Free Ride
My financial aid offers came in Friday, and once again I hit the jackpot. I got two grants from the state totaling just under $8,000. I’m still stunned. I got the same grants last year, too, so I don’t know what I’m doing to get this. I also kind of feel bad, since several of my friends who are in worse financial shape than I am got less. I’m not complaining, but it’s just kind of unfair. Anyway, this takes a huge load off of me any my parents’ shoulders. We don’t have to worry about getting shitty gub’ment loans, which is great.
I also want to let you readers, all six of you, that the podcast is still in the works. My chums are running into money problems so they haven’t been able to get their equipment yet. Shortly, though, we hope to get it up and running.
Now to go north and eat some Memorial Day BBQ.
Red Dead Redonkulous
I’ve spent the majority of this weekend playing Rockstar’s latest outing Red Dead Redemption, and it’s been nothing short of amazing. The interface is pretty much identical to that of GTA4, and so is much of the sandbox style of gameplay, but the setting and mood of Redemption is what sets it apart from it’s cousin.
Immediately, you’re catapulted into the captivating western landscape of New Austin. You’re John Marston, a retired outlaw who has been forced back to his old ways after he is threatened with the death of his family if he doesn’t kill all of his old riding buddies. You ride through the excruciatingly detailed hills, valleys, canyons and plains to complete mission after mission, slowly getting closer to your goal of killing those who were once your friends. But, you can throw all of that by the wayside and take part in all of the side quests, if you like, and spend even more time.
The replayability of this game is already apparent, even though I’m not even close to finishing the main campaign. You can hunt and skin animals for money, since pretty much every animal can be shot. You can save a prostitute from being shanked to death by a drunk old man. You can even pick flowers. Yes, seriously. Picking herbs and flowers for profit. I’m not even scratching the surface, though. There are so many things to do, you’ll be spending way more than the estimated twenty hours to finish the main storyline.
I’ve spent a huge amount of time just riding around, soaking in the sights. The graphics in this game are incredible. No detail was left untouched. From the massive red mesas in northern Mexico to the way the grass moves and the dirt clods fly when riding your horse, this game is absolutely stunning. It’s like being the star in a Clint Eastwood film.
All of this praise aside, there are a few flaws in the game. First off are the horses themselves. I always remember in the westerns that the outlaws always had to get fresh horses in order to outrun the marshal. Just to test the longevity of the horses in Redemption, I’ve stayed on the same horse for as long as possible. I’m pretty sure I’ve probably spent a week in game time on the same horse, riding at full speed constantly, and my horse is still as good as the first time I rode on it. Kind of unrealistic. Also, you can be riding at top speed and run head on into a rock, and nothing would happen. It almost seems like Rockstar forgot that horses are living things. All that happens is that the horse stops, changes direction, and keeps going. Just like many other things in the wild west, running your horse into a rock face should have consequences. If cyborg horses don’t exist now, they sure as hell didn’t exist in 1911.
Overall, the horse issues are nothing when put up against a game so deep and rich in both story and gameplay. I’ll definitely be playing this for many months into the future. Me and my cyborg horse will be friends forever.
Here Comes Summer
Finals ended Friday. The students living in their dorms had to have their asses out by 5 that day. The mass exodus of people out of Denton is complete, and only the off-campus students and normal Dentonites remain. Work will be nicer, with ample parking and few deadlines for departments to freak out about.
UNT got another new president today, and his first order of business was commencement. I can only imagine what his first words were:
“Good afternoon! Welcome to…to…um…GRADUATION! Here at…oh…um…YOUR SPLENDID UNIVERSITY! I will now turn the podium over to uh…ummm…this nice gentleman to give the commencement address.”
He then moves around the stage awkwardly looking for his chair.
I can’t think of a more terrifying thing to do on your first day at work. Speaking to and dealing with people you have worked with for probably no more than two hours. But he seems like a nice guy, so I think he’ll do well in the one year he is slated to serve while we look for a long-term replacement.
Over the summer, I hope to finally get a podcast going with my friends. All we lack are more microphones and some content. I also would like to try writing a little more, since it is something I’d like to end up doing. Oh yeah, and relaxing, too. I’ve really needed more of that.
Derby Days
Stopped by Winstar after spending time at mom and dad’s to bet on the Kentucky Derby. Icebox netted me twenty bucks by coming in second, and after playing the slots for a while, I came out with the same twenty. Not a bad deal for a few hours entertainment.
Finals week is inching ever closer, and I can’t wait to finally have some sort of break. I feel that I probably stretched myself a bit too thin this semester, so I’m going to try and take it a bit easier.
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