Wednesday! Wednesday! Wednesday!

Apple Events. It’s like having more than one Christmas each year. And according to my clock, it’s about time Apple comes out with new iPods.

Oh! What do we have here? Yes, it’s the yearly (pretty much, now) September event. I’m eagerly waiting for new iPod touches. I can only hope these will pack the same “S is for Speed” power Apple gave the iPhone 3GSes. A camera is pretty much a given at this point, as well. Anyway, I’m going to be close to an Apple store on Wednesday so if they become available on the 9th, I might be able to make a few videos about the new touches. Or just play with the new touches and let other people record stuff.

Feel Inadequate About Your Computing Skills Today!

You’ve created stuff in a video editor and you feel pretty proud of yourself. Well, if you feel too confident about your ability to create a decent video production, I have the perfect remedy for you: It’s The Escapist’s Doomsday Arcade. It’s a hilarious web series where two gamers must flee from video game characters who have crossed over into their world. While worth it just for the jokes and references, the real reason I’m recommending that you watch this series is to see the crazy and amazingly well pulled off production and special effects. The series is able to create a great atmosphere and convincingly real unrealistic situations. It is, at times, to the detriment of the story but you will realize after watching this that you aren’t any good at making video.

For animation fans out there, check out The Escapist’s Unforgotten Realms about two friends playing a Dungeons-and-Dragons-esque game. I don’t care for Dungeons and Dragons at all but the series is funny enough otherwise for me to view every new video. It might not be, pardon the pun, the flashiest of animated series but it is decently impressive when you factor in that it is pretty much the work of one person, Robert Moran. Just another reason to go find a few tutorials online to get better at what you thought you were good at.

What I’ve Been Playing

One game that I’ve been getting into recently is Beat Rider for iPhone/iPod touch. Here’s the iTunes link. While it’s somewhat a competitor to Tapulous’ Tap Tap Revenge 2, since both make you tap to music, it has an advantage and/or disadvantage: You can use what ever song you want. Because of this freedom, the gameplay resulting from songs isn’t always very good. On the other hand, there are some songs that shine. Try out Coldplay’s Viva La Vida. It works surprisingly well.

Another game that might be worth checking out is Chris Sawyer’s Locomotion for Windows. It’s not new but it’s pretty fun, if a bit demanding at times. You connect with trains, boats, road vehicles, planes and trams, cities, factories and resources to make money. It’s not bad for $10. Plus it’s from the guy who brought you RollerCoaster Tycoon.

I Forgot How Fun Spore is

Man, it’s fun. There’s, as always, some more boring parts. I think the Tribal Stage is the worst. But, for example, due to tactical errors, having not saved before quitting and a freeze-up, I had to repeat the Civilization Stage a couple of times and never got bored of it. The biggest downside of the game is that it is a complete time black hole. You will easily loose hours to this game. Despite this, it’s very fun. I might even get the upcoming expansion.

This Week on TV

A quick reminder that LOST is back on TV this Wednesday. On ABC in the States and now on A up here. 3 hours of crazy, confusing fun.

Also, I heard someone’s going to get a new job on Tuesday.

All I Want For Christmas Are iPod Games

I’ve almost stopped using my DS at all. Why should I use it? It’s just another thing in my pocket and the only games I have left for it is Elite Beat Agents and Brain Age 2. With the App Store, I’ve been playing a bunch of games. Unfortunately, there’s been a recent surge in interesting games in the store and now I have a whole list of games I’d like to get. I’m not sure which I’ll choose… they all look pretty good.

Sim City (Get it)

I love Sim City. The love started with Sim City 2000 and went on up until Sim City 4 and its Rush Hour expansion. Then came Sim City DS. It seemed good but after having a few issues with it, I stopped playing it at all. But here comes (what I understand to be) a full Sim City 3000 experience for the iPod touch. I’m no longer as interested with simulation games as I was before but hey… I thought the same thing of MMORPGs. Then City of Heroes came along.

i Love Katamari (Get it)

I’ve never played a Katamari game but I was always fascinated by the series. You roll a ball around and collect items that stick to said ball. Simple, yet interesting. The original release on the App Store apparently sucked but a new update has the game back on my radar.

Puzzle Quest (Get it)

I loved the DS version and I was excited to get it for my iPod. It’s a shame then the game is being split up in to 3 instalments. How much will each chapter cost? How much of the game do I get with the 1st chapter? This “Must-Buy” has been downgraded to a “Maybe.”

Monopoly Here and Now: The World Edition (Get it)

I really love Monopoly. Like, really love it. That’s all you need to know.

Here are some other interesting games:

Tap Tap Dance (Get it)

Tap Tap Revenge is a great free game and Dance seems to bring it to a whole other level.

Rolando (Get it)

It’s been getting some high praises and it looks well done. Who knows? I might get it.

Heroes of Sparta (Get it)

This one looks interesting too.

Why I Love This Show: The Border – The Season 2 Finale

The Season 2 finale rocked. Hard.

Easily the most shocking last 10 minutes I’ve seen. Huge explosion. Unexpected death. And a final shot that can only be challenged by seeing Locke lying in the casket at the end of the season 4 of LOST.

Why has The Border not been picked up by a network in the US?

I Don’t Do Tights

I thought I got over MMORPGs a while back… I Guess not.

About 2 years ago, if I remember correctly (and that’s doubtful), I was a World of Warcraft player. I played, had fun and got fed up. The last time I played, I think I had the account essentially to tide me over until I got my Wii. After that, I played a few MMOs here and there but since they were PC-only and hidden on my Windows Boot Camp partition, resisting temptation was as easy as just not opening Windows.

Flashforward to now and I’m yet again hooked on the online gaming craze. This time, it’s because of the open beta for the Mac version of City of Heroes. Put simply, it’s like World of Warcraft, except you’re in a city and you’re a super hero (You can be a villain too). Except for the rare glitch, It works wonderfully on my MacBook Pro. And by rare glitch, I really mean it. It is remarkably stable! You can sign up for free (for the beta) right here.

If you’re ever online, my character’s name is Alphonzo Green. I’m a super hero that looks like a green mobster.

What? I didn’t want to be dressed in tights.

Carolling Colbert

I’ve been looking for a good Christmas music album. I didn’t have one in my collection before but I really wanted to have at least one to get me into the Spirit of the Season. Well… I found it.  And who would have guessed: it’s Stephen Colbert’s handiwork. Well, him and a few special guest… and a surprisingly melodious John Stewart. You wouldn’t expect him to sing that well.

Just When You Thought PC Couldn’t Outdo Himself…

I though Apple would have to make a new series of ads after Microsoft’s “I’m a PC” ads. They were useless in making Vista seem better but they showed that Apple’s ads were missing some “real” humans.

And then this happened. I will never again doubt Apple’s ad agency. To all those working on “Get a Mac” ad, I salute you. You are all amazing.

Screw Obama vs McCain. The computer industry is where you’ll find the best attack ads.