I read it - thought it was pretty good stuff.  Long, and I'll admit that it dragged at times, but good the rest of the time.  It's got an unusual style, but unusual isn't necessarily bad.

Hahaha - you are awesome for remembering that show.

Well hey, like I said, there's a free demo, so it doesn't get cheaper than that if you're not sure how you'll feel about it. :)

And hooray for me - I finally found my way to Whimsyshire! :)

Just FYI, Microsoft sources are saying the "pay to play used games" thing was not correct.

https://twitter.com/XboxSupport3/status/336937800702238722
https://twitter.com/XboxSupport/status/336957014729175040
https://twitter.com/XboxSupport2/status/336967192799223808

I've been playing Diablo 3 again this week while they've been giving the 25% XP and magic find bonuses for its (gasp) first birthday.

I am still occasionally grumpy about the always online stuff, but out of principle rather than it interfering with my gameplay.  (When it does, it's because I have crappy internet at home, not because of anything on Blizzard's end.)  I do enjoy it, and Syn, it sounds like you and I play the game in the same way.  I remember that last fall, they released a trial version that lets you play through the first act free - it's definitely worth the download to try it out.

That said, I'd love to see an expansion.  That made a HUGE difference in D2.

Here's the crazy thing - when it comes out for PS3, I'll probably buy it.  My wife loved Diablo 2, and I really like the idea of being able to play together on the same screen.  Plus, we always liked the Baldur's Gate Dark Alliance (and similar) games, and I think the PS3 version will kind of feel like that.

I saw these sculptures  today and thought folks here might appreciate them - particularly MacGyver and Klyde, who I seem to remember showing off some non-tattoo art here in the past.  They're kind of animals with forests or such growing from them/attached to them.  So they're a little creepy, but still cool.

http://imgur.com/a/hfNJC?gallery

I really like that we've seen a "long" lifespan for 360 and PS3.  I don't object to new hardware, but they both still put out games that look great.  And I'd imagine that development costs go up with each generation, due to the additional complexities of the hardware and what it can do.  Increased dev costs = more risk averse developers and publishers.

That looks pretty nice, man!

Very cute Pikachu shirt:

http://shirt.woot.com/offers/pikaaachooo

First car I bought (back in '96) was a Geo Prizm with 120,000 miles on it.  I loved that car.  It was great, sun, rain, or snow.  Then I rear-ended some van and that was the end of that car. :(

Then I bought a used Mazda 626 from a rental car company (in '98).  It was OK.  Got the job done, but I never loved it.  Transmission went out in '04 and got flaky again in '05. "Screw that crap," I said, and traded it in while I still could.  I drive rental cars a lot now, and I would never buy one, because I know how people treat them.

Bought a new Prius at that point, and I've still got it.  Love it even more than I loved my Prizm.  Gas mileage is swell, but that's just one thing I like. It holds a crapton of stuff, it has a smart key that means getting in is easy even when my hands are full and that I can never lock the keys in the car, it works well in all road conditions, it's got a nice amount of passenger space, etc.

(On the gas mileage: I average 50 MPG normally, 40 if I'm doing 80 on the freeway on a roadtrip.  Yes, I am aware that some people get this mileage from their non-hybrid cars.  No, I do not care, because that's not the one singular thing about my car that I like.  And I made back the extra that I spent on it over the other car I was considering years ago.)

My mechanic brother-in-law swears by Toyotas and Hondas.  His personal favorite, I believe, is the Accord.  Dependable, low-maintenance, good gas mileage, etc.  It's not the flashiest car around, but you never have to worry that it won't get you where you're going.  He and my father-in-law, who is also a mechanic, both agree that the least-dependable brand generally purchased in the US is Jeep (because of how often they see them in the shop).

Seriously, if anybody could come up with something I'd want to have on my skin for the rest of my life, I'd trust Klyde to be the one.

And thanks, Goose - I would really like to visit your fine country someday, and I would make sure to tell you if I make that happen. :)

I think "predator" is being used here in the "sexual" sense rather than the movie sense.

Not really a picture, but awesome.

https://www.google.com/search?q=atari+breakout&safe=off&sa=X&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&ei=BVWRUeLJJMHJ4AT_vYCAAQ&ved=0CEYQsAQ&biw=1600&bih=799

Or just do a Google Image Search for "atari breakout" (no quotes necessary).

That is outstanding.