Model UN Conference
I'll be going to a Model United Nations Conference in Atlanta for the next couple of days, you can check it out at srmun.org. It's cool that it's in Atlanta, it's not cool that I'll be stuck in conference for hours on end. Anyways, expect light blogging for a while.

Belated Panthers Victory Post
Finally, the Panthers win another game. The infamous 1-15 season of 2001 will not be repeated, the 14 game losing streak avioded. And you know what I feel finally did it? The defense. They really cranked up the pressure and started getting turnovers left and right. Throughout this season, it didn't seem like the defense was doing enough to get turnovers and create opportunities for the other side of the ball. That changed with this game.

Some of the turnovers were just plain Rattay's fault, but odds are good if the pressure isn't there he doesn't make the stupid throw. So I would give the game ball to the defense on this one. Sure, Delhomme and Muhammad but up big numbers but that doesn't happen without the D stepping up big time with the turnovers.

You've gotta feel good about coming back from a 17-3 deficit as well. The defense finally came up with a stop at the end of the first half, and the offense moved the ball, so I had a feeling that if they could just make some adjustments at halftime they would have a solid chance to win. Sauerbrun's Clutch kicking (4XP's and a FG) was a key as well. All in all, after taking a while getting their act toghether, a good game for the Panthers.

Halo 2 post
I've had some requests for a Halo 2 post, so here goes. First of all, the game is continent-sized big. I was really impressed by the size and the length of the levels in this game. For the most part, they managed to be varied and interesting, full of different vehicles, AI help, and strategies. I was really impressed by the AI in this game. Many times you can just sit back and watch the chaos as your allies and enemies face off. Vehicle and weapon selection has been expanded and improved, you can finally use Plasma swords and drive the Alien tanks. Very, very nice.

The frantic gameplay remains from the first, aided by fantastic graphics. I really felt while playing this that it was what the future of games was supposed to look like, it's be a console benchmark for years. Playing this, I feel like I had per capita "Holy Sh--" moments than any other game previously. There was this one part in particular where you're fighting a boss, and you can hijack his floaty thing, and punch him in the face til he dies. I was so impressed by that. The story was full of twists and surprises, although I wish maybe it would have been a little more focused I still like it. Unfortunately, the game ends just as the plot is getting good, Lord of the Rings-style. Ah well, what's another 3 or 4 years wait, right?

Breaking News
Rapper ODB passes away. story

Sadly, Not a Joke
The $65,000 shoe. Quantities Limited, Order Now!!!

Halo 2 to be unleashed in about 1 hour*
The game millions have been waiting for, Halo 2, comes out in mere tens of minutes. I should have preorded from a store that would be open at midnight, like EBGames, but like a schmuck I preordered at Best Buy. The fun will have to wait a couple of hours at least. Expect a large nationwide drop in productivity for the next week or so.

In other news, I just got done reading a book about the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia called First They Killed My Father. As you can tell by the title, it's a real upper of a book. Actually, it's quality reading, just gut-wrenching. Makes you appreciate the little things like food and running water a little bit more.




*barring promos, downloads, and Ebay

Panthers are pathetic
Cut all of them, except Ricky Proehl. He can stay.

Big in France
My friend Andrew, who I met in Japan, now lives in St. Louis and was actually interviewed by French TV (I think) when they had the presidential debates there. Anyway, for a limited time, he's on the front page of this French Web Page. Whoa. Seems like a pretty big deal, check it out. Click Here.

Some Final Election Thoughts
Losing sucks. Republicans control just about every function of government right now. But I'm trying not to be too discouraged here. 48 (ed.'s note- actually 55.5) million people voted for Kerry, and despite what right-wingers might try to tell you about a mandate, that's a hell of a lot of people who stood up for their beliefs when it mattered. Just got to take this in stride like any other setback. Like young Indy was told in the Last Crusade, "You lost today, kid. But that doesn't mean you have to like it."

One final parting shot:

If you voted for it...
You bought it. No returns, exchanges, or guarantees. Well, I'll make a guarantee. These next four years will set the country back decades, and I can't say that I'm too happy about it. I'm pretty pissed off and dissapointed right now, first the Panthers suck, and now this? I sure was cryin' in my beer last night. 4 more years....