6/9/03

So many things on my mind these days... I need to shake the box and see if pieces fall through the right-shaped holes.

Well, I just heard that Island boy may be moving on to Nordis from my old workplace, and will be making quite a tidy sum. That's the same place that shafted me back in February, but I think that was due to the CIO being a dingleberry, RE: Tuan Leaving, and then not. I hope that he gets comfy, and excels there...it looks like there's a more solid future for him, certainly.

An underground group known as the Sims Shadow Government has taken over the fantasy world that is ``The Sims Online,'' meting out mob justice.

``They show up at your house and they request protection money. `You have to pay me 100,000 simolians if you don't want your house torn down.' It's technically harassment.''

[...] ``We weren't playing the games as hoodlums, we were playing the game as protectors of the city,'' said Mathieson.

At least at first. Somewhere along the line, though, the Sims Shadow Government turned from benevolent overseer to a virtual version of La Cosa Nostra. Maybe it was the emergence of a rival family, the Playtime gang. Or maybe it was the Mia impostor, who tarnished the real Mia's reputation by inviting other players to work for her as a prostitute. Perhaps the final straw was when someone hijacked Mathieson's America Online account -- and stole all of his in-game cash and property.

[...] Particularly egregious affronts to the Shadow Government could -- at least until game maker Maxis disabled this feature -- be dealt with by ripping out an opponent's heart. Of course, nobody dies in the ``Sims Online.'' It's just to prove a point.

Cheese 'can be as addictive as morphine'

Dr Neal Barnard, president of the Physicians Committee on Responsible Medicine, says cheese is addictive because it contains small amounts of morphine from cows' liver. [...] "Cheese contains high levels of casein, a protein that breaks apart during digestion to produce morphine-like opiate compounds, called casomorphins. These opiates are believed to be responsible for the mother-infant bond that occurs during nursing. It's no surprise many of us feel bonded to the refrigerator." [ he went on to say "blah blah blah buy my diet book." ]

got my Kraft pack today... I think I'll enjoy the newtons and the trial mix the most. The stuff arrived via UPS ground, and looked quite weathered from the journey. Though packed in bubble-wrap, some things were bumped and prodded a bit.

The full list of goodies - (holy carb & salt, batman!)

• GF international Coffees Creme Caramel Coffee


• Cherries 'N Cheesecake Newtons


• Planters Nut & Chocolate Trail Mix


• Pasta Anytime Fettuccine with Alfredo Sauce


• Rotini & white cheddar cheese sauce with broccoli side dish


• Mexican Velveeta Loaf... (Heehee.. Loaf.)


• Minute Rice Cheese broccoli skillet


• Big bottle of BBQ sauce


• Lifesavers fusions - strawberry/banana and Cherry/pineapple


• sure jell no cook jam pectin


• Chocolate/vanilla mix pudding snacks - Yum! (Bro will probably take a few.)


• macaroni and cheese crazy noodles (turns mac & cheese Green? erm, bleh! Bro can have that)


• Wheat thins Crispy thins - yum!


• Kool-Aid mad scientwists wild watermelon kiwi - will be donated to Bro :)


• crystal light raspberry lemonade mix - Yum!

I'm still not sure what fruit I'll use the sure-jell on. maybe a Strawberry/Blueberry mix?

I *do* know that it'll all get used.

Elboroom Patio cam... all the wet scared everyone off!