today is Stop Being Lazy and do Something Productive day. Fetivities include:
-Finishing review for Half Life 1
-Updating resume
-Distributing resume to people I know
-Not playing Metroid
Its gonna be one hell of a bash.
Thursday, December 30, 2004
Tuesday, December 28, 2004
under my skin
A long time ago, back when I was in 8th grade, my doc told me I had some nasty looking mark/mole thing on my back. Could become precancerous, etc. Nothing I should worry about, but something to take care of in the near future.
I'm finally going today to have it looked at, six years later (Is that still the near future?). Should be a quick deal, but I realized that next time someone says "you should have that looked at", one should do it a lot quicker in case its something really serious.
Glad to get this monkey off my back though (attack of the bad puns!).
Update: I'm healthy, nothing was removed, looks like I have nothing to worry about.
Whew!
I'm finally going today to have it looked at, six years later (Is that still the near future?). Should be a quick deal, but I realized that next time someone says "you should have that looked at", one should do it a lot quicker in case its something really serious.
Glad to get this monkey off my back though (attack of the bad puns!).
Update: I'm healthy, nothing was removed, looks like I have nothing to worry about.
Whew!
Monday, December 27, 2004
echoes of the holidays
After a deep post and the holiday shuffle its time to sit back and relax a little bit. And what better way to do so than with a good game?
For me, that game is currently Metroid Prime 2: Echoes. The original Prime is easily my favorite console game from this generation, so much so that its sequel was the only game on my holiday wishlist. After some solid play time, I can say that my initial impressions are very positive.
It is an immediately familiar game, but it is obvious that Retro Studios has tried to make this "Metroid" with a twist. Samus moves and controls the same, but her arsenal has been tweaked in order to fit the game's new light/dark motif. Story-wise, rather than being an (epic?) quest for survival like the rest of the series, Echoes plays out like a horror/mystery story, with Samus at the head of the investigation. Its is also one of the most painstakingly detailed games I've seen. Halo 2 and Doom 3 might push more polys, but the subtle detail found in Prime 2's every room makes it feel more believeable, and much more interesting.
It seems that Metroid Prime 2: Echoes is very similar to Zelda: Majora's Mask. It is the sequel to the best game on its platform, it was developed in a curiously short amount of time, and yet it manages to equal its predecessor in every way without being a carbon copy. My only question is if Prime 2 will finish the same as Majora, which was arguably more fun than Ocarina of Time, but far less grandiose and much shorter (thus preventing it from surpassing OOT overall).
For me, that game is currently Metroid Prime 2: Echoes. The original Prime is easily my favorite console game from this generation, so much so that its sequel was the only game on my holiday wishlist. After some solid play time, I can say that my initial impressions are very positive.
It is an immediately familiar game, but it is obvious that Retro Studios has tried to make this "Metroid" with a twist. Samus moves and controls the same, but her arsenal has been tweaked in order to fit the game's new light/dark motif. Story-wise, rather than being an (epic?) quest for survival like the rest of the series, Echoes plays out like a horror/mystery story, with Samus at the head of the investigation. Its is also one of the most painstakingly detailed games I've seen. Halo 2 and Doom 3 might push more polys, but the subtle detail found in Prime 2's every room makes it feel more believeable, and much more interesting.
It seems that Metroid Prime 2: Echoes is very similar to Zelda: Majora's Mask. It is the sequel to the best game on its platform, it was developed in a curiously short amount of time, and yet it manages to equal its predecessor in every way without being a carbon copy. My only question is if Prime 2 will finish the same as Majora, which was arguably more fun than Ocarina of Time, but far less grandiose and much shorter (thus preventing it from surpassing OOT overall).
Saturday, December 25, 2004
Jingle around the clock
The current time: 12:42 AM December 25th. Guess I should write something about Christmas huh?
Christmas is a strange day really. Its the only major holiday that seems to change with age. These days everyone has fun during Halloween (whether its due to candy, booze, or both). On Thanksgiving, there's only one goal; stuff yourself silly all day long, young or old, hungry or not.
Things are different with Christmas. When you are a child, the month of December feels like an additional half year added to the calendar. And when the day finally comes, its all about presents, toys, games whatever. Its all about you and your stuff, and all is right with the world. Then you get older.
After a while, December slowly goes from being extra long to "far too quick". Rather than (im)patiently waiting for the 25th we curse our lack of time and the huge list of things to do before the holidays. Presents must be bought, cards written, trees are put up. All the preparations for such a "jolly" holiday don't seem so jolly does it? Its at this point that people begin to wonder about the season. Is it too commercialized? Is all that joy real or just plain courtesy? If you listen to some of the pundits, you'll even wonder if its all worth it.
It seems that more than anything, Christmas is a really confusing holiday.
So, what should we focus on? The gifts? The religious foundation? Business as usual? Unfotunately, I don't know the answer to that question quite yet. The only thing I do know is that Christmas, more than anyhting else, makes me realize just how much I really have. Not in material goods, but health, friends, and family. Real things, the kind that matter in life. It also makes you realize that time doesn't stop for the holidays, and all those little problems you might encounter along the way seem pale in comparison to some of the real tradgedies that befall people around the world in the realm called life. These days, Christmas might not be as purely fun as it wsa in years past, and yet it is not depressing either. Its just plain humbling, a way to ground yourself for another crazy year. You can't get a much better gift than that.
Well, maybe this year I did. Merry Christmas dear; you'll be in my thoughts today. And best wishes to everyone else out there. I hope yours is a safe, loving, and peaceful day. And if not, I give you my best wishes
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.
(now its 1:30, this took me longer than I thought. Santa won't come if I don't go to bed ^-^).
Christmas is a strange day really. Its the only major holiday that seems to change with age. These days everyone has fun during Halloween (whether its due to candy, booze, or both). On Thanksgiving, there's only one goal; stuff yourself silly all day long, young or old, hungry or not.
Things are different with Christmas. When you are a child, the month of December feels like an additional half year added to the calendar. And when the day finally comes, its all about presents, toys, games whatever. Its all about you and your stuff, and all is right with the world. Then you get older.
After a while, December slowly goes from being extra long to "far too quick". Rather than (im)patiently waiting for the 25th we curse our lack of time and the huge list of things to do before the holidays. Presents must be bought, cards written, trees are put up. All the preparations for such a "jolly" holiday don't seem so jolly does it? Its at this point that people begin to wonder about the season. Is it too commercialized? Is all that joy real or just plain courtesy? If you listen to some of the pundits, you'll even wonder if its all worth it.
It seems that more than anything, Christmas is a really confusing holiday.
So, what should we focus on? The gifts? The religious foundation? Business as usual? Unfotunately, I don't know the answer to that question quite yet. The only thing I do know is that Christmas, more than anyhting else, makes me realize just how much I really have. Not in material goods, but health, friends, and family. Real things, the kind that matter in life. It also makes you realize that time doesn't stop for the holidays, and all those little problems you might encounter along the way seem pale in comparison to some of the real tradgedies that befall people around the world in the realm called life. These days, Christmas might not be as purely fun as it wsa in years past, and yet it is not depressing either. Its just plain humbling, a way to ground yourself for another crazy year. You can't get a much better gift than that.
Well, maybe this year I did. Merry Christmas dear; you'll be in my thoughts today. And best wishes to everyone else out there. I hope yours is a safe, loving, and peaceful day. And if not, I give you my best wishes
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.
(now its 1:30, this took me longer than I thought. Santa won't come if I don't go to bed ^-^).
Thursday, December 23, 2004
blogger's block
I know it sounds strange, but, I don't know what to blog about...
I suppose its because nothing of real interest has happened since I returned home, although I have been out and about. Guess I'll try to think of something tonight.
I suppose its because nothing of real interest has happened since I returned home, although I have been out and about. Guess I'll try to think of something tonight.
Tuesday, December 21, 2004
Movie Sign
Just saw a coupla movies while I've been home, so I figured I'd input my 2 cents on them.
The Bourne Supremecy: Overal, the movie is one big "meh". It doesn't do anything inherently bad, it just doesn't do anything amazing. If you've seen any globe hopping, double crossing espionage/spy/action film since Missions Impossible, then you've seen this film. If you like that, then you'll have a blast. Otherwise you'll probably be end up like me: surfing the web through half the movie.
I, Robot: As an admitted geek, I should be one of the hoardes of people cursing this movie for blashpemizing Asimov's classic books. However, I haven't read any of them, so my opinion of the film comes purely from someone looking for a decent action flick and nothing more. In this aspect the movie delivers. There are some interesting scenes, good effects and a decent mystery to be found. My only problems came from the shameless product placement (which now seems commonplace in blockbusters these days) and some occasional stiff acting. There do seem to be some hints at some deeper messages about robotics that one would expect from a movie with this title, but it doesn't really go anywhere with it. How this makes you feel will ultimately affect how you will react to this movie.
The Bourne Supremecy: Overal, the movie is one big "meh". It doesn't do anything inherently bad, it just doesn't do anything amazing. If you've seen any globe hopping, double crossing espionage/spy/action film since Missions Impossible, then you've seen this film. If you like that, then you'll have a blast. Otherwise you'll probably be end up like me: surfing the web through half the movie.
I, Robot: As an admitted geek, I should be one of the hoardes of people cursing this movie for blashpemizing Asimov's classic books. However, I haven't read any of them, so my opinion of the film comes purely from someone looking for a decent action flick and nothing more. In this aspect the movie delivers. There are some interesting scenes, good effects and a decent mystery to be found. My only problems came from the shameless product placement (which now seems commonplace in blockbusters these days) and some occasional stiff acting. There do seem to be some hints at some deeper messages about robotics that one would expect from a movie with this title, but it doesn't really go anywhere with it. How this makes you feel will ultimately affect how you will react to this movie.
Monday, December 20, 2004
or not...
guess I can't finish the job, because I forgot to bring FF7 with me. So I guess I have another job.
Beat FF8!
I know it seems silly; why play games you don't like? The answer to that is simple: I have a goal to beat all the main FF games. I may not like them all, but I'll try my best to play them all. For one reason, to say that I have. And secondly, I can actually debate with the fans as to why I think each one is good/bad/horrid etc. rather than make wild conjectures.
Off I go now.
Beat FF8!
I know it seems silly; why play games you don't like? The answer to that is simple: I have a goal to beat all the main FF games. I may not like them all, but I'll try my best to play them all. For one reason, to say that I have. And secondly, I can actually debate with the fans as to why I think each one is good/bad/horrid etc. rather than make wild conjectures.
Off I go now.
Materia sucks anyway
After a crazy adventure involving getting a Christmas tree and driving through a sudden snowstorm, I think today is perfect for sitting down and doing nothing. And when I say nothing, I mean finish a job I shoulda done a long time ago.
Beat Final Fantasy 7.
Anyone who knows me probably knows I don't like the seminal RPG series too much, with the exception of the SNES trilogy of games. FF7 is one that I especially loathe, as much for the raving drivel its fans often spew as for what I see as a general lack of quality. Simply put, it got boring quick after Disc 1 (which was actually rather excellent for the most part) and everytime I tried to continue was met with failure. Nevertheless, the game is the stuff of legend among the community as a whole, and it just seems wrong not to finish it.
Beat Final Fantasy 7.
Anyone who knows me probably knows I don't like the seminal RPG series too much, with the exception of the SNES trilogy of games. FF7 is one that I especially loathe, as much for the raving drivel its fans often spew as for what I see as a general lack of quality. Simply put, it got boring quick after Disc 1 (which was actually rather excellent for the most part) and everytime I tried to continue was met with failure. Nevertheless, the game is the stuff of legend among the community as a whole, and it just seems wrong not to finish it.
Friday, December 17, 2004
Home for the Holidays
So this is Xmas
And what have you done
Another year over
And a new one just begun
And so this is Xmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young
A very Merry Xmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
And so this is Xmas
For weak and for strong
For rich and the poor ones
The world is so wrong
And so happy Xmas
For black and for white
For yellow and red ones
Let's stop all the fight
A very Merry Xmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
And so this is Xmas
And what have we done
Another year over
A new one just begun
And so happy Xmas
We hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young
A very Merry Xmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
Have a happy and safe holiday season everyone. I'm heading back home myself today. I'm looking forward to using the time off to do some things I haven't had the time for during the semester. Maybe you'll get to see some of it next year (meaning January of course).
And what have you done
Another year over
And a new one just begun
And so this is Xmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young
A very Merry Xmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
And so this is Xmas
For weak and for strong
For rich and the poor ones
The world is so wrong
And so happy Xmas
For black and for white
For yellow and red ones
Let's stop all the fight
A very Merry Xmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
And so this is Xmas
And what have we done
Another year over
A new one just begun
And so happy Xmas
We hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young
A very Merry Xmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
Have a happy and safe holiday season everyone. I'm heading back home myself today. I'm looking forward to using the time off to do some things I haven't had the time for during the semester. Maybe you'll get to see some of it next year (meaning January of course).
Wednesday, December 15, 2004
Tuesday, December 14, 2004
News Brief part 2
The reason I hate EA (moreso than I already do) is because of things like this. Sega finally created a product of equal (perhaps better) quality than Madden with ESPN NFL 2k5, and releases it at a cheaper price. What does EA do to compete? It doesn't compete, it just throws its money around until it gets its way.
From a business standpoint, this is brilliant for EA. Now everyone's going to buy Madden. Fact of the matter is Joe Six Pack casual gamer is going to go for the football game with their favorite players and teams, not the one with a fake league. However, you can probably be sure that the next five iterations of the game are going to stagnate even more than they already have in the last few years. After all, why improve when there's no one to compete with you? Now EA can make more revenue, spend less money and reap the profits.
And what benefit is there for the NFL? If they release multiple licenses, then they earn royalties from more than one game. With this move, EA will get more customers should 2K/Blits fans jump ship to Madden, but those that don't equal lost money for the NFL. EA must have thrown some serious cash their way to get them to make such a move.
This news wouldn't worry me nearly as much if it had nothing to do with EA. Unfortunately it does, and Electronic Arts has screwwed up too many franchises, destroyed too many gerat development houses and scoffed at actual innovation and quality in their releases for far too long for me to trust them. If this ends up being as big a money maker for them as it should, then there is no stopping them from trying it with other leagues, or with other licenses franchises. It also encourages other large publishers like Vivendi to do the same, making oppurtunities for upstart developers and teams slim to none.
EA Sports: Its all the same.
From a business standpoint, this is brilliant for EA. Now everyone's going to buy Madden. Fact of the matter is Joe Six Pack casual gamer is going to go for the football game with their favorite players and teams, not the one with a fake league. However, you can probably be sure that the next five iterations of the game are going to stagnate even more than they already have in the last few years. After all, why improve when there's no one to compete with you? Now EA can make more revenue, spend less money and reap the profits.
And what benefit is there for the NFL? If they release multiple licenses, then they earn royalties from more than one game. With this move, EA will get more customers should 2K/Blits fans jump ship to Madden, but those that don't equal lost money for the NFL. EA must have thrown some serious cash their way to get them to make such a move.
This news wouldn't worry me nearly as much if it had nothing to do with EA. Unfortunately it does, and Electronic Arts has screwwed up too many franchises, destroyed too many gerat development houses and scoffed at actual innovation and quality in their releases for far too long for me to trust them. If this ends up being as big a money maker for them as it should, then there is no stopping them from trying it with other leagues, or with other licenses franchises. It also encourages other large publishers like Vivendi to do the same, making oppurtunities for upstart developers and teams slim to none.
EA Sports: Its all the same.
Monday, December 13, 2004
today's news brief
Today's news brief: I hate Electronic Arts.
Check back tonight for a detailed post as to why.
Check back tonight for a detailed post as to why.
Wednesday, December 08, 2004
Once a Met, always a Met
My favorite Met and probably my favorite current pitcher Al Leiter has left the Mets to return to play for the Florida Marlins. While I am indeed sad to see him leave the team, at least he's going back to his old club, where friends still reside and he will be at home. I'll miss ya Al. Thanks for some great years of pitching, and sticking through even the bad times.
Gmail
Yes, I finally got my hands on a Gmail address (taidan19@gmail.com)thanks to my 15 year old brother no less (Thanks Tim). Unfortunately they don't give out invites right away, but I'm thinking I'll only use a few of them for friends and family. If any are up for grabs I'll announce it here.
Just got a major component for my computer engineering project finished. It feels pretty good to finally overcome something that has given you frustration for over a month. If the rest of the week goes this smoothly I might be able to get a head start on studying for finals (I'm crossing my fingers)
And now, its time for the computer scientist tradition of cold pizza and Mountain Dew at 2:30 in the morning.
Just got a major component for my computer engineering project finished. It feels pretty good to finally overcome something that has given you frustration for over a month. If the rest of the week goes this smoothly I might be able to get a head start on studying for finals (I'm crossing my fingers)
And now, its time for the computer scientist tradition of cold pizza and Mountain Dew at 2:30 in the morning.
Tuesday, December 07, 2004
Sotuhpaws unite!
Do you freak out pitchers when you step up to bat? Do lacrosse players pass the ball at your face rather than your stick? Do you hold your pen "really wierd"? Do you get confused when trying to shake someone's hand?
If you said yes, then (like me), you're probably left handed. What used to be associated with the devil STILL can't be explained by the world of science, but it looks like they're getting closer.
It was interesting to discover that lefties are more likely to be dislexic (something I'm beginning to notice in my fast scribblings), but also more musically inclined (played trumpet for ten years, still would if I had the time). Whatever's the case for lefties, there's gotta be something important in them, or they would've vanished a long time ago (that or they will in a million years or so). Here's to the few, the proud.... the southpaws.
The Dallas Cowboys have been utterly humiliated in their last few games, but after a victory over Seattle it seems that sports writers have them gunning for the NFC wild card .
Are you guys dense? Never mind their 5-7 record; a lot of teams are in that area. Look at how they've played all season. Parcells and crew have been outclassed time and again. They pretty much had to win this game after so many crushing defeats. But that doesn't make them playoff contenders any more so than my equally poor-playing Giants. I wonder if those sports guys are still calling the Seahawks a good matchup for New England in the playoffs? I honestly don't know where they get this stuff.
If you said yes, then (like me), you're probably left handed. What used to be associated with the devil STILL can't be explained by the world of science, but it looks like they're getting closer.
It was interesting to discover that lefties are more likely to be dislexic (something I'm beginning to notice in my fast scribblings), but also more musically inclined (played trumpet for ten years, still would if I had the time). Whatever's the case for lefties, there's gotta be something important in them, or they would've vanished a long time ago (that or they will in a million years or so). Here's to the few, the proud.... the southpaws.
The Dallas Cowboys have been utterly humiliated in their last few games, but after a victory over Seattle it seems that sports writers have them gunning for the NFC wild card .
Are you guys dense? Never mind their 5-7 record; a lot of teams are in that area. Look at how they've played all season. Parcells and crew have been outclassed time and again. They pretty much had to win this game after so many crushing defeats. But that doesn't make them playoff contenders any more so than my equally poor-playing Giants. I wonder if those sports guys are still calling the Seahawks a good matchup for New England in the playoffs? I honestly don't know where they get this stuff.
Friday, December 03, 2004
assemble this
Small little update at LC1201; just some programs I wrote in assembly language. Nothing too grand, but I figured it didn't hurt to upload them.
Week's been busy like I assumed, which is why I've been quiet on the blog. Thankfully its the winter break is coming soon, giving me more time to crank out some planned reviews.
In other news...
MLB. Steroids. Who didn't see it coming? My only question: are they just going to chastise them for something that was (technically) allowed, or actually do something about it like the NFL a decade ago?
Rolling Stone's 500 greatest songs. Considering all the classical and non popular music that has been created since the beginning of history the title is somewhat inappropriate. Still, in terms of songs you've heard about, its an excellent list. Check it out if you're bored.
Half Life 2 deathmatch. Nice little gift. I'll look into it once the lag goes down (and there are more maps). Nothing says "owned" like a toiled to the face
Week's been busy like I assumed, which is why I've been quiet on the blog. Thankfully its the winter break is coming soon, giving me more time to crank out some planned reviews.
In other news...
MLB. Steroids. Who didn't see it coming? My only question: are they just going to chastise them for something that was (technically) allowed, or actually do something about it like the NFL a decade ago?
Rolling Stone's 500 greatest songs. Considering all the classical and non popular music that has been created since the beginning of history the title is somewhat inappropriate. Still, in terms of songs you've heard about, its an excellent list. Check it out if you're bored.
Half Life 2 deathmatch. Nice little gift. I'll look into it once the lag goes down (and there are more maps). Nothing says "owned" like a toiled to the face
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