Where my taru?

E3 has come and gone, but it was great while it lasted. Typically the lavish shows do little for me than an, "Oh, cool" moment or two. This year had my genuine excitement with a particular announcement riling me up.

I hadn't really expected thing one out of Nintendo, and they managed to keep that justified. Attaching 'new' in front of Super Mario Bros. always managed to instantly piss me off, but the four-player co-op looks fairly interesting. Naturally, I expected Online components far beyond their comprehension and I was not surprised there, either. I'll be picking up a used copy of that. And there was Mario Galaxy 2. Why Mario's crowning moment, Super Mario 64, didn't get a sequel is beyond me. But hey, let's reward mediocrity.

But Sony's offerings thoroughly impressed. Uncharted 2 is a new and improved sequel to one of my favorite titles thus far, with a charm from Drake's character that would put even Nathan Fillian to shame. And he was the fuckin Captain. God of War 3 is God of War in high def so I'm already sold. Easily the most viscerally bloody title in a while.

MAG was surprising. Not in the fact that I enjoyed the demonstrations they showed, with the sense of scale and chaotic combat, but with just how much I liked it. The idea of commanding or just being part of 127 dudes and me gunning down 128 other dudes at the same time is flooring and the Zipper guys have the pedigree to pull it off.

Sony's motion controller looked infinitely more promising than the competition's exploits so far. Natal is not only ridiculous, it's redundant. There is the tired promise of innovation and remarkability, but it is nothing the PlayStation Eye has to offer. With the 1:1 ideal of the motion controller, the possibilities are not limitless and are not advertised as such. But those that are there are seriously impressive, with the idea of Nintendo's depth and their own sense of control.

What really dropped my jaw was the announcement of Final Fantasy XIV. Sony's Jack Tretton had just shown the trailer for FFXIII, and mentioned it coming to the console. Then he stood, straight-faced, and just threw it out there. The auditorium was as dumbstruck as I was; Thirteen isn't out yet, and he expected us to believe Fourteen was coming the same year. It seemed like a joke. Even got a few guffaws. But fuck if the trailer didn't start up, a sweeping shot of a nice little vista and the traditional music. Not only was it not a prank, they started mentioning 'returning' and 'joining hands again.' It was the first time in years I'd genuinely been put on the edge of my seat. There was no fucking way it was what I thought it was. Final Fantasy XIV's logo went up and cheers started, but promptly stopped--Online was debuted just under the title. Fuck them, that was when I started cheering. Square Enix's rumored, secret, secretly-rumored Online title was the follow-up to the one of the single greatest titles I've ever enjoyed. As an added bonus, it was on my system of choice and it looked gorgeous. I just downloaded the trailer from the Japanese PSN to watch it in hiyar defz; the scene on the boat looked in-game, and I noticed a Mithra casting something odd. The Galka's animations looked impressive, as did the Hume's. But... I saw no Taru, which is particularly strange considering their forefront of FFXI's announcement trailer. I'm entirely convinced there would be massive uproars over the omission of the Japan-standard tiny cute peoples. They just can't not include them.

In the now, though, gaming is going fairly well. Don't have any sort of funds for new titles, but there's plenty to be had as it is. Despite Rose's low-tier rankings, she continues to be my main force of destruction in SFIV and has helped me climb the ranks. Free Realms has topped 2.5 million players, and I happily remain in the top 10 for a few of the tower defense mini-games. The Uncharted 2 multiplayer beta went live after the second night of E3, and find it works much better than I hoped; the mechanics are surprisingly solid in a fast-paced multiplayer environment, and the community is strong--even in a beta state. For the 'no one on PS3 has a mic' rhetoric, I'm not finding that problem. Fight Night Round 4 was a supreme disappointment as the demo went up the other day, but the Overlord 2 demo helped ease the pain.

Need to upgrade my PS3's hard drive, though. The space is far past its brim, with the amount I download. Rock Band's folder is sitting at 12 gigs already with all the purchased songs, and I've only one real demo sitting on the system right now. Deleted my music to make space, along with a few games I'll just have to redownload later. Too many quality offerings on the PSN. Inconsiderate fuckers.

Edit: Ha. Went through the trailer again and again looking for the elusive Tarutaru, and there they were in the artwork by the title. Only times I'd looked over it weren't high enough quality to really see, and I hadn't bothered checking since. Durr.

You Must Defeat My Shen Long

The days invariably meld, giving a drowning sense of listlessness. The immutable hand of responsibility clenches and threatens suffocation. But man, could it ever be worse.

After having all but abandoned happy home, Florida is a wasteland whose temporary nature underlies its remarkable ability to inspire helplessness. The situation more than the location itself; losing the job and every penny to one's name would be the same in Iceland, I suppose. Working military aspirations provide an opportunity that many simply will never have access to, so one is naturally and deeply grateful. Doesn't necessarily make the situation pleasant.

Kids are miserable cooped up; hard to imagine what I'm putting them through, as personal memories are largely fragmented, but overall it will work out. Ostara was fun, with a lot of pictures to prove. Youngest is grasping word comprehension, throwing a few of his own our way, while the first-born is losing grasp of a few. Namely, "No," and, "What the f--Don't do that."

Interest in WAR is all but nil, as FFXI tears at me tooth and nail through wistful daydream. Conversely Manda's computer stares hatefully, determined to resist societal norms and work fucking properly, as the anathema consistently denies co-op'd Happy Fun Computer Times.

As far as accomplishments are concerned, the list is short. Closed beta for SoE's Free Realms schizophrenically jumps between a blast and nap time. Street Fighter IV likewise suffers between complete bliss as opponents of higher and higher skill are taken down, and boggled frustration when (another) fucking Ken fierce randomly shoryukens me without setup when I'm convinced no one would else have fallen for it. It's the guys that choose Ryu that genuinely concern, though, as they know the more technical character has a much more broad palette of demoralizing owies to dispense. And there's Sagat. Bitch.

Without my HD set, it's confined to either Rock Band or the aforementioned titles, with Resistance 2's latest patch adding an extremely addictive co-op depth if it weren't for the standard-definition setback.

Couple friends' distance seem all the more apparent; haven't really spoken to one since leaving FFXI and the other since her son was born. Another seems more abrasive than usual, but last one seems fine... Wondering what I'm doing wrong. Working its way through, though. Distractions are helping.

The greater meaning may still lack clarity, but the next step's reasoning is sound enough.

BABY SPAM

AHH





Oh, and her 'I can't do it' is a result of watching me fail certain (few!) Rock Band songs. The likeness is uncanny...

Sabbatical

Extended periods of depression tend to be disrupting to one's desire and ability to write.

This weekend saw Ostara, or the original form of 'Easter' before being commandeered by a certain religion. My damned batteries were eaten up by extended bass sections of Rock Band, so I only got about half of what I typically try to take. Emma had a good time, though her enthusiasm about finding the eggs she just finished coloring on the ground was decidedly less ecstatic than last year's holiday.

Em's great, though. It's so easy to take everything for granted, especially when she's still running through her 'I'm two so I'll push every single one of your buttons. Just for the hell of it.'

Jace has been doing well, though our relationship is even less solid than Em's and mine when she was of the same age. When he's in a playful mood, Daddy is alright to be around. I even have proof!



Otherwise he wants nothing to do with me and demands Mother. It hasn't really improved yet, and it's wearing on my patience. Not that I've ever had any.

Manda decided to 'treat' herself in celebration of her new pizza delivery job, spending five hundred of our 'move as fast as we fucking can from Oklahoma' monies on a new dog. A long-haired dachshund, to be specific. She named her 'Mallie,' having always wanted to name a male dog 'Mal' in reference to Firefly. 'Cause she's a nerd. It's admittedly got its qualities, but it's small. And therefore irritating. I mean, I've never thought the term 'underfoot' could be used literally. The dog tromps under my feet as I walk, if not in front of me so that I end up kicking her into the air. Or running directly into my heels, which is only slightly less bothersome.

As far as my job is concerned, it has its perks. The freedom to come and go as I please (hehe, I said 'come and go') is nice, but--Christ. You know how people complain their bosses are stupid? Mine held the seminar that taught them how to be completely incompetent. Unless she specifically needs to contact us about something, it's virtually impossible to get a hold of her. About anything.

Couldn't imagine anything going better, though. Gonna take a nap.

Perspective

Imagine, if you will, the structure of a brain cell. It's likely that's a difficult task, so here's a picture:



Chances are if one needed visual proof of a brain cell, one would have every reason to believe given picture is indeed a brain cell. But it isn't; I just like fucking with people. This one is a genuine cell:



The former, instead, is actually a computer image in a simulated design of our universe. The minute specs in the sky represent such a fractal number that it's simply ridiculous. That's not to mention the size and scale of each of those tiny flickers of light hitting our planet's atmosphere.

And to top that all off, we're just part of some big ass brain cell in a dude. Any moment he could jam his finger up his nose, and bam. We're gone.

Perspective. It's not really something I was taught, personally. Can't recall any teachers defining it for us, or elaborating on its importance in our every day lives. Regardless, most every human capable of basic social interaction has a grasp on it. It just seems decidedly ignored as of late.

Take, for instance, the Internet. Whether to the generation before mine, or those after, it's given an unbelievable amount of information and social experience overnight--as far as cultural development is involved. I'd read somewhere just recently that the average person is exposed to knowledge equivalent to an entire lifespan in the 19th centuy in one day. How is it one so liberal in input can be so narrowminded?

"This is my opinion, and therefore it is right." Naturally, if it's me. But everyone else just doesn't get it. It's a social construct that was plaguing pretty much anywhere all the time, but with the instantaneous transference of knowledge globally, it's honestly a little surprising how it can survive. Hell, just recently we used DNA evidence to trace every human ever back to Africa. That still doesn't stop racial bias. Hideo Kojima mentioned he had to cut some sequences from Metal Gear Solid 3 because of limited DVD space. That doesn't stop 'but Oblivion fit on one DVD.'

If anything, it seems we're taking a step backward. In 1997, Cheney mentioned in an interview that the 160-plus casualties in attempting to capture Saddam Hussein were just too great. Even after topping the dictator, what would happen to the region but unrest and constant fighting? Well, ten years later, that's what we've got and four thousand casualties casually hanging from out belts. Despite the information being laid out and politics spit into our faces.

The point is, though, is that thinking from another's perspective seems to be the last thing on just about anyone's mind. The world doesn't exactly revolve on love or kindness but it's a simple gesture, no matter how invisible, that can make a huge difference. Plus it's fun.

Taking fire, casting Fire

It was just the two of us. Intel gave estimations between thirty and fifty on the streets alone.

Just thinking in the constant fall of sirens and car alarms was difficult in itself; we had to think faster than before, and there was zero room for error. It's not that we were surrounded, no. We were sardines waiting to get served--but fuck that, terrorists were holding Las Vegas hostage. Rainbow was on the job.

I slammed my shoulder into a SUV and began covering fire toward a mounted machine gun. A different kind of rain fell on us. Molten lead.



The latest Tom Clancy game Rainbow Six: Vegas has the familiar counter-terrorist team fighting one of the most bizarre enemies yet; former Mexican drug leaders are in full mass in Nevada's city of the same name, and they came well prepared. The game involves hostage rescue, bomb disarming and the usual fare in the bright city, but its turned gameplay and vital teamplay aspects turn the genre on its ear and easily becomes a must-have for those with tactics and teammates in mind.

Kissa and I recently finished the 'story' mode, if it can be called such; it seems more loading a level and being given a task rather than interacting with the game's characters and directly taking part in the story. It's an odd decision, certainly. Places in which cutscenes should be are simply naked and you're left with a lot of silent airtime or rushed into the next scene. Weird stuff, but not deal-breaking. And you get the jist of it.

The past two days, though, were spent extremely well. I'd gotten paid on Thursday (I'd have commented on getting said job were it not for the depresson), and a few weeks prior had requested the 7th and 9th off (given employment is closed Sundays). So, we went to Oklahoma City to enjoy some decidedly civil civilization. Given that we're still in Oklahoma, it didn't really happen that way, but it was closer than nothing. The mall was enjoyable until I remembered what malls were--wall-to-wall stores for fucking clothing, and then some stores with other overpriced goods. They had a GameStop, though, so I perused until I found Final Fantasy for the PSP. More on that later.

Kissa found no more than two maternity stores; the first of which she was unaware of the second, so we spent a fair amount of money in it. The clothing was admittedly nice enough, but fuck-all expensive. It was a 'sale,' though, so 'bend over motherfucker' turned to 'let me lube up a sec--mind assuming the position?' We ate afterward, then discovered the second maternity store. The clothing was (generally) cheaper, and sort of had a higher-class Wal-Mart feel to it. So we spent about the same amount there. Being subjected to either or would have been fine enough, but a combination of the two demolished my wallet. At least she's pregnant for another whole five months.

We fled after searching high and low for Dippin' Dots, my own little salvation on Earth. We attempted the Marriott, and some other higher-standard hotel (Sheraton? Wasn't Hilton...). Both had inflated 'weekend-rates.' Back to given bent-over analogies. Fine, we thought, the Holiday Inn Express has to be cheaper. It wasn't. But Kissa wasn't going to give in to my need to not spend a tonfuck of money to spend the night, so we took it. Oh, and they had a deal where you could give them your number and email address and they'd probably sell it to telemarketers. But that was okay, because you saved a little money on each visit. Like I cared.

We instantly regretted it (well, I did 'n she seemed dismissive); there was technically a pool, yes, but its seemingly permanent residents were all but screaming children. It's simply astounding how long a child's vocal chords can carry on pure, unfettered loudness in acousticly ear-fucking rooms. And for the price (identical to the Marriotts), neither room service nor a goddamned refrigerator was offered. The vending machine, naturally, was out of order and determined to nom green bills in exchange for nada. So, in short, 'Express' means 'bend over--we'll charge you full price and give you less, because we're express!'

But Final Fantasy! Luckily, I had the foresight to bring my PSP. Un-luckily, I didn't bring its charger 'cause Kissa was bull-rushing everyone out the door that morning. So we goofed on that before bed: I made a Warrior and a Red, while she made a White Mage and a Thief. We got our first few levels, wandered into the dungeon and saved Cornelia's princess before the battery died. I really appreciated everything being redone, though, and the extra little animations and features (the monster catalogue <3) really helps the atmosphere. Easily worth thirty of your American pesos if you've got a PSP.

Damn it.

I can has monies?

Here's the major release dates for PlayStation 3 this year.

June:
The Darkness
Rainbow Six: Vegas

August:
John Woo's Stranglehold
Ghost Recon Advanced Warrior (GRAW) 2
Lair

September:
Blacksite: Area 51
Heavenly Sword
Warhawk
Super Puzzle Fighter 2 Turbo HD Remix
Kane & Lynch: Dead Men

October:
FolkLore
Hot Shots Golf 5
Mercenaries 2
Half-Life 2: Orange Box
Ratchet and Clank: Future Tools of Destruction
SingStar
Super Street Fighter 2 Turbo HD Remix
Grand Theft Auto IV

November:
Army of Two
Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway
Guitar Hero 3
Haze
Rock Band
Uncharted: Drake's Fortune
Assassin's Creed

December:
Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena

Brings the total to around $1555 with tax. Good stuff.