My Take on Battlefield: Bad Company 2

      Even as I write this I wonder, "Who really cares what I think about Bad Company 2?' Maybe voicing my opinion just makes me feel better. Anyways, here goes...

      What an awesome game. I know that everyone was concentrating on the multiplayer aspect (more on that later), but I was hoping for a great single player experience. I wasn't dissappointed. The single player campaign was a blast, and as usual the dialogue was hilarious. I finished it on Normal, and can't wait to try a few of the levels again. Single player was always interesting, challenging (for me at least), and beautifull to behold.
     Now for the multiplayer experience: It is defintely well crafted. The game servers were overwelmed at first, but all those issues have been addressed. Multiplayer kicks ass. They created great maps and added nice upgrades and unlocks as you progress and hone your abilities. Getting in with a good squad and driving tanks, flying helicopters, and launching unmanned recon craft is pure fun.
     Is multiplayer perfect? No, it isn't. This isn't the developers fault, it's the fault of some players. Bad Company 2 is a great SQUAD based game. The loners and campers out there (likely used to other inferior games) are just ruining it for the rest of us. Seriously. While most are trying hard to defeat the enemy through team play, there is always some idiot who thinks he can just sit on his ass, far from the action and snipe all day. He thinks he can hide in a building and take pot shots at the enemy, playing only for himself. This doesn't work. As I mentioned, Bad Company 2 is a squad based game. When these campers and loners join a game, they are crippling their team. It is multiplayer after all. It's not just you playing. Half the team is getting their ass kicked working against an organized group, while some dumb ass thinks he's helping by killing 2 enemies every 20 minutes with multiple sniper shots to a single enemy. You can't hide in this game. Nowhere is safe. Don't just sit there, move dammit! If you don't believe me, just keep sitting there in the trees, looking through your scope, oblivious to all your team suffering because of you. Just keep trying to kill everyone with a headshot, while I sneak up behind you and stab you in the head.
     Of course when I am lucky enough to join a great team, we work together to capture flags or destroy M-COMM stations. We love the ability to launch an RPG at a building holding that one lonely sniper, who thinks we haven't seen him. Team play rocks. Everyone fightoing together makes all the points you gain feel even better. Nothing beats a good squad battling it out against another. Buildings crumbling under heavy tank fire, helicopters strafing your position, and getting rushes by four guys at once is just part of the excitement.
     Play the game and look me up. I'm schick1911

Tinfoil Hat or just Responsible Thinking?

I have actually started researching emergency preparedness and survival. No kidding. I didn't watch a bunch of disater movies or sit glued to the TV watching documentaries about Katrina or Haiti either. I just suddenly got the urge to consider the "what if" questions?

Here's part of my thinking behind this. Last winter the power went out for nearly 6 hours. This is actually pretty serious up here in Saskatchewan. It was frickin' cold out that night. No power meant no furnace. The first few hours were okay, we had flashlights and candles to occupy us. After about the fourth hour the house got quite cold. In the fifth hour, it was very cold, and I was starting to get concerned. Luckily the power was restored. What if it went on longer? How long could we stay there with the temperature dropping?

Now my plan is to install a secondary heat source. But why stop there? I decided that we should be prepared for future emergencies. The Canadian government (as well as the American government) is actually recommending that citizens be prepared for at least three days. Are you prepared to survive for 72 hours in an emergency situation? I am guessing most people aren't.

After carefull research on the topic, I have begun to store food, water, and medical supplies. The food is all long shelf life food, that we will rotate to ensure freshness. Water is easy to store, and we are already planning on gaining filtering and purification supplies. Looking at our present first aid supply, I realized that we are in serious need of better medical too.

There's a lot more to it of course. Many factors have to be considered. I am actually planning on water, food, medical, heating, waste management, electricity, lighting, vehicle fuel storage, auxillary shelter, and more. Does this all sound paranoid? Maybe it does, but I am now thinking that having and not needing, is better than needing and not having. I am expecting something from the Road Warrior? No.

My goal is to be prepared for months, in any climate. I also plan on creating portable solutions for each vehicle, as well as preparing the obligatory BOB (Bug Out Bag). What's a BOB? Essentially, it is a pack or bag, packed carefully with the proper items and equipment to prolong survival in the event I have to leave in a hurry. Sounds crazy, doesn't it.

Getting Zoned Out

Not in the Zone, but out.

I created a new tune in an effort to teach myself how to use a mixing board. I have a ways to go before I can master it, I also need to dive further into the realm of compression. The compressor is pretty cool. Check out my latest tune on the experiemental page. It's called Zoned Out.

I thnk I'll try a Jazz tune next. Something that isn't so electric.

I have no musical talent, and I don't care.

I have been f#@king around with music creation software, just to see how it works. While trying to figure it out, I actaully created some stuff that I find interesting. Are the tunes any good? Probably not. Why aren't they? Well, I have no real training, have odd musical tastes, and lack direction.

So if you are curious what kind of shit I created lately, take a look at my tunes page. Just remember, I am NOT a musician. I just like to experiment with stuff.

Does Bethesda Softworks suck?

How could a company that creates games containing so many good elements, ignore an ever growing list of bugs and huge annoyances?

Do you want examples? I have only played a few Bethesda games, but already wonder what the hell is going on. I actaully enjoyed Fallout 3 very much. It had great quests and a cool storyline. But....
it had some real annoyances, such as bodies twitching or getting stretched out, all spidery and spinning about the sky. Or the celebrated VA.T.S. combat system locking the PS3 solid every once in a while. It also had NPCs sticking part way through walls, etc. Oblivion had the twitching bodies too, but also added annoyances like NPC dialog without audio, and system lockups when leaving cells like rooms or caves, etc. Of course there was the ver annoying issue with any NPC on a floor above you having its shadow cast through the floors. What they didn't see that before release? Sure the forum was populated with examples of these issues, but not much was ever mentioned about fixes or patches.

Now folks like me, who bought the latest Fallout 3 Game of the Year edition got screwed. It was hailed as Fallout with all the great downloadable content on one disc. How great is that? All the DLC finally for the Playstation. Sure the other platforms had it a long time ago, but we pS3 owners are patient. Sadly, I can't resume where I left of in Fallout 3, as the ability to load a previously saved game is broken in the new Cnadian version of the GOTY. Real nice Bethesda. Looking on the forum or sending a support email didn't result in anything that would help. So maybe I should be patient and wait for a patch (not like Bethesda is exactly quick with any patches).

So I do a little research and find that there are hundreds of complaints about the added content anyways. People are suffering from even freezes/lockups, frame rate issues, save problems, graphic problems, and an assortment of other problems. The rumor out there is that Bethesda isn't going to provide patches for these, as they are concentrating on upcoming releases.

So now I have a $68 game I can't continue and I not even sure I want to continue, as I would be bothered by even more Bethesda bugginess. Perhaps Bethesda doesn't deservemore of my money, and a better game company does.

Can anyone recommend a decent action RPG, with a sandbox I can explore in first person?

A new addiction -- Oblivion

After playing the hell out of Fallout 3, I needed something new. I have only played on a console (PS3) for a little while, unlike millions of others who have enjoyed console gaming for years. I found that I actaually liked the role playing idea behind Fallout instead of all the shooters I have played over the years. It is so much more than the standard first person shooter. So I figured I would try and find something similar to Fallout 3.

I picked Oblivion (or The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion).

Wow, what a great game. It's huge. I can wander aimlessly or follow the numerous quests. The game is simply eye candy too. I was so used to the bleak, post-apocalyptic world of Fallout, and found myself blown away by the beauty of the countrysides in Oblivion.

The game is a real challenge too (for me anyways). There are some serious puzzles to overcome, and the game also has aspects available to those that simply don't want to just hack and slash their way through the game.

It does have it's bugs though. It's interesting to note how similar the glitches are to those in Fallout 3. Even with bugs, this game is well worth it. Too bad it took a year for the developer to support the PS3 (like many other game makers).

I'll be playing this game for many months (r at least until a new Fallout emerges).

Range Dicks

What is a Range Dick?

I couldn't think of a better name for those particular types of people that go to gun ranges and piss me off because of their attitudes. Can you smell a rant coming?

Here are some examples of Range Dicks:

You have invested time and effort working up some new loads for your rifle, and are anxious to see how well they shoot. So now you're sitting at the bench shooting and recording, but get interrupted every 5 or 10 minutes by some Range Dick who wants everyone to stop shooting so he can walk the 100 yards and look at his target yo see how his 5 shots printed. Go get some optics, and stopping thinking entirely of yourself. Do we all really have to stop just for you?

You are enjoying a nice morning shooting a large bore cartridge, until you hear some Range Dick a few benches over complaining about how loud your rifle is. Hey man, it's a gun range. Go home.

Gun snobs are Range Dicks. You know the type. They are the guys that invested thousands in a gun that doesn't shoot any better than your rifle (which costs a fraction of theirs). They are also ignorant enough to think I want to hear them criticize the make or model of the gun I am using. Piss off Range Dick. Maybe I own multiple firearms of good quality, but felt like taking the $139 chinese SKS out for some cheap fun today.

Guys who complain about semi-automatics are Range Dicks. They are the jackasses that think that there is no reason for anyone to want to shoot (let alone own) a semi-auto. They are always quick to add that you can't hunt with them. First off, not everyone hunts. Second, I hunt with an M14S. You got a problem with that? I don't spray 50 rounds at deer, I use one round in a rfle that simply outshoots the prehistoric, rusty, lever action rifle that the old Range Dick was abusing all afternoon. Not everybody shoots the same thing for a reason. That's why we're considered individuals.

People that come to the range, and don't realy shoot, but instead stand behind me and yak all day are Range Dicks. Give me a break. I like to socialize at the range a little too, but I am not about to stand behind someone who is trying to get in the "zone", and talk my ass off for an hour and distract him (or her).

People that complain because a shooter brought his kid to the range are Range Dicks. Every time I have seen someone bring their kid yo the range, that kid has been quiet, well behaved, and courteous. That's alot more than I can say for some Range Dicks I have encountered. Why not support people that bring their kids? The same jerks that complain about kids are the same Dicks that bitch about the fact that there just isn't enough interest or support for firearm sports anymore. Make up your mind gramps.

There, my rant is over. Thanks for hanging in there. Now get out there and go to the range and have some fun. Take a kid.

It was like Mecca

Tammy, Maxwell, and myself spent a few days in Calgary last week. We did the typical tourist thing, shopping, the Zoo, and the usual sleeping in late at the hotel and eating great food. The one special thing we did was go to the new Bass Pro Shops Outdoor Store. Wow, what a place!

The Bass Pro store has to be the best shopping experience I ever had. I was concerned before going in that Tammy and Maxwell would be bored stiff after a few minutes while I wandered around looking at firearms and stuff. The opposite occurred. Tammy and Maxwell loved the place. The store is simply great. Walking in, I was surprised at just how well decorated and laid out the store is. It's gorgeous. There are examples of great taxidermy everywhere, some of it perched on beautifully created scenes of woods or mountain rocks. The center of the store, in front of the elevator, has a massive aquarium full of huge, healthy looking game fish. A waterfall spills over a pseudo rock face , falling into a stream that holds a figure clad in fishing garb, rod in hand, fighting some unseen fish. Very cool.

The staff were excellent and the store has piles of great merchandise. Tammy was impressed to find the store containing lots of clothing and other items aimed at her (or females in general). The store has everything from guns to stoneware dish sets. There were toys for the kid and a nice place to sit and have a meal too.

The whole time we were there (hours actually) I couldn't help notice how well planned the place is. Every place you look you'll find that someone made an effort to have store areas designed in a way to make them very attractive. The landscaping, woodworking, knickknacks, lighting, and sounds all lend to a very enjoyable stay. Looking down at the floor I could see that someone took the time to add animal tracks to guide shoppers along. The entire store is all about details. It is like they thought of everything. I only wish I had more money, as I could have stayed there most of the day.

Thanks Bass Pro. When we visit Calgary again, we plan on spending even more time at the Outdoor Store.

I am still working on the Titan

I bought the Mazda Titan (mentioned in a previous entry) without any maintenance history. I felt confident though, as the truck seemed well cared for, and research showed that most JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) vehicles are well cared for, due to strict government inspections and regulations.

To be sure, I had the truck's drive train inspected, brakes checked, and exhaust examined. I ended up replacing the exhaust, but was happy to find out that the engine is in great shape. With all those klicks on it (over 90K when I bought it), the engine checked out perfectly. I really just needed a oil system flush, and fresh liquids in the crank, tranny, and differential. I found that in the future I will only need periodic maintenance like oil changes.

This summer I plan on ensuring that all the venting and heating works. I need to get more of the dash out figure out the ducting to be sure that when winter rolls around, I will be blowing hot air real fast, and that no little leaks will allow cool air inside.

I love this truck. The more I drive it the more I love it. This May 24th I will join a bunch of mini-truck drivers on a little get together rally sponsored by Minibrutes. Who knows, maybe I'll meet another Titan owner.

Hostingpuppy Still Sucks.

It's been over a month since I asked that they cancel my account. They haven't even bothered to respond to that support ticket. I can still log in and use the control panel, etc. It makes me wonder if they even bother to update their Linux servers with new security updates.

I can't stress the following enough, "Don't do business with Hostingpuppy.com"

Don't just take my word for it, try emailing them at info@hostingpuppy.com and ask them how long it takes them to respond to support tickets. I doubt they will even respond to emails.