So, for those of you that don't know, I had a chance to spend a couple days in the Gamespot studio for E3. I obviously jumped at the opportunity to see and meet the staff I've been watching and working with the past 2+ years. I was a little bit nervous going up to LA, and I wasn't sure what to expect. I was pretty sure I was going to be put somewhere in a corner, out of the way, so I didn't disturb anything. Boy, was I wrong! So, when I got there on Tuesday, the show was already going on. Don came out and got me, and took me inside to the studio they had in the conference rooms at the hotel. It was quite the set-up. They had bean-bags next to an HD Plasma, plus chairs and stuff for people to sit in. Everyone there was incredibly welcoming. The staff was busy all day, yet everyone stopped to say hi, and introduce themselves when they had the chance. The staff also busted their ass all week. Most everyone didn't see what goes on, but basically, people were pulling 12+ hour days. There were editors writing articles from like 7am until midnight, Lark and Dave were causing trouble (by that I mean making sure the E3 page and content was working and uploaded), others were rendering videos to be uploaded, and a whole bunch more stuff that no one sees. Kudos to everyone! I could go on, and on, and on, but I think I'll do this with a couple of lists. Games I will be getting, after seeing in HD: - Gears 2, Dead Space, Red Alert 3, RE5, Star Wars: Force Unleashed (Kevin and I were in awe, and didn't want to stop watching this demo!), Resistance Retribution, Fallout 3, Mercs 2. I have a list of games I want to get, but it just saddens me when I add up how much money it will cost. Things I got to do while at GS's studio: - Eat tons of food, including an ice cream bar :) - See copius amounts of gameplay in HD - Meet and hang out with fellow user Doug and his friend. - Meet and chat with Ted Price, a few wrestlers, Peter Molyneux, Chris Corry, Dennis Dyack, and others - Get a free 15-minute massage - Have Ryan surprise interview us on camera - Enjoy lots of chatroom action in room 1, although I said room 2 on camera. Shout out to Heather! (Damn you GS for starting with room 0!!) - Get owned by Don and his Bionic arm (picture forthcoming) Things I learned about Gamespot staff: - Kevin is incredibly knowledgeable about video games in general. It doesn't matter what platform, or what genre, he knows his stuff! - Homer is absolutely hilarious. His energy and enthusiasm makes all those taped segments that much better. He also swears more than anyone I've ever met :P - Justin has the best accent. - Don....well, he's the question master, what more do you want?! - Kristin has ridiculous stage presence. She was relaxing on the bean-bag next to me, almost asleep one second, and then I turned my head, and she was up interviewing someone like only she can. Simply amazing! (Yes, she is definitely beautiful....no, you do NOT need to keep posting about it) - Mechberg has the best shirts for live shows, there's no doubt about that. - Ryan's two favorite words are: Super Awesome! - Jody is still the queen of Gamespot. Try as they might, even with wigs, her red hair still rules! She also can stop traffic when she dresses up for a party ;) I really hope that I get invited to go again next year. It was a great experience, and I'll make sure to stay the entire time, and possibly even help with the show if I can...maybe....wink wink.... I have to end with a huge thank you to Jody and Don for your hospitality....I'm not even sure if I can say thank you enough. You both rock!

Interesting combination huh? Well, that's what happens when you don't blog for an entire weekend.

Anyway, we all heard the news...Diablo 3 is indeed coming. I am a huge fan of the Diablo series, and it really is the only Blizzard franchise that I truly love. I'm not a big fan of Starcraft or Warcraft. I'm not sure why, I just never have been. Anyway, the demo looked pretty cool. I'm excited for the new Witch Doctor class, and to see what other new classes we are going to be getting. I'm a big fan of the magic, and I hope there's a badass sorcerer class.. I really interested to see what the story will be like, and what path it will follow as well. If you haven't gone to the movies, or taken your kids to see Wall-E, I would highly recommend it. It was such a great movie. It's amazing the creativity that some people have. The story was fantastic, the humor was well placed, and that was with hardly any voices. Go see it. It's worth the $8 and the gas to check it out in a theater. Get Smart wasn't bad either, but it's not as good as Wall-E. And, I'm back to normal working. The usual Mon-Fri, 8-5 stuff again. It's a routine that's for sure, but I like work better than I like class....especially graduate classes.

I have made it safe and sound! It was a fun drive. First day I drove from Michigan to St. Louis, and stopped at a friends house and stayed the night. 2nd day, I drove from St. Louis to the Arizona-New Mexico border, stopped off for a little nap, and then continued on until I got to San Diego! Whoo....it's so nice out here, like 80, and sunny, I missed it! Thanks to all those who wished me well, and yes Jody, I did drive the whole thing alone. 2475 miles in less than 48 hours ;)

So, I'll be driving back to California from Michigan the next few days, so I won't be around. Hope everyone has a good week, and I'll talk to everyone in a few days!

So, I ended my 3 week gaming hiatus with some supurb Halo 3 action last night in the Community Game Night. To start out I was in Kevin's room, and we had a nice 16-person deathmatch on Sandtrap. It was insane. Vehicles, death, and overall destruction everywhere! I don't know what I was thinking, not gaming for 3 weeks! Anyway, I ended up with around 15-18 kills, and 3rd-5th, somewhere around there. Not too shabby.

After that game, I saw that Don was getting lonely, so I headed on over to his room. At first it was him, Sidburn, and myself, and we played a few matches. I did my fair share of thoroughly whooping on them. Once more people joined, we played some Tank Flag, some Zombies, some bomb matches, and so forth. One game on High Ground, I ran into Don about every 5 seconds it seemed like, and I definitely kicked his ass every 5 seconds! (Promise it wasn't intentional!) Him and his team made up for it during the bomb game, by shutting us out, but hey, I was taking names for a while! Overall, it was so much fun to grab the controller and have at it with GS folk. Even G013M was there! Everyone was pretty sweet in the room, and we had a great time. I wouldn't be against having another Halo 3 night soon! Thanks for playing everyone!

Did anyone doubt me? Hehe, anyway, looks like the new iPhone with 3G will be out July 11th. Guess where I'll be that day!

So, the rumor is that Steve Jobs is going to announce the new iPhone tomorrow. Think it's true? I'm certainly hoping so! I've been putting up with my piece of **** phone for the past 3 months, waiting for this day! If it is announced, hopefully they will be on shelves in the next few weeks so I can get one! Yay touchscreen :D

Well, it's been like 3 weeks since I last updated you all on what was going on in my life. So, if you care to know, you can read further. If not, I'm sure Drac won't mind swinging some ban hammer around :P Anyway, my school experience has been going well. Current GPA is 4.0, with finals coming up here in 2 weeks. The past 3 weeks have been tests, papers, and random projects, and I have learned a ton. Getting a master's has been a good decision so far. Anyway, one project in particular that we have been working on is a power train for a Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) or EV. We are making one from scratch, and it has been a ton of fun. Working with 3-phase signal inputs, and translating that into motor controls has been the most challenging, but also the most rewarding. I may end up with my name on a patent for some of the algorithms used to generate the signal :) Work has been work. The same old stuff, different day. It's a bit harder being away, and working from home, but I could get used to it. I'm more of a people person though, and I like working with people. I don't think I could work from home everyday, it would get too boring. Now kind of a sin that I have to confess to you. I haven't touched a gaming device (other than the PC) in about 3 weeks. Now, I know what you are all thinking. I should be damned to hell for eternity. Well, sorry, I have just been that busy. It saddens me really. I think this is the longest I have gone without gaming ever. I do have some plans for gaming though, and MGS4 is right around the corner. I may hold off until then, just so I can spend all my time playing it :D Not playing games has allowed me to do more reading though. I have mowed through several books: A Painted House and An Innocent Man by John Grisham State of Fear by Michael Crichton
The Lucifer Effect by Paul Zimbardo All were pretty good reads, the last one is more a research book by a Dr. of psychology. I would suggest them all to everyone. Last thing before I leave. GO RED WINGS! I am excited to see if they will win the Stanley Cup tonight. I tried to get tickets to the game, but there is no way that I am going to pay $700 to go. I can buy way too many things with that money. Well, that's all for now. I hope you are all doing well!

Doesn't it seem that way? I can't just be moderately busy, I have to be like super-extra hugely busy. It does get quite annoying. So, if you haven't noticed, that has been the case with me. On top of school and work, last week was even more busy. I had 2 birthday parties, a wedding, mother's day, and all that jazz in like 4 days. My parents flew into town, so I had to have dinner with them. My grandparents were in from Canada....yes, that means another dinner. Anyway, I love hanging out with my family, so that's not a big deal, it just leaves no time for you guys! And with that, I is back! Also, Red Wings are rolling, they won 5-2, and I see a match-up with Pitt on the horizon. Sorry Crosby....no cup for you.

Yes, that's what GTA4 is. If you don't see me in the next like year.....look on my couch. EDIT: A HILARIOUS video for your enjoyment.