Randomness (+1)

So yeah.  I’m willing to bet no one is checking this anymore, so any audience I had, I’ve lost.   Then again, if anyone’s RSS-feeding, then this will definitely surprise you.  So if you’re that person:  Hey there.  Gotcha.

But…It’s been a while.  Let me explain what’s been stopping me from writing:

I’m LAZY.  Sure, it’s not just that, because I’ve got SO MANY ideas, that honestly, I don’t know where to begin.  But more than that, I’m just too indecisive and unmotivated to choose one and just plunge into the topic, and damn the rest.  But I’m here, so I’m trying to get that started again.

Let me tell you what’s on my mind lately, in no particular order, and with no agenda whatsoever.  But with the idea that if I purge my brain a bit, perhaps something will dislodge and allow my brain to think in a logical, (semi)concise manner and allow something noteworthy to come out next time on this blog:

So first off, I’m shopping for a new podcast.  As I like to listen to podcasts while working, driving, doing dishes (man, it’s tough without a podcast), laundry, or just to wind down before bed, I prefer something in audio-only form.  Video podcasts are awesome, but I’m finding about 20 minutes to be my cut-off.  I rarely have 20 minutes to sit and watch something (meaning ZERO multitasking) so audio fits the niche well, by being something I can focus on, while still doing something other than holding the iPod, or generally not distracting me while driving. 🙂  So any suggestions would be great.  I think I’ve listed podcasts I listened to previously, but just to avoid suggestions of the heavy hitters, I already do:

This American Life, Radio Lab, 1UP’s Listen Up, Rebel FM, Out Of The Game, and A Life Well Wasted (The last being very rare, but AWESOME…check it out, if you haven’t yet.  It’s Geek culture with This American Life/Radio Lab treatment.  Amazing stuff.).

So, yeah, suggestions welcome there.

Next on the non-agenda: I’m thinking of retrogaming.  I want to play something I haven’t yet (or never finished), but have no idea.  Preferably something from the Sega Genesis or Super Nintendo era, although I’m not against going 8-bit either.  Again, suggestions welcome.  My typical genres are RPGs (fave on Genesis: Shadowrun, and SNES: Final Fantasy III), but I’m up for anything if it’s considered certified gold by you fine folk. 🙂

Combining the previous two, I’m considering (without much detail yet) creating a podcast that would be bi-weekly or even monthly (let’s be realistic, right?) talking all thinks dork, (video games, retro games, movies, webcomics, Geek television, etc.) and getting some fun people to talk.  The point being that while there’d be a topic or semi-structure intended with each podcast, that the people would be the focus, and that the personalities would be the most important thing.  So if we got off topic, but it was fun and interesting, then by all means, that’s where it goes.  (I’ve found those to be my favorite types, next to the super-slickly-produced works of art like ALWW, TAL and RadioLab.)  So yeah, I’m considering calling it “Dorkmasters” which to me is funny because 1) the nom de cyberspace “dorkmaster” is one I’ve used for years, and 2) it makes me think of “Bassmasters” which was a hugely popular and terribly boring (if you’re me) fishing show.  So, Dorkmasters would be similar.  Only interesting if you’re into our particular brand of geekery, but if the shoe fits, put LEDs on it and make it transform into a cool gun or something.  I don’t know if that last analogy fits, but you get the point.  (Or you don’t, in which case, Dorkmasters probably isn’t for you.)

Finally,  since OtakuMom won a LCD TV for our living room last year, I’ve dreamed of a linux box that would allow me to stream hulu and other online video to my TV, so I wouldn’t have to drag my wife to the computer for our weekly Office watching, or to watch Netflix streaming (which is amazing).

Eventually, I hope to remove the need to have cable, with all the internet content.  Saving, hopefully, some money.  (Although I’d still be paying Comcast for the internet, so yeah…)

I’ve got two old (OOOOOOoooold) crappy eMachines Pentium machines that I’m hoping to hybrid into that machine, and I’ve even gotten an Ubuntu install disc, but I can’t get the darn thing to install correctly.  But then again, time being what it is for an OtakuDad these days, I’ve not spent more than a couple hours on the project yet.  But I’ll definitely update once that’s something more than a half-cooked idea.

Soooooo…  Yeah, wasn’t that worth reading?  No.  Well, you did anyway.  And I told you I’d probably say “gotcha” to you.  So once more, Gotcha.  Ideas and comments welcome, and I’ll hope to write more.  This was fun.  Although I want a little more structure next time (I’m sure you do as well).

See you soon (hopefully), intertubes.

-OD

Flash Week – Virtual NES

Today, I bring you the motherlode of flash technology…in my opinion, the reason flash was meant to exist.  (Okay, not really, but it’s really cool!)  Virtual NES!  Being the last day of Flash Week, I thought it would be good to go out on a bang, and give you the opportunity to not only play just one game, but over 100 games, all released on the Nintendo Entertainment System we know and love.

Some games are a little buggy, but it’s a great way to enjoy your old favorites (and try some games that you never heard of before) from any browser, anywhere.  So thanks for following me during the first Flash Week of 2009, and I’m already looking forward to the next!

Flash Week – Don't Look Back

This one’s a little different.  It’s a great use of Atari-style graphics and using the minimalist nature to focus on the gameplay and the “story”.  This one is an artistic masterpiece, in my opinion.  Give it a try, all the way to the end.  (Took me, about 10 minutes, tops.)  “Don’t Look Back” is an excellent use of the medium!

Flash Week – Don’t Look Back

This one’s a little different.  It’s a great use of Atari-style graphics and using the minimalist nature to focus on the gameplay and the “story”.  This one is an artistic masterpiece, in my opinion.  Give it a try, all the way to the end.  (Took me, about 10 minutes, tops.)  “Don’t Look Back” is an excellent use of the medium!

Street Fighter IV – Quick Thoughts

 

I dig Rufus...

While I’m writing a full review soon for another site (and therefore can’t spill the beans here) I’d love to give you peeps my down and dirty quick thoughts on Street Fighter IV:

• As far as new characters go, I’m loving those added to this edition of Street Fighter:  Abel is strong and ranged, El Fuerte is fast and crazy, Rufus is, well…hilarious, and Crimson Viper fits well into the Street Fighter world.
• The cel-shaded, comic-book-y not-quite-3-D style was really neat (especially in HD) but left me wondering how cool a more realistic Street Fighter would have been…
• Chun-Li Thighs?  Creepy and mannish.
• Apparently no one at Capcom can draw feminine arms/hands.  Everyone looks like they have Trogdor arms.  Everyone.
• Seth is a cheap fighter of the cheapest-cheapies variety.
• Unlocking stuff that already exists on a disc you already paid for is well and good if it’s easy to do.  If it takes more than an hour, that’s not cool.  Very uncool, Capcom…very uncool.
• When I get old, I wanna be Gen.
• My best character?  Cammy.  Yeah, who knew?