Quod Scripsi, Scripsi

Masters Degree

I’ve been giving a lot of thought to pursuing a Masters degree. I thought about IST, but I’m honestly not sure what use that would be at this point in my career and it’s not something I would take for enjoyment or personal gratification. I am interested in Applied Math, but I’m not very confident in my very rusty higher math skills. I think if I could brush them up in some undergrad courses, I might be able to tackle it. Then again, it’s been a long time since I’ve tackled integrals.

Maybe I’ll look at IST again and see if there’s anything that looks promising. I wouldn’t mind getting deeper into database design and theory.

Neverwinter Nights 2 and other Gaming Goodness

I’m a bit burned out on computer games. I’m just dipping my toes back into World of Warcraft after being away for several months. I might jump back into Anarchy Online for a bit too, but just to visit. I’ve been playing NWN2 for a couple of months, and it’s very excellent. I’m at a point now that I’m not really sure how I want to proceed. The keep management aspect of the game is fun and very innovative, but it’s also buggy and lacks some larger direction. It’s sort of like playing a strategy game with no opponent – do I really need arrow slits in my fortifications? What’s going to be more lucrative, patrolling roads or securing the countryside? It would be nice to have more insight into the mechanics. Storyline is very cool, though similar to the first one in some respects.

I would love to play some real face to face stuff soon. I’m a bit of a gamer, if you didn’t know. Wargames, RPG, Euros, strategy, card, you name it and I’ll probably try it. I have a stack of wargames at home waiting for opponents. I just read the rules to A Victory Lost and it might just be approachable enough to rope in a non-wargamer. The World of Warcraft CCG is big at work, but I’ve sworn off CCGs and – here’s a dirty little secret – I just don’t find the Warcraft mythology all that interesting. It’s disjointed, predictable and in many areas is obviously just pasted on. Some of it is cool, and I’ve obviously enjoyed the MMO, but no thanks on the extra stuff. I now have a BattleLore addiction anyway…

Screwtape Quote

“Do not be deceived, Wormwood. Our cause is never more in danger than when a human, no longer desiring, but still intending, to do our Enemy’s will, looks round upon a universe from which every trace of Him seems to have vanished, and asks why he has been forsaken, and still obeys.”

Casino Royale is excellent.

Saw it on opening night. It’s the best Bond I’ve seen in a long time. Witty, intelligent, the action is fresh and the characters are even believable.

I just wish You Know My Name was on the soundtrack. I’ll probably buy both.