Giving the finger to 2007

Another year is about to be in the bag and I can't really say it was a great year. Oh sure, it had it's wonderful moments. The birth of my son. My anniversary. But then there was the bad. Most prominently, the suck. I could've done without it. I can't escape it. And if anything, in that respect, 2008 is going to be worse.

So long 2007. To quote a great little robot- "bite my shiny, metal ass."

Proof

I have no life.

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The Best Present I Ever Got

Eight years ago at this very moment, I received the single greatest present in the history of presents. Weighing in at eight pounds and five ounces, and measuring twenty one and a half inches long, the naked, screaming little being that I helped create was born.

Now eight years old, HH7 is still the best present I ever got.

Happy Birthday Sweet Pea.

A Holiday Ponderance

Maybe a Christian could answer this question that's been nagging me lately...

Did the baby Jesus ever pee on Joseph?

Happy Holidays.

Still alive

Just hating the holidays. My apologies to not being up on the whole blog thing. Or the whole e-mail thing. I did send out X-mas cards. So that's something.

Ain't it?

27 reasons

... for staying in the cold murky water 20 feet down way too long just so you can be with me.
... for Clark, the condiment eating squirrel.
... for hockey games and intermission Domino's.
... for the way that when you're sick I only get enough of the bed to lay on my side.
... for believing that I could indeed still do math.
... for braving the Crack Neighborhood as our first apartment.
... for being my guinea pig whenever I feel creative in the kitchen.
... for trying to climb El Capitan, and waiting for me to come back down.
... for the silly things you say in your sleep.
... for the weird things you say in your sleep.
... for Milo's.
... for tolerating my driving without constantly screaming.
... for believing in me when no one else does.
... for being the first to tell me I'm a dumbass.
... for me not really knowing who you are, did I?
... for laying on the couch happily watching me send little kids into a profanity laced hissyfit.
... for laying on the couch listening to me being thrown into a profanity laced hissyfit by little kids.
... for not rubbing it in my face that I've been peed on more than you.
... for that thing you do when no one is around. You know, that thing.
... for your tears.
... for your laugh.
... for your smile.
... for giving me our son.
... for being the world's best step-mom.
... for saying "no, no, no" and then saying "yes."
... for riding Space Shot.
... for being the most incredible, amazing, wonderful wife, lover, and friend that any man could have.

These twenty seven reasons why I love you could easy turn into thousands more. Happy birthday baby.

A big VC Monday

Lots of big stuff announced today. From the Nintendo press release:

Dec. 10, 2007

Get ready to celebrate the arrival of a bunch of fun new features on the Wii™ Shop Channel. This week marks the debut of the first Pokémon® game for the Virtual Console: Pokémon Snap™, which originally was a hit on Nintendo® 64. This Pokémon photographic adventure comes with a special Wii bonus: It now includes a special feature that allows players to post pictures they take in the game to their Wii Message Board and send them to friends with whom they've traded Friends Codes.

And let's not ignore the other sure-to-please titles: Ghosts'n Goblins and BASEBALL STARS 2. These three new classic games go live at 9 a.m. Pacific time. But wait – there's more!

Later in the day on Monday, Nintendo will make your holiday shopping just a little bit easier. If some people on your gift list have visions of classic video games dancing in their heads, you're in luck. Starting this week, Wii Shop Channel patrons can use a new Gifting feature to send games to other Wii owners with whom they've traded Friend Codes. It's an easy and inexpensive way to give your fellow Nintendo buffs the gift of a classic game—no wrapping paper required. And don't worry about duplication. If your friend already has the game you're trying to give, you'll get a simple message and be bumped back into the catalog to continue shopping.

Nintendo adds new games to the Wii Shop Channel every Monday. Wii™ owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points™ to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. This week's new games are:

Pokémon Snap (Nintendo 64, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone, 1,000 Wii Points): As one of the most unique games in a renowned series, Pokémon Snap was the first truly 3-D Pokémon game and introduced the phenomenon to the Nintendo 64. Travel to Pokémon Island and meet Professor Oak to begin a safari, taking the best possible photographs of 63 different Pokémon as they exist in the wild, undisturbed by humans. This is not as easy as it sounds—the island has many types of climates and environments to explore, along with secret activities and hidden passages to discover. Plus, some of the Pokémon can be a little shy and won't pose for the camera unless you tease them with special items. After you're done, submit one picture of each Pokémon to Professor Oak, and he'll judge it based on size, pose, technique and number of Pokémon captured.

Ghosts'n Goblins (NES®, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone—Mild Animated Violence, 500 Wii Points): Ghosts'n Goblins was a popular arcade game before it made the leap to the NES in 1986. Like later games in the series, Ghosts'n Goblins presents quite a challenge to players brave enough to take on the role of Arthur and delve into the realm of demons and monsters to rescue the kidnapped princess. Choose your weapons wisely and take advantage of their strengths to deal with the situation at hand. Pass through the six gates that stand between you and Astaroth, and teach him a lesson in chivalry he'll never forget. Demonstrating a high level of technical prowess for a game of its era, Ghosts'n Goblins presents a unique and unforgettable universe. The stage for adventure is set. Are you up to the test?

BASEBALL STARS 2 (NEOGEO, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone, 900 Wii Points): Lace up your cleats and step onto the diamond with the pros of BASEBALL STARS 2. You'll find everything you'd expect in a classic game of baseball, but with an arcade feel and intense action that distinguish it from the pack. Pick one of six unique teams from cities around the world, then get ready for nine innings of excitement, whether you're taking on the computer in a 15-game tournament or squaring off against a friend. There are two modes of game play, so even the most inexperienced player can compete at the major-league level (with a little computer-aided fielding). Watch as the game develops through split-screen views and close-up shots worthy of any highlight film, and see if you can catch the numerous over-the-top animations of the large and detailed player models. Think you have what it takes to win the pennant?

For more information about Wii, please visit wii.com.

Shoes

Right now the worst part is not knowing when. Not knowing when last I'll see her smile. Not knowing when last I'll fight with her over bedtime. Not knowing when last I'll feel her hand grasp mine.

I know that there are those out there that have lost so much more than I will soon. There are those that have lived through what no parent should ever have to and somehow they've survived. But as the uncertain future looms, I question everyday how I am going to go on without her.

Not a second goes by that I don't think of her. Not an hour passes that I don't wish she were here. Not a day goes by that I don't cry.

It's easy for those that have everything to dismiss the pain and anguish of those that have nothing. It's easy for them to say "I've put myself in your shoes" when the shoes we wear can not be shared.

And so I trudge on. While each day is capable of bringing immeasurable joy, there always looms a dark cloud of sorrow. For each moment of happiness that I am able to garner, there is the specter of grief lurking in the shadows, always ready to remind me of what is and what shall be.

These shoes are worn, and the feet that they bear are tired.

December in AL

It's 72 outside.

Care to trade some of that snow that some of you are digging out from for some of this?

I'll gladly trade you.

Broketember

I don't remember the last time we had money in December. Having the holidays to contend with is bad enough, but on top of it all, I have four birthdays to contend with as well. December 12th is the day my lovely wife was born. My beautiful daughter, December 24th. My oldest niece, December 27th. My youngest niece, the 31st. So I have four women to worry about come this time of year. Throw in the headache of Christmas and the 14 kids we have to buy presents for, plus the rest of our family, and you quickly come to realize just how much I hate the holidays.

The birthdays are one thing, but this commercialized nonsense of a holiday season is enough to bring out my inner Ebenezer Scrooge. I propose we move this nightmare to April 15th effective right the hell now. Yup, smack dab in the middle of Tax Day. That way you have a refund to use to purchase all those baubles that quickly get tossed aside for the Ocama Gamesphere (look it up). Or if you aren't fortunate enough to get a refund, at least you'll have some monogrammed handkerchiefs or reindeer sweaters to look forward to. And maybe you can sell them on eBay to help pay off the IRS if need be.

So, with this in mind, care to spare a coin or two for a grumpy old gamer?

I'm like this already... and the holiday hassle hasn't even truly begun yet.

Baby Cartman

Cheesy Poofs!

And now, a completely pointless badge

I m hafing gooder engrish:



Kind of makes sense I guess considering I dropped out of college and all.

Happy Festival of Lights

A classic:

Well, I WAS thinking Arby's

This is what came across as a text message to my phone Saturday from the ex while enjoying my roast beef:

"I just bought 7 a bra."

Fellow dads (and moms), isn't 7 years old just waaaaaay too early?

Calgon take me away.

VC Monday

It's Monday again, time for the latest crop of VC titles. From the Nintendo press release:

Dec. 3, 2007

Sometimes the Wii-kly Updates have a nice, unifying them. Sometimes they don't. This week we scoured the recesses of the classic games vault to come up with some interesting, if unrelated, gems. You can fight mechanized forces, battle with a bunch of fighters in the afterlife or play the role of a heroic regal bug. Like we said: Sometimes they don't.

Three new classic games go live at 9 a.m. Pacific time. Nintendo adds new games to the Wii™ Shop Channel every Monday. Wii™ owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points™ to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. This week's new games are:

ZANAC (NES®, 1 player, rated E for Everyone - Mild Fantasy Violence, 500 Wii Points): ZANAC is a vertically scrolling shoot-'em-up game that was released in November 1986. Take control of the state-of-the-art fighter, ZANAC, with the objective of destroying the bases of the mechanized enemy forces. Use your full array of regular weapons as well as eight special weapons to clear the 12 intense areas of the game. Be careful, though, as the game changes the degree of difficulty in real time based on how well you play. This ensures that it feels like you're experiencing a new game every time you play.

Eternal Champions™ (Sega Genesis, 1-2 players, rated T for Teen - Animated Blood, Animated Violence, 800 Wii Points): This 2-D fighting game introduces a cast of different characters that met untimely deaths in their lives on Earth. Now they have been given a chance to compete against each other, with the winner taking on the Eternal Champion, the ultimate fighter in the universe. The reward for defeating the Eternal Champion is a return to Earth for the opportunity to avenge death and restore balance to the universe. Choose from nine unique characters with a variety of fighting styles, and bring your best moves to defeat all comers in your quest to topple the Eternal Champion.

The Dynastic Hero (TurboGrafx16 CD-ROM, 1 player, rated E for Everyone - Comic Mischief, 800 Wii Points): The Dynastic Hero is an action RPG featuring a cast of insect characters. The story begins with the invasion of their peaceful homeland of Tarron by the evil Drilkor Empire. Rushing to the insects' aid is Dyna, the prince of Beetras. Take control of Dyna as he battles through action-filled stages. Equip weapons and items to vanquish the relentless foes, and acquire special items that enable you to brave the journey across the perilous desert or open sea. But it's not just all action. Correctly answer multiple-choice quizzes, and play the ocarina to find the right melody to open doors. Plus, there are countless traps and other puzzles packed into this fun game to keep you entertained and ensure you continue coming back for more.

For more information about Wii, please visit wii.com.

Blog Banter: Memoirs of a Young Gamer

Blog Banter is a group of bloggers passionate about video games. We enjoy getting together once a month to write about the same subject. You will be amazed at the different viewpoints so many people can have on the same exact topic. If you are interested in participating, contact bs angel for more information. Enjoy our stories!

My earliest recollection of playing a video game hearkens back to the bygone days of Pong. Marking a simpler time there were no high definition graphics, no Dolby 5.1 surround sound, and there was no online multi-player. Games of that day and era required a suspension of belief on the part of those of us old enough to remember it. Pong was nothing more than a simple line that moved vertically and a square blob for the ball and for us that was enough. What kept us so transfixed to that console that played only one game was that not only was it a new technology, but it was also a way to pass a rainy Saturday when the lure of Tinker Toys or Legos wasn't strong enough to hold our attention.

But Pong wasn't only for us. Many of our parents were barely into their 20s when they had us, and as such they too were lured to the latest and greatest in home entertainment. They sat on the shag carpet next to us, twisting the other knob, and blissfully whiled away the hazy afternoons of the late 70s and early 80s. As we grew up and and our parents grew older the consoles and graphics many have evolved, but many of our parents didn't see video games as anything more than something for the kids. We cut our teeth on the Atari 2600 while our parents worked so diligently to provide for their families and by proxy kept us in a steady supply of plastic cartridges.

When Nintendo released the NES there was a temporary resurgence in the popularity of video games for our parents. Maybe it was just an attempt to connect to their children, but many families saw evenings huddled around the little white box. Dad would take aim with the Zapper while mom would change the direction of the ducks with the other controller and everyone would roar in laughter once dad tried to unload rounds into that damn dog. But the NES's time as a family bonding device was fleeting and soon video games were once again the realm of kids and teenagers.

So it was remarkable to me the first time that my parents came over after I got my Wii. They watched as I showed them how to play Wii Sports and after placing the Wiimote in their hand, they were hooked. They were once again transported to those days gone by when video games were still exciting and new. This was a platform that they could understand and appreciate. There was nothing complex about it. It is a platform that hearkens back to those simpler days and simpler times.

And there it is, my earliest memory of video games comes full circle to something more recent. What went from my parents to me in Pong, I have returned from myself to them in the Wii. And I'm sure that should my interest ever waiver (which isn't likely) my children will one day be in this same position of recollection.

Other Blog Banter Articles :

• Boffman22's Memorable Gaming Moments (Boom Stick Brigade)
  
• I love you Intellivision! (Boom Stick Brigade)
  
• Just how much fun LAN can be! (Cat's Blog)
  
• Memorable Gaming Moments (Hawty McBloggy)
  
• To Memory Lane and Back (Play Your Station)
  
• Hit the Reset Button (Thoughts and Rants)
  
• Memorable Gaming Moments (Zath Games Tech)
  
• Becoming an Ace and Dealing With Minsc (Delayed Responsibility)
  
• Old School, Middle School, New School (lukeshep.com)