PS3 Woes

So it finally happened to me. I've always heard stories from friends or read about it on the internet, but I never once believed it would happen to me.

Sure, I've thought about it, but never thought it would happen because I've had it for about five or six years (I think).

What am I talking about? Well, the blu-ray drive on my PS3 stopped reading any disc that I put in there. So, in essence I can't play games for the time being. What's even funnier was the fact that it decided to quite on me while I was playing Gran Turismo 5. I had just won a race too.

I was pissed that it happened, but wasn't surprised that it happened. I've owned my PS3 for about five or six years, and during that time I've played blu ray games and movies. In other words, I really put the lens through its paces. So, the lens finally gave out on me, and I had to take it to a local repair shop.

I should be getting it back in a day or two. Let me tell you, I felt sad and naked after I dropped off my PS3 at the repair shop. Ha ha. I know this must show weird, but I've had it for so long and it never gave me any headaches.

Yeah, I'm a little teary eyed. BUT, my hope is that my system will be back in top shape.

Luckily, I bought a stand alone blu ray player, and I was able to play enough of Gran Turismo 5. So, expect my review of Gran Turismo 5 very soon.

Rest assured I tell you guys when I get back on track.

Until then!

A Dec. 12th Birthday!

Well, this is a little different. It's not meant for an audience, but for one person only.

Then again, maybe it can be for anyone. I guess it depends on what I say and how that audience interprets its. If anything, it will probably feel like I'm talking to my self.

Honestly, that's what it seems like. I mean, there is no one else here listening to me, or is there? These are the moments where I can speak my mind. You know, be humble and one with the universe or at least my soul.

Anyway, it's 1am, and I'm watching Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade. It's at the part where Sean Connery scares the birds into the oncoming German fighter plane. Yeah, that was funny. Well, it's your day, and I'm trying to think of what to say other then the usual.

I will say the usual, of course! Just not yet.

So, where do I begin? How about, how did you wake up this morning? Were you warm or cold? It is cold out there this time of year. I think you might have it worse then me when it comes to cold weather and snow! I remember the time we compared snow storms. You beat me!

Did you still feel groggy or were you wide awake when you woke up? Hair wild and all over the place or plastered against your face? Ha! Or, were you lucky enough to have that one strand of hair sticking out of your hair at an odd angle?

Enough of that. We all have bad morning hair days.

So, how old are you now? 24, 44 or 16, I'm just kidding. I know how old you're turning. I'm happy for you. You have so much accomplished, and there is still more waiting for you around the corner. I'm just barely getting my feet wet, and who knows where that will end up. I'm happy for you anyway!

I can't imagine what you have planned out for today or what you did already. Let me say right now that I'm joggling between thinking you might see this before you get your day started or after you've partied yourself out.

I bet it would be pretty interesting to see you enjoy yourself or sprawled out on the couch after a long day. Then again, maybe you had a quiet day to relax and take a load off from the last few months. You deserve it either way.

The rain started coming down here, and I believe snow will be in our forecast later in the coming week. Has it started snowing up there? Any blizzards for your birthday? I'm sure we'll get your left overs or is it the other way around? Not that it matters because I'll still say it's your fault ^_^ If it snows this week I'll be pointing my finger at you. Wait, didn't I already say this?

I hope you realize I'm only kidding. Today I'll applaud and extend my hand out to you.

Days go by and like yesterday, today will be no different. Tomorrow will be like any other day. It just depends on how we choose to live it. I can't remember anything memorable about the last several years as I grew older; except, I had good food and fine companionship with my family and friends on my B-day. That's what it is for me at least. As long as I have good food (restaurant or home cooked) it's fine with me. And with family and friends to share those good times then all is right with the world.

What about you? I'm sure it is something similar or even better! What ever it is, it's yours to keep.

Ah, it feels like I've been rambling on with no real point in mind. Ha! It's probably dumb of me to say that after everything I've just written. It's certainly one of those posts (of many) that will appear on this blog. Anyway, despite the fact that I couldn't (or can't) be there.

I want to wish you a safe and Happy Birthday! You know where you can reach me if you want to respond or chat. Well, peace out and keep going forward.

Oh, one more thing. If you haven't already done so, check out the clip on the post right after this one. It'll make you laugh for sure!

Have fun, and until next time.

If Cats Could Talk

This is going to be short, but I wanted to post this up.

I was searching through You Tube when I came across this video of these two cats playing patty cake. Now someone added a clever voice dub to the clip, making it look as though the cats were having a conversation and argument as they played.

It is the funniest and cutest clip I have seen in a long time, and I thought I would share it here with who ever else is following my exploits and adventures.

Believe me this clip will make you laugh, and if it doesn't. Then there is something wrong with you!

See the You Tube clip below and enjoy it yourselves.



Have fun!

Blu Ray/DVD combo packs!!

Well Hello there,

It's Saturday night and I'm sitting here watching Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade, and I'm thinking that maybe I want to pick that up on DVD or Blu Ray.

This of course leads me to my topic for this post. I recently bought Inception on Blu Ray/DVD combo. My thought and reason for buying this combo instead of just one or the other is really simple.

It's bloody awesome!! Just think about it!

You are getting or paying for both a Blu Ray and DVD copy of the same movie, so you can watch the corresponding version on either your Blu Ray or DVD player. Also, having this combo deal makes when you want to show the movie to your friend and he or she doesn't have a Blu Ray player. It's having the best of both worlds!

And here's the kicker.

The combo pack is only two or three dollars more than the two-disc DVD copy of the same movie. Now keep in mind that I'm referring to new releases, and the store that has these prices is Best Buy. I'm sure most other retail stores have similar sales. Best Buy usually has new release combo packs for either $25-26 dollars during the movies initial release.

I know most people would disagree, but I think it's a really great tactic.

At this point I bought several movies as combo packs. My Blu Ray library is not as large as my DVD collection because I'm only buying certain (memorable, favorite, classic) movies under this format.

It's times like this that I say to myself (like many of you have I'm sure), it's great to be alive this day in age of high definition, digital, media.

I know I've mentioned this before, but I'll have mini reviews of films posted very soon.

So, my verdict: Blu Ray/DVD combo packs are great! They have many benefits, and the cost is very affordable.

Until next time.

The Walking Dead - Season Finale + News

So, I just finished watching the season finale of AMC's The Walking Dead, and I have to admit that I was expecting a larger exit on the part of some of the characters.

To sum things up, the series this far as been a roller coaster ride of triumphs and pitfalls. The story kept me involved so far, and the characters suffered and persevered against the dead. Despite their emotional turmoil they continued to cling on to hope that an answer or solution existed somewhere to the plague.

My own personal interest in this show was invested in how these characters dealt with the odds that were stacked against them. Each character lost friends or family along the way, but the idea of finding a solution always remained their focus.

Enter Rick Grimes, and the possibility of finding salvation at the CDC.

Ever since the end of episode five, I wanted to know how this first (successful) season of a zombie TV series would end. For myself, the series reached a climax at the end of episode five with Rick screaming "You're killing us!" And then the doors to the CDC's facility opened.

During episode Six, I thought two things marked this episode with a pivotal point that, I assume, would give direction for the rest of the series.

The introduction of the scientific perspective added a dimension of understanding, lament and sympathy. Dr. Jenner's explanation of the phenomenon informs but also brings the realization that the plague has already gone far beyond reversal. Jenner reveals that the facility has been set with a contingency protocol that would activate in the case of a facility power outage.

As we soon find out, the facility had been running on backup generators and a clock has been counting down to complete disposal. The entire facility had been set to self destruct to prevent the escape of any of the dangerous infectious diseases kept in containment.

Dr. Jenner puts into perspective the idea that there's nothing left to do or fight for. It's the same idea or realization that many zombie movies touched upon. The whole world is dead, what else is there to hope for or continue escaping for? Jenner locks everyone in the facility as a way of releasing them from their misery of living and hiding in a world that no longer holds any hope or salvation.

It truly is a difficult and pivotal moment in the series where tensions are high and characters are divided.

Dr. Jenner eventually changes his mind and unlocks the doors. Rick thanks him, but Jenner tells Rick that the day will come when he wished he had stayed. Jenner whispers something in Rick's ear before we follow the rest out of the facility. I guess this is something we'll find out at some point in season two.

One character does stay behind and perishes along with Dr. Jenner in the massive fireball that consumes the entire CDC facility. The remaining characters leave behind the last bastion of salvation and head out in search for another sanctuary.   

So, my verdict, the first season ended on a medium-high note with the realization that there is nothing safe left and no hope for a return to normality. The characters are destined to find their own way to survive from here in out. I honestly felt that the number of returning characters would be smaller because several opted to end their lives in the blast, but changed their minds a few seconds before the explosion. How or what changed their minds? This is something that we'll most likely also find out in season two. 

On another note, a friend of mine sent me a link to a news article that stated that Frank Darabont had let go of his entire writing staff at the end of this first season. I scratched my head and thought - What? From my understanding this sort of move happens with British shows quite often, but its unheard of on a American show.

The article went on to say that the show will continue without a set writing staff and will look into the possibility of hiring freelance writers to continue moving the series forward. There's an interesting opportunity, and all I can say is its about time freelancers got a piece of the pie!

Well, this whole news bit needs to be confirmed first by other notable sources before I or anyone can take it seriously. Right now it seems more like a rumor. However, rest assured that if it is confirmed, the freelance writing world will jump at the opportunity. I, for one, would be excited to try to get a piece of the pie!

So, season one of The Walking Dead gets a thumbs up from me.

Christmas Season and Spirit

I was returning home from teaching martial arts on Friday night, and my trek back to the subway station brought me through Penn Station.

The interior of Penn Station has been decorated with festive lights and ornaments. At the center of the main hall where the connection to all trains, buses and eateries are located, a large Christmas tree stands.

I saw it earlier when I walked through there, but I was in a hurry and couldn't stop to take pictures. However, on the way back I made sure to take a few snapshots so I could share them here.

The holidays are getting closer, but we still haven't had any snow. I'm sure however that the snow will follow very soon as the temperatures continue to stay cold.

Rest assured that when the snow starts falling I'll post up those pics here when I take them.

Until then.

A Week of Heavy Rain and Blistering Cold

Hey, people, it's been a few days.

Well, December is here and you know what that means! Christmas and bleeding pockets.

I'd thought I would share a few interesting developments in the weather here in New York. This past week we had a tremendous rain storm that brought torrential rains down on us.

I recall on Tuesday the weather looked very cloudy with maybe a light sprinkle, but then on Wednesday the worst hit.

I was at my job when the waters came and temporarily sidelined me indoors before I decided to just make tracks.

Certain areas around the campus were flooded because the drains could not handle the heavy amount of rain. Coupled with the intense wind the rain just hit you in the face in relentless streams.

It was a very wet day to say the least!

The rain was unforgiving, during the day, that umbrellas were useless. So, I didn't try opening mine. Later that afternoon, the rain had stopped and everything was glazed in a thin sheet of rain.

Moving on!

For the past few days the weather became extremely cold that I wished I had put on more layers of clothes to keep me a little warmer. But, I survived so I'm not complaining.

The one thing I would complain about is the fact that I had no heat for the past two days. As you can probably guess, I was really pissed!

Ah, that's the weather for you.