Halloween Approaches!

Enjoy Squirrel Nut Zipper's "Ghost of Stephen Foster" to get you in the Halloween spirit...

The Autumn Leaves...

10/23/08 Seattle, WA around UW Medical Center (taken with iphone):



Bill Evans Trio playing Autumn Leaves:

Ultima Man Garriott lands safely in Kazakhstan after Space Journey

Ultima IV. Probably most of you didn't play this game, however this was one of many games on my family's Apple IIgs (late 80s-early 90s). I was surprised I found the following youtube clip. I guess what got me sleuthing was the creator, Richard Garriott, just returned back from a 2 week 30 million dollar journey space trip to the International Space Station. There, he managed several education outreach efforts. The trip was arranged by Space Adventures - a company who will offer space flights to those able to front the money. One online article mentioned that Garriott AKA Lord British, amongst other accomplishments, designed the Ultima series.

I enjoyed this game, granted I was only about 9 at the time and never really progressed that far. At any rate, enjoy this clip. Note: I believe this is the PC version...unfortunately, there are no Apple version on the 'tube. At any rate, it's very similar from what I can recall. Yay for archiac RPGS!!!

Gary Lets Down the Future?

Who is Kevin Gary? He's My Blogging Doppelganger

So, as you know my address is

http://gary-oke.blogspot.com/

however, as my friend Roth points out, there is

http://garyoke.blogspot.com/

Like whoa. Coincidences include:

• Washington State Resident
  
• Avid runner

Very much doppelganger-like (what's a doppelganger? wiki).

Giving credit when credit is due, I tried to register garyoke.blogspot.com back in the day, but it was taken...presumably by this dude.

He also has other another site set up devoted to his personal life:

http://www.garyoke.com/home.htm

Check this out, he's got his own store devoted to garyoke merch! Take a look at this cool ringer T for the ladies. I'm seriously one-uped.

My Pen!

I never watched Kids in the Hall on a regular basis, but I always get this skit stuck in my head. My Pen!

Angry Video Game Nerd vs. The Irate Gamer

So maybe not as pressing as McCain vs. Obama (go Obama!), however let us take a moment to consider another debate: Angry Video Game Nerd (AVGN) or The Irate Gamer (IG). If you don't know, both have gained popularity for posting sarcastic youtube retrospectives on awful games released on various platforms. Mostly, I tune in to their segments on old crappy 8-bit nintendo (NES) games. You know the games that drove you A-Wall with their absurd and perverted complexity? (e.g., jumping "n" precarious platforms or fall to your death, no saves or continues, excessive re-spawning of bad guys, etc) *sigh* Granted, maturation of video gaming was still in its infancy, but still there were all too many games that left you flipping your TV off!

AVGN and IG both share some of my NES sentiments...Glad I'm not alone.

Anywho, their is much hoopla between AVGN and IG. Both have similar shows, however they are soo similar that many are shouting rip-off! AVGN is noted for being the first to create this type of youtube programming. From what I've gather anecdotally, IG is accused for "plagiarising" AVGN's ideas in overall show content. Example here. Interestingly, IG believes his show is no way like AVGN's...

My two cents: I like to give credit when credit is due. AVGN was first and the one I initially started watching. However, I do give props for IG for his more constructive wit and video editing skills. Often AVGN goes off on nonsensical explicit rants, however IG tends to form his criticism with more character.

At any rate, I think both offer some hilarious things to say.

I've embedded both reviewing the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles game for the NES. I appreciate this review since I owned this game...what a piece of %*@#$! What do you think?

Angry Video Game Nerd (warning! explicit language):



The Irate Gamer (warning! explicit language):

Audrye Sessions

Great Bay Area Band...

Super Mario Theme

This is probably an old viral video clip for a bunch of you, however it's "super" cool.

Eli Van Houten or Milhouse Manning?

So apparently I am not alone when I thought starting New York Giant's QB Eli Manning has an uncanny resemblance to The Simpsons' Milhouse Van Houten. I found these side-by-side comparisons online.

I say, pay attention to the following:

Stubby Nose
Bushy Eyebrows
Parted Hair
Overall Dorkiness

S.F. traffic noise risks health of 1 in 6

Found by Derek (my brother), sfgate reports:

"Noise from traffic is putting nearly 1 in 6 San Francisco residents at risk for heart disease, high blood pressure and other stress-related illnesses, city public health officials have found..."

Read on here.

Fall Fashion Colors: Why So Serious Fall?

Perusing H and M yesterday, I noticed the over abundance of clothing with purples and greens. I guess these colors are "in".

According to New York Fashion Week, February 1–8, 2008:

"...best described as a season of change, fall ’08 is defined by rich, elegant hues that offer a vibrant selection. New York's fashion designers emphasize cooler blues, greens and purples in the top five tones"

Honestly, only one guy can truly pull this color scheme off (pictured above).

I have to admit - I did buy a collared shirt that has some light purple and green...hahaha...hehee...mwahahaha...lets put a smile on you fall!!!

J.T. O'Sullivan

Sunday's 49er's broadcast mentioned J.T. (the current starting QB for SF) was an UC Davis Alumni??!!

Sure enough, I checked it out and indeed he spent 3 years (00-03) at UC Davis as the starting quarterback. This blows me away since I was there from 99-05 and don't remember his name at all. I have to admit UCD's Division II football didn't really put them in the sports arena spotlight. However, I do remember UC Davis having a kick ass football team.

From Wiki:

"He played quarterback for the University of California, Davis and holds an NCAA Division II record (tie) for touchdown passes in a playoff game with 6, set on November 25, 2000 against Mesa State. He finished his three-year college career with 10,745 passing yards and 94 touchdown passes."

Like whoa. Go Ags!

Birthdays!

From 10/3/08

Happy Birthday Becky!


Happy Birthday Jordan!



I'm glad the double booking of birthday parties worked out. Good Times

two minor tweaks...

I've added a couple of page elements (on the right hand side of my blog).

"Subscribe to" is an option if you'd like a feed of updates of my posts and/or comments and your homepage (e.g. igoogle).

"My Blog List" is a more user friendly list of the blogs I follow. Notice you see a snippet of the blogger's latest entry.

Cheers

Gary feels the purple rain...

Linking this out now...

Can We Go Back! Music Videos:

Peter Gabriel - "Sledgehammer"

Seattle Half-Marathon

Bored? Come join me and run the Seattle Half-Marathon on 11/30/08 (full marathon and 5k are also options)! It'll be my first attempt at doing the elusive 13.1 mile trek. The furthest I've ran this year is 12.4 miles. Who's in?

Source here.

9/27/08 Weekend Fun

Pics and Vids from another awesome time with friends at Gary and Colin's Pad!