Love for Guns

I can’t remember exactly how it started up, but the two of us started to hang out frequently. Our adventures would usually entail making the prerequisite trip to our local Winn’s to peruse the selection of G.I. Joe’s and water guns. I think that was perhaps our common denominator: water guns. You could have all the action that Stallone, Schwarzenegger, and to a lesser extent Willis and Van Damme, made so popular. Fill ‘em up with liquid death and off you went. The best one? It was probably the cheap $1.09 red job with checked grip and extra clip for back-up. Those were some days of adventure.

Our adventures took us everywhere in the town that was Columbus. Typical small town, it had a courthouse square, three lighted intersections, and a Wal-Mart. Locals actually refer to the streets that are connected on the lighted intersections as “The Triangle”. Riding our steel pedal-driven ten-speed steeds, we would make our way from one side of town to the other, constantly evading enemy forces and purveying justice to villainy wherever it existed. To this day, I’m still amazed how far $3 would get us in those days. A hero cannot exist on superpowers alone, and Winn’s was always willing to take a grubby dollar in exchange for life-giving Gobstoppers or the ultimate buy, a genuine Slurpee. The only question? Having to decide on Coke flavor or the psychedelic mix.

Perhaps one of the smallest seemingly innocuous moments in my life that would have a most profound moment on me was when he left. It’s amazing, that as an adult, I realize that the size of my school district is quite large. Kris would move only twelve miles away, to the busy hubbub of Ellinger, epicenter capital of the state of Nowhere. It just also happened to be just across the district line; he would attend neighboring La Grange’s schools.

We were in P.E. I can still remember the stale fungus and wet concrete smell that stained your clothes. We herded ourselves to quickly change and line up. Amidst the rustling of undressing, we were still able to converse about various topics and issues, but this day was different.

“…so you’re moving?”
“Yeah. I’m already staying there. I spent the last four nights there already.”
“When’s your last day?”
“I think next week, but I’m not sure.”

I don’t remember being hurt by this departure. I don’t remember feeling any sort of despair. It was simply my friend was leaving. My “No Homework in Mrs. Steven’s Class” compatriot. I had other friends, but it wouldn’t be until I was able to actually reflect back on things that I realize how this would affect me for the years to come.

His departure wasn’t one filled with celebration and well wishes. It was without congratulatory and sincere farewells. One day, he was there (and we hung out outside of Mrs. Steven’s class without our homework) and the next he was gone.

Next time: Mean Streets of Ellinger

Lent: Sacrifices

Day 1 - It's been a tough twenty-four hours. I thought long and hard about it, and decided to go ahead and give up meat for forty days. Almost. It's allowed on Sundays. It's old school, but I figured that this is something that forces me to truly consider each and every meal, be thankful for what I do have, and remember the sacrifice that He made for man.

Can it be done? We shall see. I had a co-worker who actually did it in 1996. He did eat two porterhouses each Sunday, but the rest of the week was sans beef or chicken. Lots of grains and veggies. Now I have to plan on how to accomplish this without breaking the bank. $5 a day eating out is not something She Who Must Be Obeyed (SWMBO) would be down with.

Participating in Lenten traditions? Want to share? Leave a comment!

Upcoming: Thoughts and More & Sound and Fury

And so it has been chosen.

Yes, the next topic has been established. As Kris and I spoke last night for a few hours over, well, everything, we went ahead and decided on the next topic.

Anyone remotely familiar with US politics knows that 2008 is an election year. As the primaries roll on (we're about halfway through them now), the candidates present their issues/platforms and what s/he represent. Sometimes laughable, sometimes shameful; it is these issues that should help us choose our vote.

So often we choose to be "on the winning side" or the "cool side". What is that? So, in an effort to promote healthy and wise voting, Kris and I are going to write about what we feel are the most important issues. Obviously, everyone has their perspective on this; and, based upon an invidual's experience, you will very well could feel different.

So, as we began on our stances, feel free to take part in the vote. Let me know what you think. If you have an opinion, voice it. Vote and let democracy ring out. You don't even have to be 18!

Weekend of Sports

The New York Giants win the Super Bowl.

I liked it. A great game, no matter who you were rooting for. Obviously, bittersweet for the Pats as they were seeking an undefeated season. As Steve Hahn of local station 99.5 KISS put it, "The Giants are a team of destiny!" I was rooting for them, even though they beat my beloved Cowboys. Congrats to the Giants, and to Eli for his MVP effort. I truly thought he was sacked on that 3rd and long play. Wow.

Tiger continues his dominance at Dubai.

Yes, Tiger took care of business in dramatic fashion this weekend. Down four going into the final round, Tiger biridied five of the last seven holes to take the trophy. Niceness!

I didn't get to watch too much of this, but from what I did see, words cannot describe. Drama all the way. Keep it up, Tiger.

Rock On! It is announced...

"Rock Band Confirmed for Wii".

That's the caption for the brief article written by Shawn White over at a personal fav site of mine, The Wiire. I read this and just had to gather more evidence. I visit about every other day to update myself on our recent acquisition of a Wii. Love it. Read my review from earlier.

At this point, details are little, but it's appears as March get's closer, we'll have more news about it. I can only imagine the possibilities with the fully wireless Wiimote, guitars, drums, and mic. Whoo!

Now for those of you that don't know, Rock Band THE music game. If you are a Guitar Hero star, then this game will make you legendary. It's that good and more. A brief and quick intro.

The game (as I type this, I refer to the current 360 and PS3 versions) comes in a fairly large package, think double VCR box. In this comes the game, the current standard five-buttoned guitar, microphone, and a simplistic looking drum kit consisting of four head and a bass pedal.
I had the opportunity to play Rock Band over the holidays and it was quite an experience.

I had the chance to play with my two brothers and my second to youngest sister. I started off on the drums. A humbling experience to anyone without coordination, I fancy myself able to handle the challenge. Without intending to sound redundant, very humbling. My face hurt smiling so much. A raucous laughter broke through the house as my siblings would jam out with lighting accurate notes mixed with attrocious miskeys and warbled vocals.

Trying again, I took up the mic and this ended up being my forte. For whatever reason, I could really get into belting out song after song. My siblings and mother alike derived joy simply by watching me play out my Jon Bon Jovi fantasies of 1988 (Can you remember walking down the street singing "Shot through the heart, and your to blame; you give love a bad name!", eh Kris?). While the songs I knew presented little challenge, the songs I sort of knew but always mis-sang were more difficult, even amidst the karaoke-scrolling lyrics. There's even a meter to gauge your tone/key. It's rare that I've found a game to be so interactive, challenging, and simply fun for all that are simply present. Each player can even choose his/her own level to participate without messing up too often.

Playing with a group was my only opportunity, so I can only comment on group play. A friend chided me, "It can't be that fun alone." Perhaps not, but any game is more fun with a friend. Why would this be different? In fact, it's been argued that the drum portion, when set to Expert, would mimic that of an actual rock band's drummer. Not identical, but quite similar. The transition would be easily made.

I can't wait. You'll get a somewhat biased, but completely honest review here when it comes out. Rare do I say I'll buy it when it comes out, but this is one where I'll preorder and have it on Day

1.

Need more, check out G4's really informative article at The Feed.