Looks Like Anyone Can Get Published These Days

Looks like anyone with a voice can get published these days.  And I'm not just talking about online in a blog that one one reads let alone knows about.  No, I'm talking about the Journal of the American Chemical Society.  Recently, some of the work I've been doing in the lab was published.  If you have access to the American Chemical Society journals, check it out.

Linear 6,6'-Biazulenyl Framework Featureing Isocyanide Termini: Synthesis, Structure, Redox Behavior, Complexation, and Self-Assembly on Au(111)

Coors Light Home Draft system: A Review

The Coors Light Home Draft system is a gimmick.  Coors Light isn't good if it comes out of a can, bottle, or a home draft system.  The neatest part of the whole thing is the carbon dioxide pressurization system used to carbonate and serve the beer.  The cost per ounce ratio is higher than buying a thirty pack.

Honestly, I've already said more than the thing deserves.  The system sucks. Brad's grade: D-

Ten Things To Do With Your Time Better Than Going To See The Re-release Of Avatar 3D

10.  Burp your Tupperware

9.  Learn to speak pig Latin fluently.

8.  Learn to speak Klingon fluently.

7.  Call your family.  Not your mom, but that crazy uncle everyone tries to avoid like the swine flu.

6.  Open a package of staples and straighten every one.

5.  Actually open your textbooks.

4.  Actually start reading your textbooks.

3.  Watch Disney’s Pocahontas.  It’s like watching the abridged, musical version of Avatar without the headache inducing 3D or all the blue people.

2.  Undergo waterboarding.

1.  Go to see Eat Pray Love.  At least it isn’t Avatar.

Top Ten Ways You Can Tell A School Year at KU Has Started

10) You can't walk thirty feet without overhearing a student asking for directions to a building their class is in.

9) You can distinctly distinguish the fraternity and sorority pledges from the general population.

8) People are still excited about the dinning opportunities on campus.

7) You can't find a spot to park anywhere near campus.

6) If you do find a spot to park near campus, you will get a ticket, warranted or not.

5) The number of Facebook status updates is higher than the Dow Jones industrial average.

4) All Lawrence bar's drink specials are chalked on the sidewalks.

3) You have better chances winning the Powerball than finding an empty piece of gym equipment in the Rec center.

2) The number of STD cases skyrockets at Watkins.

1) The student body thinks they have a chance at a great football season.

Ironman 2 Review

If you couldn't tell from the podcasts, I am a huge comic fan.  Most of my attention in the comic world goes to Marvel and DC comics in characters like Ironman and Green Lantern.  I've been reading the two character's stories fairly regularly for years, so when I found out they were doing the first Ironman movie, I was skeptical.  I knew from Robert Downey Jr. would be a good fit for the role and I knew that the level of computer generated graphics in today's cinema were high enough to provide a quality film.  I wasn't sure, however, about the script.  I went to see Ironman opening night and again later opening weekend.  It was everything I was hoping it would be.  The script was good, the characters were great, and I walked away feeling a sense that the creative team understood the character and that the franchise was in good hands.

I went to see Ironman 2 yesterday.  It was not opening night, but it was opening weekend and it was in an "IMAX theater."  Overall, I'd give the film a B+.  I didn't like it as much as I liked the original, but it was still a good movie.  Without giving away too much, there were just too many stories going on.  It would have been nice to have a more focused film, like the first was, to allow for a more engaging experience.  When I look back on it, the scenes I liked the most were the ones that played out on the screen the longest.  Because there were too many stories taking place, it felt some scenes were unduly rushed.  This is what made the difference, in my mind, between the first and the second.  The only other complaint I can articulate is my disappointment with the lack of a new armor.  A staple to the Ironman comics is the constant upgrades and tweaking of the armor.  I know where the writers were going in their story and I understand why they went the way they did, but I disagree with the decision to not make a noticeably different, improved armor.

Will I see the film again in theaters?  I'm not opposed to it other that ticket prices being ridiculously too expensive.  Will I own it when it comes out on video?  Definitely.  Do I recommend you see it?  Yes, if you enjoyed the first and are in the mood for an action flick.  It's a good film, but it could have been great with just a little tweaking.

Overall grade = B+

Power Rankings (4/27/10)

Here are my rankings for this week:

1. Mass Effect 2
2. Mass Effect
3. MLB 10: The Show - Road to The Show mode is the best sports game mode.
4. Borderlands
5. Dragon Age: Origins - Just started a new mage, and the game feels fresh again.
6. God of War Collection - still on the first game. Combat is dated, but fun.
7. Fall Out 3 - Thinking this will start up again after DA:O.
8. Gears of War 2 - Maybe this doesn't belong here, but I'm sure it will soon.
9. WoW - still enjoyable after 72 levels.
10. Heavy Rain - Replay value is a minimum. Look for this to keep falling if there are no more DLCs

Waiting in the wings: Oblivion, Fable 2, Final Fantasy 13, God of War 3, Starcraft 2

Just a note, I only wrote explanations for the rankings I feel are different from last week.

(Update Likely)

Topics for the 'Cast

We'll keep this short.  Be listening for Scott and I to go over some of the following on the podcast.

Hulu to start charging

GameStop offers Star Craft 2 beta with preorder of SC 2 game

Pavement Playing in KCMO

South Park Episodes 200 and 201

If you have any suggestions, hit Scott, @scottjustbs, or I, @bradjustbs, up on Twitter and let us know what you think should be addressed.

Video Game Power Rankings

Since the baseball season began, I have been surrounded by various "power rankings" used to value a team based purely on how well they are playing as opposed to just ranking them (justifiably) using their win/loss records. These rankings serve their purpose to people like me who don't watch every game, and don't realize that the Pirates (7-5) are merely in second place by sweeping a lousy team team this weekend. Are they better than the Red Sox (4-8)? No. The Red Sox would annihilate them in a series, and the rankings back this up by having the Sox ranked two spots higher than the Pirates.

So, I wonder, "what if video games, movies, or other things had this sort of power rankings?"

Like, would 'Avatar' be ranked below 'Hurt Locker', even though 'Avatar' completely dominated the box office, but Locker took the Best Picture award? Vice-versa? Would some other movie with neither titles, like 'Up In Air', take the ranking by racking up enough points in both arenas? I don't know; I haven't seen any of these movies.

I have however played video games: a lot of them. I have played so many games the last six months that I consider myself as much of an expert as anyone who doesn't get paid to play and review games. Listed below are my rules and rankings.

The Rules

1. It has to be a game that I have played in the last 2 years.
2. I will rank the top 10.
3. The rankings will be based on the amount of time I spend on these games times the enjoyment I have in playing them.
4. Another aspect will include how much I feel like playing a game regardless of how much time I actually spend on it.
5. Other factors yet to be determined.

Rankings (4/20/10)

1. Mass Effect 2 - best game I can recall playing
2. Mass Effect - prequel to the best game ever
3. Borderlands - great miniaturized shooter version of WoW
4. MLB 10: The Show - first fun baseball simulation since MVP 05
5. Heavy Rain - innovative cinematic game with a great number of endings
6. Fall Out 3 - Been feeling the itch to revisit this nuclear wasteland
7. Gears of War 2 - Only played a few minutes, but I look forward to playing soon
8. Gears of War - Really only intrigued because I want to play the second one
9. Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion - Dated by Fall Out 3, but still think about it occasionally
10. Fable 2 - Look for this to climb the list as Fable 3 nears release

Waiting in the Wings: Final Fantasy 13, God of War 3, Dragon Age: Origins, WoW

Ok. Well that's a start. What? That was a waste of time?

Well, you read it, so there.

I'm going outside.

Potential topics for the 'cast (or stuff I just read)

Here are some interesting stories I found recently on the net.  

Why You Shouldn't Buy an iPad (Yet)

A good, balanced article about why you shouldn't buy the first generation of the iPad.  Pretty much sums up everything I have been thinking, but in a nice concise way.

The Best Free Software of 2010

This list from PC Magazine is a nice drill down of free software that covers almost any use you would want your PC to do.  I find these collections of lists to be a good starting point when tracking down software that a person could actually use to get something done.

After years as justice, John Paul Stevens wants what's 'best for the court'

The Washington Post did a nice piece on Justice Stevens regarding his history on the bench and in his daily life.  I highlight this because Justice Stevens has said he will be retiring while Obama is president and as such the political mud flinging has already started about who his successor should be.  Case in point, this article from Fox News clearly shows how his retirement story will likely unfold from the Republican point of view.  A little analysis of the piece shows how the Republicans are trying to strong arm Obama into picking a justice of their choice.  This could be another mile marker on the path toward having zero civil liberties depending on how this works out.

How to Make a Bulletproof T-shirt

I'll leave you with this gem.  This is just another example of how chemistry daily changes the shape of the future.  Even if this exact advancement doesn't yield a quantifiable result, others based on it or inspired by it will.

Mass Effect 2 Revisited

I was reading the blog earlier when I came across Brad's second glance review of Modern Warfare 2, and this gave me an idea (rather, it gave me an excuse). I agree with his opinion that too many reviews of video games are essentially too impressionistic, and therefore a simple revisit is often necessary to fairly judge a video game. Too often reviewers to rave on a game after a week's play, and soon the game sours, allowing the imperfections to shine through more vividly. To that end, I will now perform a second review of Mass Effect 2...

Ha. April Fools!

New Cast Posted of Just BS

A new podcast has been posted of Just BS, episode #4 The Jessica Biel Episode. Topics include:

• NCAA tourneyment
• South Park
• Late night shows
• Future of motion control
• DLC for games
• Rants
• School districts giving students laptops
• Random movie musings

Make sure to subscribe to the iTunes or RSS subscriptions.

New Pod Update!

Keep watch of the website over the next few days for new 'casts. Possible topics include:

1. NCAA Tourney

2. South Park

3. Project Natal, PS3 Move

4. Other crap

School is indeed Hell

Just a bit of humor for the students of the world.

http://www.futurama-area.de/LiH/OComics/16.gif

Piling On

Mike Leach was fired last December (maybe November?). He was fired for being a jerk, and being abusive towards a player.

The latest thing to come out has been these videos about him being a horrible jerk to his players. The first video consists of him calling out players because of the "mediocrity" that he feels they are giving him, and threatening to change their living arrangements (oh no). The second is him ridiculously attacking the "god squad" for not paying enough attention to their football games while half of their mind is focused on philosophical questions. He's just being his normal insane self.

You can't see my face, but I'm not surprised. He's a jerk and idiot. He got fired for being both of those. These new videos do not reveal anything new about this guy that we did not already know. If he were to apply for a job, he'd already have enough baggage to overcome in becoming a new coach for a new university.

That's the point. All these new released videos, taken by the Texas Tech video crew, make the university look like a bunch of vindictive bastards. They won. They fired him, but now that's not enough. They are so bitter because they know he was the only reason why anyone cared at all about their football program, but now it's gone, and it pisses them off.

It just seems petty to me.

To Mars and back in eighty days. Beats going around the world once.

It's now possible to get to Mars in 40 days thanks to a new engine design.  Of course, that is still a long time to be eating MREs and be in tight living spaces with that cosmonaut that doesn't quite speak English, but it beats the six months it would take with other engines.

Conan on Tour

Conan O'Brien has announce he is going on tour.  Check his site for more details.

Pink Floyd hits EMI against The Wall

Pink Floyd has won their court case against EMI potentially preventing EMI from selling Pink Floyd single tracks online.  EMI was already unable to sell Pink Floyd songs as singles in stores on CDs as per the contract between the two, and now it looks like this will be the same for the internet, as well.  This is interesting because Pink Floyd's back catalogue is the 2nd most lucrative behind the Beatles, reported NPR.

This Is Just BS New Episode Released

A new episode of the podcast is available. Topics include:

• A promised discussion of NFL, Hulu, Fox News
• Actual discussion of TV shows, movies, comics, XBox live gamer tags and more

Make sure to subscribe to the iTunes or RSS subscriptions

Not Very Lady Like

I guess there are really only three ways to get publicity if you are a female athlete...

1. You do something crazy.

2. You play against the boys.

3. You play tennis.

I suppose Women's hockey has ventured a little into category 1. After the Canadians defeated the Americans 2-0 in the gold medal game, they celebrated by breaking out the beer and champagne while a few even lit up a few cigars. Initially, I thought this was awesome. Where else do you see this kind of honest celebration by these teams? In an age where most teams are the products of corporate marketing machines, it is good to see a team that you know enjoyed the victory for the purest of reasons. I mean, there isn't a major women's hockey league, so these players are almost purely amateurs. They won't be playing for big contratcts or shoe (skate?) deals, so this is very likely the last time any of these women will be in a situation where they get to play on the biggest stage possible.

That said, there are a few things that are a little unsettling. First, one of the players enjoying the alcohol was underage, and whatever your feelings on underage drinking, this is a seriously bad message sent by this team. Which leads to point number two, these women are role models, and if they want to celebrate this way on their own time, then that's fine. However, doing so on an international stage makes the team appear irresponsible.

In the end, do I think it's a big deal? No. They just achieved something that is very important and special to them, but they kinda went overboard. The IOC should scold them, and they should apologize (which I think they have already). For me, that's enough; it's really a non-story.

Blame Canada!

This Is Just BS New Episode Released

A new episode of the podcast is available. Topics include:

• Google Buzz(ed)
• Killer Whales
• Hot Dog Eye Injuries
• Never Tell a Lady the Truth
• Reporting on Science (The Bloom Box)
• Rants and Raves
• And Everyone's Favorite: PETA

Make sure to subscribe via iTunes or RSS.

PETA Olympic Pin Link

Navy allows women on submarines, Village People cry foul

The US Navy will be allowing women to serve on submarines if Sec. of Defense Robert Gates has his way. The ban has prevented women on subs for over a century. What I am waiting for now is the first birth on a Naval submarine. Perhaps all women who serve on the subs will be subject to pregnancy tests and be forced to take contraceptive pills. Or nothing major could happen at all and the Navy can get back to doing what they do best: killing people.

Never tell a lady she looks bad

From the "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all" department, ESPN has recently suspended Tony Kornheiser, host of Pardon the Interuption, for calling out one of his colleges for her choice in wardrobe. This just proves you never tell a lady the truth.

Easy, Sluggerrr

Watch out for the flying weiner!

What? No, that's not only the worst pick up line (connecting at what I'm guessing is a percent reserved merely for drunken fat girls), but it is now sage advice for those attending baseball games in Kansas City. A man is suing the Royals because last season he was hit in the eye by the team's mascot, Sluggerrr, with a flying hot dog during a game last season. Apparently, the impact from the flying dog detached his retina causing his eye to begin forming cataracts.

Here's the link

GDI vs. NOD all over again

EA has released a few Command and Conquer games for free download and play. Kind of reminds me of the old question, "If a tree falls in a forest and no one is there to hear it, does it make a sound?" Not in a philosophical way, but rather a "who really cares" kind of way.

New Podcast Available

A new 'cast of This Is Just BS is available.  Topics include:

Man vs. IRS

Tiger Woods

Sarah Palin vs. Family Guy

Starcraft 2

Make sure to click on the iTunes link!

Video Games Run Scared of Mass Effect 2

There are reports that video game sales are down for the month of January after a particularly high month in December.  Could this be the Mass Effect as Mass Effect 2 was released in January?  There have been reports that many games held off their release dates because of the Bioware game being released in January.  If there's nothing but Mass Effect 2 to buy, how can January be a killer sales month?

Starcraft II beta in the wild

Ars Technica is reporting that Blizzard has released a limited beta rollout of Starcraft II.  Make sure to check your Battle.net account to see if you are one of the lucky few to get the beta.

Time Well Wasted

Wordpress be damned, it feels good to be on a new website.

It's been a few months now since my last post, and my first one on this website. I have been busy doing just about nothing of real consequence. Sure, I work about 35 hours a week, and I don't do much other than that. I have been playing the 360 at near crack fiend levels. Also, I have not been able to find an adequate sleeping arrangement since my job requires me to be working flexible hours. So, if I say that I haven't been doing much, I mean it.

So, I have been left with the extremely annoying task of trying to find something that would make this post even remotely worth reading. First, I tried to think of anything in the news (Olympics, weather, etc...), but I quickly realize that more reliable news outlets are doing that stuff (so hit up espn, cnn, google, or whatever for that stuff). Second, I tried to think of anything worth promoting (tv shows, movies, video games, etc...), but the only thing I can think of is 'Mass Effect 2'. This causes any reader to think, "is this all he's going to write about." So I hesitate and review my options...

1.) I give up on the post right here, and wait for a more worthy subject to discuss.

2.) I actually pause to do a little online research to find a topic worthy of discussion

3.) I accept that this is the only thing I really care about right now, and write about it anyway.

Ok, so after 2 minutes of deliberation, I have decided that options 1 and 3 were really the only viable choices. Both were truly great contenders. One gives me the opportunity to try to do something productive, or at very least waste time on something else (hulu, sps*, internet porn (joke. No really), sleep). Three gives me the opportunity to discuss something that is actually fresh on my mind, as well as something I feel like I write on well. Well, it's decision time.

If I go with one, then well the post is over...now!

Wait, it's not over? Ok. I guess I went with three.

Mass Effect and Mass Effect 2

Ok, I'm not going to go into a full review or anything like that. I'm just going to say read my earlier post from the other website for a quick overview of the first game, and tell you a little bit about why 'Mass Effect 2' has become the best game I have ever played.

Ok, 'Mass Effect 2' completely dwarfs the original title, and it corrected everything that was done either incorrectly or simply not as well as possible in the first game. It surpassed any action RPG in terms of, well, action and role playing including any of the Fables, Elder Scrolls, or Fallout video games. The game is polished nicely, and the interactions are more detailed. Simple things like interruption commands that allow you to take charge of a conversation while subtle smirks, raised eyebrows, and other facial expressions make the main character really come to life. Jennifer Hale does wonderful job once again reprising her role as Commander Shepard's voice which is why I recommend playing these games as the female character. The combat is also much more enjoyable with a faster more strategic style along with an array of weapons and abilities that are used to cut down the opposition. The upgrading and power system is much more enjoyable, and less cumbersome, allowing the player to focus on the more exciting parts of the game. In short, ME2 is a true sequel that goes above and beyond what could have possibly been expected.

But what makes this the best game thus far? Simple, it makes Mass Effect 1 better. You might expect that since the sequel is just clear and away better, the original game must now be obsolete. Not so fast! With the import system, the player is now able to bring a character into the second game along with all the decisions that were made in that particular game. ME1 shapes the landscape of ME2, and is thus critical to enjoying the second game to its utmost potential. And here's the proof... instead of creating a new character for Mass Effect 2, I have started to new character on ME1 for the sole purpose of exporting her to ME2. And in so doing, I have already discovered things that I had missed in the first game because I want to absorb as much of this experience as possible now. I would have never noticed the farmers hiding in the shed on Eden Prime if not for ME2.

Ok. I promise not to write about this again (fingers crossed).

submitting without proof reading. I need a nap.

*southparkstudios.com

Evan Bayh is not seeking another term in the Senate

Evan Bayh, two term Democratic US Senator from the state of Indiana, has announced he will not be seeking re-election in the next election cycle.  Another topic for the 'cast!

First Frogs, Now Lasers rain from the sky

A new military laser successfully blew a missile out of the sky, reports the Missile Defense Agency of the American military complex.  More on this to come and a definite discussion on the 'cast this weekend.

This Is Just BS podcast # ? released

Check out the newest This Is Just BS podcast released.

iTunes link

RSS link

Best Games on the Xbox 360?

Being a new owner of the Xbox 360 system, I find myself catching up on quite a few games.  Presently, I like Borderlands the most.  Being a slow news week, I found an article suggesting the best games for the 360.  I have to say I like most of them.  You can definitely count on us talking about many of these games on the cast.

Check this shit out.