GAME Genie - For Reals...

New Project...

2008-09-02T10:04:00.000-07:00

I'm considering starting a new project. Sort of a picture of the day project... I'm not sure how long I could get it to work... but maybe I could get it to work.

Ok, so I'm an optimistic kinda person. Good things happen all the time, and even if they are not so good things, I can sorta see how they might be a hint of a good thing. For example, I apparent bought a bad tank of gas on Friday... I DIDNT EVEN KNOW THAT COULD HAPPEN. I mean, I was out in the country, needed gas, stopped at some oakie station and got some. Then I'm driving to Sacramento to go visit Freddie and I get there ok... but I pull into the downtown area and my car starts doing all sorts of freaky stuff! I mean, she's acting like she's empty... when she totally isn't... and I'm sorta panicking because I just spent like $500 getting her 60K checkup. So Freddie comes and saves me (YaY!) and it turns out I got a bad batch of gas and it was clogging stuff up! WHO KNEW THAT STILL HAPPENED NOW A DAYS! Anyways... moral of story is that we got it taken care of on Friday... which is good. Had I not stopped downtown I might not have figured out my car was sick until MONDAY and THAT woulda been disaster.

Point of story, good things, nice things, funny things, happy things happen all the time. And I live for that kind of stuff... I reside in a decent city... and I frequent the surroundings counties and even all the way to Sacramento every couple of weeks... so I want to try a photo of the day of something good that happens everyday. Granted, some busy days i might be stuck with pictures of cute dogs... but I'm going to try to be really honest about it too... not taking a buncha pictures at one event and posting them up for a week... I'm really gonna try to do a picture of the day.

First, however, I'm gonna have to find a forum for this. I could do it here, no problem... but its not really set up for this sort of endeavor. Hmmm... I'm sure I'll find something... I always do.

Ok, still working on my other games... and I am EAGER TO TRY SPORE! I'm so curious... I was a little pissed when I saw that people got the Creature Creator early and was making like penis monsters... but eh... it happens.

Ok... wish me luck!

Determined... or Stubborn... with some LEGOS!

2008-08-20T10:58:00.000-07:00

If you have seen my lame practice vids with my video editing software... you know I'm quite proud of my small accomplishments. So far I have learned to clone myself, and beam things from the video... I think this is super cool... not useful as to date... but super cool none the less...

What should I do with this new found knowledge and software... I KNOW... I will create an intro to my youtube videos... I have been inspired by NEW VlogRamen... ha ha ha... their content is cute too... but their intro video... YESSSS... that is some rockin stuff... Sure it seems simple... but really, that bad boy took some talent and I am now official impressed... and possibly in love (gotta love a boy with PC skills <3 )... ha ha ha ha... So the plan... which will probably send me kicking and screaming... is to make a coolio intro... why the hell not right... RIGHT! YEsssss... go meee...

I havent made a video in a long time... but its because I havent finished a game in a long time... I suppose I could do a generic video on LEGOS INDIAN JONES... but that games was super easy to beat... and now its just secrets and puzzles a second go around... I must admit though... that thing was SUPER FUN! I mean, it was uber cute, and so clever... It played like a platform eh... sorta... but MORE than a platform... and wasnt exactly impossible to beat... but if you are playing with a friend then its REALLY fun. Its just a nice two person social game... in my opinion. So me and the boyfriend played that bad boy for a few weekends and WE BEAT IT! He he he... If you watched the movie, then you knew the plot. No surprises... but beating the game was fun fun... cute fun. So cute... ha ha ha... there was this one point were you got to be Sean Connery! Ha ha ha ha...

Pros: Simple to play, two person or solo play, puzzle solving, CUTE, available on Wii & 360 (not sure about PS3 though), you can replay a mission if you feel you didnt do it well immediately!, the mission are short... so you can just play one or 10... depending on your time, and its just fun to be Indy! You know it! OH... another Pro is that IF YOU REALLY LIKE THIS GAME, well heck... you can play the Star Wars & Batman versions coming up!

Cons: A little too simple, no real penalty for failure, if your partner's not good with the controls then you will pay for it overall with loss of loot, in order to get ALL secrets, you must beat the game completely and then replay (this could be a pro I suppose, BUT there were times in the game I spend TOO much time trying to solve something only to learn I needed to get another character... which I wouldn't get until after I beat the game/level/etc.) .

Actually, this is one of those games you could play with you significant other...regardless of their gaming ability. No matter how many times they die (or you die) the game continues with no real penalty... well, with the exception of lost loot. But if your purpose of playing is not to be a "True Adventurer", but rather just a jolly good time... then heck... what do you care if you have no loot! Its just fun to get through the story (and it really is fun!).

Overall, nice game to play with someone else... I suppose its fun to play alone too... but, I really like it as a co-opt game... not so intense so as someone ends up feeling hurt... but definitely something to make you guys smile while you play. Oh, I guess its good for kids too as it lacks any serious violence. Ha ha ha... when someone dies, they just bust into lego parts... so funny!

Ok... thats my surprise review. Trust me, I didnt intend on doing a review on this right now... it just sorta happened. Just shows you the power of the game... especially a happy little game.

I have been MIA~ Sorry!

2008-08-11T22:03:00.000-07:00

It has come to my attention (thank you plusm1nus) that I have been neglecting my blogs and videos. HOWEVER, I have a valid reason... er... sorta valid... OK OK... its not so valid... but it aint a bad excuse either... I got a new dog and FF4 and FF Crisis Core! OMG! Thats CRAZY shit right there! I had every intention of making new videos and game reviews, except that I was playing the games I wanted to review... and my temp-dog was taking up all my time... Ok, I will do this blog in parts and hopefully my MIAness will be forgiven! Are you ready? OK!

1) Temp-Dog!
Recently my friend Ika, who is in the navy, was stationed in Hawaii... good right? WRONG... Did you know that you cannot just pack up your pets and move to Hawaii... NOOOO... you have to do all this blood work and quarantine in the states (mainland)! So poor Ika has just got a new Shiba Inu... and he's barely 6 months only when she gets deployed... so being the good friend I am I offer to watch her precious bundle of fuzzy joy... little did I know that this BEAUTIFUL dog would come to rule over me! I'm serious... he's the most beautiful dog I've ever seen! He dosent look like the breed standard to me... but that dosent stop him from being absolutely DARLING! See for yourself!

Isnt he handsome! Ok ok... so I forced that pose on him... but he's my little buddie~

And with this handsome face comes... errr... challenges... for example... he's 10 months old now, but when we got him he was only 6 months old... which means... he was learning to dig... pee in the house... pee on my bedroom door (the vet told me I should be honored because he was marking me as his human~my vet has a good sense of humor)... overplaying with my poor mini wennie dog... howling at nothing... refusal to eat his food... chasing the turtle... tearing up carpet and all other things little puppies do. Now, if he was say a 10 lbs puppy this would have been troublesome... but at 25 lbs... he was damn near destructive! OH, did I mention he loves to steal my socks and clothes i leave on my floor... and then runs through the house like he did me a favor? he he he... YES, I hated it... but with that face... I just had to grit and bear it! So now I really really adore him, and I realize there are only a few months left before he has to leave me... and I'm getting really sad. But on the other hand, I'm glad his mommy wants him back. I'm sure he'll remember her. BUT SEE, thats why I havent been gaming as much... if you had this face looking at you all day, you'd stop everything and play with him too... AND, he has this clever trick he does when I sit on the floor to game where he pushes the controller/handheld outta my hand and puts his head under there so I'll pet him... HOW CUTE! PLUS, recently he's hit sexual maturity... but his mom wont get him... umm... chopped... because she wants to breed him... so he's being territorial with me... and doing these ninja humps... oh sure sure... laugh it up... he sneakys up on you.. runs & humps! Weirdest thing i've ever seen... we have it under control now... but at first I swear it was like being raped in fast forward! So there you have it... my adventures with Aries... and Ladies and Gents... his name may imply he's the God of War... but really, he's more of a Dink from Kings Quest!

2) Crisis Core: I have been playing Crisis Core for a long time... in fact it has gotten to the point where I am actually delaying on beating it... why you ask... WELL, if you played FF7 then you sorta know the story line... and you KNOW WHAT HAPPENS TO ZACK! I'M SO SAD! I know it coming... in fact I'm right outside the cave of the final battle... I am ready to go in... I am almost at 100% with the side missions, and realistically I could go in and just do it... just go in there and beat it... but then... but then... Zack will die. And I'm not ready for that... HOW LAME AM I! I have this whole shrine to him on my desk top... and you know it just breaks my heart... and I know he has to die or else Cloud cant grow up... and then he cant help him in Advent Children... but damn... he was such a likable character... they developed him so awesome and you really want to lik ehime and I know he isnt coming back... and for some odd reason it breaks my heart... I mean, I remember playing FF7 in the middle of the night with my brother... and then Sepheroth struck down Aris and me and my brother just kinda froze... and we thought maybe maybe she'll come back later... like a resurrection of a phoenix down... but nothing... it was the first time a cried over a video game (and FOR SURE not the last)... so there you have it... I know i'm going to do it soon.. and I need to do it soon.. but I'm sad for Zack's death.. I'm lame.

3) FF4
FF4 was remade for the DS... voice acting and all... OH did I mention I got a new DS lite... its awesome... I use it to keep my calendar as well... it kinda doubles as my organizer.. ha ha ha.. I cant believe I went through all that just so I could carry it around more and not have to covert myself when people say "what is that"... now I can reply... "Oh, its my DS, I use it as my organizer to keep a calendar!" Ha ha ha... Thank you Sakura! People older than me have no clue what I'm talking about... but they pretend... ha ha ha ha... Ok, back to the game... I have been ABSORBED in this lately! Freakin LOVE IT! I LOVE IT... I am playing it 24/7~ I cant WAIT TO DO A REVIEW ON IT... but people keep dying on me! Lucky for me I just get sad and dont cry... but its got magic, a castle, a love story, an evil vilan, a inner sole search... and a saving the world (before bedtime!) What more could a girl ask for... I'm definitely not in love with the hero this time... Which is good... ha ha ha... I get too attached to my games! I will let you know how it turns out... but its a nice remake... and if you never played the original its even betta!

(Im playing Pokemon and Lunar too... not as much as the other games... but I sneak em in now and again... damn Pokemon... ha ha ha...)

So thats my excuse... not a great one... but whats gonna happen is I'm gonna beat em all in like in some weeks time and I'll have a flood of videos that you dont want to see... In the mean time, I'm gonna try to be better... thank you for remembering me! Summer is soon to be gone... go out there and love it whiles its here... because soon when the cold gets here... your gonna regret you didnt!

The Guilt... The Guilt

2008-04-29T21:40:00.000-07:00

I'm feeling sorta bad that I havent been doing blogggs or videos lately. I had intended to do alot more, however, I have run outta time and games take me a long time to play. I considered possibly maybe doing a bloggg/review of a game I played a long time ago... but then thats not really fair, and I suspect people wouldnt really give a rats ass about it (not that people are giving a rats ass now... ha ha ha ha)

I have been addicted to my PSP and Crisis Core... and I have fallen in love with Zack (lucky for me my boyfriend understand my love for CGI boys) ha ha ha ha... and am at the last point in the game where (theoretically) I could beat it... HOWEVER, because i have not accomplished 100% of the missions (and I am fully aware Zack is going to die... oh comon, if you are a FF fan and have played FF7 and seen Advent Children you know what I'm talkin about) I'm reluctant to start the final battle. It almost makes me sad to beat a game I really love... makes me sad the adventure is over and my loving characters (to whom I have spent LITERALLY DAYS leveling up) are kinda gone. I mean, sure I could play it again... or go to a previously saved game... but really, they are done with. And they become a memory... a loving memory... but still a memory. Although i do not sell my games, or trade them and RARELY lend them out (for fear they will not be returned to me), I like keeping them around... I love a good story more than anything... and I LOVE a LOVE story built in the game... something about it... I loved LOVED loved... FF7, FF8, FF9 and now Crisis Core. There are other FF games I've played... but not loved.... like FF10, FFX2, FF11 and FF12 (FF12 had GREAT battle system and game play... but the overall story was too political for me... dont get me wrong... i actually liked the game... but its not going into the I LOVE IT category... he he he). I am eager to go back and play the original FF's... actually.. I'm very very excited. Oh, I also liked FF Tactics... he he he... I even got the secret Cloud (I <3 Cloud!)

OK... I'm not sure where I was going with this blog, but yeah... here it is... an I feel a little less guilty because I've added something new! Ha ha ha ha...

Byeee... ^___^

A Movie, a Fable & a Cold

2008-03-21T11:18:00.000-07:00

It has been forever and a day since I wrote a bloggg. At first I felt guilty, then I realized that its basically only me and a few friends-random people that come over here. So I figured I was actually doing them a favor by not bloggging so much... I mean, now they dont have to feel obligated to be here reading things that have no purpose (... he he... hows that for self-justification!)

Another day is here... and its a lovely day. Seriously, sunny skies, singing birds, the whole sha-bang ("Sha-Bang Sha Bang... oh baby when she moves she moves"... err... sorry).

I wish I had more exciting things to write about. I mean, I have my normal video game thingy and reviews. And I am pretty happy about being over my cold... but alas... little more is going on my life. Work, work, work... play... gym, gym... and sleep, sleep.

I have been reading the book the Golden Compas. Actually, I bought this book that had the whole trilogy for like 10 bucks (including shipping) on E-bay. I had watched the movie and hated the way it ended. I was so curious... but then I figured... eh, they'll prolly make a sequal... but when I went online to snoop it out... it appears NO SEQUAL is currently planned! OH NOOOO... I mean, I really didnt like the girl who played Lyra... she seemed more annoying than anything... but the rest of the characters were super coo... and I love Nicole Kidman in this movie. She was so prettily evil... anyways... thats just me I'm sure...

ANYHOOZ, so after learning that no sequel was currently in the plan/works I had to buy the book to see how it went. So I have just finished the first book of the trilogy, and I must say the movie did a somewhat chop job on the book. Dont get me wrong, I know movies have to do that because there are time considerations and movie lengths and things that are impossible to do in the movies... but they sort of took the key events of the book and mushed and cut them around to places they shouldnt have been. They let some characters live and left out some pretty important stuff in my opinion. But i guess, in watching the movie, you get the gist... and I guess thats all you need. BUT they totally left out the ending of the first book and WOW I was shocked as hell. I dont know how they are gonna spin that around for the movie if they make a part two (he he he... I made you curious hu?... excellent)

^______^

Stop Motion Animation REVEALED!

2008-02-03T18:00:00.000-08:00

Ha ha ha... ok, so I've been bad. I need to be on here more, but I have been SO BUSY with life! Its been a crazy week and I was THRILLED when it was over. I must have went to bed at 7pm on Friday and woke up the next day at 9am. Crazy!

BUT, thats not the point. On my day off I took some time to make a windows movie maker & MS paint tutorial on Stop Motion animation... its simple... and VERY basic... BUT... I figured... if you wanna learn, you gotta start somewhere... so how about starting here... :)

OK.. So if you have any questions just ask me. If you dont... well then.. just have a nice day. :)

Phoenix Wright - A Boot to the Head

2008-01-20T23:15:00.000-08:00

Ok... this has little to do with the game, except maybe the graphics and characters... BUT, it is one of my most favored videos and... ALWAYS makes me laugh... hope you like it!

(note: I didnt make this... I just wish I did)

DVD Copying & Burning

2008-01-14T23:06:00.000-08:00

I did this video a few days ago for my Dad actually. He wanted to make copies of his James Bond collection (yes, the full collection with ALL 21 movies... courtesy of me and my brother for his X-mas gift)... but I didnt want him to feel like I was looming over him and stuff, so I made this funny little tutorial for him to learn from.

Yea yea... there are other ways to do it. Short cuts and what not. I only did it this way so that he would be a little more organized and not just store up a millions ISO's and take up all his room.

So without further adieu... the LONG version of:

How to copy a DVD with DVD Shrink and DVD Decryptor - Dont forget... these programs are FREE .

AND REMEMBER, you should only make LEGAL copies of DVDs.

Example: A DVD created by a friend for you of originals works, a DVD you OWN and are making a copy for your own viewing pleasure and to protect the original. - Genie Disclaimer.

(PS: I know there are typos all over this video. What can I say, I never really intended anyone to see it... BUT, just work around em will ya... :) Thanks...)

Futurama is Back!

2008-01-07T09:48:00.000-08:00

Although this has little, if anything, to do with video games... I feel compelled to tell you about Futurama and its return from the great beyond (aka cancellation and syndication).

I love Futurama. I'm a BIG BIG BIG fan of the series. Its so freakin clever! It has clever shlap-stick humor AND undertone political/current event humor. Its so freakin clever. Anyways, I just love it to pieces and was very very sad when it was canceled in 2005. BUT... FOX in its all mighty wisdom decided to bring it back! And in a big way! I mean... perhaps they were smart enough to notice that Cartoon Network had about a BAGILION people watching the damn show every night during its "Adult Swim" (side note: the show is now on Comedy Central at 9pm WestCoast Time), and ohhhh.. perhaps the fact that there is still such COOL TOYS AND STUFF being made and sold all over the internet, AND the fact that it WAS ALL OVER YOU TUBE being watched thousands of times, was enough for them to say "Dude, we done fucked up!"... ha ha ha... So, your viewing pleasure, you can now purchase the Futurama Movie "Benders Big Score" at your local Best Buy or whatever you have. You can also rent it at Blockbuster and other rental places.

But lets say you dont want to go these routes to watch the show/movie... WELL THEN, all you have to do (you cheap bastards) is wait until FALL! Yessssss... they will be showing the movie (rumor has it) as episodes on Fox! So instead of a fabulous 88 ninutes, you get the typical 22 minutes a standard episode allocted for a 30 minute time slot. Eh... better than nothing I guess. But we'll see if this turns out to be true.

Its not just me that likes it! I'm serious!... look there are other people who think this movie is an AWESOME movie:

"...This is probably the best straight to DVD movie ever and is one pf my favorite movies in general and knowing that there are three more to come makes me very happy. The acting and the writing is very good just like the show. The story is very well done and is one of my favorite story lines. The jokes and the drama are hear just like and it feels like an ordinary episode but just longer and as good. The acting is just superb and I think that futurama has the best voice overs ever and never get tired of them . The story has a lot plot twist that rank up with the The Prestige and anyone that is fan of the show get this as soon as possible." ~http://www.imdb.com/user/ur16927896/comments

Comon now! A random internet person said it was bad ass... and since we are all random internet people, this should mean something to you!

Anyways. I'm happy, and you should be happy too.

I <3 BENDER

Folklore (for PS3)

2008-01-04T17:38:00.000-08:00

Hurray! I love this game! I got it for Christmas and have been playing it to the point where I’ve given myself headaches. Ha ha ha… I’m serious! So the situation is that I do not possess a HD TV. I have a regular TV. I always thought it was a nice TV, does the job, plays the shows, played my Wii.. No problem, yada yada… but then I try and play Folklore and “OH NO!” the story fonts are HARD TO READ. I was rather sad. I’m not going to lie! BUT, because the game was so much fun, and the story so full of twists and turns… I kept on playing. So you KNOW a game is good, when you are willing to give yourself a headache over it!

Back to the game!

This game takes place in a mysterious town. Its all quiet and full of people who are connected by a mysterious incident that took place 17 years ago (Du du duuuu…) When you start the game you are Ellen… your mommy died 17 years ago… (of course) and all of a sudden you get a letter from her telling you to go to this mysterious town. At the same time, the other character, a reporter for a cheezey little occult magazine, gets a phone to call to go to the mysterious (how many times can I say mysterious in one review) town to get a story. So THAT is your background (and all I’ll tell you so that you’ll be all surprised when you play the game)… So let me just tell you, the story is so neat… its so twisting and turning, and the relationship between all the characters is just a surprise turn after turn. Its like a supernatural-clue-mystery. Its great!

NOW, for the game play… you can play either as Ellen (the girls whose mother died) or as the Keats (the reporter). Actually, you can play as both. The game is chapter based, and after you complete a chapter you are able to switch choose which character you would like to play next. Don’t worry, its not like if you play chapter 1 with Ellen, then you can’t play it with Keats later on. You get to play each chapter with each character. I know what your thinking, “ummm, that’s kinda lame… if it’s the same maps and the same bad guys wont I get bored?” … Weeeellll…. I don’t think so. FIRST, although it is the same characters and the same map, when you absorb a bad guy you take the qualities of the bad guy and get to use it as an attach… AND when you play with Ellen and/or Keats, the qualities you are able to utilize are different! AH HA! Isnt that clever??? I thought so. Also, how you beat the bosses is different depending on which character you are playing. Keats does not defeat the boss the same way as Ellen! You must use different bad guys and different abilities in different patters. THAT’S CLEVER!

Also, are you a fan of fighting games? Tekken, etc? Are you a fan of FF12? Hu? Are you… if you love these games then the game play/fight play in Folklore are PERFECT for you! Don’t understand? Ok, I shall explain:

(Hypothetical) - In order to keep from ruining the game, I’m making up these bad guys and abilities.

Lets say, you absorb a porcupine and get a spike attack ability… You can now attach that ability to your attack buttons (Triangle, Circle, Square and X)… so overtime you push, say X (if that is where you assigned it too) your spike attack occurs. Ok, so like 5 minutes later you absorb a fire monster and now have the ability to shoot a flame thrower, you can attach ability to you Circle button, and now have a combo. You can press X then Circle and do those attacks in sequence. Pretty neato hu? And considering how many worlds there are and how many bad guys there are in each world. Well honey, that’s a butt load of attacks! And how awesome is that! Different attacks and defenses with different elements! That’s fun! So you run around (real time) slash and gash... AND have different attacks to choose from!

Another neat feature to the game is dying. Ha ha ha… I’m serious! It’s a little side note to some, but made a big deal to me. So lets say you are playing along… la de da de da… absorbing bad guys, leveling up your abilities, and all of a sudden you die… and you have not saved since you acquired your bad guy abilities… what now? NEVER FEAR although when you do continue you are sent back to your last save point YOU DO NOT LOSE THE ABILITIES YOU HAVE LEARNED OR THE LEVELS IN THOSE ABILITIES YOU HAVE GAINED! WOW AND OH YEEEAAAAH!!!!

In closing, I would just like to say that this is great game to play with your significant other or a good friend (especially if they live with you or come over a lot) BECAUSE you can each play a character, and it helps get rid of some of the monotony of doing the same maps twice, gives one player a break, and allows for you to see ALL of the story. I mean you really learn of all the sneakiesness that is goin on in this town!!! And, he he he… if someone messes up on the character you aren’t playing, it wont kill your game play… ha ha ha ha!

GET IT… PLAY IT… LOVE IT!

PS3: To Update, or Not To Update... THAT is the Question!

2007-12-19T12:57:00.000-08:00

A new update has just been released from Sony for the PS3. Welcome to version 2.10. (check it out: http://www.us.playstation.com/PS3/About/SystemUpdate)

There are some useful things, like DivX and VC-1 (WMV) have been added to the types of files that can be played... and some not-useful stuff such as the Voice Changer feature has been added to voice / video chat. I mean, that seems fun and super ninja... but serves no real purpose. But in all honesty, I like things that are just fun with no purpose. Makes life more interesting. But then again, maybe thats just me.

In case you are curious as to what updates have been added to the PS3 in the past, feel see to check out this link:

http://www.us.playstation.com/PS3/About/SystemUpdate/history.html

Just be advised that, as my Freddie says:

" - most of what you'll see, you'll notice are little bugs and fixes... good and sorta bad... other times you wonder why they didn't add them in the initial release."

Dont get me wrong. I'm awfully excited. I love the idea of being able to play PS (one) games on the CD FROM my PS3 on my PSP! I think thats awesome! I'm just loving it! (FF9 here I come!)

And I love that I can log into my PS3 and watch my movies and stuff from my hard drive on my PSP when I should be working ( he he he... dont tell the boss K?)

What I am NOT so happy about is all the security programs installed from when you update. I mean, part of me feels I should be able to keep my ROMS on my PSP (especially if I own the game! and am NOT pirating) without being blocked by their new "security software" every time I update... from which I must go out and look for homebrew to keep me on my video gaming way! I mean, I like playing older games on my PSP... maybe its nostalgia, but when was the last time you found a working Nintendo... I mean yeah, it turns on and all, but you can barely play those cartridges anymore! (unless you are lucky and know the secret blow-pull-sratch-shimmy-shake to get those damn things working). Also, I own FF7! I love that game! Good times... so why shouldn't I be able to play it on my PSP without Sony getting all butt hurt? Eh... just me? (hu, guess that fixed that issues with this update hu? Hmm....)

So there you have it. To update, or not to update? You get super cool features, but you might lose some things you have come to enjoy. So I guess its a personal choice...

Bye bye!

Zelda - Phantom Hourglass Review

2007-12-18T10:39:00.000-08:00

I have been playing (obsessively) the Zelda - Phantom Hourglass for the Nintendo DS. Wow... I really like it. I like it alot. I'm so surprised that I like it this much! I mean, dont get my wrong, Zelda's are great, I know that, you know that... but seriously, the way they made the game using the touchscreen, and taking FULL advantage of it, is SO MUCH FUN. Its so clever... its so clever... I mean, it allows for more control using the bombs, arrows, ect. than ever before! And on TOP of that, they use the DS in the CLEVEREST of ways... ok... I'm about to give a spoiler, so skip over this italic part if you havent played the game... ready?

There is this one part of the game where you have to make a copy of a map shown on the top screen (the un-touchscreen part of the DS) and you have to figure out how to make a pressed copy of that map. I mean, in real life what would you do? maybe a copy machine? maybe redraw the whole thing? maybe make a print and rub of it (you know, where you pit a paper on top of it and rub over it with a crayon to make a print copy)? right? ok... ha ha ha... so in the game you have to figure out how to do this task. I tried rubbin the screen with the stylus, using my finger, looking for other controls but I coudlnt figure it out. Then, i had this STUPID idea that maybe if they want me to do a press copy I could maybe have the top screen touch the touchscreen... but then I thought to myself "thats lame! no way!" so I didnt do it. Out of frustration I closed the lid to go get a snack and when I came back and opened it again.. TADAAAA it did print from the top screen to the touch screen! HOW CLEVER IS THAT!

So yeah, now THATS what I call taking full advantage of a system! Anyways, the puzzles are standard Zelda types: kill the bad guys, find the chests, open the walls, yada yada... but, with the touch screen its a rather new experience. OH, also i love that it is very cell-shaded. Now, if you played Zelda - Wind Waker for the GameCube and did not like the graphics and story, then this is NOT the game for you. Its like a continuation, of minor sorts, of that game. Its not the same islands and there are new characters to meet, but Zelda and Link are still holding there same rolls as Wind Waker, and also there is a vast ocean to travel across. BUT, honestly, the difference is that touch screen. Its a new way to play the game, and it takes out some of the frustration that existed with the other games (depending on your hand-eye-controller coordination). I am very tempted to put this on my list of "Games You Might Want to Have Your GF Try . . . " - If you dont know what i'm talkin about, you can read part 1 of my bloggg below regarding Why GF's hate Video Games. The controls are SUPER easy... which is probably the best thing about the game, that is if you are looking for a game for beginners. BUT, dont think because I said the game has easy controls that the GAME is easy. Its got Zelda-Puzzles MAN... you know what that means! You gotta think think think! Also, those cute limited edition DS's are SO CUTE! I'm not gonna lie... I want the Zelda one! I think i might rather have the special edition Nintedogs one... BUT, it comes with Nintedogs... and that game was fun for a total of 1 week... Then it wasnt fun anymore... So I think I'd rather have the Zelda one. Check em out!

BUT thats not the point. *I do have a tenancy to go off topic with my reviews hu? - I'm gonna need to work on that*

So, because of the game, the simplicity of controls, the fact that the game is SO FORGIVING when it comes to "dying", because the story is SO MUCH FUN, and because its generally cute and puzzleicious... I would DEFINITELY recommend this game. Unless you are a total Melvin (if your name is Melvin, dont be offended... I stole this phrase from South Park) you should be able to get through this will little if no guides... I'm not saying you'll find every chest, and I'm not saying that the game is "EASY" as far as questing is concerned... I'm just saying the CONTROLS are easy... AND if you want to get this for your girl, it would be a GREAT starter game/gift!

Ok, and thats my review... GO GET IT!

UPDATE - Remember that Counter Strike comment?

2007-12-04T11:49:00.000-08:00

OMG! ha ha ha ha... I found it! I wanted put this up here because this was the reason I wanted to play Counter Strike! Now if I could only train my eyes better! Grrrrr....

How to get your GF to accept - possible like - video games

2007-12-04T10:06:00.000-08:00

Every-gamer BoyFriends guide to tricking... errr... convincing their GF's (and I dont mean guardian force) to enjoying video games.

Before we can get into the "meat-n-potatoes" of how this is accomplished, I think first and foremost we need to look at the reasons WHY chicks... errr... girlfriends dislike/hate video games.

I have researched the matter, on the sly, for years. Although I never thought I'd actually get to semi-publish my findings, it seems like I finally have a reason and it might help a couple of guys out there. Are there exceptions to the rule? OF COURSE... are there some lost causes? DUHHH... we aren't talking about an exact science. Rather, consider this a general overview. So, because there is so much to discuss, I think these blogs will be a series of blogs rather than one ridiculously long one. So "lets start at the beginning. A very good place to start..." (ha ha ha, I can't believe I did a sound of music insert. HA HA HA...)

History

"In the beginning, there was a girl... and she liked a boy... and that boy liked video games... and thus the battle began." --- aka "girl meets boy scenario" or "GMB"

"GMB" is the general story chicks tell me. Sometimes, it varies and includes an older brother and all his friends coming over and completely ignoring her or stealing the TV for millions of hours on end, but the MOST popular is the "GMB" scenarios.

Girls don't hate video games. Seriously they don't. Their distaste for it has little, if anything, to do with the game itself. For example, if a small child gets bitten by a dog he/she may develop a dog phobia. I mean, this is reasonable and it happens. So regardless of the dog, whether it be a cute mini weenie dog or a great dane, this person is generally fearful of it and has a desire to avoid it. So, keeping this example in the back of your mind lets discuss the video game-phobia.

Ok, so its not actually a game-phobia. Its more like, they don't dislike-hate-detest the video games themselves... rather they hate the side effects of video games. Still don't understand? Ok... let me give the top 11 most memorable "video-game-side-effects" that have been told to me.

In no particular order, I present to you the top 11 - video game side effect stories

1. "This one time, my boyfriend told me he was going to come over at 7pm and we were going to go out to dinner. Around 7:30 I called and he didn't answer his phone. I called over and over and still couldn't get a hold of him. I got worried finally went over there only to hear cheering and screaming coming from his dorm room. I knock on the door and his roommate opened it and and I saw my boyfriend on the couch, with 4 other friends... playing Madden. He ditched me for a stupid football video game."

2. "My ex-boyfriend told me that he couldn't really afford much for my birthday so could only get me this small gift. I told him so long as it was from him and that he loved me it didn't matter what he got me. Two weeks later he tells me he's going to sleep outside of a Wal-mart to buy the PS2. THAT THING COST $300!!! ... Made me think... "Its not that you couldn't "afford" a decent gift for me, you'd rather buy a toy for you!""

3. "One time, after sex, my ex and I were laying in bed for about 5 minutes he all of a sudden got up and unpaused his game and started playing again." (... Genie note: I did my best not to laugh when I heard this story, because I remembered seeing that scene in the movie Mall Rats)

4. "I started seeing this guy I had met through some friends. I went over to his house one day and we were sitting on the couch flirting and talking when his roommate came home. His roommate started playing Tony Hawk and then the guy I was seeing started playing too. 2 hours later, I went home. He didnt even seem to care. He called me a few days later, I didn't call back."

5. "My brothers use to play Contra all the time. The few times they would let me play, I remember them yelling and cussing at me because I lost a life or would jump to fast and would kill them because the screen moved. Whatever... I didnt want to play after that."

6. "My ex-boyfriend use to lie to me and say he had to work, when he would stay home and play World of Warcraft."

7. "My ex-boyfriend broke up with me for a girl he met of World of Warcraft."

8. "One time my boyfriend and I planned a trip to go to Napa Valley to go wine tasting with some friends. He was suppose to pick me up at 8am. When he didnt come over I started called him. When he didnt answer by 8:30am I got worried and went to his house. I knocked on the door for what felt like 10 minutes. When he finally opened the door and saw me pissed and worried he admitted to going to bed at 5am because he was playing Final Fantasy and didnt wake up in time."

9. "One time my ex-boyfriend got me Dead or Alive as a birthday present when he knows I hate video games. AND WHY WOULD I LIKE THAT STUPID GAME WITH THE GIRLS WITH THE BIG BOOBS. I know he bought it for him, and thats why he's my ex."

10. (MOST POPULAR STORY) "One time my boyfriend wanted to try and play video games with me. I was excited that he wanted to try and share this interest with me... as we were playing I felt like he was constantly yelling at me telling me I was doing things wrong or he kept saying "here, give me the controller, let me do it." After about an hour I didnt want to play anymore, in fact, he made me feel so stupid I just wanted to go home."

11. (ORIGINAL) "One time my ex-boyfriend bought me a Game Boy Advance SP for our anniversary because "he wanted to get me into gaming." I thought he was being so sweet. So he said I should buy him a handheld system too so we could be matching. I said ok... he said he wanted a PSP. So I bought him one. A few days later my brother tells me "Umm, GBASP's are like under $75 dollars..." I was so mad. THAT JERK HAD ME SPEND $300 on him and he spent less than $75 on me. I actually believed that stupid lie "Oh, the GBASP's are for girls, see how they look like little compacts?"

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA... Maybe its mean for me to laugh, but... HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA...

So these are the basic stories. You can see the general perspective. Its not the game... its what happens around/because of the game. Being ignored, being abandoned, being yelled at, feeling stupid, feeling used... some men are just stupid enough to do these weird actions around the video game area and suffer the consequences. Just like women (in a generic stereotypical way) like makeup, clothes, dancing, shopping, yada yada... because it makes them feel special, beautiful, successful, competent... you have to get them to feel this way about video games. What? don't believe me? ... comon now... haven't you ever told your girl she looks beautiful? and wow... you’re so smart? and when you compliment these areas don't you notice these actions are repeated? you must have noticed by now... you said you like her in a pink shirt and now she's wearing it all the time? Or you said those cookies she made are awesome, and now you have cookies 24/7?... ok, so lets try that with video games... ready? Ok... And now that we know the cause of video-game-distain (ohhh, i like that... from now on I will shorten it up by calling it VGD)... lets discuss solutions to the problems.

I'm bad... and a little lazy...

2007-11-27T09:54:00.001-08:00

I know, I know... I'm bad! I was suppose to put more stuff on here. BUT, I didnt... but I did learn some more movie maker and made a horribly cut movie. Lets face it, I wanted to try every feature there was. :-p So without further ado... check out my video. :)

I saved an 17 yr old dog this weekend.. what did you do?

2007-10-08T09:50:00.000-07:00

Ha ha ha ha... I think my house possesses some sort of magical smell or mark or something that only dogs and lost critters can see.

FOR EXAMPLE:

This weekend, it just so happens at 10 o'clock at night my dog decides he wants to go to the bathroom.. find.. so we go out walkin like crazy people in the middle of the night and he decides he wants to go right instead of left when we get tot he edge of the driveway. This may seem like no big deal, except he ALWAYS wants to go left! So, FINE... me and Fred and Merlin (the dog) go walkin to the right of the driveway and not more than 10 steps, lo-and-behold... a TINY little dog is standing in the dark shivering. *sigh* I'm not a bad person.. its not like I dont want to rescue every thing.. but I cant keep them. And I feel bad calling the pound. I always do the sign/ad bit.. but its like owners of lost pets just dont know how to look for them. READ POSTERS THAT SAY "FOUND DOG!" Just.. (sigh).. nevermind. Ha ha ha...

Anyways, so I have to take the dog home with me. Of course. She is freakin TINY! I take her inside, and my mother takes one look at her and wants to trim her toe nails... fine. He he he.. we do that. And this little chihuahua like dog eats about a palm full of dog food (i'm tellin ya, she's tiny. Like 5-7 lbs MAYBE) and passes out. Ok, so now we are lookin at this dog.. and she aint to spring chicken. Thanks for sure. I mean, she dosent look that old.. but she has got to be like 10-12 years old.

The next day, my honey (out of the goodness of his little techno heart) says that he'll take her home if we cant find her owner. AWH!!!! Isnt that so sweet?

OK, so now we are going through the motions, makin signs, etc., and this whole time this dog sleeps. I mean, she gets up ever 2-3 hours, walks around for a bit, drinks some water, wanders around, but she doesn't really want human interaction. She's quiet... no barking, no whining... just kinda ghost like. I think she was deaf too because when you made a loud noise, she didnt even look at you. SO ANWAYS. Day goes on, Dog sleeps on.

Around 3-4pm, dogs goes on a walk and my mom follows her. Then this guy on a bike comes riding up "Momo..." he shouts. Apparently, this dog escaped from his neighbor the night before and he has been riding his bike around all day looking for her. Her owner is this OLD guy (like 70+) who has had her since she was 6 months old. Apparently he is a widower too, and this is his one and only pet (and get this) who he has had for 17 years! OMG! 17!!!! The freakin dog is 17 years old!!! NO WONDER she is sleeping hours at a time and deaf! How she managed to walk like 7 blocks is beyond me! I mean she's freakin tiny! 17!!!! can you imagine? thats like 119 in dog years. Anyways. Momo goes home and all is well.

BUT.. when I think about it.. its rather nice.. I mean, yeah I saved a 17 year old dog from a cold night in the street.. but then again, its even nicer that she gets to go home to her daddy of 17 years. I know my mother would be heart broken if she ever lost her dog... and he's 5 years old and a tough little cookie.. let alone had she had him for 17 years!

So, I saved a 17 year old dog this weekend... and probably an old man's heart... what did you do?

Harvest Moon: Innocent Life

2007-10-01T12:44:00.000-07:00

I just got Harvest Moon: Innocent Life. Is it better? Is it an improvement? I dont know. I have to ponder it more. But in general I think Harvest Moon is moving in the right direction. I mean, there has always been the underlying quest in all Harvest Moons - be successful, build the farm, mary the chick, have a kid, get to stay. Pretty standard in my opinion. It seems like I have a quest to save the town from an exploding volcano, and the island is so big this time it takes me 3 days to run around the whole thing... so MAYBE there is going to be more story in this one than the others. But i'm not sure. Graphics are cute. They remind me of Game Cube graphics. Kind of surprising... but a nice surprise.

BUT I think what is SERIOUSLY lacking is an ending. I mean, it gets to the point where you dont want to water a single plant, milk a cow or run around having conversations with people who say things like "I like shorts" (ok ok... that came from Pokemon, but you get the drift). I mean, every year is the same festival, and every so many days/weeks (depending on whether you are lucky/cheating/or stumbling through the game) you get some special event to break your drudgery... but really... the monotony is only addicting for so long. There needs to be more of the underlying quest. I mean, ok... have the milk the chicken, get the egg from the cow (ok, scratch and reverse that) BUT have an underlying story. Kind of like how RPGs do. Take a hint from FF guys (and for those of you who dont know what FF is...its Final Fantasy... go play some... seriously... but FF9 is my favorite!), sure you roam the world with a million-bagillion battles looking for a dumb feather or a piece of armor (seriously why do monsters run around with gold and armor for humans? I mean, what ARE they doing when we aren't looking? I mean, do they shop in human stores after hours?... enough pondering of this thought) but then PUT SOME STORY INTO IT! And not some story you have to "hopefully" trigger by talking to the right guy on the right day and bringing him a veggie that you can only get if you get a mushroom and sing to it...(of course, if you played the game, you'll notice that the average player without cheating cant get HALF of the cool things or recipes... WHY? because... there are just NO CLUES on how to get them)... put in some destined to be story and quests. I think people would like it more and wouldn't just stop playing in the middle for boredom of the monotony. But then again, maybe thats just me asking for too much.

Ok... So, for now... the game... its decent. Maybe it'll get better. I'll let you know. But if I just get stuck doing the same shit day after day with no reward and no ending... I'm gonna have to switch over to my DS for a while. AH HA! Hear that PSP game makers... :-p

I made it all by myself...

2007-09-17T10:12:00.000-07:00

Yes, I'm a retard... yes, I should not be as proud as I am... yes, it is lame and definitely not something you'd expect from a grown woman... NEVER THE LESS, I made it, and I am proud of it... because now that I know I CAN do it... I will do it even better next time.

So, without further delay, I present to you... my MS Paint + MS Movie Maker video...

Stop Motion Video Editing

2007-09-09T20:36:00.001-07:00

Yesterday and today, I have learned how to make Stop Motion videos using Windows Movie Maker. I started with something really cool (my bed making itself) and then foolishly lost all the pictures because I did not fully save my project. I think, that was a good lesson. Sure, it made me sad and all because I spent and hour making my bed, but at the same time, I wont be making that mistake again. After that I made a little video about a desk cleaning and an "i love you" at the end. Today I worked on adding credits and music to it. I'm not as good at that as I'd like to be... ha ha ha... I might have to learn how to make my own music in order to have the right music... I think in a while I might post it up once i get it all put together. Its good to learn something new. I learn something new everyday... the crazy guy that sits in front of the court house with his signs saying his brothers and wife are in a conspiracy to have his children raped by judges and the governor is helping him out while the courts are having the impregnated daughter of the rape aborted, does not stand there on weekends, but does travel to other areas of Stanislaus County, even though the incident allegedly happened in Merced (but he dose not want to drive that far)... i learned that it takes 2 trash bags full of plastic bottles (the tall can variety) to get $5 from the recycling chick... and I learned that no matter who you are, or who you think you are, when you are recycling your items the chick at the recycling center making minimum wage is the boss and you are her little bitch (ha ha ha... I'm gonna write a bloggg about that latter.)

Other than that, Sunday was rather uneventful. (I did party on Friday. but again, thats a story for another day) We leave for Ohio on Wednesday and i'm not sure whether i'm looking forward to it. These quiet weekends are something I had forgotten about. It was nice to be comfortable, with food in my fridge, not having to deal with much of anything. I took a nap in a cool area, watched movies and took walks with my mom and dog. It was, rather refreshing... I haven't felt refreshed on a Sunday in ages... it was nice. :)

Anyways, tomorrow is Monday... ugh... he he he... but I only have to work 2 days this week. It should be cake. I look forward to posting up lots of pictures and stuff, because... well... I love my camera! :) Ciao!

A hello from me...

2007-09-08T12:29:00.000-07:00

Today is Saturday. I am away from my boyfriend, since he has to stay in Sacramento to study and prep for school. I'm totally ok with it, and completely understanding of it. But, at the same time I still miss him. So, I guess thats a good balance of sadness and understanding. Dont you think?

Not much happens around here. Its Saturday. Me and family are just finishing lunch and are going to lounge around to beat the hottest part of the day. Thats pretty standard. And other than that, not too much is going on.

Anyways, there isnt much to say about me. I have pets, some have 4 legs, some have 2, some swim, and some fly. I like video games. Generally I like happy games, but I have been really into resident evil 4 lately. :) I have friends who have been my friends since I was a wee little girl (like 4th grade!) and I have friends who are the life of the party and keep me around just to make sure I can get em outta jam. :) ha ha... I have a utterly cute boyfriend who doubles as my tech support! Wow.. now thats FUCKIN HOT! He's in skool right now... so I dont see him all that much. But, I'm still happy. I work, I play, I drink, I dance, I sing, I'm optomistic, I'm sarcastic, and I'm utterly charming (when I feel like it). Right now i'm playing Harvest Moon Girl/Boy and i'm totally obsessed with it. Ha ha ha... eh... it happens. :) Ok... I'll add more when things happen.

Love ya Freddie!