Hey guys, I will be leaving for the wonderful city of Chicago in the next half hour to see one of my favorite bands of all time, Iron Maiden. I'll also be meeting up with my good buddy James (Modal_Node and many other usernames) for the first time, so I'm sure I will have a blast. Just thought I'd check in with ya before I leave. Sounds like it might be raining most of the way down there and most of the way back. Let's hope not. I will be back on Thursday night for a full concert report. Later!:D

Check out my new monitor!! :P

Today I received the PC and HDMI cables I ordered from Monoprice.com. Before I continue, if you need HDMI cables, or any kind of cable really, I highly recommend Monoprice.com. You can get high quality HDMI cables for around $5 instead of the insane $50-$100 that places like Best Buy will charge. I thank Ryan Davis of GiantBomb.com for recommending this site because it just saved me hundreds of dollars. I ordered Two HDMI 1.3a Category 2 Certified Cable 28AWG - 6ft with Ferrite Cores (Gold Plated Connectors) for a total price of $6.32!! I also ordered my PC Cable (Super VGA HD15 Male to Male 6ft with Stereo Audio cable and Tripple shielded) for $4.38.

Anyway, I just tested out the PC connection my new TV has, and it looks fantastic. The resolution on the TV is 1920x1200! I'm already enjoyinig this feature and its going to be great watching videos that are on my PC via the TV while I am relaxing on my couch.

I also pre-ordered the Metal Gear Solid 4 PS3 bundle that will be released next week, one day after the Iron Maiden concert in Chicago which I will be attending with my good friend James. I can't wait to try out games and Blu-Ray films in true 1080p HD via HDMI cable. That's all for now, later.

Finally! I have entered the HD era with the purchase of a 46" Samsung "Touch of Color" 120hz 1080p HDTV (model number LN46A750). I originally wanted to go with a Sony XBR 40", but it never went on sale for the price I wanted to pay. I was looking at the Best Buy circular yesterday and I noticed the new Samsung models on sale for $680 off. I didn't think I was able to fit a 46 inch TV into the entertainment center I bought, but I measured the distance and I can just barely fit it in, with less than an inch on each side. I decided to get the biggest TV possible and I think it worked out well. I had heard a lot of good things about Samsung TVs and this model is a brand new one for 2008 and also the top of their line. It also features the 120 hz technology that the Sony XBRs do, so it is very comparable.

I purchased it this morning and I'm loving it so far. I don't have any devices that support HDMI, so my only HD experience so far is the standard cables that come with the 360 (my Xbox is a near launch version and doesn't have an HDMI input). I messed around a bit in GTA IV and Condemned 2 and those look amazing compared to what I was used to. I can actually read the text with no problems now! This TV can also double as a monitor for my computer. I ordered some PC cables online (and a couple HDMI cables for future use) and I can't wait to try that feature out. (if you want some cheap cables, go to monoprice.com) Another neat feature on this TV is that you can hook it up to the internet to get weather reports, news updates and stock info right on the TV itself. Pretty neat feature but I don't know how often I'll use that. You can also access media content on your home network through the TV (similar to the Xbox 360's capability to stream content from your PC with Windows Media Center) and it also features a USB port so you can plug a device into the TV and access pictures, music and video that way as well. Oh yeah, this model has 4 HDMI inputs if you're curious.

I plan to get the 80GB MGS4 PS3 bundle that comes out in a couple weeks. I can't wait to really try out my new TV when that arrives and to also try out some Blu-Ray discs. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to get back to enjoying my new TV! Later

(Click here for a bigger picture of the TV)

(and here's the box)

Over the holiday weekend, I finished the story portion of Grand Theft Auto IV, in around 38 hours play time, with a completion percentage of around 75% (sorry, I can't remember the exact stats). Wow. What a story huh? If you're curious on the ending I chose, I will not go into detail for those that may not have finished the game yet, but I decided NOT to do "the deal." As soon as I finished watching the credits, I thought to myself, "so it's over now? But I want to play more!" If you would have asked me a couple weeks ago if I was going to try to get a 100% completion ratio in GTA IV, I'd say no way. Now that I've finished the main part of the game, I changed my mind. I didn't want the game to stop, I could have played another 30 hours of missions, easily. I've decided to extend my play time as much as possible and go for the mythical 100% completion rating. I will be taking my time though, so I don't think I'll be able to enter that contest on the Rockstar Social Club for a physical "Key to the City."

I've recently finished all the Theft missions from Stevie. I've also finished all the Assassination missions, all of Jacob's drug deliveries, all of Brucie's car requests and the street races (need 10 more wins for the achievement though) and I'm about 1/4 of the way through the Most Wanted missions. I've only got about 5 pigeons down, but that's only because I just randomly stumbled on their locations. I haven't started actively seeking out the bastards, yet.

You may remember me complaining about the driving in GTA IV right after I purchased the game. Well, I got used to it soon after that and I didn't have any issues playing the game successfully. I still don't like the camera and I think that is something that could have been (and should be fixed). What I do while I drive is manually move around the camera with the right stick, so I can see where I'm going at all times. It was a pain to do at first but I quickly got used to it. It'd be great if I didn't have to do this but hey, you gotta do what you gotta do.

That said, I f-ing hate motorcycles. Especially when the game forces you to use them on a mission. I can't drive those things for the life of me. The very last mission in the game is a great example, when it forces you to use that dirtbike. I failed that damned thing like 5 times just because I couldn't drive the motorcycle without crashing every 30 seconds. For some reason I seem to be able to handle the moped and the Harley-sty|e bikes ok, but not the crotch rockets or the dirtbikes. I rarely used motorcycles in past GTA games, but I didn't have as big of an issue with them either, until now that is.

Overall, GTA IV is a great game, especially the story, even if it is predictable in some spots. I'm not sure if I will write up a review for it, but I know that I would not give it a 10. I'd give it at least a 9.0 if not a 9.5.

Now that I've finished the majority of GTA IV, I have several other games I seriously need to play. I rented Condemned 2 several weeks ago, right before GTA came out in fact, and I really need to finish that game and send it back. I've only finished one level in that game, but so far the game is fantastic. I'm still knee deep in FFVII: Crisis Core and I need to get back to that as well. I haven't touched it since before GTA came out. Plus I haven't even touched all those games I purchased during Gamestop's Buy 2 get 1 free on used games sale.

Doesn't that just sound nasty? Anyway, I played some more GTA IV over the weekend and each time I play it, I enjoy it a little more. I still hate the camera while driving and I hate how the vehicles handle, but I'm getting used to it the more I play the game. I can't imagine how hard a race will be. I have a hard enough time catching up to dudes who are on the run as it is. The game seems to be pretty forgiving in that respect though. The characters you chase seem to wait up for you once they get to their final destination (ie: the construction site for that one dude who ends up hanging off the roof and the final encounter with Vlad) so at least that helps. Getting away from the cops when you have a high wanted level seems next to impossible though, with the way the cars handle. Pay 'n Sprays seem like the only option to lower the wanted level.

The story has just turned up a notch and I'm finally starting to care about the characters. (I just finished my missions with Vlad and completed the first mission with my next "employer"). I hope it gets better from here on out. That said, I still enjoy playing past GTA games, as well as Saints Row, much more then GTA IV. So far anyway.

In case you missed it, Gamestop had their annual (semi-annual?) Buy 2 Get 1 Free on Used games sale over the weekend, and I picked up 6 games:

• Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence (PS2)
• Lost Planet special edition (Xbox 360)
• Metal Slug Anthology (PS2)
• Disgaea: Afternoon of Darkness (PSP)
• Front Mission (DS)
• Dragon Quest Heroes: Rocket Slime (DS)

I was extremely excited to find MGS3:Subsistence at Gamestop. I've never played MGS3 (but I've completed 1 and 2) and I've wanted to buy the Subsistence version ever since it was announced. I totally forgot this version includes Metal Gear (NES) and Snakes Revenge (NES) as bonus content, very cool. Now I'll be able to play through MGS3 in preparation for the PS3/MGS4 bundle that I'm thinking about purchasing this summer.

Free Comic Book Day was on Saturday, did anyone make it out to their local comic shops to pick up some free stuff? Hopefully you did. If not, there will most likely be some extra free books that didn't get given out over the weekend. If you plan to head to a comic book shop soon, be sure to pick up DC Universe #0. Its only 50 cents and features the return of one of the biggest characters in DC Comics history.

Iron Man was released on Friday (as if you didn't already know) and apparently it made HUGE dough over the weekend. Around $100 million domestically and $200 million internationally. They've already announced the sequel will be released on April 30, 2010. Marvel also announced a few more release dates for some pending comic book movies. Thor on June 4, 2010, The First Avenger: Captain America (working title) in the summer of 2011 and the Avengers for 2011. I have no idea how they are going to pull off the Thor movie since Thor isn't exactly a realistic character and doesn't seem to transfer well to live action. We'll see though. Captain America would be a bit easier, I think. Its a good thing they are making the Avengers movie after they've made a Thor and Cap movie, it wouldn't work otherwise. Here's hoping DC decides to completely pull the plug on that Justice League movie (its been put on hold for now) and wait to do at least a Green Lantern and Wonder Woman movie first.

I seem to be one of the very few people that isn't sitting at my TV right now, playing GTA IV. What I did do tonight, is go see an advanced screening of Iron Man, which opens across the country on Friday. If you didn't read my last blog, I won free passes while I was at a comic book convention last weekend. Anyway, I just got home from the 2 hour movie and here is my brief review: AWESOME. This is the best Marvel comic book movie I've seen in quite awhile, probably since Spider-Man 2. They do everything in this movie perfectly. Its not an over the top Michael Bay sty|e action movie crapfest, but a very character driven movie. Yes, there is action, but the majority of the film is about character. Robert Downey Jr is absolutely fantastic and fits the role of Tony Stark perfectly. I don't think anyone else would be able to pull it off better than he did. Tony Stark is the main character, but he also serves the role of comic relief, which is very interesting. Robert does a great job with all the one liners and they really lighten the mood in the darker parts of the movie.

Everything is done so well that there is really nothing bad I can say about this film. I guess the only thing for me personally was that it was a bit predictable at times, but that is really only because I am familiar with the origin story of the character (and the movie follows it very well). I suggest you all take a break from GTA IV and go see this movie. You will not be disappointed.

P.S. Am I the only one in the whole world that doesn't think GTA IV is "awesome?" I played it for 2 hours or so when I got it yesterday and I wasn't really feeling it. I can't stand the camera when you're driving and the cars seem to handle like boats. I did a few story missions and then went on a couple dates (played pool and went bowling). They seem to have really gone for the realism and story in this game and left behind that over-the-top running around blowing sh*t up and killing random dudes feeling that I loved so much in the previous games. I guess I'll have to pick up Saints Row 2 for that (which I am looking forward to very much). I'm still going to play through the game but so far IMO it doesn't deserve the 10s its been getting all over the place.

This Saturday, May 3, 2008, is the 7th Annual Free Comic Book Day. If you've never heard of FCBD before, it is essentially a promotional event to help bring in new readers into independent comic book stores and to get new people reading comics in general, no matter where they purchase them. Each comic store does things a little differently, but they will all have several Free comic books to give away. They don't give out just any old book they may have in stock, however, what happens is comic book publishers like Marvel, DC, Image, Dark Horse (and many others) create brand new and specially printed comic books created specifically for Free Comic Book Day. These comics are geared towards new readers and do not require any past knowledge of the characters that are featured.

There is a wide variety of free comic books to pick up this Saturday. Superhero stories from DC and Marvel, traditional comics like Archie, manga from Tokyopop, and indie books for more mature audiences from Image, Dark Horse and other indipendent publishers. Over 40 different publishers will be participating this year. Books from Archie (Jughead), Bongo (Simpsons), Dark Horse (Hellboy), DC (Superman), Dynamite (Project Superpowers by Alex Ross), IDW Publishing (Transformers Animated), Top Cow (Witchblade, Darkness), Marvel (X-Men), Virgin (the Stranded), and Viz (Shonen Jump, Naruto) will be available at all stores. Some of the larger stores will have even more free books to give away, but every single store will be guaranteed to have at least the aforementioned titles.

Some stores even have massive sales on this day, or special events to celebrate further, such as gaming tournaments, cosplay contests, special guests, prizes, etc. To find a comic book store nearest you, and see a full list at all the free comics head to "www.freecomicbookday.com"

This may come off as some sort of promotional blog or just some dumb advertisement, but it is not. I do not work for anyone in the comic book industry, I'm just a big dumb comic book nerd. I love reading comic books, just like I love video games, and I urge anyone that has even the slightest interest whatsoever in comics, to visit your local comic book store this Saturday and pick up some free books. And who knows? You may even have a good time:P

P.S. - I went to a comic book convention yesterday and I won free passes to an advanced screening of Iron Man on Wednesday! I can't wait! Look for a review later this week.:D

P.P.S. - I know I haven't been blogging much lately, but I've still been playing video games. Mostly FFVII: Crisis Core but I also rented Dark Sector and Condemned 2:Bloodshot (impressions on those later). I will also be purchasing GTA IV tomorrow, so I may be up for some multiplayer this weekend if you like. Later!

Question: How many of you guys use RSS feeds on a daily basis?

I recently re-discovered RSS feeds thanks to Google Reader. I feel like I've discovered the internet, all over again. RSS feeds make browsing the net soooo much easier, I don't think I could live without them. I have no idea what program I used the first time I tried out RSS, but whatever it was, it didn't work well at all. The interface was bland and boring and the program itself was too complicated for something that should be so simple. Google Reader is almost exactly like checking your email and it couldn't be any simpler or easier to understand.

Last night I watched Sweeney Todd (or at least most of it), while I was playing Super Robot Taisen: W on my DS. Yeah, uh, modern musicals are not my thing. The last musical I saw before this was probably Grease, and then before that were the Music Man, the Sound of Music, Marry Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. I seem to remember those movies having more dialogue in them, but with Sweeney Todd, every few minutes they burst into another song. It gets really old, real quick. Especially when people just can't sing. That was my main beef with the film. Other then that, Johnny Depp was great (as usual) and the gore was nice. Is it just me, or was Sacha Baron Cohen (Ali G, Borat, Bruno) in this movie, playing a flamboyant barber?

It is now April 1st and spring officially started almost two weeks ago. You'd think that the weather would begin to warm up and the grass would turn green again, right? Well Mother Nature decided to pull an early April Fool's joke on everyone up here in Minnesota yesterday. From about 7:00 A.M. yesterday till the wee hours this morning, it has been snowing non-stop (we got 5 - 7 inches total). It wasn't light snow either. The snow was wet, thick and slushy. What made it worse was that the wind was blowing pretty hard and visibility was almost zero.

The drive home from work yesterday was horrendous. With the constant blowing snow, you could only see about 3 or 4 cars in front of you on the freeway. Beyond that distance was nothingness. All you could see was a grayish-white fogginess, much like the mist in the 2007 film, The Mist. I got this eerie feeling that I was about to drive into another dimension and end up in Xen or something (good thing I have a crowbar in my trunk:P). It was very weird. I feel very lucky I wasn't in a car accident. If anyone had to slam on their brakes in front of me, there would have been a massive 50 car pile up on the freeway.

I'm still waiting on a few gifts that my friends are sending me for my birthday, but I can tell you what I got so far. I received $50 cash from my grandma and a $25 gift card to Best Buy from a friend, which I used to buy some anime box sets that were on sale this week. I picked up the Elfen Leid thinpack, the Neon Genesis Evangelion platinum thinpack and the Mars Daybreak box set. All that was around $69. Pretty good deal I'd say. I received the 2 disc Aliens DVD to complete the Alien Quadrilogy, a couple volumes of the Welcome to the N.H.K. manga and Twisted Metal Head-On: Extra Twisted Edition on PS2 from my girlfriend.

Man, Twisted Metal Head-On is an absolute blast. As David Jaffe said in the history of Twisted Metal documentary (it is bonus content on the disc), Head-On is what Twisted Metal 3 should have been. He's exactly right. It feels like Twisted Metal 2, only better. I'm one of those Twisted Metal fans that despises TM:III and 4 and I don't consider them part of the series. Although they are decent games, they aren't good Twisted Metal games. (you can read the wikipedia entries on those to see why those games aren't highly regarded in the TM fanbase.) Unlike TM:Black, Head-On gets the difficulty just right. Blowing up cars with rocket launchers and machine guns has never been better.

Today is my 27th birthday. Yippee!! (I think?)

I haven't done a whole lot so far today. Most of the afternoon has been spent running around places and spending my birthday money/gift cards. My girlfriend made me french toast this morning and we will be going to TGI Friday's for dinner tonight.

On the video gaming front, I've been playing almost nothing but Super Robot Taisen W on my DS. I'm currently on stage 49 and I only have a handful to go. I did pick up FFVII: Crisis Core but I haven't even taken the shrink wrap off yet. I received Bully: Scholarship Edition and Timeshift from Gamefly last week. I played Bully for an hour or so and I'm just not into it. I didn't notice a whole lot of slowdown or glitches but the load times seem to be frequent and annoying. Timeshift isn't all that great from what I've played. Just another mediocre FPS. It seemed like it wanted to be Half Life 2 really bad, but it doesn't pull it off at all. Another thing that bugged me is that it seems to take an entire clip to take down the AI, unless you are using your slow-mo timeshifting abilities. Kinda lame.