So, my employer offers a solid holiday bonus. I've used part of that bonus to order the computer I described a few months ago with some changes, the big one being a video card upgrade to a GeForce 8800 GT.

Insha'Allah, everything should arrive within the next week. Can't fucking wait - it's been 3 years since I've built a new rig.

I have mad respect for firemen in general. It's hard not to.

However, the individual fireman who thought it would be a good idea to blare the fucking fire truck siren 30 feet from my house at 2 AM when there's not a goddamn puff of smoke anywhere to be seen needs to be punched in the junk.

Bad news: Mass Effect wasn't available at midnight tonight.

Good news: Rock Band was.

My fret wrist is wrecking me, and I'm sure I'll have a psychosomatic disorder at work tomorrow, but goddamn. It's fun, and it's presented extremely well. Mike's character and mine look like brothers, but different.

SO GOOD

Successful testing of this just solidified my purchase of a 360 this Tuesday for Mass Effect. 1080p just looks weird on my 19" CRT, but I'm not complaining--1280x1024 is very fine.

Also: Rock Band will be ridiculously good, crushing Guitar Hero III underneath its size 10 Demonia boot.

So we're entering the busiest season of the gaming year. I've already played Hellgate: London and Call of Duty 4, with Mass Effect and Rock Band on deck. I'll be giving my thoughts on the first two in the cuts below.

( Hellgate )

The new apartment is basically broken in, despite half my stuff remaining unpacked. Lately I've been on a justified spending spree.

( Consumerism GO + pics of my boots )

foreword: Kelly and I broke up. that's what "balls!" was about. I'm not gonna go into much detail about it, as it's a breakup, but I'm okay.

moving onward, I moved yesterday.

cliff notes: moving sucked but ended up really, really ridiculously well.

( long version! )

balls!

argh

minor: changed my LJ theme after years of the same layout. I've rediscovered my love for all things Ivalice.

major: might be moving to a new apartment soon. also, remember when I said things at work might be moving for me soon? while I'm unable to go into details, yeah, things moved.