by A.J. Wood

Gator IS Spyware

Hope everyone had an enjoyable weekend, I know mine felt fairly productive and I even got to sleep some. Caught Kill Bill (but y’all know that) also managed to see the Texas Chainsaw Massacre (which I’ll review here later). As this is another brief lunchtime update I wanted to point out a few items that you should checkout around the `net:

Da Goddess gives us a closeup view of what the California forest fires are like. Her pictures are as amazing as they are serious in topic and while I envy her camera prowess, I don’t know if I’d want to live that close to all the action. I’m sending prayers & happy thoughts her way and hope that the disaster can be contained.

Jason has a new layout & review up. I’m happy that it was a rap band he eviscerated and not me as I don’t ever want to hear my name and the word “flaccid” used again in the same sentence. *chuckle*

Mr. Perry’s new website No Blood, No Foul is set to launch this evening. Be sure to show up for the premiere as I’m betting it will be a must-see Net event.

Ryan (The Ward) pointed out this story I somehow missed recently. In fact, he had to post it in invisible ink because Gator lawyers think they can strong arm anyone. It seems Gator Corporation doesn’t like their SPYWARE being called spyware. Apparently, they’re taking advantage of the fact that our judicial system is clueless when it comes to technology and suing anyone who dares to refuse the term “adware” when talking about their products. Well guess what?

Gator is spyware, Gator IS spyware, Gator is SPYWARE, Gator manufactures nothing but spyware products.

Gator is spyware, Gator IS spyware, Gator is SPYWARE, Gator manufactures nothing but spyware products.

Gator is spyware, Gator IS spyware, Gator is SPYWARE, Gator manufactures nothing but spyware products.

Gator is spyware, Gator IS spyware, Gator is SPYWARE, Gator manufactures nothing but spyware products.

Gator is spyware, Gator IS spyware, Gator is SPYWARE, Gator manufactures nothing but spyware products.

Gator is spyware, Gator IS spyware, Gator is SPYWARE, Gator manufactures nothing but spyware products.

Google that ya dumb bastards. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to remove Gator software in the corporate environment AND from personal computers of friends & family. You can make claims about user acknowledgement all you want, but the bottom line is Gator develops, sells and regurgitates spyware. It’s a shitty product built by a shitty company with unethical business practices. Same goes for WhenU.com the pricks.

Alrighty, lunchtime is over.

in Editorial / News 8 comments
 by A.J. Wood

Movie Review – Kill Bill

I Loved This Movie!!!The Plot – Ambushed on her wedding day, the assassin once known as Black Mamba is betrayed by the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad headed by Bill. Severely beaten “The Bride” barely mutters to Bill the baby is his before he shoots her in the head.

The story picks up four years later as “The Bride” goes on her quest for revenge. Those that betrayed her will die starting with O-Ren Ishii (Cottonmouth), then Vernita Green (Copperhead), Budd (Sidewinder) would be next while particular attention would be paid to Elle Driver (California Mountain Snake) and last would be Bill.

Kill Bill is a revenge movie plain & simple… or is it?

The Review – By now a lot of folks may have already seen the movie or at least heard that it’s classic Tarantino and violently bloody x 100. Mr. McGee does an excellent job talking about the morality of this film and noting the nods given to previous Tarantino flicks (I thought I was the only one who noticed the “Red Apple” cigarettes). Mr. Perry points out one of the most appealing aspects of a Tarantino film – the soundtrack. As a former musician, I would agree that nobody can weave music into films so well.

Rather than post redundant kudos about the film I wanted to focus on some items only a martial arts film enthusiast like myself might know (Mr. Perry caught the Game of Death tribute). Everyone touched on the level of violence in the film and much has been made about limbs being severed and the very graphic blood spattering scenes. I can’t help but think those scenes were inspired by the movie Shogun Assassin which came out around 1980 and was banned from theatres. Also a revenge film, that movie portrayed a fallen Samurai “Lone Wolf” who traveled the countryside with his son exacting revenge on the Shogun lord who ordered his family killed. If you loved Kill Bill I highly recommend you try and watch this film. (I’ll probably watch it again this weekend just to see if Kill Bill had more gore).

Did anyone else get excited when they saw the names Sonny Chiba (he plays Hattori Hanzo) & Gordon Liu (he plays Johnny Mo) show up in the beginning credits? They were the recurring heroes when I was a kid watching “Kung Fu Theatre” with my mom after Saturday Night Live. Detroit natives might remember when radio DJ Jim Harper dressed up as Charlie Rum to host some of the best chop-sockey flicks that never starred Jackie Chan or Bruce Lee. There was the infamous Street Fighter series starring Sonny Chiba and Gordon Liu did a number of Shaolin themed films most notably Master Killer and The 36 Chambers.

I was very impressed with the fight choreography in this film. While you can argue the level of gore was probably outrageous, what struck me is the fights themselves were more fluid. Unlike the Matrix series, the fight scenes weren’t so polished that they came across as stiff & robotic. Without the wirework Keanu Reeves looked like he was pulling off an elaborate dance routine while Uma Thurman takes it on the chin several times. As Mr. McGee points out there’s nothing superhuman about Uma’s character other than her strength of will.

All in all I thoroughly enjoyed Kill Bill. For me it was a nod to all the kung fu flicks of my youth and another stellar epic by Quentin Tarantino. Chad’s probably right though – it’s not a film for everybody. Me? I’ll eagerly be anticipating Volume 2 next year.

Grade: A+++ (Rick was right, this was exactly my kind of movie)

in Arts/Media 7 comments
 by A.J. Wood

Tag Team Blog Entry – Acidman

Today’s tag team blog entry is inspired by Acidman who posted these ten questions yesterday. I answered in his comments, but you know the drill – it’s Friday and I need content… heh heh. So without any further delay, Acidman asks:

1. Does anybody really see a correlation between the size of a man’s feet or his nose and the size of his penis?
Don’t know about anyone else, but Michelle isn’t complaining. It pays to be a well-rounded lover.

2. If you are a woman, would you ever get a tit-job? If so, why?
Speaking as a guy, I prefer a nice juicy butt to boobies. Michelle can get one if she wants, but I’d never ask her to do it for me.

3. If you are a man, would you buy a bionic Roscoe if your dick quit working? If so, why?
I’d put a splint on the little guy if that’s all I had to work with.

4. Did you ever sleep with someone and wake up in the morning unable to remember their name? If not, WHY NOT?
No, but I dated Katy, Cat, Kathy, Catherine, Karen & Kelly in succession so there were plenty of times when I screwed up the names just in conversation.

5. Which would you rather have for a pet? A DOG or a CAT? If you answer “cat,” you’ve got some serious explaining to do.
Up until recently I’ve always had both. Right now I have five cats, but the moment Michelle & I are in a bigger place we’ll be getting a pair of big dogs too. I miss my Elkhound & German Sheperd.

6. Do you eat grits for breakfast?
What’s breakfast? I’m lucky to swallow two eggs & some OJ on my way out to work.

7. What is the most dumb-ass thing you ever did in your life? Was it fun or has it haunted you for years?
This question could be several blog entries for me. For this comment I’ll say dropping out of college. I shouldn’t have been so stubborn when my mother nagged me to stay in school. It would’ve saved me the hassle of working plus night classes in my thirties.

8. Do you exceed the speed limit regularly when you drive, or just do it occasionally? Don’t tell me that you NEVER SPEED you lying shit! Tell the truth!
I got my first speeding ticket on a motorcycle when I was twelve. Yeah, I got a lead foot.

9. Describe the happiest day you can remember living.
The day I proposed to my Michelle. She responded with “So you think you can handle me huh?”

10. Do you believe that some things are worth dying for? If so, name one thing worth dying for and tell me why you feel so strongly about it.
Without hesitation I’d take a bullet for family or friends. I was also the guy that smacked the bully over the head with a chair when he was takin’ other kids lunch money. I didn’t win a lot of fights when I was younger, but I never backed down from one.

Feel free to add your answers here or visit Acidman’s original entry. (Or use that Trackback thingie, that’s always fun)

in Editorial 1 comments
 by A.J. Wood

Oral Sex Prevents Breast Cancer

Dear God,

Have you read the news?

As Found On CNN: Fellatio may significantly decrease the risk of breast cancer in women. (Thanks to Rick for the link)

Now that?s research I can get behind, unlike that whole cookie crumble mess.

I just wanted to say that I know I had a string of bad days and took it out on the blog. Sometimes it?s good to vent, but once the smoke subsides and your mood hits the calm, you realize there are other folks who have shitty days worse than yours.

I was indeed humbled yesterday. Yes, perception is reality and my crappy day was just that – ONE DAY. Nothing compared to someone who?s recently experienced a miscarriage, lost their job, suffered the beating from a ?loved? one or been involved in a horrific accident.

Thank you for reminding me to be appreciate life?s gifts and not to focus on the negativity. Michelle still loves me, cash in-flow has been consistent and the long hours at work & school will pay off come next spring.

In closing, I would ask that you help those that need it the most and can you please do something about folks who just don’t want to take responsibility for their actions? Really, I’m tired of people using the entertainment industry as a cop out for their behavior, but that’s a rant for another day.

in Editorial 6 comments
 by A.J. Wood

Yes, it could be worse…

This is what yseterday felt likeSo the Schiavo case has been the headline of the day. I’m not going to throw too much into the debate because I agree with what Acidman said nobody will ever know what the Mrs. Schiavo wanted.

I know personally that if I was on artificial life support with no hope of recovery I’d want Michelle and my family members to pull the plug. Of course, I also take a moment to ask the question “What if being a vegetable is the best thing that ever happened to me?” There I am in a zombie-like state of bliss unable to tell everyone “Don’t pull the plug! This is soooooooooooooooo cool!” Knowing my luck lately, that’s what would happen. I’d be 70 virgins in then *blip* no more life support.

One thing I definitely don’t agree with is the state & governor sticking their nose in. Mrs. du Toit makes a valid point that this ordeal is essentially a family matter between the husband and his wife.

I know that I’m now inclined to write living will. I’m fortunate enough to have a close relationship with my family so there shouldn’t be any doubts as to what I want for myself in this life or the next. BUT if the Schiavo case sets a bad precedent I don’t want some government official sticking his/her nose in my family business.

in Editorial / News 7 comments