The JamesS Journal

New Posts...Maybe

2011-07-15T15:13:00.000-07:00

Well after a long break I've decided I should really do something with this blog. It's not going to be on anything specific, just stuff that I find interesting.

Like I said in the past this is going to be a work in progress so stay tuned for more.

Comic Con 2009 Personal Schedule

2009-07-22T12:12:00.000-07:00

Thursday

The Blood Drive hours are 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM on Sunday. Donating blood takes only about 45 minutes. Sign up at the Blood Drive Booth (upstairs in the Sails Pavilion near the Freebie Table).

11:00-12:00 The State of MMOs: A Discussion with the Developers— Join Henrik Strandberg (Turbine), John Smedley (Sony Online Entertainment), Dave Brevik (Gazillion), Min Kim (Nexon America), and Leo Olebe (BioWare / EA) for a panel discussion and Q&A moderated by George Chronis (DFC Intelligence) about the current state of the massively multiplayer online games market. Panelists will discuss topics such as MMO pricing models and free-to-play games, design innovations, the future of console MMOs, and much more! Room 5AB

12:30-1:30 Richard Hatch: Battlestar Retrospective— Moderated by actor/author Richard Hatch (Tom Zarek, Capt Apollo, author: So Say We All), with Bear McCreary (Battlestar, Eureka, Caprica composer), Michael Tayler (Battlestar, Caprica, Star Trek writer/producer), Kevin Grazier (Battlestar, Eureka, science consultant) and special guests, this panel provides a review, discussion and Q&A of Battlestar's past four seasons and dramatic ending. Includes the new BG 30th trailer. Room 6A

2:30-3:30 USA Network's Burn Notice— Moderated by Michael Shanks (Victor). Join Bruce Campbell (Sam), Seth Peterson (Nate), Jay Karnes (Brennen), Ben Shenkman (Tom), Matt Nix (creator and executive producer) and Alfredo Barrios, Jr. (co-executive producer), as they discuss and answer questions about the creative process of evolving an embryonic idea into a finished episode of cable's #1 hit show. Fans will gain an intimate look inside the world of Burn Notice, complete with war stories from the writer's room and filming on location in Miami. Exclusive video content will include tips on how to survive Comic-Con from your favorite burned spy, Michael Westen (played by Jeffrey Donovan), highlights from the previous two seasons, and an exclusive sneak peek at future season 3 episodes, including the half-season finale and beyond. Ballroom 20

5:30-6:30 All-Stars of Comics Podcasting— Comics podcasting has grown from a novelty to a force within the industry, providing an outlet for reviews, interviews, news and general entertainment for comic book fans. Comic book podcasting veterans Jimmy Aquino (Comics News Insider), Charlito (Indie Spinner Rack), Brian "Pants" Christman (Comic Geek Speak), Bob Bretall (Comic Book Page—who will be giving away comics to the first 200 people to attend the panel), and Ron Richards (iFanboy) discuss the future of comics podcasting. You never know what may happen in podcasting, so be sure to come as some surprise guests may be appearing! Plus this is your chance to meet and talk to your favorite podcasters! Room 32AB

8:00-10:00 Dr. Horrible's Sing-along Blog— The California Browncoats host a screening of the original three acts, followed immediately by Commentary! The Musical. See why Joss Whedon's (Dollhouse, Buffy the Vampire Slayer) first foray into webisodic "television" was the talk of the town with critics and fans alike in 2008. Be prepared for a night of singing and surprises hosted by the fans who know what you like best. Dr. Horrible stars Neil Patrick Harris (How I Met Your Mother), Nathan Fillion (Castle, Firefly), and Felicia Day (The Guild) and is written by Joss Whedon, Jed Whedon (Dollhouse), Zack Whedon (Fringe), and Maurissa Tancharoen (Dollhouse). Room 6A

Friday

10:30-11:30 Stargate Universe— A new chapter of the Stargate saga begins with the Syfy original series Stargate Universe. Stars Robert Carlyle (Dr. Nicholas Rush), Brian J. Smith (1st Lt. Matthew Scott), Elyse Levesque (Chloe Armstrong), David Blue (Eli Wallace), Alaina Huffman (1st Lt. Tamara Johansen), Jamil Walker Smith (Master Sergeant Ronald Greer), and Ming-Na (Camile Wray) join series co-creators Brad Wright and Robert Cooper to take you through a gate you've never seen before. Ballroom 20

11:45-12:45 Caprica/Battlestar Galactica: The Plan— The present meets the past as the makers of Battlestar Galactica deliver the highly anticipated Syfy original series, Caprica and the 2-hour event, Battlestar Galactica: The Plan, directed by Edward James Olmos. This is your chance to get the inside scoop on these exciting projects and see two generations of Adamas on stage together for the first time. Executive producers Ronald D. Moore, David Eick, and Jane Espenson sit down with Caprica star Esai Morales (Joseph Adama) and Battlestar Galactica's Edward James Olmos (Admiral William Adama), director of The Plan, to reveal the truth about these two new chapters in the mythology of BSG. Ballroom 20

1:30-2:30 G4: Attack of the Show— TV's first and only live daily show dedicated to the "digital generation"—breaking the hottest web videos, latest gadgets, blogs and videogames. Every day AOTS takes its audience to the virtual water cooler, where you can then tell your friends you saw it on AOTS first! Kevin Pereira, Olivia Munn, Alison Haislip, Blair Butler and AOTS producers bring you the closest thing to being on a LIVE Attack of the Show! Take part in one of the largest group Tweets to ever hit the Twittersphere, join in on the AOTS Orchestra for a moving rendition of the Attack theme, bear witness to a Comic-Con exclusive AOTS comedy short, and have a chance to win one-of-a-kind props from the show and end it with a nerd rave the likes of which have never been seen this side of M.I.T.! Plus you'll get a chance to grill the hosts and exec producers to find out the dirty secrets behind your favorite AOTS stunts, from Kevin and Olivia in fat suits to the MegaDare Hot Sauce challenge to to Olivia's infamous "Pie-Jump." Room 5AB

3:45-5:00 Sony Pictures Entertainment: Legion and District 9— Sony Pictures Entertainment and Screen Gems introduce two great new movie projects exclusively to Comic-Con attendees!
Legion—When the last angel falls, the fight for mankind begins. Having lost faith in the human race, a legion of angels descend to Earth to bring about the Apocalypse. Humanity's only hope lies in a group of strangers trapped in a desert diner and the Archangel Michael himself (Paul Bettany). Appearing on stage: Paul Bettany (A Beautiful Mind, The DaVinci Code), Adrianne Palicki (Friday Night Lights, Supernatural), Tyrese Gibson (Transformers, Death Race), Doug Jones (Silver Surfer in Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer and Abe Sapien in Hellboy), and director Scott Stewart (helming his first feature film after working on VFX for Sin City, Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire, and Iron Man, among many others). From Screen Gems.
District 9—Peter Jackson makes his eagerly and long-awaited first visit to Comic-Con to introduce you to the world of District 9, which focuses on a world in which extraterrestrials have become refugees in South Africa. Thirty years ago, aliens made first contact with Earth. Humans waited for the hostile attack or the giant advances in technology. Neither came. Instead, the aliens were refugees, the last survivors of their home world. The creatures were set up in a makeshift home in South Africa's District 9 as the world's nations argued over what to do with them—as well as their powerful technology and advanced weaponry that can only be activated by Alien DNA. Please join Peter Jackson as he gives fans a first look at scenes from District 9 and takes your questions along with director Neill Blomkamp and star Sharlto Copley. From Sony Pictures Entertainment Hall H

7:15-9:15 The Totally Rad Show Live!— Hosts Alex Albrecht (Diggnation), Dan Trachtenberg, and Jeff Cannata bring their Webby and Podcast Award-winning geek culture show back to Comic-Con for a live performance. Join the guys for an explosion of movie, video game, TV, and comic book news and reviews, and see what makes this Revision3 show such an Internet phenomenon. Room 7AB

Saturday

11:00-12:00 Dune— The legacy of legendary science fiction author Frank Herbert lives on, in the safe hands of his son Brian Herbert and co-author Kevin J. Anderson, both Comic-Con special guests this year. Brian and Kevin will talk about the ongoing series of novels and all things Dune: past, present, and future. Room 7AB

2:45-3:45 Sony Pictures: Zombieland and 2012— Sony Pictures previews two exciting new movies at Comic-Con!
Zombieland —What if the Zombies won? Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg) has made a habit of running from what scares him. Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson) doesn't have fears. If he did, he'd kick their ever-living ass. In a world overrun by zombies, these two are perfectly evolved survivors. But now, they're about to stare down the most terrifying prospect of all: each other. Also starring Emma Stone and Abigal Breslin as two sisters who seem to constantly cause even more trouble for our erstwhile heroes. Appearing on stage: Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone, and director Ruben Fleischer.
2012—Director Roland Emmerich has tried to destroy civilization before, but nothing you've seen will prepare you for what he has in store for the world in 2012. Never before has a date in history been so significant to so many cultures, so many religions, scientists, and governments. 2012 is an epic adventure about a global cataclysm that brings an end to the world and tells of the heroic struggle of the survivors. Roland will be onstage to reassure us it's all make-believe...we hope .Hall H

5:15-6:15 True Blood Panel and Q&A session— Just as it seemed things were settling down in the backwoods Louisiana town of Bon Temps, deadly new twists and evil forces have begun to threaten Sookie Stackhouse and everyone around her. Mixing romance, suspense, mystery, and humor, True Blood kicked off its 12-episode second season on June 14 on HBO. The series, which earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Television Series—Drama for its debut season, follows the romance between waitress Sookie Stackhouse (Anna Paquin, the X-Men films; Golden Globe-winner for True Blood season one; Oscar-winner for The Piano), who can hear people's thoughts, and her soul mate, 173-year-old vampire Bill Compton (Stephen Moyer, The Starter Wife). Alan Ball (creator of the Emmy-winning HBO series Six Feet Under) created and serves as executive producer of the series, which is based on the best-selling Sookie Stackhouse novels by Charlaine Harris. The series also features Nelsan Ellis (The Soloist) as Lafayette Reynolds, Rutina Wesley (How She Move) as Tara Thornton; Sam Trammell (Medium, Law & Order: Criminal Intent) as Sam Merlotte; Michelle Forbes (In Treatment, Battlestar Galactica) as Maryann Forrester; Alexander Skarsgård (Generation Kill) as Eric Northman and Deborah Ann Woll (The Mentalist) as Jessica Hamby. Moderated by Kate Hahn of TV Guide. Ballroom 20

7:00PM BSG Concert: House of Blues

Sunday

It's kid's day at Comic Con and me and my son are going to enjoy the day...It's going to be his first time!!!!

10:00-11:00 Nick Jr. Presents: Ni Hao, Kai-Lan and Wonder Pets!— Calling all Nick Jr. fans! This is the screening for you with not one, but two never-before-seen episodes! First, catch a brand new Ni Hao, Kai-Lan as the gang heads to China on an eye-popping, jaw-dropping adventure full of exciting new experiences. Then watch the Wonder Pets! team as they go on a mission to rescue Ming-Ming from a pair of enchanted shoes! Room 7AB

2:00-3:00 Star Wars Trivia Game Show— Members of the San Diego Star Wars Society, veteran hosts of trivia game shows at Star Wars Celebration III and at Comic-Con International since 2002, have prepared a bigger challenge this year for all fans who think they know their stuff about the galaxy far, far away. Added this year will be one game round for kids 12 and under. Come test your knowledge and win one of the many valuable prizes to be given away. Room 7AB

My first go at POS warfare

2009-02-15T01:38:00.001-08:00

Well after all were happy and warm and fuzzy from VDay (wink) I logged on and fleeted up. Corp chat was buzzing about taking down a POS in Piak. So I jumped in my wanna be POS killing Raven and headed off to Piak. After incapping all the weapons. We started on the their medium Caldari tower and that's were I'm still at it after 3 hours. OMG this is boring. We are waiting for it to go into reenforce. That if it has stront in it. Woot just went into reenforce in 19 hour we can kill it. Let ya know how it comes out.

Fly like your ass is on fire

JamesS

First few weeks as a Warrior

2009-02-13T03:15:00.000-08:00

It's been a bit since I've wrote about whats going on so I thought I'd write a little during downtime to give you an idea what I've been up too.

Other then for the logistical aspect of the move I've been learning about small gang movement and the associated ship loadouts that work best. Also been having a go at solo PVP and I have to tell ya that's a real rush.

When the BoB event happened it kinda put a damper on the more formalized teaching, but we are content on flying around causing a little hate and discontent for the time being.

Right now were are at war with Space Protectorate Academy[Spacy] and I must say they are a bunch of wimps and whiners. I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt that it's a school week for them and that they'll grow a pair over the weekend and give us run for our isk. We'll see

Well thats about it for now. Here's hoping the weekend is more eventful

Close Your Eye's and Click Your Heals 3 Times

2009-01-23T13:17:00.000-08:00

And that's how fast the move was to Seppuku Warriors. I was brought into the fold by our very own EVE Blog Pack Member and Seppuku Warrior Director Dee Carson. Mad greetings of Welcome,Howdy and you finally made it assaulted me as I was transported into SW corp chat and then I had a client crash. LoL I hope this isn't a sign of things to come.

Oh BTW totally off subject, if you haven't heard the recording of the Epic EVE Nerd Rage you just have to give it a listen. This is brought to us by the one and only SiliconBuddha of Fly Reckless podcast fame

Ok thats it for now. Off to bed with me before my eye lids slam shut.

Fly like you ass is on fire.

JamesS

And thats the way it is this 21st of Janurary 2009

2009-01-22T07:00:00.000-08:00

Well I've gone and done it. I've dropped roles with EVE University and I'm going to be a member of Seppuku Warriors.

It wasn't an easy thing to do, it was kinda like the same feeling you get when you go off to boot camp or just leave something that familiar. I'm npt going to be able to fly with some of my old buddy's due to our being a VERY PVP centric corp and wanting to keep E-Uni's diplomatic neutrality. I told them I'd give them a good reference if they wanted to try and join SW after there tenure so there's hope for a reunion yet.

After this I'm not sure. I might seek a teaching job at another academy in EVE or I might follow my long term goal to become a member of a Mercenary Corp. Who Knows?

For now I'll just keep writing about my goings on around EVE.

Fly like your ass is on fire.

JamesS

PS. Moving all my stuff is a Bitch

EvE's Dream Team

2009-01-19T07:26:00.000-08:00

Sabre A (Yes that Sabre A) has assembled what only can be called the EvE equivalent of the Dream Team. He has brought some of the finest PVPer's in the game under one banner to form the core instructors of Seppuku Warrior's. These individuals have put aside the political differences to teach select few the fine art of small gang PVP to include but not limited to fast roaming gangs, Sniper Fleets, Remote Repairing Fleets.

Seppuku Warrior's stellar team of instructors are:

Rooman(ANZAC) - The CEO and Leader Of Southern Cross Alliance

00Tricky(RKK) - Director of Reikoku and GBC Senior FC

Acacia Incana(EVOL) - Ex IVY PvP Instructor that made it Big

Mijstor Jedann(SHIVA) - NC Senior FC and CEO of Seppuku Warriors

KOTH Fluf(SHIVA) - CEO, NC Senior FC and Ex Leader of Morsus Mihi, VC and FA

SirMolle(EVOL) - The CEO and Leader Of The Band of Brothers Alliance

There is yet another unconfirmed instructor that I am not at the liberty to disclose at this time. But as soon as that information is made available I will post an update.

These played have come together to teach what they know about PVP. Setting aside there differences to give back to players of EvE.

I for one hope for the opportunity to learn from these masters of the game

Sixth Alliance Tournament Team Listings

2009-01-12T07:37:00.000-08:00

The listings of Team participating in the Sixth Alliance Tournament have just been announced. I see a lot of old faces and quite a few new ones. I myself thought that EVE University was going to field a team but I guess I was wrong. But I do see that each race has a factional warfare team, it will be interesting if we see the factional teams stick with there races ships or will they barrow from another???. Will the Ev0ke be hindered because of the problems within the past few months??? Will the Privatears fold under pressure like they did in there war with EVE University Will it be a team from one of the large alliances or a new up and comer to rise above the rest at the end. We'll just have to tune in and see won't we. For the latest and greatest on the Sixth Alliance Tournament tune in here or at the EVE Online Tournament Page

EON #14 and Ivy Leage Corp

2009-01-09T23:13:00.001-08:00

Just a quick and shameless plug for the new EON magazine issue #14 and in it is a Corp profile of Ivy Leage Alliance and EvE University which I'm a member of. So go out and buy a copy and read why EvE-Uni is one of the best Corps around.

2008 in Review

2008-12-31T10:48:00.000-08:00

The year is just about over and I thought I'd write a little bit on what I've done this past year, people that have helped throughout and a little about what I'm hoping for the year to come.

A little less than a year ago I reinstalled EvE looking for a game that I could make my own destiny. After a 2 year sabbatical do to work and real life commitments I was hopeful EvE would let me venture back with what little time I could afford and with the help of CrazyKinux bloggings and a few other resources I was able to to step back in to the world of internet spaceships and as we all know flying internet spaceships is serious business

My first order of business was to find a corporation where I could relearn what little knowledge I had of EvE and gather more information. In my searches through the Forums and The Drone Bay Podcast I came across EVE University where they teach everything and I’ve been there ever since. I’ve grown as a pilot and have actually set goals from what I’ve learned from the members, but I’m getting ahead of myself.

There are a few people I’d like to thank for making this past year a little bit more fun.

First and foremost my wife and two precocious sons for enduring my fascination with EvE and the occasional calls of primary and secondary targets over teamspeak in the wee hours of the morning.

CrazyKinux, SiliconBuddha, Roc Wieler, kirith kodachi, Mynxee and the rest of the Blog Pack Crew for their encouragement and without it you wouldn’t be reading this.

Finally my Corp Mates: Morning Maniac, Dierdra Vaal, Silentbrick, Dee Carson, Melissa Dawn,Kelduum Revaan and yes even Sabre A. Over the past months you have brought me up to speed with your teachings all the while laughing my ass off.

That brings us to next year. I’m still on course to becoming a carrier pilot and my eventual travels into 0.0 space, but not before having all the logistical support for that venture and after taking another look at EVEmon I’ll be talking about this in 2010. But hey who knows.

Have Fun, Stay Focused and fly like your ass is on fire.

JamesS

Ninja Edit: This is still a work in progress give me a break :-)

26 Noobs + 30 days of WarDec’s = One Dead Broadsword

2008-12-21T00:15:00.000-08:00

Cazzah one of the guys in EVE Uni came up with a great idea of us taking out a bunch of fellow students and either going up against some of our current war targets ( The Darwin Award Foundation ) or having a little fun down in lowsec with NOOBSHIPS. It was decided that we’d pay a visit to the Atomic Battle Penguins in Urlen.

So 26 of us got into our trusty noobships, all ship races were present and we headed to Urlen were we thought we’d meet certain doom. When we arrived, there were 2 WT’s docked up so we waited for about 10 minutes outside of Urlen while our scouts went poking around. All of a sudden a scout calls out that a war target has undocked right in next to him so we all jump through the gate and warp to the scout. Within a few seconds we had him scrammed, webbed, and jammed. What happened next was something like having a pillow fight against a rhino as guns, missiles, drones and snowballs came flying at the Megathron with great effect to its shield but doing nothing whatsoever to the armor. This went on for about 5 minutes with us loosing an ibis or 4 and me having reloaded my snowball launcher 2 or 3 times, when he must have gotten bored and unleashed his drone and we figured it was time to get the hell out of dodge. So back to HQ we went but not before GF’s and WTF were that, were sent back and forth in local.

Surprised that we hadn’t all gotten popped we decided to press our luck with a trip to Rancer. I not wanting to lose my Christmas gift from CCP stowed my snowball launcher and rejoined the fleet and off we went to Rancer. Our scouts were ahead of us when they called that they spotted a gate camp in Oijanen. There were a few ships on the gate including a Drake and a Broadsword sharing tanking the guns on the gate. When the Broadsword started tanking the gun is when we jumped into system.
We locked both ships and command called for the HICtor to be primary and the drake to be jammed and have drones sent after it. The drake wasn’t having any of it so it bugged out leaving the HICtor to feel the full fury of the Noobship fleet of death and about half way through its shields the pilot set his ship to self-destruct knowing that we had him beat. The next thing we knew there was a flash and the pod was in warp. Cries of Yaaarrrr, Woot and GF’s were sent in local, funny thing we didn’t get any well wishes back???

Well to make an even longer story a little bit shorter we regrouped and continued down to Rancer were upon jumping in and escaping one gate camp and thinking we’d be able to take down another were promptly killed by a Disco wielding Battleship bent on stopping our trip into lowsec. I’m really glad I stowed my snowball launcher. 
And what did I learn for this outing of ours.

1. There isn’t an end all be all ship in EVE.
2. A group of noobs can do a lot of damage even in noobships.
3. The snowball launcher is a good thing.
4. Trust your FC and he just might get you an unsuspected kill
5. EVE University Noobship fleet of death was a good idea
6. There is no 6

Oh and there is a post script to this. There's a saying I like, pictures or it didn't happen. Here is the killmail to prove it Noobship fleet of Death vs The Broadsword

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

2008-12-19T15:23:00.000-08:00

Hello and welcome to The JamesS Journal. This is where I'll try and write about EvE Online and it's many facets.

The Good: I fly with EvE University. For those that don't know EvE University ( EvE Uni ) teaches new players the ropes of the game. We teach everything from basic fleet movement and basic fleet command tactics to more advanced areas of study. I'm hoping that one day I may teach what I've learned from my mentors to others that are just getting into the EvE Universe.

The Bad: EvE Uni isn't going to be my last stops in EvE. I hope to one day make my living in a Mercenary Corp, but that won't be for awhile down the . It's going to be just about a year before I can fly a carrier to the skill level I'd be happy with

The Ugly: Because EvE University is the home to a great deal of new players we have a tendency to get a LOT of War Declarations on our Corporation and it makes for some excellent reading

You can either contact me here, ingame or by twitter