Goodbye Computer, Hello GTAIV!

I started the morning off thinking to myself (wow, isn’t that amazing!) about what I’d like to blog about next. The idea came to mind when I thought of my PS3, which is currently being played by my son right now as I write this. I then became very excited and glanced at the calendar next to me on the wall. You see, I, like many others, are anticipating a very special date…the date in which Grand Theft Auto IV comes out for PS3. The game comes out April 29th, all for the jaw-dropping price of $89.00 bucks. Am I ready to plunk down this kind of money for a game that’ll have me staying up until the wee hours of the morning? Am I ready for the blisters I’m going to get for holding onto the controller for too long? You bet your fucking ass I’m ready!!

If you’re a fan of the Grand Theft Auto series, I’m hoping you’ll agree with me when I say it’s got an awesome soundtrack. So for your listening pleasure, I give you Herbie Hancock, as played on Grand Theft Auto’s Vice City.

http://profile.imeem.com/6uatI/music/2cfMMhO1/herbie_hancock_rockit/

I don’t know exactly what it is about the GTA games that makes my ass remain glued to the Lazy-boy for hours on end, but damn it! The GTAs are fucking addicting and getting me to turn the console off is harder than saying ‘seven selfish shellfish’ ten times in a row without messing up! Hmph…try saying it. You’ll see what I mean.

In the past, it’s been reported by the media that upon a GTA game’s date of release, people have actually camped out in front of electronic stores, eagerly awaiting to get there hands on the game. I’m not that devoted of a fan, but it sure sounds tempting. Sitting and chilling with fellow gamers sounds like it’d be fun, exchanging codes and secrets, favorite stories on how one of the many missions they played were completed…or failed.

Before I forget to mention, besides the fact that the game makes my mind go numb and my eyes dry from having stared at the screen for too long, I think there’s some really funny things on the game as well.

For instance, some of the things Liberty City’s or Vice City’s inhabitants (whichever game you’re playing) say are fucking hilarious. At the moment, I can’t recall what they say but do know they always have me laughing.

What is just so great about this game? Is it because you can plow someone down with the car you stole and get away with it? Is it because you can pick up hookers and watch your health level rise? Or could it be the ‘Vigilante’ missions you can go on? I really can’t decide. Those were just a few things off the top of my head to list here. I personally like pissing the cops off. Man o’ man! When you see the row of stars go from one lit up star to five…you’d better get the fuck outta there! Fucking swat team swarms in on you and let me tell you, if you got the codes to make them go away, you’d better get those fingers working otherwise you’re ass will be grass!
Anyways, I’m really looking forward to this game. I hope that Rockstar games can deliver what they have in the past. For those that see me online all the time…well, I hate to say it but you may not be seeing me for awhile once the game comes out.

My Love Affair with Altoids

I’m fully convinced that if Altoids didn’t exist, I’d be constantly paranoid about my breath. I’m not saying I have the best breath in the world, but after popping an Altoid into my mouth, it gives me piece of mind when I’m talking to someone. Having good breath is always nice for both people communicating to each other. Plus, it keeps them focused on what you’re saying, not about what you consumed for lunch. Now I’ve had past incidents where someone will be talking with me and holy shit! Their breath was bad enough to make my nose hairs fall out! This is when I try to do anything to avoid their breath.

Altoids. I’m hooked on them. I can’t get enough of them. I’ve made Callard & Bowser, the makers of Altoids, rich, rich, rich. In the past decade or so, I’ve never been without the curiously strong mint. I always have a spare tin container of them around just in case I run out the one I’m currently devouring.


For this blog, I was going to tack up a picture of Altoids, and you know what? I’ve found some interesting things that people are doing with their empty tin containers. Here’s what I’ve found.

Tired of handing out business cards that are bent near the corners? Embarassed about handing them out along with your pocket lint? Keep them in great shape in an Altoid can!



What better way to keep your games protected? Store them in an Altoid can!



Need a cheap and easy way to dock your MP3 player? Put it in an Altoid can!



Where oh where can you put your MP3 player? In an Altoid can!



Want to get attention? Put the lids of an Altoid can on your shoe!




A damned good reason you should go to your local parade? Hot, beefy men standing near Altoid can props!



Talk about creativity! Now that I’ve seen some of the creative ways people are using them, I’m beginning to think what I can do with the one I’ve got.

So I’m wrapping up this blog, saying pop ‘em if you got ‘em, people! They’re not only known to be the curiously strong mints, but they make your breath curiously strong (in a good way) too!

Calling All Shinys! Calling All Shinys!

As mentioned in my “Nicknames: Good or Bad? I say ‘good’ and here’s my reason why!” blog, I was crowned with the nickname ‘Shiny’ by a handful of friends I like to chat with from the Bar. Now, the name can be interpreted as someone who is easily distracted by things, doesn’t have an all that great ability to remain focused on what they’re doing/talking about. Yeah, that’s me in a nutshell. Though there are some who might take offense for being given such a name, I, on the other hand, take great pride in it and run with it like the torch runner for the opening ceremony of the Olympics.

It has come to my attention there is another “Shiny” out there. Like any other day, I was yakking it up on the Yahoo IM with my friend, Winter. Much to my surprise, she told me there’s this blogger dude that goes by the name Shiny, too. I sat and stared at my monitor with my jaw hanging, rereading the news she’d just given me. What followed afterwards was a sense of jealousy. Yeah, I’ll be the first to admit it…I was jealous that someone else had MY name, a name in which I thought was only mine but apparently not.

So I had to ask myself, ‘why do I feel this way over a NAME?’ Now, it took a while too do some self-searching and I figured it out; I’m disgruntled because I’m an only child. Now for those who are only children, I’m hoping you can relate when I say we have a tendency to be possessive and can be at times, yes, even...selfish *gasp!* I for one can get that way sometimes. For some reason, I’ve had this issue for years about things that I consider mine. I can be overly protective of my family, friends, personal belongings and in this case, a nickname which I believe is one of my few prized possessions.

I’m wrapping this blog up by saying that this is something I have to live with. I know I may sound like one of those kids you see bickering with another kid in the sand box and throwing a temper tantrum because they don't want to share. But as an adult, I know I have to play nice and share…*grumbles to self*.

Henceforth, I will go by the name, “Shinette”, as it's a more feminine form of Shiny and the blogger that Winter has blogged about before, is a dude. This will clear up any confusion as to who she is blogging about. As for you Shiny, yes…you, I know you’re reading this, it’s nice to know I’m not the only Shiny out there in the internet world but I have to have a sense of distinctiveness. So I’m renouncing a portion of my name and taking on a new one I can only hope, no one else has! Much love to you Shiny, and your shininess!