paranoidpixie95's National IQ Test Results
Target: 30/42

Memory

1. C - 0314
2. D - 23
3. B - Personality
   
4. A - 33
5. A - Thursday
6. C - Fourteen
7. B - Frankfurt

Memory: 5/7

Spatial

1. A
2. B
3. D
4. A
5. B - South
6. B - South
7. B - South

Spatial: 6/7

Language

1. A - Brighten
2. A - Fake
3. D - Introduce
4. B - Submissive*
5. D - Don't cut off your nose to spite your face.
6. A - Every man has his faults.
7. C - Adversity makes strange bedfellows.

*Was allowed as an alternative answer, along with "Nasty".

Language: 4/7

Logic

1. C
2. B
3. B
4. D
5. B
6. A
7. D

Logic: 4/7

Arithmetic

1. A - 10%
2. C - 0.5
   
3. C - 26
   
4. C - 3/4
5. B - $102
6. B - $1171.50
7. D - $975

Arithmetic: 7/7

Observation

1. C
2. B
3. B
4. A - The Fruit
5. C - Tie
6. A - William's Handkerchief
7. B - His necklace

Observation: 4/7

TOTAL SCORE: 30/42

paranoidpixie95's IQ: 118

This is my ultimate Guitar Hero/Rock Band tracklist. This, if it was a real game, would be compatible with either Guitar Hero 5 or Rock Band 3's interfaces, depending on which series it goes with.

Section 1: Jess' 16th
Arena: 24 Shoreland Boulevard, Miami Shores, FL, United States

Welcome to your first gig. Here, you're playing either at your girlfriend or best friend's 16th birthday party, depending on the gender of the character you selected as your own.

"All The Small Things" - Blink 182
"Shadow of the Day" - Linkin Park
"Brooklyn Is Burning" - Head Automatica
"Buck Rogers" - Feeder
Encore: "Kryptonite" - 3 Doors Down

Section 2: Battle of the Bands
Arena: Miami Beach Senior High, Miami Beach, FL, United States

Confident from your first show, you enter the local Battle of the Bands, held at your school.

"This Fire" - Franz Ferdinand
"B Is For Brutus" - The Hives
"What's The Matter Man" - Rollins Band
"Cherry Lips" - Garbage
Encore: "No Sleep 'Till Brooklyn" (Live) - Beastie Boys

Section 3: Making a Deal
Arena: Megabucks Recording Studio, Miami, FL, United States

Your last gig in Florida, I promise. A guy watching the Battle of the Bands was looking for the next big thing, and he likes your band. Play his favourite songs for him and he'll give you a record deal.

"Beverly Hills" - Weezer
"Hump De Bump" - Red Hot Chili Peppers
"Beautiful Day" - U2
"My Happiness" - Powderfinger
Encore: "Immigrant Song" - Led Zeppelin

Section 4: Your First Major Show
Arena: Harpo's Concert Theater, Detroit, MI, United States

This is your first major show, at least one where tickets are the only source of admission. You're getting somewhere in this world...

"Holiday" (Live) - Green Day
"You" - Bad Religion
"Quarter" - Fuel
"No Cigar" - Millencolin
Encore: "Nothin' But A Good Time" - Poison

Section 5: Back On Your Feet*
Arena: "Survivor Series" - WWE Pay-Per-View, Chicago, IL, United States

A brawl involved in your Detroit show gave your band a bad reputation. No one wants you to play at their show anymore, and your recording company has fired you. To save you, the WWE has asked you to perform the entrance themes of popular superstars on their way to the ring.

"Burn It To The Ground" - Nickelback
"Voices" - Rev Theory
"Metalingus" - Alter Bridge
"This Fire Burns" - Killswitch Engage
Encore: "The Game" - Motorhead

* Don't trash me for the inclusion of this section to the game. Adding this section to the storyline is the most clever way I could think of which would allow me to play the songs used by WWE Superstars.

Section 6: Old Dog, New Tricks
Arena: Paramount Recording Studio, Los Angeles, CA, United States

Your trip to Survivor Series was a resounding success. Now, with a new agent on hand, you need to find a new sound. He wants you to try this list out.

"Holiday in Cambodia" - Dead Kennedys
"Ten Thousand Fists" - Disturbed
"Mama Kin" - Aerosmith
"Freewheel Burning" - Judas Priest
Encore: "Caught in a Mosh" - Anthrax

Section 7: Down Under
Arena: Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne, Australia

Your band is supposedly much bigger in Australia than in the USA, so give the fans what they want – a kick-ass show with some of their favourite songs.

"Tomorrow" - Silverchair
"Joker and the Thief" - Wolfmother"
On My Mind" - Powderfinger
"Power and the Passion" - Midnight Oil
Encore: "Thunderstruck" (Live) - AC/DC

Section 8: Half Time Show
Arena: Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, TX, United States

Time to play at the Half Time Show in the Super Bowl. For the record, the match is between Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers.

"The Pretender" - Foo Fighters
"You Give Love A Bad Name" (Live) - Bon Jovi
"Brianstorm" - Arctic Monkeys
"Cyco Vision" - Suicidal Tendencies
Encore: "Knights of Cydonia" - Muse

Section 9: The Greatest Show Of All Time
Arena: Stonehenge, Wiltshire, United Kingdom

The second last stage of the main game. The last one is your hardest, so get some vital practice here. If you think this section's hard, wait until you get to the next one.

"Blinded In Chains" - Avenged Sevenfold
"Laid to Rest" - Lamb of God
"Institutionalized" - Senses Fail
"Carry Me Home" - The Living End
Encore: "The Trooper" (Live) - Iron Maiden

Section 10: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Arena: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum, Cleveland, OH, United States

"Hangar 18" - Megadeth
"Cult of Personality" - Living Colour
"Cowboys From Hell" (Live) - Pantera
"Seasons In The Abyss" - Slayer
Encore: "21st Century Schizoid Man" - King Crimson

Section 10A: Metallica Rules!!!
Arena: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum, Cleveland, OH, United States

Looks like Metallica were prancing around backstage. Do you have what it takes to jam with some rock legends?

To get to this section, you must obtain the "500 in 10" Achievement/Trophy, which is awarded for achieving a 500 note streak on all of the songs in Section 10. If there is a clash with Section 10B's criteria, you can select which one you would prefer.

"For Whom The Bell Tolls" - Metallica
"Fade to Black" (Live) - Metallica*
"Sad But True" - Metallica
"Enter Sandman" - Metallica*
"Fuel" - Metallica
"Dyers Eve" - Metallica*
"The Unforgiven" (Live) - Metallica
"Ride the Lightning" - Metallica*
"Master of Puppets" - Metallica*
Encore: "One"*

* Represents Metallica's band members playing the song. In this case, you control the character who plays the same instrument as your normal character, i.e. if your character is on bass, you would control Rob Trujilio when Metallica is playing, or Lars Ulrich, if you were on drums. The encore features both bands playing. You control your selected character.

Section 10B: OZZY!!!
Arena: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum, Cleveland, OH, United States

Ozzy's stoned out of his mind and has no idea that he's at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum. Play a one time show with him.

To get to this section, you must obtain the "95 in 10" Achievement/Trophy, which is awarded for achieving 95% on all of the songs in Section 10. If there is a clash with Section 10A's criteria, you can select which one you would prefer.

"Desire" - Ozzy Osbourne
"I Don't Want To Change The World" (Live) - Ozzy Osbourne*
"Crazy Babies" - Ozzy Osbourne
"Miracle Man" - Ozzy Osbourne*
"Paranoid" (Live) - Ozzy Osbourne"
Rock and Roll Rebel" - Ozzy Osbourne*
"Mr. Crowley" - Ozzy Osbourne
"No Easy Way Out" - Ozzy Osbourne*
"Crazy Train" (Live) - Ozzy Osbourne*
Encore: "Bark at the Moon"*

* Represents Ozzy and his band playing the song. In this case, you will control the character who plays the same instrument as your normal character, i.e. if your character is on guitar, you will control Randy Rhoads, but if you are on vocals, you will control Ozzy Osbourne. The encore features both bands playing. You control your selected character as per normal.

Well, that's it. I hope you liked it. I'll probably make another one in a few months' time. Comment and tell me what you think; I'm eager to know...

And during the few moments that we have left, we want to talk, right down to earth, in a language that everybody here can easily understand.

Look in my eyes, what do you see?
the Cult of Personality
I know your anger, I know your dreams
I've been everything you wanna be ohhh…
I'm the Cult of Personality
Like Mussolini and Kennedy
I'm the Cult of Personality
the Cult of Personality
the Cult of Personality

Neon lights, Nobel Prize
When a mirror speaks, the reflection lies
You won't have to follow me
Only you can set me free

I sell the things you need to be
I'm the smiling face of your T.V. ohh…
I'm the Cult of Personality
I exploit you; still you love me
I tell you one and one makes three ohh…
I'm the Cult of Personality
Like Joseph Stalin and Gandhi ohh…
I'm the Cult of Personality
the Cult of Personality
the Cult of Personality

Neon lights, Nobel Prize
When a leader speaks, that leader dies
You won't have to follow me
Only you can set you free

You gave me fortune, you gave me fame
You gave me power in your God's name
I'm every person you need to be ohh…
I'm, the, Cult, of, Per, Son, Al, Ity

I am the Cult of
I am the Cult of
I am the Cult of
I am the Cult of
I am the Cult of
I am the Cult of
I am the Cult of
I am the Cult of
Personality

Ask not what your country can do for you

The only thing we have to fear, is fear itself.

"Seasons In The Abyss" by Slayer

Razors edge
Outlines the dead
Incisions in my head
Anticipation the stimulation
To kill the exhilaration

Close your eyes
Look deep in your soul
Step outside yourself
And let your mind go
Frozen eyes stare deep in your mind as you die

Close your eyes
And forget your name
Step outside yourself
And let your thoughts drain
As you go insane...go insane

Innate seed
To watch you bleed
A demanding physical need
Desecrated eviscerated
Time perpetuated

Close your eyes
Look deep in your soul
Step outside yourself
And let your mind go
Frozen eyes stare deep in your mind as you die

Close your eyes and forget your name
Step outside yourself and let your thoughts drain
As you go insane...go insane

Inert flesh
A bloody tomb
A decorated splatter brightens the room
An execution a sadist ritual
Mad intervals of mind residuals

Close your eyes
Look deep in your soul
Step outside yourself
And let your mind go
Frozen eyes stare deep in your mind as you die

Close your eyes and forget your name
Step outside yourself and let your thoughts drain
As you go insane...go insane

The "Awesome Lyrics" section will just be the lyrics from songs I think have clever lyrics. If you want to see songwriting at its best, check back often.

Fast and furious
We ride the universe
To carve a road for us
That slices every curve in sight
We accelerate,
No time to hesitate
This load will detonate
Whoever would contend its right

Born to lead
At breakneck speed
With high octane
We're spitting flames

Freewheel burning

Freewheel burning

On we catapult
We're thrusting to the hilt
Unearthing every fault
Go headlong into any dare
We don't accept defeat
We never will retreat
We blaze with scorching heat
Obliterations everywhere


Born to lead
At breakneck speed
With high octane
We're spitting flames

Freewheel burning
Freewheel burning

Look before you leap
Has never been the way we keep
Our road is free
Charging to the top
And never give in never stops
The way to be
Hold on to the lead
With all your will and don't concede
You'll find there's life
With victory on high

SOLO


Look before you leap
Has never been the way we keep
Our road is free
Charging to the top
And never give in never stops
The way to be
Hold on to the lead
With all your will and don't concede
You'll find there's life
With victor
With victory on high

Freewheel burning
Freewheel burning
Freewheel burning
Freewheel burning
Freewheel burning
Freewheel burning
Freewheel burning
Freewheel burning

Saw this in a thread so I thought I might blog it.

1. Star Wars: A New Hope

Classic movie which started a billion-dollar franchise. Special effects were groundbreaking for its time, and still amazes today. Plot combined everything which makes a good movie.

2. The Entire Disney-Pixar Collection

Yes, there are eleven movies here, but, bringing out my inner kid, I really can't choose. It's especially close to my heart because Toy Story was released in 1995, my year of birth. Literally, every Pixar movie is brilliant, and most movie critics will agree.

3. Terminator 2: Judgement Day

Redefined action. So many gunshots, so many explosions. Oh, and Arnie.

4. Die Hard

Just like Terminator 2 (in terms of action content), but with Brucey.

5. Goldeneye

As a massive James Bond fan, one of the movies were bound to be on this list. But seeing as all are so epic, I had to choose one of them - so I'll go with the first ever one I saw.

6. Star Wars: The Phantom Menace

The only movie series to have two spots on my list, this movie I practically grew up with. Anakin as a little boy was always my favourite, and Qui-Gon was my idol (in the way people idolise Superman). He was the guy I always wanted to be.

7. The Fast and the Furious

I've always loved cars. What more can I say? Oh yeah, Vin Diesel.

8. The Bourne Identity

The thinking man's action movie. Rather than have heaps of gunfire roaming all over the screen, Bourne would use secret tactics to get the job done.

9. Gamer

An underrated action flick that made me think, "This is where gaming can end up in 20+ years time."

10. Cellular

This is another underrated action movie. It showed one's dedication and persistence. A must watch if you like Jason Statham.

Extract from "How can Forza 3 even be classified as a racing simulator? - System Wars

"You guys are all nuts. Can't believe you're all still arguing over the genre of two (maybe 3 if I've missed one) of the greatest racing series in history. Ok, so I'm going to try and sort this out for everyone. Just don't start turning your obviously evident intensity towards me.

Ok, the word "simulation", according to the dictionary, states the following:

1. Imitation or enactment, as of something anticipated or in testing
2. The act or process of pretending; feigning.
3. An assumption or imitation of a particular appearance or form; counterfeit, sham.
4. The representation of the behaviour or characteristics of one system through the use of another system, especially a computer program designed for the purpose.

Ok, now if you need to, I'll clarify that for everyone. "Simulation" basically means pretending something is actually something else. In this case, we're pretending that the act of racing a car on a video game is equivalent to being out on the track. However, even though there are a heap of petrol heads out there (myself included), not everyone can become a race car driver. This is the reason why they make racing games. Forza 3 and Gran Turismo 5 are designed to be as realistic as possible with the current technology available.

Obviously, the current technology we posess is not enough to 100% faithfully and accurately, and, even though there's new technology every day, I still can't see anything developing that's more advanced (for this genre) than a steering wheel controller. Shooting games also somewhat account for this. While they're not simulations as such, with enhanced blood and violence, people will still play them, many of whom are unprepared to join the military services.

A simulation doesn't even need to be 100% realistic, either. Have a look at all of the greatest simulation games released, racing or not, and tell me which one cannot possibly be more faithful to what its real-life activity counterpart. Odds are none of them will be. Here's a list that I came up with, if you can add more (to either agree or disagree), that'll be great. Also, try not to add sequels, as they will follow the same formula.

• The Sims - Human Development
• Sim City 2000 - Monopolisation
• Most flight simulators
• Most tycoon-based games
• Gran Turismo and Forza Motorsport - Racing Simulator

Bottom line is, Gran Turismo 5 and Forza 3 check all the boxes that we, with our available technology, can successfully maintain and promote. They're as realistic as we can currently get them to go. We can't exactly create a full size car model to use as a peripheral, because, while that would be awesome, is not feasible in this day. Maybe within 20 years, maybe within 10, but we just have to slug it out with Gran Turismo 5 and Forza 3. I'm more than happy for that, why isn't everyone else?

But I digress. Most of the arguments here are directed at the driving aids in the game, and the inability to completely turn off these features. I can't speak much for Forza 3, as that's a complete game, but in regards to GT5: Prologue, it's basically an extended demo, and some of these features may have been added as a demonstration of optional features available in the full game. They may be turned off by default. We'll just have to wait and see.

In regards to the rewind function in Forza 3, remind yourself what button it is assigned to on the controller. The 'back' button. Keep that in mind. It's easily the least used button on the controller, which means that the rewind feature is not designed to be used often, even if the game tells you to rewind even if you're off the track by an inch.

What about the other games I mentioned? They have their sources of problems even though they're still simulators. Money cheats, free items, whatever it may be; in real life (regarding The Sims), you can't just enter a code to get your next paycheck, or unlock clothing items and better houses. Because that would be known as theft, which is illegal. Real no-brainer there.

Has anyone seen the movie "Gamer" starring Gerard Butler? Great movie. Here's an overview. *SPOILER-FREE*

Kable (Gerard Butler) is a criminal who is competing in the Slayers tournament, a virtual reality-type game that plays basically like Call of Duty online. All people competing are criminals who have volunteered to participate rather than serve their sentence. If they can spend 30 sessions alive, they are released from prison. The player takes the role of a human participating in the tournament. It's a brilliant movie, but that's all I can say without ruining anything. I highly recommend you watch it, as this is where gaming could end up in the next x amount of years.

Anyway, think what you want about Gran Turismo and Forza. You don't have to consider them to be simulations. Just remember that they meet "simulator criteria", and that they deserve to be heralded as such."

Today marks my century of GameSpot forum posts. Hopefully those who know me will be seeing me around more often. I plan to commence a rise to fame (not celebrity-famous, just popular-famous) on GameSpot. Means you'll be seeing more of both me and the awesome Gran Turismo emblem.

My review for Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas has been updated. I've given it a complete overhaul. Enjoy.

So now that the 2010 season for the Geelong Cats is over after losing to Collingwood, the already volatile spectulation on star midfielder Gary Ablett moving to new team Gold Coast has increased. A statement is expected to be made sometime this week (or possibly the following week) about whether he is staying or going, so this post is about the pros and cons about Gary staying at Geelong.

Pros

• The Ablett name is about as synonymous with Geelong as Ford, Skilled Stadium (Kardinia Park) and the Advertiser. Surely a great man such as himself would like to retain that fact, and keep his father's legacy truly for the Geelong Football Club.
• He has so many friends in Geelong. He can walk down the main roads in Geelong and be instantly recognised; possibly even have a photo and/or autograph requested. This reputation would be in tatters in the case that he were to move up there.
• This saves Gary having flights every second week to play a Melbourne-based team. By staying in Geelong, there are up to 6 interstate games in a season, as opposed to 11+ if he went to the Gold Coast.
• Regardless of who transfers to a rival club, when the player is both

(a) A key name player, just as in the way Gary Ablett is, and

(b) Part of a [potential] deal that has been talked about for the generosity of the season's length

they will be regarded as a "traitor". Look at all the big names that left their clubs and were booed upon arrival at their new club. This also doesn't just apply to the clubs in question, but here's that list.

• • • Chris Judd (West Coast - Carlton)
    • Ben Cousins (West Coast - Richmond)
    • Brendan Fevola (Carlton - Brisbane)
    • Wayne Carey (North Melbourne - Adelaide)
    • Jason Akermanis (Brisbane - Western Bulldogs)

The list could also extend to those moving to the Gold Coast as well. We'll just have to wait and see on this one.

• • • Nathan Bock (Adelaide - Gold Coast)
    • Campbell Brown (Hawthorn - Gold Coast)
    • Michael Rischitelli (Brisbane - Gold Coast)
    • Gary Ablett (Geelong - Gold Coast???)

Cons

• The Gold Coast Suns are loaded with cash, and are prepared to play Gazza a hefty contract that is believed to be worth over $1million every year. With money like that on the cards, it would take one very modest man to refuse that. Problem is, Gold Coast have plenty more in reserve to offer as bait.
• Brother Nathan Ablett has already signed up with the Suns, and could possibly be one of the deciding factors if he decides to move up north.
• There is nothing that he still needs to do at Geelong that he can't do at the Gold Coast. He is a two-time premiership player, Brownlow medallist, three-time AFLPA Most Valuable Player, and more. Sure, he could continue this stellar career at the Cattery, but there's an extra $500,000 in offer.

Whatever Gary decides to do is up to him, but I hope that he makes the right decision.