I’ve been pretty lacking this past week in terms of game reviews, but I’ve had a good reason. I put down the controller (temporarily) and replaced it with my very first digital SLR camera. I’ve always loved taking pictures, even as a kid. Well, it was finally time to splurge and bring one of the hobbies I’ve been neglecting all these years to the front burner. When I first opened the package and began playing with its features, I admit that I was overwhelmed. In fact, you can read about all of that in my first impressions article (click on the hyperlink to the left).
Personal
So…the saga begins. Like almost everything else I do, I’ve decided to jump head first into photography, having no prior experience beyond the point-and-shoot cameras I’ve owned over the years. I’ve always wanted to take my board game reviews to the next level by taking nicer pictures, but I’ve also been dabbling with the idea of doing portraits & landscapes. Who would have thought that all-knowing logical me would have an artsy side?
J.J. Abrams is keeping a tight lid on the identity of the villain in the upcoming “Star Trek” movie, which is due to be released on May 17th, 2013. A couple of trailers have surfaced over these past few months giving us some clues, but the overall plot remains a mystery. I should probably say right off the bat that the below may border spoiler territory, so continue at your own risk.
I’ve seen a lot of talk about violent video games in the media lately and usually I’m able to ignore it, but there are some comments that eventually send me off the deep end because of the ignorance and stupidity involved. For example, Ralph Nader recently called video games, “electronic child molesters.” This is obviously an exaggerated view-point hyped up for the benefit of the media, but it begs the question: “Is there really any truth to the idea that violent video games can cause an individual to exhibit violent behavior?”
I haven’t written anything personal in a while, but I came across something that I believes warrants a look. An individual on Facebook, who shall remain nameless, had this to say:
Hey folks, I just wanted to take a moment to wish you all a Merry Christmas. Please be safe this holiday season, and if you must drink, do so responsibly. For the record, that includes hitting the donate button on the right side of the page and dipping into your life savings…just kidding!
May your games be joyous and your cookies extra chocolatey! Most importantly, remember to take a moment to look around enjoy the company of those who may have made a difference in your life. I’m not sure where I’d be today without those who have entered mine.
And for the record, I had help with the below picture…
There’s a lot I know about Star Trek, but this particular tidbit took me by surprise. First, it’s important to know that Alexander Courage created the original theme song to Star Trek. Unknownst to Courage, Gene Roddenberry wrote lyrics to the original theme with the sole purpose of receiving royalties from the profits of that theme song. The theme was obviously never released that way (as was intended), and after listening to the theme with the lyrics included, I’m glad it didn’t.
The turnout was good this year…even if the weather didn’t exactly agree with us. It was cloudy, cold, and drizzling when we arrived on the scene, bright and early at 8:30 AM. We signed up for the Memory Walk, donned our bracelets, and met up with my brother David, his girlfriend Jen, our mom, and Karl. I was afraid it would be too rainy and cold to enjoy ourselves, but surprisingly the weather gave us a break and began to get nicer as the morning progressed.
Sunday, September 30th, 2012…the Pirate game was going on, the Great Race had just ended, and part of Route 28 was closed due to construction. All in all, this was THE best day to go out and do something. All that was missing from our journey was a sticker on the side of my car that read, “S. S. Minnow.” (Watch your Gilligan’s Island, kids)
I have a bone to pick with a recent sensation that’s been spreading across the globe. In fact, I have a lot of bones to pick. I have a bone to pick with the show. I have a bone to pick with the parents. I have a bone to pick with CYS. And…I have a bone to pick with the general population for watching this sorry excuse for a train wreck.
Facebook is pretty damn popular. Hundreds upon thousands upon millions of people use it everyday. Of course, this opens the door for all sorts of annoying individuals who feel the need to ruin someone else’s day. You know who I’m talking about.
It is with a heavy heart that I must say goodbye to a man who was my grandfather. Victor Cristofanelli passed away Saturday, July 28th 2012, roughly twelve hours after I had left his bedside earlier that day. It is hard to believe that just a short time ago, I was holding his hand and watching him sleep…and now he’s gone.
We’re back from the Final Frontier to take a gander at season two of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Like the previous article, I’d like to briefly touch on the episodes I liked the most, and why.
I need to take a step away from board games for a minute to get some things off of my chest. There comes a point in a person’s life where they’ve put up with inconsiderate jerks long enough. It is very possible that I am being too overly critical of other people, and it is also very possible that I just expect too much from the general public.
Weather permitting, today has always been a staple day to go outside and grill burgers and hotdogs for the family. Some families go as far as to travel to their local park to spend the day feasting and relaxing with their loved ones. There are those that get away for the weekend and go camping while others might go fishing. Some observe a National Moment of Remembrance while some visit memorials and cemeteries to honor the fallen.
I’ve often maintained that you haven’t lived life to its fullest until you’ve become a parent. Today happens to be the day that we recognize the female of the human species responsible for bringing new life into this world. While not all mothers deserve this honor, there is one in particular that I wanted to recognize for her contributions in my life.