We just added a fun widget to the sidebar of the blog that highlights some of the Facebook pages Josh and I run. If you have a moment, and if you're on Facebook, please take a moment to "like" these pages. Thanks!
6.29.2010
Seven of Nine approves of Seven of Nine
Jeri Ryan, the actress who portrayed Seven of Nine in "Star Trek: Voyager," has given her official stamp of approval to Annie's costume.
That loud "squeeee!" you heard this evening was from Annie, who's positively thrilled to have received the praise. Next stop: CONvergence!
Before it's too late
It's easy to get bogged down in the minutia of everyday life. The car needs an oil change. Our electric bill is due. I'm behind on the dishes. Again.
It's hard to take a step back and acknowledge the beauty of life, the value of friends and the importance of family. Because we're so preoccupied, those times tend to come only when they're forced upon us. You pause to celebrate a birthday. You fly across the country to join a wedding party. And you're stunned when a family member is hospitalized.
My dad was admitted to the hospital early Monday morning after enduring a particularly hectic weekend, suffering chest pains late Sunday and being unable to lie down. Tests indicated he did not have a heart attack — a relief that brings more questions than answers. We're now thinking that pericarditis is the cause of the trouble, but more tests and doctor visits are likely in store for my dad. Thankfully, though, my dad was released from the hospital Monday afternoon.
This scare comes less than two weeks after one of my best friends lost his father to cancer. That terribly devastating blow spurred my friend, who's not given to emotional dialogue, to remind me that "you only have one mommy and one daddy." It sounds obvious, sure, but the underlying message is to appreciate what you have. Before it's too late.
That's why I'm taking time today to appreciate my dad. I'm incredibly lucky to have a father who loves me — and tells me that every time I talk to him. I'm so fortunate to have a father who encourages me, understands me and gives me perspective on what's truly important. A veteran of the Vietnam War, my father taught me early the value of friendship as he worked tirelessly to reunite the many people with whom he fought and served. His experience as an Airborne Ranger also helped me appreciate that any day you aren't jumping out of an airplane behind enemy lines is a good day. Funny, yes, but true.
My dad is the kind of guy who was eager to rise on Sunday mornings when I was in high school so we could visit the local flea market and hunt for old Star Wars action figures. He's the kind of guy who made me hundreds of business cards to aid my job search after I moved to Washington. He's the kind of guy who volunteered three days ago to go through my boxes — yes, boxes — of Star Wars paraphernalia in storage to see if there's anything I should have Jeremy Bulloch sign at this weekend's convention. That's what my dad would have been doing Monday had he not been in the hospital.
So the time I take today to appreciate my dad, I take before it's too late. I want you to know that I love my father. And I want him to know it, too. I pray that he has many, many healthy years ahead to spend with us. Because there are a lot of garden tractors that still need buying. And a lot of rifles that still need reselling. And a lot of "I love yous" that still need saying.
Get well soon, dad. I'll see you Thursday.
It's hard to take a step back and acknowledge the beauty of life, the value of friends and the importance of family. Because we're so preoccupied, those times tend to come only when they're forced upon us. You pause to celebrate a birthday. You fly across the country to join a wedding party. And you're stunned when a family member is hospitalized.
My dad was admitted to the hospital early Monday morning after enduring a particularly hectic weekend, suffering chest pains late Sunday and being unable to lie down. Tests indicated he did not have a heart attack — a relief that brings more questions than answers. We're now thinking that pericarditis is the cause of the trouble, but more tests and doctor visits are likely in store for my dad. Thankfully, though, my dad was released from the hospital Monday afternoon.This scare comes less than two weeks after one of my best friends lost his father to cancer. That terribly devastating blow spurred my friend, who's not given to emotional dialogue, to remind me that "you only have one mommy and one daddy." It sounds obvious, sure, but the underlying message is to appreciate what you have. Before it's too late.
That's why I'm taking time today to appreciate my dad. I'm incredibly lucky to have a father who loves me — and tells me that every time I talk to him. I'm so fortunate to have a father who encourages me, understands me and gives me perspective on what's truly important. A veteran of the Vietnam War, my father taught me early the value of friendship as he worked tirelessly to reunite the many people with whom he fought and served. His experience as an Airborne Ranger also helped me appreciate that any day you aren't jumping out of an airplane behind enemy lines is a good day. Funny, yes, but true.
My dad is the kind of guy who was eager to rise on Sunday mornings when I was in high school so we could visit the local flea market and hunt for old Star Wars action figures. He's the kind of guy who made me hundreds of business cards to aid my job search after I moved to Washington. He's the kind of guy who volunteered three days ago to go through my boxes — yes, boxes — of Star Wars paraphernalia in storage to see if there's anything I should have Jeremy Bulloch sign at this weekend's convention. That's what my dad would have been doing Monday had he not been in the hospital.So the time I take today to appreciate my dad, I take before it's too late. I want you to know that I love my father. And I want him to know it, too. I pray that he has many, many healthy years ahead to spend with us. Because there are a lot of garden tractors that still need buying. And a lot of rifles that still need reselling. And a lot of "I love yous" that still need saying.
Get well soon, dad. I'll see you Thursday.
6.28.2010
Another fun video I made for Small Act
The Nonprofiteers are back! Josh wants to know more about the people he's engaging with on Twitter and Facebook. Luckily, Thrive can help!
6.26.2010
I promise I'll be less obnoxious soon
It's all because of spandex.
You may have heard I'm going to be donning a Seven of Nine costume for CONvergence this year. I'm really excited about it - I've never seen anyone portray the character at CON before, so I'm hoping to stand out. But I'm also hoping to look good, and as spandex is an unforgiving mistress, I have implemented a fairly ascetic regimen upon myself the past several weeks. This regimen includes:
- No booze
- No sweets/desserts (except at birthday parties, and even then, keeping it to a minimum)
- Exercising 5 times a week
Do I seriously think one drink or one piece of cake is going to wreck my entire body? Of course not. But in my experience, it's easier to resist temptation if you've already been resisting temptation for a long time. I tend to lose my "sweet tooth" if I go without desserts for a week or so, but if I then eat something sweet, it becomes very, very hard to stay away from candy, pastries, and desserts for a few days thereafter. So it's really a matter of momentum more than a paranoid mindset. You'll notice there's nothing in the regimen about staying away from pizza, pasta, cheese, etc. - generally I go by the rule that if it's savory and has some nutritional value, it's OK to eat, at least in moderation.
I am pleased, though, with the results. Both Josh and I agree I'm in the best shape of my life, and I feel like if CON were tomorrow, I could rock that spandex and not feel worried about how I looked in it. I've included a preliminary pic of me in costume with this post (it's not quite done yet, and I'm still working on the hair, but you get the general idea).
6.25.2010
What E3 didn't show you…
…is the best game the Nintendo DS has coming. That would be "Ni No Kuni," from the people who brought you the "Professor Layton" video games and the "Spirited Away" movie.
That's right, dear readers, Level 5 and Studio Ghibli are teaming up to produce a special game that's making even the most jaded gamers swoon. And how can they not? Studio Ghibli's art direction is peerless and Level 5 is among the world's best developers of RPG and puzzle games. Stir all those ingredients together and you've got a winner on your hands.
Still lacking an English title, "Ni No Kuni" is described by Wikipedia as the tale of 13-year-old Oliver, whose mother has suddenly died. In the hope that he might somehow revive his mother, Oliver entrusts a fairy and uses a magical book to journey into a parallel world.
One of the greatest aspects of "Ni No Kuni" is that it includes a hardcover copy of the "Magic Master" book Oliver uses — and the tome is an integral aspect of the game. The book is frequently referenced as the main way players learn spells, gauge the difficulty of the enemies encountered and learn more about this parallel world. The whole package is admittedly a bit pricey, tagged at the equivalent of $75 when it releases this December in Japan, but I strongly suspect the enhanced cost is worth it.
As someone who could use a breath of fresh air on the RPG front, I'm desperately hoping "Ni No Kuni" comes to America. It's just as good — if not better — than even the finest games we saw at this year's Electronic Entertainment Expo.
That's right, dear readers, Level 5 and Studio Ghibli are teaming up to produce a special game that's making even the most jaded gamers swoon. And how can they not? Studio Ghibli's art direction is peerless and Level 5 is among the world's best developers of RPG and puzzle games. Stir all those ingredients together and you've got a winner on your hands.Still lacking an English title, "Ni No Kuni" is described by Wikipedia as the tale of 13-year-old Oliver, whose mother has suddenly died. In the hope that he might somehow revive his mother, Oliver entrusts a fairy and uses a magical book to journey into a parallel world.
One of the greatest aspects of "Ni No Kuni" is that it includes a hardcover copy of the "Magic Master" book Oliver uses — and the tome is an integral aspect of the game. The book is frequently referenced as the main way players learn spells, gauge the difficulty of the enemies encountered and learn more about this parallel world. The whole package is admittedly a bit pricey, tagged at the equivalent of $75 when it releases this December in Japan, but I strongly suspect the enhanced cost is worth it.
As someone who could use a breath of fresh air on the RPG front, I'm desperately hoping "Ni No Kuni" comes to America. It's just as good — if not better — than even the finest games we saw at this year's Electronic Entertainment Expo.
6.24.2010
Things we won't do to our car
Josh and I have a lot in common, including a similar outlook on cars. To us, a car is almost purely utilitarian. It serves to get us from point A to point B as cheaply and safely as possible.
So we have understood ground rules when it comes to the car.
We will not:
So we have understood ground rules when it comes to the car.
We will not:
- Put bumper stickers on it
- Attach any kind of flag to it
- Affix anything permanent to the interior
- Clutter the interior with anything other than what is absolutely necessary (Kleenex box, sunglasses, car manual, car chargers for devices, a few burned CDs from our iTunes collection, and that's about it - and all but the Kleenex will fit in the glove box)
- Put off routine maintenance checks and oil changes
- Eat messy foods in it or drink anything without a lid
What are your car rules?
6.23.2010
One week and counting
One week until vacation. One week until I meet Boba Fett. One week to CONvergence!Boo yah. That is all.
6.22.2010
The USDA recommends 3 servings daily of random links
So here you go.
- Rifftrax releases their Lord of the Rings: Return of the King sendup today. Yay!
- William Shatner is directing a documentary about himself. Yeah.
- Hyperbole and a Half is hysterical. "Clean ALL the things?" (FYI - contains language that is NSFW.)
- Holy crap this bunny is cute.
- Got an extra $10-$12 and want to build your own chocolate bar? (In my case, no, but OH GOD YES.)
- I'm not sure this talent is exactly "in demand," but this violinist can play along to video games - including the sound effects - like a champion.
- This is hardly news to me, but it may surprise folks in older generations to learn that texting while driving is actually more prevalent in adults than teens.
- My dad used to make us kids move the wood pile all the time. I now regret we never made it into art, like this guy did.
- Speaking of art, Rubix Cubes make for awesome art. Also, somebody had a lot of time on their hands.
- And finally, Jason Cooper totally told me about this shirt, even if I failed to give him credit on Twitter for it.
6.21.2010
Mystery no more
Earlier this month, I wondered aloud why we hadn't seen much info about the Nintendo Wii version of "Transformers: War for Cybertron." Now we know.
Previously and inexplicably retitled to "Transformers: Cybertron Adventures," the game's Wii version was revealed this weekend to be what's commonly called an "on rails" shooter game. If you're unfamiliar with the terminology, you might know the experience from most modern arcade games where players use plastic handguns. Movement is often automatic in these games, with players mainly controlling the aim of their bullets. When done correctly, these kinds of games can be rather fun and engrossing. When done poorly, such games make players feel constricted and bored.
Wii owners eager to play the game were understandably agonized by the revelation that "Cybertron Adventures" was being presented in this format. Unlike the "War for Cybertron" hitting PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, which allows players full control of their character, "Cybertron Adventures" follows a far simplified path. Think of this version of the Transformers game as "Muppet Babies" to "The Muppet Show" that the Sony and Microsoft systems are receiving.
Of course, had this all been known further in advance, Wii gamers could have calibrated their expectations accordingly. As it was, though, Activision seemed to go to great lengths to keep Wii owners in the dark. It was a bad move — and it's that secrecy that rightly drew much more anger than the "on rails" revelation. Video game publishers take note: This is not how to market your game.
Previously and inexplicably retitled to "Transformers: Cybertron Adventures," the game's Wii version was revealed this weekend to be what's commonly called an "on rails" shooter game. If you're unfamiliar with the terminology, you might know the experience from most modern arcade games where players use plastic handguns. Movement is often automatic in these games, with players mainly controlling the aim of their bullets. When done correctly, these kinds of games can be rather fun and engrossing. When done poorly, such games make players feel constricted and bored.Wii owners eager to play the game were understandably agonized by the revelation that "Cybertron Adventures" was being presented in this format. Unlike the "War for Cybertron" hitting PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, which allows players full control of their character, "Cybertron Adventures" follows a far simplified path. Think of this version of the Transformers game as "Muppet Babies" to "The Muppet Show" that the Sony and Microsoft systems are receiving.
Of course, had this all been known further in advance, Wii gamers could have calibrated their expectations accordingly. As it was, though, Activision seemed to go to great lengths to keep Wii owners in the dark. It was a bad move — and it's that secrecy that rightly drew much more anger than the "on rails" revelation. Video game publishers take note: This is not how to market your game.
6.20.2010
Purse shopping: A rant
Apparently, I ask for too much in a purse.
I like small purses. They keep me from carrying around a ton of crap I don't need, and are easy to toss in a larger bag if I need to carry more than the usual staples. Plus they don't suffer from the inevitable "purse gravity" syndrome, where everything you need automatically falls all the way to the bottom.
But finding a purse that meets my parameters has proven almost impossible. Because I'm unwilling to spend more than $30 on a purse, the purses I buy only last about a year or so (the most recent one broke last week), and then I'm screwed when I try to buy a new one. Here's all I ask for in a purse:
I like small purses. They keep me from carrying around a ton of crap I don't need, and are easy to toss in a larger bag if I need to carry more than the usual staples. Plus they don't suffer from the inevitable "purse gravity" syndrome, where everything you need automatically falls all the way to the bottom.
But finding a purse that meets my parameters has proven almost impossible. Because I'm unwilling to spend more than $30 on a purse, the purses I buy only last about a year or so (the most recent one broke last week), and then I'm screwed when I try to buy a new one. Here's all I ask for in a purse:
- Size: Small.
- Features: Small purses don't have room for wallets, so I like ones that have wallet features built in. I want space for eight cards (even then I'm doubling up on a couple of them), and a spot for bills.
- Space: There should be enough extra space to hold my hand sanitizer, pill case, a couple of lipsticks, my car keys, my house keys, and my cell phone.
- Color: Something neutral that I can dress up or dress down (usually black).
- Quality: Cloth lining - those plastic linings tend to rip.
- Attractiveness: It has to not be hideous or look like it was made for a teenager or a tourist. I'm really not that picky. Just something simple, not made of the same material you'd make a tent or a seatbelt out of.
- Price: Less than $30.
Usually something at Target fits the bill, but I've had lousy luck there. No joy at Macy's, Nordstrom, J.C. Penny, Zappos, TJ Maxx, or any random online purse store.
I ended up, out of desperation, buying a slim wallet from the men's section at Target and a small purse to fit it in. Unfortunately, I'm not left with enough space for everything else. So it's not going to work out for long.
Why is it so hard to find a purse like this? Where should I go to find one? The thing that's killing me is that I've founded purses like this before. Every time one wore out, I'd just hop over to Target and they'd have something similar I could use. But this year it seems an impossible task.
I'm desperately seeking your help, gentle readers. I may be willing to bend the $30 rule for just the right purse at this point...but I really do need all those other features to be in place. Help!
I'm desperately seeking your help, gentle readers. I may be willing to bend the $30 rule for just the right purse at this point...but I really do need all those other features to be in place. Help!
6.19.2010
6.18.2010
E3: Window shopping
As enjoyable as it's been to wax intellectual about E3, it's time now to do some window shopping. For the games this year are many. And they look incredible.
First on my fictional shopping list is the Nintendo 3DS system. The handheld powerhouse that people can't stop talking about is poised to bring 3D gaming, photos and movies to the masses. We still have no idea what the system will cost — and it most assuredly won't be cheap — but the payoff could be huge. The ability to take control of Kid Icarus, photograph the sights of Washington or watch "Tron: Legacy" in 3D is too good an opportunity to ignore. (Granted, Nintendo is saying they have "nothing to announce" on the 3D movie front, but let's be honest. You know the gears are turning.) That the system is backward compatible with the existing DS game library will encourage early adoption. Methinks we shall see many stories of shortages upon this system's release.
But there's many games of interest coming to systems I already own. Wii games like "Epic Mickey," "DJ Hero 2," "Tron Evolution: Battle Grids," "Donkey Kong Country Returns" and, yes, even "Kirby's Epic Yarn" could make for a great holiday season. For the DS, RPGs such as "Kingdom Hearts Re:coded" and "Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light" might make their way onto my shelves. Even a couple accessories caught my eye. I'm still not ready to take the PlayStation 3 plunge, but should I ever reach that point, I'd almost certainly buy this slick surround-sound system to go with it. And there was one point this week when I realized that my not owning a full-size "Kingdom Hearts" keyblade is some terrible oversight.
Even with the convention winding down Thursday, the news was still coming in. With so many games on display, it will take days to catch up on everything with my favorite gaming sites. But even now, this much is clear: It's going to be an incredible — and expensive — year.
First on my fictional shopping list is the Nintendo 3DS system. The handheld powerhouse that people can't stop talking about is poised to bring 3D gaming, photos and movies to the masses. We still have no idea what the system will cost — and it most assuredly won't be cheap — but the payoff could be huge. The ability to take control of Kid Icarus, photograph the sights of Washington or watch "Tron: Legacy" in 3D is too good an opportunity to ignore. (Granted, Nintendo is saying they have "nothing to announce" on the 3D movie front, but let's be honest. You know the gears are turning.) That the system is backward compatible with the existing DS game library will encourage early adoption. Methinks we shall see many stories of shortages upon this system's release.
But there's many games of interest coming to systems I already own. Wii games like "Epic Mickey," "DJ Hero 2," "Tron Evolution: Battle Grids," "Donkey Kong Country Returns" and, yes, even "Kirby's Epic Yarn" could make for a great holiday season. For the DS, RPGs such as "Kingdom Hearts Re:coded" and "Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light" might make their way onto my shelves. Even a couple accessories caught my eye. I'm still not ready to take the PlayStation 3 plunge, but should I ever reach that point, I'd almost certainly buy this slick surround-sound system to go with it. And there was one point this week when I realized that my not owning a full-size "Kingdom Hearts" keyblade is some terrible oversight.Even with the convention winding down Thursday, the news was still coming in. With so many games on display, it will take days to catch up on everything with my favorite gaming sites. But even now, this much is clear: It's going to be an incredible — and expensive — year.
6.17.2010
E3: Throw out the playbook
For the last 30 years, marketing video games has been a fairly straightforward endeavor. Print ads, television commercials and online videos could all be used to nicely and faithfully represent a game's visual appeal.
So what do you do when all of those tools suddenly fail you? That's the challenge Sony and Nintendo faced this week at E3. And it was a challenge that highlighted the unique problems that game marketers face in the months and years ahead.
During its press briefing Tuesday, Sony showed "Killzone 3" and other PlayStation 3 games in all their 3D glory by inviting attendees to don glasses that would enable the effects. It seemed to work well enough. Judging from the cheers and applause heard in Sony's video of the event, that crowd was impressed. But to remove the glasses was to see some very blurred scenes. And the vast majority of us watching from home saw merely a traditional, 2D version of the videos. The intrigue associated with this Brave New World was lost on us.
Earlier in the day, Nintendo faced a similar problem in showcasing the forthcoming Nintendo 3DS system. The unit, which doesn't require the viewer to wear special glasses but suffers a limited effect range, could not be properly demonstrated on stage. Nintendo's solution was to make the system available for review upon exit from the event. This strategy yielded a cute but insubstantial video capturing people's first impressions. I know now that people found the effects "absolutely incredible" and the display details "really impressive" — and not much else.
Sure, 3D games sound cool, but how will Nintendo and Sony prove it to me? Must I seek out some store demo? Will I have to wait for a friend to take the plunge? As we transition to truly 3D gaming, the most effective marketers are going to have to throw out their old playbooks and create some new strategies. It's a challenge, to be sure, and I'll be very interested to see how it's overcome.
So what do you do when all of those tools suddenly fail you? That's the challenge Sony and Nintendo faced this week at E3. And it was a challenge that highlighted the unique problems that game marketers face in the months and years ahead.During its press briefing Tuesday, Sony showed "Killzone 3" and other PlayStation 3 games in all their 3D glory by inviting attendees to don glasses that would enable the effects. It seemed to work well enough. Judging from the cheers and applause heard in Sony's video of the event, that crowd was impressed. But to remove the glasses was to see some very blurred scenes. And the vast majority of us watching from home saw merely a traditional, 2D version of the videos. The intrigue associated with this Brave New World was lost on us.
Earlier in the day, Nintendo faced a similar problem in showcasing the forthcoming Nintendo 3DS system. The unit, which doesn't require the viewer to wear special glasses but suffers a limited effect range, could not be properly demonstrated on stage. Nintendo's solution was to make the system available for review upon exit from the event. This strategy yielded a cute but insubstantial video capturing people's first impressions. I know now that people found the effects "absolutely incredible" and the display details "really impressive" — and not much else.
Sure, 3D games sound cool, but how will Nintendo and Sony prove it to me? Must I seek out some store demo? Will I have to wait for a friend to take the plunge? As we transition to truly 3D gaming, the most effective marketers are going to have to throw out their old playbooks and create some new strategies. It's a challenge, to be sure, and I'll be very interested to see how it's overcome.
6.16.2010
E3: Technical difficulties
Nintendo doubtless wanted gamers to remember Tuesday's big debut of "The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword." And remember it they will. For all the wrong reasons.
During a painfully prolonged segment of Nintendo's big E3 press conference yesterday, video game mastermind Shigeru Miyamoto attempted to demonstrate the new game's capabilities. Expectations were high — in part because the game is the first in the series to use the Wii MotionPlus accessory. The optional attachment for Wii controllers is revered for more closely matching your game character's sword swing to the direction you move your arm. But we saw such feats in last year's "Wii Sports Resort," so surely things have evolved into something better for "The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword," right?
Wrong.
Miyamoto, who took the stage after his translator jokingly blundered an attempt to play the game, could not get the game to follow his actions. After blaming wireless interference — and assuring the audience that the gameplay went fine in rehearsal — Miyamoto was at one point forced to heal his character so it wouldn't perish during the demonstration. It was an unfortunate and embarrassing start to Nintendo's press conference.
Fortunately, the tone shifted as Nintendo quickly unveiled several more new games that drew applause, including "Donkey Kong Country Returns," a remake of "Goldeneye," and the return of an 8-bit era hero with "Kid Icarus: Uprising" for the upcoming Nintendo 3DS system.
But the inauspicious debut of "The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword" did nothing to change my critical view of the Wii MotionPlus accessory. I'd delayed purchasing the item in part because I didn't feel it was necessary. And after seeing the accessory's Next Big Thing behave yesterday about as well as "Dragon Quest Swords," I'm pretty sure the store shelf is where that item will remain.
During a painfully prolonged segment of Nintendo's big E3 press conference yesterday, video game mastermind Shigeru Miyamoto attempted to demonstrate the new game's capabilities. Expectations were high — in part because the game is the first in the series to use the Wii MotionPlus accessory. The optional attachment for Wii controllers is revered for more closely matching your game character's sword swing to the direction you move your arm. But we saw such feats in last year's "Wii Sports Resort," so surely things have evolved into something better for "The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword," right?Wrong.
Miyamoto, who took the stage after his translator jokingly blundered an attempt to play the game, could not get the game to follow his actions. After blaming wireless interference — and assuring the audience that the gameplay went fine in rehearsal — Miyamoto was at one point forced to heal his character so it wouldn't perish during the demonstration. It was an unfortunate and embarrassing start to Nintendo's press conference.
Fortunately, the tone shifted as Nintendo quickly unveiled several more new games that drew applause, including "Donkey Kong Country Returns," a remake of "Goldeneye," and the return of an 8-bit era hero with "Kid Icarus: Uprising" for the upcoming Nintendo 3DS system.
But the inauspicious debut of "The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword" did nothing to change my critical view of the Wii MotionPlus accessory. I'd delayed purchasing the item in part because I didn't feel it was necessary. And after seeing the accessory's Next Big Thing behave yesterday about as well as "Dragon Quest Swords," I'm pretty sure the store shelf is where that item will remain.
6.15.2010
E3: Bribery is the best policy?
If you see a flood of positive Xbox 360 articles today, there's a reason for that. It's because at its E3 press conference yesterday, Microsoft handed out consoles like they were cheap candy.
Everyone who attended the event received a free copy of Microsoft's newly remodeled Xbox 360. The sleeker, black unit sports a 250 gig hard drive and built-in Wi-Fi. (It retails for $300 starting this week.) As expected, the press conference crowd went nuts at the announcement, including my favorite "Dr. Horrible" starlet, Felicia Day. And who can blame them? I'd be sporting a pretty big grin, too, if someone simply handed me a $300 video game console. It was a good way for Microsoft to curry favor with some jaded journalists — and might even lessen the intensity by which said journalists ask company reps to explain why the Kinect device still has no price tag.
But the reprieve is temporary at best. The Christmas in June joy will soon fade and the journalists will, I hope, resume asking the tough questions and providing some honest analysis. That's one great way for the reporters at yesterday's press conference to prove the bribe didn't affect them. An even better way to prove that point, though, would be for the reporters to give or raffle away the new systems.
So what do you say, Kotaku? Do you want to be a legitimate news operation or not?
Everyone who attended the event received a free copy of Microsoft's newly remodeled Xbox 360. The sleeker, black unit sports a 250 gig hard drive and built-in Wi-Fi. (It retails for $300 starting this week.) As expected, the press conference crowd went nuts at the announcement, including my favorite "Dr. Horrible" starlet, Felicia Day. And who can blame them? I'd be sporting a pretty big grin, too, if someone simply handed me a $300 video game console. It was a good way for Microsoft to curry favor with some jaded journalists — and might even lessen the intensity by which said journalists ask company reps to explain why the Kinect device still has no price tag.But the reprieve is temporary at best. The Christmas in June joy will soon fade and the journalists will, I hope, resume asking the tough questions and providing some honest analysis. That's one great way for the reporters at yesterday's press conference to prove the bribe didn't affect them. An even better way to prove that point, though, would be for the reporters to give or raffle away the new systems.
So what do you say, Kotaku? Do you want to be a legitimate news operation or not?
6.14.2010
E3: Hyperbole at its finest
In the calm before the storm that is E3, gaming web sites were generally bereft Sunday of news. Sure, there were some presumed news leaks, but there wasn't much yet to discuss.
So it was only natural that Kotaku turned its attention to the many convention center banners. The lineup is still worth reviewing if for no other reason than to laugh at the PlayStation Move banner, which boldly declairs that Sony's late-to-the-party, motion-sensing PlayStation 3 controller "changes everything."
Really? Nintendo might have something to say about that.
As one Kotaku commenter noted, the PlayStation Move banner should instead read, "This changes something that has been out for a few years now, however it has been slightly upgraded and tweaked. So it actually only changes something. To say everything would be hyperbole."
Indeed it would, oh wise Kotaku commenter. Indeed it would.
So it was only natural that Kotaku turned its attention to the many convention center banners. The lineup is still worth reviewing if for no other reason than to laugh at the PlayStation Move banner, which boldly declairs that Sony's late-to-the-party, motion-sensing PlayStation 3 controller "changes everything."Really? Nintendo might have something to say about that.
As one Kotaku commenter noted, the PlayStation Move banner should instead read, "This changes something that has been out for a few years now, however it has been slightly upgraded and tweaked. So it actually only changes something. To say everything would be hyperbole."
Indeed it would, oh wise Kotaku commenter. Indeed it would.
6.12.2010
Watson is creepy!
A Youtube user noticed something odd when he was playing "Sherlock Holmes Nemesis." The NPC of Watson follows you around, but you never see or hear him move. So the user filmed it and added a John Williams score (“Main Title and First Victim” from Jaws) to amp the creepiness up to eleven.
Via Gammasquad
Via Gammasquad
6.11.2010
6.10.2010
Mostaccioli with Roasted Tomato and Garlic
One of my best friends tweeted some kind words about my favorite pasta recipe earlier this week, and I realized I'd never posted the recipe here (though it is included in my cookbook). I love making this recipe for company...it makes a lot, is fairly inexpensive, and looks so fancy. Oh, and it's fantastically delicious, too! And the leftovers are always a treat for lunch the next day.
Mostaccioli with Roasted Tomato and Garlic
Source: Betty Crocker
Ingredients:
Directions:
Serves 4.
Mostaccioli with Roasted Tomato and Garlic
Source: Betty Crocker
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 8 to 10 medium roma (plum) tomatoes, cut in half lengthwise
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- Freshly ground pepper
- 1 unpeeled bulb of garlic
- 2 cups uncooked mostaccioli pasta (6 ounces)
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
- 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
Directions:
- Heat oven to 300 degrees. Line cookie sheet with aluminum foil; generously brush with 1 Tablespoon of the oil. Arrange tomato halves, cut sides up, in single layer on cookie sheet; brush with 4 teaspoons of the oil. Sprinkle with salt, sugar, and pepper.
- Cut 1/2 inch off the top of the garlic bulb (the tip); drizzle 2 teaspoons of the oil over garlic bulb. Wrap in aluminum foil; place on cookie sheet with tomatoes. Bake 55 to 60 minutes or until garlic is soft when pierced with a knife and tomatoes have begun to shrivel; cool slightly.
- Cook and drain pasta as directed on package. Squeeze garlic into remaining 1 Tablespoon oil and mash until smooth; toss with pasta. Add tomato and basil; toss. Top with cheese. Serve immediately.
Serves 4.
6.09.2010
What your nonprofit should know before developing a mobile app
(My latest babbling on the Small Act blog. But I'm particularly proud of this one.)
Lots of nonprofits are drooling over the prospect of having their very own mobile app: the potential for reaching an untapped market of donors and volunteers is extremely appealing. And while I applaud any nonprofit that takes the initiative to develop an app (which is neither an easy nor inexpensive feat), there are a few issues you need to be aware of first.
This past week, it was revealed that Apple would no longer allow charities to take donations through iPhone apps. Their rationale is that they can’t verify the donations are actually going to the charity they claim to be going to, and while that seems logical on the face of things, it presents a major roadblock for nonprofits seeking to build their donor bases. So if your app’s primary purpose is to solicit donations, you may want to rethink your strategy, and consider creating something that encourages volunteering, activism, or awareness-building instead. Or you may want to consider developing your app on another platform, which brings me to my next point.
Lots of nonprofits are drooling over the prospect of having their very own mobile app: the potential for reaching an untapped market of donors and volunteers is extremely appealing. And while I applaud any nonprofit that takes the initiative to develop an app (which is neither an easy nor inexpensive feat), there are a few issues you need to be aware of first.
This past week, it was revealed that Apple would no longer allow charities to take donations through iPhone apps. Their rationale is that they can’t verify the donations are actually going to the charity they claim to be going to, and while that seems logical on the face of things, it presents a major roadblock for nonprofits seeking to build their donor bases. So if your app’s primary purpose is to solicit donations, you may want to rethink your strategy, and consider creating something that encourages volunteering, activism, or awareness-building instead. Or you may want to consider developing your app on another platform, which brings me to my next point.
6.08.2010
If this is pre-E3, does that make it E2?
It's that time of year again, when a young man's thoughts turn to video games. Yes, folks, E3 is right around the corner.
But we need not wait for the Electronic Entertainment Expo for the news to start a flowing. There's already plenty to discuss, including this awesome screenshot of Spider-Man 2099 from the upcoming game, "Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions." We've known for a couple months that the futuristic Spidey would be in the game, but this screenshot nonetheless made this 2099 fanboy's jaw drop. And in other news…
• The next installment in my favorite music game franchise, "Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock," is trying something different. I'm still not sure what to think of the new approach, but any game with "Self Esteem" and "Bohemian Rhapsody" in the soundtrack is alright by me.
• Something that's left me more unsettled is that two weeks away from its release, "Transformers: Cybertron Adventures" for the Nintendo Wii remains a mystery. No screenshots have been released, minimal information about the game's Wii version is known, and I'm worried. I ask Activision and Next Level Games: What's wrong?
• A sign of the times, "The Lord of the Rings Online" will be free to play starting this fall. I'd love to join the fun, hacking and slashing with my friend Tim, but that's all dependent upon Turbine releasing a Mac version. Bah.
• It's oddly likelier that I'll break down and buy a PlayStation 3 so that I can play "DC Universe Online," which is set for a November release. This is assuming, though, that the game has no monthly fees. It'll cost enough to buy that PS3 and upgrade my television. I don't need my credit card dinged for $12.99 or whatever each month.
Of course, this is just the tip of the iceberg for recent video game news and rumors. Is there anything special you've heard — or are hoping to hear — in connection with E3?
But we need not wait for the Electronic Entertainment Expo for the news to start a flowing. There's already plenty to discuss, including this awesome screenshot of Spider-Man 2099 from the upcoming game, "Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions." We've known for a couple months that the futuristic Spidey would be in the game, but this screenshot nonetheless made this 2099 fanboy's jaw drop. And in other news…• The next installment in my favorite music game franchise, "Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock," is trying something different. I'm still not sure what to think of the new approach, but any game with "Self Esteem" and "Bohemian Rhapsody" in the soundtrack is alright by me.
• Something that's left me more unsettled is that two weeks away from its release, "Transformers: Cybertron Adventures" for the Nintendo Wii remains a mystery. No screenshots have been released, minimal information about the game's Wii version is known, and I'm worried. I ask Activision and Next Level Games: What's wrong?
• A sign of the times, "The Lord of the Rings Online" will be free to play starting this fall. I'd love to join the fun, hacking and slashing with my friend Tim, but that's all dependent upon Turbine releasing a Mac version. Bah.
• It's oddly likelier that I'll break down and buy a PlayStation 3 so that I can play "DC Universe Online," which is set for a November release. This is assuming, though, that the game has no monthly fees. It'll cost enough to buy that PS3 and upgrade my television. I don't need my credit card dinged for $12.99 or whatever each month.
Of course, this is just the tip of the iceberg for recent video game news and rumors. Is there anything special you've heard — or are hoping to hear — in connection with E3?
6.07.2010
FLASH!....AAAA-AAAAAAAAAA!
So, bowing to peer pressure, I added the movie to my Netflix queue, and watched it with some friends last weekend (who also hadn't seen it).
First of all, I knew it was going to be bad, but the people who insisted I watch it really should've recommended that I not watch it SOBER. Which, unfortunately, I did.
I'll say this for the movie: The costumes are resplendent in their glory. I mean, wow. Did somebody hand the costume designer a bajillion dollars and just say, "Ehhh...make everyone look colorful and weird"?
Actually, the bonus features reveal the costume and set designer actually never read the script. The screenwriter even admits he wrote the script in one draft, and it never went through a rewrite. Both those facts explain a lot about this campy train wreck of a movie.
Fortunately, we had fun MST3K-ing it. We likened the heroine Dale to Doug the Dog from "Up" ("I just met you, but I love you."). We remarked on the amazing "teeth-acting" Brian Blessed did as Prince Vultan. And every time a character said, "Flash" we had to immediately follow with "AAAA-AAAAAAA!" like in the theme song, which is the most potent clarion call to action ever recorded:
6.06.2010
What are you doing this Saturday?
If you've ever harbored aspirations of marching in the Capital Pride parade, here's your big chance. Annie is unable to join me at this Saturday's event, so I can bring a guest or two in her place. If you'd like to march with the Washington Blade's contingent, let me know. I can make it happen. Just be sure to wear comfortable shoes. It's a bit of a walk.
6.05.2010
The Fun Theory
These have so many views on YouTube it's nearly certain you've seen them. But in case you haven't, or you want to relive the fun, enjoy.
6.03.2010
Gaming and user experience
Bear with me...this post is unusually techie for me, but I found this presentation absolutely fascinating. In my previous job we had many conversations about the user experience (UX) of our website, and how to make it more game-like to make it more appealing. I wish I'd seen this presentation back then, but even now I can glean a lot of great insights from it. Enjoy!
(Also, I totally want to check out Chore Wars!)
Thanks to F. Randall Farmer for pointing this out on Facebook!
(Also, I totally want to check out Chore Wars!)
Thanks to F. Randall Farmer for pointing this out on Facebook!
I really don't WANT to like "Glee"...
...but clips like this are making me begrudgingly enjoy it.
I mean, Beck? C'mon, that's just not FAIR.
I mean, Beck? C'mon, that's just not FAIR.
6.02.2010
A "power up" playlist to get you through the day
Feeling down or low on energy? Here are some of my favorite "power up" songs...enjoy.
(Also: I love TinySong.)
Today by Poe
Kick-Ass by MIKA (from the movie)
Don't Stop Believing by Journey
Nothin' But a Good Time by Poison
The Warrior by Scandal
That's Not My Name by The Ting Tings
I Believe in a Thing Called Love by The Darkness
Mr. Hurricane by Beast
Back in Black by AC/DC
Call Me, Beep Me by Christina Milian (yes, the "Kim Possible" theme song)
Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger by Daft Punk
Because I'm Awesome by the Dollyrots
Take It Off by The Donnas
No Sleep Tonight by The Faders
Fergalicious by Fergie
What are your favorite "power up" songs?
(Also: I love TinySong.)
Today by Poe
Kick-Ass by MIKA (from the movie)
Don't Stop Believing by Journey
Nothin' But a Good Time by Poison
The Warrior by Scandal
That's Not My Name by The Ting Tings
I Believe in a Thing Called Love by The Darkness
Mr. Hurricane by Beast
Back in Black by AC/DC
Call Me, Beep Me by Christina Milian (yes, the "Kim Possible" theme song)
Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger by Daft Punk
Because I'm Awesome by the Dollyrots
Take It Off by The Donnas
No Sleep Tonight by The Faders
Fergalicious by Fergie
What are your favorite "power up" songs?
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