Guess who's back... back again... DP's back... tell a friend...

I can't believe that I still remember my bleemin' password to get into this here joint This blog is in serious need of some Martha Stewart magic, and not the type that will produce a poncho ^_^

Anyhoo, it's good to see the ol' place still around and kickin', so I'll start by askin'... how've y'all been!? O.o It's been, like, a while since I've written in here (understatements FTW~! ) Things have been kinda coo coo with me.

Last year I made the move to the big city, but due to the insanity of the last few months caused by the recession (having my hours cut from work = NOT FUN!), high rent that ate away at my chequing account, and the amount of money I owe on my taxes, I had little choice but to move back home with meh folks. That happened a couple of weeks ago at the end of July. My parents don't mind; they've been really cool about the whole thing (they were the ones who insisted that I come back home). So here I am, in my old room, plotting my revenge on the world with chocolate-covered tatter tots... er, I mean, figuring out how to get my massive amount of debt down and regrouping for my next assault on the real world Been hunting for another part time job, but so far no luck. I hope to find something soon, though... just don't know what T_T

As far as gaming goes... I haven't made much progress in that huge pile over there I call a backlog *stares at Mighty Mountain of Gaming* >_> I place the blame solely on Final Fantasy XI. OK, maybe my laziness played a bit of a role in it... but mostly FFXI. This is why I hate MMOs. They're such a time suck! You tell yourself that you'll play for, oh, 2 hours. next thing you know, you're growing hair in places you had no idea could grow hair and suffering from the worst case of halitosis the world has ever known.

So why am I still playing this thing!? Dang you, Squeenix! You and your little chocobo too!

But I digress... sorta I have been making more of an effort to play other games nowadays, but that mountain of games keeps growing ever so bigger. Times like this I could take an entire month off from work and do nothing but play games (of course, I can't afford to do that NOW, but t'would be nice nonetheless).

I can't think of anything else right now besides chocolate covered tatter tots... that's a sign that I should make myself scarce.

This is DP signing off. And remember: don't trust the Matrix Moogles

Toodles!

Hello my lil' humide hot dogs of joy!

So... it's been awhile. Quite awhile So I hope y'all have been enjoying yourselves, eating your vitamins, etc., etc. So, let's begin my bizarre rant

Year of Creati-w00t-met: Self-Assess-m00t

I should've done it last month, but meh As some of you may remember I issued the DP New Year Challenge near the beginning of the year: to get more in touch with your creative side. So now's the time to check in and show me some progress! No cheating, no "the Nintendog ate my l33+ pic" hoopla. Seriously, have you guys been unleashing your inner Picasso? Bringing out your Beethoven? I've been keeping up with me Correspondance School Art course and I'm almost done, too (by almost, I mean I only have 2 units left. YAYS!). I've also bought 2 books on animation and even invested in a personal light box to use for animation purposes. I haven't used it yet (I'll explain why in a minute), but it's nice to set down the fondation for my future plans. Anyhoo, if you haven't created something yet... get crackin'!

Ch-ch-ch-change is GRAND!

Ah, change... the pieces of copper that jingles in your pocket... the event that represents some sort of transition in your life. Both are nice things to have. And I gots them. w00t!

So, I resigned my contract with RD (gonna be my 3rd year with them). All is well, too: I'm officially full-time and I got a raise. Workin' hard for the money! (do-do-do-dooooo). Right now, I'm workin' summer hours: I have to stay an extra 45 minutes Monday to Thursday, and on Friday I get to go home at noon! Feels like the days back at university when I only had one course in the morning on Friday and that'll be it. It's nice to get to go home early

Speaking of going home early, in a couple of weeks I'll be getting home even earlier than I do now. That's because... I'm moving out! Yes, this lil' bird is finally leavin' the nest and moving into my first apartment! Probably would've done so sooner, but I've never had asteady job'till this one, and thus haven't been able to save up enough money. It'sin a great place too; quite happy with the location indeed, as I'll be much closer to work (I'll be able to... *gasp* walk to work! HUGE change from taking the bus and metro). I started packing since I'm leaving the 1st of August. It's kinda weird seeing my life packed away in boxes like that But I'm quite excited and can't wait for the big day. Any moving tips you lovely peeps can give me (especially how to properly pack away my consoles) are greatly welcomed.

I need to plan my day tomorrow, so it's time to say adieu.

This is DP signing off. And remember: find a penny, pick it up. All day long pennies will rain on your head like Thor's Hammer!

Toodles!

Hello my lil' Hulkamaniacs (yeah, I'm running out of names... bah )

Well, it was on this day in 1981 that I popped out of my mommy's belly in what has been described as "the shortest labour ever" And today was a great day. Work was nice; it went by fast, but it was lunch time that was the highlight of my day. I went out to Game Buzz to sell a couple of games that are in need of a good home (an extra copy of Breath of Fire IV that I had for some reason, and Suikoden V still in shrink wrap). The guy who usually buys the games wasn't in, so I didn't get that done.

Next, I headed off to my Alma Mater to pick up my Diploma. After finally remembering to fill out the registration papers, I officially graduated last November. I didn't bother going to the Graduation, though. I thought today was a good day to pick up that lil' piece of paper that I busted my tail off to earn. It's puuurdy

Headed off to HMV to get some Microsoft Points (4200 points total) and rechargeable battery pack. They cost about $101, but a co-worker gave me a $50 gift card before Christmas and I put it to good use: cut the total in half. Sweet! Last stop was to Sushi Shop to buy some lunch. They have a Loyalty Card Program, where you'll get a stamp on a card every time you buy some sushi. You get some free food every 6th stamp. I just so happened to be entitled to some free sushi, so... yeah. Sushi tastes good when it's free

Anyhoo, today was a good day. I'm still thinking of what to buy on the Marketplace (Puzzle Quest is a given; I don't know if I should get anything else). Any suggestions, hmmm?

Temptation, thy name is Dante

Yeah, I wanted to write this a while ago, but I forgot So, the day after Valentine's Day I went off to look for the Wi-Fi Adapter for my 360. And I got it. Then I did the one thing I shouldn't have done after picking out my intended prey... I looked aroudn the store some more. And instead of spending $110, I spent $256.18! I bought the Adapter... and Halo, Halo 2, and Devil May Cry 4: Collector's Edition. Ah, temptation... but, but, but, I have an excuse! Really! Oh, don't look at me like that, it's the truth! I never played any of the Halo games before, so I had to get caught up before diving into Halo 3. And as for DMC 4... well... it's Dante, for Pete's Sake! DANTE! And Nero... but DANTE!

Hell yeah, baby! You boys can have your Kasumi Ultra-Soft Heat-and-Massage Inducing Mouse Pad and Full Length Body Pillows, I have my Dante! And I'll hug him, and squeeze him, and pet him, and pat him, and name him Big Daddy D... 'cause I don't think he'll want to be called George... or Big Daddy D for that matter Heck, Kevin Nash might come after me for for using one of his old nicknames Meh. All this to say that those games were impulse buys and while I had no plans to buy them right there and then, I'm still quite happy with my purchases.

I... have a problem...

Yeah... so... the first step in conquering a problem is to admit that you have one. And I feel that with the support of my lovely peeps, I can get through this...

*sigh* Okay... so... I didn't think it would grow to be such a big deal at first. I play a game, I accomplish a little goal, hear a sound, get a badge and some points on my Gamer Profile. Cool, I thought, and with that I kept playing. And playing. And hearing more chimes, and seeing a couple of more badges. Now, I'm obssessed and can't seem to stop.

Yes, kiddies... I'm... an Achievement Points Junkie!

I haven't stumbled down the path of playing multiple games at once to get as many points as possible; rather, I'm taking my time and trying to earn all the achievements in a game before moving on. I only have 2 more Achievements to eanr on Hexic HD, and... well, a lot on Marvel: Ultimate Alliance Who would've thought something so simple could be so... addictive? Next thing you know, I'm gonna import a Japanese 360 just so I can get Achievement Points for Japanese games... oh, dear God NOOOO!

Anyhoo, this is DP signing off. And remember: Dante Plushie > Kasumi Body Pillow.

*blows out Birthday Cake candles* w00t!

w00t, w00t, w00t, w00t! w00t, w00t, w00t, w00t!

*ahem* Good evening, my lil' online gaming freaks of Luuuuv.

Happy Valentine's Day! I hope you treated your respected sweeties nicely... and gave 'em lots of chocolate, 'cause everyone knows that Valentine's Day is all about the chocolate

Well, as you can tell from the title of my entry and my Xbox Gamer Card to the side over there, I got my Xbox 360 Elite today. Much sooner than expected too! I was told it would come in 3 weeks; it came in a week and a couple of days I was hoping to have this elaborate ritual where I would do the Sacred Purification Cleansing of the Gaming Area (a.k.a vaccum and use the Swiffer Duster ), then do the HD Hook-UP Hokey-Pokey and enjoy the lovely sight of causing carnage in 1080i... or 1080p. But it came early... so I don't have an HDTV yet. Alas, and alack and woe as me; I was too impatient and couldn't wait until the weekend to hook everything up! I'll have to make a trip to EB tomorrow and see if I can track down the Wireless Adapter so i can get online (I forgot there's no Wi-Fi out of the box ). Anyhoo, now I'm tied to my ISP, Bell Canada, for another 3 years since, as I explained in my previous post, the 360 was part of one of their special Internet bundles (not that that's a problem: I've never had any trouble with them in all these 8 years that I've been with them). If I opt out before the 3 years is up, I'll have to pony up the balance of what I owe on the console.

Anyhoo, I really can't wait to dive in. Along with the Xbox came 3 lovely games: Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, Forza Motorsport 2 and Halo 3! Annnnnd, I have a 13-month membership to Xbox Live Gold. Sweetness, I say! At the end of the month I plan to get my HDTV, by hook or by crook (maybe more hook than crook... bah). So far, I only have 2 suggestions (thanks to davideric1 and Kazona for feedback). I need more suggestions! MORE! O.o I might just go with that Sharp model, though. Just because it looks sweet and the features that it has aren't so bad. I'll poke around some stores this weekend and see if anything else strikes my fancy.

*sigh* I'm still so giddy; like a kid at Christmas who hit pay dirt. I'm so excited to be playing new games on a new system. More importantly, I can't wait to get online and play with all of you! This is DP signing off. And remember: Work Hard, Play Harder.

See you online, kids!

G'day my lil' gummi bears of the future!

Well, the year is now about 6 weeks old, so that's enough for most of us to get back to Ye Ol' Routine (or settle into new ones). Me? I've been settling into waking up hella early to workout (I find it's easier to do cardio early in the morning instead of after work; I'm just too dang tired to do anything! O.o). Also, I've been tackling my backlog of games and books. Finished 2 games thus far (only 92 to go... God help us all ), and 3 books (12 to go... huzzah!). I plan to take a week off next month to do taxes and other spring things, so maybe I'll cause some damage then, yeah?

So how've y'all been? Working hard, playing harder? ... yeah? Good.

The Year of Creati-w00t-ment

All right gang, pay attention. Now... hey, you! Yeah, you! *points to dude picking his nose* We don't want no slackers, here! Now pay attention *bops with Mighty Mallet*

*Ahem* Now, where were we? Ah yes... grab your pencils and notebooks, kids, 'cause it's time for...

DP's New Year Challenge!!!!

Ah yes, the New Year Challenge. It's been awhile since I've done this. First time, it was to make the best year ever. Then it was to do things that you used to do when you were a kid. Didn't have one last year... mainly 'cause I didn't show up again 'till late March! Well, I ain't going to wait that long anymore! Yeah, yeah, I gave you a month to do whatever, but now it's time to whip you into shape! Bwa, ha, ha!

This year, I want you to tap into your inner Picasso; your mighty Mozart; your sensational Shakespeare. I want you to spend more of your time being creative. All work and no creative play makes you a dull boy (or gal). Plus, tapping into your creative side leads to happier, longer lives So, go out there and write that Halo fanfic you've been iching to do or that poem about the sea. Draw a picture... maybe three! Do something that intrigues and stimulates that right side of the brain. I'll check in on your progress around mid-July.

Any questions? Good.. get crackin'

Welcome to the Next Gen... grab your helmet, foo'!

As some of y'all know, my birthday's at the end of the month. So, I've been thinking about something to get for myself. And I ordered it: a new system. That's right kiddies: DP's entering the next gen, head first and armed with gulloshes (again... God help us all ).

I called up Bell yesterday (my happy ISP), and asked to upgrade my Internet service. I had their Sympatico Ultra High Speed (which was, at the time, one of their fastest services), and thought I should step it up a notch. That's when I noticed their special bundle offers and I knew the one to get: the Total Internet Gaming package, which consists of their Total Internet Performance service... and an XBox 360 Elite with... a game (or games). On the site it says it comes with Halo 3, Forza Motorsport 2, and Marvel Ultimate Alliance, however the sales reps I spoke with on the phone didn't confirm which games I'd actually be getting. Bah. The newest member of my happy family will be arriving in about 3 weeks (around my birthday, give or take a couple of days).

So here's where I need the help. I know to ge the most out of my happy lil' bundle of joy, I'll need an HDTV. All good timing, since I've been itchin' to get a new one. I mean, my 13" Samsung GXTV has served me well for the last 9 years, but it's time to let her go (besides... sometimes the picture flickers out ). I actually had my eye on this one (yeah, the site says there's no more available; so if I do go for that one, I'll get it from Best Buy me thinks):

Sharp Aquos 32" 1080p LCD HDTV

It looks like the right size and it has 1080p (all the rage, as I hear), but I'll shop around some more. So this is where I must call upon the aid of my lovely peeps (yes, that means YOU!) What HDTVs do you guys recomend? Keep in mind that this is for my bedroom and doesn't have a whole lot of space left without some MAJOR re-arrangement. So nothing bigger than a 32" pretty please Thanks in advance for any suggestions

Well, that's it for me. Time for me to take it easy before I hit the hay (the consequence for getting up early... ugh ). This is DP signing off. And remember: The future is now... no wait... now. No.... now. Really. Bah, forget it.

Toodles~!