Look, I'm a Monkey!

My wife was browsing around the web the other day and came across this overview of the chinese zodiac sign The Monkey. Since I was born in 1968, that makes me a Monkey. Check it out. Is it me?

The spunky Monkey is the original party animal! Charming and energetic, Monkeys crave fun, activity and stimulation. They truly know how to have a good time and can often be seen swinging from one group of friends to another, attracting a motley crew in the process. Always upbeat, they are considered minor celebrities in their circle thanks to their sparkling wit and that rapier-sharp mind. Perhaps surprisingly, Monkeys are also good listeners and tackle complicated situations with ease. This Sign's natural curiosity lends it the desire to become knowledgeable on a broad range of topics. Monkeys have a show-off side that loves nothing more than to dazzle their pals with all they know.

The Monkey tends to be rather accident-prone due to a certain lack of very high morals. This Sign's first interest is pursuing its own pleasure; this is not a malicious interest, it's just the way the Monkey is. However, this kind of carefree self-involvement can lead to all kinds of scrapes. In love, the Monkey makes a fun, exciting lover -- but one that may have the potential to stray romantically. The good news is, the Monkey’s glib manner and witty repartee can often get this Sign out of a scrape. Perhaps not everyone will be won over by the Monkey -- but do you think the Monkey really cares? The Monkey's world, full of devil-may-care energy and revelry, isn't for everyone. Remember, though, it's not that this Sign is mean; it might just be a bit too curious for its own good. Monkeys often feel the need to try everything at least once, which can make for a merry-go-round of relationships.

The Monkey's love of self-indulgence can also lead to other types of trouble. This Sign may have limited self-control concerning food, alcohol and other pleasurable activities. It's party time all the time for the Monkey, yet when it leads to a monster hangover or a shattered heart (generally someone else's, not theirs), this Sign might actually show a touch of remorse. They won't flat-out admit the error of their ways, but at least they'll pull back and try to tone things down -- for a while.

Monkeys must try to learn to think of others ahead of themselves, at least some of the time. This Sign's world will be more complete once it realizes the world doesn't revolve around it.

Divorce and Friends

I find it rather odd that many people think they have to take sides in a divorce situation when it doesn't really involve them. Take for example my divorce. My wife and I split up 2 years ago. The divorce was final back in Sept of 2004. We had many of the same friends both before and during the marriage. Now that the marrage is over, some of our friends only talk to me and some of our friends only talk to her. Also, some people still talk to both but that's more the exception than the rule.

I don't really get why people would choose one over the other. Were they only friends with someone because of their spouse? Do they feel like they are betraying one of us if they talk to the other one? Do they want to stay away from any kind of controversy? Do they not want to get into the middle of something? Maybe another reason I can't think of. I don't get it.

I don't really have any experience being in that situation. I am the first of my friends to go through a divorce (that I know of). I'm the first of my family to go through a divorce. Since I never went through this on my own, I'm just guessing on why people would act this way.

Opinions? Feedback? All is welcome.

Grand Theft Auto now Adults Only

Warning, Rant ahead!

Check out this article on Gamespot.

Take Two Interactive changed the rating on their Grand Theft Auto San Andreas game from Mature to Adults Only. They left in some code on the released version of the game (Xbox, PS2, PC) that can be modified into a x-rated sex game. Hillary Clinton and other conservatives have been bitching left and right about this. Instead of going after illegal modders, lets go after the game manufacturer. I just don't get it.

The really funny part of all of this is the differences between M and AO ratings (Taken from the ESRB Website)

MATURE
Titles rated M (Mature) have content that may be suitable for persons ages 17 and older. Titles in this category may contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content, and/or strong language.

ADULTS ONLY
Titles rated AO (Adults Only) have content that should only be played by persons 18 years and older. Titles in this category may include prolonged scenes of intense violence and/or graphic sexual content and nudity.

They say virtually the same thing. The only differences I see in this game are the words Prolonged, Graphic, and Nudity in the AO rating vs the M rating. M rated games shouldn't be sold to kids. AO rated games can't be sold to kids.

Here is the wording on the old rating and the new one exactly how it's listed on the box:

Old Rating: M - Mature
Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs.

New Rating: AO - Adults Only
Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs.

What the hell is the difference between those? Nothing! Would i buy either of them for my kid? Hell no! Would I buy them for myself? Sure, I'm 36 years old. I can buy whatever I damn well please!

If only more parents took responsibility to know what their kids are buying, playing, or want to buy and play; things like this wouldn't be news. Did we really need interference from the government to handle this? Maybe those angry parenting groups should look at how their children got a hold of the game in the first place. Fucking morons!

What Kind of Blogger Are You?

You Are a Social Blogger!

Your blog is more of a semi-private affair for your friends. It's how you keep in touch... sharing stories, jokes, and pics.

What kind of blogger are you?

Spider-Man's Greatest Bible Stories

Complements to the Portland Mercury. Go check it out.

Which House Are You?

I saw this up on Jay's blog. See where you belong in Hoggwarts!


I'm a Ravenclaw!

Harry Potter Evil?

Check out this article on Entertainment Weekly's website.

Well, it seems that the new Pope is saying that the Harry Potter Series of books is currupting todays christian youth. I'm amazed that the Pope can't tell the difference between reality and fiction. Harry Potter is a work of fiction, not real. Would the Pope like all stories everywhere to be christian stories?

Baseball has been very good to me!

Well, this saturday we're taking our kids out to see the Kane County Cougars game. While the kids don't know much about baseball, they get very exited just being there, plus there will be fireworks to watch and bases to run after the game. A fun time overall.

If you've never been to a game out there, I suggest checking it out. Lots of fun!

Most Italians Don't Mind Seeing Naked People

OK, Damn funny news posting on Yahoo.

I know I'm over-simplifying this but evidently most Italians don't mind seeing nude people at a nude beach. Go figure!

Saturday On-Call Continued...

Well, 1 day and 13 calls later and my oncall for July is over. Within a 12 hour period (1am - 1pm) on Saturday, I recieved thirteen calls. I needed a nap after all that. Love getting those holiday weekend on call assignments. Yippee!

The Joys of Late Night Work

Well, it's now 2:36am. I've just gotten done with two work phone calls that started around 1:30am. The joys of being on-call for my job. Luckily, I'm on-call only one week out of every 5 weeks.

I'm not as young as I used to be. Time to go back to bed.