This actually happened

Xbox 360 just launched in the US and it ran out of stock. The unfulfilled demand motivated people to rob others at gun-point.

Sigh. There's no more hope for us.

Some phrases I've learnt over the week

I agree. - You've got a point.

I'm wrong and I'm sorry. - I'm only human.

I don't know. - Only God knows everything.

What do you think? - Exactly. What do you think?

Yes. - I don't agree yet, but I'm listening.

Why do you think so? - Tell me why I should agree with you.

The Exorcism of Emily Rose

Caught the movie last Tuesday. It was based on a true story of Anneliese Michel, a German girl who was possessed and her priest was subsequently charged with negligient manslaughter.

6 demons possessed Emily. Why 6, you ask? A bargain, maybe. Buy 1 demon possession, get 5 more demons?

And why would Emily, a girl of stout religious faith, be possessed? Don't really know too. Maybe a test of faith?

Office evolution

Dilbert started in 1989, making it a 16-year marathon. Makes you wonder what the author, Scott Adams grew up on. Must be plenty of oppression, cynicsm and higher-order ignorance.

Well, when you have a good thing going, don't stop. More blood, sweat and balls in the corporate jungle, please, thank you.

Man Utd 1 - 0 Chelsea

After a horrendous week, Man Utd reversed their decline with a win over the runaway 2004 Champion, Chelsea.

Had you seen the way the Chelsea players swaggered into Old Trafford stadium, you would have prayed for Man Utd for all 90 minutes.

The Man Utd squad stood up to the pressure, especially after the harsh criticism from their injured captain, Roy Keane. His apprentice, Alan Smith shone on the pitch to guide the young squad, and was awarded the Man of the Match. Here's a poem by Soccernet on his performance.

The Village Smith, for Alan Smith
Under a spreading chestnut tree,
The Manchester Smithy stands,
Alan Smith, a mighty man is he,
United midfield in his hands,

His brow is wet with honest sweat,
He'll play wherever he can.
And looks the whole world in the face,
For he owes not any man.

Week in, week out, from morn til night,
You'll hear his lungs a-blow,
As a Roman warrior beating his chest,
When his troops are low.

When DOTA meets Politics

Ass Ripper - The Supreme Ruler
Primary: Intelligence
Appearance: Mounts a white horse and governs from afar.



Superscale Salary
To attract the best, you have to pay the best. Aura. Leaches gold from creeps everytime they kill something.


Level 1 - Leaches 40% of gold. AOE = 1/4 of map.
Level 2 - Leaches 60% of gold AOE = 1/3 of map.
Level 3 - Leaches 80% of gold. AOE = 1/2 of map.
Level 4 - Leaches 100% of gold. Covers the entire map.


Pre-election Tactics (T)
Ass Ripper whips out a loud-hailer and starts lying. Increases attack & movement speed, but insults units' intelligence. Cooldown: 4 years.

Level 1 - Attack & movement speed increase by 100%, intelligence decrease by 70%
Level 2 - Attack & movement speed increase by 200, intelligence decrease by 80%
Level 3 - Attack & movement speed increase by 300%, intelligence decrease by 90%
Level 4 - Attack & movement speed increase by 400%, intelligence becomes zero.


Post-election Strategy (S)
Having won the election, Ass Ripper enjoys the fruits of his labour by disappearing from the battlefield. Teleports hero to an ally unit or building.

Level 1 - 30 second cooldown.
Level 2 - 20 second cooldown.
Level 3 - 10 second cooldown.
Level 4 - 5 second cooldown.


Bankruptcy
Any hero foolish enough to attack Ass Ripper will feel the wrath of his lawyers. Opponents usually scream a rush of expletives before exiting the game in disgust.

Level 1 - 30% chance of activation. Sucks 50% of enemy's gold.
Level 2 - 40% chance of activation. Sucks 75% of enemy's gold.
Level 3 - 50% chance of activation. Sucks 100% of enemy's gold.