My Review of The Secret World by Funcom

The Secret World
Modern Time Based MMO by Funcom & EA

Off and on I have had the opportunity to participate in Funcom's beta weekend for The Secret World. The promises of a modern era MMO, with no rigid classes or levels seemed intriguing and worth checking out; despite having been burned in the past by Funcom's attempts at MMOs (Anarchy Online, and Age of Conan specifically).   

Before getting into my thoughts of the game, let's talk about what I did. I first created a character on the Illuminati side. This starts you in New York, for a few minutes anyway. Several cut-scenes, some introductory on the 'follow-the-triangle' method of questing, a tutorial, and more cut-scenes later, you're ready to start playing the game. New York appears to be setup mere to introduce you to the game and get you to Agartha, which is the central transportation hub of the game. In Agartha you walk along the roots of "The Tree of Life" and step through portals to other locations. Additionally, walking along the roots has been shortened to stepping into mini-portals that zip you from one node on the root to another. Walking around in Agartha, aside from throngs of players, are large tree guardians.

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Dust Off the Snow Shovels!

Dude; I'm either having a great time or sleeping way too much!

The Black Keys

Summer is over... face it, pretty soon it's gonna look like this. I'm using a Black Keys picture because they remind me of spring; for some reason. Certainly was an interesting one this time around. Had one of the worst storms since we moved up nort' (just South of the Wisconsin / Illinois border) and there was a lot of resulting damage. The mighty 'Sip overflowed and filled the floodways (built to be flooded) where people chose to live. Massive destruction was seen near DC due to an earthquake. Irene rained on the East coast's parade. Plus a bevy of other disastrous joys across the country.

Aside from that, we had a pretty good summer, and for the first time in 11 years we got season passes to Six Flags. It was great fun watching our 11 year old on Raging Bull... despite her claims while on the ride, she did not actually die. Neat to see was the addition of the Little Dipper, brought back from Kiddieland fame. It was also cool to get a backwards ride on The American Eagle once again. We are definitely looking forward to buying season passes again next year. Looking forward to the new ride, and the demise of the Iron Wolf! Incidentally, even with the amazing water park attached, the tickets were cheaper than the season passes for the local community pool; go figure.

Of recent fantasticness was a healthy slew of malfunctions. Leaky fridge, no heat making oven, busted propane tank connector on grill, and best of all a seized up front-differential in my truck. Fixed the oven myself, truck is getting some used dangly-bits for a small fortune, and the other two are still pending. Oh and the dog has the scabies or something...

Until next time!

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Time Gone Bye Bye

My last post was the day before Easters? Wow... Me, I am disappoint.

Felicia Day

Well through an insomnia driven night, I created a personal twitter.So long have I resisted the tweet craze, but I finally caved and created one just for me. As my first tweet indicated, I am blaming Wil Wheaton and Felicia Day for being so friggin' interesting.

Anyway, landed a job with a furniture rental company as their Senior Software Architect. Sure, I really want to be working on Pigz In Zen, Inc., but bills, and a distinct lack of marketing savvy have out voted me-- for now. It's good, though, they need my help, and the people are pretty cool. Besides, I'm still working on things nights & weekends. Tomorrow, for example, I'm putting in a new POS for A2B Board Shop at their new location (grand opening 8/27).

On a musical note, we're super excited to hear there is a new project coming from Fleming & John! If you haven't heard their music, you're missing out! I'd name some favorite songs, but I really dig them all.

Okay, the cold grip of insomnia seems to be releasing, so off I go. Click the links and such!

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What Season are we in Anyway?

Bet you thought that was about the weather, didn't you? Well it isn't, and it is too I guess.

I could totally see our dog Hurley being this dog...

When I said season I was speaking more like a television season, but in regard to my own life. Tomorrow is Easters (inside joke), otherwise known as the first Sunday after the first full moon after the first day of spring. No wonder they renamed it to Easter! Anyway, who doesn't love a holiday all about a large mutant rabbit breaking into your house, going into your fridge, and hiding the most colorful thing he finds all over your home? I for one welcome our new rabbit overlords... Yeah, yeah, I know, it's about more than vandalous bunnies to a lot of people, move on.

So the day after bunny day, I start a new job (contract to hire). Like I've said in the past, I'm going to keep Pigz In Zen, Inc. alive, and work on it on the side, but Uncle Sam, and healthcare, demand more money than PIZ is currently bringing in. On the upside, however, this job seems like it will be fun. There's a lot of cool web development stuff to do there, and the people seem nice. There is, naturally, a catch; I have to wear a shirt & tie, and no beards allowed (that includes goatees)! I haven't had a bare chin in what, nine years? Like I told my wife, "It's just hair, and if this doesn't work out, I can always grow it back." So as of this morning, it's gone. I have only a mustache now. How weird...

On another note, if you were a fan of Spore, there's a new 'version' currently in open beta called Darkspore. I downloaded the 5GB and tried it out. It's alright, but if you're looking at it as the next Spore, well, let's just say, "Son, I am disappoint." You can customize creatures, but not their bodies, just their add-ons and weapons. It's also this weird 3D pretending to be 2D thing. You go, you fight stuff, you get points, you buy junk to attach to your digital dolls. I am, quite frankly, underwhelmed by it.

Saw the movie "Arthur", a remake of the 1981 film by the same name. Russell Brand makes a pretty good Arthur TBH. Much of the story is predictable, but then again, being a remake, perhaps that's unavoidable. The story is worth the watch, though, and there are plenty of laughs throughout. One thing I never realized was how small Russel's nipples are; they're like freakish! Clearly the true star of this movie was Luis Guzmán, playing the role of Bitterman.

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Being Fair Just isn't Fair

Okay; I totally forgot another show that we found via Netflix that is an absolute must. The IT Crowd. It was quite awhile ago that we first saw this show, and have long since blown through all the seasons (though in Great Britain they refer to a season as a series).

This show is all sorts of wacky fun and is has one of our favorite long running jokes; "Hello IT. Have you tried turning it off and on again?" It all starts off with Jen Barber coming in for an interview. She, unwittingly, ends up the "Relationship Manager" for Reynholm Industries IT department, despite a complete lack of experience or understanding of IT. Incidentally, the title Relationship Manager, has subsequently become thought of as what you call someone who has no idea what they're doing, and spends their time BSing with other departments to avoid dealing with the matters, in their own department, that they don't understand. I've known a few people like this, and one of them even once held that exact title!

At any rate, Jen goes on pretending to know what she's talking about, like the time she presented the Internet, and hilarity ensues. There is even a lovable character named Richmond Avenal who's love of goth metal music group Cradle of Filth 'saved his life'. While very much a background character, the show just wouldn't be the same without Richmond. Throughout the show there are parodies abound, including the much loved Friendface, Emergency Services, and Employee of the Month.

So; check it out. It's good fun for IT people and non-technical people alike.

-r

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On Your Recommendation

A Vorlon from Babylon 5

So I was talking with a friend of mine and it came out that I had never seen Babylon 5. Well he strongly advised that I correct that situation, but warned me that seasons 1 and 2 suck. Great, I can skip them then? No, of course not.

Well I watched the hour and a half pilot on Netflix just now and he is right, the acting is horrible. The storyline was somewhat predictable, and the special effects were representative of their time. That said, however, it was far better than the original Battlestar Galactica, which I enjoyed (and more so the new BSG). Let's not even talk about V (considering I'm way behind on season 2, which has not held my interest at all). So I'll keep plugging away, how many episodes in season 1 & 2 could there be? Oh, right; there's 55 episodes ahead of me yet. /fp

What else? Got a call about a prospective web developer position that sounds interesting. No; not giving up on my own thing, but benefits are a killer! This position would be down town, so I'd have a good hour each way to work on my own stuff from the train. We'll see... If they try to absorb my clients and shut me down like that other company, they can forget it. 

Have you watched Dead Like Me yet?

-r

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Most Jerks Know that They're Jerks... Usually

Wiser words are rarely spoken!

Sitting here watching Tosh.0 at my father in law's house with my wife, and using the air via the iPhone personal hotspot. Works pretty good, was even able to fire up Eve and update my skill queue.

So anyway, while we're here in Bay City, MI we've checked out the butterfly exhibit and the dinosaur & motorcycle exhibits. Can you say Giganotosaurus? Didn't think so! It's pronounced jig-uh-note-uh-sore-us. Was excited to see the USS Edson listed as a ship museum in Bay City, but sadly it's not here yet. Oh well... The rumors say it may be here this spring, so maybe next time. Was hoping to spend a day visiting The Acacia & S.S. City of Milwaukee, but they weren't quite ready for kids this season yet.

In other news I found out the director of IT where I used to work is no longer working there, but I guess it's a top secret thing because no one's revealing anything about it. Lesson learned for sure, dedicating a large portion of your professional life to a company does not build any equity for you with anything outside of you. After 12 years of continuous service you would think there might be a farewell party or something, right? Well, I guess not. Perhaps times are different? Not sure, but the point is taken; move on, and forget about what has already forgotten about me.

Okay, enough pissing into the wind...

I know a lot of you have already seen it, but if you haven't, you must watch the guild! Another show you need to see, which is much less well known, is where my namesake for this blog came from. A little known shown called Dead Like Me featured Mandy Patinkin, who we all know and love as Inigo Montoya in The Princess Bride. His character made this show for me, more so than most of the other characters, though Daisy, Daisy Adair was good too. Both, however, did not make it to the follow-up movie, which, compared to the series, sucked unfortunately.

So to recap;

• Had a good visit in Bay City, Michigan
• Looking forward to going home
• The Giganotosaurus is bigger than the t-rex
• The USS Edson isn't here yet :(
• Corporate Politics are stupid
• You need to watch The Guild and Dead Like Me

Cya!

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