Vika Yermolyeva and her amazing piano work!
I have been a subscriber to this girls channel in YouTube for quite a while, and wanted to share for anyone that happened upon this blog to check it out. She has more songs, improvisations and covers than I could begin to post here. She is professionally trained, playing since the age of 4, out of Ukraine / Russia, and very beautiful as well.
She is unbelievably open with her music, allowing anyone to use it for most anything, or just to download for loading on their iPods. She does ask for recognition for which I should hope Everyone would be very willing to give to this amazing pianist.
Vika playing Truenorth from the album Schoolyard Ghosts
Her homepage is http://www.vkgoeswild.com. Support her by donating for a copy of her CD.
Her YouTube channel location is: http://www.youtube.com/user/vkgoeswild?blend=1&ob=4
Twitter: http://twitter.com/vkgoeswild
She also offers sheet music downloads (that she writes completely on her own), for most of the covers and improvisations that she does, as well as having a few tutorials and other things. Her channel is completely for fun, and she does not take requests for covers etc, but does offer to transcribe (some) music for a fee, see her site for details on that. Her YouTube channel has links to her many outlets around the net, check her out, you will not regret it!
Crysis Warhead Review
Posted by Zeno in Media, Technology on June 26, 2009
Just finished my first play-through of Crysis Warhead. This game has been on the market for a while, so I am sure there are hundreds of reviews around the web. I personally haven’t read any of them, and knew I would like the game when I finally picked it up. Got it installed later on Tuesday night, and played through on Normal difficulty. I am not sure if they made improvements to the game engine or not, but the game did play very smoothly at 1024×768 resolution with 2x AA, with the settings on “mainstream” in graphics except for shaders which were on “gamer”. At the moment I am running on an 8600 GTS graphics card, with a Intel Core
Crysis Graphics Settings
2 Duo @ 2.66 GHz, 2 GB of Corsair RAM at standard timings on a nVidia 680i SLI chipset.
First thoughts on the game after my first run, they have made a few small but helpful improvements, and one change that became annoying throughout the game. The storyline actually turned out to be better than I initially expected, which basically consists of chasing a container with a “special” alien in it which the North Koreans are dead set on removing from the island, while directed with a smart-ass general who you encounter often, and spend several levels pursuing him along with the container. Throughout the game you encounter the Koreans and aliens from early levels, which is a change, but I personally hate trying to chase the little fuckers around. While the game is harder this time around even on the lower difficulty settings, the aliens are thankfully easier to chase down and kill, which in the first game could become extremely tedious.
One thing that seemed to be lacking in the first one, but has been corrected in Warhead, are levels and situations that require you to use your suits functions rather than it being mostly optional. There are several levels which require you to switch between functions, sometimes rather quickly, which brings me to the one thing that pissed me off throughout game play. In the first game, you could double-tap keys (like space for strength, and shift for speed) to quickly switch suit modes, and for some reason, that has been removed from this game. While I didn’t tear apart the options, nothing jumped out at me to enable this feature that was quite handy in the first game. Since they have added several areas that require you to use your suit functions, and sometimes switch very quickly, this annoyance detracted from game play somewhat for me, and I become an expert at quickly switching suit modes with the keyboard hotkey. (UPDATE: Found it, just a simple checkbox under game play will enable the old quick modes.)
The difficulty on this one is noticeably harder even on normal mode. There are a few new weapons, mainly mounted guns, and reapparance of all the ones from the first game. There is a new vehicle with one of the new weapons mounted (a mini-gun with a lot of knockdown), and the other weapon is a 20mm armor-piercing cannon with explosive ammo. This second weapon is badass for getting trucks to actually flip and explode in mid-air (like most of the trailers showed happening in the first game, but was exceedingly hard to pull off). The new vehicle is what looks to be an APC, which is heavily armored, and really takes a beating before you are forced to eject, unlike the jeeps from the first game which tend to take massive damage fairly quickly.
Overall this game is as awesome as the first one. It is fairly short however, taking me around 8 hours of play time to finish, but for an expansion you usually don’t get much more. As in the first one, this game has a lot of re-play potential, and I plan to start a new game at a higher difficulty as soon as I get this posted in fact. Other than the annoying as hell, missing suit quick-switch from the first one, there is nothing I would change about this game. If you liked the first Crysis this is highly recommended and you should head out and pick it up if you haven’t already. 10 / 10 from me.
Some more spirits tried…
Posted by Zeno in Wine & Liquor on June 26, 2009
With all these posts on liquor and wine, I guess I’m becoming quite the alcoholic… Since the girl I’m kinda/sorta talking to is out of town this week, I haven’t had much to do but play WoW, and Crysis Warhead. Just “acquired” Warhead last night, and have to say, it’s as awesome as the first one. If you liked Crysis then it’s for sure a recommended purchase. I’ll do a full post on it once I’ve had a chance to play it all the way through. Anyways, back to my alcoholism, this week I tried a couple of new items, and thought why not list them with my on-going list of alcohol dependent related products….
Vodka – Boru
This is a vodka promising “distilled five times” and “product of Ireland”, and we all know the Irish know how to drink. Going from this vodka’s taste they have yet again not let us down.
Boru Vodka
Boru comes in at the mid-range of the lower price points, but is very very smooth, and for those that don’t care for Sobeski’s sweetish taste, Boru is right up your alley. This vodka has all the offering of the higher priced varieties like Absolut, etc, with a much lower price tag. Very highly recommended. 9.5/10 (750ml – Avg $13)
Bourbon - Red Stag (by Jim Beam) – Black Cherry
This is a surprise for a bourbon. Very good, and I don’t usually care for them. The taste starts with a great infusion of black cherry, then comes in behind with the usual Jim Beam bourbon flavor to finish it off. For a great sipping bourbon this stuff is great. Not sure I would want to get smashed on it however, but I’ve found getting smashed on any of the “flavored” liquors usually leads to very nasty hangovers, nasty after-tastes and while I’ve not done so, I’m sure they are no fun coming back up 
Highly Recommended 9/10. (50ml – Avg $1)
I will post back later on the Crysis expansion, going to finish playing through it now. So far I have found at least one new vehicle from the first one, and 2 new mounted weapons that are pretty bad ass to blow shit up with. Storyline is dragging at the start (but who plays these games for the plot anyway right).
More Wine and Spirits this week
Posted by Zeno in Wine & Liquor on June 19, 2009
Martini’s I have attempted…
While browsing the liquor store this week, I realized I had never in fact tried a martini, in fact I had never even tried gin! Yes, yes, I know, sad right? So, I grabbed some of my usual vodka (Pinnacle), some Bombay Sapphire gin (supposed to be the top end of the gin areas), and some Martini & Rossi vermouth. Right off, I tried some or other recipe using the “shaken not stirred” vodka martini using a 2 oz vodka to a bit under 1 oz of vermouth mix. I either had too little ice in the shaker or something, because it was rather nasty and watered down, and in fact I ended up dumping half this one in the sink. I think it was a combination of to little ice, and too much shaking (the site I found this recipe on said to “Shake it like mad for 2 mins” which I’m sure is great if you like watered down nasty shit, but around 30 seconds is actually what you should be doing I’ve found.
The next go was a bit better, going with 2 oz vodka and 1/2 oz of vermouth, shaken for 30 seconds and strained of course, with an olive for garnish. While much better than my first attempt, I really just wasn’t going for the vodka/vermouth blend. I’m sure there are thousands that love this mix but it just isn’t me.
Next up was the gin/vermouth (traditional) martini. I’d already found I liked less vermouth than almost every recipe of traditionalism suggested, but you will find recipes going from “dump it in” to “just wave the vermouth over the top of the gin” to “swirl it around the inside of the glass and dump the rest out”. I found a 2 oz gin to 1/4 to 1/3 oz vermouth to be a good compromise (while still keeping it a martini). Sorry guys, waving your bottle of vermouth over the glass isn’t a cocktail, it’s gin in a glass.
The last was definitely my favorite blend, and while I can’t yet say that the martini is my favorite mixed drink, it’s not bad, as long as it’s made with gin. If you like me, have never had a martini, gin, or vermouth at all. Buy some of the mini-bar or similar sized bottles and give it a try. After trying the Bombay Sapphire gin listed above, I have since switched to a much cheaper Pinnacle gin. It’s by far not as good as the Bombay, but if your like me and stuck on a budget, it will do the trick! On gin Bombay is the recommended (but expensive) variety. Bombay Sapphire gin 50ml 9.5/10 – $4.99/avg, Pinnacle gin 275ml 7/10 – $3.59/avg, Martini & Rossi vermouth 375ml 8/10 – $5.69/avg
Wine – Fetzer – Merlot (Vintage 2006)
This is easily the best low end price range merlot I have tried to date. In fact it is my new favorite, having the taste of much more expensive brands, while still running the under $10 price-range. I ran across this one by accident, because it wasn’t stacked with the other merlot, and I’ve already purchased three or four bottles in just the past five days. Try this wine if your on a budget or not. For those with money to spare, this might just be the great wine to break out when the in-laws come over! 9/10 (Avg $9 – Standard Bottle)
Great Musical Listens from YouTube
You won’t always find actual video with these but I recommend giving them all a listen. Most are the highest quality than I ran across, others I just posted on first listen.
Requiem for a Dream – Full Length Original
Requiem for a Dream – Piano Rendition
Spirits this weekend
Posted by Zeno in Wine & Liquor on May 30, 2009
I thought I would post on the different spirits I’ve tried lately. Please keep in mind that I am far from a professional taster, and since I do not have the cash to purchase the more high end liquors, I find myself checking the bargain bin quite often. However, there are some very decent offerings at the lower price points, and since I have tried most of them, throwing my own opinion (and vocabulary) up on the blogs couldn’t hurt. After having to switch from my old store to a new one, (thanks to the owner being a general asshole which apparently isn’t new according to others I’ve spoken with), I have had to make some changes in the brands I usually drink. As I try new things, I will post them up here, take them or leave them
Vodka – Sobeiski
Sobieski
For vodka’s of any price point, this is my all time favorite. Very smooth and not any nasty after-taste as you usually find in the cheaper “gut-rot” liquors. Highly recommended, and for it’s price point for 750ml you won’t find better, or even several steps higher. The company offers on their website to try theirs against any brand of any price, and I have to agree. Highly recommended. 10/10 (Avg $10 for 750ml)
Vodka – Pinnacle
This vodka advertises that it’s distilled with spring water from the Champagne region of France. Compared to Sobeiski this has more of a harsh taste, but it’s by far not a bad vodka. For mixed drinks of any kind, this will work just fine, especially if you would like a little more bite from whatever particular drink you are making. For it’s price point, it’s not a bad pick, but if your spending more for 750ml, I would save the cash and just get the Sobeiski above. 7/10 (Avg $15 for 750ml)
Wine – Jacob’s Creek – Merlot (Vintage 2006)
This is one of hundreds of cheap wine brands, but as far as this price range goes, this wine falls flat. Rather awful taste, and the after-taste is something you just want to wash out with water or something. Compared to some of the other lower shelf brands (Sutter Home, Beringer, etc.), this wine was one I would not purchase again. Not recommended on any budget. 2/10 (Avg $7 for standard bottle)
Wine – Crane Lake – Merlot (Vintage 2007)
This wine comes in an unremarkable bottle, with a rather plane looking lable, devoid of graphics or advertising other than it’s type and year. However, being one of the cheapest wines I have sampled, this is also one of the best brands for it’s price point. The Merlot is competitive against other wines three times more expensive, but has a very pleasant flavor. For a cheap wine to cook with, or to just sip with a meal for those like me on a tight budget, this is recommended. 7/10 (Avg $6 – standard bottle)
Wine – Crane Lake – Pinot Noir (Vintage 2006)
Like the Merlot mentioned in the previous review, this is an excellent wine for it’s price point. Like any Pinot Noir it’s a bit sweeter and a bit more dry than a Merlot, but still a very nice red, recommended. 7/10 (Avg $6 – standard bottle)
Wine – Beringer – Pinot Noir (Vintage 2008)
This wine is in the same price range as the Crane Lake but a couple more dollars on average. Like all Beringer’s I have tried, their wines tend to lean more on the sweet side than others, but they are by far not bad. I prefer the more bitter brands myself, but I have met several others (mostly women) that prefer the sweeter wines. If you are looking for a sweeter red wine, especially for someone who usually prefers white wines, you can’t steer wrong with Beringer. 7/10 (Avg $8 – standard bottle)
Wine – Woodbridge – Merlot (Vintage 2006)
Woodbridge is a california based wine company, and I find their wines to be the exact middle road between the Crane Lake which has a bit more bite, and the Beringer’s which are more sweet. Of all the under $10 avg bottle wines, Woodbridge is probably one of my favorites. Recommended 8/10 (Avg $8 – standard bottle)
Man forges check for 360 Billion!
This is a bit of an old story, but when I seen it on TV last night, I couldn’t stop laughing.
Charles Ray Fuller
A man has been accused of attempting to pass a $360 billion check, which he claims was given to him by his girlfriend’s mother to start a record business, Fort Worth police said.
Charles Ray Fuller, 21, of Crowley, was arrested on April 22 on an accusation of forgery, police said.
Police responded to a report of a man attempting to pass the check about 4 p.m. that day at the Chase bank in the 8600 block of South Hulen Street, Fort Worth police Lt. Paul Henderson said.
The personal check was not made out to Mr. Fuller and when the bank contacted the check owner, the woman said she did not write a check for $360 billion.
Mr. Fuller was also accused of unlawful carrying of a weapon and possession of marijuana, Lt. Henderson said. He may also face a theft charge in Crowley.
So, we all know when forging those checks, with pen above paper, the inevitable question always comes.. “How much should I write this for anyway? Yea, how about 360,000,000,000.oo, that should be enough.”
The teller at the Chase bank apparently noticed something was wrong when the amount exceeded more than most countries gross national product.
This should be enough...
I would pay to hear what this guy said in the interrogation room when confronted with his nine zero check. Even better is that the bank actually called the account holder to see if she had written any multi-billion dollar checks lately, upon which the man was arrested, and found to also have some weed and a .25cal handgun on him. Never mind the amount exceeded the market value of the entire bank.
One other funny part you don’t find on the web stories much but was mentioned on the TV article, the guy had actually written in the memo line that the check was for “rent”.
He was later released on $3,750 bond, and oh yea, we don’t accept personal checks.
Lt. Henderson said he did not know if Mr. Fuller and his girlfriend were still together.
She probably left him when she found out the check he stole from her mother in fact didn’t clear the bank…..
Another great Onion video
This is probably my second favorite The Onion video, and while I was there watching some of their new shit, I figured I would embed this one here as well for your viewing pleasure..
Don’t watch this with the kids in the room,, better yet, you probably shouldn’t be on this blog at all if language, sex, or other shit offends you anyways
Sony Releases New Stupid Piece Of Shit That Doesn’t Fucking Work
Best video to date!
This video cracked me up so much I had to post it here for others to hopefully laugh at as well. All of The Onion shit is awsome, but this has to be one of my top favorites, Right under the Stupid Piece of Shit that Doesn’t Fucking Work.
Breaking News: Series Of Concentric Circles Emanating From Glowing Red Dot
Welcome to Tervfect!
This is my personal blog which will probably focus on the things I get into on a regular basis. Relationships, technology, wine, internet crap, and anything else I find to write about!