Did I mention insomnia sucks? So does Sphere Break (DIE, SHINRA, DIE!!!).
Link of the Day: Ideas for Extreme Olympics
Monday, August 30, 2004
Sunday, August 29, 2004
Home is where the heart is
I learned something interesting about Japanese during a recent class. I was corrected by the teacher when I said I was going home - I used the verb 行く (to go). But apparently, in 日本語 you don't GO home. You need to use the verb 来る (to come), which as far as I can figure, implies "returning".
When I was first separated from Melissa after meeting her in person, I must admit I was terribly heartbroken. I felt like I didn't belong. I truly wasn't HOME, as far as I felt.
Now we are separated again. I'm not sure wheter we will stay in Brazil or not, but one thing I know - wherever we are, as long as I am with her, I'll be home. So, who knows... I might be "returning" home to a place I've never been before.
The weekend was relatively uneventful. Car had a problem in the water pump, so I got a ride to work. Seeing as I didn't have the means to come back AND finished early (which is always surprising on a friday), I invited my mom for a movie. We went to the Iguatemi Mall (one of the Top Ten highest rentals in the world per square meter) to watch "Collateral".
I wasn't expecting much - I mean, it's directed by the guy who made "Miami Vice"! And yet... wow. The movie starts with ABSOLUTELY no credits or even a title whatsoever. You are kind of dropped in Los Angeles, as a taxi driver starts his work day. He gives a ride to a lawyer (who happens to be the same actress who plays Niobe in the "Matrix" series), before picking up a gray-haired, bad guy Tom Cruise. What follows is a very, VERY long night for the character. I won't go into details as not to spoil it for other people.
The movie has a lot in common with 80's cop TV shows, but in very discreet and plausible ways. It's delightfully trashy, but not so in a way that breaks the suspension of disbelief. It could be argued that it's a tad predictable and a few moments have coincidences that are improbable - and yet, all that just helps make the forbidden fruit even sweeter. As the night goes by, a dark Los Angeles unfolds for our main character not unlike New York did for Paul Hackett in "After Hours" (which happens to be one of my most beloved movies).
... just dawned on me I don't own it...
Saturday. I tried helping my mom with her duties after she went with me take the car to the shop. Conversations veered once more about my future life, and I am afraid I snapped at her - in the wrong way. Like it usually happens in life, I figured a much better thing to say AFTER THE FACT. We kind of just stayed in the car in silence after that. We haven't spoken since, but I'm sure it will be forgotten in the not-too-distant future.
So I came back home, finished "Astro Boy" (PS2) for a review (took me less than three hours) and started cleaning a bit. Computer room had a corner that was a MESS - I am not sure what happened when I was in the US, but it looked like things had been "caving in" from above for a while.
Sunday. Woke up when the phone rang (it was for Vivi). Arranged a ride for my grandparents house (haven't been there since Father's Day, and even then just stayed for a bit, and hadn't been there before for a while too) and should be heading there soon.
There are a couple more games to review. There is the second edition of "Rainbow Six 3" for the Xbox (didn't play the original, which isn't good) and "Chessmaster 10th Edition" (PC), which EA sent us without a serial number. I can play, because it just asks for that number when you jump online... but still.
I feel relaxed :o)
Especially now that my love has a date to arrive - september 8th (she even told me she got the plane ticket on the mail this saturday, so the trip to the embassy should happen on monday - a reasonable schedule). I'm resisting REALLY HARD not to start counting the days. I know it will make me more anxious.
When I was first separated from Melissa after meeting her in person, I must admit I was terribly heartbroken. I felt like I didn't belong. I truly wasn't HOME, as far as I felt.
Now we are separated again. I'm not sure wheter we will stay in Brazil or not, but one thing I know - wherever we are, as long as I am with her, I'll be home. So, who knows... I might be "returning" home to a place I've never been before.
The weekend was relatively uneventful. Car had a problem in the water pump, so I got a ride to work. Seeing as I didn't have the means to come back AND finished early (which is always surprising on a friday), I invited my mom for a movie. We went to the Iguatemi Mall (one of the Top Ten highest rentals in the world per square meter) to watch "Collateral".
I wasn't expecting much - I mean, it's directed by the guy who made "Miami Vice"! And yet... wow. The movie starts with ABSOLUTELY no credits or even a title whatsoever. You are kind of dropped in Los Angeles, as a taxi driver starts his work day. He gives a ride to a lawyer (who happens to be the same actress who plays Niobe in the "Matrix" series), before picking up a gray-haired, bad guy Tom Cruise. What follows is a very, VERY long night for the character. I won't go into details as not to spoil it for other people.
The movie has a lot in common with 80's cop TV shows, but in very discreet and plausible ways. It's delightfully trashy, but not so in a way that breaks the suspension of disbelief. It could be argued that it's a tad predictable and a few moments have coincidences that are improbable - and yet, all that just helps make the forbidden fruit even sweeter. As the night goes by, a dark Los Angeles unfolds for our main character not unlike New York did for Paul Hackett in "After Hours" (which happens to be one of my most beloved movies).
... just dawned on me I don't own it...
Saturday. I tried helping my mom with her duties after she went with me take the car to the shop. Conversations veered once more about my future life, and I am afraid I snapped at her - in the wrong way. Like it usually happens in life, I figured a much better thing to say AFTER THE FACT. We kind of just stayed in the car in silence after that. We haven't spoken since, but I'm sure it will be forgotten in the not-too-distant future.
So I came back home, finished "Astro Boy" (PS2) for a review (took me less than three hours) and started cleaning a bit. Computer room had a corner that was a MESS - I am not sure what happened when I was in the US, but it looked like things had been "caving in" from above for a while.
Sunday. Woke up when the phone rang (it was for Vivi). Arranged a ride for my grandparents house (haven't been there since Father's Day, and even then just stayed for a bit, and hadn't been there before for a while too) and should be heading there soon.
There are a couple more games to review. There is the second edition of "Rainbow Six 3" for the Xbox (didn't play the original, which isn't good) and "Chessmaster 10th Edition" (PC), which EA sent us without a serial number. I can play, because it just asks for that number when you jump online... but still.
I feel relaxed :o)
Especially now that my love has a date to arrive - september 8th (she even told me she got the plane ticket on the mail this saturday, so the trip to the embassy should happen on monday - a reasonable schedule). I'm resisting REALLY HARD not to start counting the days. I know it will make me more anxious.
Thursday, August 26, 2004
And it's a go!
WOOT!
Ladies and gentlemen, we are back on the game. I can hardly believe that not only installation was painful, but the networking between computers fixed itself the second I got on.
The miracle seems so amazing that I am fairly positive a big meteorite should be approaching Earth any second now to end life as we know it.
No, really!
Link of the day: Marcos and I liked this one
Ladies and gentlemen, we are back on the game. I can hardly believe that not only installation was painful, but the networking between computers fixed itself the second I got on.
The miracle seems so amazing that I am fairly positive a big meteorite should be approaching Earth any second now to end life as we know it.
No, really!
Link of the day: Marcos and I liked this one
Houston, we have a modem!
Our ADSL modem arrived today! I hope to get online later AT HOME and try to setup the network. What a glorious day!
If everything works, I will try to post again later from the home.
If everything works, I will try to post again later from the home.
Wednesday, August 25, 2004
Talk to the screen
Hey, mom! I´m famous! Today I am going to be on the UOL Chat.
Let´s see how many HUNDREDS of people attend today. Wheeeeeee.
Still no modem, but at least I was told it was charged and shipped yesterday.
Let´s see how many HUNDREDS of people attend today. Wheeeeeee.
Still no modem, but at least I was told it was charged and shipped yesterday.
Tuesday, August 24, 2004
Visa Wars
After days and weeks of incountable anguish over my wait to figure out when I´d finally see my wife, it seems my torment is finally coming to an end: her Visa cleared up, the new ticket was bought and all the needed elements have been FedExed to her this tuesday. She should be back in Brazil on the 8th of september.
I think this must feel somewhat like a boxer coming out victorious after a hard 12-round long bout: you feel beat, broken, dirty and dizzy - and yet, somehow you feel as if the world is more bright and colorful, and even though your body may hurt, you want to leap out and do everything with broad movements... it´s the feeling Japanese movies and cartoons seem to capture so well in the scenes where the protagonist runs silently. It´s like you become the wind, and you just run free - you don´t need a place to go, you just do. If only I could bottle that...
Though, I want to take this opportunity NOT to thank the Brazilian embassy in Washington for not only taking forever to do this, being a pain in the ass to contact and making absolute sure NOT to let us know her Visa was ready since the August 12, so that I almost lost a few hundred dollars and a few days of sleep.
Link of the Day: More Star Wars for the masses?
I think this must feel somewhat like a boxer coming out victorious after a hard 12-round long bout: you feel beat, broken, dirty and dizzy - and yet, somehow you feel as if the world is more bright and colorful, and even though your body may hurt, you want to leap out and do everything with broad movements... it´s the feeling Japanese movies and cartoons seem to capture so well in the scenes where the protagonist runs silently. It´s like you become the wind, and you just run free - you don´t need a place to go, you just do. If only I could bottle that...
Though, I want to take this opportunity NOT to thank the Brazilian embassy in Washington for not only taking forever to do this, being a pain in the ass to contact and making absolute sure NOT to let us know her Visa was ready since the August 12, so that I almost lost a few hundred dollars and a few days of sleep.
Link of the Day: More Star Wars for the masses?
EPISODE VII
A CURIOUS MALADY
Soon after the dubiously abrupt collapse of the Empire, the Galaxy finds itself confronting a new threat. Emboldened by their decisive victory at the Battle of Endor, militant EWOKS are wreaking terror on several helpless star systems, whose colossal battleships and armored troops are of no more avail against the Ewoks' invincible logs and pointy sticks than the Empire's Walkers and Stormtroopers proved to be.
To resist the Ewok juggernaut, General HAN SOLO has volunteered to lead the armies of the Foboombah system, but his leadership has not proven valuable, since the Ewoks don't use blasters and he inexplicably refuses to fire the first shot. Nor can LUKE SKYWALKER be of assistance. Not only is he forbidden to instruct a new generation of Jedi, on account of his master's deathbed edict that "the last of the Jedi will [he] be," but he is also battling depression and hallucinations of ghosts who tell him profound-sounding things that usually turn out to be total bull a few years later.
Meanwhile, Princess LEIA SKYWALKER-SOLO-CALRISSIAN is leading a diplomatic mission to Naboo, to ask for assistance from the only race with a military track record that matches that of the undefeated Ewoks; only the GUNGAN arsenal of slingshots and superballs is sufficiently primitive to stand a chance against the Ewoks' own weaponry. And Captain WEDGE ANTILLES prepares to attack the Ewoks on the Forest Moon itself, accompanied by two Jawas and a malfunctioning R2 unit, on the principle that the victory always, without fail, goes to the smallest party involved....
Monday, August 23, 2004
Miscommunication
Yeah, apparently disabling my telephone for four whole days to install Internet access wasn´t enough for Telefonica. Noooo, they had to screw up and not inform Terra that my phone line was "eligible" for the service - thus keeping them from SHIPPING the modem until now.
Japanese was good - it helps so much that I actually STUDIED this weekend. Heh.
Hungry.
Let me finish my work soon so I can head home.
Japanese was good - it helps so much that I actually STUDIED this weekend. Heh.
Hungry.
Let me finish my work soon so I can head home.
Saturday, August 21, 2004
No modem for a bad boy
Well, Telefonica may have promised me my modem for this saturday - but no sign of it. I called them and the woman took almost 20 minutes to answer my question, with a definite tone of "Oops, we screwed up" to it. She talked to Terra and they are supposed to get in touch in the next 72 hours. Did I mention that I changed something in my account so I can´t block e-mails addresses anymore? I think it´s because I didn´t subscribe to the virus protection. That sucks.
Hopefully Melissa will receive the message I left on her parents´ answering machine and call me today. I hope. I could use the sound of her voice... and I have news that I´d like to share with her.
Anyway... pizza should be arriving soon.
I hate slow weekends... and I didn´t even study Japanese yet!
Hopefully Melissa will receive the message I left on her parents´ answering machine and call me today. I hope. I could use the sound of her voice... and I have news that I´d like to share with her.
Anyway... pizza should be arriving soon.
I hate slow weekends... and I didn´t even study Japanese yet!
Friday, August 20, 2004
Proportional response
My Internet deprivation at home may be coming to an end. The guys from Telefonica came today and fixed the phone, and they expect the modem to be delievered tomorrow - which means I might be back in business in a question of hours. I certainly hope that is the case.
I watched the first three episodes of "The West Wing" yesterday night, and although the compression is downright unprofessional, I was reminded of all the qualities I love about that show.
There is a monologue in the end of the third episode, though, that really got me thinking. President Bartlet is about to announce his first military attack on a foreign country - his decision is heavily influenced by the fact his favorite doctor (who just had a kid) was killed in this terrorist attack... when first confronted with option, he is disgusted with his military advisor's plan of "proportional response". He argues that Americans were killed and the enemy expects the exact attack they would inflict - and should probably recover in a matter of months. He demands an alternative plan... and the one craft would result in hundreds of casualties, including civilians.
At the moment of this monologue (well, actually a dialogue between Bartlet and Leo, his Chief of Staff), Bartlet argues something along the lines of "what is the point of being the world's only superpower if you can´t right wrongs?". What follows is one of the rare instances in which Leo actually shows anger towards the president - it´s the age-old question of power and responsability we all know... but it takes a whole new dimension in this conversation. The president of the United States is, in some ways, what we could call "the most powerful person in the world", and when he conjures biblical images of vengeance to describe his plans, it doesn´t fail to ring a fear in our hearts when we realize that a personal issue is behind it.
It is always sad when human lives are equated as numbers, of course - but I don´t think that´s even the point here. The simple existance of such a destructive power... and how it changes hands... well, I think you get the picture.
Mind you, this all was originally aired back in 1999, predating the terrorist attack against the Twin Towers, the White House, as well as George Bush's invasion of Iraq. Of course, these issues are not new (and haven´t been for decades - you could argue it dates back all the way to World War II), but raises serious issues about the role of the United States in the new world order.
Questions, I´m afraid, step on so many toes that will probably never be answered. But it saddens me that this will probably just make people all over the globe resent the United States for many years to come. Not that I don´t think that the aura of self-importance that it carries isn´t a terrible thing... but it has simply created a snowball effect that makes it necessary to insure survival of the American values.
Man, the Earth is screwed up.
Lighthearted Link of the Day: New Oval Office
I watched the first three episodes of "The West Wing" yesterday night, and although the compression is downright unprofessional, I was reminded of all the qualities I love about that show.
There is a monologue in the end of the third episode, though, that really got me thinking. President Bartlet is about to announce his first military attack on a foreign country - his decision is heavily influenced by the fact his favorite doctor (who just had a kid) was killed in this terrorist attack... when first confronted with option, he is disgusted with his military advisor's plan of "proportional response". He argues that Americans were killed and the enemy expects the exact attack they would inflict - and should probably recover in a matter of months. He demands an alternative plan... and the one craft would result in hundreds of casualties, including civilians.
At the moment of this monologue (well, actually a dialogue between Bartlet and Leo, his Chief of Staff), Bartlet argues something along the lines of "what is the point of being the world's only superpower if you can´t right wrongs?". What follows is one of the rare instances in which Leo actually shows anger towards the president - it´s the age-old question of power and responsability we all know... but it takes a whole new dimension in this conversation. The president of the United States is, in some ways, what we could call "the most powerful person in the world", and when he conjures biblical images of vengeance to describe his plans, it doesn´t fail to ring a fear in our hearts when we realize that a personal issue is behind it.
It is always sad when human lives are equated as numbers, of course - but I don´t think that´s even the point here. The simple existance of such a destructive power... and how it changes hands... well, I think you get the picture.
Mind you, this all was originally aired back in 1999, predating the terrorist attack against the Twin Towers, the White House, as well as George Bush's invasion of Iraq. Of course, these issues are not new (and haven´t been for decades - you could argue it dates back all the way to World War II), but raises serious issues about the role of the United States in the new world order.
Questions, I´m afraid, step on so many toes that will probably never be answered. But it saddens me that this will probably just make people all over the globe resent the United States for many years to come. Not that I don´t think that the aura of self-importance that it carries isn´t a terrible thing... but it has simply created a snowball effect that makes it necessary to insure survival of the American values.
Man, the Earth is screwed up.
Lighthearted Link of the Day: New Oval Office
Thursday, August 19, 2004
Why is work harder when there is less news?
Woke up early to go to the Post Office pick up Melissa's ticket. Long lines, as it should be expected.
Denis-san and Fumi-san, a comic pair of son and mother who are studying Japanese with me wanted to go out this week for a movie. I thought about calling my mom to come along. They are some of the sweetest people I´ve ever met - and even though I´m not sure they share the same taste in movies, it might be something my mom might see as an alternative for calmer weekends. I don´t know...
I am so anxious to get my hands of Fable... I don´t want to raise my expectations too much, but I think this could be great. On related videogame news, the last boss in Sudeki has got to be one of the worst I´ve ever seen. It´s cheap, unnecessarily difficult and just plain frustrating. I just want to put that game behind me, dammit!
Today is another slow news day, so that usually makes my work a bit harder. At least we have a good review for the cover today. Question is: what are we gonna do tomorrow? I don´t even want to THINK about it.
Did I mention I want Melissa to come home soon?
Useless Link of the Day: NaDa
Egomaniacal Link of the Day: How does he fit through doors with a head that big?
Denis-san and Fumi-san, a comic pair of son and mother who are studying Japanese with me wanted to go out this week for a movie. I thought about calling my mom to come along. They are some of the sweetest people I´ve ever met - and even though I´m not sure they share the same taste in movies, it might be something my mom might see as an alternative for calmer weekends. I don´t know...
I am so anxious to get my hands of Fable... I don´t want to raise my expectations too much, but I think this could be great. On related videogame news, the last boss in Sudeki has got to be one of the worst I´ve ever seen. It´s cheap, unnecessarily difficult and just plain frustrating. I just want to put that game behind me, dammit!
Today is another slow news day, so that usually makes my work a bit harder. At least we have a good review for the cover today. Question is: what are we gonna do tomorrow? I don´t even want to THINK about it.
Did I mention I want Melissa to come home soon?
Useless Link of the Day: NaDa
Egomaniacal Link of the Day: How does he fit through doors with a head that big?
Wednesday, August 18, 2004
Going down
After a few days that weren´t exactly perfect, things seem to be turning for the better. I was thinking about it last night - I have this great woman, whom I love being words, is smart, caring, courageous, tender and expressive, and just because she is away I kept tearing myself apart in self-pity when confronted by some little problems. But last night I thought: I´m so amazingly lucky to be loved by this amazing woman, and I should not be complaining as I was.
I don´t know if that was directly connected to it, but the six hours of sleep that followed that train of thought were some of the most fulfilling I had in weeks. Woke up in a great mood, had a hard - but rewarding - Japanese class, and got to work in great spirits.
It feels like I climbed a very harsh mountain, but now I get to admire the scenery calmly as I hike my way down... ahhhhh.
The restaurant that delivered to my table at work no longer has sandwiches or delivery, so I tried their "oriental buffet" yesterday and today. It´s not amazing, but certainly does the job. Tuesdays they are 3 bucks cheaper AND you get your drink for free, which I think is a pretty good deal. Pity it isn´t on mondays or wednesdays, when I have Japanese class and having lunch here is more important to me.
Got an e-mail from Melissa this morning that made me smile. Sometimes, life is just good :o)
Cute Link of the day: Flipbook!!!
I don´t know if that was directly connected to it, but the six hours of sleep that followed that train of thought were some of the most fulfilling I had in weeks. Woke up in a great mood, had a hard - but rewarding - Japanese class, and got to work in great spirits.
It feels like I climbed a very harsh mountain, but now I get to admire the scenery calmly as I hike my way down... ahhhhh.
The restaurant that delivered to my table at work no longer has sandwiches or delivery, so I tried their "oriental buffet" yesterday and today. It´s not amazing, but certainly does the job. Tuesdays they are 3 bucks cheaper AND you get your drink for free, which I think is a pretty good deal. Pity it isn´t on mondays or wednesdays, when I have Japanese class and having lunch here is more important to me.
Got an e-mail from Melissa this morning that made me smile. Sometimes, life is just good :o)
Cute Link of the day: Flipbook!!!
Tuesday, August 17, 2004
Still sweepy.
Well, the lack of Internet at home hasn´t quite struck me yet. Last night I got home by 9:30pm, played a bit of Sudeki (got to the last boss), watched the last DVD of KareKano and then went to bed, reading a bit of Paul Auster's Oracle Night. The last two share something in common: they deal with couples with very endearing love stories. And so it goes that I spend yet another night far away from the love of my life. Hey, at least I got to sleep til noon...
Still, I feel very lazy. Not necessarily bad, but I feel like a should keep a good stock of caffeine nearby (a 2 liter bottle of Diet Coke would probably hit the spot for work right now).
Phone wasn´t working this morning, I assume Telefonica might be setting up the groundwork for the installation of my new 450kbps DSL Internet connection. That would be nice. Monday is the projected date for everything to get ready, and I definetely hope to be back in action ASAP.
For those who never heard of Peter Molyneux, fans of Black & White and people who like games (or don´t, but feel like they should), I strongly urge reading this article on Fable. This new Xbox game may very well redefine what we expect from Role Playing Game... namely, putting the ROLE PLAY back in there. And it´s about time. The British humor certainly does help. With all the buzz about Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, I´d definetely wish this game was the biggest best seller this holiday season... and not the sleeper hit it will probably end up being (just read the frying pan bit - genius!).
Still, I feel very lazy. Not necessarily bad, but I feel like a should keep a good stock of caffeine nearby (a 2 liter bottle of Diet Coke would probably hit the spot for work right now).
Phone wasn´t working this morning, I assume Telefonica might be setting up the groundwork for the installation of my new 450kbps DSL Internet connection. That would be nice. Monday is the projected date for everything to get ready, and I definetely hope to be back in action ASAP.
For those who never heard of Peter Molyneux, fans of Black & White and people who like games (or don´t, but feel like they should), I strongly urge reading this article on Fable. This new Xbox game may very well redefine what we expect from Role Playing Game... namely, putting the ROLE PLAY back in there. And it´s about time. The British humor certainly does help. With all the buzz about Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, I´d definetely wish this game was the biggest best seller this holiday season... and not the sleeper hit it will probably end up being (just read the frying pan bit - genius!).
Monday, August 16, 2004
After a stormy night
Couldn´t sleep last night. I know it was bad because I dreamed I couldn´t sleep and had to get up (I HATE when that happens).
Japanese class was frustrating this morning, but I guess that is what I get for not studying because I had to work... and I´m not happy with the concept of being Internetless for a whole week (the new modem *should* arrive next monday). Good news is: it´s gonna be faster... and I cancelled the extra modem after going through a little trouble.
My bad and chest hurt, probably due to the fact I was tossing and turning all night - but I think it doesn´t help that my last meal was a couple of sandwiches last night. Since then, I only drank two glasses of water. From today on, our restaurant inside the company now is only open til 3:30pm and doesn´t deliver to our tables anymore - so I will need to pull a caveman and fend for my lunch if I want anything. Not exactly exciting, especially seeing as mondays are usually busy days AND the navigation bar on the site simply disappeared into thin air. Still trying to fix that.
I hope I get a chance to talk to Melissa. It´s been the saving grace of the last few days.
Japanese class was frustrating this morning, but I guess that is what I get for not studying because I had to work... and I´m not happy with the concept of being Internetless for a whole week (the new modem *should* arrive next monday). Good news is: it´s gonna be faster... and I cancelled the extra modem after going through a little trouble.
My bad and chest hurt, probably due to the fact I was tossing and turning all night - but I think it doesn´t help that my last meal was a couple of sandwiches last night. Since then, I only drank two glasses of water. From today on, our restaurant inside the company now is only open til 3:30pm and doesn´t deliver to our tables anymore - so I will need to pull a caveman and fend for my lunch if I want anything. Not exactly exciting, especially seeing as mondays are usually busy days AND the navigation bar on the site simply disappeared into thin air. Still trying to fix that.
I hope I get a chance to talk to Melissa. It´s been the saving grace of the last few days.
Saturday, August 14, 2004
Saturday 14th can be unlucky too
My company picks one unlucky fellow of each department to take care of weekend chores every week - guess who was picked this time...
I am trying to get used to this, but this one has been, by far, the worst experience I had doing this. First, on friday night, my Internet connection at home stops working. Great. I spend three hours talking to tech support (who makes me uninstall Service Pack 2 as the unlikely culprit) only to figure out it still doesn´t work. They say they will call me again with their "top level support" in the next 24 hours - but most probably early in the morning, after I explain that if they don´t, I will only have time again next week. Well, they called at 3pm, when I was already at work. I got pissed, and respectfully (but very annoyed) told them that I no longer wanted their service.
Of course, I have not told about the odissey of actually GETTING to UOL. Seeing as I needed an Internet connection, I went over to my mom´s to get her laptop and my brother´s wireless modem. I tell her I need a bag or a ride home, because I´m not just gonna carry a laptop under my arm. She tell my bro NOT to give me a ride even though he offered one, and gives me a flimsy paper bag - which, sure enough, rips on the way home, sending the computer crashing down to the ground. I decide to tell her, even though I´m pretty sure the computer is okay - but still she treats me like I did something terrible. And that´s because it´s HER fault.
I manage to do some of my work after figuring Fernão modem won´t work on my computer, but will on Vivi´s. Seeing as she doesn´t have all the programs and shortcuts I need (and I don´t feel like messing her configuration), I just drive to work. Now, how would I guess I´d get one hour worth of traffic? Better yet, I get stuck in a tunnel, my radio not working, side by side with a car with loud-speakers blaring political campaign stuff?
Once at UOL, I order lunch (have a few problem with paying and change, but nothing major) and start trying to get a new Internet connection. I go for the new Speedy (used to have their old one), which is a lot faster and just marginally more expensive than my old connection (and will be cheaper for the first few months). I register at their website, order the modem online from the company they offer a discount with, and then I have to pick an ISP (crazy Brazilian law/anti-law, don´t try to understand). I call the ISP I work with and ask about the employee discount. They say there isn´t one. I not only read her out loud the e-mail we received, but also the information presently online in our intranet. "No, we´re not doing that anymore - stopped a while ago". They just started offering this not even six months ago. I decide to call our own competitor. Figures.
Well, at least talking to them was smooth - but they offer to undo the registration I did on the Speedy website (they say it takes a lot longer) and offer me their cheaper modem. I tell her I already ordered one, but she tell me I´m better off cancelling that one (and I agree, I´d only get it CHEAPER and SOONER). Except the company that sold me it keeps giving me a telephone number to talk to their representatives that doesn´t exist. After much discussion, I figure out that they are moving their number MONDAY, and I guess that they simply won´t operate this saturday.
Other small things happened, but those events about alone have made me pretty nervous. I´m finally home, using my brother´s Internet on Vivi´s computer. The new connection is supposed to arrive sometime around the 23rd. I will still have my connection at work, and I might use Vivi's computer if Fernão can let me have his modem a tad longer.
Think happy thoughts... think happy thoughts... at least Dorival Caimmy, famous musician who is in the hospital, didn´t die - that would make my weekend shift pure hell.
I am trying to get used to this, but this one has been, by far, the worst experience I had doing this. First, on friday night, my Internet connection at home stops working. Great. I spend three hours talking to tech support (who makes me uninstall Service Pack 2 as the unlikely culprit) only to figure out it still doesn´t work. They say they will call me again with their "top level support" in the next 24 hours - but most probably early in the morning, after I explain that if they don´t, I will only have time again next week. Well, they called at 3pm, when I was already at work. I got pissed, and respectfully (but very annoyed) told them that I no longer wanted their service.
Of course, I have not told about the odissey of actually GETTING to UOL. Seeing as I needed an Internet connection, I went over to my mom´s to get her laptop and my brother´s wireless modem. I tell her I need a bag or a ride home, because I´m not just gonna carry a laptop under my arm. She tell my bro NOT to give me a ride even though he offered one, and gives me a flimsy paper bag - which, sure enough, rips on the way home, sending the computer crashing down to the ground. I decide to tell her, even though I´m pretty sure the computer is okay - but still she treats me like I did something terrible. And that´s because it´s HER fault.
I manage to do some of my work after figuring Fernão modem won´t work on my computer, but will on Vivi´s. Seeing as she doesn´t have all the programs and shortcuts I need (and I don´t feel like messing her configuration), I just drive to work. Now, how would I guess I´d get one hour worth of traffic? Better yet, I get stuck in a tunnel, my radio not working, side by side with a car with loud-speakers blaring political campaign stuff?
Once at UOL, I order lunch (have a few problem with paying and change, but nothing major) and start trying to get a new Internet connection. I go for the new Speedy (used to have their old one), which is a lot faster and just marginally more expensive than my old connection (and will be cheaper for the first few months). I register at their website, order the modem online from the company they offer a discount with, and then I have to pick an ISP (crazy Brazilian law/anti-law, don´t try to understand). I call the ISP I work with and ask about the employee discount. They say there isn´t one. I not only read her out loud the e-mail we received, but also the information presently online in our intranet. "No, we´re not doing that anymore - stopped a while ago". They just started offering this not even six months ago. I decide to call our own competitor. Figures.
Well, at least talking to them was smooth - but they offer to undo the registration I did on the Speedy website (they say it takes a lot longer) and offer me their cheaper modem. I tell her I already ordered one, but she tell me I´m better off cancelling that one (and I agree, I´d only get it CHEAPER and SOONER). Except the company that sold me it keeps giving me a telephone number to talk to their representatives that doesn´t exist. After much discussion, I figure out that they are moving their number MONDAY, and I guess that they simply won´t operate this saturday.
Other small things happened, but those events about alone have made me pretty nervous. I´m finally home, using my brother´s Internet on Vivi´s computer. The new connection is supposed to arrive sometime around the 23rd. I will still have my connection at work, and I might use Vivi's computer if Fernão can let me have his modem a tad longer.
Think happy thoughts... think happy thoughts... at least Dorival Caimmy, famous musician who is in the hospital, didn´t die - that would make my weekend shift pure hell.
Thursday, August 12, 2004
Spirit of Games Past
I know what it is like to feel like your job is slipping through your fingers. LucasArts (or LucasFilm Games as it was once called) had its glorious days when the Adventure was king - the company seemed to understand the genre and its players like no one else (and they had a very healthy competition with Sierra) while still releasing the occasional action/simulation game.
But to look at the company nowadays makes me sad. When they are not churning bizarre fashionable games, they just pump out their usual movie cash cows. All the other potentially interesting projects seem to either get cancelled or mangled in rush to be ready in time for Christmas.
Now the company is undergoing a serious restructuring process. It's kind of scary to see almost all products being outsourced AND devoted almost totally to Star Wars licences. The news and memo in the beginning of this post point to employees not being motivated to creating games that we will carry fondly in our memories forever like Loom and X-Wing. It's not that I think that this phase is not necessary either - a company MUST be profitable. But I question wheter this is even possible anymore.
LucasArts games used to make me anticipate them (I shed a few tears when I heard Monkey Island 3 was being made - only to have my hopes shattered when I played through it and realized bitterly that Ron Gilbert wasn't involved), think about them between sessions and go back and make references after I was finished with them. That magic slowly faded away - not because I grew up, but because they were becoming less... LucasArtsy.
I can't let LucasArts take blame alone, either. After Sierra sold out, their Adventures suffered as well. The brand was kept alive, but the talent fled long ago. In fact, the Adventure genre has pretty much been declared dead long ago - with the saddest victim being Jane Jensen's Gabriel Knight and her other project with the Adventure Company.
I guess for us fans of a good storyline and puzzles, we'll just have to wait for Dreamfall (pictures here).
I have a feeling the industry is slowly turning into Electronic Arts (and to think they used to call their employees "artists" and feature their names in game boxes and magazine ads... how things have changed).
But to look at the company nowadays makes me sad. When they are not churning bizarre fashionable games, they just pump out their usual movie cash cows. All the other potentially interesting projects seem to either get cancelled or mangled in rush to be ready in time for Christmas.
Now the company is undergoing a serious restructuring process. It's kind of scary to see almost all products being outsourced AND devoted almost totally to Star Wars licences. The news and memo in the beginning of this post point to employees not being motivated to creating games that we will carry fondly in our memories forever like Loom and X-Wing. It's not that I think that this phase is not necessary either - a company MUST be profitable. But I question wheter this is even possible anymore.
LucasArts games used to make me anticipate them (I shed a few tears when I heard Monkey Island 3 was being made - only to have my hopes shattered when I played through it and realized bitterly that Ron Gilbert wasn't involved), think about them between sessions and go back and make references after I was finished with them. That magic slowly faded away - not because I grew up, but because they were becoming less... LucasArtsy.
I can't let LucasArts take blame alone, either. After Sierra sold out, their Adventures suffered as well. The brand was kept alive, but the talent fled long ago. In fact, the Adventure genre has pretty much been declared dead long ago - with the saddest victim being Jane Jensen's Gabriel Knight and her other project with the Adventure Company.
I guess for us fans of a good storyline and puzzles, we'll just have to wait for Dreamfall (pictures here).
I have a feeling the industry is slowly turning into Electronic Arts (and to think they used to call their employees "artists" and feature their names in game boxes and magazine ads... how things have changed).
I hate traffic
Yesterday it took me a whole two hours to get back home from work. Today it took me another hour and a half to get here. Things have gotten so bad due to construction work on the three main roads around here (my building happens to be on the crossing on two of those) that I decided to simply order dinner here and wait until things get better before heading home. Sheesh.
Brazil is a funny country. We have this left-wing former-factory worker as president who endured hell on earth during the military dictatorship and always fought for higher salaries and for punishment of government corruption. How ironic it is that now he is:
Well, of course! No duh!
Link of the Day: Real life Willy Wonka
Brazil is a funny country. We have this left-wing former-factory worker as president who endured hell on earth during the military dictatorship and always fought for higher salaries and for punishment of government corruption. How ironic it is that now he is:
- Passing a law to create an entity to "oversee" journalists
- Trying to create a code of ethics that keeps public workers from revealing government investigations to the press
- Fighting against the other parties to LOWER the minimum wage
- Keeping ANY investigation against government officials from happening
Now, I do understand some of those things are made with the best interest of the nation - but if anyone were to tell him he´d be doing that in two years time, he´d probably be laughing at your face. If at least he weren´t an alcoholic who is prone to saying extremely disrespectful and stupid things to authorities abroad...
Random Doom 3 programmer quote of the day:
The specular function in Doom isn't a power function, it is a series of clamped biases and squares that looks something like a power function, which is all that could be done on earlier hardware without fragment programs. Because all the artwork and levels had been done with that particular function, we thought it best to mimic it exactly when we got fragment program capable hardware. It should be noted that a power function is a strictly empirical approximation of a surface's specular response, so other specular approximations shouldn't be looked at as just approximating a power function. For instance, especially for broad highlights, it is nice to have a finite cutoff angle, rather than the power limit approach.
Well, of course! No duh!
Link of the Day: Real life Willy Wonka
Wednesday, August 11, 2004
Human rainbow
Follow this link for something that really got me thinking.
This website you are about to see is basically a hub for all pictures that someone dug up by checking what people put in their P2P download programs (Kazaa, Limewire, Emule, BitTorrent or whatever you kids are using these days). Those are basically PERSONAL photos that by either a weird twist of Fate or pure lack of computer skills of their owners ended up spilling into the Big Ole Web(TM).
Now, the concept itself can be interesting, but I dare you to actually go through the several pages. Pictures range from cute and adorable to sick and twisted, covering pretty much everything in between. At least ONE of them is bound to surprise you in ways you could not even expect - they go far beyond barriers of theme, space, time, religion, culture, reason... it´s truly a chaotic kaleidoscope of ourselves.
After browsing this "database" I was confronted with a surprising realization: even though we think we know what we Humans are, I was still amazed with the full spectrum of... mankindness... presented in those snapshot - This is the kind of thing I'd show to hostile factions in a war to make them think a little bit about what life is all about. It's hard not to feel humbled. Heck, I'd show this to aliens bent on destroying our race (not that I think it would have the same effect).
It's funny to think that in the middle of this voyeuristic revolution triggered by Reality TV(also TM) that something like this not only slips unnoticed - but would probably never be as popular due to the lack of intrigue and glitz. But then again, perhaps this is a good thing: if it became well known, people would start "baiting" pictures for that site on purpose.
<;/PHYLOSOPHY mode off>
xxx
By the way, totally unrelated but... isn't this just adorable?
Extra Link of the Day: Funnier for those who know Weebl
BONUS Extra Link of the Day: Knocking off kids TV shows
This website you are about to see is basically a hub for all pictures that someone dug up by checking what people put in their P2P download programs (Kazaa, Limewire, Emule, BitTorrent or whatever you kids are using these days). Those are basically PERSONAL photos that by either a weird twist of Fate or pure lack of computer skills of their owners ended up spilling into the Big Ole Web(TM).
Now, the concept itself can be interesting, but I dare you to actually go through the several pages. Pictures range from cute and adorable to sick and twisted, covering pretty much everything in between. At least ONE of them is bound to surprise you in ways you could not even expect - they go far beyond barriers of theme, space, time, religion, culture, reason... it´s truly a chaotic kaleidoscope of ourselves.
After browsing this "database" I was confronted with a surprising realization: even though we think we know what we Humans are, I was still amazed with the full spectrum of... mankindness... presented in those snapshot - This is the kind of thing I'd show to hostile factions in a war to make them think a little bit about what life is all about. It's hard not to feel humbled. Heck, I'd show this to aliens bent on destroying our race (not that I think it would have the same effect).
It's funny to think that in the middle of this voyeuristic revolution triggered by Reality TV(also TM) that something like this not only slips unnoticed - but would probably never be as popular due to the lack of intrigue and glitz. But then again, perhaps this is a good thing: if it became well known, people would start "baiting" pictures for that site on purpose.
<;/PHYLOSOPHY mode off>
xxx
By the way, totally unrelated but... isn't this just adorable?
Extra Link of the Day: Funnier for those who know Weebl
BONUS Extra Link of the Day: Knocking off kids TV shows
Big sports and small videogames
Japanese was alright today - couple new kanji, our first REAL explanation on the structure of verbs... they are complicated in their own sense for a beginner, but I can´t complain: NOTHING is as horrible as Portuguese when it comes to twisting those little buggers into different tenses.
The Nintendo DS seems to be getting closer and closer to completion (reports now point to a US Launch in november, followed shortly - believe it or not - for a Japanese one in december), as opposed to the PSP. If game makers don´t start showing more stuff soon, I will seriously doubt the portable PlayStation will see the light of day this year.
Polyphony actually confirmed that Gran Turismo 4 Mobile will be a straight port of the "we´re delaying it again" version for the PS2... and seeing as rumors point to GT4 possibly slipping into 2005, I don´t see the PSP coming so soon. Videogame launch lesson Number 1: You NEED a killer app.
I need to get my cats fixed (a.k.a. snip snip). I should call the vet and try to schedule it for later this week, urgently. B.B. seems to try and mark his territory (he lifts his ass, shakes it and makes a weird face), but nothing comes out. As if his meowing wasn´t embarassing enough.
Link of the Day: Purr-fect Yoga
Runner-up: Japanese Smoking Etiquette Signs
Tuesday, August 10, 2004
Of cats and olympics
I've tried calling Electronic Arts Brasil to figure out when we'll be receiving our review copies of Catwoman and The Sims 2, but the person I usually talk to called in sick. This week will be busy as usual, with the Halle Berry game getting a review the same day the movie opens here (friday) and also Athens 2004, which sucks and has been sitting on my TV for a whole week so we could post it nearer the start of the Olympic Games. Both games seem to have a high degree of suckitude (suckyness?).
I was creating a list of games that need review for the next trimester (august, september and october) and was a bit surprised with the high number of important games - even though UOL will finance 5 titles for september, I may have to get some four... maybe five? out of my own pocket. And that's not even talking about PC games.
Funny how that goes - the late november-december slot is usually the one that all the companies want to put their big guns out... but most of the stuff seems to be hitting shelves a tad earlier (Shellshock 'Nam 67 was actually DELAYED into september in an attempt to get a piece of the action) or simply originally planned for Christman and then pushed into 2005 (Capcom alone has three big ones in that category: Resident Evil 4, Viewtiful Joe 2 and Devil May Cry 3).
Learned today in Japanese class:
Yay! Kanji day! That's pretty much all we did. Check the list:
一(1) 二(2) 三(3) 四(4) 五(5) 六(6) 七 (7) 八(8) 九(9) 十(10) 百(100) 千(1000) 何(which?) 分(minute) 時(hour) 月(month) 年(year) 今(this present)*
*That's as simplified as I could put them - it's definetely WAY more complicated than that.
Link of the Day: Untested (by me), but potentially interesting online game thingie.
I was creating a list of games that need review for the next trimester (august, september and october) and was a bit surprised with the high number of important games - even though UOL will finance 5 titles for september, I may have to get some four... maybe five? out of my own pocket. And that's not even talking about PC games.
Funny how that goes - the late november-december slot is usually the one that all the companies want to put their big guns out... but most of the stuff seems to be hitting shelves a tad earlier (Shellshock 'Nam 67 was actually DELAYED into september in an attempt to get a piece of the action) or simply originally planned for Christman and then pushed into 2005 (Capcom alone has three big ones in that category: Resident Evil 4, Viewtiful Joe 2 and Devil May Cry 3).
Learned today in Japanese class:
Yay! Kanji day! That's pretty much all we did. Check the list:
一(1) 二(2) 三(3) 四(4) 五(5) 六(6) 七 (7) 八(8) 九(9) 十(10) 百(100) 千(1000) 何(which?) 分(minute) 時(hour) 月(month) 年(year) 今(this present)*
*That's as simplified as I could put them - it's definetely WAY more complicated than that.
Link of the Day: Untested (by me), but potentially interesting online game thingie.
Monday, August 09, 2004
Homework blues
日本語のブローグ！
(Blog of Japanese Language)
I hope this works!
I hate when this happens. I can't seem to find where I wrote down what homework was due tomorrow! I'll either have to call a friend monday morning and do it in a hurry or tell the teacher I forgot it at home and hand it in wednesday!
Sunday... didn't study as much as I hoped, but at least I think I got my 2 new kanji straight - month and year (pretty easy ones).
Since it was Father's Day, I spent lunch with my two grandfathers (one at a time). I brought them this month's issue of Electronic Gaming Monthly, because I wrote three pieces in it - they seemed pretty proud.
After that I stopped at my brother's to help create his blog and teach him some HTML basics, as well as how to operate Picasa and Hello.
After my job was done, I went home to play some Final Fantasy V (which I never played back in the day). It's pretty different from the rest of the series: you get to start with the four characters you'll have for almost all of the story, and they have some pretty interesting motivations/personalities. But I must admit I was a bit disappointed with certain aspects of it.
First of all, visually. Now maybe it's just my memory tricking me, but I could swear this game is uglier than both FF IV and VI. Not only that, but the storytelling seems a bit off for two reasons: the dialog is HORRIBLY translated (nothing beats seeing the fourth crystal being destroyed - a sign that the world is ending - just to hear the main character go "Oh crap!"); and the "acting" of the little virtual characters is just odd. The use of little "emotion bubbles" like "!", "?" and a heart kind of takes away from the subtlety. In fact, this game seems geared towards a more upbeat feel like Grandia or Lunar. The main character get to do a lot of laughing in very dire situations...
I just had to give up after a few hours, though. The game gets too hard all of a sudden, and I just don't feel like wandering around for hours doing some of the slowest leveling up know to man. I wish I could just cheat.
After that, Fernão came over for pizza and a movie. We watched the first two stories of Katsuhiro Otomo's Memories (I watched the third on my own). The stories are very dream-like and surprisingly apocalyptic, but are told masterfully. They are very different from each other - the first is incredibly emotional and conveys a very strong message about human behavior. The second one is tragic in the most comical manner, but keeps the viewer guessing about its outcome to the very end. The third (and arguably the most interesting one) is very alien and visually challenging, and possibly the most thought-provoking of the bunch. And as different as they are, they still tie up together very well.
Didn't have chance to talk to Melissa tonight... which kind of made me a bit sad, seeing as so many people wanted me to tell her how much they miss her and asked what they could do to help her come back sooner.
Heck, I miss her. A lot.
(Blog of Japanese Language)
I hope this works!
I hate when this happens. I can't seem to find where I wrote down what homework was due tomorrow! I'll either have to call a friend monday morning and do it in a hurry or tell the teacher I forgot it at home and hand it in wednesday!
Sunday... didn't study as much as I hoped, but at least I think I got my 2 new kanji straight - month and year (pretty easy ones).
Since it was Father's Day, I spent lunch with my two grandfathers (one at a time). I brought them this month's issue of Electronic Gaming Monthly, because I wrote three pieces in it - they seemed pretty proud.
After that I stopped at my brother's to help create his blog and teach him some HTML basics, as well as how to operate Picasa and Hello.
After my job was done, I went home to play some Final Fantasy V (which I never played back in the day). It's pretty different from the rest of the series: you get to start with the four characters you'll have for almost all of the story, and they have some pretty interesting motivations/personalities. But I must admit I was a bit disappointed with certain aspects of it.
First of all, visually. Now maybe it's just my memory tricking me, but I could swear this game is uglier than both FF IV and VI. Not only that, but the storytelling seems a bit off for two reasons: the dialog is HORRIBLY translated (nothing beats seeing the fourth crystal being destroyed - a sign that the world is ending - just to hear the main character go "Oh crap!"); and the "acting" of the little virtual characters is just odd. The use of little "emotion bubbles" like "!", "?" and a heart kind of takes away from the subtlety. In fact, this game seems geared towards a more upbeat feel like Grandia or Lunar. The main character get to do a lot of laughing in very dire situations...
I just had to give up after a few hours, though. The game gets too hard all of a sudden, and I just don't feel like wandering around for hours doing some of the slowest leveling up know to man. I wish I could just cheat.
After that, Fernão came over for pizza and a movie. We watched the first two stories of Katsuhiro Otomo's Memories (I watched the third on my own). The stories are very dream-like and surprisingly apocalyptic, but are told masterfully. They are very different from each other - the first is incredibly emotional and conveys a very strong message about human behavior. The second one is tragic in the most comical manner, but keeps the viewer guessing about its outcome to the very end. The third (and arguably the most interesting one) is very alien and visually challenging, and possibly the most thought-provoking of the bunch. And as different as they are, they still tie up together very well.
Didn't have chance to talk to Melissa tonight... which kind of made me a bit sad, seeing as so many people wanted me to tell her how much they miss her and asked what they could do to help her come back sooner.
Heck, I miss her. A lot.
Saturday, August 07, 2004
Post-blog genesis trauma
Yeah, the newborn blog can induce severe post-genesis emptiness trauma - basically a big bout of depression due to lack of content. To address this issue, I shall confide what has been taking most of my time lately: my Doom 3 review.
For those who weren't versed in computer games back when they weren't cool for the masses (read: before The Sims), Doom was the second brainchild of id Software. The successor of Wolfenstein 3D heralded the first steps of the modern tridimensional games - that, and it was basically pure digital adrenaline - you, the nameless Space Marine had to stop a demonic invasion spawned from Martian teletransporting experiments gone awry. The game received a quick "let's cash this money cow" sequel, set on Earth (also invaded by demons).
Now, Doom 3 isn't properly a sequel, but rather a retelling of the original story (nah, they only did it to justify why they had chainsaws in a Martian research lab) with the newest and most amazing 3D engine ever. When we are talking id and its star programmer, John Carmack, that means a lot.
Now, the game does NOT try to be a revolution as far as gameplay is concerned - no sniper rifle shenanigans, no amazingly lifelife Artificial Intelligence... instead, the game simulates light and shadows perfectly, pits you in a dark, lifeless research center in another planet, gives you just a little of ammo... and then eye-drops powerful monsters that are creepy and can materialize out of thin air.
Now, Mr. Space Marine is still the silent type, and there is little interaction with other humans. You are just going to be blowing demon guts, in the dark (did I mention our soldier CAN'T hold a flashlight and a weapon at the same time? What kind of Marine training is THAT?) for the next SIXTEEN hours. They might as well have written on the manual: "Please slowly inch towards the edge of your seat as you play".
Don't take me wrong, the game is AMAZING - level design is as effective as it could be for raising tension, even if not exactly bold in creativity. You can attest that by the amount of "I'm dodging in my chair due to something happening on the screen" that goes on. But it's kinda scary that game-induced paranoia is slowly seeping into real life: I noticed today as I got to my table at work that I was SCANNING MY SURROUNDINGS CAREFULLY before sitting down.
Fear. It grows on you.
Link of the day: Top Movie Quotes: Princess Bride Forever
For those who weren't versed in computer games back when they weren't cool for the masses (read: before The Sims), Doom was the second brainchild of id Software. The successor of Wolfenstein 3D heralded the first steps of the modern tridimensional games - that, and it was basically pure digital adrenaline - you, the nameless Space Marine had to stop a demonic invasion spawned from Martian teletransporting experiments gone awry. The game received a quick "let's cash this money cow" sequel, set on Earth (also invaded by demons).
Now, Doom 3 isn't properly a sequel, but rather a retelling of the original story (nah, they only did it to justify why they had chainsaws in a Martian research lab) with the newest and most amazing 3D engine ever. When we are talking id and its star programmer, John Carmack, that means a lot.
Now, the game does NOT try to be a revolution as far as gameplay is concerned - no sniper rifle shenanigans, no amazingly lifelife Artificial Intelligence... instead, the game simulates light and shadows perfectly, pits you in a dark, lifeless research center in another planet, gives you just a little of ammo... and then eye-drops powerful monsters that are creepy and can materialize out of thin air.
Now, Mr. Space Marine is still the silent type, and there is little interaction with other humans. You are just going to be blowing demon guts, in the dark (did I mention our soldier CAN'T hold a flashlight and a weapon at the same time? What kind of Marine training is THAT?) for the next SIXTEEN hours. They might as well have written on the manual: "Please slowly inch towards the edge of your seat as you play".
Don't take me wrong, the game is AMAZING - level design is as effective as it could be for raising tension, even if not exactly bold in creativity. You can attest that by the amount of "I'm dodging in my chair due to something happening on the screen" that goes on. But it's kinda scary that game-induced paranoia is slowly seeping into real life: I noticed today as I got to my table at work that I was SCANNING MY SURROUNDINGS CAREFULLY before sitting down.
Fear. It grows on you.
Link of the day: Top Movie Quotes: Princess Bride Forever
How many roads must a man walk down...
... or in this case, blogs create. I know I created way to many blogs before this one - I would think I was good at it, given my love for writing... and yet, they seem to slip between my fingers in a matter of days (I'm yet to have two posts dating one week from each other in a single blog).
Anyhoo... THIS TIME IS FOR REAL, BABY. ("'Cuz I rule, sweet Susy!" - gotta love Wimp Lo).
So, by the powers vested in me by the Internet - THIS SHALL BE THE ONE!
Anyhoo... THIS TIME IS FOR REAL, BABY. ("'Cuz I rule, sweet Susy!" - gotta love Wimp Lo).
So, by the powers vested in me by the Internet - THIS SHALL BE THE ONE!
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