Microsoft’s Temporary Xbox One Price Drop is a Tempting Tease…

Posted on October 27, 2014 by geelw

If you were holding off buying that Xbox One because of the price point (despite the recent price cut to $399), Microsoft is making things a lot more tempting. While ACTUAL sales figures for the console (and yes, all other consoles) is a bit tricky to track down, those in the know know that Sony’s PlayStation 4 has sold at least 10 million units worldwide (a solid start, but that also means a lot more millions still own and play games on the PS3, particularly in Japan where the PS3 still outsells the PS4). Both Sony and Microsoft have to deal with one core factor with their new-generation systems in the fact that both the PS4 and Xbox One absolutely require a broadband connection in order to function out of the box if players want to take advantage of any online features… Continue reading →

Oh, Ha. Oops. I Forgot to Give You All A Card. Sort Of…

Posted on December 26, 2013 by geelw

So, yeah – that’s my non-denominational and generic holiday card above. I already posted this image on facebook a few days or a week back, but forgot to run it here (duh!). It’s actually an old watercolor I did oh, back around 1998 or so (if not earlier that decade). I used to hand-paint dozens of these and send them out to people I knew, but I simply haven’t been able to find the time to do this in quite some time. Back then, each one was different in size because I used assorted scraps from a pile of assorted watercolor paper I’d collected from the art store I worked at (they normally discarded these bits and pieces, but I decided to recycle!) , but had more or less the same image. Anyway, Happy/Merry Whatever and Peace somewhere or other (but here on earth first, as it’s nice to actually enjoy some silence once in a while)… Back in a bit.

The Time of The Doctor Teaser: Some Of You Whovians Will Need An Actual House Call Afterward, I’ll Bet…

Posted on December 18, 2013 by geelw

Yeah, yeah. Another day… another Doctor, huh? Matt Smith will be missed for sure, but I think the writers on the show can indeed keep things rolling as the Capaldi era gets off to whatever start they want to give it. I can handle the loss of a Doctor, as I’m a more recent re-convert to the show after some years not of watching it regularly. And yes, my re-conversion was swift and amusing back when I did start up again as I got hit on the head hard with a string of episodes and characters that had my taking notes before realizing I was now trapped into the storyline and HAD to see what happened next. Anyway, there are a mere two days to go, so stock up on edibles and perhaps a box of tissues if you’re one of THOSE people. Oh, who am I kidding, most of us will probably BE one of those people by the time the episode ends.

Well, provided those dopey spinning and/or explosive Christmas trees aren’t in this episode. I think I laughed myself off the couch the first time I saw one of those things spring into action…

It’s Evacuation Day! What The Heck Are YOU Doing At Work, America?

Posted on November 25, 2013 by geelw

(thanks DestructionMode!)
Okay, so only a handful of states actually celebrate this now obscure holiday, but I find it amusing that more states and workers aren’t using this to get that one more day off in a week where pretty much nothing gets done save for people gear up to get the hell out of Dodge and go driving tens to hundreds of miles just to stuff themselves full of food that will make them sleepy before they get back IN those vehicles to head out and spend all their money shopping for a lot of people they really don’t like all that much (i.e. family members). OK, so I’m a little and intentionally cynical during this time of the year up to THAT time of the year. But that’s because it’s when you see what I like to call “hypocrisy inaction” where people rant about the old ways being trampled while they themselves can’t force themselves to pass up on that nineteen dollar boombox or two buck sandwich maker that will burn up anything that’s placed between it.

There are a few other things that bug me about this time of year, but I won’t “rant” about them here because I think nearly everyone has their own holiday horrors or knows people that become a bit TOO cheery to be around as if they’re in some Bizarro world where teddy bears, lousy sweaters, fruit cakes and happy-happy joy-joy greetings 24-7 are their marching orders. And. They. Just. Won’t. STOP. Hmmm… that’s practically a Doctor Who episode if it hasn’t been done already. Alright, shutting up now – just ignore me and get back to buying that Butterball and reading up on the pre-pre-pre Black Friday deals you’ll be pissed off at because as soon as you buy something, the price drops elsewhere and you feel like a sucker. Again…

Apocalypse No… Oh Wait, We’re Still Here (Er, Carry On, Then!)…

Posted on December 21, 2012 by geelw

Hmmm. So, the world did NOT end (well, for most of you) and I’ve heard that it seems to have ruined a few otherwise well-made doomsday plans. Hopefully you’re not one of those folks who was thinking of ending it all or that we’d go up in flames due to nuclear, planetary collision, zombie or some other sort of holocaust. Because my snarky side (which has just activated – you’ve been warned) would kindly point you to the nearest window (even if you’re in a basement), then the clock on the wall and tell you to get to it already so we don’t have to hear you wailing about how that Mayan calendar was upside down and it’s NEXT year or when the Cubs win the Super Cup or when the next season of GIRLS begins because it’s a show made by the Devil himself. Whatever.

One of those MAY be true, by the way…

Continue reading →

A Friendly Reminder From Black Pants Game Studios…

Posted on December 21, 2012 by geelw

No, not that the world is ending in a few hours (well, for some people out there)… there’s a NEW demo for Tiny & Big: Grandpa’s Leftovers available on Steam! Go get it, play it and laugh yourself silly while things go to heck in a handbasket or something. Look at it this way, if you love the demo enough and the earth doesn’t blow up, you can actually go BUY the game and play the whole thing. Even better, the game is 50% off until doomsday (I’d gather that’s later today), so get while it’s hot. Or before you burn up when Melancholia hits. Or something like that. The talented gentlemen at Black Pants will thank you kindly, and I’ll have done my good deed for the day because I’ve turned you on to a really cool (and really funny) game experience. OK, I’m off to watch some cartoons now… Good Night!

Christopher Lee. Heavy Metal. Christmas Songs. Yeah, They All Go Together.

Posted on December 20, 2012 by geelw

“There was a time when Saruman walked through my woods, but now he has a mind of metal…”

You know how people say “Now I’ve seen everything!” all the time? No, no… they haven’t. THIS, on the other hand, helps cross a huge bunch of stuff off that long list list of “everything” in one gift-wrapped shot. According to Loudwire, 90-year old Christopher Lee, who’s played everything from Count Dracula, Lord Summerisle in the original (and still outstanding) The Wicker Man, and more recently, Saruman in The Lord of the Rings films has released an EP of two Christmas songs that’s now available for download on iTunes, Amazon and other music sites. I’d normally be clutching my chest and cracking up, but I’ll just tip my cap to the man for still doing what he does at that age. It’s not even the first time he’s done recorded work, as you’ll find out by simply Googling the man up and seeing what the results are.

Hell, the next time you can’t get out of bed because of a “serious” case of the sniffles, you might want to watch your back, you lazy git. Christopher Lee might have your job when you finally get back to work… and he’ll be doing it better than you ever did…

Larian Studios Brings Some Holiday Cheer to The Year of the Dragon…

Posted on December 19, 2012 by geelw

I got a few holiday-themed digital cards and videos in my packed inbox, but I like this one the best because it’s amusing, has real people in it along with a bit of game stuff and yes, you can sing along (as long as you keep it down and don’t wake the neighbors). Oh, yeah – you should probably buy one or two of Larian’s find RPGs for yourself or as a gift for a gamer you know. I’m just saying… it IS the holiday season and all. That and you don’t want some huffy dragon hanging out on your porch or windowsill glaring at you until you do so…