Thursday, December 17, 2009

Rookie Bookie

Books. Yeah, I read 'em.
And to prove it, I'm going to write a little review on the ones I have read recently. Last week alone I read 3! Since then I've read another 2. Go me. Just showing you I can actually put down the controller, get up from the couch, and mosey up to my room to read for hours on end. Such is life.

Epilogue
Yes, I've read Twilight. I read the series after it being strongly suggested to me by a friend (way before the movies). Yes, I enjoyed them. Yes, I'm on Team Jacob. Or Edward. Screw it, I'm probably on Team Emmett. I read all 4 books in 5 days. Each day I would wake up, frantically wait until 10am then walk to the book store just around the corner from my house and purchase the next one. So yeah, I get vampires. I like the idea of them too. I recommended the series to my Mum (an avid reader) and she bloody loved them too. But she remained addicted to vamp novels, and continued to purchase every vamp series the book shops could offer her to satisfy her thirst (pun intended). There are hits and misses in vamp series as you'll see. And I'm not just reading Vamp novels either.

Vampire Academy Series by Richelle Mead
- Vampire Academy
- Frostbite
- Shadow Kiss
- Blood Promise
I liked this series. The books are very easy to read - I was reading one a day. The female protagonist Rose is strong, sharp and witty - everything Bella from Twilight wasn't. The author also creates new elements about the Vampire world which work effectively. For instance, there are two types of vampires - Moroi (who are alive and wield elemental powers, which I believe could have been played up more) and the Strigoi who are undead, evil, and kill people to eat. Then you have the Dhampirs (Rose), a half human/half Moroi who's sole job is to protect the Moroi (her best friend) from being attacked by Strigoi. Sounds complicated, but it works.
It can be a bit teenagey here and there because most of the series is set in a boarding school-like scenario, and is trying to be the next epic love tale. On the whole, not bad! 7.5/10

The Mortal Instruments Trilogy by Cassandra Clarke
- City of Bones
- City of Ashes
- City of Glass
For once, Vampires are not the main supernatural specimens. You explore a world of Shadow Hunters who's job it is to control the peace pact between the Downworlders (werewolves, vamps, faeries, warlocks etc) and to slay demons from other dimensions. It takes a new direction in fanatical magic, obtaining health, stealth, strength and luck by drawing the corresponding runes onto their skin, leaving black tattoo-like marks all over their body.
The story revolves around the are-they-or-aren't-they siblings/lovers Clary and Jace. Clary discovers the existence of demons and Shadow Hunters, when in fact she shouldn't be able to see them at all. The Shadow Hunter in question is the angelic looking Jace - who every girl under 25 will just lust after. He holds a lot of his upbringing on his shoulders, something it seems only Clary can remove.
The three books seem to offer something new in each - and special mention goes to the character of Simon - Clary's unsuspecting but incredibly funny best friend who gives many of the best one liners. I also think he wears a Star Wars and a gaming shirt throughout the series - my kinda guy!
7.5/10

How to Break Your Own Heart - Maggie Alderson
I've read all of Maggie's previous books, and adored them all. It's definitely a girly girls book - where you live out your fantasies of good looks, great jobs, tons of money and amazing lifestyles. This book is set in England, which is the first time her books have ventured away from the familiar shores of Sydney. It's about late-thirties Amelia, who has been married to her perfect husband for the last 15 years of her life. Everything seems oh-so-fabulous darrrling, except he doesn't want kids. Eep.
Fun and light to read - watch for the character of Kikki, a crazy, floozy girlfriend with far too much money and no requirement to work for it. 7/10

House of Night Series by P.C + Kristin Cast
- Marked
- Bunch of others you dont need to know
Put simply - these series are so very bad. It is written as if it's for 10 year olds, but in the first third of the book the lead character catches a girl trying to give a 'uber hawt' guy a blow job. ???I will not read past the first book, that was hard enough for me. They try to pass Faith Hill of as being a 'Vampyre' and use the word 'poopie'. No thanks. 2/10.

Evernight - Claudia Gray
I didn't mind this book. It is set in the usual boarding-school surroundings and focus on the school, students and studies at a darkly school called Evernight (cough, Harry Potter). But this book threw me out - there are 2 main twists that weren't as predictable as other books I've read. That's a good start! They are definitely trying to do the whole epic love story thing here, and the whole forbidden love thing too. How original. Problem is I don't know enough about these characters (Bianca and Lucas) to really yearn for them, with them and to really feel anything for them. In fact, I like the other guy that is in the class called Balthazar, he is very well-mannered and I think more boys should take a leaf out of his book. Even if he is a vampire. Spoiler. Whoops. Not too sure if I'll read the other 2 in this series: Stargazer and Hourglass (due for release this year)
6.5/10

Ender's Game - Orson Scott Card
This is not fantasy. There are no supernatural species. This, I'm proud to say, is science fiction. I don't read sci-fi. But this book is AWESOME.
Written in 1985 by the unusually named author, it is set in the future during a century of war with insectiod aliens called 'Buggers'. The story follows Andrew 'Ender' Wiggin from 6 years of age, when he is plucked from school to start at the Battle School to train him up to become a fleet commander. Ender is a child genius, as are his two older siblings. His eldest brother was too cruel and ruthless, his sister Valentine too compassionate and kind. Ender was the perfect balance of both, and showed tactical perfection in both training and games. He rises through the 'ranks' at an unheard of pace - keeping up with the students many years older. It is a real psychological journey in Enders mind, observing what decisions are being made by the head of the school to make him the ultimate person to save the planet from a future invasion.
It is so cleverly written that it absorbed me in. I felt so empathic for Ender, and the amount of pressure thrown on him is exhausting. It is such a good read, one I did in less than a day. It has won a lot of awards, and it's obvious why. 9/10

Dead Until Dark - Charlaine Harris
Otherwise known as True Blood on television. There are a hell of a lot of books in this series.
I've wanted to read these books as I'd started watching the series on Showtime and enjoyed it. I got a little lost at one stage, then I fell behind, then gave up. Reading the books let me do it at my own pace, but the characters have already been created for me. It is a fun book. There is lots going on, and major things are dropped in, like mind-reading, vampires and shape-shifting without much exposition or explanation. But it works! Sookie Stackhouse is such a gal. She knows how to hold her own with a smile on her face, and has been through a lot without wanting to throw pain back at the world. The book is very similar to the series - but there is no Tara yet! Thank god! That girl irks me to tears. I really enjoyed this book and will read the entire series. 8.5/10


Currently reading:

Graceling - Kristin Cashore

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Blame the Game


If you're wondering why I don't venture out so much these days... well you can blame THESE games for occupying my mind and time.

Over the last few weeks I've been heavily playing:

Nintendo Presents: Style Boutique.

I know, I know. What the hell am I - a successful, female ADULT - doing playing this game? It's simple. This game is AWESOME. And oh so incredibly addictive! I recently spoke on A Current Affair about the top Nintendo must-have Christmas buys were. This was one of the games. By looking at the name, the design, and the concept of the game, you'd be forgiven to think that this is a game perfectly suited to the tweenage girl market. I thought the same thing. Until a lady (in her 30's) from the PR company that was helping me with the shoot confessed that not only has she played it, but she can't put it down. She was incredibly proud of her boutique and the turn-over she was raking in, and how she was now waiting for the financial backer of her boutique to propose to her. She genuinely had strong feelings for this game. I was given a copy, and voila! am now in the same boat. I've put in about 8 hours over the last 2 days... and counting. It's not incredibly hard, but the more you play, the more you unlock. It has massive depth that makes every hour you play non-repetitive and very competitive.

I just love it when you think you have a game nailed - and it throws you a curve ball. I honestly did not think this was a game for me considering I prefer console games over hand-held, and I like fantasy RPG's with dragons and magic... but this game has got me. Hook, line and, well, boutique!


The other game taking up all of my time is a game you would NOT expect me to be saying. It's not on Xbox or Nintendo. It's not by developers Activision or EA. It's a game you can find on Facebook. (WHAT?!?!?) Yes, Facebook. I got red in the face for all the poor souls that got hooked on Farmville or the likes. Wall posts like "Alex has found a lost turtle at his farm!" and "John has baked cupcakes from a new recipe!" would flood my status updates. What.The.Hell. I couldn't think of a worse way to waste your time. And this is coming from a professional time killer. So imagine my surprise when I see a post on someones wall reading -

LEVEL UP!
Dom is conquering the world of Castle Age and has reached level 12!
They are leading an army of Knights, Elves, Wizards, and Dragons to battle the hordes of evil.

Well. Kick me stupid. This is exactly my cuppa tea!! Adventure! Castles! ELVES! I'm in! where do I sign up? Again, this has only been going on for the last few days. But my goodness me - it is sooo good. (it has averaged a 4.4/5 based on over 4500 ratings). I am a high priestess named Celesta (not what I'd usually play, I'm a sucker for the elven ranger) but didn't see another option given to me. You never see the battles take place, more of a 'click on this button to do this quest'. You click the button, the quest is complete. Sounds boring as batshit, but trust me, they have given this game some good thought. You have a set number of stamina, health and energy points at which a certain number are used depending on what you do. Time is the main way to replenish these points. There is always something that you can do, whether it's the main quest, side quests, battling other facebook players from around the world (and stealing their gold) - all to level up and become more powerful. The hard part is you need a lot of people in your army - so friends that you have on facebook that also play. It's very awkward for me to announce to my friends of models, designers and the like, that I would REALLY appreciate their help if they signed up with me to help defeat the Chronic Hydra that is causing me incredible grief.
So far I'm not going too badly! And if anyone on facebook (there are nearly 3 million signed up to Castle Age so far) would like to give it a go, feel free to join my army!


Tuesday, November 17, 2009

XBOX DETOX

x360cs-girl.jpg

I've been looking at this line in my life. The line that I've wanted to cross, but have always been to scared to. Once I've crossed this line - I'm never going back. This week, I not only leaped across the line, but made sweet love to it. Because I have now purchased a headset for my Xbox.


And what a world it has opened to me. I can now talk to all the people who I'm playing with online and who are my friends with Xbox live. These people can help me with strategies and quests. I can even link up a video and chat like skype. Oh yes, I'm a gamer.


It.

Is.

Official.


Now that I'm openly a gamer, I thought I'd take the opportunity to talk about the games I've recently purchased and played. I had a bit of a splurge when I bought the headset, figuring I'd go the distance with the epic milestone purchase. I've bought GTA:Liberty City, Eternal Sonata, Tales of Vesperia, Halo: ODST, Dragon Age and Assassins Creed.


Lets begin.



GTA__Episodes_of_Liberty_City_by_YungLive201.png

Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City:

I know I've just confessed to being an official gamer now, but I've never, ever played a GTA game. I think I may have seen someone play it on their Playstation when I was much younger... but apart from that...nada. I heard China Town Wars on the DS was amazing, and was going to buy that, but then I saw Liberty City sitting pretty on the shelves of JB Hifi for a mere $59.00. And it's two games in one! How do you walk past that? You don't. So keen to get stuck into it. My roommate was psyched that I bought that and has been playing it when I'm not on the machine myself. He's frothing. Can't wait til I'm hijacking cars and killing thugs. Yippee!



Eternal Sonata:

I've fallen so in love with the Final Fantasy series recently. I'm telling you, not ever owning a Playstation EVER is really taking its toll on my knowledge for games. I've been missing out! But better late than never. And only now am I realising how much I love the good 'ol Japanese RPG's. Or Japanese anime in that matter (if anyone knows of any really good anime or manga - let me know!). So after doing my research on one of my favourite gaming sites gamespot.com.au (again, if anyone is a member on here, add me - maudelicious) I found out that Eternal Sonata was a very well made JRPG. Apparently the story line is fulfilling, the characters endearing, the enemies challenging and the graphics simply stunning (think later Final Fantasies). Am very exciting to give this one a test run!


Tales of Vesperia:

Falls heavily under the same category of Eternal Sonata. A very acclaimed JRPG. Very acclaimed = best selling game in Japan on the Xbox last year. Did I need more convincing? Of course not. If I'm going to start getting into Japanese games, I'm going to throw myself into an obsession. Why go in halves? The graphics in this is, so far, are very anime animation. A little too cartoonish. But already an intense story line with a fanatical world that is reeling me in.


Halo 3 ODST:

Is simply a must in any Xbox collection. I had played Halo 3 multiplayer with my brother in Brisbane, and although I was a little rusty (ok, I sucked) I was HOOKED. I needed more. So now, I still suck, but getting better. And fast. So watch out! I love that the multiplayer scenarios are so giving. So do you play in teams? Go on a rampage? Have a mission? What weapons would you like to use? Etc, all while knowing there will literally be up to hundreds of thousands of people online at the same time. There is always someone better than you out there, and always someone worse. Now with the headset I can hear the cries of victory from my teammates, the shouts of abuse at getting killed unfairly, and the harsh words of abuse from the other team (or mine, on a good day). I haven't mastered the art of stifling my laughter when I lose terribly. This one is good for a quick fix of killing and death. If you want to commit to something longer - play the campaign. No more mastercheif (hear the gasps!) but it doesn't really impact the game play. Same enemies. Same tactics. Same missions. Same Same but different.


Dragon Age:

If you haven't worked out by now that I'm a fiend for an RPG then you're brain dead with a talent of punching in this web address. I tried Oblivion to no avail (why make the whole world open from the start! I need to be guided through, I need directions!) so cue the biggest RPG release of the year - Dragon Age. I love that you can choose your race/class . I opted for a Dalish Elf warrior and I'm already regretting it. Tanks in this game are in no way superior. Go the mage, I say! In fact, I'll probably make another character very soon - and make her a mage. It won't be tedious for me to start again either, since each different race has a very unique start (think WOW). The graphics are a little Oblivion-esque, was hoping it would favour the Fable II graphics a little more. Still! The excitement is there. When you battle. If you battle. There are soooo many effing cut scenes in this game, that I was very excited to find the skip scene button (x). So I now have no idea what the hell I'm doing, replying to, or what is being said, but at least I get to kill things quicker!


Assassins Creed:

I was definitely slow off the mark with this game. I'd heard the title come up in a few forums and convos, but never looked into it. Shame on me. It's a sensational game! I have completely fallen in love with it, and struggle to get off once I get started. Everything about this game is breath taking. The graphics especially. They have been so meticulous with every detail, from backgrounds, to buildings, to non-descript people, to shadows. I didn't really understand what was going on at first, but as soon as it shaped together I was addicted. I love the way it is so easy to scale buildings, the fluid motion of every movement from horse riding to jumping from rooftops. And the fact that I can silently kill guards with throwing knives and a concealed blade. This, scarily, makes me shudder in delight. Assassins Creed 2 comes out in days. I will lose a lot of sleep over this, in anticipation until I own it, and then not stopping until I've finished it.


So this is what the next few weeks of my life with be dedicated to. Would love to hear your thoughts!


Monday, August 24, 2009

I'm in my SLIME PRIME









People ask me how many times I've been slimed. I cry every time I try to count. Here's the proof.

I forgot what dignity is. Lucky it is all in the past.

Thought for the Support


WHAT IS WITH THE SUPPORT BEING FAR BETTER THAN THE MAIN ACT?? This has happened the last two times I have seen a gig. The first, being Bertie Blackman, the second being Dappled Cities.

Don't get me wrong - I really like these acts. I wouldn't have bought the ticket if I didn't want to see them. But it just so happened that their support acts outshone them big time.

Who are these support acts?

Supporting Bertie Blackman at the Gaelic was Hungry Kids of Hungry.
Their music is just so god damn catchy! Think the Shins on happy pills mixed in with those boppy Beatles songs that make you incessantly tap your feet. The singer/guitarist can really bloody sing. And the keyboardist/singer could not only harmonise perfectly, but was so happy and into it that you wondered what he'd be like fathering your children. After the first 2 songs I found myself wandering over to the merch table to buy their EP. Which I did. Even though it was $10 for 4 songs. That's $2.50 a song. That's more expensive than iTunes. Which I figured out on the way home when the effects of their live performance wore off.
Before leaving I caught the guys watching Bertie from the back of the hall. They signed the EP I bought - so now it is priceless. I recommend listening to "Scattered Diamonds" which you can find on their myspace -
myspace.com/hungrykidsofhungary



I thought that the support being better than the main was a rare thing. Didn't think it would happen again. Fast forward two weeks to the Dappled Cities gig at the Metro. I got there pretty early because I'd heard pretty good things about the support.
Who killed it this time? Their name - Philadelphia Grand Jury. I'd heard that they played at the Beach Rd a few weeks before and someone stole their guitar. VJ on Triple J put the word out for the person to return it. I really felt bad for these guys. I hope they got it back.
But back to their gig - these guys just KNOW how to perform. They are so entertaining. Their songs are up-beat, clever and way too hot to handle. Instead of milling at the bar, every punter stood front and centre to watch these guys. The bassist MC Bad Genius is exactly that - a freaking genius. His on-stage antics are frighteningly amusing. He'll stare at a member of the audience for minutes at a time for no particular reason. Not any kind of stare - a petrifying, evil injecting stare. He plays anything that is thrown at him - bass, keyboard, guitar. His dance moves are the moves of a champion. I couldn't copy them even if he taught me himself. The drummer (Dan W Sweat) is Gods gift to the women of the world. I am so helplessly in love with him. His drumming is off the chart. He bops his head like a bobble headed dog on the dashboard of your car - but in time to every beat he plays. He looks so happy doing it, like this is what he was born to do. And he's an absolute babe. There was one point during a song where they stopped playing, making the crowd believe the song was over. Except something wasn't right. Every member of the Philly jays were frozen. Hands midway in the air. Heads tilted on the side. Statuesque from the very last note they played. This lasted a little while - the crowd finally catching on that something was up. Turns out they had not finished the song, it was just an overextended pause with hilarity attached. Sigh. The best part about watching these guys is that you can instantly tell that it isn't a chore for them to play, it's an honour. They have so many quirky jokes but they aren't inside jokes, they involve the audience every time. You just have to be quick or smart enough to catch it. These guys could willingly steal my soul. Please check out their stuff so you can say you were into them before they made it big. I recommend 'I'm going to kill you'. You would have heard it on Triple J - they're flogging it. myspace.com/philadelphiagrandjury
But you can call them the Philly Jays.
And the drummer can call me whenever he wants.



MUSIC FOR YOUR MUFFIN


xx

Riddle me this!



Arkham Asylum.

You may have seen/read/heard of it as the psychiatric hospital in Gotham City. It houses the criminally insane villains such as the Joker, the Riddler, Bane, Poison Ivy, and if you read the comics instead of watching 90's movies, then Two Face is also there.
Scarecrow uses his infamous fear gas on his criminal clients to make them criminally insane. Escapes happen more times than Gotham City care to discuss.

Basically its the nut house you never want to be near. So what better game for Rocksteady Studios to release than Batman: Arkham Asylum for PS3, Xbox 360 and PC? Instead of being based around the movies, this one is based around the DC comics.

How freaky is the Joker? Makes me never want to laugh again.

Can't wait to play this one.

Monday, August 17, 2009

ANTICIPATION OF THE NATION!


YAY

After the Fall are BACK!

Here is a pic of their new album.
This artwork is very different from their last albums (Always Forever Now had an old radio, their first album none at all).

This artwork is used on their first single called 'Desire'. It's also pimped out all over their updated myspace page. I wonder what inspired the use of all the animals? Namely all the owls. Maybe it represents wisdom? Maybe I should just ask them.

Call it evolution if you will. Call it a new direction. A new taste. A kooky feel. A darker side?

Whatever it may be, you can find out for yourself when the album comes out August 28.


La la laaa la la

Oh yep. Boy was this a good show.
Good work MTV for nailing what was going through every adolescents head at the time.
If it wasn't the annoying sibling who couldn't be any more different to you, it was the parents who would never understand you. It showed that best friends knew exactly what you were thinking without saying anything. It proved teachers lost it to the extent that eye balls would pop out of their heads. It portrayed multiculturalism. It milked cliches. It made you never want to be a cheerleader, or popular. It showed the other side. The real side.

Thanks Daria.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

pleased to meat you


Recently, many people are making changes to their diets for many different reasons. I've just cut out gluten after trying a diet without it and noticing plenty of positive differences. But many people are going vegetarian or vegan, for different reasons all together.

I'm not taking a dig. At 12 years of age I became a vegetarian, simply because I did not enjoy the taste of most meats. To this day the thought of eating (even smelling) any type of pig or seafood disgusts me. So as a growing kid, I asked Mum to cut it out of my diet. She was supportive of this (she still blames the movie 'Babe' for my decision even though it has nothing to do with it - i mean how many fish were harmed in that movie?) but told me I had to substitute the meats for other foods that would provide the same nutrients. This is how well vegetarianism went for me: see you later red meat - hello lentils and mushrooms. Uh oh - I hate mushrooms. How many freaking types of beans are there? Mum why can't you make them taste any good? I'm now anemic?! Geez. May as well eat meat again.

Now I slip in and out of eating meat. I guess I'm a three-quarter-arian because I only eat a few meat products. Hello lasagna. But I don't need or want it a lot of the time. It turns out beans freaking rock, its just my Mum was a shit house cook (seriously, ask her).
So that's my story. But what about the others?

The people that are vegetarian - nay - vegan for the greater good of animal welfare and existence? Power to them. There should be more. We should treat imported and exported livestock far better than we are. Caged hens make me sick, and good on Woolworths for phasing out caged hen eggs. I believe animals should live prosperous lives like we have, and it sucks that many are born to be food.
My issue is how can you not eat meat - or consume any animal by-product even - for all those reasons, yet wear leather boots, jackets or bags?

says the vegan:
"Oh I would NEVER drain the cows udder and drink its milk - but kill it and I'll wear it, sure."

Its hard to go from gorging on all the 'meaty goodness' to stripping it out of your life like that. Its hard to develop new beliefs at an age where you've lived your life through other beliefs.

But please, vego's and vegans. If you really care about these animals - don't wear them. Eating them is at least providing nutrients. Wearing them is purely vanity, luxury or both.

Or other advice - don't tell anyone about the decisions you've made about your diet. You're doing it for and no one else after all. As soon as you say "I'm no longer eating meat - I'm 100% vego now peeps!" I guarantee there's someone out there waiting to catch you out. If you're a vegan and claiming it, I'm more than sure everyone is punishing by eating copious amounts of cheese, tasty ice cream and delicious chocolate. And if you, for one weak moment, decide to indulge? Havoc! They'll chastise you. You'll feel guilty. Helping out animals isn't so fun after all.
BUT if you can commit to it 100% (food AND clothing) and ignore the pleas/jokes/sarcasm/tempts of your friends - then go for it with strength behind you. Conquer what you do, and shift or shape peoples view on it! We need people like you to raise awareness about the poor treatment of animals. We need someone to take a stand. To practice what they preach. If you do this, I'm very proud of you and envious of your discipline. Here's to making the world better for us, and the animals.

Check out meat.org to find out more about the poor treatment of animals.



Best.

When Maude takes over Mary Tyler Moore.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Shows that shaped my childhood







Play that ocarina

I LOVE VIDEO GAMES.



Any sort of gaming really. I was introduced to computer games by Dad when I was 7. I didn't really understand a lot of the themes, but picked up the game play quite quickly. In 1993 graphics weren't out of this world. But the game play quality definitely made up for it.

Games included:

- Hack

- Leisuresuit Larry: Looking for Love

- Golden Axe

- Wolfenstein

- Ghostbusters II

- countless other games that I can only remember fragments of (ancient roman empire game, car game with nitros, wheel of fortune game)

Looking back, it was funny to realise my favourite of all these games was Leisuresuit Larry. Essentially its about a guy who's middle-aged and balding, and really wants a root. You start the game dumped by your girlfriend, then you accidently win a perfect match contest, then the lotto, then you're being hunted by the KBG, you have to pretend to be a chick to escape them (if you dont get a body wax or put soaps in your bikini top you get sprung) etc etc all the while trying not to catch std's or be tied up by someone's mum who's into dominatrix. ODD!

My gaming evolved when I was 8-10 and spent a lot of time at vocational care during the holidays when Mum and Dad were both at work. Both my older brothers and I dominated the single SNES they had there. The other kids realised they could never be as good as us so never kicked us off. They just all gathered around and watched in awe.

Games included:

- Super Mario Bros

- Super Mario Bros 3

- Earthworm Jim

I can still play the first level of Mario Bros 3 with my eyes closed. Best part is you can download old school Nintendo games ONTO THE WII! So with a quick flip of my wii remote, I can still play it with the same graphics and soundtrack as the early 90's. Ahh bless.

From 9-12 Dad would work on weekends. This would have been quite dull, except for the part where Dads workers all had link up games on their computers. Each week one of us was allowed to bring a friend, and we would all play against each other for hours. Best Sunday afternoon fun.

Games include:

- Doom

- Duke Nukem 3D

- Heretic

This was the most revolutionary thing we'd done - I never knew link up existed. I always wanted to play co-op, because frankly my brothers were damn good at shoot 'em ups and I was sick of dying. Playing a lot and getting good came at a curse of course - I was on a date with my 3 week boyfriend in grade 11, and he suggested that we meet up with his mates at a gaming station to play counterstrike. He had no idea I could play, so I feigned dumbness when it came to gaming. "What button do I press to shoot? Who do I kill?" I beat not only him, but all his mates. By a lot. He dumped me.

The pivotal moment in my gaming career was when Dad brought home a Nintendo 64 when I was 11. Not only did I become the most popular girl at school, but I became addicted. This console allowed 4 players so no one ever missed out. It also meant holidays weren't spent at vocational care anymore, since all we did was play games all day long and persuaded the folks we could look after ourselves.

Games include:

- Mario Kart 64

- Zelda: Ocarina of Time

- NBA Hangtime

- Golden Eye

- Mario 64

- Diddy Kong Racing

- Lylat Wars

By far, the best game I have ever played is Zelda - Ocarina of Time. It will always be my favourite game. Every game I play, I compare it to this one. I think it proved to me that my favourite type of game is 1 player platform adventure. Sigh.

Because of the Nintendo, my family grew a loyalty to the brand like no other. We never bought a Playstation, and to this day still have never owned one.

From 14-20 technology was flowing. Our PC was faster and better than ever before, and many games were added to it. My brother also purchased a gamecube - which seemed like a good idea at the time

Games include:

- Age of Empires

- Heroes of Might and Magic

- Sims

- Super Smash Bros Melee

- Zelda: Windwaker

Then of course, another revolutionary gaming experience occurred when I was 19. Dad purchased World of Warcraft for PC, a massively multi-player online role playing game. I started up a character or two, and my life was over. It was a constant struggle between family member on who would play when. I had it during the day when Dad was at work, he had it at night. It is a game that eats your soul. I would easily play for 7 hours straight, forgetting to eat or live. I have played until 4am in the morning scared to let down the team I was in doing quest after quest. My brother bought a computer a set it up next to the first one so that 2 people could play at a time. I have since stopped playing, but my father has not. He has so many characters, many at maximum levels. He is God.

Now, at 23, live with my dog in a studio. I bought a Wii 2 years ago, and have recently acquired an Xbox 360.

Games include:

- Zelda: Twilight Princess

- Mario Galaxy

- Mario Party 8

- Star Wars: Forced Unleashed

- Wii Fit

- Guitar Hero: World Tour

- Oblivion

- Fable II

- Lost Odyssey

I'm finding it very difficult to finish a game. My attention span for these games weren't like they used to be. If I'm stuck, I'll turn it off and forget about a game for months. There is not one game I've completed. I prefer to play 2 player, I last longer this way. My goal now is to finish what I start. My fav game so far is Fable II, I adore everything about it. It isn't as good as Zelda: OoT, but its damn close.

Chic Geek

xx