Level Up!!!

Final Fantasy XII completed!!

100+ hours of scrummy RPG goodness.
More fast paced than FFXI and more beautiful and well developed than FFX.
Initially, I thought that the criticism of FFXII music was short-sighted. I love the soundtrack to Final Fantasy Tactics and Vagrant Story, but as it came down to the final scenes of the game, composer Hitoshi Sakimoto, left us with no memorable tunes or well fit themes. Not bad music, but not great.
All in all, FFXII is a RPG definitely worth finishing for the amazing game art by Akihiko Yoshida during the end-game credits.

For more information on this wonderful game, visit the official FFXII site (English).
For even more fun while playing FFXII, try this goofy drinking game, if you dare!
And finally, a preview image gallery for those wishing to go on a grand adventure.

See the Mac Vista Ad - Cancel or Allow?

(thanx zee)

If you can't see the video, click here
You are considering visiting Apple's official "Get a Mac" page
Cancel or Allow?

Related links
Interesting forum concerning this ad
Vista's exposure and more
Mean spirited or just business?
Bill Gates' Response to Mac Ads

Dumb video, you bet!

Postcards from the edge of the Web

This is awesome but oh so disturbing, too.
See the others here. (from cnet)

A Fairytale You Could Have Written

While I still think that RocketBoom will never be the same without that lovely dork, Amanda Congdon, our new friends there have left us a wonderful video-fairytale-of-a-treat. A New York story like none other. A story about many people. A story about someone like you. A story that can carry on.
The fairytale you could have written.

Amanda Congdon on MySpace (I still don't support MySpace use, like you care)
Exquisite Corpse on Wikipedia

Mini Review: Why We Want to Be Rich

Why We Want You to be Rich: Two Men - One Message
by Donald J. Trump, Robert T. Kiyosaki, Meredith McIver, Sharon Lechter

What can I say about this book?

Well, it's a good read if you can stomach a book on personal development/finances. Some people can, some can't. I personally love personal finance/development books. My understanding of the world in general has increased dramatically, mostly I feel, due to learning more about the world of money. Anyway, back to the book.

Kiyosaki's Contribution
Robert T. Kiyosaki, author of the best selling Rich Dad Poor Dad series, does his usual thing in WWWYTBR. Where as Kiyosaki's usual thing is explaining the serious world of finances in brief with anecdotes and life lessons, this makes this usual thing a great thing! Definitely a great read for the new financial philosopher, if you will.

Kiyosaki makes financial intelligence, usually an intimidating and foreign topic, clear and approachable. For that, I say he is one of the most important writers of our times. In each chapter, Kiyosaki also gives you more than the typical advice and helps you feel confident that you too can get to your dreams.

Trump's Contribution
Donald Trump, real estate mogul and media celeb, shares his wisdom in a more responsive manner. Sadly, Trump rarely brings up a new topic not hit on by Kiyosaki and that really shows the difference in the two authors. Kiyosaki definitely leads in this book, Trump follows up. I say 'follow up' because it really isn't a matter of finishing up each topic. Trump seems to be unable to bring new advice and lessons to the table. While not boring to read, sometimes the Trump chapters seem a little uninspired.

Final word
A great book for you folks wanting to learn more about money and its influence on our world. Great coverage and insight into the two men and their views on financial matters. Enlightening and inspired writing by Kiyosaki. With unique mental toughness and a persistance-based attitude, Trump shares what key factors he believes make you successful.

I would have preferred this was another great Kiyosaki book, but additional insights on the wisdom of Trump were also helpful.

Book Grade: B-
Readibilty: High
Re-readability: Low

Don't Freeze

WARNING: Pacific Northwest
The cold is coming your way again.

The good people at the Farmer's Almanac have predicted another cold-wave.
(thanx rgb)

"Winter will be a bit colder than normal, on average, with above-normal snowfall... The heaviest snow will fall in mid- to late February, with other snowfalls in mid-November, early to mid-December, and early to mid-January."
-F.A. Online

So, drag out those puffy blankets and fluffy socks. Stock up on end-of-the-world-type items, 'cause a cold front is lumbering towards you, if you haven't noticed.
Is this really global warming or a schedulled chill-down? (notice the date)

If you feel that global warming is the cause of your abnormally chilly weather, take action now.

I personally think that Mama Earth will shake off humans when we get too annoying, but that may not be what we global warming or an ice age. Why? Because humans have survived and dang-near thrived in freezing conditions.

Of course, all this is a bunch of male-cow manure if you don't believe in evolution and modern science, but we'll see who's right when people are selling Shamu burgers cheap during the next ice age.