I had this whole paragraph written about the internet and it’s hive mind like qualities. I edited three times and hated the way it read back each time. So I have scrapped it in favor of a much shorter and sweeter message. Never be afraid to voice your own opinion even if it’s contrary to what the majority is voicing. Just make sure your honest and well thought out in your views. There is nothing more satisfying in this world than spitting an opinion and saying fuck it. This is what I think and sorry if you don’t like it, but I can’t be untrue to myself.

Moving on to something a bit more lighthearted. I have a proposition for anyone with a team either in the NBA or NHL playoffs. If you want your opponents to lose, just ask me to root for them. Let me explain exactly what I am talking about. When the NHL playoffs started I was worried the Red Wings wouldn’t even get out of the first round. At the same time I picked Vancouver and Philadelphia to reach the Stanley cup finals. Right now the Wings have moved on to the second round after sweeping the Phoenix Coyotes. While the other two are fighting for their lives with pivotal game seven’s in the next day or two. I am not normally someone you would consider a jinx, but this year it appears the curse has befallen me. So if you need a team to lose I am the man to see it appears. Right now I am rooting for the Nashville Predators and will do so until the mojo wears off.

Finally lets talk a little about reviewing video games for a moment. A couple days ago I posted my impressions of Cargo! The Quest for Gravity. When I did that our very own PatMan suggested I review the game. I have always resisted the idea of reviewing games outside of the occasional two man review. I have always felt I don’t view games with a critical enough eye. I am more focused on playing the game and enjoying it than looking for less than obvious flaws. I don’t mean nitpicking either, just flaws that someone who reviews games a lot would catch. Cargo is a perfect example of this because as I was attempting to complete the game so was Jim Sterling. He and I had a short conversation on twitter after we both had put the game to bed. It made me realize what I just talked about above. I loved the game even though it was incredibly vague at times. I also loved the sand box mode, which allowed me to act like it was minecraft for vehicles with naked midgets thrown in for good measure. That was enough for me, but may not be for a lot of gamers.

One thing Jim pointed out that I hadn’t considered was how much of the core game ideas the developers hadn’t gone far enough with. They could of done a lot more in that department and for whatever reasons didn’t He also didn’t like the fact that the NPC’s were having more fun than his character was appearing to. Both of facts went over my head like rocket while I was playing. There was no denying he was right on both counts if you went back and looked at it with a more critical eye. I tend to devour games and try and squeeze as much enjoyment as I can out of them. I am far to forgiving when it comes to flaws and my bottom line is far simpler than any reviewer. Did I have fun with the game or did I not? That is really all I care and I am not sure I am comfortable with changing it either. I am not saying someone like Jim has less fun with video games then I do, that is not even close to true. I am just afraid if I start looking at games more critically some of the fun I have now will disappear. I am not sure I want to do that to yet another hobby. I suppose only time will tell, but I did learn a valuable lesson this weekend in regards to reviewing and viewing games.