Post by: Grey Ninja on September 04, 2003, 06:11:13 PM
You guys haven't heard from me for the last few days, in case you hadn't noticed.
Reason for that is that I just moved. I am not living in Lethbridge anymore, as I just hopped on a plane and flew to Ft. McMurray. My new employer is an oil company that is being very generous to me, and is giving me all sorts of stuff. But more on that later.I just got here yesterday. I had to pay an extra $100 for the extra baggage known as my computer, but that's fine with me. It's worth it. I had to pay $40 for the cab rides to and from the airports, but that was also ok, as I didn't have to pay for my plane ticket. (My employer covered that)
When I arrived, I waited on the doorstop of my new place for half an hour while waiting for the landlord to show up. I was dreading the encounter somewhat, as I had a vague idea that I had about $150 in my bank account at that point, and the booklet my employer had given me said that I would have to give a $200 security deposit. I was all prepared to offer a whole bunch of other payment methods, or in the worst case, beg for some more money from my parents. I lucked out however, when I was signing the lease agreement that said that payment for any damages would be taken out of my final paycheque. I was overjoyed.
It got better when I was touring my new home. In order to get here, I had put the majority of my belongings in storage, and had taken the bare essentials, and my PC. My TV was left behind, but I took my GameCube with me. When I checked out the living room, I saw a TV, VCR, PS2, a whole whack of really good DVDs, and a pretty good stereo system. Upon inspection of the PS2 games... I saw my beloved Xenosaga... The kitchen was also fully stocked, with all the modern appliances and stuff that makes life easy. I assumed that the majority of this stuff was my roommate's, and never gave it much thought.
As it so happened, I also get the master bedroom. I lucked out here as well, as I have lots of closet space, all the furniture I need, and linens to boot! My landlord gave me a sheet with a listing of all the items that are provided by my employer, and I was even more shocked. With the place comes a TV, VCR, basic cable and telephone, pretty much every appliance you could use, and cleaning supplies. Best of all is that I am living rent free for the next 8 months.
Today I went for my dreaded drug, alcohol, and fitness test, and I actually passed it. I scored poorly on my hearing test, but the nurse said my eardrums looked kind of red and abused, so I am assuming that listening to the sound of a good old turboprop for 4 hours yesterday was the cause of that. At any rate, I passed the test, and am now officially an employee of Syncrude. I bought a 6 pack of beer to celebrate.
I took my customary walk around today to get to know the place (this could be a problem if I ever move somewhere as big as Toronto), and I walked into the only video store I came across (Rogers). I was a little miffed when I saw how pathetic their GameCube selection was when compared to the PS2 and Xbox sections. But I checked out the used games section, as is customary for me. I had a little difficulty finding the GCN games amongst all the PS2 and Xbox crap in my way, so I had to look at every box. I just saw a bunch of sports games at first, but then I noticed a GCN game that was mistakenly in a green DVD case... It was my beloved Skies of Arcadia... and it was only $40... (That's like $30 USD) Broke or no, and case or no case, that was not a deal I was about to pass up. I rushed it to the counter, and bought it. I asked for a black DVD case so I could rid myself of that horrible puke green Xbox crap, but they refused (unhelpful seems to be a theme around there).
Anyways, I have say that I have been pining for two games for quite some time, and in a weird stroke of fate, I now have them both. I have both Skies of Arcadia and Xenosaga available for me to play, and I don't start work for another week. Coincidence? I think not. Some damned evil god is watching out for me. (Thanks Xel'lotath!)
I think I am going to go play some Skies of Arcadia.
Post by: Pale on September 04, 2003, 06:55:22 PM
Post by: Grey Ninja on September 04, 2003, 07:02:14 PM
As for finding a job, I really have no idea what to suggest. I found my job through the University, and they set up the interview and everything. My advice would be to check out the website of everyone that you might want to work for, and spam them with your resume. Good luck to you though. Sound like you could use some at this point.
Post by: rpglover on September 04, 2003, 07:34:24 PM
you will not be dissapointed with that game i can tell you that- knowing how much you loved xenogears- xenosaga is an excellent game- skies is also great as well- i wish i had some luck like that sometime
"Best of all is that I am living rent free for the next 8 months."
thats pretty awesome! you cant complain for things that are free
"I think I am going to go play some Skies of Arcadia."
you will play a little of skies- but i bet you want xenosaga just as much...
Post by: Pale on September 04, 2003, 08:03:46 PM
Post by: Grey Ninja on September 04, 2003, 09:10:57 PM
I think I will start things off with Xenosaga tomorrow though. I do want to play both games just as much.
Post by: rpglover on September 05, 2003, 04:44:58 AM
although xenosaga has tons of cutscenes- i got hooked on that game way too fast and i had to play only that game- i never minded when a long cutscene approached- they are really nice and the story is awesome- you may become too hooked on xenosaga to play skies as much as it grey
Post by: nolimit19 on September 05, 2003, 05:08:33 AM
Post by: Ms.Pikmin on September 05, 2003, 05:41:54 AM
Post by: Grey Ninja on September 05, 2003, 06:26:22 AM
rpglover, I am just in The Dark Rift in Skies of Arcadia, so I am actually quite enthused about playing the game. I am about halfway through the tutorial in Xenosaga, so there's no question about which is more interesting to me right now. But I am trying to get some progress in Xenosaga today.
But first I need to shower and make myself something to eat. (and maybe head over to Save On to buy some more food and snacks.)
Post by: nitsu niflheim on September 05, 2003, 07:49:25 AM
But with that aside, glad you are running into some really good luck for a change. Lets just hope that any bad luck you hopefully do not run into, is only minor. Enjoy Xenosaga, it's a great game to play and watch.
Post by: KnowsNothing on September 05, 2003, 09:28:15 AM
But since all this good luck, the bad luck will be DOUBLE! MWAHAHAHAHAHA!
Post by: Grey Ninja on September 05, 2003, 10:07:08 AM
I am actually thinking about switching to Skies of Arcadia about now. Xenosaga is nice and all, but it's a little boring just walking all over the most gigantic ship ever. The aliasing, load times, and sparse environments are actually starting to bother me as well. I am still early in the game though, so I am sure it will get better soon. Xenogears started out slow too.
Post by: Ian Sane on September 05, 2003, 11:06:05 AM
So if you go to an Esso station and the guy working there is a Polish guy with a beard named Greg say hi to him for me because that's my friend's dad. If you mention Ian from Langley, if it's the right guy, he'll know for sure who you're talking about.
Post by: ThePerm on September 05, 2003, 11:43:13 AM
Post by: S-U-P-E-R on September 05, 2003, 12:03:14 PM
Post by: Grey Ninja on September 05, 2003, 01:21:31 PM
I have no idea what I am going to do with them though.Ian, Ft. McMurray is small, but it's decent for a town of its size. We have 2 strip clubs, and a casino. I mean, how bad can it be?
Besides, I grew up in the middle of the wilderness. No modern conveniences, and nothing for 20 miles in any direction. I hated it there. But I moved to a little rat hole town in Southern Alberta, and the weather drove me nuts. It's a semi-arid desert, and there's never any rain, snow, fog, trees, or humidity. This morning it was actually raining here. I was enjoying the hell out of it, as it's been the first time that I have seen the fog I grew accustomed to in my youth accompanying the rain. I went out for a walk, and thoroughly enjoyed being out of the desert.
Let me make this clear though. I have no intention to stay here, as I don't think this is a good place to be for a long period of time. I am leaving in 8 months, and I am never coming back. I perfectly realize that all this stuff my employer has given me is a result of their desire to entice me to come back after I graduate. It just ain't going to work on me though.
Regarding Xenosaga though: I just finished the first part, where all hell breaks loose and you escape, then are given a place to save. (end of first disc?) I must say that I am enjoying the game a whole lot now, but I hope that this pace keeps up for the rest of the game.
Ian, I will look for that ESSO station.
Post by: Hostile Creation on September 05, 2003, 01:42:26 PM
Post by: mouse_clicker on September 05, 2003, 01:48:33 PM
Post by: Ms.Pikmin on September 05, 2003, 02:15:49 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: Hostile Creation
Heh, that is all very cool. Except for their lack of GC games. Go burn that place or something. Anyway, may further good luck come your way.
Well, he does have a chance to brainwash a PS2 fan into becoming a GC fan. You've got 8 months to do it Grey Ninja, get started!
Post by: Hostile Creation on September 05, 2003, 05:38:53 PM
Post by: Grey Ninja on September 05, 2003, 05:56:46 PM
I just played it for 8 hours straight. I am just running to the store right now to buy some more beer, as I drank my entire stock today. As for having 8 months... that's more like 4. We both have 8 month coop terms, but my roommate is already half done his, which means that in 4 months I will be getting a new roommate.But don't worry... hehe... he's not much of a gamer, but I will have him convinced in less than 2 months. I mean, the dude only has 5 games. (SSX Tricky, Twisted Metal Black, Gran Turismo 3, Xenosaga, and THPS 3). I figure that after seeing F-Zero GX, Mario Kart, and 1080, I will have a convert on my hands. He said he bought the console for SSX Tricky, so I figure that I have won half the battle already.
Post by: rpglover on September 05, 2003, 07:12:22 PM
yeah i loved that cinema scene- with all the gnosis and AWGS units going at it- that is about the part i got hooked on the game- it gets very good and very interesting after this now- hopefully you will play through skies of arcadia- that game is fun too- both games are highly worth it
Post by: aoi tsuki on September 05, 2003, 08:10:56 PM
Edit: That's what i get for responding to a post in the morning, but actually submitting my respone eighteen hours later. Grey Ninja, what's beer taste like? It's been so long, i've forgotten. i'm still in a drought myself...
Post by: Hostile Creation on September 06, 2003, 04:16:27 AM
Post by: Grey Ninja on September 06, 2003, 06:43:40 AM
Aoi, I am going to be loving my paycheque too.
With my first one, I will pay off all my debts, and buy miscellaneous things, and a Nintendo game or two. With my second, I will remodel my computer from head to toe. With my third, I will buy an LCD monitor. Everything else goes into savings for when I am back in school.
Post by: mouse_clicker on September 06, 2003, 07:15:31 AM
Post by: Bill Aurion on September 06, 2003, 07:58:20 AM
May good luck follow you whereever you go.
Post by: >X< Kitten >X< on September 06, 2003, 08:08:06 AM
Post by: mouse_clicker on September 06, 2003, 08:11:56 AM
Post by: rpglover on September 06, 2003, 08:44:40 AM
i knew it- xenosaga just gets better as you play through it- you probably wont stop until you finish it
"If you ask me, high school is WAAAAY better than middle school."
your damn right it is
you hit the nail on the head there mouse- "everyone jostling to fit in to some predetermined stereotyped group, on the fine that line between maturity and jackassery"- thats just how it is- but i also think the teachers are better in high school too- they are way more lenient on what you can say and do in class (at least mine are)and i dont know if i have said this yet to you grey (we have been talking xenosaga a bit) but good luck in your new job- i hope it all works out for you
Post by: manunited4eva22 on September 06, 2003, 09:09:18 AM
High school can be a good or bad time depending on how you look at it. Try to look at it the good way.
Oh yeah, freshmen year does get better.
Post by: Hostile Creation on September 06, 2003, 09:53:42 AM
Post by: Molobert on September 06, 2003, 11:38:12 AM
. And it's supposed to be the hardest year, but I went the lazy route and I'm taking all easy classes. On the other hand, one of my friends is taking all AP classes.
Post by: ThePerm on September 06, 2003, 11:59:12 AM
Post by: KnowsNothing on September 06, 2003, 12:22:37 PM
Post by: Grey Ninja on September 06, 2003, 12:39:49 PM
I did find that high school was ever so much better than Junior High though. People just seem to grow up very fast in high school, and that's very pleasing. All the schoolyard BS just seems to stop. Grade 12 was miserable when I was in it, and I swore that I would never look back on it fondly. But in my first year of University, I wanted to go back more than anything else in the world. That was mainly because of a girl I very much doubt I will ever see again though, and I will never ever get another chance to ask her out.
rpglover, I am still very much enjoying Xenosaga, but I have come to a pretty difficult part, and I might switch for a while. I love the difficulty of Xenosaga. It reminds me of Xenogears in so many ways... but it can be stressing at times.
I am at the core of a gnosis, and I have found the Zohar Emulator. I am fighting the gnosis form of the Commander Chernakov, and am having a very tough go of it. He kills my entire party very quickly, and I don't have much HP left for my AGWS.... I am sure a solution will present itself, but I am a little on the drunk side right now to be contemplating great strategies. I think I will just try to navigate myself through the Dark Rift.
Post by: mouse_clicker on September 06, 2003, 12:43:43 PM
Post by: KnowsNothing on September 06, 2003, 12:50:28 PM
Post by: Grey Ninja on September 06, 2003, 12:52:24 PM
Post by: KnowsNothing on September 06, 2003, 12:55:06 PM
Hey, don't get sassy with us. If it wasn't for the US, the Canadian economy would be a piece of crap on the end of a stick. Oh yeah!
Post by: Grey Ninja on September 06, 2003, 12:58:51 PM
Post by: mouse_clicker on September 06, 2003, 01:02:04 PM
And you guys are more British than we are.
Post by: KnowsNothing on September 06, 2003, 01:14:07 PM
Post by: Caliban on September 06, 2003, 01:49:21 PM
Post by: KnowsNothing on September 06, 2003, 03:01:25 PM
Post by: mouse_clicker on September 06, 2003, 03:43:13 PM
Post by: Hostile Creation on September 06, 2003, 03:46:34 PM
I've taken pretty much all AP courses through high school, and all everything ever did was get easier. Except for Physics. That is one boring class. In fact, sometimes I daydream in it, and I daydream about what various forms of torture would feel like (drill through the head, shot several times, etc. Yeah, I really do). It's that boring.
Yeah, anyway, highschool fun. Or something.
I beat chapter 8 on F-Zero story mode. That is some hard stuff.
Post by: KnowsNothing on September 06, 2003, 03:46:38 PM
America is stupid, I'm moving to Canada....
....except not.
Post by: rpglover on September 06, 2003, 04:03:12 PM
yeah i know- the game can get pretty difficult if you dont level up- and the gnosis core- that was a tough part for me as well- the level itself was hard with all the enemies- and the boss is tough- thats where you are i think- my best team during that fight (if i remember correctly) was kos-mos, ziggy, and shion (just for her AWGS unit)- it was a tough battle but i figure you will get through it- the game is pretty amazing and i cant wait till xenosaga ep. 2 comes out- hope you enjoy yourself
Post by: Mario on September 06, 2003, 04:14:28 PM
Quote
He said he bought the console for SSX Tricky, so I figure that I have won half the battle already.
Woah! Me too! I got a PS2 with SSX Tricky for christmas in 2001.
Post by: Caliban on September 06, 2003, 04:18:41 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: mouse_clicker
Teaspoons, tablespoons, cup, pint, quart, gallon, etc. Grey Ninja has a point, though- the imperial system is just plain confusing. There's 3 teaspoons in a tablespoon, 16 tablespoons in a cup, 2 cups in a pint, 2 pints in a quart, and 4 quarts in a gallon.
So that's what the americans use to measure stuff. It's strange because the international system of measurement is the metric system and that's the most required in any scientific area. Is this difference(imperial VS metric) that caused some device to crash in Mars?
Post by: mouse_clicker on September 06, 2003, 04:25:27 PM
What I listed there, though, was how we measure volume. Length is 12 inches in a foot, 3 feet in a yard, and something like 5,650 feet in a mile (I'm not sure). Weight is 8 ounces in a pound (I'm pretty sure), and 2,000 pounds in a ton. It's all very strange and confusing, and even most of us don't get it.
Post by: Ms.Pikmin on September 06, 2003, 04:44:01 PM
And let's not start bashing each others countries. There are good and bad things with all of them. Although, after recently seeing Bowling for Columbine, I'm thinking heading north wouldn't be such a bad idea.
Post by: mouse_clicker on September 06, 2003, 04:47:46 PM
Post by: Grey Ninja on September 06, 2003, 05:10:19 PM
Quote
yeah i know- the game can get pretty difficult if you dont level up- and the gnosis core- that was a tough part for me as well- the level itself was hard with all the enemies- and the boss is tough- thats where you are i think- my best team during that fight (if i remember correctly) was kos-mos, ziggy, and shion (just for her AWGS unit)- it was a tough battle but i figure you will get through it- the game is pretty amazing and i cant wait till xenosaga ep. 2 comes out- hope you enjoy yourself
You see? that's the whole thing. I NEVER level up, and one of the reasons I loved Xenogears so much was that levelling up didn't do a damn bit of good when it came time to beat the really tough bosses. They were just as impossible regardless of what level you were on.
It appears that Xenosaga doesn't follow this belief though. It would seem that I am going to have to go back into that horrible maze and beat the crap out of a few monsters in an effort to learn some more powerful healing spells. I just need something to combat that stupid attack that takes away 1/4 of all my party members' hit points twice every turn. Cause it would seem that I am not getting more powerful armor, and I don't think that extra HP would help that much. *sigh*
Instead of beating my head against the wall, I actually am going to get my way through the bloody Dark Rift this time.
Post by: Ms.Pikmin on September 06, 2003, 05:25:35 PM
Post by: Hostile Creation on September 06, 2003, 05:26:28 PM
Eh, Bowling for Columbine was boring. There weren't enough splosions.
My one friend is all uppity about it, though. He's also reading the dude's book. Me, I thought the documentary was boring, rather repetitive, and pointless. I mean, was it about guns, Americans, humanity, Canada, racism, or fear? He couldn't decide on a topic, so he jumped back and forth between all those things. And the Canadians were funny:
"Do you lock your doors?"
"No."
"Ever been robbed?"
"Yep."
Both of them said so. . . anyhoo, I suppose it's decent but it was a long way away from changing my views on anything.
Post by: mouse_clicker on September 06, 2003, 05:31:59 PM
I was just mentioning that they're still making a halfhearted attempt to at least educate us on the metric system. And I'm sorry if my personality annoys you- you do reserve the right to refrain from reading my posts.
Post by: Hostile Creation on September 06, 2003, 05:52:09 PM
*ducks for cover*
Post by: ThePerm on September 06, 2003, 05:53:29 PM
Post by: Ms.Pikmin on September 06, 2003, 06:19:52 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: Hostile Creation
Uh oh, now I feel that I am going to be the brunt of the next attack.
Why, just because you disagree about Bowling for Columbine? I don't expect everyone to see it as I do. I was only irritated with mouseclicker for the reason stated in my post. Sorry I'm being so cranky. Guess it's time for my Prozak *pops 20*
Post by: mouse_clicker on September 06, 2003, 06:22:18 PM
[flinches]
Post by: Ms.Pikmin on September 06, 2003, 06:24:47 PM
Post by: Grey Ninja on September 06, 2003, 08:49:24 PM
My new ISP seems to be a lot faster than my old one in Lethbridge. As a result, I am able to download anime faster than ever. I grow very weary, and I took a break from both Skies of Arcadia and Xenosaga to get caught up in both Naruto and Scrapped Princess. I watched Naruto first, as more was going on in Naruto that I cared about. It was pretty good, and I am looking forward to the next episode a lot.
Scrapped Princess however... If this isn't the anime equivalent of Xenogears, I don't know what is. It fluctuates in pace like an AC Circuit in the process of overloading, but damn do I ever love it. The last few episodes were kind of slow, but episode 20 showed to me once again why I love this anime so much. If you haven't started this anime yet, then GET ON IT! If you are a fan of Xenogears and you aren't watching it, then you should be currently beating yourself with bamboo! I can't believe I have to wait a whole week to watch Episode 21 now. I don't think I am even going to wait for my usual translation group this time either. I will take it as it comes with great relish.
Post by: nolimit19 on September 06, 2003, 09:03:23 PM
Post by: Caliban on September 06, 2003, 09:20:07 PM
Post by: aoi tsuki on September 06, 2003, 09:42:53 PM
Post by: Caliban on September 06, 2003, 10:26:22 PM
Post by: ThePerm on September 07, 2003, 12:32:11 AM
lol Rock Lee is strong! Funny thing though...that weight trainign deal is so cliché...i saw it on dragon ball z today too! Right after i watched ep 48. I bet Gaara will win though.... and lol we've prolly been bittorrenting each other without knowing.
Post by: Caliban on September 07, 2003, 06:56:02 AM
Post by: Hostile Creation on September 07, 2003, 07:21:03 AM
I suppose I was just testing my luck. . . and expressing my dislike for the movie. It wasn't completely bad, because he brought up one good point (why are Americans so darned paranoid), which of course he didn't even get close to answering, but heck, it's something to think about. The main reason I dislike it is because everyone else seemed to think it was all great and stuff while all I saw were flaws and lots of the same thing repeated.
Post by: Grey Ninja on September 07, 2003, 08:36:10 AM
Caliban, I am glad that you enjoy both bittorrent and Scrapped Princess.
What I found really funny though is when I was downloading Scrapped Princess 20, someone was downloading the file from me on kazaa at the same time. I would bet money that he's going to be really angry when he finds a bunch of corrupted data in his copy. Since bittorrent allocates space before downloading, he would be downloading largely a bunch of zeros. But regarding Scrapped Princess... What I really love is the blend of technology and fantasy in a Xenogears style. The bit where they were on the flying fortress talking to the two dragoons is where I really fell in love with the series. But episode 21 looks like it is going to ROCK. A huge battle with 3 peacemakers can't be wrong. It also looks like something is up with Cz, which I really want to check out.As for anime suki, I visit the site several times a day, but I do not take part in the forums. Here and OC ReMix are the only places I have any sort of presence in.
Post by: Caliban on September 07, 2003, 09:41:23 AM
Post by: mouse_clicker on September 07, 2003, 09:56:15 AM
Post by: Hostile Creation on September 07, 2003, 10:02:24 AM
Post by: Grey Ninja on September 07, 2003, 11:06:12 AM
Regarding Scrapped Princess... Cz is the peacemaker that Shannon took in earlier in the series. She's the one who has been following him around the last few episodes as well. I am thinking that she is going to switch sides again soon too. Regarding Raquel's magic though, it works in much the way that the magic in Xenogears/Saga works. Magical effects are created through the use of nano machines, and that's just really cool. It's things like these that really make the Xenogears/Scrapped Princess bond in my head, and I still think it's a really good idea.
Post by: aoi tsuki on September 07, 2003, 12:37:13 PM
Quote
I bet that Rock Lee will win even though I still consider him to not be stronger than Gaara.
Funny thing is, there's no way to know for sure who'll win. i've read the manga and they already changed the outcome of one of the fights, so there's no telling.
What's certain is that the coming episodes will kick all flavors of arse. You'll see.
Post by: Caliban on September 07, 2003, 01:05:40 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: aoi tsukiQuote
I bet that Rock Lee will win even though I still consider him to not be stronger than Gaara.
Funny thing is, there's no way to know for sure who'll win. i've read the manga and they already changed the outcome of one of the fights, so there's no telling.
What's certain is that the coming episodes will kick all flavors of arse. You'll see.
Which fight did they change the outcome?
Post by: aoi tsuki on September 07, 2003, 02:02:38 PM
Quote
Which fight did they change the outcome?
The fight between Shikamaru and the sound kunoichi.
Post by: ThePerm on September 07, 2003, 09:52:39 PM
err lol i was responding to page 2....lol i love general conversations
Post by: Grey Ninja on September 08, 2003, 08:57:53 AM
Post by: The Blue Baron on September 08, 2003, 04:34:29 PM
Ok... enough of that mumbo jumbo. Luck is good as long as you dont dwell on it. If you think about being unlucky you become unlucky.
I will now leave you to contemplate my words of wisdom and the song "On Top of Old Smokey."
