Wii-tarded

It's been so long since Nintendo was at the top of the Video Game market heap. The NES and SNES ruled their respective generations (8bit and 16bit), and produced some of the most loved and enduring franchises in video game history (Mario and Zelda, and was the original platform for Final Fantasy).

But then, a disagreement with Sony over the proposed CD Drive for the SNES (to compete with Sony's SegaCD for the Genesis) doomed it to almost a decade of being second (or lower) banana. The decision - whether it should be top-load (Sony) or front-load (Nintendo, since the CD expansion port was on the bottom of the console anyway) - led to the creation of the PlayStation, and gave Sony the edge in the market for quite a long time. Nintendo's 64 seemed a bit outdated, still being cart based (though the games were quite impressive with load times much faster), and the GameCube (it'll always be the Dolphin to me, it's pre-release codename) couldn't outmuscle the PS/2's pure muscle.

Microsoft came along during this time with their XBox, but they couldn't quite take away from Sony's lead. Of course it outclassed the GameCube, giving Microsoft Sega's old position of Second Banana. Then came the XBox 360: It got the early drop on both Sony and Nintendo, and is quite the machine in it's own right.

But both Microsoft and Sony got careless. With the 360 and PS3, they focused more on the hardcore gamer market, with their graphics and bells and whistles. Sony rushed too much, and the Cell-powered Titan turned out to be more of a blinded cyclops than anything. And with both machines selling well above $300, they further limited thier market scope.

But no, not Nintendo.

Codenamed Revolution when it was announced, it was a huge gamble for the former King of Home Gaming: Focusing less on graphics and more on intuitive game play, they banked on expanding video games to a larger market, beyond the hardcore, basement-dwelling game geeks that have come to stereotype the industry. With radical controlers allowing for user interaction like never before (unless you count the Power Pad, Power Glove and U-Force) and simplistic yet engrossing gameplay, Nintendo put all its chips in with the Revolution.

And yes, a revolution was born. The Wii Revolution.

This here MSNBC Article takes a look at one front of that Revolution: Senior Citizens. Yes, your grandma and grandpa are digging on video games. Who knew, right? Before, they were just "those stupid boxes that make pretty pictures on TV and keep kids indoors." All of the sudden, they're breaking hips playing Wii Tennis and Wii Bowling, cheering and huigging when victorious, and even having friendly tournaments.

Everyone wants the Wii. And at $250, it certainly has a huge price advantage over Sony and Microsoft. College Students and Teenagers with too much time on their hands aren't the only ones buying boxes anymore.

And, after far too long, Nintendo is back on top.

I was always a Nintendo kid. I had an NES, SNES, and in College I bought a 64 so my friends and I could have Goldeneye killfests. After that, though, I was disillusioned with the game market. Never owned any Sega consoles, Playstations, the GameCube, or any handhelds beyond my old puke-green-screened Game Boy. Hell, I'm borrowing the PS2 I have now from my boss, with games coming from friends.

But I want Wii. Oh yes, I want Wii.

I've played it, and it's unreal. Remember when you used to play a racing game, and you'd catch yourself leaning into a turn your trying to make, rotating the controler as far in that direction as you can, praying to whatever game god you worshipped at the time that it would help? Well, now it does! The Wii Sports package, which comes with the system, is enough to keep any gamer entertained for quite a while. The graphics aren't all that hot, but who cares?

After all, when have you ever played a boxing game where physically punching your buddy actually made the on-screen guy punch? I can't remember ever going through my full motion bowling delivery in a living room. And I was honestly afraid I'd get overzealous and whack my opponent in the head with my controller playing Wii Tennis.

Yeah, it's that fun.

So, folks, my next major purchase is most deffinately a Wii.

Let's Get Wii-tarded in here!

DOT Fuck-Up 2: Electric Boogaloo

US Route 322 in Philipsburg, PA is currently under several inches of snow.

The town of Philipsburg, PA is in a State of Emergency, and is shutting down.

Interstate 80 is shut down.

The Clearfield/Centre County Line is a wasteland.

Thanks, Mr. Rendell.

I understand that people are getting ticketed for driving in this crap. I wonder if they'd ticket me for going out and taking pictures of this mess to post here...

Jennie won't let me go, but I REALLY wanna. A ticket I can fight. My right to be a citizen journalist if I want is worth it...

He's Like 50 Patoots

Good. Lord. I found this on Fark today, and just had to share it with everyone. Pendleton Ward is insane. Completely insane. Featuring John "Bender" DiMaggio as the dog with some seriously fucked up powers. It's the most insane seven and a half minutes you'll ever waste in this lifetime. Autotag as generated follows: Adventure Time Created by Pendleton Ward A Random! Cartoons short for Nickelodeon A Frederator Studios Original Cartoon Production Executive Producers: Larry Huber & Fred Seibert ©2007, Viacom Intl. All rights reserved.

Wrapped In Velvet

You know, for once, I had a fun night. Doesn't happen very often these days, but when it does, they often tend to be rather interesting. Last night was no exception. For starters, we had a good crowd at the Roadtrip Lounge last night. Hotties on the dance floor is what DJs live for, and by golly I had it last night.

Justin hipped me to the fact that Analog Velvet was playing at Mojo's last night as well, which is ultra-kickass, since they don't play up here that often just yet. But they're always fun to hang out with, so I went up to visit them before starting up at the Days. Later, after I was finished (thankfully, the bar clock at the Roadtrip is 13 minutes fast), I went back to Mojo's and was invited to get on stage and croon a tune. Justin was on standby with my camera, and without my knowledge he snapped this quick vid clip.

WARNING: The audio sucks. Let's face it, folks: Mojo's sucks accoustically, since it's a Poole Building, and they did absolutely nothing to even TRY and eliminate the horrid reverb caused by the large open space. So you might want to turn your bass down before you start, and your volume in general down a bit as well. Other than that, I have one question: Damnit, Jenny, who can I turn to?

I Heart Flanel

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas. I'm sorry if I've been a bit bleak these past few months. Recovering from a summer like mine isn't an easy process, I promise you that. But hopefully, when the New Year arrives next week, things will get better.

2006 ranks as the absolute worst year of my life, ever, period. I highly doubt that any other year could ever be as bad as this one was. It's my fondest wish to see it die and wither, fading into a brand new year with a clean slate. With this new year comes the requisite resolutions people often make (and break), but this year, mine are a bit different.

In the meantime, my Christmas was pretty OK. For starters, I got my new computer, which FUCKING ROCKS! It's sooooooo nice to be out of the dark ages (c. 2000) and live in the now. I also made off with a three pack of Lather Thingies (But Ironhead!) and a new headset mic courtesy of Chris and Steph, though it will arrive sometime soon. They ended up printing out a picture of it and writing "Not here yet. Soon, though. Happy Decemberween, Love Chris and Steph."

But the best gift of all came from Mom and Dad, who gave me the most awesome queen size flanel comfortor in history! This thing is friggin HUGE! So warm, so comfy, I love it to death. Thanks, Mom and Dad! You guys ROCK!

Now, all I have to do is survive the New Year...

The Deathly Hallows

Not that most of the people who read my blog care, but J.K. Rowling and Scholastic have released the title of Book 7 in the Harry Potter Series: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

For the release game, go to Rowling's website. Or just read the Yahoo story here.

Hadreon's Wall

Writer's block. I hate it.

Every bit of me wants to put these events down to digital paper, to show the world the pictures in my head in plain white on black. To tell a tale about me, the people around me, and recount the details that make the whole thing so text-worthy in the first place.

But right now, I can't...

As much as I'd like to say that Friday night was great, I can't seem to do that, either. Like the idiot I am, I opened a can of worms that I can't get closed again.

Why now, when everything was going so damn well?

And why is it so goddamn hard to just find ONE?!?

Hopefully, in the coming days, I can find my writer's path again, climb over the wall, and get something accomplished with these damned blogs...

Overheard In Yahoo Chat #1

If you're dumb enough to post this in a public chatroom, then you should have no qualms about me posting it here, complete with your actual screenname:

steeltonpleasure: hi...asian f 29 in HARRISBURG...my bf cheated on me and im looking for a straight guy or 2 guys to punish him then pleasure me..looking for someone near harrisburg who's looking to meet tonight..well endowed a plus but not necessary...must have pic or cam...have pics here...

Bonus points go to Mrs. Drumline Lucky for not noticing it, even though I was pointing and making a scene in the room.

When We Live Such Fragile Lives

Most people hate it when they're left in the dark. I'm no exception. You're given little clues, tiny hints, but are never told what goes on behind the scenes, what reasons there are for you to know so very little.

And it makes you think like crazy.

This time, though, I find myself thinking the opposite. This time, I actually kinda like being in the dark.

Where do I stand? I don't know for sure, but I've been given enough information to formulate a guess. The only thing I can come up with, though, I can't confirm. Usually, that drives me damn near to madness. But this time, it makes me smile. Wait, what? Smile? Yes, smile. For once in my life, not knowing has become the most intriguing prospect my brain has ever encountered.

And you won't tell me. Why do I like that notion?

You've allowed me into a very intimate place in your world. The things you've shared with me aren't to be taken lightly at all. Its an honor to be invited into such a place, to share with you things you don't normally share with anyone else. And not knowing the real reason why you've done this... Well, let's just say it keeps me guessing, wondering...

Hoping...

All I have to go on are your smiles, your playful refusal to answer most of my questions, and of course, more of those little clues that you drop for me to pick up on.

If it's your goal to make me think about you all the time, you've reached it. But what is your next goal? How much more will I be allowed to know? And when will you fill me in on my part in this game? Questions that might not have answers right away, I know.

But why do I like that fact?

You said you want to learn about me. Well, here it is: My life, an open book, even though some of the pages are edited for public consumption. After all, who has to know, right? ;) The only ones who have to know are you and I. You already know the worst of me. Now, you have an open invitation to discover the best of me, and you can find it all on these very pages. You are forever welcome to ask me any question, no matter how personal, and I will answer with 100% honesty to the best of my ability.

An access road, an entire township, and two people in the entire world who know what that means. Just promise me that this game doesn't have a defined ending yet, and I'll be willing to play for keeps.

Don't tell anyone...

Back In The Saddle

A small selection of pics from my first night DJing at The Days Inn's Roadtrip Lounge in Clearfield, PA. It's been over a year since I last DJ'd there, and I'd say it was a pretty good night, wouldn't you?





Even though, at the back of my mind, I was sad...

And Yes I've Dreamt of You, Too...

Could it be possible? Could it really be humanly possible? The fact that it very well could be alone keeps me walking forward through the barriors of total life reconstruction.

I hope so. Christ on a stick, I hope so.

Tonight, more than any other night, I feel it.

And it feels GREAT.

Carry on...

In The Beginning, There Were Morons

Take a look at this crap.

And now, my comment from Fark:

I have every intention of visiting this place, with the express purpose of asking one question.

"Where are the drugs? Because I KNOW you guys were smoking SOMETHING when you came up with this $25M piece of crap idea. Now, pass me the bong, if you please..."

Fundies. They should all be rounded up and shipped to a deserted island...

So, who's up for a roadtrip with me?

A Promise Kept

Last year, Justin, his son Ethan and I went up to New York City for Ethan's first movie audition. Of course, he was a ball of nerves, not a good thing for a nine year old in a pressure situation. So, to calm him down, I promised him that he could hit me in the face with a whipped cream pie if he did a good job.

Well, long story short, he didn't get the part, but I still owed him the pie. Later, I discovered that Ethan's brother Jaron was getting into the business as well, so I decided to make it fair and carry the promise over to him as well. The following pictures are the end result.

First, Me, Jaron and Ethan, both with their pies...

First up is Jaron, and here he is wailing me in the mellon with his pie...

The aftermath of Jaron's pie. Willow says I look totally geeky covered in whipped cream *saves that thought for later*...

And now, the original promisee, Ethan, takes his shot at me with his pie. Keep in mind, I was in the middle of telling him to not hit me too hard with it. I barely got the word "hard" out before there was a pie being smacked into my visage...

And finally, the final shot of me. Ethan made sure to rub it into my hair, ensuring that I'd have to go upstairs and take a shower...

And there you have it. A promise made, a promise kept. No matter how silly it is, I have every intention of keeping my word. Ethan and Jaron, you guys are doing a great job with your auditions. Keep it up! Someday, you guys are going to be big time...

From Soho Down To Brighton

So anyway, I was talking to Megan tonight (in fact, just about 10 mintues ago), and we got onto the subject of blogs. Of course, this reminded me that, Tuesday night, I had intended to post this entry when I got home. Yes, Megs, another pinball entry. And yes, Megs, I am such a dork.

In a previous entry, I noted that I'd smashed out the high score, finally, at the Twilight Zone pinball game situated between the restroom doors at Electric Avenue. Tuesday night, I completed my pwn4g3 of it by completely taking over the top five scores, including a brand new high! In the same fell swoop, I also managed to knock out a new Lost in the Zone score as well, once again banging out three free credits and most likely frustrating the guy who leases us the machine.

After all, he had again bumped up the replay value, this time to 266,000,000. Sorry, man.

Well, Justin is talking about finally getting a new table in, which makes me happy, because it'll give me a whole new game to learn, play the crap out of, and eventually pwn.

Someday, Megs, you'll come to understand my addiction to the silver ball, even though you'll still probably laugh at me and tell me "You're such a dork." For the record, I love hearing those words...

It's Good To Be The DJ

And here's why. First, there's me and Carla. Second, there's me and Toni.



Yes, it's VERY good to be the DJ...