Hosting TAY's Open Forum 1

Welcome All to the Open Forum.  NOW CALM DOWN.  Nothing's broken.  The AllFather did not get rid of TheUnfathomableTruth (I... think?) and this is not a slap in the face due to a #TUTFail.  Yes, today is Friday and yes, this is Zarnyx hosting Today's Open Forum.  Oh, but some of you already sort of knew this would be happening, didn't you? Curse the day I ever taught people about the ability to follow people around on TAY and that sorta brings me to today's topics and that Header Image of that monkey stalking me...

Hosting TAY's Open Forum 2

Helloooooooo ParTAY People!! WOOoooo!!! What? I'm being too noisy for a Saturday Morning and you're sleeping in still? Well, that's cool.  It's kewwwllll.  I'll tone it down and quit squawking in your ear.  Welcome to the Weekend TAY: Open Forum.  I, Zarnyx, will be your hostess with the mostest.  The mostest what you might ask? That's for me to know and you to eventually know.  So what's everyone doing this morning/afternoon? Are you standing in a line? Am I? Well that was my plan until the Rain Exhibit at the MoMA seemed near impossible to get into to.  Admittedly, I'm a bit bummed but standing in the hot sun for 4-8 hours without guaranteed admission does not seem very appealing to me even if the pay off might be well worth it in the end.  And so, my topic for today...

Shake Shack's SmokeShack and Jelly's Last Donut

I tried.  I really did.  I continue to do so, actually.  After TheUnfathomableTruth's beefylicious review of Five Guys, I went out there and yet again, got another burger.  I've been trying for years to like them after everyone's constant ravings and still, my heart belongs to another and my brain just cannot grasp the Five Guys love.  I'm beginning to think there's something wrong with me.  Or maybe everything that's wrong with me can be summed up in that conversation and scenario I had with H1 the Swan that one day in December two years ago when Five Guys was voted Best Burger in NYC.  It went something like this: I raged on the streets that day.  How was that possible?! I foamed at the mouth.  I scoffed! I rolled my eyes! How? When there's damned Shake Shack in this city?! I eventually calmed down as I am calming myself now to write this Shake Shack review for you, SnackTAYKrew!

Sometimes...

...sometimes, it's the little moments like these that give me pause for quiet reflection.  As simple as this is, there was something amazingly magical about walking around in the dark with my watering can in hand, hearing a tiny 'ping' and another.  Then came the others in rapid succession and the frequency finally forced me to pay attention and had me looking up to the sky and there it was: the stars were falling.  Every time they did, that twinkling sound (the best way for me to describe that glorious sound) happened and just like that, a Meteor Shower was happening in my virtual life.

Journeying with Monkey in and Away from NYC

Born from an egg, and thrust into chaos: it’s the start of a tale that is representative of us all.  Our experiences and our interactions dictate the direction or the sort of life we will lead.  Perhaps we’re born into circumstances that seemingly provide no hope and we are stripped of decisions.  Sometimes, we’re thrown temptations.  Do we falter? Are we so self-absorbed and deluded by our feelings of self-worth and grandeur that damn everything and everyone, we will have what we want?  Do we fall from grace and strive for enlightenment? Or do we fall victims to the darkness of the underworld or the empty promises of a perfect life that’s not ours and created in delusion?  Are we lucky enough to be given that second chance at redemption and at the end of the day, what do we do when we’re cast out on a journey to find ourselves?

Two weekends ago, I journeyed to yet another re-telling of the classic tale in Chen Shi-Zeng's, Damon Albarn’s, and Jamie Helwett’s Monkey: Journey to the West at NYC’s Lincoln Center (herein referred to as “Journey”), and this past weekend, I began my Odyssey with Monkey in Enslaved and his Journey to the West (herein referred to as “Enslaved”).

Sneak Attack!: Getting my Filthy Hand on Those Damned Dirty Apes!

With my thumb on the left analog stick, I find myself creeping like a stealth master along the ground.  At any given moment, I'm poised to push that analog stick up and Spike makes the awkward motion of getting up as any normal person would getting up from the ground.  It's anything less than graceful, honestly.
With my thumb on the right stick and my Time Net already equipped, I move to strike.

The Art of Stealth is lost on me for there's only so much you can do to catch a cool as hell shade-wearing, AK-47 gun-toting monkey.

Gil Toss: The "Rock God" Edition

Silver, spiked-up and gravity defying hair: $275.  Green eyes sparkle mischievously behind non-hipster black frames: $150.  Straps every where and any where on tight, black pants and there are enough of them to rival a Final Fantasy pretty boy's outfit: $500.  A delivery boy button down shirt in the best colour a mosh pit can produce: which is of course blood red: $322.  Black, tall boots with studs, spikes and laces untied: $410.  A tattoo of a soul in despair on his wrist: DIY Colour by Numbers, $0.  Rings designed to inflict pain when a face is punched: $60.  The vocal range of a raspy demon to the highs of an angel: $1000/hour.  Having a 3D figurine of your favourite Rock God to be displayed proudly on your shelf for all your celebrity Rock Star crush needs? Priceless.  Wait, no.  Actually, I think it was $85.

Headphones In: ...Like Clockwork

It's hard for me to get excited these days when albums come out by musicians I'm interested in.  I still do some times but the past few years have led to more disappointments than not.  It may take a while for me to actually let an album sit with me and therefore, I may ultimately like something months after release as songs grow on me.

That said, I might still anticipate a release with some form of giddiness.  There are few bands I may actually run out and buy a physical copy of their album the moment of release.  Then there are the bands I am apprehensive about.  I'll wait to hear a song on the radio.  I'll do my 30 second sampling on Amazon.  And then there's the band I'm about to address: Queens of the Stone Age.

On Ice

I'm sitting here thinking to myself that it's really just terribly bright out there today and whoa, is it muggy.  As I was scrolling through my phone's weather app I could only nod my head that it indeed feels like a Thunderstorm is coming.  I may love a storm but the humidity before hand makes me feel miserable.  In looking through the list of those other cities I've added to my weather app, I see that London's having an awesome 68 degrees and partly sunny kind of day.  It's raining in Tokyo and the temperature's at 68 degrees.  But what's this? Phoenix is at 83 degrees only right now.  And as I look at the 90 degree temperature which it is supposed to hit today for NYC, I am reminded that oh yeah, Summer is here.  Immediately I start wishing for the glorious days of Autumn, and the cold air to follow in Winter.  I get to thinking about snow.  And then I remember that as much as I love the cooler weather of Autumn and Winter in real life, I sure do despise an ice level in my video games.

Your Favourite Worst Nightmare: The "Coveting Thy Neighbour's Ram" Edition

Your home town: the quiet, rural sort of which you were inadvertently made Mayor, invokes feelings of that wonderful, easy-going atmosphere.  There are days when you may go to your favourite spot on the beach to fish.  Sneaking up on bugs requires ninja stealth, and running from bees is all in a day's work.  Life tends to move at a snail's pace, as do you.  You know where to find the fortune cookie every morning and look forward to when Re-Tail opens for business.  You know all of your neighbours' names, and their catch phrases.  Maybe you even have a best friend there in the gutsy neighbour who might call you his Ladybro.  There is however, that one animal in particular who is your favourite, worst nightmare of a neighbour.  I've peered into the soulless eyes of a demon and its name is Pietro.

The Things That Go Bump in the Night

Imagine if you will, you had been running for days on end through jungles in South America.  You've been chased by henchmen with all varieties of weapons at their disposal but you're not one to sleep on what's in your arsenal either.  A micro-9mm, a Wes-44, an AK-47, the dragon sniper rifle... the list goes on.  Jumping from cliff ledges, trying to avoid gunfire, and picking up treasure along the way - the sense of danger is somewhat exciting, the adventure exhilarating and it is all second nature to you.  There's no worry even as you see your life fading into the grey on those occasions you've encountered just too many gun-toting enemies.  Missing a jump means certain doom but that's not too worrisome either.  There's no fear here at all...that is until the zombies awaken.

Flashback: Almost One Week Later...

It has been almost a week since UI 2.0 and I attended the launch event for Animal Crossing: New Leaf at Nintendo World in NYC.  Having now spent a week with the game on and off, I'd like to give my impressions of it, if I may.  It's here you may expect to read lengthy stories about pitfalls, shady dock dealings, Hide and Go Seek, shark fishing jealousy, the music and my dwindling fear of Mutliplayer.  Consider yourself warned and turn back now while you still can.  Otherwise, Welcome to Flashback Friday Fun Times!

The truth of it all is that I have not been logging as much time into New Leaf as many of my fellow TAY'ers.  I am amazed when I may wander into the occasional town and find that hundreds of flowers are in bloom and Public Works Projects for a second and third bridge have been initiated as with ToxicBunnies' town.
There have been tales of endless Shark Fishing at night and stories of bell bank accounts so large that it has been nothing short of staggering to me.

Woo Whoo!

You know what's cool? Having friends in the U.K.  I wish I had more friends in the U.K...  But the ones I have now are pretty great!  They send me things...  At my request sometimes and I have to pay them back because that's only fair but you know, that does not mean they're not friends (frenemies, maybe)! They're friends because they care enough to go out of their way to pick things up for me and shake me down later (or sometimes, engage in an awesome trade of Jammie Dodgers!).  Ah hah! Nah, they know damned well I'd do same for them! It's a bit like how if any one of my TAYers and Niners in the U.K. wanted me to ship some hot commodity Cheddar Bunnies to you guys, I totally would.

I might do it.  Maybe.

Today, I spent a day at home getting over my cold along with my sister who now has one of her own.  Did she get that cold from me? ...I plead the fifth.

Gil Toss: The "Burdened with Glorious Purpose" Edition

As gamers, anime enthusiasts, movie buffs and music lovers - we're in the business of collecting. Our favourite companies have implemented rewards for our obsessive behaviour, haven't they? How many hours have some of us spent trying to platinum a game, grinning when a pesky achievement was unlocked or did some internal bragging after managing to find and collect every single coin a particular stage had to offer after repeatedly dying?

Our in-game collecting has crept into our real lives too - figmas of video game and anime darlings and concert ticket stubs - Why even while walking down the street, some of us are collecting things. That little green light on my 3DS tells me I've found a kindred spirit and fellow collector of virtual people. It's a bit creepy when you think about it. But I suppose it'd be even creepier if I could use them as virtual paper dolls and change their outfits and hairstyles. I'm not secretly wishing that I can do that... honest.

H1 the Swan and I have eaten at Sapporo on countless occasions.  That's not to say we find the ramen particularly inspired, but for a lunch option on days when we just wanted to get out of the office, Sapporo was our go to spot.  Although we've been a lot of times, due to the fact we usually end up there during lunch office hours and it's a madhouse in there during those times, I've never actually reviewed the place with pictures or written text.  Well, now's a good time as any to do so (for you, Habboi!).

After the Animal Crossing Launch Event yesterday at Nintendo World, my friends and I were famished.  Just a couple of blocks away, Sapporo made the most sense for a filling, decent yet cheap option for some food.  UI had not been before either but Em and my Imaginary Friend Fred liked their Miso Ramen quite the bit and were willing to go back for that plus the Special Set.

Making Friends is Easy! The Animal Crossing Launch Event at Nintendo World, NYC

In my mind, the day was going to be perfect.  I pictured that it would be raining when I got to Nintendo World at 7 a.m. and I would be met by a sea of black umbrellas.  Continuing my fantasy, I believed that as I approached the line, I would certainly be humming my favourite tune.  I imagined the line would be short due to the heavy rain we have been having in NYC.  And I thought I would be extremely elated.

This morning I awoke and was met instead by the sun peeking out from the grey clouds.  It had actually been raining when I awoke at 4:30 but by the time I got to the train, I had to wear my sunglasses.
What's even worse, I got to Nintendo World near 8 a.m. which was much later than I had anticipated and instead of short line with a sea of umbrellas, there was a line that had already reached halfway down the block.

Breaking my Moral Code

The Demon Beast lies in wait. At first it's perfectly still in the shadows and then becoming ever so daring, a claw emerges and the sun greets it with burning and a ghastly sizzle. The pain is great but the shame is even more so. Although famished, the beast re-thinks the mad feast it wants to consume. Glistening under the beams, the majestic prey taunts with its pearl white purity. Fancy script and gorgeous designs are daunting morsels that aid in luring the beast in for a closer look...

We've Got Serious Business to Discuss

I used to think Australia held the record for having some of the deadliest animals in the world.  As it turns out, Australia's got nothing on TAY.

This week, you may have noticed that two members comprising the new species of the Just Evil Rogue Koalas Formerly known as Admins who are Cutthroat ExtraordinaireS, posted a Dating Game activity.
In all seriousness, over 400 comments later, it's safe to say we had a lot of fun on Tuesday and will continue to have a laugh for a long time to come over one of our finest moments in TAY history.

...Except after all that, I'm still single.  What was any of that for? WHAT WAS THE POINT?!

I harbour no ill will though.  This just reminds me that I don't need no stinking real world man!
Let's get down to some serious business, TAY.

Everything Sounds Better in 8 Bit

Ask someone to name you just one Chiptune band and Anamanaguchi is more than likely going to be the reply.  I’ve only made my way through the first stage of the Scott Pilgrim vs The World video game and I liked what I heard by the band.  I have the soundtrack to the game sitting on my Ipod but I’ve not listened yet because I have a thing about not listening to a game’s soundtrack before actually playing through the game.  This is due to the fact that video game music spoilers are very much on the same level for me as having a plot spoiled.

Gil Toss: Your Favourite In-Game Purchases

Zenny.  Munny.  Money.  Pearls.  Cash.  Gold.  Gil.  Gald.  Simoleans.  Hearts.  Coins.  Rupees.  Bells.  $.  Money makes the world go round, they say.  Surely that's true in real life and very much so in our virtual lives.  Without it, you could rely on finding your armour in a chest.  Sure, why not? Perhaps you can steal a weapon from a monster? You could do that too.  Well, you should you know because playing the thief is all sorts of fun but only in video games, you morally depraved fiends! Sometimes though, you just have to go out there and make that cash to spend on all sorts of cool things! And how does one do that exactly?

Chopping bushes surely has its charms.

Flashback: The Oxtails

Testing. Testing. 1 - 2 - 3.  Nope, getting feedback from speaker 1. ...Testing.  Yes, all clear. Give me a drum beat.  Perfect.  What is that ringing? Johnny, Mic 2 is offline. ...it’s offline.  I SAID MIC TWO IS OFFLINE! HOW MANY TIMES I GOTTA SAY IT?! Man, roadies.  It’s as if they don’t like to work on a Flashback Friday.  Sheesh.

Drugs.  Babies.  Veterinarian school.  Rock.  Band Dissent.  Murder? This is the story of The Oxtails, a band that started in the suburbs of New York in 2007 and enjoyed World Wide success until some time in 2011.
Piecing together the history of the Oxtails was wrought with mystery until recently when pages from the Diary of the band's lead singer, Zarnyx recently surfaced on Ebay, and were sold for a mere $66.60.

Playing Outside: A Tale of Two Boys

Sundays: usually spent cursing your existence as you think about trudging to work the next day.  It's also the day you might catch up on all the shows on your DVR or what have you.  Basically, Sundays are the equivalent of lazing about, in my mind.  But lazing is not part of the plan when you have rambunctious 6 year old nephews and a 4 year old niece, who insist you take their 8 dart rapid fire action Nerf gun outside for a game of "You're the Bad Guy and You Have to Chase Us".



Very early on, my sister decided that the introduction to video games for her now 6 year old would be put off until he was about 7 years old.  That's not to say she was trying to limit his exposure completely to video games but to things such as FPS games, Resident Evil type zombies and the like, she felt it best to wait until he was older (older than seven, probably).

My brother on the other hand, is the complete opposite.  His son is all about his Super Heroes, blasters, headhunting zombies, fighting games and combat.  He is also 6 and his introduction to those types of games happened about a year or so ago.

Flashback: So Many UFO Catchers, So Little Time...

At the end of May, it will officially be six years since my friend and I visited Japan.  Six years?! Somebody get me a rocking chair, set me up on a porch, and stage some children playing out front.  All this so I can tell the children to get off my lawn, mumble something about Whippersnappers and then shake my fist when in the same breath I tell them...You youngin's have no respect! Why back in my day... And they'll all roll their eyes and mutter, "Here we go! It's Flashback Friday..."