Alex's Soapbox » Fun Indoors

Battlezone High Score

Alex — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 06:35:44 +0000

I used to spend many an after-school afternoon playing Battlezone and Asteroids at the local bowling alley. Back then, I was only able to get above 100,000 points in Battlezone once or twice. Now with the iPad version and unlimited quarters, I finally kicked some butt, after figuring out a bit how the missiles behaved:

Personal best!

The problem with the iPad version is that only high scores below 300,000 are saved, so I had to take the above screenshot just to see five tanks to the right of my name.

Doomsday Is Tomorrow

Alex — Sun, 19 Dec 2010 23:58:28 +0000

With the rain and cold outside, I’m in retro mode watching some episodes of the original Bionic Woman with Lindsay Wagner.

The series only lasted three seasons, and most of the episodes are mediocre. However, one exception is “Doomsday is Tomorrow” where a dying scientist threatens the world with doomsday unless all nuclear testing is stopped. His trusty assistant is the Alex 7000 computer whose mission is to bring about the end of the world. Alex7K is too much like HAL from 2001 Space Odyssey, but the relentless logic and action is what makes this episode suspenseful and memorable. The episode shows features of the Internet we take for granted today (client-server computing and network communications).

Summer 2010

Alex — Sun, 19 Sep 2010 21:00:50 +0000

Feeling a bit nostalgic (and who doesn’t at this age). Here is my summer of 2010, as seen through my cell phone:

Click the picture to get all frames.

I Rule

Alex — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 21:34:43 +0000

With a 25% discount on buildings, I’ve finally “finished” We Rule by getting to level 35 and building the Red Dragon Lair. I’m sure there will be more levels and even more expensive buildings, but for now … I RULE!

All buildings are shown here, except for the Prison in my South Realm along with my massive plantation of Ruby Groves.

We Rule Level 35

iPad Accessory Unboxing

Alex — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 02:59:20 +0000

I ordered an iPad with the 3G chip a few weeks ago. I was excited when Apple informed me that a package was on the way via FedEx. However, it only weighed 1 lb, and when I took it home, I was rather disappointed:

Come on Apple, send me my iPad ASAP!!!

Into The Storm

Alex — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:57:55 +0000

HBO produced two films about Winston Churchill – “The Gathering Storm” starring Albert Finney and “Into The Storm” starring Brendan Gleeson. Both are good films, but the second one is definitely better than the first. It may be because it felt faster paced since it portrayed Churchill during World War II, but as much as I like Albert Finney’s work,especially in “Miller’s Crossing“, Gleeson plays a better Churchill. The film isn’t on DVD yet, but can be found on YouTube (at least for now).

Outside of Churchill’s own speeches and quotes, I found this one the best:

Then out spake brave Horatius,
The Captain of the gate:
“To every man upon this earth
Death comes soon or late.
And how may man die better
Than facing fearful odds,
For the ashes of his fathers
And the temples of his Gods?”
– Thomas Macauley. How Horatius Kept the Bridge

Relator

Alex — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 23:30:41 +0000

Toys for Tots

Alex — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 06:14:40 +0000

Later this year, parents will be looking to buy gifts this Christmas for children. If the current economic downturn continues to get worse, these toys may be what American children need, as they prepare for the jobs that will be available when they grow up – at least they will be able to start their careers early, as none of the jobs require a college degree.

Best Headshot

Alex — Sat, 23 May 2009 18:51:48 +0000

The best and funniest headshot I’ve ever seen. What video game is this from?

Mad As Hell – Network (1976)

Alex — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 07:47:20 +0000

Just saw this tonight and liked this scene. Should have been required viewing by last Wednesdays teabag wingnuts.