Spotty Thoughts!

Spotty thoughts... hmm... yes, that is my lame attempt at coming up with something "witty." I'm starting to wonder, maybe I should have a banner with these words in huge, bold letters: "We Aim To Fail!"

Catchy?

No?

Yeah... that does kind of kill a person's self confidence doesn't it? It is so not easy to be inspired and stuff. But alas, this fool shall soldier on, though likely in vain, towards whatever end may come.

Hey! 300 is coming out on DVD soon! Can't wait for that one, that's for sure! (Best subject transition ever!?)

Some have said that it (300) starts out slow, but I didn't mind it. I mean once the action starts up, there that goes until basically the very end of the movie. Yes, blood, guts and gore for as far as the eye can see.

I got so into it, I was absolutely destroyed when what looked to be a massive army of Spartans were about to go head on with... um, those guys they were slaughtering for most of the film. Who in the hell were they again?

Another movie I'd like to see is Captivity, starring Elsha Cuthbert. It looks interesting to me, which kind of says something because most of these horror movies just make me laugh. Although I must admit, just about anything with Elsha Cuthbert in it looks pretty damn good to me also, so...

*ahem*

Gears of War! Fun! Whodathunkit!? It is interesting and different, considering I was half expecting something a little more like a Halo. What is even more amazing, my girlfriend and I make a fairly good team in the game. Aliens beware! We'll pump you full of lead and then proceed to subject you to an hour or more of arguing! Mwahahaha!

Speaking of Halo 3, I finally got around to reserving myself a copy, along with Blue Dragon. A little late, yes. It'll be interesting to see how the story finally ends, or will it even end at all? I think Halo needs to get a little "Doom"-ish, I mean give Master Chief a BFG-like gun....! Flood beware.

Back for a second to Blue Dragon, I hope it turns out good. I suppose this will prove if it was the creator of Final Fantasy that was the magic behind the series. Or if he was just a part of a team that made it all work.

Here's hoping he can make it happen!

Another RPG type game that has gotten my attention is Fable 2. Granted, I didn't care all that much for the first game (why does being evil require having flies...?). Still, this one looks to have improved, which I hope is a given on a next gen system. Just thinking about it makes me wonder what evil things can a person do to that dog.... *evil grin*

Just kidding of course. I kind of wonder though, I hope it'll live up to it's own hype this time around. And I hope it's maker isn't going around (again), telling everyone that'll listen that Fable will be the greatest game ever.

It was interesting to read how Congress has sent a letter to WWE, wanting them to provide them with their drug policy and their records of the tests. While it remains a tradigy no doubt, I suppose this was one good that came out of a bad situation.

I still do hope that this helps stop or seriously reduce the drug use in wrestling. I, like I'm sure a lot of wrestling fans are, sick of seeing more and more wrestlers dropping dead.

I was going to throw in a little more random thoughts and such, but eh. Today we shall be focused! yes! Random shall not win, not on this day or the next! Ok, that might be a lie...

Restless...

I could spend these opening moments to further explain what the title of this blog means today, but I think it is pretty self-explanatory isn't it?

Maybe I could end up blaming it on one of a list of things. That would be easy...

But no, that is not the way I will go. At least not today, because really I am just bored and that never ends well. I mean it usually ends up with me writing up something completely off the wall.

Or is just won't make sense.

Either way! The main thing is that I am spending these spare minutes of life dedicated to dishing out random jumbo packs of words here and I shall hand them down! Oh yes! By the hand fulls they will fall!

...And so begins the madness...

Labels were even fun for me this morning, I mean look at how many I've tacked on! Will I actually write about every single one of those? Maybe...

To start, me and Odin Sphere... yeah, that is done, over and gone before that sucker drops in trade-in value. As I stated in a previous post, I don't have all that much time to enjoy games and to me, Odin Sphere was just too damn slow.

Yes, I did think graphically it was a very beautiful game. No questions or doubts there folks, I thought it was well done in that respect.

But game play wise? I didn't care for it in the least. I'm having more fun with Gears of War and Call of Duty 3. Yes, totally different genre, but still. Fun is where it's at and that, as far as these days are concerned, is where I will head for the time being.

Final Fantasy X! Awesome game. Pretty simple there huh?

OK, so Tidus is a little odd and I still believe Kimari is one of the most useless characters ever conceived in a FF title. On the flip side, Auron kicked ass!

And I suppose Blitzball was kind of fun too, though it gets repetitive rather quickly.

On a related note, Final Fantasy X-2 was fairly good too. That's right, I admit that. Outloud. In a public place for that matter! Sure, it wasn't as serious and it was a little girly at times. But beneath that, the game itself was pretty good and that is what matters... right?

In my own opinion, FF X-2 was a nice change of pace with the quarky story telling and just to see a story from a FF game continue was cool it it's self. I wish Square-Enix would carry on or remake more games *cough*Final Fantasy VII*cough*.

Jumping subjects...

I watched the final episode of Inuyasha and, while refraining from spoiling anything, must admit that I was not in the least surprised with how it ended. I mean, after getting hyped up about the final season of Ranma 1/2 and seeing how terrible it ended, yeah. I think it is safe to say that I wasn't really expecting any real ending...

Which sucks because here I am, good ol' genius me, am out there picking up the seasons as they are being released. Now I know how it ends! Yuck!

Jumping again, I must bid adiu to Ninety-Nine Nights and hello to Def Jam: Icon.

N3 being compaired to Dynasty Warriors is an insult to Dynasty Warriors (in my own opinion of course). I think the compairsons end with the button mashing, kill-'em-all feel of the game. The voice acting gave me a headache and I found myself bored nearly out of my mind durning the opening battle. Imagine how I felt during the first actual "mission."

Call of Duty 3 is a fun one too, in that it does bring back memories of my final days in high school. Games like Day of Defeat and Half-Life were common place there, which was a load of fun since it was the entire room against one another.

Gears of War is pretty good too, though it is taking a little time to get used to. Still, playing a FPS co-op with your girlfriend = Many unnessesary deaths. Still, sure beats having to rely on NPCs to get you through.

I will say here and now that I apologize if my spelling is a little worse for wear. For one, I am tired and yet cannot sleep. Secondly, the spell check has gone and failed me by just not working.

Bastard.

Anyway... what to say next? Ah! Wrestling!

The Great Khali as World Heavyweight Champion... all I can say is this: It's bound to be interesting.

Mr. Kennedy vs. John Cena? Finally, a battle of the future stars of wrestling!

Triple X is reunited? What? I thought they were disbanded forever? Oh wait, yes. Wrestling = Nothing is forever. Not firings or retirements or much of anything for that matter.

It would be awesome if Chris Jericho returns to wrestling, but he seems to be enjoying life outside of the ring. Honestly, I'd like to witness a verbal exchange between him and Mr. Kennedy. Now that would be must-see TV.

Triple H returning soon? I wonder about him... will he return as a good guy? Or bad?

CM Punk loses during yet another ECW championship opportunity... Hmmm....

Kurt Angle or Samoa Joe? I'd like to see Samoa Joe finally win the TNA World title.

Favorite WWE Divas: Ashley, Victoria and Maria.

Subject change: I was pretty surprised to see the entire Tenchi Universe series for sale for a mere $40. Am I there? You damn straight I am!

On the topic of Tenchi Muyo!, I must express (again) my extreme dislike of the third OVA series. What the hell has happened to this story and this series? Surely the years have not been kind to it... which is definately disappointing.

News flash! Work still sucks!

2 anime movies I'd love to find on DVD (though I've only seen one of these 2 on DVD) are Galaxy Express 999 and Beautiful Dreamer. I remember seeing them both on a anime fest type show on Sci-Fi many, many, many years ago and I fell in love with them both instantly.

I am surprised to see that "I Now Pronouce you Chuck & Larry" (I think that is the right title...) actually beat out Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix at the box office. I think what gets me is how short a time period it has been since it was released. Is this a sign of things to come in the future of this insanely popular series?

Speaking of which, I've cheated and read what I was curious about in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (I hope that is the right title...) and not a word beyond that. It is interesting and I felt satisfied with how it ended. That is all I shall say of this!

Well the time has come to bring this random-fest to an end and maybe now I will be able to get some shut eye. God I am tired! Sleep....!

Odin Sphere & Varied Assortment of Random

So I've been reading a review or three about how great Odin Sphere is and grapically, it is pretty damn impressive. But gameplay wise? Eh. I'm not all that impressed over the whole thing.

Maybe I need to give it more of a chance? Maybe dish out 10 hours or so? Or maybe I don't have the will left to suffer through another game just for the sake of the story? (*cough*.hack//G.U.*cough*)

Heh. My time is fairly limited these days, especially with work and all. So I spend what little free time I have to play what I enjoy and truth be told folks, this one I just don't.

Battles are just a clustered group of enemies that run past you, then stop and then proceed to attack you. What I found even more rediculous was your item bag. With the amount of stuff that gets dropped, you'd think they give a little more space.

Still, maybe I will give it more of a chance before sticking the knife to this one once and for all.

Speaking of .hack//G.U., I can't wait for the third and final installment of the series to get released here. For god's sake, I just wanna see how the story ends!

Jumping titles, I kind of hope Final Fantasy XIII isn't a PS3 exclusive. There would be no chance in hell that I would seriously lay down $600 for a PS3, just to get that game. OK, so that might be a tiny lie... what can I say? Well, then again... I don't really know about that either to be honest. Shall we say conflicted? Yes, that would be as accurate as anything at this point.

Wow, this entry is really heavy on RPGs... because next up on my short list of stuff is Kingdom Hearts II: Final Mix.

Now granted, it is true that none of these "International" or "Final Mix" games have ever made it to the USA. But still... I wish Square-Enix would make an exception for once and bring this thing over here!

Besides that, my girlfriend would likely kill me if it doesn't get released here. I already stood near her in a game store that had the Japanese version and that was not a pretty sight folks.

Changing subject again, but now I'm afraid we'll have to take a turn for the darker for a moment. As I've mentioned a time or two, I am a wrestling fan and was/is/might still be a huge fan of Chris Benoit.

Just this past Tuesday, the toxicology reports for him and his family were released and man, I will be honest. I think it just raised more questions then it did answering the ones that were already out there.

What I still want to know, as I'm sure everyone that has a vested interest in this matter, is why? Why did Chris Benoit murder his wife and son and then hang himself? What was going through his mind?

But I guess that is something that only 2 people know for sure of and they are both dead.

I don't really know if you could call this good, but because of this incident, the dark secrets behind the world of pro wrestling has been drawn out into the open. I hope it's exposure will save lives, because there really have been far too many deaths in wrestling these past several years.

I had intended on writing a little more, but eh. Weather here is terrible, I mean cloudy, humid and light rain does make for a miserable day off. Anyway, maybe next time around I will be able to get everything else out here. If not...

If not then I'll come back with a picture of a hot chick!

What a simple mind I have huh? Maybe I really took a few too many hits to the head as a kid. Durrr!

Random Aplenty

So much to say, where do I begin? How do I end? When in doubt, put a picture of a random hot girl and that will solve all of your troubled woes!

*waits a few seconds*

Nope. Maybe not? Well, that is what I get for getting my hopes up. This means I will be forced to use my brain and hope it works out in the end.

Yes, for the life of me I haven't a clue who this woman is. But I will say this: She is indeed hot! And that is what matters... isn't it? Right?

Ok, with that out of the way, onto the rest of this entry...!

I got to see Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and I admit it was pretty good. I think it turned out even better then the previous movie, in that I mean it didn't feel as though they cut out all that much.

I even had this confirmed by my girlfriend, who, like millions, avidly read each and every Harry Potter book thus far. I, on the other hand, have only glanced through a book or two and that is about it for me. I think I am just too lazy to sit down and read through an entire book, though I can do it if the mood strikes me (and it has been many years since that has happened).

It was definitely darker in tone and the emotions were a whole lot heavier then before. Obviously, they (being the characters) are growing older and times are dark in the wizard world. I think the most fun came from the end, where Harry and friends battle against the Death Eaters in the bowels of the Ministry of Magic.

Speaking of which, I can't wait until the release of the next movie nor the next and final book. More so the book I think, because I am curious how J.K Rowling ends it all. Does she bomb it? Or is it an end worthy of the legend she spawned?

Anyway, moving along...

My XBox 360 sure has been a busy little... er... box... lately because of a few new games. I think the one that has the most time spent on so far has to be Guitar Hero 2. It proved to me, quite quickly for that matter, that my eye and hand coordination is ever so slightly horrible.

Still, it is addicting and the songs are pretty catchy too. I am afraid, however, my hands my forever be crippled by the time I put that game down.

Overlord was an interesting find, I mean how can it not be? The promise that you can lead the forces of darkness against good and kick their ass is just too much for me to resist. Yes, I have gone to the dark side and I am having a lot of fun!

Er... kind of a lot of fun!

One thing that bothers me is just how weak the Overlord is. His minions seem to do a better job of beating up/killing then he can. Sad. On a funny note though: Don't try to hit the wenches. They hit back and they'll knock your Overlord on his ass.

Def Jam: Icon... I don't really quite know what to say about this one. I just picked it up last night and it seems ok, as far as first impressions are concerned. It is taking a little getting used to the controls.

I think I'll reserve my opinion on this one for now, until I put in a little more time into it.

And now, back to your regularly scheduled program...

Today, Tomorrow, and Beyond

It's funny in a way, how things in life work out and how other people's words can actually be true. By this I mean what I was told a few years back by my mom and step dad, about how truly College was important and how I should really be getting into it.

Those words never sounded truer then they do right now.

Basically this came about due to recent happenings at my work place, which has been pretty eye opening on my part. The gist of it is pretty simple: I found out a new worker is getting paid more then I am and is getting away with doing less.

I also understand better and better about how it isn't a good idea about sharing how much money you make, because really...

Never mind. That part isn't all that important now, I mean the "secret" is out anyway right? The bottom line to this goes back to what I said at the beginning. Hey, surprise, surprise... my parents were right after all.

Truth be told, my job is a stock clerk job at a Japanese grocery store. Wow, just typing that out makes me realize how utterly sad that is. The novelty of the position faded fairly quick and within 2-3 months after starting, I began to question my logic in believing this was what I wanted.

But down get me wrong, this entry isn't about placing blame on anyone or anything in that sort. I'm not delusional about my situation, I know for a fact that I put myself here and here is where I've kept myself for the past couple of years now. I also know that this whole shit is getting old and I think my slow brain is finally catching up with reality.

I'm 23 years old and I have absolutely no plan and more so, no direction. I've wasted myself away for 5 years, which means that I've been fucking up since the moment I left home. Imagine the prospect of realizing that little bit?

While I admit that I do lack direction, I suppose the past 5 years have not been for nothing entirely. I mean I am with the girl that I love dearly, with whom I do not regret even a single day of those 5 years. We've gone through thick and thin, through the best of times and even the bitter worst. And yet here we are, still together and still trying and learning.

I'd like to even think that I have grown as a person, that I am better then I was yesterday or last year or the years before that. I mean I speak my mind much more now then I ever have, which again ties into my present situation.

I mean with my previous job (McDonald's), I spent 2 years working there and came out without anything to show for it. Do I want to do that again with my present employer? Short answer: No. And I realize that I will not find a job that will satisfy me by hanging around these dead enders. I don't want to be like so many people I've seen around these companies. 15 years in and looking so brutally miserable for it. Is that what awaits that many years of "service"? If so, then no thanks.

So where does this all leave me? Well, it leaves me in the mess I'm in right now. Where do I go from here? I'd definitely like to find a workplace that I can thrive in and won't feel any misery or regret in. I'd like to grow, yes I know how clichéd that all sounds... but that is the god honest truth folks.

My goals are pretty simple I think: Short term goal is to just stabilize and being able to live life comfortably. Long term? I'd like to improve on my writing, be it going back to college or whatever it requires. I'd like to at least write a book and have it published, that would be cool.

So it goes I guess, another day and another chance at changing. Maybe tomorrow will be the day I say to hell with it all and make the moves to get my life back to where it should be. Or maybe not? Only time will tell I know...

Transformers!

To be honest, I went into Transformers with fairly low expectations. I didn't expect it to really be THAT great, just another adaptation of an old series that someone was attempting to milk.

I mean it has to suck right?

Oh how wrong I was...

While I could only vaguely remember the cartoon from yesteryear, just watching through the movie refreshed my memory of it some. Well, enough to a point that I could accept the story without feeling lost during it's telling.

What surprised me was the detail of how these machines transform from their robot form to their individual cars. What also had me going was the pace of the action, which I didn't expect from a movie that was heavy on special effects and the like.

Interesting enough, I also enjoyed the pieces of comedy that were sprinkled throughout the movie. In my own opinion, it was perfectly timed and even the "love" scenes were fairly decent, leaving the movie with very few (if any) awkward moments.

As if the movie wasn't good enough, then there was Megan Fox. Who is she? She is pictured above and she is basically the main character's eventual girlfriend. I would say that she is hot, but would that cover it? Would that be correct?

No. That wouldn't even begin to do it...

And while I can't think up a proper word to decribe her, Megan Fox definately (in my own humble opinion of course) would be worth the price of admission. Wow, did I just say that? $10 to see a hot girl in a movie?

Yes, my mind is slipping away from me... ever... ever so slowly...

All in all, this is one movie I am glad I did not miss. I can't wait for this to hit DVD! Next stop, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix!

Thinking Aloud (Sort of)

I know she gets a lot of attention already and there has been a lot said, but I am going to toss in my 2 cents about Paris Hilton. For one thing, she stayed in prison for what? Barely 3 weeks? And the media treats it like she was a P.O.W. or something. I've never seen so much news coverage (or at least heard, I wouldn't watch a damn thing of this) over something so stupid.

Why is the media glamorizing someone who drives around drunk and violates probation? I guess the news was so brutally slow, someone must have thought "Oh! Oh! Good idea! Let's go cover Paris going to jail! That's, like, freaking awesome!!!"

I do hope there is more thought put into this stuff then that. Or else... wow, we're all screwed.
But really, all joking aside... I am even amazed that people sympathize Oh she says she'll give it up! Wow! Great! I somehow don't buy that line for a second... sorry, I just don't find much credibility from a person who rose to fame over a "leaked" sex tape.

What next? Paris for Prez?

Dear god no...

Then again, I'd think the rest of the world would stop hating us, should Paris Hilton become president. How could they hate us then? We'd switch from hated to laughing stock in mere seconds! Come on folks, now say this with me...

That is the very... Best. Plan. Ever. EVER. Can there be any doubts in anyone's minds? I think not. No way, this is sure fire! A can't miss even!

No really... it is...

I guess I should apologize some, I mean it isn't everyday that I rant off about something that goes on in the world. Why this? I don't know, it just pisses me off that something so incredibly stupid can get as much news coverage as it does. It does make me glad that I no longer have cable, or else I would be have been flooded by this.

I could wonder why news stations don't cover more good stories, by that I mean of people helping others or doing good deeds. But that's right, that sort of stuff doesn't keep people interested, not like some good old drama.

Truth be told, the best I do to keep up with local and world events is just read a newspaper or look online as I am about to check my email. That is more then enough for me.

Wow, so this is how my mind goes off when I get consecutive days off huh? Amazing. And to think, I just have 2 days in a row... Imagine what 3 could do! I'd be writing some haphazard arguement about the values of dust or something.

Now that would be world news worthy. TOTALLY.

Happy 4th!

It's Fourth of July, meaning cook outs and fireworks (depending on what state you're in I suppose) and the whole nine yards. I've been having a lot of back-to-back days off this week, so it has been nice to be able to rest a little.

Speaking of fireworks, Hawaii has all but banned fireworks. I think we're down to having to get permits to buy them. Only the very generic ones don't need it, but yeah. I haven't gotten into that stuff in years, just can't see myself setting money... er... fireworks on fire just for a few sparks and pops.

I hope this year doesn't have anymore cases of people firing guns into the air, only to be struck by their own bullet when it comes back down. I need not say more about that then, well... that.

Being that I am bored at the moment, there is a game that I wish I could replay. That being, Final Fantasy VIII. What bothers me is I even have the game! But I lack a PS1 memory card and so my hopes are dashed...

I know there are those that hated this one just because it was deemed a "love story." Even still, it was told extremely well and it certainly kept me playing until the very end.

I even came to enjoy those few chances you got to play as Laguna and his pals! They were kind of cool... too bad they never could join up with the regular team.

I don't even know or understand why I want to play that particular FF. I didn't enjoy it as much as I did FF7, though the card game in that was addictive. I spent many hours playing that... anyway, I did enjoy it nonetheless!

Moving along, I've been a little irritated by what I've been seeing in the news. Namely about the Benoit situation, which obviously has drawn quite a lot of it over the past week or two. What pissed me off the absolute most was Hulk Hogan's apparent comments that Nancy Benoit being into devil worshipping.

If he truly said that then I admit that I have lost a great deal of respect in that man. Not as though I was a fan of his to begin with, but still. That, of course, being from a wrestling fan's perspective mind you. With what is going on now though and with those comments, then yes... respect: Zero.

I don't care who he is or who he believes he is, show some goddamn respect!

Whom I have much more respect for now is Roddy Piper. I read an interview he did recently and he said that he would stay on Benoit's side until the very end and he awaited the toxicology reports to see what was going on. I respect the hell out of that because here is probably the only guy that has come out into the open and not blasted Benoit like so many have.

What surprised me even more was to read about how many ex-wrestlers have come out of the wood works and gotten onto countless news shows and what not. I guess everyone is entitled to their opinions.

The bottom line for me is simple: I hope there can be answers found as to why Benoit did what he did to his family and himself. Was it really drugs? Or was it him? I'd like to see this tragic story have an ending that can at least bring some sense of closure for the families especially.

Personally, I still can't believe it...

Retirement: Bye Bye Elf!

June 30th, 2007.

That is the day that my elf met his end, after a number of years and failing to really reach much of the goals I had hoped to reach durning my time in game.

And so after canceling my FFXI characters a number of times and returning, I have at last said my good bye and given my characters (Alexandor & Keller *MULE*) a final farewell.

Pictured here is one of the last great moments I had in-game. For me, FFXI was at it's best when I could just get into parties with close friends and just have fun.

Fun.

That was something I had long lost sight of and I had been pretty much been doing nothing over the last year or so. Really, the only thing I had left was the fact that I had a few friends still playing, as well as my girlfriend, so I hung around.

But this was a long time coming and now I really have to say I feel better. That time has come and passed and now at least it feels like there is a bit of closure to all of that. Yeah, weird thing to say over a video game I know. But really, after making friends and just being around the same game for over 2 years, it isn't the easiest thing to do.

So to make a short entry shorter, I bid my elfs a fond and bittersweet good bye. Thank you for destroying countless buildings and trees with your Elvaan blindness. There will never be any other that will ever replace your blind asses...!

Tenchi Muyo! & Then Some...

I've just gotten back around to listening to some old anime songs that I haven't listened to in ages, namely those from the Tenchi series. Just listening to certain songs brings memories back for me, most of which are good and has helped me write lately.

On this topic, however, I still must express my dislike of the third season of the OVA series. It was pretty harmful, in my opinion, that the voice actress for Ryoko changed.

And yes, I gave this person a chance and she just didn't catch on for me, not even by the end of the third DVD. It certainly is a difficult change, considering I am a long time fan and have watched the first 2 seasons of the OVA, Tenchi Universe, Tenchi in Tokyo and the 3 movies as well.

But what pissed me off the most about the series was the fact that the third DVD had only 1 episode. ONLY 1 episode!? Are you kidding me?

Overall, in my own humble opinion, my favorites of the series are the 3 movies and the first 2 seasons of the OVA. Those all fight for first place! Tenchi Universe and Tenchi in Tokyo, on the other hand, are all in a fight for second.

I think what keeps me a dedicated fan is the fact that it was because of this series that I started up on writing. This is where many of the characters I write about today got their start, their first breathe of life if you will.

Oh the memories...

This entry is going to be short today, I mean it is Sunday after all and that means LAZY for me. Anyway, last thing I have to say for today is this...

What in the blue f*** is going on in the world these days?? I mean mothers who "accidently" mix Vodka into their baby's milk formula!? Or what about the mother that put her 28 day old baby into the microwave? I just saw stuff about this today, being that I watched TV for the first time today in ages.

Needless to say, it looks like I haven't really missed all that much in the happenings of the world.

But really, what has gotten into people's minds lately? If you really don't want your kids, then at least put them up for adoption and give them a chance at life! Don't just take it away from them! Just because you brought them into the world, doesn't mean you can take them back out of it!

Sorry, I just wished stories like those two above wouldn't happen. Wishful thinking yes, but that is beyond cruel. Life is so short, too short maybe. Why or what makes a person believe that taking a life is a good answer? Now that is something I may never, ever understand.