Day 86 - Another Break...

I am again back with another update. I was planning to post a few days ago, but my computer shut down on me for updates halfway through... Anyways, I'm back now, trying to keep up with my schoolwork and stuff. It's the time of year where the work is just non-stop, so I've been working and working. I hope this ends soon, as I am sick and tired of relentless work.

I've been writing articles on www.gamingpirates.com instead of doing blog posts here. Maybe I needed another break off this thing to just experience other writing positions. I think it helped me out a bit, as it got the ball rolling at Gaming Pirates. So far, nothing great has happened on the site, but we are staying strong and constantly update it, regardless if people read it or not. Sponsorship is what we need right now, so we are currently writing proposals and cover letters. Wish us luck in the future with GP! Visit us and join the forums at www.gamingpirates.com! I know I have asked before, but every little bit of support counts.

Spare time is spent preparing myself for Super Street Fighter 4 coming out next Tuesday. My friends and I have been playing and practicing and I'm really excited to get my hands on the game. The bad thing is that there are so many things due when Super rolls along, so I won't have any time to play.

I'm hoping to mod a Street Fighter SE stick with custom art and premium Japanese parts. I think it will be a fun project to do, as I am getting into small hobbies to experience and learn various things that could benefit me in the future. I'm not 100% sure about what I'm going to do, but I was thinking about doing a Purple Pigeon SB stick, outfitted with purple on white buttons and a purple pigeon sitting in the background. That's only one of my ideas, but I'm still deciding which one to use. I'm hoping to get the parts shipped from amazon.ca and lizardlick.com.

Alright, time to read Hemingway's "The Old Man and The Sea", and attempt to write and edit a proposal letter for Gaming Pirates.

G'night.

Day 85 - Recovery

Back at this blog again after a break. I've been busy with a lot of Street Fighter matches. Decided that I would switch to Bison to get out of the Ryu/Ken fanbase. Thought it'd be more interesting and challenging to get a character with different fundamentals and basics and start from scratch, and so far, it's been pretty fun.

I finished off the whole Gokusen series, including the movie. After many hours spent glued to the screen, I have to say that I'm really going to miss this show. When I first saw Gokusen 1, I didn't think much of it. Without knowing all the stars in the cast, it felt like just a regular drama. After watching the whole series however, I find that the show offers a charm and aura that is unmatchable. I hope and plan to watch the first Gokusen over. I'm sure I'll enjoy it much more.

Anyways, I am currently writing articles and managing the small forums at www.gamingpirates.com. The website offers reviews, gaming news, and esports coverage. I co-founded it with my friends Andrew and Chris and we have been working hard to get it up and running. So far, we have many articles up, as well as interviews with some pro Counterstrike players. Go check us out, sign up on the forums, and tell your friends! Any support is welcome.

I'm feeling much better from before, but my sore throat hasn't gone away. I've been sitting at home most of the time watching DSP vids all day long... definitely time well spent.

Time for bed...

G'night.

Day 84 - SICK

I feel so bad right now. Coughing up a storm and feeling very fatigued. Either way, it's not preventing me from doing what I usually do on a normal day at home, so I'm still SF4ing and watching Gokusen 3 on my spare time. I actually felt pretty bad in the morning and had to skip the first half of the day, but I made it back for the afternoon.

My friend lent me a TE stick, so I have been playing A LOT of SF4 with it. I love it a lot, and I find that I am playing better. The links are coming out easier and there is less effort put in when pulling off combos. I'm still not that used to the loose tension of the stick itself, but I'm getting used to it. Currently, I'm practicing Bison and Sagat, but I'm still maining Ken.

Better get some extra sleep tonight, so I'm watching one more episode of Gokusen 3 and then heading to bed.

G'night.

Day 83 - Gokusen 2

Finished Gokusen 2 today after school. I really liked how this drama was paced, and even though it took me awhile to get used to the cast, I really liked them in the end. I didn't really know anyone in the class except for Koike Teppei, who was in Dragon Zakura, but now I have a bunch of actors/actresses that are in my good books.

Like the previous one, Gokusen 2 is funny and witty, but still has its serious side. Overall, it is a great experience to watch, and I encourage anyone to watch either Gokusen 1 or 2. There's actually a 3rd one that came out in 2008. I'm going to start it today and finally finish off this series by at least next week.

Tomorrow, I have two hockey games to play. It's going to be hectic because there's also going to be a charity game between the two which I will have to attend. Three games in one day... I'm going to be so tired.

I'll post again tomorrow. I have a bunch of plans for the weekend.

G'night.

Day 82 - Uncharted 2

I finished Uncharted 2 today, and just like the first one, didn't disappoint. I really like the characters and how the ending turned out to be. It felt just like watching a good action movie without the crappy acting. A problem I had with the game was during the last few chapters, it was nonstop fighting, and it felt drawn out and repetitive after awhile. The fighting cut off at the right spot though, and it managed to end with a bang. I'd love to play it again.

Now that I have Uncharted 2 out of the way, I think I have to get back to FFXIII. Just like Uncharted 2, it seems like nonstop fighting at this part of the game, and it just feels repetitive and boring. I guess I needed a break from the game. Now after a week has passed, my hiatus has ended, and I will start playing once again.

That's it for today. Tired from hockey and SF4. I'll watch an episode of Gokusen 2 and go to bed. Good show so far.

G'night.

Songs of the day:

Reflection Eternal by Nujabes
Give it All by Rise Against

Day 81 - Study Hard

I'm back with another blog post. Unfortunately, I have been pretty busy with other things, mainly schoolwork and SF4. Seems like I have been slacking a little bit in school...and my marks show it. I definitely need to smarten up for the latter part of the semester, as I need to keep my 90% average intact to get my scholarship. I have a test and a quiz tomorrow, so we'll see how those go.

I finally hit the 2000 BP mark in SF4 online play, but my achievement was quickly swiped from my hands by the skills of much better players. I swiftly dropped to 1781 BP, and I'm pretty pissed at how I was playing a few moments ago. I guess I just wasn't feeling it at that moment. I can't wait for April 27th so I can snag a TE stick. I'm fed up with the dropped inputs and overall shoddy quality of my current fight stick. I know I mentioned this before, but it's been gradually annoying me ever since I tried better fight sticks. Upgrade ASAP.



How to Train your Dragon was an awesome movie. Saw it on Saturday at STC, and was pleasantly surprised. What turned out to be a last minute plan ended up becoming a great movie experience. The 3-D was great, but I could have left it out and it would have still been awesome. The visuals don't disappoint, and the underlying moral and theme is well played. 8.5/10



I also saw Gran Torino when I got home. Very good movie! The character Walt, played by Clint Eastwood, is intriguing, and unintentionally funny with his racist and rude remarks. The character progression in the movie seems fast, but works well and puts a smile on your face as you watch. Though the acting from some characters were just god-awful, the movie still manages to be enjoyable and inspiring. 9/10



Alright, that's about it for today. Had to cram in all weekend's shenanigan's in one post. Going to watch an episode of Gokusen 2 and head to bed.

G'night.

Day 80 - LAN

Went to another LAN today with my friends Andrew and Josh. This one was pretty fun, and faced a bunch of Seneca college students. There were a couple of very good players, but the rest were okay. With an entrance fee of only $2, it was totally worth going, as there was free pizza and drinks as well. Too bad there wasn't a proper scrim going, although pubbing is fun at times.

Anyways got home and practiced some SF4 and played until now. Gotta head to bed soon though, as I'm pretty exhausted and eye-sore from being in front of screens all day long.

BTW, this movie is awesome. Thanks Josh McGeown for letting me borrow it.



G'night.