Long Weekend

This is nothing like a long weekend approaching. I just found out our office is closing at 2pm Friday. That means I can see a movie or something before heading home. It will be perfect.

It's the little things.

Weekend

This had to be one of the most unproductive weekends ever. Mainly because I meant to clean and throw stuff away but this is what really happened.

Friday - Saw a play
Saturday - Went to Co Op city (The Bronx) for a food tasting - Sick that evening
Sunday - Sick (no cleaning accomplished)

The highlight was taking a ride out to Co Op City. The bus took about 45 minutes, but it was a straight shot out there. The buildings are gigantic with shopping malls and a 13 screen movie theatre complex. I had heard of Co Op city, but didn't know what it was about. I thought it was a housing project (public housing), but come to find out the residents own their spaces. The income requirements for owning was eye opening (Click Co-Op to see). The organizers of this community definitely want it for low to moderate income people. What a concept. Housing in New York City for people who don't make six figures and above. I just wonder how the air quality is out there. I've heard reports that so many children raised in the Bronx have asthma. Do I hear conspiracy theory?

Being sick on Sunday caused me to watch the rest of the major TV shows on my DVR (except for The Twilight Zone marathon). With that out of the way I can now get back to my video games.

Oblivion
Killzone 2
Fat Princess

Imagine, I'm in a warm apartment, can't have the air on because I start to sneeze uncontrollably and I'm drinking and eating like it's going out of style. Oh and then sleeping. It did wonders because I feel a lot better this morning at work in air conditioning.

What a difference a day makes! Happy Monday.

Venus in Pisces

I had to share. Venus is the love planet and for me, it's located in Pisces. Unfortunately, it's not the best placement.

What You're Like...

You can be a dreamy person that has an ideal in your mind of the soul mate of your dreams. It's easy for you to fall in love, or with an idea of who someone is, but you also are easily wounded. You're sensitive, and can adapt to the moods of others, often losing yourself in the process. It's important to learn the art of self-protection, so you're not tossed about in a sea of emotion. It's also hard for you to set personal boundaries, at times, and you'll likely long to merge with your beloved. That's why it can take awhile for you to get over hurts and disappointments when things go wrong.

Quality and Element: Mutable and Water

In Love and Romance: For you, love can be a mystical experience with the right person. You're impressionable, so it's important to learn to weed out those that would take advantage of your sensitive and yielding nature. You tend to fall in love at first sight, and you might not see the red flags passing in front of your face. Even if someone treats you badly, you're liable to hold onto the connection, choosing to see through rose-colored glasses.

Friendship Style: Your kind heart can lead you to go out of your way for friends, but also for any person or animal in need. This makes you a thoughtful listener, with an extraordinary capacity to empathize. But often this blurs the lines, and you get overinvolved with the emotional burdens of others. When younger, you might get bossed around a lot, but find the strength later to direct your course more. More than most signs, you'll need to steer clear of those that drain you, and gravitate to those that uplift you.

Creative Expression: You've got a vivid, poetic imagination that seems almost divinely inspired. Your work may have otherworldly themes, and involve dreams, past lives, the invisible bonds we share, and our link to the spirit world. You can inhabit the emotions of others, making you a natural for acting and other fields of performance.

The Big Attraction: There's something mystical about you that appeals to the dreamer in all of us. You're able to read things on a symbolic level, which lends some magic to your relationships. Your genuine kindness makes people trust you, and meet you with an open heart. You can have a fluid, graceful demeanor, and your imagination makes you an engaging conversationalist.

Winning Your Heart: You may wait for others to make the first move, so an ideal lover will be an initiator type. It's best for you to avoid those that are detached and speak of keeping things casual. You won't want to linger around harsh, abrasive people, or those wrapped up in the mundane. You're drawn to the artists and dreamers of the world.

Jim and/or Jackie's Restaurant

I was down for a wedding in Maryland this weekend and stumbled on this tasty joint. I had a bacon cheeseburger w/ fries with some homemade yellow cake with chocolate icing Friday and Sunday Lasagna with Bread Pudding. I forgot to take pictures, but rest assured it was great.

Sometimes you don't need long lines and expensive food to give you a memorable experience.

Hometown this weekend

I went to celebrate a friend's birthday. It was great. Friday was the birthday party. Saturday it was like old times, shopping, meeting new people and headed to a bar. Sunday I was supposed to go to a crab feast, but mass transit didn't work in my favor.

So, my mom and I hung out, which was nice. Even eating together was so special for me. She cooked some of my favorites:

• Pancakes
• Roast Beef
• Corn Pudding
• Peach Cobbler
• Lemonade

Those things are little, but mean so much to me. My mom turns 70 this year and I know I won't have her forever. Little by little it hits me. The more it hits me, the more moments like seeing her, eating her food and just chit chatting about politics or TV shows like Big Brother become moments that i imprint on my mind. My extended family isn't that close and I think about what will be my connection to family after she's gone.

To my friends. I care about you more that you know. I support you and love you with all my heart.

-kevin

Fat Princess

Now it would seem that this image is harmless and for little kids. Well looks can be deceiving. It's actually a very violent game with blood and gore. It's $14.99 and well worth it. Not that you care, but it's one of the highly anticipated games for PS3 owners this summer.

And the Phone goes to...

the Palm Pre

I did it. I got the phone I like and didn't leave my current carrier to do so. Here's my first of many photos taken from my new device.

Taking a Leap

Pre or the “other phone”

What do I get?

Do I switch carriers?

Do I purchase a first generation phone?

What about the video camera?

What’s wrong with my phone now? Nothing!! I know that but what do I do? Wait? I feel I’m always waiting for the next thing (phone, computer, TV, etc.) but I feel that next year the palm pre will be even better next year with a redesigned keyboard and video camera. Those items aren’t deal breakers, but for $199. I’d love to have them. It’s hard to purchase the pre when I can get the “other” phone for the same price with a video camera. Decisions! Decisions!

Phone carriers in the United States are in two different camps. GSM and CDMA. I have Sprint so I have a CDMA phone. CDMA’s have great data service, but one thing I can’t do is talk on the phone and surf the web at the same time. No biggie. I don’t talk on the phone often anyway. I want a data device/communication device. Plus other carriers have be strained with the “other” phone. Their plans are a lot more expensive as well.

The pre is a 1^st generation device and normally people warn against people purchasing a 1^st gen, but this case is different. When you stack this 1^st gen product up against other phones released this year it competes rather nicely. That says so a lot about the thought put into this device. Aside from a few design flaws (keyboard)/omissions(video camera) it’s great and it’s a touchscreen phone. I just love the idea of a touchscreen phone.

Yes the palm pre will be my next phone. I’m just waiting until I pull the trigger. So to sum it up…

2007 – Blackberry 8830

2009 – palm pre

2011 – that “other” phone (by that time it will be perfect and hopefully on a different carrier)

Big Brother 11

At first I thought this was stupid, but when it actually changed game play in the house I was pleasantly surprised. Now, if one team member gets HOH (Head of Household) then the entire team is safe. Change is good, because the houseguests have to change their game play.

So my favorite team members are in two camps:

• Best looking
• Best game play

I have to say Russell if my overall favorite. On the best looking side runner up is Jeff. I’d have to say that Ronnie (the idiot) attempting to strategize, but he’s doing a poor job. Lydia isn’t so bad either. I don’t necessarily like them all, but they are playing the game HARD. So, they are very entertaining to watch. My hope is that these cliques are dropped and people like Kevin and Michelle have to fend for themselves without the protection from good players from their team. This week Jordan and Laura are nominated for eviction and shouldn’t be. I wanted Natalie or Jessie to go home, but they were spared because Ronnie believes that the Athletes will have his back at the end. NOT!

Let my summer obsession begin.

New Killzone 2 DLC

Downloadable content for Killzone 2. I have to get that.

This Saturday marks a milestone. I haven't played my PS3 in a full seven days! I'm shocked. I'm home and watching Big Brother After Dark. I have so many games to play too:

Oblivion
Killzone 2
Burnout Paradise
Little Big Planet
inFamous
warhawk
Uncharted
Grand Theft Auto
Fallout 3

I'm going to start up again tonight after I get back from Target.