I have a few voicemail transcripts that are so sufficiently garbled that they can’t help but protect the identity of the caller, as well as the content of the message.

Well, Christopher Hi, this is mom.  Don’t worry about it.  Pinebelt question and I have some fish if you want.  Fisherman make you some fish, but I didn’t include and just stop by and get some check in with me if you can for the rest of us and Hey Kit, with invite if you get to.  So I’ll make your fish and if you want creation away but purchasing tickets.  If you don’t want fish said, Go ahead and get that you can and bring it to me so if you have any questions give me a call right now.  I’m on my lunch for the next, probably, 2025.  I was just trying to pick up stuff on the floor.  Yes, this is of.  Anyway, I’ll talk to you later.  Love you bye.

Yeah.  Fisherman make you some fish.

Good Morning.  This is Jonathan frame all calling.  I have been paying well.  Anyway, I’m just calling to let you know.  Instead 17.  Thank you.  8.  They’re gonna be going to do today, so how.  You know, maybe we can meet on those, I can give you the keys with the house and the contract, so if so you know if you wanna move everything Ireland you know it has been some of his you know you have the key.  Anyway, I’m in town and they just give me a buzz.  Alright.  Thank you and I will talk to you.

Her name isn’t Jonathan, by any stretch.

Yeah, Hello yeah i was just gonna ask you.  I forgot to ask you if you guys are they got you a call at the or.  I’ve got to call at one of them.  First reading the shoes at the runs just individual and doesn’t take one of them committee.  If it if you guys don’t have her call it.  I was just use the one, this is of it and you should give me a call.  Let me know please.  Bye.

I stopped reading shoes ages ago.

If you could just give me a call.  I have to step in fact, at this it is not working.  Give me a call please.  His with you.

His most certainly is not with me.

I’m calling from Xbox Customer Support.  In regards to the she, Your have and with the problem.  Vermont tonight dates you’re not there when you can please give us a call back number, 1.  For my xbox with your Reference Number want 120-4283 Staffing for further assistance.  Thank you.  Talk to you soon.  X box and have a good day.

I’ve never been to Vermont.

I’m xbox Support.  And apart.  And I guess you had a couple of them on getting less you’re not available.  Any to please give us a call back at 1 800 For my xbox with your reference number one on your own twine 842-8313 For further assistance.  Thank you purchasing X box and have a good day.

Wow, the sentient essence of Xbox Support itself called me.  I’m honored.

I love Google Voice.

The Stone Prisoner DLC provides a fantastic new character, Shale (who is WONDERFUL to have in your party when fighting extremely high level enemies), as well as new quests, locations, items, dialog, and story.  The Stone Prisoner is an excellent addition to Dragon Age: Origins.  It adds an additional 2-4 hours of unique gameplay that would otherwise be unavailable.

The Warden’s Keep DLC opens up a side-story with 1-2 hours of unique gameplay, new items, locations, NPCs, and an excellent Party Chest for storage.  New interactions and plot items become useful once the Warden’s Keep DLC is downloaded that provide a lot of backstory that helps you understand the world of Dragon Age: Origins a little better.

The Return to Ostagar DLC that was released yesterday afternoon directly ties in to the story, returning you to an earlier stage of the game where a great tragedy, and the starting point of the game’s major story, occurred.  The DLC provides new items, and unlocks a locked location, but proved disappointingly short.  The entire DLC lasted approximately 30-45 minutes.  While it did provide more insight into the main story, provided you with new armor and weapons, and did allow you to tie up a loose end or two, the length makes this DLC fall short of the others.  It’s also not particularly difficult compared to the game and to the other DLCs.

-[insert revolutionary thinking here]

One of my favorite RPGs for a very long time was Neverwinter Nights, released in 2002 by Bioware.  Hearing that Bioware, makers of amazing games such as Neverwinter Nights, the Baldur’s Gate series, the Knights of the Old Republic series, Jade Empire, Mass Effect, and more, had developed another fantasy RPG was news of particular significance to me.  Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to afford the purchase right when it came out, so I had to wait until funds became available.  They became available around Christmas, and I made a gift of it to myself.  Luckily, I had the week following Christmas off from work, so I was able to complete a good portion of the game then (at least, I was able to play when Lindsey would put down the controller long enough for me to get my hands on it…).

Gameplay Screenshot

Bioware is known for their impressive attention to detail in their writing.  The graphics and gameplay rarely disappoint, but their writing is often the star feature of any game they produce.  Stories are given depth and scope, which engage the player and create a connection between them and the world they are playing in.  This makes the gaming experience far more meaningful.  Dragon Age: Origins is no exception to their rule of great writing, and luckily, neither the graphics nor the gameplay have suffered for it.  The graphics, while not groundbreaking, are excellent, and the gameplay is fairly standard for a fantasy RPG, with one major difference: Dragon Age: Origins is not based on the Dungeons & Dragons ruleset, as Baldur’s Gate was.  This is only noteworthy because Dragon Age: Origins is considered the spiritual successor to Baldur’s Gate.  The ruleset that was created, however, is excellent, and does not detract from the gameplay.  The party system is similar to that of Knights of the Old Republic, where you have a large group of companions, but can only take three additional companions with you into the world.  You are able to switch between these three additional companions during gameplay and take advantage of their varied skill sets at any time.  Graphically, the game is wonderful.  The cut scenes are gorgeous, and the gameplay graphics are very good.  There are times when you can notice small graphics glitches, but they are very minor and very rare.

Gameplay Screenshot

The game increases in difficulty as you advance in character level, regardless of which path you take.  For example, my final treaty mission was to the Dwarves, which was fiendishly difficult and long.  Lindsey completed the Dwarves earlier in her path, and it was not as difficult or long.  I completed the Dalish Elves earlier in my path, and found it easier than Lindsey’s completion of the Dalish Elves, later into her path.  The game provides many different playthrough opportunities, as well.  Six distinct and unique origins are available, depending on what race/class/origin you choose.  You can play as a Dwarven Noble, a Dwarven Commoner, a Human Noble, a Dalish Elf, a City Elf, or a Mage.  Each origin provides a 1-3 hour playing time unique to the origin, but always pulling the character in to the main story.  The different origins provide different interactions throughout the game, different storylines become available, and different benefits and drawbacks affect your character.  The main story references, in places, the other origins and the characters that are important in the other origins.  This makes playing through the other origins very fun, because you recognize certain people, and you gain a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of the games events.

Gameplay Screenshot

Dragon Age: Origins immerses the player in an incredibly detailed and deep world, with an excellent variety of stories and characters.  The game is long, with a single, 85-95% complete playthrough running well over the 40 hour mark.  With the multiple playthrough options available, completing the game fully, with all possible options explored for each character origin, would be a task that would require hundreds of play hours.  This game is well worth the cost, and easily my favorite game to come out of 2009.

-[insert revolutionary thinking here]

Upon completion of this fourth star, I noticed that the Daredevil comit was in orbit around the Gusty Garden Galaxy, giving me a fifth star to grab!  I had to beat Major Burrows again, but with only one health piece!  One hit and I was a goner.  Major Burrows was easy, though, since I figured out how to defeat him last update.  One quick battle later, and another star was mine!

Having finished every other galaxy in the Bedroom Observatory (except for the Bowser Boss galaxy), I went back into the Dusty Dune Galaxy.  This star was interesting.  There was a great deal of fast moving sand that kept you moving in a particular direction whether you wanted it to or not.  Smart navigating and jumping was the key to making it past this obstacle.  Then, a double sided world with a timed obstacle was the last thing standing between me and my star!

That’s it for progress update 16!  Progress Update 17 should be coming sometime this week!

-[insert revolutionary thinking here]

Wow.  Three months since I last played Super Mario Galaxy.  Time to jump back in and grab a few more stars!  With my last update, I had unlocked and completed the Trial Galaxies.  I am now ready to continue into the Bedroom Observatory to tackle the Gusty Garden Galaxy!

In the Gusty Garden Galaxy, I was faced with multiple floating islands with a special flower.  The special flower raised me up into the air currents and pushed me towards the next island.  I had to spin the flower to regain altitude, but the drawback is that you only get three spins before the flower disappears, so they had to be timed just right!  Eventually, I arrived at a cube shaped planet.  To win this star, I had to chase and catch a rabbit.  It took a ew moments, but in the end, the deed was done and the star was mine!

The second run through the Gusty Garden Galaxy gave me a new enemy, the burrowing moles.  These moles had spiked hard hats on, so I couldn’t just thwomp them.  I had to butt slam the ground next to them in order to bring them above ground, then spin attack them.  At the end of this star level, I had to battle Major Burrows, the giant burrowing mole.  This took a slightly different strategy, because he was big, and fast.  He spent most of his time underground, instead of half-underground like the previous burrowing moles.  I could only get him to pop up fully after he surfaced half-way to get his bearings.  A ground pound would pop him out and in, and a second ground pound would pop him out and stun him.  A spin attack later, and he drops back into the ground.  Rinse and repeat, and voila, the second Gusty Garden Galaxy was mine!

The final star had a great series of gravity puzzles and traps.  It was pretty straightforward, but very fun.

That’s it for progress update 15!  Hopefully it doesn’t take another three months for me to get around to progress update 16!

-[insert revolutionary thinking here]

Me while emailing and phoning Xbox tech support

Four days ago (Saturday), I bought a replacement black wireless Xbox 360 controller for Lindsey, as she had spilled nail polish and ginger ale over her previous controller.  This replacement controller came in a special bundle.  For an additional $10, I was able to acquire a game disc called the “Xbox Live Arcade Game Pack”, which included, playable from the disc, Bomberman Live, Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2, and Lumines Live.  A download code for Ms. Pac-Man was also included as part of the deal.  In case I have not been specific enough, only Ms. Pac-Man was downloadable, the other three games were on the disc, playable from the disc, and not downloadable whatsoever.  I specify because this little fact is important later on.  I was excited about this pack.  I enjoyed the demos for Geometry Wars and Lumines, but the lion’s share of my excitement stemmed from my decades-long love of Bomberman.  What can I say?  I’m Middle-Eastern.  Blowing stuff up must be in my blood.

Right.  We now come to the problem which created the need for technical support.  The download code for Ms. Pac-Man worked, and Geometry Wars and Lumines could be played off the disc, but Bomberman Live would not play.  When I first tried loading it, I was greeted with a dialog informing me that an update was available for the game.  I chose to download the update, as I usually do.  I was then greeted with a new dialog that said the update could not be found, and that I should contact Xbox support.  I was then told that I would need to “re-download the game package” and was sent directly to the Xbox Live Marketplace, where I would be charged the full 800 points to purchase Bomberman Live, regardless of the fact that I had the full version on a disc.  I quickly went to the support website and submit a request for assistance via email, detailing my issue in much the same way as I have done here for you.  All of the major points were included, so there could be no confusion as to what my problem was.

Sunday comes along and I receive a reply to my support request via email:

Hello Christopher,

Thank you for contacting Microsoft online support for XBOX. I am July and I will be helping you today with this issue.

I am sorry to hear that you are having trouble with your Xbox Live Account. In order to isolate what is causing the problem and to give you the correct steps to resolve the issue, please provide us with more specific details.

• Type of account subscription (Silver or Gold)
• The type of connection you are using (direct modem, router, wireless, gateway, Windows ICS)
• The phase where the Xbox Live Connection test fails (Network Adapter, Wireless Network, IP Address, DNS, MTU, ICMP, Xbox LIVE, NAT)
• The exact error message that you are encountering
• Please include other details that can help identify the issue.

We look forward to hearing from you again and helping you resolve your problem.

To expedite service, please provide Service Request Number 1120205162.

Thank you for visiting Xbox.com. If you should have future questions on Xbox products or services, please be sure to revisit our Web site as we are continually adding information to enhance our service.

Best Regards,

July

Microsoft XBOX Support Services

http://support.microsoft.com/

As you can see, this has no relevance to my issue whatsoever, and is obviously a canned response.  My reply:

Good morning,

I am not having a problem with my Xbox Live connection.  I gave the
problem details in my original submission.  I purchased a new wireless
controller for my 360, and it came bundled with the Xbox Live Arcade
game pack, which included Geometry Wars 2, Bomberman Live, Lumines
Live, and a download code for Ms. Pac-Man.  The download code worked,
and so far, Geometry Wars 2 and Lumines Live work.  However, when I
load Bomberman Live, it requires an update.  I am then told that the
update can not be found, or that I have to re-download the entire
game.  I want to play Bomberman Live, since I paid for it, and I love
Bomberman.  Please make that happen.

I had already fully explained the situation in my original submission, so this brief reminder seemed appropriate.  I hoped this would have been sufficient to get them back on track and fix my issue.  Let’s read their next response (received on Tuesday) and see if they’ve managed to pull it together:

Hello Christopher,

Thank you for using XBOX Customer Support online! I am Jenice and I will be helping you today with this issue.

As I understand that when you try to download an update on your Xbox 360 console, the auto-update stops during the download and you do not receive an error message. Please be assured that I will do my best to help you resolve the issue.

Also, you may experience one of the following:

. The auto-update fails. You receive a connectivity error message, but when you test your connection to Xbox Live, you do not receive an error message.

. After you download an auto-update for a game, you receive a message that states that you must download the same auto-update.

. After you download an auto-update, you cannot connect to Xbox Live. Additionally, you cannot access functions that you could previously access.

Here are some things that you can try to resolve the issue or to determine what the cause is.

1.  If you experience the first or second symptom that is listed in the “Symptoms” section, use a direct connection to download the auto-update. For more information about how to set up a direct connection, visit the website: http://www.xbox.com/en-US/Support online/connecttolive/xbox360/connectionmethods/modem.htm

Note: This method applies to auto-updates for games and for the Xbox Dashboard.

2.  If you experience all the symptoms that are listed in the “Symptoms” section, delete the game data.

Warning: When you delete game data, you lose any saved game information.

Note: Copy the saved game data to a separate memory source so that you can restore the data if this step does not resolve the issue.

To delete game data, follow these steps:

a. Sign in by using your gamertag.

b. Move to the System section.

c. Select Memory, and then press the A button.

d. Select Hard Drive, and then press the A button.

e. Select Games, and then press the A button.

f. Select the profile that you want to view, and then press the A button.

g. On the Select Game screen, select the game for which the update will not download, and then press the Y button.

h. On the Game screen, press the A button to delete the game.

Note: The Delete option is the only option that is available on the Game screen.

i. On the Delete Item screen, select Yes, and then press the A button to confirm the deletion.

j. Press the B button four times to return to the System section.

k. Start the game, and then sign in to Xbox Live to download the update again.

If you need to reply to this e-mail, please reply ‘with history’ (include any previous e-mail) or reference to Service Request Number 1120205162 so we can expedite our service to you.

Thank you for visiting Xbox.com. If you should have future questions on Xbox products or services, please be sure to revisit our Web site as we are continually adding information to enhance our service.

Best Regards,

Jenice

Microsoft XBOX Support Services

http://support.microsoft.com/

Failure, again, to comprehend the simplest of explanations.  I reply thusly, having become slightly frustrated:

PLEASE READ MY EMAIL AND ANSWER INSTEAD OF CONTINUOUSLY SENDING
PRE-WRITTEN RESPONSES THAT HAVE NO RELEVANCE TO MY ISSUE:

“Good morning,

I am not having a problem with my Xbox Live connection.  I gave the
problem details in my original submission.  I purchased a new wireless
controller for my 360, and it came bundled with the Xbox Live Arcade
game pack, which included Geometry Wars 2, Bomberman Live, Lumines
Live, and a download code for Ms. Pac-Man.  The download code worked,
and so far, Geometry Wars 2 and Lumines Live work.  However, when I
load Bomberman Live, it requires an update.  I am then told that the
update can not be found, or that I have to re-download the entire
game.  I want to play Bomberman Live, since I paid for it, and I love
Bomberman.  Please make that happen.”

IT’S NOT THAT HARD!

At this point, I had given up on their ability to understand written language, so I decided that, perhaps, a more personal attempt should be made.  Yesterday, after sending my reply, I called Xbox support directly.  After I made my way through their interminable voice activated menu system (which I loathe, incidentally), I was greeted by “Jason,” and we were underway.  After explaining my issue to him (three times) in bits and pieces (due to his constant interruptions) he asked for my name and my Xbox Live gamertag.  Spelling my name for him took approximately five minutes, as I had to keep correcting his mistakes as he repeated it back to me.  My gamertag took an additional two or three minutes, as it is a whopping seven letters long, and well beyond his difficulty level, apparently.  At this point, his script told him to clarify the issue once more.  As he was explaining the issue, I again had to correct his mistakes and set the record straight, since apparently the first three explanations weren’t sufficient.  Eventually, we get to the troubleshooting point, and, as I was at work and not near my Xbox, he claimed he would not be able to help me, and asked me to call back later.  That cost me close to 45 minutes of my day.

I called back when I got home and spoke with “Brian.”  I explained my situation again (this time only twice) and awaited assistance.  My name and gamertag had already been recorded, apparently, so I was not required to suffer through such an ordeal again, thankfully.  I did have quite a hard time with this call, however, because of their hold system.  For some reason, during the hour long call, whenever I was put on hold I was not treated to smooth listening hold music, but dozens of technical support conversations all at once.  Needless to say, it was discomforting.  About 40 minutes in, the hold “noise” suddenly changed to the smooth listening music I had expected.  Approximately 30 seconds later, they corrected their apparent mistake and returned me to the cacophony that had been previously assaulting my senses.  I eventually was told that I would be given a download code for Bomberman Live, but that a higher level of support would have to give me the code.  He connected me with the higher level of support, “Aaron,” who proceeded to inform me (eventually, after more hold music and questions) that I would receive a callback from support in “48-72 hours” with a resolution to this issue.  Frustrated, I decided to accept this and end the call.  I now await the return call that will, ideally, give me download codes for not only Bomberman Live, but Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2 and Lumines Live, in case the same issue should arise with those games at a future date.

Now, some would think that this would be the end of the story.  I certainly did.  Unfortunately, we are quite mistaken.  Mere hours after my phone call ended, I received this third email from Xbox support:

Hello Christopher,

Thank you for contacting Microsoft online support for XBOX. I am Rio and I will be helping you today with this issue.

I understand that you are unable to access a downloaded content that you purchased from the Xbox live Marketplace.

My apologies for the inconvenience that you are having right now but rest assured that we will extend our resources to the full extent in order for us to help you regarding this concern.

Sometimes, you may not be able to access or use downloadable game content because the content has become corrupted.

Here are some things that you can try to resolve the issue:

1. Delete the downloadable content, and then download the content again. To delete downloadable game content that is corrupted, follow these steps:

a.       Sign in to Xbox LIVE by using your Gamertag.

b.      In the Xbox Dashboard, select System, and then press the A button.

c.       Select Memory, and then press the A button.

d.      On the Storage Devices screen, select Hard Drive, and then press the A button.

e.       On the Hard Drive screen, select Games, and then press the A button.

f.        On the Games screen, select the game title that you want, and then press the A button.

g.       On the individual game screen, select the downloadable content that you want to delete, and then press the A button.

h.       On the content screen, press the A button to delete the content.

Note Delete is the only option that is available on this screen.

i.         On the Delete Item screen, select Yes, and then press the A button to confirm the action.

j.        On the individual game screen, press the B button four times to return to the System section.

k.      Start the game that you want. Then, sign in to Xbox LIVE to download the game content again.

To download previously purchased or previously downloaded content, use one of the following methods.

Download from the Xbox 360 console.

1.                  Attach the hard drive or the memory unit to your Xbox 360 console.

2.                  Turn on your Xbox 360 console.

3.                  Sign in to Xbox LIVE by using the gamer profile that originally downloaded the content.

4.                  Press the Xbox 360 Guide button, and then go to the Settings area. Select Account Management, and then select Download History.

5.                  Select the content item, and then select Download Again to download the item.

6.                  Repeat step 5 for each item in your download history that you want to recover.

Download from Xbox.com

1.                  Visit the following Xbox LIVE Web Marketplace Web site to access the My Account area:

http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/myAccount/PurchaseHistory.aspx

2.                  Select each item that you want to download, and then click Add to Queue. The selected items will automatically appear in the console’s Active Downloads area of the console on which you are currently signed in to Xbox LIVE.

2. Clear the system cache.

To clear the Xbox 360 Hard Drive cache, follow these steps:

1. Reattach the Xbox Hard Drive.

2. Locate the System section of the Xbox 360 Dashboard.

3. Select Memory, and then press the Y button to view the device options screen.

4. On the Xbox 360 Controller, press the following items in this sequence:

• X button
• X button
• Left bumper
• Right bumper
• X button
• X button

5. When you are prompted to confirm system maintenance, select Yes by pressing the A button.

Should you need to reply to this e-mail, please reply ‘with history’ (include any previous e-mail) or reference to Service Request Number 1120205162 so we can expedite our service to you.

Thank you for visiting Xbox.com. If you should have future questions on Xbox products or services, please be sure to revisit our Web site as we are continually adding information to enhance our service.

Best Regards,

Rio

Microsoft XBOX Support Services

http://support.microsoft.com/

The point was missed yet again, unsurprisingly.  My reply requested that they stop sending me incompetent emails, as I had phoned tech support and received some modicum of understanding from their end.  We shall see what comes next.

All I wanted to do was play some fucking Bomberman Live.

-[insert revolutionary thinking here]

Sid Meier’s Civilization Revolution removes some of the extreme micro-management aspects of Civilization IV and makes the game more accessible for Civilization virgins (Civilizirgins, as I like to say).  While the extreme detail is easier to manage on PC, due to the interface, etc., it would have been a bit much to manage on a console.  So while the game seems like a step back in functionality, I think it is actually an excellent decision considering the limitations of the console platform when compared to the PC (flamesuit, on?).

Civilization Revolution allows you to choose from 16 civilizations (compared to 14 in Civilization, 21 in Civ II, 16 in Civ III, and 18 in Civ IV).  Each civilization has a different set of unique attributes.  These attributes include cost benefits, unique units, gameplay aspects, and more.  Once you choose your civilization, you are placed on a randomly generated world map with four other competing civilizations.  Your goal is simple: rule the world.  You can do this in a few different ways.  You can defeat your enemies economically, by amassing 20,000 gold pieces and building the World Bank.  You can embarrass your foes technologically, by building a colony ship and colonizing Alpha Centauri.  You can trounce your competition culturally, by gathering 20 Great People, Wonders of the World, or converted cities and building the United Nations.  Last, but certainly not least, you can crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentation of their women to win by domination.

Civilization Revolution is a great addition to the Civilization series.  Not only does it provide a very easy and graphically appealing entry point for Civilizirgins to first experience Civilization, it creates a Civilization game that even the most die-hard Civilization fan can enjoy, and on a console, no less!  This is definitely worth a purchase.  It has an amazing amount of replay value, and will easily devour your free time.

-[insert revolutionary thinking here]

*This first sentence was written, and the draft was saved, at 2:06pm on August 28, 2009.  I just now decided to finish writing it and publish it.  This post took me almost FOUR MONTHS to write.  That’s how you know I care.

Whoops…Wrong Mario.

I know I’ve got it around here somewhere….

*rummage*

Aha!

I’ve been playing Mario games since I was a kid; my first time playing Mario Bros. on the Nintendo Entertainment System (the original, pre-Super Mario Bros. game) was well over two decades ago, and my love of the series has remained steadfast ever since.  When most people think of the Mario series (excluding the Kart and Smash spin-offs), they think “one player.”  New Super Mario Bros. Wii has brought the series into the multi-player co-op world for the first time since the original Mario Bros. with a great four-player experience that can be both exciting and excruciating at the same time.  The game is a partial port of the New Super Mario Bros. game for the Nintendo DS, with some new additions and, disappointingly, some deductions (I speak of the giant mushroom).  There are a few new power-ups available, such as the Ice Flower, which gives you the ability to shoot snowballs in much the same way the Fire Flower shoots fireballs, but with the added ability to encapsulate your enemies in a block of ice, the Penguin Suit, which gives you the abilities of the Ice Flower, as well as faster swimming, and an easier time on ice, and the Propeller Suit, which gives you the ability to fly for short, controlled bursts.  Certain levels also give the player access to Yoshis, which is something that I have sorely missed.

Level selection is done via a world map similar to Super Mario Bros. 3 and Super Mario World.  Each level contains a save point, similar to the original Sonic the Hedgehog with the red/blue balloon in the middle of a course.  If all players die, and are booted to the world map screen, the level can be resumed at that save point.  Additionally, the Star Coins from New Super Mario Bros. DS return, with three in each level.  These can be used to purchase hint movies, but also have a much more important purpose.  There are initially 8 worlds available for play.  By collecting every single Star Coin in each of the 8 worlds, a new level in World 9 is unlocked.  World 9 can only be played at the completion of the game, and can only be played if all of the game’s Star Coins have been found.  I’m looking forward to gathering the rest of the Star Coins and giving it a try.

There have been a lot of…warnings…about playing New Super Mario Bros. Wii co-operatively with loved ones.  The game has been called a marriage killer and a family breaker.  This is both accurate and inaccurate.  Players who are well coordinated and have strong communication skills should experience few problems with co-operative play.  Players who ignore co-operative strategy and don’t communicate will become the target of the other player(s) ire.  It is easy to either accidentally or “accidentally” kill your co-operative playmates.  Something as simple as jumping from one ledge to another can become a heated argument about patience and consideration.  Take, for example, the experience Lindsey and I had while playing New Super Mario Bros. Wii.  Approximately 75% of my deaths in the game were caused by a certain someone’s impatience, lack of communication, lack of awareness, and lack of coordination when jumping or progressing through a level.  Granted, I caused some deaths for her as well, but not nearly to the extent of the great Mario Massacre of 2009 (in which I play the role of Mario, being continuously slaughtered).

Sorry, sweetie.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii is a fantastic game.  The replay value may not be too high, but there are some replay sections, such as finding the remaining Star Coins and completing World 9.  I’d say worth a purchase, especially if you’re a Mario fan.

-[insert revolutionary thinking here]

First things first, though.  Let’s have a new talk about our update schedule, shall we?  I know, I know, you’ve heard it all before, but this time will be different.  We promise!  We can change, if you just give us a chance!

Right.  Well, originally we wanted to do at least one post per day, 7 days per week, 52 weeks per year.  This, as you can see for yourself, has obviously not worked out quite as planned.  It seems that when we set a rigorous, strict schedule for ourselves, we tend to burn out and fail.  So, in the spirit of doing things half-assed, we won’t set a strict schedule!  We may end up posting once per day, but it won’t be intentionally planned that way.  I find it unlikely that a week will go by with no posts, but it just might happen, depending on circumstances.

Keep on the lookout for new posts over the next few days!  We’re just finishing up a video game that I was looking forward to for a very long time, and…well…actually, I guess that’s about all I can think of right now!  See you guys soon!

-[insert revolutionary thinking here]

Whenever I’m with you,
Gazing deep into your eyes,
I see such a heavenly view,
And all fear within me dies.

As I journey further in,
My heart and soul are pained
By the overwhelming din
Of the joy that I’ve attained.

It feels like an eternity,
Time itself seems to halt.
A wave of peace engulfs me,
And fills my aching heart.

My only wish is to stay,
Gazing deep into your eyes,
For eternity, and a day,
For the rest of our lives.