As you may have seen on billboards everywhere, Fallout 3 was finally released about three weeks back, and I've been sinking some serious quality time into it. My conclusion? It's a flawed masterpiece. There are plenty of things wrong with it- the occasional graphical glitch, at times hilariously messed up physics, Oblivion's uncanny valley syndrome (although not to the same degree), some patches of weak dialogue, a few plot holes and a bit too much simplification of the game mechanics for my taste. Despite all these individual problems, I've not been able to tear myself away from it. The RPG elements are still definitely there, with some really intriguing and often very non-linear quests, a large number of interesting characters and an extremely deep, engrossing world which is just a joy to wander around in. The combat's rather good fun, with a tolerably large but pleasantly varied array of weapons to choose from and the VATS mechanic is still bringing smiles to my face. Most importantly, though, the game still feels like the Fallout world I fell in love with. Ultimately, this seems to be the main point of contention between Fallout fans- is Fallout 3 "Fallout" enough to be given the title of a true sequel? It all depends on what defines "Fallout" for you- if you want a turn-based, pen-and-paper RPG styled game, then you're out of luck, but on the whole I really enjoy Bethesda's take on the Fallout universe and, in spite of the occasional nonsensical feature, I think that it has enough of the originals' charm and open-world-exploration excitement to deserve the title "Fallout 3".

The game's release has had me thinking about nuclear war a reasonable amount lately, which lead me to finally starting to watch Jericho, an American show about a town surviving in the aftermath of an atomic attack. I've only watched a few episodes so far, but what I have seen has been very enjoyable, plus it has a pretty good soundtrack. Also worth a watch is Dr Irwin Redlener giving a speech on nuclear terrorism at TED which includes advice which would be useful in the unpleasant event of a nuclear attack occurring.

Rent is $695 and includes all utilities, even electric.

Spring and summer sublet (January 3 to August 15) with option to renew.

Charming, unique 3rd floor of a Victorian era house in the Willy St. neighborhood, with all utilities included in rent. One or two blocks from the park, Lake Monona, bus lines, the Co-op, bike paths, bars, coffee and restaurants. Easy, quick bus or bike commute to downtown or the UW.
( Please read on if you are interested.... )

And it only took them a week to catch on!

Thanks for not disappointing me, reddit.

• 18:12 @epicwinmaster DKs really are starting to piss me off >< #

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Two very unrelated questions:

1. Any opinions about the naturopath who works with GHC, Keyena McKenzie? Good, bad, or indifferent.

2. I'd like large remnants (or on sale by the yard) insulating fabric to make insulating window covers. As I've avoided local craft type stores at all costs since moving here, I have no idea which ones are good. Any suggestions on places to start?

Look at that, the first time a comic has exceeded one page round these parts, yuss yuss.

1. i'm sorry i don't comment, i'm not online as much as i used to be because my health is SUCKING right now. i'm finally just about done with doctors (about 3 appointments a week for 2 weeks now), but so far:

( has anyone noticed every time i come back to canada i need some kind of surgery? )

for the first time in three days i don't feel like vomiting. i can listen to music again, i can eat, i don't see crazy lights, i don't feel like my eyes are about to explode out of my head. i feel so much better. hooray!

2. my dad is having crazy shoulder problems as a result of his crazy gastrointestinal problems. so he's on a synthetic narcotic, which are cool to read about. i answered my mom's phone for her this afternoon and it was my dad's gastro surgeon saying he got a letter from his heart surgeon saying he can have a scope! no 3 months of bullshit! sweeeet.

3. still looking for apartments. i can't sit here and wait, so i called the owner of the building i really want to live in and scheduled an appointment tomorrow at 4. hopefully they'll give lyle a call, if not, on goes the harassment. that phone call cost me 5 bucks, i bet.

4. still nervous about firespring but growing less so with each passing day. i spend more and more time in the theory rather than trying to remember the steps. it's pretty cool to see myself get better. that and i'm mostly just worried about finding a place to live so i can see my lylebot and my cats for christmas. that'd be pretty rad.

5. i got pills and food today, i did laundry and cleaned my room. i'm going to make banana bread and then probably read for the rest of the night. i'm pretty excited to be able to read again.

6. oh, a random wireless connection has floated into my bedroom somehow. it comes in and out but it's nice waking up and seeing random podcasts have been downloaded for me, haha.

Fallout 3: trek safely with Google Maps
Now, if that would just integrate into the PIPBoy 3000....
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Are you on twitter? I am.
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Hot Corners: Add OS X corner actions to Windows (except Expose, 'course)

The grotesque, absurd irony of writing a commentary to Pale Fire does not, I think, elude me. My essay will be, at the very least, meta-meta-textual, at times verging on the meta-meta-meta-textual. It makes me smile, then, to remember Nabokov’s famous phrase: “For better or for worse, it is the commentator that has the last word.” But which commentator?

http://cave.cardinology.com/post/60313925

Brighton Tommorow with a rested Cards. Have a Great Day.

http://cave.cardinology.com/post/60313463

THANK YOU and HELLO,

  I look forward to updating and keeping the Cardinal Cave a cool place for the band and for fans to have a good exchange. They don’t need to be reading re-blogs and RA does not need to be in here really to share cool stuff.

  Meanwhile, thank you Amelia, Samantha, and Astrid and everyone- there were a lot, so bear with… early days here…. and everyone else.

  I will be checking my in-box to see what sort of stuff I get from the band and try and keep the set-lists updated but as I have been told that information is on another website (the RAA) so, 

  meanwhile, peace out and thanks for those cool photos. 

Lots of Activity out there it seems with working on the new songs and everyone sounds okay if a bit exhausted I think. Thanksgiving is on the way boys.

Anyway, Peace Out Everyone,

Hanna Wulf- Cardinals H.Q.