I probably shouldn't be, but I'm excited for another star wars movie.

But I really like being wrong in this types of situations. All of the reviews were mostly positive... Saying the show was great and that it definitely stands alone (or away from Breaking Bad) on its own merit.

That is the resounding sentiment I have after episode one. This show has the potential to be a GREAT standalone project. They established a great narrative and clear direction moving forward. And that is also why I created a new thread -- because it doesn't need to be discussed within the Breaking Bad universe anymore, in my opinion. Use it or not... Whatever.

What are your thoughts on the show?! Episode 2 tomorrow!

The biggest part of my childhood that I won't get go of cause its addicting as hell, on my N64, GBC, GBA, NDS.

I stopped watching the episodes after the first series when I was like 10, so I don'ht have shit to say about that, and I hardly know any of the pokemons outside of the third gen...

I've been playing Pokemon stadium for the N64 finishing the elite 4(impossible). I am also playing Soul Silver for the first time on my computer's emulator, and then I'll play the other newer ones, about to take the elite 4 for the first time. Gonna post my team later.

Favorite Pokemon:

Some of your favorite games? pokemons? go!

MAJOR FUCKING SPOILERS AHEAD FOR THE FIRST TWO EPISODES

I SAID MAJOR SPOILERS.

AND I'm using a spoiler tag, you have no excuses:

Anyhow, let's get some fucking discussion here! I need some people to talk to!

Saw the first two episodes and can say the show is looking good. I'm liking the story and character, especially Merlin, whom at first didn't think was all that interesting. I think Starz may have another hit on their hands. The next episode is already setup for all sorts of shit to jump off.

As for movies, obviously we have The Amazing Spider-Man and The Dark Knight Rises coming out this summer and The Avengers already dominated at the box office, but next year should be a pretty good year for superhero movies too. Marvel has three scheduled films for 2013. Iron Man 3 is scheduled to be released on May 3rd while Thor 2 is scheduled to hit theaters on November 8th. They also have a sequel for X-Men Origins: Wolverine scheduled to be out on July 26th. We also get the reboot of the Superman film franchise, Man of Steel, in June 2013. Which is the only major film DC has after TDKR this summer, as far as I know. I wonder if they are going to try and make movies for Wonder Woman, Flash, Aquaman, etc. and maybe get the ball rolling on a Justice League movie.

Marvel also has three films on track for 2014. One of them is already announced in Captain America 2, but the other two are secrets. People have speculated on Ant-Man, Black Panther, The Incredible Hulk 2, Dr. Strange, Guardians of the Galaxy and Deadpool as possibilities. It will be interesting to see what they choose to do, I really think they need to introduce Ant-Man in time for Avengers 2 myself, he was an original Avenger afterall.

As for video games, anyone who hasn't tried out Batman Arkham City needs to play it now. The game gives you the ultimate Batman experience swinging from roof to roof, preying on baddies from above as the dark knight. The game is so in depth with its' details. It is really something else.

DC also has a new fighting game coming out called Injustice: Gods Among Us. It looks to be like Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe but more focused on the DC deal.

Any COD folks on XBL?  Playing alone sucks and having a few TGP comrades to play with would be legit.  Feel free to add me...jack0fnotrades (zero in "of").  

1.) Michael Myers (Halloween) Honestly this isnt even close to me. He was easily the best because of his presence. He did not have as much gore but the stalking and foreshadowing was intense. He had it all, the look, the unstoppable nature, the back story, the walk, just the best.

2.) Ghost Face. There was something about the perpetual nature of the mask. It wasnt so much the killers as what the mask represented to me. It was the mystery of it all, this was a whodunnit that could stay interesting even though it did not need a complete cast remake and the star heroine and her nemesis made this awesome. 

3.)  Jason Voorhees. He is pretty much a watered down Michael Myers, but a force to be reckoned with all the same. The backstory was good, but it all went to shit after the 3rd one, although Jason takes Manhattan had some redeeming qualities. 

4.) Jigsaw. An actual flesh and blood human who used his wits to get people to appreciate their lives or exact revenge. IT was creative and brutal but completely plausible given the right circumstances. He could be killed and he was at one point, but he still found a way to test and inspire proteges. 

5.) Candyman. I absolutely loved the premise of the original, I though it was an awesome way to introduce a movie antagonist. It was original and it capitalized on a visceral fear of the 90's kids who did this shit. He was a scary enough guy and the character was written well.

The other 2 are shit in my opinion. Hellraiser was never scary to me and Freddie was just a loser ass pedo who was burned alive, but somehow attacked people while dreaming. 

I wouldnt mind doing more of these like best franchise, best one off horror movies, and so on. Come up with ideas you fucks.

60/647 made the cut with 19 match points in 9 rounds (+3/W, +1/T).

I finished Day 1 52/60, but of the 60 only 15 had more match points. A ton of us ID'd (intentional draw) into Day 2.

Day 2 didn't lead me to top 8--my resistance and Day 1 record required that I go 5-0 in Day 2 to make it. I went 3-2 with some fortunate and unfortunate luck alike.

I hit a rogue deck that was an auto-loss (nearly brought it to a tie, but needed one more turn--ties were losses for me, though). Other loss was the mirror and I dead drew 2/3 games and stomped him the real game we played.

Ended up with a 9-4-1 record (28 match points) and 26th/634. Making top 32 netted me $250 and a booster box (36 packs ~$100 retail).

I know I could have done better in a few situations, but I never thought I would make it to top 32 on my first trip to Day 2. Seems crazy, but very validating. I know I can play with the best and have a winning record in Day 2 against top competition. If I had netted one more win, I'd have made $500. I have room to grow.

Since I work nights and weekends it's impossible to chase a World's invite, but this tournament showed me that with some persistent testing I can play with the best. Hopefully I can convert that into some top 8 appearances in the future.

R1 Malamar/Koko Spread LL 0-1-0
R2 Retaliate Umbreon/Weavile WW 1-1-0
R3 Zap/Roc LWW 2-1-0
R4 Lightning Box WW? 3-1-0
R5 Celesaur WW 4-1-0
R6 Zapdos/Beasts/Rainbow LL 4-2-0
R7 Zap/Roc WW 5-2-0
R8 Lightning Box WW 6-2-0
R9 ID 6-2-1

R10 Zoro/Roc/Weavile WW 7-2-1
R11 Beast Box LL 7-3-1
R12 Zap/Roc LWL 7-4-1
R13 Zap/Roc LWW 8-4-1
R14 Blacephalon WLW 9-4-1 <--- $250 Money match

*I may have gotten some of the W/L's incorrect, but I think I got most of them right

great song by a great artist, not a whole lot more that needs to be said

Luke Bryan--Take My Drunk Ass Home

Sheshna, Kustania

Lieutenant Howard Vasquez, Aerial Drop Shock Troopers (Alpha Team)

18 March 2012

Before the war, Sheshna was a sprawling city full of activity and Kustania culture. Markets lined and crowded the unpaved streets to offer homemade fabrics or foods that ranged from fresh produce to small livestock. The city was also generally clean in terms of pollution as the people found life to be a luxury without car traffic; instead, people used bikes and prevented congestion between market shacks. Although the outskirts of the city were atrocious in terms of living conditions, people found a way to live happily. Hastily made and run-down playgrounds still provided a play space for young children to play soccer or their own versions of cricket in. The people of Sheshna, Kustania received international sympathy for what they lived through every day, but they loved every bit of it.

That all changed when the Kustanian Revolutionary Army charged into Sheshna and pushed the government forces out. The attack came without much warning as the Kustanian Guard assured civilians that they had beaten back the main force, although what they had only encountered were probe attacks. Sporadic firefights consumed women, children, and elders, leaving devastating civilian casualties, and congesting the streets with bodies. Even though the international community regarded the suburbs as run-down neighborhoods prior to the conflict, the battle left thousands homeless as their homes made of weak materials and mud fell in the initial days of the war. The battle was devastating and left in the KRA in the driver’s seat in the Kustanian Civil War.

Staff Sergeant Howard Vasquez sat comfortably on the edge of the helicopter's door as the cool, spring breeze fluttered past his legs. He hung on only by some netting on the interior of the SH-28 as he gazed towards Sheshna. Normally, the lack of electricity in the city would make it impossible to see in the night, but the rampant fires from the previous battle illuminated the city from miles off coast. The pilots chattered in the cockpit. Most likely talking with the fleet, Vasquez thought. Carrying his gaze over to Fire Team Alpha that accompanied him in the helicopter, he shouted over the rotors, “Check your weapons and ammo. We don’t want to be caught in a situation where you can’t fire back.” He repeated this over the radio to the three other fire teams flying in adjacent helicopters.

After three or so more minutes of flight, the trio of helicopters landed on what Hierarchy called “Base Hill,” a large, rocky hill that overlooked the southernmost suburbs of Sheshna. The helicopters lifted off and flew back to the fleet on the same path they took in. On the ground, Vasquez rallied up the three fire teams: Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, and Delta. In a hushed tone, he whispered, “You all know the deal. We are here to kill Kali Amahad. He’s a brutal, manipulative son of a bitch. When you get him in your sights, shoot him. Now we’re too large to move as a single force, so we’re going to split up.” Vasquez retrieved a map of Sheshna. A soldier illuminated the map with a flashlight as Vasquez pointed to certain locations on the map with his laser pointer. “Alpha and Bravo, you will maneuver down the middle of the suburbs in two separate formations; Charlie and Delta will navigate along the left and right flanks. Alpha, you have the pleasure of running with me. We’ll all meet up at the strip club on the Central Strip, where constant UAV recon has confirmed Amahad is still hiding at.”

Plumes of dirt and dust shot up from underneath their boots as the team paced themselves to the intricate hand gestures of Vasquez. Alpha truly did benefit from Vasquez’s presence. A wise, battle-hardened soldier, Vasquez knew his way around a battlefield. His ability to navigate an enemy base while remaining undetected made his skills invaluable. Having performed in operations across the globe as an Aerial Drop Shock Trooper, Hierarchy handpicked him to lead the operation in Sheshna. A silenced AR5R2 with a 4x scope was his weapon of choice, with a silenced SG2 combat shotgun being used as his secondary specifically for this mission. As the other three teams departed, Vasquez rallied Alpha and began a light sprint down the hill and into the tattered neighborhood ahead of them.

---

Sheshna, Kustania

Lieutenant Howard Vasquez, Aerial Drop Shock Troopers (Alpha Team)

18 March 2012

The shuffling of their boots traversed through a sea of rubble and decaying flesh. Only when they had reached an intersection of multiple streets did they pause to rest and reflect over the reality of conflict. The den of deceit - a layover place for the unsatiable desire of men - layed a block away. Kamahad, the denmaster, would soon have his hospitality put to the test before rifles and shotguns. Vasquez led the team into a brutalized coffee shop that was lucky to be standing after the battle. With most of the walls porous with bullet holes and the structure constantly creaking, it was hardly a great place to be resting in. KRA patrols became more frequent as the teams encroached closer to the strip club. Alpha was getting tired of having to stop constantly under Vasquez’s orders, with one soldier remarking, “Staff Sergeant, we could have been there by now. What’s up with our break?”

“There’s another patrol coming. This patrol isn’t something we can really pass in front of without them spotting us and compromising the mission. I’m counting four trucks and at least thirty infantry; they’re moving slowly but it’s too late to move now. We have to wait this one out.” Vasquez had a hint of dismay in his voice. “Parker, radio into the other squads and tell them we will be late. There’s too much at the stake to risk compromising this mission and losing the ability to decapitate the KRA before the war starts.”

“Roger.”

It took a while, but the convoy passed. Alpha survived a few scares when KRA regulars about walked into the shop, only to turn around when they didn’t immediately see anything. The convoy was well down the road when Vasquez ordered the squad to advance into the sprawling, but heavily damaged, International Suite: a very famous, fancy hotel that played host to many foreign executives or politicians. They moved their way up to the second floor and took shelter in a corner suite. Offering a perspective over the intersection and the strip club, the room was an ideal place to set up. Parker moved to the window with his suppressed AR5R2 DMR and set the bipods on the window edge. When the team was set up to defend the room from any KRA incursions, Vasquez called into the other teams.

“Bravo, Charlie, are you in position for sniper coverage over the strip club?”

“Bravo is in position overlooking the northern escape.”

“Ditto for Charlie. We’ve got this western escape covered up.”

“Delta, are you in position?”

“Roger that, Staff Sergeant. Moving to breach the strip club now.”

---

Sheshna, Kustania

Private James Parker, Aerial Drop Shock Troopers (Alpha Team)

18 March 2012

James Parker knelt at the window, looking through the sniper optic on his rifle to examine Delta Team as they stacked up along the exterior wall of the strip club. They moved with quickness and precision after a breaching charge tore through the doors of the club. Gun shots rang over the radio as Delta maneuvered through the building, clearing out every room in order to ensure the squad killed Kamahad. A few minutes later, a voice came over the radio. “No sign of Kamahad, but the rear door is open. He’s likely running.”

“Roger that, out,” Vasquez responded. “Parker, he’s on the run! Check your sectors and shoot anything you see!”

Parker’s alertness shot up at that moment when he saw silhouettes charging down the alley to the right of the building. As they breached the sidewalk, the fire from a burning trashcan illuminated the corner enough to reveal one of the men to be Kali Kamahad. Without hesitation, Parker pressed hard on the trigger and put several bullets through the militant leader’s chest and one through his head. Delta came from the rear and killed off the remnants of the group as they rushed to Kamahad’s dead body.

“Hierarchy, this is Outlaw 1-1. Kamahad is down. I repeat, Kamahad is down. Send in the helis before the entire KRA moves in on us, out.”

“Roger that Outlaw 1-1. Great work today. Falcons are en route to your position now, out.”

“Roger that Hierarchy.” Vasquez called into all teams. “We’re moving back to the extraction point. Great fucking work today, Outlaw. I’ll be sure to let you chumps polish my shoes later as a reward.”

Reasons: I don't know of another vocalist who conveys emotions with such ease, and perhaps I am biased because he releases mostly sad, serious songs, and music for me is mostly therapeutic. That being said, his more upbeat material shows off his vocal abilities, too, because he often has to hit higher notes in those songs. This guy is just phenomenal. He does excellent covers, too--his cover of Train's "I'm About to Come Alive" was the title track to his first album, and he's also well known for his great cover of Elvis's "In the Ghetto." Perhaps my favorite cover is his cover of Glenn Campbell's "Galveston" from his album I'm a Fire. He's currently without a record label after 4 albums on MCA Nashville. I'm hoping he signs with Thirty Tigers and goes the independent route.

I don't think there are any other model makers here, but if there are, feel free to post what you've made.

I am really excited for this season more than any other, solely because I really don't know what's about to happen.

RIP to a true legend.