Challenge Mode Activated: Call of Duty: Relationship Warfare

[[posterous-content:pid___0]]

The hardest of the hardcore gamers are always looking for a way to take their game to the next level. Sometimes, after being a game on Normal, Hard and whatever level may lie even beyond that, a game may no longer hold the same sort of luster for a player – so much so that they begin to feel that creeping feeling that it might be time to move on. But fear not, after meeting with several scientists in a secret underground lab and extensive testing on several volunteers, there have been several solutions designed to maximize your playing ability – pushing players to their limits and getting the most fun possible out of a potential game.

Challenge Mode Activated: Call of Duty: Relationship Warfare

[[posterous-content:pid___0]]

The hardest of the hardcore gamers are always looking for a way to take their game to the next level. Sometimes, after being a game on Normal, Hard and whatever level may lie even beyond that, a game may no longer hold the same sort of luster for a player – so much so that they begin to feel that creeping feeling that it might be time to move on. But fear not, after meeting with several scientists in a secret underground lab and extensive testing on several volunteers, there have been several solutions designed to maximize your playing ability – pushing players to their limits and getting the most fun possible out of a potential game.

Resident Evil 6 gets trailer, release date

Fun Fact: Since 1996 when the original Resident Evil arrived on the PlayStation, there has been an annual release of a title in the franchise since then making for relatively steady releases over the last 16 years or so. Scary. That of course doesn't even include the originals being released again and again over the years on the Gamecube and subsequently the PlayStation Network.

That being said, it should come as a bit of a shock that this year is receiving no less than three different Resident Evil titles. Revelations, Operation Raccoon City and the next installation in the series Resident Evil 6 will all arrive before the end of 2012. 

The trailer, for Resident Evil fans speaks for itself and despite mixed feelings from elements of the fanbase, defintely seems like a valiant attempt to shake up the otherwise relatively tired game mechanics. 

Resident Evil 6 will release this year on November 20. 

Pirate Bay Nails Mass Media

The blackouts by sites all across the internet have combined opposing voice worldwide against measures by the MPAA, RIAA and other lobbyists hoping to have the United States Government bend to their whims. The general message seems clear that the provisions of both SOPA and PIPA are irresponsibly vague at the very least, granting gratuitous powers to those who shouldn't have it, and dangerous at most. It's a scary thought when you think about it. 

Thankfully, in the wake of those blackouts, people have taken notice. Opposition for SOPA and PIPA is irrevocably damaged and is lessening with each passing day. It's amazing to see the real power of the internet continue to grow, take shape and evolve with each passing day - especially to causes that deserve it the most. Now, The Pirate Bay has finally weighed in and in the process, totally nailed it.

SOPA

/* STOP SOPA Embeddable code for SOPA blackout solidarity by Greg Leuch / @gleuch, based on the blocker series by @gleuch (Shaved Bieber, Tinted Sheen, Ctrl+F'd, and more). MIT License - http://creativecommons.org/licenses/MIT. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ */ function FATLAB_sopa_blackout_start($_) { $_.fn.reverse = function(){return this.pushStack(this.get().reverse(), arguments);}; (function($_) { $_.sopa_blackout = function(data, c) { if (!$_.sopa_blackout.settings.finish) $_.sopa_blackout.init(); $_(data).sopa_blackout(c); if (!$_.sopa_blackout.settings.finish) $_.sopa_blackout.finish(c); }; $_.fn.sopa_blackout = function(c) { return this.filter(function() { return $_.sopa_blackout.filter(this); }).each(function() { $_.sopa_blackout.blackout(this, c); }); }; $_.extend($_.sopa_blackout, { settings : {hide_bg : true, href : false, page_height : 0, replace: '$1', init : false, finish : false}, pluck : function(str) { return $_.map(str.split(' '), function(s) {return s.replace(/.{1}/img, '*');}).join(' '); }, filter : function(self) { if (self.nodeType == 1) { var tag = self.tagName.toLowerCase(); return !($_(self).hasClass('sopa_blackout') || $_(self).hasClass('skip_stop_sopa') || tag == 'head' || tag == 'img' || tag == 'textarea' || tag == 'option' || tag == 'style' || tag == 'script' || tag == 'code' || tag == 'samp'); } else { return true; } }, blackout : function(self, c) { $_(self).css({'text-shadow' : 'none'}); if (self.nodeType == 3) { if (self.nodeValue.replace(/\s/ig, '')) { var text = $_.map(self.nodeValue.split(' '), function(s) {return $_.sopa_blackout.settings.replace.replace(/\%C/mg, c).replace(/\$1/mg, s);}).join(' '), sp1 = document.createElement("span"); sp1.className = 'sopa_blackout'; sp1.innerHTML = text; self.parentNode.replaceChild(sp1, self) } } else if (self.nodeType == 1) { if ($_(self).children().length > 0) { $_.sopa_blackout($_(self).contents(), c); } else { if ($_(self).html() != '') { text = $_.map($_(self).html().split(' '), function(s) {return $_.sopa_blackout.settings.replace.replace(/\%C/mg, c).replace(/\$1/mg, s);}).join(' '), $_(self).html(text); } } } }, init : function() { $_.sopa_blackout.settings.init = true; }, finish : function(c) { $_(document).each(function() {this.title = $_.sopa_blackout.pluck(this.title);}); $_('img, input[type=image], iframe, embed, object').each(function() { try { if ($_(this).attr('alt').match($_.sopa_blackout.settings.search) || $_(this).attr('title').match($_.sopa_blackout.settings.search) || $_(this).attr('src').match($_.sopa_blackout.settings.search)) { var r = $_(this), w = r.width(), h = r.height(), el_c = c; r.addClass('sopa_blackout').css({background: el_c, width: r.width(), height: r.height()}).attr('src', ("https:" == document.location.protocol ? 'http:' : 'http:')+'//assets.gleuch.com/blank.png').width(w).height(h); } } catch(e) {} }); // $_('input[type=text]').each(function() {if ($_(this).val().match($_.sopa_blackout.settings.search) ) $_(this).val( $_.sopa_blackout.pluck($_(this).val()) );}); // $_('textarea, option').each(function() {if ($_(this).html().match($_.sopa_blackout.settings.search) ) $_(this).html( $_.sopa_blackout.pluck($_(this).html()) );}); var s = document.createElement("style"); s.innerHTML = ".sopa_blackout, .sopa_blackout:hover {display:inline-block; font-size: inherit !important; box-shadow: 0 1px 2px rgba(0,0,0,.12); text-decoration: none !important;"+ ($_.sopa_blackout.settings.hide_bg ? "background-image: none !important;" : "") +"} .bg_sopa_blackout {box-shadow: 0 1px 2px rgba(0,0,0,.12); "+ ($_.sopa_blackout.settings.hide_bg ? "background-image: none !important;" : "") +"}"; $_('head').append(s); $_.sopa_blackout.settings.href = location.href; $_.sopa_blackout.settings.page_height = $_('body').height(); $_.sopa_blackout.settings.finish = true; } }); })($_); if (localStorage) { if (localStorage.disable_sopa_blackout != '1' || !FATLAB_Stop_SOPA.promote) { $_.sopa_blackout('body', FATLAB_Stop_SOPA.color); } if (!!FATLAB_Stop_SOPA.promote) { var html = ''; if (localStorage.disable_sopa_blackout == '1') { html = ' \

\ STOP CENORSHIP! \

\ '; setInterval(function() { var el = $_('#sopa_blackout_promote a'); if (el.size() > 0) { if (el.hasClass('sopa_ff0')) { el.removeClass('sopa_ff0').addClass('sopa_f0f').css({'background-color':'#f0f', 'color':'#fff', 'border-color':'#f0f'}); } else { el.removeClass('sopa_f0f').addClass('sopa_ff0').css({'background-color':'#ff0', 'color':'#000', 'border-color':'#ff0'}); } } }, 1000); } else { html = ' \

\

\

Stop Internet Censorship!

\

This and many other web sites could disappear!

\

Speak up and voice your concerns against SOPA (H.R.3261) and PIPA (S.968), two terrible pieces of Congressional legislation that gives broad powers for the courts to take down sites by claims from "infringed" users.

\

\ Speak Up! \ I already have! \

\

\

\ '; } if ($_('#sopa_blackout_promote').size() <= 0) $_('body').append(html); $_('#sopa_blackout_action, #sopa_blackout_skip').click(function() { if (localStorage.disable_sopa_blackout != '1') { $_('#sopa_blackout_promote').remove(); localStorage.disable_sopa_blackout = '1'; window.location.reload(); } return true; }); } } if (!localStorage.disable_sopa_blackout) { /* Allow AJAX detection */ setInterval(function() { var h = $_('body').height(), ch = $_.sopa_blackout.settings.page_height; if (location.href != $_.sopa_blackout.settings.href || Math.abs(ch-h) > 20 ) { $_.sopa_blackout.settings.href = location.href; $_.sopa_blackout.settings.page_height = h; $_.sopa_blackout.settings.init = false; $_.sopa_blackout.settings.finish = false; $_.sopa_blackout('body', FATLAB_Stop_SOPA.color); } }, 1000); } }; /* STOP SOPA!! */ try { if (typeof(jQuery) == 'undefined') { document.write(''); } if (typeof(FATLAB_Stop_SOPA) != 'object') var FATLAB_Stop_SOPA = {promote:true} if (typeof(FATLAB_Stop_SOPA.promote) == 'undefined') FATLAB_Stop_SOPA.promote = true; if (typeof(FATLAB_Stop_SOPA.color) == 'undefined') FATLAB_Stop_SOPA.color = '#000000'; setTimeout(function() { try { jQuery.noConflict(); if (!jQuery('body').hasClass('stop_sopa_blackout')) { jQuery('body').addClass('stop_sopa_blackout'); FATLAB_sopa_blackout_start(jQuery); } } catch(err) {} }, (typeof(jQuery) == 'undefined' ? 1000 : 100)); } catch(err) {}

Opposing #SOPA

PROTECT IP / SOPA Breaks The Internet from Fight for the Future on Vimeo.

Your Cake is in Another Castle

Emails have been slowly streaming into my inbox for the past several days. Forwards and carbon copies from my new fiancé that I’ve haplessly been labeling with a simple “Wedding” tag before filing them away following a quick reply, a mere proffering of my compliance. Despite how tired we both are from our grueling jobs, it’s difficult to suppress the tired smile streamlined across my face. After all, part of the reason I want to marry her is she knows the pains and pride of a hard day’s work.

Proposing the day before Christmas Eve was, admittedly, a change of plans - but not so much a haphazard one. My IT Day Job and Writing have both done impressively well in the passing year, even surprising me on several occasions to which I owe an indomitable gratitude to the slews of readers I have here and elsewhere on the internet. Additionally, both of our families were overly receptive to the prospect of a union between the two of us and have offered unwavering support – a welcome wild ride that's only going to get bumpier. Yet, at times, it’s almost scary how well things have progressed thus far. I can’t help but humbly offer my gratitude repeatedly to my family as well as the one I’ll be joining via marriage.

While it’s taken years to temper my demeanor with the knowledge of when, where and why to choose a particular battle over whatever may be the reason to go to war at the time, I’m surprised at how little I’ve had to grit my teeth or approach the table of diplomacy over much of what’s gone into the wedding so far. Most people are under the impression I’ve backed off and let Christina handle all the details. I haven’t. She simply has impeccable taste.

With so much already done, it eventually came down to what our wedding cake would be. A modern art masterpiece or something more akin to our Geeks in Love theme that’s been so prevalent throughout the course of our relationship – mine more so overt with Christina being more in the closet on her geekiness. Nevertheless, when it came time, she emailed, linked and showed me countless pictures of wedding cakes on her iPad, my responses contented at the very most. Deep down, I feel as though she knew I wasn’t exactly satisfied.

 

Thus, when I finally approached the negotiation table with something slightly more 8-bit in mind, I was unrepentantly thrilled that she was willing to take my thought and run with it to the castle’s flag. Having grown up with the character, it seemed only natural to ask that Mario and Princess Peach not only sit atop our wedding cake, but the theme of the confection-induced delight be right out of the Mushroom Kingdom. She not only accepted my request, but has since adopted it in a way I could only hope the woman of my dreams would.

 

Flexing her artistic ability, Christina set to sketching out our cake to reflect core elements from the world of the original Super Mario Bros. Following some brief discussion pertaining to parameters, the decision was made for a sole layer of 9-12” cake, complete with a Mario & Princess Peach cake topper, to be hoisted above multiple tiers of cupcakes. The mix of chocolate and vanilla treats will be done with red frosting and are set to be decorated with notable SMB essentials including everything from clouds and fire flowers to mushrooms and Goombas.

Thankfully, after contacting no less than twenty different bakeries and caterers with pictures of what we had in mind for our wedding cake, we finally have a handful that may be able to produce what we’re looking for to complement our special day. Sincerely said, you’d be surprised how difficult that is in Chicago as the prices and talents vary with significant deviation depending on which you get in touch with and when. Yet, everything seems to be falling into place and the final product is becoming more of a reality than just something I’d only hope to be able to have.

Repeatedly though, since she earmarked her approval for the way we should go regarding our wedding cake, I’ve done everything to offer her an out in the event a Super Mario cake proves to be something she’d rather not have at an otherwise classy wedding. Each time though, she’s looked at me as though there was never any other question as to what our guests should see us cut together on the day of our nuptials. Seemingly, my fiancé wants to have Mario and Peach present at our wedding with excitement that matches mine.

Honestly, it’s a side of her I never thought I would see, let alone was aware existed. Yet, as time has drawn onwards and the big date getting closer with each passing day, I can’t help but wonder what other lovably geeky qualities I’ll see in the woman I’m planning to spend the rest of my life. Certainly enough, variety is the spice of life and without a doubt discovery in any relationship keeps things new and exciting, but not even in my wildest dreams could I imagine someone who would not only accept such a wedding day request, but relish in it.

So, as that exhausted smirk edges its way across my face once more, I can’t help but look forward to the wedding. A day that will without question be more than just a celebration of two people bringing their families together as they hook into the same console as lifelong Player 1 & Player 2. It’s going to be a day when vows stand in place of video games and geekiness meets glimmer. An event that, one can hope, my wife-to-be and I will look back on for years to come with nothing but fond memories.