Enjoying God of War

I finally cheated--and the result was wonderful.


Two years ago, my family received a Play Station 2 for Christmas. I even bought a game for myself that tied in to my interests in classical warfare--God of War. It's the story of a Greek soldier and his attempt to defeat the God of War, Ares.


The first two days playing the game were awesome. The storyline was engaging, the mini-movie sequences were done really well, and the game-play wasn't too difficult. (I will say God of War definitely deserves its Mature rating--there's blood everywhere.)


If you noticed, I said the first two days were awesome. The third day, I made it to a three-headed hydra. I fought the thing for two days, dying again and again and again. I could not figure out how to beat it. All I received were sore thumbs and lots of stress. I set the game aside and it collected dust ever since--until three days ago.


My boys found the game, said how cool it looked, and asked if they could play. Since my boys are not mature I said no, but their bringing the game to my attention got me interested in giving it another go.


That night, after fighting and being killed over and over again by the hydra, I googled the simple question: How do I defeat the Hydra in God of War? I thought, I can't be the only one who is having these problems.


Google came back with dozens of hits. Until this game, I'd always thought the game guides and walk throughs were for lazy people. I didn't realize these things were a necessity with today's complex games.

Here are the two websites that have helped me the most:


http://mycheats.1up.com/view/faq/2018842/28144/god_of_war/ps2


http://www.gamerhelp.com/ps2/GodofWar/113360.shtml


God of War has been so enjoyable ever since; the new adventures, new movies, and even a sense of accomplishment. 95% of the scenarios I've gotten through by myself, but when I've gotten stuck for fifteen minutes or so, I hop online again to see what I'm doing wrong.


Just because someone tells you how to do something, doesn't mean it's easy to do - but at least its doable.


My thumbs are happy and I'm enjoying myself.


Isn't that the point of a game?

The exciting world of grocery shopping

Today, I thought I'd either write about tar and feathering the AIG executives or review the movie Race to Witch Mountain. But I figured my experience at the market this week would be more entertaining.


(As an aside, I thought tarring and feathering the AIG execs was better than killing them as Senator Grassley had suggested. As for Witch Mountian, it was good fun. I recommend it.)


So I'm grocery shopping when a call goes out over the store's intercom for free samples of Starbucks. As any prudent man would do in these tough economic times, I quickly made my way to the Starbucks counter for my free Caramel Frappacino. Walking back to my cart, I noticed a makeshift stand where two young ladies stood promoting newspaper subscriptions. On the stand was a bowl filled with orange raffle tickets trying to win a store gift card.


I walked up and asked if I could fill out a ticket. One of the ladies said, "Yes, just write your name and phone number."


When I finished writing my name, one of the ladies said, "Your name and shoe size," and giggled.


Now being a man, I'll admit my writing hand shook for a moment. I hadn't been asked that question since I was in college. But being a fine upstanding citizen, I continued on with my area code. The lady leaned forward to see what I'd written and a hint of lavendar filled the air. "I said name and shoe size." Her tone was playful, .


I lifted up my pen, stood up, and looked at her. Her black pants and top fit her curvacious body well. Combined with her clear caramel skin, great smile and sleek, long hair, my heart increased its beat. I know I have a wife and kids, but what man couldn't get a little excited about a fine looking woman teasing him.


"That's quite bold," I said.


"I know." Her eyes sparkled.


The genie's warning from Aladding flashed through my mind, when he'd taken the form of a fighter pilot crash landing, Warning! Danger! Danger!


I quickly finished my phone number and dropped the ticket in the bowl. At which point she gave her official pitch, then I returned to my cart with my caramel frappacino and a spring in my step.


And no, I didn't subscribe.

Pasadena ArtNight, Spring ‘09

Last night my family went to Pasadena's wonderful ArtNight for the fourth time in 3 years. (http://www.artcenter.edu/artnight/) It’s a bi-annual event put on by the city of Pasadena where it is, according to its flyer, “an evening of free arts and & culture.” That’s right free. Free admission to museums such as the Norton Simon, Pasadena Museum of California Art, and Pacific Asia Museum and venues such as the Pasadena Jazz Institute, Pasadena Symphony and Shumei Arts Council. There are even free shuttles provided by the city to take visitors from place to place.

As we learned during our first visit three years ago, it is impossible to see everything in one night – there are 14 destinations – so plan your itinerary ahead of time.

While we have always had a good time, this time was great. In years past, the only destination focused on children was the Pasadena Central Library (plays, crafts, story time and dance performances). This year my boys really enjoyed the Pacific Asia Museum's Samurai Re-imagined exhibit and live performance of The Cricket on the Mound; the Pasadena Museum of California Art's Mars Orbiter and solar powered robots exhibit as well as its graffiti-art covered garage; and the Shumei Arts Council's awesome Taiko drum and Koto concert. Alas, we only made three venues out of the 14, but what an awesome three!

I can’t wait until the next ArtNight, Friday October 9,2009!

(4 second clip of Makoto Taiko)