Every year as Christmas nears, I am filled with the christmas spirit. I can't help but smile as I pass houses illuminated with christmas lights and covered with a thin veil of snow. The house is elegantly decorated with tacky garland and christmas ornaments I made when I was 9. The old people on my paper route smile and wish me merry christmas instead of yelling at me because their papers were late. Rude shoppers shove me aside as they are in a frenzy to pick up last minute gifts, and I politely apologize. I just can't get angry at this time of year. This is the case every year...
Not this year.
This year as christmas nears, I am filling with subtle bitterness. I can't help but grumble as I pass houses sparsely decorated with dull christmas lights. The the streets are damp and mushy with rain. My house is still elegantly decorated with tacky garland and christmas ornaments I made when I was nine(possibly the one redeeming thing so far). The old people on my paper route complain because their papers are wet, then awkwardly stare at me, waiting for an apology that I don't even owe. Rude shoppers basically tackle me as I wade through them, simply trying to take out the cardboard and get back to work alive. I have very little Christmas spirit left...
Maybe because I'm attaching the wrong type of significance to the holiday?
Bah.
Friday, December 22, 2006
Thursday, December 21, 2006
A Wii Problem With Society
You’ve no doubt heard about the gaming revolution that is sweeping the nation. With Sony and Nintendo both releasing their new systems before the Christmas season, everybody and their dog are in a frenzy to get their hands on these systems. What’s surprising is the level of intellect that these people have. People aren’t thinking twice about spending over a thousand dollars on ebay just to have a PS3 in time for Christmas. People are lining up outside stores for hours in the freezing cold waiting for the next shipments of Nintendo Wiis to arrive. It’s fascinating to see, especially because they will all be in abundant supply in no less than a month. This is just a hint of what the brain capacity is of these customers. The real trick for these people is not accumulating the money to buy the system, nor is it having the endurance to wait outside a store for hours on end. The big problem seems to be with making the system last more than a week after it’s purchase. But of course, any damages caused to the system or its accessories are never the fault of the users.
For those of you who don’t know, the Nintendo Wii is a system that attempts to extend its boundaries far beyond the generic game play of its competitors. The system incorporates the motion of its users into the game via a motion sensor remote. The result is a much more immersive gaming experience. Users will move the remote to simulate actual movements like swinging a bat, punching, aiming a gun, and steering a car. Nintendo’s aim was to prove that game play was in fact much more important than graphics. Because of this, Nintendo made no effort to push for the most life like graphics on the market. Their primary focus was to create a new innovative type of game play that would expand their demographic. They got what they wanted; unfortunately the system started attracting people that lack the basic necessary motor functions to enjoy a system as simple as this.
It’s not a month into the Nintendo Wii’s release and people across the globe are spewing complaints about “malfunctions” that they are experiencing with the systems. No, none of the equipment is faulty. It appears that the intellects of the users are faulty. Nintendo has received well over 50 complaints concerning the Nintendo Wii and the flimsy wrist-straps that accompany the controllers. Apparently, people get so excited while playing the games that they take it a little too far. Several reports of broken televisions, remotes and even black eyes and cut open figures have been circulating on T.V. and the Internet. The complaints have mainly rested with the wrist straps being too flimsy and not an adequate safety feature. The wrist straps have been allegedly breaking, causing the remotes to become projectiles, striking anything within a few feet of the area. People are outraged and are blaming Nintendo for supplying faulty equipment. I have one thing to ask these people. Are you stupid?
Why is it so absurd to assume that it would be necessary to hold on to the remote in order to prevent it from flying. Is it Nintendo’s fault that people are stupid enough to let go of the remote in mid swing? The strap was meant to be a backup safety feature, just in case once in a while the remote were to accidentally slip from the person’s hand. But the amount of reports coming in about broken T.V. sets, walls and windows just goes to show that most people are not capable of performing simple tasks like holding a remote, and choose to blame others for their incompetence. A simple test run of the remote with a bunch of incompetent monkeys would have shown that even the simplest of minds are able to comprehend the importance of holding on to the remote. Sadly, there are a few people who lack even this mental capacity. What’s even worse, Nintendo had no way of anticipating the sheer stupidity of their consumers. Now Nintendo is pouring hundreds of thousands of dollars into an exchange program, where unsatisfied users can write in and request stronger wrist straps.
It seems that with each passing year, consumers are getting dumber and dumber. I recall a couple of years ago that a man tried to sue McDonalds because he was getting a little overweight. Because it was McDonalds’ fault right? Sadly, businesses and suppliers have to go so far as to spell out every ridiculously obvious detail, making sure that there is no way they can possibly be misunderstood. Our society is being baby fed absolutely everything nowadays and we are slowly becoming dumber. Signs need to be posted everywhere to ensure our safety. And the companies are at the mercy of their consumers. What the consumer wants, the consumer gets. It becomes a vicious cycle and won’t stop until the human race is a bumbling, drooling, incompetent race of idiots. The problems with Nintendo Wii are just the beginning. Demands will get worse, and companies will listen. A single phrase will be the cause of our demise: The Customer is Always Right.
For those of you who don’t know, the Nintendo Wii is a system that attempts to extend its boundaries far beyond the generic game play of its competitors. The system incorporates the motion of its users into the game via a motion sensor remote. The result is a much more immersive gaming experience. Users will move the remote to simulate actual movements like swinging a bat, punching, aiming a gun, and steering a car. Nintendo’s aim was to prove that game play was in fact much more important than graphics. Because of this, Nintendo made no effort to push for the most life like graphics on the market. Their primary focus was to create a new innovative type of game play that would expand their demographic. They got what they wanted; unfortunately the system started attracting people that lack the basic necessary motor functions to enjoy a system as simple as this.
It’s not a month into the Nintendo Wii’s release and people across the globe are spewing complaints about “malfunctions” that they are experiencing with the systems. No, none of the equipment is faulty. It appears that the intellects of the users are faulty. Nintendo has received well over 50 complaints concerning the Nintendo Wii and the flimsy wrist-straps that accompany the controllers. Apparently, people get so excited while playing the games that they take it a little too far. Several reports of broken televisions, remotes and even black eyes and cut open figures have been circulating on T.V. and the Internet. The complaints have mainly rested with the wrist straps being too flimsy and not an adequate safety feature. The wrist straps have been allegedly breaking, causing the remotes to become projectiles, striking anything within a few feet of the area. People are outraged and are blaming Nintendo for supplying faulty equipment. I have one thing to ask these people. Are you stupid?
Why is it so absurd to assume that it would be necessary to hold on to the remote in order to prevent it from flying. Is it Nintendo’s fault that people are stupid enough to let go of the remote in mid swing? The strap was meant to be a backup safety feature, just in case once in a while the remote were to accidentally slip from the person’s hand. But the amount of reports coming in about broken T.V. sets, walls and windows just goes to show that most people are not capable of performing simple tasks like holding a remote, and choose to blame others for their incompetence. A simple test run of the remote with a bunch of incompetent monkeys would have shown that even the simplest of minds are able to comprehend the importance of holding on to the remote. Sadly, there are a few people who lack even this mental capacity. What’s even worse, Nintendo had no way of anticipating the sheer stupidity of their consumers. Now Nintendo is pouring hundreds of thousands of dollars into an exchange program, where unsatisfied users can write in and request stronger wrist straps.
It seems that with each passing year, consumers are getting dumber and dumber. I recall a couple of years ago that a man tried to sue McDonalds because he was getting a little overweight. Because it was McDonalds’ fault right? Sadly, businesses and suppliers have to go so far as to spell out every ridiculously obvious detail, making sure that there is no way they can possibly be misunderstood. Our society is being baby fed absolutely everything nowadays and we are slowly becoming dumber. Signs need to be posted everywhere to ensure our safety. And the companies are at the mercy of their consumers. What the consumer wants, the consumer gets. It becomes a vicious cycle and won’t stop until the human race is a bumbling, drooling, incompetent race of idiots. The problems with Nintendo Wii are just the beginning. Demands will get worse, and companies will listen. A single phrase will be the cause of our demise: The Customer is Always Right.
Just How Dangerous Is Dangerous Dans?
There is no better way to prove what a gluttonous city we live in than to have a Diner whose 24-ounce burger is the top seller.
Dangerous Dan’s Diner, located at Queen St. East and Broadview, is the famously infamous lowbrow restaurant whose shoddy service and grungy atmosphere only add to the charm, and keeps regulars coming back. Dangerous Dan’s Diner has been featured in many articles and criticized by anyone whose health comes before their appetite. The minute you walk in the door, you can literally feel the grease accumulate on your forehead. Instead of normal chairs, they boast several car seats, which seem like they were ripped right out of the cars from their parking lot.
So why all the publicity? Simple. Their Quadruple C Burger (also known as the Colossal Colon Clogger Combo) has enough meat in it to feed a small country…twice. The meat patty alone is the equivalent of six quarter-pounders from McDonalds. If that’s not enough to satisfy your carnivorous appetite, it is topped with a quarter pound of bacon and a quarter pound of cheese. And just for kicks, they decided to throw on two fried eggs. You might as well eat a small farm if you’re going to indulge in a hamburger such as this! The burger of course comes with all the toppings, a large milkshake and a poutine to top it all off. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, you’ll go for the Royale combo, which adds a fried mars bar with whipped cream and icing for dessert.
There’s no question that the burger is much more of a novelty than for enjoyment. After finishing, I felt like I had swallowed a time bomb and I was just waiting to explode. The meat was simply too much and over powered all of the other flavours the burger had to offer.
Don’t let my description of the restaurant discourage you though. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience at Dangerous Dan’s. Without the car seats, sarcastic waiters and excess amounts of paraphernalia plastered the walls, you just wouldn’t be experiencing Dangerous Dan’s Diner to it’s fullest extent.
For anyone whose eyes are bigger than their stomach, Dangerous Dan’s Colossal Colon Clogger Combo is just waiting for a new victim!
Dangerous Dan’s Diner, located at Queen St. East and Broadview, is the famously infamous lowbrow restaurant whose shoddy service and grungy atmosphere only add to the charm, and keeps regulars coming back. Dangerous Dan’s Diner has been featured in many articles and criticized by anyone whose health comes before their appetite. The minute you walk in the door, you can literally feel the grease accumulate on your forehead. Instead of normal chairs, they boast several car seats, which seem like they were ripped right out of the cars from their parking lot.
So why all the publicity? Simple. Their Quadruple C Burger (also known as the Colossal Colon Clogger Combo) has enough meat in it to feed a small country…twice. The meat patty alone is the equivalent of six quarter-pounders from McDonalds. If that’s not enough to satisfy your carnivorous appetite, it is topped with a quarter pound of bacon and a quarter pound of cheese. And just for kicks, they decided to throw on two fried eggs. You might as well eat a small farm if you’re going to indulge in a hamburger such as this! The burger of course comes with all the toppings, a large milkshake and a poutine to top it all off. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, you’ll go for the Royale combo, which adds a fried mars bar with whipped cream and icing for dessert.
There’s no question that the burger is much more of a novelty than for enjoyment. After finishing, I felt like I had swallowed a time bomb and I was just waiting to explode. The meat was simply too much and over powered all of the other flavours the burger had to offer.
Don’t let my description of the restaurant discourage you though. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience at Dangerous Dan’s. Without the car seats, sarcastic waiters and excess amounts of paraphernalia plastered the walls, you just wouldn’t be experiencing Dangerous Dan’s Diner to it’s fullest extent.
For anyone whose eyes are bigger than their stomach, Dangerous Dan’s Colossal Colon Clogger Combo is just waiting for a new victim!
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Revamped much?
So I decided to revamp my web page because I was getting bored of the...how you say...blackness of the older one? But some problems arose, and I'm much to lazy to deal with them. So for the time being, the comments will be all screwed up...Yeah I'm pretty much just talking to you Fiona. Anywhoo, I haven't been blogging much lately what with things and stuff, but I'll have a lot of free time during the break so expect tons of useless posts then. Now I must go write an essay that has been deleted twice already...maybe I'll learn to back up my work someday.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
