Golgo 13

Yeah, that's basically it. http://youtube.com/watch?v=PXEKEZKOako New Shippuuden OP. Also what looks to be filler and/or upcoming movie characters, though it doesn't look too painful. It's a good thing if it means more Asuma and Team 10. Speaking of the new season, here's most of what's coming up:

Let's chalk it up to our different levels of exposure and tolerances. I watched as the anime was aired as intended and subbed, switching to the novels shortly after it finished airing. I don't mind that Haruhi is the only viable option. It makes things more interesting, sure, but romance in anime doesn't have to be predicated on a harem setting or any number of other rivals. It's more a romance between Kyon/Haruhi than true harem, anyway, and there's nothing wrong with it being any more. Sometimes it's just forced and if Kyon's lust toward Mikuru, for example, was anything more than that or recriprocated in any way, it'd probably feel the same way. She's basically there for service at the outset and to present the slim possibility of a relationship, which is shot down quickly with older Mikuru's appearance and her own dismissal. What's interesting on that front is what eventually led everyone, and Kyon and Mikuru herself, to that point. It's as much the journey, like I said. It's fine to me that her and any other rivals are basically a means or stimulus toward Kyon/Haruhi and the plot itself. Since it seems you watched on DVD I can see how that would be a problem. I thought they should've released it in broadcast order on all versions, but that's just me. Though I can reason why they did and decided to print them as broadcasted on the deluxe DVDs only. I don't necessarily think it's a fault of the studio, author, or the concept itself. Just the companies who decided to release it on DVD the way they did. Since I read the novels, too, I can look at it as a whole. I know what's coming and I can't wait. Even if no third season is ever released, I wouldn't mind that much since I would have that to fall back on. I think additional seasons are basically guaranteed. If not right away, then at some point, and I'm willing to wait it out, though I can understand that some may not be. It definitely wasn't a sure thing once the anime began, but since it's turned into the success it has, episodes will be released as long as the story and the money to be made off it demand it. I'm also more tolerant toward the practice than a lot seem to be. The only time it doesn't pan out is when the series is bad to begin with and doesn't really deserve a second season anyway.

I've always seen Haruhi as a love it leave it show. You either like it or you don't, but since I'm of the former and am further in the story thanks to novel translations and have a different perspective, let's see if I can make a counter. Yeah, you can grasp the plot either way, but the Haruhi/broadcast order is by far the most enjoyable and recommended, and should be watched first. The Kyon order is better served as a second viewing just to catch anything that was missed. There's more a sense of surprise with the Haruhi order, in both the main plotline and the side stories you're left wondering what'll come next. Since it's mainly built around the one book, Melancholy, it has a much better lead up to the climax and features what's intended to be the true finale of the series as it's presented in the book without giving it all away. Meanwhile the Kyon order closes out Melancholy early, slows up and ends with Someday in the Rain. A nice, original episode to be sure, and one that emphasizes the day to day and romantic aspects over the chaos in the Haruhi storyline, but one that isn't really suited as a big finale and doesn't really make someone want to watch more. I'm saying maybe the lack of fervor and slow end in the Kyon order makes it disappointing to some if that's what they watch first. The anachronistic order is also, more or less, the format in which the novel series is presented and is probably the way the second season will be too, meaning it's as intended, and that's always been a big thing to me. I think the mix of concepts, sci-fi, mystery, harem, romance, school life, all of it, is what made it refreshing. For trying to do all of that at once it is balanced and pulls off everything well. I can understand how, to you, there wasn't enough of the why or how since there was too much going on, but as someone further along, some of those nagging questions do get answered at some point, we do find out what happened in the past, etc. And while it is as much philosophy and theorizing (see: Koizumi), what fun is it if everything were answered so easily. What the novels do is get around to some things, but after that, it opens up more questions and introduces other elements. Basically the road to wherever it's going and the questions constantly being raised is part of the reason I like the series so much. While it'll always revolve around Haruhi and her threat, there is much less emphasis on her as time goes on, she does mellow, and what's in her head becomes just one part of everything going on around them. So without giving too much away, we do get to see some depth and development for other characters later, and no longer is it the Haruhi show like it was early on. It may not mean much to you, but there is more to it.

I like to think Nintendo learned their lesson about haphazardly dishing out their licenses after the Mario movie and various other nonsense like the CD-I crap. They wouldn't let something like that happen again, but no one else seems to have gotten a clue either. The only real evidence in Nintendo's favor is that they've managed to stay away from it all since. When the best video games have to offer is the Mortal Kombat or Resident Evil series, maybe Tomb Raider, then that's pretty bad. Of course this looks lousy, it's basically a fanmade trailer. The concept itself isn't so bad, though, and with real actors and better effects it'd look much better. However there are just some games that wouldn't transfer well (realistically speaking) and I've always thought Zelda is one of them. Well there'll always be that one Zelda-like movie Andrew talked about in the past.

That Trans Am not cutting it for you anymore?

You'll want to buy a price guide or find a recent listing online. The easiest route is to buy or find someone with the most recent copy of Toyfare and hopefully they'll have a Masters listing in that month's guide, through which you can get a bead on what they're worth. Someone more knowledgeable than I may be able to point you toward a free online guide. What you'll get is dependent on market demand and the condition of the packages themselves. If there are tears, folds and bends, dented plastic, etc., expect the value to decrease, though in package will generally be worth more than if they were loose. Remember that price guides nor the market are absolute. There are some prices here, though they're from way back in 1999. I can only assume they've gone up since, but you never know.

Your not very perceptive. Did you see the end? He's the ultimate heel. He plays possom outside, hoping to get counted out. His contingency plan is to make Hardy push his dead weight into the ring and as soon as he slides in WHAM. Match over. It's a strategy, not as simple as "he got his ass kicked then won". So Hardys that weak, that he can hit Orton with move after move, and his finisher on the outside, and it doesn't even phase him? He still has the energy and thought to play possom and hit his finisher like nothings happened to him? I liked the finish itself, just not the sell by Orton after the match.

All I know is that I better be an announcer if/when I retire. Tom and Mark Stevens? Just throwing a face name out there. As long as someone, whether it's Tom or King, is there to verbally fellate me at every turn.

As someone who buys Madden once every few years and doesn't really pay attention to it in between, what I meant to infer was what seems to be a common gripe with the series, in that every edition is merely an incremental upgrade over the last, or so I hear. However, in SvR's case, such a tactic every now and then would only be a benefit, a chance to look at what needs to really be fixed without the need to do too much. It was only after Madden took a much needed break in 96 on the Playstation that they were able to adequately prepare themselves for the next, and so on, rather than release a sub-standard game and attempt to build off that. But speaking of Madden, it's usually already tight in other areas and I've never seen a new 'big' feature of theirs really take away from the game, unlike SvR. I think I mentioned it last year, but regarding CAW, it's quite behind what we should be able to do after a decade of having the option. It could be more than it is, but due to whatever reason, it's very limiting when it could be much more free and simply better. The crotch and ass blur isn't even funny at this point, that we can't flip images if we want is a pain, we should be able to 'slide' tattoos, pictures, etc., wherever we want on the body instead of being limited by region, and instead of being limited to a few sizes for a design part we should be able to modify size like we would, say, sleeve length. Considering they keep taking away design (patterns, for example) and moves options, it's really doing nothing but regressing at this point. I believe the one bit of progress recently has been the addition of more layers and the ability to add entrance music on next gen. I'm not a complete pessimist so I'll admit to having wanted and liking Create A Finisher and downloadable content.

I have no faith in the series anymore. I think a year off and a total creative overhaul is needed to regain some footing and focus on what really needs to be done and what doesn't, but that'll never happen as long as it continues to bring in money. I mean, all this is fine. However, in the end all it does is leave something else unattended. It seems they dream big and have all these great ideas every year that sound good on paper. But overlooking the little things like they tend to do, it only makes the game worse when you have concepts and things left over from nearly a decade ago beneath the constant attempts to modernize the series. I know this a problem that people have with something like Madden, but if not a year off, then SvR needs one of those incremental upgrades where they go back and straighten out the little things before going back to big concepts again. For a series that's as old as it is, it wouldn't hurt. I know people would bitch for the time being, but it would come out better in the long run. Anyway, over/under on whether they attempt to tweak the grapple system again, only to make it worse and more limiting than before?

Well last time I couldn't get on to turn anything in and wasted Alexander's effort. This time I didn't get anything until Tuesday since he was busy and I thought Battleground wasn't until Friday.

That's all the more reason to keep him locked in. And it's not as fun if the board can't go in and prod away as they please. The point is to humiliate and teach the prisoners the errors of their way until they become productive, law abiding members of TSM again.

I'm all for changing up the team, but have no ideas on who to substitute.

For audio dBpoweramp is all I need. It handles everything. I'm not sure about issues with protection though.

That's basically my own grudge talking since I just dislike the guy. Which has as much to do with my dislike for American Idol as it does with him, but it remains nonetheless. He's affable to some, I know, but all I can see is this huge asshole. College kids are at least half of Price is Right's audience anyway. Rosie is Rosie. Awful. George Hamilton is ancient to me and his orange hue is really distracting. Carey is a good approachable everyman with large mainstream appeal without being extremely divisive, basically as likable and safe as the next. I really thought they would do everything to get O'Hurley in. He comes across as a safe option for those who liked Barker without going to far in the Hamilton direction and has enough appeal among the 18-35 crowd. Who knows if he was ever under strong enough consideration though.

He's alright and was the second best choice of those rumored. George Hamilton? Ryan Seacrest? Rosie O'Donnell? I hate to think who they would replace him with if those were the forerunners before. The best was probably John O'Hurley but I'll take Drew.

http://www.reuters.com/news/video/videoStory?videoId=58491 Real. There are also wholphins. Basically any of the big cats can be crossbred with each other, too, it's not limited to just tigers and lions. My favorite is the zonkey.

From what I know her Rest was taken down a notch. There's not as much initial damage dealt, they don't fly as far, and in fact, they fly straight up rather than off to the side like before. In lieu, it now plants a Flower on their head, which does additional damage for as long as it's on. It can still kill under 100% depending on weight.

Cinco de Mayo is pretty analogous to St. Patrick's Day, isn't it. But they actually celebrate St. Patrick's in Ireland while Cinco de Mayo is basically unrecognized and has little relevance in Mexico. Maybe I noticed it more living where I do in Denver, but all the bullshit that goes for St. Patricks also goes for Cinco de Mayo. I couldn't tell you how many people of descent have no idea of its origins, first of all. Yeah, when I was younger it was basically an excuse for anyone and everyone to cut out of school by citing the holiday as the reason when asked. Then it would cause even more assholes than usual to cruise Federal Blvd., slowing it to a crawl and clogging it up for miles, while a dirty Mexican flag would wave proudly off the antenna of their shitty cars while they blasted shitty rap and Mexican music, when I would actually be trying to get somewhere. Of course you had the drinking and the assholes attempting to pick fights every so often, the occasional violence whether it be one of those fights, or a stabbing, maybe a shooting, and the occasional accident whenever a dumbass with all his friends hanging out of the windows and the flag blocking his sight would swerve and swipe a pole, jump a curb, bump another car, or run a barricade. The latter is kind of funny, watching the guy and his buddies mourn the state of their car, no matter how shitty it is, even when it's just a scratch. The only plus would be a drunk girl every now and then flashing her fat, floppy pancake tits, if it could be called a highlight, since they were usually in their mid-twenties with at least one kid, overweight and none too pretty, honestly. And if they were decent, it wouldn't matter anyway, since their normally pretty face would be caked in make-up with eyebrows drawn on with a pencil, basically alien like. There's nothing in it for me. Fuck Cinco de Mayo. Everyone with half a brain in the city knows it's nothing more than an excuse to act dumb, much like St. Patrick's Day itself, and has nothing to do with cultural affinity. Least during St. Patrick's I can choose not to go out drinking in a crowded asshole and bro filled bar and spare my dignity by not drinking wacky, festive green, and can generally avoid everything else. Cinco de Mayo shuts the city down and makes it unbearable and I fucking hate it. I like nothing better than taking a few off and retreating into my house so I can avoid the shit because it's so invasive here.

Like a dagger in my heart.

I love Animal Crossing. But who knows if it'll be released in time when there's no information and no set release date in Japan yet. But here's something.

Animal Crossing should be out in time. Maybe.

Floyd Mayweather, 39-0 as a professional fighting the best in the world versus Elijah Burke, with an unsubstantiated and, if it is true, padded amateur record who made his career fighting in nightclubs and presumably hasn't boxed in years. Yeah.

Because it wasn't fit for the topic I neglected to mention the numerous other sprains and twists while playing sports that have contributed to screwing over my knees and ankles. I can probably look forward to some major surgery sometime later. I also forgot about falling out of a tree when I was six, but all that happened there was a lump on the head. It seems I hit my head a lot. What I figured during the roof jump was that since I had previously jumped off the top of a playground jungle gym thing into soft sand and came through unscathed, the roof must be safe since they were roughly the same height. I'm not really as clumsy and accident prone as it seems, though, and I always figured my entire history was a standard one. I've generally managed to avoid injury once I gained the foresight that stuff like jumping off roofs and playing through concussions wasn't smart. Thankfully my flirtations with skateboarding and BMX ended quick and that I never got into backyard wrestling, otherwise I might've broken my neck by now. Maybe it's something of a minor miracle that I've never had a major freak injury since that giant station wagon or the cellar door could've done a lot more damage, but didn't. It's also why I don't drink that often or that much since I know I'll do something really stupid eventually.

TL;DR injury history. Because everything is dumb. I was playing catch and lapsed for a moment, during which the ball short hopped off the street, came up and smacked my lower lip, causing it to bruise and swell for a week. Playing basketball in PE one time, I took a shoulder to the face when I dropped my head as the guy I was guarding began to drive, resulting in a busted and possibly broken nose which bled out for the rest of the period and was swollen for a while after, never bothering to get it checked out. Smacking the back of my head into a steel pole after a lay-up during a basketball game, knocking myself out briefly. We always played football during lunch. In the span of a week I was kneed in the head during a tackle, got upended and dropped on the back of my head and later had the full weight of someone else drop down on my head and neck, each one worsening the concussion I got the first time. It was pretty dumb not to get some rest, after the last I said 'fuck it' and went to the sideline, totally out of it and going on to fall asleep before someone snapped me out of it and deciding to head home. And though no one was really at fault nor was it dumb, just because this one kid was this fat, annoying white trash fuck who had this permanent BO stench, one time during football, this guy got me by the legs and landed on my foot during a tackle, resulting in a sprained ankle which lingered for a month, at least, and never really healed properly. We were messing around outside at midnight or so once. Naturally, while heading down this hill while running, I forgot about my friend's skate rail and tripped, landing on my face on the concrete. I wanted to hurry home during a rainstorm in the middle of the night on my bike. Of course I slid out, came to a stop and lingered home, covered in cuts, scrapes and road rash shit, and got a cold from being out in the rain. When I was younger I did basically the same thing during a sunny day, cutting up my knee bad when I lost my footing on the pedal. Fucking up my shoulder when jumping my dirt bike off this sketchy homemade ramp and crashing. While exiting a station wagon before it came to a complete stop during a school thing, the back tire rolled over my foot. I wasn't really injured, though I was put on crutches and made the BUTT of jokes the rest of the year for being such a dumbass. Our elementary field was total shit. It wasn't suitable for anyone and was completely covered in gravel and prickers. Against better judgment I was always there, scraping up my arms and legs constantly whenever I fell. The scars were there for a while, but are mostly gone now. Sliced the back of my head/ear open after catching the corner of the coffee table. Messed up my knee when trying to jump and clear a hill, down to the sidewalk. Years later I tried another stupid jump off the roof of a single story and messed my knee up again. Tripped and messed myself up trying to do a single jump onto the top of a fence and taking a header there. Took a header while riding my bike down the steps leading up to my house. Fell off the porch of that same house, seven or eight feet onto a leftover stump and knocking the wind out of myself. Lasted a while before I could breathe proper again. While sliding around on newly waxed floors, I came into the baseboard and messed my foot up, the entire thing was bruised and swollen for two weeks after. While messing around with my cousin, he pushed me and I fell. I tried to catch myself and broke my forearm/wrist. Had a bulky cast for the rest of the summer/beginning of the school year. Finally I was running through the house like a jackass, and while going through the back I slipped, bumping into this heavy cellar door being held up by a chain and jarring it loose. As my thumb hung over the step, down comes the door onto my hand, slicing open my thumb. I had to go to the hospital to get stitches and was bawling most of the way there, though being able to see down to the bone was pretty cool. The knuckle sticks out now and the scar is still there. Part of me wishes I had a cool appendage length scar. Like, elbow to wrist. That would have to be a good story.