NoCalMike

So I have had the PS3 for approx six months. I weighed all the options beforehand and actually was very close to buying a 360, but then once the $399 price drop happened, I decided to go with the 40gb PS3. I liked the 360 but found that most of it's exclusives seemed to be FPS games and while I find some entertaining, I am not a huge FPS fan. (Which sounds weird now because I have Resistance and plan on getting Rainbow Six Vegas 2, and Resistance 2, but I promise I am not that big of a FPS fan) I honestly am not sure where all the hate for it comes from besides people who just outright hate Sony and/or their desire to control a bigger chunk of the gaming world. Ratchet & Clank was a damn fun game, Uncharted: Drakes Fortune was a cool adventure game that begs for a longer sequel, DMC 4 was amazing, and Assassin's Creed was a visual pleasure while the game itself albeit short, was a crafty gem. Yes I know, some of these were also available on the 360. With games coming out more frequently now, and a lot of good titles on the way I don't buy the "no good games" bullshit that is still being peddled by some. Also, it isn't that the PS3 is this "hard complicated" system to program for, it is just different. The same thing was said about the PS2 in the beginning, and the PS2 turned out pretty damn well for itself. The Blu-Ray player. I don't care what the haters say, it is pretty awesome having not only a blu-ray player, but a pretty damn good blu-ray player(not to mention an upconverting dvd player to boot) in a gaming system at no extra cost, and while blu-ray discs themselves have priced themselves out of my budget for now, it is still considered a good investment for the future. Playstation eye; pretty crafty add-on I bought that allows me to do video chat with my best friend who now resides in Houston, TX. I will admit, if it wasn't for that factor, I probably wouldn't have bought it because there is not enough other things it is useful for YET. Oh and it also works as a mic for games, so now you have the option to not have to wear a headset of any sort and the mic has a very strong range. So yeah pretty much overall I am happy with my PS3, and I don't know of anyone who owns one that has any complaints. It seems like most of the hate is coming from people that didn't want, and will never want one in the first place.

This is all assumption on my part, but I think maybe one of the reasons why movies like Juno or Clerks end up written the way they are is because maybe the writers themselves are relating to themselves at that age rather then the more "normal" crowds. I can personally look back on my years in highschool and remember a lot of kids that were "outsiders" or "geeks" or whatever, but the only reason they were considered "nerdy" is because that is what the high school enviornment breeds. I am sure after highschool they were considered as normal as anyone else because they went out and found plenty of other people like them. In high school if you are not part of the "normal" crowd then it doesn't necessarily mean there is anything wrong with you, you just have different interests that might not be the same as others. Now, while my high school was not full of little Junos or Dante/Randalls running around the halls, I can easily think of people here and there that they remind me of, and maybe the writers of these scripts were those type of people in highschool and that is why they are writing scripts that tell stories from their perspective. People like Juno or Dante & Randall seem funny and like pretty cool people now, but could you imagine two guys debating Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi in highschool they would be called nerds and stuffed in a locker. EDIT: I am not comparing Clerks/Juno as movies, just commenting on how some people always seem to complain about quirky/witty writing in high schooler movies.

With the way cable overcharges for their programming, just imagine how much will get passed onto to the customer once they start offering "Exciting New Fiber Optic Cable"

Ron Paul and Ralph Nader's agreements on opinions begin and end with wanting to get out of the war in Iraq.

I found this quote by McCain rather amusing.... So a message of hope is a naive approach to spread to countries looking to america for......HOPE???

If this show turns out half as good as it looks on paper, it could be one of the better shows in awhile.

The season starts April 2nd... So with the spoilers being revealed I have a question

Nah, don't quiet down, this forum needs more diverse opinions. (Of course I am not sure if your quote above is sarcasm or not ) I don't really disagree that the economy is right up there, and might be the #1 issue right now, but I just feel there is a difference between primary election issues and general election issues, and if McCain starts up the "Democrats want to wave the white flag of defeat"-2004 style rhetoric, in the Presidential debates, then it is going to thrust the war back into the spotlight.

That's true, but I don't think that's going to be the case. It's calming down, and if anything he'll take credit for that. Iraq won't be the big issue, and I think, of all the candidates on the Republican side, he probably looked the strongest. I mean, out of Republicans who didn't support the war, he took a third of the vote. This isn't the Achilles' Heel that it once was, and I don't think it will turn worse any time soon. This is going to be decided on the economy. That's a misnomer; it's not his only answer, and I don't think that's a truly unpopular issue (As we are getting another tax package from Congress again). Really, this is only an issue with people with people who weren't going to vote for him in the first place and nothing more. I think trade and where jobs are going is going to be a much, much more relevant issue than "tax cuts". On healthcare "free market solution" is his answer which means WHAT exactly? NAY Privatizing Social Security? NAY Just because he isn't Mitt Romney doesn't make him less wrong(well "wrong" meaning not on the side of the majority of the american public) on the bigger issues. Having a moderate view on immigration is going to hurt him just as much as it might help him. I am failing to see where John McCain 2008 is not conservative straight down the line on the more important issues and how in the least he looks like a figure that is going to unite rather then continue the big divide. Forget about what the guy might have said in 2000, the guy has changed his tune. I'm glad that you essentially backed off all your other points to simply talk about other things rather than answer me. But whatever. On your other things: Yes, Republicans have always been weak on Healthcare when it comes to the public. But this is the economy, stupid. At least, that's how you just put it before. And how much has Social Security really come up this season? Not much. People are more concerned with having a job so they can make it to social security, first. If you want to talk about issues, fine, but let's face facts: Economy is number one. Healthcare is up there, but Social Security? Grasping at straws. I'd probably argue Immigration/Border Security is more important. And McCain's immigration policy will easily gain him more votes, because the Republicans that are critical of him aren't the type to go over to Obama and it'll help him with the Latino votes that Obama has been having trouble securing. It's a moderate issue where he can actually win, and I'm not sure how you can try and paint it any other way. I'm not sure what the hell you are talking about when it comes to "This isn't 2000", as he's not that much different from 2000. The only real change is his wanting to keep the Bush tax cuts, and that's really about it. And I'm not sure you're view is "the majority of Americans": I understand you believe that you think most of the public is on your side, but your analysis of "the public is more liberal, but Conservatives keep power with a few key issues" just doesn't ring true. I think you're missing the fact that maybe America is about an even split when it comes down to it. I didn't back off all my other points. I was simply listing off more issues that I think will hurt McCain come election time, depending of course if he has or hasn't changed his mind on the issues AGAIN by then.... http://www.thecarpetbaggerreport.co...ives/14447.html When he got to Congress, McCain was a rather conventional conservative Republican. After his role in the Keating Five scandal, McCain took on a reform-minded persona. By 1999, he was a self-described “maverick” and moderate, who would move the GOP to the center. By 2004, McCain was back to being a conservative again. By 2007, he had positioned himself as an establishment Republican, and when that didn’t work out, McCain decided he’d become some kind of hybrid of the various McCains of the recent past. If I didn’t know better, I’d say McCain has very few core values, and is willing to shift with the wind to get ahead. It’s one of the reasons he’s flip-flopped all over the place throughout the campaign. I have a very hard time understanding how it is this guy earned a reputation for “consistency.” The only thing consistent about McCain’s policy towards Iraq is that it changes every few months. Of course, that fits into a pattern with the senator. Long-time readers know what this means: it’s time to update the list of John McCain Biggest Flip-Flops. * McCain used to champion the Law of the Sea convention, even volunteering to testify on the treaty’s behalf before a Senate committee. Now he opposes it. * McCain was a co-sponsor of the DREAM Act, which would grant legal status to illegal immigrants’ kids who graduate from high school. Now he’s against it. * In 2006, McCain sponsored legislation to require grassroots lobbying coalitions to reveal their financial donors. In 2007, after receiving “feedback” on the proposal, McCain told far-right activist groups that he now opposes the measure. * McCain has been both open and closed to a redeploy-to-perimeter strategy in Iraq. * McCain said before the war in Iraq, “We will win this conflict. We will win it easily.” Four years later, McCain said he knew all along that the war in Iraq war was “probably going to be long and hard and tough.” * McCain said he was the “greatest critic” of Rumsfeld’s failed Iraq policy. In December 2003, McCain praised the same strategy as “a mission accomplished.” In March 2004, he said, “I’m confident we’re on the right course.” In December 2005, he said, “Overall, I think a year from now, we will have made a fair amount of progress if we stay the course.” * McCain went from saying he would not support repeal of Roe v. Wade to saying the exact opposite. * McCain went from saying gay marriage should be allowed, to saying gay marriage shouldn’t be allowed. * McCain criticized TV preacher Jerry Falwell as “an agent of intolerance” in 2002, but then decided to cozy up to the man who said Americans “deserved” the 9/11 attacks. * McCain used to oppose Bush’s tax cuts for the very wealthy, but he reversed course in February. * In 2000, McCain accused Texas businessmen Sam and Charles Wyly of being corrupt, spending “dirty money” to help finance Bush’s presidential campaign. McCain not only filed a complaint against the Wylys for allegedly violating campaign finance law, he also lashed out at them publicly. In April, McCain reached out to the Wylys for support. * McCain supported a major campaign-finance reform measure that bore his name. In June, he abandoned his own legislation. * McCain used to think that Grover Norquist was a crook and a corrupt shill for dictators. Then McCain got serious about running for president and began to reconcile with Norquist. * McCain took a firm line in opposition to torture, and then caved to White House demands. * McCain opposed a holiday to honor Martin Luther King, Jr., before he supported it. * McCain was against presidential candidates campaigning at Bob Jones University before he was for it. * McCain was anti-ethanol. Now he’s pro-ethanol. * McCain was both for and against state promotion of the Confederate flag. * McCain decided in 2000 that he didn’t want anything to do with former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, believing he “would taint the image of the ‘Straight Talk Express.’” Kissinger is now the Honorary Co-Chair for his presidential campaign in New York. Now, it’s worth noting that there are worse qualities in a presidential candidate than changing one’s mind about a policy matter or two. McCain has been in Congress for decades; he’s bound to shift now and then on various controversies. But therein lies the point — McCain was consistent on most of these issues, right up until he started running for president, at which point he conveniently abandoned practically every position he used to hold. The problem isn’t just the incessant flip-flops; it’s the shameless pandering and hollow convictions behind the incessant flip-flops. It’s a shame what running for the Republican nomination will do to a guy, isn’t it?

That's true, but I don't think that's going to be the case. It's calming down, and if anything he'll take credit for that. Iraq won't be the big issue, and I think, of all the candidates on the Republican side, he probably looked the strongest. I mean, out of Republicans who didn't support the war, he took a third of the vote. This isn't the Achilles' Heel that it once was, and I don't think it will turn worse any time soon. This is going to be decided on the economy. That's a misnomer; it's not his only answer, and I don't think that's a truly unpopular issue (As we are getting another tax package from Congress again). Really, this is only an issue with people with people who weren't going to vote for him in the first place and nothing more. I think trade and where jobs are going is going to be a much, much more relevant issue than "tax cuts". On healthcare "free market solution" is his answer which means WHAT exactly? NAY Privatizing Social Security? NAY Just because he isn't Mitt Romney doesn't make him less wrong(well "wrong" meaning not on the side of the majority of the american public) on the bigger issues. Having a moderate view on immigration is going to hurt him just as much as it might help him. I am failing to see where John McCain 2008 is not conservative straight down the line on the more important issues and how in the least he looks like a figure that is going to unite rather then continue the big divide. Forget about what the guy might have said in 2000, the guy has changed his tune.

If a TV has a 1920x1080 ratio does that mean it is pretty much 1080p? I was at Samsclub and a 56" flat panel Panasonic w/stand was $901. That is about the cheapest I have seen a TV of that size that is a flat panel and includes the stand....the advertising label had everything labeled on it, except whether it was a 1080p or not.

Get some autographed pics of Art Monk & Darrell Green for me, would ya? Thanks.

I think I applied/answered an ad for a clerical position at Primerica, and they called me for an interview for "clerical/customer service" but they tried to by sly about it and not be very descriptive about the job. They said the first thing I would do is come in and watch a short presentation, and if I liked what I saw, I could stay around for an interview, my "WTF" radar started going haywire, so I did some online research and found out it was a big scam and there was no actual "clerical position" available in the first place.....

It The War indeed turns out to be the biggest issue, McCain is not in favor of ending it anytime soon. On the economy, his answer is to make the Bush tax cuts permanent. Two unpopular decisions on probably the two biggest issues in the eyes of the voters.

So Gina already had to drop one scheduled fight to train for Season 1, so what is going to be her priority, season 2 or her next fight? I guess it is possible the two won't conflict...

Commuter - Young Hearts

When I first saw the trailer I liked what I saw, but the more I see it the less appealing it looks....maybe cause I am seeing the same scenes over and over again.

UnderOath - my friend sold me big time, I guess he really liked their first album, but after that shitfest of the show my friend asked the lead singer about their new sound and the guy straight up told him they were going for a more "emo" sound. This was back when people thought it was hip to be emo I guess Profressional Murder Music - well this is a runner up because I really came to see the opening act "My Ruin" but decided to stick around, and man did I ever regret it......I should have known better when a guy I was waiting in line to get in with said "yeah man this is like my favorite new band out there other than TAPROOT" :spits out beer:

Yeah see that is the thing. I am pretty happy with the TV I have, and I have blu-ray(ps3) and a nice surround sound system. I know the blu-ray would look THE BEST on 1080p but it doesn't look too shabby at all on my 1080i set. It does seem that the trend in stores is that maybe within a year all the sets available are going to be 1080p, and then the prices should be dropping faster. I think I should hold off on getting a new tv until 1080p is the HD standard and not just the "premium option" Instead, I should use this extra cash coming on upgrading my computer's memory(not like the cost is measurable to buying a new tv, but I mean I will probably upgrade my computer and then save a bunch of money, I think my wife wants a new bed....)

A friend of a friend was a supervisor of one of the programs. I filled out an application, name-dropped a little, got an interview, then a panel interview, and I was good to go. I am still currently at the job, but I hate it and am looking for other work.....for more read my blog

The best part of Rock of Love is the reunion because you basically found out that he was sleeping with a good number of the girls from the get-go, even ones that knew he had no intention of picking them as the winner (Lacy, the red-headed one from season one) and then you have a girl that legit wants to fall in love with him(I forgot her name, she had short blonde hair and tattoos), yet as a reasonable person she can't let her guard down to trust him enough because he is sleeping with women that he is eliminating the very next day. Clever editing during the seasons, usually gets exposed during the reunion shows because everyone starts bringing up stuff the viewers had no idea about.

I have a question: What, if any are the cost differences in manufacturing a 720p tv and a 1080p tv. I ask this because right now a lot of places are selling the 47" inch 720p Vizio TV for aronund $800, but the 1080p version is almost double the price. I could see a few hundred more, but DOUBLE THE PRICE? The only reason I see for this is if they are just selling the 720p on some type of clearance to get rid of all remaining 720p sets in order to make a bigger emphasis on newer 1080p sets. Does it really cost that much more to manufacture a 1080p tv or do they know they can still just get away with charging that much more because people are so enamoured with "1080p"

The thing is these shows are for pure entertainment, and the fact that Bret Michaels keeps bringing up how he was burned by an ex that was stripper, yet he is basically trying to find "true love" in the same type of enviornment. The show is funny, I watch it, but expecting "true love" is hilarious. I think the best looking girl left is the tall skinny blonde chick that resembles Stacy Kibler's body-type. Oh and that Tila Tequilla show is the fakest of them all, they had her signed up for a 2nd season before she even picked the winner in season 1's finale. There was an article in which he was interviewed and said upon winning he was basically whisked away from the set, never got Tila's contact information and hasn't heard from her since. LOL.

Rainbow Six Vegas 2 looks pretty awesome....March 18th

I will be hosting this show at my house. Anyone in the general area/driving distance to my house, feel free to stop by if interested.