Just Saw Quantum of Solace, and It’s Good!

I think I’ve just seen one of the best action films since the Borne Ultimatum. I know. Hard to believe, isn’t it? I just got back from the movies after having seen Quantum of Solace, the new Bond film. Gees this movie is relentless. From its opening scene of an insane car chase to Bond chasing down a bad guy in what can only be described as “whoa….”

Needless to say, I was extremely pleased with Quantum. It far surpasses Casino Royale–not that that was a bad movie or anything, but its follow up is just, well, it’s just intense as hell. Daniel Craig is definitely the grittiest Bond ever. I mean, if Rambo were to go toe to toe with this Bond, I think even he’d crap his pants!

Anyway, I don’t want to say too much into the plot of the movie. It’s good and detailed like any Bond film. But, be prepared to strap yourself in. And don’t take your youngsters. I would definitely say Quantum is on the cusp of being R-rated. Although, granted, there is blood but it’s not a complete gore-fest like say the recent Rambo movie–but, it’s still highly, gloriously violent. Did I just say that? Damn. I guess I really am an ogre.

Bond is back for sure. And he’s taking no prisoners! Literally. So, I say ol’ chap, get out there and see Quantum of Solace! You won’t be disappointed.

Extreme Trains

Trains don’t usually do much for me, but, having seen the previews for it, I figured I’d watch the new History show Extreme Trains just for the heck of it. Besides, nothing else I watch was on at that time. So, I gave it a try, and I’m glad I did.

The host (can’t remember his name) is actually an employee of some small railroad up in Maine. The first episode was, as he put it, “a crash course in train technology.” And that’s basically what I got out of it. Everything from the very first steam locomotives to how dynamic braking works on modern diesel-electrics. It’s mostly here, with more subjects promised for future episodes (including, of all things, roller coasters); that part got me excited.

The first episode was all about how Norfolk moves coal from the mines in western Pennsylvania to the gigantic coal-fired power plant in (I believe it was) Washington. They showed how they push the trains of a-hundred-and-something-cars loaded with coal up through the Allegheny Mountains, which is over a 2% grade (apparently, that’s pretty steep for a train). In fact, there was one part in the track called the Horseshoe Curve that had to be specially engineered to help trains as they go up–It’s a National Landmark as well.

I thought all of that was very interesting. One thing I had to laugh at, though, was that I actually recognized a lot of the stuff (terms and whatnot) they talked about from my brief time at playing Microsoft’s original Train Simulator. The best part, though, was when they showed how coal cars are typically unloaded nowadays. Cars are emptied by being turned over. Rotary Dumping is what they called it. Basically, the cars all have couplers that can turn, so they don’t even have to de-couple them for this process. Essentially, a car enters a section of track where a pair of arms grab hold of it and it is then tilted over until all the coal falls out. I don’t think I’ve ever seen that before.

I know from my model train days, coal cars would either be hoppers that had doors on the bottom or they would be gondolas that could tilt on their own. This rotary system seems a lot more efficient. Anyway. Extreme Trains seems both informative and fun to watch. I think History has come up with another good piece of Edutainment. Future episodes, like I said, promise even more: High-Speed Passenger trains to MAGLEV to roller coasters. What could be better?

Site News

I’ve yet to update WP. I guess, like a lot of other things dealing with computers, I just haven’t had the desire to monkey with it. Even though it wouldn’t take that long, I’m just, by the weekend, done with wanting to touch a computer. That’s what happens when you’re at work all day in front of one! Anyway. I hope to get to updating WP soon enough.

Also, I haven’t forgotten about my Coastionary project. In fact, I’m working on a major overhaul of the site and its content. Basically, I’m just not satisfied with its look and feel. Railwolf did an awesome job on the script. That part is not in question. What is is the fact that the site lacks any character and its content is pretty mundane. Yes, it’s a dictionary of roller coaster terms, like I wanted. But, it just doesn’t do it for me. I think it needs more detail and, well, fun. It’s not fun! It’s sterile and boring. Roller coasters sure aren’t, so why should it be?

I think I should probably reinvent it a little before I actually debut it. It’s funny the site’s been around for nearly a year, and I haven’t even given it a grand opening, so to speak. Anyway. I’m going to remedy that soon enough.