Quake 4 Is a Fun Romp

Back in the day, nobody played more Quake than I did. Well, possibly a few pasty white, 10-year-olds in Wisconsin but I was thoroughly addicted. (Just ask my wife.) Point release, add-ons, new mods, (CTF rulz!) whatever came I was there eating it up. If you had asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I wouldn’t answer you because I was too busy fragging multiplayer opponents.

Boy how have times changed. Not me so much, I’m still a freak, but the games have gotten to much more realistic. The gameplay is basically the same, but with Quake 4 the images are intense. This time around, there’s even a story, imagine that. Great twist in the middle, that I won’t divulge but it’s a big step up from their old practice of slapping odd levels together in an almost meaningless fashion. Even if it’s mightily over the top visually, just think The Matrix meets Alien, there’s still a cohesive feel that the surroundings have a legitimate purpose to those beings that use them.

Not going to do a big review here, I just want to say that if you like FPS and your system can handle the reqs, spend the $19 and start blasting Strogg. It’s well worth the price of admission. Plus, with today being Halloween, the scary bad guys fit right in.

Time Lapse Joy

It’s just about the perfect subject for happiness inspiring time-lapse video.

Barret’s Do Is Thick and Lustrous

Call us bad parents. Call us curious. Call us whatever you like. But seriously, who knew those hair growth pills would work so well?

Dojo Info 10/27/06

1. Video: Firefox 2 has arrived
   It’s about time! Just kidding. I’m glad it’s here because it’s the best browser available.
2. Stern bites bullet, wants players to leave guns at home
   C’mon guy… just another case of the man keeping us down.
3. Video: First Look at the Nintendo Wii
   Getting ready for the Christmas rush!
4. Mannheim Steamroller Has Halloween Disc
   I absolutely love Mannheim. Christmas just isn’t the same without playing their CD.
5. Sony shows off PlayStation 3, new games
   Hot on the heels of XBox 360 comes the Nintendo Wii and the Playstation 3. Let the games begin!!

Massive Helmet Affords 360-Degree View

It’s big, yes, but at least it’s black. You know, the slimming factor.

The Power of YouTube: Little Superstar

I’m thinking of hiring some Malaysian workers to scour YouTube 24/7 in search of gems like this one. [via KSR]

Survivor: Cook Islands – Week 6

Yet another week where I miss the live broadcast of Survivor. This time, I confidently move to CBS’s Innertube to watch the show like I did last time. This go around, I’m met with non-stop “Buffering…” problems that crashed my browser more than once. Now, I’m not sure what the problem is, but my experience was far from enjoyable. Here’s hoping it was a one-time deal.

As to the show, the challenge was amazing! Everyone who participated gave it their all. I think Candice really helped the Aitu tribe to win. Very strong.

Voted Off
Despite his best efforts, it was time for Cao Boi to leave. He just didn’t mesh with anyone except maybe Jessica. It was probably the best move for Aitu and now they can try to put his antics behind them and move forward united.

Cristina on the other hand truly had a strange situation, as by everything I could see, she wasn’t the bossy, domineering person that Adam made her out to be. I’m surprised that others went along with him, but it’s always safer to go along with the crowd than to step forward and make yourself a possible target.

The kidnap twist was sweet. Gotta twist those loyalties and see what might happen. I’m not sure Nate was the most likely to be swayed, but it wasn’t a bad choice.

More Fun From Last Laugh

Sure it’s silly, but it’s well done silly. There’s a difference.

Dojo Info 10/24/06

1. Voting for the future
   Should parents get to vote for their under 18 kids? Sounds like a plan to me!
2. Maps of War
   This animation shows how the different empires expanded and were overthrown in and around the Middle East. I love stuff like this!
3. Scientists Create Cloak of Invisibility
   All I can say, “It’s about time.”
4. Google’s election mashup
   Google Earth gets political. Love it!
5. Video: From Japan: Next year’s gadgets
   These c|net videos are great. Subscribe to their daily email if you like them.

Nutty Buddy Delivers the Goods

Sometimes the best comedy is when people aren’t trying. Make sure you watch the video for the “Nutty Buddy, a revolutionary athletic cup designed by a pro baseball player for superior protection of your most valuable assets.” [via Coudal]

Sony Milo Site Entertains But Baffles

After playing with Sony Mylo’s mini-site a bit, a couple axioms come to mind. I’m sure you’ve heard:

“The main thing is to keep the main thing, the main thing.” (The quote is attributed to Steven Covey but I think someone less famous said it first.)

So, what is the main purpose of this little website? I would wager it would be to sell as many of this little Sony bugger as possible, right?

So here I am wanting to learn more, so I click on the ad and I’m greeted with a wonderfully entertaining site, but I can’t find anything that shows me what this device can do. No function list? No specs? Where are the pictures of the product? C’mon guys. Mylodoku is great fun but it’s not going to help sell this product.

With that said, the site is wonderfully done and quite funny. (Cheers to the designers!) But that reminds me of another proverb:

“The best is the enemy of the good.” -Voltaire [">link]

A little less “slick” and a little more “sell” would be the order of the day.

Rodrigo y Gabriela Play Tamacun Live

Rodrigo y Gabriela can flat out rock. I’m constantly amazed at the complete accomplishment that some human beings can have in different fields. Bravo!

Dojo Info 10/19/06

1. What MTV says about Google-YouTube marriage
   YouTube is certainly a phenomenon, but they certainly overpaid for the brand. Google’s expertise with technology and design could have created a better application for (litterally) billions less. The real trick is how to strategically put advertising into the flow where it’s easy to implement and doesn’t drive off viewers.
2. Hands on the Wii
   Looks like the new Wii (pronounced “wee”) is garnering great reviews.
3. The World’s Larget Bouncy Ball Archive
   “This guy has some serious balls.”
4. deslizamiento (Mud slide in Japan)
   In our age of special effects, it’s tough to tell the real from the fake. Not this one.
5. Video: OnAir GT makes your laptop a TV set
   That’s very cool!

World Needs More Good Ideas Like PlayPump

Some ideas just make so much good sense. Congratulations! [via Coudal]

Paladin’s Top 10 Reasons Why He’s a Blogging Slacker

I feel like I must apologize for the lack of updates recently. There are a bunch of things going on. Let’s hit ‘em like this:

#10: There’s a clause in my contract with the Hot Tub that requires me to spend, at minimum, 15 minutes twice a day with her. Some might say that’s a bit much, but what can I do… I’ve already signed the contract.

#9: Our family has grown so large that we have a birthday celebration practically every week. I’m not complaining, I’m just saying, “That’s a lot of cake for one man to eat.”

#8: Quake 4 is a pretty fun game, when it isn’t crashing my computer.

#7: My son, The Benjomeno, is playing Flag Football on the weekends and both sons will be suiting up for Basketball in the next couple of weeks. Just call me Mr. Taxi Cab.

#6: Fantasy Football always takes its mandatory hours each week. What can I do, stop playing?!

#5: Building Web sites for money is an idea whose time has come. Ok, ok, it came back in 1994. I’m just now giving it my full attention. Plus, it seems my family has become accustomed to the idea of eating. Go figure.

#4: Sleep trumps Blogging, unless you’re playing with sandbags, then you never know.

#3: I’ve got a cold that makes me feel like Owen Wilson looks. Ugh. Just remember, Drugs can be your best friend. Pretty… colors…

#2: For the first time, I’ve become thoroughly addicted to following the recruiting of my beloved Kentucky Wildcats. Got a raw 7-footer and a Top 100 kid in A.J. Stewart, now we’re on pins and needles waiting for Patrick Patterson and Jai Lucas to make their decisions. I know it’s insane to let a bunch of 17-year-olds dictate my happiness, but I already told you I was an addict. And “yes” I do need professional help.

#1: Taking my Real Estate License courses. From chapstick to lawsuits, it’s all in there. My world domination plan is set to commence in: mark, 6, 5, 4…