On a cold, drizzling morning of December 22nd, 2014 I woke up early to head to work. Some might not think 5:30 is early but this is how I remember it. I did my morning routine and head to work because they needed me to help unload a truck.
Having made my last payment on Saturday I was pretty happy heading out. It was going to be a good week. Or so I had thought.
Drove down to the 695 exit without an issue and hopped on the highway. No problems until...
The white truck in front of my slammed on his breaks and veered to the right. I slammed on my breaks too but I veered left to try to avoid him. The slightly damp pavement made it hard for either of us to stop. Then he veered to the left. In a last effort I went right hoping to go onto the shoulder and into the grass. But that was not to be, as the white truck then went right again. Possibly having the same idea. That's when we collided.
He later told the officer that a car cut across in front of him to get to the exit that caused him to swerve and lose control.
My truck looks to be totalled. And now his insurance is trying to blame me. I didn't cut in front. I didn't slam on the brakes on 695 because someone cut in front. I didn't swerve back and forth on 695. Only thing I did was fear for my life and hit the white truck that lost control.
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
Sunday, March 9, 2014
Kindle Time Wasters
I own a Kindle Fire HD which I use for emails, shopping, videos, internet exploring, and many others including playing games. So here I will pass along my knowledge of 5 games/apps I am currently playing/using on it:
Dungeon Keeper - FREE - It's kind of like being a basic DM. You get a dungeon that you can make your own. It starts off with some basic stuff that you can upgrade or buy more. Using Imps to do most of the work you dig out areas to build more rooms. Like most everything you can buy GEMs to speed up the process but its better to save those for buying Imps.
I have heard this is an awful version of a classic old game I never played. But since I am new to it I enjoy it. It's a fun waste of a few minutes or hours a day.
Rating: 3.5/5
The Simpsons: Tapped Out - FREE - Its a community builder using The Simpsons. Homer destroys Springfield so you have to remake it however you want. I have been playing this game for about a year. I have enjoyed it. It at times makes me laugh and that's what you get from The Simpson's. You can get premium items with DONUTs but I haven't bought them before. I have bought a premium scratch off which I think is the better offer. Lowest amount of DONUTs you can buy is the same as one scratch off. Scratch offs can give you a lot more.
After a year I still play it for like 20 minutes a day during my work breaks.
Rating: 4/5
Candy Crush Saga - FREE - I think everyone has seen this on Facebook at least 100 times. Its the same basic game. After a year of playing it I have pretty much deleted it from my Kindle. Not that it is not still enjoyable, I just disagree with KING the creators trying to copyright every word. How do you try and own the word Candy or Saga? How do you sue people that do?
Rating: 2.5/5
The Walking Dead: Season 1 - 1st Ep: FREE/ Purchase the rest - It's not the social game on Facebook. This is the Tell Tale point and click adventure that won a ton of awards. Well written and heart breaking. I bought it on XBOX Live when it first came out and will most likely get the whole thing on my Kindle too. If you enjoy the show I think you would like the game.
Rating: 5/5
Pandora - FREE - I enjoy streaming music like anyone. You can purchase a subscription but I don't just because I don't have the ability to stream music at work. No wifi means less use out of it. Pick an artist and enjoy. I have KORN as my main station but I added Deadmau5 and a few others to it. You can even combine stations to really get the playlist closest to one you want
Dungeon Keeper - FREE - It's kind of like being a basic DM. You get a dungeon that you can make your own. It starts off with some basic stuff that you can upgrade or buy more. Using Imps to do most of the work you dig out areas to build more rooms. Like most everything you can buy GEMs to speed up the process but its better to save those for buying Imps.
I have heard this is an awful version of a classic old game I never played. But since I am new to it I enjoy it. It's a fun waste of a few minutes or hours a day.
Rating: 3.5/5
The Simpsons: Tapped Out - FREE - Its a community builder using The Simpsons. Homer destroys Springfield so you have to remake it however you want. I have been playing this game for about a year. I have enjoyed it. It at times makes me laugh and that's what you get from The Simpson's. You can get premium items with DONUTs but I haven't bought them before. I have bought a premium scratch off which I think is the better offer. Lowest amount of DONUTs you can buy is the same as one scratch off. Scratch offs can give you a lot more.
After a year I still play it for like 20 minutes a day during my work breaks.
Rating: 4/5
Candy Crush Saga - FREE - I think everyone has seen this on Facebook at least 100 times. Its the same basic game. After a year of playing it I have pretty much deleted it from my Kindle. Not that it is not still enjoyable, I just disagree with KING the creators trying to copyright every word. How do you try and own the word Candy or Saga? How do you sue people that do?
Rating: 2.5/5
The Walking Dead: Season 1 - 1st Ep: FREE/ Purchase the rest - It's not the social game on Facebook. This is the Tell Tale point and click adventure that won a ton of awards. Well written and heart breaking. I bought it on XBOX Live when it first came out and will most likely get the whole thing on my Kindle too. If you enjoy the show I think you would like the game.
Rating: 5/5
Pandora - FREE - I enjoy streaming music like anyone. You can purchase a subscription but I don't just because I don't have the ability to stream music at work. No wifi means less use out of it. Pick an artist and enjoy. I have KORN as my main station but I added Deadmau5 and a few others to it. You can even combine stations to really get the playlist closest to one you want
Monday, February 17, 2014
6 Months Later Review - GTA V & GTA Online
I have beaten GTA V and have played about 25+ hours of GTA Online.
GTA V - 8/10
Solid and mostly fun game. My issue comes with the number of missions I do and get no real reward for doing it. People promise money but you never see it really. But if you don't do missions and explore around and make your own fun then its a great time. I have spent a lot of time running from the cops or randomly punching people. Changing between 3 people is new and an interesting way to get 3 characters stories into the game without having it all be DLC. Like most all GTA games the police AI makes no sense. I can be in the middle of no where and blow up the vehicle I stole and the cops would know exactly where I am. Also if I punch an old lady I do not think you need to shoot and kill me. I pulled over when you asked me to ya jerks. Characters and voice-over work are top notch. You don't need big names to make a good game.
Random Thought: I got ate by a shark...
Positives:
- Huge World to Explore
- A Lot of Hours of Game Play
- Various Weapons, Vehicles and Characters
- RPG-like skills to improve with use
Negatives:
- Very Little Reward for Quests
- Police AI
- Seems like a lot of the same quests I have played in other GTA Games
GTA Online - 7.5/10
Its still in the early stages so it can be improved and I am willing to change my grade of it later. But for now its a bit boring. I of course did not start it as soon as it came out. I got mine a bit later so I missed out on all the bugs and cheats to get a ton of cash. So I get to be the guy working his way up while the cheats have the great cars and mansions and gear.
Money is pretty much what GTA Online is all about. Do the same missions over and over so you can afford better stuff to go do the same missions over and over again. Its a well known cycle for MMOs.
There is a lot of fun to be had though. Getting some friends together to run the streets killing others is fun. Stick up stores with a get a way driver helps. Cruising along the beach running over power walkers is a blast. Because... you know... Fuck those guys. I think I spend half the time playing setting up explosive traps for the people who try to kill me.
It has some drawbacks. The character creator needs a bit of improvement. Sneaking is useless with the indicator telling everyone where you are currently located. Dropping out of the session when you just spent a few grand to turn in a car for a mission gets annoying.
It has a create a Race/Death match tools. If you like to be creative.
Positives:
- Fun with Friends and Family
- Extends the GTA V
- Tools to create your own stuff.
Negatives:
- Kill, Cash, Repeat gets boring
- Needs more Modes
- Needs a Build Your Own Heist
GTA V - 8/10
Solid and mostly fun game. My issue comes with the number of missions I do and get no real reward for doing it. People promise money but you never see it really. But if you don't do missions and explore around and make your own fun then its a great time. I have spent a lot of time running from the cops or randomly punching people. Changing between 3 people is new and an interesting way to get 3 characters stories into the game without having it all be DLC. Like most all GTA games the police AI makes no sense. I can be in the middle of no where and blow up the vehicle I stole and the cops would know exactly where I am. Also if I punch an old lady I do not think you need to shoot and kill me. I pulled over when you asked me to ya jerks. Characters and voice-over work are top notch. You don't need big names to make a good game.
Random Thought: I got ate by a shark...
Positives:
- Huge World to Explore
- A Lot of Hours of Game Play
- Various Weapons, Vehicles and Characters
- RPG-like skills to improve with use
Negatives:
- Very Little Reward for Quests
- Police AI
- Seems like a lot of the same quests I have played in other GTA Games
GTA Online - 7.5/10
Its still in the early stages so it can be improved and I am willing to change my grade of it later. But for now its a bit boring. I of course did not start it as soon as it came out. I got mine a bit later so I missed out on all the bugs and cheats to get a ton of cash. So I get to be the guy working his way up while the cheats have the great cars and mansions and gear.
Money is pretty much what GTA Online is all about. Do the same missions over and over so you can afford better stuff to go do the same missions over and over again. Its a well known cycle for MMOs.
There is a lot of fun to be had though. Getting some friends together to run the streets killing others is fun. Stick up stores with a get a way driver helps. Cruising along the beach running over power walkers is a blast. Because... you know... Fuck those guys. I think I spend half the time playing setting up explosive traps for the people who try to kill me.
It has some drawbacks. The character creator needs a bit of improvement. Sneaking is useless with the indicator telling everyone where you are currently located. Dropping out of the session when you just spent a few grand to turn in a car for a mission gets annoying.
It has a create a Race/Death match tools. If you like to be creative.
Positives:
- Fun with Friends and Family
- Extends the GTA V
- Tools to create your own stuff.
Negatives:
- Kill, Cash, Repeat gets boring
- Needs more Modes
- Needs a Build Your Own Heist
Sunday, February 9, 2014
My Favorite Movies From the 80s. Volume 1
I was going to do a top 100 list of my favorite movies from the 80s. But I get easily distracted. So I figured I might as well just lump a bunch of great 80s movies in a list and say why I loved them. So here is a list of 5 movies not in any particular order. If I get bored and feel like adding more then I will in Volume 2!
Ghostbusters - The sequel had its moments but I'd rather watch the original. Bill Murray and the rest made an interesting premise into an awesome movie. Scares and humor are a great combination. And if anyone ever says "Who you gonna call?" this is what always pops into your mind.
Batman - Michael Keaton was the Batman but it was really The Joker movie starring good old Jack. The movie was built more like a comic. Gotham was brooding and dark. Joker was an over the top killer. Perfect for a young teenage boy. Batman sold more tickets then The Dark Knight in case you want to compare.
The Princess Bride - A movie for boys and girls. You get the epic romance for the ladies and of course everything else for the men. A joy for everyone and one of the most quotable films I have ever watched.
The Neverending Story - It was a story within a story about a young boy who got bullied. But then it was a fantasy adventure through a world of magic. The special effects might have aged but the movie is still a wonderful tale.
The Thing - John Carpenter made a lot of great movies in the 70s and 80s. The Thing is one of the scariest movies I had ever seen. The whole movie always makes me feel cold and keeps me looking over my shoulder. You never knew who was human and who was next to die.
Ghostbusters - The sequel had its moments but I'd rather watch the original. Bill Murray and the rest made an interesting premise into an awesome movie. Scares and humor are a great combination. And if anyone ever says "Who you gonna call?" this is what always pops into your mind.
Batman - Michael Keaton was the Batman but it was really The Joker movie starring good old Jack. The movie was built more like a comic. Gotham was brooding and dark. Joker was an over the top killer. Perfect for a young teenage boy. Batman sold more tickets then The Dark Knight in case you want to compare.
The Princess Bride - A movie for boys and girls. You get the epic romance for the ladies and of course everything else for the men. A joy for everyone and one of the most quotable films I have ever watched.
The Neverending Story - It was a story within a story about a young boy who got bullied. But then it was a fantasy adventure through a world of magic. The special effects might have aged but the movie is still a wonderful tale.
The Thing - John Carpenter made a lot of great movies in the 70s and 80s. The Thing is one of the scariest movies I had ever seen. The whole movie always makes me feel cold and keeps me looking over my shoulder. You never knew who was human and who was next to die.
Saturday, January 18, 2014
New Years Resolution
I am going to publish a blog update at least once a week.
Wish me luck. I know my first few will be lists. I love lists.
Monday, April 8, 2013
Games and Apps - April 8th
I haven't updated much so I guess I should try harder. So I will give you my opinion on 5 games and apps I have used or played recently.
Resident Evil 6 - PS3 - If you know me at all you know I love zombies. RE6 actually has zombies in it again. Depending which campaign you play of course. The game is fun. Not too long but very linear. I recommend playing with a friend. Its a lot better. I would say to buy it now. It is worth the $20-$30 price tag. 2 players recommended.
Rating - 7.5/10
Borderlands 2 - PS3 - I never beat the first one but have enjoyed most of 2. It seems very open and works with my ADD. Wandering around killing things never gets old. My main issue is that it seems to really wants you to buy the DLC class. I am not big on buying DLC. I'd rather wait for a GOTY edition. ~$25 I'd say get it.
Rating - 7.5/10
The Simpson's Tapped Out - App - I got this for my phone and have done pretty well with it. It's a free app on the Google Store and I would assume it would also be that way for the Apple store. It is a God game like Populas and Sim City. My main issue is the donuts. I can accidentally hit some small bar on my phone and waste 2 donuts on a 45 second house. Lame. Also, why does it take 24 hours to do every building?
Rating - 6.5/10
Jurassic Park: Park Builder - App - I have this on my Kindle Fire (review later) and it runs very smoothly. Building my own park full of dinosaurs seems like fun. At the beginning it really was, but now its work. Everything is expensive and there is not much to do once you reach level 20. It's free and was fun for a week or so.
Rating 5.0/10
Marvel's Avengers Alliance - Facebook Game - I have a love / hate relationship with this game. It is free but it gives huge advantages to people who use cash to buy gold. Buying gold lets people buy better weapons, characters, and items. Don't get me wrong I do like having a team of my favorite heroes. I just prefer to have a shot in pvp.
Rating 8.0/10
Resident Evil 6 - PS3 - If you know me at all you know I love zombies. RE6 actually has zombies in it again. Depending which campaign you play of course. The game is fun. Not too long but very linear. I recommend playing with a friend. Its a lot better. I would say to buy it now. It is worth the $20-$30 price tag. 2 players recommended.
Rating - 7.5/10
Borderlands 2 - PS3 - I never beat the first one but have enjoyed most of 2. It seems very open and works with my ADD. Wandering around killing things never gets old. My main issue is that it seems to really wants you to buy the DLC class. I am not big on buying DLC. I'd rather wait for a GOTY edition. ~$25 I'd say get it.
Rating - 7.5/10
The Simpson's Tapped Out - App - I got this for my phone and have done pretty well with it. It's a free app on the Google Store and I would assume it would also be that way for the Apple store. It is a God game like Populas and Sim City. My main issue is the donuts. I can accidentally hit some small bar on my phone and waste 2 donuts on a 45 second house. Lame. Also, why does it take 24 hours to do every building?
Rating - 6.5/10
Jurassic Park: Park Builder - App - I have this on my Kindle Fire (review later) and it runs very smoothly. Building my own park full of dinosaurs seems like fun. At the beginning it really was, but now its work. Everything is expensive and there is not much to do once you reach level 20. It's free and was fun for a week or so.
Rating 5.0/10
Marvel's Avengers Alliance - Facebook Game - I have a love / hate relationship with this game. It is free but it gives huge advantages to people who use cash to buy gold. Buying gold lets people buy better weapons, characters, and items. Don't get me wrong I do like having a team of my favorite heroes. I just prefer to have a shot in pvp.
Rating 8.0/10
Saturday, January 5, 2013
My best and worst of 2012: Movies
The year ended and I have nothing better to do then to write lists. So... here we are...
Movies:
- Favorite Family Film - ParaNorman - Brave did not live up to my Pixar expectations. ParaNorman had a kid who could see dead people and a cute fat kid with hummus. Also it had Zombies... in a kids movie!
- Favorite Comedy - 21 Jump Street - Ted was not as funny as I expected but I am not really a Masky Mark fan. But to be fair I am not a big Jonah Hill or Channing Tatum fan either. Actually I do not really enjoy either of them. But they clicked in 21 Jump Street. It was funny and did not try too hard. Also hada couple of cool cameos.
- Favorite Horror - Cabin in the Woods - Cabin was pretty much the only Horror film I have watched more then once this year. I had to just to catch all the little things you might miss.
- Favorite Action - Marvel's The Avengers - The Marvel Super Superhero movie directed by Joss Whedon was bad ass. Other then oddities like Black Widow knocking out a bad guy with her hair and why War Machine couldn't join in on the fun.
- Favorite Movie - Marvel's The Avengers - Surprised. Yeah me too.
- Biggest Disappointment - The Dark Knight Rises - Ok this might go on for a long while...
TDKR was a fine enough film full of huge plot holes but I think my biggest issue is that they turned Batman into a little bitch and pretty much means that The Joker won. The Joker's job in The Dark Knight was to kill The Batman. Well after the events of TDK the Batman was not seen for 8 years. Pretty much killing the Batman.
In Batman Begins Bruce Wayne traveled around the world for years. Learning and looking for ways to stop injustice. Doing whatever it took. He returns to Gotham and works hard at it. But he falls in love with his childhood friend who he never even dated. Batman became a love sick puppy? What happened to his mission? Batman quit because the girl he liked died.
Don't say he quit because he took the blame for Dent. Batman was a vigilante. He was going to be hunted by the police anyway. Its not like he couldn't escape them... like he did in each movie.
Now let us look at the new characters we got:
Bane - They used none of Bane's comic book back story. No Venom. No King of Pena Dura prison. They made him an English Mercenary with a speaking/ breathing issue.
Selina Kyle - She was never called Catwoman only a Cat Burglar. I think Anne Hathaway did a good job even though the romance angle with Batman seemed to have no chemistry.
John Blake - Who was this guy? Why did he have more screen time then Alfred? Then Gordon? Then Fucking Batman!?!?!? Yeah and the tact on Robin thing was BS. Hell they should have named him McInnis if they wanted to use that ending.
Nolan ruined the Batman Mythos. Bruce Wayne is broke? Gotham is taken hostage? Batman retired after maybe 2 years of Crusading... I don't get it.
Movies:
- Favorite Family Film - ParaNorman - Brave did not live up to my Pixar expectations. ParaNorman had a kid who could see dead people and a cute fat kid with hummus. Also it had Zombies... in a kids movie!
- Favorite Comedy - 21 Jump Street - Ted was not as funny as I expected but I am not really a Masky Mark fan. But to be fair I am not a big Jonah Hill or Channing Tatum fan either. Actually I do not really enjoy either of them. But they clicked in 21 Jump Street. It was funny and did not try too hard. Also hada couple of cool cameos.
- Favorite Horror - Cabin in the Woods - Cabin was pretty much the only Horror film I have watched more then once this year. I had to just to catch all the little things you might miss.
- Favorite Action - Marvel's The Avengers - The Marvel Super Superhero movie directed by Joss Whedon was bad ass. Other then oddities like Black Widow knocking out a bad guy with her hair and why War Machine couldn't join in on the fun.
- Favorite Movie - Marvel's The Avengers - Surprised. Yeah me too.
- Biggest Disappointment - The Dark Knight Rises - Ok this might go on for a long while...
TDKR was a fine enough film full of huge plot holes but I think my biggest issue is that they turned Batman into a little bitch and pretty much means that The Joker won. The Joker's job in The Dark Knight was to kill The Batman. Well after the events of TDK the Batman was not seen for 8 years. Pretty much killing the Batman.
In Batman Begins Bruce Wayne traveled around the world for years. Learning and looking for ways to stop injustice. Doing whatever it took. He returns to Gotham and works hard at it. But he falls in love with his childhood friend who he never even dated. Batman became a love sick puppy? What happened to his mission? Batman quit because the girl he liked died.
Don't say he quit because he took the blame for Dent. Batman was a vigilante. He was going to be hunted by the police anyway. Its not like he couldn't escape them... like he did in each movie.
Now let us look at the new characters we got:
Bane - They used none of Bane's comic book back story. No Venom. No King of Pena Dura prison. They made him an English Mercenary with a speaking/ breathing issue.
Selina Kyle - She was never called Catwoman only a Cat Burglar. I think Anne Hathaway did a good job even though the romance angle with Batman seemed to have no chemistry.
John Blake - Who was this guy? Why did he have more screen time then Alfred? Then Gordon? Then Fucking Batman!?!?!? Yeah and the tact on Robin thing was BS. Hell they should have named him McInnis if they wanted to use that ending.
Nolan ruined the Batman Mythos. Bruce Wayne is broke? Gotham is taken hostage? Batman retired after maybe 2 years of Crusading... I don't get it.
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