Champions Online 360

Well, it looks like Champs Online 360 is due out in the fall. Don't believe me? Follow this link. If it is linked with the computer-versions, who knows that Champs Online I'll get. Maybe I can get both if accounts can be linked? Oh, there's too many choice!

Socialite or Grumpy Old Man?

Need to be charming may be in your head (from MSNBC news this morning)
Socialites and curmudgeons not only have different party demeanors, they may also have different brain structures, a new study suggests.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30943206/from/ET/

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Evidence! It's biological to be a curmudgeon! Yay for the two misanthropes! You're not really freaks of nature after all! (Well, maybe we need to set up a committee for Smelt...)

Less than three - Tivy

Where Does the Time Go?

First let me just say, "welcome back, Pikky." How's Fallout? I keep threatening to buy the game...but then I would have to find time to play it. And that's the freakin problem.

What I am playing is Free Realms. WTF and OMG. This game is so addictive. Each time I log on, I have to really try to figure out what my "gaming goals" are for each session. For example, I bought a new kitty. He's a very nice kitty my, Baron Von Amigo. However, he requires a fair amount of upkeep. So I have to make sure I have plenty of food, vitamins, shampoo, conditioner etc...which I have to buy with earned currency, i.e., gold.

I think, so far, the best way to get gold is to do the fighting mini-games (or mini-instances) and quests. Not a problem. But then the crafting mini-games are so much fun but they don't pay a lot of gold. So, I have to compartmentalize my time. I'll start out doing a couple few quests, then allow myself to get pulled into the time-suck that is the harvesting game, or the blacksmithing game or now the effin trading card game. That one really makes me feel like a geek. By the way, Tivy, what sort of deck do you have? I might have some cards to trade with you.

I bought the $5 a month membership and put the $10 in for a 1000 SC. I don't foresee myself buying more SC (unless I go "booster pack" crazy) in the near future so $5 for this much addictive goodness is a bargain.

Between this and WoW, I'm MMO satisfied until Champions Online comes out in September.

Where Have All The Pikkles Gone?

Wow, I haven't been here in forever. I haven't been around in forever, it seems. I guess when you're killing a billions pigeons (GTA IV), super-running from the law (Mirror's Edge), collecting them all (Pokemon), playing trivia (1 vs. 100 Beta), singing your heart out (Lips), doin' it with my wife and husbands while killing badguys (Fable II), and surviving a nuclear holocaust (Fallout 3), you don't really have time to do much else.

Maybe I'll be around this weekend though.

Working on my game

This is Seriously Awesome

Geeks, number junkies, Wikipedia addicts and fact whores rejoice! Your church has arrived...almost.

Tropico 3

I don't know if you guys ever played, but I loved the original Tropico game. You were El Presidente of a Carribean nation during the height of the Cold War, and you had to create a bustling economy. It was just so much fun! Well, they announced Tropico 3 to be released in September. (2 was a huge flop) From what I hear this one will be better. Here's hoping!

Eeny Meeny Miney Moe...

But MOM! I don't want a Pooh Bear! I want a BOOBIE!

Fable II DLC - See The Future

Well, after being disappointed with Knothole Island, I didn't have incredibly high hopes for See The Future - in fact, I wasn't even going to buy it! But I heard some good things about it from previews, and the pricetag wasn't too high, so I decided to pay for it. Jeez was I having fun! It's been a while since I've been into Fable, and I played it for quite a few hours today. The new costumes made me giggle and I had a good time with them. I haven't even gotten to the Colisseum yet! Anyway, I just wanted to recommend it to you guys. It's pretty fun; check it out.

Game shopping!

Well, I bought some new games the other day which should be arriving today or tomorrow. Fallout 3 and Mirrors Edge for the 360 and Pokemon Pearl and New Super Mario Bros. for my (also new) DSi. Exciting, exciting! I dropped a pretty penny (that I don't really have) but I wanted something new. Everything has just seemed so stale lately. I'm most excited for Fallout. I've heard some really good things about it!

You guys bought any new games lately?

You guys simply must go see this

http://www.goodnightbush.com/librarium/

Urban Planning

Superheros need open space too. Get yourself a virtual plaque in a virtual park with a beta key bonus! Check out the details here.

ZOMG!

Work is kicking my ass! End of post. Hopefully more substantial posting soon.

Can I get an AMEN?!

Having recently been dispossessed of my job due to big business malfunction, I was offered outplacement services as part of the reorganization severance package. Making use of those has been both educational and off-putting. On one hand, it's great to have people review your resume and critique your cover letters. On the other... well, I've been asked to tailor the content to use "testimonial" language and that doesn't not come naturally to my mouth... er fingers.

Despite living six years in the Bible Belt, and despite seeing several of the Super Pastors (clergy heading up giant churches, whose congregations exceed 10,000) giving their sermons, the lingo falls out of my mouth rather like a half-chewed grape that I didn't know had a squishy, mouldy spot on it. Maybe I have self-confidence issues that I'm unaware of, but one thing I know for sure is that I'm smart, adaptable and do really solid work. Isn't it enough to say that?

Outplacement services say no. Instead, they want me to use this as my intro/objective:

An IT professional with a diversified background in project and team management, known for resourcefulness and innovation, while simultaneously providing impeccable services and analysis. Recognized for professionalism, building strong team relationships and the ability to revise existing processes and create new ones that emphasize efficiency and accuracy specifically tailored to each individual environment. Awarded for outstanding IT performance by colleagues and clients. Acknowledged as a subject matter expert in several software suites, I bring my unique blend of people skills as well as my ability to see the big picture without losing sight of the details.

I'm completely at a loss. Sentence fragments abound and run-on without mercy. Am I writing in first person or third? And, why the hell do I have to put all that self-aggrandizing talk in there? It pretty well grosses me out and disgustingly, it continues like that for two full pages.

Am I wrong thinking this is over the top? Why can't people just communicate anymore?

Calling all Meglomaniacs

And you know who you are...check out this latest Champions Online video. Magical sorcery goodness with a dash of minion summoning.

Betty's rolling over in her grave, I expect.

The Blue Star costume from Runes of Magic.

(Betty Frieden is who I'm referencing. I would have said Gloria, but Ms. Steinem is still alive and well, as far as I'm aware.)

Swine Flu

Dear Hysterical Media,

I am sick of hearing about the Swine flu, okay? I am sick of hearing you create a panic. I will go out in public, and I will not wear a mask that makes me look like a fool. How many people have died from this Swine flu? A dozen? Three dozen? Guess what? ANNUALLY, 36,000 people die of regular influenza in the UNITED STATES ALONE each year! Yes, 36,000. Yet we don't make a big deal about that. 

If you are in good health and take care of yourself, you'll be fine. Okay? Please stop with the hysterics. You're causing a panic by talking about it every 10 minutes, and by splashing it on the front page of every major paper. Yes, be careful. But you should always be careful! So stop with this swine flu, and let me worry about the only important thing in life: Gaming.