2.29.2008
fools and sages
I was surfing the internet at work today and noticed Guitar Hero recently added some new downloadable content. The first offering I saw is a No Doubt pak, featuring three songs from their awesome mid-90s album Tragic Kingdom.In true Guitar Hero fashion, they omitted the obvious track - I'm Just a Girl. But they managed to squeeze Don't Speak and a couple other goodies on there, so I can't complain too hard. The move is reminiscent of their omission of Everlong from the Foo Fighters pak. I mean how do you leave out Everlong? But I still rock it to their tracks on there.
Anyhow, the other downloadable item up for grabs was Aerosmith's Dream On. Let me just say that I love this song. It's one of the top 25 most played songs on my iPod. I'm sure that's a common top 25 song among aging guys watching their lives slip away but who can't stand the song Landslide whether it's sung by the Dixie Chicks or Stevie Nicks or Smashing Pumpkins. But I digress.
I made the No Doubt pak happen, but Dream On was nowhere to be found in the XBox Marketplace. So I consulted Wikipedia only to learn the song was only available for 3 days earlier this month. Sweet merciful Jesus no!
But the silver lining here is the next Guitar Hero game is going to be comprised solely of Aerosmith tracks. Scoff if you want, but that thing is gonna rock. And since they are working with the band, we won't have to worry about shitty Guitar Hero remakes! (Carry on Wayward Son, I am looking directly at you)
My wish list track for this Aerosmith edition is my favorite song of theirs - What It Takes (also a top 25 most played). It's not a guitar-heavy song and it doesn't really rock in the way Dude Looks Like A Lady or Sweet Emotion will, but it's an awesome song nonetheless. And I always get a little excited when I get to strum along to a song that's near and dear to my heart (e.g. Possum Kingdom or anything from the My Chemical Romance pak). So please please please Guitar Gods, make me a happy strummer! Make with the What It Takes, pronto! Thank you.
2.01.2008
a world without warcraft
I played too much World of Warcraft between January 2007 and January 2008. We're talking 3-5 hours a night, 4+ nights per week. Some Saturdays I'd wake up, log on, play all day, then go to bed. Other times I'd call in to work because I wanted to stay home and play.
Over time, it became an obligation. My guild started meeting up 3+ nights per week, meaning that I had to tell my real life friends "I can't hang out tonight - the guild needs me." And even though I was happy to cancel my plans to play on my own terms, it was a different story when I was expected to show up under someone else's.
So on Saturday, January 12th, I logged off for the last time - and I noticed an immediate change. I wanted to go out and see people, do things, have fun. It was like a little renaissance for my social life.
Tomorrow marks week three of the renaissance, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to play. To make matters worse, I'm home sick (legitimately) with nothing to do. So I'll let you know if I fall off the wagon.
Disclaimer: I do plan to come back to the game when they release the next expansion, so I can get my two highest characters to level 80.
