I have just started playing Tiger Woods 2005 on the XBOX, and am in love. The controls are relatively intuitive, and there are so many mini-games and challenges, that I don't feel bored by the game at all! And, I have to admit, that the many sponsors and the choosing of different apparel and accessories is becoming addictive as well. I will give a more complete report in a later posting, because I have to get back to 'reviewing' the game! (he he)



Until then . . .

Bitches!

Our house was broken into yesterday. Luckily, they only took a small amount of stuff. The only thing I lost was a small container of loose change (with about $30 or $40 worth in there), but my other roommates did not fare quite so well. One of my roommates lost a container of change that had several hundred dollars worth in there (he'd been saving it for a LONG time); and, my other roommate lost several hundred dollars in cash. Several implements of relaxation were taken as well.

We are convinced that it was out upstairs neighbors, or one of the skeevy friends of the upstairs neighbors. One of them just got let out of jail for petty theft. The cops are always around because of them - they broke up a party here about 2 weeks ago. I have even heard of one of the skeevy friends starting a fight by throwing bottles at the guy who lives across the street!

We called the landlord, and he is coming today to install chains/ deadbolts on all our doors. Whoever got in here did so because the upstairs people either forced our back porch door open, or they unlocked the deadbolt in the basement that we share.

I was going to blog about something else today, but I am still very upset by this whole thing . . .

So, today I got a raise. Yeah. I'm still trying to process that. My district manager called me this afternoon, and told me he got me an almost 10 and a half percent increase - over $3000 a year. He said he believes in paying people what they're worth, and that he knows how hard I'm working and he thought I deserved it. Then, he told me that I was probably still going to get my normal increase at the end of September as well. I am honestly flabbergasted and speechless about the whole thing.

Don't get me wrong, I think I deserve this, and I think it's a little overdue. But still, the way he did it really threw me. No real preamble, just 'by the way, here's some more money, and thanks for all the hard work'. I think I've gotten to know my DM relatively well, and he isn't the kind of guy who would hold something over my head, or expect excessive thanks or something like that. But, the way he did this was so incredibly laid back and nonchalant that it made the act itself seem that much more touching and important to me.

I had plans to blog about stuff today, but I just don't feel like it. I'm gonna make some food, and relax instead. In fact, I'm putting on some Peter Gabriel and lighting incense as we speak. Till later then y'all . . .

Hello again . . .

I am currently 'reviewing' the new PSP game Death Jr. for my next edition, but in the mean time I thought I would share something funny I found.

So . . . I stumbled across this the other day, and at first glance thought it was a joke and/or a hoax. Then I thought it was for real. Now, unfortunately, I know that it is once again just a rumor. But, how cool would that have been???

I could just see the 'more cow bell' bill being pushed through Congress . . .

Or President Walken's first State of the Union being both the highest watched political address ever, while also being the most intense/creepy as well . . .

Well, I guess that will never be. Or will it . . . ?

Sorry about the delay in posting, but work has just been too hectic in the last few days. Between firing some dirty people (who confessed to stealing well over $2000 worth of product) and severe over-working (I clocked just under 13 hours yesterday - not counting the hour and a half break I took) anything other than sleep just wasn't an option. But now, I am rested and relaxed and the blogging will resume . . . NOW!
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We have two topics to cover today: The hidden powers of GMail, and the full potential of the PSP.

First, let's talk about GMail. A GMail account allows for approximately 2.5 gigabytes of online storage for emails and attachments. And, using the GMail Drive Shell Extension, you can easy upload any file under 10 megabytes and store it as an email attachment. I set myself up with a second GMail account, just for online storage, and began sending files there. Just think - you could have over 500 mp3s waiting to be downloaded from any computer or the PSP (which I'll explain in a sec) and it's all completely free!

Second, let's talk about the PSP's new firmware. I could list all of the really cool new features, but the one I want to focus on is the web browser. The PSP has always had the capability to use local wi-fi from the original launch. But until now, only people who had the Wipeout game and had hacked their PSP could open up the browser built into that game to get online. Now, anyone who has a PSP and the upgraded firmware can go online with their PSP anywhere they can get a signal (Panera, Starbucks, or anywhere there's a wireless internet router . . .) Now, the version 2.0 firmware hasn't officially been released for the US yet, but you can follow the links in this article if you want to install the japanese version. (It's not recommended by SONY, but then what is?) As I stated a few posts ago, the interface isn't always exactly user-friendly or intuitive (which could be why they've delayed the US firmware upgrade . . .), but I have learned how to use it to check email, get movie times, post blog entries, and download songs from my GMail storage.

This is the point of the whole shebang. I have a 512 megabyte storage card for my PSP, which is a lot but not as much as even a higher-end IPOD Shuffle is capable of. But, by managing songs between my online and offline storage, I can easily access over 2 gigs of mp3s without getting a bigger memory stick. And, transferring the songs is easier using the download feature of the browser than it is using a usb cable. I can't forget a file at home anymore, because anywhere there's wi-fi I can always update the files I have on the memory stick.

That's it in a nutshell. I can elaborate more if anyone wants, but for now I'm heading back out to the porch to surf the web and enjoy the outdoors. Later . . .

A small post before work -

I have begun watching the show LOST, and love it. The ensemble cast is quite good, and the pacing is unique and intriguing. As each character's backstory develops each week, a little bit more of the general disaster story unfolds. A little bit more about the whys and hows of the accident and its repercussions spill out each episode. The whole story is a mystery, wrapped in an enigma, wrapped in jungle foliage. I recommend that, if any of you haven't started watching this show yet, catch up on old episodes now before the next season starts.

For tomorrow's action packed episode, we'll learn how to turn a PSP into a full-featured super machine AND how to turn GMail into your own personal online IPOD. Intrigued? Come back tomorrow then . . .

So . . .

This will be a small post tonight, as it is the first time I am blogging straight from my PSP. Until I get the hang of the text entry system, blogging from here will be a real chore.

Regardless, the PSP is now my favorite thing ever. EVER. The games and movies were pretty cool, but web browsing & new A/V options just blow me away. I will give more details on this and other tech wonders in my next NON-MOBILE edition . . .

Without further ado, I present the first part of my larger story. There's no title yet, but suggestions are welcome. Also, any criticism (positive or not) would be appreciated . . .

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William Carroll cried softly as he held his wife's hand. Her eyes were closed, and she lay listless on the hospital bed. The only sound in the room, other than his sobbing, was the beeping of the machinery behind his wife, Susan. He squeezed her hand, then stood and wiped his right arm across his eyes. As he strode into the hall towards the coffee machine, the edge of his sleeve was wet from the tears. His back was hunched, and his gait was unsteady and heavy, as if his grief had caused him to forget even how to walk normally.

Carroll poured himself a cup of black coffee, and held it for a moment in his hand, as he stared down the hall. Then, as if shaken, he brought the cup to his lips and took a sip. The hot liquid flowed over his lips and teeth, and Carroll grimaced fro the heat and the slightly burnt taste. He turned back towards his wife's room, the cup of coffee in hand, and then stopped. He looked to the darkened doorframe, but couldn't continue on. As if there were long tongues of flame or great gnashing teeth awaiting him just inside that doorway, Carroll found his legs unable to move forward. Instead, he lowered himself into the row of plastic chairs against the far wall of the hallway. He sat with his shoulders slumped down, and felt all his strength slip from his body. A nurse walked past him and into Susan's room, clipboard in hand; he almost didn't notice her pass by.

Carroll slipped into a sort of half-sleep sitting in the uncomfortable chair. He could see his wife before the transfusions, looking angelic in a yellow sundress. It felt like that first summer in California, a lifetime ago. They were on a hillside, sitting on a blanket. The flowers and grass smelled so fresh, and he could almost taste life in the air. He remembered being here before . . . It was just after she had finished grad school. He saw himself leaning in to kiss his wife, gently cradling her as he pulled himself closer. He could remember the taste of her lips from that first time, and it seemed super real in the dream. He felt love for her like he never had before. It was a combination of his initial feelings for her, the growing love that had developed over the years, and even the melancholy love he felt now. It flowed through him, and he gripped her tighter to his chest, holding their embrace as long as he could. In the back of his mind, he heard an odd beeping noise. It began as a n intermittent beep, and then a steady tone. Carroll turned in the dream, trying to find the sound, but couldn't. He turned back and she was gone. Suddenly, he placed the noise.

Carroll woke with a start, and almost fell from his chair. As the sleep left his body, he felt fear creep into his heart. He rose and moved to the doorway, already seeing the nurses and doctors moving frantically in the room. He cleared the door, and his heart sank. The doctor performed chest compressions. The nurse leaned over his wife's face, breathing for her. They brought out the paddles, and shocked her. They did it once, twice, and then again a third time. Carroll felt his legs give out as they pulled away from his wife. He dropped the cup of coffee, spilling the contents on himself and the floor. He felt his head smack into the wall behind him, and just before Carroll passed out he found himself crying. He couldn't tell whether the tears were for his wife or from his own pain, and that made him truly sad.

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Well, there it is. Let me know what you think. Or not. I'll post more in a few days . . .

Sorry, no blog for today - I was working too much! But, starting with tomorrow's edition I will begin posting sections of a story I have been working on for some time. Any comments/feedback would be appreciated, and please bear with me, as I am quite nervous about even showing this unfinished piece to anyone to begin with . . .

So . . .

Having never played XBOX Live, I can only guess at how amazing it is. I have had MANY people tell me that online Halo 2 is next to godliness, and I believe them now. Even though XlinkKai is not the same thing, I think I'm getting the same feelings. Being able to log in, and play against somebody else is truly fun and challenging.

Up to this point (like I said earlier), I had only ever played against other people in the same room, either on the same TV or on an adjacent TV via systemlink. Playing like that, there are entirely different strategies and methods. Like the difference between playing poker online versus in person, its a different experience. You can see the other XBOX players' "tells" when you're in the room with them. Attitude and expression can give away crucial info when you play in the same room. An excited noise can signal an impending sniper hit, and allow you that crucial moment to get out of the way. It also made me a somewhat lazier player - as I found out when I started playing online.

The first few times I played over XlinkKai, I got my butt handed to me. The other guys seemed to be everywhere at once, and were just reacting faster than I could seem to. I realized I had to change my game if I wanted to keep playing online. I learned to watch for subtle clues, and tried to hone my skills, as it were. I also tried to focus on the parts of the game I was better at, to find some kind of edge. I am quite nasty with the energy sword, a pretty decent shot with grenades, and lethal with double needlers. But I'm going on too much - this stuff can be saved for a future post . . .


On another topic, I want to let everyone know about what they can accomplish with a modded XBOX. The XBOX is basically a computer in disguise. It has a hard drive, ram, a video card, etc. It is capable of far, far more than what the basic Microsoft dashboard allows. Running the XBOX Media Center has opened a whole new world of possibilities for me. Beyond allowing me to run tunneling software (like XlinkKai), I can play more than just DVDs through my television. Instead of having one movie per disc, I can put almost any format of video onto a DVD. I can fit a dozen or more high-quality AVI or DIVX files onto a single disc. And, they all look DVD quality or pretty close to it. I can fit a whole season of 24 on 2 or 3 DVDs this way!

Other things the XBMC allows include playing DVDs without the Microsoft DVD playback kit. I already own one, but saving the $30 Microsoft tries to jack you just to play movies is nice. I can get weather updates on my XBOX. I can check IMDB from the XBOX. I can stream the latest movie trailers right from the studio websites from my XBOX to my TV. The list goes on and on. Suffice it to say that I have definitely gotten my money's worth out of the XBOX now!

Well, unfortunately work is a calling, and I must go. Until tomorrow . . .

Just finished seeing Sky High with the boys, and I have to say it was quite fun. It wasn't the greatest movie I've ever seen, or even one of the greatest super hero movies I've seen. But, I still had fun regardless. Disney's teen superhero flick makes fun of superhero and supervillian cliches just enough to poke fun at itself without completely spoofing itself in the process. The effects are quite good, and the staff/teachers at the school totally make the movie. If you're looking for a fun movie that doesn't take it itself too seriously, and will leave you with a smile at the end, then check this one out :)

Also, I just last night rewatched Primer with my new roommates and some friends. This movie is a trip and a half. It is great, because the movie doesn't stop for exposition or try to hit you over the head with obvious explanations. You have to just hang on and hope that you understand what is going on. The film ostensibly revolves around a device that two of the characters create in their garage, their discovery of the device's true capabilities, and the repercussions of that discovery. Their biggest problem revolves around the choices they are forced to make, and the consequences those choices end up having. I can't say any more for two reasons:

1) I don't want to ruin the movie for anyone who hasn't seen it
2) I can't be sure if any of my assumptions about the movie are right or not!

To call Primer confusing at parts is an understatement. Crucial pieces of information oftentimes slip from the actors lips without any added emphasis, forcing you to connect the dots as best you can. But, for myself, I enjoyed the movie thoroughly. I've also watched it 3 times, and only now feel confident enough to try to explain it to others.

And, as interesting side note, one of the actors from the movie, David Sullivan, just started working at the restaurant where my roommate works. She said she's been training him, and knew he was in a movie or something but not much more. Now that she's seen Primer though, she has a billion questions to ask him, and I'm not surprised. I can only hope she convinces him to come over sometime, so I can rack his brain about writing and films. Here's to hoping!

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UPDATE: I just realized I never updated my experiences with XLinkKai on my XBOX. I won't give full details until tomorrow (as there is a LOT to cover), but I just wanted to put it out there, and let y'all know that tomorrow I will cover that AND the beauty and wonder you can achieve with a modded XBOX. Until then . . .

Today, I dedicate my blog to my roommate Chuck, who is away in the holyland of Israel. Everyone here at 159 Colburn misses you, and can't wait for you to get back stateside!

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Anyway, here are two tech/video game related issues that I am looking forward to in the next two-ish weeks.

First, there is the impending US release of firmware Version 2.0 for the PSP. Now, before anyone says anything - I really do KNOW how nerdy that sounds, but hear me out. When I first got the PSP with Aloma, I knew I wanted to use it for so much more than just video games. And on August 12th, I can download new software to unlock even more capabilities on this amazing machine. All of the updated features are cool, but by far the best part is the built in web browser. I can have lunch in the Panera bread down the street, and surf the web for free at the same time. I can check my webmail anywhere there's wi-fi access. I could even write my blog entries from the road . . .

Second, there is a game coming for the PSP called Death Jr., that is coming out a week after the new firmware. This new platformer (made especially for the PSP) looks like it is going to be amazing and really fun. Konami has already cross-marketed the crap out of the characters and the storyline - with everything from toys and comic books to an appearance on the MTV2 show Video Mods. From the game footage I've seen, I can foresee many a night spent staring at the small PSP screen . . . :)

That's it for today, because it's dinner time, and those damn hotdogs won't cook themselves!

It's been a while since I've updated the blog, but I'm back so here goes . . .

First, I want to share my utmost joy about the upcoming Tenacious D movie! Everything I've heard sounds so funny, and I just can't wait. I only hope that there will be lots of new songs created for the flick, instead of them falling back on all the great, but now heavily-overplayed songs of the past. I need more new D!!!!!

Second, I am giving a HUGE shoutout to a local group, Waltham! These guys are a local rock group, and their new album is awesome. I can't stop listening to it, both at work and at home. (In fact, my workers at Sam Goody are starting to get tired of it, cuz I try to play the album once a shift every time!)It's just good thumpin rock, so check it out . . .

Ok, I guess that's it for now - I have to jump in the shower. Until tomorrow . . .