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Nerds on Display September 28, 2007

Posted by adrenjarvi in Event.
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This is Awesome.

Nerds in Hartford.

CT Forum.

25$.

10/3/07, 8 p.m.

Bitchin’.

-f9

(Thanks, Doc. )

Believe. September 23, 2007

Posted by adrenjarvi in Event.
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Alright guys, something big has happened that will change a lot of the goings on about the Nucleus, upcoming events, and all sorts of fun. I have told some, and I will tell you all soon enough, but here is not yet the place. Understand- this is really cool.

I will give you three hints, however:

1. Keep playing Halo 3. You are going to need it come 10/11/07.

2. Those apple vs. Microsoft arguments we always have? Yeah, the stakes just done got raised.

3. These photos, chronicling what was the last twelve hours.

Believe.

f9

Xpect the Un-Xpected. September 15, 2007

Posted by adrenjarvi in Ludic, Race.
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I often frequent GamePolitics because…… well, two reasons. One, Dennis McCauley ( owner and proprietor of this wubspace) has taken many potshots from certain lawyers who I, along with others, have problems with. And Two, the site walks the line of biased and opinionated very well. Many times, you will obviously find a news story presented and then a strong, obviously pro-game counterpoint given- but it is never condescending, never scathing. Like responses to an aforementioned lawyer, even in the face of apparent idiocy and rampant skepticism from ‘ the real world’, GP manages to keep their chins held high.

Also, they talk about video games in a serious light. That makes me happy.

One of their more recent articles troubled me enough to get off of my tired/college/single/sick ass and write something. The fact that they are Ludic in nature ( if one recalls, that was the intention of this blog) is somewhat of a…. happy coincidence.

The article can be found here. Basically, there is a game called “Black College Footbal: The Xperience.” Xperience is the correct spelling. The game involves exactly what is sounds like; Black, as in African American, football players, and their….Xperiences. It is a football game that may or may exclusively include black players. Apparently, a friend of Dennis (which makes me immediately respect the man, for the record)named Rob Watson is not happy about the negative press the game has been getting- namely, people calling it out as racist, and that no one would tolerate a white college football experience. Rob puts it thusly:

“There was once a time when these schools were all that African Americans had in terms of higher education… this new game… includes some things EA (makers of the NCAA Football series) probably never even thought about when it comes to black schools; annual classic match-ups and a Battle of the Bands competition…

Stop the hate and investigate.”

Agreed, partially. I would agree that we cannot be inflammatory about this, and that the features mentioned ( battle of the bands, etc) sound fantastic. However, his sadness related to the game communities reaction seems odd; these features, while awesome, do not stand out enough to require a uniquely black version of football game. While they are great features and should be integrated in more games (and they almost certainly will be, if the mediocrity of Madden continues as it is, and more game companies rise to either copy or separate from the EA giant) but the fact is that this is the wrong way to introduce them.

While Rob seems to think that this empowers the black football players, I would question that logic. For one, while at one point in history this was the best that oppressed black players could get, we have moved beyond that- while I am not the biggest football buff, I understand that black players constitute a majority in the NFL. College is a more complicated issue, but there is no institution against them- no moral outcry for every black student that gets allowed into a campus. No segregation – at least not at an institutional level. Why celebrate an incredible hardship ( constant WWII games nonwithstanding)? You do not see Sims characters being forced to move if they interracial marry, nor do you see a harvest moon character owning slaves. Terrible times in history should be understood, but put in the past. Lastly, I would immediately question any sort of empowerment you can receive from a game whose subtitle includes the word ‘Xperience.’ In the game’s Video, there is a (stereotypical black urban jock)
character who proclaims “Diss is how we Dew-wit“. How does this help? I would get into the intricacies surrounding the use of the word ‘we’ here, but enough is enough.

Now, I am not one to adhere to the rigorous and…. well, frustratingly anal practices of Political correctness. However, this seems to be one thing that does not deserve a defense. While Rob Watson may not agree to these arguments, in the end it boils down; cam anything that specifically targets a single race show any promise for equality and balance?

As always, I am open to opinion and discussion.

F9.

Still alive. September 14, 2007

Posted by adrenjarvi in Alive.
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College has been K-Razy.

Lots of Nucleic fun.

Lots of otherwise fun stuff.

I am alive, still. Mostly.

-f9

Emergence; Blondes; Traffic Singles; Sex. September 2, 2007

Posted by adrenjarvi in CCSU, Games, Ludology, Nerd.
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Four quickies, all dancing around what this blog is primarily about.

Emergence; I Finally got around to purchasing Emergence:The Connected Lives of Ants, Brains, Cities, and Software by Steven Berlin Johnson. SBJ is an awesome guy, also the Author of another favorite, Everything Bad is Good For you. Both of these books are like crack to techo-intellectuals like myself, and others. SBJ spoke at CCSU in Fall 06′, and I had the pleasure of eating dinner with him, along with spending time on a panel, where ( as hindsight happens to do) I realize I should have asked a lot of more questions, along with many more important ones. The night boosted my morale, and gave me some strong connections within the school. Not to mention, I get an academic high from attending panels, counsels, etc etc. Rah, rah, sis boom bah.

Blondes; Not what you might think. I am currently running through Metroid Prime 3: Corruption on the Wii, and it is a delight. The FPS controls are simply perfect, and the two things that I can think of that the game could improve on are the following;
1. This Screams online gameplay. Please, make MP4 online, please.
2. The fact that this game has an ending pisses me off .
Must purchase for the enterprising wii owner.

Traffic Singles; I was Perusing the “Welcome week” activities schedule at CCSU; A carnival! that seemed cool. Outside showings, yeah, super. On Saturday, however, they had a “Traffic Light Mixer.” Immediately I was struck by the fact I did not know the definition of Mixer ( no need to go to a mixer when taken, right? ….Right?) so I jumped over to wikipedia to make sure I had it down. Apparently, it is like a party. Or A chemistry accessory.

Two, I looked at the supposed plan for the Mixer; No doubt following the facebook trend of displaying sexual availability, they have envisioned a seemingly innocent plan; Attendees are to dress color-coded to the event, based on their availability. Singles are to dress in green; for ‘Go ahead, your in college!’, i’d imagine. Taken are to Dress in Red, A Definitive ‘stop.’ And those clad in yellow are to be representing the confusing “It’s complicated.”

Immediately I envision a few scenarios. One; Boyfriend comes ready in red, Girlfriend is yellow clad. But on a more base level, the very idea of ” It’s complicated” is not something one wants to ‘mix’ with. If you are asking to buy a car, and the owners manual says “It’s complicated” ( or even better, the old owner still wants to drive it on occasion) you probably won’t buy the car. Yellow then, in this case, screams ‘EMOTIONAL BAGGAGE’, and/or crazy ex girlfriends/Psycho asshole ex boyfriends to deal with. Not very Welcome.

The green fit in, although it leaves some room for thought. One is obviously here and wearing green, meaning they are attending a mixer with the intent of mixing. Mingling. Searching. They are the most at home here, as by a very obvious visual clue, you know the person is single and interested, at the very least, in browsing. After all, they came to the mixer.

The Red…. Wait a minute, you are taken? Shouldn’t you be off having sex somewhere?

This is all juxtaposed over the universal constant that many college students won’t give two shits about the arbitrary dress code and decide to show up in whatever makes them look/feel/seem good.

I knew there was a solution; my brain snapped into effect. Within moments, I had devised the scheme.

All you need are 5 color bracelets; Red, Yellow, Green, Pink, And Blue, all in abundance. The young mixer’s are allowed to wear whatever they would like (within code) and upon entering, they get the patented “Jarvis five second questionnaire.” They are presented with a choice of bracelt colors, the choices being red/yellow/green on the dominant arm, and on the other arm, blue/pink.

Green Here means; I am single! Come look for me.

Yellow means: Not Looking; Convince me I should.

Red Means: Taken/ Not Looking.

On the off hand;

Pink: I like ladies!

Blue: I like guys!

Now, in this system, you have Much more information at first glance then before; you have their actual feelings, with no immediate fear of emotional baggage ( I am sure that comes later). You have their sexual preference- no need to hide! This is a Mixer! get what you want! And also, you get their dominant hand- southpaws hooking up with southpaws, or at least a gentlemanly way to shake hands properly ( always go with the lady.)

Upon displaying my revamped system to a friend of mine, I came to the realization I would have to blog this; half because I think it is brilliant, and half because I spent actual time that I could have used to do other things writing this little scheme.

I need help.

-F9

I’ll show you what shoes to wear…. September 1, 2007

Posted by adrenjarvi in Birthday.
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Pop-u-lar, apparently.

Yesterday (31st) was my nineteenth birthday, and it is a resounding boost to the ole’ egosphere when you wake up to an obscene amount of “XXXXX has written on your wall!” posts. It is very interesting to see who said something and who didn’t- that wasn’t a jab, but I was really suprised, people I haven’t seen since high school turning up… it’s a fun rush, and really speaks to the power of facebook. Not as any sort of productivity tool, but… a living classmates.com that encapsulates your entire life. In any case; birfday.

Rather than doing A Blanket “Danke!” I have decided to respond to every single one in turn. I even might ‘mention’ everyone in this note, which is a facebook feature which I am unsure if I can sneak in here, considering this post is coming from blogger. Who cares. This should be fun! possibly awkward!

Jess: Starting with the ‘Almost’ Birthday, I’d almost dignify this with an entry. So, Thank.
Colin: Nucleic Acids. Wonderful. In the posts to come, I wonder how many will require further explanation.
Christina: For example; this post will require explanation.
Brittany: I was geeking it up very much, but I didn’t nearly part it up as hard as I could have.
Vita: Craptank? Sigh.
Amanda: Whoa! NHS much! hmm.
Taina: Kiddo? Is she for serious?
Andi: Gah! Lookat that! More NHS, although this is fairly closer to home.
Becca: NHS: Black edition.
Christina: LASO time! This marks one of what I am sure will be many.
Ana: Coming out of Doc Jones’ Class! And my Wishes are always the best.
Shawna:Here is an interesting predicament. I do not care about josh; but his relatives and friends actually catch my emotion on the rebound and I get back to them. Danke!
Sarah: Awwwwww. Adorable.
Armand: yes, I am a MAN.
Josh:
Sandra: You shall purchase me a shirt. This shall be my present.
Sabrina: I am the Geek.
Beth: Le Sigh.
Krista: Lookat you! Can’t wait to see ” You and the gang” again.
Kelsey: Who will fix your Computers now?
Stephen: Know the fear. And Enlgish.
David: This is a special one. As far as B-day wishes go, this is like a guest star. Mr. Willis operates an awesome webcomic called Shortpacked! about Toys and other tomfoolery relating to nerdocity. He has a general interest in many different awesome things, and has possibly single handedly gotten me into collecting toys (Hooray! A new Vice!). David, make this the bestest birthday ever and Cameo me in the comic. Also, I know that this makes me your average sonofabitch fan. But, Ce la Vie. ….

….Even Jhiaxus?

Nikki: This post exudes authenticity.
Katrina: I… I just… damnit.
Jeff: I was going to wish you a happy birthday as well… but I am afraid we’d cancel each other out or something.
Sarah: Yes, yes it is. Calm down. Take your Pills.
Scott: Crossing the multiverse in several different ways, apparently. Nice to see you, Z.
Rage: Seriously, I gave you that nickname outta nowhere.
III: Danke, you little nut you!
Jess: for serious, I think you where more hardcore about my B-day than I Was.
Rob: Masshole! Love ya!
April: This means alot. Although it is a Chuck e. Cheese reference. Love/hate?
Matt: No, Matt. Happy birthday to you.

To. You.

See you soon.
Mike: Dank Yu.
Albert: Okay. Pirate hooker can actually mean two different things.
Dan: Yo! NHS reunion, I am telling you.
Joanna: Hey! what up kid! We should go see Zac’s show.
Lillian: Can we cause some more controversy so I have more ways to speak eloquently this semester?
Matt: YOU STAY AWAY FROM MY SISTER. Who cares, I just really want a chance to say that.Jessica: Did you guys plan the reunion without me? Serious. I will be super pissed if I missed it.
Eric: This might be my favorite.
Jordyn: And a full song! I am touched.
Julie: I know I missed the reunion. I know it.
Mick: It certainly won’t be ‘Donald Mickey Jarvis’ 😀
Steph: Yo kid! Danke shea!
Ali: We’ll be chilling more this year I can tell. Illicit lovers and what have you.

*woosh*

And finally, to Jerry and joel: who left odd and obscene messages on my phone, and in person. Scary people, us Latino’s.

Thank you, everyone.

Gonna be a crazy year.

-F9