Star Wars Simpsons Intro

Cute little short. Loved that little greenie goo guy.

Vitale: Wildcats Pre-Season #15

Sure football is right around the corner, but as a lifelong Kentucky Wildcat fan, it’s tough to get too jazzed about the football Cats. Now the basketball Cats? That’s ah Hoe Nubba Lebbol.

Dick Vitale puts the Wildcats at #15 which I think is a bit high, but I’m hoping to be pleasantly surprised. Kinda like Dick anyone of the female persuasion actually pays attention to him.

Team USA Means Business

Just a quick update on Team USA, who couldn’t be under any more pressure than if they were wrapped in cellophane and had Rosie O’ Donnell sitting on them.

USA 112 , Venezuela 69
USA 123 , Virgin Islands 59
USA 113 , Canada 63
USA 113 , Brazil 76
USA 127 , Mexico 100
USA 117 , Puerto Rico 78

Next up? Uruguay then a real test with undefeated Argentina.

Today’s Hot Video Games

It’s been awhile since I’ve posted on video games but there are a couple of hot titles being released that deserve some attention. What am I playing you ask? I running through Neverwinter Nights 2 as a monk (I’ve never been a monk) just to see how much damage I can inflict with my bare hands. Good times.

Bioshock

But back to today’s games. The big news is Bioshock. This game is getting insane reviews, as well it should given its heritage. But I’ll be the first to say I’m disappointed that the developers didn’t continue the System Shock theme. Those games were superior.

This game, while very attractive, seems to have gone the way of Half Life but with more stylized, rather than realistic, graphics. Of course, this won’t stop me from buying the game but I’ll wait until some of the bugs have been squashed and that first big price drop.

Crysis

It seems like we’ve been waiting for Crysis for years! Ever since Far Cry, the good folks from Crytek (Yeah, those Germans aren’t too big on marketing are they?) have been busy working on Crysis.

The praise has been so loud that EA seems to have gobbled them up. While the graphics are incredible, it’s the physics engine that’s got me all hot and bothered. Make sure you watch the trailers on Gamespot. Is this the game that finally lives up to the lofty goal of “destructible environments”? Due to ship on November 16 in plenty of time for the Holidays.

Prototype

Another game to be on the lookout for is Prototype. That’s right, they’ve actually named a game Prototype. Or, at least I think they have. Sounds quite promising.

Parabellum

Lastly, in the Counter Strike mode comes Parabellum. Set in the future with names like “The Syndicate” and online gameplay? Are you kidding me?!? Sounds stellar! We’ll see if Acony Games can deliver on the promise.

Dojo Info 8/28/07

1. Adobe brings high definition to Flash videos
   It’s all Hi Def these days baby.
2. GiannaJessen.com
   “Gianna Jessen is one of the few abortion survivors. She now sings and is a motivational and pro-life speaker. Gianna’s biological mother was 17 when she had a saline abortion in her third trimester. After being burned alive for approximately 18 hours in the womb from the saline solution, Gianna was delivered alive in a Los Angeles County abortion clinic. Her medical records state, “born during saline abortion”…this is what caused her Cerebral Palsy. Gianna Jessen does not quit. Giving up is not an option to her. She weighed a mere 2 lbs at birth and the doctors said she would never be able to hold up her head, sit up, crawl or walk. She began to walk by the age of three years old with the help of leg braces and a walker.. . . she walks with a slight limp today and runs marathons. ” How amazing is this girl?
3. Video: Shape-shifting computer art
   As flat panel prices continue to drop I expect more and more of these digital art pieces.
4. Taiwan’s Acer to buy Gateway
   Now both can start to work on improving quality.
5. Tots Getting Internet Identity at Birth
   That’s soOo much better than those plastic cigars and mylar balloons.

Survivor: China Betting Odds

Honestly, I don’t gamble nor do I encourage it but I think it’s fun to look at these things. Bodog has odds on the upcoming Survivor: China series, and this on just barely a contestant name and description. Surely some people will bet on anything.

• Who will win Survivor China? (Favorites: Aaron/Ashley [7/1], Underdog: Jean-Robert [18/1])
• Will any of the Survivor China contestants require medical attention during the season? (Favorite: No [1/4], Underdog: Yes [5/2])
• Will the winner of Survivor China be male or female? (Favorite: Male [4/5], Underdog: Female [13/15])
• Which tribe will the winner of Survivor China be from originally? (Even Odds: Fei Long [5/6], Zhan Hu [5/6])

My money is on a season of backstabbing goodness.

Dojo Info 8/27/07

1. Tiny N.J. Baby Ready to Return Home
   “Tamera weighed slightly more than 11 ounces and measured 10 inches when she was born after only 6 months in the womb. Now that she’s 4 pounds, 8 ounces, doctors have given her the OK to go home with her parents.” I bet her parents are overjoyed!
2. Va. Tourism Pitch Mimics Gang’s Sign
   I say Virginia challenges Black Gangster Disciples to a dance off for the rights to that gesture. Who knew you could “own” a gesture?!?
3. Study Analyzes Secrets to Movie Success
   One cup of action, one scoop of sex and then mix in a little CGI and… viola!
4. The Tech Effect
   A wise man once said, “Maintain the message, modify the method.” I’m down.
5. Portable Freeware
   You never know when you might be in a Jack Bauer situation and need a quick reverse encryption program so you reach for your flash drive and *poof* you’re in!

Painting and Quick

Even more evidence that our society is overly hurried. Still, pretty amazing!

Texas Blasts Baltimore 30-3

It’s not everyday that you see a baseball team score 30 runs in a single game. In fact, it’s never. I think maybe the the Orioles probably felt like the Bad News Bears out there. Maybe they could call in Jenny Finch to be their Tatum O’Neal?

Can Team USA Live Up to Expectations?

Today marks the beginning of another Olympic opportunity for the Team USA basketball team. (I should say “men’s” basketball but I don’t believe a single person watches woman’s basketball so why differentiate?)

Given the recent poor play of our national team, especially compared to the utter dominance of the sport for decades, there’s a greater emphasis on “team” this time around. So who did they bring in? Why Coach K of course. Can Coach K manage this version of Team USA? That is the question, isn’t it? He’s got the chance to be a hero or goat.

It’s odd, I can’t bring myself to root against the great devil.

Incredible Street Guitarist

I’m very close to being speechless… this guy is awesome. Just click the link and enjoy!

Amazing Street Musician

Kotaku: Video Game News Galore

I’m sure that I’ve linked to their site but I don’t believe I’ve told you what a great site Kotaku really is. Video game geeks can scroll on (scroll on) but if you’re interested, bookmark their site for a non-stop, constantly updated blog on everything related to video games.

Or, if you want to be productive and count for something… forget I said anything.

Dojo Info 8/16/07

1. What’s the greatest record in sports? Here are the brackets
   There are so many problems with this that I don’t know where to start. I know, I know… it’s all in good fun. Oh really? Do any of Bill Russell’s teammates get credit for his run through these brackets? How you can not give more run to Byron Nelson’s 11 consecutive PGA Tour victories is beyond me. Tiger, who they’ve practically crowned King of World has no chance to be that. Wojciechowski has lost his freakin’ mind.
2. Green-360, on One
   New green dots on QB helmets apparently has some fans baffled.
3. Donaghy to plead guilty on charges he bet on games
   Uh huh. Now… how many other refs will he rat out in his deal?
4. Far from ‘The Jetsons,’ air cars for commuters
   I want my hovercar!
5. The transformer of office chairs: a review of the Trey Chair
   Interesting idea, but I’d have to test drive it to know for sure.

Vick: International Arms Dealer

I just found out that Michael Vick, in addition to running a dog fighting ring, also bought weapons from Iran.

*dramatic pause*

At least, that’s what this lawsuit claims.

Dojo Info 8/13/07

1. Rock Band Bundle Favors the PS3?
   Here’s news that’s sure to be relevant to .35% of my readers.
2. Blockbuster acquires Movielink
   With the arrival of MovieCube on the retail front and Blockbuster’s tardy appearance online, they had to do something. Personally, I think Netflix is the better concept and will eventually rule—er… that it until every movie on the planet is available at Pay-Per-View via cable or satellite.
3. Energy geeks compete for coolest solar home
   Truly, this is something where a big research breakthrough could change everything.
4. Swell +N Remixes
   Music made with Mike Tyson’s Punch Out themes?!? What will they think of next.
5. Super Smash Bros. Brawl – Video Clips
   Super Smash Bros. Melee was awesome. Can it be topped? I’m thinking, “Yes!”