Agents of Empire

I say “nearly” because I don’t want to feel utterly let down when Kaiser doesn’t perform as expected tomorrow.  I called Moanaloa Medical center earlier today to try to get some answers as to why it has taken nearly a month to get my medical to me.  Suffice to say, the manager told me to swing by their offices tomorrow so that I can grab my paperwork directly from the source.  All fees waived.  I’m starting to feel hopeful that things can start moving forward again.

I should be sleeping, however, I felt compelled to make this entry.  Again, another reedit as I had jotted down some notes about this night’s successful pick-up group 10 man run in The Trial of the Crusader.  The post was a bit wordy, so I decided to condense it down to the essence of I enjoy working in successful groups.  While the run wasn’t a smooth run, it was fun.  To balance out this positive remark, I’ll also admit that I hate it when I’m sleepy because I start thinking about being productive.  Then when I fall asleep and wake up a few hours later, that productivty seems to go AWOL.  I hate the Doctor Jekyll and Mister Hyde motif going on.

As a side, over the past couple weeks I’ve gotten my hands on Halo Wars and Fable II: Episode I.  Both really well built games.  Halo Wars actually makes me want to play FPS games.  The cinematic cut scenes in the game were done rather well, almost felt as though I were watching the first Final Fantasy CG movie.  I didn’t quite know what to expect from Fable II.  My friend had raved on and on about it, however, I didn’t really feel compelled to play the game.  Since Microsoft was offering a free download of the first episode, I figured I’d give it a whirl.  Going in with no expectations, I must say that I’m very impressed with the quality in the game world’s environment and the simplicity in the game controls.  The quest/mission mechanic is very similar to that of a game like World of Warcraft and the reputation system seems familiar, but I can’t quite put my finger on it.  All in all, I wasn’t at all disappointed by these two titles.  If I had the cash, I’d pick these up right now. 

Any how … I’ve just been accosted by a couple brutish yawns.  I’m thinking that it’s finally time to hit the rack.

Every now and then I feel compelled to write down some of things that I would like to buy.  In doing so, I take a snapshot of where my head is at.  This passage originally listed a few things that centered around a touch sensitive phone of some sort, be it the Apple iPhone or the T-Mobile G1 w/ Google or even the Palm Pre Phone.  Basically, what I’m looking for is an electronic planner that is both portable and capable of syncing with my Google Calendar and Contacts.  I also tend to start thinking about these sorts of things as my birthday approaches.

However, after watching a bit of Saw III – my wife is currently having a Saw marathon in anticipation for Saw VI this Saturday – I was not so gently reminded that I now have a daughter. For the price of one of those interesting – but highly unnecessary – gadgets, I could easily pick up five (5) to forty (40) toys for her.  So I started thinking about what sort of toys to pick up for her.  I find it odd that as a parents, my wife and I want her to be interested in fairies – so the theme we have conceived for her room is fairies.  Unfortunately, fairy dolls and collectibles aren’t infant/toddler friendly.  In fact, they’re not at all friendly until about nine years from now.  By then, she’ll probably have developed a style of her own.  Nine years from now, I’ll be 43 … *sigh*

At any rate, I really should be getting on with my school work.

Currently waiting to get medical clearance on a couple issues … that’s the only thing holding up my enlistment. At the very least, I think this will allow me to see my daughter’s first birthday. Speaking of which, I’ve finally added a gallery with some pictures of my wife and daughter from earlier this month. You can check it out here: http://www.iocontrol.info/photo/kandice-leilani/

It was broght to my attention that my personal mixes weren’t working when I tried to share the links with someone. I think I isolated and fixed the issue which has to do with the “/” in “I/O CONTROL”.

As a side, here’s a brief interlude into the looney …

As some of you may already well know, I’m an addict.  I like to play the World of Warcraft.  I’m in three Horde guilds on the Runetotem-US server.  Why three guilds?  Because they each have their advantages … however, I’ll admit that I’ve been feeling the need to consolidate my efforts and time spent on WoW.

Hostility – Horde – Runetotem is a guild aimed at being a 25-man progression guild.  I’m currently a prominent member of their tanking and healing corp with my Paladin, Sylvandria.

I also run with Roll Initiative, which is current a 10-man progression guild.  They’re relatively new and are currently seeking more members so they can upgrade into 25-man content.  They typically run from 10pm – 02am Hawaiian Standard Time or 3am to 7am server time.  My arcane mage, Corihel, has found a home here.

Seething Hatred is the guild that I originally joined on Runetotem.  They used to be a hardcore raiding guild that boasted a member roster well over 300.  I, personally, never had the opportunity to really be a part of their raiding core as the guild was slowing down by the time I returned to Runetotem but I am well aware of their past achievements as one of the oldest and longest running guilds on Runetotem.  You’ll pretty much find the rest of my alts in this guild, including Grimheart (80 BE Hybrid DK), Hexdivinity (28 BE ShPr), Sorefang (22 Tau BalDr), and Zingaric (40 Tr EnhSham).

I still have characters on Bronzebeard-US, Hexcontrol, Bullhex, and Hexdivinity who are all part of another friend’s guild Hellsing Corporation.

I’ve recently downgraded the webhosting package from $100 USD/yr to $58 USD/yr. So there may be some hiccups as the transition occurs. Hopefully things will settle down.

As a side, I said I would be working on those mixes. The should be up sometime next week. I start school again on September 8th, 2009 … so we’ll see.

It has been a long, long, long while (read as THREE years) since I last cut a recording of my mixing.  Now that I have my TraktorScratch system and CD players, the time is now.  And to make up for lost time, I shall be releasing two maybe three sets:

I/O CONTROL :: Controlled Influence (Electro Haus)

I/O CONTROL :: Controlled Depth (Deep Haus)

I/O CONTROL :: Controlled Abstraction (Deep Haus)

… stay tuned for more info.

PAAUZYUW RUCCBWF0001 2020105-UUUU--RHMCSUU.
ZNR UUUUU
P 180630Z JUL 09 AOE
FM TRIDENT ONE//DJ SAILORGLOOM///WASHINGTON DC//AGENTS OF EMPIRE DJS//
TO TEH_MASTERER//SAN DIEGO//
MOJO-JOJO//HIP HOPPA RECOPPA//SAN DIEGO//
CHARLIE-DELTA//SHITBAG//OCEANSIDE//
INFO TO DJ IO CONTROL//CHIEF AGENT IN CHARGE//HAWAI’I//
BT
UNCLAS // FOR DEBAUCHEROUS USE ONLY
MSGDID/DRUNKADMIN/DJ SAILORGLOOM//AGENTS OF EMPIRE DJS//
SUBJ/DEFCON
REF:  (A) WWW.DEFCON.ORG
      (B) WWW.PALAZZOLASVEGAS.COM

ORDERS ISSUED IN SUPPORT OF OPERATION ENDURING HAX0RZ      

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
     IN CARRYING OUT/PROCESSING THESE ORDERS, ALL SECTIONS
      MUST BE READ AND LISTED INSTRUCTIONS COMPLIED WITH
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX 

                  ------ACTIVATION ACTIVITY------ 

UNDER PARTIAL MOBILIZATION AUTHORITY OF REFERENCE (A), YOU ARE
HEREBY INVOLUNTARILY ORDERED TO REPORT FOR VEGAS DEBAUCHERY AND
HACKING SKILLS FOR A PERIOD OF 04 DAYS, UNLESS RELEASED SOONER BY
THE ORDER ISSUING AUTHORITY. THESE ORDERS MAY BE EXTENDED FOR A
TOTAL OF UP TO 07 DAYS BY THE ORDER ISSUING AUTHORITY. REPORT AS
DIRECTED BELOW FOR ACTIVATION PROCESSING. IF FOUND NOT ELIGIBLE OR
QUALIFIED FOR DUTY, YOU WILL BE DEACTIVATED TO RETURN TO HOME
ADDRESS. UPON ARRIVAL AT HOME ADDRESS, YOU ARE CONSIDERED RELEASED
FROM ACTIVE DUTY. SPECIAL CONVEYANCE IS NOT AUTHORIZED UNLESS
MEMBER MEETS CRITERIA.
                  ------ULTIMATE ACTIVITY------ 

UPON COMPLETION OF INTERMEDIATE DUTY ASSIGNMENTS AND AS DIRECTED
BELOW REPORT TO ULTIMATE DUTY STATION FOR DUTY. FOR PAY AND
PERSONNEL ACCOUNTING REPORT TO PERSONNEL SUPPORT ACTIVITY
DETACHMENT AS INDICATED BELOW: 

REPORT ON OR ABOUT 31JUL09                             EDA: 31JUL09
TO: PALAZZO HOTEL
    3325 LAS VEGAS BLVD. SOUTH
    LAS VEGAS, NV 89109

SPONSOR/POC: DJ SAILORGLOOM // AGENTS OF EMPIRE DJS

1.0 GENERAL DESCRIPTION.  THE 17TH ANNUAL DEFCON COMPUTER SECURITY
    CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD FROM 31JUL-02AUG AT THE RIVIERA HOTEL
    AND CASINO.  LODGING HAS ALREADY BEEN SECURED AT THE WORLD
    RENOWNED PALAZZO LAS VEGAS.  BASED ON LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE
    PACQUIO/CIRCUS CIRCUS STAY, HIGH-PROFILE ADAPTABLE LODGING HAS
    BEEN DEEMED MORE APPROPRIATE FOR THIS MISSION.

2.0 MISSION.  DRINK.  PARTY.  ATTEND THE WORLD’S BEST CONFERENCE ON
    HACKING.  MAKE CONTACTS IN THE INFORMATION SECURITY INDUSTRY.
    LISTEN TO TOPICS FROM THE WORLD’S BEST BLACKHAT AND WHITEHAT
    OPERATORS.  OMFG THIS IS THE MOST 1337 THING EVER. EVENTS INCLUDE
    LOCK PICKING, CAPTURE THE FLAG, LECTURES ON SECURING WEBSITE,
    HACKING APPLE PRODUCTS, AND COUNTLESS IMPORTANT TOPICS MANDATORY
    FOR THIS BATTLESPACE.

3.0 OPERATIONS.  WE WILL ATTEND CONFERENCES, EAT FINE FOOD, STAY AT
    A 4-STAR HOTEL (IAW REF B), AND PARTY LIKE ROCK*STARS.  DJ
    SAILORGLOOM HAS BEEN HAND-PICKED TO DJ BOTH THE DEFCON 17 BLACK
    BALL AND THE ATTACK RESEARCH PRIVATE PARTY, BOTH TO BE HELD AT
    THE RIVIERA.

3.1 BASING WILL BE HELD IAW REF B. AND 6.0 OF THIS CONOP. 

4.0 SECURITY.  DUE TO THE NATURE OF THE EVENT, IT IS HIGHLY
    RECOMMENDED ALL 3G DEVICES BE CAREFULLY SECURED AND WIRELESS
    ACCESS CAPABILITY BE DISABLED..  IF YOU MUST BRING A LAPTOP, DO
    NOT BRING IT WITH YOU AT DEFCON.  SECURING LAPTOPS AT BASING
    FACILITY IS RECOMMENDED.

5.0 SAFETY.  DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE.  HYDRATE.  WATCH YOUR FELLOW
    OPERATORS CONDUCTING OPS IN COUNTRY.  USE CONDOMS.
    IMPLEMENTATION OF COVER AND CONCEALMENT IS AUTHORIZED AND
    ENCOURAGED.

6.0 LOGISTICS.  DJ SAILORGLOOM HAS ALREADY SECURED LODGING FOR THE
    PALAZZO.  LODGING CONSISTS OF A 720 SQUARE FOOT SUITE WITH A
    KING-SIZED BED AND SEPARATE LIVING ROOM WITH PULL-OUT BED.

6.1 TRIDENT ONE ARRIVES ON-STATION 30/0945L JUL 09 AND DEPARTS
    02/2245 AUG 09.

6.2 USE OF AIR TRANSPORT IS ENCOURAGED.  MCCARRAN INTERNATIONAL
    AIRPORT CODE IS DESIGNATED: LAS.

7.0 DELETED

CERTIFIED TO BE  ORIGINAL ORDERS              (SIGNED)
 ________________________________          DJ SAILORGLOOM
        OPERATIONS OFFICER              AGENTS OF EMPIRE DJS
//BT//SENDS//

Well this weekend sure did fly by.

I have a mixed bag of thoughts concerning the July 10th party.  I thought I had a God awful set, however, my wife was quick to point out that I had the most people dancing up until we had left at a quarter to three in the morning.  I think my troubles stemmed from the fact that I was having a difficult time keeping the beats synced with the CD players enduring so much rumble from the bass.  I think Alter Solum would be a great venue if the location was not so run down.  It’s at the Kalihi edge of Chinatown and the unfortunate truth is that particular area still has a lot of work if it’s to scrub away its seedier reputation. Parking can be difficult if you don’t know the area.  Finding parking where you feel safe leaving your vehicle even more so.  There’s also a lack of optimism in the air at the club – at least on the last couple nights that I’ve been there. While I’m a bit guilty of this myself, I do have the inclination to think that perhaps Alter Solum is a bit under-promoted.

That being said, there is a general malaise consuming Honolulu’s night club scene. People are finding it cheaper to stay at home and throw parties at their leisure. Certain locations are weathering this malaise better than others, but these are locations where the owners have deep pockets and contingencies in place for the inevitable ebb in night life entertainment.  Lack of “proper” promotion, a steady loss of morale, poor economic conditions, and unfavorable elements near the venue all conspire to stymy if not completely halt Alter Solum’s development.

July 11th was UFC’s 100th major event which featured Brock Lesner vs. Frank Mir, George Saint-Pierre vs. Thiago Alves, Micheal Bisping vs. Dan Henderson, and two undercards.  Overall the event was pretty good. I think the hype might’ve been a bit much because the whole thing felt like eating Chinese take-out – it tasted good but I didn’t feel full after eating it all up.  The bout with Lesnar & Mir was stopped due to Mir being unable to defend himself.  GSP won a dominate decision over Alves. Henderson roflstomped Bisping.

Now the Lesnar & GSP victories got me thinking.  There’s an obvious difference in size at fight time which gives the advantage to the guy who can cut weight and then build back up to their natural weight.  Whereas the guy who’s naturally 175 or 260 gets the shaft or has to move down a weight-class.  My thoughts on this is, if we want more fights to be fair, weigh-ins should be the night of.  If a fighter cannot make weight, the fighter is disqualified and if the fighter has the title, the fighter should be forced vacate the title. These contests should be about skill, not about being able to lay on top of somone until someone breaks the other’s will through the sheer force of one’s weight.

My wife and her friend had their birthday celebrations yesterday (Sunday, July 12th, 2009) at Kaakoako Water Park. It was a fun time. A few friends and some family showed up. I was supposed to DJ for it, however, the generator decided about an hour in that it would be a good time to inform us to replace the groumet on the fuel valve.  As disappointing as that was, I had a good time … and it was nice to see my wife be her typical social butterfly self.

So that leaves The Gathering in Las Vegas at the Riviera. I’m really looking forward to this. We’ve got most of our trip planned.  Thursday night we’re going to see Reel Big Fish w/ English Beat.  Friday night is The Gathering.  Saturday is probably going to be devoted to just lounging around and perhaps a bit of shopping. Sunday is the Lake Mead/Hoover Dam boat tour and we leave on Monday.  Somewhere in there I’d like to fit in DEFCON, but seeing as this trip also doubles as a long, long overdue honeymoon, I’d rather not bore my wife to death with super geeky stuff.