So I bought FFXIII last week, pre-ordered it on Amazon so it came in on Thursday (or Friday, I can't remember). I've only played about 3-4 hours of the game, but so far I've been disappointed a bit. The graphics are great, don't get me wrong (and look even more beautiful on my 42" LCD tv) but there's just something lacking so far.
I think my biggest beef is its "Lost-factor." I spent the entire first two hours going "umm...did I miss something? I don't know what the crap these characters are really talking about. Wtf is a l'Cie and why is it so horrible?" I don't like when I'm told only half of a story, or I'm supposed to just "trust" the storyteller to eventually clear things up for me. I don't like being confused. It's almost belittling to me, as an audience.
I was told by a friend of mine who's gotten a good bit farther in the game than I have that the 50% of the story I'm missing is in the Datalog. I have MAJOR qualms with this. I don't want to interrupt my game to read backstory on something that just occured in a cutscene I just watched, mainly because I can't go watch it again and go "ohh. Ok, I get it now." That's annoying. It disturbs the flow of the game and I honestly feel it's a waste of my time. Tell me the story like you used to, through cutscenes and dialog. Don't make me read an impersonal "datalog." Yeah, I get the fact that increasing the length of a cutscene to provide raw information is costly, but honestly I don't care. Cut back on the graphics, I don't care. That's not why I play Final Fantasy anyway.
I also don't like the two different (for lack of a better word) modes the game has. I'm either watching a really boring cutscene that I'm only going to appreciate 50% of, or I'm on the edge of my seat during combat. I go from wanting to lay down on my bed and play, to sitting up straight and on edge while I'm fighting. Make up your mind!
I have zero emotional connection to any of the characters so far. Lightning annoys me because she's all brooding and "tough." I'm annoyed with Snow's character because I'm supposed to relate and care about his "love" for Serah (who is a l'Cie) when I just met them less than an hour ago. I guess I could say I have the same beef with their love story as I did with Twilight's; don't TELL me they're in love, show me. Oh, and the snot-nosed kid whose mother died? I just want to punch him in the face.
So thus far, I have been far from impressed about Final Fantasy XIII. I'm only a few hours in, so hopefully the game will turn around for me...but we'll just have to see.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
The Need to Spend
So for the past few weeks, I have been looking for ways to better my future that involves spending money. Up until recently, I was researching buying a home; now I'm researching buying a brand new car.
Why? Well, as most of you know, I have my BA in Psychology and a mountain of debt. I make good money for what I do, but nearly half of my monthly financial intake goes into student loans. I went to the bank to figure out what kind of home I can afford, and both the loan officer and I came to the conclusion that although my credit was FANTASTIC, I could probably only afford a 60k home. That's a really low number, as most of you are probably aware. "60k?! That barely buys a garage!" Well, here in the south houses are a good bit cheaper than other places in the US. So from that point I did my research on what homes were available around the Pickens area. There were a few that I liked, but were just in bad neighborhoods. It seemed like that was a trend; I had to either pick a really nice house in a bad neighborhood, or an ugly house in a good neighborhood. I just decided to nix the idea, since buying a home would give me very little wiggle room when it came to emergencies.
Then I decided that my new priority was to make my future house buying as easy as possible. "How can I eliminate future expenses NOW?" Well, aside from putting additional money into my student loans to pay them off as quickly as possible, I've decided to buy a brand new car with a REALLY good warranty. I figure while I have the money now, I might as well take advantage of it. I can still put extra money towards my student loans, and also guarantee me a great car with a warranty, so if it breaks down while I'm paying on a home, I won't have to pay for the repairs. My current vehicle probably doesn't have more than a year or two left in its life; it has a whopping 145k miles on it already. It's not going to last me very much longer, and I don't want it breaking down the moment I move out, adding yet another expense to my plate. That would be the last thing I need.
So now I'm looking at two cars, the Hyundai Accent and the Kia Forte. Both Hyundai and Kia have great warranties, so now I just have to go out and test drive them. I've told my sister and a few others that I have 2 main priorities in my next car: I want a fantastic warranty, and buttons. Yes, buttons. I want keyless entry, automatic doors, an aux port for my mp3 player, a kick-butt stereo system, etc. Buttons. I want buttons. I've gone my entire driving life without having the luxuries most people do. I mean, shoot, my Dodge Neon right now doesn't even have electric windows or locks. It doesn't even have a cd player! I have to listen to my mp3 player through one of those cassette adapters. So that's what I want. Luxury accessories and a warranty. Oh, and good gas mileage...but that's kind of a given, since both cars are teeny.
Why? Well, as most of you know, I have my BA in Psychology and a mountain of debt. I make good money for what I do, but nearly half of my monthly financial intake goes into student loans. I went to the bank to figure out what kind of home I can afford, and both the loan officer and I came to the conclusion that although my credit was FANTASTIC, I could probably only afford a 60k home. That's a really low number, as most of you are probably aware. "60k?! That barely buys a garage!" Well, here in the south houses are a good bit cheaper than other places in the US. So from that point I did my research on what homes were available around the Pickens area. There were a few that I liked, but were just in bad neighborhoods. It seemed like that was a trend; I had to either pick a really nice house in a bad neighborhood, or an ugly house in a good neighborhood. I just decided to nix the idea, since buying a home would give me very little wiggle room when it came to emergencies.
Then I decided that my new priority was to make my future house buying as easy as possible. "How can I eliminate future expenses NOW?" Well, aside from putting additional money into my student loans to pay them off as quickly as possible, I've decided to buy a brand new car with a REALLY good warranty. I figure while I have the money now, I might as well take advantage of it. I can still put extra money towards my student loans, and also guarantee me a great car with a warranty, so if it breaks down while I'm paying on a home, I won't have to pay for the repairs. My current vehicle probably doesn't have more than a year or two left in its life; it has a whopping 145k miles on it already. It's not going to last me very much longer, and I don't want it breaking down the moment I move out, adding yet another expense to my plate. That would be the last thing I need.
So now I'm looking at two cars, the Hyundai Accent and the Kia Forte. Both Hyundai and Kia have great warranties, so now I just have to go out and test drive them. I've told my sister and a few others that I have 2 main priorities in my next car: I want a fantastic warranty, and buttons. Yes, buttons. I want keyless entry, automatic doors, an aux port for my mp3 player, a kick-butt stereo system, etc. Buttons. I want buttons. I've gone my entire driving life without having the luxuries most people do. I mean, shoot, my Dodge Neon right now doesn't even have electric windows or locks. It doesn't even have a cd player! I have to listen to my mp3 player through one of those cassette adapters. So that's what I want. Luxury accessories and a warranty. Oh, and good gas mileage...but that's kind of a given, since both cars are teeny.
Monday, February 22, 2010
ZOMGUPDATEWTF
Woo! I'm updating! Look! Do you see?! IT'S AN UPDATE! :) I know it's been forever since I've posted on this thing, but I figured while I had something to talk about, I might as well take advantage of it and post :)
Job is still going really well. Went to Charleston (technically Isle of Palms) almost all of last week for my first ever away-from-home-overnight conference. I enjoyed it! Our hotel room was PHENOMENAL. We had a 2 bedroom villa at the Wild Dunes resort. It had it's own fully functional kitchen and living room, 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, which were both very very nice. The classes/presentations at the conference were surprisingly interesting as well, considering everyone was preparing me for a snorefest! The food at the hotel was subpar, but my overall experience was very good! Lots of going out to dinner with a little bit of shopping thrown in there.
I'm still dating Kyle, for those who are interested :) His living situation is a little volatile at the moment, so I'm not going to get to see him again soon, but we talk every day, which will just have to satisfy me until he can fly out here again. Needless to say, that man means a great deal to me and I can't WAIT until I can spend another weekend with him :) *sigh*
I'm going back to Tennessee this weekend with my church family for a church-getaway kinda thing. We're leaving Thursday and coming back Saturday...We're also supposed to be going to the Comedy Barn one of those days...so we'll have to see how that goes. I've been before, and it was just ok, but from what people have been saying, it should be interesting! I know for a fact Rhonda is deadset on getting Chris on stage :P
Other than that, life has been pretty steady! I'm waiting patiently for the sequel of Dragon Age to come out next month, as well as the next Final Fantasy game and Alice in Wonderland...March should be a fun month! I'm excited :)
Job is still going really well. Went to Charleston (technically Isle of Palms) almost all of last week for my first ever away-from-home-overnight conference. I enjoyed it! Our hotel room was PHENOMENAL. We had a 2 bedroom villa at the Wild Dunes resort. It had it's own fully functional kitchen and living room, 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, which were both very very nice. The classes/presentations at the conference were surprisingly interesting as well, considering everyone was preparing me for a snorefest! The food at the hotel was subpar, but my overall experience was very good! Lots of going out to dinner with a little bit of shopping thrown in there.
I'm still dating Kyle, for those who are interested :) His living situation is a little volatile at the moment, so I'm not going to get to see him again soon, but we talk every day, which will just have to satisfy me until he can fly out here again. Needless to say, that man means a great deal to me and I can't WAIT until I can spend another weekend with him :) *sigh*
I'm going back to Tennessee this weekend with my church family for a church-getaway kinda thing. We're leaving Thursday and coming back Saturday...We're also supposed to be going to the Comedy Barn one of those days...so we'll have to see how that goes. I've been before, and it was just ok, but from what people have been saying, it should be interesting! I know for a fact Rhonda is deadset on getting Chris on stage :P
Other than that, life has been pretty steady! I'm waiting patiently for the sequel of Dragon Age to come out next month, as well as the next Final Fantasy game and Alice in Wonderland...March should be a fun month! I'm excited :)
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Trips and Traveling
I'm super excited for the next month or two. Lots of traveling and trips!
First of all, Kyle (whom I met online) is coming to visit me at the end of January. I'm super nervous but really excited about it at the same time.
2nd, I'm going to Pigeon Forge this coming weekend with the family. I won't have a TON of money, but enough to have a little fun. I like going to PF just in general, so I'm anticipating a good time :)
3rdly, I'm going to Charleston in February for a conference. I'm REALLY excited about that one for multiple reasons. First of all, it's my first ever overnight conference trip. Secondly, it's my first conference that's actually relevant to my job. Thirdly, the hotel we're staying at looks wonderful! We're hoping to get a 2 bedroom, 2 bath suite thing at the resort that comes with a full kitchen, dining room, and sitting area! It's going to be awesome.
I'm super excited!
First of all, Kyle (whom I met online) is coming to visit me at the end of January. I'm super nervous but really excited about it at the same time.
2nd, I'm going to Pigeon Forge this coming weekend with the family. I won't have a TON of money, but enough to have a little fun. I like going to PF just in general, so I'm anticipating a good time :)
3rdly, I'm going to Charleston in February for a conference. I'm REALLY excited about that one for multiple reasons. First of all, it's my first ever overnight conference trip. Secondly, it's my first conference that's actually relevant to my job. Thirdly, the hotel we're staying at looks wonderful! We're hoping to get a 2 bedroom, 2 bath suite thing at the resort that comes with a full kitchen, dining room, and sitting area! It's going to be awesome.
I'm super excited!
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Ethereal Homicide
So I had a really bizarre dream last night...I dreamt that a girl I've known from high school, who I've never really liked, was my mortal enemy and kept trying to kill me. However, it wasn't like a "omg a killer is after me I better run" kind of dream. It was like we were two superheroes, without the super powers, trying to exact eachother's demise.
The only part I remember with clarity is where I was hiding in this kind of bunker, hoping to get some rest in a safe haven away from her, when I realized my left hand that was resting slightly above my head couldn't move. I looked up and there she is, with a blade against the inside of my hand and wrist. She sliced down, cutting open my hand and wrist, and I remember thinking "so this is what death feels like?"
I didn't die, however...I managed to somehow escape and find a man who was a doctor, although I didn't find him in a hospital, who told me that although I had lost a lot of blood, I wouldn't die. He couldn't stitch up my wounds; something about them being so deep that if he stitched them, they wouldn't heal properly. I also remember him examining my hand and opening the wounds up again, only to tell me they were too deep to be stitched up.
Then I woke up...Totally bizarre.
The only part I remember with clarity is where I was hiding in this kind of bunker, hoping to get some rest in a safe haven away from her, when I realized my left hand that was resting slightly above my head couldn't move. I looked up and there she is, with a blade against the inside of my hand and wrist. She sliced down, cutting open my hand and wrist, and I remember thinking "so this is what death feels like?"
I didn't die, however...I managed to somehow escape and find a man who was a doctor, although I didn't find him in a hospital, who told me that although I had lost a lot of blood, I wouldn't die. He couldn't stitch up my wounds; something about them being so deep that if he stitched them, they wouldn't heal properly. I also remember him examining my hand and opening the wounds up again, only to tell me they were too deep to be stitched up.
Then I woke up...Totally bizarre.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Lawl.
I'm always so shocked when my town or South Carolina in general gets there name on one of my frequented websites...Today, as I was waiting on my client to show up for his appointment, I was browsing the intranetz and stumbled on this...
http://notalwaysright.com/in-spock-we-trust/3685
Pickens! Haha! Star Trek is OBVIOUSLY the cause behind the corruption of our youth. I mean, seriously! It's all so obvious now! Thank you random crazy in my hometown (we have so many) for clearing that up for us all.
I wonder if this happened at Movie Gallery or at Ingles?
http://notalwaysright.com/in-spock-we-trust/3685
Pickens! Haha! Star Trek is OBVIOUSLY the cause behind the corruption of our youth. I mean, seriously! It's all so obvious now! Thank you random crazy in my hometown (we have so many) for clearing that up for us all.
I wonder if this happened at Movie Gallery or at Ingles?
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