Vacation

Hey guys and ladies.. I'll be on vacation for 2 weeks... have a wonderful Christmas and New Year!

Club Nintendo Gold Member 2012 Prize Calendar

After becoming a gold member on Club Nintendo this summer, my 2012 prize finally came in the mail.  It is a 2013 Nintendo calendar set.  One calendar features a monthly pull out, and the other calendar is a regular pocket size calendar.  I used to think Club Nintendo was a big scam because you had to spend a lot of money on games and systems to eventually earn a gift.  But then I thought, at least it’s better than nothing.  I also discovered that most of these gifts are also sold on E-bay and if I wanted one so badly I could just go on there and buy one (for much less than having to earn it as a gift).

I think Club Nintendo is basically for people that just love Nintendo, and would have bought the games and systems anyhow.  It’s almost like a way for the company to say hello to the Nintendo enthusiast community, and acknowledge them.  Every time you buy a game you have to fill out a survey about your interests and dislikes, so in a way it’s like they’re listening to us.

It would probably cost a lot of money to improve it and have them give out better gifts, so I think its better the way it is now than having to pay more for games to even out the costs of their gifts.  One could dream of course, and imagine a Club Nintendo where better gifts were really exclusive and limited.  People would compete and try to win them, and knowing how hard you had to work to earn them would make it fun to collect.  But then I think, I already collect limited edition toys and sneakers, and if Nintendo did the same thing too, I would never be able to sleep.  And Nintendo should be the last place I should worry about collecting.  Now that’s the fun part.

Nintendo:

www.nintendo.com

YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkG1BMRS-Ss

Nintendo Power Final Issue

Like most people who were waiting for the final issue of Nintendo Power to arrive, I am both sad and happy now that it’s been released.  I’m sad because I used to read it when I was younger and it won’t be around anymore.  I was even a subscriber at one point when the Nintendo 64 had released.  Back in the days when we didn’t have the internet at home, this magazine was where I would read about the up and coming games.  I wasn’t much into school academics at the point, but my parents would buy me the magazine because it was the only thing I liked to read.  I remember a teacher once told me that if I wanted to improve on my reading skills that I should grab something the interests me, and read everything on it.  So in a way, Nintendo Power was more than just a magazine about gaming, it was what initiated a spark in me to want to read, write, and eventually care about what I learned in school.

Now that it’s over, I am also sad because I wanted a younger generation to also experience what I and others felt when we read the magazine.  It wasn’t just about Nintendo games, or news, it was also a magazine for Nintendo fans to come together and show their love for the company.  My favorite part of the magazine was always the letters they would publish from readers.  In a way you got to see the diversity of fans of all ages, countries and cultures.  I also liked it when other people had written about certain issues in a game that I had noticed as well.  It made me feel like I wasn’t the only one.

Despite seeing Nintendo Power go; not all is bad.  I am happy that they went out on top, and were able to release a final issue the way they wanted.  In this issue you get a list of the top Nintendo games NP staff likes, a look back at moments from the magazine, and a poster with a picture of all the covers from past issues.  I like the poster because it brings back a lot of memories of issues I had read, and of games I played.  The cover is also nice because it’s similar to the original first issue.  While it is a sad moment to see this magazine go, I am happy that I was able to be part of the generation who grew up on this magazine.  Nintendo Power!

Nintendo Power Wiki:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nintendo_Power

Nintendo:

www.nintendo.com

YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhGxhxaLS6w

Writing a book

Been busy lately trying to write a book.  Hopefully nothing will distract me from finishing...

3DS vs. PS Vita

I bought the 3DS earlier this year because my DS had broken, and because I really wanted to play Mario 3D land.  Despite being a new handheld system from Nintendo, the 3DS feels like the DS.  The only improvements are the graphics, a sturdier frame, the position of certain buttons, and of course the option to play in 3D.   I will now go through each one of these details at a time.  Nobody buys a Nintendo expecting to get the most advanced graphics on the market, instead Nintendo focuses their attention on game play and innovated ways of playing a video game.  The result of this are games that require you to talk, blow, close the DS to transfer an image, take pictures, poke with your fingers, and to move around because of motion sensing capabilities.  I find these things to be fun because it gives me a more interactive experience than just button mashing.  The drawback of not having better graphics are that the majority of games are more cartoon like than reality based, which can occasionally leave me with the unfulfilled desire to play mature rated games.  Another drawback is that, since the graphics can only do so much, a lot of 3DS games will omit scenes that are included in other multi-system games.  Impressive cut scenes are the first to go.

The size of the 3DS is perfect for someone like me; an adult that takes the subway.  It’s small enough to fit in my coat pocket, light enough not to be a bother with weight, and when you unfold it the screens are big enough to see everything clearly.  The new frame is built stronger, and will not break as easily as the DS.  The button placements are a little bothersome because I would have preferred the home and power buttons in a location that wasn’t in the way.  The joystick is very responsive, and its design makes it comfortable to use; however you can develop a cramp after long term use of game play (which is normal with any handheld).  The 3DS allows you to adjust the intensity of the 3D graphics.  I like this feature because you will eventually stop using this technology along the way.   The 3D works well, but you just have to be facing the screen at a certain angel for it to work best.  So if you’re on the move, you really can’t use it.  I hope their next-gen handheld includes this feature because it’s useful in certain games that require depth perception.

I bought the PS Vita in the Fall because I was only interested in playing Uncharted.  The most troublesome issue with the Vita is the price.  Starting at $250, plus having to buy a memory card, carry bag, and games will prevent a lot of people from buying one.  I wouldn’t call it expensive compared to an iTouch, but the system is just not established enough in terms of games and applications for people to make that investment.  Unlike the PSP, the PS Vita is a much more advance system, and not just an update.  The handheld is bigger and more interactive, the screen is bigger, and the graphics are much more superior.  The drawbacks for the Vita are that its size makes it a hassle for anyone that is travelling.  It doesn’t fit in your pocket, so it’s best to bring along a backpack to carry it.  I also didn’t like how much time I had to wait for games to load.

Despite all these issues, the best selling point of the Vita are the graphics.  I was amazed beyond belief when I turned it on and saw the same quality graphics of the PS3 on my PS Vita.  They are simply stunning.  The superiority of better graphics means that little to nothing will be omitted from a PS Vita game compared to a PS3 game.  This impressed me the most in MLB 2012 the Show, when every part of the baseball game was shown, from pitching and batting, to fielding and physical features (you can recognize a player easily).  This also leads to a more engaging experience, because it makes you feel like you’re part of the game and not just a button masher.  Games like this is what I think makes the PS Vita worth every dime, because having such in-depth control will finally allow you to devote your time and skills to a video game that is worth investing your time.

Nintendo:

www.nintendo.com

Sony PS Vita:

www.playstation.com

YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTQsdIvJwiI

Toronto Blue Jays New Era Hat

I’m not much of a fitted hat collector but when I saw this hat online I knew I had to get it.  It is the Toronto Blue Jays 1992 World Series retro hat from New Era.  It features a World Series patch on the left side.  The brim is grey, the side panels are blue, and the front is white and features the Blue Jays logo from the early 90’s.  I used to own so many versions of this hat when I was a kid.  My favorite part of this hat is the World Series patch, which uses gold thread.

Everything about this hat is perfect but there are some issues I can nitpick about.  I would have preferred it if it was made out of wool instead of polyester, if it was made in the USA instead of China, and if the MLB logo featured some red highlights.  But honestly, those issues don’t really bother me because this is still an excellent hat regardless.  New Era has always impressed me with the quality of their hats.  While they can be very expensive, in the long run they’ll last you a long time and take a beating which makes it worth the money.

This is a must have hat if you grew up in this city and still remember the good old days.  Just mentioning names like Cito, Robbie, Carter and other members of that team brings goose bumps to me.  The blue is so vibrant you can wear it with any casual outfit like a grey or black sweater, and jeans.  I plan to wear mine when it’s colder outside because of how hot these hats can get.  This is a very awesome hat and I’m very happy I bought it.

Brand: New Era

Team: Toronto Blue Jays

Style:  59Fifty, Fitted, MLB Retro World Series Patch 59FIFTY Cap, Cooperstown Collection

Additional: Made in China, Cotton Mid and Rear, Polyester Front , Retro Blue Jays logo

Toronto Blue Jays 1992 Wiki:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1992_Toronto_Blue_Jays_season

Lids:

http://www.lids.com

YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVypNU7LtxM

Cleaning A New Era Fitted Hat

After years of wearing my Yankees New Era fitted hat I finally decided to wash it.  The truth is I was just going to buy a new one because I wasn’t interested in washing my dirty hat.  But then I went online and looked at the prices for new hats and was convinced that paying $39.99 (Canadian retail) for a new hat wasn’t worth it when all I had to do was clean my hat.  Another reason I also passed on buying a new hat was because I couldn’t find one similar to the one I have, that’s made out of wool with a grey brim.  The majority of newer releases are made out of polyester, feature the same colour under brim as the hat, and are made in China (my hat was made in the USA).

I went online to find out how to clean my hat because I was a little cautious of just throwing it in the washing machine.  The best methods of cleaning a hat I found were either paying a lot of money for an official New Era hat cleaning kit, or just using a towel with some detergent and water.  Needless to say, I passed on getting the cleaning kit and used the towel method instead.  I also tried cleaning my hat with a tooth brush, masking tape, and a magic eraser.  However all these methods weren’t very effective because they either didn’t clean, were too rough and could damage the material, or took way to long.  I then felt that the only method left for me was using the washing machine.

I hesitated using it before because in the past it has ruined other hats and clothing.  This time I took precautions and placed my hat in a mesh bag to protect the brim, which worked perfectly.  After I washed my hat it came out looking like Kirstie Alley had sat on it, but that was only short lived because I placed a bag with a sweater inside of it and was able to restore the shape of the hat.  I then let it air dry for a couple of days, and when I looked at it again the outside looked flawless and new.  The inside was a different story because the headband was still yellow, and the Buckram threads were a little out of place.  Other than that the shape was as good as new, it smelled wonderful, and it didn’t shrink (since it had already shrunk from normal use).  I would recommend washing your New Era hat in a washing machine using cold water because it is very effective but should only be used as a last resort because it can damage some areas of the hat.

New Era:

www.neweracap.com

YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGvy9u-Gilg

G.I. Joe Retaliation

Okay so I just saw the new updated version of the trailer for G.I. Joe Retaliation on IMDB.  My understanding was that it was delayed because the test audience thought the death of Duke was terrible.  So I figured they were going to re-film it with Duke in it.  Now I see the trailer, and Duke is still AWOL.  The first movie was okay, it grew on me, and I didn’t judge it too harshly because it was an establishing movie in this franchise.  But then I see the Rock in the second movie replacing Channing Tatum and that ruins the franchise for me.  The Rock makes terrible corny movies, and knowing he’s in G.I. Joe makes me think this movie will also suck.  Channing Tatum probably wasn’t my first choice to play Duke, but since he was chosen to play him, I figure let the man be Duke.  If Paramount put as much TLC into making G.I. Joe as it did making the Avengers (B-listed super heroes), they would surely have a much bigger payoff.

Retro Star Wars T-Shirt

Today’s big news was that Disney bought Lucasfilm Ltd.  This means that they’ll now have the chance to create another Star Wars film and continue the legacy.  Personally Episodes IV-VI were classics, and I have eventually come to love Episodes I-III as well.  They’re an acquired taste, but they are good.  So I might be in the minority of thinking this was a good thing, so I can’t wait to eventually re-live the experience of another film and all the hype the surrounds it.  Mid-night releases, toys, advertising on buses and buildings, and fast food collector cups.  Today’s t-shirt is a retro Star Wars t-shirt I bought from Old Navy, it has this worn and faded look to it.

View-Master

This toy is wicked!  It’s like one of those essential toys that every kid had to have in their collection.  I used to own a red version, so when I saw it again in a store I had to get the red version.  What peaked my interest in getting it was a graphic novel I read a few years ago, where the main character collected the reels.  The View-Master is best used when you’re going to be in the washroom a while, and you need something to do.  This thing can blow your mind with its 3D effects.  My only set back to this toy is how expensive the reels are.  But that’s not too much of a concern because I plan to buy them second-hand.

Nike Air Force 1 Mid Tuskegee

I bought these Air Force 1’s back in February of 2005.  I remember the date because Valentine’s Day had just passed by and I was broke from buying gifts for my girlfriend at the time.  Imagine having to pass by the sneaker store and hope that the sneakers you want don’t get sold?  Well that was the dilemma I was dealing with.  Fortunately for me, the Tuskegee AF1’s weren’t very popular back then, and I was able to buy them a few months later.

The Tuskegee AF1’s are named in tribute to the Tuskegee Airmen, a group of black army pilots from WWII.  The sneaker takes inspiration from the fighter planes the airmen flew, the P-51C mustang.  What made me interested in this sneaker was its similarities to the Air Jordan V.  More specifically the V’s have the same shark teeth effect on the side midsole.  The Tuskegee AF1’s take it up a notch by also adding the shark’s eye, and other air force symbols on the side panel and insole.

The sneaker is a majority colorway of khaki and midnight navy (navy blue for me).  I bought them in a 9.5 because they fit really big (I’m usually a 10.5 in Jordans).  They come with khaki color laces, and an extra pair of navy blue laces are included in a baggy.  Not a lot of people are fans of Mids, but I like them and adding a navy blue swoosh to the strap really makes it stand out nicely.  This sneakers was perfectly executed by Nike, and buying it wasn’t a hassle; it goes to show you that a sneaker doesn’t have to be super hyped or limited for it to be beautiful.

Tuskegee Airmen Wiki:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuskegee_Airmen

YouTube:

http://youtu.be/-cNkvo32qSI