Here's something that sucks. Gameworld Network, where the majority of my articles, reviews and news has come from over the last year and a half, is closing down. Which means that the majority of my hardware and software reviews, articles and news will...now have no place to go.
So I'm looking, which is always fun. Looking for someplace to freelance for, first to get the articles I've been working on recently done, and then to keep me busy and get the stuff I'm doing, well, done.
Oddly enough, both Engadget and Gizmodo are hiring, the former last week and the latter just yesterday. Even more odd is that Engadget, the more serious, professional-styled (note, AP, not "zomg we're perfeshonal") asked for an email with a self summary, how I'm interested in gadgets and some sample posts. Gizmodo wants a resume. HAS THIS WORLD GONE MAD?!
Alas, the irony is cute. I'll be applying for several positions open at Gizmodo, perhaps stupidly, because I've tried a blog at Nerdgrind.com recently and it isn't the best profession in the world. It's demanding, time consuming and at times downright hair-raising. But at the same time, exciting and fun. If I can get a job at either place, that would be pretty damn awesome.
Anyways, that's my update and I'm sticking to it. Until I find somewhere else to publish stuff, I'll be doing my best to keep busy and not watch the rest of Law & Order.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Jeez, oh yeah, I forgot I was here
Update time, so it seems.
News is short. I'm working to, as I've been saying, consolidate where and what I write. I've slowly become disgusted with the current state of gaming journalism, and am looking for something more. In itself, there is very little to pursue. I'm sticking with it, but that doesn't mean I have to work as hard as I have in the past.
What I used to do was remarkable, when I look back at it. I'd download every demo, play every game I could, and write about every single one, including the ones I knew I wouldn't like and didn't like. Sure, there were times I received games from publishers and reviewed them...I mean, they sent them. They deserve as much. But I'd rent games that I knew I probably wouldn't like, just to review them. Ugh, the old days.
I'd always been working on getting a serious gig somewhere...either at a magazine or a high-up website. My goal, which I set last year (and actually bet someone I'd accomplish...good thing they don't remember) was that I'd be writing for Kotaku by summer 08. And obviously Labor Day has passed, and the best website I write for strictly for gaming is the one that started paying me first. Not much of an accomplishment there, it seems.
Sure, I write for the magazine now doing hardware. I'm sending out resume's elsewhere to get more work so I'm not just doing 2-5 reviews a month for hardware. I'd really love to get more into consumer hardware, like phones, business laptops, and other stuff that isn't just gaming-oriented. So I'm looking for more work that's dedicated and with a serious publication...and hopefully based locally...like in this country.
Don't get me wrong, I love being able to write for the magazine. I love the fact that I can email just about anyone and make a request, and they'll get back to me fairly promptly with a response. I love that I can email my article in without worry because someone will actually edit if I made any mistakes. And I love having a due date for all the monthly articles. It's a stable, serious and well paid and appreciated job.
The websites don't do that. It's get this in by yourself on your own time. It's edit it yourself or you'll make us and yourself look bad, even if you are human and make a mistake or two. And if someone doesn't deliver you whatever hardware or software you requested, tough luck buddy. That's what I've been struggling with for 2 years, and it is a poor system.
I don't care who you are, if you write something, you need to have it edited by someone else, or you need to let it sit for awhile before you edit it yourself. Fresh eyes are needed for editing, or you'll miss things. But websites don't have that luxury generally. Maybe larger ones do, but the medium-sized ones that I've written for...you'll be lucky to find someone who'll take five minutes to read your article, let alone edit it.
Anyways, getting my hands on a few more things to write, looking for interesting and thought provoking jobs, and some fun. Not enough fun these days.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Something New
Here's something new: this is a little something I wrote up, probably over a year ago, that I re-read and think sounds just like The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Whether it blatantly rips off that style of writing or is actually decent remains unknown to me.
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A team of dolphins had been competing one day. Dolphins, as most may not know, are quite competitive. Only moreso are they arrogant, thus defining the need to show off their talents.
Dolphins learned long ago that showing off simply to their own species was not enough. They tried to do it with smaller fish, but those fish tended to become dinner later on, so it wasn’t a very successful ploy.
Of course, some of the fish knew that they may be eaten, and thus ran away while supposedly watching the dolphins. Now, any dolphin performing a feat and suddenly finding no audience, especially one that may have served as an exquisite meal, would not be too pleased.
Thus dolphins decided that if such a fish were asked to watch them do something, there was the ulterior motive of escape. So the fish would be taken along for the ride in their bellies. This, of course, brought about stomach aches, which dolphins don’t generally get, except in this case.
However, it was on this particularly partly-cloudy day that some dolphins had been competing with each other to see who could jump the highest. This was generally their only competition. Herding fish tended to end with no one caring who won because when a dolphin is hungry, a dolphin is hungry. The same principles apply to every other action they perform.
To further explain exactly how important competition is to a dolphin, consider this: dolphins egos are the largest in the universe. Not the ocean, not the world, but the entire universe. How could any species make everything they do, every action, every detail of their lives, competitive, without having those with large egos?
It is impossible, to say the least. And since they’ve already tried competing with all the fish in the sea and easily won, as well as all of the mammals in the sea, they believe they are the best. Not that they wouldn’t have otherwise, but having actually won against them helped.
Though several species of whale have actually given dolphins some strife. Every whale that leaps from the water is not actually doing so for air, as human scientists believe, but to remind dolphins that they aren’t alone. Just because their bodies are nimble and quick, that by no means signifies supremacy in water.
Still, whenever a dolphin points out that it is better than all of those species, one cannot argue. Only the Killer Whale has ever done so with any success, largely in part of Shamu, the Sea World Killer Whale. Though dolphins claim they are able to do better than Shamu, the Killer Whales state that at least they have a billboard model of their species. Dolphins simply haven’t been able to do it, at least not yet.
A challenge came to one dolphin, who will remain anonymous because the family does not permit us to use his name. This dolphin was challenged by another in an infamous jumping contest. The witnesses were several other dolphins in the area as well as a boat full of tourists returning from a snorkeling trip.
Dolphins’ fascination with humans is the human need to store their memories in a place other than their minds. Though the dolphins could never understand it, having a witness who could not only account for the victory and attest to it, but play it back through either pictures or video was absolutely amazing. Not only that, but that dolphin who was recorded would now gain the attention of more than just those around them, but countless others as well.
On this tourist boat, only one person had a camera. This man, whom everyone else on the boat knew as the old guy wearing short-shorts, constantly taking pictures, and applying both sunscreen and bug repellent in other people’s personal space, had just purchased a brand new camera. Though the dolphins would not be expected to know such, the fact that they’d never seen it before, that it was very shiny, and that he was fumbling around with it were clear indications that it was new.
The challengee was doing his best, but the challenger was simply better. Not to be stood up, the chalengee swam to the right of the boat. He was preparing to do a double flip triple lutz in the air, then land on his tail on purpose. This would allow him, if done correctly, to spin around quickly and jump back into the air tail first.
When the competition turned into spins and flips, we do not know. However, after re-checking the calculated trajectory necessary to make the jump, the dolphin turned left sharply and went under the boat. A moment later the motor pushing the boat made a horrific sound, one that simply cannot be described in words for it is one of those things that must be heard.
The sight was easy enough to understand though. At that moment of unequivocal sound, both the humans on the boat and the dolphins watching in unison went “oooh.” Blood filled the water and pieces of dolphin flesh started sinking to the bottom while others floated to the top. It was not a pleasant sight.
What the dolphin with misgivings towards rapidly moving fans did not add to his calculations was that when moving forward, he was going at the same speed as the boat, but when he shifted direction to go under it, the boat did not suddenly stop with him. A tragic mistake indeed.
The dolphins in the group, somewhat petrified, decided it was time to leave as nothing could be done. The tourists on the boat, save for the one man taking pictures, were disgusted. Thankfully for them, the driver of the boat decided it was time to go, even though he had not beared witness to the incident.
Unbeknowest to both parties, as well as the dolphin who would soon have his remains eaten by some sort of predator, a special tracking device was placed in him as well as his pod of dolphins. This tracking device was sending a signal to multiple buoyees, which went to a submarine off the coast of
The moment the dolphin was cut up for the sharks who would later feast on it, a beacon went off signaling this submarine. Inside the submarine, a wall lit up showing all of the homing beacons inside all of the dolphins. They were all congregated together, none of them moving, with the one blinking, thus signifying its destruction.
Captain James Krik, with no relation to anyone who helped with the making of or any part of the original Star Trek series, stood up from his seat and looked upon that board.
“My G-d,” he said, “they found our dolphins. Order the missles to prepare for launch! Red alert!” The crew of the submarine flew into action, delving into their roles as military officers instead of the generally laid back environment they’d been living in for the last three months. None of them questioned the captain’s orders.
“Target the missiles for area zero-zero-niner! Fire on my command!”
“Sir,” said one of the officers on deck, “to fire those missiles you’ll need the commander and yourself to insert your command keys into the console!”
“Then get his mangy rear up here!” A few moments later the commander was on the deck, wondering what was going on. “Sir, why are we firing the missiles?!”
“Our team of dolphins has been discovered by the Costa Rican guard, and they’re being slaughtered as we speak. If they find out who sent those dolphins here, it’s our asses on the line!” He yelled all this while pointing to the board.
“But sir—”
“Shut off the board.” What the captain didn’t know was that the moment the board was shut off was also the exact moment when the dolphins decided to leave the area. So if the board had remained on, then it would have shown that the captains thoughts were not actually the case.
“Sir, I won’t agree to fire unless we have more proof.” The captain, as can be discerned from his speech, was not very happy at all. In light of this disagreement, the captain simply took the key from the commander, as well has his own, inserted them into their appropriate slots and turned, causing the chain reaction of the missiles firing.
One cannot blame Captain James Krik though, because it had been an incredibly difficult last few days. On his face, acne developed that was unlike anything he’d seen in the last thirty years. Suffice to say, when the captain of any ship looks foolish whenever he addresses his crew, things do not go well on the vessel.
The nurse on board said it was zits, then the doctor, then the second doctor. The captain then told the doctors that it was not just zits, but they disagreed. He was persistent and threatened them, with which they simply shrugged and left the room.
This, of course, would drive anyone mad, especially at the age of 53. As well as the acne, a bad case of gingivitis, foot fungus, back problems and rashes made Krik a very angry man. Not only that, but the prolonged stay in the warm Costa Rican waters had added quite a few pounds to Krik’s physique, and he was no longer able to fit into his pants, all the same size.
Naval command had said it would take two weeks to ship new pants to him, so until then he was forced to wear training pants with elastic straps on them. The added dimensions of pain only led Krik to his cracking point, no pun intended. That point, as it were, was the death of a dolphin.
People, of course, were on the receiving end of those missiles, and this is their story.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
E3 Planning=FunFun Times
So guess what. E3 starts tomorrow, unless you're some certain media corporations (cough cough Spike TV and Gametrailers.com, cough cough). In which case it starts today. But I digress.
E3 last year was a blast, and I intend to have as much fun and journalistic professionalism as I did last year, if not more. Last year was a smörgåsbord of running between hotels, seeing whatever we could without appointment, invitation or class. And it was fun. Fun being the most crucial part of this job, which can become old like any other.
What's different about this year is that I'm a somewhat more respectable journalist this time. Naturally, I thought about ruining that by filming the entire event as a comedy, making fake interviews and pulling ridiculous stunts for the sake of good footage. Then again, that is also a ton of work, and chances are I'd be too lazy and busy to do it anyways.
So what's on my agenda? Quite a bit. I've got 12 appointments lined up with some of the bigger game developers and publishers, two press conferences (and possibly more, if I feel that the convention center isn't big enough and time becomes a non-issue), a dinner party (with real quisine...like, I got emailed their menu!) and a rock concert. It's uncanny and very different from last year in terms of what's happening, but it's also happening at the convention center.
Last year, we lost lots of time going from place to place, getting lost and waiting around because of the complete lack of appointments. This year that shouldn't happen, or at least not in the same amount as before. In any case, the planning is mostly done and I'm just waiting to hear back about an interview with Ensemble, which is already very late to hear back from. Otherwise, it's just getting my gear prep'd, finish my last second planning and get the last 3 articles I need to have done complete by the night's end.
Like I said, FunFun times.
E3 last year was a blast, and I intend to have as much fun and journalistic professionalism as I did last year, if not more. Last year was a smörgåsbord of running between hotels, seeing whatever we could without appointment, invitation or class. And it was fun. Fun being the most crucial part of this job, which can become old like any other.
What's different about this year is that I'm a somewhat more respectable journalist this time. Naturally, I thought about ruining that by filming the entire event as a comedy, making fake interviews and pulling ridiculous stunts for the sake of good footage. Then again, that is also a ton of work, and chances are I'd be too lazy and busy to do it anyways.
So what's on my agenda? Quite a bit. I've got 12 appointments lined up with some of the bigger game developers and publishers, two press conferences (and possibly more, if I feel that the convention center isn't big enough and time becomes a non-issue), a dinner party (with real quisine...like, I got emailed their menu!) and a rock concert. It's uncanny and very different from last year in terms of what's happening, but it's also happening at the convention center.
Last year, we lost lots of time going from place to place, getting lost and waiting around because of the complete lack of appointments. This year that shouldn't happen, or at least not in the same amount as before. In any case, the planning is mostly done and I'm just waiting to hear back about an interview with Ensemble, which is already very late to hear back from. Otherwise, it's just getting my gear prep'd, finish my last second planning and get the last 3 articles I need to have done complete by the night's end.
Like I said, FunFun times.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Monthly update: E3, Keepin' Busy and Summer Fun
Howdy all, been exactly one month. Seems like it's been longer, but I don't hear any complaints. Here's the latest:
Since I've had more free time after leaving work, I've been piling up the school work and writing gig. Of course, that means taking more than I should, and struggling to make it all happen without driving myself insane. It's been a fun, fun ride.
Just been super tired lately...was probably the heat. Had a huge heatwave for about 2 weeks, which never happens. It's finally cooled down some, but it's not fun when there's no air and you've got no windows in your building. Long story, don't bother.
E3 is coming along...not nicely. More like that rude roommate who keeps reminding you of that chore you're supposed to do, but only because he said so. I want to go to E3, and I want to check out all the booths, meet developers and have plenty to write about, but I've got so much other stuff to do that I haven't had nearly enough time to set appointments for anything.
As far as I know, I've got a few big things going down. Behind the scenes with Sega, video interview with Ensemble, and I'm working on getting some time with Valve for Left4Dead. Others include the Rock Band Party, Bethesda, and a few others. I wish I had more time to devote, but it's been hard with school and keeping up my workload.
Then again, this morning I had 8 articles I needed to get done. Considering I've completed two already and plan on finishing a third tonight, I'm pretty happy with my progress in that respect.
Also started doing freelance work for Total PC Gaming magazine. The UK mag just started, and oddly enough they're now looking for a staff writer...just a few short weeks after looking for me. Doubt I'll get it, mainly because of distance, I don't really have time for such a big role regardless. I'm applying for a few positions that are a bit more local, but so far haven't heard any word.
E3 will be great for me. I'm going mainly under GWN, but I've also got assignments under at least 3 other websites right now. That number may grow, depending on whether more people are looking for coverage on specific games. That's an aspect of freelance journalism that is both appealing...and a hell of a lot of work. But it pays better than standard articles, so why the hell not.
Once E3's over, things will settle down for a bit. Right now, I've got those 6 articles (and a few more in the works), finishing up school and E3 planning. I finish my class next Tuesday, but I'll literally be planning for E3 the second I get home that day. So =\
This week was not as difficult as I'd imagined. The week of both my parent's birthdays, and I got off lucky because I've been so busy. Bought my Dad a new digital camera, and a good one too. Did forget to check what flash card it uses, and found out after it came in that I didn't have the right one. Oops. He can take 3 pictures and 6 seconds of video with it. Peachy.
My Mom's birthday was the next day, and we planned on getting her a ton of flowers. She asked for it, so it was much easier...though all I did was say what to get over the phone. My brother went to get them, exceptionally last minute. The only reason we even had a camera to give was because I wanted to get one for myself, knowing that lugging the D40x around isn't very fun for quick pictures, and remembered that our compact digital camera, other than being utter crap, doesn't even have a charger. So yeah, it worked out very nicely.
Played through Ninja Gaiden 2 only to be disappointed...it was like playing Halo 3's campaign. Basically the same as the original. The game itself was fine, but it wasn't new. It wasn't fresh. Considering the problems Tecmo has had with the whole Team Ninja staff, it looks like they're through.
Metal Gear Solid 4, on the other hand, has so far been a masterpiece. I've been enjoying it thoroughly, and recently bought the Metal Gear Solid: The Essential Collection. Actually went to 3 stores to find it, and none of them had it in stock. Finally bought it online. Extended shipping, since I wanted it cheap and know I won't be playing it...I've still got to finish MGS4, then work out SupCom on the 360. And of course get those other 6 articles going, the ones that aren't part of the 6 and finish up my finals too.
Then, after E3, I get a nice fair break for a little while...don't know exactly how long that'll be, but however long it is had better be enough. Might head down to San Diego for Comic Con, but I don't even know if I can, considering it's at the end of the month and I haven't registered.
In any case, i'm already tired and it's only 7. Maybe next month's update will come sooner, with a more pleasant, humorous sounding note.
Since I've had more free time after leaving work, I've been piling up the school work and writing gig. Of course, that means taking more than I should, and struggling to make it all happen without driving myself insane. It's been a fun, fun ride.
Just been super tired lately...was probably the heat. Had a huge heatwave for about 2 weeks, which never happens. It's finally cooled down some, but it's not fun when there's no air and you've got no windows in your building. Long story, don't bother.
E3 is coming along...not nicely. More like that rude roommate who keeps reminding you of that chore you're supposed to do, but only because he said so. I want to go to E3, and I want to check out all the booths, meet developers and have plenty to write about, but I've got so much other stuff to do that I haven't had nearly enough time to set appointments for anything.
As far as I know, I've got a few big things going down. Behind the scenes with Sega, video interview with Ensemble, and I'm working on getting some time with Valve for Left4Dead. Others include the Rock Band Party, Bethesda, and a few others. I wish I had more time to devote, but it's been hard with school and keeping up my workload.
Then again, this morning I had 8 articles I needed to get done. Considering I've completed two already and plan on finishing a third tonight, I'm pretty happy with my progress in that respect.
Also started doing freelance work for Total PC Gaming magazine. The UK mag just started, and oddly enough they're now looking for a staff writer...just a few short weeks after looking for me. Doubt I'll get it, mainly because of distance, I don't really have time for such a big role regardless. I'm applying for a few positions that are a bit more local, but so far haven't heard any word.
E3 will be great for me. I'm going mainly under GWN, but I've also got assignments under at least 3 other websites right now. That number may grow, depending on whether more people are looking for coverage on specific games. That's an aspect of freelance journalism that is both appealing...and a hell of a lot of work. But it pays better than standard articles, so why the hell not.
Once E3's over, things will settle down for a bit. Right now, I've got those 6 articles (and a few more in the works), finishing up school and E3 planning. I finish my class next Tuesday, but I'll literally be planning for E3 the second I get home that day. So =\
This week was not as difficult as I'd imagined. The week of both my parent's birthdays, and I got off lucky because I've been so busy. Bought my Dad a new digital camera, and a good one too. Did forget to check what flash card it uses, and found out after it came in that I didn't have the right one. Oops. He can take 3 pictures and 6 seconds of video with it. Peachy.
My Mom's birthday was the next day, and we planned on getting her a ton of flowers. She asked for it, so it was much easier...though all I did was say what to get over the phone. My brother went to get them, exceptionally last minute. The only reason we even had a camera to give was because I wanted to get one for myself, knowing that lugging the D40x around isn't very fun for quick pictures, and remembered that our compact digital camera, other than being utter crap, doesn't even have a charger. So yeah, it worked out very nicely.
Played through Ninja Gaiden 2 only to be disappointed...it was like playing Halo 3's campaign. Basically the same as the original. The game itself was fine, but it wasn't new. It wasn't fresh. Considering the problems Tecmo has had with the whole Team Ninja staff, it looks like they're through.
Metal Gear Solid 4, on the other hand, has so far been a masterpiece. I've been enjoying it thoroughly, and recently bought the Metal Gear Solid: The Essential Collection. Actually went to 3 stores to find it, and none of them had it in stock. Finally bought it online. Extended shipping, since I wanted it cheap and know I won't be playing it...I've still got to finish MGS4, then work out SupCom on the 360. And of course get those other 6 articles going, the ones that aren't part of the 6 and finish up my finals too.
Then, after E3, I get a nice fair break for a little while...don't know exactly how long that'll be, but however long it is had better be enough. Might head down to San Diego for Comic Con, but I don't even know if I can, considering it's at the end of the month and I haven't registered.
In any case, i'm already tired and it's only 7. Maybe next month's update will come sooner, with a more pleasant, humorous sounding note.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Quitting
I just quit my day job. Most everyone reading this knows I work, or formerly worked, at a small local software company doing technical support. You probably don't know what that company is because I didn't want to get too many crank calls (do they still call it that? gosh I feel old now), as it has happened in the past.
It's sad to go, but it's the best for me. Oddly enough, I hear the company is closing down...I heard it roughly 20 minutes after I sent in my resignation, citing school and life, thus my being too busy, to continue working there. The timing couldn't possibly make me look like any more of a douchebag, but the few people there who I spoke to frequently know that this isn't true (or maybe that it's all too true).
This was supposed to be my last week, but the news that things were rapidly changing and that people were "leaving" left and right made me question whether last Thursday was really my last day. No wonder I had a feeling I should do that movie-esque look around the office before finally leaving. Then again, I did say "I'll be back."
Once I fully recover from this complete change to my lifestyle (eating at completely odd times, saving personal work for work, gaming and trying out hardware in the middle of the night or the middle of the day), things should come together nicely. Hell, today I forgot to get lunch because I was still on that weird schedule, but I'll get something small so I don't fall over before dinner comes around.
So many things to do...well, at least I'll have more time to do it. Less driving from place to place, less being stuck in front of a computer for hours at a time with non way to escape, and the works. If only willpower weren't so necessary for the freelance work I do...
I'll leave it at that for now, so I can get to doing stuff. More updates should come more frequently, or so I hope.
It's sad to go, but it's the best for me. Oddly enough, I hear the company is closing down...I heard it roughly 20 minutes after I sent in my resignation, citing school and life, thus my being too busy, to continue working there. The timing couldn't possibly make me look like any more of a douchebag, but the few people there who I spoke to frequently know that this isn't true (or maybe that it's all too true).
This was supposed to be my last week, but the news that things were rapidly changing and that people were "leaving" left and right made me question whether last Thursday was really my last day. No wonder I had a feeling I should do that movie-esque look around the office before finally leaving. Then again, I did say "I'll be back."
Once I fully recover from this complete change to my lifestyle (eating at completely odd times, saving personal work for work, gaming and trying out hardware in the middle of the night or the middle of the day), things should come together nicely. Hell, today I forgot to get lunch because I was still on that weird schedule, but I'll get something small so I don't fall over before dinner comes around.
So many things to do...well, at least I'll have more time to do it. Less driving from place to place, less being stuck in front of a computer for hours at a time with non way to escape, and the works. If only willpower weren't so necessary for the freelance work I do...
I'll leave it at that for now, so I can get to doing stuff. More updates should come more frequently, or so I hope.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Beetle vs. Snail
There's a few things worth mentioning as of late, most of which remind me of my humanity a little more than necessary.
I recently received the Logitech Driving Force GT racing wheel, made specifically for Gran Turismo 5 (and prologue), and have been testing it out. I even got a friend of mine who's an amateur drift racer to test it out and give his impressions. So last weekend, my older brother was around and wanted to play, but complained that the wheel wasn't functioning. Being mother's day, and that I had two finals and three articles to deal with, as well as pleasing the family, I told him to figure it out. It really couldn't be that hard. That was the last I heard from that.
Then last night, I started up the PS3 to play some more Gran Turismo 5 Prologue, which I recently reviewed and felt compelled, for whatever reason, to make sure what I said in the review was justified. Perhaps after BSing my way through my schoolwork, I felt that some of that may have been inadvertently used in my review, but whatever. I also had a heavy desire to race some more and get some better cars. So I start the PS3 and don't notice that the wheel doesn't turn 450 degrees clockwise, then 900 counterclockwise, and back to starting position. I navigate the menus using the buttons on the wheel and start up a race. It's about 11:30 and my brain is mush, and I'm powering off the start of the race in a horrible little cappucino. And I hit a wall.
I turned the wheel, but the wall refused to move out of my way. To give a good idea of the setting, I found an old TV stand to hook the wheel to, and I'm sitting on a couch in utter darkness save for the TV about 8 feet away from me. The ground is littered with cables, as usual, but it's gotten to the point where it is impossible to trip me with one anyways. So I get up and try to figure out why the wheel isn't working, yet the buttons and pedals are. No success. I get back to my computer and start typing an email to Logitech about it, then remember that it's USB connected and works on both the PC and PS3, so I plug it in. XP reads it and installs it, but the wheel itself isn't responding. I continue writing up the email, and decide to take one more look at the GT to make sure I don't send an email proving how stupid I am for missing something oh so simple like I've done in the past.
Lo and behold, the power cable wasn't plugged in. Which, of course, didn't occur to me because what USB devices need power cables these days? And because I unplugged it earlier in the week to make room for my ethernet hub, which of course didn't work anyways. Suffice to say, once it was working I was quite the happy camper from 1230 to 230.
Another interesting detail of life was that while on my way outside, I noticed a beetle eating a snail. Yes, eating. The snail wasn't alive (I believe, I didn't exactly have an open dialog with it..."excuse me Mr. snail, or Ms. since I have no idea how to tell what sex you are...are you alive?") and the beetle was eating it maddeningly, jumping into it and such, going right into the shell and just eating like...well, an animal. I didn't take the opportunity lightly, and immediately ran to grab my camera that wasn't a phone or another piece of crap. In command of a DSLR with a mediocre lens, I took some 30 odd pictures before it finished feasting and left the remains on my doorstep.
Upon inspection, it seems quite clear why the beetle might have been eating so hastily. During what I can only dream to be an awe-inspiring battle between the beetle and mighty snail, the beetle received a gash in its back. The shell is cracked, as you can see in the pictures, and it is not pretty. Not in the slightest. Then again, as I'm told by my mother, who was intrigued and disgusted by the pictures (hey, she asked to see them), that at least the beetle got a good meal before it probably gets killed by something else.
I recently received the Logitech Driving Force GT racing wheel, made specifically for Gran Turismo 5 (and prologue), and have been testing it out. I even got a friend of mine who's an amateur drift racer to test it out and give his impressions. So last weekend, my older brother was around and wanted to play, but complained that the wheel wasn't functioning. Being mother's day, and that I had two finals and three articles to deal with, as well as pleasing the family, I told him to figure it out. It really couldn't be that hard. That was the last I heard from that.
Then last night, I started up the PS3 to play some more Gran Turismo 5 Prologue, which I recently reviewed and felt compelled, for whatever reason, to make sure what I said in the review was justified. Perhaps after BSing my way through my schoolwork, I felt that some of that may have been inadvertently used in my review, but whatever. I also had a heavy desire to race some more and get some better cars. So I start the PS3 and don't notice that the wheel doesn't turn 450 degrees clockwise, then 900 counterclockwise, and back to starting position. I navigate the menus using the buttons on the wheel and start up a race. It's about 11:30 and my brain is mush, and I'm powering off the start of the race in a horrible little cappucino. And I hit a wall.
I turned the wheel, but the wall refused to move out of my way. To give a good idea of the setting, I found an old TV stand to hook the wheel to, and I'm sitting on a couch in utter darkness save for the TV about 8 feet away from me. The ground is littered with cables, as usual, but it's gotten to the point where it is impossible to trip me with one anyways. So I get up and try to figure out why the wheel isn't working, yet the buttons and pedals are. No success. I get back to my computer and start typing an email to Logitech about it, then remember that it's USB connected and works on both the PC and PS3, so I plug it in. XP reads it and installs it, but the wheel itself isn't responding. I continue writing up the email, and decide to take one more look at the GT to make sure I don't send an email proving how stupid I am for missing something oh so simple like I've done in the past.
Lo and behold, the power cable wasn't plugged in. Which, of course, didn't occur to me because what USB devices need power cables these days? And because I unplugged it earlier in the week to make room for my ethernet hub, which of course didn't work anyways. Suffice to say, once it was working I was quite the happy camper from 1230 to 230.
Another interesting detail of life was that while on my way outside, I noticed a beetle eating a snail. Yes, eating. The snail wasn't alive (I believe, I didn't exactly have an open dialog with it..."excuse me Mr. snail, or Ms. since I have no idea how to tell what sex you are...are you alive?") and the beetle was eating it maddeningly, jumping into it and such, going right into the shell and just eating like...well, an animal. I didn't take the opportunity lightly, and immediately ran to grab my camera that wasn't a phone or another piece of crap. In command of a DSLR with a mediocre lens, I took some 30 odd pictures before it finished feasting and left the remains on my doorstep.
Upon inspection, it seems quite clear why the beetle might have been eating so hastily. During what I can only dream to be an awe-inspiring battle between the beetle and mighty snail, the beetle received a gash in its back. The shell is cracked, as you can see in the pictures, and it is not pretty. Not in the slightest. Then again, as I'm told by my mother, who was intrigued and disgusted by the pictures (hey, she asked to see them), that at least the beetle got a good meal before it probably gets killed by something else.
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