Just in case the above reference makes no sense to anyone:
I’ve recently switched Webhosts - I was getting a bit tired of Omnis.com’s shared hosting and it was really starting to slow down for me (not to mention phpmyadmin was down for a bit), and I really felt that I didn’t feel like I was justifying spending 8 bucks a month for my web host. Now, I’ve officially made the switch over to NearlyFreeSpeech.net - it’s speedy, it’s cheap, and best of all - you only pay for the bandwidth you use (I’m sounding a bit like Billy Mays here). I don’t forsee my website being that high-traffic anytime soon, so In order to trim around the edges with regards to my finances, I’m trying to cut back wherever I can - this way, I get out of my website what I put into it, so I’m pretty happy.
In other news, I recently purchased a 16kg kettlebell - I’m really excited by this, as I recently started getting a lot more serious about physical fitness and I thought - hey, a kettlebell would be great to just have at home.
We’ll see how useful it ends up becoming in the coming weeks!
So last weekend I got a chance to check out the movie “Bigger, Stronger, Faster*” about the proliferation of steroid use in America and the debate behind the use of muscle enhancement drugs. It was kind of a perfect storm for me because I’ve recently started going to the gym a lot more, and while I still never, ever plan on using any kind of anabolic steroids, this movie really opens my eyes on the use of steroids. More…
I’m a newcomer to the Gears franchise, noting that I haven’t ever played Gears of War 1 aside from the briefest bouts of coop multiplayer on the first level or the occasional romp on Gridlock, a symmetrical multiplayer map that seems to hold the same esteem as de_dust does to Counter-Strike players. Despite the fact that I “missed the boat” for the first game in the franchise, I’m proud to say that that I just finished the 2nd game on “Hardcore” and I must say, I really enjoyed it!
I started playing Gears 2 in multiplayer as part of my job functions at gamerDNA, where I enjoyed some fun during a gamerDNA community night. Oh how I wish I got into the game sooner, as it really is one of the more engaging experiences I’ve had in a shooter. Everyone’s already aware of the whole “stop and pop” combat mechanic, as well as the “active reload” system, which frankly I think should be in more games, because there is something incredibly satisfying about nailing that reload and having your gun roll out a torrent of bullet justice.
Or, as I describe it, “Working until you gas out”.
I’ve been trying to work a lot harder lately, in a lot of things - from actual “job” work, to working harder in the gym, to working harder on the pavement when I’m going out for a jog. Basically, I’ve dubbed the entire procedure as “Operation Redline” in my head.
Unfortunately, the name also implies an important distinction - I can’t keep up the pace for long. Maybe I can structure it out by refueling on the weekends, but if I want to keep up my physical shape, I’m going to have to start using weekends for more extended conditioning - so I guess that really just leaves Sundays as an all-around rest day.
This past Thanksgiving I took the time and completed John Woo’s Stranglehold, a Midway game from the makers of Psi-Ops, an extremely fun and addictive third person shooter. Like Psi-Ops, Stranglehold takes a few specific gameplay mechanics and exploits them into an experience that’s ultimately satisfying albeit a little bit repetitive. In Psi-Ops, it was throwing objects using psychic powers or using mind control to make someone’s head explode. In Stranglehold, it’s all about using bullet time while sliding up and down railings, firing “precision shots” from hundreds of yards away, and performing cinematic “bullet dodging” that gets old about the third or fourth time you’re forced into doing it.
Aside from the previously mentioned bullet duels, the game as a whole ended up being really fun for me. My favorite part of the game was using a “spin attack” that allowed for a cinematic John Woo moment (doves and all) to play on the screen, it’s really evocative of the John Woo style of action movies, and that - for me, is why I like the game so much.
Sure, it gets awfully repetitive, but for someone like me, who loved Max Payne, and especially loves The Specialists, this game was right up my alley.
This is pretty much a placeholder post, letting everyone know that ImranMalek.com is back up - and with a new design provided by Kevin Leary. Expect some good post fun soon!
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