Hating On FF XIII
One of the people I know through Facebook made a comment that he couldn’t understand all the hate that is being generated about Final Fantasy XIII. Apparently there are a number of commentators that are spewing forth some nasty words in regards to the title. I haven’t seen the comments, being a fairly “head down” kind of guy on the internet, so this was the first I heard of it.
As for myself, I have never ...
Written on March 16, 2010 | Posted in Blog, Monk's Blog, PS3, PS3 Features, Xbox 360, Xbox 360 Features | No Comment
Returning To Dodge
Last night I played dodgeball for the first time in 7 months. While this statement may not seem like much, there are a few factors to consider. First, my age (42) and I’m playing against people half my age. Second is my general physical condition, which is not athletic. While these factor may skew against me, I’ve been playing a regular Monday night “pickup” game for several years, so I’ve gotten much better than when ...Back On Stage
Last night I went out and caught some local music. This used to be a very commonplace experience, but these days I don’t get out to the clubs much to see national acts much, let alone much in the way of small-time local acts. What took me out of my house on a Sunday night? An old friend.
Brian used to not only be my roommate 15-17 or so years ago, but he was the bass ...
Olympic Attendance (Part 2)
Originally the plan was to go to one of two places where busses would terminate that were set up as shuttles specifically for Olympic venues. One of the main places was downtown, where there are more parking garages, and a direct bus from that area to the coliseum where the Ice Dancing was being held. At the last minute mom wanted to check out the area where the event was, sort of to get bearings, ...
Olympic Attendance (Part 1)
I arrived home from my Ireland trip on Friday evening, naturally exhausted. It was a whirlwind of a trip, with three destinations in 6 days, and I’m glad I got to go. Who know how dad will be in a couple of years when we are all able to go over as a family. Saturday I wake up (late) and feel like I’m barely functioning. Still, I start on going through the hundreds of emails ...Best. Post. EVAR!
You know what two things don’t go together well? Sort of like the polar opposite of peanut butter and chocolate? Nausea and hunger. I don’t get sick that often, and then when I do, nausea very rarely enters the picture. What sucks about this scenario is that I am perpetually hungry. It’s been very difficult to lose weight as I get older and my metabolism has slowed. I’m always hungry. Now I’m also nauseas on ...Phamily Foto Phriday (1-22-10 – late)
Yes, I know it's Monday, and technically missed the day, but I wanted to just go ahead and post this up instead of simply waiting around for the next "Phriday" to post this picture. I mentioned that our friend Robert who is living in Argentina was in Seattle for a visit, and we've been having a great time. Many of our nights have consisted of playing cards, drinking wine and talking. Sadly, he leaves today, ...
The Wall Gets Smacked
Writer’s block sucks. Maybe if I write about not writing (yes, I am fully aware of the irony) it might help me “break through” this. Sort of a “live blogging” or stream of consciousness type of thing, maybe if I put down my thoughts as they come out about my frustration, I can guide them into some sort of cohesive … something to help this derailed thought process train get back on the tracks. Wow, this ...What? Who’s That Behind You?
Apparently this week was some sort of big push to get blog readers to quit lurking and to say “Hi” or something in the comment section of whatever blog they read. For the most part, I didn’t take part in that ritual. If I read your blog, I’ll post a comment as I feel necessary, with an actual response. I understand why these bloggers need to call out to their readers, because the active readership ...Big Day Saturday
Saturday was sort of a “big deal” in our house. Two major events happened. The first, and most important, is that Robert came over for a visit. While some guy named Robert coming over for a visit may not seem like that big of a deal, some background information may be helpful in understanding why. My wife and I have known Robert for about 15 years or so – we met while living in the ...Avatar Thoughts
Can somebody tell me the difference between James Cameron’s Avatar and a “good old fashioned” cowboys and indians film? I’m not saying I was disappointed in the film (though I’m not sure it was worth $15 to see on a fake IMAX screen at the multiplex) but the film certainly doesn’t deserve to quite the slobbering mindless praise that it has gotten. Let me get the biggest problem I have with the film out of the ...Eight Days A Week
Eight Days A Week Album: Beatles For Sale Authorship: McCartney/Lennon (70/30 split) This was a #1 hit in the United States, but not released as a single in the UK. Beatlesongs mentions that it may be the first song to use a “fade in”. Tell Me Why states “The components of the song don’t add up the way the actual performance does.” This is simply a standard issue song from a band, but somehow it is more than ...She Said, She Said
She Said, She Said Album: Revolver Authorship: Lennon According to Beatlesongs this was written during a break in the 1965 tour. John Lennon was taking acid and Peter Fonda was recounting his own acid trip “I know what it’s like to be dead.” Tell Me Why uses the words “existential angst” to describe the song. There is a lot of loss in Lennon’s life, and much of that shadow is cast in that song, along with a touch ...I Am The Walrus
I Am The Walrus Album: Magical Mystery Tour Authorship: Lennon This song was directly influenced by LSD and the hallucinogenic images produced. Also, according to Beatlesongs there was also a conscious effort to confuse those that would analyze the lyrics. Tell Me Why says the song “meanders” and “seems to suspend normal time boundaries” which seems to be an understatement, and goes further to say the song “sticks out in their catalogue like an impenetrable nightmare” – it’s ...Yellow Submarine
Yellow Submarine Album: Revolver Authorship: Mostly Paul (with the help of John and Donovan Leitch) Ringo sings this hit song which would go on to inspire an animated film. Beatlesongs uses several quotes to explain how this really isn’t a drug reference song, but simply a child’s tune. Tell Me Why uses the words “childish foppery” and “comic relief” (which the album sorely needed). This post isn’t about submarines, or the color yellow, or my time in the Navy ...Hello Goodbye
Hello Goodbye Album: Single (later included on Magical Mystery Tour) Author: McCartney Another #1 song for the group in both the United Kingdom and United States. According to Beatlesongs the promotional video was banned by the BBC because Paul was obviously lip synching. John apparently didn’t like the song that much either. Oh well. Tell Me Why analyzes the song thusly: “It’s the kind of song McCartney can write in his sleep, and he ...Please Please Me
This is the second day of my version of Beatles Week. Head over to MadMup.com for the original. Please Please Me Authorship: Lennon Album: Please Please Me According to Beatlesongs this was Lennon’s attempt at producing a Roy Orbison song. It was the group’s second single, but their first #1. Tell Me Why analyzes the song saying “…he wants this woman to do more than just hold his hand.” I’m very pleased. This Christmas I asked for one present only, ...I’m So Tired
I think this is a great idea. A week’s worth of blog posts built around or inspired by titles of Beatles songs. I would like to take credit, but it is Mark that I am completely ripping off. He’s had his own take on Beatles Week, and you can follow that if you wish (AND I suggest you do, he’s a much better writer than I am). As for myself, I’m taking 8 random-ish song ...College Acceptance
You might remember some of the troubles I have had with my oldest son, documented partially in a 4 part blog entry (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4). One of the current issues cropping up is the fact that his school setting isn’t ideal for college and university applications. His boarding school is on a self-regulated PACE program (Personal Accelerated Christian Learning) and not an accredited high school. It’s important to remember when ...Phamily Foto Phriday
My daughter Dela has had a rough week of it. Things started off bad enough with an ear infection but that wouldn't be enough. After a trip to the doctor and a round of antibiotics, her health just wouldn't improve. She had a cough that wouldn't go away and it was keeping her up at night so she couldn't sleep. Wednesday it just got to the point where we had to take her back to ...
Crash, Ride, And Fail
I spent a good portion of the day running around town trying to find the Mad Catz cymbal expansion for my Beatles Rock Band drum kit. Since I never picked up a Rock Band game previously, I had taken the plunge with Beatles Rock Band, and have been using those instruments with the various music games I have around the house. Through several stores, including a few I fully expected the peripheral to be at (Gamestop ...Dear Videogames
Dear Videogame Industry,
Harder does not necessarily equal better.
No, I’m not referring Demon’s Souls, the difficulty is inherent in the gameplay. Instead, this is a long-standing complaint that I have, and many others do as well, they just don’t say anything. I’m saying something.
There are a number of ways which difficulty is poorly used. One of the most blatant and pervasive is the varying degree of difficulty within a game, as well as within a level. ...
Written on October 22, 2009 | Posted in Blog, DS, DS Features, Monk's Blog, PC, PC Features, PS2, PS2 Features, PS3, PS3 Features, PSP, PSP Features, Wii, Wii Features, Xbox 360, Xbox 360 Features | No Comment
An Update On Updates
You may have noticed a severe drop in the rate of blog posts as of late. Then again, maybe not. Either way, the fact remains that I haven’t had the chance over the last couple of months to spend the extra time to write up about my life and what has been going on as well as my general opinions of the videogame and home video industries. It isn’t for lack of anything to say, ...
Hooked Up
Yesterday I woke up at 3:00 in the morning, and on purpose. Then I woke up August. You know how bad it feels to have to wake up a 6 year old that early and keep them awake? Ugh.
Part of the official diagnosis process for August (who may have a very mild form of Cerebral Palsy) is to get an EEG. In order for this to take place and be effective, he needs to fall ...
