A True Story
The other morning I was traveling to work on a packed subway car when a pregnant woman got on the train. Without an open seat, she was forced to stand awkwardly. Another woman, overcome with empathic rage, opened up on a young man seated just in front of the mother-to-be, belittling him for not giving up his seat to an obviously pregnant woman in need of a respite.

The young man, a little shocked to be pointed out in the crowded train and now the center of attention, rose from his seat to acquiesce to the the older woman, who was continuing her tirade on how youth have no manners and no respect for the pregnant or elderly. Of course, when I say he rose from his seat, I mean he limped up from his seat. This young man was obviously in a great deal of pain; something was terribly wrong with one of his legs.

The pregnant woman, embarrassed for causing such a fuss, sheepishly sat down upon the young man's insistence. The old woman was continuing her rant, oblivious to the man who now shifted his weight onto the one leg, holding a support bar to keep steady. Another passenger, seeing his plight, kindly offered up her seat to the young man. All the while, the older woman - obviously not senile but just as obviously lacking observation skills - prattled on.

---

It is much easier to get angry than it is to forgive others. Most people agree that it is in everyone's best interest to treat others with kindness and respect, but executing those ideals is more difficult, even for this writer.

Certainly one might nod their head agreeably and shout, "Yeah, why can't people just be more nice?" I would be willing to bet, however, that every person perusing these words who is of driving age has gotten upset at other drivers or, in the worst of cases, exacted retribution. As minor as turning on your washing fluid to let a tailgater know to back-off or as extreme as slashing someone's tires, you do not know why that driver was actually driving the way they were. Did a family member just pass away? Were they fired? Did they find out they have an STD?

Maybe a coworker treats you poorly, or you get snubbed by a waiter at a restaurant. Maybe a stranger shoves their way by you on the street, or you were recently victim of a theft. All of these people may - or may not - have reasons for doing what they have done. A family member is sick, they might be going through domestic trouble, or come down on hard times financially. The point is, even though these people may just be jerks, it is probably in your best interest to give them the benefit of the doubt in the long run. Forgiveness is safer for you and your family, and less stressful. You will also live longer, guaranteed.

---

Look, a lot of things are going to happen to you in life. People are going to steal from you, they're going to treat you like crap. You'll be threatened and probably sued for something at one point or another. The only thing you can control is your own response. You can get upset and angry or sad, or you can deal with it and move on with more important things.Father of Bozanimal

A reflection on Weeks 3 and 4
Weeks 1 and 2
Series Premise

This Geek to Chic mini-series is meant to inspire other users to either start working out or to bring their particular routine to the next level. Already nocoolnamejim has started a mission to improve himself, but I hope all readers will benefit.

Life Events Intrude
Finding out you have triplets en route puts the rest of your life into a sort of vertigo. Despite the news and rush to accomplish a multitude of chores, working out was still a priority I never missed. How?

Substitution - I missed out on a "leg day" last Tuesday due to an increased work load and stress from my personal life. The next day at work I walked over sixty flights of stairs to compensate for missing my workout, effectively beating the beejeezus out of myself in punishment. Not only did I get a great workout, I worked different muscle groups, leading to more effective growth.
Prioritizing - Being in good health and strong enough to care for three babies has been a positive motivator to hit the weights. Since I have started I have already seen improved stamina and strength, it will hopefully allow me to catch up with the little ones once they make an appearance.
Help - My wife has been tremendously supportive both from a time standpoint and a dietary one. She cooks, I clean; and she has been incredible in the kitchen since I started.

Women and Weight Training
Weight lifting is not the exclusive province of men. Every woman should lift weights in addition to their regular aerobic exercise routine. There is a false belief that lifting weights will lead women to become freakishly huge when in reality it increases bone density and defines musculature; think Sporty Spice rather than American Gladiators.
One in eight women will experience osteoperosis (a disease in which bone mineral density is reduced and bone microarchitecture is disrupted), but most do not realize that they reach their maximum bone density in their twenties. Women begin losing bone density by the age of thirty. Pregnancy and menopause accelerate this loss.
To limit the loss of bone density, improve musculature, your cardiovascular system, your immune system, and even your brain, you should include weight training as part of your exercise routine when you are young and continue exercising regularly.
Unless, of course, you are pregnant with triplets, in which case none of this applies to you. Go home, sit on the couch, and eat ice cream until you are good and fat. Focus on gestating.

Changes to Me
With the promise of before-and-after photographs looming and my seeming inability to put on any weight, I grow nervous the differences between my original pictures and final pictures may show little more than additional muscles and rib bones in two weeks. Of course, I know this not to be true since I can already see some improvements, but I will push myself even harder over the next two weeks because I want something substantial to inspire readers.

Growing up a skinny nerd was - and often still is - a huge dent to my ego, and I'm hoping someone in similar shoes is able to take this series and run with it to improve their own self-esteem.

Note: I have not yet seen Knocked Up

Men: Women love romantic comedies. Certainly this is a generalization, but by and large romatic comedies are the female equivalent of a generic action films for men; we can always watch one even if it isn't that good. In this vein, we must occasionally endure a romantic comedy so our significant other will sit through Conan The Destroyer once in a while.
Ladies: Pay attention, your man might actually sit through these. What's more, he might even talk to you about them afterward!

Top Ten RoMANtic Comedies

10 - Original Sin is actually complete garbage, but it's got one hot, naked Angelina Jolie, so any man would love the movie for this alone- what? It's not a romantic comedy? Oh, I guess you are right; sorry, I was distracted. Hold on I need to rewind a second. Phew, Angelina. Okay, nope, one more second; now I can get back to the list.

Top Ten RoMANtic Comedies

10 - Train Man (Densha Otoko) was based on the true story of an otaku coming back from shopping in the Akihabara district of Tokyo that ends up falling for a woman he meets on the train. The support he gets from his own online community is worth the price of admission, though some of the content gets lost in translation for English viewers. The ending is also excessively cheesy. Still, the film appeals to one's inner geek, and mine is a big one.

9 - Roxanne is based on the play "Cyrano," where the leading lady falls for one man's personality and another man's physique. This is easily my favorite Steve Martin performance; his timing and delivery are perfect and the writing is solid. Daryl Hannah also has a brief nude scene at the beginning, though the audience never sees any of the good bits. Oh well, you cannot win them all, guys. Thank God for the internet.

8 - Groundhog Day is the story of a weatherman forced to relive the same day in perpetuity. This was Bill Murray at his peak, and his transformation from bitter and downtrodden lowlife to caring and warm gentleman is hilarious and funny. The humor ranges from dark to lighthearted, providing something for everyone.
Note: My wife does not like this film, though yours might.

7 - Chasing Amy was the movie that put Director Kevin Smith on the map. A comic book artist falls in love with another artist, only to find out she is a lesbian. Good writing but even better delivery make for some memorable moments, though it is so interlaced with vulgarity as to turn off some viewers. Still, it is genuinely funny, and both of you should enjoy watching it if you can get beyond the gratuitous swearing.

6 - Siam Sunset is a relatively obscure Australian film that never really got the recognition it deserved. Relative unknown Linus Roache plays the protagonist, a British design executive that loses his wife in a truly bizarre manner, is forced to take a respite. That trip results in any number of quirky and humorous situations that take the viewer by off-guard; I cannot even divulge the method of Roache's wife's death because it was so weirdly funny. Fantastic writing make this film a winner for men and women.

5 - Wedding Crashers borders on a buddy comedy, with Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn playing off one another to great effect. While the film is intersperced with collegiate humor, the writing is generally solid. Further, the plot moves forward in unpredicatable ways, making for a surprising viewing experience.
Best line: "It was a gift, I'm keeping it."

4 - 40-Year Old Virgin might initially lead you to conclude this a comedy in the American Pie vein. Instead, you get witty dialogue and a genuinely understandable leading man. You truly sympathize with Steve Carell's character, who is not made stupid in order to be funny (e.g. Ricky Bobby from Talledega Nights or Ace Ventura from Ace Ventura). Some gratuitous nudity, particularly in the DVD extras, is a bonus for male viewers.

3 - Love, Actually a fantastically written English film that weaves the love stories of a number of couples together. The results are some random encounters, warm fuzzy moments, heart-wrenching betrayals, and cute scenes of puppy love. The naked couple is so adorable, your significant other might even forgive you for rewinding. Twice.

2 - Secretary is a well-written, romantic, dark comedy about a woman with a fetish for cutting herself who meets a man (her boss, no less) with a less dangerous - but much sexier - fetish for domination. The gradual displacement of her violence fetish for a new desire to be submissive to her new boss is both incredibly sexy and heartwarming (sometimes uncomfortably). One hot Maggie Gyllenhaal rockets this title to the top, though it has some intense fetish content that may make some viewers squirm, keeping it out of the top spot. The irony is that its fetish content also got it into the top spot. Go figure.

1 - Saving Face is a romantic comedy that follows all the traditional romantic comedy storytelling hooks, leaving you smiling after viewing. You have two people that meet, fall in love, are torn apart by unavoidable circumstances, then reunite in a love-conquers-all scene of joy by tossing their cares to the wind. The twist on this romance, however, is our protagonists are both Chinese women; beautiful Chinese women. The problem is that one has a traditional mother that wants her daughter married to someone successful and, you know, a man. Nudity, lesbian sex, emotional strife, and many laugh-out-loud moments make this film a rare gem for male viewers to both please their significant other and, er, themselves.

Honorable Mentions: As Good As It Gets, Conan The Barbarian, Danny Deckchair, Die Hard, French Kiss, High Fidelity, Hitch, Kate and Leopold, Knocked Up, Mannequin, Shaun of the Dead, Something About Mary, The Wedding Singer, What Women Want, When Harry met Sally

At about 125lbs. (about 9 stone for you Brits) and a height of 5'9", I do not cut the most imposing figure. This may lend reason to why I have been solicited for everything from cash to directions from everyone from the pauper to the prosperous. I have lived in the city of Boston for several years, but it seems nary a week goes by I am not accosted by someone for something.

Perpetual Homeless - This guy has been in the same spot on the same street for the past three years (at least). He is a faily normal looking guy with clothes in good repair, he does not smell, and holds conversation with the multitude of people he has obviously known for some time. I see him every day and he still asks for money. Every day I ignore him, yet every day he asks me for spare change.

Spare Change Guy - This guy is infamous in Boston. Sadly, he is severely handicapped, though it didn't stop Fox News from allowing him to host a few television spots. Good call, Fox, leveraging the mentally disturbed (not to mention homeless) for some ratings, you morons! Anyway, this guy asks everyone for spare change, and without remorse, will take your donation, turn around, and buy a lottery ticket. Seriously, he'll stand in front of a convenience store, take handouts, and buy scratchoff tickets. It would be hysterical if it was not so poingently sad.

Tourists - I am infinitely forgiving of tourists, even though I am always the guy they ask for directions. You see, everyone is a tourist sometimes, and sometimes while traveling we all need help. Boston needs its tourists, and I am always happy to point someone in the right direction. What I am not happy about, is the self-entitled, elitist yuppie snobs that blow into town and get angry when they bump into residents. We know where we are going, you do not, show some respect!

Listerine Guy - This homeless man is completely trashed from drinking Listerine from the CVS across the street into excess. He is asking me for money, but I am not sure he really knows he is even asking. His smell would be repulsive if not for his minty fresh breath.

Save the Planet Guy/Girl - This tree-hugging volunteer approaches everyone that walks by to ask them if they care about the planet/whales/puppies/trees/animal cruelty/dead babies/whatever; but they will always drop what they are doing to talk to me. I am a magnet for these people.
"Do you care about the right of gays to marry in Massachusetts?"
Well of course I care, but who knows who is sponsoring their survey, if my signature will be misappropriated, my identity stolen, or other insidious use of my name. Besides, I am tired of all the junk mail I get from friends of Greyhound Dogs (how about focusing our efforts on human beings, war, hunger, poverty, disease, education and the only planet that supports our meager lives before pet projects), The Smile Train (wasteful use of donations on national advertising), and the Somerville Divestment Project (are they joking? what a waste of time, Somerville had $250,000 in Israeli bonds, a drop in the bucket). I never, ever sign petitions anymore. Ever.

The Not-Homeless Homeless Guy - This man has a home. He might even have a wife and kids. Every day, though, he is out soliciting hard-working men and women for money. Why? He's lazy. You might think I am exaggerating, but there are people out there that are begging you for money simply because they do not feel like doing anything. They just want to live off of the system, and take advantage of hard-working people. These people are more rare than most, since 29% have a mental health problem, 38% alcohol problem, and 26% a drug problem.

Honest Guy - He is going to buy booze with your money, and he does not mind letting you know. He figures that honesty is the best policy, and does well collecting cash from the college crowd, particularly men who find it amusing. He should know by now I will not give him cash, but he is so brazen as to be almost admirable.

The Traveler - I would think people would have stopped falling for this con a long time ago. This man - homeless or not - wants your money. He just needs a few bucks for train fare to get home. Somehow, this man has become trapped in the city with no money or ability to transport himself home, and just needs a couple buck from me. I had one guy tap my shoulder while I was listening to my MP3 player to the following:
"Hey, man, you're the first white guy that didn't run away from me." He was black, obviously, but why would I have run away because of that? Are people in Boston really that racist?
"Yeah?"
"Yeah, seriously. Look, you from Boston?"
"Yes."
"Aw, man, cool. Look, I just need a couple bucks for train fare back to Worcester, man, you know what I'm sayin'? My car got towed downtown and I ain't got cash to get home, but nobody believes me!"
"Right."
"So, uh, can I borrow some cash, man?"
"No, I don't carry cash." This was a true enough response, as I do not usually carry cash; my credit card gets me by. "But good luck with that."
The Traveler will often be carrying a gas can, as well. He might just need five bucks in his tank to get home; his car is empty up the street far enough I cannot see. Convenient.

The Woman - Every once in a while I see a homeless person that is a woman. This does not happen often, but when it does I always wonder why. I know it sounds a bit strange, but it seems odd to me that a woman would ever be forced onto the street and unable to get back off. I guess I just always find women to be more determined, resourceful, and optimistic than men. But hey, I guess it's just me.

Free Stuff Spokesmodel - These people won't talk to me.

After extensive analysis, I have come to the conclusion that I make too much eye contact, smile too often, and am just too darn friendly, in general. This makes me sad because I would like people to smile more often, but it also makes sense that most people look at their feet when walking along; they do not want to be suckered out of their hard-earned money by a grifter or impotent charity project; and they would be right.

---

Inspired by DawnBurn

The Wii Fit is destined for failure, despite being a genuinely innovative, interesting, capable gaming input device. Why?

Nintendo has always been a, "Throw (the product) out there and see what sticks," kind of company. From the Power Glove to the Super Scope, to the 64DD, Nintendo just manufactures its imagination (sometimes seemingly regardless of market demand). Why does the company release peripherals like R.O.B. and the Donkey Kong Bongos (admittedly fun, but with limited capability)?

The Wii Fit is a Power Pad
The Wii Fit is a very impressive piece of technology. It measures acceleration (via weight) to simulate on-screen movement. The device can determine your head movement by the shifting weight of your feet, which is amazing. The gaming potential is as limitless as it is for the Wiimote (particularly if used in tandem). Sadly, Wii Fit is still just a fancy Power Pad. The Power Pad failed due to lack of support from developers (and therefore a lack of titles), lack of interest from players, and ugliness. But hey, at least the Fit is not ugly.

Wii are not Fit
The Fit was dead before it was even announced. The Wii Fit contains the word, "Fit." People hate fit. In the United States, at least, we live in a culture where pills melt away fat and surgery can cure obesity. Forget dedication to exercise and commitment to dieting, the Doctor will take care of everything! Sure we would like to be fit, but not if it takes actual work. Nintendo's ace in the hole might be the Feng Shui and yoga crowd, but the size of that segment of Wii owners is unclear.

Alternative Products
It appears Wii developers are already adopting their own proprietary fitness hardware, creating competing hardware for the Fit before it even hits shelves. It might be crappy hardware and software being released by third-parties, but holiday shoppers are not known for doing their research, putting a potential dent in the target demographic of the Wii Fit.

Successful hardware peripherals need...

...to be intuitive. If the controller or input device the firm creates is cumbersome or confusing, the device will ultimately end up gathering dust. Sony had to dump their original PS3 controller design when they realized it was, well, garbage. Conversely, the N64 controller was easily one of the most intuitive interfaces ever designed for a console, anyone picking it up knew immediately how to hold it, and it was extremely versatile depending on whether the game required a digital or analog stick.

...distribution and marketing muscle. Sometimes a peripheral can get away with being trash if it has solid marketing. It does not necessarily make it a good peripheral; it just means that it will sell. Look no further than the Aura Interactor, one of the most craptacular peripherals ever. Effectively a giant purple vibrator you strapped to your chest while playing games, the company sold over three million units because it had an effective in-store marketing campaign and country-wide hype to push its products.

...to be fun. The R.O.B. was pretty cool growing up, but it did not really do much to make gaming more fun. If anything, you felt like more of a loser for needing a robot to be your friend. Conversely, the Game Genie was practically the perfect peripheral. The device modified your actual gaming experience by changing the way your games were played. Whether your character was able to fly for the first time, had infinite lives, or all the best equipment, the Game Genie was incredibly fun to mess around with after completing a title.

...software support. The ultimate killer: If there are no games there will be no sales of your peripheral. The NES Max, Game Genie, and even the craptastic Aura Interactor added to the gaming experience of any title in the gamer's library. Conversely, buying a Gamecube Microphone or SNES Super Scope would only work with a few games, limiting their target audience from console owners to console owners that liked to talk to their Pokemon or play rail shooters, respectively.

...to be included. The key to selling a peripheral is to include the hardware and bundle it into the cost of either the system or the software. Donkey Kong Jungle Beat would have been nigh impossible to move had it not included the controllers, as if it were not a tough sell already. Even the fabled light gun, the NES Zapper might not have seen use without being bundled into the original NES system. Packaging peripherals with their respective software makes the cost of purchase seem like a better deal to buyers, even when building in the price.

---

I hope the Wii Fit surprises me. I hope Nintendo puts together a strong lineup of first-party software to support the Wii fit. I would not mind dodging bullets and sword strikes while hacking away at my enemies with the remote. Thinking of the Jedi possibilities makes me drool. Unfortunately, for the aforementioned reasons, I do not see the Wii Fit succeeding.

Everything you ever wanted to know about the Gamespot Soapbox
(Publicly available information only)

HOW TO GET THE SOAPBOX EMBLEM
Welcome to the GameSpot Soapbox, in which you can always find the latest rants, diatribes, well-reasoned arguments, and baseless speculation about gaming both from the GameSpot editors and GameSpot users. Want to be spotlighted? We'll consider every GameSpot blog post marked with the category "editorial" for inclusion. Sound off!
(Gamespot) last updated: Sep 21, 2007 5:09 am ET

Comment - This is the only publicly available, official information and indication on how to get on the Soapbox. All we know is it needs to be marked "editorial" and be about gaming.

SOAPBOX MECHANICS
1 - Users that have the Soapbox emblem have their entry automatically posted to the top of the Soapbox when they mark them as, "Editorial."

2 - Users can lose the emblem, have lost the emblem, and will continue to lose the emblem. I have known at least three users lost the emblem, BraindeadRacr (he discusses its loss here), Misfit1119, and TheCritic9392 (recipient of the banhammer). The reasons for loss vary, though it is theorized that Misfit lost the emblem after this entry because the entry pertained to Gamespot rather than gaming.

3 - The final decision on who is awarded the Soapbox emblem is a Gamespot editor. According to Caddy06_88 in this forum post, it was formerly Greg Kasavin, who has since left Gamespot. A list of the Gamespot editorial staff is located here. User Thraxen kindly informed me that the aforementioned Editorial staff list is outdated, and that several of the listed staff have left or had title changes. I have submitted a request for this to be updated, but it may take some time.

4 - Entries by emblem holders marked as "Editorial" in blog posts made in affiliated sites such as Filmspot and TV.com will appear in the Gamespot Soapbox.

SOAPBOX STATISTICS
I began tracking Soapbox entries in June (you know, for fun). Below are the number of posts marked "editorial" by emblem-holders that went up on the Soapbox, totals over the past three months, and total posts overall.

CURRENT SOAPBOX EMBLEM HOLDERS
The list below contains all the users I know of that have the Soapbox emblem currently. There may be more (possibly many).

acadiascreech, Acepace, Baroque-Legacy, Benny_is_here, Bokista, Bozanimal, carolynmichelle, Chikahiro94, Cube_of_MooN, curtrazo, dannyodwyer, DawnBurn, DJ_Lae, Donkeljohn, Draqq_Zyxorian, EarthThatWas, Enterprise-E, fishdalf, FriedConsole, Gigastormz, hart704, JaMeS4418, Jerell_rast, JonathanL, juradai, KFrandsen2, kori911, Korubi, laughlyn12, Link2025, m0zart, Messier75, metagnome, MrCHUP0N, NekoTheSpook, NeoJedi, Nickolai1979, nocoolnamejim, Reetesh, ruff_edgz, Sagacious_Tien, Shifty_Pete, Soulreavercross, subrosian, TheNay-Sayer, Thraxen, trifuzion, U1, vikingwwu, warden72, weemadando, WhollyNight, wootex, yariang, yian, ZimpanX, Zkeptik

BOZANIMAL'S SOAPBOX OPINION SECTION
Subject to change with the author's opinion (and he has been known to flip-flop).

It's Always The Same People (i.e. Overposting)!
This is absolutely true. Sort of. Only users with the emblem have the ability to post to the Soapbox, and so the same users pop up all the time. However, new users are added continuously. In fact, nine users were added in September 2007 alone (so far). Further, I forward a link to this blog entry to each and every Soapbox user as they garner the emblem. Therein I suggest to each emblem-holder they impose a measure of self-regulation to limit their posting, thereby allowing other users a chance at the podium. This is, of course, only my opinion, but I hope it limits user complaints that they are always seeing the same people. Click the aforementioned link for details and discussions in the comments.

The Soapbox Emblem is like The One Ring
I firmly believe that half of the complaints regarding the Soapbox are founded by users' desire to garner the emblem. If there was no emblem, many users obsessed with writing "Soapbox-worthy" editorials would discontinue their endeavor immediately, and complaints would cease from all but a few members.

Poor Grammar from Emblem-Holders
Some of the Soapbox emblem holders are not native English speakers, such as Reetesh. Be sure to consider this the next time you disparage an entry for poor grammar; the user may have something intelligent to say and contribute but - English being the difficult language that it is - are inhibited since English is their second language. I use Reetesh as an example because his gaming views are often unique relative to those of the West. He once told a poignant story about how gaming affected his relationship with his brother that was quite memorable, if not up to the standards of Franklin-Covey grammatically. Of course, some native English Soapbox emblem holders fail to proof-read their entries, leaving them filled with misspellings and poor grammer. I believe flaming in this situation is justified.

It's Not Fair!
The Gamespot community would benefit from reading the editorials of users like GabuEx and digi_matrix, but they have both written many editorials and have not (yet) been added to the Soapbox. Do they deserve it? Sure. Is it unfair or unjust that they not have the emblem? No. The Soapbox is an arbitrary system, and arbitary systems do not need to be fair. It's like Calvinball.

Everyone Writes About The Same Game!
(e.g. Halo 3, Crysis, Bioshock, etc.)
This is more or less true. However, the editorials I have seen on Bioshock were all addressing different issues. DawnBurn discussed how she did not want to see any sequels to Bioshock for reasons of story continuity and preservation of the original's integrity, Wootex discussed the lack of a death penalty in the game, and I myself discussed the implementation of Digital Rights Management and other issues associated with its launch and distribution. While all discussed Bioshock, they were very different takes on independent issues.

That Editorial Was Stupid
This happens sometimes; nature of the beast and all that. In my opinion, all "Top Ten" lists should immediately disqualify Soapbox emblem holders. It's a good thing, therefore, I am not a Gamespot editor!

(Unofficial) HOW TO EARN THE SOAPBOX EMBLEM
Suggestions from Bozanimal

1 - This is the internet; keep in mind the short attention span of readers.
2 - Keep your editorial to less than 800 words. Anything longer may begin to bore the reader, and implies that you are unable to make your point in a succinct manner.
3 - Make an outline and put your conclusion in your first paragraph. Lazy readers will read the first paragraph then throw in a comment before moving along. Your opinion goes in the middle. Put facts at the end to back up your opinion.
4 - Break up the text with judicious use of pictures to illustrate your point. Nobody likes a wall of text except the writer.
5 - Highlight your key points and/or facts with bullets, bold-face, and/or underlining, but don't overdo it. Too much formatting can make for reading as tough as walls of text.
6 - If you submit an editorial and do not get the Soapbox emblem, do not complain. Nobody likes a whiner.
7 - If you submit an editorial and do not get the Soapbox emblem, do not follow-up with several additional editorials. If I were a Gamespot editorial and recently rejected a user editorial, and that user posted another editorial that week, I would be less inclined to accept the editorial than if I saw the same editorial a month later.
8 - Proof-read. Spellnig mistaKes 'nd grammer miztakes are like zits in your wriTing.

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Soapbox Complaints
This is a compilation of links to entries where people have complained about the current Soapbox system. It is by no means comprehensive. I neither agree no disagree with any of the following opinions, except where I have made opinions.
A Zkeptik Editorial, a number of users complain about the Soapbox in the comments section.
Site Enhancements & Feedback - Beef with GameSpot User Soapbox Just like it sounds.
The_PC_Gamer wants into the Soapbox in this blog entry market "Rant"
xboxrulze got the Soap Box blues Also, just what it sounds like.
AJMarra's Editorial of Irony A funny entry; check out the comments for some users miffed at the Soapbox.

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This guide was written and compiled by Bozanimal. He is not a Gamespot employee or moderator, and has no official input in the Soapbox system other than the editorials he chooses to post. You are free to link-away.

9 Weeks: Old life plan out, new life plan in

A Reflection on Weeks 1 and 2
Ow.

What I've Learned
1 - The most difficult part is scheduling. I need to go to work, sleep, eat, and get chores done, so my leisure time is cut back.
2 - I was very, very sore the first week, but the second week was profoundly better. I am also sleeping very, very soundly.
3 - I need more equipment. I do not belong to a gym; my home gym needs an upgrade. I will have to get more equipment to work all of my muscle groups most effectively.
4 - My spouse is supportive, but with caveats. Waking up at 5:30AM disturbs her as she sleeps in until 6:30AM. I am working on being more sneaky.
5 - Slacking is easy. Looking at the weights, I could easily drop five or ten pounds and make my exercises easier. I don't, but I could.

What I've Changed
1 - I already ate good, but with the help of my wife I am eating better; more veggies and fruit, more protein, and bigger breakfasts. My wife is fantastic.
2 - I cut back on soda. When I open a new can, I dump out half immediately. I only drink a half-soda during the week, and one or two on the weekend.

I feel great and I want to continue to improve. I can just barely start to see improvement visually when I squint and stand in the right lighting. I'll continue to mark my progress and post images in the final week (Week 7, the completion of six weeks).

Metal Slime Time

Two Humor entries for the price of one: free!

Why I hate Clive Owen
Or, "Leave some for the rest of us, mate!

Owen and Portman

Owen and Dawson

Owen and Knightley

Owen and Aniston

Owen and Jolie

Owen and Bellucci

Future conquest: Naomi Watts

Granted, after viewing Croupier the other night, Owen certainly paid some dues with his less-than-attractive female costars. Still, he has lived out too many of my fantasies for my liking.

Next up: Ewan McGregor, Jedi and Pimp

---

Overheard on the Street
Walking in the Financial District of Downtown Boston I happened by two young men in business attire, only one was wearing white sneakers with his suit. We'll call him Suit_1 and his buddy Suit_2.

Suit_2: "Those sneakers totally make you look like a pedophile."
Suit_1: "Yeah, I know."
(laughter)

The moral: Do not rock white sneakers with a suit unless you are Justin Timberlake.