RealFolkBlues

Just beat the game. A solid addition to the series, and not a bad sequel to what is probably my third favorite Zelda. Linebeck is quality, but I'm not going to call him over Midna. There are a couple occasions where the controls could have been better (rolling is a pain,) but otherwise great use of both the touch and dual screen features. The difficulty on this game is weird; some of the battles are the easiest things ever (I'm looking at you first few bosses,) but the dungeons often seemed to wreck my hearts. Only major caveat though is the music could be better. I really don't know why they got rid of the Windwaker sailing theme. I freakin' love that song. So epic. Still, all in all, a great game.

I've always wanted to see the movie, as the book is one of my all-time favorites. It was pretty much what I did my sixth grade spring break. My dad (an English teacher) tells me it's one of those books which reveals more with successive revisitings, and as such, I've been meaning to pick it back up. People often talk about how Tolkien's world-building was impressive, and I'm not saying it isn't, but I think it's fairly awesome that Adams managed to do many of the same things with rabbits, of all animals. As for his other books, I tried reading Shardik right after finishing Watership Down, and just couldn't get into it. I'm thinking I might have been too young at the time.

Metroid. I was looking for this one particular Metroid remix on Napster (I'm dating myself here,) and caught a whole bunch of mixes with the OCR label on them. Eventually I got the idea and went straight to the awesome source for my videogame remixes.

Word. I'll bring my djimbe, my tenor voice, and if I can find it in time, my pendant ocarina. Should be some good times.

I'll bring my djimbe. Good times guys. Sammy, you'd best bring those bongos again. Speaking of hand drums, you wanna collab on that Babayatu remix you were thinking about, Tauce? I seem to remember some solid hand drumming in that song, and I would certainly give it a try.

Damnit I thought I was original. Oh well. So, I'm replaying the game now on Hyper, and now that I've gotten a little bit into it again, I can say it's harder, but especially as a mode offered only after you beat the game, it's more tedious than actually challenging. Sure, everything takes more damage and does more, but after having just beaten the game, it's not hard to dodge some hoppers and blow some extra missiles. Eh. I should really give it some more time (not to mention a couple more boss fights than that first one on Norion) before I make a decision on Hyper difficulty, but I definitely had a great time going back through Hard on MP1, so Corruption has its work cut out. That's not to say the game wasn't really good. It's definitely my second favorite of the trilogy, and actually not by a huge margin, like I expected. I freakin' love Prime. That game is awesome. The entire time I was playing Prime I kept thinking to myself that I felt like I was playing a 3-d version of Super Metroid. It just captured that feel perfectly. Everyone else has given some good gripes about Echoes, so I won't restate what was obviously wrong about the game. As it stands, I liked it, but it was the weakest of the Prime trilogy, and maybe the least of all Metroid games. Being the worst Metroid game is still better than a lot of the games out there though. I have a few mixed feelings about Corruption. Primarily (sorry,) it was retardedly fun. Even more so than Prime, this game dragged me through with its utterly addictive gameplay and truly fascinating presentation. I had hoped for a stronger story and more character growth (voice acting for the first time, more than three or four characters total, etc.,) but I didn't really expect it. My main caveat otherwise, if I can even call it a negative, is that the game often felt more like Zelda in terms of your advancement through the world. This is coming from a guy with a Triforce tattoo on his back, so that's not a huge problem for me, but there were a couple times where an area felt like I was being railroaded from one suit expansion to the next (Pirate homeworld, anyone? until I could clear the boss. Again, not a big gripe, but it took a little away from the Metroid feel that the game otherwise does very well. Overall, though, I'm pretty pleased with the game. Also, did anyone else catch the two GF Technicians talking on the Olympus about that rebellion? I forget what they called it, but I certainly smell prequel off that piece. Frankly, that would be fuggin fantastic.

Apocalyptica could slaughter that. Sounds great. This is actually a good topic for me; I just got into a band, and thus far we're mainly playing covers. Anyone got any suggestions for a alt/jam band with two guitars, a bass, and a djimbe (African drum?)

Man, I gotta get an internet connection so as not to be doing this posting stuff all guerilla style at work. I'll definitely be there, with close to the same contingent I brought last year. Possibly doing a Bioshock Team cosplay as well. Don't ask me, I'm just along for the ride this time.

Everything by Lunasa, particularly their self-titled first album. Beautiful. My home-girl who turned me on to them is on her honeymoon, otherwise I would get some more suggestions from her real quick. Stay posted.

Happy day of birthing, Tauce! I'll have a beer for your young self, though it will undoubtedly go straight to my fat ass.

...but that side's lame. Especially in a Michael Bay movie. Eh, I was fairly happy with it, overall. Most of what Jose said is pretty accurate, though I expected a good bit of silly comic schlock anyway, so I just kind of grinned and bore it. My only real regret for the movie is that Optimus should have pwned more. Don't get me wrong, he was a hardass, just not quite on the level I was hoping for, having been a big fan of G1, Beast Wars, and Beast Machines.

Well put, as usual, Coop. It's possible that this guy is just naive or something, and doesn't realize this comes off as pulling on heart strings to loosen the purse strings, but I for one think he's aware of what he's doing. It's not quite worth damning him to hell, guys, but it is kind of poopy to donate so little and call it charity.

Agreed. OCR has some extremely chill cats amongst the community, not to mention some powerful talent (Harmony, BGC, bustatunez, etc..) BTW, djp might downplay it, but I thought the OCR used as background at the concert was well-placed and well-received. Good stuff.

That makes sense. A 20% give rate doesn't though. Being the son of a woman who had MS, I really wanted this to be cool, but damn, that is borderline PETA quality bullshit. Is this guy just attaching a charitable notion to an album to get it to sell, or is he just dumb? I don't know, but I guess I should wish him luck or something.

Oh goodness those pictures kick ass. That one of Dave with the Wii bowling is pretty damn awesome. The streak effects really add a lot of lol. That picture of my back needs to be explained a bit, though, I think. Thursday night (which was really chill, BTW,) we went out and had some Don Pablo's, and coming back from there to DJP's, I had a severe need for a potty break. So bad, in fact, that I couldn't wait until I got the few miles to his house. Instead, we pull over to the side of the road and I relieve myself over the guardrail. A car goes by, and being in a jovial mood, I wave to them. Convoluted story I'll admit, but my point is that OCR people are good people. So yeah, I had a great time, and apparently so did Tim (my friend, who has yet to post here.) Thanks for making us feel comfortable and being your awesome selves, OCR. Also, you're welcome, Wes.

I'm surprised I'm only the second person on this thread to mention Tetris. I've owned or own a version of Tetris on every system I've had or have now, including my cell phone. I heart Tetris.

Having eaten Olive Garden with you, sir, I can safely say you're a solid candidate for a supporting role in the next Final Fantasy. Continue keeping it so real and you'll have my vote. Also, happy birthday!

Bahamut; me and my friend I'm bringing are totally down for some ultimate/tossing. The mall probably wouldn't be viable, though it would be awesome. Too crowded. Should I bring cones, guys? Also, as for dressing up, I'm very meh about that, but if so, I say we dress up AND wear OCR shirts. It'd be like tux t-shirts; they're formal, but at the same time, you came to party. BGC; I don't have the interwebs up at my house, so I'm going to just PM you my digits, and you can give me a call whenever. I'd probably need to do that later, anyway, like for when we meet up.

Agreed. I positively loved this movie, especially the ending (which both surprised me and left some loose threads, which actually worked in this case,) and if you go back and watch the first two, you'll notice how much random extraneous crap they put in and how convoluted parts of the story were. Plus, did anybody else think Beckett's death on the exploding galleon was really badass?

Quite true. Ah well, this will probably work out for the best. One of my friends just paid the $37.44 so it might have been a bit cramped. I gotcha next time Taucer. I should have my car all fixed and shit by then.

My uncle and family have lived around Chicago for many a year now, and now reside in Elliston, just outside it. That having been said, check out the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (I hear Dan Orbach is the frickin' man-shameless plug.) More seriously, try to catch some Irish music (Chicago and Pittsburgh are pretty much the centers for that particular scene in the US,) if you like architecture than go to Oak Park and take the Frank Lloyd Wright tour, and eat a pizza puff. That's all good stuff.

I'm down for providing housing if you want to pass through beautiful WNC. It's a good place to go by on your route, and if you don't mind a (considerable) detour, the Blue Ridge Parkway is a beautiful way to get to New York state. PM for further info.

BGC; that's an interesting coincidence, actually, as the other half of my family (that is, my mother's side) lives in and around Bristol for the most part. So yeah, that's just as good, if not better. Taucer; if you want to get a ride over to Asheville or drive your car, I'm more than down for giving you a ride up to rendevous with BGC. Also, e-punch Mario Sunshine for bailing. That's kind of weak, considering this is pretty much the eleventh hour for this organizing rides mess.

$37.44 paid. bgc, should I perhaps come over to K-ville on Thursday? It's no big thing, as I don't work Thursdays or Fridays normally.

Happy motherbirthjondayt! Hope you had a good one, sir.