Colorless Green Ideas

Further Elaboration on Nothing

Haven't been posting much lately. I've had a bit of a writer's block when it comes to this blog. I find myself writing papers all day long and then wanting nothing more to do with writing when I'm finished them. Damn school. At least it's over for a month in something like 9 days.

My Father has also been in the city for the past few days, and it's been a great diversion. I'm relating to him a bit more lately because of our mutual interest in politics, and of course the fact that last summer I found a huge-ass block of hash in his drawer while looking for papers. I gained alot of respect for "Bud" that fateful day. I've always wondered why they call him Bud, and I can't help but wonder...

So all's good on that front. I just recently got back from Montana's Bar and Grill, where I inhaled a $20 plate of chicken and ribs that he payed for. That place is like carnivore heaven.

The Timeless Art of Gaming
Inbetween my paperwork I've been gaming like never before. It's too damn good a time to be a gamer to do more productive things. Star Ocean: Till the End of Time and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas have kept me busy over the last months, and I still pick up GTA at least once a day. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater was released last Wednesday ( More on this later ), and Final Fantasy XII and Kingdom Hearts II are slated in for early next year ( I am of the belief that Kingdom Hearts was one of the finest games of the past decade ). Half-Life 2. Halo 2. Metroid Prime: Echoes. World of Warcraft. The list goes on and on. Being a gamer has never been so good.

I'm hesitant to pick up World of Warcraft because I know firsthand the extent of the damage that a MMORPG can do to your academic record. The last thing I need right now is to be addicted to one of these damn timesinks. Still, it looks so damn good...

I've spent the last two days with Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, the newest addition to one of the best series the industry has to offer. As expected, it's a beautiful game with a rich and complex story. While longer and more interactive than its predecessors, I can't help but feel a little disappointed with it, as the story just doesn't have the same impact that made the previous games so special. And it takes place in 1964, so don't expect MGS2's cliffhanger ending to be resolved here. The lack of modern technology is felt with the loss of the all-knowing radar, meaning you have to rely on archaic devices like SONAR and motion detectors to stalk your prey, which makes the game more stealthy and ultimately more realistic, it makes for some camera problems that were absent in the first MGS'. Still, a worthy addition to the series. The highlight is young Revolver Ocelot, a great incarnation of one of the series' most interesting characters. The ending was one of the best I've seen in years.

The fact that I can play PlayStation games on my computer with enhanced textures ( they look almost as good as early PS2 games ), better framerates, surround sound, save state capabilities blows my mind every time I think about it.

The fact that I can play Secret of Mana with a friend over the internet like its fucking 1993 will never cease to amaze me.

Here's to technology.

Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
I hold out hope for Star Wars Episode III. I think George realizes that his last two attempts made a mockery of the series, and he's got to make up for it with this one. After all, it's the last Star Wars movie ever. It's got to go out with a bang...right? Right?

It DOES have Darth Vader and angry Wookiees, something that the last 2 films were sorely lacking. Hey, a guy can hope.

Television is a Black Hole
I turned on my television for the first time in weeks today and saw 5 seconds of a show called He's a Lady, a commercial for a Gilligan's Island-based reality series, and previews for 2 Tim Allen films, reminding me of why I haven't turned on my television in weeks.

250+ Hits!
I put a counter up on this site last Friday because I was curious about how many people have actually been reading my mindless drivel. To my surprise, I've gotten well over 250 hits in about 5 days. I think that's pretty good for an irrelevant blog. This little revelation has motivated me to try and update more often.

Engrish.com
Seriously, this site is one of the funniest things ive ever seen.

Movies
I started watching The Matrix: Revolutions earlier, but I couldn't sit through the whole thing in one sitting. Very disappointing. The acting is so fucking wooden in this movie...the main characters do an excellent job of portraying absolutely no emotion whatsover throughout the film, and nearly every line of dialogue is a boring cliche. I liked the first two Matrix films, but for some reason the once-incredible, even conceivable world that the Wachowski brothers created fell flat here. The mechs that the humans control in the battle for Zion look retarded, and the Sentinels that lead the assault are as dumb as paint. There were some pretty cool special effects, but you get numb to the flying metal parts and neon blue electricity after a short time. This was a pretty disappointing ending to a great trilogy... it left me just wanting to watch the freeway chase scene in Reloaded.

On the other hand, I also watched Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels earlier, and it was excellent. It's hilarious and almost as clever as it's pseudo-spinoff, the high-profile Snatch. I want more Guy Ritchie movies. More Guy Ritchie movies with Nick Moran. Seeing how good he was in this film makes me wonder why he wasn't in Snatch. Jason Statham is great, as usual. Definately recommended.

So there's my two cents. I knew you desperately needed them. For Fun Dip!

Randomness
The songs I listened to while writing this post include:

Under the Bridge - The Red Hot Chili Peppers
Steps Ascending - Thursday
Thirdeye ( Live ) - Tool
Dark Center of the Universe - Modest Mouse
Passenger - Deftones w/ Maynard James Keenan
Rico - Matthew Good Band
While We Were Hunting Rabbits - Matthew Good
Okay I Believe You, But My Tommy Gun Don't - Brand New

Shuffle has never treated me so well.

Taking a Breath of Fire III break. I shall return.

posted by Sylpheed @ 11:53 PM