Thinking Ahead

With all things considered, I think it is a sound idea to make a change in pace and start off in a different direction as far as thoughts are concerned. Maybe to a certain degree, today's entry will revolve around a different range of topics.

Then again, some things will be familiar or at least common. I mean I can't really go entirely rebel can I? Take, for example, Alessandra Ambrosio (pictured here, left). Yes! I am guilty of exercising my ability to post pictures of this extremely beautiful model once again. But so what!? I'll likely make use of that ability in the near future...

Work was fun last night (lie) and I didn't get off until after 11 P.M. Fun times indeed. Counting inventory sucks, counting everything in the store: Brutal.

But the overtime is nice!

I am too easily convinced with such a simple thing. Still, I am glad that the counting is over now (and will be so for another 6 months). Friday will be hell though, since most shippments to the store I work at was held off. I say Friday will be hell because a lot of that stuff is coming in on that day...!

Speaking of work, I have to mention this. I just love it when a customer will walk up to me and yell: DO YOU WORK HERE?

Um...

Well gee, I have the uniform and name tag on... I dunno... maybe I don't and am just a sick puppy who loves dressing up like that? You have no idea how old it gets when it happens on almost a daily basis...

I heard that the new Die Hard (Live Free or Die Hard) opened last night. I wonder if it'll be any good? Or is this another series that will destroy all else by ruining it's own rep by being a horrible stinker. Maybe I shall find that out for myself...

And I still have not gone to see Ocean's 13. It interested me when I first saw the trailer, but as I saw it more and more... the interest kind of faded. Sad really, I enjoyed Ocean's 11 and 12 to a slightly lesser degree.

Random thought: Why do girls wear skirts and insist on riding a moped or a bicycle? Or why do people ride their bikes and talk on their cell phones? I think I might have missed the thought process behind both of those examples...

I am also happy to report that my XBox 360 hasn't gone and died on me or anything. Yet. *knocks on wood* I kind of want to find that bunch of clerks that helped me at Wal-Mart that morning I went to exchange that used piece of shit they sold me. I'd like to just laugh in their faces... god that would be fun...

I admit it. I take pleasure (to a small degree) in pissing people off. I wasn't always this way, but when it seems as though the best I can do is piss someone off... what's a guy to do? I can't quite fight it, so screw it! Embrace it and go! Go! Go!

Winning attitude huh?

Anyway, back to the XBox... CC3 has been fun, once I got a hang of the controls and what not. Now that game has been kicking my ass, I've never been nuked that way or that many times before. Still though, the challenge is nice.

I'd love to hang around and write off a little more about this and that, but I'm feeling lazy. Okay, so I feel lazy on most days and I know I could probably write and fill this blog full of meaningless bull stuff, but what would be the point in that? Nothing. Right. So with that said, I will end it here and now.

Right now.

It's over.

Done.

End.

Chris Benoit

I will say in advance here that I am just out of it, numbed even by this whole tragidy. This is meant to pay respects to the wrestler Chris Benoit. The person behind the wrestler is another story, though that is something I won't get into (explained later). I hope my words make sense and if they do not, please forgive me.

I was in shocked to learn about the passing of Chris Benoit, whom I learned from my boss at work. I couldn't believe it... the feeling, the disbelief, felt the same as when I woke up on a Sunday morning to learn that Eddie Guerrero passed away.

But then I heard later that day that it was being looked into as a double murder-suicide. That did not help any and my mind went from disbelief to running a million questions a second. How? Why? And now more and more details have been let out, which brings us to today...

Over the past many hours, I debated whether or not I should even be writing these words that I about to write. Surely the wrestling fan in me wanted to pay my respects to a hell of a wrestler, perhaps one of the greatest ever. But then there was me, the guy that goes through life and works every day, etc, etc and I wondered. Would this be right? Would it be right to spare a kind word or two for a murderer?

Chris Benoit. Murderer.

To be honest, those two just don't mesh in my mind and I still can't believe it is actually the god honest truth. My mind keeps saying it isn't the same guy. It can't be. It just can't be the guy I've watched, like countless other fans, fighting to be respected in wrestling. Right? This can't be the same guy that won the World title at Wrestlemania 20, celebrated the win with his best friend Eddie Guerrero and family in the ring.

It just couldn't be.

But then I've been reading this over and over again and I believe the following is true: The person we see on TV and the person behind of that character can and usually are entirely different people.

Still, as a wrestling fan and as a person, it is still difficult to understand or grasp how or why this could happen. What pushed Benoit over the edge? And would it even have been preventable? What drove the nail home for me has been the last day or so with reports saying that Benoit did in fact kill his family and then took his own life thereafter. Like everyone else, I can wonder and speculate and I can draw my own conclusions. But really... the only people that truly know the answer about why this happened are dead.

I can't even begin to imagine what the families of Chris and Nancy are going through right now.

In short, the purpose of this blog today is not to pass judgment on a man I did not know. I'll leave that to the countless many who are doing so at this moment. I knew him through what I saw on TV for many years and that is the extent of my knowing Chris Benoit. I respect the hell out of his talent and his ability, that much I can say for certain here and now.

Now don't get me wrong about this, I am not supporting or condoning the murders in the least. However, as I said previously, I'm not about to pass judgment on a guy I didn't know. There are a lot of people already doing so and that is something I just will not do. To me, as far as Chris Benoit the person is concerned, I will not go there. Truthfully, I am just numb over the whole thing and I don't know what to think or believe about this. To me it is just mind boggling...

Bottom line here is this... this entry is meant to pay respect to Chris Benoit the wrestler. Like I said earlier, I will not go any further into my thoughts or what not about Chris Benoit the person, since I did not know him I will give him at least that much respect. And since I am beginning to ramble, I will simply end this by saying:

Thank you.
R.I.P Chris, Nancy & Daniel.

Just Another Day...

Just to play off of the thought from my last post, here is a picture of Jessica Alba. OK, so I admit that I could not find the picture of her in a kimono, but still. I think it is safe to say that this does just as well right?

One thing that I do find weird about her is these interviews and such that I've been reading about her. She wants to be taken seriously as an actress? OK, I can respect that. I mean who doesn't right?

So she doesn't want to be used as just eye candy in a movie... then why star in a film like Into the Blue? I mean when she read the script about a moving involving water, namely the ocean, what was she thinking? That the producer(s) would actually pass up the chance to get her into a bikini!?

Oh sure and pass up an ass load of cash at the box office, not to mention the instant hype of seeing her in as little clothes as possible.

Besides all of that, regardless of the comments and thoughts and all that stuff, there is another reason for me bringing this up. Yes! How can I pass up the opportunity to post up a pic of Jessica Alba in a bikini!!

Oh I am a pig... and a happy one too!

End rant. Was that even a rant...?

Anyway, moving along to a different subject for a change. Weather in Hawaii lately has been awesome. So what am I doing indoors? What do you think I am, crazy? People get skin cancer out there! Besides, sunlight... it burns...

Games! Oh the lovely games! I have been brushing up on my Command & Conquer skills lately and I have been getting destroyed. CC3 plays a whole lot different then Red Alert 2 (which I have been playing for a few years too long). I mean the AI is smart and quick and I am glad that there is an actual challenge to this now.

What impressed me was the graphics and the details of the explosions and just everything really! It is so different then what I am used to seeing and playing (I have a crap PC, so while this stuff is old news, it is freakin' new to me!).

Random thoughts: Service in general over here has been terrible to me lately. I mean stores and all that have just gotten so unfriendly and rude, it is incredible! And I admit that I have taken my step-dad's route and gone on a blazing email spree to ensure that no one will escape this!

So HA! Take that you unhappy grocery store workers YOU!

I am not vindictive... really I'm not...

Off to do some wrestling chatter here...

The draft has come and gone and I don't know about how well it went over. I mean it ended with Vince McMahon apparently getting into a limo that exploded, marking his "death."

Uh, ok... I guess that is a good way to end the draft night. Imagine how it would be if sports took this idea up after their drafts!

Anyway, this brand split idea... yeah, I get that they did it to give guys more opportunities. That is a good thing for workers, I mean since the company can employ more people. But come on, 3 world champs? So what next, if they (WWE) comes up with another guy they want for champ and don't want to bump anyone of the 3 existing champions, what next?

Here comes King Booker, WCW Champion once again!!! And he will be defending his title against Shelton Benjamin's momma in a Tampon on a Pole match! This is a first folks!!

Dear god... no...

I just hope that is all just my own thinking and WWE doesn't actually bring WCW back, complete with their own brand of horrible match ideas, among other horrible things. Maybe like a 3 Count reunion? Ugh.

And to end this short and sweet entry today, I go back to the dead horse that needs more beatings! Final Fantasy XI!!!

Yeah... I left, then went back and left and went back again. I think the message is finally getting to my brain that it is time to quit once and for all. I mean, why pay $12 for something you don't enjoy? I think I would manage more enjoyment out of a porn site then the game. Yes, it is to that point.

Not to say that I look at porn sites that cost money... remember! I. am. a. cheap. bastard. I am only guilty of reading Playboy! YES READING IT! Eh, this is a losing arguement with myself and I am only digging my own grave deeper and deeper...

Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer

I was able to watch Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer yesterday and I must say that I enjoyed this one much more then I did the original. To tell you the truth, I don't really remember the first movie all that much...

And I am glad that this movie turned out good, because I had passed up Ocean's 13 for this. Plus being a cheap skate, I even paid full price (and not matnee) to see this.

Before I actually stop wasting time and get into yapping about the movie, be advised that I just might spill a bean or seventeen. Meaning spoilers may lie ahead, so read on at your own risk (if you actually read my blog and are thinking about seeing the movie).

Anyway, maybe the second time around truly is the charm? In any event, this second outing was funnier and the actors seemed much more fitted into their characters this time around. I guess to say it clearer, they seemed much more natural in their roles.

The Silver Surfer was pretty cool too, in that he was given a much more human role at the end instead of just being a mindless servant.

The return of Doc Doom wasn't all that surprising and in the end, he does add in his own twist to the coming end of the world. Juilan McMahon does play a very good bad guy, too bad he didn't get a little more time. Then again, he wasn't the big issue...

Galactius was, or namely, a massive cloud... thing... that was called Galactius was the issue. I was expecting to see him appear though this giant cloud but alas. Nope. The giant planet eater did not make an actual appearance, unless you count the cloud.

My gripe about this was the fact that they basically showed the entirety of Human Torch and his chase through the city in the trailers. I was hoping there would be more to it then there was, but oh well. It was still good!

Now I could spend the remaining moments of this entry, yapping about how hot Jessica Alba is and yadda, yadda. I could, I really could. But how many guys out there did this already? I will not conform! Instead, however, I will end this with but a simple statement. A truth to some for sure, but merely a comment by yours truely.

Jessica Alba + Kimono = HOT.

'Nuff said.

Next-Gen Headache!!

I remember the day I bought my PS2, many long years ago now. What is even more vivid to me was the excitement, the pure joy of just owning it, to have and hold it and play some of the most awesome games made. Yeah, it was pretty damn good!

Which brings me to the present and I should be absolutely thrilled to have a XBox 360. I know I've been waiting and wanting to get into some of the "Next-Gen" consoles. So why the lack of joy you may wonder? Well my luck with this next generation crap has been nothing short of mind numbing to say the very least about it.

It all started with a trip to Sam Goody, since my girlfriend and I saw a sign saying how you could get a free game with the purchase of a XBox 360. Now the cheap bastard in me is screaming " Go! Go!! GO!!!" and so without so much as a self-induced argument, there we go. It gets even better inside, what do I see? Another sign that says you can even get a $30 mail-in rebate!

Can this be paradise? Is Heaven truly for real?

Short answer pertaining to this topic: NOPE.

My ride on cloud nine was short and sweet and being shot down was pretty harsh. Side note: How screwed up can you be to not even know your own store's specials? Some people need to lay off the drugs I think...

Anyway...

We were quickly clued in that the sign out front was only for a Christmas special. HUH!? Christmas!? What month are we in again? Oh snap, JUNE! Looks like more then a half dozen people have been slacking off to miss a sign that was for a special 6 months prior!

Oh and that rebate is only for the XBox 360 Elite. Did the sign say anything about it? Nope. Did I want to stand and argue with a bunch of durrrs? Absolutely not. I'd rather play in traffic, either way I know I felt my IQ drop ever so much.

OK, so that was definitely not going to happen at least not with that loverly store. Next destination: GameStop. They must be better right? Right!??

I took one look inside and felt my headache begin. Just looking at the people working there just gave me that feeling like that shit isn't going to happen. Not a good sign. So rather then taking a chance and coming out even more pissed off then before, girlfriend and I made a U-Turn and went to what I had deemed my "only hope."

Wal-Mart.

Granted, I have never had any troubles with this store (or company) before, so I was fairly certain I was safe. Little did I know, this would be the beginning of the end!

Picking up the system was no problem, no incident, no anything. Absolutely uneventful as it should have been and I was happy for it. How couldn't I be happy after that skull crushing back at Sam Goody!

I get home and open the box and plug in what I thought to have been my brand new XBox 360. I was surprised to see that it didn't prompt any type of set up of any kind, which usually proceed new things like game consoles and computers. That shot up some red flags and I hoped what I thought was wrong and maybe it didn't need to be set up.

I was wrong.

The game console I had was not brand spankin' new, rather it was a second hand (and broken) piece of crap. Either that or XBox 360s come pre-loaded with a game save and gamer profiles...?

Unlikely.

But I was willing to overlook this and it played a game just fine. I went through with playing XBox Live Arcade games, then onto Ninety Nine Nights without a problem. Now I wanted to try Viva Pinata and so I put the disk in and press the button and there it goes.

Then came the white screen. Oh how I hate to see a white screen. And what does it tell me? I should put this disk into a XBox 360.

...

Huh?

And here I thought I had one of those! Silly me!

So after switching games a couple of times and being met with the same fate, I did the only thing I could do. I got on the phone and called everyone I knew and cried up a storm! I demanded they take up arms and that we march to this Wal-Mart with stakes and torches and whatever pointy object we had and drive them out! FOREVER!

Oops, ok I didn't do most of that but I did get on the phone and I did call the store. So all I needed to do was bring it back in and they would exchange it.

Great.

Fast forward to 6am (the next morning), and there I am on the bus with what should have been a new console sitting on my lap. I was beaten, but I was not out of the game yet... no, I was convinced that this would be over quickly and this ordeal would be done and over.

So I get to Wal-Mart and I bring my second hand and broken console to customer service. Not to be mean, but the girl that helped me... I wasn't sure if she had her eye on me or the wall... or both. At the same time. Ok, that is mean... sorry...

Or am I?

We will now commence the beatings!

So a rep from electronics comes out with another guy and we all walk to the electronics department so they can plug it in and see what the problem is. I had been explaining to them along the way (which I think only the clothes ranks were paying any heed) that the system worked fine when it did, but it just wouldn't play games consistently.

We get to a TV and this pair were immediately stumped by the box. I kid you not! Feeling a small measure of pity (which I would regret later), I lend a hand in defeating this monster of a box and they go on with their plugging and what not.

Then comes the fun of the wireless controller. One of the pair asks "Where is the thing you plug the control into?" And here I am thinking "And these guys are the qualified to tell ME what's wrong? Oh shit..."

Oh shit was right folks, oh was it ever right.

So despite what I tell them, they proceed to put a demo disk in and... it worked! So now I have everyone and their mom and pet pig questioning me as if maybe I was trying something here.

Maybe it was my games? Nope, all were brand new.

Maybe it got hot? Err... no comment...

But the feeling I got was that these people believed I was trying to con them maybe or pull something. I don't know, but my mind couldn't figure out what kind of con I'd be pulling where I would by a game console the night before and come back at 6am to try and rip them off...? I couldn't grasp it and I still can't to be honest.

Anyway, so again I bring up the fact that it also appeared to have been used before I had. I swear, the looks on some of their faces were priceless. I was told quite sternly that that sort of thing is impossible because it has this cheap clear sticker that seals the box. Funny, we had just defeated the box earlier WITHOUT HAVING TO GO THROUGH ANY STICKER SEAL!! Hell, I didn't even know it had one...

So after more assinine questioning and with their compairing UPC codes to recipects, I realize that this little exchange wasn't quick and I was in the store for almost a hour at this point! So finally one of them says out loud "Try putting the game in again! He said it didn't work when he did that!"

And sure enough, it was a no go... did it matter? No, everyone walked away by this point and there I stood. When someone finally did come back, I was told that this was the final exchange since they saw nothing wrong and they can't sell it because of the open box (which one of the two original geniuses ripped open some) and how it was still impossible for them to have sold me a used system.

By the point I just wanted to get the hell out of there and get home. So I get my exchange (finally) and I'm heading out, I see the same rep plugging in the XBox 360 again and what did I see? The red ring of doom! As I understand it, that pops up with something is WRONG with the system.

Me telling the truth... imagine that?

Moral of this story: Next generation is a real pain in the ass compaired to the PS2 haydays. And as far as I'm concerned, Wal-Mart being the only hope? Hell no. They have been redubbed "The Absolute, Final and Desperately Last Resort." Meaning, I ain't buying a goddamn thing from them unless my life depended on it and the catch here is... well... it ain't!

Last thought and sorry for the rant, but that has been bugging me ever since: Mr. Kennedy (pictured above) is on RAW! Damn I wish I had TV these days...

I wonder how long it will be before Kennedy becomes the top champ, be it WWE Champion, World Heavyweight Champion or ECW Champion. I listed them all because who knows? Kennedy might be shifted else where before he wins the top prize.

Once in a Lifetime

Words, words, words... I could toss out a line or two, but instead I'll simply allow this picture of the lovely Ashley to speak a thousand words for me. Yes, I find her so nice that I needed to post pictures of her twice!

So I'm guilty of being a guy, blah.

I think what I hope to see (as a wrestling fan) is for women like Ashley to improve in the ring and maybe see a boost in the Women's Division like it was back in 2003. Imagine, there are people out there hoping that this division can amount to more!

Anyway...

This past Saturday was a special one for me as it was the first time I've gotten to watch Sumo wrestling live. It might not sound like such a big deal, but I grew up watching it with my grandparents and it was cool to me to see what it was like in person.

I imagine to some it might look like a pair of fat guys smashing up against each other. I suppose you could say that, if you were looking for a simple way of putting it.

Personally, I see it like football without the protective gear. Or the ball.

To sum up my thoughts about the tournament (which was the first one they've had in Hawaii in 14 years), it was freaking awesome! I would definately watch again, should they return to Hawaii! And I will say that after seeing it in person, I most certainly have a new found respect for this Japanese sport. Watching it on TV does it no justice.

Onto the last thing I'm going to write for the day, games. Yes, it just cannot be a post without having to mention video games in some way. I can't wait until I can get my hands on that XBox 360! I think what I am hyped most about at the moment is Blue Dragon. Then again, there are more then a couple of games out now that I am hyped about.

I still wish I could have gotten a Nintendo Wii, The Legend of Zelda looks awesome and the same goes for Super Paper Mario. Too bad I've struck out twice on getting one (see yesterday's post for a very shallow explaination o.O). I wonder if the shortage is due to Nintendo? Or can they just not keep up? Hmm...

As for the PS3, eh... it is far too expensive for me and there haven't been any games that scream at me (thank god). What does interest me, though I'm not sure if it will be enough to get me to buy a system, is Final Fantasy XIII. Only time will tell if I can somehow find a way to convince myself that laying down $600 is worth it for a game system.

One last mention, Final Fantasy Tactics for the PSP... aw, now that would almost get me to pick up that system. But alas... nope!

A Whole Slew of Stuff...!

So much to babble about, it is a little difficult to think about where to begin. I mean yes, there is the usual talk of wrestling and video games, and to be lazy I did just tack on the 'random' tag, just so that I can go off freely.

I think today I'll go off a little differently and start out with good ol' wrestling. I mean what better excuse could I possibly have to post a picture of the lovely Ashley then this? Not to mention adding on pink without looking a little... weird? Yes, she provides so much opportunities...

But speaking of whom, which I must say that Ashley is by far my favorite diva (followed up extremely close by Victoria), what is up with the 'suspended indefinitely' bit? Is she quitting? Going to be fired? I sure hope it is neither of those two reasons.

By the way, I watched Mickie James vs. Melina (Backlash 07) and I don't know. It looks to me like the Women's Division truly took seven steps back rather then forward and they generally don't care about it (like they ever really did right?). I guess the WWE doesn't seem to think that these talented ladies are worth more then just mere eye candy. Sad.

Onto the gaming portion of this entry, I mean here is something I can actually yap about and be happy. Well, to a certain degree at the very least.

Yes, I have tried (once again) to pick up a Nintendo Wii. And again, NONE IN STOCK. Why leave a price tag up for something you don't have? What kind of sick person does that crap anyway?

...getting back on track, so no Wii (not unless I'd be willing to buy one off of eBay, or maybe one from a local game shop for $450... yeah, unlikely!) and so now the doors open up to the chance I have been waiting for.

Rather then going with the expensive PS3 or the cheap (and readily unavailable) Wii, I'm going to go to the dark side. Yep, XBox 360, here I come!

So beyond that, here comes the random portion of this post. I'm tired, good night!

Chrono Trigger (Round 2!)

Last time out, this was more of a offbeat thought then something I had actually sat down to write. So here we go again, maybe this time I will be able to write a lot more then a couple of lines and throw that out there like it meant something.

So with that said and now aside, I do hope that Chrono Trigger gets the same love that the previous Square RPGs got. Please re-release it! Hell, I'd be happy to see a re-release of Secret of Evermore too (though this one is probably never going to see the light of day again)!

What was interesting to me was to run across a website on the net about Chrono Trigger: Resurrection. Basically, it was a group of people that were working on their own 3D remake of the game and it was looking pretty damn nice. But it seems as though SE stepped in and the idea was shut down before it was completed.

With hopes dashed, there is only one thing left to do and that is wait and hope that SE decides to go ahead with a re-release or maybe even a remake.

On a side note: If SE remakes Final Fantasy VII for PS3, I would be sold on that piece of hardware in a split second. I would need no other reason besides that. Yes, I think I am that damn sick...

Aside from the PS3 though, at this point in time I would rather pick up a XBox 360. Sure PS3 will have Lair and Final Fantasy XIII, but the 360 has Blue Dragon, which I think looks great. They also have Command & Conquer 3, which had me drooling when I saw the screen shots of it, and I'd still... STILL... like to give Ninty Nine Nights a try too.

Not to mention the 360 is cheaper! That is a big deal for a poor bastard like me. Why not get a Nintendo Wii? Heh, funny story there... I was thisclose to getting it, I mean I had the money and there I stood, staring at the price sign on the Wii display. I mean I was prepared to buy it right then and there!

Then I found out they were sold out and... yeah... that notion died off. I'd say it sucked for me, but maybe it sucked more for Nintendo. You didn't win the war baby! I got my cash and you... well you've got the money of a lot of people.

Damn.

Last little thought for the day: WWE's new DVD based entirely about ladder matches. To simply put it, IT IS AWESOME! (Yes, dork, me, we've gone there before...)!!

It pretty much covers all of the major ladder matches and a new favorite to me was the fatal four way match at Armageddon 2006 with Paul London & Brian Kendrick vs. William Regal & Dave Taylor vs. MNM vs. The Hardys for the WWE Tag titles.

That was the same match that saw Joey Mercury get his nose busted. Let me tell you, if you've not see it...man, that shot looked bad, but not nearly as much so as how Mercury looked with the blood literally pouring from his face.

Anyway, that is it for now. I think I'll write more about this ladder match DVD when I've gotten to watch a little bit more of it. So now its back to watching human beings throwing themselves off of ladders for a living. Insane.

Chrono Trigger!

Today it's all about a picture and nothing else! Yes, this is my very first filler post. What is the point? Nothing really, other then to take up a space and maybe throw in a thought or two in the process as well. So basically its like the random thought below, with the difference being that I will likely put more thought into this.

Then again, I do hope that the game pictured above (Chrono Trigger) gets the same deal as FFVI and VI and gets re-released on GBA in the near future. I miss that game! Not to mention that I got my ass handed to be every single time I ran into Lavos (the game's final boss).

No fun there folks.

Anyway, more some time soon... maybe... hopefully... who knows...