Apparently Nintendo is blaming the economy for the drop in Wii sales.
I'm sure that's part of it. But the less than glittering truth is that Wii sales benefited from gamer backlash over the initial price tag of the PS3. In fact, the slogan "Wii 360" was adopted by gamers who decided to only purchase Nintendo's Wii and Microsoft's Xbox 360 due to what was seen as exorbitant pricing on Sony's part. Now that the price of all three consoles has dropped, the Wii is basically left pushing its novelty which is backed by a generally unimpressive selection of gaming titles. Unfortunately for the Wii, its novelty is self defeating when it comes to most of the standard game genres- random stick waggling is a less efficient way to navigate action/adventure, fighting, and standard (non-Wii sports) model sports games than random button mashing.
Sorry, Wii. You were always destined to be a niche market product. It looks like you're finding out that niche wasn't a large as you thought.
10.29.2009
10.26.2009
Hold Onto Your Hats
Everyone's favorite scenery chewing actor is headed back to the silver screen this spring. Sure, Nicholas Cage's complete lack of subtlety and total commitment to over the top deliverance makes him ideal for horror films. But does anyone else feel that he's...I don't know...a little long in the tooth for the action hero roles he's been latching onto lately? Midlife crisis anyone?
10.24.2009
Rescue Ink
What's up Body-more? I did my good deed for the day. I paid $100 for the bellow tattoo. $50 went to the Baltimore Humane Society. $50 went to Rescue Ink. The good people of Baltimore Tattoo Museum volunteered their space, time, and artists.
So get out there and help save some pets!
So get out there and help save some pets!
10.23.2009
No More Ludicrous Than The Rest Of It
Left Coast Rebel informs us that the Minnesota Supreme Court has declared possession of bong water (at least over 25 grams of it) a first degree drug crime.
I'm sure some people out there are probably going "But it's bong water for Pete's sake." I'm not one of them. (You may be scratching your head and going "Huh?", but hear me out.)
If at this point you honestly believe that the war on drugs is not only a.) something winnable, but is also b.) something that should be won, then criminalizing bong water (which has amounts of the drug(s) smoked with it) is certainly no more ludicrous than the initial criminalization of the drugs.
What I mean by that second part (whether the war on drugs is something that should be won) is simply this: It is not the place of the government to make people "better".
I have no interest in the list of drugs the federal government currently classifies as narcotics. However, I support your right to get high as much as I support your right to get stinking drunk or smoke yourself into an early grave or eat Big Macs three times a day for the rest of your (probably much shorter) life. It's not the government's call. It's yours. Of course, you also get to pay the consequences for it.
*reads over last paragraph* (Oh wow...my idealism is showing. How Embarrassing! Cold practicality coming right up.)
What's more the war on drugs is not something that's winnable. For several reasons. The primary reason being that people like to escape from their daily lives and a great many like to (occasionally or habitually) get high to do it. People sniff glue and huff spray paint. Kids choke each other out with plastic bags (the lonely ones use neck ties and their bed post) to get high. People risk (and frequently incur) massive brain damage in efforts to get high not using narcotics. Do we really even have to talk about alcohol? This is not a behavior pattern that can be legislated away.
So this isn't a problem that can really be tackled from the demand end. How about the supply end?
Well, that's pretty much what we've been doing, right? Going after dealers and drug lords and such? Seems to me that what that's gotten us for our efforts is a rise in street gangs and increased gang violence. Why, one could say it's reminiscent of the effects that Prohibition had on organized crime in the 1920's. But at least Prohibition got Americans to dry...oh, right. Never mind. So supply end doesn't work so well either I guess.
You're free to proffer any other ideas. It'll be a thought exercise. Like I said, I don't hold that it's the government's place to make folks "better" in the first place.
I'm sure some people out there are probably going "But it's bong water for Pete's sake." I'm not one of them. (You may be scratching your head and going "Huh?", but hear me out.)
If at this point you honestly believe that the war on drugs is not only a.) something winnable, but is also b.) something that should be won, then criminalizing bong water (which has amounts of the drug(s) smoked with it) is certainly no more ludicrous than the initial criminalization of the drugs.
What I mean by that second part (whether the war on drugs is something that should be won) is simply this: It is not the place of the government to make people "better".
I have no interest in the list of drugs the federal government currently classifies as narcotics. However, I support your right to get high as much as I support your right to get stinking drunk or smoke yourself into an early grave or eat Big Macs three times a day for the rest of your (probably much shorter) life. It's not the government's call. It's yours. Of course, you also get to pay the consequences for it.
*reads over last paragraph* (Oh wow...my idealism is showing. How Embarrassing! Cold practicality coming right up.)
What's more the war on drugs is not something that's winnable. For several reasons. The primary reason being that people like to escape from their daily lives and a great many like to (occasionally or habitually) get high to do it. People sniff glue and huff spray paint. Kids choke each other out with plastic bags (the lonely ones use neck ties and their bed post) to get high. People risk (and frequently incur) massive brain damage in efforts to get high not using narcotics. Do we really even have to talk about alcohol? This is not a behavior pattern that can be legislated away.
So this isn't a problem that can really be tackled from the demand end. How about the supply end?
Well, that's pretty much what we've been doing, right? Going after dealers and drug lords and such? Seems to me that what that's gotten us for our efforts is a rise in street gangs and increased gang violence. Why, one could say it's reminiscent of the effects that Prohibition had on organized crime in the 1920's. But at least Prohibition got Americans to dry...oh, right. Never mind. So supply end doesn't work so well either I guess.
You're free to proffer any other ideas. It'll be a thought exercise. Like I said, I don't hold that it's the government's place to make folks "better" in the first place.
10.20.2009
10.19.2009
Ummm....
I mean, it's Russia, but still....
Really?
The company even offers publicity to purchasers to announce their new acquisition in case driving around in a penis, diamond, ruby and gold-encrusted armored vehicle does not attract enough attention.
Really?
10.15.2009
For Anyone Who's Never Waited Tables
This is why you always tip. Unless your server was just horrible beyond the fucking pale. Then totally go ahead and stiff that fucker.
Yes, But...
Politicians make a career out of avoiding the responsible and practical options in favor of grand promises and fantastical denial.
Heads Up Baltimore County
They're fleecing you too. You know- some more. We've already discussed my issues with the concept.
Here's a lobby by fax letter.
Here's a map of speed cameras in Maryland and DC.
StopBigBrotherMD is keeping pretty close tabs on things, and will be a welcome new addition to the link bar.
Here's a lobby by fax letter.
Here's a map of speed cameras in Maryland and DC.
StopBigBrotherMD is keeping pretty close tabs on things, and will be a welcome new addition to the link bar.
10.09.2009
On A Lighter Note....
So after the nega-verse that resulted in the previous post, I figure we could all use some less...Orwellian humor. So I give you Star Wars.
Let's Be Honest
Marvel's Civil War arc was complete and utter bullshit. Now we know what really happened.
10.06.2009
You Know....
Sometimes a story is just finished. There are no loose ends. All the character arcs have been resolved. Emphatically. The author is dead and the completed work is thoroughly appreciated.
And then some jackass decides that: No, wait! There's more.
Even Arthur Dent is unhappy.
And then some jackass decides that: No, wait! There's more.
Even Arthur Dent is unhappy.
Comic Adaptations I'd Love To See....
Jeffrey Thomas has some pretty awesome dark versions of classic Disney dames. My favorite is Cinderella.
Hat tip, Chris.
Hat tip, Chris.
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