I can sum up video gaming in 2010 in one word and that word is disappointment. I was looking forward to so many releases that simply failed to deliver. Some of them by a little, but unfortunately most of them by a lot. So much so in fact that I’ve been rather lax in my game playing over the last few months and I’m behind by about twenty games or so. Which I find annoying in an OCD way. But as all of these lists are always a composite of things I’ve played in the year in question, not just what was released in the year, it probably doesnt matter in the long run. As well as the Top 10 list itself I’ve also included an appendix of sorts where I give a line or two (and maybe a score out of 10) to all the game I’ve completed this year (and perhaps the ones I’ve played enough off to be comfortable making a judgement on). Continue reading…
Mick’s Mighty Mutated Marvel Draft
What is this?
The idea is basically to recreate the kind of alternate look’s at the Marvel universe you see in “What If’s” or “The Exiles”. We do this by “drafting” superheroes in turn. Continue reading…
(Planned) March Viewing – Anime Edition
I got a fair bit watched this month. But as always, about half of it wasnt on “the list”. Upon reflection I think that may be because nearly everything I had listed in the previous article was either a) depressing, b) “srz biznez” or c) both. To be honest, sometimes I just want to throw on something thats just enjoyable. Whether its fun, light-hearted, mindless action or all of the above. Which is what most of my “unscheduled” viewing was. I’ve also decided that instead of just listing what I watched I’ll throw down a few lines on what I thought of it. These will likely be too short to even count as a mini-review. Continue reading…
Games of 2011 Or 50 (more) reasons to avoid your friends and family
I find it hard to get genuinely excited about things any more. I certainly feel anticipation, but excitement? Not so much. Which is a pity as I miss it. I’m not sure why I don’t get excited any more. Perhaps its because so many things turned out to be a let down, perhaps I’ve become overly cynical, perhaps the tragically comprehensive previews of the modern media machine rob everything of mystery, perhaps I’m not quite as chemically tweaked since they stopped making Stinger’s (fuck I’d like a Dan Bar). Even though I don’t get all big in the pants thinking about whats coming I do still generally enjoy weeding through information on whats coming out and deciding what I’m really looking forward to. At this point in the year its hard to say whats going to be coming out for the entirety of 2011. Each week see’s new games released or release dates change. We also wont see very many announcements for the Autumn and Winter releases until the summer. So while I’ve called this “Games of 2011” it would be more accurate to call it “Games of the first half of 2011”. Continue reading…
(Planned) February Viewing – Anime Edition
Why no January version? Because I am lazy, I was sick and the “Best Of 2010” series of posts is proving a right pain in the hole to write. I also watched fuck all anime during January so there didnt seem to be much point. But I want to cut back on reading manga and I’m taking an extended break from reading, playing, running or thinking about table top roleplaying so that should free up even more time. Which I shall fail to anything productive in. But which I will hopefully use to catch up on my (fucking monstrous) “To Watch” pile. I mean I havent even seen Code Geass Season 2 or any of Gundam 00. So without further ado here is the selection of thirty shows I’m allowed to choose from in February (I know I’m going to finish writing this, post it and then watch something not on the list). Continue reading…
Best of 2010 – Manga
This list is a little dis-honest. Well that’s not quite the right word for it; artfully structured? constructed? biased? In short this list may not be a true Top Ten of the manga I’ve read this year. Why is that? I hear you cry. Well quite simply because I didn’t want to put the same things on the list two years in a row. While I do largely write these things for my own self-satisfaction I do hold out the slim and naive hope that someone other than I actually reads them. As such I feel it would be something of a dis-service to not highlight as diverse a range as possible. After all, if I recommended a series last year and its still on-going (as over half of last years series are) then theres no reason to think it isnt worth your time. Continue reading…
Up, up and Away
I’m starting a “super’s” game next Tuesday (25/01). I was going to start it this week but Im likely going to be too “busy” (certainly not playing Dead Space 2). In theory the game will run Tuesday night from 8-11. But Im not too tied to that day and time so thats up for negogiation. I’m looking for two to six (hah) players, though if you cant make it and still want to get involved (or just fuck with whoever is playing then read on). The game will be taking place in the icy depths of Springmount on ye olde dublin road (a.k.a the house I’m renting). Continue reading…
Upcoming “articles”
Well Monday (or possibly Tuesday depending on when I can get shopping) see’s a return to my healthy eating plan so I should have my entries about that back on track next week. I also plan to try and keep up with my update schedule in the new year (which if you believe the lie under the “About” page would be every Tuesday). In particular I want to have my “Best of 2010” entries (Manga, Anime, Computer Games, Swag and possibly Music) all posted by the end of the month (as opposed to ten months into the year in question like I did this year).
Listening to: Blitzen Trapper - Sadie
A (very) basic “photo” guide to using Calibre with your Kindle
As the title says this is a very basic “photo” (in actuality screenshot) guide to using Calibre (a free eBook management program) with your Kindle. It briefly covers how to add books to the program, how to convert them to the best format for the Kindle and then how to get them onto the Kindle. As per uisual click on the images below for larger versions. Continue reading…
Michaels Month of Meticulously Mandated Mastication – Taking a break
To anyone who has been reading this series of posts regularly I apologise for the lapse in updates over the last two or three weeks. Its mainly due to the fact that the mealplan has suffered some serious setbacks over that same period of time and as I’m planning to take a break from any attempt at healthy eating over christmas I think this may be a good time to take a break. I’m planning to restart my diet (and these posts) on January 4th 2011. Hopefully I’ll get the two missing updates finished in the interim.