Okay, so streaming media is certainly nothing new, at least not to me. In some ways I guess you could say it's an old love. Actually, I played around with the idea of an Old Love feature for this blog but it came about after I made the decision to keep things as they were. I guess Old Loves are something I'll save for version 2.0 of this little project. Anyway, even though streaming media is an old love, the variant I'm speaking of is a new one. I'm talking about streaming content provided directly from TV networks. Normally I would love to use this opportunity to trash big media and their ignorance of the Net and it's consumers, but this post is all about Love and that's all I'm gonna reserve it for. ;)
It's hard to tell what I heard about first... but I'm just gonna say it was the FOX deal. I was listening to an episode of The Dawn And Drew Show and heard Dawn extolling the wonders of the FOX On Demand flash player. She was in the same spot that I found myself in recently. She'd missed a few episodes of Gordon Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares and navigated herself to the FOX site and caught up on the season right from the comfort of her browser, for free! I missed this past week's Hell's Kitchen and did the same. It was so easy. As easy as navigating to YouTube and watching a cat play the piano. I didn't have to subscribe to anything and the few commercial interruptions I encountered lasted no longer than 30 seconds as opposed to the four minutes or so I would've had to endure on network TV. It was beautiful.
Unlike FOX's site, I did have to subscribe to Hulu. The subscription process was no more cumbersome than any other subscription on the Net, it was pretty fast and simple. Initially, at least when I heard of Hulu, it was largely an NBC endeavor that resulted from a falling out with Apple and their iTunes Store contract. Now it appears there are several media giants' content you can stream. I even hear you can watch full-length feature films from the site, and like the rest of their content, for free! Pretty snazzy. But I've only taken a shot at streaming NBC's ER. I missed a few episodes this year and I used Hulu to catch up. It was a dream. So easy, so simple. In fact, I even forgot about this past Thursday's episode but didn't fret about it one bit since I knew Hulu would have my back. It's so great to have that safety net. In the past I would've had to torrent the show, and as much as I'm a proponent of torrenting I realize it's not without it's faults. There's always the worry about there not being a torrent out there at all, and if it is maybe the tracker site is down. Even still, if you're lucky enough to get your hands on the torrent you then have to worry about how healthy the seeding cloud is. Downloading your file could take minutes, hours or worse yet, days. It's so unpredictable, the entire process. The great thing about these streaming alternatives is having some degree of certainty.
Lastly there's South Park Studios, which obviously streams episodes of South Park... every episode of South Park! It's pretty awesome. Again, all streaming, all free and no subscriptions. The only down-side is an upload lag for new shows due to a contractual agreement with Comedy Central. :| But I suppose it's understandable. I've actually never used the site to the extent that I've used the others, because of that upload lag... but I hear it's great. I just like the idea that this option is out there, all of these options. It's quite spectacular when you think about it.
Okay, I suppose that's it for me. Appropriately enough I'm gonna jump onto Hulu and catch the lastest episode of ER. :P Now go my fellow gluttons, consume! ;)
DS333, *nom nom nom*.
Showing posts with label . Latest Love. Show all posts
Showing posts with label . Latest Love. Show all posts
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Latest Love <3 "Super Smash Bros. Brawl"
Thursday posts are always a difficult thing to deal with especially if they happen to be features because they take time to be done right. But since it is Thursday, which means Lost is on tonight, the first thing I want to do is get my post out as soon as possible and the last thing I want to do is take time doing that. So maybe I'm copping out on this one... I can't be sure. At least it's timely; very apt. ;)
Obsessions come and go in my world. These loves. Yesterday it was Super Mario Galaxy and today it's Super Smash Bros. Brawl. I'm absolutely in love with the game. I'm consumed. I'm smitten. I'm taken. It's all I can think about during the day. :P I think that's the sign of a truly special game. Funny enough, I didn't really experience that with Super Mario Galaxy. I was consumed with it, but it wasn't in my blood. A game like Picross is an example of something in the blood. At random moments throughout the day I'd spend time conjuring up a mental image of the game and I'd strategize about the most efficient way to complete it. And that's happening again with Super Smash Bros. Brawl. I lay awake at night and the images flutter past beneath my eyelids, my fingers twitch and all I can think about is improving my game.
For the uninitiated, Super Smash Bros. Brawl is a fighting game featuring a roster of memorable characters plucked from Nintendo's vast game library. It's the third game in the Super Smash Bros. series and the first to appear on the Nintendo Wii. The game is a based on a simplistic control scheme that appeals to newcomers and experts alike. I think the strength of the game lies in the control scheme and the gameplay mechanics at large. It can be played on various levels of skill and difficulty. All in all I'd say the game is simple, which I like, though it certainly doesn't lack depth. As I've said, it's something a newcomer could pick up, but the game really shines at offering technically proficient players a deep fighting game experience. The game you see novices play is a totally different game from one played between experts. I love that sort of adaptability. It's at once simple and deep... something I've a soft spot for. ;)
Superficially, the game is spectacular. The game sports some of the most beautiful graphics I've ever seen. It's enough to play a game just to stare at everything that's going on. It's also enough to play those games with your favorite Nintendo characters. I'm a sucker for the nostalgic and I was born and raised as a Nintendo kid so there's no way I couldn't be hooked by window dressing offered up by this title. I'm bowled over by the wealth of characters you can play as. It's a Nintendo fanboy's wet dream. :P
Anyway, I just wanted to throw my love out into the ether. I could go on and on about why I love the sucker but that could get boring fast (if it isn't already ;) ). If anyone's considering buying the Wii, this is one of those must-have titles. The depth I spoke of earlier isn't limited to the gameplay mechanics. There's so much stuff to unlock and dig through. The game's notable for being one of the few Nintendo flagship titles that offers up online play. Being able to play with other Smash Bros. fanatics across the Net is pretty awesome. There's also a variety of minigames and modes to play through. Truly, the list goes on and on. You really get a bang for your buck on this title. So if you'll excuse me it's time I got back to banging... errr... smashing. :P ;)
DS333, obsessed.
Obsessions come and go in my world. These loves. Yesterday it was Super Mario Galaxy and today it's Super Smash Bros. Brawl. I'm absolutely in love with the game. I'm consumed. I'm smitten. I'm taken. It's all I can think about during the day. :P I think that's the sign of a truly special game. Funny enough, I didn't really experience that with Super Mario Galaxy. I was consumed with it, but it wasn't in my blood. A game like Picross is an example of something in the blood. At random moments throughout the day I'd spend time conjuring up a mental image of the game and I'd strategize about the most efficient way to complete it. And that's happening again with Super Smash Bros. Brawl. I lay awake at night and the images flutter past beneath my eyelids, my fingers twitch and all I can think about is improving my game.
For the uninitiated, Super Smash Bros. Brawl is a fighting game featuring a roster of memorable characters plucked from Nintendo's vast game library. It's the third game in the Super Smash Bros. series and the first to appear on the Nintendo Wii. The game is a based on a simplistic control scheme that appeals to newcomers and experts alike. I think the strength of the game lies in the control scheme and the gameplay mechanics at large. It can be played on various levels of skill and difficulty. All in all I'd say the game is simple, which I like, though it certainly doesn't lack depth. As I've said, it's something a newcomer could pick up, but the game really shines at offering technically proficient players a deep fighting game experience. The game you see novices play is a totally different game from one played between experts. I love that sort of adaptability. It's at once simple and deep... something I've a soft spot for. ;)
Superficially, the game is spectacular. The game sports some of the most beautiful graphics I've ever seen. It's enough to play a game just to stare at everything that's going on. It's also enough to play those games with your favorite Nintendo characters. I'm a sucker for the nostalgic and I was born and raised as a Nintendo kid so there's no way I couldn't be hooked by window dressing offered up by this title. I'm bowled over by the wealth of characters you can play as. It's a Nintendo fanboy's wet dream. :P
Anyway, I just wanted to throw my love out into the ether. I could go on and on about why I love the sucker but that could get boring fast (if it isn't already ;) ). If anyone's considering buying the Wii, this is one of those must-have titles. The depth I spoke of earlier isn't limited to the gameplay mechanics. There's so much stuff to unlock and dig through. The game's notable for being one of the few Nintendo flagship titles that offers up online play. Being able to play with other Smash Bros. fanatics across the Net is pretty awesome. There's also a variety of minigames and modes to play through. Truly, the list goes on and on. You really get a bang for your buck on this title. So if you'll excuse me it's time I got back to banging... errr... smashing. :P ;)
DS333, obsessed.
Monday, December 3, 2007
Latest Love <3 "Martinelli's Apple Juice"
Earlier this Summer the family and I went down to Long Beach to attend a pow wow at the campus of the California State University of Long Beach. We had a great time. The entire day was a huge plus, and for me that was in large part due to a little discovery I made that day.
On the way home we made a stop at a 7-11. I forget what city we were in, but we weren't too far outside of Long Beach. Point is, that the place was out of the way; unfamiliar territory. I stopped in to get a drink. And on that day I was on a health kick so I wasn't down for a Slurpee or Frappuccino. So I was browsing through the drinks until I found her. :D My new obsession, my latest love... Martinelli's Apple Juice.
I can't say that I'm an apple juice aficionado. I just don't drink much of the stuff. In fact, I'm just not a huge juice guy in general. So it would be unfair to say that Martinelli's Apple Juice is the best there is, since I haven't had much else. But I'm gonna say it anyway. :P I looove this juice. It's the best. Nothing I can say can compare to experiencing the taste yourself. So do yourself a favor and find some and give it a go.
Though, finding the juice might be a problem. I haven't been able to find it in any local stores. I've even been sure to check random shops when I'm out in the city and I come up empty-handed. I find Martinelli's Sparkling Cider though, which ironically enough I couldn't hate more. :P Fortunately I recently got my hands on a few bottles, the apple juice that is. So it's not impossible to find. Using the link I've provided in this post I've learned more about their product line than I ever dreamed possible. I'm gonna be on the hunt for all those different flavors and sizes. :D
By the way, the 10 oz. Apple Juice was my original sin. Try that out. You won't be disappointed. ;)
DS333, juiced.
On the way home we made a stop at a 7-11. I forget what city we were in, but we weren't too far outside of Long Beach. Point is, that the place was out of the way; unfamiliar territory. I stopped in to get a drink. And on that day I was on a health kick so I wasn't down for a Slurpee or Frappuccino. So I was browsing through the drinks until I found her. :D My new obsession, my latest love... Martinelli's Apple Juice.
I can't say that I'm an apple juice aficionado. I just don't drink much of the stuff. In fact, I'm just not a huge juice guy in general. So it would be unfair to say that Martinelli's Apple Juice is the best there is, since I haven't had much else. But I'm gonna say it anyway. :P I looove this juice. It's the best. Nothing I can say can compare to experiencing the taste yourself. So do yourself a favor and find some and give it a go.
Though, finding the juice might be a problem. I haven't been able to find it in any local stores. I've even been sure to check random shops when I'm out in the city and I come up empty-handed. I find Martinelli's Sparkling Cider though, which ironically enough I couldn't hate more. :P Fortunately I recently got my hands on a few bottles, the apple juice that is. So it's not impossible to find. Using the link I've provided in this post I've learned more about their product line than I ever dreamed possible. I'm gonna be on the hunt for all those different flavors and sizes. :D
By the way, the 10 oz. Apple Juice was my original sin. Try that out. You won't be disappointed. ;)
DS333, juiced.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Latest Love <3 "Maruchan Ramen"
My apologies. This post is coming out really late. Again. This of course is do to another of my latest loves... Super Mario Galaxy. Much of everything but that game has come to a stand-still. :P I expect that'll be the case for the next few days. ;) But on the plus side, I have been looking to pare down these posts and my lack of time has forced me to do so. This will be short and sweet. ;) By the by, I just beat Super Mario Galaxy a few minutes ago. Not bad huh? ;) Well actually I haven't truly beat the game. As any Mario fan will tell you, you haven't gotten to the end until you've collected 120 stars. I've got 50 more to go. :D
So I was at the grocery store the other day and I couldn't help myself when I happened upon the ramen noodles. Now, usually I eat... uhhh... I actually forget the brand, but the product has "Cup" in the title. Anyway, it's nothing special. Just noodles in a cup. But recently, in the past couple of months, my Mom got me hooked on spicy ramen. She has this brand that she likes to eat. The name escapes me again. But it comes in a styrofoam bowl. Now usually I'm not one for spicy anything. In fact, I'm a real pussy when it comes in ingesting spice. The mildest of chili gets my nose running and produces a steady flow of beads of sweat on my nose.
But the spice that came pre-packaged with my Mom's spicy noodles was divine. I can't take the full dosage. But the right mix sends me to heaven. ;) I still suffer the side-effects, but it's well worth it. Anyway, those noodles are hard to come by and quite expensive for a single serving in my humble opinion.
So while I was at the grocery store I was amazed to see a wide variety of flavors within my grasp. From two brands. The Cup one and Maruchan. Neither is the original spicy ramen I fell in love with. But I thought I would gamble and experiment. So... I've never really been fond of the Cup. And Maruchan is a call back to the days of yore. :P Something I used to eat years and years ago and just haven't since for some reason. Anyway I was sold on the big M when I started to get nostalgic, plus I couldn't resist their awesome kawaii-errific logo. So I picked up seven packs of theri chili-flavored ramen (Hey! It was incredibly inexpensive. Don't look at me like that. :P ). OMG! I had some tonight. It was fuckin' awesome. Not the same as the spicy ramen I fell in love with... it was even better. I forgot how damn good that ramen tasted. The prep is longer since it's not instant. But having to breaking out the pots and bowls is well worth it for that taste and texture. :D You should try it. ;)
Maruchan Ramen. And it's tasty too! ;)
DS333, not such a bad post after all. :P
p.s. I would've linked to their official site, but it's in Japanese. :P
So I was at the grocery store the other day and I couldn't help myself when I happened upon the ramen noodles. Now, usually I eat... uhhh... I actually forget the brand, but the product has "Cup" in the title. Anyway, it's nothing special. Just noodles in a cup. But recently, in the past couple of months, my Mom got me hooked on spicy ramen. She has this brand that she likes to eat. The name escapes me again. But it comes in a styrofoam bowl. Now usually I'm not one for spicy anything. In fact, I'm a real pussy when it comes in ingesting spice. The mildest of chili gets my nose running and produces a steady flow of beads of sweat on my nose.
But the spice that came pre-packaged with my Mom's spicy noodles was divine. I can't take the full dosage. But the right mix sends me to heaven. ;) I still suffer the side-effects, but it's well worth it. Anyway, those noodles are hard to come by and quite expensive for a single serving in my humble opinion.
So while I was at the grocery store I was amazed to see a wide variety of flavors within my grasp. From two brands. The Cup one and Maruchan. Neither is the original spicy ramen I fell in love with. But I thought I would gamble and experiment. So... I've never really been fond of the Cup. And Maruchan is a call back to the days of yore. :P Something I used to eat years and years ago and just haven't since for some reason. Anyway I was sold on the big M when I started to get nostalgic, plus I couldn't resist their awesome kawaii-errific logo. So I picked up seven packs of theri chili-flavored ramen (Hey! It was incredibly inexpensive. Don't look at me like that. :P ). OMG! I had some tonight. It was fuckin' awesome. Not the same as the spicy ramen I fell in love with... it was even better. I forgot how damn good that ramen tasted. The prep is longer since it's not instant. But having to breaking out the pots and bowls is well worth it for that taste and texture. :D You should try it. ;)
Maruchan Ramen. And it's tasty too! ;)
DS333, not such a bad post after all. :P
p.s. I would've linked to their official site, but it's in Japanese. :P
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Latest Love <3 "My New iPod Touch"
Yes, you read correctly. I am now the proud owner of a gorgeous 16 GB iPod Touch!!! Thanks to my Brother, Sister, the monkeys, my folks... everyone! It's universal gift. It's a godsend. :P I'm sooo over the Moon right now... so much so that I can't believe I'm blogging right now (I won't be for much longer :P ). Thankfully it came pretty much completely charged right outta the box so it's all ready to go. I just need to configure some stuff in iTunes to really get things going. I recently re-installed Tiger... I did a major wipe so I've a bare bones system right now. First thing I need to do is create some folders and Smart Playlists. It's so crazy that I'll finally be able to include vidcasts! Gee... and now I can rip some DVDs into the touch. There's so much running through my head right now. :P I need to add bookmarks to my beautiful little touch. I gotta get iPhoto up and running again. My Address Book isn't where I'd like it to be. It's... OMG, I'm in geek Nirvana!!! :P :D :D :D
Okay that's enough. I need to get back to Narcissus... that's the name of my new baby, I think it's apt. He's the most gorgeous of my machines. ;) Eeeep!!!
DS333, dying!
Okay that's enough. I need to get back to Narcissus... that's the name of my new baby, I think it's apt. He's the most gorgeous of my machines. ;) Eeeep!!!
DS333, dying!
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Latest Love <3 "Carbonated Candy"
On one of the many stops the family made during our trip to Laughlin late last month we happened upon this sprawling truck stop that harbored a plethora of chemical-infused goodies. It's one of the best things about traveling: discovering the latest candy/snack innovations. I found a doozy this time around. I've fallen head-over-heels in love with the latest and greatest from the wizards and geniuses at the Jones Soda Co.: Jones Soda Co. Carbonated Candy. :D
By themselves they're nothing more than miniature Pop Rocks-lite hard candy tablets, but mixed with your favorite soda they're an entirely new beast. They're these wonderful flavor tabs, inspired by the most popular Jones Soda flavors (my favorite being Cream Soda. Mmmm...). They're a revelation. :P They transform the most mediocre sodas into something divine. ;) I've been using them a lot lately, which might become a problem. For one, I don't wanna become a Coke fiend and secondly, I have a limited supply that I need to conserve. I suppose I could find them around here but I haven't looked around so I'm assuming they're rare. Anyway, I'm enjoying what I got right now. I'm especially enjoying the ritual of mixing the tabs in the soda 'cause I feel part mad scientist and part prescription med junkie. :P It doesn't help that the pop and fizzle of the interaction between the soda and candy creates a powdery residue around the lip of the cup that gives the illusion that I'm lacing my drinks with cocaine. :P It's pretty funny... "and tasty too!". ;)
DS333, in love.
By themselves they're nothing more than miniature Pop Rocks-lite hard candy tablets, but mixed with your favorite soda they're an entirely new beast. They're these wonderful flavor tabs, inspired by the most popular Jones Soda flavors (my favorite being Cream Soda. Mmmm...). They're a revelation. :P They transform the most mediocre sodas into something divine. ;) I've been using them a lot lately, which might become a problem. For one, I don't wanna become a Coke fiend and secondly, I have a limited supply that I need to conserve. I suppose I could find them around here but I haven't looked around so I'm assuming they're rare. Anyway, I'm enjoying what I got right now. I'm especially enjoying the ritual of mixing the tabs in the soda 'cause I feel part mad scientist and part prescription med junkie. :P It doesn't help that the pop and fizzle of the interaction between the soda and candy creates a powdery residue around the lip of the cup that gives the illusion that I'm lacing my drinks with cocaine. :P It's pretty funny... "and tasty too!". ;)
DS333, in love.
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