Penn Jillette - God No, Signs You Might Be an Atheist and Other Magical Tales - a review

Penn Jillette - God, No : Signs You Might Be and Atheist and Other Magical Tales

I have been a huge fan of Penn and Teller since I was a small child. For some reason, my folks let me rent the movie “Penn and Teller Get Killed” for family movie night, and the only thing that I can remember is everyone dying, not just Penn and Teller. I mean everyone, seriously, every person who comes upon the scene offs themselves. Fast forward some years, and I found myself watching episodes of “Penn and Teller's Bullsh*t” . The show is based upon the general belief that everything is, well, bullsh*t. They go after ideas, groups, trends. And they are convincing. Perhaps it is the years they have spent as carny folk, selling their act not just through action, but also word. Or at least Penn sells it through words, Teller is the silent partner of the duo. For whatever reason, their obvious intelligence and showmanship is much more entertaining to me then a guy walking up to someone on a street and asking them “do you wanna see a magic trick?” Add to that the fact they are accomplished magicians, and you have what I feel is one of the best shows in the world.

I recently picked up Penn Jillette's “God No : Signs you might be an atheist and other magical tales”. At it's core, it is a book about atheism, told through a series of short stories and anecdotes about his life. They fall under the guise of a mirrored list of atheist suggested ten commandments, replacing such existing biblical ones like “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” with such truly stirring alternatives like “The highest ideals are human intelligence, creativity, and love. Respect these above all.” Through out the book, he underlines his stories with the reminder that, just because someone doesn't believe in God, doesn't mean they can't believe in their fellow man. He also points out that belief in God, true belief, would result in anarchy. While I don't necessarily believe that, he does a fantastic job of illustrating his points.

Through out the entire book you are slowly introduced to a Penn Jillette that is nothing like the persona you see on the various TV shows, movies, and stage acts. Penn Jillette is a very intelligent man, but he is also an amazing story teller. He is a loving father, loving husband, and a good friend. And for being such a big guy, he comes in at around 6 foot 7 inches in height and around 300 lbs, he is remarkably gentle person. Through the stories, he reveals parts of himself that most people would neglect to show. There were points in the book that I honestly felt myself choke up. There is the whole tradition of letting balloons go, which I won't give away. But let me tell you, if you can read that section and not getting teary eyed, you might be a monster. Add to these touching stories the more anticipated humor, and what you have is a refreshing book that will take you on an emotional roller coaster.

I bought this book anticipating lots of laugh, and instead I was given not just laughs, but a deeply personal and touching book about a man who is not only a great performer, but apparently an amazing writer. I recommend this book to everyone I know, be them religious or not. It is a rare find that in such a short book, which is my only complaint really (it is only 227 pages long, which by the end just isn’t long enough) you would be given so much.

5 out of 5

- Anthony Hale

Star Wars: The Old Republic, Release date annouced!

So as any one following this blog knows, we like Star Wars, and Biowares MMORPG that I talked about before, has a release date. As promised its this year, but just barley, December 20, 2011. Announced with about as much pzazz as a Volkswagen beetle to a packed room at Euro gamer of all places, gamers can now release their collective breaths and plan a very Star Warzy Christmas. I know what ill be doing.

Fans will be happy to know Bioware is aware of our desires to play the game and thanks us for our patience. Dr. Muzyka one of the founders of bio ware had this to say “This is an incredible moment for everyone at BioWare and our partners at LucasArts who have dedicated their lives to build this extraordinary game. We appreciate the patience from the millions of fans who have been waiting for the game’s release.”

The presser also details the subscription details for the game, and that Pre-order Early access is still a thing that is happening, just no date for it yet.

The full press release can be found here: http://www.swtor.com/news/news-article/20110924

The Dead Island review podcast

Presenting our first podcast, The Credentials Review, in this episode the hosts discuss the new game Dead Island and its unique take on killing zombies.

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Staind (2011) review

Staind – Staind (self titled 2011)

I have been a huge fan of Staind since I first heard “Mudshovel” when it was released from their second album “Dysfunction”. I had not heard of their first album, “Tormented” yet, as it had been given a very limited release (it's first run was something close to four thousand copies), and very few people at that time had heard it. As soon as the album, “Dysfunction”, was released, I picked it up and began to listen to it all the way through. It contained a hidden track, also known as “excess baggage”, which I stumbled upon the first time I was listening to the album while I was taking a shower. Alone, Aaron Lewis, the lead singer of Staind, plays a haunting acoustic song. I was hooked. Since that day, I have gone out and picked up every new album as soon as I can.

September 13^th, 2011 was only slightly different in only because I didn't rush out and buy the new album. I bought it digitally at around 12:30 am. I quickly scanned through the songs, getting a bit of a feel for each one, then went to bed. The next day, I loaded it onto my Zune, and started listening. I have always been a big fan of listening to a song a couple of times before I make a decision on it, and this was no different.

The initial listen was good, though again, I was mostly doing it for feeling. I was immediately drawn to the track “Something to Remind You”, which really was a more somber and melodious sound more akin to their more recent hits. On my second time through, I found myself listening to the lyrics a bit more, and was then drawn to “Failing” which I felt really brought across some of the deep resonating angst that had made me a huge Aaron Lewis/ Staind fan. And for each consecutive listen, I was liking more and more songs. I have now listened to this album close to 20 times through, and there is only one song that doesn't really jive with me, a rather strange occurrence that has only happened once before, with “This is it” from the album “Illusion of Progress” (2008).

I have traveled over 8 hours to see Staind live, and I have also seen Aaron Lewis on his solo tour. I even got to meet him in the parking lot after the show, where I proceeded to get all fan boy crazy, finding it difficult to put to rational thoughts together. I have never been disappointed in any things Staind, and this album is no different. While it is a more on par with their first two albums, “Tormented” and “Dysfunction”, it is still bears the emotionally charged lyrics that UI personally have come to expect from Staind. This is their first album I have digitally bought, and as I look at my CD cases, I feel that I HAVE to buy it in a physical copy. And that is very telling.

Staind is the self titled 7^th album released by Staind, and had been formally going under the title of “Seventh” (or just Seven depending on which of my information is correct). Staind features Lead vocals and rhythm guitar – Aaron Lewis, Lead guitar – Mike Mushok, Bass and backing vocals – Johnny April, and Drums and percussion – Jon Wysocki (whom has recently left the band)

- Anthony Hale

I am a Space Marine

                The Warhammer 40k universe has been a part of my life for a good long time.  I am a veteran of the table-top games and pen and paper RPGs, and thanks to THQ and Relic, the video games.  Every game has been good, but Space Marine takes the cake.

                The game is a wonderful representation of the universe, one that I had often imagined but now can see for myself.  In this game you take the role of a Space Marine captain, a being who stands 7 to 9 feet tall, is clad in 1-inch think armor and is just as powerful as it sounds.  I have been blown away by the smoothness of the combat and the attention to detail, THQ has clearly paid attention and even something as simple as sprinting down a corridor and coming to a stop feels perfect.

                The game sets the player against an endless Ork hoard, War hungry aliens, who happen to look and act like the fantasy creature they are based on, but true to the Space Marines nature the only way to survive is to destroy these beasts. Equipped with an arsenal of destruction that includes both melee weapons (like a Chain Sword or a thunder hammer), as well as Long-range options (like the Bolter or Las-cannon) that you can use to string attacks together to perform combos. This makes dispatching the Orks a fulfilling experience. But don’t expect to be cowering behind a concrete slab between kills. In-fact to recharge your health reserves you must perform a special stunning attack, leaving your opponent vulnerable to an execution attack, this unleashes an awesome animation that gruesomely displays the power of the Space Marines and refills your health.

                The games multiplayer content is also an entertaining experience. The only down side to the multiplayer is that there isn’t more people playing it. The multiplayer is very well balanced, though not revolutionary in any way.  It’s just simple yet fun and fast. Also, just like in the single player the combat is smooth and feels great.  Like most shooters these days your time online will be spent gaining levels and accumulating new weapons and upgrades.  Again the balance is great as even a lower level player can compete, because if someone kills another player with an epic weapon they can copy the killers load out and reap sweat vengeance.

                I found no major bugs or other errors that hindered the games’ playability and I found nothing negative about the story or the combat.  The art is awesome the graphics are perfectly smooth; this game is easily on par with anything else on the XBOX right now.  The only thing I can complain about is the campaign length; compounded by the fact that I was having so much fun playing it, the game’s campaign was only about 6 hours long and ended in way that didn’t quite fit with the rest of the stories high action and fast pace. The only thing keeping this game from being a 10 is the short campaign.  THQ, Relic, well done and I can’t wait for the next installment.

MaCade Vineyard

9 out of 10. (Credentials well established.)

(Reviewed on Xbox 360)

Warhammer 40k: Space Marine

Deus Ex : a gaming revolution

I picked up Deus Ex: Human Revolution for my Xbox 360, not because of any previous experiences playing a Deus Ex title, which I have never done before, but for my general love for all things Cyberpunk. It was a broad step, because Sixty bucks for a game is a huge investment, and making that decision because of a genre love would be almost crazy.

The game takes place in 2027, and follows the life and adventures of Adam Jensen, and ex cop and current corporate security man. Cybernetic technology is in it's infancy, and Jensen's ex girl friend (or wife?) is a genius who has discovered the secret to helping people avoid the rejection that is common with most “Augments” and is preparing to give a speech to the US government. While preparing to head out, events happen, and the game skips ahead 6 months, were Jensen has been augmented and is returning to the job as Head of Serif's industries security team. From there on, the game follows a twisting and turning series of events with lots of revelations and conspiracies.

Part of what makes the game is the fact that as you level, your character gains access to augments in his cyber tech, and you get to choose just what those are. You can be a computer hacker, a stealth cyber ninja, or a damage taking heavy hitter. You get to choose. And unlike most games that offer these types of options, Deus Ex delivers by giving you multiple ways through most of game, allowing you to utilize which ever style of game play you set up for. Add to it the ability to modify weapons and their capabilities, and the diversity is pretty far reaching.

The game controls are strong for a cover based system of combat. When you snap the button, you cling to the nearest cover. Most cover based games I have played are third person, so it was a nice surprise to find a first person system that could deliver. The only real complaint to the cover system is sometimes the enemies move right up next to you, and without dropping out of cover, you are a sitting target, unable to hit the target while it pumps you full of lead. Weapons also have a bizaare field of effect, with shotguns being all but worthless without a direct shot.

These small things aside, the game is a solid package all around. Great graphics, a compelling story and well rounded characters. The story weaved is an amazing tale that kept me guessing all the way up until the end, and was thoroughly enjoyable. I had such a great time, I actually started a new game the very next day after beating it. Do yourself a favor, and pick this game up.

Nerd Credentials : Lifetime Pass

A New Hope for the Return of the Jedi and the Empire that Strikes Back.

A statement of nerdy passion and excitement along with a plea to the Fan boys.

So as my long winded title of run-on sentence and bad grammar indicates this is an article about Star Wars and how I feel about the current state of affairs in the Star Wars universe.  There are good things coming out over the next several months so if you’re a Star Wars fan, it’s time to get your nerd on and listen up.

First I’ll talk about Star Wars: the Old Republic, the new MMORPG coming out of Bioware Austin. The long awaited follow-up to Knights of the Old Republic 1 and 2 is coming out this holiday season.  Both of the previous games were amazing and received critical acclaim. This new game looks to blow both of them out of the water and into space.  I won’t go into the technical details right now, but suffice it to say we won’t be able to repel gaming of this magnitude (see what I did there?).  

 The game is based 3000 years before the events in the movies, so the game development team can exercise creative freedom while leaving the Star Wars movies untouched.  Naturally, the development team has been very closemouthed about the story details, (and the release date…) but with over 800,000 lines of dialogue, 17 different planets to visit, and 8 different character classes with individual story arcs, this will one of the biggest games of the year.

                In prelude to the release of the game, the complete Star Wars saga comes out on Bluray September 16th.  There has been nothing but controversy over the changes Lucasfilms is adding to the movies, especially regarding Episode IV, V and VI.  Some accuse George Lucas of being just another money-grubbing celebrity, desperate to eke every last penny out of the franchise, but look at the amazing difference between IV, V and VI and I, II, and III.  A New Hope was released in 1977, during a time when science fiction was laughably horrible.  George Lucas had a vision for his movies, he knew what he wanted Coriscant to look like, and he knew there was supposed to be a beak in the Pit of Sarlacc, but he couldn’t do it and make it look the way he wanted.  He made do with what he had, and now that he can do the films justice, he is pulling out all the stops.  I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that George is not the devil.  He has kept Star Wars relatively unchanged as far as the story goes (but Han shot first!) and introduced several new generations to Star Wars.  The changes are mostly aesthetic, adding a lens flare here, redubbing the sound FX there.  I enjoy the additions he made, and regret the things he had to move or change (anyone remember the nipple slip?) but I will be the first in line to purchase the new Blu-ray release.  After all at the end of the day Uncle Owen still shuts the power down, Luke will still end up unconscious in a tauntaun, and Darth Vader will still be Luke’s father.

                I am excited to be a Star Wars fan right now, the stuff coming from the Lucas ranch is going to be fantastic.  We nerds need all the wins we can get.  Sci-fi has gotten its ass beat over the last 10 years, but with the Star Wars Blu-rays and the Star Trek reboot, it has a chance again.  We live in an era where masterful stories and creative work like Firefly gets canceled after 13 episodes but The Bachelor can run for 15 seasons.  We need the heavy hitters from the past.  If Star Trek is willing to make bite the bullet and make big changes to capture the modern audience, then so can Star Wars. 

F3AR

I really enjoyed FEAR. It was probably one of the most tense video games I had played. I never played Fear 2 beyond a demo, but I was familiar with the story. FEAR 3 follows up the originals, with two playable characters. In the solo play through, you are either Point Man or his brother Paxton Fettel, once adversaries now joined through the mutual need to get to the bottom of things. Point Man, who was the protagonist in the first to games, plays just like before, which is to say a typical first person shooter.

Paxton Fettel is a ghost.

The thing I enjoyed most about the first game was the sense of reality, or as much reality that is possible in a game about a little demon/ghost girl. That sense of reality was made frightening by the introduction of supernatural aspects. The game also did a good job of “forcing” you to view these things, throwing these images and events directly into your characters line of sight. Or making it so that the only real way to look is where the event is going to occur. To me, this felt like the game was really out to get me. FEAR 3 strays from that formula. I would be running around, shooting, when suddenly I would here the music that represented the appearance of something creepy. I would start spinning around, looking for it, but the music would end, and I would have seen nothing, or just the tail end of something, which is usually nothing more then a small swirl of blood and ashes.

The sense of reality in the game, or lack there of, continues when you are forced to do such things as...walk through a grocery store, fighting creepy zombie gang bangers, rather then shoot out the glass and leave through the front. I know that this would derail the game, and remove a very tense set piece, but it really screams in my face as a serious lack of common sense. Maybe I am just a wuss, but I was finding myself, many times, simply asking “Why?” When placed in a troubling situation, in most games, the protagonists would find the easiest ways out. Not so in this game.

Of course, I found myself lost sometimes in the story, and not in the best of ways. Perhaps I failed to understand “why” because the story beats were just off to me. I believe Point Man and Fettel were headed to see their “mother” and their new little sibling, but really, who cared after 40 minutes of playing through a level. You get towards the end of a level, and find yourself asking “what am I doing here again”? Perhaps the biggest failing of the game is the fact that you really need two players to make it through the levels to meet the requirements for successfully completing the level. I would rush through a level, fighting and fighting my way through a level, and at the end find out I am over twice as long time wise as recommended for completion.

All of these points aside, I really enjoyed my time with FEAR 3, and felt that it was a game I would some day return to. The game play was strong, the atmosphere was tense (enough) and the story, or what part I paid attention to, was good. The game looked good, and sounded good, and while I missed most of the scary “jump” moments, they still did a good job of creating tension, even if that tension was only made from missing the moments.

Nerd Credentials : upheld

The price of immortality

This is a bit of Fan fiction I made for a game called EVE-Online.  I've never had a good place to put it till now.  So I hope you enjoy this bit of nerdy goodness.  Also EVE is a cool game and I'm super excited about Dust 514 which is not only based in the same IP but played on the same servers affecting the very same universe.  I'll be getting it day 1, even though its on PS3 I actually need that so I have a reason to use my $300 Blu-ray player.

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The Price Of Immortality

Bright lights illuminated the dancers, as they performed for their audience.  The performers wore special suits that reflected the light in a brilliant cascade of color, the lighted floor reacting to their every movement, just as their limbs reacted to the electrical impulses from their brains.  Each performer had mastered this dance just as they had mastered their bodies. The dancers each fulfilled a special role and like a masterful clock moved with the others. “Slide, whirl, leap, Stomp!”  At the end of the truly artful performance, every audience member was on their feet applauding.

As the attendees began making their way out of the theater, the crowd moved rapidly out to the sky-walk and the concert hall's promenade.  The valets worked overtime to make sure each person’s vehicle was there for them promptly.  Kart Ionus walked down the steps of the theater slowly, allowing the much younger Caldari around him a chance to clear out.  On his now aged arm he led a beautiful woman of Gallentine decendance.  He had met her on one of his business ventures in Gallentine space many years ago when he flew as a Capsuleer. Piloting the most advanced space ships in the universe, a life he had left behind for her, a mortal.  But Kart made the trade gladly, and had lived as a normal citizen for over 40 years now.  They had grown old together, raised a family, seen their children grow and raise families of their own.  He was happy with the life he had lived and content to see it finally end.  So long as she was there, he had all he needed.

                They traveled to their home in a secluded part of the countryside.  It was a modest house but it had all of the furnishings needed to live in comfort.  His days as a pod pilot had paid for it all, and his wise investments in some of his former colleges had kept him and his family well situated for all these years.  He opened the door and threw his coat over the rack in the entry.  He then swooped her into his arms and gave her a kiss, although he was now in his late 60’s he was still physically fit and could have kept pace with most people years younger than himself.  The bio enhancements used during his cloning process still held his old body together.  She was not so fortunate and although far from crippled, she was beginning to show her age.

                He sat down at his desk as she stepped into the shower.  He reviewed the news, Capsuleers lobbying for planetary rights, wars brewing, Sleepers, Sansha’s nation.  Every time he read the news he was both glad he had retired and sad about the adventure he was missing.  But she was worth it and he was ready to let his consciousness sleep for a while.  She walked past him in a night gown and caressed hid bald head with her hand. “That can wait till morning,” she kissed him invitingly, “come to bed with me.” He glanced down and closed the data slate.  Then, while standing up he lifted her off of the ground.  His neural boosters augmenting his strength, he carried her into their room.

                As he lay their holding her tightly against himself, sleep coming upon him, a crash sent his implants to high alert and immediately he was fully awake and adrenaline began fueling his body and senses.  He could see perfectly in the dark room as he pulled away from her slowly.  Reaching into the night stand he pulled out his hand gun, military issue.  He was only able to have it because he was a retired Capsuleer; a weapon he had only had to use twice before while living here, but thankfully only ever while he was alone.  The first time had been an old rival trying to remind Kart that he could never hide.  The issue was resolved as his old pod friends had been more than happy to make sure this never happened again.  The second was a man running from the law, who thought that an old man who was all alone would be an easy hostage.  This time he didn’t know why but it didn’t matter; he had lived the most violent lifestyle that existed and in many places you never knew who was in a ship or why it was there - you simply did what had to be done, before it happened to you.

 

                As Kart slipped silently into the hall he could hear movement and voices. “This traitor thinks he can show off that Gallentine whore on our world and get away with it!”

A very distinct smell filled his nostrils as he approached the door.  It was accelerant, then the tiny crackle of a match lighting.  His movements swift and precise he moved to the door and aimed his gun at head height, gripping the handle.

“Man, I hear rumor that this guys a capsule pilot,” one squeaked nervously “they can’t die!”

The first retorted. “They can die; they just have to live with it. Besides…”

                The man never finished his sentence.  Kart burst into the room while they were distracted, his first bullet collapsing the head of the mouthy one, his second, third, and forth crossed the chest of the one who had been afraid, and a third man who had been silent managed to pull the trigger on his automatic before 2 rounds tore open his neck, his gun continuing to fire as he fell to the ground.  The final 2 rounds caught a 4^th man in his shoulder and lung.  He would not die quickly.

 However, Kart had been too slow. The fire had begun and as a single round crashed into his side he could feel the micro-explosive bullet cascading in his body ensuring that he would die.  He did not scream.  He knew pain like this all too well.  He then turned and realized how slow he had been. She was there in the doorway collapsed.  From her pooling blood reflected a terrible swirl of color from the fire that now began to envelope the house.  He roared and though his mouth let the sound escape his soul made the noise, His fear and anger and rage culminating into a bellow as mighty as an angry god.  He moved toward her, pushing every implant to the limit as he crossed the room.  He lifted her lifeless body and scooped her into his arms; he carried her body through the flames that would now take his home.  His tears flowing, he kicked the front door from its hinges and walked out of his shattered home.

A horrible thought crossed his mind as he wept: “They can die; they just have to live with it.” He let out one final scream, which cut short as his implants recognized the inevitable and clicked into action, his every memory and thought sucked into his clone enhancements, then darkness.

                Bright lights filled his eyes as a cascade of color and swirls. The machines moved in perfect harmony connecting and preparing.  Each peace of the machine had its own job and performed this dance perfectly,  “Click, Tick, Whir…POP!”  With that last sound the performance was done and air began to fill his lungs once more. Kart Finished his scream, but his tears continued to flow. The lights reflecting off each tear as it fell to the floor and hit the absorbing mat.  He now found himself in a very familiar place: a clone vat.  The clone which should have been just a relic of his past would now be his future.  A future in which she was gone and he would live forever.  A future which would always hold her memory, to remind him of what it meant to cheat death, and the price exacted for his “immortality”.