2011 Resolutions

1. Get Back In Shape
2. Get A Job doing something I Like
3. Cook at least once a Week
4. Take April on a trip during her birthday/summer vacation/anniversary/valentines day

9/2

This is the 2nd week of my changed diet.
I'm not on a typical diet, just changing my actual diet (for those that don't understand)
Typical day goes like this:

Breakfast ~ 3 whole eggs + 3 egg whites + 1 oatmeal packet
Morning Snack ~ 8 oz cottage cheese + 1 tbsp peanut butter + 6 wheat thins
Lunch ~ Roast Beef Sandwich or Albacore Tuna Sandwich w/ 1 tsp mayo
Afternoon Snack ~ 2 sticks of mozzarella cheese or 2 oz Beef Jerky
Pre-Workout Shake ~ 1 scoop whey
Post Workout Shake ~ 2 scoops mixed protein
Dinner ~ 8 oz chicken + 16 oz greens + 2 tbsp of olive oil (usually drunk straight)
Evening Snack ~ 8 oz cottage cheese + 1 tbsp peanut butter

Sounds pretty decent right?  I wasn't used to cottage cheese before but its grown on me.
Also, this is my 4th day back at the gym so i'm enjoying the soreness again.
You can track my progress on http://jamesmanguyperson.tumblr.com/
Tumblr is honestly just used for my progress now.
I'll still be blogging and writing reviews and stuff here on blogspot.com

7/9

Been forever since i've updated.
Finished up Singularity and Naughty Bear for the 360.
Also recently watched Toy Story 3.
Trying to decide which to review first.
Its hard because my schedule has been changing frequently and I have less and less time to blog.
I update my Twitter at minimum once a day (JamesManGuyPrsn)
What would you like me to review first (assuming you're reading this)?

I really do wanna update my lists and my reviews its just hard because I don't have as much time to blog as I used to.  I even have a few new ideas for my top 5s and possibly attempting to make videos.  Anyone interested in that idea?

6/19

So I haven't really been keeping up with my blog
apologies..
i've been busy with a number of things
and stressed..definitely stressed..
I got my pops a new 42 inch plasma and a blu-ray dvd up-converter..
he literally cheered
and i been busy with my iphone apps..
(anyone getting the iphone 4?)
i'm starting to use twitter a little more often
(follow me: jamesmanguyprsn)
and i'm on the verge of losing my job..lets update:

i was informed of me and some colleagues being laid off in july
the following week we were told that we still have our jobs til the end of this calender year
and now i'm hearing rumors that 10 to 16 of us are being laid off..
i'm sick of them playing with our emotions..
this is what is keeping me occupied as of the moment
and keeping me sane throughout this crap:

GF (I love her)
Friends (how many of us have them?)
Video Games (Xbox Live and iPhone apps do wonders!)
Punching Things (come on..i'm a guy!)

so much more happening too including: Tendonitis, shin splints, engineer test next month, hawaii in august, chief boss got laid off, etc etc etc..

Update 6/3

For those that don't know,
or actually read my thoughts,
I have just been informed that I've been laid off
effective July 5th.
This has nothing to do with my performance
and is strictly based on budget cuts to my department
but I can't help but to feel upset as if I truly was fired.
I understand that this has nothing to do with me personally,
but it still stings.

oh well..

God will provide for me
as he had provided this job
and I know that there are greater things out there for me
so I'm gonna continue looking at the bright side
and love life.

Video Game Bulls***

Apparently game developers are starting to believe that used game retailers are bad for the industry.  It's hard not argue with them when you read an argument like this.  I have no problem with people who feel that way, but when you start to penalize gamers for trying to save a buck, thats not fair.  A lot of games today are rewarding gamers for purchasing their titles new and I don't think there's a problem with that.  Mass Effect 2 is one example where you gain access to their Cerberus Network which gives our free DLC.  Other games offer incentives like one-time codes that allow in-game items or missions.  But now the industry is thinking about charging people EXTRA for using fundamental features that were free in previous game iterations!

If I wanted to play a football game, I could pop in my Madden 2010 and play against an opponent in no time.  All I needed was an internet connection and a copy of the game.  In Madden 2011, however, if you purchase your own copy of the game, you're allowed access to its online features.  Sounds pretty much the same as last years copy right?  What if you're on the fence on whether or not to buy the new Madden and you'd rather just try it out online first to see whether you'd like it, so you borrow a buddy's copy, how bout that?  Unfortunately, you won't be allowed to play online.  You need to pay an additional $10 to access its online content for your individual profile.  BULLS***.  EA Sports is apparently installing this new feature to all of its upcoming sports titles.  The first of the current console games that have additional charges (aside from xbox live itself and some MMORPGs) is UFC Undisputed 2010 which charges $5 extra.  I am purchasing the game so I have no worries, but what if my brother wants to play online?  Unfortunately, he'll have to shell out an extra $5 or purchase his own game. 

Stupid.

I understand that gaming companies are trying to give people incentives to drop $60 of their hard earned cash on their product, but I still don't agree to it.  I'm paying $50 for my xbox live account (worth it compared to the horrible Wii and PSN networks) and now I have to spend more money for online features?  These things should be fundamental and we shouldn't have to spend more then necessary for them.

*More ranting ahead!*

What about game DLC that is ridiculous?  Call of Duty 4 released their map packs at a respectable $10.  Not too bad and its sequel (sorta) World at War did the same which was definitely worth it for the Zombie map packs included.  Now all of a sudden Modern Warfare 2 releases its map pack and its $15 dollars!  5 maps for $3 each?  How much of a ripoff is it considering that two of the maps are just ported over from CoD 4?  If I purchased the two new map packs (10 maps total) I'm shelling out about half the cost of the actual game! 

The most notorious company however is probably Capcom.  They charged us about $3 for a feature that was already on our discs (see Resident Evil 5).  How can you charge us to unlock content already written onto our games?  What about Street Fighter IV's costume packs?  GEEEEEEEEEZ I'm tired of cheap ass companies doing their loyal gamers dirty.  Take a cue from Valve who constantly is updating and patching up their titles, releasing new content sometimes weekly!  Valve wanted to release a new map pack for Left 4 Dead and they gave it to their PC gamers for free.  They planned to do the same for Xbox owners but guess what?  Xbox decided to charge us $7 for it. 

You may be wondering why I'm making a big deal out of what is essentially the price of lunch right?  Imagine what you could buy instead of spending money on this crap:

Resident Evil 5 Versus Mode = The Impossible Game, I MAED A GAM3 W1TH Z0MB1ES 1N IT!!!1, and They Came from the Ground

Modern Warfare Map Pack 1 = Braid or Castle Crashers or Trials HD or Shadow Complex

EA Sports $10 code = Geometry Wars 2 or Splosion Man or Pain or Pixeljunk Shooter

Think about things people..we vote with our wallets and the sad truth is the Modern Warfare 2 map pack sold over 2 million in less then a week! 

Enough ranting..any thoughts or feedback?  Is anyone even reading this far?

5/13

Its funny because I really doubt that many people even know I have this thoughts blog up
let alone read it
April just found out recently about it hah
it doesn't bother me because I mainly use this as updates
and partially to vent

I know that most people
(all 3 of you out there)
just like to read my reviews
and/or top 5 lists
and i'm glad for that
but I'm curious as to whether or not you enjoy it
people have the time to read
or skim through
but can't press a button to vote?
its anonymous and takes a second!
i understand not commenting, but voting is not only there to help me decide what to write about
but also to kind of gauge how many people are actually reading my crap

oh well
3D Dot Game Heroes is coming in tomorrow
can't wait..

Update (5/6)

I been trying out the Halo Reach Beta and I have to say
it's pretty freakin good. 
I havent played Halo 3 since I got hooked to Call of Duty 4, Modern Warfare
and the last Halo experience I had was in playing Halo 2
but Halo Reach has the potential to reconvert me
(also due to the ridiculous balancing issues plagueing MW2)
also
I just bought Super Street Fighter IV off gamefly (thanks again Jon)
for only $26 because of the discount and 5 gamefly dollars.
I'm not that big of a street fighter fan,
but thats really a price you can't beat!
all things considered though, I don't know how much time I'll have to play it
check the schedule
May 11th ~ Skate 3, Lost Planet 2
May 13th ~ 3D Dot Game Heroes (PS3)
May 18th ~ Red Dead Redemption, Allan Wake
May 25th ~ UFC UNDISPUTED 2010
and thats only video games!
not to mention..
May 8th ~ UFC Machida vs Rua 2
May 15th ~ Strikeforce Event
May 22nd ~ Charles Schultz Museum Trip
May 23rd ~ Kickball/Picnic

too much going on in the month of May haha..
glad you read through my update (assuming you did)

April 27, 2010

So its my monday again..at work and apparently theres another special detail going on..
that sucks..
didn't go to work on saturday
or friday..
called in and my big boss kind of gave me some idle threats..
its raining so it looks like no basketball today..
i didn't put up a top 5 since i wasn't at work..
and to be honest
i dont really think many people even read it anyways
but for those that do read it
and even for those who are actually reading this
i'll be putting some up
and thanks for your support

4/20 Update

So its animal rights week at work today
lots of protestors
understandable though and they're peaceful so its not a burden

unlike the rest of the campus!
multiple thefts and an assault on a nurse within the last two weeks?
ridiculous..

surprise party was a success!
I love all my friends for making things possible and coming out to support.
I wonder if anyone reads my random thoughts..
or even my reviews..
hopefully they at least read my top 5s!

oh wells..
thinking about finding a new job
current job is nice, but its not fulfilling
sadly..

10 more weeks..
I needa work harder..

(vote for my next top 5 on my other blog and a Splinter Cell: Conviction review will be up sometime this week)

Update (April 13th)

Sorry about not putting up a new review or top 5 last saturday.
Been pretty busy.

It was me and my girlfriends vacation/spring break so I didn't really have any time.

Sunday: Easter
Monday: Chill/Date Night
Tuesday: Spa/Massage Day (expensive but seriously worth it!)
Wednesday: Tourist Day and The Ultimate Fighter
Thursday: GREAT AMERICA!
Friday: Recovery day from Thursday
Saturday: UFC 112 (disappointing)
Sunday: Aprils 21st! (Melting Pot = Fondue)

So yeah I was pretty busy..
also, turns out that I might be staying at Parnassus
the girl that they gave my job to put her two weeks in!

well..heres hoping for the best!

Update on life

Turns out that the rumors about my job security being in jeopardy,
were just that..
rumors..

i hate rumors..

finished up the second week..
13 more weeks to go!

been practicing my jumping..
really trying to learn how to dunk..
never in my life have i been able to,
and its going to be even harder with my ankle now after its been messed up
hopefully i'll be able to do it though

thinking about going to a church fellowship next month..
its been close to a year since i've last been..
i want to go but can't because of work on saturdays..

Job Status

So, apparently there's been some budget cuts at work
I've been here at my current job for a little over 8 months and unfortunately i'm 2nd to the bottom in seniority
what that means is that if they get rid of employees in my department, i'm 2nd in line.
There's a rumor floating around that our department is getting rid of 10 employees.
Please please please just be a rumor. 
I might have to prepare though so if there's anyone out there who knows of any good job openings
please let me know.

One Week

March 20th..the first week is finally over
I just started my schedule (tuesday to saturday) and am really drained
been really busy all week
can't wait for tomorrow
finally able to go back to church!
first time in 8 months
also, tomorrow is the bbq
getting Metro 2033 monday so hoping to beat that sooner then later
playing God of War 3 and have to say so far that the game is pretty epic
probably have a review of either one of those games up next week

1 week down

15 more to go..

Happy 23rd!

Its my birthday today. 
Geez I feel old...oh wells...
as long as I don't LOOK old haha..
on saturday I celebrated with my younger brother (turned 20)
his birthday was last thursday.
He's a health freak so we decided to torture his body by making him eat this!

I'm sure that some of you have seen this monstrosity before, but for those who haven't, let me explain to you what is involved with making this beast:
5 lbs of beef
1 pack of bacon
2 large stuffed crust supreme digiorno pizzas
1 pack of cheese
a whole lotta time in the oven

Me, my brother, our girlfriends, Virgil, Rico, Whitebread and his girl, Diover, Marcus, and Michelley took on this beast...and WON...until we were met by

A tres leche cake...oh man it was delicious..a cake that size divided amongst 11 of us, alongside the death burger, probably would have been more then enough..

then michelley brought up an ice cream cake..

I love my friends...

ugh..i felt pretty sick after everything though haha...

Do I Look Like the Information Booth?

You come into my building and see a guard. 
The first question you ask is:
Where's Doctor Who Cares?
or
How do I get to this department?
I do my best to try to help you out and when I can't find the answers, I kindly direct you to the information booth.  You know, the booth with people who are paid SOLELY for providing answers to stupid lost people like yourself.  How do you respond to my kind gestures?
I've been running around this building for 10 minutes looking for blah blah and have asked 5 people and no one has been able to help me! YOU need to tell me where to go!
I do huh?  Heh funny.
I'm a GUARD.  I'm not paid to deal with crap like this and you're even lucky that I showed you where the booth was.  I pointed you in the exact direction where the information could be found and what do you do?  You wander around the building.  Hows about you do exactly what I just told you and go ask the information booth and if they don't know, then TOUGH LUCK.  I don't care if your friend is in labor.  I don't care if you have an appointment.  I don't care if your meter is running out and you don't have any quarters. 
Read My Words:
ITS NOT MY FAULT YOU DIDNT COME PREPARED.
Who goes to a place without
A. Any contact information in case you get lost
B. A room number
C. Money in case you need to pay for parking (we're in the city so its a guarantee)
D. MANNERS

Gain some manners and come see me again.
If not, then F off and have a wonderful day.

P.S. In case you're wondering, a lady did walk up to me and demanded direction with a poor attitude.

You better believe I told her off.