calaveth

Link of the day

Tue, 14 Nov 2006 12:18:02 GMT

http://monkeyfist.com/

For that other political perspective.

Copy protection gone overboard

Thu, 02 Nov 2006 21:42:03 GMT

I have been anticipating the release of Neverwinter Nights 2 for...well, a long time. Since it was released. So I was excited when I discovered that it was released today in stores. Picked up my copy, went home, installed it, downloaded the patches (how about that, multiple patches available for you before the game has even been on the market for 24 hours?) and clicked the executable. It chugged along for a moment, before a message pops up: "Emulator discovered. Turn off all virtual players and other emulators" (or something to that effect). Well, I had both Nero and Daemon tools installed and running, so I turned them off. Started NWN2 again. Same message. This time I go into the tool management and turn off every non-vital process. Start NWN2 again. The.Same.Freaking.Message.Again.

The new rage in copy protection is apparently something called Securom. It's great, because hackers, leechers and software pirates can't use the game, at least for a while. The drawback is that innocent people who have bought the game the legal way frequently can't use it either.

In a couple of days, a no-cd patch will no doubt appear at gamecopyworld.com, and maybe then I can play the game. No thanks to Atari or Securom.

Puck on a string

Wed, 01 Nov 2006 18:13:44 GMT

I totally have the manlove for Peter Forsberg. Like so.

Poker confusion

Wed, 02 Aug 2006 17:00:02 GMT

The World Series of Poker main event is in full swing, and a whole bunch of Swedes are participating, and giving the bookies nightmares. Or what do you say about these three players that qualified for the second day of play?

Peter Hedlund $53,550
Peter Hedlund $45,475
Peter Hedlund $47,900

Röyksopp are freaking amazing

Mon, 24 Jul 2006 20:35:54 GMT

I thought I had stopped doing these "song of the day" thing, but then Röyksopp jumps at me with their What Else Is There? and it must be the song of the day because I can't stop listening to it.

Website of the day

Sun, 23 Jul 2006 15:11:23 GMT

Fuck this website.

Sun, 23 Jul 2006 15:07:19 GMT

I posted this (in a slightly different version) on a message board where nobody read it. I guess I should take the clue, but I'll post it here too.

With Youtube, Google video and countless other services, you can find pretty much any music video you can think of. Lately I've been listening to a lot of Swedish artists, slightly amazed at how good it is. A few of them:

Timo Räisänen

Fear no Darkness, Promised Child - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gmgZ2t0LaE

The Knife

Heartbeats - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZatCZ1YWQeI
Marble House - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAu8HYtoFAQ

Hello Saferide

Long Lost Penpal (feat Firefox AK) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZOiZ6bZ_KM
My Best Friend - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJU1bbBC3g8

Firefox AK

Love to Run - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEbA32RK7Ts

The Concretes

The Chosen One - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eq4SsH5375E

Mando Diao

Sheepdog - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeNu2GdQz9M
Mr. Moon - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hUnTTkBCfc
Down in the Past - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCdQzSOcFQA
Paralyzed - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKgKSh3UNbs
The Band - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5_DhKzQPEg

Random moment of fanboiness

Fri, 09 Jun 2006 14:09:53 GMT

A good friend of mine, an old classmate from elementary school organizes a music festival in my hometown every year under the name Peace & Love. It's been a great event right from the start with a lot of nationally well known artists appearing, and a few smaller international artists as well.

Despite that, I almost died from a cough attack during the coffee break when I read in the national newspaper that my friend had been in touch with Patti Smith and explained what the festival was all about, and she had immediately agreed to appear.

I don't know who I love more right now, Patti Smith who I have admired for like, forever, or my friend for having the good taste and the initiative to bring her to our little podunk hometown.

I already knew it's going to be a good summer and a good festival, but apparently it can get better.

Chocolate chip of the day

Wed, 31 May 2006 21:42:37 GMT

Song of the day has turned into song of the month, or something like that. Today it's Hot Chip - Over and Over. Good stuff.

Summers are their music

Wed, 24 May 2006 17:07:41 GMT

Slowly, slowly is the Swedish summer approaching, mostly with frequent rain showers in store. For me, summers consists of memories attached to pieces of music, and odds are, these two festivals will contain much of that music. Bolded some groups I'm particularly looking forward to. Popaganda is especially nice, since it's all free... ;-) Peace & Love has a much bigger selection of good bands, but then again, they actually charge their visitors... Plus it's a good reason to go back to my hometown and visit the folks and some old friends too.

Popaganda, Stockholm May 25-27

The Gray Brigade
Hank and the Prank
The Kid
Alexander Salzberger
Peter, Bjorn & John
I'm from Barcelona
Lacrimosa
Tunng
Henrik Berggren
Mindre Nils
Mr Suitcase
Final Fantasy
Darya & Månskensorkestern
Kalle J
Mew
Flow Flux Clan
Caarmé
Jenny Wilson
Strip Squad
Pascal
Kalle Haglund
Language of Flowers
Loney, Dear
Shima Niavarani
Lo Fi-FNK
David & The Citizens
Emil Jensen
Justine Electra
New Young Pony Club
Cat5
Sirqus Alfon
Frida Hyvönen
Nicolas Makelberge
The Embassy
Le Sport
The Tiny
Hets
Unarmed Enemies
Andreas Mattsson
D Muttants Mission
Elf Power
Hello Saferide
Mapei & Up Hygh
Zeigeist
Whitest Boy Alive
Aqueen Dance & Ton
Regina
Josh Ritter
Otur
Sophie Rimheden
Shout Out Louds

Peace & Love Festival, Borlänge July 7-8

Alf
Alice in Videoland
Astral Doors
Bob Hansson
Bodies Without Organs
Burst
Dag Vag
Dark Tranquillity
Deathstars
Dia Psalma
Ed Harcourt [UK]
Engel
Firefox AK
Hardcore Superstar
Hell on Wheels
Hello Saferide
Håkan Hellström
Islands [CAN]
Johnossi
Kristian Anttila
Laleh
Le Mans
Lena Philipsson
Lisa Ekdahl
Lisa Miskovsky
Lo Fi-FNK
Looptroop
Magnus Carlsson
Mando Diao
Max Peezay
Nationalteatern
New York Dolls [US]
Pascal
Rikard Wolff
Robyn Hitchcock & the Minus 3 [UK/US]
Sahara Hotnights
Silver Jews [US]
Sky High
Soilwork
Staffan Hellstrand
Stefan Sundström
Suburban Kids With Biblical Names
Sugarplum Fairy
Takida
Teddybears STHLM
The Animal Five
The Cardigans
The Essex Green[US]
The Kristet Utseende
The Haunted
The Radio Dept.
The Slaves
The Sounds
Thåström
Timo Räisänen
Totalt Jävla Mörker
Vive La Fete [BEL]
Whyte Seeds

Vacation plans: Set

Mon, 15 May 2006 19:17:46 GMT

Tickets to Hamburg ordered, vacation time requested (and granted). I'll be in Germany for six days during the football World Cup, the vacation as a whole will be four weeks (I think - I might take another week if I find a good reason to). Lars has promised a guided tour of the old hanseatic town of Lübeck as well as a bed to sleep in. It will be good.

I'll go back home to my parents for the first and last week of the vacation - the midsummer party with friends is traditional by now, and the music festival (with the lovely name Peace & Love) has a number of bands playing I want to see, including The Cardigans and New York Dolls.

I can't wait. Can not wait.

Doorbell of the day

Fri, 12 May 2006 20:38:49 GMT

The song of the day is The White Stripes, My Doorbell.

Tristram Shandy

Sun, 07 May 2006 09:27:58 GMT

I was going to write a full review, but I really have better things to do, plus I don't really know what to say. It's a brilliant film that I thoroughly enjoyed, go see it.

Clowns in suits

Sat, 06 May 2006 10:44:34 GMT

I don't feel much reason to comment on the world of sports often even though I would classify myself as almost fanatically interested. I simply feel that performances on the ice/field/whatever can speak for themselves, and anything I write about it will just be flat and pathetic in comparison.

But politics, that I can write about if I feel like it, and when politics meet sports, it gets fun. Or tragicomic.

Latvia is a budding ice hockey nation with small resources but surprisingly good players for their limited opportunities (I think they have a total of five hockey rinks with ice aggregates or something like that). For some reason, political dealings within the International Ice Hockey Federation went back and fourth until enough member countries felt they owed Latvia something, and so they were given this years World Hockey Championships, a second-rate tournament taking place in the backwater of the Olympic Games and at the same time as the NHL play offs.

Imagine those five ice hockey barns for a moment. Built during the Soviet era, so the Russian soldiers would have somewhere to skate in their off time. Certainly not to hold any World Championships. Those were played in Moscow.

And now they're trying to make it work. It's like playing the Super Bowl in... I don't know, South Dakota?

The Swedish team will play their opening game tonight. That is, if the ice holds, which most people down there seems to think that it won't, since they currently (seven hours or so before the puck drops) can see the concrete floor down the cracks in the ice. Cracks that appear because their old equipment can't get the temperature down enough. I would laugh, if I wasn't actually interested in watching some ice hockey, dammit. So I'll rant instead.

And no, I can't watch the NHL play offs. I don't have those channels... Grrr...

iTunes as tealeaves

Sat, 06 May 2006 01:52:45 GMT

Put your music player on shuffle.
Press forward for each question.
Use the song title as the answer to the question even if they don't make sense. You'll be surprised though.
NO CHEATING!!!

How am I feeling today?
"Soul Meets Body" - Deathcab for Cutie (So freakin appropriate...)

Will I get far in life?
"Indie Rock And Roll"- The Killers

How do my friends see me?
"Too Bad" - Nickelback (Uh Oh...)

Where will I get married?
"Rammstein"- Rammstein (Really? Germany? I would never have guessed...)

What is my best friend's theme song?
"Superhero" - Stephen Lynch (HAHAHAHA)

What is the story of my life?
"Paper Bag"- Goldfrapp (No comments...)

What was high school like?
"Pretty Polly"- Queen Adreena

How can I get ahead in life?
"All the right words"- Ill Niño

What is the best thing about me?
"Hangin' Out"- The Knife

What is today going to be like?
"Electric Hellfire"- Black Label Society (I'll stay in bed today, thanks...)

What is in store for this weekend?
"Why Do You Bother"- New Grenada

What song describes my parents?
"Ampn'"- Fu Manchu

How is my life going?
"6 Hard Months"- Marilyn Manson (And I thought I was doing well...)

What song will be played at my funeral?
"Corn King"- Inkubus Sukkubus (I hope not...)

How does the world see me?
"Me Against the World"- Simple Plan

Will I have a happy life?
"Somebody Put Something in my Drink"- Ramones

What do my friends really think of me?
"Eraser"- Nine Inch Nails

Do people secretly lust after me?
"Chant of the Paladin"- Dead Can Dance

How can I make myself happy?
"What's your take on Cassavetes"- Le Tigre

What should I do with my life?
"Lullaby"- The Cure

Will I ever have children?
"Kill You"- Eminem (I take that as a no...)

What will you name them?
"Return To Jericho"- Asian Dub Foundation (Jericho? If I was a Hollywood star, at least my kid wouldn't have the weirdest name on the block.)

Fri, 05 May 2006 09:54:31 GMT

A fairly good summary of what I believe in, in case you ever wondered (as if!). From here.

The Affirmations of Humanism:
A Statement of Principles

We are committed to the application of reason and science to the understanding of the universe and to the solving of human problems.
We deplore efforts to denigrate human intelligence, to seek to explain the world in supernatural terms, and to look outside nature for salvation.
We believe that scientific discovery and technology can contribute to the betterment of human life.
We believe in an open and pluralistic society and that democracy is the best guarantee of protecting human rights from authoritarian elites and repressive majorities.
We are committed to the principle of the separation of church and state.
We cultivate the arts of negotiation and compromise as a means of resolving differences and achieving mutual understanding.
We are concerned with securing justice and fairness in society and with eliminating discrimination and intolerance.
We believe in supporting the disadvantaged and the handicapped so that they will be able to help themselves.
We attempt to transcend divisive parochial loyalties based on race, religion, gender, nationality, creed, class, sexual orientation, or ethnicity, and strive to work together for the common good of humanity.
We want to protect and enhance the earth, to preserve it for future generations, and to avoid inflicting needless suffering on other species.
We believe in enjoying life here and now and in developing our creative talents to their fullest.
We believe in the cultivation of moral excellence.
We respect the right to privacy. Mature adults should be allowed to fulfill their aspirations, to express their sexual preferences, to exercise reproductive freedom, to have access to comprehensive and informed health-care, and to die with dignity.
We believe in the common moral decencies: altruism, integrity, honesty, truthfulness, responsibility. Humanist ethics is amenable to critical, rational guidance. There are normative standards that we discover together. Moral principles are tested by their consequences.
We are deeply concerned with the moral education of our children. We want to nourish reason and compassion.
We are engaged by the arts no less than by the sciences.
We are citizens of the universe and are excited by discoveries still to be made in the cosmos.
We are skeptical of untested claims to knowledge, and we are open to novel ideas and seek new departures in our thinking.
We affirm humanism as a realistic alternative to theologies of despair and ideologies of violence and as a source of rich personal significance and genuine satisfaction in the service to others.
We believe in optimism rather than pessimism, hope rather than despair, learning in the place of dogma, truth instead of ignorance, joy rather than guilt or sin, tolerance in the place of fear, love instead of hatred, compassion over selfishness, beauty instead of ugliness, and reason rather than blind faith or irrationality.
We believe in the fullest realization of the best and noblest that we are capable of as human beings.

Fitness update

Fri, 05 May 2006 08:58:15 GMT

I can't recall when I started going (I could search back for the original post, but I can't be bothered), but I'm happy to say that the gym visits keep being a regular event - twice a week seems the average, mixed up with a session of badminton or squash now and then (I like squash better, it offers more intense exercise).

I haven't stepped on the scales in forever so I can't really say if I've lost any weight (I'm taking small steps toward eating healthier too, with an emphasis on "small"). It's not about that anyway - if I gained twenty pounds and felt better, I'd take those twenty pounds in a heartbeat. I feel energized, like every day tasks has become just that little beat easier to deal with. It's a very nice feeling that I absolutely didn't anticipate.

Cure of the day

Fri, 05 May 2006 08:48:45 GMT

The song of the day is The Cure - Friday I'm in Love.

Stomp of the day

Tue, 02 May 2006 07:11:44 GMT

About time for a song of the day. The Hives - The Stomp it is.

Roleplaying? Me?

Tue, 25 Apr 2006 14:06:34 GMT

So I suddenly and unexpectedly and impulsively sent a reply to some guys looking for another player for their D&D game, and I'm meeting them tonight for a first "try out" game session. I thought I had quit roleplaying, but apparently not. Sometimes I wonder if I'm in control of any of my faculties, and I think the answer to that is "No". I have no idea who they are, other than that they are about my age, and pretty exclusively into D&D as far as gaming goes. We'll see what happens. At least I'll get out and meet some new people...

Timo of the day

Tue, 25 Apr 2006 13:59:41 GMT

It was a while since I had a song of the day, or wrote anything here at all. In some meme some time ago I wrote that I don't sing. I don't, because it sounds horrible, and the idea that someone would hear it is mortifying. And still, when I hear Timo Räisänen sing "Fear No Darkness, Promised Child", I can't help breaking out in song. It's like that musical episode of Buffy, where everyone can't help themselves but sing. It's scary.

Easter meet up

Mon, 17 Apr 2006 12:17:04 GMT

Easter was good - some friends came by on Saturday, played some boardgames, ate good food and listened to music. Found that I have a two step connection to the bass player of Marit Bergman, one of my favorite new Swedish artists. If you haven't heard her, she's worth checking out.

The boardgames we played were in order:

Alhambra - I've mentioned it before, and I think it went down better this time. It's a simple game about collecting money, buying city parts and building your own Alhambra bigger and better defended than anyone else. I think we played it slightly wrong though, but we all did the same mistake, so no big deal. This was the only game I won all weekend. Good start, then it went downhill...

Mystery of the Abbey - Fairly good deduction style game in the same vein as Clue, but still quite different. It's fairly light hearted, but I think we were too sober to follow the more silly cards, though there was a bit of chanting going on... The game is about finding out who murdered one of the monks in an abbey, by questioning the other players about what they have found out, and by drawing random cards that give help in various ways.

Ticket to Ride Europe - The sequel to the successful original Ticket to Ride (which now has gotten a third game in the series, TtR Marklin) is a favorite with this group, and I like it a lot too, but I'm a little burnt out on the whole genre at the moment. I played it so much (the original Ticket to Ride, that is) with the Denver group that I like to play some other games most of the time now.

RA - I think RA might be my favorite game of all, but I have no idea how to do well in it. I've finished last both times I've played it so far. It's an auction game, where you collect different types of resources - monuments, cultural personalities, pharaohs, gods, gold, rivers & floods, and score points for what you've collected. It looks simple (and plays simple), but it's everything but. A brilliantly designed game.

Sunday was planned to be an all-night vampire flick event, but we hadn't been able to get hold of the new Swedish movie Frostbiten ("Frostbitten"), so we added Neil Gaiman's Mirrormask instead which I'd picked up as a US import a couple of weeks ago, but never gotten to watching. To that, we saw the Russian Night Watch. I liked both fine, but kinda felt they were both a little lacking in some sense. Mirrormask was...well, I wish they hadn't gone so far to make sure it was kid friendly. As it was, it was pretty much an extremely beautiful children's movie (old children, but still). Night Watch tried to cram so much in that I felt I was missing every side plot that *should* have been there. "Special" characters were introduced, and you expected them to fill some kind of role, but they never did. Still, it was pretty spectacular at times. It definitely compares favorably to Underworld, which I guess is the recent vampire movie this reminds most of, even if they are very different. No risk of White Wolf suing this movie, I think.

We also had time for a couple of boardgames on Sunday before the movies - Metro was a quick starter, and we had another go at Caylus, and I think everybody came away from it with rather positive opinions. I'm liking it more every time I play it - there is a lot of depth to it which I need a few times to figure out, I think.

Now back to the grind - four day business trip next, leaving tonight. So very happy Oblivion runs on my laptop. :)

Big pimpin'

Fri, 14 Apr 2006 22:15:01 GMT

I'd just like to take the opportunity to pimp my favorite web comic, since today's strip looks so freakin' awesome:

http://www.errantstory.com/index.php

Just go back to the first page and work your way forward. Well worth the time.

Home Alone, DoT-style

Thu, 13 Apr 2006 09:30:20 GMT

I feel like Macauley Caulkin in Home Alone today at work, as the office is completely deserted. We have a shortened work day today before the four-day Easter weekend, and everybody seems to have taken the day off, except me and some guy at the other end of the office, some twenty rooms away from mine. So it would be dead silent, if I wasn't blaring Arctic Monkeys through the pc speakers. :)

More signs that spring has arrived: A convoy of a near-dozen street sweepers kept traffic on the main thoroughfare here at a crawl. A strangely majestic sight with all those big yellow vehicles with their flashing lights. Like something out of a science-fiction movie. Would have fit right into Blade Runner. Only the rain was missing.

Song of the day

Wed, 12 Apr 2006 22:37:11 GMT

The Knife - Make Me Like Charity is the song of the day for Wednesday, and Thursday, and could well be the song of the day for any other day of the week too. How can blip-bloppy electronic pop be sooo sexy?