Star Wars

The Force Unleashed for iPhone Game Review

Somebody should double check this releases in Lucasarts because this one's close to a stinker.

Let's go over the good points first.
-Innovative fighting with finger gestures.
-Good graphics for a mobile game. Gorgeous background.
-Great layout and presentation. Clear game menus and color choices Different display modes.
-Decent sound and music for a mobile game.

Now onto the not so awesome topics:
-Story: it is not coherent enough, completely hacked into bits and pieces. No character development of any kind. It feels like small bite size sections of the real game inserted here and there as fan service for those who played the console version.

-Fighting: all the innovation of the finger gestures goes down the drain when you realize you can only use the lightsaber in a passive way. Fail.

-Bosses: predictable and ridiculously easy. Only the last fight somewhat redeems this fact.

-Fun factor: gets repetitive fast.

-Replay value: they are a bunch of survival missions and hard mode. Still, the fun factor is low.

Conclusion:
This game is definitely not worth it's salt. Only for hardcore star wars fans, and even those will rage/cry.

Death From Above 1979

Heads Up!

This little kick ass EP from DFA is simply great. Try to get it and enjoy more of their fun dance punk. The style is quite alike that of "You're a woman, I'm a machine".

A small fix for those of us still mourning DFA1979 death.

The Killers

Day & Age

I feel like the The Killers are turning more into a New Wave band with some rock touches, instead of a rock band with synth support.
Anyway, after initial shock passes you will find yourself enjoying this record with the familiar musical hooks and the glam that The Killers have always displayed.

("Spaceman" reminds me of Ziggy Stardust, and that's a good thing).

iPhone 3G

Habemus iPhone

White iPhone: check
Jailbreak: check
Emulators: check
Geekdom come: check
Data plans: ouch

Death From Above 1979

You're a woman, I'm a machine

Good news: these guys kick ass.
Bad news: they band is no more.

The style is punk-dance, with heavy elements of synthesizer, bass and drums. Anyway, listen to this record, these guys pack a punch or in the thespian words of Diego “they have clutch!”

Wizard

The third official class is revealed! The Wizard!

An expected turn from Blizzard, since they want to have many of the classic RPG archetypes in the games, the Wizard is in many senses a “glass cannon” able to deal extreme amounts of ranged (and sometimes close quarters) damage while she being rather delicate in her hit points. The class comes with a few interesting turns, for example: her primary weapon may be used in some spells and that weapon will receive damage boosts by some passive skills. This means that the wizard class, long considered unable to do decent melee damage will now become more of a hybrid.

Now regarding the lore, the Wizard character comes from an island in the far east and she came to the eastern kingdoms to properly learn about the magic rituals of the mage clans. Since she is a brilliant, arrogant mage, she quickly dismisses her teachers and becomes a rebellious mage (yeah, rebellious youth, that’s a new one).

Lastly, the creative design of the character is great. I think the clothing and armor style looks a like a mixed of asian influences, with a hint of the assassin character from D2. I must admit, this character is my favorite so far, let’s see what is next from Blizzard, I can’t wait to see the final two classes.

Omar Rodriguez Lopez

Se Dice Bisonte No Buffalo

A definite must for The Mars Volta fans. This record has all the craziness of prog rock in spades and it is vibrant enough to keep you interested. The dissonant chords of the guitar solos can sound a little bit abrasive to anyone not related to the genre, but give it a few listens and it all comes together in a coalesced way (record was originally recommended by Chac).

Surface

I'm developing for this little fancy schmancy table right now. It's been a nice ride so far, kinda like a huge iphone in a table, just without the phone.

You Shook Me

I love the Led Zeppelin version of this song. This is my project right now, I know the middle parts are going to be hard as hell for someone of my level at guitar playing, but still a good challenge always makes you play better.

I would like a tube amp and a vintage effects pedal to get things going, not necessarily a fender tweed deluxe, but something that sounds like a champ would be good to me.

Metallica

Death Magnetic

I thought it was a decent effort from the guys, much better than some of their previous material. There is still a feeling of grudge against the band, coming from some of the fan base (a.k.a. haters) but well, everyone knows the story and this blog is not for vitriolic expositions, at least not unwarranted.

In conclusion: a step forward but they still need many more.

Five Moral Writings

Umberto Eco raises interesting points about racism, war, tolerance and life. This read is quite recommended, I must say it opened my eyes in some complicated subjects. It is a concrete read full of valuable reflections.

On the verbose expression of language

I approached this game with discretion.

Yes I love Penny-Arcade, yes I wanted to check the game and the guys have made little noise about, not using all of their own site to do shameless self linking. So last night I download the demo and I’m happy to say the game rocks.

They’ve imagined a complete retro scenario, integrating the characters from the beloved comic series, and created a lush RPG world that is actually fun. Only for 20 dolars (or download the demo if you are cheap).

D3 Barbarian Diorama

I really like the design of the prototype, the sculptors took their time and did their homework.
If you watched the screen shots and concept art from the game you'll realize the model is true to the art direction in all regards. Heck, the barb is my least favorite character of the diablo series and I'd still want to get this figure.

The price... well that's another story.

"The Nefarious Necromancer"

No, they are not nefarious per se, that's only the perceived image of these people. Actually they are supposed to be discrete and intelligent, always looking for balance and meditation. The nefarious ones within their ranks (i.e. psychopath or disbalanced individuals) would be shunned from their society.

Now regarding the figure... Sweet geekery!
Maybe one day this baby could appear as a full diorama, just like the D3 Barbarian. More on that in the next post. In the mean time imagine this guy as a lvl91 mofo, soon to be a lvl99 killing machine.

Band of Horses

Cease to Begin

This record sports soft, melodic rock that can put you in a mellow trance. The vocals can be compared to the soft high notes of My Morning Jacket, and the melody sounds a bit like Wilco’s ‘Sky Blue Sky’, just with a little more beat and little less guitar solos.

Rune Blues

Can anyone spare a couple-a-runes for this ol' lvl90 chap?

Scuse me dear friend,
help a good man
come make a boon
give me some runes
oooh ooh
oh give me some runes

iPhone 3G

The iPhone 3G is finally out and guess what?, it is expensive as hell, never mind the so called discount at the AT&T or your local carrier, it is in the long run waaaaay too expensive.

I'm really interested in the device, from a geek point of view, but the price is becoming a deal breaker to me (as opposed to the keyboard being the deal breaker). Maybe the company can fix me up with one, I mean it has push email right, and I need to check my email at all times, right? :P

Anyway, the community just managed to jailbreak the device and the tool should be released soon, so in the meantime 'Viva la resistance'.

Griffon Minos

As requested, this pic shows my latest addition of geekery.

Wall-e

This was a fine experience, wall-e really shines. The first half of the movie is pure art and so are the credits. It also feels like it borrowed a lot of elements from Idiocracy.
Highly recommended.

(Wall-e = Regg-e)

Diablo III

Excellent news!
After so many years Blizzard finally is going to release the sequel. Now we must wait two and a half years or so for the game to go gold.

On a slightly sad note, since the Witch Doctor class is basically a remake of the Necromancer, it is expected that the necro would no longer be a playable class, though this is pure speculation.

OssiumVorax is dead, long live OssiumVorax.

Great concept, terrible acronym

BMW presented an incredible idea for a concept car. The outer shell is made of cloth pulled taut over a structure. The engine uncovering looks like open heart surgery!

But why, oh why, do they had to name it GINA? That's a terrible name (yes I know what it stands for), I guess either they don't really care since it sounds ok in Deutsch or all the money for the project was spent when the 'naming' meetings began.

A diez

...eres una mula estúpida que muerde con alevosía la mano de su criador y cuidador, cual irrascible animal de carga bruto no ves más que lo que está al frente con esas viceras en tus grandes, negros y vacíos ojos de bestia

The Mars Volta

The Bedlam in Goliath

Genre: Progressive rock.
A meticulous record, they kick off hard and nonstop, the wild guitar riffs might sound a little like their previous material but this record has better edition (much appreciated).
They have a distinct sound, mix of rock, riffs and even some Latino rhythms from time to time.

Epic fail

Some days fighting the system just means stay alive.

Saint Seiya

A great series of olde, before yu gay oh! or death napkin. The music can be cheesy sometimes in this cult saga, still, it’s an action packed classic.

After many years of inactivity they brought us the new and improved Kamei cloths. Said cloths will appear as action figures in the following months. The new designs are astounding, I hope to see more soon.

Mom was right, you shouldn’t play with dolls at this age.

Battles - Mirrored

In continuation with the math rock trend we have these guys.
This record is composed of complicated rhythms, turns and beats, synching around the lead of the drums.
As a progressive rock album the lyrics are just part of the rhythms and in this case they are always distorted.
Don't check it if you need words to feel a song. Only great music here.

Foals

5 guys from england, math rock and indie punk. It is said you can dance to this music, I wouldn't know about it. Hear it, rules.

Does it offend you, yeah?

Normally I don't even like electronic music. There is just too much repetitive crap, not enough grooves, and crazy DJ's thinking they are really interesting mixing up the same beats over and over again.

This is not the case, these fellows concoct mean indie swings with an electronic punch.The record is overtly upbeat, good waking up music and also good club music.
Give it a try, you won't be disappointed.

Ye Officium Area

Another Shakespearean rendition, this time by shortline99:

PETER: When I was but a lad of lesser years a wise man posed a question to my ears: if ever a great windfall I had found what wouldst I do with but one million pounds? And if I were to say the chore I'd try would be to build the carriages, then I, I'd be a carriage-maker, biding time by mending wood and making naught a dime.

SAMIR: Lo, and your answer?

PETER: I had no reply, and thus I am imprisoned here to die.

MIKE: This old man's useless riddles hold no sway, for if there were a purpose to your say then none would claim that he would shovel shiat and streets of London would remain unfit.

SAMIR: Would I give truth to this I would declare That I would leave this fortune in the care Of my old friend Saheib, or at the least would leave some to the bankers of the East.

MIKE: This question's purpose yet eludes thee too, as all you say does not reveal... the... you... What? PC Load Letter? O by the stars, I'll tear this base machine into its parts!

A Slurry Tale

A scene from pulp fiction in Shakespearean style by ceruleanst. Fucking A.

ACT I SCENE 2. A road, morning. Enter JULES and VINCENT, murderers.

V: And know'st thou what the French name cottage pie?
J: Say they not cottage pie, in their own tongue?
V: But nay, their tongues, for speech and taste alike
Are strange to ours, with their own history:
Gaul knoweth not a cottage from a house.
J: What say they then, pray?
V: Hachis Parmentier.
J: Hachis Parmentier! What name they cream?
V: Cream is but cream, only they say la crème.
J: What do they name black pudding?
V: I know not;
I visited no inn it could be bought.

--

J: Your pardon; did I break thy concentration?
Continue! Ah, but now thy tongue is still.
Allow me then to offer a response.
Describe Marsellus Wallace to me, pray.
B: What?
J: What country dost thou hail from?
B: What?
J: Thou sayest thou dost hail from distant What?
I know but naught of thy fair country What.
What language speak they in the land of What?
B: What?
J: English, base knave, dost thou speak it?
B: Aye!
J: Then hearken to my words and answer them!
Describe to me Marsellus Wallace!
B: What?
JULES presses his knife to BRETT's throat
J: Speak 'What' again! Thou cur, cry 'What' again!
I dare thee utter 'What' again but once!
I dare thee twice and spit upon thy name!
Now, paint for me a portraiture in words,
If thou hast any in thy head but 'What',
Of Marsellus Wallace!
B: He is dark.
J: Aye, and what more?
B: His head is shaven bald.
J: Hath he the semblance of a harlot?
B: What?
JULES strikes and BRETT cries out
J: Hath he the semblance of a harlot?
B: Nay!
J: Then why didst thou attempt to bed him thus?
B: I did not!
J: Aye, thou didst! O, aye, thou didst!
Thou sought to rape him like a chattel whore!
And sooth, Lord Wallace is displeased to bed
With aught but Lady Wallace, whom he wed.

Divorce on YouTube

This woman is going through a nasty divorce process, so she ups the ante and posts on youtube the hairy details and some intimate dirt.

Welcome to a new era, a frightening, broadcasted era.

Link: Crazy golddigger or crazy victim?

Hell hath no fury...

Emulation for iphone (last)

Advanced wars is really addictive, you have different units, attack ranges, damage meters, power ups, fog of war, etc. Fun turn based strategy that will keep you glued to your handheld.

The only bone I could pick with it is the dialogue. I've done 10 missions so far and the story is too predictable, full of cheesy one liners and one-dimensional characters. Still the game play is excellent; give it a try if you can.

What's up with this metal slug advance? seems like an original version (not a lame port from a previous game). Nice.

Emulation for iPhone (cont.)

I got the psx4iphone running and tested with the following ISOs (thanks for the correction d00d).

Tenchu Stealth Assassins: 20FPS tops, not really playable even if it looks nice.
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night: 25-30FPS, slow and working. Still the speed makes it unplayable.
Diablo: 20FPS. The only psx RPG I was really interested in playing and it's almost playable. Too bad it goes glitchy and crashes when rendering many monsters at the same time.

So right now it's more of a fun exercise than actual functional emulation. Either way the work of Zottd is impressive.

Interesting note: FFVII works really good outside of battles, almost full speed (or so I read), that's a big plus for many.

Emulation for iphone

I have used the NES emulator for iphone for the past few months, it is actually really good, the only complain I have is the controls are somewhat small; yesterday I got the complete collection of games released in America, a dream come true.

Also yesterday, I got the snes4iphone and the genesis4iphone, great work by the author, bigger controls with options for panoramic play. So on one side we have super mario world, mario kart, and donkey kong country, and on the other side sonic, altered beast and golden axe. Everything in your pocket with very decent framerates. Amazing.

I have to try the psx4phone... maybe the framerate is not as good, and the roms are bound to be heavy, but still sounds quite interesting.

Windows 2003 Server 64 bits edition

I haven't post in a while, I was flooded with work because of this precious little OS called windows server 2003 64 bits edition.

We have an architecture that selects updates and drops data from MDB files (MS Access). I had to migrate this architecture from a 32 bits environment to a 64 bits environment, alas; the whole thing was throwing errors.

After some pain I found out that the drivers used to connect to the MDB files do not work on 64 bits. The loathsome ‘Microsoft.Jet.OleDB.4.0’ driver. I tried different patches addressing this problem released by Microsoft, but most of them were geared for the Ithanium platform (which is not our case), therefore useless to us.

The research revealed that this driver and any other 32 bits drivers can and will work on a 64 bits environment if you explicitly force your code to run on x86 instead of x64 as a target machine. Unfortunately our web project does not have this option available (only appears on standard non-web projects) and our primitive IIS does not accept this type of configuration.

I tried configurating the IIS from command line to run on a 32 bits ASP.NET by force but every web site hosted in this server died after the change so I had to rollback and try again.

Time was running out, for us, we just moved the hands upon the clooock (8), so I had to call in the cavalry, our very own MS arquitecture expert provided a solution. We could code all the methods that called this driver in a separate WCF service. This service will be set to run x86 as the target machine, our web service will call this new service and everyone would be happy.

The WCF code was provided by one of our star developers. He had little time, but a lot of wits and a company party upstairs to attend at the time. Beer was calling him, sweet sweet sour beer, beckoning. And he got it right and working. I was seeing the light.

Boom new error. We have user defined data types and they couldn’t be serialized. After a while I decided to change every non-serializable data types to inefficient but tried and true strings. By the way: the service gave an error if you initialize a string with the alias “String”, it only accepted “string”. Weird.

Finally, alongside my project leader, we made it work. Wondrous Saturday at eleven p.m. victory.

Gone with the...

Short post today.
I'm just going to link you guys to a very special webcomic.

Gone with the Blastwave

Alas, it's not updated often, still pretty good.

Mestizo

Was Nietzsche right all along? After his books you are left with an incredible, impossible trail. Clues and nothing more. The ramblings of a madman often resemble the scribbles of a genius.

We the multiracial are doomed to the greatest and lowest of all fates: the ever present mash of traditions. He spoke of us mixed bloods as the most burdened, and therefore the most inclined to mediocrity.

But the prophecy, as I come to name it, tells us that only from the most burdened can rise the most enlightened. An amalgamation of the best qualities in their shared past? A breakthrough ushering a new reality, where everything seems so simple compared to what we had before?

The next musing will be ‘Gnosis: or how l learned to lose my spirituality and stop worrying’.

Was not Nietzsche right all along?

Wolfmother

It’s review time people so get yer ya ya’s out:

This rock trio has gotten a lot of attention in the recent months after their eponymous debut and now they are a staple in my ipod (hey, even Thom Yorke likes them) so now I present you a song by song analysis (hearing only the singles is for pussies, even Radiohead knows that).

Colossal.- This is a strong song that starts slow but builds up on intensity as goes along, watch out for the riffs in the middle, this one has monstrous battery figures just as the name suggest.

Woman.- A fast paced ode to feminine beauty, it also includes psychedelic synthesizer; check the live cut at triple J, it has a nice group of extra stoner rock riffs.

White Unicorn.- Starts off with a melancholy laced section, but when we reach the chorus all bets are off.

Pyramid.- Almost my favorite song of this album, comes as a close second. Opens with a thick bass section, then we get a sing-along riff. After the predictable (but not less enjoyable) stoner riff we proceed to the epiphany ‘I saw the light shine out today-and it told me that- you are not the one for me’.

Mind’s Eye.-The long psychedelic intro gives way to slow revelations, which in turn leads us to an even a slower and stronger apocalypsis. Complete with its proper synthesizer riff.

Joker & the Thief.- Enigmatic lyrics based on Bob Dylan’s ‘All along the watchtower’ coupled with excellent music.

Dimension.- Another colossal style song, the lyrics in this song reference Jimi Hendrix’s ‘Purple Haze’.

Where eagles have been.- A sad entrance takes us into a smooth ride.

Apple Tree.- Upbeat strikes with a funny tinge.

Tales from the forest gnomes.- Another upbeat song, love is here for all.

Witchcraft.- My favorite song of the album, excellent lyrics, moving riffs and flute. Trust me, this ain’t no Jethro Tull.

Love Train.- If these guys can pull metal plus flute they sure can pull metal and latino percussions.

Vagabond.- A soft freedom anthem as a closer.

Bob Dylan

Friday, 29 February 2008 we got the opportunity to witness the master poet and his band play live, excellent music and great set up, we were delighted.

Dalia was wondering why I wasn’t screaming and shouting like crazy when the band hit the stage, I had to kindly remind her that, despite what my overtly homosexual roommate might think, I am not a girl.

We got the ‘mumbling’ Bob Dylan as Ringo Starr calls him and it was a hard to understand the lyrics, still this and the new musical arrangements gave a fresh new feeling to each song.

The set list:

1. Rainy Day Women #12 & 35 (Bob on electric guitar)
2. Don't Think Twice, It's All Right (Bob on electric guitar)
3. Watching The River Flow (Bob on electric guitar)
4. Masters Of War (Bob on keyboard)
5. The Levee's Gonna Break (Bob on keyboard)
6. Spirit On The Water (Bob on keyboard)
7. Desolation Row (Bob on keyboard)
8. High Water (For Charlie Patton) (Bob on keyboard)
9. Workingman's Blues #2 (Bob on keyboard)
10. 'Til I Fell In Love With You (Bob on keyboard)
11. When The Deal Goes Down (Bob on keyboard)
12. Highway 61 Revisited (Bob on keyboard)
13. Nettie Moore (Bob on keyboard)
14. Summer Days (Bob on keyboard)
15. Like A Rolling Stone (Bob on keyboard)

(encore)
16. Thunder On The Mountain (Bob on keyboard)
17. Blowin' In The Wind (Bob on keyboard)

Mean machine

Whenever I get an idea in my head I really like to follow it through and see what I can find. So since I got my car I sensed a rekindle in my interest for cars, supercars to be specific.

Well I finally got a hold of a really nice metal model of a Lamborghini Murcielago (1:18). It’s sitting in my work desk right in its protecting case.

Something like this ;)

Vital Stats

Price: $274,000
Miles Per Gallon: 12/18 mpg
Curb Weight: 3740 lbs
Layout: Mid-Engine/AWD
Transmission: 5-Speed Manual

Engine
Type: V12
Displacement: 5992 cc
Horsepower: 550 bhp @ 7100 rpm
Torque: 457 lb-ft @ 5500 rpm
Redline: 7500 rpm

Performance
0-60 mph: 3.6 sec
0-100 mph: 8.8 sec
Quarter Mile: 12 sec @ 122 mph
Skidpad: .97g
Top Speed: 205 mph
Braking, 60-0 mph: 109 ft
Slalom Speed: 70 mph

Make my day (follow up)

Ok, this is overreacting:

http://www.ajc.com/news/content/metro/stories/2008/02/27/motorcyclist_0227.html?cxntlid=homepage_tab_newstab

New scenario: your daughters are being stalked by a guy in a motorcycle, they call you, you ready your weapon and shoot the guy after he drives away. Now you face murder charges.

The stalker was a creepy bastard all right but I don't think he deserved to die for that. This is just over the top gun-totting madness.

Make my day

Interesting news article today:

http://www.wsoctv.com/news/15414372/detail.html

So a thief threatens your wife, you come to her rescue with a gun, catch the guy with your truck and run over him a few times for good measure. And now they want to charge you with homicide!

In all seriousness I think it’s your sacred right to defend your wife just as it is your sacred right to defend your private property. That’s the reason they passed the make my day law. I’m not advocating for violence here, and the guy definitely got a little too enthusiastic on his thief chase; ‘defending’ must be a very clear term and the regulation of such should be strict.

The detractors of this kind of law state that the use of firearms for self-defense is fruitless, and that more people hurt themselves in accidents with said arms. The detractors also claim that gun control rules are lax, and the background checks are not as extensive as they should.

All this leaves plenty of room for discussion, which should be sustained by interpreted crime data (which is obviously lacking).

I have no pity for the thief, live by the weapon die by the weapon (or truck).

Guns don’t kill people, people kill people.

!

Happy birthday bro, don't go sour on me.

Cars

Ah the cult of cars, a.k.a man’s other porn.

Who can gaze upon them and not feel elated. Their wondrous moving lines, kilowatts trampling from a rev-out engine, their wicked evil eyes, sweet angel eyes... pretty cars are a wonder, pretty cars fascinating(8).

We should believe in Audi even if we don’t care about their cars: truth in engineering. But well, after the new Audi R8 you’ll believe in Audi either way. May the providence shine on the Germans and may their cars shine under the sun.

Portal

This was a triumph. Playing it is a delight from start to finish. Interesting puzzles and new ways of thinking, dark clever comedy, cognitive and reflexes tests in a first person shooter that has no violence per se, no real physical enemies. Just you, your trusty portal gun, and the oh so friendly GladOS.

Last night I finished the game for the second time, surprisingly it was still rewarding and I was still stranded for a little while in a couple of final puzzles. Even after beating the game once I couldn’t remember all the solutions. My so-called eidetic memory is as much of a sham as the proverbial cake.

After finishing the game I tried the advanced levels again, these I could remember easily (too much time stuck in some of them the first time hehe), even the crazy last level which made me a vanilla crazy cake. On a related note, my girlfriend got to lvl14 in her first attempt, and she has never played a FPS before, the game is just that intuitive; and well, she’s smart too. I’m gladly waiting for portal 2 now.

This little gem is hidden, waiting for you inside the orange box, it is more than hype now: it is endless intertubes memes.

Watchmen

Quite possibly the best graphic novel* of our time. Masterfully created, crafted and told from many different angles, one can only wonder what goes inside the mind of Alan Moore when he designs such a complex tale. It is also of note the groundbreaking work of drawer Dave Gibbons, his style in this book is homage to golden age comic books without some of the cheesy resources (speed lines, onomatopoeias, and the like).

I find the most interesting character to be Adrian Veidt, the humanist. He wants to inspire us to a higher level of understanding, an illuminated man in a modern world; he is reaching for a simple goal against all of us: saving earth, saving us. The rest of the cast is fleshed out complete with an interesting psychological profile but Adrian is definitely a ground shaker.

One can learn a lot from reading this masterpiece, noting the finer details here and there, reserved for that second or third read when you already know the story and are actually taking your time. This book is a heavy draught and must be taken accordingly; long swigs will leave you perplexed.

Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

*Apparently Alan Moore and the comic book community despise this term; to them it sounds like an attempt to disguise a comic book with a mature made up name.

Coffee

Emoticón actual: Deluded

I felt extremely drowsy today, so much that I had to actually serve myself a cup of delicious office-crap-coffee. The secret ingredient it's crap.
Now I feel revitalized, makes me wonder if I can actually develop an addiction to this compound. I have tried enough tobacco without any lasting effects or cravings to consider myself immune to certain drugs. Clearly I'm deluded.

Anyway I'm in my second cup and ready to get some work done. Open social here we go.

Free lunch

Today I told a lie. I was warned all right, then again, a low for a high. There is no free lunch.