Damien at the Speed of Life » Reviews

Video Cards Make All the Difference

Damien Riley — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 02:36:25 +0000

If you have ever tried playing an online game and had mixed quality, you know the frustration millions go through with obsolete video cards. What many people don’t know is that these can be purchased at a reasonable cost and even self-installed if you are willing to try your handyman skills on the computer.

Nowadays, everyone is using video. vlogs, music promotion, tutorials, so much now is on video. Perhaps it’s time you looked into the state of the art video cards out there to see if there’s one that would work better for you.

My Review of the James Cameron Film – Avatar

Damien Riley — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 06:26:15 +0000

No Youtube access? Official site with trailer: http://www.avatarmovie.com/index.html

This is just a short review of the avatar movie, much more can be said and I may say it in a later post. The trailer above is pretty good but only gives a glimpse into the world of this movie. James Cameron, director of Titanic, does a fabulous job exotically mixing cgi and real action. Though I read a few reviews that complained of the writing, I have no issues with it. I thought the story was great. It is reminiscent of Dances with Wolves in a futuristic, action movie setting. Of course, the trailer reveals that a strong point of this movie is the CGI. I usually don’t excuse bad writing just because the effects are good, in this case I was impressed with both. Some of it was predictable but the visuals are so stunning you want to see the obvious played out in those moments. Case in point, the final scene ;) I will go see this one again. It is really a stunning work that will captivate audiences of many generations. I know I will be eagerly waiting for the bluray dvd.

Thomas Kinkade Crystal Snowman

bloggingposts — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 02:37:58 +0000

When I received this crystal collectible on my doorstep I felt as if Christmas time was officially here. I felt this even though it isn’t even Thanksgiving yet. Nonetheless, my two daughters and son all gathered around me as I assembled it and gazed it it’s crystal wonder. All this was nothing compared to when we set it on the mantle and saw the tiny houses light up and the train chug around in a circle. This licensed Thomas Kinkade snowman promises to be a treasure in the Riley house for generations.
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This review is a result of a feedback campaign by Collectibles Today. I was asked to give an honest opinion about the product I received. Good reviews are not incentivized and poor reviews will not be censored for the opinion of the product.

John Lithgow Now Terrorizing Dexter

bloggingposts — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:28:36 +0000

I’ve been watching the Showtime series Dexter for the past year or so. Since the first episode I’ve been loving every minute of it. Dexter is a disturbed yet normal acting “blood spatter expert” with the Miami PD. He provides his team with CSI type data to get the murderer. Oh there’s something else, he moonlights as a serial killer himself.

Recently, now in series 4, they have added the Trinity Killer played by John Lithgow. This is the most perfect casting I’ve yet seen on this show. Currently, Dexter fans are trying to figure out why he kills the way he does. It is profoundly disturbing when he takes a new victim. Whether it is his 6′4″ frame belittling and cussing at a woman until she jumps off a building or bludgeoning a barista in the head with a claw hammer.

Not sounding intellectual? Well, you have to watch the episodes to get that part of it. Why he does things the way he does is the current unraveling mystery. I hate to admit it but this show has become my favorite diversion. There is no other show I know of with this black humor mixed with thought provoking themes. I do wonder why sometimes why viewers like Dexter but they for sure do.

To read my first piece I wrote on Dexter and see some of the comments people made there, check out my article: Why We Love Dexter

Antivirus Software that Doesn’t Tax Your System

bloggingposts — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 06:22:09 +0000

For the past 3 years I haven’t run an anti-virus software program. This has been due to the slowing of my computer that occured when I ran them. I had a few shoestring ways to protect my computer but I was always hoping something would come out to not overload my system.

I am happy to use an anti-virus system that doesn’t slow down my PC. Protection from viruses, email-borne threats, and malware is something we all need but all won’t have due to the slowing of our computer. I have found an antivirus software solution for you to consider: VIPRE® Antivirus + Antispyware.

This software is ingeniously crafted to provide top quality virus scans while leaving your computer virtually unaffected. It makes sense to go without anti-virus software if it taxes your system resources. But I have found this one doesn’t do that so I encourage you to give it a try.
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FTC compliance: Author has been compensated but is unbiased in this review.

I Review 3 Movies on Youtube – The Box, A Christmas Carol, and 2012

rileycentral — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 01:06:06 +0000

On my recent trip to Vegas I saw three movies: The Box, A Christmas Carol, and 2012. This is my vlog post review of all three.

First of all, The Box. In this film, Frank Langella plays a black suited mystery salesman carrying a black box door to door. He claims that if the homeowners press the button they will receive 1,000,000 dollars. He also makes it abundantly clear that at the same time the button is pressed, someone will die.

Cameron Diaz is one who presses the button and as she does, we see her family plunge into tumult. I could have predicted this when I heard his sales pitch. In my opinion, it starts interesting in a manner of a Twilight Zone but ricochets off into an almost psychedelic genre that is certainly outside the realm of realistic fiction. The answers to this movie’s questions are not as creative as they would have been if they stayed focused on the moral dilemma idea in a real world setting. Having said that, the wardrobe and sets from th 1970’s are compelling and handesome. The director is known for his period pieces and this one is no exception. For adaptation of story and plot, I give it a thumbs down but the images are worth the price of admission.

A Christmas Carol is Disney’s pride of the season. Jim Carrey provides the voice and body grid for Ebenezer Scrooge in Dicken’s timeless classic. From the first scene I was gripped by the images. This 1/2 cartoon 1/2 real life world really lends itself well to the tale. As I always do when I watch this story, I was reminded to put others before myself. The message they always taught me in church is what is going on here. I loved the movie and it reminds a new generation that we sould be reaching out to the “Tiny Tims” and not eschewing them. I recommend this one with a 100% thumbs up. One note of cautiion though: It is quite scary a few times so talk to your kids 7 and under about the purpose of the screaming ghosts etc. They want to show Scrooge how to be nice.

Finally, 2012. While a visual masterpeice worth owning just for rewinding sequences, the story and plot are very shallow and lacking in substance. It is often the case that effects overshadow the plot. One exception might be: Titanic. Every thing is destroyed that we once relied upon. Could this be a veiled commentary on the current state of social security disability? I haven’t much more to say on this film. It was very long and the visuals were pretty but I learned little about the characters and little about myself while watching it. I was hoping a movie about the end of the world would teach me at least a little that way. This one gets a thumbs down from me. Wait for the DVD.

Thanks for watching my VLog on these three movies. I’d love to start a dialog with you on them in the comments.

Lewis University – Masters Offered in IT

Damien Riley — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 04:11:42 +0000

There is scarcely a company these days without the internet somewhere nearby. Every university gives its students an email address and most companies do the same. An IT manager is becoming one of the most sought after resumes in the computer field. Lewis University has answered the call with its MS of Information Security degree. Their page lists all the classes in the path and they are quite extensive. One I quickly took interest in was “Legal and Ethical Issues in Information Security.”

Along with a changing internet, comes a changing legal front. Issues are changing but some items have already been established as keystone to the trade. In some ways, a good IT specialist is akin to a lawyer. An Information Security Masters can prepare potential IT agents to protect a company while being paid well for it. They are flexible around your individual schedule. If IT interests you, I recommend looking into their comprehensive site and program.
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FTC compliance: Author has been compensated but is unbiased in this review.

Considering an Online Degree?

Damien Riley — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 05:00:53 +0000

I’ve been a fan of online education since my wife started in her upper division program. I was once a cynic but have learned that an online degree is no walk in the park. It is highly demanding and produces critical thinking for sure, among many other virtues. I think many people are in the dark about online universities. That’s why I wrote this short review of Western Governors University.

Getting a masters degree online, though challenging, is possible for the rugged individualist student today. I’ve taken a look at several options for myself and friends and found one for your to consider. The University is named Western Governors University and offers programs that cover a wide array of disciplines. From teacher licensing to business, they offer a lot so check out their information on getting an online degree in your area of interest.

Once you go through their online university website and decide you are ready to get your masters degree online they have multiple resources there on their website that will help you make your dream come true. Take a look and start down your road today.
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FTC compliance: Author has been compensated but is unbiased in this review.

Amazing Sconce and Other Garage Sale Legends

Damien Riley — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 05:01:37 +0000

I’ll never forget the day my wife found a perfect sconce for our new home at a local garage sale. Having said that, there are many things you cannot find there so you need a good vendor. I think for many years I’ve been really cheap, insisting that we get all our home furnishings at garage sales and the like. Now, I have learned that saving a few bucks that way isn’t worth living in tacky decor. Long live the garage sale along with good retail vendors!

Motocycle Folks Need Legal Help Too

Damien Riley — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 04:32:39 +0000

Every time I drive I encounter motorcyclists. Some have those travel style ones with the side compartments. Others have the extreme mufflers and leather on them like the Harleys and Indians. They are fun to watch. I noticed a guy stopped in front of me the other day who did a low wave signal with two fingers when a set of cyclists came the opposite direction. I thought that was really cool, a brotherhood of sorts. Well, I’m here to tell you that when a motorcyclist gets run off the road by what many might call a “hater” or even just an absent minded driver, there should be legal ramifications against those people. A Pleasanton motorcycle accident attorney can protect a biker’s rights. If you are a biker who’s been in an accident, look to their many resources to keep you healthy and reimbursed for your damages. Most people think of bikers as not needing help, they do and it exists.