Articling

Violence in Video Games

7 Great Sports Scandals

Will Ferrell headbangs Meredith Viera

Will Ferrell Drops Meredith Vieira - Click Here for more great videos and pictures!

I've never wanted Hallowe'en so bad

UPDATE: For some mo' info' (read: anticipatory rumour mill) about the game, check this out. This appears to answer my biggest beef:

The confirmation comes from a Rockstar representative who told Gamespot: "We can confirm that all footage in the trailer was captured directly from 720p gameplay running real time in our Rage engine on a next-gen gaming console."

If you love video games, you have to respect this. Other than halo three, this is the only game that is close to bringing me to orgasm on the new consoles.


Grand Theft Auto 4 Trailer! - Click Here for more great videos and pictures!

Not Just Friends Anymore

Hey Coulman, this is for you.. and me. Why didn't they just cut the BS and do this on friends?

Man being men

Here's my article of the day. For you sports fans out there, here is somebody's list of the manliest moments in sports. There are some gooder's, including the hockey lot, especially Kovalev, I love you. Enjoy.

Bedtime Pastime

As some of you may know, one of my more enjoyable pastime's is to torment Heather while she sleeps. Well, the form that this most often takes is simple trying to talk to her when I come to bed and she is already sleeping. Like last night.

I stayed up late to watch FUBAR for the second time in less than a week and Heather was conveniently asleep when I arrived for bed. So what I'll do in times like these is ask her questions that don't make sense and wait for her crazy answers. Recently I've found is that if I pet her while I'm talking to her, I'm more likely to get a response. So I gently run my hands up her back and down her sides and do my work.

So last night, I first asked her "how good of a wife are you?". Her reply: "7". What? What the hell does that mean? I don't know. Presumably she was putting herself on a scale. What that scale was, I don't know. For her sake, I'll assume it was a scale of 1 to 8. So she's doing pretty good I guess.

Then, because she said she was really hot when I came to bed, I asked her "on a scale of a to z, how hot are you?" To which she replied: "p". This blew me away, p is only slightly more than average hot. So really, she wasn't that hot.

And so the adventure goes. The extra hard part is to avoid waking her afterwards while I'm laughing like an idiot. I'm hoping to turn this type of activity into a regular blog feature. And since Heather declines to acknowledge the blogging Alex, she will likely be unaware of our little fun with her.

Sweet dreams, Heather.

GTA4

Over the last 14 hours, a wave of anticipation has washed over me as I have been informed about the upcoming GTA4. Turns out this is no coincidence as the trailer comes out tomorrow (to watch the exciting countdown, click here). I love GTA, and given the fact that this article says it will be release on XBOX 306 (as well as PS3), and the fact that the XBOX 360 Elite will be coming out soon, may tilt the tides in XBOX 204's favour, given that I can then play the more anticipated Halo 3 in 2032 when it ships.

Faking the Drama

Maybe it's just because I've never been in a band or played an instrument or had any talent, but what is with the pretentious band photograph?

What is it a picture of a band posing in a nonchalant manner, highlighting the lead singer while everyone else fades into the backdrop, that entices musical artists ot think this is how they want to be represented to the world? I know if I was a pro athlete, I wouldn't want t-shirts or posters of me sitting on my front step, leaning back with a serious look while my teammates stood idly in the background pretending to talk to each other wearing pin stripe suits with the collared shirts untucked and wearing sunglasses. I would want a picture of me crowning or crushing or posterizing or scoring.

So in this instance:


Am I to believe that Coldplay writes songs sitting on the floor of a white box? What is so serious about this situation? Is is because they don't like having their pictures taken? I could understand this at least. I'm sure there is something to say about art and blah blah blah. If you ask me, these type of photos do nothing to show the character of the band and are therefore useless, unless of course they can be marketed.

The Apple Monopoly

I was curious to know what the hell this thing was all about, because it's huge tech geek news, but to the average tech geek like me (coupled with the fact that sales probably won't hit Canada for a while) I know relatively little about this thing. So I looked it up. Turns out, this thing is a set top box that you park in your entertainment system. You then download digital content that you have on your computer (no streaming viewing). The only place you can legally purchase content is through the Itunes store.

So here is where the monopoly aspect comes into my mind. If you buy one of these boxes, not only are you restricted to the limited lineup of TV and movies on Itunes, but you can ONLY play TV and moves from Itunes. From Gizmodo...

Having played with Apple TV, it's easy enough to agree with what Mossy and Pogue have already told you: This device works very well if you don't mind that your entire digital media experience has to remain inside Apple's walled garden.

To discourage from being able to play content from the rest of your digital movie library, they have made it difficult to watch other video that doesn't come directly from Itunes, because you need to convert to the .m4v format first. Nothing like transcoding a movie before watching.

I've also heard that the loading times are painfully slow when it boots up. You can only connect to a widescreen TV. Itunes needs to be running on your computer. You can't purchase titles from Apple TV, you have to do it from your computer. There are no cables included. You can't choose which files to add and delete on the Apple TV, you would need to make changes in Itunes on your computer and the transfer EVERYTHING back over to the Apple TV ("synching").

And what if you have an Xbox 360 or PS3? Well these already have the same kind of functionality as the Apple TV, plus extras like being able to play youtube and google video.

I'll stick to my Buffalo LinkTheater, thank you very much, because despite this inaccurate statement below, it seems to stream video across my network just fine. From BusinessWeek:

Earlier efforts to bring online video to television sets have failed because streaming live video over a network doesn't work very well; even the fastest networks suffer glitches that spoil viewing. Apple solves the problem by storing content on the Apple TV box. And while that box syncs with only one iTunes computer, Apple permits you to stream content stored on other computers in your home—with the quality lapses that entails.

My LinkTheateralso displays pictures and plays audio. Most of these types of boxes can stream wirelessly as well, though I'm not sure how well it works. I have a suspended ceiling, so it's no big deal for me to run wires and I feel more comfortable that way.

Most importantly, I don't have to wait to transfer files from my PC to the LinkTheater, I can play them on the fly. And it supports a wide range of video file types and formats. And it has a DVD player.

The Inevitabitlity of Fight

As inevitable a fight as there ever was. Hate Janssen's cheap hit on Kaberle, but hate Belak and the Leafs too. This is the only way Belak's name will ever be chanted though. 'Twas a long fight though, and a gude one too.

Top 10 most difficult games to beat

I only had one game in mind that was really hard to beat, and it turned out to be number 1. I don't think I've seriously played any of the others.

http://pc.ign.com/articles/774/774907p1.html

Saskatoon Accelerators

Dudes and Dudettes,

http://www.cmisl.com/

Brad and I will be attending the exhibition "pro" soccer event at SaskPlace tomorrow evening between the Saskatoon Accelerators and the Winnipeg Ukrainian Sausages prior to Jon's birthday at the Hose. Game time is 7:00 PM and tickets are 17.25$. There will be dining at Costco beforehand, where many a hot dog and pizza and poutine will be had. And the Lord will say "it is good."

Amen.

Exposing A Diver: Cristiano Ronaldo

Amazing player, will dive in the box on cue. Ask Spurs from their meeting at White Heart Lane earlier this year. Has he no shame? Nope.

Streaker!

After Tottenham's FA Cup exit to Chelsea, a fan ran on the field and attempted to fell Frank Lampard with an iron fisticuff to his corpal embodiment.

WHAT! (part 3)

This weekend, Edgar Davids of Ajax took a ludicrous attempt at goal. The fact that he almost scored is almost as entertaining as the end result of the play:

WHAT! (part 2)

Ok, I like the hit on Modano, but if you are going to do that, you have to be able to take a hit afterward. I believe Greg brought this up recently and I defended Tootoo, well I'm sorry Greg, you were right about him after all. It takes a big man to admit he was wrong, and it just goes to show that I am a bigger man than you Greg.

Anyway, swing away Merrill:

WHAT!

Tottenham and England national team goalkeeper scores against Watford in Saturday's Premiership matchup.

Keep it running

Well, so much for seeing if the fuel injector cleaner I added to my tank of gas on Wednesday improved my mileage. For the second time in the all to recent past, I have locked my truck keys in my truck. This time, with the truck on. D'Oh!

I was dropping off the CCFC newsletters at the mailbox and I have a very mindless habit of locking the doors anytime I leave the vehicle (crazy, hey?). Well, I was in mid-thought of I don't know what, the Oilers 9 game loseramma maybe, and I locked the door as I was closing it.

Thanks God Heather wasn't in another training session today, because I wouldn't have been able to get a hold of her. Thankfully she was able to come and rescue me like the hunk she is.

Unfortunately, my truck sat running for 15 minutes while an idiot stood outside of it with a blank stare in his eyes.

What a ... guy

from The Score's Daily Slate...

These days, Switzerland is getting more attention from NHL scouts. In this year's draft, forward Luca Cunti has an outside shot at being selected late in the first round or early in the second. The 6-0, 187 pounder was rated 12th among International skaters in Central Scouting's mid-term rankings.

Man, is Heather ever wishing this guy doesn't make it to the NHL.

Tdot embraces Sdot

From Sportsnet.ca...

Toronto FC announced Thursday that the team has sold out of season seats for the 2007 Major League Soccer (MLS) season. In five months, the team has sold a record setting 14,000 seasons seats for Toronto's new soccer club that will play at BMO Field at Exhibition Place. In addition, BMO Field has also sold out its executive suites.

Personally, I'm a Houston Dynamo fan, but it's nice to see that things may be prosperous for pro soccer in this country. Hell, even Saskatoon is getting a semi-pro team. Try-outs are this Friday and Saturday. Brad, are you ready to show your skills?

All Star Game!

Europe XI vs. Man U, something to do with Man U celebrating 50 years in Europe and the UK being a part of the EU or something like that. All I care about is goals, especially expertly taken top spinning drives to the mid-top corner by the only person on earth who has really perfected this free kick strike: Cristiano Ronaldo.

Blast from the Past: 2004

This is what would have greeted you in 2004 had we not answered your call:


A dude from Steve Allen Custom Golf had the pleasure of leaving me this answering machine message:


I love how he's so flustered by the answering machine message, that he opens his message with "way-hoo-se-vay." WTF does that mean? I honestly thought he was talking backwards when I first heard that.

Drinking 10

I am drunk.

just wanted you to know. Jamin and I and KD and Duncan went and sat amid the 18-somethings at Specklebelly's tonight. What happened to that place? We saw 3 fights, including 1 male vs. female. I think it has become a Scuz spill-over.

We stayed out of trouble of course. Except for that guy we sent to meet his creator... Bill. No, really, Bill was his Dad.

I've never seen a girl boy fight before. This chick was out of control, flirting with everything with a heartbeat at one second and ready to do some ball crushing the next. Then she decided she was going to slap this guy and he grabbed her. I feared the worst of course, but fortunately he didn't clock her and she continued to fume exuberantly without fear, as she could afford playing her gender card to protect her.

I haven't felt quite out of place like I did tonight amid the 15 year olds in the bar. And at Specklebelly's of all places, where on any other night nobody would know any different.

I guess there must be a new high school class on Friday nights.

Simon Says: oops

Chris Simon. The guy has 5 goals in his last 8 games and then he does this. Crazed fighter or scorer? Pick one! You can't be Gretzky/Lemieux and Bertuzzi/McSorley. It's one or the other. Look how Iginla got his ass kicked by a midget a few posts down. I'm sorry, this is just unacceptable behaviour for a guy scoring goals.



Now what are the Rangers going to do for a maniac on the ice? Ohhhhh right.....

Colbert loses lottery

I love this man.

Encore!

Will there be another encore for Henrik Larrson? It won't be with Man U, but how can a player of this quality be left to fizzle away? Either way, it was an awesome way to finish a career in the spotlight. Like Fergie said, too bad they couldn't have signed him back in his celtic days.

Watch out for the Tootoo train

Greg, you're right. Jordin Tootoo is awesome! Beat the shit out of tough-guy wannabe Iginla. Love it!



And gotta love him pounding on Regher last night!

Stupid COS

I was late for my meeting today because the City of Saskatoon had the circle drive bridge down to 1 lane. That's right, ONE lane! That's 66% closure of the bridge. And to top it off, the only work going on was two guys standing on the bridge and talking. I was so furious that I just sat there listening the music of the Andes playing in my truck and thinking of how relaxed I was. Unbelievable.

Chasing Daddy

I'll bet you didn't know this.

From TSN's Ice Chips...

Paul Stastny extended his point streak to 16 games (Tuesday against Boston), currently the longest in the NHL. Stastny is now tied with father Peter Stastny for the longest point streak by a rookie, set in 1980... - Rocky Mountain News

Soccer Fight!

Nothing like a little sportsmanship to finish the game. I love Zanetti's lunging tackle attempt. Too bad he missed, the might have been a good kick fight.

Game of the Century

I turned this on at half time to see my Spurs down 2-0 to the worst team in history. But fear not, a wonder assist by Lennon on Tainio's goal and a good ol' Canadian chap with the winner. I love you Paul Stalteri. The air in my living room has never been punished so violently after the late equalizer and winner.

Worst team ever, WHU, now confirmed. Good luck in the Championship.

Duke, I miss you

What ever happened to this game?

WTF?

No doubt you've seen this before. If you watch hockey it is on almost every commercial break. The question is what the hell is it all about.



The question poser is Jason Jones of the Daily Show, who, if you know your Daily Show, is married to Samantha Bee of that very same show. Sam and Jason are both Canadian. So this guy is a somebody and he is Canadian and he is a comedian, so we know it should be funny... someday.

My guess is that this is one of the big brewery's ramping up for a big NHL playoff promotion, teasing hockey viewers until they ejaculate with anticipation or go crazy and kill someone.

The one thing I'm sure of, is that this will no doubt be another mega advertising letdown, that leaves you wondering "I waited in anticipation for months for that?" Probably an ad for hemeroid cream or something in the end.

Here is Jason's more typical work...

Blogger Insult

Dear Alex, From Blogger:

Blogger's spam-prevention robots have detected that your blog has characteristics of a spam blog.

SPAM BLOG!? Now I have to type in verification of the funny twisted pictures of letters in order to post.

This blog is not spam. Let's be perfectly clear. It is valuable nothingness and nobody can ever take that away from me (except blogger).

The Man-VP has good taste

Other that being all-stars, turns out Steve Nash and I have more in common than I thought. I guess his parents are from North London and the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

From Yahoo News...

NBA basketball star Steve Nash has said he would like to be involved in any attempt to buy English Premiership club Tottenham Hotspur, a newspaper reported.

The 33-year-old Phoenix guard, who won the Most Valuable Player in the past two NBA seasons, is a a life-long Tottenham fan, the Daily Star said.

I think he should buy into them and then suit up. His brother, Martin Nash, has played for the National team and in England for some lower division clubs. Steve played soccer in High School and was apparently pretty good.

From Wikipedia...

(He) was named British Columbia player of the year in soccer as well as basketball in his senior year.