Some days are just depressing, and today happened to be one of those days…

I think this might actually be the first time I’ve talked about my life on here.. So, I shall dub this the first blog post that’s actually what a blog post is supposed to be. Anyway…

Well most of the day was fine, but then I met up with my best friend/ex-gf (I’ll refer to her as Sara) to go to French tutoring (I’m shit with languages). She’d gotten in an argument with one of her good friends, and was crying, so I spent a while cheering her up.. which I’m bad at. Upside: It worked. Downside: I couldn’t focus, because she kept saying random things that were for some reason fucking hilarious. I’ll never get why “ape tits” made me laugh so hard….(I’ll

But that aside, after completely pissing off the teacher and our mate, she found out that the try outs for a martial arts demonstration she was gonna enter across the street was ending early. So, run run run across the street. BTW. Looking both ways before crossing, that is a SUPER idea. She didn’t do it. Almost getting hit by a Fed-Ex truck is baaaaad….

Well, she tried out and made it. Then our friend fell backwards onto the corner of some bleachers. None of us thought anything of the fact she was sitting bent over on the ground for a few minutes, just seemed like she was resting or something… And then she pulled up her shirt and we saw. She had a cut in her back that went all the way down to the bone… But she couldn’t see it and said she was fine. Everyone started freaking out and crowding around her (even though most of them didn’t know her), her boyfriend was pulling her around to try and find a coach who could help, or something, and she was in shock and kept saying “I’m fine, no, I don’t want to go anywhere!” I had to leave, but I ran into “Sara” on the way out and told her what happened, and she called later and said she’d helped talk to her and convinced her to go to a doctor.

Meh, so now I have an image of that cut stuck in my head, and her saying that over and over.. I don’t think I’ll sleep well tonight. But in 3 weeks it’ll be summer. I can’t wait. Sorry about the long post, guys.

Oh, good news though: I got called back from a job interview I went to the other day, so at least I’ll be busy this summer.

A very sad story about why Microsoft sucks.

I’ve got a story. About a very depressed XBOX360 steering wheel. Here goes:

So I originally bought one of these wireless steering wheels 5 months ago, give or take a little bit. Well it worked for 3 hours. Then it broke in like 10 different ways. So I brought it back. Got a second one. It didn’t work. Brought that back. Got a third. That one worked for a week or so. Then the force feedback stuff didn’t work anymore. So I brought that back, really pissed off.

And now, we come to the poor little fourth steering wheel.

Wheely, as I will so lovingly call him, worked perfectly for a month. We had great times together. I got through about half of Colin Mcrae DiRT with him by my side. Then I put him down for five fateful minutes. When I picked him back up to play another race, his force feedback didn’t work anymore. Poor Wheely. And this sucked mainly because the store warranty was up. So I had to call Microsoft.

Whoop-de-fucking-doooo.

After about half an hour of really, really bad hold music, I got connected to a woman who I’d guess was from somewhere in China or Japan. Lovely. Well, she went through 20-25 minutes worth of “does it work if you plug it in like this” and “try this” with me, even though he was most definitely broken. I said I wanted a refund, because I’d been through 3 of these damn wheels, and a new one was probably not going to work any better. “I’ll speak to my supervisor.” Five minutes later, she’s sorry but she can’t give me a refund. She’ll ship me a part to try and fix it. If that doesn’t work, I can call up again and send it in. OK.

Four weeks later, apparently we got a message from them to confirm the shipping address. Well I never got this message because no one told me until very recently. But.. why the hell does it take four weeks to get to a point where they’re ready to ship me a part that I didn’t even want?

By then when I hadn’t recieved anything, I was just about to give up on poor old Wheely, because honestly I couldn’t be assed. He may have cost $130, but he just wasn’t worth all the work.

A few days ago I got a box. With picture instructions on how to put the steering wheel in. And a shipping label. So, it looks like Wheely’s not dead after all. He’s going to get sent to get fixed. Three months after I called customer service. Three months! Though, I’m not quite sure if I want to send him away. I mean, he still works, just not the way a $130 steering wheel should. I’m sort of afraid I’ll get one back that’s more broken.

Needless to say, I’m not going to buy too much Microsoft stuff anymore. Especially with the whole huge worldwide 360 breaking fiasco.

</Rant and story over>

Therapy Meme

1. Name one person who made you laugh last night?

My friend with her story on how she got drunk with a bottle of Vault and a Frappuchino..

2. What were you doing at 0800?

0800? What’s that? Seriously, what is it….?

3. What were you doing 30 minutes ago?

Exactly the same thing I’m doing now; Nothing.

4. What happened to you in 2006?

Got addicted to the Office. 2006 was a good year.

5. What was the last thing you said out loud?

“Headshotted! What a noob!” – 5 seconds before the same thing happened to me.

6. How many beverages did you have today?

2.563

7. What color is your hairbrush?

I don’t have a hairbrush….. Ok, black. But it’s called a comb. 

8. What was the last thing you paid for?

Guitar Hero 3
9. Where were you last night?

On the moon. - It was a pretty cool dream.

10. What color is your front door?

It’s red. Hey, don’t laugh at me. I didn’t paint it.

11. Where do you keep your change?

In my shoes.

12. What’s the weather like today?

Pretty cold.

13. What’s the best ice-cream flavor?

ICE CREAM!!!!! Be right back. I’m gonna go get some. 

14. What excites you?

Watching the grass grow. You’d be surprised how fun it is.

15. Do you want to cut your hair?

Yeah, but I hate haircuts, so no.

16. Are you over the age of 25?

In some states.

17. Do you talk a lot?

Not usually, but people I play Halo with will probably say differently.

18. Do you watch the O.C.?

No, but I watch the C.O. 

19. Do you know anyone named Steven?

Yeah. 3 actually. I know someone named Estevan too. Bet ya can’t beat that. 20. Do you make up your own words?

I usually just change old words. i.e. My 10 different yes’s (yeesh, yerp, yeppers, yepsteroo, yes-a-doodle-dandy, etc.). Give me 10 minutes with a word and you’ll see. 

21. Are you a jealous person?

Not really.

22. Name a friend whose name starts with the letter ‘A’.

I have a pet anteater named Aaron. But nope, no friends with that.

23. Name a friend whose name starts with the letter ‘K’.

Kelleyann

24. Who’s the first person on your received call list?

My friend, Craig.. 2 weeks ago. That’s kind of sad. -.- 

25. What does the last text message you received say?

James says hi. Even though James has a phone and already said Hi. 

26. Do you chew on your straw?

Nah.

27. Do you have curly hair?

Sort of.

28. Where’s the next place you’re going to?

Er… I haven’t planned that far in advance yet. Ask me in a few days.

29. Who’s the rudest person in your life?

I dunno.

30. What was the last thing you ate?

Soup.

31. Will you get married in the future?

Maybe, maybe not.

32. What’s the best movie you’ve seen in the past 2 weeks?

It was more than 2 weeks ago, but Across the Universe.

33. Is there anyone you like right now?

Yeah.

34. When was the last time you did the dishes?

I don’t think ever.

35. Are you currently depressed?

Nah. Bored, but not depressed.

36. Did you cry today?

I cut some onions.. so yeah. But no.

37. Why did you answer and post this?

Because I think any time people comment 16 times in a day trying to get you to post, it’s time to suck it up and just do it. See ya again in 3 months.

38. Tag 5 people who would do this survey.

Errr… Cat, Sha, James, and Doug. 

musik/life/games [Woohoo for random title!]

It’s been a while, hasn’t it? I’ve gotten some new music addictions since I’ve been gone..

[Coldplay ftw] now is part of my screename on MSN because I’m obsessed. I have downloaded dozens and dozens of unreleased tracks and B-Sides [if anyone's interested I'll find links] off the corners of the internet in the past month or so. I also just went out and bought the material versions of X&Y and A Rush of Blood to the Head, only had them from Zune previously. So yes, I paid for them twice. I’m that obsessed. What’s not to like about Coldplay really? All of their albums have amazing songs aside from the ‘meh’ Twisted Logic on X&Y. I’m not too sure there has ever been any other band I could listen to three albums from basically straight through. Roll on next tour so I can see you guys live and of course next album!

I’ve also started liking U2 much more. Their last two albums How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb and All That You Can’t Leave Behind have just been pure genius. Really cool music videos as well. Going to have to break out a credit card and download some from iTunes soon. Oh wait.. shit DRM. Nevermind.

Hmm, what else?

Well, I got a Facebook account just to be different than Myspace. Turns out it’s much better and there’s none of that shit emo customization. I mean, customization is cool, but it’s just way, waaaaaay out of hand on there. I can’t even read with some of the backgrounds they’ve got. Going to put a profile pic up soon I believe. Let me know if you want an add in the comments!

Went out to California for a week as well, but that’s another post.

Erm. Let’s see.. My girlfriend is writing a story-ish thingy called the Pulse, and it might be going up on a blog here soon if everything goes right. Really good read, from the 10 ‘chapters’ she’s let me see so far. I’ll post something up with a link when it’s up if anyone’s interested.

Gameswise I’m back on handhelds after having a short divorce with them. We’re now happily married for.. I think.. the fourth time? Anyway so I’ve picked up a few games for PSP/DS, including the new Pokemans game [which is way too addictive considering I'm not a little kid..]. I also got a bit of stuff for my Wii and went further into Zelda. Not really sure why I haven’t played more of it yet since I’m a fanboy and all.. Oh and I’ve been playing Splinter Cell Double Agent very religiously late at night for the past month. Pretty good game.

Not much else really, all I’ve got left is going to be seperate posts because I think it’s more interesting than this random stuff which I doubt anyone cares about!

Very disappointed with E3. Another post though.

Also I’m being forced by Sony into buying a PS3 very soon by their horrible tactics… I hate them, I really do.

Last thing would be that I’m officially ‘News Director’ at a new-ish XBOX website called XBOXFocus. New-ish because it’s a new URL and design, but there’s 33000 members that’ll be there right from the start. Anyway it was quite interesting finding out about my new position because I was told I’d be a news writer for the longest time, and all of a sudden the creator told me about a week before it was supposed to launch that I’m Director. Which means I have to find writers.. [If anyone's interested let me know!] But hey, I’m getting paid, so I guess I can’t complain.

It’s not up just yet but should be soon at www.xboxfocus.com. Looks cool from what I’ve seen so far.

I’m planning on actually blogging now. Though that really doesn’t mean anything, you’ll probably see me again very soon!

What’s been up?

Hey guys (and girls), been a little while since I blogged last, so I thought I’d catch you up on me:

• I’ve become obsessed with Coldplay and have been working on tracking down every B-Side and Rare Release I can find, along with Concert Recordings.
• Had to deal with the fact that the Virginia Tech shooting happened just under an hour from here.. pretty scary.
• Started reading another Clancy novel, Without Remorse
• Broke out my PS2 and started playing Okami, along with Zelda on the Wii. I also bought Minigolf Adventures off the XBOX Live Arcade which was great fun for a few minutes
• Fallen into the ‘I can’t wait anymore’ period before Forza 2 comes out on May 29th.
• Cleaned up a bit around the house
• Became hopelessly in love with The Office, and I’ve now watched all 50 episodes in about a week. Can’t wait for Thursday!
• School will be out in about 5 weeks…..
• Wondered why it was 40 degrees F on Easter, and why it’s now over 80′F in April.

That’s about it, I’ll start some actual blogging tomorrow if the paper i’m working on doesn’t keep me busy. Anything interesting happen while I was gone?

Matt will..

…return shortly.

…add another line to make this different from Cat’s post.

…post the pictures Ashish demanded.

…read everyones’ blogs soon.

…discover the meaning of life.

…See you soon.

Whoaaaaaa – Guy plays the Mario theme on the flute while beatboxing. Amazing.

I’m really curious how he beatboxes and still keeps playing the flute without screwing up. I’d think he’d blow air into the flute the wrong way when he makes the beats and mess up the notes.

Serious skill, that is.

Picture advice?

O-k, so I have been asked by multiple bloggers (looking at you Ashish) and forum members to take some pictures of my new TV, my phone, my 360, whatnot, and I’m going to do so tomorrow finally, but I’ve got a question: There will probably be about 5, so do you guys recommend I just put them in a post, or make a Flickr album and put them all in there?

I’ll also be taking some pictures with my phone at tonight’s John Mayer concert, which I’d like to post as well, so I could use the advice for those too.

Thanks in advance

OMG! We’ve hit the presses!!!!!!!! Go Vowels, Go!

OMG. OMG OMG OMG. Cat has just told me that The Guardian, one of the most popular newspapers in the UK, has linked (scroll down to Blogroll) to her post about Save the Vowels! Apparently she got 3,000 more hits after it was put up, too! Sure, it’s not in the actual newspaper, but this is one hell of a start.

Incase you don’t know, Save the Vowels is a.. err.. campaign that me and Cat have started. The idea is to get people to start typing out their words on forums and blog comments. We could really care less about personal things, but if the person who writes it wants us and others to read it and respond, we shouldn’t have to spend 5 minutes decoding the txt language that can be so foreign to us all because they decided they couldn’t be assed to type out full words. It all started with me finding that signature, and then it went onto some forums, and it took off from there.

I don’t think we ever thought it would get anywhere, it was really just one of those ‘ah, what the hell, let’s see what happens’ things. This is simply amazing.

Let’s keep this train going and make sure the Vowels don’t die out!

Whoa, that’s cold, man. Really cold.

My thermometer is reading 12 degrees and according to our local weather station, the wind chill has it feeling like 1 degree out there. They say it’ll drop out to -5 by time it starts to get warmer as the sun comes up.

Am I the only one who thinks that’s really cold? It might be just the fact that I’ve never been in anything this cold before, but I’ve got the heating on and I still can’t feel my toes. My cat’s even shivering a wee bit!

And I hear it’s like -44 up in N. Dakota? How do you guys survive in that?

Anyway, I’m off to go find some ice to make an igloo with and a big fuzzy jacket or a [live] lion to wear. Don’t really care if it eats me as long as I’m warm.