My Non-Stop Week
This past weekend started all innocently with wanting to get a haircut on Saturday morning, by myself. It then spiraled into taking my nephew to a game store for about 2 hours, followed with the haircut and a trip to the local superstore. Next thing we hit was the flea market, and then, when that ended, we went to the mall.
On Sunday, we got up early for Sunday School (my wife and I teach the 6-9 year-olds), followed by the morning worship service. After dismissal, we took all 4 kids (ages 8, 11, 12 & 16) to the local mom & pop ice cream shop, bought lunch and then dessert for everyone. We didn’t get home until late afternoon, and then, we just vegged. I hung out with my 16 year-old nephew (the same one that went shopping with me the day before) and just kicked back, as he played WarHawk for a good part of the night.
Monday I took a personal day, filled the cooler with food and drinks, and we then headed (with 6 kids and 5 adults total, mind you) to the local theme park, aka King’s Island. From riding some of the big ‘coasters, like FireHawk (awesome) and InVertigo (crazy), to hanging out on the kiddie rides, we had a good time. After 3 adults and 2 kids left (after eating around 5pm), we went to the water park side and got soaked. It’s easy to forget how much fun all this is, especially when you don’t go to these places often at all. We had a full day, full enough that although we arrived around 11am, we didn’t get home until around 11pm. Suffice it to say, we were tired.
On Tuesday, it seemed like my legs didn’t want to work. The day just started slowly, and work was necessary. After getting in to work late, my wife, her parents and 4 kids went out & about, and kept running until around 6pm – that’s when 2 of the kids got dropped off for the Back-2-School party (age restricted gathering for gaming, outside activities and bonfire fun), and the other 2 went fishing with their father. I, meanwhile, got stuck in traffic and didn’t get home until around 7pm. After chillin’ with the tired wife, I spent some time in prayer and then jumped on the PS3 (the kids weren’t due home until 11pm or so). MrBeatDown was on Burnout: Paradise, so I jumped in, and we played for a good 3 & 1/2 hours together. We had a lot of fun, and crashed a lot of cars 
This morning, I find my head heavier than it was yesterday, and I could just sleep. But I can’t. The kids are packing and cleaning up today, and we will be hanging out tonight, because tomorrow, they fly home to Arizona. That means a 5am or earlier morning for some worn-out kids. And then I’ll be without my gaming buddy / nephew, and any of his PS3 games he brought (the aforementioned Burnout: Paradise being one of them).
So Thursday looks to be an awkward day, but still, I’ll be working and likely doing something with the wife, or the entire family, that night. Friday, I think we’re going to get some alone time in, maybe at a movie (she’s wanting to see HellBoy 2) and possibly some dinner.
Saturday… that’s the day I plan to recuperate. Oh, and Sunday too
A Review Of My Week
It’s Friday night, and I’m ready for the weekend. I’ve been thinking about this past week, and what all has happened far.
First of, I’ve had my iPhone 3G for a full week now. It’s much better for me than my first gen was on signal reception alone (EDGE and 3Gg, both have been better than before). The new GPS and 3G features are great, and I’m using it with MobileMe. While I’ve had some issues, it’s been positive thus far. I plan on writing a more thorough review here over the next week or so.
It was also the first time I got to be part of E3. granted, everyone said this year stunk, but it was still nice to be part of it. I got to see each press conference and hear about where each console is headed, and I’m thankful to not be in the dark.
I also got to see some great games land on my radar. Games like Fat Princess, inFamous, Little Big Planet, Resistance 2, MAG, and Valkyria Chronicles. If I could just get through my current library, I’d feel less horrible for wanting new games already. At least it’s going to be a little while before they’re released.
I’ve also taken the plunge and bought into the IGN Insider subscription. It was nice to be able to watch HD footage of E3, as well as get a sweet icon. What are some other perks I should make sure I take advantage of? I’m still learning as I go.
All in all, a busy week when you add in work, as well as things to do around the house. How was your week?
The Week Is Over: iPhone 3G and Wanted
So a couple things:
The new iPhone 3G is very nice. I’ve spent a decent amount of time with it (not as much as I waited in line though – 5 hours), but I’ll give a full run-down on Mon or Tues (or maybe this weekend).
Also, we finally went to see Wanted tonight.
Great movie, lots of good action. Lot’s of language though. That’s one of the few things I’ve come to dislike, and this is the second movie in a long time that I’ve enjoyed regardless (the other was Domino), but I probably won’t watch it again. A great thrill ride, though 
Early Night Tonight – iPhone 3G Tomorrow
So tonight, I’m heading to bed early.
We went out to eat at Buffalo Wild Wings (we were too tired to go see Wanted tonight 
), and tomorrow, I’m going to try to snag an iPhone 3G before work. (yes, they already know I’ll be a little late)
I’ve been waiting for a long time for an iPhone with better reception, and 3G is a great feature, and for me, the selling point was: GPS.
I’ll have it tomorrow and I should be back to blogging about gaming next week
A Little Hack ‘N Slash
After cooking dinner and watching my niece play Animal Crossing on the GameCube for an hour and a half, I wasn’t really in the mood to play Guitar Hero 3. I just felt like some hack ‘n slash would be better for me.
That’s just one of the many reasons I picked up Heavenly Sword when I found it for $20.
I’ve played it through once before, and find myself picking it up for some good ol’ sword swinging, arrow shooting, cannon blasting action. And it doesn’t slack in that department, not for me.
I could go into game analysis, plot overview, control pros and cons, but I won’t. The reviews have been out for a long time, and personally, I partially agree with them. But I like the plot, the controls, and the button mashing. It’s not Ninja Gaiden: Sigma, and I’m thankful for that.
It is, however, a great way to get out a little angst, and stress relief is sometimes all I’m looking for.
What’s Going On
A few different things are happening over the next week or so (possibly some right good game deals, too!)
The iPhone 3G was announced Monday, and since I’ve got a back-up cell phone, I eBayed mine and will be able to afford a replacement 8GB iPhone when they are released July 11th – just 29 more days…
The sale of the iPhone also put some cash in my pocket, so I was able to order a Dual Shock 3 controller yesterday. It should be here early next week, and I can’t complain. I’ve been thinking about getting one for awhile now.
I’ve then got an option to snag an amazing deal at GameStop, when it happens. It’s my understanding that a Buy 2 Get 1 Free sale on all used games is coming sometime this month. With the extra money in my pocket, I’ve actually thought about getting a friend with their Edge card to accompany me and help me snag Ninja Gaiden Sigma, BurnOut:Paradise, and Heavenly Sword together for about $82 total. That’s about $27 a game, and something I think I could live with. It’d be a little tight after that, but good grief – think I’d have anything to play?
Add in the fact that my copy of Metal Gear Solid 4 should be here early next week, as well as Metal Gear Solid 1 I snagged from half.com, and I will be looking at getting gametime in on #1, #3, and then #4, as to appreciate the entire series. I have no doubt MGS4 is going to deliver – I just want to be prepared for it all.
Oh, and all this is happening just as our nieces and nephews arrive early next week as well. Perhaps patience will be a virtue learned over these next 6 weeks. At least I will (I hope) have time time to game here and there.
What’s going on in your life?
Still In Downtime Mode
It’s been a long week. I’ve been real busy with non-game stuff, and it’s getting to the point where I just hope my video card shows up soon. I’ve been staying entertained as best as I can, but I’d really like to get some TR in.
Hope to see you in-game soon!
