Lit Apropos of Nothing - ACKBAR IN CAPITALS - The Lit Forum Social Thread, v2.0.15

Yeah, a few years ago I had a strong antipathy for alcohol of all sorts. This was largely because when you're underage, the only exposure to drinking you have is hooliganism. I still have an immense aversion to being drunk, but I appreciate classy drinks. I will drink for the flavor and the quality, but I am still hugely bothered by people who get drunk and I strike to avoid it as much as possible. (NB -- I certainly don't go to these festivities for the rowdiness and the drinking; not my thing. I go because I like spending time with my friends, despite their occasional... enthusiasm for things I'd rather not partake in )

So for instance, while people were running around getting smashed on various pedestrian beverages, I only partook in some red wine (of rather dubious quality, sadly) but one of the hostesses was sharing an excellent single malt that she had her family procure from Scotland. I imagine that you'd appreciate that

Actually on a similar note, I decided to début that Ackbar shirt at this party. The reactions were hilarious -- everyone was trying to figure it out. Fortunately most people could, and those that didn't get it were actually mocked by the others. One guy yelled "It's a trap!" to his friend that couldn't figure it out, and when that still didn't help, he and his fiancée were very disappointed in him. I actually love the sheer social cachet that being a Star Wars fan has -- I've already had at least three different people ask to watch the OT with me b/c they either haven't seen it in a long time or haven't seen them at all, and would like to watch it with an expert.

People tell me that SW fans are considered nerdy and uncool --- but that's just not my experience

 

I'm emphatically not a lightweight -- I have a high tolerance and I have strong willpower / a desire not to lose my dignity, so I could take quite a lot -- but just because I could, doesn't mean I should. Moreover, if there's one thing that I've learned over the past year or so is that I just don't get heavy drinking. It does nothing for me. And after seeing what it does to other people... thankfully I've never seen people do truly awful things, but I have seen how indiscreet people get. Just this weekend, my friends were telling absolute strangers things that I didn't even know about them (nor, perhaps, want to know). I strongly suspect they'd have regretted doing so -- if they even recall it happening. That's the worst -- absolute worst.

As far as things I actually enjoy drinking, I have to wonder if I've trained myself to like them because classy people do. Because as instantdeath suggests, I actually strongly disliked the taste of wine the first time I tried it, but I trained myself to appreciate it. It may not simply be a matter of forcing one's self to like it though b/c I think the dislike was strictly due to the alcohol itself, which is simply unpleasant for the first time. But once one gets over that and can appreciate the impact that alcohol has on the flavor and texture of a beverage, then it's easier to get used to it. So maaaaybe it's not a matter of forcing myself to like something.

I detest beer though, because it's disgusting and no matter how much I try I simply cannot stand it. Similarly, I hate tequila. This may be because they're pedestrian products, or just because they're gross. Not sure. I like brandy and whisky and though they're quite strong, a civilized person sips them to appreciate the taste so there's little worry of drunkenness from them. Wine can be consumed more quickly, but is comparatively far weaker, which is nice.

AdmiralNick22, I do have an appreciation for wine. In fact, I prefer wine to whisky and especially whiskey (which for the most part tends to just be a strong drink -- it's hard to find quality ones). I tend to prefer reds, with my favorite ever being a Californian Bordeaux (surprisingly enough) although my overall favorite -- for meta reasons -- is the Aglianico from Campania, since it is the same grape that the Romans used for their premier cru, Falernian. There aren't many old world grapes that survive from antiquity due to various blights and the like, so Aglianico is exceptional. It's very good too. I prefer reds with heavier bodies I think, and I simply cannot stand merlot. For whites, I cannot stand chardonnay. I like sauvignon blanc, German Rieslings, and certain muscatos (muscato from Samos in the Aegean is particularly nice). Aside from liking NZ sauvignons, I tend to have a preference for wines within the Roman Empire -- in fact, there is a place I know that only serves wines that come from vineyards that have been continually operating since 1453 -- though sadly not any within the Eastern Empire, as far as I know. I also like brandy -- at least, French brandy, such as Cognac and Armagnac. (edit: I've never heard of the two Italian wines you mention -- tell me more.)

 

I wasn't aware that Uli came in a non-drunk variety

 

Yeah, they do say that when you've had a bit of alcohol you reveal your true self (with socially imposed walls having crashed down and such). That either means that: I. I simply don't get drunk or II. I tend to be very genuine.

Both work for me, I guess

 

You know why they don't, though -- $$. Usually the U.S. respects D.O.C labels, but not regarding wine it seems. I think the compromise they settled on is that the bottle has to say California on it or wherever else, so that one mightn't be confused by a bottle that says "champagne" on it. That doesn't help the brand deterioration concerns, but it does alleviate the deceptive practices that a lot of vineyards did back in the day.


And there was a reason I said that I was surprised at its quality.

 

Participated in the Global Game Jam over the weekend. Ended up with a much more playable product than last year .

This year's theme was the sound of a heartbeat. My team's game is a 2D sidescrolling platformer called Fear Itself. You are being chased through your mind by a wall of fear- hitting other fears along the way will speed the wall up, while obtaining objects o courage will slow it down and help you reach the end of level.



GGJ page: Fear Itself

Direct link to game & source files: http://globalgamejam.org/sites/default/files/2013/<em>Edit Game 2013</em> Fear Itself/download/Fear.zip
It'll be an exe in there (so, sadly, it wont run on Mac OS).

I was project lead as well as the artist for all characters and objects. Programming, level design, music and background art were performed by the other members of my team.

 

Gah, I wish he'd take the regnal name of William IV instead of keeping his original double-barrelled name.

Regnal names are serious business to me.

 

I'll go if you and Nick are going.

 

Ackbar jokes are never going to get old.

 

Even though it's hilarious, I can't help but notice how freaky looking that Ackbar mouse is. Mutant mouse?