NASA MMO

Yes, it's actually real. Well, almost - NASA's announced it, but there's a lot to be done in between deciding to make an MMO and it's eventual completion, and we all know how reliable NASA can be following up on projects...



So I've stayed as far away from World Of Warcraft as humanly possible, more or less, not to mention all the dozens of other semi-successful MMORPGs released in the last several years, as I've no to desire to pay my way into some horrible clique of teenage freaks amped on Bawlz and Riddlin for several hours per day, or week, or ever (though EVE Online looks awfully tempting...). But THIS! This is outrageous. I would pay whatever asked to play this monthly, as long as they make sure the gameplay is solid. To be honest, I'm worried they'll focus too much on it being an educational project and dumb it down for kids, but who knows, it might end up being a pleasurably complex and realistic simulation of space exploration (yes!!).

Bobby Fisher Dead...

"Chess is life."
- Bobby Fischer

current listening

I first got into E.V.P. by listening to Coil; as I became more and more wrapped up in their personal mythology, I found they recorded many of their own "ghostly voices" by leaving equipment on nearby magickal or psychedelic events, or by finding curious sounds in malfunctioning hardware (that Balance sings almost exclusively about death, particularly his own - which happened just over four years ago now - adds a deeply moving level of beyond-the-grave eeriness to their work), but it was Coast to Coast AM's features on Electronic Voice Phenomenon that got me hooked - they were a bit more blatantly "spooky", perhaps, but hearing actual children's voices or the sounds of men screaming seemingly coming out of nowhere ensured my continued interest in the subject. Sure, there's a great deal of room for fraud and over-eagerness in both the arenas of AM Radio and Industrial Music, which isn't particularly lessened on the E.V.P. comp I've been listening to recently issued by Touch Music, but that doesn't make the idea any less engrossing, or the sounds any less haunting. Tap in:

Ode To Tim

I just thought I'd take some time out to acknowledge the illustrious Tim Gunn. A blinding beacon of fashion, etiquette, and general decorum, Tim is a role model for the modern man, regardless of social standing, profession, or attitude (or, ah, orientation) and a breath of fresh air amongst the stifling and nauseating air expelled by the modern television "host". To the relief of many a fashion geek, Tim has resumed his "Tim's Take" blog over on bravo.com; it's gloriously written, a must read for all avid followers of Project Runway and Tim Gunn's Guide to Style, or anyone interested in staying fashionable, for that matter. Here's to Tim!

Oh, and happy new year everybody - let's make it work in 2008!