I enjoyed this article. The author did a good job of expressing universal frustration in a humorous manner. Rather insightful comments about companies who seem to believe that having hyper-realistic graphics somewhat trumps a quality gaming / entertainment experience.

The 7 Commandments All Video Games Should Obey | Cracked.com

I'm a believer in reading the manuals of the gear that I buy.

My HP MediaSmart server arrived today. I was reading the troubleshooting appendix of the manual and found an indication that, other than the author of the manual, I may be the only person to have read it. It certainly wasn't read by anyone between it being written and my reading it.

Scan below. The gold is in the second paragraph:

I can't help but think of the LOLCat trying to figure out how they ended up in the newspaper and fretting that they're not good with computers...

I've been running the Zune 2.0 firmware on my 30GB Zune and I'm loving it, especially the wireless sync functionality. Wireless USB rocks. :)

I'm attempting to insert my Zune card below. Let's see if it works.

Saul Williams has released a new album. Paying for it is optional. Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails worked with Saul on this release - his influence is clear and impressive - and the new album, "The Inevitable Rise and Fall of Niggy Tardust," is a free download, in 192kbps MP3, from www.saulwilliams.com.

If you opt to pay for it, it's only $5! That gives you access to either 320kbps MP3's or FLAC files.

I downloaded the freebie, listened, then went back and paid my $5 using PayPal. I pulled down the FLAC files and they're awesome.

Perhaps the future is now?

I usually start with a backstab followed by flash powder. This gets them confused so I start whispering “Evil cometh” over and over to instill fear. I then perform a frontside 360 nollie kickflip and send my grapple hurling towards the nearest ledge. While hanging, I pull out my Battle Rifle and put a few shots in their head (making sure I have it loaded with poisoned lead to increase dot). I release the grapple, look for a Quad Damage, and roll myself into a ball and proceed to knock the mob over. While they’re on the ground, that gives me enough time to play a few licks of ThunderKiss ’65 at which point I then solve the riddle of the Sphinx by placing the umbrella in the music stand and making sure it faces the sun. By now, their damage is just about down so I pull my mask off revealing my skull and kind of stick out my tongue chanting “Get over here!” to bring them closer (sometimes I allow the large snake things on my back to help for balance). It’s then that I finish them off by eating a mushroom, pounding on them with a large hammer and right clicking on their head knowing full well that there’s probably a mine there. When they’re dead and gone, I celebrate by taking their picture for my album and grabbing their severed arm so I can use it on the next unsuspecting monster.

 

Man I love this game.

 

-Mark

I love Phad Kee Mao. Especially from King & I in Bellevue, Washington.

I'm having it for lunch. One can forget that life is good. Phad Kee Mao can help one remember.

Woot!

I'm at End Fest 16 with my daughter...and my wife, but she's hanging with a friend.

The Used is playing and pictured.

Saw Satellite Party and had no idea it was Perry Farrell's band. Lots of Jane's Addiction songs. Rocked.

Smashing Pumpkins plays in a few hours!

UPDATE: 9/24/2007

Smashing Pumpkins played a peculiar set. It was far too short. Even my daughter was left saying, "How could they not play Zero or Cherub Rock?"

I was hoping for Ode to No One.

The jam songs approached Spinal Tap levels of guitar wankery.

Jimmy C. continues to be a percussion god.

Strange that Billy didn't introduce the rest of the band. Or maybe not, as it's Billy. :)