I realize I'm late on posting a blog update. Again. What can I say? I'm not the most prompt person. It usually takes some sort of catalyst like...
The Death of Gary Gygax
For those who didn't grow up in a keep on the Borderlands, take an expedition to Barrier Peak, or follow the were-rabbit into Dungeonland, the name Gygax is probably meaningless. For nerds, geeks, and dweebs around the world, Gary Gygax is a father-figure. You see, he was the co-creator of Dungeons & Dragons, and he passed away March 4th at 69.
Like many, I regard Gygax as the creator of roleplaying gaming. His death won't change the industry, but it does mark the passing of someone who deeply affected my life through his creation-D&D.
I started gaming in 1981, which was fourth grade for me. My friend Billy Talo introduced me to the Dungeons & Dragons game, which his older brother was a "master" of. We spent the better part of one Saturday creating a character, an elf (which was then both a race and an occupation under the very simplistic Basic D&D rules). When we finished, I was revved up and ready to explore a dungeon... and I learned Bill didn't have a clue what came next. He just understand how to create a character. *Chuckles*
Over the next couple years, I would beg for D&D books and slowly build a veritable library of the game. I remember my first copies of the D&D Basic game and later, the Expert set. I remember reading the books at a craft fair my mother drug me to. I remember playing with my friends in our tree fort... until we dropped the green dice into the grass below. We tore up grass for hours, but couldn't find the dice. By sixth grade, I was well into the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons rules, a more complicated and "realistic" game. Dan Mueller and Mark Serrahn were my gaming buddies, each bringing some different experiences to D&D (and other games, like the original Marvel Superheroes RPG). Mark and I would go on to create our own games, including a Transformers game (using Lego-guys for figures), something we called the Key System (which was meant to be as realistic as possible), and board games like Mark's Battle for Solon.
Mark and I bundled our 1st edition books together, and we had quite a few, and traded them into a place (sort of a pawn shop) for three whole 2nd Edition books--the Player's Handbook, the Dungeon Master's Guide, and the first Monstrous Compendium (a binder that had replaced the Monster Manual). Yup, three whole books. Naturally, we later found our 1st edition stuff being sold for far more than the value of the 2nd edition books, but we were poor kids!
Over the years, roleplaying has been a constant in my life. I gamed online for years, but always go back to the tabletop game. Even as I type this entry, I have perhaps a hundred hard-cover books filling up a floor to ceiling shelving unit in my bedroom. What's there? Some old 2nd edition books I still like to read, a lot of the current 3rd and 3.5 editions of D&D. And thene there are products by other companies, like Privateer Press's Iron Kingdoms setting, the old Marvel Super Heroes game, Shadowrun Books, perhaps a hundred old Dragon and Dungeon periodicals, some of the recent Paizo Pathfinder series (the first two, before I cancelled my subscription because I wasn't using their stuff).
My desk is covered with miniature painting gear and a few partially painted mini's. I have an 8-drawer "hobby" shelving unit next to my bed which doubles as a night stand. I've got counters, dice, and miniatures jammed in there. Just one glance at my DVD collection will reveal my interests... Berserk, the Record of the Lodoss Wars, Legend, The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, the Lord of the Rings collection, The Thirteenth Warrior, even some old animated classics like the Hobbit and the Last Unicorn. Yeah. I like fantasy.
Every weekend I rattle on to Brenda about the "Broken Blades" and the city of Mulmaster, which I've poured my heart and soul into for years. You see, these places, characters, items and monsters... they're as real to me as many people I meet. I can close my eyes and feel the cold winds blowing off the Moonsea (Ed Greenwood's contribution, but Gygax's game). I can hear the hammers beating steel into swords, glaives, speark heads. I can see Tanner wearing his dragon scales and spiked Breastplate in the court, looking uncomfortable, smirking, laughing loudly enough to scare the courtiers, and giving every indication he's the new High Blade because of the strength of his immense arms. I see what others don't... the tenderness with which he treats Saphrael, the trust he extends to the feral Jasper, fatherly Gustavus, forthright Tarka, pensive Llister, ruthless Parne, and glib Harlequin.
I owe these memories to Gygax, just as the millions playing World of Warcraft or exploring Morrorwind on their XBox 360 or Folklore on their PS3 do. While it's truth that Gygax borrowed a lot of his ideas from Middle Earth and Jack Vance, there is no doubt the gaming he develped was a wonderful addition to our world.
Gygax said "I would like the world to remember me as the guy who really enjoyed playing games and sharing his knowledge and his fun pastimes with everybody else."
With a fourth edition of the D&D game right around the corner and Dragon magazine closing in on 30 years now, I'd say that's how we remember him. He's the father of gaming, the guy that gave geeks something to get excited about. With a couple books, a few oddly shaped pieces of plastic, some scraps of paper and a pencil, maybe a pewter minature (though that wasn't the norm for may years), we were able to live another life. It didn't matter what ws going on at school, home, or in the world around us. We were able to escape, with our friends, and immerse ourselves in adventures fit for mythic heroes. I'd say Gygax has left the world a better place than the way he found it.
We'll miss you Mr. Gygax. Thank you for everything.
Friday, March 7, 2008
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Lazy Days of January
As it turns out, I'm not having the best start to the new year--at least in terms of being energetic--and keeping up my new blog is no exception! I'm endeavoring to catch up the blog, since I just turned thirty six and am feeling a bit older than dust right about now. This entry is going to be one of those, train of thought sort of things. I'm going to just share what I've been thinking on some current hot topics, in no particular order.
Heath Ledger's Death:
Okay, I rather like Heath Ledger, perhaps because he seemed genuinely likable. I suppose it's difficult to really feel attached to an actor, since we often judge them by their roles, not anything we might know about the person behind the characters they play. Anyway, I really enjoyed Ledger in "A Knight's Tale." I suspect a lot of people weren't crazy with the odd mix of modern music and a historical fiction set in the late middle ages, but I liked it. I mean, it had David Bowie's "Golden Years" mixed into a court room dance. What's not to love? It also had a fantastic supporting cast with Rufus Sewell (Dark City star), Paul Bettany (supporting parts in Master and Commander, The DaVinci Code as the albino, and A Beautiful Mind), Mark Addy (the father in TV's "Still Standing" and in the recent version of the Time Machine), and a very funny Alan Tudyk (Wash in "Firefly" and "Serenity").
Anyway, Ledger died of an accidental overdose by combining painkillers oxycontin (oxycodone) and vicodin (hydrocodone), anti-anxiety drugs Xanax and Valium, and sleeping pills. Now, given the fact I take oxycontin, vicodin and can't sleep, I understand the issue. I've taken Unisom, one of the two sleeping pills he was using, though I only use a half tablet. In most people, oxycontin and vicodin make you sleepy. In my case, apparently like his, my mind stays busy even when I'm physically exhausted. It's frustrating and would be even more difficult if I had an active life (which I suspect he did). It's an unfortunate loss, and one that makes me just a bit nervous, given what he died from. Thankfully, I don't need to maintain a normal schedule, and I've been able to avoid sleeping pills (after giving up on Unisom entirely).
The Presidential Primaries:
Well, as I write this, most of the tallies from Super Tuesday are in. McCain has a big lead over Romney and Huckabee. While I'm a liberal, I'm also a big fan of strong personalities. I value fiscal responsibility and lean right on criminal justice, so I'm not uncomfortable being labelled an independent. Simply put, very few people are lucky enough to be able to vote for a candidate they agree with on every major issue. It's far more likely, they'll have to support someone who strikes them as a leader, a reasonable and thoughtful individual, even if they can't see eye-to-eye on everything. I feel that way about John McCain.
I will most likely vote for Hillary Clinton before Obama, because everything Obama has said about "change" seems to exist in a void. Passing legistlation requires compromise. Hillary Clinton understands that. John McCain understands that. I'm fairly certain Obama, Romney, and Huckabee don't. Maybe that willingness to put aside partisan politics and come to an accord is really the definition of a moderate or independent. I see a Clinton v. McCain race as a win-win situation.
I'd be very disappointed if McCain ended up working to overturn Roe v. Wade, but his record seems to indicate his personal views (pro Life) wouldn't dictate some federal policy. Likewise, my own belief that same-sex marriage rights are undeniably the correct, reasonable way to move our laws wouldn't get much attention. McCain has made it a point that he believes it's a state issue, unlike his more socially liberal backers Gulianni and the Governator. While Hillary Clinton would undoubtedly not take an action to errode women's rights, and might move the reality of same-sex marriage rights closer, I think both of them would focus on the economy, salvaging the war in Iraq without pulling out as a knee-jerk reaction and turning the place into a veritable blender. Social issues are really important BUT I also can acknowledge the need for progress on things like health care (which is more likely under Clinton, but not out of the question with McCain), our economy, immigration and border security, and the war in Iraq.
I'm not convinced either Clinton or Obama can beat McCain. Clinton, in my mind, has a much better chance, but Obama galvanizes people. I don't see the appeal. He's done nothing remarkable. People are buying into his "change" rhetoric, but I haven't heard anything that leads me to believe he can correct the problems facing the nation, nor gain enough support within Congress. Whatever the case, I suspect the next president will be an improvement. I'm sure Clinton would be the candidate that serves me best, but I wouldn't be disappointed if McCain got elected, and even Obama would be less problematic than Bush. I guess we'll see.
Rebates:
I'm not a big fan of spending money we don't have, but I understand the complexity of the finances our government. I don't think 1% of our GNP will avert a recession, but it might blunt the outcome. Ultimately, I'd rather have a bit of the government's wasted money in my own hands. How do you plan on spending yours?
Depending on when we get our rebate (IF we do, I guess), I'll most likely just add it to my growing "house" fund. I have planned on paying off a small student loan and eventually Gwen's bracers, but we already will have those accounted for most likely. That leaves me with a single source of debt... my car payment. Even that is small, and we technically have enough to pay it off with enough for a cruise left over. None of that helps the economy, but I'm a frugal person. I buy things that interest me, when we feel comfortable spending the money... but I'm not going to go out and blow it just because I find myself with more money. I spend plenty anyway.
New Buys/Gifts
Brenda was gone in California this past week for a business trip, to kick off a new project, and she gave me crabs when she got back! Okay, by crabs, I actually mean hermit crabs. They were my birthday gift, since I've always liked the little fellows. They're sort of my totem animal, both the hermit-side and the fact they pinch! Heh. I'm going to do a bigger blog entry on the guys when I get the photos touched up and online.
I bought Brenda an 80gb Zune for her birthday, since our 20gb iPod hasn't been charging right... and no longer holds the 26gb of music I have. I continue to add ot our collection, ableit slowly, so it makes sense to find a system that will link with my computer (sync'd up, actually) and able to store enough. It also has a cool wireless connection, a bigger screen (3.2 inches), and a digital radio tuner. Overall, I think it's pretty nice, but I don't care for the way it handles the music. I would have been much happier with a system that functioned by standard Windows directories. Instead, it created a lot of "various artist" enteries for things like Fatboy Slim or other electronic acts with guests involved. Ah, well. It's still pretty nice.
Lastly, I got some nice little gifts from different people. I got two novels from Joel Rosenberg and volume one of Cowboy Bebop from Brenda. I was missing the first Bebop disc, though I have discs 2 through 6, and the movie! That's a great show, btw. I love Rosenberg, and although I'm missing some novels that come before these, Brenda was afraid (and rightfully so) they'll disappear entirely soon enough. I'm trying to find three of his novels on Ebay still. My mom sent me cash (which was silly, but one size definitely fits all) and two great color by pencil Thomas Kincaid sets. I'm looking forward to those, since I actually like to color. Mark, who has been friends with me longer than anyone I remain close to, got me two great graphic novels (The Watchers and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, as well as a D&D book on my wish list (Lords of Madness). That was a great surprise, and I'm sure it'll give ma lot to read/do this month!
Pistons
I won't go into another boring, redundant post, but it looks like the Pistons shook off a funk they went through (5 of 10 after their twelve game win streak ended), and are back ot a win streak of five or so. The bench is doing well and Amir Johnson is finally getting play time! For those that don't remember, Amir is the twenty year old 6'11" Piston who has a *gift* for rebounding and shot-blocking. He's still foul prone, but what an amazing athlete he is! The Pistons are five games behind the Celtics, but second overall in the NBA still. That's a pretty astounding record, and I like what they're doing.
The Lakers made a big move and traded off two draft picks ('08 and '10 first rounders), an expiring contract (Kwame Brown) worth $9m, and their point guard prodigy Jarvis Crittenton, for the Grizzlies' Pau Gasol. That's a fantastic move, though it has significant pay roll consequences. Still, it was likely the best deal the Grizzly organization could get since they're having serious financial problems. I'm sure they're going to try to move more players, since they have way too many point guards. They moved Stomile Swift to the Nets, and are shopping Mike Miller around, after buying out Damon Stoudemire (who went to the Spurs). Now people are wondering where the Net's Jason Kidd (or even Vince Carter) might land, and there are rumors about the Phoenix Suns swapping Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks to the Heat for Shaq! That's a weird move, but make sense when you analyze it.
Bascially, even with his delined athletic ability, Shaq is still shooting 60%. He simply isn't getting the ball very often in Miami. His rebounding will never recover, but he's still a threat. He seems like a terrible fit with the super fast paced Suns, but imagine Shaq (even with his quesitonable health) paired with Amare Stoudamire (as a power forward, for a change), and all the accurate perimeter shooting on the Suns. Yeah, they wouldn't get as many fast breaks, but whew! That could work. Miami picks up a very, very talented player that has a player option next season. He may match up well with Wade and company, and Marcus Banks is still has promise as a point guard. I think he'd be an improvement over Smush Parker, and I suspect Jason Williams will be gone after this season (maybe even earlier).
The trade deadline is approaching, and I'm curious to see what people will do. The Pistons have a lot of expiring contracts they could use to lure out a guy who makes a big impact. They have Primoz Brezec, Walter Herrmann, Flip Murray, and even Jarvis Hayes. I think Lindsey Hunter might be in his last year, too, though I can't remember now. I'd like them to keep Herrmann instead of Jarvis Hayes, since Hayes may not resign for the money he's making this season. Herrmann is a good defender, great even, and seem like a talented scorer. We'll see what they decide, but I think it's safe to say Flip Murray is gone. The Bobcats players and Jarvis Hayes are more questionable.
Bit Torrent
I finally broke down and swiped an out of print book on Bit Torrent. I don't like the idea of aquiring stuff this way, but I couldnt' even find a copy on Ebay, so felt desperate. It wasn't as if my money didn't go to the publisher; it wasn't headed there anyway! It's a neat system, not unlike Napster, but I don't know if I'll make a lot of use of it or not. It is certainly tempting, given how much media is available through Bit Torrent sites.
Well, that's it! I've got a bunch of photos I need to get online. I also have to back up my data files (mostly music, but also writing, gaming, photos, etc.) onto my external hard drive this week, too. I'm always paranoid of computer problems, and it pays to have a backup of the files you value. I have a pair of external hard drives that don't ever get used, so time to make them useful!
I'm off like a dirty shirt!
~dirge
Heath Ledger's Death:
Okay, I rather like Heath Ledger, perhaps because he seemed genuinely likable. I suppose it's difficult to really feel attached to an actor, since we often judge them by their roles, not anything we might know about the person behind the characters they play. Anyway, I really enjoyed Ledger in "A Knight's Tale." I suspect a lot of people weren't crazy with the odd mix of modern music and a historical fiction set in the late middle ages, but I liked it. I mean, it had David Bowie's "Golden Years" mixed into a court room dance. What's not to love? It also had a fantastic supporting cast with Rufus Sewell (Dark City star), Paul Bettany (supporting parts in Master and Commander, The DaVinci Code as the albino, and A Beautiful Mind), Mark Addy (the father in TV's "Still Standing" and in the recent version of the Time Machine), and a very funny Alan Tudyk (Wash in "Firefly" and "Serenity").
Anyway, Ledger died of an accidental overdose by combining painkillers oxycontin (oxycodone) and vicodin (hydrocodone), anti-anxiety drugs Xanax and Valium, and sleeping pills. Now, given the fact I take oxycontin, vicodin and can't sleep, I understand the issue. I've taken Unisom, one of the two sleeping pills he was using, though I only use a half tablet. In most people, oxycontin and vicodin make you sleepy. In my case, apparently like his, my mind stays busy even when I'm physically exhausted. It's frustrating and would be even more difficult if I had an active life (which I suspect he did). It's an unfortunate loss, and one that makes me just a bit nervous, given what he died from. Thankfully, I don't need to maintain a normal schedule, and I've been able to avoid sleeping pills (after giving up on Unisom entirely).
The Presidential Primaries:
Well, as I write this, most of the tallies from Super Tuesday are in. McCain has a big lead over Romney and Huckabee. While I'm a liberal, I'm also a big fan of strong personalities. I value fiscal responsibility and lean right on criminal justice, so I'm not uncomfortable being labelled an independent. Simply put, very few people are lucky enough to be able to vote for a candidate they agree with on every major issue. It's far more likely, they'll have to support someone who strikes them as a leader, a reasonable and thoughtful individual, even if they can't see eye-to-eye on everything. I feel that way about John McCain.
I will most likely vote for Hillary Clinton before Obama, because everything Obama has said about "change" seems to exist in a void. Passing legistlation requires compromise. Hillary Clinton understands that. John McCain understands that. I'm fairly certain Obama, Romney, and Huckabee don't. Maybe that willingness to put aside partisan politics and come to an accord is really the definition of a moderate or independent. I see a Clinton v. McCain race as a win-win situation.
I'd be very disappointed if McCain ended up working to overturn Roe v. Wade, but his record seems to indicate his personal views (pro Life) wouldn't dictate some federal policy. Likewise, my own belief that same-sex marriage rights are undeniably the correct, reasonable way to move our laws wouldn't get much attention. McCain has made it a point that he believes it's a state issue, unlike his more socially liberal backers Gulianni and the Governator. While Hillary Clinton would undoubtedly not take an action to errode women's rights, and might move the reality of same-sex marriage rights closer, I think both of them would focus on the economy, salvaging the war in Iraq without pulling out as a knee-jerk reaction and turning the place into a veritable blender. Social issues are really important BUT I also can acknowledge the need for progress on things like health care (which is more likely under Clinton, but not out of the question with McCain), our economy, immigration and border security, and the war in Iraq.
I'm not convinced either Clinton or Obama can beat McCain. Clinton, in my mind, has a much better chance, but Obama galvanizes people. I don't see the appeal. He's done nothing remarkable. People are buying into his "change" rhetoric, but I haven't heard anything that leads me to believe he can correct the problems facing the nation, nor gain enough support within Congress. Whatever the case, I suspect the next president will be an improvement. I'm sure Clinton would be the candidate that serves me best, but I wouldn't be disappointed if McCain got elected, and even Obama would be less problematic than Bush. I guess we'll see.
Rebates:
I'm not a big fan of spending money we don't have, but I understand the complexity of the finances our government. I don't think 1% of our GNP will avert a recession, but it might blunt the outcome. Ultimately, I'd rather have a bit of the government's wasted money in my own hands. How do you plan on spending yours?
Depending on when we get our rebate (IF we do, I guess), I'll most likely just add it to my growing "house" fund. I have planned on paying off a small student loan and eventually Gwen's bracers, but we already will have those accounted for most likely. That leaves me with a single source of debt... my car payment. Even that is small, and we technically have enough to pay it off with enough for a cruise left over. None of that helps the economy, but I'm a frugal person. I buy things that interest me, when we feel comfortable spending the money... but I'm not going to go out and blow it just because I find myself with more money. I spend plenty anyway.
New Buys/Gifts
Brenda was gone in California this past week for a business trip, to kick off a new project, and she gave me crabs when she got back! Okay, by crabs, I actually mean hermit crabs. They were my birthday gift, since I've always liked the little fellows. They're sort of my totem animal, both the hermit-side and the fact they pinch! Heh. I'm going to do a bigger blog entry on the guys when I get the photos touched up and online.
I bought Brenda an 80gb Zune for her birthday, since our 20gb iPod hasn't been charging right... and no longer holds the 26gb of music I have. I continue to add ot our collection, ableit slowly, so it makes sense to find a system that will link with my computer (sync'd up, actually) and able to store enough. It also has a cool wireless connection, a bigger screen (3.2 inches), and a digital radio tuner. Overall, I think it's pretty nice, but I don't care for the way it handles the music. I would have been much happier with a system that functioned by standard Windows directories. Instead, it created a lot of "various artist" enteries for things like Fatboy Slim or other electronic acts with guests involved. Ah, well. It's still pretty nice.
Lastly, I got some nice little gifts from different people. I got two novels from Joel Rosenberg and volume one of Cowboy Bebop from Brenda. I was missing the first Bebop disc, though I have discs 2 through 6, and the movie! That's a great show, btw. I love Rosenberg, and although I'm missing some novels that come before these, Brenda was afraid (and rightfully so) they'll disappear entirely soon enough. I'm trying to find three of his novels on Ebay still. My mom sent me cash (which was silly, but one size definitely fits all) and two great color by pencil Thomas Kincaid sets. I'm looking forward to those, since I actually like to color. Mark, who has been friends with me longer than anyone I remain close to, got me two great graphic novels (The Watchers and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, as well as a D&D book on my wish list (Lords of Madness). That was a great surprise, and I'm sure it'll give ma lot to read/do this month!
Pistons
I won't go into another boring, redundant post, but it looks like the Pistons shook off a funk they went through (5 of 10 after their twelve game win streak ended), and are back ot a win streak of five or so. The bench is doing well and Amir Johnson is finally getting play time! For those that don't remember, Amir is the twenty year old 6'11" Piston who has a *gift* for rebounding and shot-blocking. He's still foul prone, but what an amazing athlete he is! The Pistons are five games behind the Celtics, but second overall in the NBA still. That's a pretty astounding record, and I like what they're doing.
The Lakers made a big move and traded off two draft picks ('08 and '10 first rounders), an expiring contract (Kwame Brown) worth $9m, and their point guard prodigy Jarvis Crittenton, for the Grizzlies' Pau Gasol. That's a fantastic move, though it has significant pay roll consequences. Still, it was likely the best deal the Grizzly organization could get since they're having serious financial problems. I'm sure they're going to try to move more players, since they have way too many point guards. They moved Stomile Swift to the Nets, and are shopping Mike Miller around, after buying out Damon Stoudemire (who went to the Spurs). Now people are wondering where the Net's Jason Kidd (or even Vince Carter) might land, and there are rumors about the Phoenix Suns swapping Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks to the Heat for Shaq! That's a weird move, but make sense when you analyze it.
Bascially, even with his delined athletic ability, Shaq is still shooting 60%. He simply isn't getting the ball very often in Miami. His rebounding will never recover, but he's still a threat. He seems like a terrible fit with the super fast paced Suns, but imagine Shaq (even with his quesitonable health) paired with Amare Stoudamire (as a power forward, for a change), and all the accurate perimeter shooting on the Suns. Yeah, they wouldn't get as many fast breaks, but whew! That could work. Miami picks up a very, very talented player that has a player option next season. He may match up well with Wade and company, and Marcus Banks is still has promise as a point guard. I think he'd be an improvement over Smush Parker, and I suspect Jason Williams will be gone after this season (maybe even earlier).
The trade deadline is approaching, and I'm curious to see what people will do. The Pistons have a lot of expiring contracts they could use to lure out a guy who makes a big impact. They have Primoz Brezec, Walter Herrmann, Flip Murray, and even Jarvis Hayes. I think Lindsey Hunter might be in his last year, too, though I can't remember now. I'd like them to keep Herrmann instead of Jarvis Hayes, since Hayes may not resign for the money he's making this season. Herrmann is a good defender, great even, and seem like a talented scorer. We'll see what they decide, but I think it's safe to say Flip Murray is gone. The Bobcats players and Jarvis Hayes are more questionable.
Bit Torrent
I finally broke down and swiped an out of print book on Bit Torrent. I don't like the idea of aquiring stuff this way, but I couldnt' even find a copy on Ebay, so felt desperate. It wasn't as if my money didn't go to the publisher; it wasn't headed there anyway! It's a neat system, not unlike Napster, but I don't know if I'll make a lot of use of it or not. It is certainly tempting, given how much media is available through Bit Torrent sites.
Well, that's it! I've got a bunch of photos I need to get online. I also have to back up my data files (mostly music, but also writing, gaming, photos, etc.) onto my external hard drive this week, too. I'm always paranoid of computer problems, and it pays to have a backup of the files you value. I have a pair of external hard drives that don't ever get used, so time to make them useful!
I'm off like a dirty shirt!
~dirge
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Reviews
After realizing I repeated most of my Piston's analysis in the two blog posts I created here, I figured I'd move on to something that's been consuming a lot of my time lately--video games.
Playstation 3 General Review:
As I mentioned previously, I bought a Sony Playstation 3 about two months ago. I haven't been a very active console video game player, but we owned a Playstation 2 since 2000, and I had been spending more and more time trying PS2 games. The lure of so many new features drew me to the next generation consoles, and I decided on the PS3 for a variety of reasons. Now that I've had ample time to try it out, I figured I'd share my take on the PS3.
First, the system is very well integrated. It reminds me of the single console dream for all your multimedia needs. It plays CDs, DVDs, and now Blu Ray high definition DVDs. It plays MP3 music files, either from the decent hard drive, or from an external player connected by one of the four USB ports... or even memory cards. I'm not certain which memory card slots it provides, but we've used our compact flash cards from our digital camera to view digital photos.
The Blu Ray functionality has to be a pretty significant selling point to people that aren't certain how much gaming they'll be doing. At $400-$500, the cost of the console isn't much more (if any) than a stand-alone Blu Ray player. Ultimately, you have to decide if you're willing to invest in a new technology. Is 1080p worth it? Will Blu Ray beat out HD DVD? Or will another format eclipse both of them before they're firmly established? Well, with a Netflix account, I rent the vast majority of our videos (rather than buying them) and I'm not forced to invest in Blu Ray. I will continue to be inexpensive DVDs (below $10, preferrably $7.50 or lower) to replace video tapes. Since Blu Ray titles tend to be full price, I'm opting for standard DVDs. While the difference in video quality is instantly recognizable, my complaint with video cassettes is the fact they degrade, often becoming entirely unplayable. While I'd prefer a 1080p copy of a favorite movie, I'd rather have something permanent (a standard DVD) than something that is not much different than an expensive rental (a tape).
*If* Blu Ray DVDs don't continue to lead HD DVDs in sales, I'm not really out anything. I rent the high quality videos when they're a choice and I can enjoy 1080p video and amazing sound now... but I'm not really out much, since I'm also getting other functions out of the console, namely video games and internet browsing.
While people have commented on how the Xbox 360 and PS3 compare, I can't say enough about how wonderful the graphics (and sound) on the Playstation 3 are. I hear critics saying games like "Folklore" (which I'm playing now) doesn't push the system very hard, I'm still in awe over the exotic setings (the faery realm and the undersea realm, for example) and lush scenery. I don't face video lag or stuttering, like I did on any PC I've owned, and the entire system is infinitely more user friendly.
Sony has integrated the internet connection with their PS3 very well. I was able to set up the wireless connection (on the 80gb version; I think the 20gb version has a standard ethernet connection) without any problem. I was able to register and configure an account on the Playstation Store simply enough. Unlike other gaming systems, online access is free. If you're curious, "serialdirge" is my PS3 name. Users can message, even video chat (I'm told), or simply connect with other players for some online action via their favorite games.
Another nice feature is the ability to download game demos directly onto your PS3. I've tried about a dozen or more games. Some games are available for download using a payment system integrated into the online store. For example, Tekken 5 is a $19.99 download. I bought Go! Sudoko (Easy pack) for $1.99 or $2.99, I believe. Games range from $1.99 to $39.99, from what I've seen, and it tracks what you've downloaded. If you wanted to make space on your harddrive, and delete a game you've paid for, I'm fairly certainly the store remembers your purchase and allows you to download it again (sans payment).
In addition to the many playable game demos, videos and add-on's are also available. I've watched the new video preview for the Spiderwick Chronicles, as well as the next Batman movie. As I said, I've downloaded well over a dozen games... from The Simpsons and Bladestore (a hundred years war game), to Folklore, Conan, Genji, and Uncharted. Most demos are playable, giving you a great sample of what the game is like.
Themes for your "desktop", wallpaper backgrounds, and free add-ons (as well as commercial ones) are often released. I was able to download a free holiday paint job for one of the big rigs in Motorstorm, and new Christmas-inspired costumes for Ellen and Keats in Folklore. That's a great way to keep people checking in. I know they released some free seasonal songs for Guitar Hero 3, as well.
The controller on the PS3 is also pretty innovative. It isn't as dynamic as some of the features on the Nintendo Wii, but the "Six Axis" controller senses a lot of motions. In Folkore, for instance, you need to draw the Id (soul) from Folk (aggressive, fey creatures formed from negative emotions that pass on to the Netherworld when people die). You do so in a variety of ways, including pulling it out in a fishing rod type motion, and rocking it left and right, or even balancing it (again, a right and left motion). Other games also make use of the controllers abilities. "Toy Home" is a racing game set in a house. Your wind-up car has to be flipped over by jerking the controller upward. Tilting it to the right or left turns the car, as if you were riding a bike and leaning. My NBA 2k7 game employes a free throw like motion for shooting from the line. Sony has released quick little ski games, bowling and other games that make use of the controller features. I expect more and more games will make use of these features, though many initial releases for the PS3 didn't use the Six-Axis controller very well.
In my opinion, the PS3 has high end graphics (every bit as good as the Xbox 360, though people will continue to debate the issue), a dynamic controller and gameplay (similar to the Nintendo Wii, though with a focus on more "adult" games) and a great value (Blu Ray, free online access, web browser, multimedia functions, etc). I'd highly recommend it if you're considering a next generation gaming console.
PS3 Games I've Bought:
Currently, I've played four PS3 titles: Motorstorm, Dark Kingdom, NBA 2k7, and Folklore.
* Motorstorm is bundled with the PS3. It's an offroad racing game with stunning graphics and sound. I have a hard time "grading" Motorstorm because I'm not a big fan of racing games. It has seven categories of cars, with five paint jobs for each, and eight tracks to experiment on. I have noticed several add-on's released online, including new vehicles, races, and paint jobs. I updated my game and it added two new songs to the great soundtrack. It definitely shows off the graphic capablilities of the PS3, though I'm sure they'll continue to push the envelope with future releases.
* Dark Alliance is the second title I got. I payed $17.99 for a used copy from Gamespot. It had been dropped to $20 for the new version, but I figured $2 is better than no saving. Anyway, I read a lot of negative reviews and ignored them. Dark Alliance is a lot like the revised version of Gauntlet (Dark Legacy). The graphics are better than the PS2, but not really on par with PS3 standards. The story line is poor, at best, and the game play is fairly dull. Overall, it's a pretty lousy game, and you'd be better off ignoring the lower quality graphics of Gauntlet: Dark Legacy and playing that on your PS3. I plan on selling it back sometime soon. I didn't exect a lot of $18, and it's not the worst game I've tried, but it's short, fairly unexiting, and definitely not the best use of $20.
* NBA 2k7 was also a clearance product, $19.99 at Target specifically. I owned NBA 2k5 for the PS2, and I like the pro basketball series, and they've made great upgrades with this game. The graphics are solid, though I suspect they'll continue to get better. The players don't look a great deal like their real world NBA counterparts, though they do move similarly. I'm told the mroe recent NBA 2k8 has dealt with that, and has an entirely new graphics engine. That said, it's a *great* game for $20! It has quite a few modes of play, from steetballing (complete with storeyline) to association play (seasons at a time, drafts, scouting, injuries, trades, you name it) or just quick games or online matchups. You can play cooperatively, or go against another human player. I'll probably download the 2k8 demo just to see what they've done to the graphics. Even if you're not a huge sports fan, this can be a fun game. I guess I'm biased, being a NBA fan, but it's undeniably well put together and extremely customizable (for all levels of ability).
* Folklore was a Christmas present from Brenda. I can't say enough good things about this game. To be fair, it is the first full price game we bought ($60), and the standards *should* be higher, but I havne't been disappointed. People have complained about the blend of movies, a comic-style cut scene, or more typical in-game conversation to relate a very enganging mystery that quickly adds supernatural elements. It is set in Doolin, a nearly abandoned town in what seems to be the coast of Ireland (British, anyway). You can play either Ellen, a young woman that was orphaned and has a conneciton to the town, or Keats, a reporter for an occult magazine. More importantly, you can alternate between characters from chapter to chapter, and I believe you need *both* characters later in the story. Again, some complain about this, but I like the two perspectives, and the way the story lines connect. I've alternated from chapter to chapter.
You'll quickly journey to the Netherworld, populated by faeries, halflives, folk and folklore. You fight folk, absorb their Id (soul), and use them against other folk. Folklore are very powerful folk that rule different worlds. The graphics are amazing and the creatures are equal parts Brian Froud (Labyrinth/Dark Crystal character design) and Tim Burton (Corpse Bride and Nightmare Before Christmas). The game play can be challenging in spots, and I've gotten frustrated a couple times, but it's definitely quite an adventure. It really helps ilustrate how amazing the Playstation 3 is. I'm not sure about the replay value, but there are downloadble quest packs, and more may follow. I'd estimate a good 40 hours of game play, though, possibly more for the more adventure-minded and curious. I like to explore every nook and cranny, as well as develop my character's abilities (which can be repetetive, though I don't mind).
PS2 Greatest Hits!
One important facet with the Playstation 3 is the compatibility with the Playsation 2. The $399 20gb version has no compatibility. The older 60gb version (no longer available) is close to 100% compatible. The $499 80gb version has software emulation, and I'd guess it is around 80% compatible, maybe 90% if you ignore some very minor video glitches that don't affect game play. Out of my 25 games, 22 are compatible. That's pretty wonderful if you ask me.
To be fair, as great as some PS2 titles are, eventually that compatibility won't be a big selling point. More and more PS3 titles are being released every day. The new capabilities are just too impressive, and eventually the PS3 titles will make people forget even their favorite PS2 titles. Nonetheless, there are a lot of very good, very inexpensive games from the Playstation 2 that play fine on the PS3. The "Greatest Hits" collection is often $20 a title, new, and place like Gamestop and EB Games offer great deals on used games. I just bought Final Fantasy X-2 for myself, and received "Shadow of the Colossus" and "Final Fantasy XII" and both are stunning, despite the better graphics of newer games. Game play is always going to be an issue, and good design is good design. There are probably hundreds of fantastic PS2 titles that are worth trying while you're waiting (or saving for) PS3 titles... and that's if you get bored with the demo games pretty quickly. Some demos are pretty involved.
Quick News:
Gwen gets her braces soon! The 3rd, I believe.
The Pistons are tearing it up. They just beat the Pacers in back-to-back games (Friday and Saturday). Stuckey is playing well, and I'm sure their vastly improved bench is making other teams (and their fans) nervous. I suspect Jason Maxiell, Rodney Stuckey, and Arron Afflalo will have great careers in the NBA. I have a lot of faith in Amir Johnson, too, though he's gotten sporadic game play.
My sympathies go out to my friend Sue (Kyra). Her mother passed away shortly before Christmas. While she attended the funeral, her cat was diagnosed with terminal cancer. She's had a very difficult holiday, and I just wanted to say... you are in my thoughts, for what that is worth.
I got to talk to quite a few friends over the holiday...
* Happy Birthday, mom!
* Mark, whom I've known since 7th grade, and has put up with crazy rantings for many years, even after rooming with me a year in college.
* Patty, a high school aquaintance that has become a great friend... I managed to catch her on her drive home from visiting her parents.
* Chris, a high school buddy, who actually had a few days off from his crazy work schedule and got to celebrate with "Little Man" (his son, who is about three and a half right now).
* And Kathy, my roleplaying "sister", who stopped by with her very cool boyfriend Paul, and went out to dinner with us despite her stomach problems (Crones disease).
Anyway, happy holidays to everyone, both those I caught on the phone and in person, or those via e-mail!
Playstation 3 General Review:
As I mentioned previously, I bought a Sony Playstation 3 about two months ago. I haven't been a very active console video game player, but we owned a Playstation 2 since 2000, and I had been spending more and more time trying PS2 games. The lure of so many new features drew me to the next generation consoles, and I decided on the PS3 for a variety of reasons. Now that I've had ample time to try it out, I figured I'd share my take on the PS3.
First, the system is very well integrated. It reminds me of the single console dream for all your multimedia needs. It plays CDs, DVDs, and now Blu Ray high definition DVDs. It plays MP3 music files, either from the decent hard drive, or from an external player connected by one of the four USB ports... or even memory cards. I'm not certain which memory card slots it provides, but we've used our compact flash cards from our digital camera to view digital photos.
The Blu Ray functionality has to be a pretty significant selling point to people that aren't certain how much gaming they'll be doing. At $400-$500, the cost of the console isn't much more (if any) than a stand-alone Blu Ray player. Ultimately, you have to decide if you're willing to invest in a new technology. Is 1080p worth it? Will Blu Ray beat out HD DVD? Or will another format eclipse both of them before they're firmly established? Well, with a Netflix account, I rent the vast majority of our videos (rather than buying them) and I'm not forced to invest in Blu Ray. I will continue to be inexpensive DVDs (below $10, preferrably $7.50 or lower) to replace video tapes. Since Blu Ray titles tend to be full price, I'm opting for standard DVDs. While the difference in video quality is instantly recognizable, my complaint with video cassettes is the fact they degrade, often becoming entirely unplayable. While I'd prefer a 1080p copy of a favorite movie, I'd rather have something permanent (a standard DVD) than something that is not much different than an expensive rental (a tape).
*If* Blu Ray DVDs don't continue to lead HD DVDs in sales, I'm not really out anything. I rent the high quality videos when they're a choice and I can enjoy 1080p video and amazing sound now... but I'm not really out much, since I'm also getting other functions out of the console, namely video games and internet browsing.
While people have commented on how the Xbox 360 and PS3 compare, I can't say enough about how wonderful the graphics (and sound) on the Playstation 3 are. I hear critics saying games like "Folklore" (which I'm playing now) doesn't push the system very hard, I'm still in awe over the exotic setings (the faery realm and the undersea realm, for example) and lush scenery. I don't face video lag or stuttering, like I did on any PC I've owned, and the entire system is infinitely more user friendly.
Sony has integrated the internet connection with their PS3 very well. I was able to set up the wireless connection (on the 80gb version; I think the 20gb version has a standard ethernet connection) without any problem. I was able to register and configure an account on the Playstation Store simply enough. Unlike other gaming systems, online access is free. If you're curious, "serialdirge" is my PS3 name. Users can message, even video chat (I'm told), or simply connect with other players for some online action via their favorite games.
Another nice feature is the ability to download game demos directly onto your PS3. I've tried about a dozen or more games. Some games are available for download using a payment system integrated into the online store. For example, Tekken 5 is a $19.99 download. I bought Go! Sudoko (Easy pack) for $1.99 or $2.99, I believe. Games range from $1.99 to $39.99, from what I've seen, and it tracks what you've downloaded. If you wanted to make space on your harddrive, and delete a game you've paid for, I'm fairly certainly the store remembers your purchase and allows you to download it again (sans payment).
In addition to the many playable game demos, videos and add-on's are also available. I've watched the new video preview for the Spiderwick Chronicles, as well as the next Batman movie. As I said, I've downloaded well over a dozen games... from The Simpsons and Bladestore (a hundred years war game), to Folklore, Conan, Genji, and Uncharted. Most demos are playable, giving you a great sample of what the game is like.
Themes for your "desktop", wallpaper backgrounds, and free add-ons (as well as commercial ones) are often released. I was able to download a free holiday paint job for one of the big rigs in Motorstorm, and new Christmas-inspired costumes for Ellen and Keats in Folklore. That's a great way to keep people checking in. I know they released some free seasonal songs for Guitar Hero 3, as well.
The controller on the PS3 is also pretty innovative. It isn't as dynamic as some of the features on the Nintendo Wii, but the "Six Axis" controller senses a lot of motions. In Folkore, for instance, you need to draw the Id (soul) from Folk (aggressive, fey creatures formed from negative emotions that pass on to the Netherworld when people die). You do so in a variety of ways, including pulling it out in a fishing rod type motion, and rocking it left and right, or even balancing it (again, a right and left motion). Other games also make use of the controllers abilities. "Toy Home" is a racing game set in a house. Your wind-up car has to be flipped over by jerking the controller upward. Tilting it to the right or left turns the car, as if you were riding a bike and leaning. My NBA 2k7 game employes a free throw like motion for shooting from the line. Sony has released quick little ski games, bowling and other games that make use of the controller features. I expect more and more games will make use of these features, though many initial releases for the PS3 didn't use the Six-Axis controller very well.
In my opinion, the PS3 has high end graphics (every bit as good as the Xbox 360, though people will continue to debate the issue), a dynamic controller and gameplay (similar to the Nintendo Wii, though with a focus on more "adult" games) and a great value (Blu Ray, free online access, web browser, multimedia functions, etc). I'd highly recommend it if you're considering a next generation gaming console.
PS3 Games I've Bought:
Currently, I've played four PS3 titles: Motorstorm, Dark Kingdom, NBA 2k7, and Folklore.
* Motorstorm is bundled with the PS3. It's an offroad racing game with stunning graphics and sound. I have a hard time "grading" Motorstorm because I'm not a big fan of racing games. It has seven categories of cars, with five paint jobs for each, and eight tracks to experiment on. I have noticed several add-on's released online, including new vehicles, races, and paint jobs. I updated my game and it added two new songs to the great soundtrack. It definitely shows off the graphic capablilities of the PS3, though I'm sure they'll continue to push the envelope with future releases.
* Dark Alliance is the second title I got. I payed $17.99 for a used copy from Gamespot. It had been dropped to $20 for the new version, but I figured $2 is better than no saving. Anyway, I read a lot of negative reviews and ignored them. Dark Alliance is a lot like the revised version of Gauntlet (Dark Legacy). The graphics are better than the PS2, but not really on par with PS3 standards. The story line is poor, at best, and the game play is fairly dull. Overall, it's a pretty lousy game, and you'd be better off ignoring the lower quality graphics of Gauntlet: Dark Legacy and playing that on your PS3. I plan on selling it back sometime soon. I didn't exect a lot of $18, and it's not the worst game I've tried, but it's short, fairly unexiting, and definitely not the best use of $20.
* NBA 2k7 was also a clearance product, $19.99 at Target specifically. I owned NBA 2k5 for the PS2, and I like the pro basketball series, and they've made great upgrades with this game. The graphics are solid, though I suspect they'll continue to get better. The players don't look a great deal like their real world NBA counterparts, though they do move similarly. I'm told the mroe recent NBA 2k8 has dealt with that, and has an entirely new graphics engine. That said, it's a *great* game for $20! It has quite a few modes of play, from steetballing (complete with storeyline) to association play (seasons at a time, drafts, scouting, injuries, trades, you name it) or just quick games or online matchups. You can play cooperatively, or go against another human player. I'll probably download the 2k8 demo just to see what they've done to the graphics. Even if you're not a huge sports fan, this can be a fun game. I guess I'm biased, being a NBA fan, but it's undeniably well put together and extremely customizable (for all levels of ability).
* Folklore was a Christmas present from Brenda. I can't say enough good things about this game. To be fair, it is the first full price game we bought ($60), and the standards *should* be higher, but I havne't been disappointed. People have complained about the blend of movies, a comic-style cut scene, or more typical in-game conversation to relate a very enganging mystery that quickly adds supernatural elements. It is set in Doolin, a nearly abandoned town in what seems to be the coast of Ireland (British, anyway). You can play either Ellen, a young woman that was orphaned and has a conneciton to the town, or Keats, a reporter for an occult magazine. More importantly, you can alternate between characters from chapter to chapter, and I believe you need *both* characters later in the story. Again, some complain about this, but I like the two perspectives, and the way the story lines connect. I've alternated from chapter to chapter.
You'll quickly journey to the Netherworld, populated by faeries, halflives, folk and folklore. You fight folk, absorb their Id (soul), and use them against other folk. Folklore are very powerful folk that rule different worlds. The graphics are amazing and the creatures are equal parts Brian Froud (Labyrinth/Dark Crystal character design) and Tim Burton (Corpse Bride and Nightmare Before Christmas). The game play can be challenging in spots, and I've gotten frustrated a couple times, but it's definitely quite an adventure. It really helps ilustrate how amazing the Playstation 3 is. I'm not sure about the replay value, but there are downloadble quest packs, and more may follow. I'd estimate a good 40 hours of game play, though, possibly more for the more adventure-minded and curious. I like to explore every nook and cranny, as well as develop my character's abilities (which can be repetetive, though I don't mind).
PS2 Greatest Hits!
One important facet with the Playstation 3 is the compatibility with the Playsation 2. The $399 20gb version has no compatibility. The older 60gb version (no longer available) is close to 100% compatible. The $499 80gb version has software emulation, and I'd guess it is around 80% compatible, maybe 90% if you ignore some very minor video glitches that don't affect game play. Out of my 25 games, 22 are compatible. That's pretty wonderful if you ask me.
To be fair, as great as some PS2 titles are, eventually that compatibility won't be a big selling point. More and more PS3 titles are being released every day. The new capabilities are just too impressive, and eventually the PS3 titles will make people forget even their favorite PS2 titles. Nonetheless, there are a lot of very good, very inexpensive games from the Playstation 2 that play fine on the PS3. The "Greatest Hits" collection is often $20 a title, new, and place like Gamestop and EB Games offer great deals on used games. I just bought Final Fantasy X-2 for myself, and received "Shadow of the Colossus" and "Final Fantasy XII" and both are stunning, despite the better graphics of newer games. Game play is always going to be an issue, and good design is good design. There are probably hundreds of fantastic PS2 titles that are worth trying while you're waiting (or saving for) PS3 titles... and that's if you get bored with the demo games pretty quickly. Some demos are pretty involved.
Quick News:
Gwen gets her braces soon! The 3rd, I believe.
The Pistons are tearing it up. They just beat the Pacers in back-to-back games (Friday and Saturday). Stuckey is playing well, and I'm sure their vastly improved bench is making other teams (and their fans) nervous. I suspect Jason Maxiell, Rodney Stuckey, and Arron Afflalo will have great careers in the NBA. I have a lot of faith in Amir Johnson, too, though he's gotten sporadic game play.
My sympathies go out to my friend Sue (Kyra). Her mother passed away shortly before Christmas. While she attended the funeral, her cat was diagnosed with terminal cancer. She's had a very difficult holiday, and I just wanted to say... you are in my thoughts, for what that is worth.
I got to talk to quite a few friends over the holiday...
* Happy Birthday, mom!
* Mark, whom I've known since 7th grade, and has put up with crazy rantings for many years, even after rooming with me a year in college.
* Patty, a high school aquaintance that has become a great friend... I managed to catch her on her drive home from visiting her parents.
* Chris, a high school buddy, who actually had a few days off from his crazy work schedule and got to celebrate with "Little Man" (his son, who is about three and a half right now).
* And Kathy, my roleplaying "sister", who stopped by with her very cool boyfriend Paul, and went out to dinner with us despite her stomach problems (Crones disease).
Anyway, happy holidays to everyone, both those I caught on the phone and in person, or those via e-mail!
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Happy Holidays!
Oh, the weather outside is... well, mild. At best. We've had--surprise, surprise--rain, with a few flurries amid the drops, but not enough to even dust the soggy ground. I do miss the snow, a bit, just not driving through it. Or taking shovel to walkways. Or cold fingers and cold toes and a cold... er--nose? There is just something very nostalgic about Christmas, the decorations, unwrapping presents, Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney in "White Christmas" or even Bill Murray in "Scrooged."
What's not to like about "Oh, look Frank! A toaster!" BAM!
I had a great Christmas last year. This year was very cool, too, and I like the trend. I used to really suffer with depression during the Christmas season. No, not the clinical type, but just a reaction to the sort of reflection and introspection people tend to do when reminded of their past. Anyway, things have gotten progressively better, especially since we moved to Seattle. It isn't the mild weather, nor the west coast culture, or even our ever-improving financial situation (though I won't deny how helpful that is); no, it is a combination of the maturity of the children and a sense of place, if not purpose.
Since my accident, I've grown more and more at peace with my lack of a career. While I'm frustrated over not contributing to our household, the gradual acceptance of my situation has allowed me to concentrate on things I enjoy--childish or not. If Brenda is fine with bearing the weight of our combined financial situation, why should I care what other people think? I mean, honestly, I'm a firm believer in the stupidity of humanity. While I'm clearly part of that group (*shudders*), I'd like to think the mere fact I'm introspective enough to consider "the why" of things is enough to earn me slightly better than a D+ in the awareness contest. I wouldn't bank on better than a C-, mind you, but I think I'm passing.
So I've been able to enjoy more of the simple things, taking them for what they are worth without constantly considering what the "successful" people would think. The twins had to answer "what is successful?" in one of their classes recently, and I answered "self-sufficient and responsible" without giving it much thought. Well, I'm not self-sufficient--not even close. As a whole, Brenda and I are definitely both self-sufficent and responsible, but only through her excellent career.
Even last year, I was left feeling very disappointed in what I've done and accomplished. As time goes by, I've become more comfortable with the idea that we are partners, a pair. Yes, she earns far more than I'm capable of without going back to college. I'd be surprised if I could earn much better than a third of what she earns, even if I was mobile. More likely, I'd earn half that much, working part-time, and I'd be surprised if I cleared anything after the increase in our taxes and the expense of a second car.
I still feel obligated to explain my situation to people I meet. I mean, I know I'd look at myself and think "deadbeat" as an outsider. Maybe that's a good reason not to judge others, since we rarely understand another's situation as well as we see into our own lives. Whatever the case, I'm growing more content with being a stay-at-home dad, or simply opting for an "early retirement." I'd be very interested in a job that could work around my limitations, but I'm not holding my breath. There aren't a lot of work-at-home jobs out there, despite the ridiculous advertising. When I get my mobility back (the pain subsides to a tolerable level), I'll have to look at my options. I don't think I'll be jumping into the job market without a lot of consideration. As much as I want to contribute, I don't want to work for nothing--which is precisely what a typical part-time job would amount to after the increase in tax bracket and second car expense. Okay, if the second car is a 350Z or a 'Vette, I might be willing to take that hit to my free time. *Grins*
Some hobby nonsense? Really? Well, if you insist!
The Pistons are tearing up the NBA. They have the second best record, trailing only the Boston Celtics. The Celtics are the team that traded away a lot of young talent for three aging, but very talented, players--Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce. Actually, they had Pierce. They're playing guys that would be questionable backups at the point guard and center spot, but holding up well. Their bench is precariously thin, though they have a decent swingman in Posey. Anyway, Detroit played against the Celtics, on their home court, and came away with a two point win. While it was a closely contested game, I feel Boston will struggle in a seven game series--if they escape injuries to their three stars. Remove any one of those three players, and I suspect they'd be fighting for the bottom of the playoff berths.
In Pistons news--Rodney Stuckey, the rookie point guard drafted with the 15th pick, finally was cleared to play after breaking three bones in his left hand during the final pre-season game. His third game was a ten minute performance against the Nets. He shot three of seven, and earned an "and one" (free throw after a successful bucket despite a foul call) for seven points. He had two steals and one rebound. Most importantly, he had three assists and only one turnover. Now, this comes after a poor second game (not much scoring, though he did move the ball reasonably well) and a quick five minutes in his first game, but I'm very optimistic.
Dumars has made some very good moves. While other teams are gambling on aging stars (for example... how much Chicago spent on Ben Wallace), he has moved to get younger. The core of the Pistons is aging. Only Rip and Prince are reasonably young, and both have more games on their bodies than any other players in the NBA (outside of the other core players from the Pistons) in the last five years. He drafted Stuckey (at 15th), Afflalo (at 27th), and Sammy Mejia with their second round pick (57th).
Analysts considered Stuckey more of a shooting guard than point guard, but Dumar's had confidence he could run the offense. He was drafted higher than analysts expected him to go, originally listing him towards the bottom of the first round due to playing at a school (Eastern Washington) in a weak league (Big Sky Conference). After the summer games, he was widely considered to be worthy of a top 10 pick, if not a top 5 pick. It's too early to say how that'll play out, but every Piston fan is optimistic he'll be everything they hoped for.
Afflalo plays shooting guard, but has proven to be the most NBA-ready perimeter defender in the draft. He's able to guard both guard spots, as well as the small forward position despite being a modest 6'5" (same as Stuckey). He's also demonstrated superb decision making, and has filled in for Rip a few times this season already. I was concerned he would be a career roleplayer, but I'm not certain about that now. With a 27th pick (the bottom of the first round), a quality reserve/roleplayer is actually a sound draft pick... but his hardworking attitude and commitment to defense is going a long way towards making him look like another excellent choice.
Mejia, unfortunately, ended up waived to make room for a veteran (Ronald Dupree). I Mejia spent most of his time at the shooting guard spot, but at 6'7" he had the ability to play small forward, as well. While still somewhat raw, he showed a lot of promise, and I wouldn't be shocked to see him back with the Pistons in the future, or at least playing in the D League or European leagues.
The Pistons already had a few young guns lined up... Jason Maxiell, Amir Johnson, and Cheick Samb.
Maxiell--Mad Max--has been dubbed "The Putback King" on some ESPN highlights. He's an undersized power forward (6'7") who even spent some time at center (the spot he played in college). He trimmed down from 260 lbs. to about 230 lbs., and his leaping ability has show vast improvement. He's rebounding better, scoring on monster dunks, and even demonstrating a solid mid-range shot. He might not make sixth man of the year, but he's got a pretty solid lock on "most improved" player, and is certainly the most important big man off the bench for the Pistons.
Amir Johnson tore up the D League last year, in his second season. Unless the NBA reverses their age limit, he'll go down as the youngest player at the time of the draft. He was picked up with the 56th pick (very end of the draft), and has grown from a thin 6'9" to 6'11" and developed a post game. He's a superb shot blocker, good rebounder, and has the ability to dunk as well as score from beyond the arc. He's still learning, but the Pistons made a big commitment and signed him to a three year contract rumored to be $12m or so. He's not getting much time yet, but I'm still optimistic he'll become a dynamic player for the team.
Cheick Samb was drafted by the Lakers (2nd round pick), but traded to the Pistons for Maurice Evans. Samb is a 7'1" center that has only been playing basketball four or five years. He spent last year in the Spanish league, and the Pistons decided to sign him for two years and bring him over in the summer. He's already earned a bit of playing time, and got in two games in the D League (which he's elgible for this season and next). I'm sure they'll bring him along slowly, but he's a fantastic rebounder and shotblocker, that has a surprisingly smooth shot. He's a project, but an interesting one.
Dumars also made some nice trades and moves over the years. The Pistons are owed the Timberwolves second round pick next year, though I think there is some confusion about that (since I read they were trading their 2nd round pick to the Celtics). If that pick ends up in the Piston's hands, they'll likely get the very top of the second round, which is far more valuable than most second round picks typically are. They also are owed two second round picks from the Raptors for Carlos Delfino, though I have no idea when those will be in the Piston's hands.
He signed Flip Murray for $1.8m. Murray might not be the best player in the league, but he's a steal at $1.8m. He hasn't meshed perfectly with the Pistons, but at that cost he's a fantastic reserve, and a valuable trade asset (since his contract expires at the end of this season).
He signed Jarvis Hayes for a single year for the veteran's minimum. Hayes, as I've said before, is too young to really deserve his "injury prone" label. A single injury cost him part of two years (of his three year rookie contract). He was drafted at 10th in 2003, and while I don't think he's worthy of a lottery pick, he's not a wash, either. He's a good scorer, off the bench. His defense is mediocre, and he can't create his own shot, but he's got good size and is deadly accurate out past the arc. He has his ups and downs, as most reserve shooters do, but I think he's an asset.
Dumars also corrected his mistake in signing Nazr Mohammad for the mid-level exception ($5.5m to about $7m) over five years. Nazr was the best center left on the market after Big Ben sold out to Chicago, and I can't fault Dumars for signing him. Unfortunately, he hasn't played well with the Pistons, and they had his contract for what seemed like forever. Solution? The Pistons just traded him to the Bobcats for Primoz Brezec and Walter Hermann.
Brezec is a 7'1" center who was a double-double machine for his first two seasons with the Bobcats, then he saw his minutes dry up to virtually nothing. He's not the toughest center, but he rebounds reasonably well and has a silky release on his shot... a touch most big men don't have. He's got an expiring contract, too. If he works, great! If not, nothing lost :) Likewise, Hermann is an Argentinian 6'9" small forward/power forward. He's definitely a talented scorer, with range out the three point line. I would not be shocked if he challenges Hayes for minutes at small forward when he gets up to speed on Detroit's play. He's also a fairly good defender, and a real hustle player. While both contracts are expiring, Dumars essentially rid himself of a contract that was bloated (given Nazr's play time) and long while getting a good look at two players that interest him.
Brezec, Hermann, and Flip Murray could all be used in a trade for someone Dumar's thinks the team could really use, too, since most NBA teams are interested in cutting salary with expiring contracts.
All in all, I'm very impressed by his decisions. I don't fault him for drafting Darko. Darko isn't playing up to a #2 draft pick, but he's not a washout, either. He signed a good contract with the Grizzlies over the summer, and that's a pretty good sign other teams still see the potential, too. Furthermore, in the aftermath of the Big Ben betrayal, Dumars managed to secure something from his mistakes (Nazr into expiring contracts, and a #15 draft pick that became Stuckey). Stuckey may very well be a much better player than Darko... for less money, and a much, much better attitude.
Anyway, it's close to 2 AM, and I'm thinking about gettng back to playing "Folklore" on the PS3. I'm really enjoying the game, both the amazing graphics, interesting storyline, and fun combat. I've read several reviews that critique the story line. Well... I don't see anything wrong with it thus far. Perhaps I'll change my mind, but the very creative manner of telling the story is worth something, too. It's a good game, and the recent addition of an expansion pack (on the Playstation Store) is intriguing. So far, it's eating up all my time, but "Final Fantasy XII" and "Shadows of the Colossus" should both be great, too... if I ever get through "Final Fantasy X-2" and "Arc the Lad: Twilight of Spirits!" Oh, and we got the girls "Shrek the Third" (video game) for the Playstation 2 they have; even that looks fun, so I wouldn't write off trying their game ;)
Once again, Happy Holidays!
What's not to like about "Oh, look Frank! A toaster!" BAM!
I had a great Christmas last year. This year was very cool, too, and I like the trend. I used to really suffer with depression during the Christmas season. No, not the clinical type, but just a reaction to the sort of reflection and introspection people tend to do when reminded of their past. Anyway, things have gotten progressively better, especially since we moved to Seattle. It isn't the mild weather, nor the west coast culture, or even our ever-improving financial situation (though I won't deny how helpful that is); no, it is a combination of the maturity of the children and a sense of place, if not purpose.
Since my accident, I've grown more and more at peace with my lack of a career. While I'm frustrated over not contributing to our household, the gradual acceptance of my situation has allowed me to concentrate on things I enjoy--childish or not. If Brenda is fine with bearing the weight of our combined financial situation, why should I care what other people think? I mean, honestly, I'm a firm believer in the stupidity of humanity. While I'm clearly part of that group (*shudders*), I'd like to think the mere fact I'm introspective enough to consider "the why" of things is enough to earn me slightly better than a D+ in the awareness contest. I wouldn't bank on better than a C-, mind you, but I think I'm passing.
So I've been able to enjoy more of the simple things, taking them for what they are worth without constantly considering what the "successful" people would think. The twins had to answer "what is successful?" in one of their classes recently, and I answered "self-sufficient and responsible" without giving it much thought. Well, I'm not self-sufficient--not even close. As a whole, Brenda and I are definitely both self-sufficent and responsible, but only through her excellent career.
Even last year, I was left feeling very disappointed in what I've done and accomplished. As time goes by, I've become more comfortable with the idea that we are partners, a pair. Yes, she earns far more than I'm capable of without going back to college. I'd be surprised if I could earn much better than a third of what she earns, even if I was mobile. More likely, I'd earn half that much, working part-time, and I'd be surprised if I cleared anything after the increase in our taxes and the expense of a second car.
I still feel obligated to explain my situation to people I meet. I mean, I know I'd look at myself and think "deadbeat" as an outsider. Maybe that's a good reason not to judge others, since we rarely understand another's situation as well as we see into our own lives. Whatever the case, I'm growing more content with being a stay-at-home dad, or simply opting for an "early retirement." I'd be very interested in a job that could work around my limitations, but I'm not holding my breath. There aren't a lot of work-at-home jobs out there, despite the ridiculous advertising. When I get my mobility back (the pain subsides to a tolerable level), I'll have to look at my options. I don't think I'll be jumping into the job market without a lot of consideration. As much as I want to contribute, I don't want to work for nothing--which is precisely what a typical part-time job would amount to after the increase in tax bracket and second car expense. Okay, if the second car is a 350Z or a 'Vette, I might be willing to take that hit to my free time. *Grins*
Some hobby nonsense? Really? Well, if you insist!
The Pistons are tearing up the NBA. They have the second best record, trailing only the Boston Celtics. The Celtics are the team that traded away a lot of young talent for three aging, but very talented, players--Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce. Actually, they had Pierce. They're playing guys that would be questionable backups at the point guard and center spot, but holding up well. Their bench is precariously thin, though they have a decent swingman in Posey. Anyway, Detroit played against the Celtics, on their home court, and came away with a two point win. While it was a closely contested game, I feel Boston will struggle in a seven game series--if they escape injuries to their three stars. Remove any one of those three players, and I suspect they'd be fighting for the bottom of the playoff berths.
In Pistons news--Rodney Stuckey, the rookie point guard drafted with the 15th pick, finally was cleared to play after breaking three bones in his left hand during the final pre-season game. His third game was a ten minute performance against the Nets. He shot three of seven, and earned an "and one" (free throw after a successful bucket despite a foul call) for seven points. He had two steals and one rebound. Most importantly, he had three assists and only one turnover. Now, this comes after a poor second game (not much scoring, though he did move the ball reasonably well) and a quick five minutes in his first game, but I'm very optimistic.
Dumars has made some very good moves. While other teams are gambling on aging stars (for example... how much Chicago spent on Ben Wallace), he has moved to get younger. The core of the Pistons is aging. Only Rip and Prince are reasonably young, and both have more games on their bodies than any other players in the NBA (outside of the other core players from the Pistons) in the last five years. He drafted Stuckey (at 15th), Afflalo (at 27th), and Sammy Mejia with their second round pick (57th).
Analysts considered Stuckey more of a shooting guard than point guard, but Dumar's had confidence he could run the offense. He was drafted higher than analysts expected him to go, originally listing him towards the bottom of the first round due to playing at a school (Eastern Washington) in a weak league (Big Sky Conference). After the summer games, he was widely considered to be worthy of a top 10 pick, if not a top 5 pick. It's too early to say how that'll play out, but every Piston fan is optimistic he'll be everything they hoped for.
Afflalo plays shooting guard, but has proven to be the most NBA-ready perimeter defender in the draft. He's able to guard both guard spots, as well as the small forward position despite being a modest 6'5" (same as Stuckey). He's also demonstrated superb decision making, and has filled in for Rip a few times this season already. I was concerned he would be a career roleplayer, but I'm not certain about that now. With a 27th pick (the bottom of the first round), a quality reserve/roleplayer is actually a sound draft pick... but his hardworking attitude and commitment to defense is going a long way towards making him look like another excellent choice.
Mejia, unfortunately, ended up waived to make room for a veteran (Ronald Dupree). I Mejia spent most of his time at the shooting guard spot, but at 6'7" he had the ability to play small forward, as well. While still somewhat raw, he showed a lot of promise, and I wouldn't be shocked to see him back with the Pistons in the future, or at least playing in the D League or European leagues.
The Pistons already had a few young guns lined up... Jason Maxiell, Amir Johnson, and Cheick Samb.
Maxiell--Mad Max--has been dubbed "The Putback King" on some ESPN highlights. He's an undersized power forward (6'7") who even spent some time at center (the spot he played in college). He trimmed down from 260 lbs. to about 230 lbs., and his leaping ability has show vast improvement. He's rebounding better, scoring on monster dunks, and even demonstrating a solid mid-range shot. He might not make sixth man of the year, but he's got a pretty solid lock on "most improved" player, and is certainly the most important big man off the bench for the Pistons.
Amir Johnson tore up the D League last year, in his second season. Unless the NBA reverses their age limit, he'll go down as the youngest player at the time of the draft. He was picked up with the 56th pick (very end of the draft), and has grown from a thin 6'9" to 6'11" and developed a post game. He's a superb shot blocker, good rebounder, and has the ability to dunk as well as score from beyond the arc. He's still learning, but the Pistons made a big commitment and signed him to a three year contract rumored to be $12m or so. He's not getting much time yet, but I'm still optimistic he'll become a dynamic player for the team.
Cheick Samb was drafted by the Lakers (2nd round pick), but traded to the Pistons for Maurice Evans. Samb is a 7'1" center that has only been playing basketball four or five years. He spent last year in the Spanish league, and the Pistons decided to sign him for two years and bring him over in the summer. He's already earned a bit of playing time, and got in two games in the D League (which he's elgible for this season and next). I'm sure they'll bring him along slowly, but he's a fantastic rebounder and shotblocker, that has a surprisingly smooth shot. He's a project, but an interesting one.
Dumars also made some nice trades and moves over the years. The Pistons are owed the Timberwolves second round pick next year, though I think there is some confusion about that (since I read they were trading their 2nd round pick to the Celtics). If that pick ends up in the Piston's hands, they'll likely get the very top of the second round, which is far more valuable than most second round picks typically are. They also are owed two second round picks from the Raptors for Carlos Delfino, though I have no idea when those will be in the Piston's hands.
He signed Flip Murray for $1.8m. Murray might not be the best player in the league, but he's a steal at $1.8m. He hasn't meshed perfectly with the Pistons, but at that cost he's a fantastic reserve, and a valuable trade asset (since his contract expires at the end of this season).
He signed Jarvis Hayes for a single year for the veteran's minimum. Hayes, as I've said before, is too young to really deserve his "injury prone" label. A single injury cost him part of two years (of his three year rookie contract). He was drafted at 10th in 2003, and while I don't think he's worthy of a lottery pick, he's not a wash, either. He's a good scorer, off the bench. His defense is mediocre, and he can't create his own shot, but he's got good size and is deadly accurate out past the arc. He has his ups and downs, as most reserve shooters do, but I think he's an asset.
Dumars also corrected his mistake in signing Nazr Mohammad for the mid-level exception ($5.5m to about $7m) over five years. Nazr was the best center left on the market after Big Ben sold out to Chicago, and I can't fault Dumars for signing him. Unfortunately, he hasn't played well with the Pistons, and they had his contract for what seemed like forever. Solution? The Pistons just traded him to the Bobcats for Primoz Brezec and Walter Hermann.
Brezec is a 7'1" center who was a double-double machine for his first two seasons with the Bobcats, then he saw his minutes dry up to virtually nothing. He's not the toughest center, but he rebounds reasonably well and has a silky release on his shot... a touch most big men don't have. He's got an expiring contract, too. If he works, great! If not, nothing lost :) Likewise, Hermann is an Argentinian 6'9" small forward/power forward. He's definitely a talented scorer, with range out the three point line. I would not be shocked if he challenges Hayes for minutes at small forward when he gets up to speed on Detroit's play. He's also a fairly good defender, and a real hustle player. While both contracts are expiring, Dumars essentially rid himself of a contract that was bloated (given Nazr's play time) and long while getting a good look at two players that interest him.
Brezec, Hermann, and Flip Murray could all be used in a trade for someone Dumar's thinks the team could really use, too, since most NBA teams are interested in cutting salary with expiring contracts.
All in all, I'm very impressed by his decisions. I don't fault him for drafting Darko. Darko isn't playing up to a #2 draft pick, but he's not a washout, either. He signed a good contract with the Grizzlies over the summer, and that's a pretty good sign other teams still see the potential, too. Furthermore, in the aftermath of the Big Ben betrayal, Dumars managed to secure something from his mistakes (Nazr into expiring contracts, and a #15 draft pick that became Stuckey). Stuckey may very well be a much better player than Darko... for less money, and a much, much better attitude.
Anyway, it's close to 2 AM, and I'm thinking about gettng back to playing "Folklore" on the PS3. I'm really enjoying the game, both the amazing graphics, interesting storyline, and fun combat. I've read several reviews that critique the story line. Well... I don't see anything wrong with it thus far. Perhaps I'll change my mind, but the very creative manner of telling the story is worth something, too. It's a good game, and the recent addition of an expansion pack (on the Playstation Store) is intriguing. So far, it's eating up all my time, but "Final Fantasy XII" and "Shadows of the Colossus" should both be great, too... if I ever get through "Final Fantasy X-2" and "Arc the Lad: Twilight of Spirits!" Oh, and we got the girls "Shrek the Third" (video game) for the Playstation 2 they have; even that looks fun, so I wouldn't write off trying their game ;)
Once again, Happy Holidays!
Saturday, December 22, 2007
New Blog, Great Price...
Hello!
As much as I got used to Blog City, they decided to eliminate free blogs, and I couldn't see spending $45 each year on a service I use so infrequently. I decided to switch over to Blogger, Google's blog service. I created an account some time ago, just to check it out, and it seems adequate, and the price (free) is just right.
So, Christmas is right around the corner. I'm writing this Saturday night, two days away from Christmas. Brenda and I have been fighting "teh sick." We both got flu shots this year, but we've spent the last two weeks dealing with assorted problems culminating in well... liqui-poo, headaches, chills, and a special Holiday fever! Friday started fine, but we spent Friday night taking turns polluting the bathroom, and hoping the nausea wouldn't result in a communion with the porcelein god. Thankfully, it didn't, but I was up nearly the entire night, and Brenda crashed at about 9 PM, after feeling miserable a bit earlier in the evening than I did.
Saturday was better, though we were both a little wiped out from the previous night. We did manage to go shopping, or rather I slept in the car while Brenda and Gwen hit the store. I did hit Michael's for a last minute addition to my homemade art kit for the girls. I had already picked up a pencils, graphite pencils, kneaded erasers, gum erasers, tortillions, and those nifty sandpaper sharpeners (as well as more typical ones for harder pencils). Oh, then I bought three small sketch pads, and three full size ones for the girls. I put everything in a neat little plastic organizer that latches shut. I added a big set of pastels, chalks, and colored pencils today (the first two purchased at Michael's). I already had a big set of unused colored pencils I bought for myself and never used! Oh, and I got another small package of tortillions, which are used to smudge/smear pastels and chalks around. Neat stuff. I wrapped it and concluded our Christmas shopping for the year.
Despite my mother's assurance that she wouldn't spend as much as she did last year, the tree is absolutely stuffed with gifts. We had planned to get little more than $100 gift certificates to Ross, a discount clothing store (like TJ Maxx) the girls all like. Well, naturally we had to have a few things for them to open, and that continued to increase, and now I wonder just how much we spent. Whatever the case, my mother topped my effort, and there are dozens of gifts, big and small, under the tree. I'm sure they'll be happy, although I couldn't get Gwen a fish or cell phone. I *may* get her a cell phone, but that'll have to wait until her birthday, after I've had a chance to find a decent plan, and I'm still not sure about that. Realistically, she only has one friend she would call frequently, and she has the same service we do (T-Mobile) so it would be free anyway ;p
I'm sure she would prefer a phone of her own, but 100 minutes for $20 seems like an awful deal. I think I have a 2000 minute account ;p
Anyway, what else has been going on?
* Brenda had a good annual performance evalutation at work. She wasn't really certain how she was handling the move from accounting to cost management. Her new job has a lot more to do with communication skills and a persons' knowledge of Boeing rather than their technical expertise with accounting. Fortunately, she's a more talented communicator than she gives herself credit for.
* The Pistons are doing very well. They got over their plague of injuries, and Rodney Stuckey played his first NBA game on Friday (against the Grizzlies). He only played five minutes, but had two points and two assists, without a turnover, so that's encouraging. I suspect he'll add a dimension they've lacked for a long time. They're actually second in the East, behind the Celtics, and second overall in the NBA. They just played thier first season match against the Celtics, at Boston, and won the game by two points (a pair of free throws, courtesy of Billups with 0.2 seconds left). Overall, I think the Celtics are playing far better than I figured they would... but they are a single injury away from being a struggle to make the playoffs at all, and I question how they'll hold up with the long minutes their big three stars are logging. Meanwhile, the Pistons starters have been putting in about three quarters a game, often taking the entire fourth quarter off. Their bench is vastly improved.
* Bench status:
** Jason Maxiell is still the standout. He might not be a lock for sixth man of the year with Ginobli playing off the bench, but he's definitely in the running for most improved player and is like a lightning bolt off the bench. He's earning the title "the Putback King," getting offensive rebounds and converting a miss to a thunderous dunk.
** Amir Johnson is being used a bit less than most fans had hoped, but he is doing well on the defensive end, both as a rebounder and shot blocker. I think he'll continue to improve, especially since the Piston's traded away Nazr to the Bobcats.
** Jarvis Hayes hot shooting cooled off a bit. He's been better the last few games, but he went through quite a draught, and I'm sure the Wizard fans complained about that when he played behind Caron Butler. Anyway, I still like him, and think he's a great backup to Prince. His defense isn't great, but he's not a liability, either. When his shot is falling, he looks great out there.
** Arron Afflalo, the rookie shooting guard, is really showing his stuff. He's a superb defender, NBA ready immediately, and he's displaying a great basketball IQ--showing a good shot selection. He's gotten more playing time with Stuckey out and Flip Murray playing point guard, but I wouldn't be surprised if they use Afflalo over Flip if Stuckey can hold down some scoring responsiblity. I envision Afflalo as a long term member of the Pistons.
** Rodney Stucky, obviously, has yet to log many minutes after his broken left hand, but I have a lot of hopes for him. He's tall, fast, and very strong. He can create his own shot, and gets to the rim, either drawing fouls, getting an easy basket, or dishing back to open men. He's running the offense like a true point guard, not the shooting guard most people envisioned him as. I think he's the perfect complement to Billups.
** Flip Murray is still erratic. Sometimes, he plays great ball, but when his shot isn't falling, he seems to get anxious to score, and jacks up bad shot after bad shot. I won't really miss him, even if he's a veteran presence. I think Stuckey and Afflalo will be an ideal pair of reserves.
** Lindsey Hunter is probably going to spend time on the reserve list with Stuckey back in uniform, but he did well against the Celtics, and is still an amazing defender. I think he'll retire after this year, but he still seems capable of playing a reasonable role as a backup player.
** Cheik Samb was assigned to the D-League, and them moved back to Detroit. He's still too raw to be an asset, but it's hard to dislike his ability.
** Walter Hermann is the 6'9" or 6'10" Argentinian player that came from the Bobcats with Primoz Brezec in exchange for Nazr and Dupree. He's capable of playing either small forward or power forward, though he's a little better on the perimeter. He has great three point accuracy, and is a great hustle player/defender. I'm curious how he'll integrate with the team. He looks like Fabio, but he's got game, and I think he's more valuable than a simple expiring contract.
** Primoz Brezec is the 7'1" center that came from the Bobcats, as mentioned above. He really wanted out of Charlotte, and loves the idea of playing for the Pistons. I think Brezec is better than people give him credit for. He's a good rebounder, and decent defender, but he has a great shooting touch for a big man, and I think he'll get some burn time as a Piston.
* I suspect Dumar's is considering trading Brezec, Hermann, and Flip Murray for a key piece, since they're all expiring contracts, worth roughtly $7-$8m total. I don't know what he'll end up doing, but he might be able to snag a very talented player that pushes them over the edge... or he might simply want them as a group. They've all exhibited flashes of great play, and I think Hermann and Brezec are too new to write off. Hermann was rookie of the month last year, and Brezec was a double double machine until his minutes were cut to virtually nothing last year. He's not an all star, but he's not the wasted player people think he is, either. I still think he could be a nice fit in Detroit, and Hermann might be a better backup for Prince than Hayes, but only time will tell.
* I've been playing some video games. I've played a little NBA 2k7 on the PS3, as well as Final Fantasy X-2 (PS2 title) and wiped the dust off Marvel: Ultimate Alliance (PS2 version) to give it another shot. I'm pretty thrilled with the video game collection I've got going. I've got for games to trade in at Gamestop/EB Games, but I'm not postive what I'll get. I'm leaning towards Folklore, but we'll see. I probably won't hit a new game until after my birthday in February, since I've got a lot more to try out still.
Well, that's it for now. I'll switch over my site to link to Blogger in the next few days :)
As much as I got used to Blog City, they decided to eliminate free blogs, and I couldn't see spending $45 each year on a service I use so infrequently. I decided to switch over to Blogger, Google's blog service. I created an account some time ago, just to check it out, and it seems adequate, and the price (free) is just right.
So, Christmas is right around the corner. I'm writing this Saturday night, two days away from Christmas. Brenda and I have been fighting "teh sick." We both got flu shots this year, but we've spent the last two weeks dealing with assorted problems culminating in well... liqui-poo, headaches, chills, and a special Holiday fever! Friday started fine, but we spent Friday night taking turns polluting the bathroom, and hoping the nausea wouldn't result in a communion with the porcelein god. Thankfully, it didn't, but I was up nearly the entire night, and Brenda crashed at about 9 PM, after feeling miserable a bit earlier in the evening than I did.
Saturday was better, though we were both a little wiped out from the previous night. We did manage to go shopping, or rather I slept in the car while Brenda and Gwen hit the store. I did hit Michael's for a last minute addition to my homemade art kit for the girls. I had already picked up a pencils, graphite pencils, kneaded erasers, gum erasers, tortillions, and those nifty sandpaper sharpeners (as well as more typical ones for harder pencils). Oh, then I bought three small sketch pads, and three full size ones for the girls. I put everything in a neat little plastic organizer that latches shut. I added a big set of pastels, chalks, and colored pencils today (the first two purchased at Michael's). I already had a big set of unused colored pencils I bought for myself and never used! Oh, and I got another small package of tortillions, which are used to smudge/smear pastels and chalks around. Neat stuff. I wrapped it and concluded our Christmas shopping for the year.
Despite my mother's assurance that she wouldn't spend as much as she did last year, the tree is absolutely stuffed with gifts. We had planned to get little more than $100 gift certificates to Ross, a discount clothing store (like TJ Maxx) the girls all like. Well, naturally we had to have a few things for them to open, and that continued to increase, and now I wonder just how much we spent. Whatever the case, my mother topped my effort, and there are dozens of gifts, big and small, under the tree. I'm sure they'll be happy, although I couldn't get Gwen a fish or cell phone. I *may* get her a cell phone, but that'll have to wait until her birthday, after I've had a chance to find a decent plan, and I'm still not sure about that. Realistically, she only has one friend she would call frequently, and she has the same service we do (T-Mobile) so it would be free anyway ;p
I'm sure she would prefer a phone of her own, but 100 minutes for $20 seems like an awful deal. I think I have a 2000 minute account ;p
Anyway, what else has been going on?
* Brenda had a good annual performance evalutation at work. She wasn't really certain how she was handling the move from accounting to cost management. Her new job has a lot more to do with communication skills and a persons' knowledge of Boeing rather than their technical expertise with accounting. Fortunately, she's a more talented communicator than she gives herself credit for.
* The Pistons are doing very well. They got over their plague of injuries, and Rodney Stuckey played his first NBA game on Friday (against the Grizzlies). He only played five minutes, but had two points and two assists, without a turnover, so that's encouraging. I suspect he'll add a dimension they've lacked for a long time. They're actually second in the East, behind the Celtics, and second overall in the NBA. They just played thier first season match against the Celtics, at Boston, and won the game by two points (a pair of free throws, courtesy of Billups with 0.2 seconds left). Overall, I think the Celtics are playing far better than I figured they would... but they are a single injury away from being a struggle to make the playoffs at all, and I question how they'll hold up with the long minutes their big three stars are logging. Meanwhile, the Pistons starters have been putting in about three quarters a game, often taking the entire fourth quarter off. Their bench is vastly improved.
* Bench status:
** Jason Maxiell is still the standout. He might not be a lock for sixth man of the year with Ginobli playing off the bench, but he's definitely in the running for most improved player and is like a lightning bolt off the bench. He's earning the title "the Putback King," getting offensive rebounds and converting a miss to a thunderous dunk.
** Amir Johnson is being used a bit less than most fans had hoped, but he is doing well on the defensive end, both as a rebounder and shot blocker. I think he'll continue to improve, especially since the Piston's traded away Nazr to the Bobcats.
** Jarvis Hayes hot shooting cooled off a bit. He's been better the last few games, but he went through quite a draught, and I'm sure the Wizard fans complained about that when he played behind Caron Butler. Anyway, I still like him, and think he's a great backup to Prince. His defense isn't great, but he's not a liability, either. When his shot is falling, he looks great out there.
** Arron Afflalo, the rookie shooting guard, is really showing his stuff. He's a superb defender, NBA ready immediately, and he's displaying a great basketball IQ--showing a good shot selection. He's gotten more playing time with Stuckey out and Flip Murray playing point guard, but I wouldn't be surprised if they use Afflalo over Flip if Stuckey can hold down some scoring responsiblity. I envision Afflalo as a long term member of the Pistons.
** Rodney Stucky, obviously, has yet to log many minutes after his broken left hand, but I have a lot of hopes for him. He's tall, fast, and very strong. He can create his own shot, and gets to the rim, either drawing fouls, getting an easy basket, or dishing back to open men. He's running the offense like a true point guard, not the shooting guard most people envisioned him as. I think he's the perfect complement to Billups.
** Flip Murray is still erratic. Sometimes, he plays great ball, but when his shot isn't falling, he seems to get anxious to score, and jacks up bad shot after bad shot. I won't really miss him, even if he's a veteran presence. I think Stuckey and Afflalo will be an ideal pair of reserves.
** Lindsey Hunter is probably going to spend time on the reserve list with Stuckey back in uniform, but he did well against the Celtics, and is still an amazing defender. I think he'll retire after this year, but he still seems capable of playing a reasonable role as a backup player.
** Cheik Samb was assigned to the D-League, and them moved back to Detroit. He's still too raw to be an asset, but it's hard to dislike his ability.
** Walter Hermann is the 6'9" or 6'10" Argentinian player that came from the Bobcats with Primoz Brezec in exchange for Nazr and Dupree. He's capable of playing either small forward or power forward, though he's a little better on the perimeter. He has great three point accuracy, and is a great hustle player/defender. I'm curious how he'll integrate with the team. He looks like Fabio, but he's got game, and I think he's more valuable than a simple expiring contract.
** Primoz Brezec is the 7'1" center that came from the Bobcats, as mentioned above. He really wanted out of Charlotte, and loves the idea of playing for the Pistons. I think Brezec is better than people give him credit for. He's a good rebounder, and decent defender, but he has a great shooting touch for a big man, and I think he'll get some burn time as a Piston.
* I suspect Dumar's is considering trading Brezec, Hermann, and Flip Murray for a key piece, since they're all expiring contracts, worth roughtly $7-$8m total. I don't know what he'll end up doing, but he might be able to snag a very talented player that pushes them over the edge... or he might simply want them as a group. They've all exhibited flashes of great play, and I think Hermann and Brezec are too new to write off. Hermann was rookie of the month last year, and Brezec was a double double machine until his minutes were cut to virtually nothing last year. He's not an all star, but he's not the wasted player people think he is, either. I still think he could be a nice fit in Detroit, and Hermann might be a better backup for Prince than Hayes, but only time will tell.
* I've been playing some video games. I've played a little NBA 2k7 on the PS3, as well as Final Fantasy X-2 (PS2 title) and wiped the dust off Marvel: Ultimate Alliance (PS2 version) to give it another shot. I'm pretty thrilled with the video game collection I've got going. I've got for games to trade in at Gamestop/EB Games, but I'm not postive what I'll get. I'm leaning towards Folklore, but we'll see. I probably won't hit a new game until after my birthday in February, since I've got a lot more to try out still.
Well, that's it for now. I'll switch over my site to link to Blogger in the next few days :)
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