Edward's October 2015 Mix

October 1 hit bringing along with it true autumn. I’ve been steady with my bike/core exercise routine and my dream of having six pack abs is coming to fruition. I had to get my license renewed and the woman asked me, “Are you still 165 pounds?” I had to smile and slightly tilt my head, “No, actually I’m now at 150 pounds.” I walked out of the license branch feeling really good about that. Skinny, I know, but more like Brandon Lee in the movie, The Crow. I love it!  Oh, stop the presses! I've been doing this for more than two years and this has never happened until now. Duplicated numbers! Blogger is being dickish at best. I mean, come 'on! Train Simulator is listed as number 1, and then Card Hunter right after it is also listed as number 1? Give me a freaking break. Okay, I'm not some polished 12 million dollars a year knob like Biscuit, whatever his name is, but sheesh, My numbering is all messed up and it's embarrassing; there is no excuse. Google needs to do better than this. It makes me ask myself is it even worth publishing something so embarrassing.

1. Train Simulator 2015 on PC: Steam recently released a new version of this, entitled, (naturally) Train Simulator 2016. Many reviews are decrying it a travesty since the updated game is nothing more than an updated intro and maybe some very slight graphical tweaks. I’m not complaining since the update was free for all owners of TS2015. On the horizon looms an all new version of this game based on the Unreal engine. From what I’ve been told it’s a separate game which will not work with any of the DLCs I’ve purchased over the years. That’s too bad because I have a heck of a lot of DLCs to still play through with my current iteration. I’m strangely addicted to this game, which, trying to describe to someone else simply seems like a bore simulator. In practical application it’s quite another story, a true parcel of Zen.

1. Card Hunter on PC: As I’ve mentioned before, this game was awarded PC Gamer Magazine’s “Most Original Game of the Year 2013.” This streamlined version of the old style D&D games you used to play with friends who used graph paper and multi sided dice is probably one of the most charming PC games I’ve ever played. I have my three characters up to level 11 now, and they are holding their own in most battles. There are a few modules I’ve won, however, through dumb luck. “The luck of the draw” has more to do with this game than meets the eye, which ultimately means you will eventually beat a certain module if you play it enough times. I have yet to play multiplayer, but I’ve heard it’s where this game really shines.  

3. The Neverending Story on Blu-Ray: Directed by Wolfgang Peterson, this movie was a big to-do in 1984 when blue screen technology was inchoate. As of 1984 it was the most expensive movie made outside of the US or USSR. I’ve always been a fan of Peterson’s work, especially Das Boot. I remember taking a date to see this in San Diego in the Navy, and struggling to hold back tears because I wanted to impress her with my manliness. After having just watched it almost 30 years later, the film still resonated with a beautiful sadness that gives way to gratifying joy at the end. Atrayu’s fight with Gmork was a bit lackluster, I mean, this was to be the film’s boss battle, Gmork lunges and immediately lands on Atreyu’s knife. The End.  

4. Big Fish on DVD: I’ve never been a huge Uncle Tim fan, he is Tim BURTON after all, heh, but I have enjoyed a few of his films over the years, namely, Beetlejuice, and Edward Scissorhands. And this one, probably my favorite. A fairy tale for grown ups, which is a very good way to describe the movie. The casting was especially done well with Danny Devito as the circus impresario and the poor tall guy playing Carl, the giant, who looks almost morose with his lot in life as an ungainly tall fellow simply searching for contentment. The film has that great almost Technicolor feel to it (much like Edward Scissorhands.) The film deals with the reconciliation of a father and son who have been estranged for the past few years. I don’t remember it being so sad the first time I watched it years ago, but this time I had to endure the end credits through unfocused eyes swimming with tears. 

4.  Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens: Last month I was wingeing on the  banality of this book. I think I even called it a chore trudging along through its quagmire of words. But alas, something has happened. It’s as if someone lit a birthday candle in a bleak and dark room. The story is taking off, and despite its great depressive tale and the characters involved I’m enjoying it. And I’m discovering that in struggling to find my way in this book why I declare myself an ardent fan of Charles Dickens. 

6. My Dad vs Yours Little Symphonies on CD: If you like post rock glistening electric guitar with catchy riffs and music that can truly transport you from the here and now to faraway places in your mind you’ll love My Dad vs Yours. I have one of their albums, After Winter Must Come Spring released back in 2007, and I thought they simply fell off the radar, disbanded, or became defunct. This is a band that you can’t help but listen to, and imagine them on stage playing in perfect sync, sharing secret smiles only they know the meanings behind, and knowing their music is a perfect marriage of melody and technique. Thank you to my friend Scott Beland for turning me onto www.bandcamp.com where I rediscovered this wonderful band and was able to purchase their latest work in FLAC format. Yay! Give them a quick listen on YouTube, I think you’ll like them. A lot. I suggest “Bellicose,” or “Born Upward (Time Flies)”. Both superb selections.

7. Six Feet Under: Season Four on DVD: This is an original HBO series that contained some of the most profound dialogue in anything I’ve ever watched on the boob tube. Like I’ve said before, the profanity is a bit over the top (to the point of detraction from what I’d call brilliant writing) but it’s compelling nonetheless. I’ve seen other stuff Alan Ball did after Six Feet Under, and unfortunately, he was never as true to form either before (the motion picture, American Beauty) or after (True Blood.) It’s just so interesting how everything splinters into a dozen different avenues in this season. Freddie getting divorced? Nathan coming to terms with the loss of his wife by flocking to Brenda? Ruth discovering her husband has mental issues? Claire experimenting with drugs, lesbianism, and her art catapulting her to the point of being a celebrity. 

8. Assetto Corsa on PC: Quite simply put, the best modern racing sim out to date. The AI still is still lacking just enough to be human-like challenging, but ? is constantly updating it with incremental patches and this month marked the release of their second DLC pack aptly titled, “Dream Pack 2.” It includes several cars and a new track. This is a steal for $8 on Steam. The inclusion of the Lamborghini Countach 500 makes it a must buy.  This is probably the only racing game that coupled with my Logitech G27 racing wheel confuses me when I get into my RL vehicle. I find myself going down the road stabbing for an invisible clutch and trying to move my gear selector from “Drive” into second gear. That’s how realistic this game is. I can’t imagine how this is going to look in December when the Steam HTC Virtual Reality set comes out. Still no pit stops, and the spectators look like stolen mannequins.  

9. Not Your Father’s Root Beer in six pack cans: Two different people talked to me about this, about how it tasted like simple root beer yet had the capacity to f*** one up. I had to climb the mountain myself and take a peek (peak). And all I can say is, I’m just laughing. This is amazing. It’s like breathing in helium for the first time and hearing your escalated voice. Despite its 5.9% alcohol content you’ll think the can is lying. Next thing, you’ll be floating amongst the summer clouds at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair glancing down at George Ferris’s famous wheel.  

10. Star Trek The Next Generation:  Season 2 on Blu Ray:  I generally space out my viewings of series over many months and intersperse them with viewings of OTHER series. This is Star Trek The Next Generation. I couldn’t help but cheat. The series opens up with such intrigue. Will acting Ensign Will Crusher stay with the USS Enterprise since his mother took a TDY assignment with Starfleet? And Whoopie Goldberg as the head bartender at the newly introduced Ten Forward crew lounge, wonderful! I’d be there every day. And getting to watch this on a 4K HDTV makes it, like I’ve said before, like going to the movies each time I watch an episode.