Don't know how or why, but I completely forgot about Livejournal again.  That is, until Chris mentioned it the other night while we were all at Will's.  Anyhow, no big deal, I'm not completely convinced this whole internets thing will pan out in the end.  So, I've just finished half-assing my way through my friends' most recent posts and I'm struggling to think of something to write about.  Or have I...?

I want to bitch for just a moment.  WHERE THE HELL CAN A GUY GET A FUCKING NINTENDO WII OR DS LITE THESE DAYS???  I understand that they're the hottest shit since hot shit, but damn.  There are literally none, nil, zero, zilch anywhere to be found, other than scalpers hawking their uber marked up, ghetto "packages" on ebay.  Normally, I don't get too tied up with the whole "things I want but can't have" list, but these few are really messing up my Chi.  Funny thing is, I was pretty anti-Wii for quite a while.  Initially, only for the fact that it was just a souped up GC with new human interface technology, then later, after experiencing the simple fun-factor first-hand and actually touching it and putting in a few hours on friends' and at B&B, I quickly discovered I'm a completely uncoordinated Wiitard.  But, I digress, I think I can force my nervous system into mastering it.  It may take some untold months, or even years, but I will form the necessary muscle memory and prevail!  Current logic and, subsequently, my hopes are that I can acquire a DS Lite (shooting for the Zelda bundle) much sooner than I will a Wii, but, at this rate, my hopes are not terribly high.  The DS wasn't even on my radar until very recently.  I think I just have gadgets on the brain lately.  I blame Microsoft and the Zune.  Anyway, what are your favorite or "must-have" Wii and/or DS games?

I've been playing a bit of Xbox360 with Will et. al. recently.  I'm sure it won't be long before I break down and purchase that Newegg wishlist I already have packed with 360 goodness.  Halo3 has completely converted this old keyboard/mouse FPS gamer, especially since I've found that several companies make devices that allow you to play with a keyboard and mouse...  :drool:  Anyhow, I still need a lot of practice to get used to "pwning" with a controller, but I don't even care.  That game is like really, really good crack.  Guitar Hero 3 is pretty awesome, but I really can't wait to get some intimate time with Rock Band.  One of these days the B&B setup will be available when we go.  I can't believe how much fun Scene It on the 360 is.  Will and I are tied so far, but not for long, I WILL DESTROY BLOCKBUSTER BOY!

Lower on my list, but still definitely occupying a spot, is the PS3.  I saw the new Singstar being played on Crave and it looks pretty cool.  There's not as much exciting stuff in the PS3 department, but I think it's already got some points and will probably score more as time goes on.  The few exclusive titles are enough temptation alone, from purely a gamer's point of view.  However, I don't have much faith in blu-ray becoming the next media format, but that's secondary to what I'd want a PS3 to do.

I had really avoided console gaming for the longest time, being a devout PC gamer, but lately, though, I'm just tired of dealing with hardware/software headaches and other PC troubles in general.  I know all these systems are just computers in varying aesthetic treatments, but I guess it's more refreshing to simplify things, especially if it's all in the name of recreation and entertainment.  God is in the details.

Well, that's all for this installment of Zac's 4AM Rants, Raves, and Ramblings.  Join us next time, won't you?  Happy little clouds!

I heart insomnia.

I won't complain about my expensive dentist anymore after seeing this: http://madbe.net/2007/10/street-dentist-in-india.html

Also, I heart Stephen Colbert: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/14/opinion/14dowd.html?ex=1350014400&en=d01aa8aa6034f85f&ei=5124&partner=digg&exprod=digg

I am so bored right now I can't even describe it.  I've been watching snails wrestle for hours.  That's just sad.  I am dead tired after running sessions all day, and still can't sleep a wink.

On a more pleasant note, a new discovery: Murderface does NOT like frozen brine shrimp.  It's pretty odd considering a lot of bettas are picky enough to refuse any and all forms of flake foods and sometimes even pellets and therefore survive solely on frozen or live foods.  Murderface eats frozen bloodworms like he's on death row and they're his last meal last meal and gobbles Hikari, Tetra, and HBH betta pellets, AND even loves Hikari sinking tablets and Hikari algae tablets.  Strange little fish.  I added a second nano filter on the lowest flowrate setting just to help with the filtration needs without turning the 2.5 gallon tank into a whirlpool.  The tank is technically overstocked by a large margin, but I do partial water changes very frequently.  The plants grow fast enough that nitrates stay below 5ppm which is technically a bit low for a planted tank of this sort.  Even with the frequent water changes using aged and treated water, I may still need to start supplementing some macro nutrients even without CO2 yet.  Acworth water sucks.  I can't even get a water analysis report from the utility company even though I think it's illegal not to have that info available on request.  I'm considering installing a larger reservoir and a cheap RO (maybe RO/DI) system to provide water I can prepare any way I need.  Anyhow, Will and I hung around PetLand on Barrett Parkway one night this past week and I was fairly impressed with the way they've changed their aquarium area.  LOTS more freshwater stuff than they ever had before.  LOTS of plants that I can't get anywhere else locally.  Guess what Zac's buying this week?  I'm considering getting a few more small tanks setup like Murderface's so I can get more bettas or dwarf puffers or other nano appropriate fish.

That's all for now.  Take it sleazy.

I made a point of taking some photos of Murderface in his little underwater chateau the other day.  I'll need to take more and post again later once I get the aquascaping the way I'd like and finish my tankmates experiments.  For now, here's William Murderface: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2002324&l=3779b&id=1119510021

I'm still going to try to introduce some shrimp in his tank, but I'm not confident that they'll become anything more than betta food or torture victims.  I'd like to get more plants in there, maybe some nano plants like the different microswords, pygmy crypts, maybe glosso for ground cover.  I don't know, I always want more plants for other tanks anyways, so maybe I'll just get a whole bunch and see what works in Murderface's tiny palace.  I also need to see about fixing up the CO2 injection and upping the fert dosing regimen.  That's it for now, take it sleazy.

The SoBe Essential Energy Orange is just as good as the berry pomegranate.  I think I'll go hunt down more of both tomorrow (today).  I also like the Monster Energy Java drinks.  The Loca Moca is the only of the 3 flavors that's distinctly unique.  They're all pretty good, but have the exactly same coffee concentrate base flavor.  The only difference I pick up between the other two flavors is a bit of a difference in aftertaste.  They're all really sweet, but I suppose that's to be expected for most energy drinks.  Which brings another thought to mind, what the hell is with sugar free energy drinks?  They should just call it "anorexia in a can".  I wonder if anyone has devised a diet built around consuming large quantities of caffeine, guarana, taurine, and other stimulants without consuming a single calorie in the process.  I've only tried Sugar Free Bawls, out of curiosity, and Sugar Free Red Bull, out of desperation, and I felt kind of stupid just at those moments.  "No, no, you see, if you don't consume any sugars with the stimulants, :twitch:, it makes your body start to burn YOUR BLOOD FOR ENERGY!!!! It's awesome, :twitch:, I've lost like 35 pounds just in blood weight in the past 19 hours!!  You should, :twitch:, try it!  ::passes out::"

Anyhow, that's all I have to babble on about for the moment.  Take it sleazy!

I need a haircut anyway, so, I'M MOVING TO POLAND!!!  http://www.picklequeen.com/Polish-barbershop.htm

Also, SoBe Essential Energy Berry Pomegranate is fantastic!  I've got to stock up on this stuff.  On the other hand, Arizona's Pomegranate Green Tea Energy Drink is drinkable, but not high up on my list of favorite energy drinks.

Well, here's a bit of total 3am randomness for the ol' LJ.

Murderface, my newest fishy friend, has made himself quite at home.  He has 3 or 4 mystery snails to keep him company, and he thoroughly enjoys pestering them.  Unlike a lot of bettas, he is NOT at all a picky eater.  He readily scarfs Hikari Betta Bio-Gold pellets, bloodworms, and, much to my amazement, he even stuffs himself with the snails' algae tablets.  The small bunches of anacharis and the few stalks of moneywort I put in his tank have been growing well.  I really like the Coralife lighting and may invest in a few more for some of my other planted tanks.  I'd still like to try to make a DIY fixture first, but more on that later.  I need to get some java moss in there and see about swapping out the substrate.  I have everything I need to setup a CO2 fertilization system, but may hold off on that for a bit.  Eventually I'll get some pics and post them.  So far, I'm just dosing PMDD because of the low plant biomass right now.  If I get more plants, and more plant variety along with CO2 in that tiny, little tank I may switch up to EI.

I wanted to make a note about Microsoft's Halo 3.  I hadn't watched much TV for a few weeks because I've been spending my free time trying to catch up on my dvd collection but tonight I watched some of the stuff that has been building up on the Tivo.  I'm very, very impressed with the Halo ads, in particular the one that use's Chopin's "Raindrop" No. 15 from The Preludes Op. 28 as the only audio throughout.  I have been in love with that piece of music since the first time I heard it.  I'd like to know who actually performed the ad version as it is done quite well.  I'd say that, while my favorite is still Valentina Igoshina's performance, the ad-version is quite high on my list.  So, three cheers to whoever at Microsoft or Bungie or any involved ad-agencies made the decision to use Raindrop, I applaud you.  To any of you who have never heard Raindrop, or any of the Preludes Op. 28, you simply must.  It won't take much of your time, and I think that it should be something that everyone hears at least once in their lives.

Beef jerky, well, I didn't have anything to say about that really, except that I bought some tonight.  Random, yes, I know.  That is all.  Good night, and good luck.

Well, I finally got around to redoing my 2.5 gallon AGA tank and turned it into a nice little betta home for my office.  It's now equipped with a Red Sea Nano Power Filter, an AGA 25 watt heater, and a very nice Coralife Freshwater light fixture with 2x 9watt 6700K bulbs in it.  The new occupant is a Red Super Delta Tail (SDT/HMx) that is quite the looker.  I'll try to get a decent pic and post it up here.  He seems to have settled in just fine.  I need help naming him, so if you have any ideas post them in a comment.  If time permits tomorrow I want to get some of my nice small plants in there.  I think, for now, maybe I'll just put in some java moss, some java lace, and possibly some fast growers like anacharis.  If I can scrounge up a nice looking and small enough piece of driftwood to mount the java moss to, that would be great, otherwise it may just get the ol' Zac's Wad O'Moss treatment.  I'll be carefully observing the new tenant's temperament to see if I can introduce some shrimp and/or snails.  Betta's sometimes take a liking to snipping at antennae and other invertebrate anatomy, but just as often don't.  The tank is a bit small to house anything else, especially since it's in my office; but, maybe, if I can find some room to stash a bigger water aging vessel and some extra supplies to make more frequent water changes quicker and easier, I'll see about adding some other small/nano fishies.  I'll need all that extra stuff anyway if I ever manage to get a dwarf puffer tank setup in my office like I've been planning to for ages.  More on that later.  Again, need help naming my new fishy friend, so post some ideas!

I REALLY, REALLY want to order one of these very badly!

 http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/star-wars/legos-ultimate-collectors-millennium-falcon-unboxed-now-shipping-303613.php

It's only $500!!!

Zac "The Lego Maniac"

This is ingenious!  I must have one.  http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/worldnews.html?in_article_id=478041&in_page_id=1811

Chris at the last LAN: http://www.diskusjon.no/index.php?act=Attach&type=post&id=169990