Alteil EX 11: Lost Guardians - Violet General

Alteil EX 11 Cards for the set dubbed as the Lost Guardians, were released today and this is great news for Alteil players who haven't had new cards in a long time. Let's take a look at the card, which in my opinion, has the best art for this release - Violet General / Amethyst Eater.

The already competitive Carbuncle deck gets an added boost with the entry of Violet General. Aside from worrying about Red General, an opponent now has to deal with another card with healing abilities and HP manipulating abilities.

Her Open Skill is allows a level 3 friendly unit to gain an additional 5 MAX HP. Since most of the carbuncle units are level 3, targeting one shouldn't be an issue. The additional SP gain is also a plus since Refess suffers from slow SP generation during the early part of a match.

Her Start Skill may give your deck a slight AGI advantage over similar speed decks. But her strength is in her Action Skill which allows you to heal a friendly unit and at the same time, damage an enemy unit. With her Defense of 5, you might even place her at the front row as a tank, to reach those second row enemy units with her 3 Range.

Her Soul Skill will be great for any deck that suffers from quick depletion and needs replacement. Afel and even Lelein decks would probably be ok with it as a second to the last SS.

A set of 3 would set you back 1200 gran (400 gran per pack). The set also comes with EX Brahma and Hanuman (which are great additions for Eternal Morning Decks) and the two-star hard-to-complete-sets of Opal Carbuncle and Jade Carbuncle.

Check out EX 11, the best addition since the Alteil re-launch with Apocoplay.

Postscript:

Purple Stone is practically useless if your units are fully healed. And having a base AT=10 is no help either. Perhaps the developers can rework this skill in the next errata.

Alcatel One Touch T10 Product Review

CONs

• Windows 7 does not detect the device when hooked via USB cable - this makes it difficult to transfer files from your PC to the touch pad. As of this writing, I could not find suitable drivers to remedy this issue. And although there are articles on flashing the firmware - I am not about to risk that on a device that was purchased a day ago.
• Device has no Blue Tooth - still makes it even harder to transfer files. Right now, the only way I can transfer files with large sizes is to copy these files to my mobile phone's microSD, and then transfer that microSD into the Alcatel One Touch - really much of a hassle.
• Built in file explorer takes some getting used to. And it doesn't show the thumbnails of images, making it a painstaking process when determining which images to include and exclude in bulk uploads.
• Camera is placed near the corner and on the same side as the screen. The product developers were probably trying to save with this feature. But the positioning makes it awkward when taking "self-pictures" and even when "skyping" since you have to place the device at a certain angle. And using the device as a camera is no DSLR experience. The resulting pictures are poor in quality compared to a camera phone.
• No memory card included. All it has is memory card support. You'll have to pay extra for the microSD, if you don't have one. And chances are, you'll need one if you'll be transfering files from your Windows PC.
• The hopes of having a tablet capable of working on MS office documents (word, excel, power point) remains just that. Still haven't found a suitable app for editing these types of documents.
• 4GB is the advertised internal storage, but after taking into account the space taken up by the OS, and installing apps from the Play Store, you'll probably have roughly 2 GB of free storage for your files. Not a lot, with today's video and audio file sizes.
• No built in ebook reader. And for some reason, the reader's that I was able to install have failed to recognize the .EPUB format. So while there may be lot's of free ebook titles out there, without a suitable ebook reader software, the T10 can't sub for a Kindle or a Nook. (Unless you want to read PDF versions of the books)
• Not all websites have mobile support. It's no wonder Facebook, Google, Yahoo, and other big names have developed their own mobile app for pads. While webpages are nicely formatted on the PC, some appear - disfigured - out of alignment - etc. when being viewed from a mobile PC. 

PROs

• Although the touch pad comes with few programs out of the box, (and most are just demo versions), there's lot's of free software available on Google's Play store. And even though some of the free apps will fail to install, there are some software gems out there waiting to be discovered. And since this is my first touch pad, it's the first time I get to play Angry Birds on a large screen using my fingers.
• Audio is excellent, making the device a cool mp3 and video player.

And that's my take on the T10. Hope it helps your decision making during the Christmas holiday spending spree.

Wormy Worm 1.3

Use the NUM pad keys (1-9) to control the WORM

Current Score: Highest Score:

Wormy Worm 1.3

Play Again!

jQuery Worm Game Proof of Concept

Use the NUM pad keys (1-9) to control the WORM

Current Score: Highest Score:

Wormy Worm 1.3

Play Again!

Ezekiel 18

For those who are fearful of the sins of their ancestors, or for the sins their children will commit...

New International Version (NIV)

The One Who Sins Will Die

18 The word of the Lord came to me: ² “What do you people mean by quoting this proverb about the land of Israel:

“‘The parents eat sour grapes,
    and the children’s teeth are set on edge’?

³ “As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, you will no longer quote this proverb in Israel. ⁴ For everyone belongs to me, the parent as well as the child—both alike belong to me. The one who sins is the one who will die.

⁵ “Suppose there is a righteous man
    who does what is just and right.
⁶ He does not eat at the mountain shrines
    or look to the idols of Israel.
He does not defile his neighbor’s wife
    or have sexual relations with a woman during her period.
⁷ He does not oppress anyone,
    but returns what he took in pledge for a loan.
He does not commit robbery
    but gives his food to the hungry
    and provides clothing for the naked.
⁸ He does not lend to them at interest
    or take a profit from them.
He withholds his hand from doing wrong
    and judges fairly between two parties.
⁹ He follows my decrees
    and faithfully keeps my laws.
That man is righteous;
    he will surely live,
declares the Sovereign Lord.

¹⁰ “Suppose he has a violent son, who sheds blood or does any of these other things^[a]11 (though the father has done none of them):

“He eats at the mountain shrines.
He defiles his neighbor’s wife.
¹² He oppresses the poor and needy.
He commits robbery.
He does not return what he took in pledge.
He looks to the idols.
He does detestable things.
¹³ He lends at interest and takes a profit.

Will such a man live? He will not! Because he has done all these detestable things, he is to be put to death; his blood will be on his own head.

¹⁴ “But suppose this son has a son who sees all the sins his father commits, and though he sees them, he does not do such things:

¹⁵ “He does not eat at the mountain shrines
    or look to the idols of Israel.
He does not defile his neighbor’s wife.
¹⁶ He does not oppress anyone
    or require a pledge for a loan.
He does not commit robbery
    but gives his food to the hungry
    and provides clothing for the naked.
¹⁷ He withholds his hand from mistreating the poor
    and takes no interest or profit from them.
He keeps my laws and follows my decrees.

He will not die for his father’s sin; he will surely live. ¹⁸ But his father will die for his own sin, because he practiced extortion, robbed his brother and did what was wrong among his people.

¹⁹ “Yet you ask, ‘Why does the son not share the guilt of his father?’ Since the son has done what is just and right and has been careful to keep all my decrees, he will surely live. ²⁰ The one who sins is the one who will die. The child will not share the guilt of the parent, nor will the parent share the guilt of the child. The righteousness of the righteous will be credited to them, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against them.
²¹ “But if a wicked person turns away from all the sins they have committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, that person will surely live; they will not die.²² None of the offenses they have committed will be remembered against them. Because of the righteous things they have done, they will live. ²³ Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign Lord. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?
²⁴ “But if a righteous person turns from their righteousness and commits sin and does the same detestable things the wicked person does, will they live? None of the righteous things that person has done will be remembered. Because of the unfaithfulness they are guilty of and because of the sins they have committed, they will die.
²⁵ “Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ Hear, you Israelites: Is my way unjust? Is it not your ways that are unjust? ²⁶ If a righteous person turns from their righteousness and commits sin, they will die for it; because of the sin they have committed they will die.²⁷ But if a wicked person turns away from the wickedness they have committed and does what is just and right, they will save their life. ²⁸ Because they consider all the offenses they have committed and turn away from them, that person will surely live; they will not die. ²⁹ Yet the Israelites say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ Are my ways unjust, people of Israel? Is it not your ways that are unjust?
³⁰ “Therefore, you Israelites, I will judge each of you according to your own ways, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. ³¹ Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, people of Israel? ³² For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!

Elementary 2012: America's Take on Sherlock

Image by: CBS

Warning: Possible Spoilers

Jonny Lee Miller plays the role of Sherlock Holmes and Lucy Liu plays the role of Watson in the TV series ELEMENTARY. At first, I was skeptical about this show, since Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman did such an excellent job on the British TV show SHERLOCK. And what was amazing about that show was it only had 3 episodes per year. A lot of time and effort was put into the production of each episode.

So how does ELEMENTARY compare to SHERLOCK? It doesn't. SHERLOCK sticks to the classic tales written by Arthur Conan Doyle with a present day twist. On the other hand, each episode of ELEMENTARY is a brand new case, exploring the idea of Sherlock Holmes going to the U.S. and helping solve crimes. 

Joan Watson is a former surgeon who gave up being a doctor because someone probably died under her watch. She takes on the job of helping recovering addicts by becoming their companion, making sure they stay clean. Sherlock is the recovering drug addict that she is trying to help out.

I guess the good thing about this show is that it is an actual weekly series. Unlike SHERLOCK, I don't have to wait an entire year after watching three episodes to watch another. And some of the cases taken on by Jonny Miller's character have not been very predictable - a plus for the writers of the show.

Aidan Quinn is a surprisingly effective addition to the cast of supporting characters. It's good to see him on screen again. I think the last I remember of him was his role in "Legends of the Fall", as Bradd Pitt's elder brother. He's ok as a boss for Sherlock, and is kind of similar to Lisbon, in the show the MENTALIST - which in my opinion - is the TV show ELEMENTARY is trying to compete with and take the top spot from (in terms of Crime Solving). "What about CSI?" you ask - who still watches CSI? =)

Anyway, while the MENTALIST might be nearing its end, since they have almost exhausted the Red John storyline, and once that is solved, the show will most likely lose steam, ELEMENTARY might just take its place as the number one American detective show. They haven't even explored plenty of Sherlock lore such as Moriarty, Microft, Adler, etc. And since the show has more creative freedom than it's U.K. counterpart, writers can even create new arch enemies for Holmes.

Whether Holmes and Watson become a love item remains to be seen. It is kind of weird, but is definitely better than Cumberbatch falling for Freeman. Or vice versa.

So if you love a good murder case with a quirky detective solving the crime, try out ELEMENTARY. And now, to end with the classic joke.

"Where did you learn to read and write Sherlock?"

"Elementary my dear Watson, elementary." 

Cross My Heart Chords by EBTG

Here's my chord attempt at an oldie, but classy song by Everything But The Girl. Enjoy

Intro: DM7 - DM7 - CM7 - CM7(repeat)

Stanza:

DM7 - DM7
Now and then

CM7 - CM7                            DM7 - DM7
Do you wash your hands of me again?

CM7                           Em  
Wish me anywhere but home

                           Asus - A     (Repeat Intro Pattern)
Drunk and on the end of your phone

Use Stanza Pattern:
From time to time
Do you guess what's really on my mind?
Guess that "How you keeping now?"
Means "Where are you sleeping now"

Chorus:

G                   G
But of course it's not polite
DM7                    DM7

To ask you where you spent last night

G                               Gm9 (- Gm7 - Gm7add7 - Gm7add6 - Gm7) (Portion in Parenthesis is optional)
And if I did you might reply

(Gm7 - Gm9)
That I have no right

Em
And anyway I'm fine

DM7                      DM7
Glad that you're no longer mine

G
If I should tell a lie

Gm9                           (Repeat Intro Pattern)
I'll cross my heart and hope to die

Use Stanza Pattern:
You'd be appalled
If you knew what I was doing
When you called
Yes, I can see I'm blundering
Always end up wondering

Use Chorus Pattern:
Will it ever be alright
To ask you where you spent last night
And can it be polite
The way we never write,
Of course I don't have the time,
And anyway I'm fine
If I should tell a lie
I'll cross my hear and hope to die

Em - DM7 (Repeat to fade)
I hope we never die

Laker's 0 - 3 Worst Start in Years

They say a picture paints a thousand words. Here's a picture of the Lakers.

I wonder what we would hear if we were close enough.

Pau: (thinking) What are we gonna do now? 3 losses at the start of a season, that's never happened in Kobe and my era?

Meta: Hey Kobe, I thought you have guaranteed the Laker's future even after you retired by acquiring him?

Kobe: But I thought he was the best center in the NBA, despite the drama.

Dwight: (thinking) And I thought I would finally win a championship this year. Looks like I'm off to Miami after this season, if I could arrange a trade to get there. Howard for Bosh sounds good.

Blake: (thinking) why am I even in this shot? Oh yeah, I'm subbing for injured old man Nash.

Hey Lakers, don't sweat it. You still have an entire season to recover. When is the time to push the panic button? How many games will it take to make the play-offs? Then the time to panic is when you're in danger of not making the play-offs.

Ikariam version 0.5.2

Ikariam has rolled out version 0.5.2 today. Now, it they have improved the gaming experience for iPad and other tablet users. They even changed the look of their main page. Check out Kyra holding an iPad.

0.5.2 15.10.2012
Feature - Layout adjustments for tablet devices

Chords for Apo Hiking Society's Kumot at Unan

My chord attempt at "Kumot at Unan" - a cool song from the Apo Hiking Society with a Samba beat. I used Chorderator to come up with the tabs. Enjoy!

Intro: Cadd2 - G6no3 - Cadd2 - G6no3 - C#add2 - G#6no3 - C#add2 - G#6no3 (repeat)
Gdim7 - A7/G

Stanza:

Dmadd2 - A5addF - Fmaj9no5/G - Fm9no5/G - Cadd2 - G6no3 - Cadd2 - G6no3
Mabuti pa ang unan mo, kasama 'pag gabi

Dmadd2 - A5addF - Fmaj9no5/G - Fm9no5/G - Cadd2 - G6no3 - Gm11no5 - F#7b5
Mabuti pa ang kumot mo, kasiping sa tabi

Refrain:

F - G - Em - Asus - A           
Sa pag-uwi mo, sila ang 'yong kasama

F - G - Gm11no5 - F#7b5
At sa pagtulog, wala nang iba

F - E - Am - D
'Yan ba nama'y pagseselosan ko pa

Dm - G
Kung maaari lang naman

Dm - G
Ako na lamang sana ang

Dm - G (Repeat Intro)
Maari mong gawin na kumot at unan mo

Stanza:
Mabuti pa'ng panyo mo, may dampi sa 'yong pisngi
At sa tuwing kausap ka'y laging nakangiti

Refrain:
Sa pag-uwi ko, 'yan ang naaalala
At sa pagtulog, wala nang iba
'Yan ba nama'y malilimutan ko pa
Kung maaari lang naman (maari ba naman)
Ako na lamang sana ang (puwede ba naman)
Maari mong gawin na kumot at unan mo

Bridge:

F - G - Cadd2 - G6no3 - Gm11no5 - F#7b5
Pangarap kita kahit papa'no pa kita isipin

F - G - Cadd2 - G6no3 - Gm11no5 - F#7b5
Pangarap kita, dinggin mo sana ang aking awitin

F - G - Dmadd2 - G (Gdim7 - A7/G)
Pangarap kita, gawin mo sana akong pangarap mo rin

Stanza:
Mabuti pa ang baso, may tikim ng 'yong halik
Naiinggit ang labi kong laging nananabik

Refrain:
Sa 'king paggising, 'yan ang naaalala
Tuwing umaga, wala nang iba
'Yan ba nama'y maiiwasan ko pa
Kung maaari lang naman (maari ba naman)
Ako na lamang sana ang (puwede ba naman)
Maari mong gawin na kumot at unan mo

Dmadd2 - A5addF - Fmaj9no5/G - Fm9no5/G
Kung maaari lang naman (maari ba naman)

Dmadd2 - A5addF - Fmaj9no5/G - Fm9no5/G
Ikaw na lamang sana ang (puwede ba naman)

Dmadd2 - A5addF - Fmaj9no5/G - Fm9no5/G - Cadd2 - C#add2 - Cadd2
Maari kong gawin na kumot at unan mo

Bruno Mars Hosts SNL

Bruno Mars has hosted Saturday Night Live recently. Perhaps his funniest bit was the PANDORA Internet Radio skit. His ability to imitate other music artists really shows through this sketch. Check it out on Youtube.

James Harden Scores 45 points

#13, James Harden, enjoying a light moment with fellow superstar #7 Jeremy Lin.

James harden scored 45 points in his second game with the Houston Rockets. And he has a lot to smile about. The NBA's Sixth Man of the Year for 2012 and also a member of the 2012 U.S. Basketball Team to the Summer Olympics was traded by the Thunder to the Rockets after they could not match Houston's $80 million offer for five years. Oklahoma only offered him somewhere between $50 to $55 million.

Harden has been described as one of the most efficient players in the league. He averaged almost 17 points per game last season, despite coming off the bench for the majority of Oklahoma's games. He is considered to be a facilitator so it might be surprising that the Rockets are depending on him to be their main scorer. But Harden is capable of massive point productions in the past. There was a game in April of 2012 where he scored 40 points against the Phoenix Suns. And prior to the NBA, in the 2006 Las Vegas Adidas Super 64 championship, he scored 34 points against Michael Beasley's team and 33 points against Kevin Love's team.

So the beard is capable of being the main man. But being in a supporting role in OKC and even in the Olympic Team has kept his talent hidden from most of basketball fans out there. Most of the time, we are only impressed when we are blown away with high scoring points, assists or rebounds. But there are great players, both past and present, that have given a team a lot more than what is reflected on the stat sheet. Is Harden that type of player?

While it may be sad for OKC fans to see their triumvirate superstars broken up, what could have been a Jordan - Pippen - Rodman connection that might have led to a possible NBA Championship, I wish the best for Harden and hope that this success isn't simply a two-game fluke. If the Rockets make a strong showing in the Playoffs this year, then we would know who got the better end of the trade deal.