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Sunday, October 31, 2010

«Resuming Minecraft»

Happy Halloween!

Halloween officially started in Sweden at 4:00 PM in my timezone yesterday. The Minecraft Halloween update was on time. That means I can finally start my new world and begin my mega-project I've been planning.

I'm still keeping my old save, but I wanted to start a new world to take advantage of the new biomes feature. Deserts and forests and tundra, oh my!

I generated a few worlds and explored a little to get the feel of Biomes. I finally settled on this world to start my mega-project in. This world has not generated any snowy biomes yet. If you look close you can see parts of a large circle towards the center of the map. It's the outline of my mega-project.
Map of a newly generated Minecraft World

Click image to view full.

See the rest of “Resuming Minecraft”»

Saturday, October 30, 2010

«Caturday: OMFG Monster Zombie»

On my opinion, that cat's face is far more scary than the spider could ever be.

OMFG!!
i big scary monster raaaar!
zombie kiteh want brainz

See the rest of “Caturday: OMFG Monster Zombie”»

Friday, October 29, 2010

«Cruise West History»

Cruise West by Shawn Dake on MaritimeMatters.com.

On October 16th 2010 I got an email from Shawn Dake asking for permission to use some of my photos, specifically of the Spirit of Columbia. I gladly gave him permission to use my photos in his article. He also used my photo of the Spirit of Endeavour. It's a good read if you are at all interested in the history and eventual failure of Cruise West, or just the history of Alaskan cruising in general.

With how many name and ownership changes some of those ships went through, I don't know how Shawn Dake kept track of it all in his research.

I have no problem with anyone using my photos, as long as I'm given credit like how Shawn Dake did: Photo by Cody Durkin (http://www.mastermarf.com). I do like the website listed as the source. As per the Creative Commons license I use, anyone is free to use my work even without my express written permission; so long as they give proper credit. However, it is nice to get an email. I like seeing how other people can put it to better use.

So go check out the article. It's even the front page featured article on Maritime Matters at the time I'm writing this.

See the rest of “Cruise West History”»

Thursday, October 28, 2010

«Fallout New Vegas»

Been playing Fallout New Vegas. So yeah... Don't have much to say right now.

If you've played Fallout 3, you know what it is like to play Fallout New Vegas. It feels more like a large stand-alone expansion pack than a new game.

See the rest of “Fallout New Vegas”»

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

«In a City This Size»

"Roadtrip" Tales Of Mere Existence


I've always thought about that last point. What else are people doing right now in this very city? You always see people working, or you pass them on the street. You might even say a friendly rhetorical greeting to them in passing.

But each and every one of them have a life of their own. No less important than your own life. Kinda mind blowing when you really think about it.

See the rest of “In a City This Size”»

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

«Happy Decorations»

Yeah, Halloween decorations with happy faces just shouldn't exist... Yet that's all you ever see anymore.

Halloween Hoopla II : Foamy The Squirrel

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Monday, October 25, 2010

Sunday, October 24, 2010

«Minecraft Terrorists»

And this is why I play Minecraft on Peaceful.

Minecraft: the Movie!


Friggin' creepers, man. They are the terrorists of Minecraft. They'll sneak up on you and blow up, taking you and half of whatever you were building with them, leaving nothing but a crater in their wake.

Here's the full song by Bobby Yarsulik:
*OFFICIAL* MineCraft: The Song by Bobby Yarsulik

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Saturday, October 23, 2010

«Caturday: Basement Proud Engine»

The dreaded Basement cat, none who face her survive.

only teh yung n foolish takez on basement cat
Good boy I is proud Now find real mouse
I in ur engine, makin u late!

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Friday, October 22, 2010

«It's Random, Man!»

That's right. You never know what to expect from this blog. One day you have a silly meaningless picture if a guy holding limes, and the next day you have a serious article about atheism and homosexuality.

And now... Ants!

Unbelieveable!! Whole gecko rapidly eaten by ants!

See the rest of “It's Random, Man!”»

Thursday, October 21, 2010

«Atheist Fears»

Yes, it's this guy again.

Atheist Fundamentalism?


If you don't want to listen to him ramble on, at least skip to time index 5:50 in the video and watch until time index 8:00. I've felt this fear, too. I still do in some situations.

I've been an atheist since I gained a vague understanding of the concept of God. I think I believed in Santa Claus longer because there was more evidence for him. I even saw Santa Claus in the mall, and there were presents from him under the Christmas tree. It wasn't until I noticed Santa's handwriting was the same as my mom's that I really questioned it. However, why would a child ever tell his parents that they've figured out the Santa thing? It could mean less presents1!

Just like my non-belief in Santa Claus, I was afraid to reveal my Atheism. This God thing seemed even more important than Santa Claus, so what could the consequences of admitting non-belief of Him be?

I don't think I had a true "coming out" with my parents, at least not that I remember. They just sort-of figured it out on their own2 and they are okay with it. I did have a lengthy discussion with my grandfather about it though... 2 discussions in fact. While my grandparents have accepted it, they're not happy about it.

Even to this day I don't announce my atheism to everybody, even when it would be appropriate. Before I moved from Ketchikan my mom got a new neighbor in the apartment below her. A man from West Africa. Usually I'm a hermit and avoid new neighbors, but I felt some need to show him my avoidance is not because he was black3. So I introduced myself, and made a very good first impression.

From then on he couldn't stop telling my mom about how much of a gentleman I am, and how kind I am. I found out he worked at a church, a preacher or pastor or something of the like. I didn't want to shatter his view of me. Even though it would have been an excellent time to make the point that atheists are good people, too.

As I was packing up to leave town, he said we should get together and pray before I leave. I told him "maybe" and went on my way. Now I feel a bit guilty that I mislead him.

I've read places where people that were both homosexual and atheist wrote it was tougher to admit their atheism than their homosexuality. While this is not true for everybody, atheism and homosexuality are from my point-of-view on the same level as each other as social stigmas.

Maybe that's why I'm such a proponent of gay rights. I might be way off in saying this, but I feel like I know what it's like to be gay. To be a member of society who is disowned because of one aspect of themselves, regardless of any other traits they may have. It is one reason I support gay rights, there are other reasons as well.

1: I should note the consequences of not believing in the Tooth Fairy or Easter Bunny were not as severe, so I admitted my disbelief earlier for them.
2: I have confirmed it many times since with my parents, and my dad reads my blog. Sometimes my grandfather does as well.
3: That in itself could be a form of racism I suppose.

See the rest of “Atheist Fears”»

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

«Limes!»

why can't I, hold all these limes?

I think there comes a point that you need a basket or a bag.

See the rest of “Limes!”»

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

«Expanding Earth»

You wat[sic] you lose.

Conspiracy of Science - Earth is in fact growing


So... Where did all the extra mass come from as the Earth expanded? Where did the water of the oceans come from? If there's no subduction, why are there earthquakes? What would be causing it?

Why has it been measured by satellites that the Earth is actually shrinking slowly? (Due to thermal contraction as the Earth's core slowly cools.) According to expanding Earth, the expansion is increasing exponentially.

Who really believes this stuff?

See the rest of “Expanding Earth”»

Monday, October 18, 2010

«Motivational Monday: Internet Superheroes»

The internet, where the heroes and villains are one in the same.

Anonymous / Internet Superheroes

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Sunday, October 17, 2010

«Waiting for Patches»

So I've been trying to get a handle on my Minecraft playing. I've had limited success on that front. While I have not been playing it much, I've been lurking the Minecraft forums and watching YouTube videos of other people playing it. So it's about like playing it, without actually accomplishing anything at all.

I think I'll start a new world once the big Halloween update is out. The introduction of varied boimes is going to require a new world I think. I have big plans for a mega-construction project when I start a new world. Until then I'm just... Waiting.

Also waiting for the Borderlands (totally different game) update to finally have enemies scale to your level correctly throughout the game. Not sure when that will be, but it was said to be "sometime in October." So I'm kinda holding off playing the new Claptrap Revolution DLC until that patch. I've been playing a little with a side-save, but not my main save until the patch. Until then I'm just... Waiting.

So here's a trailer for Portal 2's (yet another completely different game) Co-Op mode. It's not out yet... It's due sometime in 2011. Until then I'm just... Oh, you know.

Portal 2 - Full Co-op Trailer

See the rest of “Waiting for Patches”»

Saturday, October 16, 2010

«Caturday: Hate Foolish Dr.»

Ok, no underlying theme this time.

I hate you guys. Seriously.
phoolish cat u opned a wurmhole
Dr Tinycat to the OR STAT!

See the rest of “Caturday: Hate Foolish Dr.”»

Friday, October 15, 2010

«AR.Drone In Flight»

Just wanted to share a couple pictures I took yesterday of my AR.Drone in flight.

Eye-level.
AR.Drone seen at eye-level

Click image to view full.

And slightly above me.
AR.Drone seen from below
Click image to view full.

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Thursday, October 14, 2010

«AR.Drone Flight Time»

I was playing with my AR.Drone yesterday. It was the first day I spent any real time flying it.

AR.Drone with the indoor hull.
AR.Drone with the indoor hull installed.

Click image to view full.

The first time I flew it was the day I got it, and I lost connection with it and couldn't regain connection. So it sat there 3 feet off the ground in autopilot until the battery level went critical and it landed itself. I figured out it was interference from my wifi that caused me to lose connection. So now I disable my wifi before I fly it and haven't had any issues since.

A bunch of the neighbors have wifi networks too, but none of them are as powerful as mine... I have aftermarket antennas on my router.

I was a bit afraid to try again until yesterday. I flew it inside with the indoor hull on it (pictured above) to protect the rotors. I got a feel of the controls and even managed to fly it through a doorway. It's nice that you can let go of the controls and it stabilizes itself. The battery life is painfully short, however.

Then I got daring and put the outdoor hull on it and took it outside. I was a bit reluctant to do this, because I've read stories of AR.Drones losing control and flying away... Never to be found again. Thankfully this didn't happen. It sure responds better without that bulky indoor hull.

AR.Drone with the outdoor hull.
AR.Drone with the outdoor hull installed.
Click image to view full.

I flew it around the building I live in a couple of times, and ended up drawing out every kind in the neighborhood it seemed. I had a crowd of fascinated kids watching me by the end. They were especially fascinated that the drone had a camera and I could see on my iPhone what the drone saw. I got the low battery alert, landed it and said "Well, that's it. The battery is dead, show's over."

Sorry, no in-flight images yet. I never think to photograph it while I'm flying it.

See the rest of “AR.Drone Flight Time”»

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

«Justin Bieber War»

Ok this has been going for a while now, and I've more-or-less ignored it. The war between Justin Bieber haters and Justin Bieber fans. I was just going to let it pass without saying anything, but the issue seems to be escalating.

I'm pretty neutral on Justin Bieber. He's just another teen pop-star for all the young girls to get a heartthrob over. His music is meh, but then, I'm not the target audience. He will fade in time.

I don't hate Justin Bieber, but I do hate his fans. Or rather, the vocal minority of his fans that get all butthurt when someone says Justin Bieber sucks. Whiny 14 year-olds that can't handle anyone with a difference in opinion piss me off. It's because of these people that there's even an issue in the first place. If the haters got no reaction, they'd move on to something else.

What's your take on this whole Justin Bieber issue?

EDIT: Here's the video that prompted this post. I wasn't sure if the video would stay up for long, so I didn't link to it the first time around.

Declaration Of War Against Justin Bieber Haters

See the rest of “Justin Bieber War”»

Monday, October 11, 2010

Sunday, October 10, 2010

«Under A Tack»

our base is under a tack
Har har.

Have a happy 10/10/10.

EDIT: So it turns out today is the meaning of life. 101010 in binary is 42.

See the rest of “Under A Tack”»

Saturday, October 9, 2010

«Caturday: Quit Addiction Games»

Yeah, there's no underlying message here at all... Nothing about Minecraft whatsoever.

Noooooo!!! I quit tomorrow!!
I lost everything cuz of catnip addicshun
Blame it on Video Games

See the rest of “Caturday: Quit Addiction Games”»

Friday, October 8, 2010

«Minecraft: Tower Interior»

I've been working on the inside of my tower in Minecraft lately. I've been placing decorations and making distinct rooms. Click an image to view full.

But before we get to the inside pictures, I wanted to show a couple more of outside. This is looking up the cliff toward the tower. Here you can really see the lavafall from the stone bastion.
Lavafall from stone bastion

And a view from the very top of the tower, well above the clouds. You're at the top of the world up here.
View from the top of the tower
Now we'll step inside on the main floor. This level doesn't really serve much purpose other than to be big and flashy. Do you like the lava fountain with gold blocks on top? It's actually part of the same lava system in the first picture. It flows throughout the tower.
Main floor
The rest of the floors are a little more cozy. My kitchen is through those doors on the left.
Decorated room
As with any mining operation, you need a place to smelt and process your materials. I've got 12 coal-fired furnaces in the foundry.
Minecraft foundry
I built a minecart system. It goes to a place I plan on strip-mining a lot of material out of. When I fill a cart at the other end I send it on its way and this system sends out the next empty cart automatically.
Minecart freight depot
Even though you don't actually sleep in the game, I thought it would be nice to have a bedroom.
Minecraft bedroom
What good is a castle without a few hidden rooms and a nice big treasure vault? I took measures to hide the entrance to my vault. The lever that unlocks it is also hidden. The vault is lined with obsidian; immune to explosives and takes forever to mine through. This is where I keep my diamonds, gold, mossy cobblestone and all other manner of rarities I can collect in the game.
Obsidian vault
The vault isn't complete yet, but I made sure the incomplete part didn't show in the screenshot. I need to go mine more obsidian...

See the rest of “Minecraft: Tower Interior”»

Thursday, October 7, 2010

«What the Crap 4chan?»

It's not every day you see yourself posted on the internet...
Marf's picture on 4chan's /b/

Click image to view full.
Yes, that's the picture from the Guy Fawkes Mask post from December 17th, 2009. No that was not my post on /b/, someone else posted that picture.

What has this world come to when people are impersonating me of all people?!

See the rest of “What the Crap 4chan?”»

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

«Minecraft Tower»

While it is not yet complete, I wanted to share a screenshot of the tower I built in Minecraft. Yes, that's lava cascading down. There's a lava fountain inside.
Marf's Minecraft Tower

Click image to view full.
The interior still needs a lot of work though. Couldn't build the tower any taller, I hit the maximum build height. That's what I get for building it on the top of a mountain.

See the rest of “Minecraft Tower”»

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

«God's Banana Fail»

The banana is the atheist nightmare, not


Through hybridization and selective breeding, humans have over the years designed a lot of the foods we now eat. So yes, the banana was designed to be perfect for human consumption, but not by God.

Here's the video of Ray Comfort's banana example. This earned him the title of "Banana Man".

Atheist Nightmare


Now to be fair Ray Comfort has since apologized for this, stating that he was not aware the banana had been so modified by humans. He fell back on the old "God gave humans the knowledge to do it themselves" position. When a believer falls back to that, you know they have utterly lost the argument.

See the rest of “God's Banana Fail”»

Monday, October 4, 2010

«Motivational Monday: Petty God»

If there were a God, we'd be far too insignificant for him to even care. It's like when I had seamonkeys; I had better things to do than sit there and watch the tank 24/7.

God / Do you really think a being that is intelligent enough to create the entire universe would be so arrogant and petty that he would have people suffer for enternity if they won't be his cheerleader?

See the rest of “Motivational Monday: Petty God”»

Sunday, October 3, 2010

«Well Here It Is (1000th Post)»

You'd think I would have something special planned for my 1000th post, you'd be wrong. Minecraft has consumed me...

It took me 986 days to get 1000 posts and in that time I've had 3184 comments. Keep in mind I took a 32 day break while I moved to and adjusted to Boise Idaho.

I dedicate this post to you, my readers. Your comments are what has kept me going. I appreciate all of you, even if you don't comment. A special thanks goes out to my most active commenters:

Monique. While you don't blog anymore, it's how I met you and you're still an active commenter on mine. Our discussions off-blog makes me feel like more than a friend, I feel like a part of your family.

Looney. Differences in opinion are the spice of life. My blogging would have been far more bland of an experience without you. Meeting you in real life was a real treat.

Vid. I think at this point you've left more comments than anyone. You always have something to say, and I always look forward to seeing what it is. Because a Vid is fine too.

Bunc. You're sort-of on-again off-again, but while you are blogging it's a reassuring read knowing that I'm not the only crazy atheist blogger out there.

Linda. I'm not sure where you came from, but since you showed up you've been leaving some good comments (especially the comment on the Instruction Manual for Life post). I like knowing that I've got readers across the pond. In this day and age, the entire ocean truly amounts to nothing but a pond.

I am terribly sorry to those who deserved a special mention but didn't get one. I know I left a lot of you out. As I'm writing this it's already past due to be posted, so I can't take the time to list you all!

Here's to another 1000 posts!

See the rest of “Well Here It Is (1000th Post)”»

Saturday, October 2, 2010

«Caturday: Minecraft Closet Paper»

Oh noes! Minecraft is even taking over Caturday!

I are minecat This are Minecraft
der somting in mah closet i can sleep wit u?
Who throws paper? Honestly

See the rest of “Caturday: Minecraft Closet Paper”»

Friday, October 1, 2010

«Evolved Clocks»

A watch doesn't build itself says the creationists. They claim that everything must have a designer (ignoring the fallacy of who designed the designer).

However, if the components of a watch had the same affinity for each other as organic molecules, it might just be able to build itself and evolve...

Evolution IS a Blind Watchmaker


I love programs like this. You set arbitrary parameters, and evolution just happens.

See the rest of “Evolved Clocks”»

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