Monday, April 28, 2008

An ode to Burnout Paradise

After many many hours of pure gaming joy, I have at last achieved 100% completion in the XBOX 360 version of burnout paradise.

Not since Burnout Revenge have I spent this ludicrous amount of time playing any one game. Its absurd, really, but I loved every second of it.

For my totally disorganized review and commentary, click below.

DvdFriend Review

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

The trouble with feet

When I was a kid, maybe between 20 and 22, I wrote a documentary about my foot. I don't recall if it was my left foot or right foot, but it was definitely a foot. Clearly, a sequel is overdue. (I'll find the original and post it). But, since I don't have time to fully document today's experience, I'll keep it to blog length.

Today I decided to go out to get some lunch. While driving about, I realized I needed an oil change. I have to drive to work tomorrow, so I really should get it done today. I dropped the car off. I had to be back to the home office for a 1:15 meeting. The car wouldn't be done by 1:15, so I had to decide between walking back or participating in the call via phone only; no computer or live meeting, etc. Unfortunately, I was wearing sandals (otherwise known as flip-flops), which was a factor in the decision.

Being a responsible employee, I decided to walk home despite my inadequate footwear. By my calculations, it should have taken 30 minutes which would give me 15 minutes to not prep for the meeting. If I was wearing sneakers, then I probably could've knocked 10 or 15 minutes off by jogging parts of it. But, for now, the walk would have to do. But, before beginning the Trek, I stopped at 7-11 for a hotdog and Arizona.

The 7-11 is a nice clean store. The guy at the register was on a personal call, and I felt bad interrupting him in order to by products. I felt worse when I had to interrupt him again to ask for a plastic bag. Sometimes I'm too rude and inconsiderate. In retrospect, I should've waited until a more convenient time for him.

Then I began the journey. I was at least 75% along when I realized I didn't have my keys. Bogus. I knew they weren't at the car place because they removed the car key and gave me the rest of them. Damn you 7-11! I called them, fearing that I would interrupt again. It took a few tries to properly translate their 1/2 of the conversation, but once we leapt the communication divide, I learned that they did have them. (However, I do question their security policies. "Do your keys have a blue flashlight and a Mobile speedpass?")

Now what do I do? Do I continue the walk home and use the emergency key to get in the house, go to the meeting, and return later? (I locked myself out once before and had to kick in a window. Since then, there's an emergency key on stand by). If it wasn't the 7-11, then that would've been a reasonable option. But, my visit and subsequent call didn't instill an aire of confidence or reliability. The sooner I got the keys back, the better.

Once again, the flip-flops were a factor. The tops of my feet were starting to mildly blister due to the straps. So, off came the flip-flops. I walked most of the way back barefoot until my heels started to blister, then returned to the flip flops. I retrieved my keys, then called into the meeting remotely.

What can we learn from all this?
1 - Stop being lazy and put some shoes on
2 - Don't leave your keys at 7-11
3 - Never go get an oil change expecting that you're just getting an oil change. There's always something else to be done. (Alignment. New air filter. Fuel Injection Flush. Expensive oil change...)

Oh, one more thing. My cell phone ran out of juice about 15 minutes before the meeting ended. Perfect! (Cue the lightning.)