Think Lynsen

Mega awesome!

2010-03-15T07:59:00.000-04:00

It's official. "Mega Man 10" is my new favorite Mega Man game.

After downloading the game this weekend, I quickly found that Capcom wasn't kidding with its addition of an easy mode. I breezed through the game and beat it within 90 minutes. And this from a guy who's never toppled Dr. Wily unless he's used password cheats to stock up on energy tanks. Truly, the easy mode in "Mega Man 10" is exactly what the franchise needed to welcome new and lapsed players. It is teh awesome.

But if the game is so easy, will I play it again? You bet I will. For one thing, this kind of simple relaxation is exactly what I need some days. For another thing, the game allows you to alternatively play as Proto Man and, if you pay $2 starting April 5, Bass. Add to this the many skill building exercises in challenge mode and you've got a game I'll log many hours playing.

If you're on the fence about "Mega Man 10," like I was before I bought it, do yourself a favor and get it. We need more games like this one.

That's one strong 'Legacy'

2010-03-14T10:19:00.001-04:00

The funny thing about the new trailer for "Tron: Legacy" is that it shows the program world as I've always envisioned it. Full of awesome and win.

I watch the original "Tron" movie from time to time and generally enjoy the ambitious — albeit dated — production. But I've long wondered how that world would look if it were redone today and given the flashy overhaul that benefitted "Battlestar Galactica." Now I know. Those imposing Recognizers look sweeter, those speedy Lightcycles look cooler and the female programs look hotter.

Wow. I am such a geek.

Seriously, though, I love the look of "Tron: Legacy" and consider its visuals more than a worthy successor to the classic "Tron." Early indications of the sequel film's plot show the movie is headed in an interesting direction, too. (And not "interesting" like you say in Minnesota when you're trying to avoid saying something derogatory; "interesting" as in genuinely intriguing.) If this film plays in theaters even half as good as it's playing in my head, Disney will have successfully rejuvenated this franchise.

"Tron: Legacy" hits theaters Dec. 17. Is it going to be a long wait? As good old Bit would say: "Yes."

Do not do the Dew

2010-03-13T09:55:00.003-05:00

I learned a valuable lesson last weekend. I learned that my body does not respond well to energy drinks.

And this is coming from someone who once routinely drank Mountain Dew because I simply liked the taste. Those days are now behind me, but I thought I'd take one more trip down that path Sunday when I accepted a free canned energy drink from some company promoting them outside the Verizon Center in D.C. I have no recollection of the drink brand — probably because that knowledge was lost as my head vibrated itself to sleep that evening.

I actually felt no ill effects after drinking the concoction at 3 p.m. Sunday. But when it came time for bed, I tossed and turned for an hour before I abandoned the notion at 11 p.m. I plopped down before the computer and proceeded to cruise the information highway. For three hours. I forced myself back to bed at 2 a.m. and tossed and turned some more before finally falling asleep somewhere around 3 a.m.

To say the drink made me twitchy is like saying Congress has time management issues. You're grossly understating the problem.

So as my body ages, I find that I must now put intensely caffeinated drinks on the Dead to Me list. I consider that a good move, though, if it keeps me from having some Sheldon Cooper inspired breakdown.

One more chance

2010-03-12T07:59:00.000-05:00

You'd think as much as I enjoy video games, I'd excel at beating them. But you'd be wrong.

I rarely finish the games I begin, partly because I lack the time needed to refine my skills at each game and partly because I frustrate fairly easily. My lack of skillz were brought most starkly into focus when I attempted "Mega Man 9." A notoriously brutal game, I couldn't finish a single level. It nearly killed my enthusiasm for the franchise and made me unabashedly uninterested when "Mega Man 10" was announced. Even with the addition of an easy mode, I was unenthused.

But then two things happened to change my mind. The first: Nintendo let me demo the game at their store in New York. I didn't spend much time on it, but I found the easy mode did indeed make the game easier. The second: This review from Original Gamer, which affirms the easiness of easy mode. The author notes that he, too, was unable to beat a single level in "Mega Man 9," but waltzed through easy mode in "Mega Man 10."

So I shall give the "Mega Man" series one more chance. Capcom will get another $10 from my pocket. And I, hopefully, won't regret this.

Buy, borrow or steal

2010-03-11T07:59:00.005-05:00

I kick it old school when it comes to movies. I buy them or I borrow them. I never steal them. And that apparently makes me an oddity.

There's a great many people who have illegally downloaded from those notorious file sharing sites all the kids love. Whether it's the latest blockbuster, a niche film or something that hasn't even yet hit theaters, movies are being downloaded through these unorthodox means with increasing frequency. And whatever their rationale, these modern day pirates are costing the industry millions of dollars each year. Call it a problem, call it a plauge, it's all the same to me. It's stealing. And it's wrong.

I'm curious, though, about the thought process behind these actions. Knowing that the fine readers of Think Lynsen would never commit or condone any illegal acts, I'm curious what you might have heard from other people about why they pirate movies. I'm not so much looking for the "because I'll never get caught" answer as I'm seeking to resolve the "it's mine because" riddle.

Can anyone help me crack this nut?

Making your tweets readable and retweetable

2010-03-10T10:10:00.001-05:00

I once took an English class where the teacher promised to fail anyone who went more than 10 percent above or below the required word count for an assignment. And most of the assignments were limited to a mere 500 words.

Accustomed to blathering on for pages, working within this constraint actually made me a better writer, because I knew every word had to count. Much the same can be said about Twitter.

Having only 140 characters in which to express yourself can be limiting, especially when you’re just starting out. But it’s an excellent opportunity to learn how to get your point across concisely. The trick is to do it in a way that’s clear and readable.

Continue reading my latest musings on Small Act's blog.

Function over form?

2010-03-10T07:59:00.001-05:00

Longtime friends might have noticed in yesterday's post that I'm wearing the same winter coat I've worn for years. Many, many years.

The parka I got in Minnesota has served me well and kept me warm. It's done its job and it's done it well. But because the coat is, well, less than fashionable, it's drawn some odd looks and derogatory comments from some of my fellow Washingtonians. The critiques have led me to consider retiring the parka — a thought that's somewhat foreign to someone who's known to wear clothes until they're fraying at the edges.

So much like my old clothing survey, the question I pose to you is this: Is form more important than function? Is it time to go shopping? Or is function more important than form? Should I keep wearing the coat despite the eyerolls?

Let me know your thoughts in the comments. Thanks!

A momentous occasion

2010-03-09T14:18:00.002-05:00

Congratulations to our friends Jeremy Moon and Bryan Legaspi, who wed today in Washington's first same-sex civil marriage ceremony. I attended the ceremony and made this video marking the occasion for DC Agenda.

How big is 30 Rock?

2010-03-09T07:59:00.000-05:00

That big. And for added perspective, here's a shot of me in front of the building. I am but an ant before this 70 story behemoth.

The buildings in New York are supersized. Annie and I must go there together and see them. We must buy tickets to the top of the Empire State Building and gaze upon the Big Apple's skyline. We must wander the streets, look up and channel The Tick as we say with awe, "Tall…"

Here's hoping fortune smiles upon us and we're able to get there later this year.

Nick Kral = awesome

2010-03-08T07:59:00.002-05:00

If you'll forgive this moment of self indulgence, I just wanted to share with you how much fun I had reuniting this weekend with an old friend.

Nick Kral of Nicreations, perhaps known to you for having a fantastic short on the "Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog" DVD, was my best friend and constant companion for many years in elementary school. We were in Cub Scouts together, we staged intergalactic warfare with our Star Wars toys, and he introduced me to the wonderful world of video games. We shared some great times those — oh dear — 25 years ago. Those times ended only when we went to different middle schools.

Nick and I recently got back in touch via Facebook, though, and we made plans to share a meal when he next visited D.C. He came to town this weekend and we met at my favorite brunch spot, Matchbox. We had such fun catching up, sharing stories about all the curve balls life threw at us during the last decade, that I lost all track of time. After chatting at the restaurant for more than two hours, we spent another two hours walking around D.C. and talking some more. We swapped personal and professional tales, exchanged more than a few funny stories, and talked at length about politics. I felt so relaxed talking again with Nick that the conversation came as easily as it did at age 6. He was an awesome guy then and he's an awesome guy now. I'm so glad that we were able to get together during his visit.

I hope that fate has given or will give you a similarly fun reunion with someone from your past. It's a great way to regain perspective — and remember just how important it is to have good friends.

OK Go makes another jaw-dropping video...this time with a Rube Goldberg device

2010-03-05T07:00:00.002-05:00

See how this amazing Rube Goldberg device was made.

Watching "The Princess Bride" again for the first time

2010-03-04T07:21:00.004-05:00

I managed to discover two fellow geeks who had never seen "The Princess Bride" (which I've always seen as a veritable initiation ritual to geekdom), so a movie night was arranged and on Sunday, I watched the movie with them and another friend.

I tried to watch it through the eyes of the newbies. To put this in perspective, the only piece of artwork in our living room is a framed, autographed poster of "The Princess Bride." And if you've read prior posts, you know swashbucklers were pretty instrumental in the development of my psyche.

So watching it without my nostalgia glasses was hard. And a little disconcerting. How can one justify the admittedly-hokey special effects, the overdramatic acting and over-the-top music to people seeing it for the first time as adults? Sure, it's a self-parody, but how does that hold up in the era that brought us "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Matrix"?

I think for me, the movie will always hold up, because it's such a part of who I am. But I have to be honest...I don't see the generation following mine gleefully crying out, "Have fun stormin' the castle!" And that makes me terribly sad, because I don't think this generation really has a similar common thread, a movie all geeks know and love that speaks their language and is oh-so-quotable.

Am I wrong? Tell me in the comments.

10 ideas for what to post on Twitter/Facebook when you're stuck

2010-03-03T13:16:00.001-05:00

Also known as "See if Annie can successfully invoke T-Rexes, Marcel Marceau, squid, Venus Flytraps, bananas, and Dr. Seuss in ONE BLOG POST."

Check out my latest ramblings at Small Act.

Spidey gets sacked

2010-03-03T07:59:00.005-05:00

I was initially rather pleased — and impressed — to learn that Marvel Comics is throwing Peter Parker to the unemployment line.

The man in the Spider-Man costume has long been the publisher's most relatable character, having struggled in the past with girlfriend troubles, paying rent on time and worrying about the health of his cherished Aunt May. It would make sense, then, for Peter's continuing adventures to reflect the plight of many Americans who have lost their job during the Great Recession.

But then I realized his situation in no way reflects the plight that many Americans face. Because instead of being laid off, downsized or otherwise placed into a position where "your services are no longer needed," Peter was fired for cause.

The newspaper photographer was rightly dismissed after doctoring a photo. Among photojournalists, there is no greater sin. It's the equivalent of knowingly publishing a lie. And we all know how well that worked for former New York Times writer Jason Blair.

This fact, however, seems lost on Marvel's talking heads. Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada portrays the situation as just another time when "the old Parker luck" came calling. No. This had nothing to do with luck and everything to do with ethics and integrity. Usually one of Marvel's most steadfast pillars of wholesomeness, Peter acted so wrongly in this instance that he deserved what he got. He also deserves a staggeringly uphill battle to rejoin the industry, because that's what any news photographer would face in this situation.

It's not that I expect realism from my comics, but I expect Spider-Man books to be grounded in reality. And I think Marvel squandered a unique opportunity to tell a story that better reflects the terrible situation that too many Americans face. Yes, some people lost their jobs because they were fired. But so many more lost them through business downtowns, job outsourcings and similar means that in no way reflected on their performance.

That's the audience Marvel should have been looking to engage. Instead, the takeaway seems to be that you can do wrong, but that's okay, everything will turn out fine in the end. That's not the kind of lesson a superhero should be imparting.

These can come in handy.

2010-03-02T07:07:00.000-05:00

This is an awesome and comprehensive list. Hat tip to kittykittybangbang.

Instant KHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN
Instant Swanee Whistle
Instant Terror
Instant Sad Violin
Instant Sunglasses of Justice
Instant Survey Says
Instant Rockapella
Instant Nooooooooooooooooooooo
Instant Chewbacca
Instant Hallelujah
Instant Trap
Instant Yodel
Instant Crickets
Instant Nelson
Instant McMahon
Instant Gong
Instant Rimshot
Instant Sad Trombone

Photos from NYC

2010-03-01T07:59:00.012-05:00

I'm still playing catchup following my weekend trip to New York for DC Agenda, but I wanted to quickly share some of the images from that excursion with you. Enjoy!

As a fan of "30 Rock," I got a big kick out of seeing 30 Rockefeller Plaza.

A view of the skating rink featured in oh-so-many television shows and films.

For those who believe art imitates life, I offer this fitting NBC store photo.

Just one block from 30 Rock is the promised land. Err, I mean the Nintendo World Store.

A classy joint, the Nintendo World Store gobbled up about two hours of my life as I played "Glory of Heracles" and "Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn," and perused the amazing clothing selection.

This proud lion should look familiar to all "Ghostbusters" fans.

Other sights from my trip included a (hasty) walk through Hell's Kitchen...

...a spin past Radio City Music Hall...

...and a short detour...

...to the Empire State Building.

I'll reflect more on my trip in the days to come. Suffice to say for now, though, that I really think it's time Annie and I finally start planning that weekend excursion to New York City we keep talking about — and putting off. It's just silly that we've lived in D.C. as long as we have and not yet been together to the Big Apple.

When a bonus isn't a bonus

2010-02-27T10:02:00.004-05:00

Riddle me this, Batman: When is a bonus not a bonus? When the end result is no bonus.

I was excited to learn this week that GameStop is offering an additional 50 percent credit on all traded-in games. While rearranging our media shelves, Annie and I recently found 13 games no longer worth keeping. But what to do with them? Surely this opportunity would serve us well! Surely this opportunity would make GameStop's trade-in values better than what Amazon offers every day! Surely we could do no wrong! Of course, I should know by now that nothing in this life is a sure thing.

The 13 older games I took to GameStop netted us $40.72 in store credit, barely topping the $40 that Amazon would have given me for the same games sans promotion. I was flabbergasted that GameStop's trade-in values have fallen so much that it took this unprecedented offer for them to compete with Amazon. Had the bonus not been in effect, GameStop would have given me just $27.15 for these games.

So this really wasn't a bonus, was it, GameStop? This was a lesson. We should take our business elsewhere.

"Lifestyle change" update

2010-02-26T07:25:00.000-05:00

Earlier this week I told you about my commuting woes, and how I'm attempting to rearrange my life to fix them. Here's how things have shaken out.

On Monday, the day I wrote the post, I got up at my usual time but did my workout before I went in at 10, then I left work at 7. The commute in was the same as ever - about 30 minutes - but the commute home through the rain took about an hour. (People out here freak out over any kind of precipitation...rain results in an "OMG, strange water falls from the sky" attitude that always mucks things up.)

But then, Tuesday and Wednesday, I did the same thing, and my commutes home were about 30 minutes each. Success! Not only that, but a colleague informed me about traffic.com, a website that analyzes current traffic incidents and shows you the fastest route at that time. Genius! I still have trouble believing cutting through Georgetown (which I've never seen in an uncongested state, since the roads are so narrow) would ever be an efficient way to get home, but still...it's a handy resource for quickly finding alternate routes when the Beltway is crazy.

The morning workouts have been going better than I anticipated. Not my best workouts ever, but so far I haven't felt sick during them, which is more than I expected.

So generally things are going OK. One week is not yet a statistically significant sample, but I think it's still safe to say things are looking up.

Best Buy, worst policy

2010-02-25T07:59:00.007-05:00

Earlier this month, I noted that Best Buy was on notice because it decided to erase 140 points from my Reward Zone account.

After posting that rant, I e-mailed the chain and told them what I told you: that the loss of these points greatly irritated and confused me. In response, a member of the customer care team reinstated my lost points "as a one time customer courtesy," but cautioned that future points "will be forfeited" in accordance with their Reward Zone Point Annualization policy. And, you know, I should have realized all this because it "was explained in the rules of Reward Zone when you activated your account." Actually, no, but I've got better things to do than argue the finer points of customer reward program philosophy with Jennifer.

Because my points were reinstated, I'll continue shopping at Best Buy for now. But my trips to the chain likely will end after I earn my next reward certificate. I'd rather do my electronics shopping online than play this silly game.

Social media is dressing up AND dressing down

2010-02-24T07:23:00.001-05:00

[Note: This is my latest blog post for Small Act! It originally published yesterday.]

It's official: social networking is coming into the office, but it has a date after work.

Last week, two very interesting pieces of news came to light. First off, it was announced that Microsoft Outlook 2010 was going to include features that allow you to interact with Facebook and Twitter. Secondly, a recent study shows that people are more frequently using their mobile devices to do social networking than their desktop machines.

My mind reels from the implications of these two pieces of news...

Continue reading

Can't miss 'Canabalt'

2010-02-23T07:59:00.003-05:00

I gave up Flash games about the same time I gave up Long Island iced teas and eating $1 frozen dinners for lunch.

But just like those $2 drink specials in Winona, sometimes an offer comes along that you can't refuse. Such is the case with "Canabalt," the new Flash game that plays like an 8-bit platformer on speed. The hero in this simple run-and-jump game makes Sonic the Hedgehog look like a slowpoke.

You can play "Canabalt" online for free in either normal or mega renditions. The controls are simple enough: Press X or C to jump and the game takes care of the rest. The only question is how far can you make it before you fall?

I blame the river.

2010-02-22T07:57:00.008-05:00

Last week was my first full week commuting to my new job, which is in McLean, Va. Week one was mostly spent working at home in light of Snowpocalypse...which was a weird way to start a new job, to say the least.

But last week started fine. On Monday, it took me about 30 minutes to get to work and about 45 minutes to get home. Not too shabby, I thought...still less time than I was spending getting to and from KaBOOM! each day. I began to feel somewhat smug.

And then I realized Monday was a federal holiday. And then came Tuesday. I've always wondered what the Beltway would look like as a parking lot, and now I have firsthand knowledge.

My route, for what it's worth (pictured on the right), is 16 miles from start to finish. Oddly, the mornings aren't bad at all, even post-federal-holiday...it still takes roughly 30 minutes to get to work, which I think is fine. Totally dealable. It's the evenings...where my commutes have been anywhere from an hour to a whopping two hours. I'm burning through gas like crazy and truly feeling like "part of the problem."

Why take the Beltway, you may ask? Because there aren't really any other options to get from point A to point B in this case, largely due to the Potomac River. There are very few places to cross on the west side of the city, and they all get jammed. My alternative routes would involve going through the heart of the city and would, in all likelihood, take even longer. And public transit doesn't go near my new workplace, either (and even if it did...it would still take at least an hour to get there).

So this week I'm going to attempt to beat the system, but it involves a significant lifestyle change on my part. To change my work schedule from 9-6 to 10-7 (which will put me there when most of my coworkers are there anyway, and hopefully put me outside of rush hour in the evenings), I'm going to have to shift my workouts to the mornings. To most of you this may sound like no big deal, but trust me when I say this is going to be DIFFICULT. For one thing, my body is used to having at least a couple of meals in it before I hit the elliptical trainer or the strength training regimen I've mapped out for myself...and I tend to get a bit lightheaded if I work out too early in the day. It's going to take me awhile to get my body used to this. For another thing, our apartment's gym is much busier in the mornings than in the evenings, and when there are only three elliptical machines to begin with, it's going to become a bit of a competition.

So please cross your fingers for me as I try and juggle my life into something that will, I hope, lead to more sanity and less gritting of my teeth. Here goes nothing.

Ring of truth

2010-02-21T10:41:00.002-05:00

It's a little known fact that I did an internship at Jostens during my college years. The experience can best be described as "mixed," but I'm happy to see they've let down their hair a bit. This new ring for the graduating gamer is all manner of awesome.

Thanks to GoNintendo for highlighting it.

Sky Mall Kitties - Kitties of the air!

2010-02-20T08:44:00.001-05:00

This absolutely tickled me. Enjoy.

Nintendo World, here I come!

2010-02-19T07:59:00.004-05:00

It's been called a gaming paradise. Later this month, I'm calling it my hangout.

I'll be back in New York City the last weekend in February for another work function. And despite my last excruciatingly painful trip to the Big Apple, I'm looking forward to the trip. Why? The topics to be discussed are important, the connections to be made are vital, and the free day to be enjoyed is exciting. It'll allow me — the unabashed Nintendo fanboy that I am — to visit the Nintendo World Store! I can feel my wallet getting lighter just thinking about this excursion…

I'm already doing some window shopping online in advance of the trip. I'm jazzed to play the several Wii and DS games you're allowed to try, already ogling the exclusive merchandise the store stocks and eager to see the many classic products on display under glass. I will, as the shirts say, know my roots.

Are you jealous? *wink*