Call of Duty Calling

I went to the midnight release for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and froze my nips off.

After a few levels and more then a few multiplayer games and I must say; MW2 is easily the most immersive and “epic” shooter since the first in the series.

I know a lot of people are upset over the lack of support for dedicated servers but, really, it plays great,it loads fast on my PC, and, most of all, it’s just plain fun! The writing is superb, yanking you in and makes you play and watch some intense levels.

(And yes, the GTA player in me loved the “controversial” airport scene, but it is a mature, sometimes cringe worthy look at the darker side of war.)

I recommend this title to anyone who likes shooters, war stories, or good games in general.

Looking At Me (With Their Eyes)

I’m a gamer. I openly admit it, I love playing games. But lately that’s hit a snag. The recession hit everyone in America hard (I’m looking at you, Bush). Its not easy to buy video games, its often a choice of gaming over other amenities.

It wasn’t always this way. I used to run three WoW accounts.  I knew my multi account days were numbered.

Around the block doesn’t cut what my gaming experience is; I’ve been living on the block, grew up there. I used to babysit Jenny on the block. WoW, AoC, CoH, CoV, PotBS, MO, LoTRO and a handful of free games featured online. So anything that can make a cool abbreviation, I played. But why?

Well, I have this mental illness. It’s called Agoraphobia and this is my first time writing about it. “Agora” as I shall call it is a fear of people, crowds and social interactions. So remember that movie Arachnophobia where spiders were crawling out of the shower head as someone was bathing? That’s me at school, at a restaurant and even with my friends. It’s not fun and it can and has destroyed lives.

Woo, this is tough. I never graduated high school due to my fear of people. My being overweight didn’t help, but just the presence of another person– or in this case, a whole room of people– was and is pure horror. I feel my hands go clammy, my breathing is fastened and my vision blurs. My blood pressure shoots up and I’m shaking like its ‘On Golden Pond.’

I ran from school and I ran from responsibility. I’ve learned a lot since then but that terror is still so prevalent, so vivid and visceral that it hurts me like no wound ever could.

So this is why I play online games. It’s my only outlet and my biggest source of social interaction. I play because I’m lonely. Why be a scared little boy when I can be an Elf, or a Superhero, or a Pirate? Its classic escapism.

This isn’t a pity party or a rant but rather a look inside everyday life for me.

Be kind to others and be truthful to yourself is a lot harder then it sounds but it may truly be the best advice one can get.

Fist Bump

Presidents get all kinds of funny and sentimental tributes and merchandise but this takes the cake. This classic mario style game is just amazingly crafted. It’s actually fun.

Congratulations Mr. Obama, here’s to the future!

Halloween Treat

Second best holiday ever! As a treat here’s a few Maleficent works from DeviantART, credit to the artists.

Have a safe and fun Halloween.

Fo’ Reel? – The Dark Knight

I’m a fan of the Bat. Okay, I’m more like a total fanatic! So, when I saw Batman Begins a couple years ago I was blown away. Time past and finally the sequel was announced and then Heath Ledger was cast. People went nuts, making gay bashing jokes and all the general whatnot.

Well, I bet Mr. Ledger’s laughing it up in that creepy Joker chuckle in the great Brown Derby beyond the stars.

The Dark Knight is to superhero films what Shakespeare is to literature. The bar is raised and the whole medium will not and can never be the same. The articles I’ve read so far seem to throw the spotlight on the Joker, a homicidal maniac who’s too smart for his own good, and for good reason. Ledger’s Joker is the best villain I’ve encountered on screen since Darth Vader. The cast, and Eckhart in particular stole the show for me. It was a Roman tragedy wrapped in a balls to the wall popcorn film for the thinking crowd.

The film’s score was truly a great feat, bounds above it’s predecessor. This film is headed for the Oscars or at least the Globes. It’s a great film and a wonderful homage to the best hero in fiction.

Mechtastic

I got a chance to see the new film Iron Man! It was fantastic and exceeded my expectations. The humor truly gave the film a light tone while keeping to the dark social commentary.

Iron Man’s bright colors were a delight to see; the Middle East sets, dirty and dusty in contrast with the radiant armor. The action reminded me of what I love about Superman, but this really was Iron Man’s movie. The actors stole the show and it was a wonderful thrill ride full of geek love and joyful adventure.

Geek Pride

I wrote a letter to the Editor of our local paper. I feel it’s time for this town to have a good old fashioned comic shop.

We NORCAL geeks need love too. We just don’t want to travel for it!

“The word superhero elicits many things: the feeling of hope and strength, glimpses of our own childhood, and even our own deepest desires. To others, they may simply be something they dismiss as meaningless pulp, teen and child power fantasies. Both opinions are right to some extent.

“I spent a fair dose of my childhood watching my favorite heroes on TV (much like my parents and grandparents watching the classic George Reeves portray Superman), playing the games, and even eating the snacks and cereal. The most important though was that time during the month when I headed to Napa’s local comic book shop. I could read about my heroes too? Carry them around with me and enjoy them, turn to them when I needed that escape? I was hooked and I learned to love the written word.

“Napa Comics & Cards was a legacy here in Napa Valley, and I didn’t even know it until it was too late.

“Looking back, sitting among dusty and worn, well loved comic books of yesteryear with others like me; it was my own Bohemia. That magic has been gone too long.

“To Napa, please, we need a good comic book shop. Our next generation needs heroes and the fantastical just as we did.”

VIVA GEEKDOM!

Blogger Interview

 So who are you?

My name is Trevor, i’m a writer and digital artist from California! I also run this blog.

What is the point of this blog?

Well, Voice in my head. I hope to highlight my achievements and activities. I get to name myself all kinds of fun things: Comicologist, Folklorist, author, and all around geek. Stuff like magic theory, comic books, and gaming. I’m a big kid, and I love to play!

Any favorite material you like to focus on?

I am a superhero junkie, if it has a cape or can juggle buildings, I love it. I’m gifted and blessed with a vivid imagination, growing up on 80’s cartoons, awesome toys (I loved the Power Rangers, way back when). I love fairy tales! There’s something about fairies, elves, goblins, and evil witches thats always got my attention.

Finally, where did the name The Furnace Pipe come from?

The Furnace Pipe is a short story of mine, wherein a small boy discovers more then he bargains for in his own basement. Look for it soon!

Twiddla.

As a writer, I find inspiration comes in bursts, snippets, and whims. So here is a wonderful little application called Twiddla. It’s a white board for the net. You can post ideas, plots, pics, write on it, mark it, everything; then invite others to see and play together in real time!

Check it out!

Champions Online!

 This game looks like it’s gonna rock! It’s a year away, set for a spring 2009 release. I liked some of City of Heroes, and it was my first MMO, so I can’t wait to get to kickin’ villain butt.

Great fan site, just starting out. Join the forums!