A Montage of Entertainment

November 2005 will probably go down in the history of my blog for most posts in one month. Did you know I could consistently post on a daily basis and, while I would feel like I was talking too much, I would find everything I have to say immensely interesting. I'm sure that feels like a waste to most of you. And I'm lazy, so I don't post nearly as often as any self-respecting blogger should. But, in an effort to make amends, and to post all the links I have been meaning to get to for a few months, here are a bunch of things that you will either find interesting, hilarious, disgusting, or a mixture of the three. If you'd like an update about my life instead, skip to the next entry.

Here is a video that takes the core concept from video game Katamari Damacy to illustrate the human cost of AIDS in Africa. It starts out comical and ends sorrowful. Fight AIDS.
Another socially concious video is making big news. The French Democracy is an Arab look at recent riots there using a video game called The Movies. I warn you, the subtitle translation is a bit spotty in most places.
Definitive Nintendo Revolution Speculation is an amazing website that attempts to unearth the secrets of Nintendo's next console by examining both patents and internet hearsay. Very tech oriented and usually difficult to read, but exciting in its well thought out prose on the subject.
Along Nintendo lines, I am hoping you have had the pleasure of seeing a Super Mario speed run, which involves rushing through one of the various Mario games in the time it takes to drive to the grocery store. The original is done in 5:15. The first I ever saw, and still the most impressive is for Super Mario 3. The guy gets to level 8 in 2 minutes and then things get really crazy. I have heard that these speed runs are fake, done with a game genie or some such, but I don't really care. Their level of stupendous amazement goes beyond that.
This family guy sketch is beyond hilarious, but some might find it beyond gross. It involves copious amounts of vomit.
This is a disturbing recording of a kid playing Xbox Live with his headset on while he fights with his mom. It goes from rude to "if my kid did that..." A sad look at a lack of discipline and respect.
And one more I forgot is from the Daily Show, satiring the Xbox 360. Why can't I get that guy's job?

I hope you enjoy these links because I found them all entertaining for one reason or another. I've been listening to Transatlanticism, by Death Cab for Cutie. I bought it for Talya but I get to keep it while she's in Seattle (Yes! She is in Seattle!). I really like it, particularly the title track and the line "the rhythm of my footsteps crossing flatlands to your door have been silenced forevermore."