A sequel 12 years in the making: Starcraft II
It is true, I bought this game from the retail store (had to back then, there was no Amazon) in 1998. I in fact took the day off from work, as I knew I would really enjoy this game. I did.
I liked it so much, that I got many of my friends hooked at the same time, formed LAN parties around the game and when they (Blizzard) released information about a squeal / add-on called that same year, oh.. we were all looking forward to sleepless nights.
Today – Starcraft II will is going to be released and it just isn’t going to be an updated game with the same units, it is a whole new game with new units and a great story.
In fact, those that might read this should check out the Known Issues – Technical Support related list and a Current list of bugs on the StarCraft II Forums outlining issues with the game.
SDCC 2010 and me
Many times people have asked me, “Andy – will you be going?’” For the last three years, I have replied – “Nope – as I would have to close up the shop”.
Have I ever been? Yep, a couple of times and it was nerd-vana. It had everything I had ever hoped for, well , I didn’t really want the long lines, but that goes with the territory. Lots of great information, lots of great people, people in really great costumes and others in not so great costumes.
The convention was well worth the cost and it really does take about 2 days to take it all in. I got to see some old pals that are were just starting out in the business and now were knee deep in it. I got to talk to people that were so much more knowledge and well educated in many different areas of the ‘biz’ and then there were those “fans” that you hope you could get just down wind of.
Alas, it has changed since those days. The “Comic Book” convention isn’t just that anymore, it is a media spectacle. Having the media there is okay for the most part, after all, if it wasn’t for that media coverage (and the Internet) , those of us that didn’t go, wouldn’t be able to get updates on all of the juicy information and what not.
I am optimistic that in the future that I will be able to attend again.
Why the move?
I am still sorting things out, but it would seem that the original site (http://gamerscircle.org) got attacked and some malware infected code was added.
It was google that alerted me and now I think I have cleaned it up. Going to let it go through a stress test for a while and make sure.
So, the .org site is not being used until I can make sure that no more ‘bad’ stuff is still over there.
Making a come back
Alright – short and sweet, I haven’t posted anything on here for a long time, but I am going to try to be more active. Have I been too busy not to post, nope, just that I have been more focused on other forms of communication and other things. Let see if I can keep this up.
The ABC’s of Andy (Sort of..)
A
- Available: I’m hitched, for life and very blessed.
- Age: How old is dirt? The way I act does not reflect how old I am. I am the oldest Toy’s R Us kid.
- Annoyance: Those that ‘still’ write checks at the grocery store.
B
- Birthday: March 29th
- Best Friends: Refer to ‘A’, my soul mate Jackie is my best friend.
- Body Part on Opposite Sex: Eyes. I’m a sucker for a blue eyes.
- Best feeling in the world: Knowing that I can get at least one person to smile one day a week.
- Blind or Deaf: Blind. If there was only silence, it would be hard to imagine laughter.
- Best Weather: Stormy and Rainy
- Been in Love: Yes and still am.
- Been on stage: Yes, but only 15 mins
- Believe in Magic: Sorry, I believe in fate.
- Believe in Santa: Heck yeah!
C
- Candy: Almond Joy
- Color: Red, Liquorice Rope
- Chocolate/Vanilla: Chocolate
- Chinese/Mexican: Mexican
- Cake or Pie: French Apple Pie.
- Continent to visit: I have been everywhere I want, USA!! USA!!
- Cheese: American
D
- Day or Night: Day… err Night. Yes.. what was the question?
- Dance in the rain?: I like the rainy weather, but that because I have a roof over my head. Stupid question..
- Do the splits?: Umm nope, I am built like a line backer.
E
- Eggs: w/Bacon and English muffin.
- Eyes: Green/HZL
- Everyone’s got: Elbows and a’holes.
- Ever failed a class?: Yes… Art – if it wasn’t for a ruler, I would not be able to draw a straight line.
F
- Full name: Please call me Andy
- First Thought Waking Up: Why is it such a long walk to the bathroom?
- Food: Bring it!
G
- Greatest Fear: Not experiencing love or friendship.
- Goals: Get someone to smile.
- Gum: Not a big chewer, how about a tick tack?
- Get along with your parents?: Does any big kid?
H
- Hair Color: Grey, White, Salt and Pepper.
- Height: 6’3
- Happy: Pretty Much, everyday seems like a Friday to me in the end.
- How do you want to die: ouch! I don’t really think about that, but with a smile.
I
- Ice Cream: Rocky Road
- Instrument: I don’t play but I love the sound of the Saxophone.
J
- Jewelry: They get in my way and I always end up scratching them or someone with them.
- Job: I have the worlds best comic, I work/own a Comic Book store which is a passion of mine.
K
- Kids: OPK!!! (Other Peoples Kids)
- Kickboxing or karate: aren’t they pretty much the same? Can’t we just get a long?
- Keep a journal?: The internet has a few of mine out there.
L
- Longest Car Ride: 23hrs From Key West, FL to Tallahassee, FL.
- Letter: A
- Laughed so hard you cried: The closest I come is when I laugh so hard, that is becomes the “silent laugh”, followed by the sound of sucking in allot of air.
M
- Milk flavor: Chocolate
- Movies: Starwars or Startrek II
- Motion sickness?: Only on small boat after eating.
- McD’s or BK: I am not longer a burger fan, love Pizza though.
N
- Number of Siblings: 0
-Number of Piercings: 0
- Number: The one that helps me win the lottery
O
- One wish: For my friends to be happy.
P
- Perfect Pizza: Yes… have some.
- Pepsi or Coke: Sorry.. I can’t really drink anything carbonated
Q
- Quail: Dan? That sounds political, no thanks can I please watch cartoons?
R
- Reason to Cry: Have you ever watched Old Yellow? Who doesn’t cry at the end of that?
- Reality T.V.: When there was ‘real’ reality, but now it is all about rating and making movie off someone else’ drama.
- Radio Station: I rarely listen, but when I do, Classic rock please
- Roll your tongue in a circle?: Nope
- Ring size: I have no idea
S
- Song: Another one of my failing qualities, I like music, but rarely know the artist.
- Should You Lie?: You know the rule, Honesty is the best..
- Shoe Size: 11
- Salad Dressing: Roadford or Bleu Cheese.
- Sushi: California Roll
- Skipped School: Sure.. we all did it.. right?
- Slept Outside: Yep
- Smoked?: Talk about a pet peev.
- Skinny Dipped?: Whos asking?
- Sing Well?: Laugh Out Loud
- Swear?: I was in the US Navy, what do you think Sailor 101 was?
- Strawberries/Blueberries: Strawbs!!!!!!!
T
- Time for Bed: When there is nothing on TV and I can’t seem to work a computer mouse anymore.
- Thunderstorms: I would have to say no, they impact my computer too much
U
- Unpredictable: No – I am pretty solid.
V
- Vacation Spot: I am a home body, so – ‘home’
- Which one of your friends acts the most like you?: Umm, I don’t think that applies anymore..
- Wanted to be a model?: Nope
- Worst Weather?: Hot!!!!! Fair skin and Sun, you are kidding right?
X
- X-Rays: I’ve had several…broken toe, arm, ankle.
- Ex’s: I see one from time to time
Y
-Year it is Now: 2010
-Yorkshire: What?
Z
- Zoo animal: Monkey’s!!
Santa Dropped By..
It has been a while since I have been on the ‘ol blog. I haven’t have any major events to mention lately, but we did get a couple of new items on the homestead.
1.) VIZIO 55-Inch LCD HDTV
2.) Sony Blu-ray
We got these both from Costco and wow, what an amazing upgrade. The quality of picture from the HD Projection to LCD is very noticeable too. I have watched Predator
I have also placed my pre-order for Star Trek Online
Aside from that, things at the shop are pretty good, we are still working on getting established, but we have our steady stream of comic book customers, magic the gathering player and currently trying out YGO.
Saturday Morning Cartoons Volume 2 on DVD
If you don’t recall what was on volume 1 , sorry but there are more of the classics coming at you.
The Saturday morning cartoons selected for Warner Home Video’s collection of 1960s and 1970s spotlights really hold up on HDTVs. They’ve got solid lines and bright colors despite a warning that the materials are worn. Sure, you see dirt in some of them but those are random spots on a full frame of picture. Plus, it makes them look more historical.
Saturday Morning Cartoons Volume 2 on DVD
Popular shows like Tom and Jerry and The Road Runner are sharper. More obscure ones like Adam Ant are fuzzier. The live action from Banana Splits looks awful but that’s not even a cartoon so I wonder why they included it.
Each cartoon displays a different aesthetic. Tom and Jerry is more fluid. Looney Tunes have their distinct exaggeration. Inch High Private Eye is stiffer. Valley of the Dinosaurs and the superhero cartoons have more realistic motion, down to the total celebrity mimicry of the animated Gilligan.
These collections showcase some creative mash-ups, like Road Runner and Speedy Gonzales with Road Runner and Tom chasing them. Stories like the Bigot ray are actually profound.
A five-minute featurette on each collection is a nice extra with some history about one of the cartoons. The Saturday Morning Wake-Up calls are recently produced headers intended to mimic a ‘60s or ‘70s announcer. You can tell they’re new, but it’s a nice atmosphere setting effort.
Zombie Expert?
Today 11/4/2009 not only being exciting because it is new comic book day, but someone actually came into the comic book shop, walked up to the counter, gave a quick look and said:
Person: I was told that you are some kind of Zombie expert?
Me: Well.. , I don’t know if anyone can be called an expert.
Person: No, no, not that! I was told carry zombie related stuff here?
Me: Sure, comic books, board games, action figures.
Person: <gasp> Eeeep.
Me: There is the Last Night On Earth, Zombies!!! Board games right over there, if you like reading material there is ZMD, The Walking Dead, Living with the Dead, Marvel Zombies , not to mention a variety of undead action figures too.
From them point on.. it was like guiding a young person whom has never seen or had a toy through a Toys R Us.
We all have our areas of geeking out, I just happy to get a kick out of Post Apocalyptic and Undead stuff.
Halloween Movie Watching Options
I am starting to think about what possible Halloween film choices I might want to this month, only 6 days left until the ‘Big H’!
DAWN OF THE DEAD (1978) 
Mr. Romero did everything right in this film. I think for the time, he wrote an amazing script that makes you look at how people would deal with the end of the world as it was known. You have those people that had nothing to loose, those that wanted to survive and keep a life style as they might have had. Not to mention the awesome special effects makeup which was done by Tom Savini. Break out the Root beer and Twinkies (inside joke), movie night is coming!
