Yea... I can't lie... I was actually rooting for the Lakers in the NBA finals Not because I'm the 12th billion Kobe fan on this sorry planet, but something entirely different. I'm a Minnesota kid. Thinking back a year from now, a certain player who goes by the catchy name of KG once played on the MN Timberwolves. OUR basketball team that failed miserably this year barely clocked in 20 victories out of a 80+ game season... The Boston Celtics... they won 50+ games in the regular season, broke/set records, stepped up in the playoffs, and finished with the biggest trophy at the end. And what bothers me most about all this?? Kevin Garnnet will now and forever be remembered as a Celtic

Seriously, I'm not spiteful or hating on the dude. I'm actually quite proud of his 10 year journey. Being "stuck" in MN for all these years and facing defeat time and time again, you begin to wonder just how much can a person take before snapping and lashing out at the ones who adore him most. I worked at the basketball stadium in MN for 4 years watching this dude up close and personal win and lose, in front of and away from the masses... KG is a good person.
If anyone deserves to finally reach that "moment" in their life, he would be on that list. I just can't shake the feeling that he's finally living it up in a whole different town. Would my happiness be any different if this all took place in my part of town, maybe. But I can't deny how awesome it feels to see deserving people get whats coming to them. Especially the bad ones All in all, the NBA season is over and NFL football is right around the corner... the games that really matter!!

I haven't been online or at least here at GS for awhile and there really isn't any major reasoning behind it. In simple terms, I'm in transition right now. Moving into a new place, working thru tough times in a 3 year relationship, finding my career niche, and simply staying afloat. The most gaming I've been doing lately is falling asleep to movies playing director commentary in my 360
Some Bourne, a little MGS4, Conan on the PC, and a few arcade titles on the 360... thats about it. Once I settle into my new abode, things should be back on track in due time. First the cable TV, because I love me some HOM channel and Sportscenter. Then some new furniture, because every man needs HIS own chair. And soon after, I'll see what I can do about the internet... with my computer down and out because of terrible hardware issues, I've been so desperate for online connection, I've found myself using the neighbors super religion friendly computer. No matter what website I visit, I'm being bombarded by Chistian dating pop-ups to the max and I can't stand it. Ironic, but bothersome none the less...

I miss hanging around my regular sites and especially GS. The player reviews, various forums, the Soapbox madness, news and my fellow gamers. Its crazy how much you end up missing something once its no longer in yer selective grasp. I felt like typing this morning and instead of idle chit chat with my church going neighbor, I simply asked to use her computer... what a trusting gal, because I'm not use to invading others space for measly pleasures such as online yammering. She must sense the sinner juice flowing within my weak soul

Hope everyone continues to have a great summer

As the sun rises, the day begins to bloom and people scuttle about. Just another week leading into a new month for many, but something of a path for me... one last journey down memory lane until the next junction of thoughts over flow. Why not share a bit with my fellow gamers...

My father's birthday was in the beginning of this passing month. Not many people celebrate their day of birth after a certain age I noticed, but then again, being that his b-day is on April 1st, he never really gets all that excited. I would like to spring a good joke on him one day, but the dude is a bit wired and I wouldn't want to see anyone get hurt... especially me

To help sooth my gaming desires until something new tickled my fancy, I've really put a dent in games like Lost Odyssey and Call of Duty 4. One is more of a multiplayer delight than the other, yet both offer a great deal of fun for fans of either genre. Rented The Club, which is yer basic run & gun hackle-fest and it left me feeling dirty once I realized how bare the game was. No doubt, I had some fun while it lasted, but that game is hardly worth its price tag.
Checking out more stuff on the PS3 has been cool, but nothing really has blown me away quite yet... GT5 was awesome, but I kind of expect that from them. Maybe when MGS4 drops in a few months I'll be ready to consider spending another lump sum of cash on my entertainment fix... on Sony product tho.... I THINK NOT!!

I finally got to see Cloverfield on DVD. Definently not what I was expecting, but it was surely what I needed! The "character designs" were not my favorite, but thats the joy of movies like that... they don't aim to please, just entertain. It served its purpose and had some cool special features too. I sure would like to invest in one of those handy Hollywood mini cams. Those suckers are reinforced and geared for serious filming madness with great all around quality. I can only imagine what me and my guys could do with something that worked that well

For anyone who doesn't know, Tim Pawlenty, the Governor of Minnesota is a total douche bag.

I also seen AVP2 and thought it was a LOT better than the first one. You would think that having such great source material at your finger tips no wrong could be done even if it was forced... yet there are people like Uwe Boll who quickly smash such thoughts to bitter bits. If yer a fan of either movie series, check this one out for sure, PREDATOR FTW!!

I have to say... I'm extremely excited for the coming NFL season!! Seems that my guys in purple are looking to make some serious waves this year with solid picks in the free agency plus the draft. Scooping up experienced players for key positions and adding depth to the roster with some rookies that can not only learn from great guys now, but eventually make for decent starters gets me stoked. I was honestly surprised that my split even team record of last year actually came true for the Vikings, with all the ups and downs they had. But I'm super confindent in my prediction this year... 10 VICTORIES BABY!! Maybe even a good hussle thru the playoffs... watch and see fellow pigskin fans...

Did I mention I buckled and actually got GTA4?

Well, I was all puffed up about how underappreciated Saints Row was for the 360 last year and actually muttered in a few random places about how I was more excited for Saints Row 2 more than GTA4. Before you ask, I must admit SR really really scored big with me by allowing for full on character customization. Not only did that stuff intergrate well into the overall story, but it looked good too!
With a decent online component from the original game and promises of even more customization and city adventures to enjoy in SR2; I was all but sold until they ran some terrible ads with Gary Busey The game itself sounds like its on the right track for a solid 2nd outing, but in the mean time... I'll see what Rockstar has to offer in their new game.

Just think, I've owned the game a whole day now and all I've done is watch and listen to in-game music and TV... I wonder what the online is like... *resumes GTA4 radio jamming*

Seriously, being the gaming Joe that I am, I've played my fair share of garbage titles from the 80's to modern day. Would I go as far as to claim myself a professional reviewer? Never. Besides the obvious fact that I receive no money or work with any professional establishment, playing videogames is simply a hobby for me.
Coming to terms with that is no difficult hurdle, unlike the masses of XBL gamers I see rocking the "PRO" gamer title. I'm simple. So what does a normal gamer like myself do; I read, talk, gossip, purchase, exchange, and even sometimes debate everything videogames. Its my hobby, so its my thang!

From time to time, like the picky consumer that tires of sifting thru terrible content at their own dollar; I find critics to cypher thoughts from

In turn, this can at times be a serious relief to my wallet and at others a complete chore. For instance, how about the media that I've already exposed myself to...

Do I agree with GameInformers praise for such a horrid game? Not... At... All.

They are a publication that has a staff of gamers who "professionally" tweak out on titles for weeks until they run stories and share reviews that at times... others hate or truly enjoy. I don't support the feeling of hate (serious karma issues) but I definently know from experience, I dislike Dark Messiah for the 360 with a passion!

Compared to GS and other player reviews, you can easily tuck this one under the rug as a lost cause. I didn't believe them, so I applied my own money and time and found out for myself. Something I tend to do for just about anything of great interest to me. Truth be told, this can lead to a lot of hair pulling and shameful glares. I'm use to it.

Is there a reason to be so worked up by such a laughable review from a magazine that gloats about having "big pictures"? Not really, but for once I kind of understand how those review freaks feel. A game they adore recieves a 8.5 and not a perfect 10: GET THE PITCHFORKS!!
Yet... what is a gamer to do when they see something that is clearly lacking in essential material still recieve high regard. Blog of course!! And like the nerd that I am, here I sit typing away about a game that took page 91's colorful glossy spread only to gloat about how cool it is to repeatly kill dudes with year old physics never bores. That translates into a solid 8?!

Honestly... tell me where to apply, because I know I can offer more.

If you haven't heard about it by now, reading it here is a simple gut check in just how much you're missing on the daily loop. Barack Obama is known as a top notch speech crafter, a word smith some would say, who is running for President. Others look at his speaking ability as nothing more than verbal spin, which is a trait every politician possesses in oder to survive the political and public lime light.

Makes enough sense to me. I'm nothing more than a joe-schmoe and I've even been deemed savy in the way of words... no matter how off beat or riddled with nonsense they appear. Beyond the distasteful uses most politicians invoke with such speaking skills, Obama seems like the real deal when it comes to expressing thought in my personal opinion.

To the point; in a recent sermon with Obama's pastor and friend of 20+ years, Jeremiah Wright blew off some serious steam that shows nothing but spite for America. If anyone has lived over 50 years in this country as a minority, its understandable, but NOT justified. Sprinkle in a little race and a dash of affiliation, and everyone assumes this guy Obama vouches for is apart of the campaign program. In reality, he is not.
Wright is nothing more than a close friend and a priest who has something to say. Is it worth listening to, you can be the judge of that for yourself... it was all over the news and plagues YouTube as a "popular" video. With so many chalking up what this means for Obama and his beliefs in becoming the next president of America, he was put on blast in a way that usually leads to stuttering and mumbling that makes Bush look brainy.

So what does Obama do...

This dude arrives in Philadelphia, a focal point of American soil littered with history and drops one the biggest speeches I've ever seen or heard in my living life time!!

No doubt, a speech about peace and equality is nothing new to the harp of tender emotions. Strike the right cord and everything comes together revealing the speaker as a saint. Well, like the numerous Super Bowls that happen every year in the NFL, no matter how many times you see the "big play" or experience that vibe, its always genuine. And the no holds bar, honest to every walk of life speech surrounding race and resentment within modern America that Obama laid down was absolute perfection!

Obama 1 - Obama 2 - Obama 3 - Obama 4

If you have not seen or heard about this passing event, please, I urge you to visit the YouTube video links that present the speech in 4 parts unedited. I was not only extremely moved by the words he spoke with true conviction, but I viewed the online clips for a 2nd serving and can't help but feel a slight tingle... did I just witness history making events?!

Beyond the whimsical thinking of a person with different pigments becoming a first in taking the Oval Office, can Barack win the big game and show all the cynics and skeptics (including myself) there is no smoke and mirrors, change is possible... can we unite to achieve such high hopes that Obama speaks of?! America as a whole is lacking in every facet of this desperate dream our great land was built upon. Only time will tell how much of it is really hot air.

Let me know what you think fellow gamers.

Looking over the paper this morning, I came across an article that really caught my eye, especially being a major customer of...

Seems that the good people of the world's largest electronic distributor are feeling awfully generous enough to reward any poor souls who ended up with the HD-DVD package and are now feeling suckered. Without notice, the day HD-DVD was left behind to die (Feb 23rd I believe) became the day to rejoice $50 richer. That is if yer a Best Buy regular. Anyone left staring at their HD-DVD gear with remorse can now hunt down receipts and online purchase info to prove they spent the cash, now whats the catch...

Nothing really... just a few million $50 Best Buy gift cards to toss around to the devoted masses

For others who shop around and enjoy online purchases from digital unknowns, power to ya. As for folks like myself and JustPlainLucas, this may not be the largest contribution a mega corporation has made yet its definently something worth mentioning! I never even thought of getting a HD-DVD player, even when the price was dramatically cut on movies and equipment. The thought of owning anything overly expensive right now gets me chuckling. I'll stick with regular DVD's for the time being.

Something else that really got my attention and shook me silly was this liquor store in the near by area called HUM's. 612-874-1111, they deliver!!

As much as I enjoy the sinful pleasures of whiskey and beer, never once have I thought about how much to tip the person who delivers my booze Maybe if its a party occasion, I'll take in consideration on what kind of muchines to bring along, but never yell across the room "what kind of beer do you wanna order?!"... long story short, thats some lazy bum behavior if I ever seen it. The expected tips alone would be a bit ridiculous, so no matter how you justify it, slip some shoes on and earn yer stripes soldier!!

On the gaming side of things, I'm quietly creeping around playing what few titles I can and catching up on what I actually own and sadly neglect. Something about making a purchase at the moment feels oh so good and tingly, yet in due time the short lived glorious newbie finds its way to the far ends of the dreaded SHELF and its purpose dwindles as new items continue to flood in. It may be a vicious cycle to some, or even financially damaging, but I've disciplined myself to the point now where everything comes easy.
Thanks to the article posted here at GS about GameStop making bookoo cash in the passing year, I actually felt good about my recent shady ways. Its what I like to call expensive rentals Being that trade-ins happen WAY more than ever now a days, brand new games are easily found on store shelves in the used section within days of its release. Scoop it up, play it, enjoy/hate it, bring it back, no hassles, rinse and repeat. Funny how $50 can go a long way in sampling so-so games. I use to be totally against such gaming purchases, yet my flimsy finances have taught me valuable lessons... a major one being, "new or used, does it really matter?!"

Awhile back, I would laser you down with a nasty look if such a question was directed at me. Now, I only see purpose in getting the games I truly desire, which are very few and far in between.

Buying new games marked "used" for a measly few dollars less doesn't really make much sense, but then the shady Dreski strikes... once an employee of the terrible GameStop company (originally Electronic Boutique aka EB Games) I had digital luxuries all around me totally for free, while being paid hourly. I made some good contacts during those years, and in turn I now bask in the joy of "knowing the right people". My efforts in taking part within the gaming community could be a little more diligent/hardcore, yet non-gaming life is ever taxing. Or maybe I'm truly a gamer and just too lazy to notch up the difficulty... normal mode is just fine with me

All in all, I continue to sample tons of goodies, but see very little worth owning. Nothing against what others praise... even with hundreds of dollars in hand, the PS3 still doesn't grab me. My Wii forgot what its like to be ON, handhelds are a bastard child in my house, my movies (or DVD's as us regular folk call'em) collect dust as rentals become more convient, and even my online 360 gaming has took a plunge for the worst. Or so others lead me to believe... XBL: Soleman

I did my splurging on gaming a few years back, then went dormant, then splurged again. Seems this every other year dive in approach kind of works well for me financially and entertainment-wise. Maybe when Summer starts to sneak up I'll be back in the groove for freaking online and all that jazzy stuff. In the mean time, I got a few games to keep me busy and life is what it is... hope yer days treat you well fellow gamers.

Think warm happy thoughts...

Hope everyone has a great Easter weekend