OK guys. Here is the press release for all of rthe eally cool Street Fighter 4 stuff Mad Catz has been working on. Everything sounds really good and I'm glad to see Mad Catz step up their game for SF4. Right now I have the following pre-ordered: Collectors edition of the game, TE Stick and 2 D-pads. I already took the week of Feb. 16th off so I can play it all day . Can't wait to see you guys online.
• Official Street Fighter IV Arcade FightStick – Xbox 360® and PLAYSTATION®3
Designed to offer authentic arcade style play, the Street Fighter IV Arcade FightStick offers gamers precision control and quality engineering complete with stunning official artwork. Dual-speed Turbo functionality for each button complete with LED Indicators allows gamers to execute moves with lightning speed while the eight-button Street Fighter IV arcade configuration means that those familiar with the arcade will feel instantly at home. An integrated D-Pad switch allows gamers to alternate between D-Pad and Analog Sticks for maximum control flexibility, while the ergonomic slanted top panel ensures maximum comfort during sustained play. Start and Select/Back Buttons have been moved to the rear of the FightStick thus minimizing the risk of accidental interruption during play and specially created ‘Character Cards’ ship with the Arcade FightStick which insert into the top panel and display a selection of special moves.
• Official Street Fighter IV FightPad – Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3
Ideal for gamers favoring a traditional console controller without wishing to compromise on features, the Street Fighter IV FightPad features an enlarged circular eight-way floating D-Pad and arcade style six-button configuration. An integrated D-Pad switch allows gamers to alternate between D-Pad and Analog Sticks and combined with official artwork featuring an assortment of famous Street Fighter® characters, the Street Fighter IV FightPad is destined to be the controller of choice for discerning fans and those seeking a competitive advantage.
• Official Street Fighter IV Arcade FightStick: Tournament Edition – Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3
Designed for the serious Street Fighter enthusiast, nothing brings the arcade experience closer to home than the Street Fighter IV Arcade FightStick: Tournament Edition. Overseen by Capcom and legendary producer Yoshinori Ono, the Tournament Edition features an unparalleled level of detail and uses arcade quality components. Sourced directly from arcade manufacturer Sanwa Denshi™, the FightStick: Tournament Edition uses the same Japanese style ball-handled joystick and 30mm Action Buttons found in the official Street Fighter IV Vewlix™ arcade cabinet, marking the first time such components have been used for a commercial product outside of Japan. With the D-Pad control switch, dual Turbo functionality for each button, and exact button layout matching the Vewlix Street Fighter IV arcade panel, the FightStick: Tournament Edition delivers an experience unlike any other arcade styled controller. Complete with detailed touches such as screw on rubber feet for solid surface play, unobtrusive placement of the Start and Select/Back Buttons along with a locking mechanism preventing accidental activation of Turbo settings for tournament play, the FightStick: Tournament Edition represents the best possible choice for the hardcore and dedicated Street Fighter fan.
• Official Street Fighter IV Faceplate and Console Skinz™ – Xbox 360
Featuring custom Street Fighter IV artwork, the highly collectible Faceplate and Console Skinz allow gamers to customize their Xbox 360 console. Safe and totally removable, the Console Skinz wrap around the top and bottom of the console and when combined with the Faceplate, create a stunning Street Fighter IV backdrop. Available in a choice of two striking designs, the Street Fighter IV Faceplate and Console Skinz present an eye-catching addition to any gamer’s living room.
• Official Street Fighter IV Controller Faceplate and Console Skinz - PLAYSTATION®3
Featuring custom Street Fighter IV artwork, the highly collectible Controller Faceplate and Console Skinz allow gamers to customize their PLAYSTATION 3 consoles and official controllers. Safe and totally removable, the Console Skinz adhere to the top of the console and provide a stunning Street Fighter IV themed landscape. In addition, the Controller Faceplate attaches quickly and safely to the official PLAYSTATION 3 controller providing matching artwork to the console.
• Official Street Fighter IV Wall Scroll
A perfect finishing touch to any gaming environment, the Street Fighter IV Wall Scroll features a breathtaking intricate design utilizing official Street Fighter IV artwork. Highly collectible, the quality vinyl scroll provides a unique addition to any fan’s collection.
I am encouraged that Obama has described the entitlement funding picture as "red ink as far as the eye can see," and has pledged to address "out-of-control Social Security and Medicare spending". These are strong words for a President to use referring to America's sacred entitlements, although it is not uncommon for an incoming President to pledge to clean up Washington yet only to end up bogged down in the swamp.
He has also named Nancy Killefer and charged her with "scouring the federal budget to eliminate programs that don't work and improve those that do.". Tall order and a very necessary task, but again, not a new effort for an incoming President. Will Congress cooperate with Obama's attempts to improve government efficiency and programmatic relevance? THAT is the tall order. Sadly, it is not the Administration or the Judiciary, but it is the Congress that is the enemy. We now have a $1.2 Trillion deficit. Early in the Bush administration Dick Cheney made the comment that "deficits don't matter" when he supported tax cuts that caused short-term deficits but also helped the economy grow, reducing the deficits long term. Democrats screamed in opposition, apparently because those deficits were caused by tax cuts. Today those same Democrats are silent as the U.S. is spending its way "into deficits that are so large they dwarf any during peacetime in U.S. history".
Deficits matter. Taxes matter. Savings matter. Yet Obama and the Democrats are serving up an estimated $1 Trillion in additional spending and targeted tax relief on top of the bailouts already passed. China is not making noise about not purchasing any more of America's debt. The latest headline on Drudge is "Let's Print More Money"
There is some truth in the belief that it is 'OK' to run a deficit in a recession. Economically, if there is ever a time when a deficit is necessary, that is that time. However, there are two ways to do this...increased government spending, or decreased taxes. Before I continue, please note that the so called 'tax cuts' Obama campaigned on are not tax cuts at all. They were increases in government spending through 'refundable credits' as most were 'refunds' to individuals who already paid little or no income taxes. If you don't believe me, Google the "Earned Income Tax Credit" and do a little homework. This is no less than a welfare program embedded in the tax code to distribute government money (known outside Washington as 'your tax dollars') to individuals who pay no taxes [Note, I am not opposed to the public and the Government assisting 'the less fortunate'. I am opposed to hiding measures like this in the tax code so that the general public is unaware of the total cost or effectiveness of the EIC, AFDC, WIC, and other social programs. Government actions need to be transparent. Besides, anything the New York Times describes as "...a wonderful but little known anti-poverty weapon..." makes me worry. If it is so great, why don't we bring it out into the open?]
Back to the point, what Obama and the Democrats are advocating is an increase in Government Spending (and increased regulation). There are two problems with this. First, increased Government spending doesn't efficiently translate into increased production (i.e. economic growth). Second, new Government programs have to be paid for and, when they never go away, result in a budget burden for future years. If the Government was good at funding it's programs, or eliminating the ones that have served their purpose, we wouldn't need a Nancy Killefer reviewing Government operations.
Here is an example. Should GM have been saved? In my opinion, no. GM has been circling the drain for nearly two decades as Japanese car companies, that were once a joke, improved quality, styling, and production efficiency until they took over the global automotive business. GM sat on their asses and watched it happen, all the time thinking they were too big or too powerful to fail. There is no reason to believe that GM will change, and no reason to believe that the Government, with it's obeisance to the u-n-i-o-n-s, will do any better. GM will die. And the preferential bailout will probably pull Ford down as well. We just wasted billions on a dog that won't hunt.
I would still rather see reduced or maybe unchanged but redirected Government spending combined with tax cuts to companies and people that actually earn money. At the same time, the Government can try to reduce programs and bureaucracy (but I won't hold me breath). The net result is still a deficit, but the money left in the pockets of consumers and corporations will efficiently translate to economic growth.
Yet this will not happen. People cannot wrap their brain around the concept that a reduction in taxes can increase tax revenue. And Congress will never place the National good before their pet projects (Keep in mind, in most cases your Congressman is an idiot. At best he/she is probably a failed businessman or a marginal lawyer). At the same time, Nancy Pelosi is eliminating the 'Contract with America' reforms that required transparency in Government. Public committee hearings...gone. Term limits on Committee Chairs...kaput. Requiring that laws that apply to the rest of the country also apply to Congress...history. Combine this with her previous promise to reform 'earmarks', that Pelosi then retracted and whet back to anonymous earmarks air dropped into bills such that the Congress has no knowledge of what they are really voting on, and we are back to the backroom concentration of power and lobbyist influenced corruption that makes Illinois politics look above board.
I truly wish Obama well. I disagree with some of his cabinet appointments, yet I am pleased that he is surrounding himself with people who are much more centrist then his supporters expected. He is pulling a 'Clinton', yet in the process could also bring some respect back into the White House. If he can control spending and keep the Government from over-regulating our companies (and our lives), he will have a very positive legacy. Otherwise, he will be a one-hit wonder as Congressional misbehavior will destroy any chance a Democrat will have in 2012.
I have become hooked on this crack since getting it for Christmas. Sorry Forza brothers, I will be back very soon. Here is my question.
What is everybody's favorite gun/perk set up?
I can't make up my mind what to roll with. I will run certain setups on certain maps but I am constantly doubting myself. Last night I hit Level 56 and picked up the overkill perk. I had been looking forward to this since it was one of my favorites in COD4. For some reason after getting it last night, I felt let down. Not sure why. Couldn't figure out what combo to run and to pick overkill perk, I had to let another perk go that I liked. I didn't get to play with it much last night because it was late. Maybe tonight I can fiddle with it a little bit. So what is everybody's favorite setup?
So I got into the shop last night to finish up the green acrylic pen and was joined by my lovely wife CurvyBunky. She did all of the turning and finishing on this pen.
First, the blanks from yesterdays blog....
And the finished pen....
Now you'll notice that it's not all green. That's because I learned a valuable lesson last night about how much heat is generated when using polishing compound on a lathe. I melted the other half of the pen so we had to improvise
With the current generation of gaming riding the hump of their lifecycle I have to ask…why should M$ release a new box?
Television resolutions have not increased and will not increase in the foreseeable future. Any new box would have to be backwards compatible with the enormous library of games that have come out, many of which are still drawing huge numbers on XBL. Not only that, but most major changes can be implemented with at patch or update as we’ve seen with the NXE. What major improvements could we see? Blue Ray will probably be obsolete in 5 years and a hd drive would only drive up the cost of the box. Built in Wi-fi and Bluetooth would be nice, but would eliminate some of M$ proprietary peripherals – therefore, not likely to happen.
The game developers are finally rolling with regular releases on well known graphics engines and seem to have a pretty good system in place.
Then there is the issue of design, factory setup and god only knows what defects and recalls to deal with. It would appear to be an expensive and risky move. As far as I can tell, the main point would be to pull people from other platforms and draw attention with a big release. But is that worth the investment the R&D and a call center that must now deal with 3 generations of gaming consoles? Maybe you’re more on top of the situation than I. So, what’s the point?
Yup still sick, but like any really bad movie sequal, this one keeps the exact same plot and moves it to a different location....yes, its Sick day 2; Sick at Work....so also like any sequel, this one sucked more than it's "Made for TV" origional. This is a "direct to free download" movie, it sucks way too much to even get picked up by Lions Gate for "Direct to DVD". but on the brite side, I keep having people tell me that I look sick, then they leave me alone...so, it's not all bad. I just wish I had COD to keep me company.
I have been good for quite a while now, so I thought I would make a few requests and see whatcha think. First of all, could you quit playing around with the weather? I don't mind the seasons and changes in the temperature and such, but, this is nuts! Oh, sorry, God. But the atmospheric pressure changes are playing havoc on my health. And the rain. Oh, please, make the rain stop, for just a little while! When it rains I tend to have a headache, and I can be very unpleasant to my fellow man. Another thing....there are microscopic critters living in my chest and throat, and they won't go away! In all your infinite wisdom, dontcha think I should be well so I don't infect my immunosuppressed patients?
While I'm at it, God, I'd like to request that you do something about the economy, various wars, and our new president-elect. Bless him, please! He needs it! And, oh yeh, I would like world peace, if that could be possible. Could you work on that?
Thanks for listening, your child, Penni
PS..Please make this nasty illness go away! Preferably, sometime today!
My '08 was certainly not one of the best years of my life. Don't get me wrong, the whole year wasn't a complete pile of shite. There were a few redeeming things that I can look back and smile about, but the bad grossly outweighed the good. So, without going into detail, I was really really really looking forward to '09. From what it seemed '09 couldn't go anywhere but up.
The first few days of '09 were pretty good. On Jan. 6, I went back to the gym after a 4 week hiatus. In the middle of my second set of bench press, I pinched a nerve in my upper shoulder/lower neck area. Well, the adrenaline was flowing and I shrugged off the twinge of pain and worked out for an hour. Later that evening and right up to now I can barely raise my arms over my head, can only sleep in one position and can barely move head.
. Can't wait to see you guys online.
