| Wow, this thing's still here |
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| 05:01pm 21/11/2006 |
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Funny how life gets in the way of other things.
So it's been two years since I've posted anything here. I found the link back here in my Fark account and I was somewhat surprised to see it had never been taken down.
And more amazingly, most of my old Friends list is still active.
So I thought I should post some sort of Final Post explaining why I vanished off the face of the web.
Basically, I picked up and moved to Florida to be with a girl I met on the internet. It was prety sudden for me too. She was the main reason I quit posting in the first place, and once I got there and we were establishing a new home, I never got around to getting online nearly so much. Especially as my next job banned internet surfing.
Then life in Florida started to suck and we moved to Illinois this past May. (to her hometown) And got married. So go us. Now I have a new job (which is soooo much better than the last one) and we're laying plans to go back to college next fall.
And that, in a teeny-tiny nutshell, is the last 2 years of my life. It seemed more eventful at the time.
So anyway, that's that. Anyone who hasn't forgotten me and would still like to talk, look me up on my gmail-dot-com account. Username is jblalock. Many days at work I have very little to do, so distraction is good. :-)
So.... how've y'all been?
...signing off... |
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Read 16 - Post |
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| Random Review time! |
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| 09:09pm 22/07/2004 |
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mood:  bored music: 'A Valid Path' - Alan Parsons Project
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So Jay still doesn't have much interesting to report on life. So here are some random reviews of movies and CDs and things I've seen lately.
#1 - I, Robot
Meh. Robert and Vin wanted to see this one, I tagged along. It was a good example of how a talented director (Alex Proyas of The Crow and Dark City) can turn a truly wretched script (courtesy of Akiva "Batman & Robin" Goldsman) into a halfway watchable movie. Not that it was GOOD, it just could (and should) have been far worse. Will Smith actually turns a decent performance, to boot. (even though the female costar was horrible)
The problem is that, like so many big summer movies, it makes NO FUCKING SENSE. At all. The plot was absolutely nonsensical, especially when there's a big "plot twist" 2/3 of the way through that pretty much nullifies every single thing that came before. (or, rather, renders irrelevant)
The FX were decent, but the CG robots never really looked real. I liked some aspects of their future visualization, especially how much of Chicago HASN'T changed, and people still live in run down apartments that look pretty much like ones today - just with a few more blinking lights on the appliances. It was very pretty in places, and it at least held my interest, but that's about it.
( Click for some CDs. ) |
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Read 6 - Post |
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| (sigh) I hate waking up to bad news... |
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| 09:40am 22/07/2004 |
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mood:  sad music: Planet of the Apes (1968, of course)
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I'm really bummed out about this one:
Jerry Goldsmith has died.
That's a name you should know even if you aren't into film music. He was one of the great working composers of our time, and had a range of output that was simply extraordinary. Any kind of music, he could write, and write well. Yet somehow he never received the same popular acclaim as John Willams, and in his life only garnered one Oscar. (for The Omen)
Perhaps the most impressive thing about Goldsmith was his ability to produce incredible scores for even bad movies. Some of his best work was for truly wretched movies, or ones that no one really heard of. While I feel his output DID lessen in the last 10 years or so, he could never be accused of giving less effort to bad movies which he'd agreed to sign. While everyone knows his ubiquitous march from Patton, or his luminous scores to the Star Trek films, some of his best work included bad, mostly-forgotten movies like Lionheart, King Solomon's Mines, The 13th Warrior, and Legend.
And that, I think, is the mark of a true professional. |
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Read 12 - Post |
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| Yes, Jay lives |
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| 10:31am 15/07/2004 |
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mood:  awake music: Nightwish Live 2003
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Yeah, so I haven't been updating much. Sorry 'bout that. Been sort of distracted lately.
Let's see, what's been going on? Lots of work. I'm on my new schedule, and it pretty much sucks. Now working Fri, Sat, Mon, Tues, 10 hours a day. The only bright point is that Saturdays are entirely DEAD and it means lots of reading being done.
I'm currently reading "A Game of Thrones" by George RR Martin. Heard lots of good things about it. Sort of slow going so far, but as this is to be a 7-book epic, I suppose I can forgive him taking his time with the set up.
Let's see... A friend has totally gotten me into Invader Zim. I'd be sorry I missed it when it was first on, except I pretty much never have access to cable, so I really would've missed it either way. Now, however, I'm getting totally addicted. So wrong, so twisted.... So RIGHT to twist the minds of unsuspecting young innocents!
In other news, I'm getting increasingly pissed off at the inability of computer burners to comprehend the command "Don't put a pause between the tracks!" I have a concert video I downloaded. I want to make a CD of the audio. It's, originally, a single unbroken sound file without any gaps. I therefore want a CD with 8 tracks and no gaps between them.
Every burning software I have is having the hardest time understanding this. I don't get it. There isn't silence there. DON'T ADD ANY!!!!! *muttergrumble*
But if all else fails, I can just burn it as a single track and then Rbt can break it up on his stand-alone set-top CD copier.
And that's really about it. Not even much going on in politics. I applaud Kerry picking Edwards (not that there was TOO much doubt, although I was sort of thinking he'd pick Gephardt) and it's the first indication I've gotten in awhile that he WANTS to win. And then there's all the nonsense with the Gay Marriage Ban Amendment. I mean, for gods' sakes, they couldn't even muster enough votes to have it DISCUSSED on the Senate floor. Much less pass. It's dead, DOA, deceased, no more, and otherwise generally demised. So can we stop trying to build discrimination into the Constitution now? Thanks... |
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Read 1 - Post |
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| Happy 4th |
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| 10:58pm 04/07/2004 |
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mood:  chipper music: 'Paradise by the Dashboard Light' - Meatloaf
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Well, I hope everyone had a good day. I don't know about y'all, but here, even though the view wasn't that great, the fireworks certainly were spectacular. |
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Read 2 - Post |
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| Random Kibbles & Bits |
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| 10:44am 04/07/2004 |
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mood: awake music: 'Electric Samurai' - Tomoyasu Hotei
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Hmmmm. I just can't seem to work up the anger and\or angst to go on any large scale rants at the moment. So here are just a smattering of random things that might be of interest:
1 - Yes, there WAS Drama. Now it's gone. My LJ is officially a No Drama Zone and I will fight tooth and nail to make sure it does NOT become drama-filled and\or whiny. If you missed the drama, all you really missed was a bit of insight into Jay's private life which was almost certainly TMI. So be happy. (rather than drama, try dharma instead)
2 - Speaking of Drama, the latest Megatokyo should prove of great amusement. I need to try this with friends.
3 - Speaking of Dharma, did you know there's actually a Buddhist webcomic? I love this here interweb!
4 - Did you like the track 'Battle Without Honor or Humanity' from Kill Bill? (the really funky music used in the trailers) If so, you MUST check out the album "Electric Samurai" from Tomoyasu Hotei. He's a well-known rock star in Japan, and most pertinently, the composer of that track and a load of other highly interesting and funky rock instrumentals used in Japanese movies lately. This album is a collection of them.
5 - The new Cure album, The Cure, is really incredibly mind-blowingly good and I still cannot recommend it highly enough to anyone who even mildly likes The Cure.
6 - I apologize for the preceeding sentence.
7 - This one is SUPER lucky!
8 - On a more serious note, people really should know about Bush's plans to remove even MORE sex-ed. Under the guise of "broadening" our AIDS funding and programs, he's actually stripping them back, making it even harder for people to even be taught what a condom is for, oh and incidentally, taking AIDS funding and diverting it to CHURCHES so that dying sick folk will be compelled to go there for aid. It's as though he's given up even maintaining the fiction that he's a responsible leader.
9 - But on the plus side, in AMUSING Bush news, two questions: What constituency is so firmly in his camp that it would be nearly impossible to piss off? And what constituency has Bush, through spectacular tastelessness, managed to piss off? THE SOUTHERN FUCKING BAPTIST CONVENTION. I'm not even sure if there is a term for the level of stupidity which this represents. I think it's out in heretofore unexplored realms of utter ineptitude. Bush truly IS a pioneer.
10 - And finally, "heretofore" is a REALLY great word and should be used more often.
11 - This one goes to eleven! I almost forgot, happy Get Drunk For Freedom Day! (you have to specify these things, see, because virtually every US holiday is used as an excuse to get drunk. Except Arbor Day. I think you're supposed to just feel vaguely guilty, but actually most people are just confused because they can't get drunk.)
****UPDATE****
Wow... This just in: Moore officially says "Pirate my movie, please!" and Lion's Gate (the distributor) agrees to go along with it. Dumbasses at Moorewatch.com dodge bullet, don't realize they still screwed up royally, and are reportedly now blaming Moore for their failure to get free room & board at Club Fed. |
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Read 4 - Post |
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| Yes, I still live |
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| 08:53pm 01/07/2004 |
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mood:  annoyed music: 'Hideaway' - Trevor Jones
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Hi guys! *wave* Yes, I'm still alive. Just not that much LJ-worthy has been going on. And I'm actually spending my evenings away from the computer (wow! Human contact!) so I'm not ranting so much.
I just thought I'd post as an amusing follow-up, Lion's Gate IS, in fact, thinking very hard about suing MooreWatch.com. MW has responded by trying to play the martyr and say "But.. but... Michael said it was OK!" Lion's Gate is responding in turn with a heartfelt, "And your point would be... whaaat?"
Not only that, but MW has reinstated the link to the BitTorrent, has suggested CNN is just as guilty of piracy as they are, and in general, are acting like a bunch of ignorant choads.
Now, generally speaking, I hate the idea that linking == piracy. However, they're being so flagrant about it, in actively ENCOURAGING people to pirate it, specifically to take money away from Moore (a rather laughable goal), that they've basically tossed away any moral high ground they might have had.
And know what the REAL problem here is? For the first time, the Rulemongers have heard whispers of the name... BitTorrent. And whose fault is it? (point point)
So, let's see. What have they accomplished? Moore WANTS people to see his movie. And NO ONE gets rich off a documentary; Moore gets most of his money from his books. So they have helped Moore accomplish his goal of spreading his propaganda far and wide, by encouraging thousands upon thousands to download the movie and watch it. In the meantime, the company that DOES make money off the movie, the distributor, has A)no obligation to pay attention to what Moore says on the subject of piracy, and B)every legal right in the world to sue them into oblivion. And in the meantime, the media and those in charge have finally heard of BitTorrent, which we of the geek world have been trying to keep shush-shush.
Thanks, guys. Your ignorant, wrongheaded fanaticism has managed to fuck it up for EVERYONE and I mean EVERYONE, yourselves included, EXCEPT for the very ONE person you were actually trying to fuck up.
I think I've found a new definition of "total failure." So again, congratulations. |
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| I *really* wonder about people sometimes. |
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| 08:08am 28/06/2004 |
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mood:  amused music: Enigma - MCMCXUGTYQwhatever A.D.
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Go and check out this entry at Moorewatch.com.
HOW FRICKING STUPID CAN YOU GET?!!?!? I mean, this is a total OMGWTF!!11!! moment. Let me get this straight. We have here the #1 anti-Michael Moore website on the planet. (that I know of) They devote their lives to attacking anything that comes out of Moore's mouth. Ok, I can respect that, if I was independently wealthy I'd create CoulterWatch.com, except that would imply different things.
But... this stunt? Utter lunacy! Is it not REMOTELY possible that Moore really and truly did make F-911 with his primary goal being to advance his point of view? That making money was just a secondary consideration? Did it not occur to these people that posting up a link to the movie itself was, in fact, going to help spread the message they claim to be fighting? (and spread it is. According to Suprnova, over TWELVE THOUSAND people are downloading the film)
And even then, golly, it's nice for them that Moore has said he doesn't mind if people trade his movie. Assuming, for the moment, he's a total hypocrite, him publically saying that has no legal standing whatsoever. So they are opening themselves up for a MASSIVE lawsuit by doing this. And, in fact, thanks to a bill that passed with overwhelming support in the House and Senate, the PIRATE act (cute, huh?) the Feds can now hunt down civil copyright infringers.
Nice, huh?
Oh, and let's not forget that Moore does NOT own the distribution rights. Those are the sole property of whatever company he partnered with to distribute the film. IFC if memory serves. So IFC could go after them as well, with impunity, for distributing the film in North America without *their* permission, and what Moore had to say on the matter wouldn't change anything.
So, what's our lesson today? It's OK to hate Michael Moore, or any other talking head mediaphone. That's your right as an American. But don't be a COMPLETE JACKASS LOSER IDIOT when doing so! |
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Read 7 - Post |
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| I just made the greatest CD purchase of all time. |
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| 07:14pm 26/06/2004 |
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mood: cheerful music: Beethoven's 5th
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I just picked up the complete symphonies of Beethoven for... $13.85.
That's with tax.
It's a 5-disc Naxos set, of the "Zagreb Philharmonic" (where the smeg is Zagreb?) under Richard Edlinger. I was a bit scared of the quality, but at that price, I just HAD to grab it. I've never been disappointed with a Naxos CD, though. Even if it's not the best recording I've heard, it's always at least a credible \ enjoyable one.
And that's what this appears to be. I, of course, popped in disc 5 to give the 9th a spin. And it's a perfectly acceptible recording. Definitely modern, so good sound quality, and a professional orchestra. It's miked a bit distantly, but I *like* the feeling of being in a hall rather than with the singers two feet from me. I've heard tighter performances in my life, but all in all, I can't complain at all given the price. My only real gripe is that the mix could be better in places.
And the 5th, First Mvt, is also quite acceptible. Same thing. I've heard better performances, but I've heard far worse as well. Presumably the other discs follow suit, which means I now have at least decent renditions of all of Beethoven's symphonies, for about a buck-fifty per Opus.
W00t. |
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Read 2 - Post |
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| A positive review |
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| 04:55pm 26/06/2004 |
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mood: cheerful music: 'The Cure' - The Cure
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Seems like I've been kind of negative lately. Far moreso than I should be, since my life is actually going quite well at the moment.
So, while I don't feel like typing up two full reviews in one day (I quit my website so I wouldn't do that!) I just want to say that the Cure's new album, "The Cure", which is coming out this Tuesday is good. Really, really, REALLY good. Like the best album they've done in 15 years. (which is the say, best since Disintigration)
Basically, it's a melange of the various styles The Cure have had over the years, all rolled up into one album. It's like a Greatest Hits of songs you've never heard, and it's got something for every Cure fan.
And it's absolutely completely kickass. Most highly recommended. |
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Post |
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| Fahrenheit 911 |
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| 12:08pm 26/06/2004 |
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mood: annoyed music: 'Starship Troopers' - Basil Poledouris
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Or, how Little Mikey may have blown his big chance.
Pre-emptory disclaimer: Everything Moore has to say on the subject of Bush, I AGREE WITH. That, however, does NOT mean I'm going to fawn over what is, on the whole, a pretty poor piece of filmmaking which, more often than not, fails to accompish what it set out to do.
Right, I know, I'm supposed to be standing in line to suck Moore's cock. I'm a Liberal, so I'm supposed to love every word of this movie, right? It was made for me, right?
Well, that's problem number one: I think it WAS made for me. A committed Bush-hater. NOT for the undecided fence-sitting voter, which is who it damn well SHOULD have been made for.
( Would you like to know MORE? ) |
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Read 13 - Post |
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| Jay's Webcomics |
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| 10:52am 20/06/2004 |
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mood: bored music: 'Doc Ock Suite' - Danny Elfman
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Ok, so it's a lazy Sunday and Jay doesn't really have anything to do besides chat and rip random tracks off CDs to add to his MP3 collection. So I thought, just for those who are fans of webcomics, I'll list out all the ones I follow and why.
( Lj-Cut for the Comic Impared ) |
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Read 10 - Post |
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| Never work again! |
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| 04:20pm 19/06/2004 |
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mood: bored music: Still on a Poledouris kick...
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Whoo hoo! eBaum's world Games has been updated! Lots and lots of new ones!
Try "Crimson Room" if you haven't. Evil little puzzle-adventure game. Plus there's a REALLY incredible fanmade Sonic game there. |
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Post |
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| And for anyone... |
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| 10:38am 19/06/2004 |
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mood: awake music: 'Starship Troopers' - Basil Poledouris
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...who might have even begun to think my "modest business proposal" last week was FICTION, take a look here.
The INDUCE Act.
This is how our country works now. The people with all the money buy the politicians into passing bills that strip us of our rights, while making us believe it's a good thing (by tying whatever they do to stopping Terrorism or Child Porn) and simultaneously telling us to support LESS restrictions on those with money, because it's their god-given RIGHT to buy the laws!
And the people just sit there and nod and take it because explosions on CNN look sooooo pretty.
Otherwise, sorry I haven't updated lately. Not too much going on. Well, a few things, but some of which not fit for public consumption. (says he to drive both his readers into a frenzy of disinterest) Work still sucks, I'm still poor. Ah well. |
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Read 13 - Post |
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| Random cool link |
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| 10:43pm 14/06/2004 |
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mood: happy music: "Finale" - Spaceship Earth
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I offhandedly sent a friend here, and he started freaking out. So I thought maybe other people would want it:
The Sound of Magic
A huge archive of MP3s of music taken from the Disney theme parks. A lot of these tracks aren't available anywhere else. (and for film score buffs, you can find rare tracks by Bruce Broughton, Gavan Greenaway, John Debney, and maybe even some Horner) Or for Disney buffs, they ALSO have a lot of tracks that no longer *exist*. Like huge portions of the Horizons score. (plus a complete ridethru)
And in completely random other news, that low cal diet Coke called C2? It's actually really good. And tastes like real soda. Imagine Coke cut with about 1/4 7-Up. I may actually drink the stuff. |
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Read 2 - Post |
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| Riddick: Jay likes! |
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| 05:54pm 13/06/2004 |
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mood: awake music: 'Temple of Doom' - John Willians
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I'll keep the front page version very short: This is a sci-fi movie for sci-fi geeks, and if you are one, then you will most likely appreciate it. Norms need not apply.
( Click for more detail... ) |
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Read 1 - Post |
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| Jay's modest business proposal |
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| 10:19am 13/06/2004 |
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mood: bored music: The Polyphonic Spree
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So, I've got this idea. It's for a bank. But see, I think banks are too inconvenient for customers. Too many laws and regulations and those giant steel doors that keep everybody away from their money. It's just not customer-friendly. So I want to create a NEW style of banking called Money-in-a-Pile-on-the-Floor®. (MIPOF)
See the brilliance here? No tellers, no scary doors, nothing. Just your money. In a pile on the floor. Need to make a deposit? You drop your money into the pile. A withdrawal? Take your money back. It's YOUR money and it's in YOUR hands! (when it's not in a pile on the floor) All of this made possible with MIPOF®.
Now, now, I know what you're thinking. There are some problems with my business model, right? Well, I've thought of those! ANY business model can be made to work, if you're persistent and clever. (and have lots of money laying around)
( Keep reading! ) |
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