When She Loved Me- Piano Cover

So I joined the ranks....I uploaded a cover onto YouTube. Long have I debated putting something up on the website... not counting the Smash Brothers combo videos I uploaded for a friend..

The song was bouncing around my head for weeks. It's from Toy Story 2. I was surfing the tubes one night, and I came across someone covering the song the cowgirl doll sings about how her owner left her. And just like that, I was hooked. I had to learn it...no matter how depressing it was.

So I went with a friend to the chapel at my school and recorded this. It's on the Baldwin grand piano inside the main chapel, which gets great acoustics that you really can't hear on the recording.

I was especially pround of the section around the 1:00 mark. Made those chords up myself! :) I was trying to learn the song, and I ended up stumbling upon those chords... there's a very jazzy, Charlie-Brown-Christmas feel to them that I really liked, so I threw out the original chords and used those.

Check it out and be sure to comment! I may put up more in the future! Let me know if I should!

New Jet Force Gemini?!

In Rare's latest Banjo-fest, a little Easter Egg hints at some major news...new installments for a lot of Rare standards. Among them...Jet Force Gemini!!!

Jet Force Gemini...wow...really brings me back. Remember those good old N64 days with that goofy looking controller, and the little robot Floyd flying in circles around Player One shooting away? And don't forget the dog with rockets for paws.

Goooood times.

Sure, Rare may just be toying around with us, but I'll bite.

Bring it on Rare! Make it so!

Vote!

So the big day has come. 2 years in the making, it's Election Day 2008!

We're pretty lucky to live in a country where we have the right to vote and freedom to do so, so don't waste it!

So get out there, people! It's VOTING TIME!

One Nation

If you've followed politics lately (or watched the Daily Show), you'd know that some flat-out strange comments have been floating out of the McCain campaign. Be it a desperate attempt to win over "rural working class" voters or just a desperate attempt to appeal to far-right conservatives, the candidate's supporters (and even that incorrigible Palin) have been throwing around this notion of a "Real America."

You know the one; those great barbecuing, burger-eating Joe Six-Packs who live in those small towns that "make good people." Those hockey-moms and factory workers who can smell an elite coming a mile away.

You remember that one? No? That's probably because it doesn't exist. There is no Real America just like there is no Fake America. There is just America!

The country folk are just as American as the city-slickers. The factory worker is just as American as the urban schoolteacher. The accountant is just as American as the priest. North Virginia is just as real as South Virginia, just as real as West Virginia.

There's this thought that being spread by the dying far-right, that small towns are real, and big cities are fake. That only in the rural areas, patriotism is seen. And those urban folk, how can they be patriotic?

This is the politics of yesterday. The one that slices us up into nice little fragments that can then be played against each other. Divide and conquer is the old maxim. So as our economy sinks deeper, and our standing among nations spirals downward, these people want to show us that the real threat is ourselves. That there is a true America and a false one, and that the fakes want to destroy our great nation.

Call me crazy, but this brand of politics is not going to stick. Not this year. Not this time. After 8 years of these divisive games, Americans are going to realize that we're all Americans. That now is the time to come together, not push apart. That all opinions must be valued, whether they be from liberals, or conservatives.

This election, people will remember that little saying on the dollar bill still holds meaning: E pluribus unum.

Out of many, one.

Colin Powell...

Ex-Secretary of State Colin Powell recently endorsed Obama for prez. While this is newsworthy in and of itself, I found the little speach he gave on Sunday's Meet the Press to explain why he was voting Democrat to be incredibly well done.

I've been debating for a while as to whether I should try to weigh in on these candidates at ASG! But, thankfully, Mr. Powell says it better than I ever could. Give it a watch:

The Second Coming!...

...of our Messiah: Shark Jesus!

A blacktip shark in a Virginia Aquarium was confirmed to have a "virgin birth." The single shark pup inside the female was genetically tested after an necropsy of the mother and had no genes from a male shark. It is the second documented case of a female shark reproducing asexually.

Unfortunately the pup never actually was born. The mother, 'Tidbit' (personally I think 'Mary' would have been more catchy), died from complications of her sudden and unknown pregnancy.

The first shark Messiah, a hammerhead born just a year ago, was quickly gobbled up by his fellow sharks shortly after his birth.

Quote: "By the time they could realize what they were looking at, something munched the baby..."

But really, what does this all mean? Seems clear to me. It's got to be Shark Jesus! Personally, I welcome back our savior with open arms....er.....fins.

So the real question is not 'what does this tell us about the reproductive cycles of one of the Earth's oldest creatures.' Much much simpler than that.

WWSJD?

ASG! Article: This is NOT Sparta!

Another article! This time I got to cover Cambridge History Professor Paul Cartledge lecture here at SU about the accuracy of "300."

He's a well known and well respected ancient historian, so it was a pretty big deal to get to hear him speak. One of the more interesting events, in terms of topic, I've gotten to cover, and I think the article came out really nicely as well. Also, this was the first story I actually suggested on covering and then got to cover.

Give it a read.

ASG! Article: Large Hadron Collider and Black Holes?

So no excuses this time. No black hole or anything, I've just been busy.
And how do I return after a multi-week haitus? By redirecting you to a different article...
I'll end up doing this every time I get an article posted. It's from the Daily Orange, my campus' school paper.
I got to write about the Large Hadron Collider that was fired up last week. Some people are under the impression that it may create a black hole that will destroy the world, the universe and all existence (hi Dad). So it's pretty cool to get to write about the possible end of the world. It was a fun article, so give it a read.

Also just in case you were wondering if the Large Hadron Collider has destroyed the Earth yet, you can check here.

UPDATE: Well, it appears we'll have to wait a while for the end of the world... the LHC broke down. It'll be out of commission for about 2 months, so use this time wisely. You know, go skydiving or write a novel or something...

Did a Bit of Pre-Ordering

So on my latest trip to the mall, I put down a few deposits on a couple of games that I will definitely be picking up: Spore and Fallout 3.

Which reminds me... I never did give my impressions of the Spore Creature Creator. This is because, after about a week of enjoyment, the game broke on me. Now, I cannot run the application without it crashing. Most frustrating.

If this experience taught me anything though, it's that EA needs to get a better tech support. Right now, they basically have you put in a question, and then if they feel like it, they might answer you. The bigger problem is that when I go to submit the question, the button refreshes the page and doesn't add your question. Again, most frustrating.

Still, I'll be picking up the game. Hopefully it'll work for me.


Also, I have previously mentioned my near-unhealthy excitement for Bethesda's latest creation. The free Nuka-Cola bottle opener I got with my pre-order certainly didn't help. Can this game just come out already?

A Little Absurd

So since John McCain came out of left field with his VP choice, Sarah Palin, the media has been abuzz with speculation. A pregnant teenage daughter. An internal investigation. Some say a sketchy voting record (personally seems pretty clear to me).

Now a lot of people in the McCain camp is firing back saying the media is being sexist.
I must make this point very clear (as to avoid the same accusation): Sexism has got to stop being used as a crutch to ward off criticism. The second Palin came under fire, the sexism charge started flying around. "The media's being sexist." "They just don't want to see a woman in the vice president spot."

I don't deny that there is sexism still in America, especially in the workplace and in politics. And certain quotes against Hilary Clinton were pretty clearly sexist in tone (even though she may have over milked that cow). But this negative press Palin has been getting has nothing to do with her being a woman.

I'm sure there are some very hardline feminists who will instantly get behind the McCain camp if they hear the media is being "sexist". After all, the PUMA group uses sexism as one of its key pieces of evidence why Clinton lost.

But I would hope that the vast majority of Hilary voters will see this for what it is: a very feeble attempt to sway them to the Republican ticket. I say Hilary supporters because that's the entire reasoning behind Palin's spot on the ticket. With so many disaffected Hilary supporters who are already fed up with Democrats, and the race so close, you can't possibly tell me that McCain picking a woman is a coincidence. This was a very clear political move, to capitalize on a PUMA movement and also the attitude of "change". Palin is an outsider for sure, and I can't help but think that McCain is using her to prove he is willing to change the way Washington works.

Back to the subject, I don't agree with Palin's stances. I'm not a sexist, not by a long shot. I just so happen to dissagree with her. She's very conservative, while I consider myself to be moderate, and if anything, more liberal. And I don't dissagree with her because she's a woman. If she were a man, I would still dissagree.

It's really getting to be a bit much, don't you think?

If someone can find me a concrete example of sexism in the Palin coverage, I will gladly eat my words.

UPDATE: Huckabee's talking now and the RNC, and he's skirting the line. If he says "sexist media", I may explode.
UPDATE TO UPDATE: Well he didn't, thankfully. Called her coverage "tacky" and criticized it's negative nature. That's a perfectly fair assessment and I'm glad he didn't go down the sexism path.

A Few Technical Difficulties

And I'm being serious. I don't joke about technical difficulties. Not since my laptop has broken almost 10 times in less than a year. Not surprisingly, my computer didn't take moving up to the Syracuse University wireless network well.
But after a few days of troubleshooting (internet-less, no less), I think I've finally got the two to sit down and sort out their problems.
Posting will resume tomorrow, at the regularly scheduled time.

Team Fortress 2: Meet the...

...Sandvich! To couple with the upcoming Heavy update, the latest "Meet the..." video has been released. Aaah...smells like victory!



For those unfamiliar with Valve's series of animated shorts should become familiar. The humorous introductions to Team Fortress 2's various classes are required reading for any fan of Team Fortress, machinima, or just plain comedy. And at a few minutes a pop, you really have no excuse but to give them a look.

College Prez's Demand Drinking Age Debate...But Are They Just Dropping the Ball?

The AP recently put out a news story about a group of college administrators who beleive lawmakers should consider lowering the drinking age to 18. This group, called the Amethyst Initiative, is saying that the current legal age creates "a culture of dangerous, clandestine binge-drinking." In their written statement, the group argues "Adults under 21 are deemed capable of voting, signing contracts, serving on juries and enlisting in the military, but are told they are not mature enough to have a beer." They also state that "by choosing to use fake IDs, students make ethical compromises that erode respect for the law."

This story genuinely surprised me. Of all people, I would have thought that college administrators would know how rampant underage drinking is, and how dangerous it can be. Imagine my surprise when my school's chancellor, Syracuse's Nancy Cantor, added her support to the list.

With all due respect to Syracuse University, this declaration that the drinking age should be lowered is nothing more than a way to dodge the responsibility of sobering up unruly students.

While it is true that the maturity levels of a 21-year-old and an 18-year-old are not huge, the current group of underage students have done absolutely nothing to prove they are mature enough to be entrusted with alcohol. I can recall hearing ambulances outside my dorm practically every weekend last year. Not to mention the times I've seen fellow freshmen, sophomores, and juniors slumped against walls, passed out from too much beer. Or worse.

To suggest that these student drink because it's a way to stick it to "the man" is looking too far into what is a simple explanation:

Students like to get drunk. Buzzed. Whatever you want to call it.

The group's claim that fake ID's are a detriment to society may be true. But how about instead of eliminating the need for fake ID's, they prosecute those who use and abide by them. The bar raids carried out by campus police this last year was a great way of deterring that kind of behavior.

If the drinking age were lowered, the amount of drinking wouldn't follow suit. If anything, a lowering drinking age would absolve colleges from having to prevent drinking, and put extra pressure on high schools across the nation. Because, by the group's own argument, 16-year-olds would now be upset that they're being excluded, and would drink in protest! The "clandestine" drinking society wouldn't dissolve, it would just shift down to younger, more impressionable students.

Not to mention the potential impact of a lower drinking age on drunk-driving, which under the current drinking age has decreased.

I understand that tackling underage drinking is a monumental task. But to lower the drinking age wouldn't be solving the problem, it would merely solve the college's problem of having to take responsibility for their student's poor decisions. Setting the age at 18 would just be rewarding students for breaking the law.

How about instead of lowering the drinking age, we raise the punishments. I've seen far too many slaps on the wrist from a school whose policy is a "dry campus". Second, third, fourth, fifth chances are all too much. That these schools are attempting to shift the blame off of themselves is deplorable. These presidents and chancellors should be taking a stand and setting hard rules for stamping out underage drinking.

ASG! Reviews: Fantastic Contraption

Fantastic Contraption is a free online game where the objective is to move a pink shaped object all the way into a large pink goal box. At your disposal are wheels that rotate clockwise, counter-clockwise, and ones that rotate only when pushed, as well as two different types of supports to hold things together. Using these 5 parts, you must build a device that gets the shape into the goal, then press GO and watch it come to life.

This physics-based game is surprisingly addicting. The first few levels start off easy, but by the final group, you'll be racking your brain trying to build a contraption that will win. It's
quite ingenious how the relatively few functions of the parts can be expanded into new and innovative ways to beat the levels. In fact, that is entirely where the fun lies.

There is a real thrill when your extremely complex device rolls perfectly into place. This is one of those games that makes you feel smart, not by giving you a prize at the end, or any sort of medal. The victory screen is just a few options to move on to the next level. The real reward is watching your meticulously designed bulldozer/miner car drive under a cascade of falling hazards.

And these contraptions need to be designed well! While it may not take long to invent a solution, putting it into practicality takes a lot of effort, and the easily frustrated should avoid this game. But for those dedicated enough, the effort pays off in the end.

Fantastic Contraption is indie game design at its best. It's fast. It's fun. It's addicting, yet complex enough to leave you wanting more than the first 20 free levels. For an extra $10 you can
purchase the extra content. Even if you don't want to shell out the cash, Fantastic Contraption is a great way to kill a few hours.

Oh!
Did I mention that by setting up a free account, you can save your ingenious designs and share them with others? Feel free to post some of your creations in the comments.
Here are a few of the designs I'm most proud of:
(These designs all work, so if you don't want the puzzle spoiled, don't click)

The Wall: "Train"
Awash: "Digging Dozer"
Handling: "Puller"
Back and Forth: "Bridge Builder"
Down Under: "Double Suicide"
Full-up: "Crane Game"
Four Balls: "Conveyor"
Unpossible: "Catapult"

Website You Should Know! - APoD

The next installment in (what hopes to be) a continuing series, ASG! presents another "Website You Should Know!"

This time it's Astronomy Picture of the Day. This daily updated site hasn't missed a beat since it's opening post back in 1995! Run by NASA, APoD offers a new photo each day, each with a caption explaining a bit of our amazing universe. From nebulaes to galaxies, planets and comets, browsing the detailed archives of APoD brings a certain feeling of awe. The photos are (generally) of incredibly high quality. The images from the Hubble Telescope, especially, look so fantastic they almost look faked. Plus, they can make a pretty cool wallpaper for your desktop.

As a kid who grew up on books about space and astronauts, I had APoD bookmarked everyday to check in and see what the new picture is. Anyone who's interested in astronomy or just likes seeing cool pictures of space should definitely give it a look.

New Empire: Total War Gameplay Vid

As you may already know, I think pretty highly of the Total War Series. So imagine my excitement when Empire: Total War was announced. The game looks to be another solid addition to the series so far, but what really peaks my interest is the concepts show in this all-new gameplay video, the first in a bunch of 5 gameplay videos.

While Rome: Total War was an excellent game, it was by no means perfect. Of all it's flaws, naval battles were probably the top of my list. While land battles were epic, movie-quality battles-of-titans, the naval skirmishes had to be decided by the automatic button. Hence, when two fleets clashed, the whole encounter was summed up in a click of a mouse. This made developing a fleet the least immersive activity in the game. Admirals had no photos or traits, so naval fights amounted to just stacking a bunch of ships together to overpower anyone in your path.

That Empire: Total War is finally bringing the sea into play is a much-needed addition. Not to mention the fact that the gameplay looks as polished as always, and the graphics are probably the greatest I've ever seen of ships at sea. Yo-ho!

Empire: Total War is going to set sail on February 3rd, 2009 according to the splash site. You can find the embedded video here.

Sleeping on the Job...

It's been a long time since my last post...like a LONG time...
I've been slacking off of this blog recently (too busy enjoying the last of the summer!), so before it falls completely out of use, I'm going to try something new. I'll be updating the blog everyday, 7 days a week. The posts may not be long, or they could be novels...but there will be at least one new one per day. That way, this blog actually stays up to date.

See you tomorrow.

Website You Should Know! - Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog

I just discovered this last night at about midnight.

Basically it's the writer's-strike-induced brainchild of Buffy creator Joss Whedon: a free, online, three part musical about a struggling super-villain named Dr. Horrible (played by Neil Patrick Harris). I don't want to get more into the plot, because it's way too funny to spoil. The songs are pretty good, and the script is hilarious.

Hurry though, because after this Sunday, July 20th, the web-site is going to be pulled down and you'll have to pay to see it on iTunes.

Catch it while you still can!

I Feel S.P.E.C.I.A.L.

As promised, I've compiled all the stuff I've been able to find so far on Fallout 3 from this year's E3:

• IGN Preview (Hands-on)
• Gamespy Preview (Hands-on)
• PCGamer Preview (Hands-on, spoilers about the first few missions)
• Joystiq with Press Walkthrough (video)
• Gametrailers Trailer (video)
• Gametrailers Interview (video)
• ShackNews Preview (Hands-on)
• VentureBeat Interview

Edit: There have been a lot more previews out since this post. Rather then post them all, I'm redirecting you to this great blog that documents every new bit of info about Fallout 3 so far.

War...War Never Changes...

I have never played Fallout....there I said it. But Fallout 3 is quickly making it's case to be my entry into the series. There should be a whole bunch of info coming out with E3 this coming week. Check back in and I'll set up links to the articles on Fallout 3 I can find. In the meantime, check out this new teaser:



That's the in-game engine there, ladies and gents. Freaking beautiful. One more game to add to the "Want" list.

Plus, there's Ron Perlman...and who could say no to that?

July 4th!

Happy Fourth of July, everybody!

ASG! Reviews: Viva La Vida

Now that I’m on the plane back from Mexico (Holy CRAP was the ocean nice!), I think it’s fitting that I give my thoughts on Coldplay’s newest album, Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends.

The last Coldplay album, X/Y, was met with a resounding “meh”. It was too pop. Too mainstream. Singles like “Speed of Sound” and “Fix You” seemed tailor-made for big arenas and large venues, a far cry from the more intimate Coldplay standards like “The Scientist”. The once indie Coldplay had seemingly sold out on its own innovation.

But kudos to Coldplay. They tried something very risky with album number four. Viva La Vida is about as experimental an album as you’ll find from a major artist. They messed with the “Coldplay” sound, and the result is an almost schizophrenic (the two different titles should’ve been a tip off), but surprising success.

Coldplay’s latest offering is a music-lover’s treat. From the first track, the catchy instrumental “Life in Technicolor”, Coldplay seems to be flexing their muscles, experimenting with a repeating synth, sitar, and guitars as if to prove to their critics that they’re so much more than just piano and Chris Martin’s falsetto. Speaking of which, Martin’s falsetto is used pretty sparingly in Viva La Vida, and it really adds a lot of depth to hear him using the lower end of his register.

Throughout the album, Coldplay seems to bounce from style to style. A Spanish flair in “Cemeteries of London”, Middle Eastern strings in “Yes”, the orchestral “Viva La Vida” and a touch of harder rock in “Violet Hill”. Viva La Vida really has no style. It’s a grab-bag of different melodies and genres, all placed together with surprising accuracy that lets the album flow despite the otherwise erratic styles of each individual song.

Another trend is the bonus track, which is used heavily. Many of the songs end, only to have a completely opposite style start up on the same track. “Lovers in Japan” jumps from a bouncy piano rock to an intimate ballad in “Reign of Love” and “Yes” turns into “Chinese Sleep Chant”. Not all of these work well; the transition from “Yes” is particularly jarring and I find myself skipping the bonus track. But the final track, “Death and All his Friends”, uses its bonus track to perfection. “The Escapist” is an excellent coda that brings back the familiar melody from the first track with some haunting lyrics spiced in.

Of all the songs, “Viva La Vida” is probably the most quintessential “Coldplay” song on the album. The huge sound seems to suggest a whole orchestra behind the band. But unlike the mishaps in X/Y, “Viva La Vida” is precise. Each instrument is used with an uncanny accuracy. Even the church bells, which would sound corny and cheap by any other standard, are used just enough to make an impact, but not enough to become overbearing. Oh yeah, and it’s also Martin’s best work on the album.

“Violet Hill” was the biggest surprise for me. The piano in the beginning almost spelled out that this would be another Coldplay ballad. But after the first couple of lines a few fuzzy power chords and heavy guitars really give the song some balls. Even as Martin hits the falsetto, the song still rocks, and rocks hard. Only in the final chorus does it let up, with just Martin and a piano quietly finishing off the track.

All in all, Viva La Vida doesn’t redefine Coldplay, mainly because there’s too much going on to pinpoint what exactly their “sound” is. Too many artists have tried to “redefine” themselves to a new genre of style to reach new fans. Coldplay here seems to just offer up the album, not as an attempt to gain new success, but instead as a less mainstream exploration in music. Besides “Viva La Vida” there really isn’t a single that would work on its own. The album needs to be taken as a whole to fit. It’s not perfect and not everyone will like it, but with Viva La Vida or Death and All his Friends, Coldplay has returned to its indie roots, and I for one am glad to welcome them back.

Draft Day... Round 2

A shorter post today, with not as much anger:

The second draft day has come and gone, and was pretty successful for the Isles. They managed to pick up some promising players with all those picks, including Kirill Petrov. If they can pry him away from Russia in a couple of years, he will be a very very good player for them.
Looking back after all is said and done and the coals have cooled, I can't call this draft a success. Yes the Isles did restock the shelves of their farm system, so to speak. But they passed on some great talent to do so. I get the feeling that Islander fans will be remembering the Round One debacle in a few years when Nikita Filatov is lighting it up the score sheets for Columbus. Passing up on those four players who they traded down past is going to hurt in a few years. No question.

Also, I can't imagine any free agents are going to want to come within spitting distance of this franchise. Watch for more stop-gap moves in a week when the free agency opens up. They're not going to land any of the big names, but probably just pick up some Vasicek or Fedotanko one-year deal players to fill in spots until the Isles make the case that they're legitimately in it to win.

And, perhaps most importantly, the Islanders have done a wonderful job of alienating a whole new batch of fans. That the whole Coliseum stormed out in disgust at the draft party is a bad bad sign. It's going to be very hard for this organization to lure them back in. Attendance will probably be in the pits again this year, and had the Isles not mis-fired in the first round, that might not have been the case.

The Islanders are going to have a rough season next year. It's a damn good thing that the Islanders did stock up in the farm department. Because in order for them to lure in a superstar, not to mention a fanbase, the Islanders are going to have to build from the inside.

Draft Day...

So I know I promised a Viva la Vida review and my impressions of Spore. I've been pretty busy though, but let me say both are outstanding. I really can't get enough of Coldplay's new album, and Spore is addicting and fun as hell. There will be a post on them soon, I assure you.

But first, I need to rant. Specifically, about my favorite hockey team, the New York Islanders. Please bear with me...as this may be a bit messy.

I've been a fan of the Isles since the early 2000's, and let me say that I have seen this franchise do some outright stupid things. Yashin's deal, Kvasha, pretty much all of Milbury's moves, the Smyth trade. And for the most part I have defended each one. There was a hope, somewhere in this cynical heart that the Isles would one day rebuild, and I could proudly say that I was a fan since those dark days.

But today, Draft Day 2008, topped them all. For a bit of background, the Isles had the #5 pick in the draft, and it was considered a valuable commodity. As the Isles went up to pick, there were two excellent prospects available: Filatov, a Russian sniper who I was hoping they would pick to help their bottom-of-the-league offense, and Schenn, a huge D-man that would be a welcome addition on a rebuilding blue-line.

Of course, the Isles chose neither. Despite GM Garth Snow's insistence that they would need to see a blockbuster trade to consider giving up the pick, give it up they did. And what was this blockbuster trade? A spot two picks later and a second rounder (the number 60 pick, basically a third) and a third. Imagine my frustration/shock as Toronto picks up Schenn and Columbus grabs Filatov. Before my eyes, the two best players left, excellent prospects at the least and franchise players at the best, were snatched up..for a couple of extra picks.

It gets better!!

The Isles weren't done yet. They traded down again! To #9 from #7 this time for another second rounder, and watched as the last of the first-tier elite talent was picked up. Now the Isles are up, and they have a few good players left to choose from. Who do they pick? Joshua. Bailey.


Who? Exactly. Bailey is a center and was rated at #15 the Red Line's draft rankings. He is, by most scouting reports, a "safe pick": a solid 2-way center who has some great playmaking, and will likely net a good amount of points.

I'm not mad about picking Bailey. He looks like a decent player. He will be a very good 2nd line center, and I wish him luck in the majors. Had we drafted him at #15 or #16, I would be happy right now.

But compared to Filatov or Schenn or Wilson or Boedker, who all went before him, he's not even close. Not to mention his play making skills will be wasted on an Island devoid of talent (with the exception of Okposo).

I've got to feel for him. Right now, behind GM Snow and owner Charles Wang, he is the most hated person in this organization, only because he will never live up to being a player of the caliber that was passed for him.

The Isles have already put the spin machine in full gear, saying "Josh was the player we targeted from the beginning," and they they figured they could pick him up later while stocking picks. But in a draft this rich in talent, you don't go trading down! They passed up on Grade-A certified young talent for a guy most had pegged for the 15 spot at best. And worst off, they planned this from the start.

The Isles had a chance to do something right, for the first time in a long time. And they royally blew it. The management wonders why the team is last in attendance, can't get approval for a new arena, and can't attract the big name agents; but then they pull stupid stunts like this. To think that the Isles were so high on Bailey that they chose him over Filatov and Schenn is mind-boggling. They had a great chance to restock the Island with a top young sniper, or a touch-as-nails defense man and they passed it up for what? A couple of second round picks and a 2-way center who on the best reports is put at the number 15 spot in terms of talent.

For a sad bit of perspective, here's what the rest of the league thought of Josh Bailey:
Only ONE OTHER TEAM had him come in for an interview, the #16 pick, the Boston Bruins.

The Islanders are truly the laughing stock of this league. The punch line to a bad joke.

To think that Islander fans will have to watch Filatov and Schenn in the future and think "we could have had him...he could have been wearing our jersey,"...it's too much to bear. We're a tough bunch, and loyal as anyone and right now I truly feel for my fellow fans. Before our eyes, the organization and team we care so deeply and passionately stabbed us in the back, then twisted the knife in the wound. We expected to end today proud that Filatov or Schenn would be donning an Islanders jersey soon and that this franchise was turning itself around. Now, once again, we must bang our heads against the wall and be the butt end of jokes as our team passes up a sparkling opportunity to restore some faith in this circus of a franchise.

Reports are that at the draft party being held at the Coliseum, half the fans left after the Isles passed up on Filatov, and then most of the rest left after the second trade. The rest were reportedly left in stunned silence as we watched Bailey put on our jersey. Who can blame them?

I'm hoping that overnight, the sting of this failure will go away. Perhaps by the morning, I can watch the 2nd round and see who they pick and have faith again.. that maybe, just maybe, this will all work out and Luke Schenn, Nikita Filatov, Colin Wilson, and Mikkel Boedker will all turn out to be flops. Maybe, the Isles will have some sort of deal up their sleeves and will trade those extra picks for a superstar to restore some honor to this franchise. I can hope beyond hope that perhaps one of those second round picks will become something 2 or 3 years from now, and that Joshua Bailey will be a key asset to our team. Then maybe the Isles will win the Cup, the sky will rain gumdrops and Skittles, and I'll hit the lottery.

Congratulations New York Islanders. You're clearly content to remain the pinnacle of mediocrity.

Have fun. I will not be watching.

Ready For Launch...

Well, after weeks of planning (and slacking), I finally present the inaugural post in my blog, All Systems Go! This blog will mainly focus on the video game industry, but I reserve the right to post on whatever has caught my eye, be it music, movies, politics, or whatever. I'm going to post as often as I can depending on what has peaked my interest and when.

I suppose I should start off with a little introduction...

About Me:

My name is Paul Squire and I'm a journalism student at Syracuse University in New York. I've been gaming since the age of 11 or so (the first game I owned was Yoshi's Story). I mostly play PC games, but also indulge in Nintendo when they put out a new first party title. I also get around to playing the occasional Xbox or PS3 game by mooching off my buddies' systems. I currently own a Nintendo Wii that has been gathering dust since the last Super Smash Bros. Brawl match. I enjoy RTS's, the occasional FPS, and every once in a blue moon, an RPG. In addition to gaming, I'm also somewhat of a movie fanatic and have a love for playing the piano.

The Greatest Games:

I could go on and tell you more about myself, but since this is a gaming blog, I think the best way to introduce myself further is give a bit of insight into what I think are the best games I've ever played. A nice little peek into my gaming psyche, no? And so, in no particular order:

1.) Half-Life 2
Valve hit this game out of the park by far. The story is engaging, the physics engine was revolutionary, the voice acting is great (I'm looking at you, Alyx Vance), and most importantly, the gameplay is phenomenal. From that first step off the train, to boating through canals and getting the piss scared out of you in Ravenholm, to the final assault on the Citadel, Half-life 2 nails every element of gameplay, and does so while immersing you in a beautifully created and completely believable world. When you could swear you heard a Fast Headcrab Zombie howl as you walked home last night, you know a game has sucked you in. An excellent game, and easily one of the best I've ever played.

2.) Portal
I've already kissed up enough to Valve, I know. But you cannot say Portal is anything less than spectacular. The gameplay, in typical Valve fashion, is spot on. The thrill of shooting yourself out of a portal across a bottomless pit and landing safely on the other side is one of a kind. But what truly made Portal stand above the rest was the script. GLADOS, the smarmy supercomputer who acts as your companion and later your enemy, is both hilarious and unsettling. On too many occasions I would run straight in front of a gun turret for no other reason other than to hear its adorable/creepy voice: "There you are.....are you still there?" Say what you will about how the intro puzzles were far too easy; it's instantly overcompensated by the incredible and funniest script I've ever heard in a video game. The cake is a lie.

3.) Starcraft
Enough cannot be said about Starcraft. After over a decade, it still stands toe to toe with any strategy game. Starcraft's gameplay set a high standard for the RTS genre that in many ways has yet to be matched. Blizzard (before indulging in the addictive powers of World of Warcraft) was the king of the RTS, and Starcraft stands as it's crowed jewel. Zergling Rush be damned, this game was an absolute gem. Now with Starcraft 2 right around the corner, Blizzard has set a high standard for itself. I hope they can catch lightning in a bottle twice. Seeing as they've put it off for 10 years, they better.

4.) Rome: Total War
When only the sunrise can snap you out of a game, it's beyond addicting. Rome: Total War is one of those games I would start playing at 10 o'clock and not stop until 6. It plays like a far more complicated, ancient version of Risk, where instead of countries there are provinces to be upgraded, and instead of die are huge armies of bowmen, legionaries, and cavalry going at it on the field of battle. Even if the game were not as polished as it was, there is a certain sophisticated joy that comes from amassing a legion of Roman troops to march on your enemies. The battle mode is really a blast to play, but includes an auto-resolve function for those, less blood-thirsty gamers. One of the most enjoyable parts of the game comes not from the strategy, but purely from the polish. In battle, you can zoom in to the troops and watch as they individually fight. It's easy to get distracted from the larger strategy of the battle when you're watching your calvary charge out of the forest and expertly flank that phalanx unit to send your opponents flying. There's really no story to speak of: essentially you're an ancient faction and you have to take over everything under the Mediterranean sun. But there's almost a maniacal pleasure that comes from watching your grand strategies work and cities fall to your might.

5.) Super Mario 64
See: the perfect platformer. Nintendo struck gold in this Mario adventure and single handedly invented the 3d platformer. No attempt, even by Nintendo, has ever been able to live up to the perfection of Super Mario 64. While the story is nothing to speak of (it's Mario...what did you expect?), the game is a classic, through and through. 120 stars and hours of fun, Super Mario 64 is the pinnacle of platforming, and remains the greatest of the genre.

6.) Tales of Symphonia
Tales of Symphonia is an RPG...and not only that, but a JAPANESE RPG. And a damn good one. The Gamecube was very lucky to nail this exclusive title from Namco. Symphonia solves one of my greatest criticisms of RPGs, no turn based combat. I always found it silly to think that in this huge boss battle, everyone just stands around and takes turns beating the snot out of each other. But Namco went a different route, and using it's fighting game credentials, came up with an unique battle system based on real time combat. Your character battles in real-time to build up combos using special techniques or you could pause the game to use items and order your teammates to cast spells. While the plot was a bit convoluted and filled with enough sappy morality lessons to cause seizing, Tales of Symphonia is still a 50 hour game that breaks the mold a bit from other more traditional RPGs.

7.) Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
Kudos to Infinity Ward. While everyone and their grandma was hyping up Halo 3, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare came out of nowhere and shocked many by being *gasp* a better FPS. Call of Duty 4's success was so surprising partly because of the series' history. Call of Duty had become synonymous with the World War II shooter, and along with the Medal of Honor series, had thoroughly beaten that horse until it was bleeding from every orifice. CoD4, however took things to the present day, with nukes, air strikes, and AK-47s. And it succeeded in almost every way. Infinity Ward crafted a gem out of what was once a mediocre FPS franchise. CoD4 didn't really revolutionize the FPS, but it is one of the sharpest. The controls were tight and comprehensive and the multiplayer was the real kicker, with a system of unlockable and customizable weapons and perks that made Halo 3's multiplayer look juvenile and unsophisticated by comparison. While Halo 3 was on everyone minds at first, CoD4 quickly stole the spotlight and the accolades, turning "the best selling video game of all time" into the runner-up. CoD4 is really the story about how a gaming David toppled the Halo Goliath.

(cue Halo fanboy flaming......now!)

8.) Beyond Good & Evil
I'll file this under "The Best Game No One Played". After almost no marketing from Ubisoft, BG&E was a commercial flop of epic proportions. It's truly a shame though, because the game itself is a diamond in the rough. You play as a photojournalist named Jade, who has her suspicions while trying to protect her world from an evil alien race called the Domz. The story is first class, and the constant twists and turns makes this a game I never wanted to put down. The supporting cast are a group of characters that you won't soon forget. If you've never played it, get off your computer and get out there! You can find it on Steam or in a bargain bin for about $10....TEN DOLLARS! I don't want to hear excuses, just go out and buy this game.

9.) Roller Coaster Tycoon
I normally don't like Sim games. Sim City confused me. The Sims were far too annoying (You have to go to the bathroom, SO WHY ARE YOU WATERING THE PLANTS?!). Zoo Tycoon never sparked my interest. But Roller Coaster Tycoon... designing roller coasters and trying to build that perfect theme park was perhaps one of the most addicting experiences of my childhood. I'd play for hours, tweaking my coasters to just make it over that second hill and fulfill those sometimes challenging mission objectives. Micro-managing your own version of the ideal amusement park never got old; on the contrary, each new scenario was a challenge in designing and placing your rides in just the right place on your plot of land so your peeps could seamlessly hit ride after ride, then relax in the food court after blowing their chunks.

10.) The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
That little woodwind instrument was never again so famous. Not only did it put ocarinas on the map, but OoT was adventure perfection. Earlier I said that Super Mario 64 revolutionized the 3d platformer; OoT revolutionized video games in general. At a time when most games were light on story and heavy on pick-up-and-playability, OoT broke the mold. Amazingly, Nintendo took an entirely new genre, the 3d platformer, and defined it with the greatest game ever made. Link's adventure from the Kokiri Forest to Hyrule Castle was epic in every sense of the word. This really was a Legend you were creating as you saved village after village and region after region from Ganon's evil grasp. There are just so many parts of this game that are forever cemented in gaming history: The Water Temple, the Fishing Hole, Lord Jabu-Jabu, those damn Golden Skullutas, and of course, gaming's greatest horse, Epona. The musical score was also top notch. Every little ditty that was whistled out of Link's ocarina instantly became a classic universally recognized by gamers across the globe. Simply put, OoT was not only a fantastic game, but it redefined gaming forever. It showed that games could deliver the epic story of a fantasy world while remaining fun to play and engaging. Since then, no game has come close to the revolutionary excellence of OoT. It was, and still is, the greatest game ever made.

Well that's it for the first post. I'll be posting again tomorrow eventually with my first impressions of the Spore Creature Creator and maybe the new Coldplay album. Thanks for reading.