That's right. As of this message, this account is no more.

Sounds dire right?

Hehe.

I'm just switching to a different account. :) My new username is SkylinePigeon. It was time for a change.... I came up with the GGG screen name in middle school, and I'm definitely not the same as I was then. My new username is a slight way to reflect that... plus the old screen name had started to really get on my nerves. :P Anyway, you'll find me at Skyline Pigeon. My mod status is retained, so don't worry about that. I'd also really appreciate it if you all would send me friend requests instead of the other way around because if I had to add everyone it would take forever, but it it would only take you a few minutes! :P

One more request... if anyone is talented at photoshop or anything, I'll need a new signature and journal banner.... or maybe I could keep what I have now if I could get the text changed.

Anyway, you won't find me here any longer! See you at the new account.

As of yesterday, I've had my Xbox 360 for two weeks.

I LOVE POINTS!

I wrapped up Dead Rising yesterday, and have currently got a little over half the achievements.  I'm addicted.  There's no real reason for me to spend two hours driving different vehicles around the maintenence tunnels when I have to get up early in the morning.... but I did it for twenty points.  There was no reason for me to spend about 30 minutes in Seon's Food and Stuff and Al Fresca Plaza eating foods and blending drinks... but I did it for twenty points.  Next time I turn on my Xbox there will be no reason for me to go try on outfit after outfit in the mall... but I'll do it for the fourty points I'm going to get from it.  Not to mention the tons of games of Hexic I've played (my timed mode score is ranked in the 1900s!) or even bothering to download Aegis Wing (not actually that fun).  I just want points.  Lots of points.

I can officially say I've been bitten by the bug.

Hey all... just wanted to bop in and say I'm still in existence!  Being a senior is both busy and wonderfully exciting, not to mention staying on top of a job, picking a college, and getting all my homework done in the honors classes I take.  I'm thouroughly enjoying it and just having a great time... It's my last year so I better be making the best of it! :)

I have been doing a little moderating lately, and I'm trying to make more time for Gamespot... so hopefully you'll see me around more. :)

I got FFXII... It's fantastic, pick it up if you haven't!  My friend gave me Carnivale Season 1 on DVD for my birthday, and I've been watching that, too... check it out if you've never heard of it; it's a great show.  I saw Anathallo in concert a few days ago, which was fantastic.  Check them out, too.  And that sums up everything I've been doing entertainment wise (and the new Ben Kweller CD is great).

Read my blog two posts down... geez that's a great quote from the Awakening... I've forgotten how much I like it.

So, tell me how you guys are! It's been much too long.

Quote of the day:  "I want some gum but I only have one piece left, and I'd much rather share it with you than eat it by myself."  :P  That's the mark of a true friend. :P

There are days when I just really love my life.  Today is one of them.

Sorry I haven't been around much.  I'm also very behind on answering my PMs.  Being a senior is time consuming... Know that you aren't forgotten and I'll be on GS when I can... it's just that I can't be a lot of the time. :)

Congrats on the new job, Dkittles!! :)

Everyone go see Snakes on a Plane.  NOW.  Do it.

"Under wide blue skies/there's a place to lie/for me and Evelyn to hide tonight/I'll try my best to make a go/but I don't know what I don't know/Oh Chariots, if you're out there please swing low"

"Why?" asked her companion.  "why do you love him when you ought not to?"

"Why?  Because his hair is brown and grows away from his temples; because he opens and shuts his eyes, and his nose is a little out of drawing; because he has two lips and a square chin, and a little finger which he can't straighten from having played baseball too energetically in his youth.  Because..."

-from The Awakening by Kate Chopin

*sigh*

That's Josh Ritter.

You guys know I love my music. :P  And I'm always on the lookout for something new.  A few months ago, the Paste Magazine podcast did an hour and a half long special on Josh Ritter.  I listened to it maybe two months ago, and really loved it.  As I listened more to Josh Ritter, the more I became charmed with his music. His new CD, The Animal Years is avaliable entirely online, and I can't tell you how many nights I've stayed up late listening to the CD over and over again.

Josh has a huge following in Ireland, but he's not very well known in the states.  To my knowledge, he's never even come to Mississippi.  One night I was on Ritter's myspace, and I by chance glanced at his tour section.  He was coming to Mississippi, and soon!  Two weeks from then, in fact.  He was playing in Starkville, the home of Mississippi State University.  My mom's been trying to take me on a campus visit, and I figured this would be the perfect opportunity.  I told her about the concert, and she agreed to take me and a friend, as long as we'd visit the campus, as well.  I was very excited.

So, we made the three hour drive to Starkville.  We visited the campus, which was nice.  We found out that I currently could enter with a full semester of credit (and if I do well on the two AP tests I'll be taking next year, a full YEAR of credit).  It was a nice school, and I could go there for VERY little money, so it's definitely a possibility.  We ate at a few restaurants, did a little shopping... I really enjoyed it.

Night rolled around, and it was time to head to the bar where Josh was playing.  We waited for quite some time, but he finally took the stage around 9:45/10:00  What a great show it was!  He was incredible... he's got an interesting voice that he uses well.  The best part about it was that he had a smile on his face the whole time he played.  He loves his music and has a great passion for it, which is refreshing to see in a musician.  He played for about an hour... the crowd kind of sucked because it's a college town, which means mostly frat boys wanting to come in and get drunk, but there were a few people that came just for Josh.  Regardless of the crowd, he put tons of energy in to the performance and seemed to be having a great time.

After the show my friend and I went up and talked to him.  He was SO nice!  The first thing he did was give me this huge hug, before he even asked me my name or anything. :P  I told him how we drove three hours, and his smile when he heard that was so cute. :P  You could tell that he was grateful and appreciated it.  We talked for a few minutes about where we were from, his music, Starkville, and a few other things.   I bought a copy of The Animal Years, and he signed it with "If all nights could be as beautiful as you.... Love, Josh Ritter."  Super cheesy, but nice considering he could have just wrote his name or something. :P  Before we left, he hugged both me and my friend again and kissed me on the cheek. :P 

He was absolutely precious, on stage and off.... a really nice guy who loves his music and just wants people to hear him... he loves to play and make music, it's evident to anyone that watches him.  Do yourself a favor and check him out, you won't regret it. :)

The Josh Ritter fansite is a great place to hear MP3s, see live performances, etc.... it's a great website and a good introduction on Josh. :)  The other links in this entry are worth checking out, too!

In other news, I finished Crime and Punishment.  This is probably not a good thing, but I find myself identifying with Raskolnikov quite a lot.  >_<  I also went to Best Buy the other day, and I got Killer7 for $7.50 and Meteos for $15. :)

I finished my review of Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty.  You can read it here.  Yes, I realize it's long... I just kept writing... and writing... and writing... and ended up with that! :P  I tried to post it for Review Spotting, but the forums were down last night and I couldn't, so I didn't make the deadline. :P  Well, there's always next time. :P

Still trying to finish Crime and Punishment.  My goal yesterday was to finish it yesterday.  *sigh*  My goal today is to finish it today.

Oh, something I left out! :P  I have recently become the leader of the Christian Fellowship Union.  This is a bit different from the Christian Union in that it seeks not to really discuss and argue about different things, but just to be a place of Christian encouragement.  If you're interested in being a member, go here: http://www.gamespot.com/pages/unions/forums/show_topics.php?board_id=909157408&union_id=2952

Goodness, I'm all full of edits today!  I also edited my Resident Evil 4 review.  You can find it here if any of you are interested in the changes.  Yes, Dutch, I added the paragraph you suggested! :D

I finally beat Fire Emblem!

What's so special about that, you ask? I've been playing pretty consistently for TWO years.  I've started the game over THREE times (and it's a long game).  Finally, however, finally I've beaten it.  I played it in class all the time... Chemistry in 10th grade, AP Biology in 11th grade... what will I play in Physics this year?  Hmmm... maybe Sacred Stones?  :P  It's quite a good game; pick it up if you can!

Oh, by the way, I'm quite behind on writing reviews, but I have one for MGS 2, MGS 3, and now Fire Emblem coming up relatively soon. :P

It would be easy, I promise.  Let me know if you're interested. :P

Josh Ritter's CD The Animal Years is pretty darn sweet. :)

*sigh* I'm confused.  I need to pray about a lot of things.

You people need to read my previous journal.  Only five comments? :P  Hehe.

I compiled this list for a VU thread, but I put too much time in to it to let it die there, so I thought I'd put it in my journal.  This is my list of my top favorite albums of the moment, and, of course, is subject to change.  Read my list, tell me what you think, and post your own!  I'd love to hear your thoughts. :)

10) Closer - Josh Groban

With Closer, Josh Groban shows further mastery of that beautiful voice of his!  This album features a wide variety of music in several languages, and Groban sings with amazing passion and conviction that it's hard not to be moved.  He's got such talent and this CD showcases it in an amazing way!  My favorite tracks: Oceano, My Confession, Remember When it Rained, You Raise Me Up.

9) Room for Squares - John Mayer

John Mayer's first big release, and arguably his best to date.  Emotive tracks give the listener insight into Mayer's mind and provide something we can all relate to.  The album was recorded early on in Mayer's career, so it's got a rough quality that I love.  Mayer is a creative guitar player, and this album is a good showcase of what he's capable of!  My favorite tracks:  My Stupid Mouth, Neon, Love Song for No One.

8 ) The End is Here - Five Iron Frenzy

This CD is the final release of Five Iron Frenzy, a Christian ska band.  It contains two discs: the first is their final studio recording, and the last is a live recording of their final concert.  The studio recording is a diverse record that contains serious thoughts on God, the band, redemption, and change, but it also has a few purely fun tracks that the band is famous for.  The live CD includes the best of the old along with the best of the new, and, since it is their last show as a band, is infused with incredibly passion.  My favorite tracks:  disc one - New Year's Eve, On Distant Shores, Cross of St. Andrew; disc two - Old West, Vultures, World Without End, Every New Day.

7) Come Away With Me - Norah Jones

Beautiful CD.  Norah has an interesting voice, and she uses it well.  Her jazz piano playing accentuates her voice, and her songs tell wonderful stories, dragging you into Norah's soft and stylish world.  My favorite tracks:  Seven Years, Come Away With Me, Nightingale.

6) Greatest Hits, Vol. 1 & 2 - Queen

Ok, I know, I know... You can't put greatest hits albums on these kinds of lists, right?  Boo on that! :P  Queen has so many great songs, and they're spread out over so many CDs that it's hard to pick.  If I had to put a regular CD here, it would probably by  A Night at the Opera, but... I digress!  Anyway, who can argue with Queen?  Lots of creativity, inventiveness, fun, and above all, great music.  So much music today draws influence from this legendary band.  My favorite tracks:  Bohemian Rhapsody, Killer Queen, Fat Bottomed Girls.

5) Automatic for the People - R.E.M.

R.E.M. is a relatively new favorite of mine.  I love this CD... it's haunting.  I love Michael Stipe's voice and the emotion it carries as the band examines heavy topics like death and loss.  There's also a lot of upbeat tracks on this album, which makes it a complete package.  This CD also means a lot to me personally... Throughout my life I've had a lot of issues with my dad.  While now our relationship is stronger than ever, there were times when it was awful and a very painful situation.  He has always liked R.E.M.... listening to the band, and this CD, during all that turmoil helped me to both connect with him and work out some of my own feelings.  My favorite tracks:  Everybody Hurts, Try Not to Breathe, Sweetness Follows, Nightswimming.

4) Rent Soundtrack - Jonathan Larson and Rent cast

That cover is from the movie soundtrack, but I love both of them.  :P With the movie, the recording quality is better, the vocals are better, and the songs rock a little harder.  With the Broadway version, you get more songs and a great sense of connection to the live show.  I prefer the movie soundtrack, but whatever.  :P  Rent is amazing for several reasons:  it defined a generation and their struggles, it offers a diverse mix of styles, it shook up Broadway and futher removed theatre from the classical stylings of Andrew Lloyd Weber and Co. (not that that's a bad thing :P), and finally because it tells a wonderful story through wonderful music.  My favorite tracks:  Light My Candle, I'll Cover You Reprise, Will I, Another Day, Goodbye Love, Love Heals.

3) Madman Across the Water - Elton John

Can I tell you it was hard for me to pick which Elton John CD to put on this list?  :lol:  Runners up, just so you know, were Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and Don't Shoot Me, I'm Only the Piano Player (which happens to feature my favorite Elton John song, Skyline Pigeon).  But yeah, you don't get much better than Elton John, in my opinion.  He's the true king of pop, if you ask me. ;)  He's done lots of different styles of music and does it all well.  He's got a great voice, is a great piano player, and writes great music, what else can you say?  My favorite tracks:  Tiny Dancer, Levon, Madman Across the Water.

2) Illuminate - David Crowder Band

Worship music at it's finest.  David Crowder, in my opinion, captures the joy, beauty, wonder, contemplation, sorrrow, and celebration of the Christian faith in a way few bands accomplish.  This CD is always fresh; I never get tired of it.  It always manages to rejuvinate me and focus my heart when I'm down... what a blessing this CD (and the band as a whole :P) has been in my life!  My favorite tracks:  Open Skies, Revolutionary Love, O Praise Him, Intoxicating.

1) Floating World - Anathallo

Floating World is beauty captured on a CD.  This CD is intricate, creative, haunting, joyous, and simply a pleasure to listen to.  Every time I listen to it I pick up on some new harmony or instrument I missed before, and that's saying something considering how many times I've listend to this!  This is a fantastic record from a fantastic band and it's something no one should miss.  Expect something a little different; instruments on this CD include more traditional things like drums, guitars, and keyboards, to weirder instruments like the trombone, flugelhorn, and glockenspiel, to downright weird things like velcro, bicycle wheels, card decks, and chains.  Besides the wonderful use of instruments, the 8 peice band makes full use of it's many members to create all kinds of vocal harmony.  When you add Matthew Joynt's passionate lead vocals and thoughtful lyrics, you've got the amazing band that is Anathallo.  This is also Anathallo's first full length CD, so I'm incredibly excited to see where this band goes.  My favorite tracks:  Hoodwink, Dokkoise House, Hanasakajiji (four: a great wind, more ash), Cuckoo Spitting Blood, Kasa No Hone.

Whoo!  That was long (and fun).  I have really random music taste. :P  Runner's up include The White Album by The Beatles, The Fires of Life by Cool Hand Luke, the Wax Paper E.P. by The Rockwells, The Eleventh Hour by Jars of Clay, the Sparrows E.P. by Anathallo, the Les Miserables soundtrack, and somedayisnow by Tandem.