A Look Into Video Games: Mongoose (Halo)

 The Mongoose is a vehicle in the Halo series which makes its debut in Halo 3. Imagine the Warthog minus the usefulness, and you have the Mongoose.

My Favorite Photos: Zelda Watching Over the House

This is my dog Zelda in her much younger days. Still to this day she'll hurry to the back porch when people go outside and symbolically guard it. Though it is a bit of a shame that the traits from her wolf ancestors (as all dogs descended from wolves at some point) are now diluted to a little barking at nothing on the top of some footsteps. She expects treats for that hard work. 

Fact of the Day: Mickey Mouse's First Words

While he sang, laugh, and whistled first; Mickey Mouse's first words were "hot dogs!". This happened in The Karnival Kid short film in 1929. Walt Disney himself provided the voice.

Random Photos: Cranes, Movies, Cats, and Fish

 This was taken last night, I had a spare dollar and this one bear looked just like Daisy's favorite stuffed animal I ever got her. So I attempted to get it, and snatched him up on the first try. Not bad. I just like being able to get anything in these games as I give the prizes to Daisy. I remember being excited winning my first prize ever in a CiCi's pizza place and it was some random stuffed animal that looked like the 7up spot mascot.

Fact of the Day: Leaves the Nest Late

Unlike most other birds, most species of pigeons never leave the nest when they're babies. They wait until they're young juveniles before venturing out into the real world. 

A Look Into Video Games: Brute Chopper (Halo)

 The Brute Chopper is a Covenant vehicle in the Halo series. Mainly driven by the Brutes in the single player, but I don't remember them that much in the campaign.

My Favorite Photos: Snow Dog

This was taken about 6-8 years ago during a winter snow. We don't get much down here in South Carolina so it's rather rare. Pretty thick that year too. I always take my dog out, and she LOVES playing in the snow.

Fact of the Day: Silver to Ruby

While many remember Dorothy Gale's ruby-red slippers in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, but in the original book her slippers were silver. The color change was done because red looked more vibrant on the big-screen. 

My Favorite Photos: Me in Crib

Oddly my mom never took many photos of me when I was a really young infant. Plenty of photos when I was a toddler, but this the only other newborn photo I could find of myself besides the ones taken at the hospital I was born at in Greenville, SC.  

A Look Into Video Games: Yu Yu Hakusho: Dark Tournament (PS2)

 While Atari had great success with most of the Dragon Ball Z games, they also tried less popular moves with other beloved anime franchises. If Dragon Ball Z was the biggest anime on Toonami, then Yu Yu Hakusho was number two. So Yu Yu Hakusho: Dark Tournament was made in a similar fashion to the Dragon Ball Z: Budokai games.

Fact of the Day: Giant Lizard

The Komodo dragon is the largest species of lizard. 

My Favorite Photos: Hanging Out With Mr. Ice Cream

This was taken by my brother's then-girlfriend Maryanna at the Spring Fling festival in Spartanburg, SC in 2011. She handed me a photo a few months ago, so while it's rather late I did enjoy seeing this. Since I'm the photo master in my family, I never get many photos of myself especially not with my girlfriend Daisy. She liked the mascot, but we didn't get the ice cream. 

A Look Into Video Games: Wraith (Halo)

 The Wraith is a Covenant tank in the Halo series. Basically the alien version of the Scorpion tank. It can sometimes be a danger in single-player, though it's not as dangerous as it might seem.

Fact of the Day: Hydrogen's Sun

The most common element by far in the Sun is hydrogen. Which makes sense given its notable combustion.

Japanese Words of the Day: Parts of the House

 Chimney is 煙突 (Entotsu)

A Look Into Video Games: Banshee (Halo)

 The Banshee is a single-man Covenant aircraft in the Halo games. While they are rarely a tool (but really a threat) in the single player campaigns, they were one of the best vehicles in the original game when it came to multiplayer. Only a scorpion tank or rocket launcher could take one down with ease.

Fact of the Day: Young Queen

Mary I became Queen of Scotland when she was just six days old after the death of her father. She spent her childhood in France while regents ruled until she was capable to lead. 

The Real Reasons Why Mitt Romney Lost

Living in the American South, I overhear a lot of Republicans talking to each other in public and after Mitt Romney lost I've heard so many conspiracy theories or bogus explanations of why Mitt Romney failed to defeat the President. I need to clarify the real reasons that apparently don't exist in their own little bubble they made for themselves.

A Look Into Video Games: Scorpion (Halo)

The Scorpion is the main tank used by human forces in the Halo series. With it's powerful turret blasts, it's by far the ultimate vehicle in the series.

Fact of the Day: 55 in 1974

While common now, there was no national speed limit in America until 1974. The speed limit of 55 mph was introduced to help ease problems caused by the 1973 oil crisis. 

Lincoln (2012 Film) Review

 Even though I watch a lot of movies, I never go to the movie theater often. I also never pay much attention to movie news until films are just about ready to come out. A friend told me that Steven Spielberg was coming out with a film based on President Abraham Lincoln. How can you say "no" to that?

A Look Into Video Games: Meta-Knight

 Meta-Knight is Kirby's rival/ally/enemy in the Kirby series. His role is often mysterious, as he's been everything from a boss to a member of the team.

Fact of the Day: Jupiter is Big

Jupiter is so large you could fit 1,320 Earths inside it. 

Japanese Words for the Day: Emotions and Feelings

 Affection is 愛情 (Aijo)

A Look Into Video Games: Ghost (Halo)

 The ghost is a Covenant vehicle in the Halo series. It's fast speed, and weak firepower makes it a vehicle that can either be used effectively or become abysmal when used improperly. I didn't get many chances to use one in Halo: Combat Evolved.

Fact of the Day: Abe Lincoln's Thanksgiving

Abraham Lincoln set one of the first dates for Thanksgiving in America. In 1863, he made the last Thursday in November the date of the holiday. This was later changed to the third Thursday of November. 

Japanese Words for the Day: Electronics 2

 TV is テレビ (Terebi)

A Look Into Video Games: Zelda's Adventure

After a failed plan to release a CD-drive for the SNES granted Phillips the rights to use Nintendo franchise for their CDi console, the trio of bad Zelda games were born. While Wand of Gamelon and Faces of Evil were bad cartoon-like games that played like Adventure of Link, the final game played like the classic 2D Zeldas. This one was Zelda's Adventure, which once again has you playing as the princess instead of the hero Link.

Fact of the Day: October Thanksgiving

While Americans celebrate Thanksgiving in November our friends in Canada eat turkey one month early. The holiday is celebrated on the 2nd Monday of October. For example, in 2012 it was held on October 8th.  

A Look Into Video Games: Mr. Shine & Mr. Bright

 Mr. Shine and Mr. Bright are a duo boss from the Kirby series. And personally my favorites to be honest.

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2 (2012 Film) Review

At the beginning of 2011, my girlfriend Daisy started reading the Twilight Books, and I promised her I would watch the movies with her as long as she finished each book. I was originally fearing that the movies were going to dreadful (never read the books myself), but they ended up ranging from decent to enjoyable. I don't know if you could consider me a "fan", but I'm not a cynical critic either.

Fact of the Day: From Opera to Martial Arts

Bruce Lee's father Lee Hoi-chuen was also an actor in his professional career. However his main occupation was an opera singer in Hong Kong. 

A Look Into Video Games: Warthog (Halo)

The Warthog is the jeep-like vehicle in the Halo series. Appearing since the very beginning, the Warthog is one of the most iconic vehicles in the series.

Fact of the Day: Great Armada

In the context of the English language, an armada is a great fleet of ships. Which makes sense as the word means "navy" in Spanish and Portuguese.

Japanese Words for the Day: Colors

 Red is 赤 (Aka)

A Look Into Video Games: The Hobbit (2003)

 About a decade ago, some the biggest movies to hit the silver screen were the Lord of the Rings trilogy. While the movies were a success, many fans noted the absence of a film based on The Hobbit, which predates The Lord of the Rings books. Despite no movie at the time (one is currently on the way to being released), Sierra decided to make their own video game for the PS2, Xbox, Gamecube, and PC in 2003.

Fact of the Day: Electric Franklin

American Founding Father Ben Franklin invented the lightning rod in 1749.

Mirror Mirror (2012 Film) Review

 While Snow White is such a classic fairy tale, there have been very little movies or cartoons based on the story in the last few decades that I could name off memory. Ironically 2012 saw two very different Snow White films, the first being the light-hearted Mirror Mirror and the grim Snow White and the Huntsman. During previews I initially favored Mirror Mirror, but due to mix critical reviews I didn't see until many months later.

A Look Into Video Games: Lance (Pokemon)

 Lance is the most prominent (and my favorite) member of the original Elite Four in the pokemon games. As the De facto leader, he's pretty cool.

Fact of the Day: Red Bride

The traditional wedding dress color in Chinese culture is red. However in modern times, the western-style white wedding dress is incredibly popular, and it isn't uncommon for a bride to wear both during different parts of the celebrations.

Things I Hate: Mario Party 5 (Gamecube)

I really liked Mario Party 4, but the fifth game in the series never set right with me. I'm glad it was just a rental.

Japanese Words for the Day: Electronics

 Radio is ラジオ (Rajio). Most of these are based on the English words.

Fact of the Day: Elementary Bees

Despite his legendary detective stories, the fictional character Sherlock Holmes became a bee-keeper in his retirement at the end of the original tales. 

A Look Into Video Games: Sonic Shuffle (Dreamcast)

 In the late 90's, Nintendo had found smashing success with their Mario Party series. Sega being no fool, attempted to make a "Sonic Party" for the new Dreamcast system calling it Sonic Shuffle. Was it better than it's N64 counterpart?

Fact of the Day: Royal Basil

Basil's name is derived from basilikohn, a Greek word meaning "royal" as ancient Greeks considered the herb to be noble and sacred. 

Notice To Red States: You Live in America

After President Barack Obama's re-election, many citizens (especially in the "red states") were outraged by the results. Now there is a movement in 20 states (mainly the southern ones) where folks are signing petitions to secede from the union. Yeah, the same thing the south tried before that ignited the Civil War. Is this act of whining, a movement or a moment?

A Look Into Video Games: Blinx: The Time Sweeper (Xbox)

 When the Xbox launched in 2001, Microsoft was desperate to establish key franchises to stand out from the pack. Nintendo had Mario, Sega had Sonic, Sony had Crash Bandicoot (sorta), and they felt like they needed a mascot for the system as well. While Master Chief eventually became the supreme choice for a mascot, they did try to make a character that all ages could enjoy. This was Blinx, a cat with a knack for vacuum cleaners and time travel.

Fact of the Day: San Francisco Kung Fu

Despite being known as "Hong Kong's favorite son", Bruce Lee was born in San Francisco. This was because his father was working in the U.S. at the time. 

Japanese Words for the Day: Books and More

 Book is 本 (Hon)

A Look Into Video Games: Bruno (Pokemon)

 Bruno is the 2nd member of the Elite Four in the original generation of the Pokemon games. He used primary fighting and earth type pokemon. Kinda of like a much tougher version of Brock. But not too terribly hard to defeat.