Part IV: All I want for Christmas is

And thus I come to the end of my Christmas list-stravaganza with randomness, or that stuff that doesn't fit nicely into its own catagory. So without further ado, I'm going to end this madness until next year.

1. Memoir '44. A super cool World War II themed board game. Anthing in which I can continue to beat down Ajmo in is OK by me.
2. The O.C.: Season 3. I bailed on this season about half way through because it just wasn't the same O.C. I had grown up with. With season 4 being so awesome, I now feel like it is some sort of duty to watch all of season 3.
3. Justice League Unlimited: Season One. Its an animated comic book with the greatest superheroes the world has ever seen. What's not to like?
4. Lawrence of Arabia. My second favorite movie ever (Note to self: make a top ten movie list at some point). There is an amazing boxed version of this one out but it runs around $45. The perfect Christmas gift I say.
5. Settlers of Catan. Supposedly the greatest board game ever made, I'm not sure why I haven't played this one yet. Well if it's so good, I certainly wouldn't mind finding it under the Christmas tree.

I love Kara Thrace

This is the best show on television.

Part III: All I want for Christmas is

And I'm back with part III of my ridiculously long list of things I wouldn't mind finding under the Christmas tree. These lists are pretty much the antithesis of the meaning of Christmas because the holiday is supposed to be about giving not getting. Oh well, lists are fun, so I shall continue with all I want for Christmas are graphic novels!

1. JSA Vols. 1-11. That's write, I am lusting after the entire JSA series, all eleven volumes of it. This series follows the reformation of the first superteam ever created, the Justice Society of America. I desperately want to read this series and I've had a hard time keeping myself from buying it.
2. Y: The Last Man Vols. 5-8. This series follows Yorrick who somehow survived a plague that killed every other male on the planet, hence the title. The series isn't over yet, but it's so good I can't wait to keep reading it.
3. Ex Machina Vol. 4. By the author of Y: The Last Man comes this series which follows a superhero turned Mayor of New York City. The lastest volume deals with the run up to the War in Iraq. It is one of the best series I have ever read.
4. The Invisibles Vols. 3-7. Grant Morrison's epic saga is the trippiest thing I've ever read. This is the story that The Matrix ripped off. This is one series I'd really like to finish up and then re-read over and over again. One of the few comics that have companion books to explain everything in them.
5. Starman Vols. 3-10. Simply put, Starman is a masterpiece. The series follows the unreluctant hero Jack Knight, who, after the death of his brother, takes up his family's legacy, the title of Starman. This series is one of the best I've ever read and it serves as a lead in to JSA.
6. Pride of Baghdad. A graphic novel by the author of Y: The Last Man, Ex Machina, and Runaways, Pride of Baghdad takes place in Baghdad. The story follows a pride of lions living in the Baghdad zoo. In the wake of the U.S. invasion, the lions are able to escape the zoo.

So there we have it, the list of graphic novels that I want to read oh so badly. Does the list end with graphic novels? Nope, there is more to come. Next up, randomness.

Part II: All I want for Christmas is

Part II of the things I wouldn't mind finding under the tree covers books. I love reading and there is an enormous amount of books out there that I want to devour. So without futher ado, all I want for Christmas is books!

1. The Pentagon's New Map by Thomas Barnett. This book along with its sequel Blueprint for Action should be read by everyone. It lays out the military situation of the post-Cold War world and examines where and what kind of threats will emerge.
2. Blueprint for Action by Thomas Barnett. The sequel to The Pentagon's New Map, this book is absolutely brillant. The strategy Barnett lays out is simple. Instead of reacting to events in the world and letting our policies be determined by the actions of people who don't have American interests in mind, we should formulate and follow policies designed to make the world into the world we want it to be. If your actions are designed to make the world the way you want it to be, you've got no reason to complain when things don't go your way.
3. Seven Pillars of Wisdom: A Triumph by T.E. Lawrence. T.E. Lawrence is one of my heroes and I would really like to read his autobiography. Although I've heard that he exaggerates quite a bit in some sections, his memoirs are timely and shed insight into the processes and people that formed the modern Middle East.
4. Cobra II: The Inside Story of the Invasion and Occupation of Iraq by Michael Gordon and Bernard Trainor. Cobra II presents the invasion and occupation of Iraq from a military standpoint. I have heard great things about it and I feel it would be a very interesting read.
5. Overthrow by Stephen Kinzer. I read and loved Kinzer's last book All the Shah's Men about the U.S. led coup de'tat in Iran in 1953. This is his follow up book and it focuses on the instances in American history that the U.S.A. has overthrown other rulers.
6. The Looming Tower: Al-Qaeda and the Road to 9/11 by Lawrence Wright. I'm not sure about this book and that is exactly why I want to read it. I've read quite a few books on Al-Qaeda and Osama Bin Laden, so I'd like to read Mr. Wright's take on everything, because he has done an enormous amount of interviews for his book.
7. Republic of Fear: The Politics of Modern Iraq by Kanan Makiya. Mr. Makiya was one of the leading proponents of a U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003. But this book was written before the first Gulf War and painted a picture of what was happening inside of Saddam Hussein's Iraq. It had a big impact when it hit on the first Bush Administration.
8. Milestones by Sayyid Qutb. Sayyid Qutb was a young Egyptian who journeyed to America. What he found there disgusted him and he returned to the Arab world where he authored Signposts and this book, Milestones. He is considered the father of modern jihad and anti-Americanism. His writings have had a profound effect on men such as Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri.

Next up are graphic novels!

All I want for Christmas is

I want so many different things for Christmas I can't make just one list, so I'm going to make several! First up are Videogames!! With the Wii and PS3 launch behind us, the amount of new games hitting shelves has slowed to a trickle. However, there were quite a few games that came out in November that I wasn't able to pick up in my Wii-induced frenzy. So without further ado, here is the list of games which I wouldn't mind having under the tree.

1. Rainbow Six: Vegas for Xbox 360. From the second I played the demo for this one I knew that I must have it. The game is so much fun and I want to play online desperately. It is just so easy to control yourself and your team!
2. Call of Duty 3 for Xbox 360. This game came out on the same day as Gears of War so I wasn't able to pick it up. I've had the chance to play the game on the Wii but I'd rather play it for the 360. While I've heard the single player is so-so, it's the multiplayer that shines on the 360.
3. Viva Pinata for Xbox 360. This is the last 360 game on my list and it is the one I am the least sure of. I've heard great things about this Rare developed title so I'm willing to give it a chance.
4. Elite Beat Agents for Nintendo DS. The Nintendo DS's have been flying off the shelf at work and are now just as hard to find as the Wii and Playstation 3. This game seems like alot of fun and I'd really like to add it to my assortment of DS games.
5. Yoshi's Island for Nintendo DS. A sequel to the classic SNES game, I wanted to pick this one up when it was released but it was just a few days after the Wii launched. It is pretty much a rehash of the SNES game, but it has been so long since I've played it I'm sure I will not mind.
6. Clubhouse Games for Nintendo DS. With single cart multiplayer, this is the perfect game to play with a group of people. It looks like alot of fun, bringing a DS twist to classic board and puzzle games.
7. Wii Points for the Nintendo Wii. Not really a game, but a currency to allow me to purchase more games through the Wii's Virtual Console. With my completion of Zelda, I am now working on Red Steel. When that game is done, I plan on downloading some classics to keep me busy until Wario Ware and Metroid Prime 3 drop in 2007.
8. Final Fantasy III for Nintendo DS. This is a beautiful remake of Final Fantasy III for NES. I've been waiting for this epic RPG to come out and it promises hours upon hours of RPG action.

So there it is, my list of wanted videogames for X-mas '07. It's alittle long, but I count every title on it as a AAA quality game, which just goes to show how great this year has been for games. The next list coming is going to be Books.

The Twilight Princess

I've just finished the best game I've ever played. The Legend of Zelda: The Twilight Princess gave me 35 hours of pure joy. It dethroned God of War as the greatest gaming experience I've ever had. Soon I'm going to post some thoughts about where I'd like to see the series go with its next installation.

Why I don't like the Iraq Study Group

The Iraq Study Group(ISG)'s report has been widely anticpated. For those of you who do not know about the ISG, it is a group of foreign policy realists tasked by Congress to examine and analayze the situation in Iraq in order to make recommendations on how to improve the situation. Realists are people who follow a school of thought that considers nations as self-interested, power-seeking rational actors. They see cooperation between states occurring only when the interests of the states (national interest) are in alignment. Thus, when some nation can help you achieve your goal, you enter into temporary alliances to strengthen your position.

This is what the main recommendation of the ISG amounts to. The study recommends diplomacy with the neighboring nations of Iran and Syria in order to stabilize Iraq. Iran and Syria have nothing in common with the United States in terms of ideology or government, but since they, like us, want a stable Iraq, they should become temporary allies or tools to help us achieve a stable Iraq. However, this idea relies on the assumption that not only do Syria and Iran want a stable Iraq, but that they have some means of making Iraq more stable. We can be fairly certain that Syria and Iran both want a stable Iraq. Iraqi refugees have been flowing into the surrounding nations, which is not a good thing. Furthermore, the continuing violence is only serving to increase the power of religious militias and give Al-Qaeda and other foreign jihadis crucial combat experience. This experience will then be brought back to whatever nation the jihadi came from, which will have the likely effect of increasing terrorism.

What is not so clear is that Iran and Syria have any means to affect change inside of Iraq. Much is made about the connection between the Shi'ite militias and the Iranian government. However, in reality, the connection is not quite so solid. Many Iraqis hate Iran. After all, there was a brutal 8 year war from 1980 to 1988 which claimed thousands and thousands of civilians in both nations. The Syrian government is even less likely to be able to influence events in Iraq, with its continuing issues in Lebanon.

With these things in mind, I have a hard time believing that a regional dialogue with Iran and Syria is a solution to instability in Iraq. Don't get me wrong, it will certainly help and engagement with these nations should have happened before the invasion actually occurred. But by itself this will have little impact on the security situation inside of Iraq. The only way I believe the security situation can be improved is with a large increase in the number of American troops in Iraq.

Getting back to the ISG's report, their suggestions amount to a 'cut and stay' policy. Their report recommends cutting down the number of U.S. troops and moving to more of an advisory position, training the Iraqi police and military. I fail to see how this will improve the problems in Iraq. The lack of security is the main issue and moving troops out of Iraq certainly will not stem the tide of violence. If anything, it will make things more ugly and violent. I am hopeful at this point because it does not seem that the White House is going to adopt the recommendations of the ISG's report. While there are some postive recommendations, they are for the most part wrong.

Recommended reading:

ISG Charade - by Thomas Barnett
http://www.thomaspmbarnett.com/weblog/2006/12/isg_charade.html

USA nails the ISG - by Thomas Barnett
http://www.thomaspmbarnett.com/weblog/2006/12/usa_nails_the_isg.html

Rights and Wrongs of Fixing Iraq - by Carlos Pascual and Kenneth Pollack
http://www.brookings.edu/views/op-ed/pascual/20061206.htm

Don't Count on Iran to Pick Up the Pieces in Iraq - by Kenneth Pollack
http://www.brookings.edu/views/op-ed/pollack/20061208.htm

We Must Not Leave Iraq - by Michael Rubin
http://www.aei.org/publications/pubID.25253,filter.all/pub_detail.asp

Graphics just don't matter that much anymore

So I was taking a shower this morning and I got to thinking about graphics in video games. Specifically, I was asking myself if graphics really matter. Take Gears of War for example. Perhaps the most gorgeous game ever made. I haven't played it since I bought my Wii. Sure the graphics are amazing, but the gameplay is kinda repetitive. You just run from cover to cover and shoot. Then I started thinking about other games that I really enjoyed and why I enjoyed them.

God of War for PS2 was my favorite game before The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. I loved God of War so much because of the awesome gameplay. You did things in that game that hadn't been done before and it was just so well put together. The graphics weren't all that great, I mean it was a PS2 game after all. It was really the gameplay that made that game so great to me.

Another example is Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, along with the rest of the series. These games are the opposite of God of War to me. The gameplay just doesn't do it for me. But wow, the story is to die for. In fact, most of Metal Gear Solid 3 I just ran through, hoping to get to the next cut scene and learn what happens. For me the storyline drove this game from me, along with the rest in the series, making them some of my favorite games to play. I think they are just about the only games that I have played through more than once.

Looking at my collection of Xbox 360 games, I can't name one that I picked up because of the graphics. I have been so happy with the Nintendo Wii because it is so much fun to play, even if the graphics aren't all that. They definitely get the job done well enough. So I have to think that we've reached a plateau in terms of graphical quality.

The case of the frozen Madden

Alex and I were in the tail end of the most epic game of Madden '07 to ever be played. It was snowing in the game, with a light dusting of flakes building up on the field. What we didn't know was that it would be cold enough to freeze the entire game in its tracks.

The hour was late, the score was close, and the competition was high. The game was so exciting that the only person watching it had unceremoniously fallen asleep on the couch. The actual score was somewhere in the range of 31-24 in my favor. Alex had just fallen behind by two scores after somewhat of a comeback. However, on his last drive he went for a risky fourth down conversion and ended up turning over the ball. Now, I was driving steadily down the field with just over 3 minutes left in the fourth quarter, looking for the score that would be the nail in his coffin.

I picked a weak side running play, hoping to pick up some yards and run the clock down. As I pulled back on my wii-mote to hike the ball, my running back dashed out to the left and did a sweet juke around the defenders. He broke through the line and was sailing easily toward the endzone. I began laughing maniacally as every step decreased his chances of winning. Out of nowhere, one of his defenders swooped in and took my runner off of his feet. And I fumbled the ball! It was knocked lose of my running back's hands, falling to the ground and just sitting there. Time seemed to stop. Then, as quickly as my hopes were dashed, Alex's returned as one of his players scooped up the ball, looking toward the end zone. But his lumbering defensive player was unable to make the journey up the field to the endzone and was tackled by a mass of angry offensive players. And then everything stopped.

The players got up and walked off the field as the referee picked up the ball and placed it for the next snap. Usually the plays come up at this point so each player can pick his next play and the game can continue. But this time, nothing happened. Just the ball sitting on the field and the referee standing beside it. Then the players ran back on the field. And nothing happened. We were both awestruck by this development. The showdown between him and I was supposed to be the highlight of the night, the main event, the climax. And in one mind-boggling play it had all come to a halt, literally. We tried calling a time out. Nothing. Eventually the game prompted that there was a penalty for delay of game, but the prompt appeared and then disappeared, leaving our players standing aimless on the field. Amazed at the turn of events, we roused the only audience member from her slumber but she just didn't seem to care. Regretfully, we agreed the game was lost and turned off the system, our showdown to take place on some future night.

This was the first time I had a Wii game outright freeze on me. I have noticed in both Rayman Raving Rabbids and Madden that if I play the game for awhile, there are increasing amounts of tiny graphical hiccups and snags. I guess this is to be expected from launch titles, but it's still amazingly frustrating when it happens.

An important Wii safety announcement

My top 5 albums of 2006

5. Zombies! Aliens! Vampires! Dinosaurs! - Hellogoodbye

4. Dungeon Master of Ceremonies - M.C. Chris

3. Plans - Death Cab for Cutie

2. The Mother, the Mechanic, and the Path - The Early November

1. Sound the Alarm - Saves the Day

A Wii bit of a problem

I love my Wii. But there are some things that trouble me. In particular, the online connectivity of the system is seriously lacking. An article on IGN called "Wii Thoughts and Suggestions" highlights some of the downsides of the Wii. The fact that it takes so long to send messages to registered friends is frustrating. Can you imagine trying to meet up and play a game of Mario Kart if it takes so long to communicate with your friends? It would be impossible. I hope some of the things mentioned in the article get looked at long and hard by Nintendo. Either way, it's a good read.

Wii Thoughts and Suggestions by Matt Casamassina of IGN
http://wii.ign.com/articles/748/748526p1.html

Why I stand around in front of computers all day

At work I stand in front of computers for the day and ask people if they have any questions. Why do I do this? It seems that most of the people who I ask if they need help think I am asking them because I want them to buy something so I can make a sweet commission. Unsuprisingly, these people are wrong. I am standing there asking them if they need help because I know alot about computers and I am being paid to help them navigate the treacherous world of consumer electronics with my knowledge. And this brings me to today's topic: Buying and selling consumer electronics.

First let me present my belief that computers aren't a good product for retail stores. They are too delicate, too finnicky, too specific, too unstable, and too dependent on proper operation. What I mean is, people don't want to hear that the reason their computer doesn't work is because they are using it wrong. Computers are technology and because of this they sometimes don't work. They are full of microchips and transistors and the slightest thing wrong makes the whole thing stop working. They just don't mesh with the consumer who expects to purchase a product and have it work perfectly for him or her. Plus, upgrading and expanding requires one to actually know something about their system. Everyday people do not have the level of intimacy with computers to know what type of RAM they need or whether they have USB 1.0 or 2.0. And this brings me to my next point.

I know alot about computers and electronics in general. This is a fact. I am there to help you, the consumer, to get what you want and have it do what you want it to do. USE ME! I know computers intimately, I know the different technologies, I know what is good for what, I know what you need if you want to do video editing, I know these things, and that is why I stand in front of computer all day. So you, the consumer, can take advantage of my knowledge. I assure you, I am not the enemy. I am not some callous salesman looking to sucker you into buying things you don't want or need so I can get a fat commission. I am your 'smart friend' and I promise I will help you with knowledge and get you what you want and open up your mind to the possibilities. Why do I do this? Because I love technology, electronics, and computers. I think they are fun and want other people to experience the fun as well.

Basically what I am saying is this: Work with me. Not only does it help you get a product that you will know, but it helps me pass the time and stave off boredom. Not only am I a guide through the vast corridors of technology, but I will guide you through the red tape of the company and get you the best deal I possibly can. I'm your inside guy, that guy you know who works at the company and will do his best to help you navigate the endless offers. I know how the company can order things and how to get something that is on super sale this week. And if you're nice to me, I'll do my best to ensure you get the best deal. I've seen people who don't want to be helped at all who, after deliberating for hours, ask me to buy a computer and I tell them we're all out. They then get mad and leave. Well, I asked you if you needed help about an hour ago and you rudely told me no. I could have told you we didn't have any and pointed out why the technology in the one you wanted wasn't worth it anyway. I could have told you about our unadvertised sale that is phenomenal.

In summary I have this to say. When you are shopping for consumer electronics and you don't know much about what you are shopping for, ask for help. Ask for help because technology is specific and delicate and doesn't always do what it appears to do. Ask for help because you don't want to get stuck with something that is going to be out of date in half a year. Ask for help to ensure that you get everything you need and not just half of it. Ask for help because you can, and because a nice guy like me is willing to help you out.

We've got bigger problems than a butter shortage...

...And I never thought I'd say that. Those are the wise words of the great late Captain Murphy of Sealab 2021. And they are so true. It seems like the world today is full of mind-numbingly large problems or dilemmas. But that isn't what you'll get here. This blog is going to be my outlet and soap box. I like alot of things that alot of other people aren't interested in, so this will be the place I can talk about them, instead of boring those around me. I have a unique perspective on alot of things as well. I am a unbridled optomist and idealist and it shows in almost all of my perspectives. I belive that perfection is possible if not for the selfish and often illogical actions of people.

I see every problem not as some random and uncontrollable circumstance but as the result of specific and oftentimes deliberate actions. Because of this I feel that the situations people find them in are often solely a result of their own actions. I think people should be blamed for things they do wrong and held to account for them. People can lead a life of pragmatic morals without being unflinchingly strict and unbending. I feel that people should strive to be good and lead a good life. It may seem strange right now, but in time there will be elaboration.

So, this is the introduction to We've got a bigger problem than a butter shortage. I don't know if it will turn out how I want it to, but only time will tell. My first topic will be the proper way to shop at a Best Buy store, but I'll save that for tomorrow.