Lefty Side of the Dial

You Say Goodbye and I Say Hello

leftybrown@gmail.com (Lefty Brown) — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 15:55:19 PST

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I have had a lot of fun doing this blog for over four years now. Three of them have been on Movable Type. Well very very soon and I making the switch over to Wordpress, and I just might lose all the posts and comments here, unless someone with the know-how and spare time wants to assist me on transferring them over.

So by the end of the year, the site as you know it will be no more. I am not quitting blogging, but 2009 will be bringing in some changes. For one, when the new blog is finally ready to go I probably won't be the only voice here on Lefty Side of the Dial. I am currently looking for a handful of people to be occasional writers on politics, media, and religion. I am also going to be restarting the podcast, and also including some video as well.

So thanks for making Lefty Side of the Dial 2.0 so enjoyable. I've long enjoyed the days on Blogger, and Movable Type has been awesome up until the last 8 months. I am really looking forward to the changes.

Again if you would like to help out with transferring over the old posts to Wordpress, please email me at leftybrown [at] gmail [dot] com. Also if you want to be a co-writer on the the revamped site let me know as well.

I'll close out the year with some long promised ruminations on 2008, the year in politics and media.

Thanks,
Chris "Lefty" Brown

Waiting in the Wings...

leftybrown@gmail.com (Lefty Brown) — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:52:37 PST

I've been actually very busy at work and on The Married Gamers, but I do have actual content that will surface shortly on Lefty Side of the Dial including a new Weekly Top Ten, some ruminations on the recent election, a possible regular return of the Lefty Side of the Dial podcast, and the annual End of the year Top Ten list of music, movies, and comics...heck even video games.

So bear with me.

You Give Good Vote

leftybrown@gmail.com (Lefty Brown) — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 12:52:28 PDT

I watch a lot of CNN and MSNBC, and to hear them pontificate it seems like everyone is the key voting block for the Presidential election next Tuesday. Let me just say what the key voting block is and cut them off at the pass, it's the Obama Republicans. Like the Reagan Democrats, this election will see a great number of Republicans vote for their first Democrat. I have heard story after story of lapsed Republican saying that they will be voting for Senator Obama after the 8 years of Bush. I don't put too much faith into polls, but they've been showing Obama making great grounds into typically Republican states, and I do think he may be successful in winning two of them.

I for one continue to think that this will be the first election in over eight years in which we can head to bed at a decent time knowing that Barack Obama will be the next President of the United States of America. It'll be nice for a chance being to spend more time worrying if my fellow California stand up for equal rights and vote No on Proposition 8, or see if the Dems can really achieve the much hoped-for 60 in the Senate. I wonder how much the Obama Republicans will affect the Congressional races around the country, or if Alaska may have the wherewithal to not elect a convicted felon and vote for his Democratic opponent.

I'm feeling good about next Tuesday. I could vote early, but I do like the little ritual of walking to my precinct with my voter's guide in hand. The line is never too long, and it's always fun to hear the chatter while in line. Still can't believe that this long, long campaign will be over in six days.

Yay! I'm feeling good about the potential outcome.

Lefty is Wined & Dined

leftybrown@gmail.com (Lefty Brown) — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 15:05:43 PDT

It's been an interesting week to say the least. Yesterday I found out that our university won't be laying people off, but instead I won't be accruing vacation days for the next six months. This bit of news come just 48 hours before I am using some of the last of my vacation hours to visit Los Angeles for the next few days.

One of the biggest game companies, EA (Electronic Arts) is flying me to Los Angeles on Wednesday to visit one of their game developers, Pandemic to take a look at a forthcoming video game based on the Lord of the Rings franchise. I've seen and played the game briefly when I was in Seattle for PAX, but now myself and a handful of indie gaming podcasters and websites are going to get a much longer hands-on time. In addition to playing the game, we'll also get to tour Pandemic and do some interviews, which barring any NDAs will find their way to our podcast.

EA is putting us up in a pretty cool hotel, and on Friday is even taking us to Universal Studios, which I've never been to. Even though I am a last minute replacement for someone who was unable to come, I am pretty honored to be given the chance to do what basically is a press junket. However it does bring up some questions for me.

First, it does make me feel proud of all the work my wife and I and a handful of others have done at The Married Gamers. Games are starting to come to us to review without even asking now. We find ourselves being invited to more and more events, and our podcast listeners and website readers are growing. I'm very happy that as we grow we've been more or less able to avoid some of the pratfalls of other game sites and podcasts. We are nearly at the point we I'll need to start looking at whether we need to start a company and have ad rates. It would be nice to have some revenue to this labor of love, if anything to pay our staff who have been such a delight to work with.

Second, benig wined and dined, as they say, bring me under greater scrutiny by our fans and critics to our impartiality when it comes to EA video games. I am thankful that I've seen this Lord of the Rings games previously because it is a pretty darn good game in the brief time I had with it. However I'm sure they may very well be some people who think I might give a favorable review because I've drank the kool-aid. I can be a little overly-sensitive to those perceptions, but my only real control over a criticism like that is to be reasonable and truthful in my review and let the chips fall where they may.

Third, what am I? Am I games journalist? Am I an enthusiast blogger? I think The Married Gamers is somewhat in between. I think this allows us some latitude with our reaction and perception of video games and video game news & culture. I also think that it will also mean we'll never make a living off of this, but both my wife and I had realistic expectations about that going in to this endeavor. Still I don't want to be typecast as a video game blogger. I find some video bloggers just an echo chamber of rumors, sloppy work, and a place to rant. I am proud that The Married Gamers won't report on rumors, no matter how reliable they may be.

Recently our mantra and selling point to games companies is that we like to use them as they use us. If they have something to pitch, good because at The Married Gamers we want to connect our listeners, fans, and readers to fun experiences. I don't think of us as in opposition to a video game companies PR-speak, but we do reserve our right to agree or disagree with the pitch. For instance, one game we will never promote on our site is the America's Army series of games that the U.S. Army uses to recruit new soldiers. I have grave reservations about that video game, and simply will refuse any requests for interviews for it.

In any event, I'm looking forward to my trip to SoCal tomorrow, and will have to let you all know how it went.

Help Lefty Play Video Games & Become A Hero

leftybrown@gmail.com (Lefty Brown) — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 09:38:03 PDT

On Saturday October 18th my wife and I will be playing video games for 24 hours straight, but we're doing it for a great cause. We're raising money for the Texas Children's Hospital raising money for the treatment and research for kids with cancer. This special charity event was put together by our friend's at Sarcastic Gamer whose lives we're touched by one very special girl who life was ultimately claimed by the disease. For more information about the event, you can go to the The Married Gamers Extra Life Team Page and give. Any amount will help, although it is suggest that you sponsor per hour you can give in any increment. It'd mean at lot to me, a lot to my wife and our gaming community, and last but certainly not least to the people trying to treat and cure kids dealing with something no little one should.

Once again please give at The Married Gamers Extra Life Team Page .

We will be streaming our video gaming and even recording a podcast for the Married Gamers during the event. On Saturday starting at 1 PM Pacfic head over to our Married Gamers Ustream channel to catch our podcast and Extra Life video gaming. We'll have one cam trained on one of us, and the other aimed at the television screen and we'll try to broadcast for those 24 hours. We'll have giveaways during the 24 hours. So stop by and visit us in the chat room.

Lefty's Friday Three Questions for November 10th

leftybrown@gmail.com (Lefty Brown) — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 11:48:26 PDT

It's the return of Friday Three Questions! Every Friday I ask three questions. My answers are in the comments section where you are invited to leave your own answers as well.

1. Are there any new albums you are currently listening to that already feel like they could be Best Of 2008?

2. Have you decided who you will be voting for? If not, what keeps you on the fence?

3. What comic book titles or series would you love to see a movie and/or video game made out of?

Don't Call It A Comeback...Lefty's Weekly Top Ten

leftybrown@gmail.com (Lefty Brown) — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 16:32:24 PDT

Well the Fall TV season has definitely begun! So it's time to start rolling out my weekly top ten...well weekly.

1. The Shield

As the end feels in sight, one of the period hours of television continues to just captivate me. I have a feeling that no one is going to escape the end without some sort of collateral damage.

2. Heroes

Only a few episodes in, Heroes feels like it's off to a great start this year. With the exception of the cop's storyline, the rest has been pretty exceptional. I also like that it feels like the continue to expand their "story bible" in how they use Sylar. Still, I do kinda dislike how everyone is nearly related to one another.

3. Pushing Daises

Yay! I'm so happy to see that Pushing Daises is back. Hopefully we'll get a full season this year, because this is a show that will quickly become one of my favorites. I love the cheerful quirkiness of the show.

4. The Office

Speaking of quirky...some folks already believe the show has "jumped the shark" so to speak, but I'm still loving the show.

5. Kath & Kim

iTunes had the first episode of this new show for free, and it's one I had been anticipating. Much to my delight I laughed so much during this episode, and can't wait for more episodes. This is AbFab for the none rich & famous. It is hysterical in how obtuse the characters can get, but every once in a while you get a sliver of genuine affection. Good stuff.

6. Halo 3

I've been enjoying this game again for some unknown reason. Maybe it's the quality multiplayer maps, maybe it's the entertaining playlists, or just hanging out with friends and listeners who love this game as well. In any even, I'm having a lot of fun.

7. ZZTop's Tres Hombres

I've forgotten just how good ZZTop's early stuff was. The 'Tres Hombres' are best when they dive into that texas blues style of rock n roll. Jesus Left Chicago has to easily be one of my top 100 favorite songs of all time.

8. Rock Band 2

I haven't played this game this week as much as I'd hoped just because it's lodged in my wife's Xbox 360...however I still dig this game quite a bit and can't wait to dive into this week's DLC (downloadable content).

9. Lord of the Rings DVD trilogy

It's been a long while since I've last watched these extended versions of the movie trilogy so I've been having a blast rewatching them. I still have the Return of the King to watch...when I have a spare 3+ hours to just veg.

10. John Mayell's Bluesbreakers with Eric Clapton

In my trip to L.A. recently I put some new stuff on my iPhone to listen to, this great classic was one of the highlights in my drive down. It is capstone of British blues, which sometime can be a little stiff and by the numbers, but under Mayell seems to take on new life. Very good stuff.

People Call Me Crazy...

leftybrown@gmail.com (Lefty Brown) — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 16:31:09 PDT

I happen to think that next month's election isn't going to be all that close. The McCain campaign is devoid of a good or relevant idea and so with fourth down and two minutes to go they are making a Hail Mary pass by questioning Obama's character. They are desperate as they see Michigan now out of their grasp, Ohio slipping away (despite the Republican chicanery there), and hell even Virginia may make a rare win for the Blue corner.

I think we may have a blow out not along the lines of Bush/Dukakis, but probably more like Clinton/Dole. That being said, come election day I'll still try my hardest to get out the vote, and I do have plans to vote early this year.

A change is gonna come my friends! A change we can believe in.

I'm Leftybrown and I Approve This Message

leftybrown@gmail.com (Lefty Brown) — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 10:50:23 PDT

Lipstick On A Pig

leftybrown@gmail.com (Lefty Brown) — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 16:49:22 PDT

Sweet Jiminy Christmas!

You know for a while I really did think that with McCain and Obama as the two major parties candidates that we would actually have a campaign that would be about the major issues facing our nation. I honestly did think that our country could become nuanced in each party's ideas to deal with our financial crisis, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, health care for both the insured and uninsured, a fair immigration idea, and to wean ourselves off the teat of non-renewable resources like oil.

Instead we are talking about lipstick on a motherfuckin' pig. The media has culpability in this latest endeavor, because they much rather eat of the shit-pie the McCain camp has served up as narrative instead of dealing with the corner the republicans have painted themselves into with 8 years of George W. Bush. I saw the speech Obama gave and he was talking about the "Change" the republicans are offering as counterpoint to the change Obama aims to bring. His intent was to illustrate that while McCalin/Palin talk about change, they in fact offer no real change. It's putting a fresh coat of paint on a condemned house...or maybe putting lipstick on a pig.

I know why McCain camp did what they did. They want to make it look like the black guy hates the white woman. The Republicans did much of the same thing in Henry Ford Jr.'s election. It the tired ploy of a desperate party, play on white folks fear of African-Americans. It's disgusting, but this is the party that gets God every four years and then goes and then runs off to the nearest bathroom stall for a guy on guy suck-fest.

Give me a break. It's time to kill the pig, put it on a stick, and see who can be Lord of the Flies.

Fools Rush In...By Fools We Mean Lefty

leftybrown@gmail.com (Lefty Brown) — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 12:56:01 PDT

So in 20 minutes I am getting my first and only tattoo...and I am only just now having second thoughts. I am having it down on my right forearm.

A month ago I suggested to a co-worker that he should give a lecture about whether Christians should get tattoos. I added that it'll be cool if he gives the lecture as he is tattooing someone. Well, I kinda volunteered thinking that the idea would get shot down.

Well in 20 minutes I have my first sitting. It will take roughly 45 minutes, and it'll be just outside the library where I work for everyone to see. In another week I have another sitting that will take about 3 hours because of all the color work.

I'll obviously have pictures, maybe some video, and hopefully some stories to tell.

I hesitate even saying what it'll be just to save the surprise.

I just hope I don't cry from the pain, because my wife will ridicule me.

So wish me luck.

Update: So I was initially surprised by the pain, after I while the pain was present but not intense. We had a good turnout of many people coming to gawk, which turned into a tattoo fashion show of folks showing off their tattoos or regaling on what tattoo they are thinking about getting.

So here's the money shot:

In another week comes the longer sitting, but I'm sure will look fantastic! It's a Celtic Wild Goose which is symbolic of the Holy Spirit.

Behind the Curtain at The Married Gamers

leftybrown@gmail.com (Lefty Brown) — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 15:59:17 PDT

Well here's one way to get me writing more on Lefty Side of the Dial, talk about your other site, The Married Gamers. Things have been very busy, very stressful, and also a lot of fun in our household as of late, and I thought this place is a better to celebrate, bitch, kevetch, or otherwise about the going-ons as Mrs. Lefty and I become video game podcast celebrities (to a very small demographic).

In July we left a network of video game podcasts that we were in since it started. We really really liked all the folks that were a part of this network, but it was obvious to us that the network was helping our site and podcast improve our numbers, hits, listeners, or move us forward. So we jumped ship to another network and since then, along with a few other things, our subscribers have gone up, our hits have gone way up, and the marketability has skyrocketed. I use Alexa to watch how popular our site is and since July we have gone from being the 4 million-something most visited site on the internet to being the 380,000 most visited site on the internet...and we continue to improve our ratings. I imagine, and hope, that very soon we'll actually have some paid advertising which will go a long way to giving our writers some of it, upgrading our equipment, and take care of operating costs.

As our numbers improve I am finding that it is getting easier to get interviews, get products to review, and make connections in the video game community. At the same time, I worry that Mrs. L and I need to stay grounded with our community of listeners that are part of our growing community forums. It's trippy having this community that spend their time listening to us, enjoying our commentary and perspective, and becoming a very nice and friendly place to people can play games with.

Anyway we are one week away from flying to Seattle for PAX, the Penny Arcade Expo. We ordered our 3 day pass way back in February, but now we don't need them because we are going as media. These past two weeks has been filled with making appointments with game developers, trying to preserve some time to catch a few PAX programs, and some "Us" time for Mrs. Lefty and I to walk the con floor, meet with podcasters we are fans of, and take some time to eat. It is going to be a whirlwind of activity, and I hope that we find time to post our news stories, record a nightly podcast, and most of all celebrate our one year podcast anniversary.

I'm very nervous that we'll have enough money to have a relaxing time, and nothing bad comes up to prevent us from going. And I still have one PAX pass to give away. If you are in the Seattle area and want to go to PAX, let me know.

Oh, and will all of this PAX craziness is going on, I just got word that I will also be going to another event called E for All in L.A. in early October as a member of the media. I really do need to get some paid advertising to pay for all of these hotel expenses.

Anyway, long time readers be prepared for this to be a regular thread on the Lefty Side of the Dial, and like I promised old familiar stuff will return in September...including the LSOTD podcast.

Lefty's Weekly Top Ten...well more like Summer Top Ten

leftybrown@gmail.com (Lefty Brown) — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 12:32:05 PDT

I really has been awhile since I last did this, so here is what has been consuming my time and dollars as of late:

1. Burn Notice -I recently started downloading Burn Notice on the Xbox Live Marketplace, and have really enjoyed the series of a former spy trying to find out who burned him and at the same time help people out of bad situations.

2. Geometry Wars 2 -I liked the first Geometry Wars, so I had no reservations with purchasing this arcade game, but I was not prepared for the degree in which they improved upon the original while still retaining the gameplay and feel of the first one. It is a game that you plan to play for just a short time, but end up playing for hours. Proving that a game doesn't have to be complex to be good.

3. X-Files Season 2 -I'm still watching episodes of the X-Files. I probably won't get around to the movie until it comes out on DVD or hits the "cheap theater" in town. Season 2 things really start to hit their stride, and I have really been enjoying the start of mythic backstory to the series that was a boon to the hardcore and hinderence to others.

4. U2 Box Set [Boy, October, & War Deluxe Edition] -Amazon had a special box set of the first three U2 albums which recently remastered and got the "Deluxe Edition" treatment...and it was cheaper than getting them individually. I am a huge U2 fanboy, so ths has been the Bees-Knees for me.

5. U2 Joshua Tree Box Set -So I did go a little U2 crazy recently. I picked up the Joshua Tree box set that comes with a DVD of a Paris show during that time. It is a decent show, and I dug the sort of video journal doc that is also on the DVD. The bonus songs are okay, but I've heard many of them elsewhere, but I've been waiting for the U2 catalog to get a little better mastering.

6. Rock Band Rock Band 2 comes out for the Xbox 360 in September, so recently my wife and I have been playing the Band World Tour on Rock Band trying to complete all the cities around the world before the sequel comes out. So far we've complete two or three, and we have several more to go. I love gaming with my wife.

7. Final Crisis # 2-3 - So after a worrisome first issue, Morrison is once again proving that he is the man with big ideas. This supposed Final Crisis has the feeling like we may see an actual substantial change in the DCU status quo. How will things change, and how big makes for interesting conjecture and a compelling read. Granted I don't know every facet of the DCU, I can appreciate seeing some of Morrison's machinations start to boldly take shape. Can't wait to see how things pan out.

8. Embargoed Game -I am currently checking out a game that I can't mention it's name until Monday. It's the first time I've had to keep stuff like that secret, but I can say that it is indeed a game, and I can't wait to have my review of it on The Married Gamers on Monday.

9. Hooters "Nervous Night" -Yes most folks know I have a soft spot for 80s music. I recently pick this disc for free, and have been loving it. Members of the Hooters went on to be a backing band for Joan Osbourne. I love the vocal harmonies on the disc.

10. Joan Jett & the Blackhearts "Bad Reputation" -Downloaded this fantastic album from eMusic, and I have fallen hard for it. I love this album, and can't believe I've never picked this up sooner. Sure, I've long liked the title track after hearing as the theme song for the TV show Freaks & Geeks, but the rest of the album is so freakin' fantastic.

So what is some of your recently time wasters?

What was my password again?

leftybrown@gmail.com (Lefty Brown) — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 12:56:02 PDT

So it's becoming apparent to me that I either need to focus more on Lefty Side of the Dial or shutter the windows. Posting here will remain sporadic until Spetember. I have way too much on my plate with The Married Gamers this month to say that the podcast and blog here will be resurrected.

However, I am thinking about having guest spots of a political or topical nature pop up here.

Oh, and I have been slowly collecting my thoughts for a Top Ten of what is occupying my time as of late.

But you all should know that I am alive, busy, and now driving a brand new 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid that has been begging for a road trip! I will be taking "Little Martha" (as we affectionately have dubbed her) to San Francisco for a games press event at EA as they show off all kinds of forthcoming Wii games, and a few sports games as well.

Well, I'll try to have a Friday Three Questions up sometime after my lunch break. Until then let me just say thanks for those folks who have asked when this place will receive new content.

Lefty's Friday Three Questions for July 18th

leftybrown@gmail.com (Lefty Brown) — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 09:55:36 PDT

So I am one day away from a week long vacation....at home. The wife will be away visiting her folks, and I will be vacationing in Liberty City, touring with Aerosmith, collecting coins in various galaxies, and otherwise playing video games.

Oh and Monday is my...let's see here 1971 from 2008...carry the one, multiply by 7....Monday is 37th birthday. So one of my Fresno friends needs to pick me up and escort me to a movie, a record store, and a bar. At least two out of three.

Anyway, here are this week's three questions:

1. Have you ever dressed up in an opposite gender's clothing? When was the last time you've done that?

2. Who do find to be funniest comedian still walking among the living at this very moment?

3. What is your favorite reoccurring sketch/characters from any season of Saturday Night Live?