Iuz the Evil

Happy New Year to the East Coast

So, with the meaningful college football season now over, Oklahoma finished 12-2. In the plus column they moved up to 38th in overall defense, up from 108th last year. Won a fifth consecutive conference championship. Made the playoffs (again). Beat texas. Third time starting QB got an invite to New York, although he didn't win this time. And even on an off year, the offense was all world again (4th in total offense). On the minus column they got beat badly in the playoffs, worse than either of the last two losses by a country mile. And there is maybe 2 more years of rebuilding to fix the damage done by Mike "my brother is Bob" Stoops, the defensive talent level is that far back from other top teams. Still, none of that was shocking in a rebuilding year. If you'd asked me ahead of the season I'd probably have taken it. That's objectively a pretty good down cycle, now to see if they can keep it rolling next year.

I've decided sometime in the last decade or so that I don't actually need critics to review material to let me know if I should like it. Mostly, their reviews completely miss the point and they don't take the time to even attempt cursory understanding of the source material for my preferred entertainment material. I'm not really interested in their political analysis, dismissal of entire genres they don't enjoy, or hostility to audiences who don't agree with them. They're welcome to their opinions, mostly they are wrong based on economic outcomes and audience enjoyment.

To be honest, I very nearly gave up on the game at the very same point (that may be the longest tutorial I've ever played). The game world opens up considerably after the tutorial, and the story only gets good in Velen. And builds from there into one of the coolest narrative RPGs I've played. But it does take quite a bit to get going, I can see that not being for everyone. And it's a narrative driven game, where choices determine story outcomes. Kind of the opposite of Skyrim's open sandbox in many ways. I like them both though.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.businessinsider.com/witcher-passed-mandalorian-as-biggest-tv-show-in-the-world-2019-12 Wow. Guess they've got a hit on their hands. 59% critic score, 94% audience. Sounds right.

Nothing surprising about that. They scored 28 points on Bookie and Woodie alone. Can't even tell you how many 3rd downs they converted on them. Three suspensions and a broken collar bone, and LSU was playing our second team defense (and I mentioned earlier this season how thin we are with Grinch rebuilding the defense this year). Meh, good for LSU. They did exactly what they were supposed to in that situation.

Dinner tonight will consist of a spiral sliced ham, cornbread stuffing, green bean casserole, sweet potatoes with marshmallows, and dinner rolls. The wine will be a '14 Snowden cabernet. Dessert is pecan pie with coffee or Angels Envy egg nog. It's a good day. Kids are happy in their rooms playing with their toys in the case of my two high schoolers, while my 19 year old slipped out to see her friends for a gift exchange. Watching Its A Wonderful Life myself, and reflecting on the year. Swag was a bluetooth waterproof speaker for my office and camping, a PS4 pro, books (Witcher series and Pat McManus stuff), and clothes for work. Merry Christmas

I broke down and reinstalled Witcher 3: the Wild Hunt on my PC. This warrants a fifth playthrough, heh.

They did a beautiful job of fan service in this series, and I'm saying that as a good thing as it does not detract from the series but rather enhances it in my opinion. I'm halfway through and man, it just keeps going...

Just fantastic. Anyone watching this?

Well, for her personally she will be in office until she decides not to be. No chance she gets unseated in her home congressional district. Nationally yes, I don't think she's particularly popular in many areas and is absolutely reviled in others. I do find her an incredible shrewd and effective representative for her constituents.

Definitely. That look she gave to get the party in line maybe getting some bad press, but damn. I would not be the one to mess with her.

Kelly Clarkson American Idol run 2002. Let me just say damn. This is the voice of a generation. Throw stones if that's your inclination. She's a generational talent with no question about it.

That lines up with what I'd heard in prior years about 91 cents on the Federal Tax dollar, but I didn't care enough to cite a source. Won't happen regardless.

I liked Wonder Woman okay, this one at least looks like they are trying to have fun. Shazam (it's Captain Marvel dammit) I really liked. Aquaman was fun too. I have hope. They just need to pull off a good Superman movie. Green Lantern Corps could also be really fun. The key is "fun", I should not need an antidepressant watching a Superhero movie.

Simon should do a contest.

Those are absolutely awesome. First Air Cav.

Saw them last night at the neighborhood holiday party, they did seem unusually upbeat but nobody specifically mentioned any deals...

Trade barriers is definitely a reason, I can buy that. Would be devastating to both the State and the Nation, given port access and so forth. I cannot see it being allowed. I just don't see federal tax revenue or disaster support as material.

Well, maybe. I'd need to see the math on the amount of financial support redirected federal taxation might provide. On balance I'm not sure if it pencils out or not. There's no way, but I don't think Federal financial support is the reason.

I love this song so much. Damn

Ugh. I very much hope that's not true, and doesn't provide a foreshadowing of November 2020 in the States.

I prefer bourbon anyway. That one won't really impact me.