Fullmetal Alchemist

I picked up this set just before it's release at Anime Weekend Atlanta, and I need to say after going over it completely, this is an amazing boxed set.

While only the first part of the first season. (4 Episodes a Disc for a total of 16 episodes.) The quality of the episodes is dramatically high, with separate 5.1 and regular stereo sound options. Full Japanese and English languages and subtitles, this is a perfect compilation.

It only helps matters that the dub to Fullmetal Alchemist was so very well done. Here's the synopsis on the back:

As children, brothers Edward and Alphonse used the clandestine science of Alchemy to try the unthinkable: resurrect their dead mother. They failed, unleashing an alchemic reaction that ripped their bodies apart.

Four years later, Ed and Al are combing the country for a rumored stone that could amplify their alchemy and bring their bodies back to normal. And it appears they may have found it - in a strangely prosperous desert village.

Contains episodes 1-16.

Spoken Languages: English, Japanese, English subtitles.

If you're a long time fan, or just interested in the series as a whole, this is a must buy. I was lucky enough to get my copy signed by Ed Elric's voice actor, Vic Mignogna, who by the way, is an awesome guy. He was a riot at the FMA Q&A panel Sunday before the closing ceremony, if you're interested, check out his site and search Youtube for some of his work. Set 2 comes out on Nov. 20th, so go reserve yours now.

Sunscreen

Ladies and Gentlemen of the class of '02... wear sunscreen.

If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be IT.

The long term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience.

I will dispense this advice now.

Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth. Never mind. You will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they have faded. But trust me, in 20 years you'll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can't grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked.

You are NOT as fat as you imagine.

Don't worry about the future; or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubblegum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind; the kind that blindside you at 4pm on some idle Tuesday.

Do one thing every day that scares you.

Sing.

Don't be reckless with other people's hearts, don't put up with people who are reckless with yours.

Floss.

Don't waste your time on jealousy; sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind. The race is long, and in the end, it's only with yourself.

Remember compliments you receive, forget the insults; if you succeed in doing this, tell me how.

Keep your old love letters, throw away your old bank statements.

Stretch.

Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life. The most interesting people I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives, some of the most interesting 40 year olds I know still don't.

Get plenty of calcium.

Be kind to your knees, you'll miss them when they're gone.

Maybe you'll marry, maybe you won't, maybe you'll have children, maybe you won't, maybe you'll divorce at 40, maybe you'll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary. Whatever you do, don't congratulate yourself too much or berate yourself, either. Your choices are half chance, so are everybody else's. Enjoy your body, use it every way you can. Don't be afraid of it, or what other people think of it, it's the greatest instrument you'll ever own.

Dance. Even if you have nowhere to do it but in your own living room.

Read the directions, even if you don't follow them.

Do NOT read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly.

Get to know your parents, you never know when they'll be gone for good.

Be nice to your siblings; they are your best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.

Understand that friends come and go, but for the precious few you should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography in lifestyle because the older you get, the more you need the people you knew when you were young.

Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard; live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft.

Travel.

Accept certain inalienable truths, prices will rise, politicians will philander, you too will get old, and when you do you'll fantasize that when you were young prices were reasonable, politicians were noble and children respected their elders.

Respect your elders.

Don't expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund, maybe you'll have a wealthy spouse; but you never know when either one might run out.

Don't mess too much with your hair, or by the time you're 40, it will look 85.

Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it's worth.

But trust me on the sunscreen.

AWOL

Many sorries...

I've been a bit busy over the last three weeks, mostly the combination with a vacation and a lot of changes to how my free time is spent, updates and reports soon!

The Dragon Dies

From the Dragonmount

Sometimes even when you’ve fought your best….
Posted by Wilson on September 16th, 2007 in the Robert Jordan's Blog category

It is with great sadness that I tell you that the Dragon is gone. RJ left us today at 2:45 PM. He fought a valiant fight against this most horrid disease. In the end, he left peacefully and in no pain. In the years he had fought this, he taught me much about living and about facing death. He never waivered in his faith, nor questioned our God’s timing. I could not possibly be more proud of anyone. I am eternally grateful for the time that I had with him on this earth and look forward to our reunion, though as I told him this afternoon, not yet. I love you bubba.

Our beloved Harriet was at his side through the entire fight and to the end. The last words from his mouth were to tell her that he loved her.

Thank each and everyone of you for your prayers and support through this ordeal. He knew you were there. Harriet reminded him today that she was very proud of the many lives he had touched through his work. We’ve all felt the love that you’ve been sending my brother/cousin. Please keep it coming as our Harriet could use the support.

Jason will be posting funeral arrangements.

My sincerest thanks.

Peace and Light be with each of you,

Wilson
Brother/Cousin
4th of 3

To Catalyst: Never, never loose faith. RJ did not. Harriet hasn’t. I haven’t. Going through what we have, our faith is only strengthened. Besides, if God didn’t exist, we would have never had Jim. We did. God does. Remember my Brother/Cousin, my friend, think of him fondly and glorify God’s name.

Editor’s Note:
The entire staff of Dragonmount.com would like to extend its most deepest sympathies to Robert Jordan’s family. He touched all of our lives in some way and we wish him the rest and peace he deserves. We will be posting information in the near future about where you can send condolences. Please check the News Section for these updates.

I need Wii Points... and a Sponge...

September 12, 2007 - Publisher SNK on Wednesday elaborated on recent announcements that it would be supporting the Wii Virtual Console service with classic Neo-Geo games. The company said that it would "release several of [its] greatest Neo-Geo games via the Virtual Console," and unveiled the firt three: Fatal Fury, World Heroes and Art of Fighting. No specific release dates were given.

Neo-Geo Virtual Console games will cost 900 Wii Points, the company said.

More classic Neo-Geo titles will be announced in the months ahead.

Taken from IGN

Yes, Neo-Geo on the Wii. Fatal Fury alone makes my cry tears of joy. I hope to the fighting game GODS Samurai Showdown makes it in. Please oh lords! We need thy ownage!

Neo-Geo is often known as the little known wonder in gaming. The system was out shined by many other consoles and the people who truly know it best were Arcade Lurkers. Neo-Geo is best known as that 'Red Arcade System' that had 4-5 games to chose from and all of them were always awesome to play. Having made games for other systems, it wasn't really common knowledge that the company had a system of it's own to deliver every title they came up with.

Fighting games aside, shooters, puzzle titles, and many other games, some listed below, are classics that I'm hopeful to see on the Wii:

Aero Fighters
Art of Fighting
Blazing Star
Bust-A-Move
Crossed Swords
Double Dragon
Fatal Fury
Gururin
King of Fighters
King of Monsters
Last Blade
Metal Slug
Real Bout
Samurai Showdown

Don't Screw With Us

Can you believe this? Go search the name Kent Hovind on YouTube. Now try to click on any video on the search, you will get this message. Why? Kent Hovind's son has claimed Copyright Privilege on every video featuring his Father. Every single one, whether they are his father's actual works or not. Why? To cover it all up.

Ken was convicted of tax evasion in the sum of 840,00o USD. Great, honest guy huh? Naturally, this 'Born Again Christian' is getting a lot of criticism for being a gigantic hypocrite, not to mention using some really faulty logic to hold up his side of the great creationism debate. To cover up the criticism, his organization, the CSE (Creation Science Evangelism) ministries are using illegal copyright claims to get material pulled off the internet, particularly in YouTube. Below is a bit of a public service announcements, listen, watch, and descide for yourself what you want to do.

My reasons for even finding out about this? VGCats community member ChrisBoe4Ever, fellow moderator, had his video taken off. Here's the SheezyArt link (Adult content). Clicky. Go watch.

I've done my part. :)

Offline

I need to get Nekonet launched, end of story.

Past my personal issues with people who can't manage programmers, let's look at something actually newsworthy.

And now the news in fast, efficient, and therefore awesome bulleted form:

• Mr. T has been confirmed for Celebrity Big Brother, let the Meme's flow forth.
• David Tennant has not been confirmed yet for Dr. Who 2009, however, they have moved the seasons launch date to work for his upcoming theatrical tour.
• The new season of Heroes is hitting the press hard, the trailer shown below explains it all.
• Furries may rejoice, the UK has said they're okay with the creation of Human-Animal hybrids for the purposes of genetic mapping and cloning studies. May we see anthros soon? =3

Peace out ya'll!