Cephiros, The One Winged Angel

For some of you, this might be the first post you’ve seen me write. For those who actually go to my main blog site. I know there is great time span between this post and my last post. I’ll blame it on one thing and one thing only, GTA IV. Finished the game last night and clocked in about 40 hours so far. I can’t remember the last time I clocked that much time on a game in such a short period of time.

There many achievements I need to unlock. In addition, I have many side missions to finish. I haven’t gotten my feet wet with the multiplayer aspect of the game. Oh yeah, this was the first GTA I’ve beaten. Playing the others were fun for awhile but soon I got regardless if I cheated or not.

However, this story captivated me through out the whole game. Out of all the in game choices to keep a person alive or kill them.. Well, I only killed one person. I think the Niko Bellic that I played hasn’t lost his soul completely to crime and money. One day he will overcome the tragedy in his life.

So what is to come to my gaming life since I beat the game? Well, I am going to continue playing this game while playing others. I really need to finish Harry Potter & The Order of the Phoenix. Yes, I first started playing it for easy achievements but it’s not that bad of a game either. Oh yeah, I might finally brave the XBL frontier for some GTV IV multiplayer.

Until next time…

Just for the record. I’ve never beaten any GTA game that has been released before the newest one. I’ll do the missions and I’ll advance the storyline but so after I usually lose interest for some reason. The very same thing might happen with the newest one but I doubt.

I really like the hero/anti-hero that is Niko Bellic. He is not a parody like the main character in the other games. I have not started a killing spring. My main source of killings are from missions. Yes, I’ve stolen a bunch of cars and I try not to run anyone over. However, accidents do happen.

I have not delved into the multiplayer just yet. I will try it. It has over 16 modes I believe with a mix of co-op and such. I doubt that I will ever reach 1000/1000 on the achievements but I will be able to pick up a hand full. I’m really not that much of an achievement whore even though I have the Avatar: The Last Airbender. *looks sheepishly*

On that note, really loving Avatar: The Last Airbender. Waiting for the last few episodes of the very last season. However, that is a topic for another post, another day.

So, I did not decide to download the First Album DLC for Rockband. I’m simply not a Judas Priest fan. This week DLC I have really decided just yet. It is one Smashing Pumpkins song, Zero and Two Mother hips songs. It is not part of a pack so each song is 160 MS points or 2 bucks basically.

I’ve been trading my old PS2 and DS games on Goozex. It is a video trading community. Each game has a point value assigned by supply and demand along with when it was release with other date involved. It is a much better resource to trade and receive games. Once you have the points, you request a game. If you have the trade credits then you are matched with a seller. Each trade credit is $1. Overall, I’m very happy with this program.

April 29th, 2008 - Grand Theft Auto IV came and I purchased it after work. I decided to go with the special edition which came with an art book, soundtrack cd, lockbox, keychain, and bag. It was $90 bucks but I feel what was included made it worth it.

So last post, I said I had some problems that I needed to resolve on my blog. Well, I found a neat little Wordpress plugin that helps you back up and upgrade your installation with ease. Glad to say that my blog is running Wordpress 2.5.1. My security plugin says that everything is perfect.  Also, I found a somewhat working Livejournal Crossposter plugin. I don’t know if I will ever try the Myspace one. Maybe not until it transfers all of my SQL database stuff into it so I don’t have to.

Been watching tons of Avatar the Last Air Bender. We’re on Season 3, waiting for the disc 3 from the DVD to be released. It happens to be my birthday when it does, May 6th.

Anyways… that’s all I have for now. Oh yeah, my gamertag on Xbox Live is CephirosMatsuri

So, recently I discovered that this very blog is considered badware by Google/Stopbadware.org. I did not know about it because until recently I was not doing anything to my blog. I did really noticed until I tried to access it in Firefox 3 Beta 5.

Digging into my site, it might be true. I did find a directory that contained a bunch of files to other web sites for casinos and shit. I deleted and started to make changes. After those changes, in the manage tab of Wordpress, I get a small error. Nothing that breaks the system but annoys me.

I’ve already backed everything except for my database since I will do that the day of making the upgrade. I am going to uninstall all of Wordpress and go with a completely clean install of 2.5.1 sometime next weekend.

What I hate about manual installs is that any upgrades made by Fantastico have potential to fuck up my blog. Another non system related posts will come soon today and from day to day before the fresh install.

Another Friday is upon us and that means two things. A new episode of Battlestar Galactica and Rockband DLC announcement. I am glad that albums are finally going to start being released but I am unsure about purchasing this. I will preview it on the music store once it is released but I will probably not purchase it right away if ever. Other albums have been announced as well, The Cars “Cars” and Pixies “Doolittle”.

Judas Priest: Screaming for Vengence

All of them are master tracks. They will cost 160 MS points ($1.99) each or the entire albums will cost 1200 MS Points ($14.99).

“The Hellion/Electric Eye”

“Riding on the Wind”

“Bloodstone”

“(Take These) Chains”

“Pain and Pleasure”

“Screaming for Vengeance”

“You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’”

“Fever”

“Devil’s Child”

Rant #1: Excessive Fee charges for to many transfers from your savings to checking account. I remember that there was a limit, it was in the back of my mind. However, today I was hit with a $10 fee. I don’t like it but I really can’t fight it. However, what does piss me off is that many Banks say the Federal Government charges this fee.

This is completely wrong! Regulation D of the Federal Reserve must limit transactions of this sort (electronic) in a monthly period or it dilutes the difference between a transaction account and deposit account. The fee is charged by banks! Get this, not all banks charge it. Citibank does not but of course that is not a local bank. Grrr!

Rant #2: Fuck retail locations that make you place your bag in front while you browse their selection. I went to a Game Crazy on North Lombard, had to place my bag in the front. Yet, what is the purpose of their security system? Really I ask you this. I really fucking hate being thought as a criminal before anything else.

Rant #3: Fuck Subway your and loyalty card. Not all Subway’s take this little plastic card to earn points on it. Ok, yes they are franchises. However, if you want loyalty programs to take off and generate sales then you need to highly suggest or mandate the use of this program. Listen folks, loyalty programs do not work if not all stores take them.

Breath in… breath out… relax.. that is all!

So, As owner of a Xbox 360. Every game has ability to gain achievements, anywhere for 200 for most games on Xbox live arcade to 1000 or 1250 for full retail games. Now, I’m not a gamer who must get the max achievement points for each and every game I play. I mean I have a few that I maxed out and I have a few I can easily get 1k gamer points by just sinking in some time.

However, I think to myself.. one game particular, should I even bother. I played through Eternal Sonata which is a beautiful Japanese RPG. Story was a little weak and confusing and the character development was not the best. Overall I really did enjoy the game. Not to mention it was the first game I’ve beaten on a console since Dragon Quest VIII and Grandia III. Both great games in their own right.

Okay, so in one play through of Eternal Sonata, I get 77% of the possible achievements but net less than 400 points. I really think that is really messed up. Now, I started a second play through game. I don’t know, I might just give up on it. In the encore mode, enemies have 1.5 health, attack and defense but give the same fucking amount of exp.

We’ll see.. until the next time.

Another Tuesday means more Rockband coming way to Xbox 360 users. Our PS3 friends will have to wait until Thursday. They will be able because they have been without access to Rockband DLC for the last few weeks.

In addition, there was addition today, a Motley Crue single debuted not on radio, nor television but as Rockband DLC. I believe it was called “Saints of Los Angeles”. It was only 80 MS points ($0.99) for a limited time.

Overall I am quite happy with this week’s DLC. Call Me is a great and classic Blondie song. Message in a Bottle is a very good Police song and Simple Man by Lynyrd Skynyrd rocks. All of them were masters and great songs in their own right. As for their challenge on hard guitar, they are pretty easy. I might have to try them on this upcoming weekend sometime. I don’t sing and I am only a medium player on drums. Bass is almost easy even on Expert.

If you have the MS points, or the money then I suggest purchasing this for your next gen system.

As most geeks of Battlestar Galactica, we already know that Season 4 has already started. So far, I am quite happy with the episodes so far. Season 3 was a rollercoaster of ups and downs with a surprise twist at the very end that left me in quite a shock.

So, Scifi channel has the ability to sign up and choose which side you’re going support throughout the last season. I decided to choose to side with the Cylons. I know, I know, there must be something wrong with me to decided to side with intelligent robots instead of my own race.

Yes.. Yes! We will destroy all the humans!

Episode 2, I found was quite exciting. I am very curious and interested in the story dynamic going on with the Cylons. I’m not going to put any spoilers on here but I can’t wait until this coming Friday. Now I look forward to Fridays because of BSG and the Rock DLC announcements.

Email me at cephiros at comcast dot com if you want me to recruit you to the Cylon side.