37A. YEAH I GAME!

So, some people have been doing this '30 Days of Gaming' thing on Facebook. Basically each day there's a gaming related question for you to answer. I was going to take part in it myself, but soon realized that not all the questions listed were ones that were applicable to my gaming. I would have never labelled myself as a gamer, but I think I'm just really picky when it comes to the video games I like. A few of the questions had to do with scenes, and to be honest, I hate most video games with scenes. Not all of them, but a lot. If I wanted to sit through long, dramatic scenes, I'd watch a movie. I like games that are go, go, go. Not to mention some have the WORST dialogue. Like Halo. Ugh. Anyways, instead of taking part in the '30 Days of Gaming', I figured I would answer the questions applicable to me in a blog.

Very first video game:

Super Mario Brothers. No one should be too surprised by this. There's a good chance that if you were born in the '80s, this was your first game. It comes with Duck Hunt. I was pretty excited.

Your favorite character:

Link. Legend of Zelda was my second video game. Link is all-around cool. He has rad weapons, and mad skills. I really enjoy that he has no dialogue. And let's not forget his outfit. It is wildly speculated that he's wearing a tunic. I don't believe this. That's a dress. You don't wear tights and a belt with a tunic, and someone with hair as awesome as Link's would know that.

Honorable mention: Pikachu. I fell in love with him when I started playing Super Smash Bros. He's the cutest ever.

A game that is underrated:

Killer Instinct. C-C-C-C-COMBO BREAKER! Honestly, this game is so much fun. It's my favorite fighting game. It was orginally an arcade game, but was released on SNES. The cheats are really cool, and the characters are so random and ridiculous.

Your guilty pleasure game:

Mappy. This game is like cocaine. I should note that this is an arcade game, and to my knowledge has never been released on a gaming system, but whatever. I play it online all the time. The graphics are terrible, and the game itself is really nothing special, but it is quite addicting.

Game character you feel you are most like (or wish you were):

I wish I was Spyro. This may be linked to the fact that when I was little and thought I could literally be anything I wanted when I grew up, I wanted to be a dragon. Spyro is the dragon of all dragons. Being able to fly around and breathe both fire and ice is beyond awesome.

Also, Krystal from Starfox, cause she's a fox with huge boobs.

Most annoying character:

For someone who has been told they have the tolerance of a toddler, I am actually not overly annoyed by any gaming character. At least not to the point that I would turn the game off. However, Lakitu from the Mario Brothers games is super irritating. I hate being followed as it is, without having harmful objects thrown at me.

Favorite game couple:

Nathan and Elena from Uncharted. They're adorable, and their chemistry is pure love.

Gaming system of choice:

I'm old school. I could survive with a NES. I bought a DS last year, and it's really neat. I also enjoy the Wii a lot. I wouldn't say I play many games on Sony systems, and I think Xboxes are the devil.

A game everyone should play:

I mean, all the games I'm listing here are ones I enjoy, and would therefore suggest that people play. So I'll go with ones I think everyone would enjoy, and say Super Smash Bros. and Mario Kart.

A game you've played more than five times:

Kirby's Dream Land. Probably close to 20 times. It was my favorite game on Game Boy.

Current gaming wallpaper:

Post a screenshot from the game you're playing right now:

Picture of game setting you wish you lived in:

This one was hard to choose. I was going to say Sonic the Hedgehog, cause everything is so industrial looking, and I love those things you can go upside down on. Starfox was in outerspace, which would also be very cool. But because of its colourfulness, I'm going to have to go with Katamari.

Favorite genre:

I don't really know if I have a favorite genre. I'm really not big on shooter games, but other than that, I would say I enjoy any genre. It usually just depends on the game itself.

Favorite classic game:

Any Atari game. I still play these games online all the time. Asteroids is probably my favorite. Also, Tetris.

A game you plan on playing:

Pokemon Black and White, as it is coming out in less than a month. For games that are already out, I plan on getting through the Final Fantasy franchise.

A game you thought you wouldn't like, but ended up loving:

Guitar Hero. I could not play this to save my life the first few times I picked it up. Now I play on medium. Actually, I prefer Rock Band. I enjoy being able to pick songs I love and rock out on the drums, and pretend I'm Taylor Hawkins or Mathew Hyland. By far the best party game.

Your favorite game of all time:

Super Mario Brothers 3. I haven't played this in forever, but I remember it being my absolute favorite.

36P. Who needs a real education these days anyways?

University of Toronto finally has a program I'd take!

35A. Bitch, I don't give a hoot!

If you follow our blog at all, you may have gotten the impression that animals are probably my favorites things in the world. If you don't follow our blog, animals are probably my favorite things in the world. Red pandas are at the top of my list. Owls are a close second. It was suggested by Patrick that I blog a list of my favorite owls after he posted a couple videos on my wall of them. Actually, it went like this:

Amanda Ketchum: Barn owls are my favorite.
January 5 at 12:30pm · LikeUnlike.

Patrick Fahey: I could die. Owls are so cute. I'm going to watch videos on youtube until my skin rots from my body. brb.
January 5 at 12:31pm · LikeUnlike.

Amanda Ketchum: And the second video is a burrowing owl, which is my second favorite kind of owl. I have an order of favorites.
January 5 at 12:34pm · LikeUnlike.

Patrick Fahey: What's that... *sniff sniff*... do I smell... blog post?
January 5 at 12:35pm · LikeUnlike.

If you know Patrick well, you will understand the irony in his last statement. Anyways, on with it.

10. Great Grey Owl

Their cuteness factor is a little low, but the shape and characteristics of their faces are just too rad for them to not make the list.

9. Spotted Owl



I love their spotting and their big black eyes are just adorable. They're also on the smaller side, which also adds to cuteness factor.

8. Pygmy Owl

These little guys either look stunned or pissed, and it's awesome. Lower on my list because they have this hawk-look to them. I don't like hawks.

7. Barred Owl



They sort of resemble the spotted owl, but I like their markings better, and their little yellow beaks. Also, barred owls have that wise look to them.

6. Elf Owl



So small. Palm of your hand small. I would allow 50 of these in my house. Terry Sohl took this photo. No clue who he is, but he's gotten closer to an owl than I ever have, so he's probably an asshole.

5. Snowy Owl



These owls are obviously so high on my list because of their white colouring. They are by far the most beautiful species of owl.

4. Saw Whet Owl



Jesus H. Christ. Those eyes are just precious. I don't think these ones have any wise to them at all though...most look like they have a case of the 'hurrr durrr'.

3. Boreal Owl



You don't want to fuck with these guys. They mean business. Wikipedia told me they eat other birds and mammals. I like them because they look plumper and rounder and softer than other owls.

2. Burrowing Owl



Oh, these little poptarts. I fell in love with them years ago when I saw the movie "Hoot". These guys are cool because they live in burrows, rather than trees. I love how longer their legs are than other owls, and rely on them as much as their wings.

1. Barn Owl

My ultimate favourite. The colouring of their wings are amazing. Their faces are so unique and different. I just love them. By far prettiest owl.

34P. I don't even know what I'm doing.

I'm blogging because I can blog. Not because I really want to, or even have the energy for things like 'thinking logically' or 'bowel movements'.

No, I'm blogging today because it's almost 1:30, and I'm already out of viable time-wasting options.

I'm lying.

Oh god, don't take that the wrong way. I do like blogging, and feeling like I'm talking to you. Really, I do! It's not just a time-waster to me, or anything like that. I don't know what I'm saying. I don't even know what I'm doing.

In anything really. Ziad and I were practicing today, and we came across a little piece of Patrick. I really have no clue what I'm doing. When I play guitar, everything is automatic. Nothing is particularly conscious. Everything comes naturally.

Everything has always come naturally. Not just guitar either. Things I'm interested in. Soccer, video games, uh... drinking? Gosh, I'm boring. I better be damn good at this band thing, or I'm pretty much just another boring dude.

This blog post is even boring. I'm bored.

I need a haircut.

I shaved.

K, goodnight, or whatever.

33A. Post-bail fun!

Hey Julian,

Tough luck not getting Time magazine’s ‘Person of the Year’ title. Mark’s a complete loser, and has really bad hair. I don’t even like Facebook all that much. Too many privacy violations. Don’t get me wrong; I’m okay with others’ privacy being violated, just not my own. I may or may not be saying that just to impress you.

Anyways, I really think we should meet for drinks. I know this whole bail thing has you under “mansion arrest”, and your freedom is limited right now. But I’m totally cool with flying out to London. My mom has all these Air Miles she hasn’t cashed in yet, so I’m sure it’s no problem. Just have a driver and a car waiting for me at the airport that can take me out to the farmhouse.

Now, I’m just a little concerned about this 10pm curfew of yours. Is there a way around this? Of course not, that’s a silly question. I'll take care of it. Nothing fun happens before 11 anyways. Speaking of fun, I’m guessing I’ll have to stay over. I’m sure it’ll be no problem for me to crash, right? I know, you’re probably a little hesitant because of the whole sexual assault/rape allegations that landed you in jail recently. Just to be clear, I’m not some Swedish tease who cries rape after I consent to something. I’m Canadian; we barely even know what “consent” means.

Did I mention I’m a journalism graduate? Oh Mr. Assange, the conversations we will have! I love gossip, especially dirty political gossip. I bet Hilary isn’t even really a woman. Too many pant suits in her wardrobe. Anywho, I could just give you my digits, but I’m going to make you work for them. You’re a maverick, I’m sure you’ll find them.

xoxo
Amanda J.

32P. Let it rip!

It's been over 2 months since the last post on this blog, and I feel bad. Not because we have an avid readership (HI DARREN!) or because we've been too busy for fun or anything rational like that. I feel bad because we've neglected a living, breathing entity of internets.

Ok, it's not 'technically' living or breathing, but I still feel bad about the neglect. It's like not feeding a baby or pet or something. Except I'm pretty sure the blog won't like... die or whatever.

Speaking of which, how many days can a baby go without eating? Never mind. Stupid question.

It's 4:30 in the morning, and this is what happens. I mean, I had a moderately uneventful day... did some Christmas shopping and sat around, mostly. But I did manage to accomplish something 9-year-old me is super proud of, I'm sure.

I learned one of the songs from the Beyblade cartoon. Now, you may be asking yourself "But Patrick, don't you already know the theme song?" and you'd be right to do so. Yes, my band The Off Motive opens our set with the Beyblade theme song. But if you ever watched the show, you'd probably remember the battle music that would play during matches. Of all the songs they used, one called "All Across The Nation" by the band The Black Europeans was my favourite. Recently, I've taken up rewatching the entire series, and once again, I have fallen in love with this song. It's cheesy as hell, has no practical use outside the TV show itself, and isn't even that complicated of a song, yet I've been lost in its early 2000's pop-punk splendor all day. There's nothing like playing the lead riff, or belting the chorus like no one's watching.

After I learned the song, I really started to think back to the genesis of my musical taste. Other than blink-182, Simple Plan, Sum 41, Jimmy Eat World and Gob, the songs that always caught my attention were ones from my favourite TV shows. "All Across The Nation", "Here We Go" and "Run Around" (From Season 2 of Digimon), and the theme song from Sonic X always got me pumped, and eventually helped shape the songwriter I am today.

I guess I can say that my TV watching habits as a kid really determined the musician I became. I'm just really glad Beyblade didn't rely on heavy metal or country for their battle music. Who knows where I'd be then...

On a slightly related note, I wonder how much the old Beyblades are online?

EDIT (9 hours later): Holygoddamn, Beyblades are expensive. My birthday is in August, that'll give whoever wants to spend a kajillion dollars on me enough time to save up. I also want a pony.

31P. All the Magnemites

So, a couple of months back Amanda started Pokémon Red. While she was frustrated at first, she finally got the hang of it and came to love the series. She's since completed Gold and is working diligently on Ruby until she buys herself a DS.

Now, if you'd recall (if you read the blog and have an astoundingly good memory) I said I'd make a list of all the excellent quotations Amanda let fly while playing Pokémon Red for the first (and second) time.

Some of these are out of order because Amanda played through the game 3 times due to save file crashes.

"I talked to the guy. Do I have a badge now?"

"I can't believe I'm about to tell you what I'm about to tell you. I don't have a bike."

"God, that Gary is such an asshole."

"This isn't going quite as planned."

"You just wait till I get to the Elite Four; that's when all hell breaks loose!"

Amanda:"I'm in a stalemate and I can't do anything!"

Patrick:"Why, what's going on?"

Amanda:"Well I'm paralyzed, for starters..."

Amanda:"How come I can't get into the Gym?"

Patrick:"Because it's the last one. You come back here later."

-The Next Day-

Amanda:"So I think I have 3 Badges."

Patrick:"You already went through the SS Anne, got HM01 and beat Lt. Surge?"

Amanda:"No, but I've seen 3 gyms already."

...

Amanda:"Oh, no, wait. I couldn't do the first one. Do I have to go back?"

Patrick:"Did you catch an Abra yet?"

Amanda:"Oh, I'm WAY past there. I'm fine."

-The Next Day, at Celadon Gym-

Patrick:"You do realize getting an Abra would make your life a lot easier, right?"

Amanda:"..."

Patrick:"Oh, fuck. Just go buy one."

Amanda:"YOU MEAN I CAN JUST BUY AN ABRA!?"

*Instructs her to get the Coin Case, buy coins and get the Abra.*

Amanda:"Ok, so I'm at the Gym. But there's some jerk police guy standing in my way."

*She's talking about the Team Rocket guy in front of Saffron Gym, and she's meant to be (as per following the guide) going into the Fighting Dojo beside it.*

Patrick:"You're at the wrong place then."

*I'd forgotten the order of my guide, and knowing she'd just gotten to Celadon, she was at the wrong Gym.*

Amanda:"No I'm not! I followed your guide. It must be wrong."

Patrick:"I'm pretty sure it's right. Look it over."

*She reads through it, then goes over the map, the walks around in the game.*

Amanda:"Oh."

Patrick:"What?"

Amanda:"There are TWO buildings called GYM in this town!"

"My carpals hurt!"

Amanda:"But I don't have any flying Pokemon!"

Patrick:"What about that Spearow?"

Amanda:"Oh wait, I forgot birds fly."

Amanda:"I've been on this cinnabun island for over an hour."

Patrick:"I'll draw you a map."

Amanda:"That's what I was fishing for."

"Oh, Dugtrio just died. I guess I'll use (Kad)Abra, he saves me from everything."

"Should I sell my balls?"

Amanda:"I can't even tell you what just happened. Mostly because I don't even know."

Patrick:"What?"

Amanda:"I lost my save file."

Patrick:"Again?"

Amanda:"I can't even think about this."

On Bidoof:

Amanda:"His teeth are all over the place!"

Patrick:"Like, you've been beating on him so hard his teeth fell out?"

Amanda:"No, it was a joke. It was mean."

"You know which Pokémon I hate the most? Magnemite."

I would like to make a side note about this post. My computer recognizes the spelling of Pokemon correctly ONLY when there's an accent on the é. I love my Mac.