I used to love FPS games; but as I’ve gotten older, I’ve lost most of my taste for them. Probably because my reaction time is down and I’ve had less spare cash for PC upgrades to be able to run modern FPS games.

I’m also a bit cheap so I don’t tend to go for the latest console systems. Though I did end up buying a Wii last year and have been enjoying it greatly. Specially the Lego games (Lego Star Wars, Lego Indian Jones, etc..).

I’ve also played Rock Band/Guitar Hero at friends’ places and enjoyed those as well but haven’t picked up it yet (cheap + pricey controllers = delay in buying).

In response to Do You Game? by Shawn Powers.

Do any of my readers game? If so what do you like to play?

Do You Game? © Mark McKibben, Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 United States.

Sunday was a better day though. We drove out to Davenport to visit with a friend, as she invited us out for a bit of a BBQ³. The BBQ was very nice, though everybody else who’d talked to her about it cancelled on her (shame on them!). After we ate, we sat around chatting for a good, long while. Though he add to move away from her brick oven/grill as the wood was popping/crackling and spitting bits of hot ash out at us. Later we went out and caught a movie (Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End). It was a fun movie, but not good. Over the night, Michelle had multiple coughing fits and finally around 3 AM this morning I gave up trying to get any sleep. I dinked around for a while and then ended up mowing the lawn in the early hours of the morning. It wasn’t fun, but it needed to be done. On the bright side, I did make some progress on my super-secret decorating project (more on that when I finish it) this weekend, which is a very good thing.

¹ Some gardening books for her, some paints for my super-secret decorating project.
² At least it wasn’t hurting at the time.
³ And unlike other people issuing invitations to get together, she actually replied when we contacted her.

What a Weekend © Mark McKibben, Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 United States.

Inquire Within © Mark McKibben, Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 United States.

B: Primarily girls night at my house, few of S’s friends coming over, and most of them are…
B: hmm…
B: how to put this politely…
B: single, and for good reason?
Me: :D
B: oh, and btw, no, you can’t blog this or my ass is grass
B: And no, I shouldn’t have given you the idea

Muahahahaha!

IM’ing at Work © Mark McKibben, Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 United States.

Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Happy Christmas! © Mark McKibben, Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 United States.

I was up playing Wild Arms 3 till about 3 am as I just couldn’t sleep. Most likely due to an excessive amount of munching on holiday goodies while downing glass, after glass of soda¹. I found one monster to fight that took around an hour to defeat but it jumped my characters up 4–7 levels! *grin* Then when I eventually got to bed; I slept poorly. Our apartment is just too dry this time of year and our little humidifier stopped working. This causes me to keep waking up with sinus headaches and a terrible thrist. I got out of bed about 8:30 — 9 and went back to playing the video game a bit more. Shortly there after, Michelle got up and gave me my birthday present.

What’d she get me? A case of blue balls Bawls. Then after lazing around most of the day; we headed out to the local mall to meet some friends.

I’d foolishly asked a bunch of friends to join us in watching the Narina movie with a follow-up plan to eat dinner together. There was one point that I’d not factored in these plans. This year, my birthday fell on a Saturday. Just about the last Saturday before Christmas. Traffic was insane and people all around were grouchy, though we did run across some nice people that helped us get around the parking lot². We went over to the mall a little early and bought a new humidifer and then headed down to the theater. We got tickets, met up with our friends and went in to watch the The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

*whew* What a movie! While not perfect, it was probably as good as we could hope for from a Hollywood production.
High points:

• The actress playing Lucy was spot on. Most of the other actors cast in the movie were also quite good
• The backgrounds were gorgeous.
• The addition of the Nazi bombing run at the beginning of the movie really helped to give context to the time of the story.

Low points:

• The costuming on the witch. Her outfits were ugly and just didn’t work with the imagery I have in my head for the character. Though I do have to admit the black , soulless eyes did work for me.
• The witch was not nearly as afraid of Aslan as she should have been. In my memories of the book, the witch was terrified of Aslan but the movie seemed to put them on a more even footing.
• Maugrim’s voice. The actor doing the voice did a fine job, but being the only character without a british accent really stuck out and annoyed me.

Overall, I’d say it was worth seeing in the theater and it is something I’ll be adding to our DVD collection when it becomes available.

After the movie was over, we headed to the restaurant. Oh, I should mention we had called earlier in the day to try making reservations but were told they don’t do that for parties of less than 8. And that they would have plenty of room for the 6 of us. When we got there; we were told it would be a 2 hour wait. We decided to switch to the Oyama Sushi restaurant. They seated us within minutes of our arrival (even though they were already pretty packed). Then they plied us with drinks until our food was ready³. We had a jolly time chatting and drinking (non-alcholic, for the most part) but all good things do come to an end and eventually we all headed home. It was a very good day and while I ain’t dead yet; I am a bit tired so good night, sleep tight and don’t let the space bugs bite!

¹ a.k.a. pop to you heathens.
² A few people threw their cars into reverse to open up bigger areas for us to drive through and things of that nature.
³ It turns out this weekend contains not only my birthday and practically the last weekend before Christmas but it’s also graduation weekend for the University! No wonder everything was so packed today! This also explains why it took so long for our food to arrive.

Ain’t Dead Yet © Mark McKibben, Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 United States.

¹ Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban was such a wretched film that it nearly ruined the entire series for me.

HP:GoF © Mark McKibben, Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 United States.

Then about 10:00, 10:30 at night when I noticed a pounding sound. I was a bit puzzled because it sounded like somebody was at our door. I peeked out the window, but didn’t see any of our friends cars. So I headed up to the door and I could hear voices like the people were talking to one of the neighbors. I looked through the peephole, but couldn’t make out what was going on. Then they knocked again. I opened the door and found two cops on my doorstep.

They said one of the downstairs tenants had called in a complaint that we were making too much noise. They said they’d been told the noise sounded like somebody was stomping or bowling down the hallway. I told them I didn’t know what the noise was because we weren’t doing anything. I also mentioned that sound bounces around in the building quite a bit¹.

They replied they’d been out there knocking for a while and hadn’t heard anything, but when they get a compaint they are required to check it out.

¹ I recounted the story of the time when we thought the people above us were playing their music too loud, but it turned out the music was actually coming from one of the downstairs apartments.

Unflippin’ believeable! © Mark McKibben, Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 United States.

I thought about it for a minute, but I knew there’d be more chances for Pampered Chef parties and I doubted I’d have any better chance of getting to see Mr. Campbell in person. So after a quick shower¹, Bryon and I hopped into the car and drove into Iowa City. We got to the site about 40 minutes prior to the event began. We waited around and it turned out one of my co-workers was also there². Then about 10 minutes before Mr. Campbell was scheduled to begin speaking; they opened one set of the doors into the auditorium and let everybody in. And naturally, it wasn’t the door we’d had been waiting at. *sigh*

Eventually, everybody was inside and mostly seated but then the organizers explained how the signing procedure was supposed to work and said the new book was for sale at the back of the auditorium. So we ended up giving up our fairly good seats to go get in another line. It took a while to get through the line, but it was good that we both went to the line as Laura³ showed up looking for us. Apparently, she decided the party wasn’t her cup of tea. While we were waiting in line; she kindly thanked me for “being so god-damn tall”.

There was a considerable amount of waiting in line to get the book, but eventually we all got our copies and headed back to find new seats (the good seats we’d had were long gone). A bit after that Mr. Campbell started taking questions. It turns out he’s a very charismatic speaker. There were a number of questions about him working with Sam Raimi, but the only one that really stuck in my mind was:

Questioner: When working on Spiderman, did you hang out with Tobey Maguire?
Bruce Campbell: Why would I?

*grin*

After far too little time had passed, Mr. Campbell stopped taking questions and then made a short speech promoting B-movies as the only place that is still creative in Hollywood.

…getting bitten by a radioactive spider is a b-movie!

After the speech, they started having people come up to get their books signed. Bryon & I had relatively low numbers but when we were going up they weren’t actually checking peoples numbers. Eventually I got up there and had Mr. Campbell sign my book; but I felt like a complete twit, the entire time I was there. I mean I have enjoyed all of his movies that I’ve seen and what I read of the book while I was in line was very amusing but I didn’t really have anything to say to him. He was very polite to me, but it was a rather uncomfortable moment for me. Signed memorabilia is nice to have I suppose, but it doesn’t do much for me. To tell the truth, I’m not entirely sure why I went up to have him sign the book. Other than I’d waited in line to get the sticker saying I could do so. *shrug* Life, go figure.

After that, we took off and headed off to meet up with some other friends for some RPGing. When we got there they were still finishing up with the Pampered Chef party and I got to munch down some of the leftovers⁴. Then it was game time and afterwards off to Old Chicago for dinner. All in all, a very pleasant Sunday. :)

¹ Bryon arrived before we were expecting anybody. And yes, I’m extra-specially lazy on the weekend; so if I’m not expecting company I will hang around the apartment without getting myself up and ready for the day.
² That would be Quincy for those that are curious.
³ Another friend of ours. One who was supposed to be at the Pampered Chef party.
⁴ Ah, breakfast at 3pm.…

What A Day © Mark McKibben, Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 United States.

• Copy the whole list into your blog.
• Bold the things that are true about you.
• Add something that is true about you.
• Optional: Add a comment after answer in italics

Survey Meme

1. I miss somebody right now.
2. I don’t watch much TV these days.
3. I love olives
4. I own lots of books.
5. I wear glasses or contact lenses.
6. I love to play video games.
7. I’ve tried marijuana.
8. I’ve watched porn movies.
9. I have been in a threesome.
10. I have been the psycho-ex in a past relationship.
11. I believe honesty is usually the best policy.
12. I curse sometimes.
13. I have changed a lot mentally over the last year.
14. I have a hobby.
15. I carry my knife/razor everywhere with me.
16. I’m TOTALLY smart.
17. I’ve never broken someone’s bones. Just my own
18. I have a secret that I am ashamed to reveal.
19. I hate the rain.
20. I’m paranoid at times. It’s not paranoia if they’re really after you. Alas, for me it REALLY is just paranoia!
21. I would get plastic surgery if it were 100% safe, free of cost, and scar-free.
22. I need money right now.
23. I love sushi.
24. I talk really, really fast.
25. I have fresh breath in the morning.
26. I have long hair.
27. I have lost money in Las Vegas.
28. I have at least one brother and/or one sister. 3 older brothers.
29. I was born in a country outside of the U.S.
30. I shave my legs (females) or face (males) on a regular basis.
31. I have a twin (or a triplet, or somesuch).
32. I have worn fake hair/fingernails/eyelashes in the past.
33. I couldn’t survive without Caller I.D.
34. I like the way that I look.
35. I have lied to a good friend in the last 6 months.
36. I know how to cornrow.
37. I am usually pessimistic.
38. I have a lot of mood swings.
39. I think prostitution should be legalized.
40. I think Britney Spears is pretty.
41. Slept with a Suitemate.
42. I have a hidden talent.
43. I’m always hyper no matter how much sugar I have.
44. I have a lot of friends.
45. I am currently single.
46. I have pecked someone of the same sex. (given that pecked means kissed…)
47. I enjoy talking on the phone. I wish I knew someway to reverse bold this answer; as I HATE talking on the phone.
48. I practically live in sweatpants or PJ pants.
49. I love to shop.
50. I would rather shop than eat.
51. I would classify myself as ghetto.
52. I’m bourgie and have worn a sweater tied around my shoulders.
53. I’m obsessed with my Xanga or Livejournal. Nope, but I do like updating my blog an awful lot…
54. I don’t hate anyone. I dislike them. To hate somebody requires you to know them on a much more personal level than I get with people I don’t like.
55. I’m a pretty good dancer
56. I don’t think Mike Tyson raped Desiree Washington.
57. I’m completely embarrassed to be seen with my mother.
58. I have a cell phone.
59. I believe in God. Though not necessarily your God or in the same way that you do.
60. I watch MTV on a daily basis.
61. I have passed out drunk in the past 6 months.
62. I love drama. (Somebody else’s, not my own) In books and movies only.
63. I have never been in a real relationship before.
64. I’ve rejected someone before.
65. I currently have a crush/like someone.
66. I have no idea what I want to do for the rest of my life.
67. I want to have children in the future.
68. I have changed a diaper before.
69. I’ve called the cops on a friend before.
70. I bite my nails.
71. I am a member of the Tom Green fan club.
72. I’m not allergic to anything. At least, I’m not aware of having any allergies and somedays I really wonder if I might have some.
73. I have a lot to learn. I ain’t dead yet, so this has to be true.
74. I have been with someone at least 10 years older or younger.
75. I plan on seeing Ice Cube’s newest “Friday” movie.
76. I am shy around the opposite sex. Still true, though I’m not nearly so bad as I was back in my high school days. I got over most of this by making friends among the opposite sex and learning they’re actually people too! :)
77. I’m online 24/7, even as an away message.
78. I have at least 5 away messages saved.
79. I have tried alcohol or drugs before. If you live in an industrialized nation (particularly in the U.S.A.), then you almost have to have this marked. The majority of our food is loaded with chemicals and if you’ve ever been sick; you’ve probably taken cold medicine which is a drug!
80. I have made a move on a friend’s significant other or crush in the past.
81. I own the “South Park” movie. *shudder* NO!
82. I have avoided assignments at work school to be on Xanga or Livejournal.
83. When I was a kid I played “the birds and the bees” with a neighbor or chum.
84. I enjoy some country music.
85. I would die for my best friends. I’m answering this yes, but I cannot say with 100% confidence it’s true. If I saw them in immediate mortal danger; I’d like to believe I’d leap to help them without thinking about myself.
86. I think that Pizza Hut has the best pizza. None of the big chain pizza joints are any good and many of the little places around town suck, but Pizza House is great!
87. I watch soap operas whenever I can.
88. I’m obsessive, anal retentive, and often a perfectionist.
89. I have used my sexuality to advance my career.
90. I love Michael Jackson, scandals and all.
91. I know all the words to Slick Rick’s “Children’s Story”.
92. Halloween is awesome because you get free candy.
93. I watch Spongebob Squarepants and I like it.
94. I have dated a close friend’s ex. Nope, but there was one back in high school that I really wanted to.
95. I like surveys/memes.
96. I am happy at this moment.
97. I’m obsessed with guys.
98. I am bisexual.
99. Democrat.
100. Conservative Republican.
101. I am punk rockish.
102. I am preppy.
103. I go for older guys/girls, not younger.
104. I study for tests most of the time.
105. I tie my shoelaces differently from anyone I’ve ever met.
106. I can work on a car. I can change: tires, batteries, oil and possibly spark plugs.
107. I love my job. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! No.
108. I am comfortable with who I am right now. More so than I have in any previous part of my life.
109. I have more than just my ears pierced.
110. I walk barefoot wherever I can.
111. I have jumped off a bridge.
112. I love sea turtles.
113. I spend ridiculous amounts of money on makeup.
114. I believe in prophetic dreams.
115. I plan on achieving a major goal/dream. Someday I’ll buy a house.
116. I am proficient on a musical instrument. Nope, but I’d like to be
117. I worked at McDonald’s restaurant. Does 3 months at a Hardee’s count?
118. I hate office jobs.
119. I love sci-fi movies.
120. I’ve never been in love.
121. I think water rules.
122. I am going to college out of state.
123. I am adopted.
124. I like sausage.
125. I am a pyro.
126. I love the Red Sox.
127. I have thrown up from crying too much.
128. I have been intentionally hurt by people that I loved.
129. I love kisses.
130. I fall for the worst people and have been hurt every time.
131. I adore bright colors.
132. I love Dear Abby.
133. I can’t live without black eyeliner.
134. I think school is awesome.
135. I think pigtails serve a purpose.
136. I don’t know why the hell I just did this stupid thing.
137. I usually like covers better than originals.
138. I don’t like multi-textured ice cream
139. I think John Cusack is adorable.
140. I f**king hate chain theme restaurants like Applebees and TGIFridays.
141. I watch Food Network way too much.
142. I love coaching youth sports.
143. I can pick up things with my toes.
144. I can’t whistle. I say I can, but my wife doesn’t agree with me.
145. I can move my tounge in waves, much like a snakes’ slither.
146. I have ridden/owned a horse.
147. I still have every journal I’ve ever written in.
148. I can’t stick to a diet. I’ve never really tried to diet before. A while back I got a physical and the doctor recommended I try losing some weight, but so far I’ve not had much luck at doing so.
149. I talk in my sleep.
150. I’ve often thought that I was born in the wrong century. But I’ve never been able to settle on what century I should have been born into.

Survey Meme © Mark McKibben, Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 United States.