I have to be honest; I have only managed to really listen to the first CD of this double CD-Set. But I am really enjoying the tracks on this. I probably listened to it for about 20 times now, and I only have it since around 3 weeks. The CD seems to cover just about every mood & style of songs which you would expect from them, but you wouldn’t expect them all on one CD. My remembrance of the Californication album is totally different, can only remember a fourth of the tracks on that one. But I am 100% sure that nearly all of the tracks on CD1 will stick around in my head for quite a long time.
My taste of music covers everything from Classical Music up to whatever style pops to your mind now. Someone once used the expression: “it’s a mile wide, but only an inch deep” (was this Randy Newman?). And this is probably the best way to put it. This kind of disqualifies me of making any kind of grading for a RHCP album, but what the hell I still do: I’d give the first CD of this Album 8 out 10 points. And although I did not yet listen to the second CD, it’s worth every dime I paid for it.

Boulderdash

The gaming concept was simple:
Challenge the player with a Task which seems “easy” and do-able. But limit them in the amount of attempts and/or time. When the player has managed the task, award the player with a “well done” and tell the player next stage (or lvl) has been reached. Then: Slightly increase the difficulty of the task. And offer this task to the player.
All games were “designed” to be manageable by the smallest child, but over time offered a real challenge to any skill of player. Way too often I was annoyed, irritated and angry that once again I failed lvl 32 because I ran out of time. The annoyance, anger and irritation would all be converted into motivation on my next try to “crack” the lvl. And: at a certain moment, I would actually crack the lvl and “finish” the game. Straight after that, started looking for the next game to prove to that I was “invincible”. (muhaha)

Nowadays, the words “Game over” will only be found when playing “Classic game collection XVI”. And to be honest, it seems the words have actually been banned by each and every marketing department in the gaming industry. Cause “Game-over” will result in annoyance to the player, and might lead to the player turning of the game: To spend time in a “more” useful way. Or it causes the player to switch to a game of a competing gaming company. Ever since the industry discovered that the total playtime increases when the game actually never ends, “the words” started to get rarer. It’s like the experiment with a rat in the labyrinth. Instead of punishing it with electro-shocks when it makes a wrong turn, rewarding it with cheese when it makes a right turn will cause the rat to get through the labyrinth much faster. And will cause the rat to enjoy it in a way, waiting for the next trip through the labyrinth. To be honest, I think the rat was quite pissed when the experiment was over and it was time for him to grow an ear on his back.
It’s a matter of fact that no matter how much you suck at a game, Mr.Gamecreater will make sure you still get “rewarded” to give you a “you’re an ace”-feeling. As long as you don’t push the “off” button on the system, Mr.Gamecreater will be there to hold your hand and be proud of you. Shortly after the never-ending games were introduced by Mr.Gamecreater, he came to the idea to charge 20% less for his games in the shop. And actually charge the player for the time he spends “on”. After all, when Mr.Gamecreater has to hold the players hand and tell him his god, he should get paid for it, shouldn’t he?

So what’s this way too long article all about Steph? Why the hell are you writing all of this?Ok, here it is Mr.Gamecreater:
For all of those times you took my childhood happiness, hopes and dreams. For the times I woke up in the middle of the night, soaked in sweat, having nightmare of stones falling on my head resulting in those evil words in front of my vulnerable child eyes, my revenge to you:

Account canceled: Game Over, No more Euros for you!

Ok, figured you wouldn’t believe me… I went up straight away to pick up the package and opened it to look what was inside. But, not kidding you this time: I actually did leave the smaller box inside of the Amazon package closed. I bet my wife wished I’d already opened the package during working hours. Let’s just say there was a lot of flashing at home in the evening (sorry fellows: not THAT kind of flashing). The Canon EOS 450D has around 150 different settings to adjust light, color, shutter and HUE effects. May wife was the “subject” for the, I estimate around 150 pictures.
Some of you might think now: “WTF? It’s not even your birthday yet, and you’re using your B-Day present. I always have to wait until I shook all of the relatives’ hands and smiled like I am actually enjoying myself!!”
Quite simple folks: I am the master in the house…
K… Didn’t even convince myself this time: Let’s just say there’s another Amazon package on the way with… You guessed it, the “B-Day”-Present for my wife. So here comes the actual trick fellows (pay attention): Technically seen, the Birthday of my wife is only in 2 Months…BUT, since I of course would never tell her she can’t touch the present until July: She can unpack and use it straight away. Might wanna write this trick down for your next birthday.

Anyways, since the weather is in between more and less rain I have not yet managed to make any pictures to post here. So the picture of me reading the user manual will just have to do… Hopefully more on the weekend.

This baby is on its way, and should be arriving before the 12th of May (Happy birthday Steph!). According to various online Test reports the Canon EOS 450D should be one of the best cameras to get (back) into photography in its price class. I’ll be looking out for the postman for the next week, the sooner I get this camera the better!