Gamebytes: Bioshock for the Xbox 360

By: Jeremy Hohman, amplifier.bgdailynews.comFriday, September 7, 2007 5:04 PM CDT
Let me start by saying that this is probably one of the best games of the year. Bioshock takes first person shooters to a whole new level, welcome to Rapture.The concept behind Bioshock is amazingly conceived. The interaction with the game itself is what gamers for a long time have been craving. Here is a first person shooter that is a role playing game, who would have thought? You start off in a plane that crashes some were in middle of the Atlantic Ocean. You are the only survivor and you must use the analog stick to swim to what appears to be a light house in the distance. From the moment you enter the light house there is definitely something creepy about this place. Head down the stairs to a submarine and your journey to Rapture begins.The city of rapture is controlled by Andrew Ryan, a billionaire tycoon that turned this underwater refuge into a place were the most talented scientists, doctors, artists, and musicians could come and chase their dreams without being persecuted for them. This idea however didn’t turn out for the best and now the citizens of Rapture are addicted to a new mutating DNA serum called Adam. This serum allows the subject to change their genetic code and become whatever they want. When the supply of Adam ran out the people of Rapture rebelled.Through the course of your journey you will collect Adam’s and Plasmids that allow you change your attributes, upgrade your weapons, and perform biogenetic attacks. For instance one attack allows you to snap your fingers and set your enemies on fire. Other than the citizens of Rapture there are two other mysterious beings which are the Big Daddies and the Little Sisters. The Big Daddy’s are protectors of the Little Sisters and protectors of Rapture, the Little Sister’s live within tunnels in Rapture and collect Adam. At some point in the game you will have to defeat the Big Daddies which are the toughest opponent in the game and get Adam from the Little Sisters to upgrade your attributes. From the story line to the game play itself this is a game that you can play over and over again. Bioshock is for a mature audience only and I wouldn’t suggest it for anyone under the age of 17.Bioshock gets a definite A+Jeremy Hohman is the writer, producer and host of GameBytes a 30 minute weekly game news and review show. Jeremy is currently traveling across the U.S. hosting gaming competitions for GameZnFlix at the Midnight Gaming Championship 2007.

Open Field Join-Up,,Almost

I was contacted by a local Doctor about his Two Year Old Filly. Doc had traded this two year old to a local trainer for a horse trailer. The problem was that this filly had no human contact since she was six months old and the trainer could not catch her.

Doc asked me to come look at the horse and see if I could help. She was a beautiful Tennessee Walking Horse and would come up with curiosity but when I would reach out for her she would back up just out of reach or hide behind another horse. I started to walk her down just to see how she would react. No interest in any contact what so ever.

Finally after about a half an hour I decided to separate her from the other horses. I was able to put the other horses up and keep her at bay. When she realized she was in the field alone she went nuts. Screaming and try to climb the gate.

I grabbed a rope and started to push her off the gate and into the field. Now that I had her in the open field I would push her by throwing the rope at her hind quarters. I would have to follow her and keep pushing for over an hour. Finally her inner ear was focused on me like a radar and she started a chewing motion with her mouth, I knew I had her and lightened up a little. It was hot, she and I were both tired and in need of water.

After a five minute break we started again. Same thing, ear focused and chewing of the mouth but I could never get her to bow or come to me no matter what.

Change of method. I roped her from the ground. As soon as the rope hit and went tight she took off burning my gloves. I would follow, Pick up the rope and try light pressure. Off she went. After about a half an hour she started to give in. I finally walked the length of the rope and got my hands on her for the first time. She was still very shy but did not run. After about five minutes I could rub her all over and was able to put the first halter on her of her life.

Once the halter was on I attached a lead rope, she still didn't run, but would not lead. I walked her in small circles bending her and forcing her to turn and follow my lead. She got comfortable but still would not move forward. Next move was to take a lounge whip and hold it behind me in my outside hand and as I would step forward I would flick her hind with the whip. She began to understand what I wanted and complied. By the time we were done I tossed the lead rope over her back and walk next to her. No matter where I went she stayed in step and at my side.

This was truely an exhilarating experience for me. I have accomplised similar in a round pen but never in an open field. I was blessed by this horse and am grateful for the experience.

El.

Professional Gamers

Professional gamers

By RACHEL ADAMS, The Daily NewsWednesday, August 22, 2007 1:04 PM CDT

Growing up, Elliot Holland and Chris Jefferies always envisioned their dream jobs simply: playing video games all day long.Honing their skills on games like Atari's “Pong” and Nintendo's “The Legend of Zelda,” the Bowling Green friends heard people say over and over again that their pipe dreams wouldn't come true - that, in the real world, no one gets paid to move fictional characters around a screen.That was before Holland, 23, and Jefferies, 21, were guaranteed a $30,000 contract, plus bonuses based on performance, to be “World of Warcraft” professionals for the Championship Gaming Series, a professional gaming league that aims to be the first of its kind to have salaried players. The duo, who call themselves “Ensane,” won the honor by placing third in a “World of Warcraft” arena match at BlizzCon, an early August event in Anaheim, Calif., by Blizzard Entertainment, makers of the game.“It is really exciting,” Holland said. “I do feel like we're pioneers in this field. ... We are really kind of paving the way for the whole industry.”Holland first started playing “World of Warcraft” - a massive multiplayer online role-playing game, or MMORPG - three years ago, convincing Jefferies to join him a year later. When Blizzard introduced an “arena match” feature, allowing teams of players to fight other teams to the pixellated death, the roommates formed a paladin/warlock combination team and started practicing.The two play “all the time - too much, if you ask my mom,” Holland said. “We play every day, at least several hours a day. ... It's good to stay on top of our game.”Eventually, Blizzard began offering arena tournaments - where teams compete for cash prizes - for teams of five and three, Holland said, but not for pairs. A few months ago, however, a friend mentioned that the Championship Gaming Series planned to offer a tournament for “twos,” qualifying rounds for which were held online in America and Europe. Team Ensane placed in the top 70 teams in the United States, then moved up to the top eight, qualifying them for a trip to BlizzCon on Aug. 3 and 4.At BlizzCon, the winning teams competed against each other on computers hooked up to large screens that aired all the action, Holland said. He and Jefferies faced DnT, a team favored to win, in a round that drew gasps and cheers from the crowd with each move.“We gave them a pretty good run,” Holland said. “We got down to the wire at the end. It was pretty close, then one of their players pulled out a pretty clutch move. ... We definitely had the most exciting game there.”The two enjoyed the star treatment lavished upon them at the event - fans asked for their tips on gaming, they were issued “Pro Gamer” ID badges and received paid airfare and entry into BlizzCon.“On eBay, tickets for BlizzCon were selling for about $600, last-minute,” Jefferies said. “We had our own lounge as well.”The pair will fly to Los Angeles in November to play in the Championship Gaming Series World Championships, then in 2008 will be matched with one of eight teams across the nation. Previously, the teams were comprised of 10 members, each an expert on one of several different console video games, but next year the teams will expand to include two “World of Warcraft” experts - in one team's case, Holland and Jefferies. They're not sure yet which team they'll be assigned, but they do know one thing: Life with the Championship Gaming Series, while it may be fleeting, is going to be awesome.“Do what you enjoy - don't let someone tell you, you have to do something else,” Holland said. “There's always going to be a way. You can make things happen.”Both Holland and Jefferies say their families are proud of their accomplishments - but, as exciting as the prospect of getting paid to play video games is, they acknowledge the need for a backup plan. The duo plan to stay with the Championship Gaming Series as long as they can, but they know the deal may not last forever.“The best part is, you get to go for what you really want, and if you have a plan B, you're never going to be hurting for anything,” Jefferies said.

Wild Hogs

Wild Hogs was absolutely hysterical. I LMAO the entire movie. This is one for the library. Rent it, watch it and I know you will want to buy it.

Hohman Strikes Again with Darkness

So you think your not afraid of the dark
by Jeremy HohmanThursday, August 2, 2007 3:55 PM CDT
So your not afraid of the dark, well The Darkness just might change that. Based on the comic book series by Top Cow Productions; it’s a definite change in FPS games we’ve come to know.The Darkness is similar to most other first person shooters except you have special dark powers that allow you to take on multiple enemies without even using your guns. You’ll start off as hit man Jackie Estacado, who’s sent to live with his sweet old uncle Paulie, who shows him the ways of the Franchetti crime family. When money goes missing, Uncle Paulie blames Jackie and wants him killed by mob goons using any means necessary. The plot thickens as on Jackie’s twenty-first birthday, Uncle Paulie plants a bomb that nearly kills him. After his near death experience, Jackie gains some unique powers from the dark side and begins to take his revenge against Uncle Paulie, using his new dark powers. With these powers: you have the ability to sneak up on your opponents, refill your dark powers by devouring hearts, and summon darklings, small ghouls that help Jackie do his evil deeds. You also have the ability to switch between Jackie and his dark manifest of himself by hitting the left bumper button. The key to replenishing Jackie’s darkness power is to stay out of the light by destroying all the sources of light. As you advance in the game, make sure to use your tentacles to surprise unsuspecting enemy, unlock doors, and crawl through tight spaces. If you’re looking for a traditional first person shooter game with a sinister spin, then The Darkness is for you.The Darkness gets a C+ in my book.Jeremy Hohman is the writer, producer and host of GameBytes a 30 minute weekly game news and review show. Jeremy is currently traveling across the U.S. hosting gaming competitions for GameZnFlix at the Midnight Gaming Championship 2007.To see where Jeremy will be simply go to http://www.gameznflix.com/

First Bath

I have a new to me Mustang Mare that found great joy in rolling in the mud after a good rain earlier this week. Since she is White, ok Grey- there is no such thing as a white horse all horses that look white are actually Light Grey. That will start some contiversy.

She was a mess and had mud caked into her mane and tail. I decided to give her a bath. Oh Yeah that was bright. I cross tied her and got the hose and sprayer, when I let out the first steam of water she went staight up into the air and came down with legs spread. She completely froze.

Got her bathed and dried and groomed and turned her out, straight to the mud pit for a roll in the mud. Now my beautiful White Mare is redish-brown again. If she is happier that way who am I to tell her different.

Hey, Debbie are you out there.

Average Day At The Ranch

Spent most of the morning mucking stalls and riding new starts. Hours of riding in circles wore me out. Time for siesta. Just recieved new movie in the mail from www.gameznflix.com , Shooter. Should be a good movie. If I don't nap through it, I will post a review.

Met a beatuful girl at the horse sale this week, I hope she is as true to her beliefs as she says she is. I really don't have time for fake or shallow people in my life. I can tell by the way she is built that she spends alot of time in the saddle, there is nothing like the way a cowgirl fits in her wranglers. The question is does she like to work the horse or just show up. Time will tell. I will let you know. El

Round Pen and Ground Work

I have always been one of those that just gets on the horse and rides it out until the horse gives in. I have always said I can ride as fast and as far as the horse wants to run. Well.......My body isn't what it used to be and I had to find a more body friendly way to start my horses. Thats when I found the Round Pen, Monty Roberts, John Lyons and Pat Perelli. Now I'm no fool, I believe in non-resistant training, I have seen it work in my round pen, I don't totally believe what these guys do at a seminar is what they do at home. However, consistent Ground Work has saved whats left of my body. Cicely is a nine year old Mustang mare adopted from the BLM and was taged as a problem horse. I believe she was too old to be taken from the wild. The first time I tried to approach her she charged me and tried to pen me against a stall gate, which I very quickly jumped over.

It took three weeks to get her used to me and to let me work with her. The very first time I worked her in the Round Pen she responded just as Monty Roberts said she would. I was so excited I pushed the Saddle on her and almost got trampled. I backed off worked the program taking it slow and easy. I let her show me how far she was ready to go. We worked three hours a day for three weeks. When felt comfortable enough to mount her, there was no resistance, no buck, no run just total trust.

Read the books and work the process and most of all take your time. This will save your body for later years.

Games for Lunch: SSX Blur

Games for Lunch: SSX Blur

Wild Mustangs are The Best

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MUSTANGS ON THE MOJAVE TRAILBy Doug Gorman, Norco Mounted Posse Member and California BLM Wild Horse and Burro Volunteer
For the last twenty-one years, the NORCO MOUNTED POSSE has sponsored a trail ride across the Mojave Desert, using the old Mojave Trail. Depending on which trail head the ride starts from, the average miles traveled are approximately one hundred and fifty. The trip begins in the first week of April, so we can avoid the hot weather.
In 2002, I decided to make the ride on my newly trained Mustang “Virgil”. Well “Virgil” made the complete ride, but I didn’t, due to a pre-existing back injury, that forced me to seek medical attention after four days into the ride. My Mustang “Kiowa” made the trip as the “Drag” horse, and I was forced to sell him to a new convert, who used to make this trip on her Arab.
Since that first trip in 2002, I was hooked! Due to work, I was unable to attend the ride in 2003, but was ready, willing and able to make the trip in 2004. For this trip, I took my Mustang “Homer”, my Mounted Posse trained horse. At twenty-one years of age, “Homer” performed well as the “DRAG” horse, and did his breed well.
Having owned Mustangs since 1995, and being a true believer in these animals, I couldn’t help but brag about them. After taking our new Mustang “Dot” on the trip in 2005, my best friend decided it was time for him to get a Mustang.
In late 2005, my friend purchased “Jethro” from his owner in Nevada. “Jethro” joined “Dot” on the trip in 2006. Both Mustangs proved to be hardy horses, and along with “Kiowa”, the Mustang breed was well represented.
I became a volunteer for the BLM Wild Horse and Burro Program in 2005, and after talking with the Wild Horse and Burro Compliance Specialist Jason Williams about the ride, he was allowed to attend the ride on behalf of the Folsom Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
The BLM has gotten a bad name over the years, due to the amount of paperwork required to put on the ride, and the restrictions that we have to abide by while riding on BLM land. When Jason showed up with “Stinger”, his BLM Horse, there were a lot of reservations as to his presence, and I heard a lot of people voice their concerns over why he was there. Later that night, a lot of these reservations disappeared. During the campfire, Jason, Mike and I were subject to a lot of kidding about our horses being Mustangs.
In the early morning hours, we were awakened by “Stinger” and his friends. When we got up to see what was going on, we found four horses to be lose, and two of them were heading east away from camp. None of these were Mustangs!
In just a short amount of time, Jason was dressed, and “Stinger” was saddled and the both of them were on their way after two of the lose horses. His quick action, and his ability to “COWBOY UP”, started knocking down those walls and those reservations that most of our return riders had about the BLM.
After the first day of riding approximately 26 miles, a non-believer came up to our trailer and jokingly began to chide us, saying that our horses would have to be trailered sometime on the trip. Well the mustangs proved him wrong. On the second day of the ride; all four of the “Boys” were willing, able, and ready to ride. The jokester’s horse had to be trailered 26 miles that day.
Over the six days of riding, “Stinger”, “Jethro”, “Dot” and “Kiowa” proved themselves to be very able and capable horses. We got a lot of questions asked about them. People could see that these horses were very able to perform all the tasks that were asked of them.
It was fun watching people’s reactions as they would walk by our trailer, and see our crew sitting down in lawn chairs, and the Mustangs lying down near us. This really opened some minds as to the Mustang horse.
As I mentioned earlier, their were a lot of concerns about have a “FED” riding with us. After only a couple of minutes of talking with Jason, people opened up to him, and Jason broke down barriers that have been in place for years. Jason showed up with his positive personality, and his ability to get things done, help other people, and did more to break away any reservations most of the riders had over his presence. He did more to tear down those walls and barriers, and promote the Wild Horse and Burro Program, and the BLM, than any advertisement ever could.
The best thing about this was, the following weekend; the BLM was hosting an adoption in NORCO. After the ride, Jason received a lot of inquires into the adoption, and how someone could adopt a Wild Horse.
As we left camp on day five, “Stinger” proudly displayed the words ‘ADOPT A WILD MUSTANG”, painted across his hind quarters, and “Dot” being one of the Drag horses had ‘THE END” painted across his. Not bad for Wild Horses!
The four Mustangs on this trip, as well as the presence of Jason Williams promoted the Wild Horse and Burro Program like no advertisement could. I would like the thank Jason, for his positive attitude, and his willingness to help others, and the Folsom Field Office of the BLM for allowing him to take this trip. WELL DONE!! For Information on the NORCO MOUNTED POSSE MOJAVE RIDE, please check their web site at www.norcomountedposse.com.
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Just Another Day In Paridise

Wow!!! What a weekend. The boys and I threw a hell of a party. We ran through 23 cases of Miller Lite and had two band playing into the night. Only one girl got sick and there were no fights. The party was validated when the Cops showed up, they were nice and left us to our party. A good time was had by all.