Darth Drabek

Looking forward to the next update, Cant. I found a very interesting article in a Seattle Weekly paper about what it's like to have a job doing QA for the 360. Check it out. It's fairly tabloid-eque -- as most weekly papers are -- but it's still a very entertaining read.

no offence but us workers at gamestop kinda hate people like you >.> <.< <.> especially when you waltz in and give us a trash name like John Johnson Wait a second, huh? Why do you need to give a fake name to trade in your old games and/or systems? I thought that was a completely acceptable (even encouraged) practice. Not that I can trade my Xbox in for any cash, seeing as it's modded... and the DVD drive is shot. If I didn't have all those emulators on there, it would be a big, black paperweight right now.

Haha, we'll see about that. The next-gen graphics are a huge plus, 'cause that thar game sure looks purty... but we all know that it takes more than eye candy to make a GOTY contender. Now if only Microsoft would get around to making MVP 2005 backwards compatible...

That one brings me back to the good old days when Kim Thayil, Matt Cameron were making sure Chris Cornell didn't go around recording covers of Michael Jackson songs. I'm listening to that Soundgarden tune now, but I've been listening to Rocky Votolato's "The Brag & Cuss" album lately. I'd highly recommend to anyone who likes Ryan Adams' more country-tinged stuff.

So yeah, about that Mass Effect... (OK so that song was built to be a pop/rock crossover smash, designed to appeal to MySpace emo kids and Top 40 radio. You can't deny the formula works. Linkin Park+hot goth girl = bazillions of records sold/downloaded. Now, please, let's let any further Evanescence talk migrate over to the music thread. Also, one mention of 3 Doors Down was one mention too much) That trailer was amazing, and this game looks to be a system seller for me. I figure that price drop will happen sometime before the holidays, and hopefully by then the 360 folks will have finally ironed out their issues. The 65 nm chip should be standard issue by then, and hopefully a second heatsink, too. Then I can pick up Mass Effect, GTA 4 and Guitar Hero II or III -- that should keep me occupied for a year.

The Afghan Whigs - Going to Town Live on Letterman circa 1996. Check out that pimpin' red suit.

I saw the newest Harry Potter flick yesterday. The writer/director did a great job of cutting down the longest Potter book into the shortest Potter movie. Normally, I'm one of those people who says things like, "Don't mess with the source material!" and "Where was Tom Bombadil? Nowhere, that's where!" However, I'll make an exception here for two reasons. No. 1: this could've been a very boring movie if they acted out the book verbatim. No. 2: they did an unreasonably good job of picking what to cut. This movie flew. I mean, we're talking two hours that felt like 90 minutes. And let's just say you're gonna love Dudley's new "look." I about fell out of my seat.

Dear and the Headlights - Run in the Front This singer really reminds me of somebody, but I just can't place it. I'm starting to like this band a lot.

Interpol - Narc

Sexual encounters between species? Screw Jack Bauer in space, my character will be a smooth-talking, William Shatner-look-a-like, seducing every alien as he travel the deep end of space. Or Zap Brannigan. I also expect the character to able to scream 'KHAAAAN!' whenever possible. I'd settle for an ironic reading of "Rocket Man."

I guess I shouldn't be surprised by the ratcheted-up level of violence. I just visited the Bio-boards (for the first time in a VERY long time, actually), and some of the devs were talking about how Microsoft gave them the OK for the M rating from the very get-go. And they got it too.

I'll have to see that movie. Pidesco is from Portugal; maybe he hangs out with Seu Jorge! You know, because he sings songs in Portuguese. Although I suppose that means Jorge could be from Brazil, too. I think they speak Portuguese over there too... annnnd now I'm rambling. The Jayhawks - Angelyne from the magnificent "Rainy Day Music" album. And hey, here's a live acoustic performance from Gary Louris from the Jayhawks. It's from like two weeks ago, at a show in Paris. God damn I love the Internet!

For those BIO-fans (or just action-RPG fans... or sci-fi fans...) who are eager for November to arrive: http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/11/joystiq-...on-mass-effect/ Not too much new info, but I didn't know it was going to be quite so ....violent.

I've actually never seen the movie, but I have heard this guy's Bowie covers from the soundtrack, as a friend turned me on to them. I think I have "Life on Mars?" and "Rebel, Rebel." Good stuff. The National - About Today

Four pages and no Jan Jansen? I guess I'm not surprised... what with all this gnomish hatred. Still, it's a colossal snub for one of the best NPCs out there. When I get some more time, I'll put together a list. But you'd best believe he'd be on it!

Thanks for the info Kor and Muso? I remember that White Knight game! I read a bit about it on Penny Arcade a while back. The trailer looked absolutely amazing. They did a comic on it, linked HERE. But to spend $500, when that's the only PS3-exclusive game I'm riled up about? Sheeeeeet, I don't think so. If it had a way to save your games without spending $39.99 for a 64 MB memory card (which is just insulting), the Core 360 would really be perfect for me. I don't plan on using Xbox Live, I don't really want to hassle with charging batteries for my controller, and I don't have a HD-TV. Hell, I don't even have a flat screen. If I ever get one, I can buy the high-def cables then, I suppose.

PS3 is still too much money, even at the new $500 price point. Now $350 for a premium 360, that I can do. Plus I'll be able to play more than half my Xbox games on it (I don't care if they want me to buy their new baseball game, I still want to play MVP Baseball 2005, so make it backwards compatible, dammit!). Oh, I did have one other tech question about the 360 for those of you who have one. How are those wireless controllers? Do they take AAs or is there some sort of internal battery for you to charge?

My original Xbox finally bit the dust, after a few weeks of dirty disc errors. Now the disc drive won't even open, so I'm guessing it's shot. So I've been looking into these next-gen consoles, and it seems like the 360 is making strides. Besides the warranty and the possible price cut, it seems like they are actually starting to fix things inside the box. I've heard when MS repairs consoles that have failed due to the "red rings of doom," they add a second heatsink in there to stop overheating. Also, I read this article that mentioned a new, smaller chip MS is trying to start producing. http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2007/07/m...ame_falcon.html What do you guys think about these hardware changes? Do you think fresh Premiums and Elites have the extra heatsinks now, straight from the factory? I doubt they're doing anything with the Core anymore. I don't think I want that one anyway, because I guess you need a hard drive for backwards compatibility. And hell, can you even save games on the core without a hard drive or some sort of memory card? So should I wait until the new 65 nanometer chip comes out to buy a 360? They say it might be fall. I wouldn't think they would even advertise the chip size on the box so average consumers would even know which chip is in it. I've waited this long to upgrade; I can wait a little longer if the product is going to be cheaper and more stable. But then again, if they really are giving you a three-year warranty for free, maybe I'll take a chance as soon as the price cut happens.

That's the one where he shoots billiards with a midget 'til the rain stops, right? Man, I'll never forget driving across Illinois for a job interview. I was a few miles from the Iowa border when it started feeling like the drive had turned into a surreal hallucination. I really shouldn't have been listening to Swordfishtrombones in that state of mind, but I was. And I had just got the album, too, so I wasn't familiar with all its eccentricities, if you know what I mean. The Hold Steady - How a Resurrection Really Feels the priest just kinda laughed, the deacon caught a draft she crashed into the easter mass with her hair done up in broken glass she was limping left on broken heels when she said "father, can i tell your congregation how a resurrection really feels?"

Now I've seen it all. The Beatles - Ticket to Ride I think I'm gonna be sad Think it's todaaaaaaaay, yeah The girl that's driving me mad Is goin' awaaaaaaaaaay

The Jayhawks - You Look So Young

Dear and the Headlights - It's Gettin' Easy

Nah, same thing's been happening with me lately. I haven't changed browsers or settings; I still use Firefox at home and IE at work. Since about a week ago the font changed and the links don't show up anymore unless you happen to roll over them with your cursor. Oh, and it stormed like hell yesterday. We're supposed to play a game later in my company's rec softball league. Hopefully the field has dried out from yesterday's soaking. We're leaving for a short vacation to San Francisco tomorrow. It's only in the mid-60s there, which will be a relief from that legendary Ohio heat. Lastly, I'm glad Chris (the Jedi Killer) is back, even if it's just to talk about the weather.

The Polyphonic Spree - Running Away I finally listened to these guys. I've been avoiding them for years because I thought they were a cult. First impressions: They're not terrible.

I remember Willie had a great line in Half Baked: "I remember when a dimebag actually cost a dime!" Or something like that. I was trying to think of (living) bands I'd actually pay $60 to see. All I could come up with was Springsteen with the E Street Band (I've actually paid more than that to see them, and I'd do it again) and an Afghan Whigs reunion. I think I spent $70 to see U2 six or seven years ago. It was a great show, but I wouldn't do it again.