January 31, 2009

YO! Where did you go?

Heh, I am still here- but I feel really bad for not posting anything lately. I think I am going to have to post multiple posts in advance to keep the count up, but I have been busy trying to maintain another busy semester (thank Lolly the last one) and some card playing. Re-evaluating my priorities, I want to game hard Fridays and Saturdays (do work if I need it) and work the rest of the week.


Semester 4
So Semester 3 is over- six courses of technical classes (all engineering) and undergraduate research. We accomplished a lot, but not as much as we wanted to; and I regret not being able to do more. Balancing 20 some credits, undergraduate research and free time is something I will never try to do again. Semester 4 is a bit less work- I have three engineering courses, a math course and a random elective. That random elective has me waking up at 8am every M, W, F morning and it is a bit irritating, but it is providing me relief in the work load department.


This is one thing I have to recommend to incoming freshman: DO NOT bite off more than you can chew. How much you can chew can vary from person to person, but I am comfortable sliding in 16 credits and undergraduate research (say the research is arbitrarily equal to 2 credits, I am hitting 18). Not having one class can have a positive or negative impact on your timetables and sanity, so it is important to talk with an advisor before doing any major stuff.


World of Warcraft TCGWe have all been anticipating the release of the Blood of Gladiators set and I found some leaked card art- I can't wait for this next set. We have around 15 folks playing the card game on campus, and four of us got in an order of 8000 commons and uncommons for 9.99 per 1000. No longer do I need cards from the Drums of War set, except for rares. We will be having a tournament in one or two weeks and I am excited about it.


Look forward to some posts this week- I am trying to do my best!

January 21, 2009

Reaching the Pinnacle of Deck Building


Reaching the Pinnacle of Deck Building

You have to be feeling good when you know you have a solid deck that gets across its mission. For me, my mage deck is beginning to hit the end of the line in terms of the metagame; after a few cards the deck will be complete. Everyone has seen it; myriam rips a new bum hole roughly 75% of my games with her. The next step to progressing not only as a wow player, but as a strategist and a TCG player is building nasty decks of your own without using the inter-webs for assistance.



I had known about “black ice” fizzlefreeze existing, but I didn’t know what the deck was all about. I always encourage building “that scryer deck” or deck of your choice that you want to build. It doesn’t matter if it sucks- but it does matter that you gain experience deckbuilding.As I compare my black ice to the online winners of world tournaments, I analyze each card that they have included and the core objective is the same: kill the opponent with myriam.



Minor differences make our decks different. One gentleman prefers to use cheaper protectors while I like the psychological effect of playing ol’ stonewall. Just when my opponent thinks he has fried myriam with minimal health left, I love playing a “the more, the scarier”

There are a couple of hints that will tell you If your deck is working: (note for the wise, there IS a deck or two in the metagame that will defeat myriam).



1) Is your deck setting itself up for a strategy? If the deck is working for you and you not for it, you have a winner. If you are struggling to pull out what you want or what you need, it may be time to consider fine tuning your deck, or search for help from experienced players.



2) Is your deck putting out over 90% of the time? If you are putting out what you need, or are at least pulling your main plan, or plan B, you have the draw power you need through quests or abilities. A good rule of thumb is 14-18 quests, even better is balancing some decks for 20 quests, 20 allies and 20 abilities. Never play above 62-65 cards or you will kill yourself on draws.



3) Is the deck, with cooperation from other classes utterly owning raids? If this deck is owning in raids, try it out in PVP and vice versa- a very strong deck will be a problem (for the opponent!) in either format.



4) Brownie Points for this, is the deck feared, infamous, hated, or all? If your deck has a reputation then it will be feared. Take an extra brownie point if you did not copy a deck from offline.

January 17, 2009

Surgical Striking

A term used by many military leaders and presidents alike, many do not understand the meaning of the term "surgical striking", but will understand a bit as to what surgical precision is.


Introduction
Surgical Precision Striking became a coined term when the F-117A Nighthawk was used in Gulf War I. The Nighthawk featured a radical profile and design and also contained a radar absorbent coating of material which made it invisible to radar. The Nighthawk carried a small payload (4000lbs of munitions?) but was able to penetrate enemy air space and drop a bomb right where it was needed.


About the F-117 Nighthawk
Code named Half Blue during development, the F-117A Nighthawk is considered one of the best fighter designs ever created. It uses the idea of the flying wing design and features computers that allow the aircraft to fly- without these computers the aircraft could never fly. Painted black for obvious reasons, every feature of the Nighthawk was designed to reflect radar rays for the aircraft to remain visible. The Nighthawk is able to drop precision munitions on targets with ease and escape in time.


About JDAM Technology
JDAM stands for Joint-Direct-Air-Munition. JDAM is not a weapon, but an add on to all of the old bombs that we can't use anymore. One can think of it as a kit- for $20,000USD or so (check my statement there) a bomb can become a JDAM. JDAMS use GPS technology to hit within approximatly 5 feet of their target (someone check me there). Further developments combined "bunker busters" and JDAMS together, forming what is known as the smart bomb. JDAMS have been hooked onto smaller bombs as to control collateral damage- if you want to take out the building or bunker inside, but leave the city block intact- JDAM can do the job.


About UAV Technology and the Gaza Incident
So why the heck did I post something like this? Israel at the moment will announce a ceasefire to the Gaza assault, yet they claimed that they would not stop and neither would Hamas unless both met very strict terms. Israel changed their mind- and there is a very good reason for doing so that they are not telling.


UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicle) are the best reconissance vehicles in the world- for months they have been taking out terrorists hiding in Pakistan (American UAVs) and twice they had Osama bin Laden in the cross hairs. With GPS tracking and computers on board, there is no pilot necessary in the cockpit. A UAV can be flying in Iraq and the pilot flying it is sitting in an office building in San Diego.


Israel cited no ceasefire unless the rockets stopped. There is no magical laser that will get rid of these rockets, and Israel announced "surgical precision" against the source of rocket attacks. I'm not sure what the goal was of going into Gaza other than weakening Hamas slightly, other than their sources are more hard pressed to provide supplies to the frontline Hamas terrorists firing rockets. Israel knows more than it is letting on- in fact every country does. It should never be public information for the security of the people- people need to be focused on living their lives and not worrying about Achmed coming over from half way around the world and slicing their head off.


Israel knows the approximate location of the sources of the rocket fire because (Katyusha?) the rockets have a known range and it can be predicted where the rockets are coming from. Send a UAV out there, possibly with a hellfire and if you spot terrorists, do away with them. It is classified information as to whether or not Israel has access to UAV technology, and it can be speculated that the United States is providing technological assistance to the Israelis in this matter, however as classified information it will never be known, only speculated on.


A Note on Terrorism
As long as someone doesn't like another person for their beliefs, existance, culture or life, and they are willing to act violently like primitive apes, there will always be terrorism. If there is a radical religion aiming to ethnically cleanse and remove people from the Earth, there will be terrorism.


Terrorism will never go away. The entire world needs to pull their heads out of their ***** and they need to STOP PRETENDING THAT TERRORISTS ARE NOT THERE. As the world moves on in this new decade, we must realize that each government will need to dedicate resources to fighting terrorism, and that each nation must understand that freedom can only go so far to protect our lives. To go off on a slight tangent, the government does not care how good John was in bed last night or how you smoke pot and hold a ring of sales in Los Angeles- the US government will care if you are amassing weapons piles and discussing attacking a US military base within our borders.


Terrorists will use any means necessary to stop moden civilization and establish a rule of facism and anarchy. They kill people blindly or target certain religious groups. What monkeys don't understand is that not every American likes its government, but if you are an American, you need to be wiped off the Earth. Israel will use UAV technology and other means of tracking and precision to ensure the safety of its nation and its people. Terrorism will be a centuries or 10 battle. There are thousands of active terrorist organizaions existent in this world, and let it be known that they will not win.

Yu-Gi-Oh! Collection for Sale

Well I never thought the day would arrive- I am moving onto World of Warcraft (the TCG) and locally I am selling my collection (Reading, PA). Here is what is up for pickings: $600+ in Yugioh! Cards:



Dark Armed Dragon
243.75
$ 182.81
Honest
41.15
$ 30.86
Mirror Force
35.30
$ 26.47
Black Skull Dragon
16.33
$ 12.25
Valkyrion the Magna Warrior
14.32
$ 10.74
Don Zaloog
13.16
$ 9.87
Elemental Hero Stratos
11.78
$ 8.83
Guardian Sphinx
10.00
$ 7.50
Enemy Controller
9.32
$ 6.99
Magic Cylinder
9.25
$ 6.94
Archfiend of Gilfer
9.15
$ 6.86
Guardian Ceal
9.00
$ 6.75
Raigeki
8.92
$ 6.69
Gemini Elf
7.83
$ 5.87
Toon Dark Magician Girl
7.78
$ 5.84
Jinzo
7.66
$ 5.74
Nightmare Wheel
7.64
$ 5.73
Seiyaryu
7.50
$ 5.62
Cyber Harpie Lady
7.33
$ 5.50
Mystical Space Typhoon
6.97
$ 5.23
Harpie's Feather Duster
6.60
$ 4.95
Embodiment of Apophis
6.16
$ 4.62
Buster Blader
5.20
$ 3.90
Thousand Dragon
5.00
$ 3.75
Amazoness Chain Master
5.00
$ 3.75
Magical Hats
4.88
$ 3.66
Exchange
4.80
$ 3.60
Imperial Order
4.79
$ 3.59
Imperial Order
4.79
$ 3.59
Torrential Tribute
4.64
$ 3.48
Victory Dragon
4.41
$ 3.31
Kycoo the Ghost Destroyer
3.99
$ 2.99
Thousand Eyes Restrict
3.75
$ 2.81
Sword of Dragon's Soul
3.64
$ 2.73
Sinister Serpent
3.63
$ 2.72
Exchange of the Spirit
3.44
$ 2.58
Sanga of the Thunder
3.12
$ 2.34
Turbo Warrior
3.07
$ 2.30
Barrel Behind the Door
3.00
$ 2.25
YZ- Tank Dragon
3.00
$ 2.25
Scapegoat
3.00
$ 2.25
Dust Tornado
2.99
$ 2.24
Flame Swordsman
2.89
$ 2.17
Andro Sphinx
2.83
$ 2.12
Harpie Lady Sisters
2.76
$ 2.07
Card Destruction
2.50
$ 1.88
Ancient Lamp
2.50
$ 1.88
Shadow Spell
2.50
$ 1.87
Theinen the Great Sphinx
2.49
$ 1.87
Royal Command
2.41
$ 1.81
Command Knight
2.39
$ 1.79
Gaia Knight, The Force of Earth
2.37
$ 1.78
Junk Warrior
2.22
$ 1.67
Banisher of the Light
2.09
$ 1.56
Soul Exchange
2.00
$ 1.50
Colossal Fighter
1.87
$ 1.40
Nobleman of Crossout
1.85
$ 1.38
Acid Trap Hole
1.75
$ 1.31
Kuriboh
1.74
$ 1.31
Black Illusion Ritual
1.61
$ 1.21
De-Fusion
1.61
$ 1.21
Limiter Removal
1.52
$ 1.14
Gearfried the Iron Night
1.50
$ 1.13
Kaiser Sea Horse
1.50
$ 1.13
Penumbral Soldier Lady
1.50
$ 1.13
Relinquished
1.50
$ 1.13
Celtic Guardian
1.28
$ 0.96
Toon Mermaid
1.28
$ 0.96
D. D. Scout Plane
1.26
$ 0.95
The Flute of Summoning Dragon
1.25
$ 0.94
The Flute of Summoning Dragon
1.25
$ 0.94
Penguin Soldier
1.13
$ 0.85
Backup Soldier
1.12
$ 0.84
Graceful Charity
1.00
$ 0.75
Lord of D.
1.00
$ 0.75
Lord of D.
1.00
$ 0.75
Man Eater Bug
1.00
$ 0.75
Graceful Charity
1.00
$ 0.75
Sphinx Telia
0.71
$ 0.53
Uncommons
38.00
$ 38.00
Commons
115.30
$ 115.30

January 12, 2009

The TV Remote is going the way of the Dodo

Business Week reported on this and all I could say is WOW.




I like the concept of the scroll wheel and wrist flicks to watch TV, but my tenonitis and my buddies carpal tunnel says no. The Japanese have done it again by having you control your TV with your hands. This technology is new and I can't wait to see where it arrives down the road in 4 or 5 years. TV companies are plugging stuff into the internet, like everyone else these days many things are going to the interwebs. I will certainly purchase a TV like this in the future.

January 10, 2009

Dragon M1A1 Abrams

I couldn't find many good pictures of Abrams tank models.... But I like this one here. Instead of the light tan, I would have went with a lighter brown. Instead of dusting it with sand, I would have muddied up the tank, and believe me, I will muddy up the tank. I prefer tank models when they have seen action; they seem more life like. After a stellar job on my Merkava, I am ready to tackle this Abrams.


I picked up this kit shortly before the winter holiday and it has to be one of the best model kits I have ever seen produced to date. The M1 Abrams is the main battle tank of the US Army. To date, one has not been lost to enemy fire. These monsters guzzle gas at approximatly 1/4 a mile per gallon (or so I hear). After all, a 68 ton bohemeth with a jet engine needs a lot of gas to produce a lot of torque to move the thing. Off road I believe it can hit around 40mph, now THAT would be a fun ride!


Kit Advantages
+ Amazing Detail
+ Free photoetch with the kit
+ Detailed instructions and paint guide


Kit Disadvantages
- No engine detail (no molded engine, I am an engineer, I want to see it!)
-Plastic tracks (I prefer rubber)


I will post pictures once I get my camera back up and running, but this tank will be a dream to build. It will probably take a while too with all the parts, but it will be a job well worth it.

January 6, 2009

About My Visitors- Tell me About your Country

I see that I have visitors from 114 different countries- that is 47.5% of the world. I will share with you what I know about a respective country, but I want to know more from your end!


United States- self explanatory.

United Kingdom- London is crazy, Hackney is death, fish and chips have made their way to America, cheese rolling and shin kicking are... interesting.... and you guys messed up the english system of measurement with "foot pound force" "ftlbf" and other really ridiculous stuff. Favorite car from UK- Aston (spelling?) Martins.

France-
the craziest pilots (awesome crazy) in the world. Beautiful women, great food, high speed trains.

Germany-
high speed trains, open fields of flowers, Rammstein (hehe), AWESOME chocolate and other food.

Espana (Spain)-
great food, good shopping, beautiful cities, and beautiful women. Puedo hablar poco espanol.

Mexico- Bad drinking water, fantastic culture, great food.

Brazil- fantastic beaches, jungles, and beautiful women.

Croatia- beach paradise.

Canada- Hockey. I am half french canadian- help me with my heritage!!

Russia- Great music and beautiful cities (Moscow).

Israel- beautiful scenery, beautiful cities. A bit dangerous to travel to at the moment?

Japan- self explanatory.

China- amazing cities.

India- some amazing sites.

Turkey- I want to see Constantinople. I know of some Eastern Orthodox Churches over there that are fantastic.

Iran/Syria- Beautiful palaces I would like to see, when the area becomes safe.

Egypt- self explanatory.





please, tell me more about your country- one of my final missions in life (besides sky diving) is to travel.