Tomorrow the voting over at Streamys.org ends. Everyone who loves the guild needs to get over there and vote. A list of all the categories you can vote for the Guild under can be found over at Watchtheguild.com. So go there, get the list, and get voting!

Popularity: 83% [?]

This morning I was leaving the 2-story Starbucks on Main St in Fairfax, Virginia and I went to the door upstairs that I always go out of. I wasn’t paying much attention. I was tired and had just been reading an interesting book, so my mind was elsewhere. Because of that I didn’t notice a hand written sign on the door that said “If Door is Opened Alarm Will Sound. Please use the door downstairs.” So I opened the door, and an alarm went off. Once my mind woke up I noticed the sign and felt like an idiot, but was also pretty annoyed. I always use that door. Why did they have to go and install an alarm on it over night?

I proceeded downstairs to tell the employees how much of an idiot I was, and that I hadn’t seen the sign. Fortunately, I didn’t feel as bad as I might have, because they didn’t even know the alarm had been installed. It had apparently been put in the night before, and no one had told them. Unfortunately, that also meant none of them knew how to turn it off. The alarm continued to blare for about 5 minutes as they looked for a key or something to shut it down, and then it stopped all by itself. No one knows why…

Popularity: 47% [?]

Last Thursday was a “big” day. It was the day I had a severely rotten tooth extracted. I’ve had fillings and root canals in the past, but this was the first time I had the need of a dental surgeon. I had hard horror stories of people being in pain for weeks, and not being able to eat. All kinds of bad things.

The truth: it was a piece of cake.

The doc took longer preparing and talking to me than the whole process took. When he finally got started he shot me up with novocaine, got some pliers, and yanked the darn thing out. It broke in the process sine it was so weak, but he just pulled the other part out too. Next he stitched it up and put some gauze on it until the bleeding stopped.

I was prescribed pain meds for once the numbness wore off, and antibiotics to prevent infection. I was fully expecting for a painful weekend, but it turns out that the only day that it even felt like I needed any pain medication was the first day. After that I’ve been pain free, but a bit swollen.

This Thursday I get the stitches removed… ooooo.

Popularity: 47% [?]

So, I’m a gamer… In case you were unaware. I’ve played video games since the early 80s, and I’m not stopping anytime soon. There have been various phases, from the days of Mario, to the RPGs of the 16-bit era that I still love, to high speed racing games, and MMOs. My newest infatuation is Guitar Hero.

When the series was first released I ignored it. I figured it was another mainstream game that would bore me, and would probably get worse and worse as the series continued. I didn’t even touch the game until way after Guitar Hero 3 was released. My introduction to the series was through a freeware PC clone called Frets on Fire. Frets on fire is a guitar rhythm game you play with your keyboard, and you can add custom tracks to. I loved it. I noticed as I looked around for new tracks that most of the forums I frequented were full of users who wanted the game to be more like the Guitar Hero genre they loved. This sparked my curiosity. I did a little research and found that there was a port of Guitar Hero 3: Legends of Rock for the PC. I had found a purpose for my economic stimulus check. Hurrah!

Just this week the new Guitar Hero World Tour was released. It’s a game I’ve been drooling over for months. While the reviews are mixed as to whether GHWT or Rock Band 2 is the better game, my choice is clear. Since I currently only own a Wii, I haven’t even thought about Rock Band 2, and I probably never will. I’m not into the whole idea of stripping out features, because you’re too lazy to make it work right. Sorry Harmonix, you had your chance with me, but you lost me at that. Not to mention I really enjoy the art direction of GH over the somewhat bland RB style.

While I have yet to play the game that should change tonight. My two player bundle pack (two guitars and the game) is set to arrive! I thoroughly look forward to enjoying it.

Popularity: 57% [?]

Scottish Games – Ferret Legging from Matthew Brackney on Vimeo.

Popularity: 57% [?]

A new section has recently been added to the art gallery! The Miscellaneous section will contain pieces that I either did just for fun, or were one shot deals. These pieces don’t usually fit into a real category, so they will be placed there. As always keep checking back for updates!

Popularity: 60% [?]