General w/ Scout Badge

I did it! Wednesday night. I've gotten all the badges now I need the secondary badges! This is my favorite badge, but it's fun to use too!

This game is incredible. Tonight can download two new maps for online play!

Killzone DLC

My favorite game is still Killzone 2.  This is an extra special week because new downloadable content is coming to the Playstation Network this Thursday for $5.99. 

After two months I still love this game.  The multiplayer is such an exciting and immersive experience that I forget that I've been playing for two hours straight.  You should see me, I have mic and I'm working with other team members (when they have mics) to achieve our objectives.

The Multiplayer experience is based on a point scale.  The higher the points the higher your rank.  Certain ranks unlock certain abilities (badges).  

• Master Sergeant /Medic Badge - 350 pts.
  
• Lieutenant /Engineer Badge - 800 pts.
  
• Major /Tactician Badge - 1450 pts.
  
• Lieutenant Colonel /Assault Badge - 1850 pts.
  
• Colonel /Saboteur Badge - 2300 pts.

• General /Scout Badge - 2800 pts. (I need 232 pts.)
  

The game isn't over once you get to General.  There are lots of secondary abilities that add soooo much more to the game.  For example, the Engineer can set up turrents throughout the maps and when you get a certain amount of kills per set you can unlock the ability to repair ammo boxes and other turrents throught the game.  

Teamwork is the exciting part for me.  Communicating with your teammates that there's a sniper nearby or that the enemies are coming for the Assassination target and to find cover is just brilliant.  It's the kind of gameplay that blows my mind.  I would never have thought of that when I was 9 and playing my Atari 2600.  I was recruited to be a member of The Outkast Clan.  I haven't played yet, but looking forward to some team matches.

So Thursday is like Christmas for me and only for $5.99.  When you factor in how much I've enjoyed this game and the time I've spent and saved on restaurants, I've actually saved money in the long run.  Below is a video of the two maps that are coming to Killzone 2.

Happy Earth Day

Today is the day when we express our gratitude for our miracle of a planet. I'm grateful for:

• air
• ground
• electricity
• plants/trees
• water
• animals
• fruit

It goes without saying...

• Playstation 3
• Scarf
• MP3 player
• Job(s)
• internet
• health

Thank you Earth. I couldn't do it without you.

The Gay Idol...

Americans are so confused. They love "talent", but when someone's personal life comes into conflict with their own "prejudice" the focus turns to a social dilemma.

Judge this person by their talent and take a good look in the mirror.

(link is to the new york times article)

Virgin Megastore

is closing in Union Square.  The Times Square location is already closed, but now we have a month before this one closes as well.  Too bad.  I got some great music that I couldn't find anywhere else.  I guess now I will order off of Amazon.com  I took this photo during lunch.

NPR's News and Notes

Slowly but surely options for people looking for news geared toward African Americans are fading.

Yes, BET exists but they cancelled their news program.  Explain to me how a network named Black Entertainment Television can't devote thirty minutes (even once a week) to a news program.  Oh well, Bob Johnson made a ton of money when he sold the network.

NPR (National Public Radio) that basin of diversified opinion cancelled their News and Notes program.  That show served the public and NPR even gets government funding.  I'd like to know who said it should be silenced.   It should just make sense that this program stay on the air.  The show "Wait, wait, Don't Tell Me" may get more ratings, but it doesn't mean that it's more important than News and Notes.

There are websites with tons of commentary...

BlackNews

AOL Black Voices

Black Report

Black Star News

Even with those informative sites, there's nothing like hearing a panel discussions about current events.  

I looked up their diversity statement and found...

Diversity at NPR

"National Public Radio will serve the individual; it will promote personal growth rather than corporate gains; it will regard the individual differences among men with respect and joy rather than derision and hate; it will celebrate the human experience as infinitely varied rather than vacuous and banal; it will encourage a sense of active, constructive participation, rather than apathetic helplessness."
-- Bill Siemering, NPR Co-Founder

NPR, please bring back News and Notes.  Take a look at the news landscape and you'll see there IS a place that News and Notes needs to fill.  As a service to the public you must provide it as a public service.  All voices must be heard.

(pic is of the News and Notes staff by Melissa Kuypers)

Don't do it Obama

You've got to fix heathcare for the United States instead of giving illegal immigrants a free ride.  

I'll say it again..."just because you committed a crime 30 years ago and didn't get caught doesn't make it legal now!"

(click title for the New York Times article)

PS3 milestone

The Playstation 3 outselling the Wii!! That's great. It may not last long, but at least some people are realizing that the PS3 is a great value and gaming console for people serious about playing games.

I'm so happy with my choice!

I'm reading a book called, The Race for the New Game Machine. It shows how Microsoft's chip was based on work that Sony, IBM and Toshiba had done for the PS3. I'm not done with it yet, but it's a fascinating look at the drama behind how the PS3 and Xbox 360 chips were developed.

Hair Open on Broadway, Tonight

One of my favorite shows, but not sure if I will see it. Part envy and part I've seen it about four times! I just had to give a shout out!

Sick Days

Well,

After being out Thursday and Friday from work I'm back and feeling better. Who knew there was still a flu going around. I am thankful and blessed to have a job. I still got paid even though I was out of the office for two days. Everyone in this country can't say that. People go to work sick.

Health (taking a deep breath)...

I don't take my health for granted. Soon in this great country of ours only the rich and poor will have peace of mind about their ability to have affordable health care. The rest will be hoping and praying that an expensive illness doesn't come knocking on their door.

Here are some yearly costs for treating certain cancers...

• Prostate $41,134
• Lung $39,891
• Breast $20,964

You might say, "I have health insurance and I'm covered, think again." If you've got a 80/20 split (regarding co-pay) and have Lung cancer you still have to come up with $7,978.20 a year for treatment. That's not even mentioning loss of work and transportation costs.

Let's say you lose your job. COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) allows you to keep your current company's insurance rate (for a limited time), but now you have to pay that expensive monthly bill. For me it would cost almost $500 a month to keep my company's insurance rate. Single plans are a lot more expensive. Try $1077.78 a month for an HMO (Health Maintenance Organization). Add that to your cancer cost and you've got a bill of $21,989.34 for the year.

Imagine getting laid off, unable to pay your bills, you have cancer and can't get new, possibly cheaper insurance because you have a pre-existing condition (cancer). Meanwhile, you have mounting costs for that you won't be able to pay back. Why do we allow this to continue in this country without outrage? I'll tell you why!

Because we are health now. When you are sick you won't be up to fighting the system. You need to reserve your strength to fight your illness. Think about it. The fight needs to happen now.

I thought if quit my job and took a low paying job to get me on the poverty level. I could have food stamps (for free food), medicaid (for free health care) and my housing cost subsidized by the state. Why should I work everyday. There is no incentive for everyday hard working people to be honest when you have people making 40 million dollars a year AND doing an awful job. I see why people take advantage of the system. It's so clear now.

That's my story...now back to work.