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Dead and Deader: A Review
2008-06-02 01:21:00
Just so you know, I don't review every movie I see. A movie has to have something in it to make me want to write about it. It has to be worth me recommending others to see, it has to be exceptionally bad, or it has to be just quirky enough to make an impression. Dead or Deader is one of the quirky ones.This is a SCI-FI channel movie. You can tell because it starred Dean Cain. ;-) Dean Cain seems to be this generations Vincent Price, the king of low budget sci-fi and horror movies. That's not meant to be an insult. Price is a legend. In 50 years, I bet people will talk about all the B-grade movies Cain did.Dead and Deader is about a special forces type team sent into the jungles of Cambodia to check on a humanitarian relief team that has not been heard from. The team finds some dead bodies of what looks to be military men and a bunch of creepy scorpions in terrariums. While they're looking around, they're attacked by some undead soldiers. While fighting, a still live scientist lo...
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Juno: A Review
2008-05-18 01:11:00
So, my wife has been using Netflix to catch up on all kinds of TV stuff like Desperate Housewives and Next Top Model. Stuff I really have no interest in.On Friday, a movie showed up. It was Juno . Now, I have heard of Juno but didn't really know what it was about. I asked the wife and when she told me, I figured "chick flick". I was right too.The movie is about a 16 year old girl who gets pregnant and wants to give the baby away for adoption. Tears, laughs, etc. Yeah. It is that.I decided to watch it with the wife. Brownie points if nothing else, you know. Even though it is a chick flick (your girl will cry at the end, I'm sure), it is actually a very funny movie. I don't recognize the main girl from anything but she plays the offbeat Juno with a straight face and her timing is excellent.The boyfriend, Bleeker, was in superbad. He plays pretty much the same part in Juno that he did in that. He's funny.Jennifer Garner and Jason Bateman are both in it. Odd casting for ...
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Day Zero
2008-05-10 03:33:00
I caught another movie on Netflix.com tonight. It's another movie I have never heard of. The synopsis said it was scifi but it's not really. It's more speculative fiction. That's nitpicking though. The movie is Day Zero.It's a very near future biopic of three friends who are New York City residents. In this near future America, the draft has been reinstated so that we can fight the war on terror all around the world. All three friends lose the lottery and are drafted. They have 30 days to present themselves for induction.The three friends handle the issue very differently. The successful lawyer, who has just been made a partner, doesn't want to go and asks his father to try to get him out of it. The successful writer, who hasn't actually lived at all (but has been to Malaysia), completely freaks out and goes off the deep end. The not successful cabbie, the fighter with a troubled life, handles it the best. He supports the draft and while not eager to go, accepts it as his dut...

Logan Makes 5
2008-05-05 18:57:00
My son Logan recently made 5 years old. He's really more like 5 going on 30 but he really enjoyed his birthday this year. It was a two day event. One day was a kid's birthday party with a jumpy castle and a pinata. The second day was spent at Disney World in Orlando, FL. Disney is about 50 minutes from my house.Logan is crazy about Bionicles right now.He got a boatload of presents but his favorites were the bionicles. My wife got him a cowboy dressup outfit which he really likes too.After presents was time for the jumpy castle. If you don't know what a jumpy castle is, they are also called Moonwalks. They're giant, heavy latex baloons that you climb inside and jump around.The day started off with me climbing a tree to hang a pinata. Logan thought it was quite amusing the see the old man climb a tree. I still got it!Day two was spent at Disney World. We all had a really good time.Waiting to get on "It's a small world."On the way to Tom Sawyers island.Mom, Logan and LeoDad, Logan...

Primer: A Movie Review
2008-05-05 03:30:00
I had some free time tonight and decided to hit Netflix Instant View to see what was available. I've watched just about everything that has any interest to me. There are quite a few documentaries that I haven't seen yet but I have to be in the mood for one of those.Anyway, I noticed a 2004 flick called Primer. I didn't really think I would like it as I had never heard of it. I like B movies though so I was hoping it would be one of those classically bad movies that I can enjoy.It is not a B movie. It's a movie written and produced (for USD7000) by an engineer. He wrote the movie like it would be engineers watching it. At times I was a bit lost but the movie proved to be incredibly intense. Much better than I anticipated.A couple of engineers decide to make a room temperature super conductor. I don't think that was the goal. I think they were trying to do something with gravity but I'll have to watch it again to be sure.They finally get a proto-type working and one of ...
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Requiem for a Dream
2008-04-28 03:37:00
I just finished watching Requiem for a Dream on hulu.com. I like hulu, free movies and tv shows. Anyway, Requiem for a Dream is about four junkies but not all junkies are the same. The blurb about the movie says:Drugs. They consume mind, body and soul. Once you're hooked, you're hooked. Four lives. Four addicts. Four failures. Doing their best to succeed in the world, but failing miserably, four people get hooked on various drugs. Despite their aspirations of greatness, they succumb to their addictions. Watching the addicts spiral out of control, we bear witness to the dirtiest, ugliest portions of the underworld addicts reside in. It is shocking and eye-opening but demands to be seen by both addicts and non-addicts alike.I wasn't sure if I would like it but it had some stars that I like, Ellen Burstyn, Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly (still hot), Marlon Wayans (spent most of his time naken), and Christopher McDonald (playing yet another smarmy character). It's from 2000 but I...

Free Electronic Copy of My Book
2008-03-13 19:23:00
Someone pointed out to me that the publisher has made an electronic copy of my EnterpriseDB: The Definitive Reference book available as a PDF on their web site.I don't know how long they plan to leave this out there. EnterpriseDB: The Definitive ReferenceDid you like this entry? Why not subscribe to it? Or, if you prefer, you can subscribe via email. enterprisedb
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The 10s, 30s and 40s on Flickr
2008-01-23 02:06:00
I'm pretty much a history nut but I don't think you need to be to enjoy the new US Library of Congress Photo Collections on Flickr . The collections is called the Commons and, right now, it contains two sets of pictures. 1615 color photos from the 1930s and 1940s around the US and its territories and 1500 black and white photos from newsworthy events in the 1910s.These are some incredibly amazing photos. I didn't know photos like this existed back then. There are photos from all over the country but some of the most intriguing are pictures of the people. Most are in unposed positions. Really absorbing. I can sit for hours and browse through these.The best part of these are that they are being released freely for use by anyone.Did you like this entry? Why not subscribe to it? Or, if you prefer, you can subscribe via email. history

My Book Has Been Printed
2008-01-04 02:10:00
Well, it's taken over a year but it has finally arrived. I started writing the book back in Aug 2006. I finished in late Jan 2007 and the technical editor finished his work in March. Now, In Jan 2008, EnterpriseDB: The Definitive Reference is available. I'm glad I didn't wait for the movie. ;-)It's kind of ironic. Just this morning, I posted that I am working on my second book. My wife called me at work and told me two boxes of books had arrived. 2008 is turning out to be a good year. I'll have some additional news in the near future.Anyway, the book looks good. I've already found a few typos and grammar errors just skimming around. I like the font and the pages look really crisp. All in all, I have to say I am very happy that the book is out. Check out some photos:I think I want to give a couple away. Maybe some kind of contest for the blog readers. Any ideas of something fair? I am willing to pay shipping for a couple but that would only be here in the US. O...
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Google Calculator
2007-12-29 15:13:00
Ever need to run a quick calculation? How about a conversion? Recently I wanted to know how many pounds was equivalent to .92kg. So, I entered into a google, ".92kg to pounds" expecting to be provided a conversion web site. Instead I got the answer:.92 kilograms = 2.02825281 poundsand a link to More about calculator. I had to check that out so I browsed the link.To use Google 's built-in calculator function, simply enter the calculation you'd like done into the search box and hit the Enter key or click on the Google Search button. The calculator can solve math problems involving basic arithmetic, more complicated math, units of measure and conversions, and physical constants. Try one of the sample expressions below, or refer to our complete instructions for help in building your own.If you check out the complete instructions, you get another page with plenty of examples. Is there anything that google does not do? It's amazing that I find something new at Google on an almos...
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I have a baby!
2007-12-25 16:03:00
Hi all.I'm back after a long break. I have a new son, Leo. I've been enjoying spending time with him (and my first son Logan and my wife). Logan is playing on the floor right now with some of his Christmas presents and Leo is being fed by my wife.We had to postpone Christmas with the in-laws due to my father-in-law having surgery. We'll get with them next weekend. My mom is in New Orleans. I'll call her in a little while.I plan to get back into my blogging her very shortly. For now, here is a picture I played with to make it Christmasy. I am not very artistic but I am irrationaly proud of this picture. ;-)Merry Christmas!LewisCDid you like this entry? Why not subscribe to it? Or, if you prefer, you can subscribe via email. oracle
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Heroes Season 2, Episode 6
2007-10-30 03:21:00
It starts off with Peter and hottie at the bar. She wants go to Montreal with Peter. She wants to kill veronica Mars.Claire is trying out for cheerleader. The chief cheer chick slams Claire and basically says she sucks.Monica is watching gymnastics and replicating them. Suresh is watching. Creepy Bob comes in and tells Monica how special she is. He asks Suresh to step out with him. The company is experimenting with a virus that takes away abilities. They want Suresh to inject Monica. He calls Noah and tells him about it. Noah tells him that if he doesn't go along with the plan, the Company will get rid of him and he'll lose Molly.Noah and the Haitian sneak into a house where a man and woman with a boy are speaking russian. I don't recognize them. Noah calls the man Ivan, says he's "an old friend" and then smacks him.Claire has lunch with West. He says she's better than the cheer chick. He thinks she should take her down a notch. Humiliation! Meow!Sylar is still ...
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Vernor Vinge's Rainbow's End: A Review
2007-10-25 00:49:00
Vernor Vinge is an old school writer. He's not one of the "golden age" writers but he has a long history. According to the wikipedia article, his first story was published in the month and year I was born.I ran across Rainbo w's End recently in Books-A-Million. The cover showed a rabbit sitting at the edge of a building overlooking a city skyline with an overlay of circuitry. It really caught my eye.The back cover gave a blurb of the book. The high lights: The year is 2025, Alzheimer's is curable, rejuvenation is possible, computers are wearable and the world can be saved by a thirteen year old girl and her secret friend Mr Rabbit. I had to buy it.It begins like a spy novel. High tech but nothing to write home about. It almost lost me early on. If you can get past that though, it does become a very engrossing novel.The real novel begins with Robert Gu, a world famous poet who disappeared from public view when he got Alzheimer's. After years of near mindlessness, af...
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The Best 1 Page Flex Tutorial Ever
2007-10-24 00:13:00
I stumbled across this Simple Flex Tutorial while playing on the web. Flex is the language I want to learn (my hobby is learning programming languages). I think flex, especially with AIR, will be a big choice in the future.I like the way the tutorial is laid out and how easy it is to follow. It takes a single screen, starts at the top and steps through each piece one at a time. You end up with a useful tool as well as some knowledge of the language.It won't make you an expert but it shows the simplicity and the power very concisely (7 steps and a caveat).Did you like this entry? Why not subscribe to it? Or, if you prefer, you can subscribe via email. flex
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Heroes Season 2, Episode 5
2007-10-23 03:01:00
The show starts off with Suresh and Matt taking care of an unconscious Molly. Matt doesn't want to leave her but Suresh convinces it would be for the best. Matt's question: why was his father in that photo?Monica is giving her story to the NOPD (New Orleans Police Department). The guy she smacked around is a gang banger. She doesn't need the grief. Peter is chilling in Ireland with the barmaid hottie. I hear he's going to have a visitor tonight. He still hasn't looked in the box. He has been getting Irish though.Peter's visitor, Veronica Mars, is talking with barmaid one of the scumbags in the Irish gang. Is she a goon for the "company"? The scumbag tells her where Peter is. As she walks off, the scumbag tells her to watch herself. She shoots electricity from here fingers and says she can tale care of herself. Sweet!Nathan was waiting at the police station when Matt showed up. Matt tells him about Molly. Nathan goes to Philly with Matt.Irish bro interrupts Peter...
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Predictive AI to Reduce Lag in Online Games
2007-10-20 05:39:00
MIT's Technology Review has a very cool article, Reducing Lag Time in Online Games . This article discusses how some games use something called "dead reckoning" to track where users are in the game universe.Dead reckoning calls for each player's computer to run a low-fidelity simulation of what's going on in the game. At the same time, the computer runs a high-fidelity version that keeps precise track of the player's actions and position. The computer constantly compares the two versions. If they don't match, the computer sends an update to all the other participating computers, which can make the necessary corrections. While the computers must still broadcast updates, they don't do it nearly as often as they otherwise would.I'm not a game programmer so this is all news to me. The concept is very cool. It also explains some of the issues I've run into in games like Everquest and Guildwars. I wonder if they use dead reckoning. There have been times when I change direction...
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Fort Desoto, St Petersburg Florida
2007-10-17 02:41:00
I went camping this past weekend. It was finally a chance to try out our new (used) camper. It's a pop-up that sleeps 8 adults. It has air conditioning, a refrigerator and a microwave (that's one we added). We pull it with the mini-van.Here are a few pictures of the camper.The outside:The inside:The campground, Fort Desoto, is an awesome park. There is a beach and fishing as well as camping. We had a waterfront slot and it was perfect weather.Did you like this entry? Why not subscribe to it? Or, if you prefer, you can subscribe via email. camping
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Heroes Season 2, Episode 4
2007-10-16 03:00:00
I'm writing this live but instead of submitting 6 entries, I'll just save them all up and submit them at once (at the end, of course).Nothing new to start with. Claire's dad is still paranoid (of course with the painting, guess he has reason to be). Matt and Suresh are still babysitting Molly. She's having nightmares.Nathan is still hairy. He visits his boys and tells them he's going back home. A teacher tells him he's not allowed there. I don't know what's up with that.Maya, Alejandro, and their new friend find Sylar laying in the middle of the road. Now that's cool. Commercial! Argh!Micah meets his new adopted family. Ms Patrelli tells the cops that she killed Nakamura. Claire gets hit up to try out for chairleading. She says no, though. Claire tells West that she can't see him anymore. It's because of her dad but she won't say so. He tells her he'll back off in one day but first she has to go out with him.Nathan shaved. He's on the war path because h...
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I got a new laptop
2007-10-16 02:36:00
I mentioned a couple of days ago that my laptop died. I went camping yesterday but today when I got back I decided I needed a computer.I bought a new HP. Core 2 Duo, 200GB drive, 4GB Ram, NVidia 8400 video, GB Ethernet and 802.11abgn wireless. I may upgrade the drive as it is 4800RPM instead of 5400RPM. I'll see how it does after I install a couple of databases.It has a DVD/CD recorder with lightscribe. I've never used that but I will probably play with it.So far I am happy but it took 2 hours just to delete all of the garbage off of it (AOL, Norton, etc). It also downloaded about 40 updates.Right now I'm just waiting for Heroes to start. K-Ville is not on tonight for some reason. meh.LewisCoracle
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Woe is me! Laptop Died! Any Recommendations?
2007-10-14 02:19:00
It finally bit the dust. After two years of faithful service, my Gateway 7330GZ finally died tonight. Yep, this is the laptop that I blogged about when I lost my F key.It started with overheating and unexpected shutdowns. By this morning, I couldn't even finish a virus scan without it shutting down. I tried to reload (I actually take backups on a regular basis and have a sync program to keep me up to date between backups). The drive is fried. I can't even get the OS installed without it hanging and/or shutting down.The motherboard may be iffy. Instead of replacing the drive, I think I'll just buy a new laptop. Any recommendations for a new one? I'm thinking of a Dell. Minimum spec: Core Duo 2, 2gb RAM, 120GB drive. My current laptop has a 15.4inch monitor and I like that. I don't need a 17in. I'm tempted to just go for 4GB of ram.My current laptop is also freaking heavy. I'd like to reduce the weight a bit.I guess I'll start looking.Let me know if you have any...
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Microsoft Drops DRM?
2007-10-13 15:35:00
Let me clarify, MS is not dropping the annoying and invasive phone home crap on their software products. They are dropping the DRM on music sold through Zune Marketplace.So is what's good for the goose, good for the gander? Will MS ease up on its completely bad copy protection schemes? I doubt it. I guess it will take a few more massive lawsuits before MS gets on board. I am sure those invasive techniques are one of the reasons for the very bad uptake on Vista.Having said that, I do like some of the new features of the Zune:Wireless sync. Zune devices will automatically sync over consumers’ home wireless networks with this helpful new feature, aimed at ensuring that Zune owners always have the latest podcasts and other content ready to go when they‘re leaving home. Syncing with the collection on their PC happens via a home wireless network and will start on its own when the device is placed in its dock or plugged in to charge. Alternatively, the sync can be started manuall...
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Red Cockroaches: A Movie?
2007-10-11 02:46:00
Ok, I read a review of this movie, Red Cockroaches, at SCIFI.com. Based on that review, I bought a copy from Amazon. Let me tell you that SCIFI.com thinks a lot more about this move than I do. If you haven't seen this movie and don't want to be spoiled, stop reading here. Although, you might be glad to never see this movie.I am a fan of B movies. I really am. Supposedly this movie had a budget of $2000. Had the writing, directing or acting been better, it might have qualified as a B movie. The plot isn't just non-existent, it's stupid. B movies at least need a hokey plot!Beyond learning that you CAN NOT film a good movie for $2000, I learned some additional things that I didn't really want to learn. I learned that two ugly people making out in a graveyard is kind of disgusting. Learning later that those two people are brother and sister does not make it any less disgusting. Watching them have anal/oral sex (not super graphic thankfully), is just down right nauseat...
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My Son as a Fireman
2007-10-10 03:36:00
I was reading the New Orleans Daily Photo blog and saw this entry, Destination: imagination. My wife recently took my son to one his favorite spots in Lakeland, FL - Lakeland Explorations. We have an annual pass. Anyway, the photo in the photo blog reminded me of that because of the picture below. One of the exhibits is a firetruck and my son likes to dress up as a fireman. It's not quite Storyland but it'll do in a pinch.

Heroes Season 2, Episode 3, Part 6
2007-10-09 03:51:00
Sylar killed her but still has no powers. No illusions at all. He does have bloody hands though. He runs outside to find that he's in the middle of a huge jungle. Peter joins the "robber family" and gets a tat. Daddy robber gives Peter his box. Instead of opening the box, he gets his freak on with the Irish Bartender chick. She has a tat too, the scary Japanese symbol tat.Claire and West chat on the beach. Actually they do more than chat. They get a little freak on too. West has the neck mark showing that he was grabbed by the "company". West describes his captor as Claire's dad.The company guy that has been working with Suresh gets a call from Niki. Suresh calls Claire's dad. Suresh finds some pictures from the artist who paints the future. It's a painting of his (claire's dad's) own death. A bloody death!To be continued.....heroes
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Heroes Season 2, Episode 3, Part 5
2007-10-09 03:40:00
Maya gets Alejandro out of his cell and he brings her back to normal. That also brings back the americanski in the cell next door. Looks like they have a traveling companion. What are the odds he has powers to go with his car?The Irish robbers make it back to the bar. The guy Peter "overheard" earlier tries to take the money. The bad guy shoots Peter. Of course, Peters heals and slams the guy against the wall. He goes a little dark and almost kills the guy before the Irish girl screams.Hiro is still writing to Ando. Hiro wants to leave but Kensei doesn't want him too. Looks like Kensei is turning out to be the real hero. Kensei walks off with the girl. Hiro decides to stay just a little longer.Sylar has lost his powers. Michelle shows Sylar what she can with her illusions. Then the pyscho whacks her and takes her powers. Sloppily, I'm sure. I love/hate this guy!heroes
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Heroes Season 2, Episode 3, Part 4
2007-10-09 03:29:00
Peter goes for the armored car. The heist goes bad and Peter uses his power to drag the armored car in front of the guards. Sweet.Suresh goes to the old artists studio. It's a lab for the "company" now. Suresh is in deep.Hiro has a moment. Kensei gets the prize.Niki and Micah go to New Orleans. Niki is dropping Micah off at a relative's. She's going off on her own, probably to do something bad. The relative is Uhuru from Star Trek.Maya goes to the police station to get Alejandro. The fine is 2500 pesos. What is that, like $5? She uses her powers on the cops and makes everyone bleed from the eyes. Including the guy in the cell next to Alejandro. It's a very satanic look.Uhuru is on the show. That's cool. I wonder if she'll be some kind of voodoo queen? That would be the way she could explain her powers. heroes
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Heroes Season 2, Episode 3, Part 3
2007-10-09 03:18:00
Peter practices his powers but he's still not very good at using them on command. I'm pretty sure the Irish barmaid has the hots for Petie.Alejandro gets to enjoy the well-known hospitality of a mexican jail.Claire, lizard girl, learns about mitosis. West, the flying dude, asks the teacher if a lizard mated with a human and had a child, could it cut off a body part and have it grow back. Claire is not amused.Hiro continues his letter to Ando. Hiro walks with the beautiful japanese heroine. Hiro shows Kensei that he can travel through space and time. Hiro kidnaps Kensei and transports him to fight the 90 angry Ronin.Claire and West have an emotional episode. Claire cries. West picks her up and flies off with her. Smooth move, flying dude. heroes
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Heroes Season 2, Episode 3, Part 2
2007-10-09 03:09:00
This episode's real name is "Kindred".Claire denies that she cut her own toe off to the peeping tom boy with the book (they talked at school). She doesn't lie well. That whole toe thing was pretty nasty.Matt and Suresh chat in the kitchen in the middle of the night. Molly comes in and get a hug. The whole Matt/Suresh as mommy/daddy to Molly is just weird.Ando gets busted playing computer games. Then he finds a message to himself from Hiro in the past. Hiro tells Ando about meeting Kinsei.Kensei thinks Hiro cursed him because he came back from the dead and heals. How is it possible Kinsei didn't notice his powers already? Wouldn't the ability to heal be something you'd notice pretty young? The whole Hiro going back in time is getting a little bit stupid.heroes
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Heroes Season 2, Episode 3, Part 1
2007-10-09 02:57:00
Peter will have to help his Irish captors rob an armored truck to get his "box" back. Peter hears (telepathically) one of the captors plans to steal the money for himself.Maya and Alejandro try to steal a car right in front of a mexican cop. Alejandro gets caught when they run away.Niki and the boy visit his father's grave.Sylar wakes up on a beach with a hottie, Michelle. Turns out that Michelle can make illusions and they aren't really on a beach. They're in a storeroom or something. Sylar has a big bloody patch on his chest.The first commercial on the night is a Beyonce AmEx commercial.Second commercial is "30 days of night". That looks like a good movie.heroes
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Heroes Season 2, Episode 3 - Sylar's Back!
2007-10-09 02:51:00
I've been seeing the ads for tonight's episode of Heroes . The big news is that Sylar is back. He's got his hand on a woman's head and says, "You ARE special, aren't you?"Sweet! I hate Sylar. He sure makes the show interesting though. And Niki is back too! The show starts in 4 minutes. I'll post notes during commercials.LewisCheroes
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