Ingredients to Run

Don't forget about these dummy

http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-CX-400-B-Lightweight-Headphone/dp/B000WOIG8C

http://store.nike.com/us/en_us/?#l=shop,pdp,ctr-inline/cid-1/pid-338341/pgid-300606

http://store.apple.com/us/engrave/MC690LL/A?mco=MTg5MTY5NzY

There's no way that these cleats...

only cost this much

buy me

How do I not have something like this

buy me

Prisoner Transfer to Cell Block 1138

buy me

Great Power

buy me

Delorean Dunks

jigawats

buy me

Starting my Christmas List!

buy me

5th Day NYC/Last Day

Has this ever happened to you? On the last day of what ends up being one of the best trips ever the weather, that was hit and miss throughout, decides to be the best most beautiful f'n day in the history of time and space? Well if not, you're lucky, because our last day in appletown was gorgeous, not a cloud in the sky, sun shining like it was it's job.

We woke up kinda bummed cause we knew we didn't even have a full day left in the city, but we set out to make the best of it. We headed up to Canal street again, to pick up some gifts for folks back home. Kendall got some fantastic knitted hat and watch (not knitted) and I got some green Faybans. We finally went to a place I totally picked myself and it might have been the best meal of all. We went to Lombardi's in little Italy and got a badass sausage pepperoni pizza and then proceeded to Tokidoki to get one of the shirts I'd be scooping out the whole trip.

As we headed back to the hotel, it started to set in, the bummeration of leaving. We'd finally mastered the subway system and even my Dad who takes his time walking everywhere, sped up to make crosswalks like a real city dweller. We stopped by Rockefeller to check out Nintendo world which was beyond cool, and it was nice to see my DS in a display case.

Some dude named Ermel Toledo picked us up to take us back to the airport. He took all the backstreet and what not which got us back to JFK in what seemed like five minutes. I'd like to take this time appreciate the ease with which my family and I passed through the airports both here and in NYC. My dad got picked out once but besides that, we flew through all the check ins so thanks to whatever entity makes that happen.

4th Day NYC

Got a late start on the fourth day due to the utter laziness of all the Aguilar men clouding our touristy judgment (apologies to momma). We hopped up out the bed, no swag needed, and proceeded towards Central Park. Place is gigantanormous and we only got to see a little bit of it, but it was really cool. My Mom, going along with her theme of the entire trip, asked immediately "Isn't that where the snowball fight was in Elf?". That was the third or fourth Elf question/statement of the trip along with "This is where Elf took that girl to skate" and "Don't chew the free gum". Love you mom.

We then made one of the best decisions of our lives in going to FAO Schwarz. Not only did I get one of the most delicious and messy chocolate muffins in my muffin eating career, but I got to see the BIG Piano from BIG! Also got to shout out Robert Loggia's name which is also a first. But the best part of the store was not the ugly doll portion, not even the high end props from The Dark Night or even Harry Potter. No, the best thing in the store was these plastic led lit thumbs that you could magically pass light to and from. If you know Kendall and you'll see him in the next two weeks, you'll definitely see it.

So it came time to traipse down to ACME in NOHO which was reportedly a noted Gator hangout for what I started the day hoping was going to be the seventh straight year of FSU domination. ACME was great, the food was delicious, and the atmosphere was friendly and inviting. The game was horrible. Saving you all from a rant that would involve the gruesome murder of...lets say Mark Whipple's UF counterpart (check that, dude got fired) or a tirade about FSU fans acting like their team is going to the National Championship, I'll just say...hope we play in a bowl game against a shitty team.

To say the game ruined the rest of the day for us would be exactly right. We stayed in and nursed bruised egos, sore feet, and rumbly tumblies. But luckily we went to bed early in lieu of our lack of punctuality to get a early start on our last day in the big city. Hit you up afterward. Be safe!

3rd Day NYC/Black Friday

Woke up with some crazy plans for the entire day. Friday would have to be described as our touristy day for sure. On the docket we had the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty. So we started the day at some Cafe Metro place a few block from our Hotel and eating at a place that doesn't seem like a big deal finally showed me just how expensive this city is.

So we made our way to the Staton Island Ferry by way of Battery Park and I was happy to finally see some water again. Almost bought a Spider-Man traffic sign but I forgot I wanted it. We hopped on the ferry as a discount (read: free) trip around the Harbor to see Lady Liberty. Seeing all this stuff in movies and on TV and other media doesn't prepare you for it in real life. The freezing hands I got snapping pictures of that frenchy was well worth it.

Heading back towards Canal street to check out some of the shops we walked by the day before was interesting. This time we accosted more for Rolex's and Raybans but still had plenty calls for bags. I made it back to Tokidoki but the prices we Too High for a guy skipping a bunch work for this trip. We hit up an Oyster bar for my momma which, despite the best efforts of our server, was very delicious.

Made it back to the hotel to grab our Empire State Building observation deck tickets, and as soon as we got up there I was just flabbergasted. I was like "Dam, I'm standing where King Kong stood!". Another joint that was well worth the hypothermic hands.

Came back down on the 6 towards 86th to hit up shake shack for my 3rd burger of the trip and while it didn't amount to the best, Shake Shack would be a place I'd blow alllllll my money if I lived here. Hit you guys with today's events later. Be safe!

3rd Day NYC/Black Friday

Woke up with some crazy plans for the entire day. Friday would have to be described as our touristy day for sure. On the docket we had the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty. So we started the day at some Cafe Metro place a few block from our Hotel and eating at a place that doesn't seem like a big deal finally showed me just how expensive this city is.

So we made our way to the Staton Island Ferry by way of Battery Park and I was happy to finally see some water again. Almost bought a Spider-Man traffic sign but I forgot I wanted it. We hopped on the ferry as a discount (read: free) trip around the Harbor to see Lady Liberty. Seeing all this stuff in movies and on TV and other media doesn't prepare you for it in real life. The freezing hands I got snapping pictures of that frenchy was well worth it.

Heading back towards Canal street to check out some of the shops we walked by the day before was interesting. This time we accosted more for Rolex's and Raybans but still had plenty calls for bags. I made it back to Tokidoki but the prices we Too High for a guy skipping a bunch work for this trip. We hit up an Oyster bar for my momma which, despite the best efforts of our server, was very delicious.

Made it back to the hotel to grab our Empire State Building observation deck tickets, and as soon as we got up there I was just flabbergasted. I was like "Dam, I'm standing where King Kong stood!". Another joint that was well worth the hypothermic hands.

Came back down on the 6 towards 86th to hit up shake shack for my 3rd burger of the trip and while it didn't amount to the best, Shake Shack would be a place I'd blow alllllll my money if I lived here. Hit you guys with today's events later. Be safe!

2nd Day NYC/Thanksgiving

Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade was beast. Seeing it on TV for years doesn't really prepare you for it in real life. You wouldn't think gigantic colored plastic bags filled with just enough helium to not drag the walkers into the stratosphere would elicit as much applause as it does, but I guess the parade brings the kid out in everyone, from 50yr old men to college kids from Austria.

After the parade we hopped on the subway towards Canal street, walked through China Town where we were accosted on every street corners for "Desinah Bhags", and eventually made it to Le Amis for turkey dinner. I had Steak and French Fries because that's how I roll. We walked by the Tokidoki store which I will go back to and pick up some badass Marvel shirts.

When we made it back to the Subway, we heard this dude singing Temptations and Marvin Gaye songs. He killed it, to say the least, so we tossed him a few bucks. We made it back to Time Square looking for something to eat, and it amazing to see that even in NYC things are closed on Thanksgiving. We ended up at this Lebanese joint called Ly'Bane, where I had the best burger I've had in recent memory! I'll try and replicate it for you guys when I get back to PC.

Knowing that I wasn't going to have a chance to go Black Friday shopping, I was hoping to at least get a win out of the frakking Bengals but I guess the Jets thought I was rooting for them. Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and if you went to buy stuff today, you didn't have to fight any geriatrics for any of it.

1st Day NYC

What's the best way to start out a trip? I think it's with your Mom stressed enough that she starts thinking about murdering everyone in the tri-county area. Fortunately enough what she was stressed about never happened. When our arrival to the airport seemed like it was gonna be similar to the beginning of Home Alone or Die Hard we all had our doubts, but the pre-flight at TPA was surprisingly easy.

Getting into the city was fantastic because my pops, by way of some lady he works with, was able to procure us a limo into the city. The first thing that hit me, being a first timer here in NYC, is the scope of this joint. Everything is huge, even the cemeteries.

We checked in to the Affinia 50, and after dropping our stuff off, we headed out into a brand new world. It was crazy to see Radio City Music Hall and Rockefeller center a few blocks from my hotel. Nuts. After seeing Piccadilly in London, I thought I might be ready for Time Square. Nope. And then we did something completely Floridian, we saw a a BBQ joint and immediately thought, lets eat there. For the record though, Dave's Famous Real Pit BBQ in Times Square was sooo goooood! Just waking up from the itis right now lol

First day was fantastic, and Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

COWBOYS & ALIENS

As far as I know the majority of the world, meaning the majority of the people I know, haven't heard of this movie, or don't actually care that it exists. Whether this is a symptom of the somewhat ridiculous name, the fact that it doesn't come out until July of next year, or that it's yet another film adaptation of a widely unknown comic is up for debate. Regardless, this is a movie you should keep an eye on. Why you ask? Well hold on a second and I'll tell you.

Daniel Craig who takes the lead role of Jake Lonergan in Cowboys & Aliens, is a widely underrated actor. Take a gander at the two best Jews kicking all kinds of ass films in recent memory, Munich and Defiance, and you'll see that this gentlemen can actually act. He's more than just a pretty face, and he's more than James Bond. Add to the fact that Harrison Ford is coming out of his self imposed Sci-Fi sabbatical to play a major role in this film, and you've got the nerd street cred on lock.

Trying to bring in the 15-30 year olds afraid of being seen as nerds walking into and out of a movie so wonderfully titled as this one? Two words, Olivia Wilde, who is apparently seeking to usurp the role of queen of the geeks (see: Tron: Legacy) from the just awful Megan Fox. And it gets better, she can actually act.

Not enough for you? Damn you people are hard to please! Alright here's two more words: John Favreau! That's right the man who most recently brought back to life the comic-to-movie fad with his beyond badass Iron Man franchise, is helming yet another comic/movie venture. Whether or not you enjoyed the Iron Man movies, the one thing that can be said about his adaptation was that attention to detail and polish was certainly there and you can be certain that his work ethic will shine through in Cowboys & Aliens.

Running out of things so........CHECK OUT THE TRAILER!

I mean come on! Cowboys.....and Aliens! Catch you on the flip flop.

For those who deserve it

You know that feeling you get when you tell someone "I'm happy for you" but in your mind you're thinking "I hope you fail and fall"...that empowered, bitter, hateful feeling? The opposite of that, that's what love is to me. At the point where you realize that another person is worth of the entirety of your support, an action that supersedes devotion but falls short of idolatry, that's what love is to me. Something not born of blood, not sought as payment for action, not carnal or tainted by lust, something pure and light, effortless and necessary. That comes as naturally as breathing, but grasped at like a golden ring. Like water to cracks in dry ground, greedily devoured, gone faster than you can imagine. As infinite as it is fleeting, there before you see it, gone before you know it. The greatest weapon, that has killed as many men as it has saved, that's what love is to me.

This is what we've come to

Pictured above: what scientist now believe the mighty T-Rex looked like

First they take away Pluto from us, and now they turn one of the most beloved and categorically feared monsters of all...into a chicken. Why science?! Why must you destroy our childhood!

First post in ever

Hey, wanna buy this for me?

I wish I had the patience to be a modder

The fantastic Brawl hackers at Kitty Corp: Meow Mix have done it again. For those of you unfamiliar with their exploits, which I'm guessing only the most hardcore fans would be, check out their homepage here. From textures, to entire levels, small visual mod, to full blown characters, these cats have been putting out some crazy stuff.

Most recently, they've brought Master Chief into the Brawl. Fresh off their fantastic Cloud Strife mod, they brought he and Chief together for a fight most could only dream of. Enjoy



As you can probably tell, Chief was modded off Captain Falcon. Pretty awesome and these guys and the various teams the work with have made a ton of stuff. Check em out!

I'm back...again

So, some DUKE NUKEM FOREVER (which to this day is the most aptly named title ever) gameplay footage was "leaked" today. I put it in quotes because I don't ever think that these things get leaked. I think all the hype you get from "leaked footage" is the cheapest version of advertising available. But I digress. Basically I started to write this post right after the basketball game. I started thinking that, until the world cup starts up, I really don't have a lot else to do besides game. Not that I'm complaining, far from it. I also realized that I'm most likely going to E3, which I was reminded of because it coincides with the opening rounds of the World Cup. But there I go again getting off topic. Here's the vid.



My friends, I feel this title will come to feel what I've called the DKF syndrome. It makes more sense when you're explaining it in reference to another game. Alan Wake is one of those that i feel will fall to this. Basically DKF syndrome is when a game gets stuck in production purgatory for years, building anticipation and suspense, leading to so much hype that no game can ever reach those lofty goals.

As long as I can remember, the next duke nukem game was coming soon. And with this being gameplay footage...well I hope it's really early gameplay. This really looks like a polished XBOX mod. Not 360 mind you, the original box. And if I have to listen to that Duke complain about puzzles the entire game, I might stop after the first one. He sounds like Steve Segal with one lung, and in serious need of a lozenge.

I'm sure some folks are stoked that they're actually seeing some progress with this game, but let us not forget that we saw gameplay footage of Starcraft: Ghost. Maybe we'll get another Fallout 3, a game that at least appeases the critics on a whole. Or maybe it'll just suck. Either way, IRON MAN II comes out soon!

The King of useless awesome skills!

All these things allowed him to get a part time job blogging. Oh wait.

Activision and Infinity Ward: A Tale of Two Suckers

So I'm sure anyone who was interested by this title knows a little bit about this whole situation but for those of you who are curious here it goes. Mega gaming company Activision has been in the business of buying up top tier companies with smaller operations, starting with Raven studios way back in '97, and Vivendi (basically for Blizzard) in 2008. Most of the time when a huge coporate machine buys up smaller awesome companies, and I'm looking mostly at you EA, they do so for the IPs, not for the people. This cutting out the fluff mentality has lent itself to trouble, most notably the mass layoffs of Blizzard employees post merger, which totaled close to 300. More recently, Activision has come under heavy fire for its handling, or mishandling, or what it calls "breaches of contract and insubordination" by senior employees at Infinity Ward. Infinity Ward, which was bought by Activision in 2003, is the developer behind the insanely popular Call of Duty franchise, whose most recent outing Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, was the biggest entertainment launch in history.

I can't begin to understand the number side of any of this, besides that to most top level CEO type cats, that's all that matters. If they can move that decimal point one spot to the right, they've done their job. What bothers me though is what goes on to make these things happen, and the lack of transparency that goes along with it. What these things generally devolve into is no more than middle school he said, she said politics that makes everyone look like children. Activision posits that the senior employees at Infinity Ward they fired held meetings with other publishers. What happened in these meeting is still unknown. The "top men" from IW retaliate with tales of unpaid royalties for the blockbuster COD:MW2. They have since filled a lawsuit for said royalties, and the rights to any future COD games.

Initially I was furious with Activision for this nonsense. My inner high school freshmen, pent up with adolescent fury bolstered by RATM CDs I downloaded from Kazaa, felt like "the man" was keeping my people down. We've all seen things like this before, whether it be forcing RED vs BLUE to continue making their machinima, or the divergence of Guitar Hero into two different yet exactly the same franchises, it's always been money based. And even when I found out that the IW dudes were possibly shopping themselves around I thought, good for them for trying to get paid. But when I sat down and thought about it, it's two sides crying foul, but eventually saying the same things about each other. I've always believed that you never have patience for annoying things that others do, because you hate those same things about yourself. It would be nice if we lived in a world where we could just see Activision as the big nasty fat cats, and IW as the righteous little guy, but they both pray to the almighty dollar.

Not to sound like a QB at the end of a football career, but at the end of the day everything is a business. If I was in charge of creating one of the highest grossing and fastest selling medias of all time, I'd be looking to collect my paycheck immediately. That being said, I feel for the legions of COD players that might be affected by what might turn into a long arduous court battle over the rights to the franchise. Here's hoping that this all gets sorted out, and these juggernauts get back to making games sooner than later.

Time to get back on the horse

I've been absolutely neglecting this since I started writing for N-philes. I promise that for those of you who browse this from time to time will get every review that doesn't/can't make it on to N-philes, or passing ridiculous thoughts. We'll start off with a strange little fact from Nintendo Everything. It posits that the loading screen music for the Gamecube is a sped up version of the Famicom Disk System BIOS startup screen. Not being familiar with the FDS, I still find it really cool that Nintendo is devoted enough to building their product up and fulfilling the role of a company that caters to their fanboys completely.





All credit to Valay from Nintendo Everything via NeoGaf