I’m Watching Big Brother [Quicktime 6+ MOV, MPEG-4 – 6:53 – 24.6 mb]

Kev!

Update :: HERE is a article on the deconstruction of the Wolfgang Puck self heating latte… must see photos and information!

Update [05.23.06 ] :: HERE is a article about a recall on this fun product, looking pretty sad for the creators of the can… too bad, I really liked this!

LimeBlog Product Review 06.13.2005 [Quicktime 6 MOV, MPEG-4 - 4:00 - 14.2 mb]

So, what was introduced? First, the Xbox360, which was announced on MTV last week. This announcement was hard to watch as all of the Microsoft geeks read a book on how to be cool and tried their best to be just that. They failed. But, still the hardware is there, so I’ll try to focus on that, thought it was an incredible turn off for me on Microsoft’s try to be hip, whatever that means. (For people who know me, it takes a lot for me to give Microsoft a penny). Second, the Playstation 3 was introduced at E3. The system, the guts, blow away everything. Period. Finally, today the Nintendo Revolution was introduced. The Revolution doesn’t seem to touch the other two systems in power, but will definitely hold a interesting key in the gaming industry, which I’m truly partials too… memorabilia.

That all being said, here are my rants and raves on these three systems given what we know today and after watching the three press conferences that are available online for us lucky people!

Xbox 360 :: Though Microsoft makes my spine hurt and I have successfully lived without purchasing the Xbox 1, I have to say that there is enough candy and goodies in the 360 that I will own this system when it is released. Graphics, gameplay and the full multimedia experience (view/play photos, videos, music, community, ecommerce) are all there as expected now days. But, the #1 reason why I will buy this system is that it will have Halo 3, which I’m sure I can’t live without! I like the design of the box, but I know that the design didn’t come naturally from them, they just looked at the iPod and said
“that’s hip, copy it”. So, as you can see, I will remain bent towards Xbox 360, but that doesn’t mean that I will boycott it (which, I’m also good at doing on things I don’t like http://www.idontlikethat.com)

Playstation 3 :: This is the only system of the three that I actually said “WOW” out loud… so it must be good The specs on this thing are so amazing, I’m not going to begin to explain them all (do your own research on the web, lazy butt). I am so wowed by this system, I thought they were showing me the Playstation 4 which will come out in 2012 (just kidding, like I would know that). They also had by far the best conference. They pooled their money into the system rather then the hype of the stage presents. Of course, the PS3 also has the full multimedia experience that the Xbox 360 has… there is definitely a war between the two systems in how much crap they sell on their systems. Personally, I’m not that interested in buying a MP3 on my gaming console. There is so much more to say about this system, but I’m going to stop here for now.

Nintendo Revolution :: There is a place in everyone’s hearts for Nintendo. They were there for us when my generation was growing up. We know Mario like we know Ronald McDonald. That being said, Revolution is playing right on that. The system specs are still not exactly released, but so far sound like they won’t be able to touch either Xbox 360 or PS3, but what Revolution does have the the rest does not… 20 years worth of video games on one system. You will be able to download and play video games for the NES, SNES, NES64 and play GameCube discs. For us 20 and 30 somethings, that is very special. If Nintendo never releases a gaming system after this one, this system will still be in our homes for decades to come just on memory sake alone. They also continue to come up with the most user friendly and unique gaming experiences out there. So, yes, I do plan to buy this system too… just to play NES’s Master Blaster

Now, I’m trying to be brief as possible because this is supposed to be a quick blog entry (not), but it is important for me to get my feelings out on this subject. Video game technology is fun and more fun to simply keep up with. I don’t play a lot of games but I love keeping up with the graphics and technology that spawns from the video game industry. I will and always will say that the TurboGrafx-16 is my favorite system of all time. However, I plan to own all 3 of these new systems, so I instantly don’t have to worry about which is better and get into all of those arguments. But, I have to say on an excitement level, the PS3 looks like will by my favorite system. I will know in a year from now hopefully, so nothing is in stone yet! I remember vividly fantasizing how video games should be back in 1990… today, with the announcements of these new systems, my imagination has finally failed me in what all could be possible. This is a truly exciting time for any one with a sense of adventure and imagination!

Kev!

However, before seeing this 2 hour and 45 minute masterpiece, I received some horribly disturbing news. As I dined at a well known, high class establishment, I saw a sign as I placed my order for a Mexican pizza and Meximelt. ‘This establishment will be closed after today, our lease was not renewed’. Yes, that is right, as I ate my favorite delicacy from the south, I learned that the Taco Bell/KFC in one restaurant was closing after today. I shed a tear as Chicago is losing another Taco Bell. What is a guy with such high tastes in standards going to do? Luckily, I still have two other locations that I can go to, but there will always be a place in my heart for the Taco Bell/KFC, all in one, restaurant on Lake Street here in Chicago.

Okay, I’m over that now. I did save a hot sauce packet for memory sake. Never mind, I just used it on a Ritz cracker. Yum!

Experience Wicked, save Taco Bell.

Kev!

Anyway, I was reminded this past month on how much of a GG (Gadget Geek) I am. I was almost going to label myself as a GGG (Gay Gadget Geek), but that might seem like I collected sex toys, so I didn’t want to go there! I am usually reminded of this when Apple releases something new, or anything for that matter. I get this overwhelming stiffness in my back and shoulders and stay up very late every night looking at pictures, videos and review of whatever that something special is until the moment that I can no longer take it anymore and run (literally) to the store to buy it. Then on the way home from the store, I get depressed that I spent more money that I didn’t have and start thinking of things that I can sell on eBay to offset my new purchase. Then, I forget about selling anything eBay, because everything of mine has some special meaning that I cannot part with! After two days, I forgot about what just happened and I am on to the next best thing out there! So, yes, this has happened again, exactly in the same way, but it actually wasn’t a Apple product!?! That’s right, it was a Sony product (never Microsoft, don’t worry). The March 24th release of the PSP (Playstation Portable) finally overwhelmed me just 7 days after it’s release. I had to have one or I would die, or if I were to die tomorrow, at least I had sometime to play with it… so I ran out and bought it without thinking about it any longer. It would have probably been sooner, but I was under the impression that it was sold out everywhere. When I was at my local Best Buy, I didn’t even ask, because I just assumed they got like 6 in and were all sold out. A few days later, I decided to call them and ask when they expected another shipment in. To my surprise they said, “yes, we have them in stock (with your name, Kevin, on one of them)”… ok they didn’t say that exactly, but that is how I interpreted it.

So, now that I have it, I am very happy and the stiffness has gone away in my back and shoulders. I feel that I have made the correct choice in feeling that it was a must have gadget. Not only does it play kickass, graphically eye crossing, thumb numbing games, but it also plays movies, photos and music. However, as their ad says ‘the ipod killer’, I won’t be playing music on mine. The iPod is still way superior to playing music and I’m not going to take the PSP to the gym, etc. You have to own both to be complete (as I am now). Soon, I will be able to put my Golden Girls episodes on my PSP and watch them anywhere, such as the bathroom! A dream come true!

Ok, enough about that… what else has been going on? Well, I recently registered a new URL to be a playground of ideas for the next generation of my ideas and stupidity. The web site has an incredible amount of deep meaning that only I and my boyfriend, Matthew, share. That is all that I can say about it now, but in a few months it will turn into something very special. That being said, I announce ‘I Don’t Like That’.

Finally, I am excited to also be revisiting one of my other favorite passions… stalking Bea Arthur! It was been 4 years since the last time that I met Bea Arthur and in a few weeks I will have another chance to meet her (maybe, depending on her mood at the time). I will be going to see Bea in Mount Pleasant, Michigan on the 19th of this month. She is going to be doing her show at a casino in the same town as the college that I went to. So, I am extremely excited to getting another opportunity to see Bea again, as well as, visiting my college and visiting some friends of mine from college who live nearby. A win win situation. I will also be going up to my hometown, Petoskey, for a few days prior to seeing Bea to visit with my family. So, really what we have here is a win win win situation. I will definitely be writing about my experience on seeing Bea and her show on my fan site to Bea Arthur ‘Bea Arthur In The Lime Light’… be sure to check back on that in a few weeks!

All done for now! I will be blogging in lime soon! Thanks for reading!

Kev!