Dadditude Speaks

Dadditude Post-Haircut and Beard Trim

2011-05-06T00:51:00.001-04:00

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Dadditude Post-Haircut and Beard Trim
Shared via Instagram.

This picture was actually taken on 4/25/2011, but after playing around with Instagram's filters, I decided I liked the result enough to share.

What I HATE About Mass Effect 2

2010-02-18T23:32:00.001-05:00

I love the Mass Effect series. I want to make that clear right from the start, because one could easily read the rest of this post and think that I don't. I bought both Mass Effect and Mass Effect 2 the day they came out. In fact, I attended midnight launch events for both of them. I played through Mass Effect seven times, got 1200/1200 gamerscore, and started my first playthrough of Mass Effect 2 by importing my Level 60 Mass Effect character.
With all that said, I have a problem with Mass Effect 2, and I really hope BioWare does something about it, or my 2nd playthrough of Mass Effect 2 (which I am currently in the middle of) just might be my last. Why? Three words: scanning for resources.
Let me explain, for any of you who have not played Mass Effect 2 or who have played, but who have not had a chance yet to "enjoy" the "wonderful" experience that is scanning for resources. In Mass Effect 2, like in Mass Effect, you can scan various planets throughout the galaxy to gather resources. The difference is that while in Mass Effect all you did was select a planet from the galaxy map and hit the Y button to reveal what it was you found on the planet and earn some credits and experience points, in Mass Effect 2 you are put through a planet-scanning minigame that

entails staring at a rotating planet and line graph for up to 30 minutes or more searching for resource deposits into which to fire your probes (which harvest the resources that you then spend on research projects). Even with the sizable amount of extra resources I received at the start of my second playthrough, I have still spent literally hours scanning for resources to research the various upgrades, and I'm still not done yet!
Now, I like that resources are actually used now, and the research mechanic is nice. I also admit that scanning for resources in the first game was far too simplistic, especially considering the research mechanic in Mass Effect 2, but there needs to be some kind of middle ground. if I wanted to spend hour after hour gathering resources, I'd be playing World of Warcraft, Star Wars: Galaxies, Everquest II, or some other MMO. At least then I would have the option of setting up some kind of macro program (even if it was in violation of said MMO's Terms of Service) to eliminate some of the tedium.
Please comment below to let me know what you think. How did you cope with the tedium? Have an idea how BioWare could make it better? Please share!

The Poor Man's Big Mac

2009-05-23T01:45:00.003-04:00

In the mood for a Big Mac from McDonald's, but don't have enough cash? Here's a simple solution:

If you order a double cheeseburger off the dollar menu with no mustard, no ketchup, add shredded lettuce and Big Mac sauce, you get the Big Mac experience minus the sesame seeds and extra slice of bread for just over a buck! (The exact price may vary based on your location and whether or not they charge you for the lettuce.)

And, as an added bonus, if you are diabetic like me, this solution is lower in carbohydrates!

Enjoy!

iPhone Attitude Launched!

2009-04-23T01:43:00.002-04:00

My new site, iPhone Attitude, has officially launched. Head over there now to see pictured of my now not-broken iPhone and read my review of the OtterBox iPhone 3G Defender Case!

My iPhone "Cat"-astrophe

2009-04-03T07:15:00.013-04:00

Ready for your math lesson for today? Well, here goes...

iPhone in open shirt pocket + cat sneaking outside onto the (concrete) back porch + scooping up said kitty to take him back inside =

*Heavy Sigh* Yeah, that's what happened to me yesterday... *Cry* So, my not-quite-three-month-old iPhone is busted. The touchscreen still works, but you can definitely feel the cracks. So much so that I am sure that repeated or rapid movement across the touchscreen surface would lead to cuts and blood, and that's just not good for electronics. There's no way to keep using this thing without getting it repaired/replaced. And of course, damage such as this is not covered by Apple's warranty. I could try taking it to the nearest Apple Store and maybe I'll get lucky and get it replaced for free (stranger things have happened), but most likely, I'm looking at a couple hundred bucks to get my little pal working again.

What is ironic is that this isn't the first time I've dropped the iPhone, nor was it the highest drop it's ever taken... I guess its number was just up. =(

I guess the only good thing about all this is that I have learned two valuable lessons

Once repaired, my iPhone is getting a nice, durable, rugged case. Any suggestions? Feel free to post 'em in the comments. I want to be able to use the phone while it is in the case and not have to take it out to use it.
Once repaired, my iPhone is never going into a shirt pocket again, unless it has some type of flap over the top of said pocket and said flap is firmly fastened once the iPhone goes inside.

If any kind and generous souls out there want to contribute to my iPhone repair fund, feel free to click this little button right here:
Also, if anyone has any personal experience with any of the various iPhone repair services/websites out there that they would like to share, please post them in the comments along with your case recommendations.

So anyway, that's my story, for what it's worth. Learn from my mistakes, friends and neighbors... Protect that phone!

Update (4/3/2009, 10:30pm): So, my wife called our insurance agent today to see if it might be covered under our homeowner's insurance policy. The good news is that it would indeed be covered. The bad news is that there's a $500 deductible, so it doesn't help one bit. I also contacted my credit card company via email to see if my account had any kind of buyer protection plan that might help, but no luck there. They suggested contacting Mastercard directly to see if there was any protection through them. Again, I had my wife call (I just don't like dealing with stuff like this on the phone), but no luck there, either. Trying to decide whether to go to the Apple Store and try to get it replaced for free or just take my chances getting it repaired by a third party.

Update (4/4/2009, 1:40am): After emailing my local Apple User Group Ambassador to see what he thought, I've decided to take his advice and try at the Apple Store. Who knows? Maybe I'll get lucky. There's no way I can pay the $299 replacement fee, though, so if they tell me that's my only option, it'll be back to *groan* Windows Mobile for me until I can save up for a replacement. Cross your fingers for me, folks!

Update (4/4/2009, 11:55pm): Went to the Apple Store this morning and was told (unfortunately, but not surprisingly) that my only option through Apple would be to pay $299 for a replacement. Since that wasn't an option for me, the guy at the Genius Bar did at least give me a lead on someone local who does iPhone repairs, pointing out, of course, that using such third party services would void the warranty and that he couldn't officially recommend it. I visited the local company's site (http://www.ifixipods.org) and sent them an email. After weighing my options, I've decided to give the local guys until tomorrow to get back to me via email, and then if they don't, I'm going to go with Mission:Repair, opting to send it to them myself and then pay $9 for overnight return shipping. I'm really hoping the local guys get back to me, as that would probably get me taken care of the quickest, but if not, Mission:Repair will have to do.

Update (4/8/2009, 4:30am): Found a member of my local Apple User Group who said he'd fix my phone for the cost of the parts, so I ordered what I needed on eBay ($35) Tuesday. I also went ahead and ordered an OtterBox Defender case on Amazon ($37) so I'll have that once my case is fixed. Now it's just a matter of waiting for the parts to arrive. $72 total for fixing my phone and protecting it from future damage is not too shabby.

Update (4/9/2009, 11:30am): My iPhone parts arrived today! Now I just have to try and figure out how to get myself from here to someplace convenient for my iPhone repairman, given that Mommitude has the car and is scheduled to work until 11:00pm. Hopefully, she can come by between shifts so that I can drive her to work and keep the car. That, and hopefully this evening is convenient for the repairman.

Update (4/10/2009, 3:28pm): My OtterBox 3G Defender case arrived today, and it looks and works great. I'll post pictures and a review after I get my iPhone fixed, which looks to be happening tomorrow!

Spore Creature Creator Dance Video - The Dance of the Chubby Little Devils

2008-06-22T07:47:00.001-04:00

My First Spore Creature Creator Dance Video - The First Dance of Early Man

2008-06-21T02:16:00.003-04:00

Locks of Love Xbox 360 Fund - Week 1 Update

2008-06-01T09:25:00.005-04:00

As you may recall, I am trying to raise the money for a new Xbox 360, and have agreed to donate my hair to Locks of Love if I am able to do so. Well, I am pleased to announce that after only one week, I have already received $50 in donations! Thanks to all who have contributed. Keep it up and you'll have me bald in no time at all!

Goals

Xbox 360 Arcade = 10 inches of hair donated

Xbox 360 Premium = hair buzzed, max donation

Xbox 360 Elite = head shaved completely, max donation - plus beard and mustache shaved off

As a reminder, donations are accepted via PayPal, using this handy-dandy little button right here.

Help Me Get a New Xbox 360 and I'll Donate My Hair to Charity!

2008-05-24T22:38:00.009-04:00

Just the other day, I was thinking that I would really like to get a second Xbox 360 so that Mommitude and I can play games over Xbox Live together. My problem? I don't have the money to do this, as I am currently on disability and the money we do have coming in is pretty much spent on groceries, bills, etc., with only a little left over for luxuries like video games.

Then it hit me. I can try to raise the money myself, and help out a charity in the process! I have been growing my hair out for over two years, and it has gotten quite long. Plenty long, in fact, to be able to be donated to Locks of Love, a charity organization dedicated to providing hairpieces to disadvantaged children suffering from long-term medical hair loss due to any diagnosis. Here's what I had in mind...

I will be accepting donations over the next few months (or longer, if necessary) towards the purchase of a new Xbox 360. If I can raise enough money for an Xbox 360 Arcade, I will donate the minimum amount of hair, which is 10 inches. If I can raise enough money for an Xbox 360 Premium, I will get my hair completely buzzed, donating as much hair as possible. And, if I can raise enough money for an Xbox 360 Elite, I will shave my head completely, donating as much hair as possible, and I will also completely shave off my beard and mustache. Photos and video will be posted after the deed is done.

Any money raised above what is required to purchase the Xbox 360 will be donated to charity, with the charity chosen via a poll to be posted here on my blog.

With all that said, here are a few "before" pictures so you can see what I will be giving up in the name of video gaming and charity.

Donations are accepted via PayPal, using this handy-dandy little button right here. I will be posting updates weekly with the donation totals.

Mass Effect on Fox News

2008-01-24T05:04:00.000-05:00

Wow. I finally got a chance to watch the 6-minute video of the Mass Effect roundtable on Fox News, and all I can say is that Fox News should be sued for false advertising over having "News" as part of their name.

Other than Geoff Keighley, the entire panel is completely clueless when it comes to Mass Effect, or even video games in general. I think it is lousy that the one person who actually knew what the heck he was talking about wasn't allowed to address the manner in which Mass Effect was completely misrepresented.

OMG! I WISH Burnout Paradise had a Halo 3-like Saved Film Feature!

2008-01-22T14:35:00.000-05:00

Ok, so here's the scene: I'm playing Burnout Paradise and encounter a Marked Man event. I know my car's WAY too wrecked to possibly survive it, so I head to the nearest Auto Repair Drive Thru. The closest one I know about is halfway across town, as I haven't found them all yet. I head off in that direction and just happen to run across another one on the way, so I pull through and start to turn around to head back to the Marked Man event. At JUST that exact moment, along comes an AI driver in a Nakamura SI-7, and before I even realize he is there, I T-bone him in the middle of the highway and take him out, for my very FIRST Shut-Down! This is why EVERY game needs a saved film feature like Halo 3. I would LOVE to put this experience on YouTube, but it is gone forever - lost to the ether. Oh well... C'est la vie, right?

Edit: Had to correct myself... It's MARKED Man, not Wanted Man.

Say Goodbye to Hershey?

2007-09-27T14:55:00.000-04:00

My sister recently forwarded me the following email:

Subject: SAY GOODBYE HERSHEY

A sad story for those of us who remember growing up with Hershey bars, and just as sad for the generations of today. What will be
outsourced next?

Pennsylvania is a big state, but it amazes me in this day, how some news doesn't make it over the mountain to the front page of our papers or the top Of our news hours in Western Pennsylvania.

Some of you may not know that Vicki's dad makes Hershey's Kisses for a living, so this hits home for us. Milton Hershey, this year, will be joining H. J Heinz in rolling over in his grave. Hershey Chocolate is moving to MEXICO...whoopee! They're even closing down Hershey Canada. Don't buy any more Hershey Bars. Reese's Peanut Butter Cups are my favorite and they are made by Hershey. But, I will not purchase Another one!

M.S. Hershey had a dream... I will buy my OWN Sugar, Milk, Cocoa beans, (all natural mind you!) and make candy... (no tariffs etc..) EVEN during the depression...HE and the Company made money...NOW some Corporate big wigs are ruining the name... AND the product M.S. created... Please pass it on...What a bunch of college educated "idiots".

Thank you M.S. for all the things I have and all you have done for me and my family..."I" do appreciate it... as for "Dick" Lenny and Company...good luck you greedy, money loving IDIOTS...you are ruining the name, the company, and MANY lives in central Pennsylvania.... read on... Enough is Enough!

So Hershey executives are closing plants in the US , laying off over a thousand people, and destroying Mr. Hershey's dream, all to cut labor, material costs and AVOID PAYING ANY US TAXES! The company will save about $170 million a year, all on the backs of the American people. The top executives will still make their mega bucks and the laid off workers will have to find other jobs, some probably at minimum wage due to their age. All this to take their jobs to India, China and Mexico, So
WHAT part of the "GREAT" American Chocolate Bar is left?...NOTHING! These countries are no doubt laughing at the Americans, who they don't like anyway. How long are the American people going to sit around and let big corporations do this to us? We must all band together and let our Politicians in Washington know we have had it with NAFTA, CAFTA and "SHAFTA" and we won't take it any longer!

Please, do not buy any Hershey product! I pulled EVERY dime of my stock, retirement and my HEART out of Hershey... (it does hurt me to say that). If the company wants to take the work to these countries, then let those countries buy the product. We don't need it!

BOYCOTT HERSHEY!!
Please pass this to everyone on your email list so it gets all across the United States.

As is my usual policy when receiving such mail, I went to Snopes.com to look into the validity of the statements made herein, and then I went about writing a reply to her and to all the other folks she forwarded it to, and here is what I said:

Pennsylvania is a big state, but it amazes me in
this day, how some news doesn't make it over the
mountain to the front page of our papers or the top
Of our news hours in Western Pennsylvania.

The reason this “news” doesn’t make it to the front page of our papers or the top of our news hours is that it is a GROSS overstatement. Hershey’s U.S. Operations are not closing down. They are reducing their U.S. workforce by just over 3,000 jobs. Admittedly, it is a tragedy for those 3,000 individuals, but it is NO reason to boycott the company or its products. I challenge you to find ANY major U.S. corporation that doesn’t outsource at least SOME of its work overseas. If you choose to boycott any companies that outsource any part of its operations, then I hope you enjoy growing your own food and refining your own gasoline. Not that you would need gasoline, given that every major auto manufacturer outsources at least a small portion of their operations. The world is no longer a place where everything you buy and use can be 100% American-made. The quicker people accept that and stop blowing up every time news of this nature comes up, the happier they will be.

Now don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying that these people’s getting laid off is a good thing, because it is not. What I am saying, however, is that it is a tragedy on a personal level for them, and not some cause that people need to be rallying behind, trying to ruin a company that is just doing what is necessary to remain competitive in a growing, GLOBAL economy.

Anyway, that’s my two cents’ worth. Take it or leave it, but know this: if you want to boycott all the companies out there that outsource any part of their business, enjoy yourself. But for me, I’m gonna go buy myself a Hershey bar and enjoy it just like I always have. It’s still a US company, and they still make products that I enjoy.

After reading what I wrote, I decided to post it here. So, what do you guys think?

How Good is Bioshock?

2007-09-07T06:16:00.001-04:00

Many people have spent a lot of time over the past couple of weeks talking about how awesome Bioshock is (and it IS awesome), but nothing says more about how great it is than this: My wife does not play first-person shooters. They simply do not appeal to her at all. She got so engrossed in watching me play, however, that she decided to start playing. She has now completed the game once and has started it a second time, harvesting instead of rescuing this time. Now if that's not a testimonial, I don't know what is.

Welcome to my new home on the World Wide Web

2007-09-07T02:47:00.000-04:00

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you all to my new blogging home, here at Dadditude Speaks. I will be linking this blog to my Facebook profile so that my Facebook friends can keep up with my posts (if they are so inclined).