Sports, Sports, and more Sports

I keep asking myself: When did I get so into sports?

I've always liked hockey, but I would only watch team Canada games or the Flames games when I could. I found myself watching the entire play off run and found myself watching games from teams that did not have anything to do with me. I would like to point out that my roommate now owes me money because I bet the Kings would win in 6.

And it's not just hockey. Ever since I was acting assistant producer for the FIFA Live Team, I've begun to be engrossed in the sport. From knowing close to nothing, being told that I struggle with football knowledge when one in my position should have it come naturally in order to keep the 'Authentic' feel when making promotions, I have found that I can name a lot of the players by face now, I know the majority of the clubs names in about 11 leagues; I know the major names, the rising stars, and managers/head coaches. I have learned a lot and find myself wanting to watch more. Always more. There has got to be something there that a psychiatrist could pull out and I could only begin to speculate.

I do ask a lot of questions, for there are things out there that I don't know - and thing that I know I don't know. There are often times I sit there, in a wave of doubt, not knowing what I'm doing and have no clue on the direction I need to go. There are times when people expect me to know things, they take for granted the thought that they think  I know what I'm doing, but the story of my career is that I've been winging it. I actually got direction today, though I think I gave my superior at work a scare.

For the most part, my over clueless-ness has been hidden by a good working team. All the processes were set up already, all the major hurdles crosses, all I had to do was tweak what was there to adapt and not screw up. I'm great with taking something already there and making sure it doesn't break and the seems are patched up when needed, but when I was put into a place, told to rock that position, and expand - I was sailing in an ocean without wind and a crew. How do I take it to the next level? How do I row a boat? How do I form a crew?

I managed to get this far without knowing what to asking with the skin of my teeth thinking I would understand it all soon. Truth is, I still don't understand, but I got direction on how I could begin to understand. This is something no-one has truly told me, as nobody truly understood my problems, namely because I did not know how to distinguish my problems. After a nice chat with my bosses boss, he understood my problem without me completely understanding it. I was almost scared of confronting him about it as I did not want to be moved off again to another project, lose my job, ect. Something everyone fears. With the problems kind of understood, I have at least a plan of attack for the initial phase.

It doesn't help that throughout my career, I've felt kind of used and pushed aside or just plainly ignored. I try finding new places to work and I have never gotten past handing in a resume, no calls, no opportunities, nothing. While I've been working, I've left a trail of promotions. Every person that I have worked with, worked hard with, and excelled with, has gotten a promotion once I stopped working closely with them. Have I been that bad of a worker? No, clearly I have not been or I would not be in a project manager position. This just put further doubts into my mind to where I have almost given up doing anything in the career path I once so passionately loved.

However, back to my direction. I have one. Kind of. I want to do this as best as I can and expand as best as I can. and if nothing comes from this, I'll know it's time to throw in the towel. I have learned a lot, but somehow I have never become indispensable, instead I've been a visa, or a ditto. I can be put into any situation and do okay in it, but not excellent. I want to be excellent, but for so many that have had support and have grown to become excellent - I have not quite had that support. So I am going to take what I got, keep my energy as high as possible and push this last effort as far as I can go. After this project is over, I'll know where I stand; either I am promoted to the next level or I walk out the door.

This has been quite a long post, I did miss yesterday, I was watching Prometheus and it was a good moving if I didn't think about it. There are so many loose strings and small details that can ruin the experience for anyone. So remember - If you try to put logic to Prometheus, You're going to have a bad time.

I often wonder if anyone truly reads these or if they just flash, see the text and leave. This is essentially my journal. I should break up my blogs into all the different areas rather than random spewage. Like a game/movie critique blog, I have my novel blog (which I found that the rain removes any form of inspiration and want to write from me) A journal page for just my daily activities and anything else. It would probably be far more efficient to have all these different thoughts on different pages. But that is work for another day.

A Weekend of Sports

I discovered something new this weekend. Watching sports takes a lot of time off the clock.

There has been a huge lineup of sports this weekend, which is why I've spent most of my says watching them.

First was the Netherlands/Denmark game. this was a game that had me ranting and raving at how badly Holland took their chances at net. Everything I have to say has probably already been said and I cannot fathom what goes through their heads when there are clearly 3-4 choices: 1-make a play into the box and score while the defence is frantic. 2-Regoup, keep posession, and keep the pressure to break down the defence. 3-Make a run for it and take a couple more steps when you know you can make the shot. 4-Take the shot from a space when you don't have full control of the ball/no space to shoot/don't know where the net is.

Apparently they thought that option 4 was the best option 80% of the time. How can a team score a goal if they can't hit the net? You can't. So they ended up losing against Denmark, which doesn't bode well for Holland when they still have to compete against Germany and Portugal.

That brings me to the second game I saw on Saturday - Germany versus Portugal. I knew Germany was going to win the match, but I did not know Portugal would come off so strongly in their first game. Both sides had fantastic chances, Ronaldo made some excellent plays, and amazing saves were made. The two sides looked as though they were draw the game until late in the match when Gomez made a very dominant header. This game was much more entertaining to watch.

When my football was over and the Euro matches finished for the day, I turned to my religion, Hockey. It was game 5 in the New Jersey/Los Angeles series for the Stanley cup final. This Series is starting to worry me. I chose the kings to win in 6, but the last 2 games has shown that New Jersey Cannot be controlled. I found my self wanting the kings to just finish the series so the devils don't grow their confidence even more. I fear that if this goes to game 7, kings will choke and lose.

That was day 1 of my weekend. I had nothing I was able to do once I was done watching the matches. Day 2 would show just as un-productive.

The Day opened up with 2 more Euro matches: Spain versus Italy and Republic of  Ireland versus Croatia. Simply put, I was completely surprised that Italy was able to score. I was going into the match expecting Spain to just dominate and make sure Italy had no response for the Spanish tactics. I was pleasantly surprised to find that Italy still has some potency. The game ended in a 1-1 draw as neither side were able to take all 3 points.

The second match was Ireland versus Croatia and that went pretty much as I expected. I wanted the underdog Ireland to win or at least draw, but I knew Croatia was going to win. There is just something exciting when the underdogs bring down giants. Ireland let an early goal in, but then dominated posession and ended up scoring around the 20th minute-ish. I was happy and thought that Ireland could keep it up. Croatia showed, however, that they were not going to put up with Irish resistance and finished the match 3-1.

Now I am currently watching the whitecaps game. So much sports and so little time. Hopefully it will not be as disappointing as the Holland game but I will not put my hopes up.

Another Day

I was going to write about the other publishers at E3, but I've decided against that. I didn't want to spout criticism and such about our competitors and my work.That would just be unsportsmanlike. Instead, I will write about my fantastically magnificent extremely boring day.

You heard me correctly folks; and now you can get this amazing offer for just 3 easy payments of $39.99. But wait! If you call now, we will remove a single payment and throw in a picture of my nipple FREE!

So to recap, you will get the update of my day AND a picture of my nipple for 2 easy payments of $39.99.

Act now and never worry about what I'm up to again.

I think it's worth it. I would get it myself if I was not already me.

But that aside, my day was very boring. I have some action items I need to do tomorrow - but still uneventful. You know what will be eventful though? The battle of Europe is coming! I love football, and when I say football, I don't mean of the American variety.

The best and brightest of the football world will be competing to become the champions of Europe. Hup Holland! I am a proud supported of Holland (aka The Netherlands) I can trace my ancestry there, my Royal ancestry. Anywho I digress. I hope Holland survives the group of death and Portugal stays down quietly, even better would be for Germany to slip up on their face.

Football is infesting the world, but I will always worship the religion of Hockey first. I was baptised in that sport and will forever believe in it. Speaking of Hockey - Canada faces Germany for gold and the number one spot in the top division in the IIHF. German hockey has improved incredibly throughout the years. I am happy more nations are stepping up into the elite category. This shows that hockey is spreading and programs are improving. I want hockey to be as popular as football, but that will never happen. You need ice and a building to play and practice, all you need is a ball to practice football; so it's not nearly as accessible.

Well, that is about as much as I can post for the night, my brain is mush.

The Big E3

The grand scale event that is E3 is officially over, I've reviewed each of the presentations, and I have come to a conclusion. This year's E3 was a spectacular flop. It was a steaming pile of donkey flop. I have never been so unimpressed with E3 before this year's lack of showing.

I shall start with the Microsoft debacle - it may not have been a bad presentation, but it was not a good one either.

I would like to make my first point - Sports. I'm sure Microsoft has done a lot of analytics and come to the conclusion that a large percentage of Xbox fans are sports fans as well, but that's all the presentation really was; all sports. Sports are all good and dandy if that is all I wanted from the console. I admit the Nike thing was cool, but I don't have enough space in my living-room to ever utilize the thing.

Second point -  they were reiterating what well all already knew. They want to integrate everything Microsoft; the console, the desktop, the tablet, and the phone. I thought E3 was meant for new and exciting news about what upcoming products and games. Reiterating what we already knew then acting as if it is new and forcing some for of enthusiasm ruins the presentation.

Third point - the enthusiasm, there was none. They may have been able to sell everything better if they could just look like they wanted to be there. If they had no energy, at least show professionalism.

This transitions into Sony, Sony was very professional almost too much so. But I do think Sony won E3 hands down. Their presentation was clear, unwavering, and all out better than all other presentations.

First point I want to make with Sony - they gave a new IP. I loved how the first thing they open up with is a brand new IP 'Beyond'. This shows that Sony is still dedicated to making games and not just try and force the idealism of the social environment or the need to be fit on us all. Sometime I want to be alone and eat a bowl of Oreos with a heaping glass of milk. That is how I like to unwind. Not only was it a new IP, it looked like a good IP, something I will be willing to get.

Second point - Sony is bringing more console and handheld integration. This is something Nintendo started then went 'fuck it'. I loved how using my gameboy advanced changed how I interacted with gamecube games and vice versa. With Sony integrating the handheld more, I can see a lot of new ways to interact with games and hope developers utilize this. Though this wasn't the best E3 for Sony, they definately were the best.

From there I want to move into the the Nintendo show.

The first point I want to make is,can Nintendo come up with anything new anymore? All is saw were games that should be out and they presented before, Mario, Mario, more Mario, and Luigi. What the hell Nintendo? Did all your developers walk away because of your Nazi submission process? If Mario is the only major thing you can bring to the table, I think you will be going belly up soon.

Second point for Nintendo - Where is the price point? I want to know how much money the Wii-u will cost me and how much money you are going to lose. Lets face it, gimmicky controls worked for you only because of the price point. If the wii cost $400 like the rest of the consoles, you would have been bankrupt long ago.

Third - Nintendo needs to stop lying to us. They keep pushing about how they are doing things to bring back the hardcore gamer then turn around and come out with Nintendo Land. Seriously, if you want to market to children and grandma, come out and say it. Stop the charade, you don't have a hardcore base, you have the casual base - and they bought the console because it was cheap. If the Wii-u costs anywhere close to $400+ you will most likely lose that base as well; or you better continue developing for the Wii.

Fourth - Nintendo's presentation had no soul and felt like uncertainty ran rampant. The majority of the speakers either had troubles saying their pre-scripted lines or felt completely unconvinced themselves. The life, fun, and lively hood of Nintendo has left them completely. They need confidence if they are to be able to continue to compete in the console market. And for god's sake, improve your online experience. It sucks a pile of nuggets.

Nintendo was the biggest flop of the Exhibition.

I could go into Into the Ubisoft presentation, Valve, or EA(which I would say took second) but I would have most likely a biased position on the matter (Working at EA and all) - So I will tackle that tomorrow.

Remember to keep those teeth healthy and strong, because tooth grinding in disappointment are wearing mine down.

3 days gone

Hi everybody,

it has been three days since I last posted. now I did promise I would update every weekday, but I didn't for a good reason; I was planning and setting up my girlfriends 25th birthday party. It was a surprise event and had to keep it secret and I had to say away from where she could try and talk to me. I told her I was in all day meetings and I could not blow it by going online and writing stuff.

Now you are probably thinking "Well Ian, why not post later that day then?"

It's simply not that easy and it's complicated reason why I did not post anything. The story is far to long and convoluted for me to even begin to transcribe what occurred that fateful day.

(Lame-mans terms: I forgot)

So I write to you now instead. Tomorrow, when I have time, I will write a quick thing about E3 when I finish watching everything. I was too busy watching the LA Kings kick ass and move another game towards winning the Stanley cup; and one step closer to my roommate owing me $10 - $20 if they win on game 6.

I could post some pictures of my day and the party on Friday, but I was too lazy to copy over the pictures; instead I will encourage you to buy this weeks 'Humble Bundle'.

The bundle is worth it alone for 'Psychonauts'. I love that game and it was my friends going though Ai. I suggest you pay more than average as well so you can get 'Bastion' as well. The bundles comes with five games: Bastion, Psychonauts, Amnesia, Limbo, and Superbrothers.

For those of you who don't know the 'Humble Bundle'; A small amount of indie developers put up their games in a bundle and let the users pay whatever amount they want for all the games, even if it is zero. If you pay more than the average, you usually get something extra.


Now be in amazement - I present to you: Banana!

Now this in itself is awesome, but there is an extra bit - some of the money raise goes to charity. The user has the ability to divy up what they pay between charities and the different developers to support them. Go out and get it.You will feel as much regret as the day after a steam summer sale.