Monday, July 25, 2011

Team Battles

Hi guys.  For fun, I thought I'd list all the teams I make in video games.
Super Smash Bros. Melee-Bowser (Me), Mario, Zelda.
Godzilla; Destroy All Monsters Melee-Godzilla 90s (Me), Godzilla 2000, Destoroyah.
Soul Calibur II-Link, Ivy, Taki.  Link, Sophitia, Cassandra.  Taki, Sophitia, Cassandra.
Mario Kart: Double Dash!!-Bowser and Mario, Bowser and Daisy, Mario and Daisy.
Mario Superstar Baseball-Bowser, Mario, Luigi, Peach, Daisy, Baby Mario, Magikoopa, Shy Guy, Goomba.
Godzilla Unleashed-Godzilla 2000 (me), Godzilla 1990s, Kiryu.  Kiryu (Me), MechaGodzilla, MechaGodzilla II.  To be used once unlocked; Godzilla 2000, Godzilla 1990s, Godzilla 1954.
Super Smash Bros. Brawl-Bowser (Me), Mario, Zelda.  Zero Suit Samus (Me), Zelda, Peach.
King of Fighters, the Orochi Saga-Mai Shiranui, Yuri Sakazaki, King.  Mai, Yuri, Kasumi (not the Kasumi from DOA).  Mai, Yuri, Athena (cleared KOF 98 with this team).
Mario Super Sluggers-Bowser, Mario, Peach, Daisy, Baby Peach, Baby Daisy, Miley Mii, Demi Lovato Mii, Brandi Cyrus Mii.
Tatsunoko vs. Capcom-Chun-Li and Morrigan, Chun-Li and Jun the Swan.
Naruto Shippuden; Clash of Ninja Revolution 3-Sakura and Hinata.  Tsunade is often inserted as well.  Yugao and Komachi will likely enter as their own team.
Also, when I played Marvel vs. Capcom 2 at a friend's house, I used Jill Valentine, Iron Man and Psylocke often.

Now, I'd like to get something off my chest.  I am ludicrously paranoid about the default scenario.  I have nightmarish thoughts of things costing 100 times what they do now and China invading America, raping and pillaging for money that we withheld.  Also, I've heard Obama plans to kick Israel out of Palestine.  This is unacceptable, I don't care how you'll look to the Middle East nations, to forsake a relationship for this, to deny a Religious people their Promised Land is the essence of folly.  There must be a way to appease the Muslims living in Palestine without eliminating the world's only Jewish nation.  If Congress members read my blog, I urge compromise and a plan to resolve the default scenario, and a negotiation with leaders of Palestine and Israel.

Monday, July 18, 2011

My Top 10 Musicians/Bands

Hi, all.  This is kind of in response to Rolling Stone's "100 Best Artists" magazine.  I haven't listened to quite a few of them, namely because I'm not big on hip-hop, so I thought I'd try my own, deciding it'd be easier to just do ten.  Without further ado, my top 10 musicians/bands.
1-The Beatles
Composed of the four most talented people in music, The Beatles must be listened to.  Every album in their discography has hits, and I recommend everyone should have the albums "1," "Abbey Road," "Revolver," "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band," The White Album, The Blue Album and "Anthology 2."  No artist has ever covered such a wide variety of styles, and so mellifluously, too.  You get sad, intense, psychedelic and revolutionary songs with John, fun love songs, and a wide variety of pop with Paul, Eastern philosophy from George, and your friendly uncle with Ringo.  Without The Beatles, none of these other artists would exist.
2-Billy Ray Cyrus/Brother Clyde
While he is regarded as a one-hit wonder, Billy Ray Cyrus is one of the most sensitive men in music.  Blending Country music and Rock music with a style unheard since Ronnie Van Zant, Billy Ray brings intense passion to his recordings.  He is a man with strong convictions, who will also produce good songs to dance to and sing along with.  Brother Clyde is Billy Ray Cyrus producing music in a similar vein to Led Zeppelin, Nirvana and Lynyrd Skynyrd, which really shows how upset he is that sometimes things just don't make sense anymore.  I recommend his albums "Some Gave All," "Storm in the Heartland," "Trail of Tears," "Shot Full of Love," "The Other Side," "Wanna Be Your Joe," "Home At Last," "Back to Tennessee," "Brother Clyde," "I'm American," "The Best of Billy Ray Cyrus: Cover to Cover," "Achy Breaky Heart; 18 Essential Classics," "20th Century Masters; Best of Billy Ray Cyrus: The Millennium Collection," He's also one of my favorite actors.
3-Miley Cyrus
The daughter of the above, Miley Ray Cyrus is a fun-loving, compassionate teenager who cares deeply for her family and friends (including lovers) and also likes to just relax.  Her music has varied from heartbreak to love to seeking independence.  One of the things I really like about her is that she's a Christian who is friendly with people from other Religions, a John Lennon fan, and a proud supporter of homosexuals.  She's one of the few people in the music industry who seems to be a true person, someone who seems genuine.  Recommended Discography is Disneymania 4 & 5, Hannah Montana 2: Meet Miley Cyrus, Breakout, Hannah Montana; the Movie (which I forgot first time through), The Time of Our Lives and Can't Be Tamed.
4-Lynyrd Skynyrd
A Southern Rock Band famous for its three-guitar lineup and songs "Sweet Home Alabama" and "Free Bird," Lynyrd Skynyrd was the first successful blend of country, rock and hard rock.  With excellent guitar work, the band shows off impeccable talent.  Ronnie Van Zant, the lead singer, also has a lot of heart, singing songs about the joys of a simple life, like "All I Can Do is Write About It."  I highly recommend "Lynyrd Skynyrd Gold" as a way to get started, then the albums "Gimme Back My Bullets (Deluxe Edition)," "One More From the Road (Deluxe Edition)," and "Street Survivors (Deluxe Edition)." 
5-Demi Lovato
One of Miley Cyrus' best friends, Demi Lovato is a very passionate singer, one who puts all of herself into her songs.  Her loud music in her early days easily reflected an independent, free-spirited girl, in fact, I always place "Party" right before Miley's "Can't Be Tamed" in playlists.  Her music is very enjoyable, and her latest song, "Skyscraper," shows a level of maturity few artists her age have ever reached.  Recommend "Don't Forget," "Here We Go Again," and "Skyscraper (Single)."
6-Casting Crowns
A Gospel Band that uses rock-type music to express their message, Casting Crowns really speak to me through bringing their message to the reality of everyday life.  They have great passion for God and are definitely worth listening to.  Recommended albums are "Casting Crowns," "Lifesong," "Until the Whole World Hears," and "Peace On Earth."
7-Addison Road
Another Gospel band, they sound just like Miley and Demi with their pop sound.  I've only heard one album, but I love it, especially "Won't Let Me Go" and "Don't Wait."  I recommending their "Stories" album.
8-Frank and Derol
An indie pop band formed by Brandi Cyrus and Codi Caraco, they present a very soothing sound that is easy to love.  They haven't released anything, but I recommend their song "Back and Forth."
9-Paramore
An alternative rock band, Paramore has a very passionate force in the form of lead singer Hayley Williams.  She is close to Brandi Cyrus, and also has many great songs.  I recommend "Riot!" "The Final Riot," and "Brand New Eyes (Deluxe Edition)."
10-1964 the Tribute
A Beatles Tribute band, they specialize in songs from 1963-1966.  This includes "Please Please Me," "With the Beatles," "Beatles for Sale," "Help," "Rubber Soul" and "Revolver."  They expertly imitate John, Paul, George and Ringo, especially their George portrayer, and are great at playing Beatles songs.  Someday, I hope to see them live.  Recommend their CDs "All You Need Is Live," "Bootleg #1" and "1964 the Tribute."

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Transformers; Dark of the Moon (SPOILERS)

Today, I saw Transformers; Dark of the Moon with some friends.  Those who know me know I adore the previous two installments in this series.  I found this installment to be much less carefree than the previous two.  Though Bumblebee's capture in the first movie was sad, the death of Optimus Prime and subsequent Decepticon invasion easily overshadowed it in the second.  This new film features new emotional depths.  In it, Optimus' mentor, Sentinel Prime is discovered.  However, it is discovered he turned to the Decepticons since he believed Cybertron was so important, that they had to ally and rebuild their planet using human slaves.  This revelation and the subsequent reveal of Soundwave and Laserbeak as beings that brought humans to the Decepticons for their own politics was much more impactful than even the death of Optimus Prime.  The film also features a scene where it appears all the Autobots have been slaughtered by the Decepticon Starscream, further showing the darkness of this film.  Ultimately, the film is truly engaging, the characters always impressing me.  It's got a few twists at the end, especially involving the commanding trio of Optimus Prime, Sentinel Prime and Megatron.  Fans of the first two movies and Transformers should check this out.  The only major question I have for the film is the presence of Decepticon star fighters.  The fights were plenty engaging on the ground, and it just felt odd that they never used them before now.  As for the rumors of the possible Spielberg-directed sequel, well, I never saw Soundwave die.  In terms of Faith, we could talk about how some of our best heroes are willing to sell their souls to hold onto the past and strike out against a possible future.  Sentinel only cares about Cybertron, not his subordinate Optimus or the humans he cares about, and was willing to become evil for Cybertron rather than accept Earth as a possible new home.  Similarly, we are sometimes willing to surrender our souls in order to preserve that which is familiar.