August 26th, 2008 Tengaport
I wanted to pick up a new ‘travel game’ to take with me to Las Vegas, and since there isn’t anything new on the PSP to check out I decided to take a deeper look at it’s back catalog.
Gurumin was one title that kept popping up with reports that it offers a length, enjoyable and entertaining experience. Exactly what I’m looking for. I tend to stay away from RPGs, but an Action RPG I think I can handle. Sure the game looks extremely ‘kid friendly’ but if there is substance there, I’m willing to give it a shot.
Since I’m leaving soon, I opted not to order the game from Amazon, but instead search out a copy locally. I knew Best Buy would never have a 2007 title still in stock so I searched out GameStop for perhaps a used copy. After searching 4 separate GameStops I finally found a copy, and as per usual for me when buying a game from GameStop I was stuck with the dreaded ‘new’ display copy.
I simply cannot stand this practice, and had I not been so eager to get this game for my trip I would’ve walked out of the store without it. I have ABSOLUTELY no faith that this was in fact a new copy, and even if that was true - once they open the game and leave the box on display for all to fondle, it ceases to become new. While the disc looks clean the manual is most certainly not in a ‘pristine’ condition.
To top it all off, Jennifer at the register was not in the least but pleasant. While she didn’t force me to pre-order any titles, she couldn’t have been any most dis-interested in helping me. During our transaction I told her I did not need a bag. A request she completely ignored as she bagged my ‘new’ game and then tossed it at me. When I inquired how I could go about returning this ‘new’ game if I so desired, she smugly offered to ‘re-shrink-wrap’ it for me. So on top of having to purchase a ‘new’ game that is less than new condition, I also have to deal with attitude from a putz at the register - what an enjoyable shopping experience.
While I am not going to hold it against all GameStops, I certainly have no plans to revisit this particular store ever again. Here’s hoping Gurumin is worth the effort.
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August 21st, 2008 Tengaport
Ok, it’s decision time here at the zoo. I’ve pocketed enough extra cash to throw down for some new gear. Problem is, deciding what to actually pick up. Pictured up top are:
Tokina AT-X 124 AF PRO DX 12-24mm f/4
Canon EF-S 17-85MM f4-5.6 IS USM
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
Currently, I’m thinking about picking up the Tokina (love that wide range) and the 100mm (for macro shots). Still, I can’t help but think the 17-85mm might be an all-around good lens to have in the kit for those ’single lens’ days. it’s not the fastest lens in the bunch, but it does have IS.
The 24-70mm isn’t quite in the running due to it’s price, but oh how I do love it.
Oh too be rich…
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August 21st, 2008 Tengaport
From the category of “I don’t really need it” comes the latest edition of the PSP, the PSP 3000. Still only minor improvements over the previous model, but not a bad jump from my current launch system.
The biggies for me are:
Faster screen refresh
Better viewing in sunlight
Built in microphone
Those plus all the improvements they made with the PSP 2000 such as:
Lighter & thinner
Video out
Charge via USB
Additional RAM
Not quite a DS to DS Lite upgrade, but enough that I’m ready to pony up.
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August 18th, 2008 Tengaport
Mass Effect was truly tough to part with, but alas I’m not sure when I would ever get back to the game and the crew of the Normandy. This game was flat-out awesome in my opinion. I’m not a big RPG gamer, but there was plenty of action and story to keep me glued to Mass Effect for multiple playthroughs.
I don’t know why Bioshock got lauded as a game with ‘moral choices’ as deciding whether or not to harvest Little Sisters paled in comparison to the choices I had to make in Mass Effect. When I was confronted by two of the games leading females, and forced to choose between them - that was when I realized just how incredible this game was.
As a kid, two of my favorite things for playtime were pretending to captain my own space ship, and also drive my own space buggy. Mass Effect nailed both. I enjoyed strolling around the Normandy, feeling like mr. big shot since the ship was at my disposal - as well as cruising around the surface of a planet in the Mako.
Mass Effect may not have been perfect, but despite its flaws it is still ‘awesome’. Had I had the time I would undoubtedly go back for more - but alas, I bid adieu to Mass Effect for now and hope for an eventual sequel.
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August 4th, 2008 Tengaport
Picked up a Mini Munny this weekend and since I’m not at all artistic I figured perhaps a Patapon Munny would be the way to go (Hatapon to be more specific)
I downloaded a template to plan out my painting, which for a Patapon doesn’t get harder than painting a black & white circle. The trick will be creating the crown, but I figure a bottle cap and some other house hold items should do the trick.
Will post progress reports once there is progress to report. For more info about Munny check out http://www.kidrobot.com/munny
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August 2nd, 2008 Tengaport
For about an hour today I had the joy of flying a small plane from Long Beach Island back to Lincoln Park. It was a bit unnerving at first, and then it was extremely unnerving. Greg (on the left) read me the heading and I kept us on course and at a smooth 2,500 feet up.
It was a fun time, despite the fact that I got a little nauseous from shooting photos (the reason we were in the sky) from so high while the plane bounced around.
The whole trip took about 3 hours total, which sure beats the hell out of driving 
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