Author: Joe

Categories
Video Games

Pushmo

PushmoDownloaded a fine little 3-D puzzle gem title Pushmo a few weeks ago. It’s very fun and a perfect little eShop game.

The idea is so simple, you just pull blocks to climb up a structure. However as with any great puzzler it can go from simple to challenging in no time. At times, I want to break it challenging.

The use of 3-D is really nice, but not overdone. Pulling blocks towards you just looks cool. Very good quality, especially for a eShop game. I really like the art style, there’s something fun and light about it.

You can also create and share your own levels too. I haven’t delved much into this yet, but will have to come up with something goofy if I get some time.

Simple fun way to kill some time. If you own a 3DS download it now.

Categories
Books

Good as Gold

Good As GoldI’m trying to recall how I went about choosing to read Good as Gold when I was last at the library, but to save my life I can’t. I really think that it was a yellow colored book. I just suppose I wanted to read a book with a yellow cover this time.

As it turns out, this was a pretty interesting book. While I can’t relate directly to growing up Jewish in America, there was far too many similarities to the main characters family and my own. The crazy and dysfunctional family who was obsessed with food was all too familiar to me.

This was not at all what I was expecting it to be, and I was glad that was so. Very humorous and disturbingly dark. The author clearly wasn’t a fan of Kissinger (then again, who really was).

Sadly though this is fiction, I’ve seen way too many instances of complete fools advancing far in life. Very humorous to read it in action.

Categories
Sports

Honey Badgers 1/24/12

Last night’s game was against the career undefeated and defending champion Ghostbusters. They’re a very strong team obviously and I knew we’d need to really bring out A game tonight and have a couple of breaks fall our way too if we hoped to win.

Sadly things didn’t fall our way last night, and we were defeated. However, we did show some really positive play last night.

Several of our girls are playing much better than this point last year. Lauren and Stephanie and playing with a lot more confidence and aggressiveness. Coupling that with the rest of our girls they give us a good shot to win most matches. Unfortunately the Ghostbusters girls are just plain solid top to bottom. No weaknesses there. But with out improving squad, I think we might just have a shot when we meet again.

Our guys are vastly improved as well too. Jonathan, Brian, Shawn and John are giving us a much needed jolt of youth and athleticism to our guys squad. They’re exactly what we were hoping to add during the offseason. Seeing improvement each and every week, it’s been a blast to watch them play.

We are vastly improved with our additions, and as a team improving each and every week as we adjust to one another.

Steph had another excellent night. She pretty much single handedly took a match. It was amazing to watch. I’d of never of guessed that she’d of been able to do that when we first started last season. It’s really amazing to see just how much she’s improved.

Lauren had our biggest catch of the night. Last girl left and what seemed to be a game ender, she somehow managed to catch a rebound off of her. The team instantly cheered as she somehow made that catch. Even though we didn’t go on to win that match, it was a very exciting moment for us all.

As far as myself, I need to play better. Just haven’t played well at all yet. Though I did throw out a few guys last night (though one should’ve really been caught), my stupid shoulder isn’t giving me any pop or break on my throws. Hopefully if I continue to nurse it, I’ll be back to my old form. But I’m also getting worried I just might be old at this point and there’s no getting back to my hard throwing days. Hopefully that’s not the case just yet.

All in all a fine display despite coming up short against a really dominant team.

Categories
Video Games

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

Skyward SwordI know I’ve played a pretty amazing game when I’m both happy and sad to of finished it. Though I’m very happy to of played through the Skyward Sword, I am kinda bummed that the journey is no more (well there is Hero Mode I suppose, but I do also have a job).

This game was a masterpiece from top to bottom. Some of my fondest childhood memories are of playing the original Legend of Zelda for the NES 25 years ago with my brothers and friends. We were instantly hooked and it truly changed how we thought of video games from that point forward.

Even with my wild imagination 25 years ago, I’d of never of thought that the series could of reached the status that is has today.

The art style was stunning. It was like playing one massive painting. While not as photo realistic as many of the current A titles out, I really liked the art direction taken in this title. It just seemed very original to me.

I will always be amazed at the puzzles and dungeon designs. I wonder who comes up with them? They’re original and challenging but not too challenging at the same time.

The MotionPlus controls were spot on. It’s a shame that more titles haven’t been able to duplicate that yet. Sword strikes were dead on, with many moments decided by precision slashing. Very well done.

This was a true masterpiece and a must play for anyone who owns a Wii. The story was great, and really does a great job of tying in moments from the numerous installments over the past 25 years.

A truly amazingly well made game. And a prime example of when the are video games art debate comes up.

Categories
Books

Over-Diagnosed

Over-DiagnosedCheck out the new releases a the library and I was stumped. Nothing was really jumping out to me that day. I did notice Over-Diagnosed, and being how I feel about the medical system at times figured that might be an interesting read.

The overwhelming theme of the book was very interesting. To me it pretty much just backed up with evidence, how over-diagnosing in the medical industry can at times hurt more people than it helps.

The author, a doctor always backs up his ideas with plenty of facts and studies, which is great whenever debating any topic. Some of the findings really do open up your eyes a bit.

While the idea and theme of the book were very interesting to me, I didn’t finish reading the entire thing. I think it was a bit too “medically” written, it that makes any sense. I had a hard time getting through chapters at points.

I’d of personally been just as happen reading a few pages and viewing a sample of the charts to get an understanding of what the author wanted to share. But the point is an important one and I would recommend to always investigate what are the best options for one’s own medical care and not just operate out of fear (I know it’s easier said then done at times).

Categories
Sports

Amazing Flag Football Team Defense

Today we had another instant classic flag football game. The core teams remained the same, with some slight changes on both sides. I’ve really enjoyed playing with these guys every other week, and this week was no different.

It was very cold this morning in EHT. Warming up, I noticed that my cleats wouldn’t penetrate the frozen ground at times, shifting my ankles left or right on dig. I seriously considered playing in sneakers instead since the frozen ground felt more like street than dirt at times, but figured I’d warm up as we played on it. So stuck with the cleats today.

What really stood out to me this game, was our team defense. Early on we gave up some scores, but once we settled into our assignments we really clamped down tighter than any other recent game I can recall.

Chris continued to play great against Wes, Mike and Kraft both did amazing jobs working on Josh and their third option. I got the easiest task of handling the short slants and quarterback.

We make switches and picked up other teammates, it was great. A true team effort.

Despite being down 5-3 at the half, we stormed back in the second half winning it 10-8.

As good as we played today, the other team had some amazing plays as well. I can’t begin to even guess how many huge 4th down catches Josh came up with. Joe made a pretty amazing TD catch on a tipped ball, and Wes continues to log more miles than anyone else in the league (gotta find his battery one day).

Hall’s passes we solid most of the day too. I gotta admit he shows a great deal of poise in the pocket even when I was rushing him. He got some big throws even when we brought the blitz.

Every game’s been great, and I’m very lucky to play with a great bunch of guys. I will remember today for that second half defense. Good stuff.