I'd Name Mine Styx

Ah memories. I was thinking about Pokemon the other day. I thought about all the hard work and long hours I had put into it. On my Red & Gold games I had complete pokedex's. A good amount of level 100s always ready for a battle with Evan or Mike. Could never really say who was the best overall, we all had our strengths and weaknesses. Those were the days.

Then after I have joined the AF and stopped playing, I pretty much forgot about the fun I used to have. There actually came a point where I had planned on picking them back up (after transferring all my Pokemon to Stadium 2, so I wouldn't lose all the hard work). I was deployed and seriously missing the old days, and decided that when I returned I would start playing again. When I got back to Jersey, I discovered an extremely shitty event had occured. I had asked a buddy of mine to check my mail and drop it in my room (so my box wouldn't overflow, which would've gotten me in trouble. I know.....extremely gay), and naturally lent him a key so he could put the mail on my coffee table. Biggest mistake ever. While I was gone, he decided that he was gonna "hang out" in my room, which eventually became "live in" my room. Which led to a few problems.

1. He got deployed, mailbox filled, got in trouble.
2. Left my room a horrible mess, got in trouble.

While I could deal with 1 (hey, it happens in this job), I was extremely pissed about 2. Until I discovered 3.

3. Had played almost all my video games, and "DELETED" most of my save files.

Not just shit off my memory card, but my two prized Pokemon games. And what really steamed me was that he had only played each for about 20 minutes a piece and SAVED!!!! All those Pokemon from Blue and Silver, gone. My prized Charizard, gone. My box full of Mews (yeah, I still had them), gone.

So I had all but given up on the series. I bought Ruby, beat it, wasn't really impressed. Just when I had thought I'd never play them again, fate played it's hand. I had some extra credit at GameStop and was trading in Big Brain Academy (don't waste your money) and couldn't find anything that I wanted. So I browsed through the used games, still nothing. Then I saw it.


Pokemon FireRed. I figured, fuck it might as well. Now it's like a resurgence of my love for the games. I can't stop playing it. I want to go back and play the others again. Track down some GameSharks and get my 100% dex again. I never thought I'd say it again. But I'm a PokeManiac.


It's great to be back.


PS- Pokemon Diamond & Pearl for the Nintendo DS are set to release sometime this year, hopefully.

Descendents

Lately, I've been listening to alot of Descendents. While they may not be for everyone, their two latest releases 'Merican - EP and Cool To Be You really hit me. While the EP is the typical preview of the LP, there's 3 songs on the EP that don't appear on the album so they're both worth checking out. Alot of their older stuff rocks as well. Good ones to check out as well; Milo Goes To College, I Don't Want To Grow Up, Everything Sucks, and Enjoy!. Some of the other releases are just compilations of older stuff so no need to hunt them down. Anyway, that was all I could think of to post. So, if you're looking for something new, check'em out.

Birthdays

July is coming up and I know that Mike's birthday is sometime that month. Then I further realized that I couldn't remember Evan, Mike, or Kris's birthday. I'm not cure if you guys ever told me, but if we're gonna have some killer b-day parties (you know clown, pony, hats, strippers, etc.) I need these dates. So if you guys could email me, message me over myspace, or reply to this I'd appreciate it. Peace

Patriot Guard Riders, True Americans

Now, i've never been extremely religious or political in my life. But when I heard about Westboro Baptist Church (aka www.godhatesfags.com) protesting the funerals of solider killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, I was disgusted. I have never been more angry in all my life. All I wanted to do was find that fucker Fred J. Phelps (the "leader" of the church), and beat him within an inch of his life. I didn't care about jail, or if I would even make an impact on his or his follower's beliefs, I just wanted to hurt him, badly. I don't give a flying fuck about whether you agree with the war or not, it's your freedom as an American. But don't you dare tarnish the names of those brave men and women serving their country and putting their lives on the line everyday. Those are my brothers in arms and I will fight to the death to defend their honor. So to any reading this if you think it's you're "right" under the 1st Amendment to disrespect these brave souls, go fuck yourself. And find a new fucking country, I don't want you here.

Sorry everyone, discussing this always gets me heated. Now when I was so angry I almost couldn't breath, I came across another article. One that not only caused my anger to subside, it also brought tears full of joy and pride flowing down my cheek. This group of Veterans, Retirees, and Bikers had formed an organization called the Patriot Guard Riders. Their mission, to shield the families of the fallen soliders from the hateful chants of "Thank God For Dead Soliders" and "Thank God For 9/11". This group of men and women truly show what it means to be an American. When you can see members of the PAGANs and Hell's Angels unite for a greater good, it just makes it hard not to get goosebumps. Still, one year after learning of this I still get chills seeing those riders standing there, flags waving proudly, silently staring down these vile creatures (I refuse to call anyone of the WBC human), and best of all, as invited guests of the funeral.

Now why do I bring this up? Well I for one and joining when I am out of the military (and won't get in trouble for participating in a public demonstration), and I would love for my best friends to be there with me. I understand if you don't feel the same way I do about it. I just feel like I owe to all those guys that I helped put in harm's way. Membership is free, and no you don't have to travel to every single funeral. You can go to the ones that are local and easier for your to fit in your schedule and such. I'm sorry if I seem whacked out about this, but I felt that I needed to get it out before I exploded.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled wackiness. Peace.

Weird Al on Seinfeld?!!?

Someone posted on JumptheShark.com that Weird Al was a guest star on Seinfeld:

(Seinfeld jumped the shark...)
"When Weird Al Yankovic was on in like the 5th season as newman's partner or something like that. Weird Al is hilarious, but he didn't fit the show at all. Other than that, I loved the show, I wish it could have gone on for a 7th season."

This dood is incorrect, right? After all, he didn't get the number of seasons right either. If not, what the heck episode is he referring to? Todd, this is your chance to reclaim a "Master" title in a subject much more respectable than Roger Rabbit.

Also, in a related Weird Al note, he released his new parody of James Blunt's "You're Beautiful" called "You're Pitiful". It's one of the weakest parodies I've ever heard come from him. The original might actually be funnier. The mp3 is available free on his website so at least the price is right.

IGN Reviews

Over at the IGN blogs, Craig (the DS/GBA editor) is auditioning for amatuer game reviewers to review the "B" games that are coming out for the handhelds. So I decided to try out (so to speak). The requirement was that you write a reader review for a game you loved and a game you hated. So I picked my two and wrote what could be the two crappiest reviews ever, I still submitted them, and now I'll share them with you.

Love

Hate

Turtle Egg Mania!

A couple days ago we saw a snapping turtle lay eggs in our flower bed. It was kinda cool because it was a lot like a sea turtle does. It'd be cool to see the tiny babies, but I doubt we will. According to the internet they could hatch any time in August.

Wario Ware Inc., Mega Microgame$

Ok here's the deal, I am currently on a quest to find this game. I currently have all the other Wario Ware titles, but this one is rare as fuck. It's sold out just about everywhere I look and Amazon is asking way to much for a used copy ($29.99 if I remember correctly). Basically what I'm asking is that you guys keep an eye out for it. it's been out for a couple years so most likely it'll be cheap if you find it at Wal-mart or Meijer. Video game stores will possibly ask more than regular retail, but if you find it I will pay you back ASAP. I'm still gonna keep looking out here and if I'll find it I'll post and let you know. If I find it and one have bought it already but haven't alerted me, I'll still pay you for it.

PS - Yes Evan I know, I should just download the rom. But I'd also like from a collector stand point as well. Laaate.