This one's for Damien

Ok, everyone else can skip right over this post, unless you know anything about Magic: The gathering. you've been warned.

Went to the pre-release on Saturday. Got a deal upfront for 2 flights... so I played two flights. The first one I went my typical win one, lose one, win one so i had to play the fourth player instead of drop. I had a pretty good deck for sealed, almost every creature was flying. Sadly, I should have beat the final opponent (we split games), but I didn't use Convoke properly. Seriously, I missed three set releases and am completely lost, it's nuts. So I walked with the consolation "thanks for losing" prize of one pack.

Hunger pains took me, but I thought, I can get another flight in, it's only best of 3 for the second one.

I drew a Doubling Season and an Overwhelm. Unfortunatly, the first opponent had so much direct damage, I couldn't overcome (it was very close though, may have misplayed into defeat during the first game). The other two opponents were no contest. I really think the first kid may have cheated (bonus flight, so he had the cards), but I'm not a sore loser, I lost fair and square. Still Doubling Season and the new graft ability is so much fun. I'm gouing to try to grab as many Doubling Seasons as I can for online, for when Dissension comes out, I have a deck I want to make. Anyway, walked with 4 packs from that flight, so it was a worth it. I saw that guy we used to play with at Infinite Quests, but I didn't get to talk to him... and I don't remember his name anyway.

Anyway, that's how it went. I have two - count 'em 2 - pre-release foils with the date stamped on. Let me know if you want one.

Also, I hope you get to get online for some Magic sometime. My best friend has gotten into it... he plays lots of casual.

Ok anyone else who read this, you were warned. I'll be a bit more comprehendable next time.

One week later...

Well, finishing up at work, and I just realized I haven't added a post in a whole week, so let me type up something quickly. Let's see... big plans for the weekend? Hmm... besides the usual video games?
Yup, got something real special like: A Magic:The Gathering prerelease. While I'm excited to go - the only times I play Magic in the "real world" anymore, the real reason I bring it up is to make my French friend jealous.

I admit, I can be a real bastard sometimes.

I've been getting back into Magic a bit lately as there's a pre-release this weekend, and they just released an old card set online last week. It points out how bad the old sets were, but I did get to the final in a draft, so it wasn't all bad.

My comic pile had dwindled to 3 measly issues left to read, but I stopped in last night to replenish with new tales. i'm trying to behave and buy less, but I need my fix. Still, when I hear people obsess over the O.C. or Survivor, or any show that is not: 1.Battlestar Galactica 2.Lost or 3.The Loop, I don't feel so bad... I mean, at least I'm reading. That means I'm smarter. right?? I mean, right!?

Hmmm... recent music? Built to Spill's latest is pretty good, I've been enjoying it. But, since it's the beginning of nice weather, I had to pull out the Virgin Suicides soundtrack. Nothing rocks so hard as the first licks of Heart's Magic Man in the shining warmth of the sun.

Ok, I hope I can stop by this weekend to chat more... but right now I want to get the hell out of here.

Ta-Ta all...

For the record

The few lines I referenced a couple posts ago were from The broadway adaption of the Who's Tommy "Tommy's been to hospital.""Oh, 'e's been cured then, 'as 'e?""Oh, completely cured, they're gonna make him prime fuckin' minister" And then they launch into "Tommy can you hear me"

My second favorite musical song behind - and this is the best song to blare in the morning EVER - "What's the buzz" from Jesus Christ Superstar.

I'm headed to the parents for the weekend... and I'm sure I'll have time to type up a little post to this here blog. (They still use dial-up, so I need to do SOMETHING that doesn't require fast data).

Oh, and if anyone should be trying out the Internet Explorer 7 beta, you'll need to deactivate the Yahoo toolbar add-on if you have it on your computer. I know this effects NO ONE who reads this blog, but it took me a hell of a long time to figure that out. Firefox may still be better.

Thanks for the advice..

But, have you been paying attention to my blog at all? time without videogames? You are crazy.

However, i do realize it probably has to do with poor time management, so I am taking steps to budget my time better. That being said, a fellow employee just handed me a copy of Elder Scrolls: Oblivion, so my official take on time-management: we'll see.

I wasn't going to purchase Oblivion so I'd devote time to other ventures, but the gaming gods have delivered unto me. I mean, what can I do?

The story: Supposedly this employee bought a copy, and it accidently shipped with two copies. oops. I'll have to sacrifice a virgin to show the god how much he is appreciated. Or at least toast him with a beer.

As to Damien: If you have 2.5 firmware and not something higher, wel mein friend, you are in luck. Homebrew games (*cough cough emulation cough cough*) can be had indeed. a site I first learned about it is at :http://pspupdates.qj.net/

BUT, they may have "gone commercial" and not be as reliable as back in the day. still a good place to start... and just look around. You could be playing Mike Tyson's Punch out in a matter of minutes. good luck. and remember, in GTA, obey all traffic laws, and return the hookers to the correct street corner. Those pimps are mean.

I have an anger issue

PLeas read the post below this one first, as it was written before this one and is a better review of the state of all things dirty and bacon.

I'll wait.

no, seriously, read that first.

ok.

Lately, and lately being several months, I've really been a miserable bitch. What really has been going on is lots of anger. I seem to fly off the handle at every little thing. I wish I was over-exaggerating when I say this, but the truth is that there's something amiss. I just don't know what it is.
I'm not sure if I mentioned this before, so if I did, well, consider this an update.

I've been going to the gym regularly, and while I do want to get in better shape, the REAL reason I joined up was to try to get some of my frustrations out. I don't know, I just don't seem to be in my happy place here of lately. I mean, I'm probably more successful now then I have ever been in my life. (probably? definitely!) But am I measuring success correctly? i mean, out of debt, able to afford luxuries AND groceries.. not too shabby. Respected (stop laughing) at my job? successful.
And yet, shit has been getting to me.
I'm sure I have no one to blame but myself, and I think the biggest culprit is poor time management. I mean, I can't blame anyone else for draining so much free time into computer games. And the trouble is I like that I'm a gamer. i am very comfortable in my geekdom. My walls are second-generation plasma, with forcefields built in. the guards who man the lasers in the turrets of my personal kingdom all gained their mutant powers when puberty set in. (If that makes sense to you, you are welcome in the kingdom of Geek anytime).
BUT, I thnk I need to put some time to further my real life goals. what's that you say, family talk? hell no. that's not what I mean by real life goals. i mean that writing thing I complain I don't do, then never do. I need to start doing that again.
If anything, I think it will help me sort some of the shit going around my head.

In some of my darkest moments, I've felt as if my mind just had too much piled into it. A huge wait of daydreams, and ideas, and work-related plans, and stress, and music lyrics, and tech news... things I just keep shoveling in there. It's like going ot a big breakfast, when your body hasn't been properly emptied of the steak from the night before. (as graphic as that is, if you think about it, you know you understand). So, maybe I'm just backed up. And when I don't use some creative output (like what, you ask? you're looking at it), then it gets piled too high, and out comes the mental...well...shit.

I often try to think about seeing my father break down, and I don't ever rememebr it. He seemed to be so even, hndling things so well. And though I can't rememebr the hard times, there sure were some. We didn't have a house in the Hamptons or anything, plus there were two of us simoultaneoulsy, with another being put through college. ouch. I have trouble figuring where I'm gonna get the money for cat food sometimes. how'd they do it?

So, I've been trying to deal with my stress levels and trying to get my mind, body, and soul all sorted out. I've been rather unsuccessful to tell you the truth. Maybe I need Yoga, or meditiation, or to start smoking again. (Not serious on that last one) I don't know... I just need to get it together.

Ok, I know that was pretty deep and depressing, but it feels good to share. Thank's for listening.

Returning this blog from the dead

Regardless what certain commentors might have you believe, this blog is not dead. It was just been to hospital.

"Dirty's blog has been to hospital"
"Oh, it's fuckin' cured then, is it?"
"Yeah, they're gonna make him prime fuckin' minister."

I'll give you a shiny Sakagewea dollar if you know what that references.

So, anyway, I'm trying to stop being lazy, and continue on, almost one month after the last post. It should be noted that I am writing this post couch-bound. That's right, via laptop. See, I convinced my boss that we would be more productive at work if we had laptops, so we could "take the office with us." He bought it. And so, yet another shiny new piece of technology to hang out in my home.

Oh, by the way, speaking of new technology, I recently set up a personal wi-fi spot, and went out and bought a Roku Soundbridge. (www.rokulabs.com) Let me tell you, if you've been following along at home, you know I LOVES me fancy tech. I also LOVES me my music. Well, now it's a case of "You got your tech in my music. You got your music in my tech!" If anyone should come acros this blog, and have a massive music collection, you need one of these. What is it? It allows me to stream my music mp3 collection from my PC to my stereo. So, for about 200 US dollars, I can play 30+GBs of music. (~700 cds). And that's only because I haven't added more of my collection to my PC. Plus, it's EASY TO USE. seriously. A user friendly unlimited CD changer for my stereo, god damn. I've been booming all kinds of crazy stuff, though it seems like Floyd and Zep get extended play for some reason. i think I have too many choices. Oh, and if I find a reason to care, I can stream internet radio as well. That's - as they say - hot.

Ok, so what else?

Still playing City of Villains, but not as much as before. It's still a great game, and some people should run out and buy the damn thing, but I just have been trying to devote my time elsewhere. For one, my comic to-read pile is embarrisingly large. Every week I hit the comic shop and hear my mom-sounding concious saying "How are you gonna buy more when you haven't read the ones you already have." Well, it's called continuity, and it is a bitch of a mistress.

Maybe in a future post I'll review some of the stuff I've been reading. But I need to keep going, too much to discuss.

Oh, yeah, it's the g/fs B-Day today. and I have the house to myself right now (working). Really, it's your birthday, you didn't have to get me anything. heh.

Ok, next. music. Well, let me see what I've been listening to that you out there should. Hmmm... I mentioned We Are Scientists before, but I know most of you ignored that advice. well, don't go get it. Also, Artic Monkeys. Super hyped, and super good. What else? Of Montreal is an album I bought on a whim, and have since fallen in love with it. It's quirky and poppy. very good (though the last few songs are crap). New Flaming Lips is good. Maybe a bit uneven compared to Yoshima, but still a good album. Um, also the Academy Is. They aren't the best band ever, but this is a pop-punk guilty pleasure extremely listenable.

Ok, next.

Books. Well, with comics and computer games and everything else, I have no time for books proper, and yet I try to pretend I am reading some. Still, reading Feast of Crows. Just like all the other books in the series, it'll probably be a year until I am done with it. the first one took me over two years if I remember correctly. Still trying to finish Othelllo, which I started a month ago. Though I've read it several times before, this may be the best I've ever comprehended it. That Iago is one bastard of a man. Also got a collection of T.C. Boyle short stories. He's an author I just don't read enough of. Finally the book I spent the most time with over the past week: A Mighty Fortress. How did I select to read this book? I was looking for a book on German history (I mean, I am German, you'd think i could read about that history instead of Japan's), well, this was the only book that wasn't about Hitler. I'm not making that up, and that fact is very sad. it's pretty good so far, though I've only got past the fall of Rome and the rise of the Babarian tribes. go go Charlemagne!

Ok, so books, comics, music, technology, what else is there? I was gonna write up some more serious type stuff, but I think the moment passed. Seriously, I wish I had a photographic memory. Because the amount of pages of this blog I write there while in my car is shocking. You guys would read some crazy and deep stuff. and you'd all think I was fuckin' nuts. Well, more then you do already. So, I'll sign off now, but may be back. we'll see.

Oh, and to the frenchman with the newly-minted PSP. Good for you! Though Nintendo DS has better games. i'm a Sony man, but I can't deny the amount I've played my DS vs. my PSP. Oh, and if you have GTA, you can use a program to play old-school NES and SNES games on it. you may want to look into it. I have one of the originals, so I can do it easily. THough I have been considering upgrading the firmware. That might be an end to my old-school gaming, but it might make me play the thing more. Do yourself a favor. Buy beth a DS with Tetris DS. She'll love it, and then you can play it too.

OK, signing off. kisses and hugs to everyone who bothers to read my drivel. and it IS good to be back.