Sometimes the english language fails me. Fails to really convey complex feelings or emotions in any meaningful way. Language is a weird thing isn’t it?
That’s all.
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I’ve been thinking about phones a lot lately while I’m strongly considering the switch to Virgin Mobile’s new (game changing) prepaid plan. While pricing numerous phone plans the issue of data pricing comes up over and over because it’s a big draw for many consumers. The question really is, WHY? People who work in an office environment (and we can assume a LARGE percentage of those are the target audience for data usage; and they are mainly the target of my discussion here) are in front of a computer for a minimum of 8 hours a day. They then go home after work and have access to internet for the remainder of their day. This leaves only the drive home and when you’re out running errands, at the bar, etc. to actually use any of that data you pay for.
If you look at it on the surface, you are dedicating a relatively large portion of your phone bill (normally a third to half of the total cost) to this function that is very rarely used (for the average person; me included). Do you really need to check your email or facebook on your 10-20 minute drive home? What could you possibly want to know that you didn’t get a chance to find out the 8 hours every single week day you are at work? Does the fact that you feel ‘connected’ justify the cost. I propose the answer is no.
Given this fact, I’m lead to wonder why AT&T decides to propose this new ridiculous data pricing structure. They know most people don’t use that much data, but insist on helping you feel ripped off by creating a tiered structure. I get their intention (I think), but I feel like it’s poorly implemented.
I spent about the last 6ish hours playing Rockstar’s new powerhouse title Red Dead Redemption.
My first cruise through GTA4′s Liberty City left me with amazement (as it still does today) due to the technological marvel of creating such a vast and visually stunning game. Red Dead Redemption pairs this wonderful engine with improved combat mechanics and throws it into the wild west. I’ve been saying for a while that Rockstar should create a GTA in a 1940-1950′s mob setting (which I still want to see), but this is just as cool.
The story in RDR is far richer than that of GTA4; and despite being set roughly 100 years before GTA4, it seems like there is much more to do in this new world. Rockstar has a habit of creating lackluster protagonists, however John Marston (although still a bit awkward) is a HUGE step in the right direction.
Bottom Line: Rockstar’s best story yet (which unfortunately, doesn’t say a whole lot). The game is a blast and I suspect good long-term success for this one (although I haven’t jumped in multiplayer yet).
I find very few people who write in a really captivating way. A way that REALLY grabs you. This has lead me to think one of two things. (1) Either very few people actually can write in a way that grabs people, and this is a universal truth OR (2) there are only a few people who write in the way that the voice in my head (the non-crazy kind of voice) sounds.
I got beta invite a day or two ago and have been playing every chance I get. SUPER fun so far!
They’ve basically taken SC1 and perfected it by enhancing unit function and doing an obvious UI makeover. As far as balance concern I have no doubt Blizzard will pull it off. I’ve only played a few games, all of which were against fairly easy opponents so it’s hard to say where balance stands at the moment.
As stated, they’ve increased the unit count AND unit function in really innovative ways that open up the game to a whole new world of strategy compared to SC1. Bottom line, I’m having a blast with this one. I’ll keep you updated on my experience and maybe post some replays/videos.
For those of you in beta my name is bananatron.com tavulol.com (com is the suffix thing)
EDIT: For those of you here from SC2B or are just interested in my SC2 hooplah, go to the new and improved TAVULOL.com.
Observing without passing (much) judgment is something I think I do fairly well. In the end, I am fascinated by what makes people do what they do I guess.
In today’s age I observe a strong sense of entitlement from people. An old friend from high school and I were talking about this today. Maybe this has always existed, I don’t know. “I deserve nice things, so I’ll charge it on the credit card.” “I deserve to get their first, so I’ll cut in front of you across 2 lanes of traffic.”
I don’t think people are inherently rude or inconsiderate. I don’t think we could have made the world we see before us if that were the case, but (as evident in the same world I cite) we certainly aren’t perfect. In my experience I can link many people’s negativity and psychological resilience to a sense of entitlement, and I think it’s a sad mindset to be in on both a personal and societal level. If you feel you are entitled to everything, then the world must be full of injustice, and quite frankly, a pretty damn depressing place. If you, however, accept that things are the way and you are only entitled to what you get out of an experience, life might be much more rewarding.
Oddly enough, this same sense of entitlement that makes individuals miserable can make a corporation very rich. If you can convince someone they’re entitled to something beyond their means, then you’ve created a marketing mechanism with greater power than any slogan can produce (consumer credit being the obvious big winner here).
In the end, I think entitlement is the end to something. Meaning, entitlement is the result of a feeling of emptiness occupying many people, which I see as whole different issue. Maybe something I can report on later.
I’m glad it’s Friday today. It’s supposed to be raining this weekend which puts me into a extra spectacular mood. It will be EVEN better when I have my own house to go home to. Right now we’re beginning the underwriting process (and by we, I mean, the bank). Hopefully everything goes OK and we can get in soon.
Right now I have lots of ideas and nowhere to put them. Now is the time for preparation. Soon enough I suppose…
I’ve been spending a lot of time in the Capital Wasteland recently. Ends up (as usual) I’m late to the party for Fallout 3 but I’m glad I’ve put some time into it. I see a theme with recent games continuing to come back to the alternate reality/post apocalyptic themes. I site mainly Bioshock and Fallout (although to be fair, Fallout 1 was created like a million years ago). I think Borderlands has that going as well (Don’t know, haven’t played).
Both Bioshock and Fallout are extremely enjoyable and inspiring. Games can really effect you on a deep level much like a great movie or piece of music (I would even argue that they effect you MORE than other forms of entertainment). Both Fallout and Bioshock are on alternate time lines and have a real ‘big picture’ thing going for them which I enjoy. Bioshock, for example, has handed me heavy interest into a period of time (50-60s) that I otherwise would probably care less about. The music, culture, art is all influenced throughout both games, and has given me some insight, which breeds interest.
I think in the end it comes down to us wishing there was something more than the world we’ve been given. These games allow you to emerse yourself in a different world with a fantastic story. The truth is, these are not worlds that would even be desirable in reality (violence, poverty, filth, hardship) but for whatever reason it’s refreshing to experience something so different in a meaningful way (more meaningful than watching a screen for 2 hours or reading a book at least). The strange thing is, I have no complaints about the REAL life I live, so I’m not sure what really grasps me about these other worlds. It must be the sheer fact that it’s different.. I’ll have to think more about it.
ALSO Bioshock 2 is on it’s way! I can’t wait but part of me feels it won’t be able to stand up to the original. We can cross our fingers…
- Cool beans
- Just Joshin’ ya
- Later fool
- Raining cats and dogs
- Your goose is cooked
Well, I can’t really think of anymore but I’ll make sure to add to this list...
In some ways my life has changed a lot over the last year, and in some ways, it hasn’t changed at all. I don’t know what this next year will bring but I’ll try my best to nail down these resolutions.
- Buy a place. This is one I’m most looking forward to. Nothing quite like place to call home. Will also help me get started on Sleepymoon.net in a big way. (This should help #3)
- More media. Blogging, podcasting, drawing, whatever. Put more effort and energy into the creative stuff. More of it ALL.
- Eat healthier. This will hopefully be easier after #1 where we control the food we buy, eat, grow and store.
- Don’t become complacent. Buying a place in the city and doing the day job hamster wheel thing breeds complacency, debt, bad choices, etc.
- Life. Enjoy friends, be social, enjoy life, be in the now.
I guess technically it’s the 6th, but who’s counting?