Site Status

I’m so bad…I still haven’t updated the site’s WP. It’ll probably get toasted by somebody or some bot before I get around to it Lazy bastard that I am. Speaking of that, I know it’s been forever since I’ve updated the blog. Sorry ’bout that, but, again, that’s why I’m a lazy bastard. Anyway. I’m thinking of discontinuing From the Cookpot altogether. The main reason is that I’m slowly phasing out the “Ogre” online persona I made for myself. That was good for when I was gaming, but now that I’m not doing that so much…it feels dated and silly–besides, I like Uzinator now, for my gamers tag But, don’t worry, I’m still going to have a blog. The plan is to use the other one I’d setup for my author page–emlizotte.com. Probably going to change that around and make that into a dual purpose blog.

Blu-Ray Rental Versions…Are you kidding me?

I discovered something last night after watching the new Sherlock Holmes movie on Blu-Ray–something that both surprised me and somewhat ticked me off.

Firstly, there were, I counted, seven previews at the beginning of the disc that you couldn’t skip past. No. They made sure you had to watch them. You could fastforward past them, but that took about ten seconds on each one–and you could forget about the menu button. Same as with the skip button, the damn red circle with the slash through it would come up. Damn bastards.

Secondly, the menu had all of two options, Play Movie and Setup. Hell, they didn’t even have Scene Selection! I thought, then, “Fragging cheap bastards!”

Thirdly, towards the end, my Blu-Ray player began to have trouble with the audio. Why, I don’t know. But, hey, that’s Blu-Ray for you: finicky.

All of this got on my nerves. Though I did enjoy the movie, I was somewhat disappointed with Village Road Show’s Blu-Ray release, and then I was downright infuriated with it when I went to take out the disc.

Maybe it’s just me–and maybe other companies have done the same before, and I just haven’t noticed until now–but–guess what?–at the bottom of the disc there was a label (one designed into the movie’s label, which meant it wasn’t stuck on by Netflix) that read, “Rental.” Yeah, “Rental.” What the f…?

Right. So, basically what Village has done is made two versions of the Blu-Ray release. One el-cheapo version for us renting people and one standard version for ones who actually buy movies. I get the idea here, too. They figure if you want the extras…they’ll wave the movie (like candy) in front of you (you like it and want to have those bonus features), then you’ll go out and buy the “full version.”

Yeah. Just great. I bet some genius thought this one up. “Hey, our blu-ray sales are a couple million off. Any ideas?” What a bunch of crap. I hope other movie studios don’t follow Village’s example. Because, that would be a downright shame.

Cable Box Went Boom

Yep, it died. Strange thing was I was watching something on my Blu-Ray player when it happened. I had Netflix streaming Buffy the Vampire Slayer, in fact. I think Sarah Michelle Geller’s (oh, right; it’s not Geller anymore, oops) hotness must’ve blown it up…

Anyway. I didn’t notice anything at first. I was so entranced in Buffy. In fact, I heard a popping noise, but it wasn’t a sound unlike what my refridgerator might normally make–the ice-maker and such. So, it wasn’t that loud of a noise, something that would draw your attention. I just heard it and dismissed it as that–the fridge. I mean, my house has the living room and kitchen all in one. And the fridge is about fifteen feet at most back from the chair I was sitting in.

I didn’t notice anything unusual until I looked over at the box to see what time it was. That’s when I saw there was no…clock. It was out. I mean, the thing is always on since it’s a DVR (there is no off button). When it went to investigate, as I got up close I saw the clock was there but it was very, very faint and was flashing on and off rapidly. Then, I heard something clicking inside. Of course, when I switched back to the box from the Blu-Ray player…there was no picture, nothing. The box was dead.

My guess is the pop I heard was one of the capacitors in the power supply exploding. Oops. Well, I guess that Moxi box is a goner. I called Charter and they’re bringing me out another one tomorrow. I hope it’s newer and doesn’t have a loud ass fan like this one did–who knows, maybe the fan had gone out and the smallish capacitors in the power supply just overheated and gave out.

Theater, Lights

From sound I’ve graduated to doing lights. And that was at the Electric City Playhouse–a local community theater here in town where I live. I’ve never had anything to do with lights before, so it was a learning experience. Funny thing is…I discovered I don’t really care for the setup part of it.

In fact, it was great having everything setup by somebody who knew what the hell they were doing. The short story is…a lady at work, she’s on the board at the theater…so she kept bothering me to volunteer. When it came her turn to produce a play (each board member at the theater produces at least one play every year), she said she needed somebody to do the lights (she was going to have her cute, 23-year-old daughter volunteer for the sound…one of the reasons I thought it might be fun ) she came to me, again. This time I said okay.

So, that was how I got involved. The play was So Long On Lonely Street. Basically, it’s about a dysfunctional Southern family. There was a lot of messed up stuff and a lot of swearing–fun play. Anyway. I enjoyed operating everything during the performances. Thing was: there were seven performances of the play. I had to be there for all seven. So, I had no weekend three weeks in a row.

It was a lot of work, but it WAS fun. Theater…well, there ARE a lot of strange people involved in it. But, there are alot of cool people involved as well. And there are babes…a lot of babes that are either involved or come to see the show. The best part…the cast party. It wasn’t big, but we had a lot of fun. So, in the end, I can say the tech side of the theater is fun…except when it becomes more work than volunteering for it merits. Anyway. I’ll probably do it again–if I don’t have to climb ladders and hang lights and position them, which thankfully I didn’t have to do this last time.

Me Sound Engineer

Okay, I know I’ve mentioned this before: But, I’m the man behind the sound at my church–it’s funny never thought I’d say that.

It’s been a learning process, of course. But, now I actually feel I’m coming into my own with it. I’m able to detect even slightest variance–if something’s off, I can hear it. Not saying I’m perfect at it yet, because that would be a lie. Yet, I am one hundred percent better at than I was.

The best thing, though, is when, at the end of each song, the audience (or should that be congregation?) is clapping and cheering and, like today, even a few whistles going out. I mean, you’re hair goes up on your arms when you know that–not only the performers have done an awesome job–you’ve done an awesome job making them sound awesome. It’s total vindication for me when it all goes right–same for the performers, I’m sure. Strange how you develop a close bond with both musician and audience when you’re at the mixing board. Never thought how true that was until this morning. Everyone was on the top of their games. Truly amazing stuff. If you wanted to say God was there, that’s fine with me–but if it weren’t him, then it was because everyone was feeling the holy spirit. Feeling positive about life.

Strange, but I’m actually enjoying my volunteer position. Like I said before, where else can you get an opportunity like this when you’ve never done any sort of sound engineering before? I love music–maybe I’m not cut out just yet to be a musician. Anyway. I’m glad I like it, because, since there’s no one to replace me after this month (we’re doing a month on, month off schedule thing between two teams), I’ve volunteered to stay on for April–and who knows it might go beyond that. For some reason it seems a lot of other people volunteering for the tech team are afraid to mess with the sound Honestly, I don’t know why. I guess they’re afraid if they mess up…the band’s going to come down there and go Medieval or postal on them. Sure.

More Stuff From Amazon

Seems like I can’t go more than a month and a half without ordering at least something from Amazon. What can I say? Got to, ugh, treat myself. You’ll notice this time I’ve ordered a ton of Iron Maiden stuff–strangely, they’re on their way to becoming one of my favorite bands. I think it was the Flight 666 movie that really got me into them. Before that it was like, they’re okay. Now, it’s like, these guys rock. Anyway. Here’s what I got:

Books
Alcatraz vs Knights of Crystallia - Brandon Sanderson
Alcatraz vs The Scrivener’s Bones - Brandon Sanderson

CDs
Iron Maiden - Iron Maiden
Killers - Iron Maiden
Piece of Mind - Iron Maiden
The Number of the Beast - Iron Maiden

DVDs
Classic Albums - Iron Maiden: Number of the Beast
Iron Maiden - Rock in Rio

Changes

I know, it has been awhile since I’ve posted anything. Reason: I’m trying to work through some things in my life–somethings I haven’t thought about (but have been in the back of my mind) for fourteen years. I don’t feel I should mention anything further online, though–since anybody can read this, and I’m not ready yet to reveal what the “somethings” are. But, I’ll just say it was a personal tragedy that happened that long ago–and I’m just now doing something about getting over, getting better.

I said this year was going to be different. And I know it’s going to be. And so far it has been different. Funny thing is it all started when a co-worker of mine talked me into going to her church. Now, I’ve never generally been a huge fan of religion–because I’ve seen plenty of those people who preach of hellfire and damnation if you do one little thing wrong. You look at a pair of naked breasts and you’re instantly toast in their books… Anyway. The message Jesus had isn’t a bad one. In fact, it’s a positive thing–it makes you a stronger person, I think. That’s how I feel about it.

Now, I’m not a holy roller, like I said. And I never will be. But, you know what, it’s okay to have faith. It’s okay to pray. It’s okay to accept help from on high. All of it…it’s just a belief–doesn’t necessarily make it real. Who knows what happens when we do die. But, if a belief (any belief) can bring you peace and happiness in life, I’d say it’s well worth the effort of participation.

The church I’ve started going to seems to be accepting so far. But, we’ll see. If I begin to disagree more than agree with what the preacher has to say…then I’m out of there. So far, the over all message has been positive. Plus, the music is pretty good. It’s all “Christian” rock–which I have to laugh at that monicker. Because, other than religious themes, it’s just rock. And the musicians are pretty good.

Me, I volunteered to run the sound board. Yeah, me, a sound engineer. Go figure. Where else can you have a chance to monkey with something like that? What band is going to give an amateur the keys to that?

Anyhow. I just wanted to let everybody know what I’ve been up to. Things are changing for me–in what I’m starting to see is something good.

Stuff From Amazon

Not that anybody really cares or anything like that, but here are a few items that I recently got from Amazon. I felt like throwing some cash down. Best three things on the list: Powerslave (it’s freaking awesome), Back Tracks (again, awesome), and Dragon Age (wow! this game is a lot of fun, and it reminds me a lot of Titan Quest for some reason).

Books
Elantris - Brandon Sanderson

CDs
Back Tracks - AC/DC
Humble Pie: The Definitive Collection - Humble Pie
Powerslave - Iron Maiden
Somewhere in Time - Iron Maiden

Games
Dragon Age (PC)

DVDs
Crime 360

Blu-Ray
Star Trek VI: the Undiscovered Country
Van Helsing