Today at the Gamescom Confrence Sony made the announcement that a new variation of their Playstation 3 console which made it's debut in 2006 would hit the market no later than 9/1/09 with a price tag of $299.
Pictures - aint it pretty!
The new system is 32% smaller, 36% lighter, and uses 34% less energy. It has a 120GB hard drive, and still retains all the wonderful features of the current PS3 (blu-ray, blue tooth, wifi, ect).
As a current PS3 owner (since 1/07), I am very excited for this news. I could care less about not having the latest and greatest unit. What I am excited about is that the system is now more accessible than ever. At $299 Playstations should finally start moving off shelves and into people's homes. The possibility of having more than 2 people on my friends list who are actually friends gets me pumped.
My one issue is that they reduced the price of the currently available consoles by $100. This makes an 80GB version of the current console the same price as the smaller, lighter, more energy efficient, 120GB version that comes out in 2 weeks. Why in the world would anyone buy that one with a 50% smaller hard drive? I suppose if you subscribe to the theory that new versions of things always have kinks to work out, you might be inclined to get a current console with all things being equal...BUT THEY ARENT! If I could get a bigger hard drive and pay less in energy to run this machine (the PS3 is basically a small computer), there is no way I would pay the same price. I am not sure what the right price point is to move them (249?), but I would guess a sub $299 PS3 will be available for a limited time.
If the lower price entices you to purchase a PS3, great. Enjoy some exclusive games like Uncharted:Drake's Fortune, MLB 09:The Show, Killzone2, and Little Big Planet; watch some blu-rays; and hit me up on PSN (St3ck83) .
Update: Check out this PC world comparison for a true 'cost to own' comparison after the price drop. http://www.pcworld.com/article/170411/ps3_slim_vs_xbox_360_price_fight.html
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Monday, August 17, 2009
No need to get Vick'd Off!
Michael Vick is a Philadelphia Eagle. 3 years ago that would have excited Eagle fans to no end, however in light of more recent events there is a much more mixed reaction. There is no need for me to rehash the despicable, disgusting acts that turned Vick into a pariah. The former number 1 overall pick and highest paid player in the NFL has a lot of work to do before he returns to even the above average status he had in the league a couple years ago.
Personally, I would much rather have Vick on my team than face him. He is the most dangerous QB I have even seen with his feet (with his arm, not so much). In the era of the 'Wildcat' offense, I can imagine no more versatile player than Vick. The Wildcat has been employed as a 'trick' play up until now, however with Vick it is possible it could become a regular part of the offense. This is the type of game he was born to play and honestly, I think he will be successful. I am much more nervous about the two times a year the Cowboys have to play the Eagles.
With all this gushing over Vick there are really two questions I need to answer...
1) Have I forgiven Mike Vick?
Honestly, he never did anything to me or my family so I have nothing to forgive him for. What he did was horrible, and there is no excuse for it. He has served his debt to society in prison, appears remorseful, and if his walk matches his talk since he got out of jail he would appear to be a healed man. Could he fall back into it? Yes Is it possible he is just saying the right things to get his job back? Yes Does it matter why he is not torturing/killing animals anymore? NO! People have reasons for everything they do, some noble some not so much. In the end only God can judge our motives, but the man has changed his lifestyle and that is what should matter to society.
2) Do I wish that Vick had signed with the Cowboys?
Right this second? No - the Cowboys just got out from under the TO circus and the last thing they need is the 24/7 media coverage that Vick brings. In a couple years when things have calmed down, if he was productive I would be glad to see Vick in a Dallas uniform. My opposition to Vick isn't Vick himself, its the circus that would follow him. Its the same reason I wouldn't want TO, Brett Favre, or any other player the media has decided to over cover.
Once everyone calms down and as long as Vick continues to walk the straight and narrow, I believe the Eagles will be a better team as much as I hate to admit it. Vick needs to really relish a second chance with a team like the Eagles. A strong organization with management backing him and a strong locker room. If he screws this opportunity up, then he truly does need to be thrown to the dogs.
Personally, I would much rather have Vick on my team than face him. He is the most dangerous QB I have even seen with his feet (with his arm, not so much). In the era of the 'Wildcat' offense, I can imagine no more versatile player than Vick. The Wildcat has been employed as a 'trick' play up until now, however with Vick it is possible it could become a regular part of the offense. This is the type of game he was born to play and honestly, I think he will be successful. I am much more nervous about the two times a year the Cowboys have to play the Eagles.
With all this gushing over Vick there are really two questions I need to answer...
1) Have I forgiven Mike Vick?
Honestly, he never did anything to me or my family so I have nothing to forgive him for. What he did was horrible, and there is no excuse for it. He has served his debt to society in prison, appears remorseful, and if his walk matches his talk since he got out of jail he would appear to be a healed man. Could he fall back into it? Yes Is it possible he is just saying the right things to get his job back? Yes Does it matter why he is not torturing/killing animals anymore? NO! People have reasons for everything they do, some noble some not so much. In the end only God can judge our motives, but the man has changed his lifestyle and that is what should matter to society.
2) Do I wish that Vick had signed with the Cowboys?
Right this second? No - the Cowboys just got out from under the TO circus and the last thing they need is the 24/7 media coverage that Vick brings. In a couple years when things have calmed down, if he was productive I would be glad to see Vick in a Dallas uniform. My opposition to Vick isn't Vick himself, its the circus that would follow him. Its the same reason I wouldn't want TO, Brett Favre, or any other player the media has decided to over cover.
Once everyone calms down and as long as Vick continues to walk the straight and narrow, I believe the Eagles will be a better team as much as I hate to admit it. Vick needs to really relish a second chance with a team like the Eagles. A strong organization with management backing him and a strong locker room. If he screws this opportunity up, then he truly does need to be thrown to the dogs.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Celebrate good times...come on!
In honor of my brothers nuptials a few weeks ago, and his receptions here in PA today I would like to post my best man's speech to him and his new wife Marilyn. The speech went over really well and I thought I should share it. Feel free to rip off my idea because it is that good :)
Congratulations to Andy and Marilyn Steckiel!
I’ve know Andy since June 13, 1984 and I’m sure there are pictures somewhere to prove it. We have had up and downs but at the end of the day we play for the same team. He’s my brother and one of my best friends. Whether it’s the goofy ear to ear grin or turning his head to check out some hot sexy …car he has always been the same Andy. Passionate, stubborn, and lovable.
But I’m not here just to roast and toast Andy today. I’m here to celebrate his new life with his wonderful bride Marilyn. From what I have gotten to know of Marilyn she should be able to tame..err…enhance all of my brother’s wonder intricacies. I really do wish you two all the best. If you ever need anything, Nik and I will only be a ghetto town away.
Now what would a wedding be without a little advice from a seasoned veteran of marriage who really hasn’t figured anything out and is constantly apologizing for mistakes. So, without further adieu, I give you 7 songs from Matt’s IPod to help your marriage. I put my IPod on shuffle and these 7 songs did come up.
1. Moby Dick by Led Zeppelin
a. Sometimes all you need is the music. This great song without a single word was meant to showcase the fantastic drum skills of the late John Bonham, but would have never been the track it was without the mad guitar skills of Jimmy Page. While you both will always be the band, sometimes you need to let the other one shine. As you start your life together, never forget you need each other but recognize that each of you has your own talents that need to come through.
2. Foxy Lady by Jimmy Hendrixa. Pretty comes and goes, but foxy is forever. While you don’t have to run around like Garth in Wayne’s world with the foxy ears; Andy always remember to compliment Marilyn. Telling your wife how beautiful she is never gets old, and never goes out of style. Remind her how good she looks, how she makes you feel, and that she is your one and only foxy lady
3. Sabotage by The Beastie Boysa. While this song may be best known for my renditions on Rock Band – it tells the story of someone who is being undermined. Throughout your marriage many outside influences will try to sabotage your marriage and undermine the bond that you are trying to strengthen. Make sure you keep your eyes open and be ready to face them together when they come.
4. I Walk the Line – Johnny Casha. As sure as night is dark and day is light,
I keep you on my mind both day and night.And happiness I’ve known proves that it’s right.
Because you’re mine,
I walk the line.
b. Listen to this song, and think of the one you love. It’s impossible to do without smiling. It tells the story of being focused soley on that special someone and the happiness that true, dedicated love brings. Stay on each others minds and you’ll be happier people. We all know Andy needs it
5. All the Small Things – Blink182a. When we look back on life, we remember big events. Birth, vacations, graduation, MARRIAGE, etc. But compared to the rest of your time on earth these make up a small percentage of your time. It’s all the small things day to day that will really shape you and your marriage.
6. Livin on a Prayer – Bon Jovia. I’m going to make a stretch here and hope I don’t get struck by lightning. Andy, you’re Tommy and I know you don’t work on the docks, and Marilyn you’re Gina and I’m not sure if you’ll work the diner all day; but in the end all you have is each other and the Lord. Never forget that third person in your marriage. Make sure he is always present in your life together.
7. No Phone – Cakea. So you guys are headed to the great white north for your honeymoon. I’m not sure they have phones in Canada or what – but really enjoy your time together alone. Life will come fast and furious once you get back. Get all you can out of your time away from everything. Enjoy yourselves, relax, and have fun.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
MLB All-Star Game 2009
I will be the first to admit, it has been far too long since I have written anything. What better to post on than the mid-summer classic. I will be doing an expansion of my twitter posts during the game. I did quite a few so this could get lengthy. As always you can follow me on twitter here.
1. Really, all star game starting at almost 9PM EST? Way to reel in the young fans Major League Baseball! Stellar job as usual
This has been a pet peeve of mine growing up and seeing the trend toward later and later games. The first time i remember the lateness coming into play was in 1995 (I was 12). This was the first year of the wild card in the playoffs and the Redsox got in. We had tickets for a game 4, and i remember laying in bed with my radio turned way down listening to game 3 to see if I would get to go to game 4. The Sox ended up losing that game, and I laid in bed crying. I think it was then that I really realized what it was to be a pre-2004 Redsox fan.
Starting the world series before 8pm for the first time in 30 years is a nice step, but why not start the all star game at 8? I mean, aren't Boston and New York the only markets MLB cares about anyway? (sarcasm) Also, young fans care a lot more about the all star game than the world series unless their team is playing in it. I cared far more in 1993 and 1994 about seeing Scott Cooper come in to play 3rd base than I did about the Soxless world series games (1993 only, no WS in 1994). I just really think MLB is doing everything it can to remain an old-timers game, and before you know it those old timers are going to get the early bird special at 4pm and be in bed by 8pm. Good luck with that.
2. Pujols = All Star game goat? How great would that be!
I love Albert Pujols, you love Albert Pujols, we all love Albert Pujols...BUT there can be too much of a good thing. Maybe its the negative east coast sports fan in me, but by the time the game started Tuesday night I had enough. This post was made in the first inning when Albert let a ball go through his legs. I am back on the bandwagon today, but I had more than enough of the Fox/Espn Albert love-fest.
3. ugh - Obama, McCarver, and Buck. Surprised my TV hasn't blown up
If Gitmo was still open, they would be re-playing this video there. Cruel and unusual.
4. Who would want Halladay on their team? What a bum!
During Doc's 3 run second inning. Of course I kid! He would look really good in a Redsox uniform...otherwise he needs to go to the NL. This guy scares the crap out of me.
5. Its the Buzzsaw!!! BZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzZZZZZZZZ!
A tribute to 5th inning NL pitcher Chad Billingsly. Affectionately know as the Buzzsaw by the Fantasy Focus Baseball podcast on ESPN. My absolute favorite podcast. Even (especially) if you don't play fantasy sports, this podcast is really entertaining. I encourage all to check it out. Even my wife likes it.
6. Just when i got comfortable with the amount of Bono in my life, on comes the new Blackberry commercial.
Let the U2 overexposure begin (again)!
7. Was the MLB Network commercial the best commercial ever, or did it just look that way next to the taco bell commercial (WORST EVER!)?
Please watch this commercial, then turn on your TV and watch the first commercial you see. That will totally explain this.
Also, a follow up to Frank's post about the maker of the commercial needing to update his resume and look for a new job...
@franklyput He should make more commercials, but they need to be for things we DON'T want. Bubonic Plague, cancer, termites, Al Queda, ect
8. Bud Selig, Cleveland fans thank you for seeing their lone all star take an intentional walk. Home field advantage, gotta love it!
Look, I am all for a competitive all star game that doesn't end in a tie; however, we need to find another motivator for these teams. All the kids in Cleveland who waited until the 8th inning to see Victor Martinez enter the game only to see him thrown 4 consecutive balls out of the zone deserve an apology. I get the strategy. You cant fault Charlie Manuel for the call, but things like this should happen. Each team is required to have an all star to make fans all over the country interested in the game. When something like this happens, you totally take away that appeal.
9. Few things - MLB ASG plays more like a regular game than any other sport, Paps got the win which was nice, and 2hr 31 minutes that was quick
This was my final tweet of the game. I saw the final score and my first thought was how unlike hockey (high scoring), basketball (high scoring, defense is a joke), and football (barely a 'game') the baseball all star game is. It was a 'normal' score (4-3), there was strategy employed (as much as it stinks for Cleveland fans), and there were some great defensive plays (as evidenced by Carl Crawford getting the MVP for his great catch). I really enjoyed this as another game during the season, however it didn't feel like a big event. If I was a Nationals, Orioles, or Pirates fan and this game was the biggest one of the rest of my season I think I would be kind of bummed. I am really torn about how I feel on this one.
I always appreciate when a Sox player gets something done in this game. Hopefully this will be the only time we see Papelbon with the win and Rivera with the save.
The final statement ties back to the first. This really felt like a real, regular season game. Its like a regular season Greg Maddux start. I do appreciate the length because of the late start time, but I am not sure 'efficiency' is the way to go with what should be a big event like this. On the other hand, we could have used some of this brevity on Monday night with the homerun derby.
The only other impression from the game was some sadness that 17 year veteran and first time all star Tim Wakefield didn't get to throw a pitch. I totally understand the strategy by Joe Madden, however as a Sox fan this really disappointed me. Wake will pitch til he is 60 so he might get another chance, but I was still disappointed.
All-Star game 2009 in the books. AL makes it 13 wins in a row. Really well played game with plenty of drama on the field.
1. Really, all star game starting at almost 9PM EST? Way to reel in the young fans Major League Baseball! Stellar job as usual
This has been a pet peeve of mine growing up and seeing the trend toward later and later games. The first time i remember the lateness coming into play was in 1995 (I was 12). This was the first year of the wild card in the playoffs and the Redsox got in. We had tickets for a game 4, and i remember laying in bed with my radio turned way down listening to game 3 to see if I would get to go to game 4. The Sox ended up losing that game, and I laid in bed crying. I think it was then that I really realized what it was to be a pre-2004 Redsox fan.
Starting the world series before 8pm for the first time in 30 years is a nice step, but why not start the all star game at 8? I mean, aren't Boston and New York the only markets MLB cares about anyway? (sarcasm) Also, young fans care a lot more about the all star game than the world series unless their team is playing in it. I cared far more in 1993 and 1994 about seeing Scott Cooper come in to play 3rd base than I did about the Soxless world series games (1993 only, no WS in 1994). I just really think MLB is doing everything it can to remain an old-timers game, and before you know it those old timers are going to get the early bird special at 4pm and be in bed by 8pm. Good luck with that.
2. Pujols = All Star game goat? How great would that be!
I love Albert Pujols, you love Albert Pujols, we all love Albert Pujols...BUT there can be too much of a good thing. Maybe its the negative east coast sports fan in me, but by the time the game started Tuesday night I had enough. This post was made in the first inning when Albert let a ball go through his legs. I am back on the bandwagon today, but I had more than enough of the Fox/Espn Albert love-fest.
3. ugh - Obama, McCarver, and Buck. Surprised my TV hasn't blown up
If Gitmo was still open, they would be re-playing this video there. Cruel and unusual.
4. Who would want Halladay on their team? What a bum!
During Doc's 3 run second inning. Of course I kid! He would look really good in a Redsox uniform...otherwise he needs to go to the NL. This guy scares the crap out of me.
5. Its the Buzzsaw!!! BZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzZZZZZZZZ!
A tribute to 5th inning NL pitcher Chad Billingsly. Affectionately know as the Buzzsaw by the Fantasy Focus Baseball podcast on ESPN. My absolute favorite podcast. Even (especially) if you don't play fantasy sports, this podcast is really entertaining. I encourage all to check it out. Even my wife likes it.
6. Just when i got comfortable with the amount of Bono in my life, on comes the new Blackberry commercial.
Let the U2 overexposure begin (again)!
7. Was the MLB Network commercial the best commercial ever, or did it just look that way next to the taco bell commercial (WORST EVER!)?
Please watch this commercial, then turn on your TV and watch the first commercial you see. That will totally explain this.
Also, a follow up to Frank's post about the maker of the commercial needing to update his resume and look for a new job...
@franklyput He should make more commercials, but they need to be for things we DON'T want. Bubonic Plague, cancer, termites, Al Queda, ect
8. Bud Selig, Cleveland fans thank you for seeing their lone all star take an intentional walk. Home field advantage, gotta love it!
Look, I am all for a competitive all star game that doesn't end in a tie; however, we need to find another motivator for these teams. All the kids in Cleveland who waited until the 8th inning to see Victor Martinez enter the game only to see him thrown 4 consecutive balls out of the zone deserve an apology. I get the strategy. You cant fault Charlie Manuel for the call, but things like this should happen. Each team is required to have an all star to make fans all over the country interested in the game. When something like this happens, you totally take away that appeal.
9. Few things - MLB ASG plays more like a regular game than any other sport, Paps got the win which was nice, and 2hr 31 minutes that was quick
This was my final tweet of the game. I saw the final score and my first thought was how unlike hockey (high scoring), basketball (high scoring, defense is a joke), and football (barely a 'game') the baseball all star game is. It was a 'normal' score (4-3), there was strategy employed (as much as it stinks for Cleveland fans), and there were some great defensive plays (as evidenced by Carl Crawford getting the MVP for his great catch). I really enjoyed this as another game during the season, however it didn't feel like a big event. If I was a Nationals, Orioles, or Pirates fan and this game was the biggest one of the rest of my season I think I would be kind of bummed. I am really torn about how I feel on this one.
I always appreciate when a Sox player gets something done in this game. Hopefully this will be the only time we see Papelbon with the win and Rivera with the save.
The final statement ties back to the first. This really felt like a real, regular season game. Its like a regular season Greg Maddux start. I do appreciate the length because of the late start time, but I am not sure 'efficiency' is the way to go with what should be a big event like this. On the other hand, we could have used some of this brevity on Monday night with the homerun derby.
The only other impression from the game was some sadness that 17 year veteran and first time all star Tim Wakefield didn't get to throw a pitch. I totally understand the strategy by Joe Madden, however as a Sox fan this really disappointed me. Wake will pitch til he is 60 so he might get another chance, but I was still disappointed.
All-Star game 2009 in the books. AL makes it 13 wins in a row. Really well played game with plenty of drama on the field.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Frost/Nixon Review
(Note: This may contain spoilers, however if you are over 40 you already know how this plays out)
This was the first movie I have seen in a long while where not a gun was fired or not a crude joke (that I can remember) was made that I really enjoyed. It also has the most appropriate title of any movie I can remember. "Frost/Nixon" sounds like a boxing match (De La Hoya/Pacquiao), and that's exactly what this movie was. The movie really followed the same lines as a boxing movie.
The beginning of the movie lays out were both Richard Nixon (played amazingly by Frank Langella) and David Frost (Michael Sheen) were in their life. Having not been around at the time of Watergate or the actual events of the movie, I found the background information very helpful. They painted Nixon as a defiant, hated criminal; loved only by his closest advisers and family members. David Frost was a media playboy who was known for talk shows and fluff pieces. The evolution of both characters throughout the movie was fantastic.
From there it showed the preparation from both sides. They went into enough detail on what went on in both the camps to prepare for the TV special. Frost's camp coming up with a thousand different ways to 'nail' Nixon, while Nixon's camp was sure that his superior intellect would restore Dick to his former political glory. The movie did a great job of laying out the tactics of both sides, while not getting bogged down in all the historical details. It gave plenty of context to someone like me who had a limited knowledge of the specific happenings of this event.
The third part of the movie was the actual toe-toe interactions between Frost and Nixon. The tension was extraordinary. You could feel them sweating under the 'studio' lights, and struggling for the upper hand as the interview went on. The internal and external turmoil of both characters was told in such a way that your feelings toward them constantly changed. In the end though you feel that each character got what they needed.
I would highly suggest watching Frost/Nixon as it was a really well done, tension filled political drama. It had great acting and a compelling story line as well as all the historical background you needed to understand the plot. I give it an 8.5 out of 10
This was the first movie I have seen in a long while where not a gun was fired or not a crude joke (that I can remember) was made that I really enjoyed. It also has the most appropriate title of any movie I can remember. "Frost/Nixon" sounds like a boxing match (De La Hoya/Pacquiao), and that's exactly what this movie was. The movie really followed the same lines as a boxing movie.
The beginning of the movie lays out were both Richard Nixon (played amazingly by Frank Langella) and David Frost (Michael Sheen) were in their life. Having not been around at the time of Watergate or the actual events of the movie, I found the background information very helpful. They painted Nixon as a defiant, hated criminal; loved only by his closest advisers and family members. David Frost was a media playboy who was known for talk shows and fluff pieces. The evolution of both characters throughout the movie was fantastic.
From there it showed the preparation from both sides. They went into enough detail on what went on in both the camps to prepare for the TV special. Frost's camp coming up with a thousand different ways to 'nail' Nixon, while Nixon's camp was sure that his superior intellect would restore Dick to his former political glory. The movie did a great job of laying out the tactics of both sides, while not getting bogged down in all the historical details. It gave plenty of context to someone like me who had a limited knowledge of the specific happenings of this event.
The third part of the movie was the actual toe-toe interactions between Frost and Nixon. The tension was extraordinary. You could feel them sweating under the 'studio' lights, and struggling for the upper hand as the interview went on. The internal and external turmoil of both characters was told in such a way that your feelings toward them constantly changed. In the end though you feel that each character got what they needed.
I would highly suggest watching Frost/Nixon as it was a really well done, tension filled political drama. It had great acting and a compelling story line as well as all the historical background you needed to understand the plot. I give it an 8.5 out of 10
Disturbing Trend
Below is a paste from the most recent email communication from Gamestop game store...
GameStop Exclusive Super Bowl XLIII Rematch Demo*
While you're waiting for the release of Madden NFL 10, you can relive the Super Bowl in our GameStop-Exclusive Super Bowl XLIII Rematch Demo between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Arizona Cardinals, with four 5-minute quarters! Just reserve Madden NFL 10, and you'll be eligible to receive a code for the demo, while supplies last. The demo should begin in late July, and you should expect to receive your demo code in mid-July.
Wow, if you put $5 down, you are able to receive a code for a demo of the newest Madden game. You are going to get to play the game sometime in August, and now you can use the demo to get some early practice in with the controls to utterly dominate when you receive the full game. Makes a lot of sense.
The purpose of a demo was always to give you just enough of the game to leave you wanting more. You get to play 10-20 minutes of the game, and if the game is good you will go out and rent or buy it. This has worked several times on me (Burnout Paradise, Tiger Woods Golf, and Killzone 2). The demo was a ton of fun, proved that it would be a quality game, and got me to drop my $$.
All of a sudden a demo isn't used to prove how good the game is, it's to reward people who would have bought the game anyway. I really don't understand this from a marketing standpoint. Why not release the demo to the PSN and XBL and maybe have someone beyond hardcore Madden fans pre-order the game. A demo would never get me to pre-order a game.
This may come across as a bit of sour grapes, however I assure you it's not. I am all for rewarding those hardcore fans who pre-order games. Give them something extra...maybe a code to unlock a spcial playbook in Madden, or a special costume in an adventure game, or maybe even an extra car in a racing game.
My issue is that something meant to help move the game based on the quality and build is all of a sudden a gimmick give away. A demo can cause me to want to buy a game, but only before I have to lay down any cash.
Friday, June 5, 2009
The Smorgasbord
Hope your hungry kiddies, cause its time for the smorgasbord!
I was dead wrong on David Ortiz. He is batting .204 with 17RBI in 127 at bats (35 games played) since the home run game. Now the news comes out that he is getting his eyes checked. I am just sad about this. I still love Papi, and it would be great if he could come back but my hope is gone.
I shocked some 'older' folks this week when I said I had never seen The Godfather (1972), Apocalypse Now (1979), and Scarface (1983). Obviously I need to catch up and see these classics. It got me thinking though, when I'm 50 what movies will I be teasing the kids about not seeing? Saving Private Ryan? No Country for Old Men? The Matrix? I'm not sure that they belong in the same class as those. Oh yeah - and I've never seen Titanic and do not intend to.
I went to get a haircut yesterday and came away with a few observations. The only place they are more wrong on your 'wait time' than a restaurant is at Hair Cuttery. 30-45 minutes turned into 90 minutes. I need to make an appointment next time around because as Charles Barkley would say "Thats ridiculous." Next, all under-30's that cut hair are required to have their nose or lip pierced. I'm not necessarily against it. "Ok, now for the final piece of your interview...nose or lip?" Finally, do not tell a hair dresser you use anything other than salon products. You will get a lecture.
I watched all 3 of the big E3 press confrences (see them here) and here are my impressions:
Microsoft - Great game lineup. Splinter Cell looks fantastic. Was initially blown away by the Natal demo, but the more I thought about it am I really going to sit and paint elephants? Do i really need to take the remote out of my hand to find a movie? Is it that inconvenient? The Milo demonstration was cool, but it really needs more 'baking' before I would be convinced it worked. My initial excitement is gone, however it is definitely something to keep an eye on. Beatles Rock Band is a must buy for me.
Nintendo - Mario+Zelda+Metroid seems to be the winning formula for Nintendo. We have seen Wii Motion plus before. I think its cool that they are supporting more mature games (Deadspace, Resident Evil) but do those really sell for Wii? The flinger clip thing seems like the most ridiculous peripheral ever.
Sony - Alot of stuff was leaked early for them including the PSP Go, Team Ico game, and PSP Metal Gear. Sequals look really good (Uncharted 2, God of War 3, Gran Turismo 5). Motion control was neat, but leave that stuff to Nintendo please. Final Fantasy 13 looks fantastic, and FF 14 will be really cool too. Im not a big online guy, but might give FF14 a shot.
Please buy my house. There's an open house Sunday from 1-3.
Follow me on Twitter
I'll be on vacation in Vermont next week which im really pumped for.
Til next time!
I was dead wrong on David Ortiz. He is batting .204 with 17RBI in 127 at bats (35 games played) since the home run game. Now the news comes out that he is getting his eyes checked. I am just sad about this. I still love Papi, and it would be great if he could come back but my hope is gone.
I shocked some 'older' folks this week when I said I had never seen The Godfather (1972), Apocalypse Now (1979), and Scarface (1983). Obviously I need to catch up and see these classics. It got me thinking though, when I'm 50 what movies will I be teasing the kids about not seeing? Saving Private Ryan? No Country for Old Men? The Matrix? I'm not sure that they belong in the same class as those. Oh yeah - and I've never seen Titanic and do not intend to.
I went to get a haircut yesterday and came away with a few observations. The only place they are more wrong on your 'wait time' than a restaurant is at Hair Cuttery. 30-45 minutes turned into 90 minutes. I need to make an appointment next time around because as Charles Barkley would say "Thats ridiculous." Next, all under-30's that cut hair are required to have their nose or lip pierced. I'm not necessarily against it. "Ok, now for the final piece of your interview...nose or lip?" Finally, do not tell a hair dresser you use anything other than salon products. You will get a lecture.
I watched all 3 of the big E3 press confrences (see them here) and here are my impressions:
Microsoft - Great game lineup. Splinter Cell looks fantastic. Was initially blown away by the Natal demo, but the more I thought about it am I really going to sit and paint elephants? Do i really need to take the remote out of my hand to find a movie? Is it that inconvenient? The Milo demonstration was cool, but it really needs more 'baking' before I would be convinced it worked. My initial excitement is gone, however it is definitely something to keep an eye on. Beatles Rock Band is a must buy for me.
Nintendo - Mario+Zelda+Metroid seems to be the winning formula for Nintendo. We have seen Wii Motion plus before. I think its cool that they are supporting more mature games (Deadspace, Resident Evil) but do those really sell for Wii? The flinger clip thing seems like the most ridiculous peripheral ever.
Sony - Alot of stuff was leaked early for them including the PSP Go, Team Ico game, and PSP Metal Gear. Sequals look really good (Uncharted 2, God of War 3, Gran Turismo 5). Motion control was neat, but leave that stuff to Nintendo please. Final Fantasy 13 looks fantastic, and FF 14 will be really cool too. Im not a big online guy, but might give FF14 a shot.
Please buy my house. There's an open house Sunday from 1-3.
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I'll be on vacation in Vermont next week which im really pumped for.
Til next time!
Friday, May 29, 2009
The Smorgasbord
Here are a bunch of things in the last week that don't deserve their own post, but I wanted to comment on anyway.
New Yankee Stadium - In a word, "wow." I had the opportunity to go last Friday to see the Phillies out-homer the Yanks. The stadium is absolutely beautiful. Very clean, great site lines from everywhere, very open feeling, and the most amazing video scoreboard I have ever seen. Big ups to the Steinbrenners on this one. If you are a baseball fan, you HAVE to go. You will not regret it. You can park in a brand new garage next to the stadium for $19 too which is a huge plus. The fans are still as annoying as they were at the old stadium though.
inFamous Demo - The inFamous demo hit the Playstation store last week, and i was super excited for it. This game is Assassin's Creed + Grand Theft Auto IV + Star Wars Force Unleashed. Open world, lively city, and really cool powers for your character. Couple things though - 1. The whole game is based on the good or evil path dynamic which you do not get to experience in the demo 2. The demo was really hard. Not sure if the real game will have alot of missions before what was in the demo (guard the medical supplies and destroy the truck), but I died alot. Overall, good looking, fun gameplay, decent control scheme, and another game i want to buy (but dont need...according to my wife).
Marley and Me - Finally got around to watching this. Was really well done. Not having a pet I am sure that I dont totally "get it." It was pretty emotional toward the end. Hard to buy Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston as 40 year old parents of 3 toward the end of the movie. Overall, very good watch but if you have a pet you are attached to make sure to get some tissues. One big problem - Right on the cover of the box they have Marley as a little puppy; however, in the movie he was only a puppy for about 5 minutes. I felt this was a bit deceiving as I am a much bigger fan of puppies than I am of big dogs (funny how its the same way for people too). Entertaining family movie, gets a grade of B from me.
TGI Friday's got rid of their $5 menu. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted.
Broke another yellow drum head on my Rock Band drums. Not sure what it is, but this is my second yellow one that broke. None of my other drum heads have snapped. My foot pedal is cracking too, but at least I still have an extra one of those :) RB is still the best party game ever. I challenge anyone to find a better video game for 4 people in a room to play together.
As much as I hate to admit it (being a Rock Band guy), I am really excited for Guitar Hero 5. I have not been a huge fan of the series so far, but the artists/songs and new features look like they could add alot to the game.
I listen to a bunch of podcasts (mostly sports and video game related). I feel the need to pimp one I listened to this week. Bill Simmons had Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks, on this week. Really good banter on the NBA, the economy, and the future of entertainment. There is a link at the top of this page.
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My parents are having a garage sale Saturday. Please come check it out. Tell your friends.
Here is the address and other info
Enjoy your weekend!
New Yankee Stadium - In a word, "wow." I had the opportunity to go last Friday to see the Phillies out-homer the Yanks. The stadium is absolutely beautiful. Very clean, great site lines from everywhere, very open feeling, and the most amazing video scoreboard I have ever seen. Big ups to the Steinbrenners on this one. If you are a baseball fan, you HAVE to go. You will not regret it. You can park in a brand new garage next to the stadium for $19 too which is a huge plus. The fans are still as annoying as they were at the old stadium though.
inFamous Demo - The inFamous demo hit the Playstation store last week, and i was super excited for it. This game is Assassin's Creed + Grand Theft Auto IV + Star Wars Force Unleashed. Open world, lively city, and really cool powers for your character. Couple things though - 1. The whole game is based on the good or evil path dynamic which you do not get to experience in the demo 2. The demo was really hard. Not sure if the real game will have alot of missions before what was in the demo (guard the medical supplies and destroy the truck), but I died alot. Overall, good looking, fun gameplay, decent control scheme, and another game i want to buy (but dont need...according to my wife).
Marley and Me - Finally got around to watching this. Was really well done. Not having a pet I am sure that I dont totally "get it." It was pretty emotional toward the end. Hard to buy Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston as 40 year old parents of 3 toward the end of the movie. Overall, very good watch but if you have a pet you are attached to make sure to get some tissues. One big problem - Right on the cover of the box they have Marley as a little puppy; however, in the movie he was only a puppy for about 5 minutes. I felt this was a bit deceiving as I am a much bigger fan of puppies than I am of big dogs (funny how its the same way for people too). Entertaining family movie, gets a grade of B from me.
TGI Friday's got rid of their $5 menu. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted.
Broke another yellow drum head on my Rock Band drums. Not sure what it is, but this is my second yellow one that broke. None of my other drum heads have snapped. My foot pedal is cracking too, but at least I still have an extra one of those :) RB is still the best party game ever. I challenge anyone to find a better video game for 4 people in a room to play together.
As much as I hate to admit it (being a Rock Band guy), I am really excited for Guitar Hero 5. I have not been a huge fan of the series so far, but the artists/songs and new features look like they could add alot to the game.
I listen to a bunch of podcasts (mostly sports and video game related). I feel the need to pimp one I listened to this week. Bill Simmons had Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks, on this week. Really good banter on the NBA, the economy, and the future of entertainment. There is a link at the top of this page.
Follow me on Twitter
My parents are having a garage sale Saturday. Please come check it out. Tell your friends.
Here is the address and other info
Enjoy your weekend!
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Sony has a good idea?
Last week I posted about the future of gaming as digital distribution of content. Today I bring more good news along the same lines.
The Story
To be fair, all of the speculation is built on a question from a survey, however I am still very excited. It would appear Sony might be experimenting with an online rental service for PSP games. You would pay a monthly fee, and be able to rent games from the Playstation Network though the PS3. Presumably - you would be able to download games to your memory stick or new PSP GO! and be able to play.
What a great idea. I absolutely love this. For someone like me who only plays their PSP when they are traveling, this is a great idea. New games always available. Only pay the months that you play. No UMDs to store or carry around. How does this not work? Do people really replay their PSP games that much that they are actually worth buying? This should also cut down on more mainstream gamers looking into hacking their PSPs.
Comments are welcome
The Story
To be fair, all of the speculation is built on a question from a survey, however I am still very excited. It would appear Sony might be experimenting with an online rental service for PSP games. You would pay a monthly fee, and be able to rent games from the Playstation Network though the PS3. Presumably - you would be able to download games to your memory stick or new PSP GO! and be able to play.
What a great idea. I absolutely love this. For someone like me who only plays their PSP when they are traveling, this is a great idea. New games always available. Only pay the months that you play. No UMDs to store or carry around. How does this not work? Do people really replay their PSP games that much that they are actually worth buying? This should also cut down on more mainstream gamers looking into hacking their PSPs.
Comments are welcome
Papi, Why are you crying?
I feel bad for him. David Ortiz is just not the same player he was in 2007 (or last year for that matter). Once the most popular player on the Redsox, Ortiz was benched this weekend in favor of Rocco Baldelli. The Sox were hoping the weekend would give Big Papi a chance to relax and clear his head. After watching another 0-3 performance Tuesday night, including two ugly strikeouts and a weak grounder to first, it appears time off isn't what he needed.
Let me take this chance to credit the Redsox fans who were in attendance Tuesday night. Papi was not boo'd, and actually had chants break out for him in his second at bat (a ground out) even after an extremely ugly strikeout in the first inning.
He looks slow and confused at the plate. The Sox have a decision to make. Do they keep him and his .203 batting average in the lineup, or do they start to look for his replacement? I will be the first to say 2004 and 2007 would not have been possible without Ortiz. He will always be one of my favorite players - heck his jersey is hanging in my closet at home. There comes a point where as a team you need to move forward though. It was done with Nomar in 2004, Manny in 2008, and maybe its time with Papi now.
I like Papi way too much. Personally, I would drop him to the bottom third of the order and see what happens. Take the pressure off, but keep him in the game. If he doesn't start hitting, all you have lost is time. I would much rather do that than have the feeling Twins fans must have had from 2003-2008.
Every time he comes up my mind goes back to the same guy whose bat explodes though the zone, and grins ear to ear as the ball sails into the right field stands. Then my eyes see a slow, joyless, stressed Ortiz who cant get around on a 90mph fastball anymore. I really feel like he needs one homer, and the rest will come. He can get the average back to 270ish, and hit 25 homers. The question is, can he get one?
Let me take this chance to credit the Redsox fans who were in attendance Tuesday night. Papi was not boo'd, and actually had chants break out for him in his second at bat (a ground out) even after an extremely ugly strikeout in the first inning.
He looks slow and confused at the plate. The Sox have a decision to make. Do they keep him and his .203 batting average in the lineup, or do they start to look for his replacement? I will be the first to say 2004 and 2007 would not have been possible without Ortiz. He will always be one of my favorite players - heck his jersey is hanging in my closet at home. There comes a point where as a team you need to move forward though. It was done with Nomar in 2004, Manny in 2008, and maybe its time with Papi now.
I like Papi way too much. Personally, I would drop him to the bottom third of the order and see what happens. Take the pressure off, but keep him in the game. If he doesn't start hitting, all you have lost is time. I would much rather do that than have the feeling Twins fans must have had from 2003-2008.
Every time he comes up my mind goes back to the same guy whose bat explodes though the zone, and grins ear to ear as the ball sails into the right field stands. Then my eyes see a slow, joyless, stressed Ortiz who cant get around on a 90mph fastball anymore. I really feel like he needs one homer, and the rest will come. He can get the average back to 270ish, and hit 25 homers. The question is, can he get one?
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Digital Distribution of Games
Patapon 2 has been released in the US. Big so what. Whats Patapon you may ask? Its a rhythm battle game for Sony's PSP, and has widely been regarded as one of the better games on the platform. The reason you should care about the release of the sequel to the original Patapon is that it will only be released in digital form in the United States. There will be no disc to insert, keep track of, or display proudly in your game came. You are able to go to your local Target and buy a box; however, there is only a download code for the game inside. This is the first major release for a game console that is only available in digital form.
Is this a ploy to get you to buy more memory cards for your device, or eventually buy a bigger hard drive for your home console? I honestly don't think so. There are several advantages to the digital distribution which we have already seen for other forms of entertainment. Itunes has really changed the way we buy music, movies, and TV shows. It's about time the gaming industry catches up.
There is really a plus for everyone. For the careless - no more discs to scratch. For the pack rat - no more boxes to store and display. For our granola eating friends - no plastic boxes or packing materials produced. For the gamer - faster load times. For the game makers - cheaper production costs and faster time to market. For the forgetful - you cannot lose the game, just re-download should it be deleted accidentally For the consumer - cheaper and more games. The only loser here is the bum friend who refuses to buy things for himself, and likes to steal other people's stuff.
Game boxes are no longer badges of honor. They have been replaced by online trophies and achievements. It's time for console and portable gamers alike to take advantage of cheap memory cards and hard drives. So grab a $10 4gb memory stick, download Patapon 2, and embrace your boxless gaming future.
Is this a ploy to get you to buy more memory cards for your device, or eventually buy a bigger hard drive for your home console? I honestly don't think so. There are several advantages to the digital distribution which we have already seen for other forms of entertainment. Itunes has really changed the way we buy music, movies, and TV shows. It's about time the gaming industry catches up.
There is really a plus for everyone. For the careless - no more discs to scratch. For the pack rat - no more boxes to store and display. For our granola eating friends - no plastic boxes or packing materials produced. For the gamer - faster load times. For the game makers - cheaper production costs and faster time to market. For the forgetful - you cannot lose the game, just re-download should it be deleted accidentally For the consumer - cheaper and more games. The only loser here is the bum friend who refuses to buy things for himself, and likes to steal other people's stuff.
Game boxes are no longer badges of honor. They have been replaced by online trophies and achievements. It's time for console and portable gamers alike to take advantage of cheap memory cards and hard drives. So grab a $10 4gb memory stick, download Patapon 2, and embrace your boxless gaming future.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Shake n' Bake
You probably think this is a review of Talladegga Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby. Come on people - I have more important thinks to talk about!
As I have stated previously, my wife is with child. This has presented challenges in the food department. Namely that vegetables and the smell of cooking meat make her sick. We have found one remedy for the latter, and we go all the way back to 1955 for it.
We were recently strolling the aisles of our local super market when we came across Shake N' Bake. Sure it's really bad for you and most people would put it under the same umbrella as spam; however, it was on sale and we decided to give it a shot.
Much to our surprise, it is absolutely fantastic. It coats the chicken with the most delicious breadcrumbs you have ever had. Locks in the juices of the chicken, and gives it a wonderful flavor.
Short and sweet today. Shake n' Bake may be an oldie, but it is still a goodie.
Note: Make sure to flip your chicken half way through or it gets soggie on the bottom
As I have stated previously, my wife is with child. This has presented challenges in the food department. Namely that vegetables and the smell of cooking meat make her sick. We have found one remedy for the latter, and we go all the way back to 1955 for it.
We were recently strolling the aisles of our local super market when we came across Shake N' Bake. Sure it's really bad for you and most people would put it under the same umbrella as spam; however, it was on sale and we decided to give it a shot.
Much to our surprise, it is absolutely fantastic. It coats the chicken with the most delicious breadcrumbs you have ever had. Locks in the juices of the chicken, and gives it a wonderful flavor.
Short and sweet today. Shake n' Bake may be an oldie, but it is still a goodie.
Note: Make sure to flip your chicken half way through or it gets soggie on the bottom
Friday, May 8, 2009
Jack Daniels Chicken Sandwich
This evening the wife and I decided we didn't want to make dinner. We decided to give the new $5 menu at TGI Fridays a try, and to say we walked away happy is an understatement.
I decided to try the Jack Daniels chicken sandwich which was really one of the better sandwiches I have had in a while. The sandwich consisted of a "grilled chicken basted in Jack Daniel's® glaze and topped with bacon, mixed cheese, Cajun onion straws, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and Jack Daniel's® mayo on a bun." I opted to go without the tomato or pickle as they are really overrated in the add on department. The meal also comes with Friday's tasty french fries and 2 little cups of the Jack Daniel's glaze sauce.
There were really 3 things that put the sandwich over the top. The first was bacon. Bacon should be a mandatory condiment on all sandwiches. It was cooked very well. Not so underdone that it flopped around, however not so overdone that it flaked apart. The cajun onion straws were the second standout player on this tasty team. The flavor was great, and they were not too greasy which is often the problem with fried onions on a sandwich. The final element that tied it all together was the Jack's sauce. If you have never had it, you are definitely missing out. Put a little on the top bun to start, and then dip a little in the sauce as you go. Wicked good.
For $5, I am not sure I have had a sandwich this good. Do yourself a favor - go out and get one.
I decided to try the Jack Daniels chicken sandwich which was really one of the better sandwiches I have had in a while. The sandwich consisted of a "grilled chicken basted in Jack Daniel's® glaze and topped with bacon, mixed cheese, Cajun onion straws, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and Jack Daniel's® mayo on a bun." I opted to go without the tomato or pickle as they are really overrated in the add on department. The meal also comes with Friday's tasty french fries and 2 little cups of the Jack Daniel's glaze sauce.
There were really 3 things that put the sandwich over the top. The first was bacon. Bacon should be a mandatory condiment on all sandwiches. It was cooked very well. Not so underdone that it flopped around, however not so overdone that it flaked apart. The cajun onion straws were the second standout player on this tasty team. The flavor was great, and they were not too greasy which is often the problem with fried onions on a sandwich. The final element that tied it all together was the Jack's sauce. If you have never had it, you are definitely missing out. Put a little on the top bun to start, and then dip a little in the sauce as you go. Wicked good.
For $5, I am not sure I have had a sandwich this good. Do yourself a favor - go out and get one.
Manny being ??????
Being a huge Redsox fan, I feel a requirement to share my thought on the situation involving Manny Ramirez. In case you didn't know, Manny has been caught using a substance that has been banned by Major League Baseball, and has subsequently been suspended 50 games.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4148907
I thought long and hard last night to come up with an analogy to describe the situation and how I feel about it. This is the best I could come up with. It would be like meeting your room mate freshman year of college, and eventually he becomes your best friend. You do everything together. You experience all the good (2004 and 2007) and bad (2003) life has to offer. During this time you are dating someone, then all of a sudden he swoops in, steals her away, and acts without a shred of remorse. Then a year later, he is arrested for having a false identity. He was such a big part of your life for so long, and now you have no idea who exactly he is.
For 7 and 1/2, Manny Ramirez was part of the Redsox and the lives of all their fans. Sure Papi was likable, but every Sox fan knew that when the game was on the line it was Manny we wanted at the plate. He became arguably the best pure hitter in baseball which everyone attributed to his tireless work ethic and loads of natural talent. Sure he was goofy, quirky, unpredictable, and even selfish at times; but it never mattered because once Manny stepped out of the dugout you knew exactly what you would get.
Now we have the same results. Manny still produces like one of the best hitters in the game, but how did he really get there? Did he really have that much talent? Did he really work that hard? Was he really that goofy and lovable or was that an act put on to distract everyone from the truth?
I will still remember all the good times Manny had with the Sox. I am still grateful to him for what he did for us in 2004 and 2007. I am still upset with him for what transpired in 2008. Unfortunately there is another emotion that I will always associate with Manny Ramirez; I will always wonder who he really was.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4148907
I thought long and hard last night to come up with an analogy to describe the situation and how I feel about it. This is the best I could come up with. It would be like meeting your room mate freshman year of college, and eventually he becomes your best friend. You do everything together. You experience all the good (2004 and 2007) and bad (2003) life has to offer. During this time you are dating someone, then all of a sudden he swoops in, steals her away, and acts without a shred of remorse. Then a year later, he is arrested for having a false identity. He was such a big part of your life for so long, and now you have no idea who exactly he is.
For 7 and 1/2, Manny Ramirez was part of the Redsox and the lives of all their fans. Sure Papi was likable, but every Sox fan knew that when the game was on the line it was Manny we wanted at the plate. He became arguably the best pure hitter in baseball which everyone attributed to his tireless work ethic and loads of natural talent. Sure he was goofy, quirky, unpredictable, and even selfish at times; but it never mattered because once Manny stepped out of the dugout you knew exactly what you would get.
Now we have the same results. Manny still produces like one of the best hitters in the game, but how did he really get there? Did he really have that much talent? Did he really work that hard? Was he really that goofy and lovable or was that an act put on to distract everyone from the truth?
I will still remember all the good times Manny had with the Sox. I am still grateful to him for what he did for us in 2004 and 2007. I am still upset with him for what transpired in 2008. Unfortunately there is another emotion that I will always associate with Manny Ramirez; I will always wonder who he really was.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Top 10 Websites
We all have the websites we visit every day. Here are the 10 sites I make sure I visit...
1. http://slickdeals.net/
No one likes paying full price for anything. This is the best deal site around. The front page is fantastic, but there are great deals in the forums too.
2. http://espn.go.com/
A staple for any sports fan. They really have the best national writers, the site is easy to navigate, and they have Bill Simmons. What more could you ask for? They also link to local newspapers/websites that cover individual teams.
3. http://ps3.ign.com/
I like to keep up on all the news regarding the Playstation 3 and find IGN to have the quickest and most efficient delivery.
4. http://news.google.com/
When you are looking for news on a particular subject, there is no place like it. The variety of articles you can find on a subject there cannot be matched either.
5. http://twitter.com/
Yes, i am semi-addicted. My favorites to follow kevinwildes, sportsguy33, SonyPlaystation, PTIshow, CheapyD, and TheRealTMR. You can follow me at st3ck
6. http://lifehacker.com/ and http://kotaku.com/
Run by the same people, lifehacker gives a wide variety of tips and pc programs to improve/simplify your life. Kotaku gives all the latest video game news with great twists of humor.
7. http://finance.google.com/finance?q=NASDAQ:SEIC
Have to keep track of my stock. Google finance in general is a great site with real time quotes.
8. http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/
All the latest and greatest on the Redsox.
9. Daily deal Sites - http://woot.com/ http://shirt.woot.com/ http://www.steepandcheap.com/ http://www.whiskeymilitia.com/ http://stootsi.com/ http://www.chronoshark.com/
These are for the most part, 1 deal a day sites that sell an item at a really low price. Very rarely buy anything, but fun to check out
10. http://cnn.com/
Keeping up on the latest storeies of the day.
Got sites you visit everyday? Please post in the comments.
1. http://slickdeals.net/
No one likes paying full price for anything. This is the best deal site around. The front page is fantastic, but there are great deals in the forums too.
2. http://espn.go.com/
A staple for any sports fan. They really have the best national writers, the site is easy to navigate, and they have Bill Simmons. What more could you ask for? They also link to local newspapers/websites that cover individual teams.
3. http://ps3.ign.com/
I like to keep up on all the news regarding the Playstation 3 and find IGN to have the quickest and most efficient delivery.
4. http://news.google.com/
When you are looking for news on a particular subject, there is no place like it. The variety of articles you can find on a subject there cannot be matched either.
5. http://twitter.com/
Yes, i am semi-addicted. My favorites to follow kevinwildes, sportsguy33, SonyPlaystation, PTIshow, CheapyD, and TheRealTMR. You can follow me at st3ck
6. http://lifehacker.com/ and http://kotaku.com/
Run by the same people, lifehacker gives a wide variety of tips and pc programs to improve/simplify your life. Kotaku gives all the latest video game news with great twists of humor.
7. http://finance.google.com/finance?q=NASDAQ:SEIC
Have to keep track of my stock. Google finance in general is a great site with real time quotes.
8. http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/
All the latest and greatest on the Redsox.
9. Daily deal Sites - http://woot.com/ http://shirt.woot.com/ http://www.steepandcheap.com/ http://www.whiskeymilitia.com/ http://stootsi.com/ http://www.chronoshark.com/
These are for the most part, 1 deal a day sites that sell an item at a really low price. Very rarely buy anything, but fun to check out
10. http://cnn.com/
Keeping up on the latest storeies of the day.
Got sites you visit everyday? Please post in the comments.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Singstar PS3
Recently Bestbuy had a $10 sale on video games. The Mrs had shown some interest in Singstar after having done the vocals on Rock Band (probably my favorite game of all time). Singstar 2 was part of the sale so I decided to pick it up. Little did I know, you cannot use the regular USB mic from Rock Band to play it. So after buying the original Singstar and 2 mic bundle ($30) we were finally able to play.
I'll start with the microphones. The feel/weight of the mics is fantastic. The cords are a little shorter than the rock band mics, but still long enough to sit on the couch with. This shouldn't have surprised me, but the mics are really sensitive. They capture anything and everything; not nearly as forgiving as other singing titles I have played. The negatives are the cord length and the proprietary USB adapter you have to use with them. Why not just make them standard USB mics? The PS3 has the ports and allows for a 4 port USB adapter (a la Rock Band). One final drawback is that they can only be used for the Singstar games as far as I know. For Sony making such a peripheral friendly system (the PS3 - generic USB, standard HDMI output, bluetooth, ect) this is a very 'universally unfriendly' peripheral. Overall, they get an A- from me as my main complaint is over compatibility and not the performance of the microphone itself.
The menu interface of Singstar is very simple and intuitive. Every 'player option' was designated by red player/blue player (the mic colors) and could be controlled with 1 controller. Big plus. I went into the Singstar store - again, very simple and very responsive. It was arranged by artist, and any track previews I did instantly came up. (Excuse the comparison once again...) Compared to the Rock Band store which I constantly get kicked out of, I was very impressed.
The visuals were alright - nothing special. In case you don't know, the background of all the songs you play are the music videos for the songs. One complaint is that all the videos are in standard definition and are grainy. This is especially evident in older songs (Don't Go Breaking My Heart - Elton John & Kiki Dee). The words were easy to read and elongated bubbles show you the notes you are supposed to hit.
We played some duets and some head to head. I must say I had a lot of fun. She was much better than I was, but we know that. The songs were very evenly split when it came to the duets. As I said previously, the mics were very sensitive which detracted even more from my singing ability. There was a good mix of old and new songs as well as all types of genres. With 30 songs per title and a large online store to purchase more songs, this game should have a lot of replay ability. I did not play any single player, but I would imagine it's not nearly as fun as the 2 player expereince.
The actual game play element was where I had an issue. They put 2 lines of the song up at a time and scroll a little light over the text as you are to sing the words. I found it hard to follow at times, especially as songs sped up and slowed down as there was no empty space between words to indicate breaks. Familiar songs were easy, however songs where I didn't know each and every line were more difficult to keep up with.
In closing, Singstar is a really fun game to play with someone else. The visuals are good enough for this type of game, and the track list is huge. I am very happy with the value I received for my $40 (Singstar 1, Singstar 2, and the microphones). The game play takes some getting used to, but this should be a new staple 'party' type game at my house.
Singstar grade: B+
I'll start with the microphones. The feel/weight of the mics is fantastic. The cords are a little shorter than the rock band mics, but still long enough to sit on the couch with. This shouldn't have surprised me, but the mics are really sensitive. They capture anything and everything; not nearly as forgiving as other singing titles I have played. The negatives are the cord length and the proprietary USB adapter you have to use with them. Why not just make them standard USB mics? The PS3 has the ports and allows for a 4 port USB adapter (a la Rock Band). One final drawback is that they can only be used for the Singstar games as far as I know. For Sony making such a peripheral friendly system (the PS3 - generic USB, standard HDMI output, bluetooth, ect) this is a very 'universally unfriendly' peripheral. Overall, they get an A- from me as my main complaint is over compatibility and not the performance of the microphone itself.
The menu interface of Singstar is very simple and intuitive. Every 'player option' was designated by red player/blue player (the mic colors) and could be controlled with 1 controller. Big plus. I went into the Singstar store - again, very simple and very responsive. It was arranged by artist, and any track previews I did instantly came up. (Excuse the comparison once again...) Compared to the Rock Band store which I constantly get kicked out of, I was very impressed.
The visuals were alright - nothing special. In case you don't know, the background of all the songs you play are the music videos for the songs. One complaint is that all the videos are in standard definition and are grainy. This is especially evident in older songs (Don't Go Breaking My Heart - Elton John & Kiki Dee). The words were easy to read and elongated bubbles show you the notes you are supposed to hit.
We played some duets and some head to head. I must say I had a lot of fun. She was much better than I was, but we know that. The songs were very evenly split when it came to the duets. As I said previously, the mics were very sensitive which detracted even more from my singing ability. There was a good mix of old and new songs as well as all types of genres. With 30 songs per title and a large online store to purchase more songs, this game should have a lot of replay ability. I did not play any single player, but I would imagine it's not nearly as fun as the 2 player expereince.
The actual game play element was where I had an issue. They put 2 lines of the song up at a time and scroll a little light over the text as you are to sing the words. I found it hard to follow at times, especially as songs sped up and slowed down as there was no empty space between words to indicate breaks. Familiar songs were easy, however songs where I didn't know each and every line were more difficult to keep up with.
In closing, Singstar is a really fun game to play with someone else. The visuals are good enough for this type of game, and the track list is huge. I am very happy with the value I received for my $40 (Singstar 1, Singstar 2, and the microphones). The game play takes some getting used to, but this should be a new staple 'party' type game at my house.
Singstar grade: B+
Welcome!
"Our opinions do not really blossom into fruition until we have expressed them to someone else" - Mark Twain
I found this quote, and thought it described me really well. Everything we all come across every day causes us to form an opinion. Lunch was tasty, that movie was boring, this website has great information. Opinions make us who we are. I enjoy reviewing anything, and telling people what I think of it (my wife will attest to this).
The plan is to use this blog as a creative outlet to share my thoughts on a wide variety of things I come across. From websites and restaurants, to video games and news events - you will find it all here.
A little bit about myself...I'm married and 26 with a kid on the way. I am super excited for the baby in October. I really enjoy watching and playing sports, playing video games (PS3 and PSP), finding new websites, eating out, traveling, twittering (follow me at /st3ck) and hanging out with friends and family. I work for a financial services company.
I hope to have my first review posted later today, so stay tuned!
I found this quote, and thought it described me really well. Everything we all come across every day causes us to form an opinion. Lunch was tasty, that movie was boring, this website has great information. Opinions make us who we are. I enjoy reviewing anything, and telling people what I think of it (my wife will attest to this).
The plan is to use this blog as a creative outlet to share my thoughts on a wide variety of things I come across. From websites and restaurants, to video games and news events - you will find it all here.
A little bit about myself...I'm married and 26 with a kid on the way. I am super excited for the baby in October. I really enjoy watching and playing sports, playing video games (PS3 and PSP), finding new websites, eating out, traveling, twittering (follow me at /st3ck) and hanging out with friends and family. I work for a financial services company.
I hope to have my first review posted later today, so stay tuned!
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