gotkube @ vox

I finally finished Super Mario Galaxy last night (well, kinda- I defeated Bowser, but I still need to go back and finish the 'Lost Garden' levels- but even those are 'mostly' done). I maintain that SMG is easily the best Mario game since Super Mario World on SNES (now almost 17 years old- sheesh. I feel old).

So what now?? I think my sights turn to a little Sonic The Hedgehog...

After our Maui trip over the new year hump, Ange and I decided that if we were ever going to begin traveling and seeing more of the world- now is the time to do it. And considering the freedom involved with being self-employed, there is really nothing keeping us from going whenever we want.

We've talked for a year or so about returning for a real visit to Eastern Canada- Montreal specifically. Our last trip was in December 2006 for what was essentially nothing more than a 'long weekend', and while I loved the taste of what Montreal had to offer- 2 days simply wasn't enough to take it all in.
So, we're heading back- officially- to stay longer, and arrive earlier in the year in order to see Quebec in it's natural fall-time glory (that I've heard so much about). September 18- 28th of this year.

The trip will include a few days in Ottawa- which includes a day of touring the Parliament Buildings. We are also looking into obtaining preseason tickets for both the Montreal Canadiens and the Ottawa Senators. I have never been to an NHL game outside of Calgary, and to have my first 'road trip' in the Eastern Conference would be just awesome.

Needless to say, both Ange and I are pretty excited about going out East. I guess I'll need to spend the summer brushing up on my French.

As for future trips? We have already decided that 2009's 'road trip' will be to the San Francisco area (maybe try and attend a Vox meet?). And 2010 could see us heading overseas for a month or so- possibly Japan.

Hmmm, maybe this turning 30 thing won't be se bad afterall.

What are your first thoughts upon waking?
Submitted by Cher Cabula.

"Fuck... already??"
"I practically JUST climbed into bed!"
(more times than not) "aw shit- it snowed again... *sigh* I wonder how much I'm going to have to clean off the car. *grumble* "

... (as of June 5th). The goal that got away.

This non-goal has been argued about to this day. Was it in? Video reviews were 'inconclusive' and the goal was waved off. Had it stood, it likely would have made the Flames Stanley Cup Champions for the second time- and unleashed a civil celebration unlike anything this city has ever seen.

Yes, it still sucks.

According to this story on faceoff.com, the CBC- home of 'Hockey Night in Canada', will no longer be using the signature anthem used at the beginning of the telecast.

The reason? Goddamn fucking COPYRIGHT issues!
Are you kidding me??

This is a song that is iconic of hockey culture in Canada. A song that millions of Canadians grew up with and recognize- many of which can identify within the first 5 notes.

As a hockey fan, and as a Canadian, this is a very sad day. But perhaps it's just a sign of the times- of how greed and corporate culture can kill that which regular everyday people consider special. Now pathetic- I thought we were better than that in Canada.

Hopefully CBC and the song's composer, Dolores Claman, can resolve something over the summer. Because if not- considering the biases that became obvious throughout the playoffs this season (such as Kelly Hrudy's man-crush on the San Jose Sharks' Brian Campbell), among plenty of other head-scratching moments- the CBC might be fighting an uphill battle to retain their audience come the start of the 2008/09 season in October.

It's small. It's Red. It's a Dell (considering how impressed I've been with 'SpitFire', my Dell Inspiron 9300, and the problems we've had with Ange's HP P.O.S. system- Dell is firmly in my good books).

No word yet on price, release date, or even specs- but if you believe in love-at-first-sight, then I'm head over heels!
I'm not looking to replace SpitFire yet- but as a much more portable alternative to lugging around a big 17" power-hog whenever I want to go out on a 'Code Trip', it might just fit the bill.

Ange and I ordered Invincibility Stars from Thinkgeek last week- and they were delivered to the office today!

Plus I pick up Wii Fit tonight on my way home! It feels like my birthday!

Released today! Just found the trailer for the game online. VERY old-school, yet with a modern flair. This is truly a WiiWare killer app IMO. If the revival of SNES-period gaming styles is going to take root in WiiWare, then bring it on!

The wife went into our local EBGames this afternoon (where my best friend now works! w00t!) to pre-order herself a copy of Wii Fit, only to stumble upon a brand-new guitar for the Wii version of Guitar Hero 3!

This game has truly been subject to being in the right place at the right time. We just happened to be at a Gamestop in Kahalui, Maui in January minutes after trading in a Wii version of the game- giving us the opportunity to pounce on it. And now today, Ange just happened to be in the store when they received a brand-new extra guitar! What are the odds! Especially considering I have yet to see the game itself (the Wii version anyways- 360/PS3 versions are a dime-a-dozen) for sale anywhere, let alone an extra guitar. Do they even sell extra guitars for the 360/PS3 yet??

Mario Kart Wii was released today in North America (well, 'officially' released anyways). Earlier this month I went and pre-ordered my copy along with an extra Wii-Wheel and shortly after our local EBGames opened at noon, we went over to pick up our stash. While there, Ange decided to bite the bullet and pick up a Wii Zapper as well (which includes 'Links Crossbow Training').

As of this writing, we have yet to even put Crossbow Training in the system- largely thanks to the 4 hour Mario Kart binge that I'm currently taking a break from.

In a nutshell- the game is amazing, and I'd go so far as to declare it the best Mario Kart game ever (so far). The game comes packaged with the new 'Wii Wheel'- which is essentially nothing more than a plastic casing for your WIimote to sit in. And while it sounds somewhat gimmicky, there is a much better sense of control while using it to play. That doesn't mean there isn't a learning curve- but if you've ever driven a car before- you'll be able to instantly pick this game up and have immediate success with it. That certainly isn't something that can be said for racing games on those other consoles. hehe. Even still- had the Wii Wheel been around when Excite Truck was released, I think the game would have benefitted from it. It's largely a psychological thing, but it's an important one.

Having said that, the game controls incredibly well. There are essentially two 'drift modes': Automatic and Manual. Automatic is good for novices becoming familiar with the Wii Wheel for the first time. Both Ange and I played with this setting the first time out. Then I discovered the Manual mode- which allows you to 'jump', just like many of the classic Mario Kart games. This of course then leads into drifting- which enables you to recieve a small burst of speed while powering around a corner in select areas of the course. Again, there was a slight learning curve with Manual mode, but after a few races, I was controlling my kart like a seasoned pro.

Graphically- Mario Kart is Mario Kart. They're not going for realism here, so the visuals are no more than a 50% improvement over Double-Dash on Gamecube. Some of the DD courses are even in this game as part of the 'retro' courses- and they look almost identical with some minor improvements ahd changes here and there. But the game runs very speedy- easily 60-frames-per-second (anything less is a 'fail' in my mind these days).

With online play, Nintendo is finally starting to get it right. Mario Kart DS was their first online outting ever- and the evolution is clearly seen on the latest Wii installment. There is absolutely no lag, and joining a group of players is no longer a shot in the dark. One of the biggest frustrations with Mario Kart DS online was sitting, waiting for someone to play with. Sometimes people would show, then they'd leave. After a few minutes you'd end up leaving too.
That isn't the case with Mario Kart Wii. Maybe it's just because the game is new and everyone is playing it now- but joining a game (omg- you can join a game in progress- something you couldn't do on DS) was extremely simple and quick. No waiting necessary!
Another observation- I was able to win races! I'm not so sure I've ever won a race (as in, placed 1st) online with Mario Kart DS. But my first race online, I won- and convincingly too!

Overall, I'm blown away with Mario Kart Wii. And this is just the beginning of good things to come it seems. Some great music is on it's way, and of course there is Wii Fit, WiiWare, Grant Theft Auto IV coming too. And of course whatever is announced at "E3" in the coming months (which better include something along the lines of Wave Race, Pikmin or Pilotwings).