July 06, 2008

Just Get Get Enough: 6/6/08

Possibly my favorite rock song ever. I know it's not close to the best rock song ever, but it's my favorite, if that makes any sense. If you're remotely a music fan, I think it does.

If this song ever came out on "Rock Band," I might actually learn to play the drums on Expert, just to get as close as I can to nailing the mini-drum solo at 3:38.

Speaking of Rock Band, had my first three-person experience in the game last night. "Unison Bonus"es are insanely satisfying, and it was great to get my first use out of the wireless guitar. Props to Mrs. Me's friends for rocking out with us.

Posted by Ryan McGee at 05:59 PM | Comments (0)

June 29, 2008

Passing the Time

In case you were curious how I've been spending my time since the Boston Celtics allowed me to have time to myself...

...been ripping through four separate video games: "Rock Band," "Super Mario Galaxy," "Final Fantasy XII," and "Grand Theft Auto IV." And by "ripping through" I mean "spending time when I can on each of them." Managed to run through a sweet four-hour session of GTA IV on Saturday, during which Mrs. Me even cheered along with each mission completed. She even helped me shop for clothes with newly earned blood money. She did not, however, share my enthusiasm upon unlocking a Battle Ax in FFXII. Oh well, can't win 'em all.

...been delving into the show "Undeclared" on DVD, a show not nearly as good as its predecessor "Freaks and Geeks" but enjoyable all the same in a "crank six eps out in one sitting" way. We also guzzled down "Juno" tonight, which we hadn't seen since it came out in theatres. I'm pretty sure I have a man crush on Michael Cera, but really, that's not news.

...been visiting Mom, who had back surgery last week at Mass General. Nothing life-threatening, thank God, but she needs someone to sneak her stash of crystal meth past those perky nurses.

...been not watching the Red Sox. I figured by now the switch would have finally clicked, but I don't think I've watched close to a full game all season. I attribute this to been insanely busy with the Lost blog, all those games mentioned in paragraph one, and a weird notion that maybe I should avoid the things that give me insane amounts of angst. I haven't been this out of the day-to-day activities of the team since the start of the millenium. 'Tis weird indeed.

...been listening to an insane amount of Bob Dylan. After watching the film "I'm Not There" a few weeks ago, I've listened to "Highway 61 Revisited" approximately a dozen times through. I used to be a "Blonde on Blonde" guy, then a "Blood on the Tracks" guy, but right now, "Highway" is where it's at, with especially emphasis on "Ballad of a Thin Man."

So yea, that's me lately...how are you?

Posted by Ryan McGee at 09:43 PM | Comments (0)

June 25, 2008

Receive and Transmit

I think in any life, there are maybe 15-25 songs you never get sick of, ever. So I think I'll periodically share some of mine with you.

First up? A live version of Peter Gabriel's "Signal to Noise," one of the more haunting, evocative songs I've ever had the pleasure of hearing.

Posted by Ryan McGee at 10:56 PM | Comments (2)

June 18, 2008

Just Curious

Do you think that when Kevin Garnett finds an extra toy in his cereal, he reacts any differently than he did upon winning the NBA Finals last night?

My hunch is, "Hell no."

The Celtics might not even supplant the Pats in my book, and they'll never surpass the Sox, but that was a helluva final game. Hats off to all of them, and also, Eddie House, I kinda sorta love you. Don't take an extra million and go to like, Portland next year. Big Baby would miss you. I can tell me the way he stares at you on the bench.

Scott Pollard? You can go to Portland. It's OK. Here's some bus money. KTHXBAI.

Posted by Ryan McGee at 07:35 PM | Comments (0)

June 13, 2008

Sorry, Watertown Ford

I don't want to be your friend on Facebook. No offense.

Awfully sweet of you to ask, though.

(This best not be a trend. Although I'd relish the chance to tell Bob's Furniture, "Hells, no," provided that's actually an option in Facebook. And if it's not, I wish it were.)

Posted by Ryan McGee at 06:29 PM | Comments (0)

June 12, 2008

Celtics/Lakers: Drinking Game Rules For Games 4 and 5

Here we go...

1 Sip

  • Every time Garnett takes a fade-away jumper from beyond 16 feet from the basket
  • Every time a Laker argues a foul called against them
  • Every time Perkins argues a foul against him
  • Every time Vujacic does something that makes you want to punch him in the face.
  • Every time ABC mentions that Paul Pierce grew up in the area.

2 sips

  • Every time Cassell takes an ill-advised shot.
  • Every time Eddie House's hustle makes you wanna have his baby.
  • Every time KG headbutts something or punches some part of his own anatomy in frustration.
  • Every time ABC replays an earlier Lakers' score instead of showing the slow-mo replay of the BS foul just called against the Celtics.

3 sips

  • Every time Rondo does his patented "I'm going behind the back, oops, I'm not, I'm Rajon Effin' Rondo, B$tches" move in the lane.
  • Every time Van Gundy says, "I'm not sure the Celtics have enough offense on the floor right now."
  • Every time Fisher hits a wide-open 3 that makes you scream to no one in particular, "Why is no one guarding him????"

Gulp

  • Every time Ray Allen beats his man off the dribble.
  • Every time one of the announcers note the Celts' "length up front". (Yes, I'm five years old.)

Finish What's Left in the House

  • If Doc Rivers actually leaves Cassell on the bench for the whole game.
  • If Brian Scalabrine actually enters the game at any point.
  • If someone on YouTube edits Brian Scalabrine career highlights set to "Never Gonna Give you Up," starting the newest Internet trend: The Scala-Wag! (C'mon, everyone's tired of being RickRolled, right?)

Posted by Ryan McGee at 07:15 PM | Comments (0)

June 06, 2008

My Brother On Leno (Sorta)

Congrats to my brother Casey, who edited the following piece that aired on Jay Leno last night!

Posted by Ryan McGee at 09:11 PM | Comments (0)

June 01, 2008

The Future of Gaming Arrives

Being a kind of big deal here on the Internet, yours truly gets the scoop on a whole host of things, whether it be insider information, first-rate scoops, or a generous offer from the Crown Prince of Namibia. But today tops them all, as I've been granted access to a memo that won't go out until later this month, a memo that just might change the very face of gaming as we know it.

Without further ado, I give you the world-premiere look at the press release for Harmonix's next great gaming franchise, Soft Rock Band.

***

CAMBRIDGE, MA – June 20 2008 – Harmonix, developer of the blockbuster Guitar Hero™ franchise as well as Rock Band, and Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS) today announced Soft Rock Band, an all-new platform for music fans and gamers to interact with mellow music like never before. Soft Rock Band will allow gamers to perform music from the world’s biggest soft rock artists in order to live every music fan's dream of standing on stage with some of the world's calmest rock gods. Soft Rock Band will span all genres of this seemingly limitless genre and includes many of the master recordings from the songs you tried to forget, but couldn't, no matter how freakin' hard you try.

The leading musical artists - Christopher Cross, Air Supply, Bread, Captain and Tenille - have agreed to supply master recordings by their artists for use in the game. Kenny Loggins, citing "nothing really better to do," has also agreed to re-record his classic ballad, "Meet Me Halfway," specifically for the release of Soft Rock Band. If you like pina coladas and/or getting caught in the rain, this game is for you.

"Soft Rock Band is Harmonix’s most ambitious project to date, and it will take wimpy music gameplay to an entirely new level. VH1 Classic and the artists, many of whom grateful for any semblance of a royalty check, has given us the freedom and the resources to make the most laid-back musical experience ever crafted for gamers.”

“Our vision for Soft Rock Band is to completely change the way people interact with and enjoy the music they listen to in order to combat insomnia,” added Jeff Yapp, EVP, MTV Program Enterprises.

“Soft Rock Band is a bold step forward in allowing gamers and music fans to tenderly and inoffensively experience music,” said David DeMartini, vice president and general manager of EA Partners. “Instead of the cliched 'Overdrive' meter, players can enter the 'MellowZone'. Unlockables instruments include such as mandolin, keytar, even chamber quartet. In the most emotionally sensitive boss ballads ever conceived, players will face off against titans such as Gordon Lightfoot, Michael Bolton, and Anne Murray. If you'll excuse me, I now I have to smash a toaster into my skull in an attempt to forget I ever had to work on this game.”

Below's a partial list of songs you sorta kinda can maybe rock out to in this game:

All this and more when Soft Rock Band ships (in a special, limited-edition, shag-carpetted lined box) this Fall!

***

Well, I'm sold. How about you?

Posted by Ryan McGee at 06:52 PM | Comments (2)