Bioshock noob review

The first one. Now I’ve played a lot of games in my time, and was beginning to think that all first person shooters were the same so I beagan to avoid them altogether…

Whe I finally picked up Bioshock I was bored and didn’t expect much, so I was more than pleasantly suprised to find out:

THIS GAME IS SICK. I mean, just look at this device up here… the whole premise of the little sisters is one of the most unique I’ve ever seen in gameplay history. These little girls are realistic/cute yet demonic and fucking scary at the same time:  the first time you see one hopscotch over to a dead body and jam this thing in its ribcage while humming in two voices, your mind is just like “holy shit! WTF is that for? omg is she drinking it?!? It’s got a nipple on it like a baby bottle!!! AHHHH!”  I’m sure everyone has a different opinion on the matter, but it struck me as completley diabolical. It’s not quite vampirism because:

They don’t need it to survive (I’m pretty sure they don’t)  They are brainwashed into thinking the bodies are angels (they are innocent/unaware of what they do) They exist only to be walking adam batteries(which they get from the blood) They are almost indestructable. I couls spend this post on just the sisters alone, but I got to get to the other part that makes this game a teeth-clenching experience-

The splicers! These people are ALL mentally whacked, with fragmented thoughts and memories- due to the constant manipulation of their dna. Coming around a dark corner and hearing them talking to themselves is like walking into the worst kinda psych ward… one where they are armed and really don’t want you there. Put them in an underwater city in the late 40′s with total isolation from the world above, and you get a truly surreal atmosphere. They attack you in groups, and will beat you to death before you know what happened! The well done AI provide some of the spookiest moments in gameplay, as well as non-stop action

To sum it up, this game really sucks you in and you form an instant bond with the characters… the voice acting is some of the best I’ve heard  and you don’t need a stretch of the imagination to feel like you’re there. Try this one with the surround sound on in the dark with a big tv, and buckle your seatbelt. I give it a 9/10

Day after xmas ups and downs

So as a follow-up on last night’s depressing post, I figured today’s a good day for my usual benevolence… I’d swear I’m bipolar but then I think “hey if shit sucks then I can’t be expected to be happy all the time!” It might be a cop-out but psychiatry is almost complete bullshit and I would never take anti-dep drugs. People are supposed to feel miserable when things suck, it’s a way for life to tell you “Hey! go find a better way, because you won’t find it doing nothing.”

So it seems the charming lady I mentioned last night is all that I hoped she was, for my friend must have failed at his attempted nampa- I asked her if it was ok for him to give me her number (since facebook correspondence is sketchy at best), and she asked him to but SUDDENLY he didn’t want to give it to me. Gee I wonder why… fucking asshole. I tried calling him to say happy xmas and invite him over for drinks, but he wouldn’t pick up the phone. She ended up mailing it to me anyway, which of course put a big grin on my face! She is very cool and even if she doesn’t want me that way, I’m happy to finally know a girl that doesn’t have her head shoved 5 miles up her ass! lol I was starting to give up hope for this area…

I can only imagine how many people are sleeping off last night’s heavy drinking… for once I actually slept as well. As I might have said before, melatonin provides some amazingly intricate dreams, and more often then not you remember them the next day. For some reason my brain must be hooked on haikyo, because whenever I do hit REM sleep I always find myself in decrepit abandoned buildings… and sometimes it is the same place. I should be a horror movie director, because I dream of things that would scare the shit out of most people! Picture this if you will:

I’m alone in a dark tunnel, width and height are only about 6′x6′, kind of tight. It is pitch black, save for my headlamp (when I go exploring haikyo I always have a headlamp, so it’s no suprise that it shows up in my dreams). As I continue, the dirt floor gives way to bottomless darkness in places and I must cross rickety rope bridges and old planks to get to the next area. Soon after a particularly long bridge, I am standing on a stone pillar with about four square feet of room and another bridge ahead of me, looking extremely unstable. I stop to consider this and look around, and can clearly hear things scuttling about in the depths below me. I can see my breath, yet I didn’t feel cold at all… I glance down and there is an ancient pack of cigarettes with one loose one by it’s side. (weird) It looks to be at least a hundred years old, yet I bend over to grab it and hear wood creaking DIRECTLY behind me. I spin a quick 180 and catch a glimpse of this gnarly dog-looking thing behind me before my light cuts out, and I’m thrust into darkness. All I could do is run for the bridge ahead of me in the dark, and as I approach the middle I feel the weight of the beast’s long strides shaking the bridge apart… Then I wake up panting and out of breath, thinking “wow, that was AMAZING!!!”

Yes, I’m a strange buckeroo. But at least I admit it :P

Xmas 2009 up then down

 So here I am, after a day spent with family jollying it up… and it’s 6:30ish so why am I so down right now? I promised myself I’d never make a negative personal post but WTF I’m a little toasted and completely unashamed right now so who cares. Nobody’s ever going to read this shit anyway… It’s funny how when you’re depressed you try to imagine why and it opens up a whole can of shit when you least expect it. Is it my fault? To some extent maybe- but I’m only working with what I got here, like everyone else.

A. I think my best friend might be trying to get with the girl he just introduced me to, after insisting that he’d hook us up. I can’t be sure, but I got that sinking feeling after some various verbal and written tip-offs… also I have yet to find a friend that hasn’t fucked me over in some way for a girl. He would be the only one so far, so if he does this after getting my hopes up I guess I wouldn’t be suprised. I could be wrong though, let’s hope that I am.

B. Most people around me are assholes, including some people in my family. My immediate parents are awesome and have been there for me, but my father is a recluse now and my brother spent the whole day wishing he was playing his new games (that he got for xmas) instead of chilling out with the people that hooked him up. He is still young, but I never imagined such a thing when I was his age. Of course you’re exited to play with new toys, but don’t mope and sulk around all day like it’s the worst thing in the world to spend time with your family on xmas.

C. I had to tell people I just took a month off for the holidays (instead of telling them about beating opium WD’s), and they looked at me like it was the worst thing ever. How dare you take a vacation and enjoy things!!! You must work every fucking day like the rest of the sheeple, because money is the only important factor in our miserable existence!!! etc, etc. Of course they didn’t say it outright, but boy was it obvious. It’s just sad that people I love have forgotten what life is all about, and have resigned themselves to slavery for monopoly money.

D. I still can’t sleep properly due to my “heart murmur” (sounds gay doesn’t it?) beating in my stomach 24-7, and I’m lucky if I get 4 hours a night. xmas would’ve been a lot better if I wasn’t completley exhausted all day, yet I can get shitfaced drunk and still be up all night. What a fucking paradox it is to see my friends get drunk and sleep like babies, then when I try it I’m just blitzed and staring at the ceiling in the dark. Tha thump tha thump in my gut all night long. To add insult to injury, I have an rx. for ambien and it does work, but they want $70-$80 for SEVEN FUCKING PILLS. Can you believe that shit? Isn’t this fucking country great? Yes, I’m a little bitter obviously- but I inherited a big shit sandwich upon entering into this world and the smell is really starting to make me want to just puke in my soup

Lateralus

Although music itself can be limited to certain patterns according to what’s popular at the time, some bands reject the notion entirely and never fall into a “genre” of music.  To me, this is real evolution in music: people doing what they do because they love it- not for fame and fortune.  Tool is a great example of this, and probably the reason they’ve been around as long as they have.

The fact that the song utilizes the Fibonacci seqence is well understood, so I will let my thoughts flow from a lyrical standpoint. There are a lot of songs that offer some kind of lesson or moral- a guidline for living a fulfilling and enjoyable life, but this is the rare gem that allows you to draw your own conclusions. In fact many Tool songs can be interpreted in many different ways, leaving the listener slightly baffled yet thirsting for more. Their videos are stunningly esoteric, yet very well done and chock full of symbolism. They always inspire deep thought and insight, which is something that most(if not all) new music scenes lack.

If I could sum it all up, I would say don’t be afraid of what you don’t understand. One of the most beutiful aspects of life is the sheer randomness involved- you can never control it so you might as well embrace it. Ride the spiral, which is found everywhere in nature for you to see, and seek the unknown. “I’ll embrace my desire to feel the rythm, to feel connected enough to step aside and weep like a widow. To feel inspired, to fathom the power. To witness the beauty, to bathe in the fountain. To swing on the spiral of our divinity, and still be a human.”

To see how special and powerful we are, yet still feel all the emotion and the ties that bind us as humans. This is what we are here for, I can think of nothing else. We are the only species on earth capable of contemplating our existence, and we must not squander the ability as we’re doing right now. The more we try to control and analyze everything, the more we become disconnected with the true nature of our existence.

Spiral out!

Pics for 9/11 myth pt. 1

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The 9/11 myth pt.1

There are many things that are fishy-smelling about the story they gave us about what happened on 9/11/2001, and many things that are just blatantly retarded. This is going to be a long list, and it’s in no particular order because each item is equally rediculous… how can you begin to rank them?

#1. 19 hijackers.  Supposedly every one of them perished in a suicidal blaze, yet some of them are STILL ALIVE. Yes thats right, including the man who’s passport somehow escaped the exploding plane as it crashed into the building and was found on the pavement below perfectly intact. The FBI has never revised the list of hijackers.

#2. Molten steel.  Jet fuel is kerosene, and it only burns as hot as 1500F under OPTIMAL conditions. Structural steel requires AT LEAST 2000-2500F temperatures to even begin to bend, let alone melt and flow like syrup. Yet in video footage before the first tower fell, you can clearly see molten steel dripping out of the side of the building. This is not aluminum from the jet, for molten aluminum resembles mercury and does not glow BRIGHT yellow… NASA imagery, rescue workers, and firemen have all shown/reported hot spots of molten steel beneath the rubble piles that were well over 2000F, and remained that hot for WEEKS after the event. Can kerosene do that? When you fire up that old kerosene heater in winter, does it melt into a pool of glowing slag? Of course not.

#3. Explosions. Many eye-witnesses/survivors that were in the buildings at the time of the impacts reported things like exploding elevator shafts, blown out windows in THE LOBBY, and deep rumbling thuds beneath their feet. Do you really think all these random people would lie about such a thing? What about the people working in the basements that escaped but were charred half to death and disfigured by exploding fragments of walls/concrete? What about all the people that almost got snuffed out in the subway tunnel? And by far the most revealing: there is un-doctored video and audio evidence of the explosions. But of course these eye-witnesses and recordings  were’nt shown on tv.

#4. Rumsfeld. Shortly after the “attack” on the Pentagon building, Donald Rumsfeld was seen and videotaped on the lawn smiling and picking up bits of metal. I believe he even stopped to wave at somebody… This man was the SECRETARY OF DEFENSE. Why wasn’t he at his command post?!? Why wasn’t he on the phone with the president? Why wasn’t he defending the country? And WTF was he smiling about??? We were still under attack for the other plane had yet to “crash” in Pennsylvania… your guess is as good as mine here. The fact is, it should have been treated like a crime scene- cordoned off and investigated by experts. But no, you got people in suits flanking the lawn and picking up any little bits they could find. How did they know it wasn’t biological? How did they know it was safe to do so, and that they were’nt going to be struck again? FISHY FISHY FISHY. In fact, it’s rotten.

The end of the family doctor pt.1

A long long time ago, as far back as 1980… you used to have one doctor that you and your family trusted. You would go and he/she would remember your name, what you’re allergic to, your medical history, hereditary diseases you might come down with, etc. Doctors used to build a rapport with their patients, and could usually count them on both hands. This was an ideal situation: checkups were regular and fun, docs could focus on the patient instead of time constraints, and preventative medicine generally reduced the need for tons of prescriptions. And then…

INSURANCE COMPANIES AND PHARMECUTICAL INDUSTRY TOOK OVER.

As early as 1995, pharm. companies started marketing drugs DIRECTLY to people. The phrase “ask your doctor about…” became the norm, and doctors became glorified drug dealers. Pharm. companies spend billions each year on drug reps and various freebies, to coerce doctors into pimping their new “lifestyle drugs.” When I say freebies, it can be anything from free drug samples, to stationary and t-shirts, to fancy lunches and vacation/cruise packages. It has become less about actually healing people, and more to do with making money off the sick. For example-

You go to the clinic for a checkup, and even though you have an appointment you end up waiting for two hours. Then they put you in a room, and a nurse comes in and takes your vitals with as little small-talk as possible, and makes a brisk exit leaving you to wait another 40 minutes for the doc to finally show up. You see, there are only about 3 doctors divided amongst a list of about a hundred  patients, so they constantly have to worry about getting you in and out as fast as they can. It is almost impossible for them to remember everyone they see, and you’re lucky if you see the same doctor twice these days.

When he/she finally does enter, what do they say? “Well what do YOU think is wrong with YOU?” You look at them like they have to be kidding, but they’re not. You say, “I’m just here for a checkup.” At this point, they will take your vitals (just like the nurse did) and say “You sound congested, you could use some Flonase or Claritin. Are you depressed? Here’s some Lexapro! Can’t sleep? Ambien! Got a sour stomach? Nexium! I also have to refer you to a gastroenterologist, a nephrologist, and a proctologist. Here’s about 40 prescriptions, just dont drink or eat with any of them. See you next time Timmy!” And yor name is Steve. Get the picture?

If you don’t have insurance, all this will run you anywhere from $500 to mortgaging your house… and that’s not even including the fees from the doctors he reffered you to. Of course this is an exaggeration, but sadly not by much.

Nantucket Sleighride

Good music isn’t always about the lyrics. The best music can tell you a story without words, rapture you away to the depths of  your imagination, and  leave you filled with wonder and awe at the beauty of it. It may sound cheesy but it’s true: music is a universal language and it is everywhere in our lives. From the soft taps of rain hitting broad leaves, to the whirring pitch of the vacuum cleaner, to the subtle nuances of everyday speech- everything has a certain pitch involved.

The live version of “Nantucket Sleighride” on this album is a captivating emotional rollercoaster. The lyrics are beutiful but few, featuring a man leaving his little girl to set sail on a voyage for three years… and the instrumental that follows is nothing short of wonderful. If you are familiar with the beauty and sights of winter scenes, just close your eyes and you will be swept away.  You can feel the rush of cold wind and dusty snow billowing up in your face, and see the upcoming trail winding through the blanketed pines. You can smell the clean air, and your heart races as you plummet down hills and cross rough patches.  At mid-song you can tell the sun has sunk below the horizon, and you have come to a halt beneath a brilliant white moon. You open your mind’s eye, and you can see for miles with the moonlight reflecting off the snow… the sounds of the reindeer echoing into the black and white eternity, and you are one with it all. It is enough to move your very soul, but it is short lived, for you’re soon racing across the snowdrifts again for the epic climax and your return home.

This song captivates me in a way I have never experienced, and is the definition of great music. I will forever keep it in my heart, and everytime I’m out wandering on a  glittering snowy night it comes back to me in it’s full glory. This is the kind of thing that makes life amazing for me, and is far more valuable than any material possesion… If I ever have a child and it’s a girl, I will name her Robin Marie.

Onsen

One of the most lovely things about Japan have to be the natural Onsen… these natural mineral springs have been a source of rejuvenation and relaxation for hundreds if not thousands of years. Picture a beutiful winter day, with snow falling and the gentle trickle of icicles melting… then imagine yourself submerged in a 120 degree F.  flowing deluge  filled with shiny black river stones between your toes, and you can begin to appreciate this wonder of Earth. Nothing is as charming as an old fashioned ryokan, and paired with this natural beauty it can only be called paradise. Of course I have never experienced it for myself, but with a little imagination I am instantly there amidst the volcanic splendor.

Our friend Locohama spends many a holiday melting away the hours in these wonderful places, and for good reason. For a cold-weather junkie like myself, nothing beats a good hot soak while watching the snow fall like so many cherry blossom petals… such a thing is unheard of in America. They would say “well isn’t it freezing?!? how can you stand being practically naked in this kind of weather?” It is a paradox to the uninitiated, but to me it is sublime.

Of course you can visit onsen at any time during the season, for they are located all over Japan… but there’s something about the winter scene that just boggles the senses and enchants me to the point where I crave it like a junkie. There are also many different kinds of onsen; bicarbonate for smooth skin, iron-rich for blood flow and vitality, saline for body aches and muscle relaxing relief.

There is a good reason why people have used these miracles of nature for thousands of years… even the wild macaques get down with the onsen!

X-mas madness in NY

I don’t know if it’s just me, but it seems every year around this time people just lose their freaking minds. What do I mean by that? Well first of all, the snow.

Yes people, it DOES tend to snow in winter. You’d think that for  lifetime New Yorkers it wouldn’t be a big deal if we get a few inches or even a foot- but no, as soon as the weather advisory goes out the stores become mobbed with people stocking up on bottled water and canned food like it’s the end of the world!  Since we’re in a “recession”, you’d think people would be worried about saving money for x-mas gifts instead of buying 25 bags of rock salt. Nope, it’s hoarding pure and simple. Back in the 90′s we had the big poppa of all snowstorms, and it got to the point where you REALLY couldn’t travel anywhere. The piles of snow the plows accumulated were over 12 feet high, and school basically said fukit for a week. So omg what did we do?!?!?!

We spent time together as a family, played board games  and ate ramen noodles. And drank water from the tap! Barbaric huh? We got by, and so did everyone else.

Next on the list is the obscene turnover of x-mas shit in stores… I can’t help but notice that every year the consumer aspect of the holidays is pushed farther and farther ahead. In many stores in my area, they already have the easter bunnies out! WTF!?! What happened to new year’s and valentine’s day?  As a kid I dimly recall seeing  x-mas lights and ornaments on display as early as the day after thanksgiving, but this year they were out right after halloween. INSANITY I TELL YOU! Seriously what the hell is going on?

Part three- how many different kinds of eggnogg do we possibly need? SHIT!

Part four… crazy-ass x-mas decorations. Correct me if im wrong, but isn’t the point of lighting up the outside of your house to spread x-mas spirit and to provide a week of nighttime sightseeing? Of course I love cruising around posh neighborhoods looking at all the glowing loveliness, but people are missing the point and are now just in it to win it. Some of these people try to one-up each other, and the block just ends up looking like the gaudiest portion of Las Vegas. X-mas lights don’t have to “rock Santa’s world and bling those MF reindeer”. Yes I said bling. Needless to say the fire dept. is quite busy this time of year

part five- x-mas muzak. Yes it reminds us all of our childhoods, yes it is an American staple and can make you feel warm and fuzzy inside. But god forbid you actually have to work at one of these places, for around day three YOU WILL want to eat a bullet. A great many people work in retail/service, and the endless x-mas jingles are a source of hair-pulling psychological torture. Everyday. As if regular muzak didn’t blow enough.

“Michael Bolton? Why should I have to change my name, he’s the one that sucks!”- Office Space