Alan Wake, Red Dead Redemption, and a New Job

One of these things is not like the other. One is something that if I didn't get soon, I might have gone crazy (and no, it's not Alan Wake), and the other two are games I have been dying to play. All three things came true!

So yep, got myself a new job and moved about 2 weeks ago. Unfortunately, I am still waiting for my Xbox and Tivo to be hooked up to the internet, so I may still be slightly crazy. I can still play games and watch tv, I just can't record anything or playing anything online- so that part kinda sucks.

So, two games I have got borrowed over the past few weeks: Red Dead Redemption (RDR) and Alan Wake. Two very different games, and two very different opinions.

RDR: I thought this is would be the game I loved the most. But, so far, I find that I am mostly bored. The graphics and the scenery are stunning, and the voice acting is superb. But, it goes so slow. I am someone who likes to do most of the game (I'm not a total completionist whore like some of my gaming friends, but I do like to get most achievements). And so far, I have been doing the same things over and over again. I am hoping the game picks up, as I am still in the first 1/3rd of the game.

Alan Wake: Now here is a game I can't wait to play again. The story was awesome, the pacing was well thought out- and it pretty much scared the crap out of me. It took me awhile to get used to the controls and the combat system, but overall it was pretty good. The soundtrack and the voice acting were excellent, and some of the vistas were gorgeous.

One last note- I am hooked on a new show on TNT: Rizzoli and Isles, starring Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander. It's pretty much the gayest non-gay show ever. And I love it.

Geek On.

Home... but where is it?

So, no matter where I lived, I always considered Wisconsin "home," and to an extent, I always will. However, I just spend 3 weeks in Wisconsin, and I had a startling realization. I was so happy to come back to KC and Warrensburg, and I as pulled into KC, I had a sense of being HOME. I was happy to leave WI. I don't have a place to stay there that is my own, and most of my friends don't live there anymore.

It was nice to see my niece Paige for the first time- and hanging out with my bro is always cool. I managed to avoid seeing my dad except for one time- and that was clearly one time to many. I also love my mom, but i just cannot live with them for an extended period of time. In their two bedroom apartment, they have 2 cats and three fucking annoying birds. I cannot stress how much I hate those 2 parrots and 1 parakeet. They are loud, annoying, and i didn't get a decent night's sleep in that apartment. Plus the fact my step dad smokes like a chimney. A nice place to go for a day or two, but not much longer then that. I saw my boys, Tom and Justin one night, and they are still trying to convince me to get a job at Steven's Point, but i don't see that happening. I LIKE living in a place where I have more then two friends, and none of them actually work in Housing. A stable group of friends who don't move every 2 years.

So even though I was born and raised in Wisconsin, I now consider Missouri my home- which is both scary and exciting at the same time.

Geek On.

Panic

I never thought I would find myself in this position. It's one where I am about to lose my shit and start a full blown panic. 3 full months and no job. No job prospects, only a few interviews, and my savings is down to my last 600 dollars. It's panic time.

Not only am I starting to panic, but I find myself not even wanting to get out of bed in the morning. Gaming doesn't bring me as much joy as it used to, and overall I am in some weird funk. I am going home to Wisconsin for a few weeks to see my family for the first time in a year, and to finally meet my niece who is about 10 months old and I have never seen. Yet all i can think is "I hope none of my family wants to go to dinner or something- I can't afford it!" Sad.

When I get home on July 6th, I will do something I never thought I would do again- start applying for jobs at local stores. I hated it when I did it in high school and college, and I am sure I will hate it now- but I really have no choice.

Geek on.

I'm Not In Michigan AnymoreI

That is correct, I took the plunge and moved down to Missouri. As much as I needed to do, physically and emotionally, I am now in a slight panic. Why?

I have no job.

None.

And it scares the hell out of me.

I am a person who has been working at one job or another since I was 14. I never really knew what it was like to NOT have a job. Although at times it's fun to do nothing and "recharge" myself, it's also frustrating to not really be doing anything. I do volunteer 4 days a week at the local university, just so I don't have a gap in my resume, but it's not the same. What it does, however- is give me plenty of time to watch TV and game. So here we go- things I have done while being a bum:

Bioshock 2: I really need to play this game again- I enjoyed it once, and it was a good sequel, but it didn't grab me like the first one. The last 3 hours of gameplay were the best, and I saw decisions I had made affected the end.

Babylon 5: Wow- I am late to this party. On a whim I decided to rent this from Netflix, and it's been pretty awesome. I love how it's basically one huge ass novel told over 5 seasons, and with clues left here and there. I highly recommend.

Skins: Brenda and I started watching Series 1 and 2, and although I don't always enjoy it, I can see how it's very addicting.

Along with this I have been watching way too much TV. Such is the life of a jobless bum.

Geek On.

The Countdown!

Days until I leave: 21

Yes, the countdown is beginning to the Great Move. I am so ready to move somewhere more south it's not even funny. While I am waiting for that, I have been geeking out on both games and tv shows. Here is what i am currently watching/playing:

TV:

The Good Wife: This is not normally a show I would have been interested in, but I decided to give it a try and TiVoed the first half of the season. I sat down randomly to watch it, and got hooked. I'm not sure why, but I just enjoy it.

Babylon 5: Yes, I am waaaaay late to this party. I put it randomly on my Netflix after hearing so much about it. And after watching the first disk, I am pretty impressed. I will continue to watch and see how I like it.

Greys Anatomy: Damn you Brenda, for getting me hooked back on this. I though after what they did to Brooke Smith I would NEVER watch this show again. *sigh* but dammit, Arizona and Callie are just so damn adorable.

NCIS: I will always love this show, but if i get anymore of the Tony/Ziva shoved down my throat I may use the FF button for the first time ever.

Games:

Mass Effect: This game was as fun and epic as I thought it would be. I played through twice using imported characters from Mass Effect 1, and maybe in a few weeks I'll play again with a new character, only going badass renegade. That could be fun!

Borderlands: I was unsure if I would enjoy this game, but Kendra and I sat down to play co-op, and it was totally worth it.

Geek On.

Mass Effect 2

Please let me geek out for a moment. Mass Effect 2 is coming out on Tuesday. Yes, I have it pre-ordered. Yes, I plan on spending MANY hours sucked into the game. Except for the pesky "work" I will be glued to my xbox. Brenda has already said she will miss me, which made me laugh- then I realized that she probably wont see me ;)

The big move has a date- February 26th. Mark your calenders, friends- I'll be invading Missouri!

Geek on.

New Year, New Attitude, New Games!

I apologize for not writing for a few weeks, but with the death of Damon and whatnot, it's been pretty busy. It is, however, a new year, and with a new year comes new possibilities.

I will, in the next few months, be moving to Missouri be closer to my friends Nik, CJ, and of course, my twin. No job yet, but I am not having a complete breakdown quite yet. Give me a month or two.

January is also the month of awesome new game releases. I have already pre-ordered Mass Effect 2, and will basically be spending about 3 days straight playing that (and yes, Brenda, my apartment will be packed when you guys come and get me... I promise). I am also looking forward to Bioshock 2 sometime and in the meanwhile, I have been replaying old games.

Geek On.