I LOLed when I saw this

Sorry I just had to post this...

Mass Effect Spoof: Criminal Batarian

To think hearing Mordin singing Gilbert and Sullivan out of some random notion wasn't funny enough (already had me bursting out for 5 minutes straight), this random spoof of 'Scientist Salarian' had me bursting out even more. Boy, my tummy sure is aching now...



Criminal Batarian:

I am the very model of a criminal batarian

I've sold off species turian, human and salarian

I am quite good at murdering, especially execution

Because i hate humanity, i would like retribution

Where i go on slave runs range from urban to agrarian

I am the very model of a criminal batarian

Super Bowl XLIV: Saints 31 - Colts 17

I've been following the Superbowl since 2007 (XLI), and this game has been the first I've actually watched live (thanks to school). Boy was it exhilarating, especially in the second half. To be frank I'm neither a fan of either team, but for some reason I decided to support the Saints (the Darkhorse of the competition) this time.

Many commentators have said this game would indeed be a thrill and a very close game (3-7 points), as both teams have strong offense and a relatively mediocre defense. Of course like everyone else, many believe the game would core down to Brees Vs Manning. Statistically it is undisputed that Manning is the better player, however interestingly enough Brees's record this season brought him ahead of Tom Brady making him the 2nd best.

To be honest, the first half was rather disappointing. Both teams played it rather safe. Stover's 38 Yard Field Goal and Manning's trademark 19 yard pass to Garcon for a touch down lead the Indianapolis Colts for a comfortable 10 - 0 lead in the first quarter. This was countered by 2 46 and 44 yard Field Goals by Hartley in the second quarter for 10 - 6 lead in favor of the Colts by the first half. The Saints could have had their first touch down, if not for some brave last minute defending off the 2 yard line.

When 'The Who' were playing, me and SaintB were constantly bitching on MSN how poorly the first half went, and how safe it was. Seriously I mean, when was the last time a team in the Superbowl didn't even score a single touchdown by the half-time mark? I don't know seriously. All we could hope for is a much better second half from the Saints and the Colts.

In an almost god-like answer, the 3rd Quarter started off with a bang. The Saints started off with an onside kick to regain possession (after a giant mash-up), catching everyone off guard, eventually finishing the unexpected drive with their first touchdown. 13 - 10 in favor of the Saints. In an almost instantaneous response, Manning and the Colts responded with a touchdown, courtesy of an exuberant run by Joseph Addai to bring the Colts once again into the lead, 17 - 13. In the Saint's drive, they decided to go for a Field Goal (much to my frustration) by the 47 Yard line, and Hartley duly delivered. They were however still trailing 16 - 17. It would be a pivotal final quarter.

The forth quarter saw a rather panicky display. P. Manning made numerous incomplete passes (unacceptable for his caliber), which inevitably led to a New Orleans Drive which dejavued them back to the 3 yard line, in which they failed to pass in the first quarter after 3 attempts. This time however, it was different. A 2 Yard pass to Shockley, whom collapsed into his marker and into the touchdown line brought the Saints forward. In sheer luck, they earned an extra 2 points after what was thought by everyone to be a fumble. Saints lead 24 - 17 with 5 minutes and 47 seconds to play. The Colts needed a Touch Down and 2 Extra points to lead (or basically need to repeat what the Saints just exactly did). Manning rallied his troops for attack, easing pass the Saints' defense to the 50 yard line. However, it was here where the Saints' started to show their defensive prowess. A couple of incomplete passes, and a near turnover stalled the Colts' onslaught. Then, in a very rare occasion, P. Manning's ball was intercepted (Manning only had his passes intercepted 16 times in the entire year). Tracy Porter, undoubtedly one of the fastest players on the field zipped past the bewildered Colts to score the final touchdown of the game with 3 minutes plus of play. By then, the Saints had a comfortable lead and the Superbowl was likely to be in the books... well not quite. The final few minutes saw the Colts attempting and failing numerous attempts to get passes into the end zone. By the 31st second after a incomplete Manning pass into the Red Zone, the Colts finally conceded defeat.

It was the first win for the Saints, and a hell of a game for me to type my entire recollection out. Well played to the Saints, especially Drew Brees who made 32 complete passes out of 39 attempts, a whopping 82% for the game. (I think that's a Superbowl record)

Probably a more accurate highlight:



Also a good recap video for the Saints' journey to the Super Bowl...
WHO DAT! (Just for once)

Taxation in America

China's path to destruction

China is probably Asia's finger to Western domination in the 20th century. China has delivered one of the fastest growths in history, lifting millions of citizens out of poverty in a short period of time. Disguised under the Communist banner, the Government of China has implemented numerous economic programs that Hitler and Stalin would be proud of indeed. By distorting the country's economic market structure, the Chinese have created a fast growing economy completely immune to any crisis. Who needs Newton when you can defy the laws of gravity eh?

Well sadly, this artificial miracle would be coming to an end... eventually, the only question is not if China's Economy will tank, it's when. The answer is simply, we don't really know. It could be as early as this year or as late as twenty years down the road. One thing is for certain, the longer you delay a crisis, the harder it will hit when it comes.

China's Q4 GDP Growth for 2009 has once again reached double figures, while the US and EU Economies (The largest of China's trade partners) have barely recovered. So where exactly is China exporting their goods to? The fact is, no where. In 2008, nearly 20 million Chinese workers leaving the toy factory lines to the States as consumerism in the United States fell, and American personal savings rate surged to it's highest in 30 years. (Yes even Obama's Tax Cuts didn't help)

So how in the world did China, whose exports nearly account for more than a third of it's gross domestic product get it's growth from?

Simply. From stimulus. No, not the tiny winy $4 Trillion Yuan one. (We all know that is just bull) It's the $790bn USD of liquidity the State banks injected into the system sort of stimulus. $790bn... that's literally Singapore's entire economy multiplied by four.

With production crapping, economic infrastructure in complete overcapacity, virtually all of this money is channeled into property, derivatives and stocks. Wonderful. The entire country of China has turned into a gambling den, where speculators are king (for now) and the average hardworking Chinese is just a piece of shit.

Thankfully, Karma will always be a bitch and what goes up for these little criminals must and will always come down. Without the proper wages to cope with such massive inflation in the property nor productivity to match the confidence of rising stocks it's inevitable that these will come to a sticky end.

How would it end?

I shall use Vincent Fernado's hilarious 'China's 14 Dominoes Of Destruction' to describe.

1. Too much government stimulus has led to...



2. Too much export reliance, which generated...



3. Too many dollars and...



4. Too much liquidity. This transformed into...



5. Too much bank lending, fueling...



6. Too much manufacturing capacity, and coddling...



7. Too many inefficient companies. Yet these businesses are needed to absorb China's...



8. Too many migrant job seekers, who are filled with...



9. Too high expectations as a result of...



10. Too rapid economic change. Yet this growth must happen to avoid...



11. Too many elderly poor in the future, and...



12. Too much public distrust. Caused by...



13. Too many restrictions of information and power. All of which has fomented...



14. Too much social tension. All kept under control by too much economic growth and stimulus! Thus there are...



Too many ways this can go wrong



GERONIMO!

MAG First Impressions

Don't ask me why, after weeks of being immersed (and frustrated) at Football Manager 2010, I forgotten the MAG Public Beta was due on Jan 4, 2010. It was only today, after extreme boredom and listening to Brad Paisley's songs over and over did I remember this. Alright, enough crap talk - let's get started.

With the interesting prelude (or introduction) - cool looking entree to the world of PMCs, I was asked to pick a side. There are three factions, each have the exact same weapon loadouts only different styles (mainly in apparel only). Valor is of American influence, Raven looks like a high-tech Eurocorps, and SVER are just a bunch of gangsters in Russia and Central Asia (I'm serious).


With that aside, I chose SVER without any reason whatsoever. Before jumping into the fray, I decided to go into the 'Barracks' and 'Armory' to check things out. The character customization is pretty neat to be frank, with perks and weapon unlocks which felt sightly different of Call of Duty's (which is a good refreshing thing). With all that done, I turned my guy into a big-ass Juggernaut; wearing the thickest armor possible, carrying the biggest gun and an RPG that is slung on his shoulder. With my avatar ready, I jumped into the game ready to kick some ass. But before I could get the hang of the controls, I found myself being sniped to death just walking to the objectives... boy what a start.

After dying numerous times and killing a few, my used-to-be dexterous shooter hands came back to me. However, it was a case of too little too late as the game ended, ironically with a victory despite my poor performance. I leveled, twice in fact and started pumping more of these "skill points" to customize my character even more. With my enhanced character, and an attitude to kick some butt - unlucky Raven was my... or should I say my team's unlucky foe. 64 players may be a little chaotic on paper, but MAG somehow manages to balance the map to ensure it dosen't turn into one major cluster@#$^. Engagements felt balanced, but not clean. Grenades were blowing up everywhere, RPGs were flying all over - yes I know what you're thinking... Call of Duty on steroids. While the guns don't feel and sound exactly strong, like COD, it dosen't take too many bullets to bring down a guy (I like!) which can be satisfying when you're giving it, frustrating when you're getting it.

Nevertheless, MAG does have some potential which requires a few polishing ups here and there... you know to ambiance and all that. But even without that, it's more or less a buy for me when it comes out on Jan 26th of this year and hopefully I will try and publish out a personal review of the retail version.