buying a mac and just washing my hands of this business. Stupid ass PCs.

I hear that Microsoft isn't going to allow Vista on their Macs? Does that mean XP will still be available? If that's the case, I'm set on getting a Mac. I'd buy one tomorrow (well, only if J could help me get things set up! LOL)

I've actually been spending a lot of time trying to find reasons Not To Get A Mac. I've googled and found very little that has encouraged me to stay with the PC crowd. In fact, more often than not, I find a couple of blogs about the bad points of Mac, and pages and pages of sites about how shitty Vista or Windows is. Sort of paints a pretty clear picture...

I guess it's time to visit the Macs. I hear there is an OS update coming this spring, so I am hoping my PC lives that long...

Takes Tastelss to know Tasteless I guess

Strolling around the net, checking up on TV shows I'm currently watching, I found myself at a site called The Fame and Glory of David Caruso. (I won't post the site here, because...well...you'll see in a minute)

I knew the site was named more tongue in cheek. It really is a hate site for the CSI Actor, David Caruso. He's not popular with a lot of people apparently. I must admit, his acting is silly, but for some reason I do like him as Horatio Caine on CSI Miami (though I'm not one of the die hard fans), so I was curious about all the rumors floating around about him. Plus, hate sites are usually pretty damn funny. I mean, all that effort into hating an actor? Ummm...ok.

However, this site is just plain creepy. Creepy in a one eyed man licking the glass as he looks through your window sort of way. This person (who runs the site) has taken the time to access public records to find out addresses of properties owned by Caruso. They practically wet themselves with glee when they find pictures of his car licenses plates. But even more disturbing is the pictures of his son (a small child) proclaiming how ugly he is (he's not) and how his mother is an ex-whore.

WTFingFk?

This is a whole new level of batshittery that just baffles me. I can understand not liking an actor (not at this level though). I think Tom Cruise is a crazy freak and arrogant moron. But I'm not about to post pictures of his baby on the internet calling her snatch bait. I'm sorry, that's just Fucked. Up. Like the poor kid can choose their who their parents are.

I think there's a term they call this sort of stalking:

Crazy.

Whoever made this web site needs to seek help.

Immediately.

Bones and House get the OK for next fall

Fox has renewed both shows! Yay! Bones will receive a 3rd season and House will move on to its 4th!

Hardaway : Proof bigots come in all shapes and colors

So NBA start Tim Hardaway decided to voice his opinion on the homosexual community. He used his right of free speech to be heard loud and clear over the airwaves. It was his choice, you know, God Bless America and all that jazz. Hardaway has a right to his opinion, no matter how deluded and stupid it is.

But guess what Timmy and fans of Timmy, people have the right to think of you as a loud mouthed bigot--and call you on it. Works both ways. So it really shouldn't be such a shocker that millions of people are slamming doors in this guy's face. It's their right. Their choice to make.

And that apology is a cop-out. Hardaway is seeing his sponsors flying out the window. You know, that whole free speech and choice thing again. Companies don't want to be bound to an arrogant loudmouth hatemonger--so they've chosen to drop him like the sack of hot poo he is.

God Bless America.

As to Timmy's fans, who are mostly men: News flash! Isn't it about time you guys stop thinking with the little head and start using the big one? You know, the one that comes with a brain capable of cognitive thought and reasoning? Is someone glancing at your wee wee that hurtful to you? I think it's pretty presumptuous of you to assume someone would even want to look at it in the first place. Unless you're say, Ron Jeremy, it probably ain't all that great anyway.

Here's some stupider comments from fans of Hardaway:

I get sick and tired of people comparing homosexuality to what black people went through for civil rights. Their issue is not about civil rights it is about a sexual decision. Black people can not stop being black we are noticeable. But what is the big deal with coming out the closet. IT IS ABOUT SEX!! No one really cares what the do in the bed room so stop trying to make sex an issue. If i would like to have sex with alot of women and came out on national tv how would I be treated.

1.) Yes, because millions of gay people chose to live a life where they are hated, threatened, disrespected, and discriminated against. Man, why didn't I choose to be gay? They've got it soooo good!

2.) Obviously people care a lot about what goes on in other people's bedrooms or the whole straight or gay thing wouldn't even be an issue.

3.) You're spelling grammar suck almost as bad as your logic.

I thought we lived in a nation of free speech? It seems that the only times there is free speech is when it is liberals wanting to speak! Go Hardaway.

Fool. He used his right to free speech. Loud and clear. Now we're using ours. Bigots always think the road goes one way--until they get hit with the mac truck and cry foul. Babies.

Although I Don't agree with the "Hate" sentiment in his remarks, I have to admire anyone in today's world that has the conviction to actually stand up for what they believe in. Especially when it is not the "popular view". Homosexuality should be kept behind close doors by those who will be judged accordingly in the end, not paraded around for the morally convicted in society to view.

1.) What conviction? He's backpedaling like a confused swimmer on crack. If he had any conviction, he would stand by what he said and not apologize at all. He's a coward. Most people like him are.

2.) Personally, I think religion should be kept behind closed doors. It should be illegal for people to pound on my door, thrust bibles in my face, leave stupid letters on my car window at the mall. If find it incredibly offensive considering I believe the world would be a better place without any religion at all. But, I've learned to live with the fact that my world will never happen. Maybe you should too.

Thank God for Tim Hardaway. Someone that is willing to express an opinion that is the correct one, and is shared by every hetero guy I know. It is totally wrong to try and make a comparison between the way blacks were treated years ago and the way gays are now. People are people and all sould be treated the same. Being a fag isn't natural. THATS THE DIFFERENCE PEOPLE. Basketball has enough contact in it that there is no way a straight guy could feel comfortable being bumped into and rubbed up against by some queer. And if he was on your team it would be worse, getting it everyday in practice then getting his bedroom eyes in the shower. Queers can't be trusted!

This comment is so stupid I really have no words. Please go back to the frat house and drink yourself into an alcohol induced coma. Jesus on a pogo stick...

What is the big deal here? Its A-M-E-R-I-C-A. Why cant someone speak how they feel without the media turning it into a circus. I definately wouldnt want to sweat and possibly bleed in sports thats an AIDS carrier. The odds are higher for a gay than a straight to have AIDS. Thats not a sterotype its a fact. If a homosexual said "I hate straight people" would that make the news?

Guess what? AIDS stats among heterosexuals is rising fast. 1/3 of new cases in 2005 were among heterosexual people. Doh! Most of them were probably chicks people like this sleep with. See, the thing is, gay people are smartening up, while straight people like this dumbass only contribute to the statistics.

I could continue, but the stupid is starting to make my eyes bleed.

Random News

Bullet Magnet

That's what some fellow troops are calling Prince Harry these days as he prepares for a six month tour of Iraq.

Ouch, that's harsh...though I can understand the concern. Hopefully, he will return home after safely.

Skin Head

In a last ditch effort to remain in the spotlight, Britany Spears decided to shave her head. Why not? It worked for Shanade O'Connor, didn't it? Except, you know, she could actually sing and stuff.

What's her new best bud, Paris Hilton going to think of this? I bet tomorrow they won't be bestest friends anymore!

Is not! Is too!

The White House is arguing over whether Iraq is its worst mistake. I dunno...Vietnam was a pretty bad idea too. One thing is for certain though: For a majority of Americans, it will be a relief when Bush leaves the White House.

Taking TV too far

Now I love my TV shows, but this is a bit much...

I'm Addicted

I'm addicted to the TV show, "Bones".

On a whim, I bought the first season the other day. I'd seen a few new episodes over the past few weeks and enjoyed them, so I figured what the hell.

Now I'm completely obsessed with the show.

Well, not obsessed in a weird, crazy, fandom sort of way. I just love the show to pieces. I might even like it better than House or CSI. I'm not sure...I bought "House: Season 2" and "CSI: NY Season 2" while I was out as well. They're all fantastic programs.

What's funny though, is I'm totally spoiled now that I have an HDTV. I could download most of the episodes from the newer seasons from iTunes, but I just can't bring myself to do it. I'd much rather watch a DVD on my TV. Even watching regular television bothers me sometimes. You know, the entire "It's not clear enough! It's grainy!" sort of bother me. I've never been annoyed by stuff like that before...This phenomenon will probably only get worse after I witness the beauty of an HD DVD Player.

Naruto Shuupuuden Begins

So the fillers are over and Naruto picks up where the manga left off over 80 some episodes ago.

Thank God.

I have nothing against fillers in general. I enjoyed the Bound Arc in Bleach. I loved the chibi episodes in Prince of Tennis. But sadly, the fillers of Naruto have been horrible. So bad that I quit watching the show for a year. I wasn't the only one either. I took a look at the torrent stats today and noticed 40,000 people downloading the show (which was released last night). Compared to earlier stats, that's a huge jump.

So, welcome back, Naruto. We hope you're here to stay for a while.

Stupid isn't an American Exclusive

I was meandering the net and stumbled upon an interesting topic about a British car program called Top Gear. Apparently they did a US special where they sent three people to Miami with 1000 bucks to buy a car and drive it to New Orleans. Along the way they completed challenges and such, and at the end of the show, they gave the cars away to Katrina victims.

From what I gather, one of the challenges was to drive through parts of Alabama with 'slogans' on their cars. Does anyone see where this is going? Let's put it this way, what they did was the equivalent of driving around a British football stadium wearing a pink jumpsuit proclaiming the home team is just a bunch of girls who couldn't even play American football well.

I sort of wished I could've seen the episode, because I can't think of anything funnier than Euro-snobs getting ran out of town (state?) by a mob of backwards, angry rednecks.

Dear Namco

I would love to take your survey regarding the "Tales" games. However, if you're going to rig questions, I think I'll have to pass. I don't have time to sit around and try to guess which answer goes with which. That's your job.

Get Married, Have Kids--it's the LAW

LOL

Learn to love proper spelling and grammar

I'm hardly a grammar or spelling Nazi. Especially on this blog. I'm aware some of my spelling is off and my grammar is wonky. However, I'm fairly certain my sentences are coherent enough for normal cognition.

So, when I say bad spelling and grammar really bugs the hell out of me, I'm being a hypocrite. I really have no excuse, except I cannot stand to read paragraphs or sentences that are strung together so poorly I can't make heads or tail of what's being said. I can't stand it when people don't capitalize the ' I ' (e.e. cummings you are not). I hate it when simple words are spelled wrong--and I'm not talking about a mere typo. I'm talking about every other word has some bizarre spelling that makes no sense in any version of the English language.

AND--does anyone believe in proof reading anymore? I mean, re-reading what you've written so you're fairly sure you haven't made yourself look too stupid? Because honestly, if you want me to take you seriously, please write so I can comprehend what you're trying to say. The way I look at it, if you're unconcerned about how sloppily you present your point, obviously it wasn't that important to you to begin with.

If you can't do any of these things, please don't bother posting on this blog. I'll just delete your comment. Now that everyone has been warned, please let the smart-asses that linger here leave me badly spelled, mangled comments. I'm waiting (you guys know who you are LOL).

Thank you.

Satire........................?

“Rape Only Hurts If You Fight It” by John Petroski

Most people today would claim that rape is a terrible crime almost akin to murder, but I strongly disagree. Far from a vile act, rape is a magical experience that benifits society as a whole. I realize many of you will disagree with this thesis, but lend me your ears and I’m sure I’ll sway you towards a darkened alley.

If it weren’t for rape, Western Civilization might not exist as we know it today. When the Romans were faced with a disproportionate ratio of women to men in the early kingdom, they had to do something, lest their flidgling society die for lack of sons. To solve their little dilemma, they did what any reasonable man would do: they threw a festival for their Sabine neighbors, and then stole and raped their women. It’s quite logical; in fact I don’t understand why the settlers at Plymoth didn’t do the same to the local Indians–it certainly would have saved on shipping costs.

Obviously, in the case of the Rape of the Sabines, rape was a tremendous help to society. The Sabine women, for their part, didn’t seem to mind so much, as they threw themselves between their brutish old Sabine husbands and their charming new Roman ones to prevent bloodshed when the Sabine men came to reclaim their wives. Yet even when society was totally against a rape, the raunchy act has benifited society too. Where would the Romans be, after all, if it weren’t for the Rape of the Lucretia infuriating the people to the point of overthrowing their last king, Lucius Tarpuinius Superbus? If it weren’t for that event, the world might have never had the Roman Republic for a pristine example of a flawless government.

Rapes glorious advantages are not, however, exclusively found from 2,000 year old examples. In actuality rape advantages can very much be seen today. Take ugly women for example. If it weren’t for rape, how would they ever know the joys of intercourse with a man who isn’t drunk? In a society as plastic-conscious as our own, are we really to believe that some man would ever sleep with a girl resembling a wildebeest if he didn’t have a few schnapps in him? Of course he wouldn’t–at least no self-respecting man would–but there in lies the beauty of rape. No self respecting man would rape in the first place, so ugly women are guaranteed a romp with not only a sober man, but a bad boy too; and we all know how much ladies like the bad boy.

Ugly women are not, however, the only people who benefit from rape–prisoners enjoy as many perks too. What, after all, could be possibly be more boring than spending years of your life confined to some tiny cell 23 hours a day? The answer, of course, is spending years of your life confined to some tiny cell 23 hours a day and never getting some hot action. With rape, prisoners never have to worry about that. Instead, they merely need worry about treating their rapist with enough love and respect to earn a quick reach-around.

But if there is one bread and butter reason for why rape should not only be accepted, but even endorsed, it is because our news editors are in dire need of interesting stories for our front page. Bookstore stories? Fossils? One dollar coins? Please. Now, some saucy circle-jerk rape action? Yeah, that’s the ticket.

I suppose this piece is, if you go back to the roots of what we call 'satire'. It's quite obvious Mr. Petroski's target are ugly girls and sexual assult victims, both of which he flogs mercilessly in this Op/Ed submitted to the Central Connecticut State University school paper. It's pretty obvious he's a woman hater, which might explain his advocacy of rape. Maybe he's one of those 'ugly guys' who couldn't get any unless his partner was unconscious and tied up with twine? *shrug* Who knows.

I suppose a school paper is the appropriate place for tripe like this, but it is sickening to be reminded that we have to breath the same air as morons like the author and those who thought publishing his work was a 'good' idea. And they're surprised by the outrage it's caused?

Of course, they fall back on the "It's to prove a point! It's a social experiment!"

Rowan said Thursday that Petroski and other editors felt the article was a humorous condemnation of media sensationalism. Rowan said the controversy over the article has proved the point it was trying to make.

"The front page of the paper had a very important story about students losing their Social Security numbers, an issue that affects the entire campus," Rowan said. "But nobody is talking about that. They're only talking about the rape article."

Stupid people losing their SS numbers is far more important than an article that belittles a serious violent crime against another human being, as well as the victims of such crimes. One has to ask, how much weed must be smoked to come to this conclusion?

The world will never know...

EDIT:

And here's the author's apology. Should we call him John Kerry Jr from now on?

“Listen, I wrote the article. I (messed) up. It was a stupid thing to do and a stupid topic to even tread on, and I apologize to everyone I’ve hurt. I wasn’t writing this to try and hurt people though. I was trying to point out that people don’t give a damn about anything in a paper besides something they can rally around. It looks like I succeeded, especially with our front page. That doesn’t excuse what I did. I should have used a much less touchy pseudo-subject to do this with. Like animal rights** or something like that …”

A pseudo-subject? *headdesk*

EDIT 2: Someone got fired

LOL Serves the psuedo human right.

*sobs*

Why, oh why, didn't I keep up with my Miyavi source? If I had known, I'd have taken a weekend vacation to Vegas! Dammit!!!!!!!!!!!

What the...!

From Bleach chapter 162

So Chad got hurt (as we figured he would). How hurt, we don't know yet, but he might be dead (I doubt it). Now everyone is racing to get to him instead of keeping their eye on the ball.

Anyway, Orihime grows a pair and lets Ulquiorra have it in the kisser. Too bad she didn't do it with a closed fist.

Shut your pie-hole clown boy

He seems a bit shocked...though I do admire his graceful bow out. He tells Orihime to eat her dinner or he'll tie her up and force feed her. Ullie is such a gentleman.

The stand off *que western showdown music*

But the biggest "WTF is going on here?" part of this chapter is at the end:

Holy Crap on Toast Batman!

Isn't he supposed to be dead? As in dead for several decades dead?

Silly Question

Why can't people be held responsible for going to a movie they don't like?

Because in the US no one is accountable for themselves (or their children) and it's always someone else's fault.

For example, some fool dumps hot coffee in their lap then turns around and sues the coffee place for, get this, their coffee being HOT. Or an idiot with a sweet-tooth consumes 1,000 too many Snickers and ends up with diabetes and heart disease. Not his fault, of course, those sneaky Snickers just rammed themselves down his esophagus one after the other. Or what about the guy who decided to swim with Shamu? He's dead now, but of course he wouldn't be, according to his parents who obviously don't watch enough Discovery Channel, if Sea World hadn't portrayed the killer whale as a cute, huggable creature of the sea. And my all time favorite, kid goes out and guns down his classmates. Parents of said kid decide it's the county's fault for not telling them about the crazed internet ramblings, the shotgun in his closet or the pipe in his gym bag, and the fact his best friend worships people like Charlie Manson and Adolf.

Christ on a cracker...

Chad's in Trouble...again...

In the recent chapters of Bleach, Chad shows off his new powers by pounding the stuffing out of one of the Arrancar. However, as usual, Chad takes one step forward and about a dozen back...We'll see how he fares next week...

As we all know, the skull rocks of doom mean ultimate defeat. Chad 1-Arrancar 0

Time for the surprise round. I don't know what's scarier, this guy's big ass sword thing or his big ass hat.

Scratch that, his smile creeps me the hell out.

Poor Chad...he always gets stuck with the nut jobs.