tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36896827386186730752024-03-12T16:27:35.950-07:00CD LifestuffGaming, Photography, and other stuff from a bald man.Chris Dixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13742235453291549077noreply@blogger.comBlogger434125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689682738618673075.post-60244057702762736002021-04-11T12:05:00.005-07:002021-04-13T15:38:45.017-07:00The Dad Game Review: Watch Dogs 2I played a game. Kinna liked it. <div><br /></div><div>Watch Dogs 2 on playstation 4 has sat in my collection since 2016. For those folks looking for a cheap ride, it clocks in at less that 10 bucks these days when the monthly specials go out on the PS Store, or under 20 used retail. </div><div><br /></div><div>Let's give it a spin I said, and 40 or so hours later Marcus (our lead protagonist) is telling us how he saved us from the bad evil corporate conglomerates.</div><div><br /></div><div>Preachiness aside, it was a fun game. Marcus, the previously mentioned protagonist, is quite charismatic and a pleasure to watch on screen. The power he wields with his cell phone is other worldly. He can control cars, cranes, scissor lifts, fork lifts... he can steal your money (which I did with reckless abandon) and even call in gangsters to do some heavy lifting when there are too many baddies for you to handle on your own. </div><div><br /></div><div>The RC Car and Drone are great fun, and can even do some of the hacking for you. (In actual fact, they will be doing most of it for you)</div><div><br /></div><div>Evil versions of Facebook, Google, and a security company are trying to take over the world (well, San Franciso) and it is your job to reveal the truth and open the public's eye. Every form of law enforcement and security carries automatic weapons and try to exterminate you with extreme prejudice for simply walking in their forts. Every. Time. </div><div><br /></div><div>It all sounds over the top. </div><div><br /></div><div>That is because it is. </div><div><br /></div><div>With a good dose of "suspension of disbelief", you will get yourself a grand dose of fun and an open world full of things to do, even though there seems to only be 500 to 1000 people living in the entirety on San Francisco. Seems sort of like Dildo Newfoundland without the bad jokes.</div><div><br /></div><div>For the bang for your buck, grab a copy of this one. With some niggling nuisances that can be easily looked past, the game provides a fine sense of escapism for a dad like budget.</div><div><br /></div><div>8 hacks out 10.</div><div><br /></div>Chris Dixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13742235453291549077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689682738618673075.post-2330711711457249482017-01-09T16:39:00.000-08:002017-01-09T16:39:07.411-08:00Comic Book Review: Buffy The Vampire Slayer - Last Gleaming<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/46/Buffy_Last_Gleaming_Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/46/Buffy_Last_Gleaming_Cover.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
I found this old book at a thrift store in town not long ago. My wife and I had a discussion about Buffy recently and it's relevance to tv today. Each episode contained the sinister villain, the plucky hero and her gang, the power rangers styled battle near the end, and the resolution plus weekly cliffhanger. It was formula. It had sexy stars. It was comfortable tv for those of us who liked genre television in an era where there wasn't much for us to choose from. Monday nights were great!<br />
<br />
Fast forward to 2017.<br />
<br />
I look back on the show and still enjoy the writing. Whedon was coming into his own at the time. I am past the Power Rangers like battles and some of the plucky characters a little.. I actually find the show even a little juvenile now. I guess that is part of the pain that is turning 41. Still, I can sit down and watch an episode and be entertained. Isn't that the idea?<br />
<br />
Well, back to the book I'm reviewing. Part of the idea here is that this book (well, it's part of a series of comic books, this is just the last 5 or 6 issues of the series) picks up, in cannon, right after the end of the TV series (which I believe lasted 7 seasons). We have Buffy making a go of it with an army of slayers, and there's yet another world ending event about to happen. Interesting setup.<br />
<br />
There is some real joy for a Buffy fan in these books, as Joss Whedon actually wrote them (with help). Too bad that the story is completely betrayed by substandard artwork by Georges Jeanty. While it captures characters well from time to time, it is so inconsistent that in many pages, I didn't even know who each character was! The standard "look" was leaned on heavily for each character. I knew who Angel and Spike were, Xander had the eye patch, and Buffy was generally the blonde girl. But Willow, Dawn, and a series of characters who must have been introduced throughout season 8 may have well be hand drawn dice thrown into a Yahtzee cup and thrown at each page. Willow in particular was a complete lost cause. With so much happening on so many pages, by book 2 I was just starting to skip pages, as I had no idea who many of the characters even were.<br />
<br />
I did get through the story on the strength of Joss Whedon and Scott Allie's writing. It felt like a Buffy episode put to paper, with the same weight of decision for Buffy as it ever has been in any episode. She had to make a real tough decision in the end, and was forced to do something after something frighteningly devastating happened. The world has changed again! And it's Buffy's doing! And Nobody knows! Sound familiar? :) It works though, in it's own little way.<br />
<br />
Should you read this? Sure! It's Whedonverse stuff! It's worth a flip for sure if you are in it for the story. If you are an art fan... save your 20 bucks. This is literally one of the WORST drawn books I've seen in YEARS. Darkhorse Comics really should have higher standards than this. With so many underground artists showing how well they can do, this book is almost insultingly bad.<br /><br />Since this book was released in... oh... 2011... and was likely released as issues in 2010, here's hoping 6 years has helped Jeanty develop his skills some. His environments are great! His characters... hrm.<br />
<br />
6 out of 10, solely on the writing.Chris Dixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13742235453291549077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689682738618673075.post-36061548985464007452014-03-31T14:17:00.001-07:002014-03-31T14:17:15.803-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi89nHJDkb6i7iU7S8Uevya0_D1tH1O39tdpVWwMa4ICmJoN_XLOPfV4oUb4a05lz9WYsxO9aXTtJ-AL9tKwTxyT8-b0lOTxAE-VC9Di7Y62SDgEN74kZkUeqStU3-vdDmLFw2n4MmBYzKQ/s1600/sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi89nHJDkb6i7iU7S8Uevya0_D1tH1O39tdpVWwMa4ICmJoN_XLOPfV4oUb4a05lz9WYsxO9aXTtJ-AL9tKwTxyT8-b0lOTxAE-VC9Di7Y62SDgEN74kZkUeqStU3-vdDmLFw2n4MmBYzKQ/s1600/sig.jpg" height="84" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Chris Dixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13742235453291549077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689682738618673075.post-53805519311522440252014-03-28T07:44:00.001-07:002014-03-28T07:44:42.009-07:00THrow away<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSvHJsfEGp7G5akKMib6BetiuBqpH7tCSBBbemPx7okQ2GMA0-0C4fEm3IkFQNsvA7AVNfRFo0MbYvMY_tijO7mkskhZ-WFraair4tKGby9FKYp6pGQb4BmR8U3zxUJ0Zrl89l7t_lPnVv/s1600/2014-03-28+11.46.15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSvHJsfEGp7G5akKMib6BetiuBqpH7tCSBBbemPx7okQ2GMA0-0C4fEm3IkFQNsvA7AVNfRFo0MbYvMY_tijO7mkskhZ-WFraair4tKGby9FKYp6pGQb4BmR8U3zxUJ0Zrl89l7t_lPnVv/s1600/2014-03-28+11.46.15.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Chris Dixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13742235453291549077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689682738618673075.post-14640864275343910462014-01-28T09:01:00.000-08:002014-01-28T09:01:25.649-08:00WTF PS Store Virus?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHWTQrsPthXJ4WfolD3pYjHyaL1t34U60FzetV-3NXoGbCB16Ne2TiS1oHF4AlDLdudU8ZzgMgoat6x1-OLJr6AbxcaPT3ZRZyvGrhvht1POSd9OqhZkFjeNULGGNKb2e9EfBmrgxUHdNi/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHWTQrsPthXJ4WfolD3pYjHyaL1t34U60FzetV-3NXoGbCB16Ne2TiS1oHF4AlDLdudU8ZzgMgoat6x1-OLJr6AbxcaPT3ZRZyvGrhvht1POSd9OqhZkFjeNULGGNKb2e9EfBmrgxUHdNi/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg" height="190" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Chris Dixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13742235453291549077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689682738618673075.post-6191875031277005062013-04-19T11:03:00.002-07:002013-04-19T11:03:11.754-07:00For somethin else<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPMDgD7uLugQgH35Xz0S1NwWLn27wnxfw5KBRka59mp3vU14zagpt19eBYKs9lLD-zEmh9rhMfCMSErQJ89lhM3OU7VxcafM7exGFmaZS3tdPxM3zkVWMpPKT6iB0Ps1ls_FHc1-N_tHjn/s1600/Untitled-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPMDgD7uLugQgH35Xz0S1NwWLn27wnxfw5KBRka59mp3vU14zagpt19eBYKs9lLD-zEmh9rhMfCMSErQJ89lhM3OU7VxcafM7exGFmaZS3tdPxM3zkVWMpPKT6iB0Ps1ls_FHc1-N_tHjn/s320/Untitled-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Chris Dixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13742235453291549077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689682738618673075.post-89809889729656053452013-02-06T09:28:00.000-08:002013-02-06T09:28:05.434-08:00Dare to Dream<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_mjYKPRYpmNBB_UU_rikiXzXUpkgAWHZ6tUv-Kqk20d_UnH3GSa6Re1WAGyOyoJQ7lAbNvGB-fDFLY65uLlbnXfxuv2vTy4jg_ptGMTGRxhWqImwvGhZyO8o_xvsH96qLiH8oevPGBl2i/s1600/Untitled-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_mjYKPRYpmNBB_UU_rikiXzXUpkgAWHZ6tUv-Kqk20d_UnH3GSa6Re1WAGyOyoJQ7lAbNvGB-fDFLY65uLlbnXfxuv2vTy4jg_ptGMTGRxhWqImwvGhZyO8o_xvsH96qLiH8oevPGBl2i/s320/Untitled-12.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Chris Dixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13742235453291549077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689682738618673075.post-75269721627714640732011-10-17T13:23:00.000-07:002011-10-17T13:23:26.719-07:00Chronicles of DiPietro: The Knees, the Hips, and The Bad FansBeing a fan outside of New York, often times I feel I get a polarized view of what goes on with it's teams. Everyone loves Jeter. Everyone hates Rodriguez. Nobody knows half of the guys on the Rangers or Islanders. Everyone bleeds Jets and Giants. Everyone looks the other way with the Knicks. Wasn't Patrick Ewing on that team once?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://burkeny.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/rick-dipietro-opox-212961.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://burkeny.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/rick-dipietro-opox-212961.jpg" width="304" /></a></div>
One topic that seems to pop up almost on a daily basis through the various feeds and internet sources that I follow is Rick Dipietro , his health and his contract. I myself am a HUGE New York Islanders fan located on the far east of Canada, in Newfoundland. This year has been a year of wonders for hockey fans here, as we got an AHL team back in the St. John's Ice Caps, the farm team for The Winnipeg Jets. With that we get the Isles farm team, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers visiting for a second time. We had Kraft Hockeyville here with the Jets and Senators facing off in Preseason action. Sadly, our only true real connection to American teams is the Internet, as most TV media we get is Canadian based, and heavily favors Canadian Team's interests.<br />
<br />
On the internet feeds I get, I see opinions vary greatly from how fantastic a team is doing to how poorly a team is doing and every step in between. Sadly, I also see a lot of fan's passion get the best of them and they tend to pick on players who aren't performing or capable of performing to their lofty standards. Rick Dipietro's name comes up constantly. Wonky knees. Glass hips. Concussion Master.<br />
<br />
Didn't Rick, as recently as 06-07, carry the team that tried to name Alexei Zhitnik and Brendan Witt as it's all star defense to the playoffs with a 32-19 record? 5 Shutouts? The Isles always had a mediocre at best team through the 2000's. They had that fun year waaay back that ended with a playoff loss to the Leafs, but that great series was really a bandaid coverup for what was a thrown together and poorly managed team. Rick has been a pillar for the team for years. When he needs his fans to stick up for him, what does he get? Let's quote right out of today's facebook feed.<br />
<br />
Brian Compton from NHL.com states:<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Rick DiPietro has been cleared by doctors and skated this morning. Has not been ruled out for this week's road trip.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small;">You would think after 3 years of injury plagued seasons, with knees, hips, and head injuries, none save for the Brent Johnson knockout his fault, that people would be excited to get back the guy who carried their team through some rough patches and still made them competitive.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><br />
Check out the first comment:<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #e6eaf2; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="comment-info" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 34px; margin-top: -1px; padding-bottom: 2px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(name withheld)</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #888888; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="comment-msg" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin-left: 34px;">
Damn....is there any way we can contact the doctor and have him/her reverse the diagnosis? Al/Nabby are more than adequate for me!</div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small;">Is it me or is that just plain rude and ignorant? Just last year, even though Dipietro had a tough year, the stands were ablaze with cheers when he ended the 14 game losing streak with a "standing on his head" performance against the New Jersey Devils. Who was in net for the gigantic shootout with against the Red Wings? Even in a season of doubt, he showed that he still had what it took, he just needed to keep working to get his timing and agility back. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://img.fannation.com/upload/truth_rumor/photo_upload/264/577/full/Rick_DiPietro_106526733.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://img.fannation.com/upload/truth_rumor/photo_upload/264/577/full/Rick_DiPietro_106526733.jpg" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small;">There were no holdouts for money when he signed his 15 year contract. This was offered to him. What fool wouldn't take financial freedom and security for the rest of his life? But this contract is slapped on his back like a badge of hate from people who claim to be real fans. It was a result of poor poor management and an owner who wanted to protect his investment from a changing economic climate in the league. Why is it his fault that the team management wanted to give him this money and this security?</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small;">Now that Rick is back and healthy, given what he has done for this team, don't you think he deserves a real chance to prove himself? The latest injury could possibly have killed a person. Brian "I shoot hard and have no idea where it's going" Rolston beaned him in the head with a 100 mile and hour slapshot with a 1x3 piece of vulcanized rubber. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small;">Cut the guy a frigging break. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><br />
Let's turn the corner. Rick hasn't betrayed us. We owe it to him to show he can do it again.<br />
<br />
<br />Chris Dixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13742235453291549077noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689682738618673075.post-57093046951028919382011-06-29T10:51:00.001-07:002011-06-29T10:51:54.330-07:00Shutting down the blogI do not have time to run this any longer. Anyone who wants those coleco decals get em quick, as I will shut this down at the end of July.<br />
<br />
Thanks to everyone who was a reader. I've always appreciated all your comments, good or bad.<br />
<br />
CChris Dixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13742235453291549077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689682738618673075.post-11987845668484795372011-06-22T15:46:00.000-07:002011-06-22T15:46:04.314-07:00Colin Baker Who? The Under Appreciated Doctor.Over the past week, I've found myself aching for more Doctor Who. The shortened season for this year's run (well, broken season anyway) has left me with a loning for more, better produced British television. Given that Torchwood (now American made but with British roots) isn't starting til the second week of July, I have this gap of time to fill. I haven't been able to re-watch seasons 5 and 6.1 again, as I've done so2 times already. I sat down, and said to myself:<br />
<br />
"Self, there's 26 or so years of old Doctor Who to watch, giver a go."<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://dailypop.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/david-tennant-doctor-who1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://dailypop.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/david-tennant-doctor-who1.jpg" width="160" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">David Tennant</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://shinynewcoin.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/313892_54a48e21-72a4-44bf-af0a-1a9cf6895d1e-doctor-who-eccleston.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://shinynewcoin.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/313892_54a48e21-72a4-44bf-af0a-1a9cf6895d1e-doctor-who-eccleston.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christopher Eccleston</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://dailypop.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/matt-smith-doctor-who.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="111" src="http://dailypop.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/matt-smith-doctor-who.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt Smith</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Now I've tried a dozen times to pick up the old Doctor Who materials and watch them, but truthfully, most of it is awful. The special effects and costumes are about the same as what you'd see in fan fiction. The acting is sadly overdone and unbelievable. The show, even right up to the 7th Doctor which ended in '89 is incredibly dated. Most of all, the three most recent incarnations of the Doctor, Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant, and Matt Smith, all really put the older incarnations to shame in entertainment value. Each of these men brings a very believable and far more likable touch to their portrayals.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/szuP0oBZX4g?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>My first real "jump" at the older materials was in the Peter Davidson era, circa '83ish. The reason being his neatly played short with David Tennant, called <i><b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_Crash">"Time Crash"</a></b></i>, a few years back. Davidson, from what little I'd seen, had carried some of the lustre of the more modern doctors, with a more younger appeal. It wasn't a stuffy old man making pranks, it was a late 20-early 30 something looking gent off saving the universe. I first checked out the four part series called<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castrovalva_%28Doctor_Who%29"> <i><b>"Castrovalva"</b></i></a>. In a word: AWFUL. Ridiculous set pieces, poorly acted, and stupid plot. I slogged through it, and went to the next set that interested me: The Five Doctors", the 20th Anniversary special that brings all 5 incarnations of the Doctor at the time and their companions into one neat series.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41631000/jpg/_41631818_doctors1_220bbc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41631000/jpg/_41631818_doctors1_220bbc.jpg" width="146" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Original: AWFUL.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/97/Cyberman.jpg/200px-Cyberman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/97/Cyberman.jpg/200px-Cyberman.jpg" width="110" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New: AWFULLY GOOD.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Even though this was a little fun to watch, nostaligia being what it is, it was also really REALLY bad. Having seen the Cybermen go from what I first saw<u><i><b> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cybermen#Revived_series">(in season 2 of David Tennant's run)</a> </b></i></u>to what we see in this, it's amazing that this show managed to stay on television. The Cybermen were Doctor Who's version of the Borg for god's sake. The originals for some reason bring Strawberry Shortcake to mind. You could see the silver painted chins moving underneath thw plastic mouth guards! There is some acceptance of things because of standards back in the day. But these were ridiculously bad. The acting and special effects were bad. The filming was all BAD. I never understood why old Who episodes looked like they were filmed like Coronation Street. The inside set shots looking like they were filmed by camcorders and the outside gravel pit scenes looking like they were filmed with a pinhole camera!<br />
<br />
Anyway, after this I took a quick glance at the regeneration scene for Davidson to leave and Colin Baker to begin. After that, the next time I looked at classic stuff was when we first got Netflix (selection as awful as old Who episodes) and I checked out the "Three Doctors" episodes from the early 70's. This was terrible as well, with the villains wearing fat people moo moos on a curtain rod draped over their heads.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://doctorwho.maxupdates.tv/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Colin-Baker%E2%80%99s-ties-with-Doctor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://doctorwho.maxupdates.tv/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Colin-Baker%E2%80%99s-ties-with-Doctor.jpg" width="320" /></a>So that brings us to this past weekend, almost a full year since the Netcraps experience. I must have been desperate to go back into this stuff, but given I had no real options besides these, I was checking out the regenerations of all the Doctors, and I found myself strangely compelled to the 6th Doctor, Colin Baker. His costume? Retina burning. His hair? Can be taken off his head and bounced like a basketball. Sonic Screwdriver? Nowhere to be seen. I watched a little tribute to him on youtube, and for some reason, it convinced me to check it out a little further. His first episode was very shaky. <i><b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Twin_Dilemma">"The Twin Dilemma"</a></b></i> was filled with terrible acting and set pieces were worse than old Star Trek sets. But his portrayal of the Doctor was wild enough to be interesting. I felt that flair from his similar to what I felt from watching Eccleston play the character. Fun filled and a joy to be around, but with menace and malevolence if you crossed him. The costume really is AWFUL, but his decent acting and complete 180 portrayal as compared to other actors impressions makes it a worthwhile viewing.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Yeiu8lXXYWs?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">If you watch this, pleeeease mute out the horribly out of place music. </div><br />
So far I've gotten through The Twin Dilemma and a second series, "The Two Doctors", where Patrick Troughton, the Second Doctor, run amuck on galactic villains with style and flair. Troughton looked remarkably well given it was nearly 20 years since he was last seen on the show, only showing grey hair as the only difference. Baker was in fine form, with randomness like fishing, then berating Peri his companion, then off to save the universe, then passing out, then looking stupid himself. All very entertaining.<br />
<br />
If you are longing for more Who, check out Colin Baker. Of what I've seen so far, aside from the sadly dated feel that is still prevalent in his run, he is the most "modern" of the bunch. Even with Sylvester McCoy taking the role after him, his acting chops just did not hold up well. He was a comedian in a dramatic role and just didn't look right. Baker made people believe in his Doctor, even though studio execs may not have.<br />
<br />
Carrot juice anyone?<br />
<br />
C<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://dailypop.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/doctor_varos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://dailypop.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/doctor_varos.jpg" /></a></div>Chris Dixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13742235453291549077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689682738618673075.post-64331779806534464662011-06-20T14:29:00.000-07:002011-06-20T14:29:42.324-07:00Wanna see the Vancouver Riots?<a href="http://www.northstudio360.com/portfolio/vancouver-riots">Link</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyA8STEKu3zuu6PulDsNIaa9iUFm_fLkFmWfNxC1FsH71k7tFm4GwJQkcNYZ_4IF2KCwT65lYOW-lI4e9AQb8wjTshUwhL4LZtgKxJ17XkGH-QJeD5YesWS6OL6sWOLK3OUCJKYHK8RtKq/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyA8STEKu3zuu6PulDsNIaa9iUFm_fLkFmWfNxC1FsH71k7tFm4GwJQkcNYZ_4IF2KCwT65lYOW-lI4e9AQb8wjTshUwhL4LZtgKxJ17XkGH-QJeD5YesWS6OL6sWOLK3OUCJKYHK8RtKq/s320/Untitled-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Impressive tech demo, disgusting display.<br />
<br />
CChris Dixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13742235453291549077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689682738618673075.post-36143497101713711232011-06-20T04:31:00.000-07:002011-06-20T04:31:18.013-07:00It's the GREAT DALEK Charlie Brown!<a href="http://ca.io9.com/5813252/its-the-great-dalek-charlie-brown">Thanks to bossman Drodge for this fun fun link:</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/8/2011/06/medium_drwho1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/8/2011/06/medium_drwho1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/8/2011/06/medium_drwho2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/8/2011/06/medium_drwho2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/8/2011/06/medium_drwho3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/8/2011/06/medium_drwho3.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/8/2011/06/medium_drwho4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/8/2011/06/medium_drwho4.jpg" /></a></div><br />
If Charles Schulz had written about a time-hopping Gallifreyian instead of a chronically depressed little boy, chances are his artwork would look like Larry Wentzel's. There's no Snoopy as K-9, but who wouldn't want to see <em>A Weeping Angel Christmas</em>? <br />
I always figured that something vaguely sinister was occurring in the <em>Peanuts</em> universe. You could never tell what the adults were saying — was it some sort of backwater Silurian dialect? Also, I'm guessing the Great Pumpkin was some sort of shaved Yeti. In any case, the theme song <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_gACIy3_CQ&feature=related">would sound like this</a>.<br />
<br />
----------------------------<br />
<br />
<br />
Isn't that awesome! :D<br />
<br />
CChris Dixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13742235453291549077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689682738618673075.post-77959409980102008002011-06-19T08:54:00.000-07:002011-06-19T08:54:31.831-07:00Review: Sucker Punch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.onlinemovieshut.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/sucker-punch-on-blu-ray.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://www.onlinemovieshut.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/sucker-punch-on-blu-ray.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Basic synopsis from Warner Bros.: <br />
<br />
"Sucker Punch" is an epic action fantasy that takes us into the vivid imagination of a young girl whose dream world provides the ultimate escape from her darker reality. Unrestrained by the boundaries of time and place, she is free to go where her mind takes her, and her incredible adventures blur the lines between what's real and what is imaginary. She has been locked away against her will, but Babydoll (Emily Browning) has not lost her will to survive. Determined to fight for her freedom, she <span id="movieSynopsisRemaining"> urges four other young girls-the reluctant Sweet Pea (Abbie Cornish), the outspoken Rocket (Jena Malone), the street-smart Blondie (Vanessa Hudgens) and the fiercely loyal Amber (Jamie Chung)-to band together and try to escape a terrible fate at the hands of their captors, Blue (Oscar Isaac) and Madam Gorski (Carla Gugino), before the mysterious High Roller (Jon Hamm) comes for Babydoll. Led by Babydoll, the girls engage in fantastical warfare against everything from samurais to serpents, with a virtual arsenal at their disposal. Together, they must decide what they are willing to sacrifice in order to stay alive. But with the help of a Wise Man (Scott Glenn), their unbelievable journey-if they succeed-will set them free.. -- (C) Warner Bros</span><br />
<br />
<span id="movieSynopsisRemaining">-------------------------------</span><br />
<span id="movieSynopsisRemaining"><br />
</span><br />
<span id="movieSynopsisRemaining">Before you sit down to see this film<i style="color: red;"><b><a href="http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=6438"> (coming out on Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Download June 28th) </a></b></i><span style="color: black;">you </span>really need to let go of any sense of what the film is, was, or what was said about it. This is a movie that one needs to see to believe. Is it that bad? Is it art? Is it a gigantic mess thrown at film upon an epic scale, hoping to lure the people who like to watch trains wreck? </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.cinemablend.com/images/news_img/24958/sucker_punch_24958.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://www.cinemablend.com/images/news_img/24958/sucker_punch_24958.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span id="movieSynopsisRemaining">Ladies, if you had any interest in seeing this film, the best you can hope for is being owed one after you've sat through it with your significant other. Be prepared to be owed... oh... 2 chick flicks and a back rub, with breakfast in bed thrown on top. This is a movie solely made for the boys. If you want to get out of it, pretend to be the man sitting on the bench in the mall waiting for you to get out of the girlie clothing store. This is a movie about young women in skimpy clothing swinging ninja swords and shooting bullets at monsters, zombie nazis, and robots, all in a level by level progression similar to a video game. They do this through the imagination of a girl who's sultry dancing is so amazing that everybody in the room forgets that anything in the world is happening, especially the scantily clad girlies picking their pockets for the things they need to escape the asylum.</span><br />
<br />
<span id="movieSynopsisRemaining">Sound ridiculous yet? </span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSVL8re9IRDPpYJQtyQfgiVpeclIZeLBt3w2-512BWk175TjDeF" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSVL8re9IRDPpYJQtyQfgiVpeclIZeLBt3w2-512BWk175TjDeF" width="320" /></a><span id="movieSynopsisRemaining">I don't think I've seen fatter lips on any one woman in my life compared to Babydoll (portrayed by Emily Browning), the lead girlie of the bunch. They are so thick and round and focused on in the movie, it's almost like lip-porn and you think she'll actuallu need a wonderbra for them for fear that she'll fall on her face. Throughout the movie, she does land heavily a number of times, crushing cement and concrete blocks, no doubt from the weight she bears upon her porceline face. </span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuFgIdW44fOCG9fzOc4vczEYakW5J4qvMJM_WtbBJBL_XnnrnVb_iH-cNJwqSI2YcD-kLTjQL2BPIg3BiAmBYEnvPUkauxcj0vnDlvcVSilDz5nNNSvtxncUiW0xHrr3zVNWzN0TxmJGSw/s1600/Sucker+Punch+Movie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="127" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuFgIdW44fOCG9fzOc4vczEYakW5J4qvMJM_WtbBJBL_XnnrnVb_iH-cNJwqSI2YcD-kLTjQL2BPIg3BiAmBYEnvPUkauxcj0vnDlvcVSilDz5nNNSvtxncUiW0xHrr3zVNWzN0TxmJGSw/s320/Sucker+Punch+Movie.jpg" width="320" /></a><span id="movieSynopsisRemaining">The other girls featured in this romp are all equally portrayed, with Vanessa Hudgens (ironically named Blondie) bearing the hair that is similar to the mane of a raven haired lion, Abbie Cornish the wildly savage "Sweet Pea" and her saucy mouthed little sister "Rocket" (played by </span><span id="movieSynopsisRemaining">Jena Malone)</span><span id="movieSynopsisRemaining"> both acting like they need whips, chains, rubber, and a Rihanna song to get them through the day, and Jenna Chung, the prototypical polite, cute Asian girl Amber. This movie is a who's who of teenage boys wet dreams.</span><br />
<span id="movieSynopsisRemaining"><br />
</span><br />
<a href="http://www.docrotten.com/content//users/651/blog/SuckerPunch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="194" src="http://www.docrotten.com/content//users/651/blog/SuckerPunch.jpg" width="320" /></a><span id="movieSynopsisRemaining">Take away the dirty girlie aspect of the film and you do get a very well filmed style piece. Giant Samurai's, Clockwork Zombie Nazi's, killer robots, dragons, you name it, all were wonderfully brought to life by Watchmen director Zack Snyder. You are thrown into a gritty and grim world of post war America, where the men are boss and the women hate them for it. This whole film screams hate at the way women were treated and portrayed in the 50's and 60's. The film is eye openingly awesome to look at, with gigantic set pieces and surprisingly credible choreographed fight scenes. The leads all did their jobs and did them amazingly well, in particular Browning, who does not look out of place at all in her school girl outfit slaying demons and zombies with style and grace.</span><br />
<span id="movieSynopsisRemaining"><br />
</span><br />
<a href="http://www.nextmovie.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Retro-Sucker-Punch-Sweet-Pea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.nextmovie.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Retro-Sucker-Punch-Sweet-Pea.jpg" width="219" /></a><span id="movieSynopsisRemaining">This movie is very loud, with a rocking soundtrack playing through most every scene. It truly helps the viewer get into the scenes and bring them along for the ride. Think of that feeling you get when you are on a roller coaster. There's no real particular "sound" but there is unbelievably loud noise all around you. The wind in your ears, the white noise of screaming people all around you, the carts on the tracks. After a while it all blends into the experience that is a roller coaster. It is all very similar in this film. After one or two scenes, you don't actually hear the music, you are just immersed into each scene as if you are almost there.</span><br />
<span id="movieSynopsisRemaining"><br />
</span><br />
<span id="movieSynopsisRemaining">This is a movie not for the feint of heart. As mentioned earlier, girls, wait outside. Let the men go in and enjoy the film. Some ladies, carry tissues. This is a loud, male fantasy induced slogfest, with nothing for you, beyond teaching you what your man might like in the bedroom. Guys, get ready to owe the women a favor or two for this one, but be more than willing and ready to do it too. This is one for you.</span><br />
<span id="movieSynopsisRemaining"><br />
</span><br />
<span id="movieSynopsisRemaining">Score: 7 out of 10...</span><br />
<br />
<span id="movieSynopsisRemaining">...9 out of 10 if you are a pervert. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lmt3m1w4Mk1qjwfe4o1_400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lmt3m1w4Mk1qjwfe4o1_400.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span id="movieSynopsisRemaining"><br />
</span><br />
<span id="movieSynopsisRemaining">C</span>Chris Dixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13742235453291549077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689682738618673075.post-44107926302759779672011-06-17T15:37:00.000-07:002011-06-18T21:36:20.255-07:00Review: Child of Eden<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://playstationlifestyle.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Child-of-Eden-feature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="http://playstationlifestyle.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Child-of-Eden-feature.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
This week I was romanced by the thought of a Kinect game that I actually was interested in. Several review sites around the web, including my personal favorite IGN, say that this is the title that we were all waiting for, this is Eden.<br />
<br />
Child of Eden is a Kinect friendly (but controller capable) game for Xbox 360. If you don't have a kinect, don't bother. This title is MADE for motion control. The story? From what I could make out of it, it's sometime in the future, the internet is now called Eden, and mankind has moved into space, and there is a girl in a garden that needs saving... from Eden... thus the internet is eating a little girl. Hmm.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdqEh4fd3CjdHKap5EVzelzvZ3-S44wuDdrd3y2Ps3jNTGQ3cNCtr7HJTSWaCQ9xvSr3PLYivXKZD3jgqADCvayhnC2qSprgowbk_B8Xy-lKUpsT_fnWxdt63OxbwnfpZZduvfHDgzbUEg/s1600/gallery5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdqEh4fd3CjdHKap5EVzelzvZ3-S44wuDdrd3y2Ps3jNTGQ3cNCtr7HJTSWaCQ9xvSr3PLYivXKZD3jgqADCvayhnC2qSprgowbk_B8Xy-lKUpsT_fnWxdt63OxbwnfpZZduvfHDgzbUEg/s320/gallery5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beware the '90's styled amoebias. They spit purple blocks.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>If that sounds confusing to you, welcome to the club. It sounds completely assanine to me. Don't take that as a bad thing though, as this title is about the game itself, NOT the story. I never thought that this was able to happen.<br />
<br />
At it's root, Eden is a shooter title, but one, for lack of a better term, is Euro'ed up. Techno trance music, enhanced by your shooting capabilities, washes over you as you move yourself about shooting the likes of glowing worms, insects, and possible parasites. The neon colours are not just pretty things, they are not just '90's flash back, they are engaging and well planned. You have two styles of weapons. Your left hand is a machine styled light gun. It is fast and easy to use, but not very powerful. Your right hand is a lock on missle light gun.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s2.n4g.com/media/11/news/565000/566009_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://s2.n4g.com/media/11/news/565000/566009_0.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You save a whale from what looks to be tartar and barnicles.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
To call what you have guns is unfair, as this is the simplest way to describe what you have. They aren't guns though, they are more... sprayers? I'm not sure exactly how to describe it. But they work and work well. The motion control has very little to no lag, which is, to this point in Kinect life, unheard of . You seemingly can only have one or the other active at once, but that may change on later levels.<br />
<br />
If you like Robert Myles, a techno trance spinner from the mid to late '90's, then the soundtrack to this game will be right up your alley. Even in tense moments of the game, you will be tappin your toes to this very engaging title. Everything you do in the game adds to the musical experience, as shooting flying octopus' and eboli virus look a likes chimes notes that magically blend into the score perfectly.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://xbox360media.ign.com/xbox360/image/article/112/1123596/child-of-eden-20100927103656143_640w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://xbox360media.ign.com/xbox360/image/article/112/1123596/child-of-eden-20100927103656143_640w.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breathtaking visuals.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
The motion on screen, while technically is "on rail" (definition of a rail shooter: see "House of the Dead" or "Time Crisis") is movable to a point to where you can pan around on screen and shoot at things that may have left your line of sight.<br />
<br />
Is Child of Eden worth getting a Kinect for? No. Not yet anyway, as the title is, at it's heart, a shooter title with a wacked out sense of style. Is it a good game? ABSOLUTELY. It's an experience that while not completely new, is fresh, and really fun to look at and even to play.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://attackofthefanboy.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/child-of-eden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://attackofthefanboy.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/child-of-eden.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Pink Phoenix. Seriously.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Score: 7.5 out of 10. The game is short, but it's a "play a million times" game. It's something to show off to your firends, when they say "Is Kinect worth it?" The Kinect has been a shameful disappointment thus far, but this game truly sets the bar higher on almost every level. It is what people say is "an experience to play", it's just that the experience is short and becomes a little repetitive. There are lots of things to unlock, and there are challenge modes as well. Hopefully, there will be some DLC levels in the future as well. You will come back to play this, just to see the difference of what real game planning is like.<br />
<br />
CChris Dixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13742235453291549077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689682738618673075.post-64714243385705408462011-06-16T08:02:00.000-07:002011-06-16T08:02:41.112-07:00Vancouver Riots: A Black Eye on Canada, again.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/X5aaxWub89k?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
Zero sympathy for this guy.<br />
<br />
Vancouver has done it again people, in 94 they did it, and unsurprisingly enough, they did it again. Citizens going wild tearing apart the city, rioting over a stupid hockey game.<br />
<br />
And yes, I DID say stupid hockey game.<br />
<br />
Vancouver should lose their team for this. I know, let's move them to Atlanta. They lost their team, and they didn't tear up their city over it.<br />
<br />
Savages.<br />
<br />
Please, citizens of Vancouver, if you have photos of the people who are doing this to you and your city, pass them along to the police, post them on sites requesting you do this. Get your city back from these idiots.<br />
<br />
Best line of the night courtesy of @bkidney courtesy of someone else on Facebook:<br />
<br />
"I heard the Vancouver Police are sending out Thomas to stop the riots. He stopped everything else."<br />
<br />
CChris Dixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13742235453291549077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689682738618673075.post-63977944856021988842011-06-14T18:33:00.000-07:002011-06-14T18:42:12.601-07:00Green Lantern: Rise of the Manhunters Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn.gamerant.com/wp-content/uploads/Green-Lantern-Rise-of-the-Manhunters-Logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="http://cdn.gamerant.com/wp-content/uploads/Green-Lantern-Rise-of-the-Manhunters-Logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Current Gamerscore from game: 695 out of 1000.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/8/8f/Green_Lantern_Rise_Of_The_Manhunters.jpg/250px-Green_Lantern_Rise_Of_The_Manhunters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/8/8f/Green_Lantern_Rise_Of_The_Manhunters.jpg/250px-Green_Lantern_Rise_Of_The_Manhunters.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Given that not a single major outlet has reviewed this game yet, it gave me pause as to whether or not I should play it. It's a movie tie in game (bad) it was seemingly rushed out (bad) but has real Hollywood power behind it in Ryan Reynolds (good) and from preview shots of the game, it looked like it was put together a little better than most movie tie ins. (good)<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><br />
</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>From Wikipedia</i></span>:<br />
<br />
The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manhunters" title="Manhunters">Manhunters</a> are an android race, originally created by the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guardians_of_the_Universe" title="Guardians of the Universe">Guardians of the Universe</a> to serve as the first interstellar police force. The Manhunters became more obsessed with administering punishment than serving justice, forcing the Guardians to dissolve their ranks. The few Manhunters that survived fled into exile and the Guardians founded a new elite police force called the Green Lantern Corps and armed its members with specially crafted power rings. Now the Manhunters are back and out for revenge, readying their forces for a war against the Guardians and the Green Lantern Corps. Faced with destruction, the Corps is looking to gifted but cocky test pilot <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hal_Jordan" title="Hal Jordan">Hal Jordan</a> as the newest recruit, to protect peace and preserve justice.<br />
<br />
===========<br />
<br />
<a href="http://ps3media.ign.com/ps3/image/article/115/1159199/green-lantern-rise-of-the-manhunters--20110402014353958_640w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://ps3media.ign.com/ps3/image/article/115/1159199/green-lantern-rise-of-the-manhunters--20110402014353958_640w.jpg" width="320" /></a>The game plays out like many movie/book/comic book tie ins that you've tried before. If you like Spider-man: Maximum Carnage, you will like GL. If you liked Batman Begins, you will like this game. If you liked Thor: God of Thunder, chanced are you will like anything, hence you will like this game. As Green Lantern, you run around, beating up the original galazy policemen gone bad, the Manhunters. (Truly original name, hey). You are a rookie in the Green Lantern Corps, so your skill with the ring will be less that impressive. As you progress with beating badguys up, you will gain experience, thus gaining in capabilities with the ring. Your "contructs", as they are called, are your interesting ways of beating down baddies. You get a giant mallot (which is comical), you get a Giant Mech Warrior, a rope with a blade wheel, a missle launcher, etc.<br />
<br />
The story itself in the game is something to behold: it's good. This is a very uncommon thing when it comes to tie-in games. Yes, you have your generic beatdown villains, the manhunters, in their various forms. But there is an overlying story to the whole premise that works well from beginning to end. Not only does it work, but it can neatly seat itself within the canon of DC comics as well. Sadly, DC is rebooting it's universe this fall, so it won't fit after that, but who's counting. You start out as rookie Hal Jordan on the GL Corps home world of Oa, and you are suddenly attacked by the manhunters. Typically in a game such as this, it's just the "we're going to get you" storyline, then "insert movie hero and villain here". Right from the get-go, you start to wonder "why is this happening", and the story leads you to continue that train of thought throughout, to a satisfying , conclusion.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://xbox360media.ign.com/xbox360/image/article/117/1170930/green-lantern-rise-of-the-manhunters-20110526102047103_640w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://xbox360media.ign.com/xbox360/image/article/117/1170930/green-lantern-rise-of-the-manhunters-20110526102047103_640w.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Visually, the game carries itself well. The red and blue 3D glasses option just doesn't work properly, which is sad. The game also offers 3DTV support, butvery few have shelled out for a soon to be dated technology in 3DTV, so we have to stick with HD graphics instead. In their basic form, the graphics are passable. The manhunters themselves are very well designed, but there are only 3 or 4 of them total, so we see the same badguys over and over again. One level has you take on purple amazon women, which is a pleasant distraction, but later on in the same level, we see our familiar manhunter badguys trying to run us through again. The boss fights are servicable and will challenge someone who hasn't playing through the game previously. The contstructs for Green Lantern are where this game shines, with that comical hammer and the blasting, and the fighter jet. 12 in all, giving fun and creative ways to smash familiar robots to bits.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.cinemablend.com/images/gallery/s31137/Green_Lantern_Rise_of_the_Manhunters_13020332171262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://www.cinemablend.com/images/gallery/s31137/Green_Lantern_Rise_of_the_Manhunters_13020332171262.jpg" width="320" /></a>Ryan Reynolds shares his voice talent and likeness to the game as well, which truthfully is one of the biggest selling points of the game. In a sense, it will validate the title enough for a sale or two. He does a servicable job, but for a good story, the scripting dialogue is somewhat lackluster. You get the "noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!" cry from Hal Jordan, you get the usual "I won't let that happen/ you'll never get away with this" lines... all things that do, in the long run, degrade the experience for the player.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://ps3media.ign.com/ps3/image/article/115/1159199/green-lantern-rise-of-the-manhunters--20110402014414723_640w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://ps3media.ign.com/ps3/image/article/115/1159199/green-lantern-rise-of-the-manhunters--20110402014414723_640w.jpg" width="320" /></a>In the end, I believe that this game is for kids more than their parents. It's a basic beat em up that works on the levels that will keep a child entertained and wanting to see the movie that one more time, as well as to build the interest base in what is, in truth, a secondary character in the DC Comics universe. The parents and older players such as myself, have played this exact same game dozens of times before, dating back to Double Dragon, Battletoads, any number of Spider-man games (most notably Spiderman Friend or Foe, as this game feels templated from that one), and so on and so on. Decent visuals and a decent story will keep all players involved, but only for about 6 or 7 hours, as the game will have run it's course by that time. It's a great rainy day weekend renter, or a quick pick and flip title for achievement hunters.<br />
<br />
I'm going to change my rating scale. Usually, I equate the game toa price I'm willing to spend. I'm going to go with the standard "out of 10"scale from now on.<br />
<br />
Green Lantern: Rise of the Manhunters for Xbox 360:<br />
<br />
6 out of 10.<br />
<br />
<br />
Wait for it to drop in price, mom and dad. Your kids will love it, you can even play too, in only for the nostalgia "beat em up" memories.<br />
<br />
Note: As of this writing, no major review outlet has reviewed this game.<br />
Note 2: This review also now appears on metacritic.com, where I will now contribute regularly. Check it out:<i><b> <a href="http://www.metacritic.com/user/CDGaming">http://www.metacritic.com/user/CDGaming</a> </b></i>Chris Dixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13742235453291549077noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689682738618673075.post-24470847047176252772011-06-10T20:03:00.000-07:002011-06-10T20:03:22.374-07:00Doing Lines: A Downtown Experience<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3526/5820081892_439dcf8662_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>A couple of months ago, I found myself with a small, cheap, ultra wide angle filter. I didn't use it much, although I do love the angles and curves created by creative use of fish eye and wide angle. So tonight, I decide to take my little filter, knowing it won't do near as good a job as the actual wide angle or fish eye lens, and ran around downtown, enjoying the muggy warm weather and shooting up a storm.<br />
<br />
My goal was never to create "the perfect photo", as none of the photos I'm about to share with you have correct histograms, some are over processed, some just aren't what a professional would call "a good photo". My goal for this shoot was to create art. Playing with "lines", as the blog post title suggests, was my first motivation. Playing with colour and continuing my education of HDR processing was second, and truthfully, having a little fun with no pressure for a great picture was a third.<br />
<br />
The original inspiration of this shoot was from Luki Ki Fom on flickr, a talented fellow out of Japan. This shot he took with his wonderful fish eye lens, and the lines created really make this photo "pop" for me.<br />
<br />
Click each photo to see a larger format and title.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5236/5800529717_8c250d2b52_m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5236/5800529717_8c250d2b52_m.jpg" /></a></div><br />
So, without further adieu, here is what I came up with.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3205/5820083142_e8f6b45d3e_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3205/5820083142_e8f6b45d3e_z.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3526/5820081892_439dcf8662_z.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3526/5820081892_439dcf8662_z.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2410/5820080522_0a86dafd75_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2410/5820080522_0a86dafd75_z.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2585/5820079530_e31250ee8f_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2585/5820079530_e31250ee8f_z.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3586/5819515993_df18cb939a_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3586/5819515993_df18cb939a_z.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3254/5820077418_d693c1ed9a_m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3254/5820077418_d693c1ed9a_m.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3417/5819514721_3daf8c00e7_m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3417/5819514721_3daf8c00e7_m.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2517/5819514491_b7e5bf88d7_m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2517/5819514491_b7e5bf88d7_m.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2102/5819514235_29aa379318_m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2102/5819514235_29aa379318_m.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2364/5820075336_69d646e152_m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2364/5820075336_69d646e152_m.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5319/5819511349_474d30d94c_m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5319/5819511349_474d30d94c_m.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2788/5820072552_4153c20554_m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2788/5820072552_4153c20554_m.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2536/5820071440_fee9bd6a3b_m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2536/5820071440_fee9bd6a3b_m.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3340/5820070086_246773a0f9_m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3340/5820070086_246773a0f9_m.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5155/5819506465_b2cd58636f_m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5155/5819506465_b2cd58636f_m.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5064/5819505329_968ba0aefa_m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5064/5819505329_968ba0aefa_m.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">There you have it. 16 shots, taken out of a 241 shot run. Some good, some not so good, but all fun in the end. Thanks for viewing.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">C</div>Chris Dixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13742235453291549077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689682738618673075.post-33718275706308866822011-06-08T15:42:00.000-07:002011-06-08T15:42:05.350-07:00Frustration for the basics.Has anyone out there had to deal with someone who was supposed to do something, and then in turn after a short while of doing what they are supposed to, their effort level slips? Suddenly, every so slightly, things start getting more difficult for you and your daily routines because of it?<br />
<br />
Then you are presented with the situation that everyone dreads. What to do? Do you speak up to this person, possibly change your relationship with this person, or even ruin it? Or leave it, as the ever present issue grows and grows? Your daily routines that require this person to be doing said thing gets affected more adversely as each day and week passes?<br />
<br />
Granted, this sounds far more dramatic than it actually is, but man, it is awful to be in the situation. If you hadn't guessed, I am in this situation now. (Surprise!) It's with someone who I do like quite a bit (aside: no dear, lovely wife, it is not you, fear not) and I do have a great relationship with. But I know that if I do speak up, I will be pegged as a bitchy, naggy person as opposed to someone who has a real issue. My relationship with the person will be strained, to say the least. I know I am an irritable person by nature, but this is a real, ever present issue that has grown in severity as time has passed.<br />
<br />
I do not want it to be thought that I think this or any person needs to be perfect. If it was just a mistake, then it is a mistake and you move on. This is now habit, which is far worse than any one mistake could be. That being because our relationship is being strained because of it, and this person a) is to ignorant to realize it or b) could care less. Both points are very bad.<br />
<br />
What to do? Approach and be the bitch? Or sit idly and allow myself to swallow the frustration just so things don't get strained? I really hate no-win situations. Either way I choose, I lose.<br />
<br />
Sad indeed.<br />
<br />
CChris Dixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13742235453291549077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689682738618673075.post-17064723686471529952011-06-07T14:10:00.000-07:002011-06-09T09:04:14.499-07:00NHL Blackberry Sponsorship Means Balsilie Still In The Game: Update<div id="tsnStory">Wow, I scooped TSN on this. :) <br />
<br />
<i><b><a href="http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=368346">Link</a></b></i><br />
<br />
Jim Balsillie's endless attempts to get an NHL team may prove fruitful after all.<br />
<br />
According to Forbes magazine, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has told Balsillie that he will get an NHL team in the future if he does not "create any more spectacles or bad publicity for the league".<br />
<br />
Balsillie, who owns Research in Motion (RIM), has made previous attempts to purchase the Pittsburgh Penguins, Nashville Predators and Phoenix Coyotes and move them to southern Ontario.<br />
<br />
The Coyotes may be up for sale again next summer when the deal with the city of Glendale expires. Last week, True North Sports and Entertainment bought the Atlanta Thrashers and are in the process of moving them to Winnipeg. <br />
<br />
RIM has been advertising its Blackberry product on the NBC and Versus coverage of the Stanley Cup Final games as well as the league's website, NHL.com. </div><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://blogs.forbes.com/mikeozanian/2011/06/07/nhl-blackberry-sponsorship-means-balsilie-still-in-the-game/"><u><i><b>link</b></i></u></a><br />
<br />
From Forbes:<br />
<br />
------------------------------------<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://blogs-images.forbes.com/mikeozanian/files/2011/06/300px-Jim_Balsillie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://blogs-images.forbes.com/mikeozanian/files/2011/06/300px-Jim_Balsillie.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Anyone watching the Stanley Cup playoffs on Comcast’s Versus and NBC networks must be a bit amused by all the advertisements for <a href="http://www.rim.com/" target="_blank">Research In Motion’s </a>BlackBerry.<br />
RIM is run by billionaire <a href="http://www.forbes.com/profile/james-balsillie" target="_blank">Jim Balsillie</a>, who has been <a href="http://jim-balsillie.co.tv/" target="_blank">repeatedly rebuffed</a> by NHL commissioner Gary Bettman in his attempts to buy a team. REM is paying over seven figures for its sponsorship. Turns out that Bettman, according to my source, has told Balsillie that if he behaves himself and doesn’t create any more spectacles or bad publicity for the league, he will eventually get a team.<br />
Given the cantankerous history between Balsillie and the NHL, I wonder if it will be the Phoenix Coyotes?<br />
<br />
-------------------------------------<br />
<br />
I find this hilarious. For God's Sake, just give the man a team! Let him own the new Nordiques. It's bound to happen. I don't think any man will care about his team more than this guy.<br />
<br />
CChris Dixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13742235453291549077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689682738618673075.post-14654209154902639222011-06-03T18:47:00.000-07:002011-06-03T18:47:00.588-07:00"Eyes On You" photoshootIt's a wonderful thing, this "Photoshop". You can take under exposed, over exposed, crappy photos and make miracles with them. It's saved me soooo many times.<br />
<br />
So I did a small photoshoot with Steph tonight, focusing on her eyes. Take a look at some of the end results.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3602/5794781687_1f7591fd9f_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3602/5794781687_1f7591fd9f_z.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one was more just a straight on shot. It was under exposed originally, part of a HDR processing that just wasn't working out for me. The end result was striking.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2289/5795066970_3da6c55962_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="242" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2289/5795066970_3da6c55962_z.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one was more a "work of art", something I had in my mind for a few days. I turned up the green on the iris and knocked everything around it out of focus.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit5HUix1KWem933aI0LHo5YwaJpFgPNqZW-zrIaucb9MmZnEoOp_DM3hVFh_EsFHgQHIqA-Q0g9zGS2Jh-3pIc7rLomRICBdXaex4Jxp024srTpA7t65K5NmkSrcOA5V2_lrQ-oBv2h7lD/s1600/_MG_9507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit5HUix1KWem933aI0LHo5YwaJpFgPNqZW-zrIaucb9MmZnEoOp_DM3hVFh_EsFHgQHIqA-Q0g9zGS2Jh-3pIc7rLomRICBdXaex4Jxp024srTpA7t65K5NmkSrcOA5V2_lrQ-oBv2h7lD/s320/_MG_9507.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This shot is unprocessed. It's a little soft, as it was more an impromptu snapshot while she was getting annoyed at my poor photographer instructions. :P Love you dear!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
As you can see, there are lots of wonderful things Photoshop can do for you with poorly shot pictures. Luckily, I have a great model to work with, so it makes things easier in general.<br />
<br />
CChris Dixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13742235453291549077noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689682738618673075.post-18596239845906957512011-06-01T18:56:00.000-07:002011-06-02T04:57:42.732-07:00My online photo gallery and new stuff!I've managed to lock down my online gallery over at the friendly Flickr.com site. Take a look:<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisddixon/">http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisddixon/</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5226/5773410369_910c270b1d_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5226/5773410369_910c270b1d_z.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://pixelverdict.com/wp-content/themes/default/images/pixelverdict_header.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="77" src="http://pixelverdict.com/wp-content/themes/default/images/pixelverdict_header.gif" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
As well, I'll be getting the priviledge of joining in on the fun weekly(ish) Podcast, "Blast Processing!" over at <a href="http://pixelverdict.com/">Pixel Verdict.</a> I will have the pleasure to butt heads with two other gaming and geekstuff affectionados in Steve Power and Jon Mercer. Things that may come up in my first podcast: LA Noire, DC Comics (something major is happening), PSN downtime, the death of the blue ticket monster that is Blockbuster, and maybe, just maybe, a digital bullet shot into my head for being argumentative and a loudmouth.<br />
<br />
Enjoy!<br />
<br />
Anyway, until then, go over and check some of the backlogs of some very entertaining discussions. Steve is the manager of Microplay/Jumbo in Mt. Pearl and Jon is a contributor to The Telegram and BOTH are regular contributors on <a href="http://www.pixelverdict.com/">www.pixelverdict.com</a>. If I am allowed, I will link each podcast here, but you can always get it over at their site. They have their 100th episode coming up, and I'm sure there will be some grand surprises.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.camera35stjohns.com/wordpress/wp-content/themes/camera35_v2.0/img/logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.camera35stjohns.com/wordpress/wp-content/themes/camera35_v2.0/img/logo.png" /></a>Another fun thing I am involved with now is my camera club, Camera 35. Go on over to the new and improved website, <a href="http://www.camera35stjohns.com/">www.camera35stjohns.com</a> and check out some of the fantastic works from some incredibly talented and great people. Hell, if you are interested in joining us, contact us at <a href="mailto:info@camera35stjohns.com">info@camera35stjohns.com</a>, we'd love to meet you. we have our year end meeting coming up next Thursday, and we also have one major outing planned for over the summer to St. Mary's. If you have an interest in photography at all, this is the place to be. It's a wonderful learning environment for newer photogs (such as myself) and it is also an creatively inspirational environment as well. (Bad english, sorry, it's late)<br />
<br />
With that I'm off. Check in again soon, as I start to talk about our AWESOME new AHL franchise, the St. John's/Newfoundland and Labrador Moose/Rock/Fog Devils but not Maple Leafs and their chamioning hero, Danny Williams. Also, Infamous 2 is out next week, so that'll be the flavour of the month gaming wise. As always there will be lots of fun links, argumentative commentary, and my lovely wife, <i style="color: red;"><b><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/49606764@N03/5773902516/in/photostream">and her amazing photo of a one legged seagull (LINK)</a></b></i>. :)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1079/4552474583_50926898c0_m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1079/4552474583_50926898c0_m.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love you dear!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
CChris Dixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13742235453291549077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689682738618673075.post-54376851612161753192011-06-01T12:33:00.000-07:002011-06-01T12:33:00.434-07:00BREAKING: AHL deal done for St. John's<i><b><a href="http://www.thetelegram.com/News/Local/2011-06-01/article-2551624/BREAKING%3A-AHL%E2%80%88deal-done-for-St.%E2%80%88John%26rsquo%3Bs/1">LINK</a></b></i><br />
<br />
Thanks to twitter for this info:<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thetelegram.com/media/photos/unis/2011/05/27/photo_1713603_resize_article.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.thetelegram.com/media/photos/unis/2011/05/27/photo_1713603_resize_article.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Robin Short: Telegram Sports Editor —<br />
<br />
The Telegram has learned Danny Williams has a tentative agreement in place with True North Sports and Entertainment that will see the new Winnipeg NHL team house its American Hockey League team at Mile One Centre in St. John’s for the 2011-2012 AHL season.<br />
<br />
The paper has also learned St. John’s Sports and Entertainment is currently meeting to approve an agreement in principle for a lease arrangement with Williams and Mile One Centre.<br />
<br />
A news conference may be called this evening.<br />
<br />
St. John’s was last home to an AHL team in 2004-05, the last season for the St. John’s Maple Leafs.<br />
More details as they become available.<br />
<br />
----------------------------------<br />
<br />
Danny Williams is once again a Newfoundland Hero. WOO!<br />
<br />
CChris Dixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13742235453291549077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689682738618673075.post-11357446578731322242011-05-31T05:04:00.000-07:002011-05-31T08:38:18.276-07:00Watch today for when pigs fly: NHL to return to Winnipeg<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://watch.tsn.ca/clip466642#clip466642"><u><i><b>WATCH LIVE ON TSN.CA HERE</b></i></u></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Where will you be when this is announced?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">C</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.byrnerobotics.com/forum/uploads/ChadCarter/2010-05-12_210657_w_jets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">-------------------------</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.byrnerobotics.com/forum/uploads/ChadCarter/2010-05-12_210657_w_jets.jpg" width="320" /></div><br />
<br />
According to Darren Dreger from TSN (on Twitter):<br />
<a class="twt" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=3689682738618673075&postID=1135744657873132224" title="click to toggle between @ reply / direct message"><b>DarrenDreger</b></a>: Atlanta and Wpg still working on final sale and relocation details, but source says they are still hopeful of an announcement in Wpg today!! (7:30am)<br />
<a class="twt" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=3689682738618673075&postID=1135744657873132224" title="click to toggle between @ reply / direct message"><b>DarrenDreger</b></a>: David Thomson is on our flight to Wpg. Good sign the announcement is today!!! (8:30am)<br />
<br />
<div class="userinfo" id="userinfo9" style="display: none; z-index: 1000;"><table class="info"><tbody>
<tr><td align="right">Name:</td><td align="left">Darren Dreger</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Location:</td><td align="left">N/A</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Description:</td><td align="left">Follow TSN's Hockey Insider!</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">URL:</td><td align="left">www.tsn.ca</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Followers:</td><td align="left">126621</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><a class="twt" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=3689682738618673075&postID=1135744657873132224" title="click to toggle between @ reply / direct message"><b>DarrenDreger</b></a>: True North will issue statement at 11am local advising of the day ahead, time of presser, etc.(8:40am)<br />
<br />
<div class="userinfo" id="userinfo15" style="display: none; z-index: 1000;"><table class="info"><tbody>
<tr><td align="right">Name:</td><td align="left">Darren Dreger</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Location:</td><td align="left">N/A</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Description:</td><td align="left">Follow TSN's Hockey Insider!</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">URL:</td><td align="left">www.tsn.ca</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Followers:</td><td align="left">126621</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><a class="twt" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=3689682738618673075&postID=1135744657873132224" title="click to toggle between @ reply / direct message"><b><br />
</b></a><br />
<br />
Jeff Marek of CBC:<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="userinfo" id="userinfo12" style="display: none; z-index: 1000;"><table class="info"><tbody>
<tr><td align="right">Name:</td><td align="left">Jeff Marek</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Location:</td><td align="left">Toronto</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Description:</td><td align="left">Work at CBC Sports, Hockey Night in Canada and host Hockey Night in Canada Radio on Sirius. I have 2 German sheps, they show up here often.</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">URL:</td><td align="left">cbcsports.ca</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Followers:</td><td align="left">24854</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><a class="twt" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=3689682738618673075&postID=1135744657873132224" title="click to toggle between @ reply / direct message"><b>JeffMarek</b></a>: On our flight to Winnipeg is David Thompson. Today's the day, folks.<br />
<br />
Nick Kypreos of Sportsnet:<br />
<br />
<a class="twt" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=3689682738618673075&postID=1135744657873132224" title="click to toggle between @ reply / direct message"><b>RealKyper</b></a>: #<a class="twt" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=3689682738618673075&postID=1135744657873132224" title="NHL">NHL</a> news. Winnipeg press conference slated for 1 pm local time. Congratulations Winnipeg.<br />
<br />
<br />
Let's be prepared for a "let's wait til Thursday" press conference. Just sayin'.<br />
<br />
CChris Dixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13742235453291549077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689682738618673075.post-26681346902980469112011-05-30T12:22:00.000-07:002011-05-30T12:22:58.627-07:00Winnipeg Jets Announcement Imminent<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.cbc.ca/gfx/images/news/photos/2011/05/30/li-jets-avco.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://www.cbc.ca/gfx/images/news/photos/2011/05/30/li-jets-avco.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/story/2011/05/30/mb-hockey-fans-winnipeg.html"><u><i><b>Link as seen on CBC.ca</b></i></u></a><br />
<br />
Hockey fans anxious for word that the NHL is returning to Winnipeg could soon get good news. <br />
CBC News has been told by True North Sports and Entertainment to have technical people ready to set up possibly late Monday for something early Tuesday.<br />
<br />
True North has been in negotiations with Atlanta Spirit, the owners of the NHL's Atlanta Thrashers, to move the franchise to Winnipeg. But until now neither organization has hinted a deal was close.<br />
<br />
Paul Jordan, chief operating officer at The Forks, told CBC News he has been told to have the popular meeting place ready for a party on Tuesday.<br />
<br />
Jordan said he'll be given four hours official notice but he is already getting everything ready, trying to prepare for something spontaneous.<br />
<br />
"That's exactly what we're dealing with. So we've got talent on hold, we've got you know, the stage on hold, we've got television screens on hold, and we've got DJs on hold. We'll put something together," he said.<br />
The buzz on the Twitter universe Monday reflected the speculation that a formal announcement was near, with some pinpointing the time as 10 a.m. CT on Tuesday.<br />
<br />
As well, two of Canada's largest sports networks — TSN and Sportsnet — reported the deal is as good as done.<br />
<br />
"The Atlanta Thrashers to Winnipeg situation has narrowed to a point where it's quite possible there could be an announcement as early as Tuesday," stated TSN.<br />
<br />
"Lawyers on the Winnipeg side have signed off on the deal and the Atlanta legal team is doing their due diligence today. If they sign off on the deal, the sale will go through, pending league approval.<br />
<br />
"If there is no announcement Tuesday, the next likely target would be Thursday."<br />
<br />
The report on Sportsnet.ca was nearly identical, stating: "A formal announcement will likely be made on Tuesday that the Atlanta Thrashers are moving to Winnipeg."<br />
<br />
Tuesday has been cited as an ideal day because it comes just before the puck drops for the start of the Stanley Cup final series between Vancouver and Boston.<br />
<br />
Hundreds of hockey fans converged at Winnipeg's famed downtown intersection of Portage and Main on May 19 after the Globe and Mail initially reported an agreement had been struck.<br />
<br />
Since then, speculation has been rampant as to when an announcement might come and it reached a point last week where feverish fans reported seeing NHL commissioner Gary Bettman in the city.<br />
<br />
But every sudden spike in expectation has been followed by an equally sudden silence.<br />
<br />
Until now.<br />
<br />
---------------------------------------<br />
<br />
Take anything Sportsnet says with a grain of salt, as they said the Coyotes were actually done and they weren't. Still, if Dreger says it, then it's true. :)<br />
<br />
Here we go!<br />
<br />
CChris Dixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13742235453291549077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689682738618673075.post-5538963794443543702011-05-29T17:38:00.000-07:002011-05-29T17:38:03.420-07:00A Sunday Trip Around The BayI just took a Sunday trip around the bay with Steph. We took the cameras, and here are some of the shots. Have patience in letting them all load. :) <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5226/5773410369_910c270b1d_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5226/5773410369_910c270b1d_z.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5184/5773408185_f22c6ab30d_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5184/5773408185_f22c6ab30d_z.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2693/5773351875_b412130d68_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2693/5773351875_b412130d68_z.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3535/5773351247_d6f1176a8d_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5305/5773406495_f81b4c10f6_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5305/5773406495_f81b4c10f6_z.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
We started in Harbour Grace, and finished in Salmon Cove on the beach. We found some nice subjects for shooting, such as the old building s in Harbour Grace and the beach itself down in salmon cove.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieuqAN3exchSY103vI8E-0Yypx2RLIIrD8OITJTP_CovTyyrHoKHC7HTevRt_3YW6X5fXXqvhHRBHtCdqeQVloO5n3lahOMOsMmGQpuDuIQjv0xjudZPflHYOGra8gmwdLrQtCxV7-BJoq/s1600/_MG_9228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieuqAN3exchSY103vI8E-0Yypx2RLIIrD8OITJTP_CovTyyrHoKHC7HTevRt_3YW6X5fXXqvhHRBHtCdqeQVloO5n3lahOMOsMmGQpuDuIQjv0xjudZPflHYOGra8gmwdLrQtCxV7-BJoq/s320/_MG_9228.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE-WhgILajSeIQAMU_0cIJ-dxXF44x_vfW6OaLqF6SiMgT1u5OSGq3uJWf0zOQfqMIxECWRvOezdx8ZBELBR4Dho5o5-6e-h0eqoeSrb3P-9fYdCgl6e-bG_thOxMDzd7_3q_-h54mFgWt/s1600/_MG_9242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE-WhgILajSeIQAMU_0cIJ-dxXF44x_vfW6OaLqF6SiMgT1u5OSGq3uJWf0zOQfqMIxECWRvOezdx8ZBELBR4Dho5o5-6e-h0eqoeSrb3P-9fYdCgl6e-bG_thOxMDzd7_3q_-h54mFgWt/s320/_MG_9242.JPG" width="213" /></a></div> I've processed some of these, and some I haven't.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinRc3Yl5rl1luGfSjzsOXA2woiIM4gmzIh0dk_vaf8aomkqmrFw7A4qEo0xzcVD_U1sUhYOk0mkss9L276cWkgkxqIwmm0yh0ljbiDuXQqjcD-HVrHlRFC8TWSKil1ZZMTwwFtkogRQmbA/s1600/_MG_9247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinRc3Yl5rl1luGfSjzsOXA2woiIM4gmzIh0dk_vaf8aomkqmrFw7A4qEo0xzcVD_U1sUhYOk0mkss9L276cWkgkxqIwmm0yh0ljbiDuXQqjcD-HVrHlRFC8TWSKil1ZZMTwwFtkogRQmbA/s320/_MG_9247.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_7nGmwkZMsplXVUw0owAqyKaxMKKtW4adTp4Y0XZ6o8zEYm9nCOHy_Nd9BrERK7zvYYOMJRPxV8RiNW69InoZxJsUoA1T1jnJqX2Wui0W13hgUgn3y2-Z-o9Vm6w4zFyetkHQKun42hq9/s1600/_MG_9264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_7nGmwkZMsplXVUw0owAqyKaxMKKtW4adTp4Y0XZ6o8zEYm9nCOHy_Nd9BrERK7zvYYOMJRPxV8RiNW69InoZxJsUoA1T1jnJqX2Wui0W13hgUgn3y2-Z-o9Vm6w4zFyetkHQKun42hq9/s320/_MG_9264.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZNWlXLvIpR3_zHGFbGtkf7slNOMT8rWq5TjG-vStTKPTF3C2qpeg1yACyIbh_iAGaIfxt9uBwBG_JY9v2HzLT-kXZSd45qL-l3kvuLwM-3AxNsRTRpCuTA24gGqLy3tp57IX4U0gxMCZ3/s1600/_MG_9265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZNWlXLvIpR3_zHGFbGtkf7slNOMT8rWq5TjG-vStTKPTF3C2qpeg1yACyIbh_iAGaIfxt9uBwBG_JY9v2HzLT-kXZSd45qL-l3kvuLwM-3AxNsRTRpCuTA24gGqLy3tp57IX4U0gxMCZ3/s320/_MG_9265.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitIoQOmtlhNZZ-jtxOgrtFltncyqVmeD5uVwgCe12UYsajxAKpJNSf6TuuLvuSbhq9_7NeoXqAOTKOvI2wUBGbr39FTH1d6bwX7LnGAIUQvF4abYm7goKFqJUgWaZrHwiScS-LJEQWMAax/s1600/_MG_9276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitIoQOmtlhNZZ-jtxOgrtFltncyqVmeD5uVwgCe12UYsajxAKpJNSf6TuuLvuSbhq9_7NeoXqAOTKOvI2wUBGbr39FTH1d6bwX7LnGAIUQvF4abYm7goKFqJUgWaZrHwiScS-LJEQWMAax/s320/_MG_9276.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP5SMj1zidbthyphenhyphen2U1cAJnSywdWXhMbK81CElfumBYmnCuu75tmJBn-9tXDKUn3-kw1s5WW_MwHkApLTDsbdqkdM-XU7LGlipgJ2pNqEn7WJUNSn66X9IinruYANtO1dNDp09eAEA795Uxh/s1600/_MG_9369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP5SMj1zidbthyphenhyphen2U1cAJnSywdWXhMbK81CElfumBYmnCuu75tmJBn-9tXDKUn3-kw1s5WW_MwHkApLTDsbdqkdM-XU7LGlipgJ2pNqEn7WJUNSn66X9IinruYANtO1dNDp09eAEA795Uxh/s320/_MG_9369.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>CChris Dixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13742235453291549077noreply@blogger.com0