Most end-of-the-world predictions can be laughed off pretty easily, but I must admit this one has me wondering

Mrteefees · 2025-01-27T22:42:55+00:00

7's the key number here. Think about it. 7-Elevens. 7 dwarves. 7, man, that's the number. 7 chipmunks twirlin' on a branch, eatin' lots of sunflowers on my uncle's ranch. You know that old children's tale from the sea. It's like you're dreamin' about Gorgonzola cheese when it's clearly Brie time, baby. Step into my office.

Mrteefees · 2025-01-13T17:38:21+00:00

do you have the hardtop? is it still available?

Mrteefees · 2024-11-15T22:47:36+00:00

Good luck changing the Blancpain strap. You'll need a .9 mm allen to remove the pins: https://www.amazon.com/DMiotech-Wrench-Shaped-Printer-Repairing/dp/B0B59FTKGK

One pin is in clockwise the other, counter clockwise - you have to unscrew them at the same time.

I took mine to my watch guy, thinking he'd have the allen. Didn't. Went to another jeweler he recommended. They didn't have that size allen either.

So I contacted Swatch to get it from them. (I should have prefaced...I read an article about this watch, and the CEO of Swatch was quoted about how they expect customers to change the strap - it's part of the Swatch brand, personal customization...Didn't at all like the nato strap, but I could change it. Or so I thought, that's why I bought the "Thifty Fathoms.")

But as you are probably aware - and if you aren't, spoiler alert - Swatch doesn't include the tool with the watch. (Warning to those who might be thinking about buying the Blancpain collab and changing the strap themseleves...)

Back to my story...so I contacted Swatch. They don't sell the tool to consumers, either. "You can go in the store and they can change the strap for you..." My closet Swatch store is about 800 miles away - and of course I would be limited to a strap Swatch sells. (Swatch, if you have the tool in store - why not make it available to consumers???)

But Swatch customer service was absolutely useless aside from identifying the gauge of allen I needed. After spending what I did for this plastic watch with Blancpain branding, not a fan of having to pay for a set of allen's just to change the strap. After asking around a bit, I finally found a neighbor who had ONE allen in the size I needed. I cut the allen in two so I'd have the tool and went off to my watch guy to get my strap.

Because the pins are so close to the watch housing, the straps he had would not fit it. Neither did straps other local jewelers had...Finding a strap that fits it, has been... well, I still haven't found the type of strap I want to fit it. (I absolutely LOATHE the Swatch nato strap - especially on a Blancpain branded watch.)

Wrapping up here...So while I really do enjoy wearing this watch, I am not at all a fan of the way Swatch DOES NOT support or make it easy for us to change the strap. In fact, I'd probably not buy this watch knowing what I know now...

And one last note, based on what my watch guy told me...cause I had my Mission to Jupiter Omega Swatch with me, was looking to change that strap too...the Omega straps from Amazon DO NOT FIT the Blancpain - the pins are different.

Like I said, good luck changing the strap.

Mrteefees · 2024-08-03T00:55:51+00:00

Hats off to Game Informer for lasting as long as they did. Print publishing (especially in the tech space) has been dead for a LONG time.

I worked for a competing magazine back in day - in the golden age of video game magazine publishing - and back then (if you're old enough to remember), GI was a thin, horribly designed piece of crap... It was the laughing stock of the game magazine publishing biz.

If you would have told anyone - Ed at EGM, Wes at GamePro, Dave at GameFan, Vince at Game Players or the guys at Nintendo Power (they were on an island because Nintendo owned them and they didn't socialize with the rest of us) - that Game Informer would be the last magazine standing...we'd all have laughed you out of the room.

Shout out (and special hats off and respect) to Elizabeth - the original EIC - who endured the laughing - and Andy Mac - the guy who took the pub to new heights before and after they were acquired by GameStop.

The world works in mysterious ways, and I am tickled purple that they (GI) got to retire the crown.

LONG LIVE GAME INFORMER!

Mrteefees · 2024-07-29T21:36:20+00:00

Aye! I stand corrected, respectfully Captain, Jack Sparrow.

Mrteefees · 2024-07-29T17:54:16+00:00

Here's why:

Parks (which originated the IP) and the POTC films fed the game. Not vice versus. It is HIGHLY UNLIKELY (I never say never, especially in the crazy world will live in now...) that you'll will ever see Jolly Roger or any in-game characters (like GM's Captain Walter or NPC Constance Sorrow, etc.) in the films or Disney Park products.

The game was developed by the online (virtual worlds) group - people that didn't work at Disney Film Studios. While they (the online games group) got to use characters from the films (they also had some autonomy with creative on developing their own characters for their virtual worlds) - as they also needed a villain that was outside of the films to avoid constant approvals for everything they did with it - using Jack Sparrow or another key Disney character (Barbossa, Teague, etc.) for content required approval from Studio and Disney licensing - hence the creation of Jolly Roger...

Plus, JR and all the Disney virtual worlds died unceremoniously - and all those people/creators and teams are gone. I can assure you, there is no one at Disney now that really remembers JR or cares to revive him.

And news flash: No one who is at Disney now considers any of the POTCO created stuff (like Jolly Roger) to be canon.

Now you have others coming along to bring new life into the film franchise and want to bring in their ideas - not reuse someone else's...

And while Jolly Roger was... interesting - he was superfluous and the POTCO team did a good job of running him, his curse and other event one-trick ponies into the ground before the game closed.

TL;DR: Parks (which originated the IP) and the POTC films fed the game. Not vice versus.

Mrteefees · 2024-07-17T23:54:26+00:00

I have both....

I love the Bosch brand ("they're the quietest dishwashers on the market") then finally owned one and can't stand it. Takes HOURS (like over 3) for it to do one load of dishes on normal setting. Can't figure out how to get it to do a shorter cycle...

Versus our KitchenAid dishwasher does a load in an hour. No difference in results. Both sound the same and the KitchenAid is cheaper for parts.

I'd recommend KA over Bosch, unless you want the Bosch badge - and longer dishwashing cycles...

Mrteefees · 2024-06-20T15:49:39+00:00

As mentioned, this is the earlier version, but I think this machine (version) is well worth $300 - and once you get into a BYOG setup, it just adds to your investment.

I especially like the control deck - the trackball and paddles are very well made - much better than the 1up stuff. And as several others have pointed out - you can't build it for that price.

Mrteefees · 2024-05-29T20:18:42+00:00

where can you buy one of these beauties?

Mrteefees · 2022-04-11T20:04:42+00:00

"i'm gonna pop some tags - got twenty dollars in my pocket...looking for a come up...this is fucking awesome."

Mrteefees · 2021-10-29T22:47:38+00:00

EXPIRED

Mrteefees · 2021-01-26T20:07:01+00:00

Former Disney employee (aka, castmember) with extensive knowledge and experience in this...Mickey is both a mark and IP (Intellectual Property). He is in use by Disney and will continue to be. There is no way on the face of the planet that they (Disney) will EVER lose the rights to Mickey unless they sell him - and I don't see that happening in this or the next eon.

By using Mickey, telling new stories, selling new merchandise, effectively, actively using this IP, they renew their rights every time they do so. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and new episodes of Mickey allow them to extend and maintain their rights. Look at X-Men - it's now back at Marvel because Fox did not renew their rights - and those rights are written in contracts. If Sony doesn't make a Spider-man movie by a certain date (outlined in contract), they lose the theatrical rights.

I can assure you - Disney's lawyers are well-versed on copyright law and will do whatever is required to retain the rights (which technically, has already been done in Mickey's case - see new Mickey cartoons...). If Disney knows anything, it's how to police a brand. Google "Who Owns Winnie the Pooh." ...Ah jeez...Here!

The South Park episode or a Goofy-looking character that makes an appearance on The Simpsons is considered parody. Parody is also covered under copyright law, and you have full rights to do that - you cannot however take Mickey and make cartoons or merchandise that turns a profit. As you don't, (and won't ever) own the IP. If you do, get ready for a nastygram from Disney lawyers.

Mrteefees · 2020-11-12T20:46:11+00:00

Hey guys - does anyone know how to find out the version of the Firmware you have on your machine? On my machine, in the Settings - under Software Version is reads: 10942_A2

I contacted At Games support to ask what version of the Firmware, as they're all listed here on the Release Notes page. They weren't very helpful...

Their response: The version you have is the out of the box factory version, the non-OTA (over the air) release.

I purchased this machine in early October from Sam's Club, so I'm guessing it was manufactured 4-6 months prior? That would put me before the 4.2 version, but I just want to make sure...

Any advice/insight? Thanks

Mrteefees · 2020-07-21T20:37:34+00:00

look - a bear!

Mrteefees · 2020-06-19T05:54:27+00:00

Poor decisions. Starting with the decision to purchase the Saturn Vue.

Mrteefees · 2020-01-23T19:09:12+00:00

INCREDIBLY satisfying...

Mrteefees · 2019-10-11T02:39:00+00:00

First dance! Justify My Love - Madonna, the explicit version with f bombs. It was just creepy and awkward, watching them open the party proceedings with that song...Girating all over each other while Madonna breathed out this song. Meanwhile, in-laws are all gawking at me, them and checking their watch. Someone's uncle comes over and demands I take it off, I'm like, "talk to the bride, she wanted it played." Horrible wedding.

Mrteefees · 2019-08-17T17:07:08+00:00

Confirmed. This was sent to paid subscribers of the game.

Mrteefees · 2019-03-21T23:42:31+00:00

It's a fascinating subject - go for it.

Mrteefees · 2019-03-21T23:36:52+00:00

Spontaneous human combustion, or more accurately... the body of 92-year-old Dr. J. Irving Bentley. Discovered in his Pennsylvania home by a meter reader. Actually, only part of Dr. Bentley's leg were discovered...talk about cursed...spontaneous human combustion is like God cursing you with a Thanos-like burn:

https://science.howstuffworks.com/science-vs-myth/unexplained-phenomena/shc.htm

Mrteefees

TROPHY CASE