murfSTUFF

I was browsing Reddit, when I came across a post in /r/nintendo asking if other members of the community if they ‘find being a Nintendo fan depressing‘ and then made the point of how he had to defend his decision to own a Wii over a 360 or a PS3 and how he caught flack from fans from those camps.

The following, was my response to his question:

———-

Never have I been ashamed or depressed in my Nintendo ownership. Nor do I intend too. Nintendo has its ups and downs in hardware, but it still reigns in the world of software.

As long as Mario, Link, Samus, Kirby, Fox and others continue to be made solely for a Nintendo hardware platform I will follow. It’s the same reason people get attached to specific authors, musicians and film directors. You as me who makes the best hardware, and that’s its own debate. You ask me who makes the best games, and I will tell you Nintendo every time.

Few companies have the track record of consistent hits and well-beloved franchises that Nintendo does. Sony and Microsoft can have their silly little guns and military machismo. Give me a sword, a horse and green tunic and floppy hat and I’m a happy man with a grin stretching from ear-to-ear. I play games for escape and fun and the vast majority of games on PS3 and Xbox aren’t really my cup of tea.

For what it is worth. My 360 and Wii are gathering dust at the moment (waiting for Skyward Sword to come out). But my 3DS sees nearly daily usage, though a lot of that stems from the Ambassador programs and reliving my childhood (again).

Nintendo has its faults and its issues. They always have. But as long as they churn out top-notch first party games, I will wear “Nintendo Fanboy” as a badge of honor because Modern Call of Honor: Halo Gears of Warfare Duty does not appeal to me in the slightest. Though Assassin’s Creed and Mass Effect have recently scuttled into my list of franchises I like, but that’s why I have a PC.

I go where the games I like are. Nintendo has those games.

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Filed under:Soap Box Tags: gaming, nintendo

My Proton Pack

Did you know that my favorite movie of all time is The Shawshank Redemption? Great film. Love it. Can always watch it. It has a majorly uplifting finale, but it also has come down moments as well. Sometimes, you need a fun movie to sit at the top of your list as well. What kind of geek would I be if my number 2 film wasn’t something appropriately nerdy? You may expect it to be the standards such as Star Wars or Lord of the Rings, but you would be incorrect. Of all the nerdy films to grace this world, my favorite by an insurmountable measure is Ghostbusters.

As a child of the 80′s, I was quite fond of the Saturday morning treat that was The Real Ghostbusters. I also would watch the movie as well on home video, but since I was only one year old when it came to theaters I never had the opportunity to see it on the big screen. I saw Ghostbusters 2 in theaters when I was about 6, which back then was totally awesome. Ghostbusters fell off my radar for a long time, but was always an unshakable foundation of my youth. Eventually, I was brought back around again when I bought the DVD. Ghostbusters was back in my life, and all was well.

Fast forward to 2009. I move into an apartment with my good friend John Coleman. We jokingly talk about build a proton pack since John is one of those awesome people who likes to build awesome things. It took a while, but it paid off as I soon came into possession of my own Proton Pack thanks to John’s remarkable work despite my best attempts to have him dial back somewhat. So for the first time last Halloween, I donned my pack and my flight suit and stepped into public as a Ghostbuster. Every where I went, people were amazed and some even took pictures. Awesome times.

At the Theater

So… imagine my delight when I heard last month that the original film was coming back to theaters in a really limited re-release on three Thursday nights in October. Imagine my greater surprise when I found out that somehow one of the rinky-dink theaters in Charlottesville (which has no good theaters by the way), was going to playing at least one show. You could be damn sure that I wasn’t going to miss that opportunity even if meant trudging back to my teenage days working at the very theater showing the film.

So, of course, I head to the show all decked out. Sadly though, there really couldn’t have been more than 20 or so people in attendance. I blame the rain and a lack of proper advertising. Then again, it was barely a month before the shows were announced, and they weren’t really advertised all that well. But what few people were there took the time to be impressed that someone in Charlottesville had that level of devotion to Ghostbusters. A few pictures were taken, good laughs were had, and it was fun time regardless. I’m especially thankful for my fiancée who puts up with my strange indulgences.

There is another showing next week at the same time. I may not watch the movie, but I may go back to at least show off again and meet fellow fans. Besides, I could use some practice being the center of attention what with my introversion and upcoming wedding.

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Filed under:Personal

I sit, firmly entrenched, in the middle of Mac vs. PC war. Neutral territory, if you will. In what very well be a certain reversal of expected roles, my Mac use is primarily for my work (as a web/Flash developer), and my PC use is primarily for fun (the woes of Mac gaming drive me to do so). I don’t truly have a side in this battle, and I have loves and hates on both sides of the argument. My grievances with the world of Windows are not part of my topic today though. Today, after having had time to reflect, is focused on the technology legend we so recently lost: Steve Jobs.

Regardless of your opinion of Apple, Steve Jobs and your place in one of the tech-world’s longest running debate, it is imperative to understand that Jobs is one of the fore-fathers of the modern computer age. The two Steve’s (Jobs and Wozniak) had a vision that would move computers from the world of labs and businesses, into the home. They dreamed of machines that were meant for entertainment, productivity and creativity. That those very machines would have an honored in your home. Some thought them crazy, but in the end we see how that turned out for everyone. You are likely sitting at home, in front of computer, reading a story of a 20-something nerd mourning the passing of a modern legend, possibly even on a device that said legend helped bring to market.

The legacy of Jobs isn’t that of one company (don’t forget he helped found Pixar), or a single device. Steve helped usher in a new age by daring to dream big and fill the gaps that no one knew were in need of filling. He alone is not responsible for Apple’s success, nor this modern age. He was, however, always actively striving to push it forward. Never thinking that what we had been good enough. Steve Jobs and Apple did more than just bring a computer into the home, or the world into your pocket.

They brought us the future.

Thanks Steve. For everything.

Image Credit: allanrosenow on deviantART

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So, I got into the Pottermore Beta and was sorted to Ravenclaw. It has long been the house I associated with the most. Vindication is such a nice feeling.

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Filed under:Personal Tags: harry potter, pottermore, ravenclaw