Tuesday, May 5, 2009

The wheel


The long months before the patch were draining, as far as interest in WoW went. The simple task of logging on to do pretty much anything could easily have been summed in up in one word.. "MEH". I was waiting for the patch, wondering if this was possibly the end of the reign of clan Awai. Rumors were abound, the PTR server ninjas were spreading their deeds across the internet in blogs and the word had been spreading. Even a few guild members I know came back with stories about what was to come. I was excited! NEW CONTENT, NEW LOOT!!

It has come. On one hand I was extremely happy that it wasn't the complete lamefest that was Naxxramas. Naxxramas was ridiculously easy, and completely catered to a whole new generation of WoW players. I don't need to explain how it was a train wreck to those of us that raided Vanilla Wow and even TBC. It was pathetic. The encounters in Ulduar have been challenging, bringing out some of the same feelings I had when raiding the old world. None of it felt handed to me, but actually earned! But now come the nerfs. Each new week several new nerfs arrive to make what this encounter should be... into another travesty that was Naxxramas.

To quote one of my favorite lines "..life is a great wheel. Sometimes it grinds you down into the mud, other times it lifts you up into the light.... The point is, is that most times you get a second chance. You just gotta wait for the wheel". This is a fantastic quote for life in general. But to relate it to WoW, I waited for the wheel... and I'm starting to feel like I'm being ground back into the mud.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Being an asshole > Being the nice guy

No Silver, this isnt like your asshole rant, cause you are an asshole. But I love you!

I am 29 years old. For my entire life I have lived with another person. Whether it be with my parents, my college roommates, or random strangers throughout the years; there has not been a moment that I haven't had someone else living in my natural abode. Due to this fact I have had extensive experience with various personality types, conflict negotiation, and friendship bonding's. But ultimately all these living arrangements have ended up with me wanting to take a shovel to my roommates head and abandon them to the world without looking back. Am I an asshole? No, not particularly. In fact I think I am an extremely easygoing, likable person these days. But then certain people bring out a side of me that I thought I killed years ago, a side of me from my younger days where on the drop of a dime I would turn into a pissed off animal, and more likely than not punch you in the face. No, I was never a hardass or a complete asshole. But without a seconds hesitation if I was disrespected or a friend on mine was disrespected it wouldn't end in a verbal compromise, but rather a full fledged fight. This was the way it was where I grew up.

Not so long ago, in a galaxy close close to home, I was a very different person than I am today. I had a whole different life. I had a different perspective on the world and a VERY different social life. I moved to Arizona 6 years ago from Michigan. I left a state that was in serious decline long before the current situation that our entire country faces today. I left to start a new life in a place where everything was fresh, where jobs and new companies were forming every week, and opportunities were everywhere. It was the hardest decision I ever made because I was leaving behind everyone I had ever known. All of my closest friends whom I had known since the 6th grade, and everyone I had met throughout the following years I left behind with the sad realization that this was what was best for me in the long run. The early years I lived here in Arizona were exciting, refreshing, and entertaining. But professionally I wasn't gaining any ground. I spent a lot more time bar hopping and drinking than I did working, which ultimately led me to a path where I had to give up alcohol completely. It was around this time that I became an online gamer. It provided a safe, fun, (more often than not) friendly atmosphere for me to spend time, away from bars and generally away from trouble.

Why this brief history of my past, and what does it have to do with what I was saying about roommates? Well, after I gave up drinking I started to become another person. One that became a lot more easy-going, less aggressive, and passive. Ultimately my personality has never changed, but my temperament has. Which has led certain people to react to me in ways that they wouldnt even contemplate had they met me in my earlier years. When I say that I dont mean that I get "walked-on", but I let things go in order to maintain peace which ultimately has led others to act differently than they would with someone who was more abrasive.

I bring this up because my current roommate has awakened that part of me that I had buried years ago through his disrespect, sloppiness, and utter inconsideration of the fact that he lives with someone else. It was because of my amicable "whatever" attitude that this person felt he could do whatever he pleased without any repercussions from me because I was just a pushover. But he misinterpreted my attempt at being nice and friendly with weakness and someone who would be easily manipulated. It wasn't until I lost my cool and went completely apeshit on him that he finally stopped his bullshit. Its pretty ridiculous that someone needs to be a complete prick in order to get a point across, but ultimately that is what some people need. The lesson I have learned through this is that even the side of you that you dislike has its uses and necessity, and while I dont intend to become that person on a full time basis, it is a weapon that I will keep at my side because frankly in more cases than not its better to be an asshole than it is to be a nice guy. So fuck you, but have a nice day.

Saturday, March 7, 2009

Sci-Fi you should watch




Lately Ive been finding myself amazingly bored. So much so that I have gone back to watching old shows that I haven't seen in years. Shows that I forgot how much I loved. I have come across those awful "Top 10 science fiction shows" lists spread out over the internet, and while they sometimes get a few correct, they more often than not miss the mark completely for me. So here are my 5 favorite science fiction shows that dont recieve the proper amount of respect they deserve. I highly recommend checking them out if you haven't already. I am purposely leaving out the Star Trek's, Stargate's, Lost and Battlestar Galactica series, for these are obvious choices and unless you have been under a rock for the last decade you know all about them.


1.








Hands down my favorite show. Follows astronaut John Chriton, who through an accident during a space test flight gets hurled through a wormhole to an unknown galaxy, where he finds himself forced to live with a crew of prisoners on the run from the Peacekeepers (a military race that patrols the galaxy).

Through the seasons you see how a relatively normal guy from Earth adapts to alien cultures, develops into a soldier through fighting for his survival, and finds love and friendships with alien beings. All this in a fun, humorous, and action packed adventure.


Favorite Episode: (Not easy) Season 2 "Crackers Dont Matter"

Episode for Beginners: Season 1 "A Bug's Life"

Message for Beginners: Season 1 is entertaining in its own right, but to me was more of an introduction to the characters and Farscape universe. Seasons 2 and 3 were the most fun, entertaining, and amazing shows. Therefore if you are one those people that give a show one chance I would recommend one from season 3, as it was my favorite season.

2.

















An older show that gets looked over by many people. Babylon 5 is a space station that is home to millions of alien species, and ambassadors from all the major worlds across the galaxy in the interests of maintaining peace. However, political interests, personal motivations, and a mysterious ancient alien race threaten to destabilize the balance and thrust the galaxy into war.

Favorite Episode: Season 3 "Severed Dreams"

Episode for Beginners: Season 2 "In the Shadow of Z'Ha'Dum"

Message for Beginners: Similar to Farscape and I suppose most shows in general, Season 1 is an introduction to characters and the Bablyon 5 universe. However the show continues to pick up momentum with each passing season as things begin to heat up and secrets are revealed.

3.







Following the life of Duncan Macleod of the clan Macleod, a 400 year old immortal who fights and kills others of his kind in order to achieve the "ultimate prize", the details of which are unknown. During his life Duncan has had countless adventures, loves, and tradgedies, which we explore through flashbacks of his past lives.

Admittedly it has been almost a decade since I have last seen this show. And in its final season it became quite awful, trading in the serious and adventureous nature the show had for so long with slapstick like humor. However it was one of my favorites combining swordplay, immortality, and evil enemies to vanquish.

Favorite Episode: Season 3 "Methos'

Episode for Beginners: Season 1 "The Gathering"

Message for Beginners: The movies made after the show ended are atrocious. Do NOT watch them if you enjoy the show.

4.










One of the most well known and appreciated "canceled before its time" shows, Firefly only lasted a single season before it was taken off the air. Firefly follows Captain Malcolm Reynolds, a former seargent in the losing side of a recent war between the outlying planets and the Alliance, (a technologically superior conglomerate) and his crew as they try and make ends meet by taking any job that comes their way. Along their journey the crew find themselves consistently on the run and in danger, after taking on a pair of siblings who are hiding a secret. One that will bring the might of the alliance after them.


Favorite Episode: 'Trash"

Episode for Beginners: Pilot "Serenity"

Message for Beginners: Dont fret! While the show ended early, a big screen movie was made called "Serenity" that picked up where the show left off.


5.











I know, I know. I'm not 16, going through puberty, or a teenage girl (though i scream like one), but I absolutely love this show. The show follows a young superman from his teenage years up to his after college years as he discovers his powers, enemies, love, and how to cope with being different.

Kristen Kreuk. Oh that didnt do it for you? Well the cast is filled with a young good looking crew of hotties, and each week the show brings new levels of drama, action, and touching moments. Im a sucker for this one.

Favorite Episode: Season 7 "Arctic"

Episode for Beginners: Season 1 "Pilot"

Message for Beginners: Things progressively get better as seasons move forward, therefore I would recommend trying an episode in the mid-series range if you are iffy about giving it a shot. Try Season 3 'Exodus".



The full list:

1. Farscape
2. Lost
3. Battlestar Galactica
4. Babylon 5
5. Star Trek Deek Space 9
6. Stargate SG1
7. Star Trek Enterprise
8. Stargate Atlantis
9. Smallville
10. Firefly
11. The X-files
12. Star Trek: The Next Generation
13. Highlander
14. Star Trek Voyager
15. Alias (got sci fi in the end)
16. Space: Above and Beyond
17. Heroes (getting bad)
18. Sliders
19. Legend of the Seeker
20. Fringe
21. Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles
22 Hercules: The legendary Journeys
23: Xena: Warrior Princess (god help me)
24. Earth 2
25. SeaQuest DSV

Saturday, February 28, 2009

And so it begins...
























I was told by a certain shaman to stop being a ninja blog reader, and to get out there and make my own blog. Its something that I have always considered, but never acted on since I didn't think that id have much to talk about. Or at least anything that anyone would find remotely interesting. But what the hell, why not!? It will most likely be myself and one other person reading these, and to you I say "no you cannot have those five minutes back". So sit back, relax, and enjoy the noobery that is The Blue Room.