Once again, I'm just tried of looking at the old entry.

With a two-week-old, a somewhat jealous six-year-old and a post partum wife who might take an axe to my PS3 if I make any sudden movements, I haven't quite found the time for this hobby lately. I do read everyone's stuff, though and enjoy the off topic stuff and unique takes about video games and life in general. In my head, I write and reject more of these things than I care to admit, but by the time I settle in - that is, those times I don't have a dog (two, actually) that needs walking, a baby who needs feeding, a boy who needs daddy time or a wife who needs... um... my presence(?)... or something - I pretty much have forgotten all the points I was going to make. Which is fine, because most of you do a better job of making them for me. As far as games go, I pinched Fallout 3 from a buddy and am in total denial about my current condition, so I think I might get around to it soon. It is based in my real-life hometown, y'know, so it's kind of my duty. I was actually born in the Bethesda for which the company is named... A fact I tend to mention when I'm tired, punchy or drunk. Which brings me to my point (I have one?) as my huffing wife literally places Child #2 into my arms, like as I type this: Am I really going to play anything, much less a 90+ hour RPG at a time like this? Fat chance.

Just keep the blogs coming and that'll have to do for now.

Thanks guys.

Just a little wish from me to everyone that they have a fun, happy & safe 4th of July, surrounded by friends, family and loved ones!

Yay for fireworks and watermelon!

And the depressing P.S.A. part?

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Well, it's more a little saying of mine than an actual P.S.A....

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Sure you want to read it? It's pretty depressing...

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OK!...

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When the last firework goes off...

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Start your Christmas shopping.

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Told you it was depressing.

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Happy 4th, anyway.

I couldn't resist the chance to play Metal Gear Solid on my PSP, so I payed my $9.99 in spite of the fact that I actually own the game on disc and I could remote play (a bit of a crock,this feature, if you ask me) from my PS3. I guess I just like it streamlined, whatever "it" happens to be and this seemed to be the way to go about it.

Few titles, especially the ones which fill us with nostalgia, give the goose bumps & warm fuzzy's of our misspent youth when revisited. Fewer still hold up to modern games, now that we're spoiled with the beautiful, glittery, fully motion-captured likes of, say, Mass Effect or Bioshock. Well, fellas, I'm here to tell you this one does it for me. It really captures the essence of what makes me love this artistic medium and why I'm such a junkie when it comes to finding the next great experience. This one was way ahead of it's time, and although it's pretty dated now, it has an... an... elegance... yeah, elegance, that few video games capture these days. It's like an old Ferrari Dino, I guess, when compared to a modern Corvette. One is superior in every way, while the other has refinement and character that defy age. Elegance. That's a rare word to describe the games and genres we play, but it's fitting for some titles. Shadows of the Colossus achieves it through it's art direction, lonely setting and beautiful sound track, not to mention the solitary monoliths you're compelled to destroy. Sky Odyssey does it through it's subtle and fluid aerial physics and need for precision when consequences can erase a sweaty-palmed hour's work. BTW, do pick it up if you haven't played it, I routinely buy copies - $2.99, used - and hand them out to friends. At any rate, I'm rambling a bit and I wanted this to be a shorty, so I'll just say I'm happy burning yet another sawbuck on this stupid hobby and playing this one on the small screen is a nifty little joy... Which actually brings me to the PSP.

Now that the den/guest room/computer room/gaming room of my little Cape Cod is a nursery, my PSP has been pressed back into service (I mean, you didn't think I'd actually quit playing did you?). It's going to be catch as catch can for this hobby now that there's a little one around, so the glut (FINALLY!) of PSP content coming down the pike coincides with it's de-mothballizing at the mcmuff household quite serendipitously. Expanding the downloadable library for this thing is a no-brainer and I'm glad to see Sony making good decisions... Well, except for the refusal to add a second analog stick in newer models. Seriously, if it had one, this might be my #1 system.

Well, as I always say: Leave it to the Russians.

I'm actually for this idea. If you want to pool your money, I offer to go and film the experience. Should be worth a few Youtube hits and an interview on Good Morning America. Let me know...

Not much to report other than we got the little guy home and are feeding him on a strict schedule. As a premi baby he has to get his weight up or back to the hospital he goes and no one wants that. He's a fighter, though and the doctor said he has a "strong personality" that made this quick discharge possible. Yay for that.

One thing I'll admit is that I overestimated my "veteran status" as a parent and totally forgot about the sleep deprivation that comes from having new born in the house. Luckily, like our first son (who's six), he's a sleeper and cries very, VERY little. I won't say that again to anyone for fear of putting the jinx on it. Just the same, littles ones - especially premi's - can't be taken for granted and I'm not bestowing " out-of-the-woods " status until he's weighed on Wednesday. All in all, it's great to have another little one around and it's already changed some of the dynamics with kid #1... In what ways specifically?... Well, we'll see. My first and I are thick as thieves while mommy... um... does what she must while sitting at home.

Good times.

Also, even though I'm not a comic book guy, per se, I've been sold on Arkham Asylum. This one looks the part of a super star title and won't be the disappointment that licensed super hero fare can be. If it isn't on your radar, it should be. It looks beautiful and the mix of stealth, shooting - no! projectile gadgetry - and beat 'em up is appealing to an MGS fan like yours truly and the proper treatment the Joker gets (sorry Heath Ledger fans, but NO!) looks pretty damned compelling. Harley Quinn doesn't blow the scene, either.

For a title in my peripheral vision, this one has moved to front & center. Trust me. I can smell "suck" on an over hyped game a mile before it's release date*. This one's going to deliver.

*But nooooo! You Jaws Unleashed fans had to call me a troller! And I wash my hands of you Velvet Assassin guys. Don't say you weren't warned.