• 8Dec 09

  Is there really a human race??

  I have to say, being away from GameSpot for so long is unfortunate, but that doesn't explain why my writing history just up'd and blanked out. That kinda sucks...

  [-Edit-] Whoops... seems that GS was messing with me again... everything is still intact...

  Oh well, the world keeps on turning and everyone continues to game. I might not have online, but some how that didn't stop me from picking up a copy of Modern Warfare 2. Extremely silly of me no doubt, but since my Black Friday mission to pick up a dirt cheap flat-screen TV was unsuccessful, I grabbed the game for 30 bucks instead.
  Besides being the same thing I remember MW being amazing at (online that is) the game is pretty fun even through the campaign. Most people play shooters for one portion of the game, I on the other hand adore all the efforts that gone into MW2... its like the perfect Tom Clancy story with tons of toys!

  Sitting here at the library with nothing to look forward to this evening kind of deters me from really leaning into this current rant, so I'll keep it brief for anyone crazy enough to keep reading whatever I end up whapping on this germ-infested keyboard. Dragons Age is awesome. The Vikings are still a strong football team. Snow is really not all that bad. Working on your birthday is common, but it still sucks. And last but not least... women... the best way to describe them is like fire. They keep you warm, but they can also burn ya

  Best wishes to all my fellow gamers as we trudge our way into 2010. I sure miss bs'ing with yaw online.

  • Posted Dec 8, 2009 3:48 pm PT
  • Category: Rant
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• 8Sep 09

  So there I am...

  ...its's about 11:58pm, and I'm standing in line at GameStop waiting to get a copy of Madden10 If only my 2K5 brethren could see my shameful buckling...

  Surprisingly, I've been playing the game for the last few weeks since it released, and with a few minor hic-ups here and there that urged me to return the game... I'm still some what... enjoying Madden. Being that I have very little else to play could be a major factor in this, but I rather continue praising something I've become so accustom to bashing. This year's addition actually feels like a "new addittion" to the aging series. Besides the standard roster update (which displays some interesting team/player stats) other areas of Madden are finally shining thru. Character animations and gameplay being the biggest highlights for me. If you are familiar with 2K football games, these advancements are some what old news, but highly welcomed in the Madden universe.

  As for actually reviewing the game anytime soon... I'm not sure what's my problem! It's been awhile since I actually sat down and wrote anything about videogames. Matt Hazard, Prototype, WoW, Red Faction, Madden, Batman, and a few other gems have been keeping me nice and occupied. I just haven't really been the social type about it. Of course there is the usual life islike a box of chocolatesspiel I could toss around... but I'll be honest... recently breaking up from a 4-year relationship has kind of put me in a nasty funk.
  More or less, its been a draining experience. A new one for me, but mighty taxing nonetheless. Its been nearly 2 months now and I'm finally feeling the infection course through my system... which helps by not having any of her stuff around. Living together is something I thought would have bonded us better, and maybe it did work, but the whole moving out routine was real unpleasant. Besides not sleeping in my own bed for about a month (all hail the mighty couch of comfort) she still tends to call me every few days, which is mind-boggling, but it allows the infection to linger. And I don't like that.

  Falling in love with someone is easy, especially if you allow them into every aspect of your life. Yet, falling OUT of love with someone is something I've only heard stories about, usually associated with failed marriages. My situation has veryfew complications... no kids, no law binding contracts/documents, no shared possessions, no need for contact. At least I like to think that last one is easy to overcome
  With problems bouncing around months ago, hell, even a few years ago... its safe to say not all things were destined for church bells and white pickett fences. It hurts realizing something like that was apparent long ago, but never really addressing ituntil just recently adds a heafty amount of salt to the wound. I always asked that communication would be our strongest quality, and surprisingly it turned out being the Achiles heel between us. Which is pretty ironic in my eyes. Now that we've seperated, she wants to "talk" and be "friendly".

  What a crock of sh!t.

  Now its just me and a bunch of sour memories. And my cat Jinger... I've become THAT dude

  On a positive note, instead of going around sobbing about lost time, I've been trafficking my neighborhood as much as possible with summer coming to a close. Its been a little bite to my wallet (which is foolish of me to think I can afford) but the social scene has been a great way to air my thoughts out. It sucks seeing young couples frollic about happily gazing into eachother's eyes, but I'm getting over that silly crap. I only wish things could have went down smoother in my failed relationship... yet the welcoming glow of someone new and enticing seems like the perfect cure... until I realize thats the worst possible way to approach someone "new". I don't want a new lover anytime soon, much less someone to help me rebound. The things I've learned about myself and what I desire from a partner is nothing to scoff at. What I feel now sucks @ss, but at least the lessons I've picked up along the way will pay their dues when I share the word"love" with another.

  Oh well... summer is coming to a close, football is right around the corner, financials and career crap is neutral, and I'm finally breathing a little easier. No drama, less worries, and plenty of room for better days... I'd have to say things could be a lot worse, so I'm all-around appreciative for what I got and how I got it. Hopefully all my fellow gamers had a decent summer... I'd hate to think of the best time of the year bogging down others like my lame @ss

  • Posted Sep 8, 2009 12:36 pm PT
  • Category: Relationships
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• 27Jul 09

  Feeling the Fallout

  So I recall saying something along the lines of "online isn't as fun as it use to be..." However I worded it, such silly talk is finally starting to catch up with me.

  For the last few months I've been managing pretty well without the online hook up that most people of the modern world consider "essential" to living comfortably. The way I computed the lack of online within my personal confines was simple... I could focus more on my writing, artistic endeavors, movies, reading, even soak up the approaching summer season with little distraction.
  Sadly, there is still the nagging issue of my inability to sleep like a normal person. Maybe the internet is not the best remedy for someone who suffers from sleepless nights, but it sure did keep me at ease in the wee-hours. Even worse, not being able to scoop up any new titles without a bit of financial sacrifice seems to make this lack of online feel even more terrible!!

  No doubt, I'm tending to what needs to be done so that life continues to float along peacefully. Yet the reality that I can't simply instant message someone over XBL, or hop on counter-strike to see who's still playing at 3am
  just KILLS me!
  Another perk to having internet (as if you reading this didn't know) is that you're never short on something to read. Yes, the libraries in my general area are accessible and packed full of hidden goodies, and from time to time I can get online with my laptop at the nearest coffee shop. Problem is... I don't always want to read with clothes on and coffee shops make my clothes wreak of crap that I don't even enjoy drinking!

  Quiet the dillema.

  No worries, because the gameplan is in motion. Besides playing used copies of month-old hot'ness, I'm currently saving what little money I have for something I believe will totally cure what ills me... a bigger TV!

  Minor footnote, I'm still living in the 90's with TV's that still have huge cases and rattling bulbs inside. None of that fancy flat-screen
  business on my end... besides my tiny bedroom TV that has a built-in DVD player. Everything else in the home is pretty basic. And as much as I would love to preach on about keeping it old-school without being too retro, this is NOT by choice. I want to evolve! And something about a 40+ inch flat-screen TV before the 2009 NFL season kicks off sounds like a dose of the right stuff.

  As I said, saving money is nice and all... but when you have so little to save, much less so little to gloat about while staring at the piggy bank... the odds start to become overwhelming. At least in the dramatic sense.
  Not being able to afford new games, renting very few movies, and working too much to enjoy regular programming all point to the question... how the heck will a new TV help?! Simple answer... football in high-def

  Not the best logic, but definitely good enough for my puposes.

  I got until September to make this happen, and I estimate about 400-600 dollars will be needed to complete such a silly mission. Spending more money or getting a bigger screen is not an option. I need to budget myself, because if I get carried away, I might put myself in a bad financial spot... and that I cannot afford going into the fall/winter season in Minnesota.
  Watching the nightly news, re-watching my favorite movies, replaying old videogames, and simply basking in the glory of something new in the living room might not be the most intelligible way in dealing with a lack of online... yet the alternative is pretty reasonable: skip buying a TV altogether and reestablish internet in my home.

  I like to think there is a method to my madness

  Beyond my usual monday fantasies, summer is going well for me. I really hope all my fellow gamers are keeping cool and hydrated wherever you are in the world. Insert whichever response fits you best... water/beer, fruit/bratwurst, jogs around the lake/shaded patio gatherings.
  With so much focus on my selfish desires and tedious agendas, I am feeling a bit salty about missing out on recent family and friend ocassions. Its not like I'm giving people the finger, but I sure do feel crappy when something comes up on the spur of the moment I'm stuck grimly looking over the calendar. It sucks, but I keep on reminding myself that there is always next time... and the next time... and the next... the feeling starts to drag if you know what I mean.
  All in all, these kinds of happenings are common place with the men in my family. Grind to the bone and miss all sorts of parties... but when it comes to the holidays or PTO's... nobody can say a damn thing, even the higher up's! Common place, but suckey none the less. So like any due who suffers from a supposed mid-life crisis and buys an expensive sports car... I want a new big screen TV. Knowing me and my penny-pinching ways, the money will be saved, the options will be lined up, and moment will come... and I'll likely skip it all together.

  Something about NOT spending money unless I truly have to is addictive I'm like Scrooge McDuck without the pool of money. Sad and comical all in one fatal swoop...

  • Posted Jul 27, 2009 6:29 pm PT
  • Category: Rant
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