WHAT

WHAT THE FUCK? Valve. Valve. Look, I know you are the best developers in the world, and a lot of your fans are straight up idiots with their money, but this is just ridiculous. How can you expect any sane person to not get mad about you charging $2 less than the actual GAME for an item inside the game? Valve. I know you’re gauging prices, I get that. But still, charging $18 for a hat is not cool, even for a price gauge. Because people are stupid enough to BUY THAT. Idiots will spend $18 on an ingame item that has no effect on a players performance in any way. I wasn’t going to be purchasing anything in the store to begin with, but with prices that insane I don’t know how you can expect anyone to buy stuff.

Also, because you all are awesome, here are the current hats I have up on the market (I will not trade for weapons. I want to get all the new weapons legitimately.)

Engie’s Railroad Cap

Stainless Pot (I don’t want to give this up, but if the deal is good enough I will)

Texas Dome Shine [Engie's Bald Cap] (Basically I’ll trade any hat I don’t have for this that’s good. Hate this hat so much XD)

After 3 years, Bad Religion has finally went back into the studio and recorded a new album. At first glance, it seems like it will be a slowed down, more melodic Bad Religion, like in The Process of Belief. And you’d be right.

It seemed BR led us in the wrong direction by giving us The Resist Stance early; while that song is very good, it doesn’t sound like the rest of the album. The Dissent of Man seems like a paradigm shift in Bad Religion; while New Maps of Hell was a, to me, semi-mediocre hardcore album, this album seems like a fresh new smell, a scent of BR that I’ve been itching to smell for a long time.

Sound:

I have a pre-release leak, so my version isn’t the best of qualities right now, but from the semi-medium quality that I’ve heard right now, it seems that it sounds like the BR standard; semi-low drums, medium level guitars, low bass, and high vocals. What would I want changed? I think the drums could be a tad louder. But, for the most part, I really almost always have trouble arguing with Brett Gurewitz’s mastering techniques; the album has a solid sound for the type of album it is. One major problem I have about the album; some of the harmonies seem a bit forced. I know Bad Religion is 30 years old and I can’t expect pitch-perfect vocals from the backups, but if you aren’t going to get a nice sounding harmony, just let Greg belt it out on his own. Because he can. Oh he can. Greg’s vocals on this album are just as good, maybe even better then New Maps of Hell. Especially on The Resist Stance; Greg still has a voice after all these years, and he isn’t afraid to show it.

Lyrics:

This is a major problem I have with the album. I know it’s hard to write more meaningful songs than Sorrow and Live Again (The Fall Of Man) after all these years, but come on. Bad Religion is known for it’s straight to the throat, get to the point, not afraid to shove it in your face type lyrics. I think that’s mostly Greg’s fault; Greg is a great folk writer, but I just don’t think he has it left to him to write Punk anymore. I mean, he’s my favorite musician of all time, but I think it’s time for Greg to close up the pen. I don’t want to sound like I’m dissing Greg’s songwriting; he’s done some great work in the past, it’s just his tracks on this album don’t seem up to par lyrics-wise as Brett’s do. Speaking of Brett, he also seemed to have changed writing styles. Brett said this in a interview he did this June: “Being a new parent has colored my whole world. As a result I’ve written songs that at least for me, are somewhat less angsty and more introspective and vulnerable. The experience has emboldened me to take some creative risks as a songwriter that I’ve not allowed myself to take before.” This songwriting really shows on the new album. His songs have more creative thought behind them then in your face songs like New Dark Ages. It’s less punk and more poetic. And part of me likes this, and part of me doesn’t. While I love listening and thinking about introspective and “up-to-the-listener” lyrics, I also have a soft spot for up in your face ones as well. Overall, this is my main problem with the album. I think Greg and Brett could’ve done a little more to the lyrics and it would really shine.

Impression:

This is a hard-to-describe album. Considering Bad Religion’s previous work, this seems like a mediocre album. But it just seems like this kind of music is perfect for the current generation-shift Bad Religion is in. Nothing too heavy, just a smooth ride that needs more than a 8th grade diploma to fully enjoy. I’m nowhere near saying this is their worst album, by far it’s not. It has some great successes, and it has some major fails. (I’m looking at you, Meeting of The Minds.) There are no bad songs on this album, just great ones and OK ones. Do I think BR did their best work of all time? No. Do I think BR did what they needed to? Yes.

Overall: 7/10

It’s a great album to just listen to when you don’t want to care, but still have a lingering for some music with thought and innovation in it. While this definitely isn’t their best, I like the direction Bad Religion is going in. I think they might have the juice left for one more album; and if it’s like this one but improved, their last hurrah will be a triumphant final fanfare.

Reccomended Songs: Only Rain, The Resist Stance, Wrong Way Kids, Something to Believe, Cyanide, Where The Fun Is

Editors Note:

I preordered the full album on iTunes, and it just came out today. The sound is pretty much the exact same as before but clearer, the only real differences are the live tracks in the deluxe version, which I picked up. I sincerely suggest if you pick this album up on iTunes, get the deluxe version; the live tracks are definitely worth it. This album is starting to grow on me, I must say!

I agree with it.

Now, don’t get all over me, credit me with not being a gamer, bla bla bla. Just because I support the bill doesn’t mean I don’t have problems with it. From what I’ve seen it hasn’t been set what age constitutes a “minor,” but I would guess it’s probably 18. This is the one problem I have with the bill; 14-17 year olds are usually mature enough to handle that sort of thing. Now, I’m not just saying that because I’m 16, I’m saying that because I know how mature most 14-17 year olds are, and they should be able to handle things like that. Now, to discuss why I support the bill: While I don’t feel games promote real world violence, as I’ve stated before, I would agree that they do give kids a bad idea of how the world is, especially Kids 13 and younger. I don’t believe these kids should be buying M rated games; I don’t feel that they have the amount of maturity that 14-17 year olds do, and unless they can show that, they shouldn’t be able buy them. Now, playing them? That’s the parents decision to make, not the laws. The law has a right to stop things being sold, but doesn’t have a right to say what you can and can’t experience/play. ..I really can’t think of much else to say about that on here unless I get direct questions, so if you want to debate me, go ahead and leave a comment and I’ll probably answer.

Gamasutra article: http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/29499/Eleven_States_Join_To_Support_California_Game_Legislation_In_Supreme_Court.php

A great video by CNN’s Fareed Zakaria showing his views on the medias coverage of the BP Oil Spill. I suggest you watch if you want to get my views on the spill as well.

Now, I’m gonna say this straight out, so I don’t get a bunch of ignorant assholes asking me this: No, I’m not gay, bi, transsexual, whatever.

Seeing some responses to things I’ve posted in the past, I feel this needs to be let out and this is a message people need to start hearing. I’m tired of all this fucking unfair prejudice that the homosexual/bisexual communities get. I added an emblem on my profile picture signifying my support for Lesbian/Gay/Bi/Transsexual Pride month. I told people that they should join up as well. The first comment I get on the picture is some ignorant prick(I won’t mention names) asking me: “Ben, are you gay?” First off, fuck you. Second of all, does it really matter? Why the hell would I be any different if I was? Since when is being gay a reason to label someone/put them on a different scale as others? Homophobia, to me, is on the exact same level as racism. So yes, I would consider homophobes and racists interchangeable in the unreasonable amount of hate they give. Homophobia is people unwilling to accept that the world isn’t their perfect oyster, and the world isn’t what they want it to be. Guess what people: That’s LIFE. Don’t like it? Too bad. Life isn’t a bouquet of flowers and people need to start realizing this. I don’t want to bring religion into this, but if it’s by a religious reason(and I guess this is my stance on religious practices in general), what kind of God has a right to tell you how you’re supposed to live? You’d be throwing away the joys of being alive by doing that. So why? They’re made from the same atoms you are, and they have the same problems and pressures that straight people have, if not more. So what right do you have to hate on something so fucking stupid as who they want to be with? If someone gay did that to your boyfriend/girlfriend, what would you do? Why is it any different if you do it to them? Golden rule, people. I feel like I’m rambling on, so I’ll try and bring it to a close: I have gay friends. I have bi friends. And you know what? They’re some of the best people I’ve ever met. They have a daily routine, they get up in the morning, they go to school/work, and they come home and sleep. They’re human beings. They aren’t aliens from outer space, they’re human beings. So, keep that in mind the next time you jokingly call someone a “fag”.. some people will take offense to that even if they aren’t gay.

The team.

I guess that’s American ideals; it’s never our fault. It’s always someone else. But, still. People: I hate to say it, but we didn’t deserve the win in the slightest. We’re lucky we even sent it to extra time. Our defense was crap, and whenever we got an offensive opportunity, we either curved it to the side or shot it into the 10th row. I’m sorry, you can’t expect a team to win when they play like that. BUT BEN, THE REFEREES LET GHANA BURN TIME! THE GHANA PLAYERS WE’RE ACTING! WAAAAAAA! Look. That’s good strategy. Shut your mouths, and give the opposing team credit where credit is due. Maybe that took it a bit too far, sure. But wouldn’t we do the exact same thing if it was us in the lead?

Speaking of giving credit where credit is due, I have one more beef. Why the hell are our fans booing Ghana at the end of the game? What are you, 5? Sure, I boo at sports events from time to time, especially when I’m at an Indians game. (SNAP! :3) But, this is international competition. The World Cup isn’t just another sporting event: It’s a place where not only do you show support for your team, but you’re showing support for your country. How do you think other countries will think of us when we boo them after they rightfully deserved the win? YOU BEAT US FAIR AND SQUARE! HOW DARE YOU! So people, please. Grow up. And you guys wonder why America is viewed as “Republicans paradise.” Sheesh.

(Note, this may easily come off as a Steam advertisement.. I hope it doesn’t. :/)

Steam. Some people know it as the gateway to PC gaming, others see it as an unnecessary step in DRM. Me however? I see it as more than just a viable alternative to buying CDs: I see it as the new wave of internet relationships.

We all know AIM, I hope? If you don’t, you need to get out of the hole you dug for yourself and wake up. AIM basically is a chat client. Now, picture AIM.. but with games. Steam is that. Not to sound like a Valve advertisement, but Steam is THE one stop shop for PC games. There really is nothing else like it on the market: You can download straight from their servers, without having to mess with CD keys/crappy other forms of DRM, and you can connect with friends easier than ever before. Not only that, but Steam allows you to have the easiest and most streamlined multiplayer service on the market. You can easily find servers, click and play. Basically, in summary, Steam is the shit.

About 2 years ago, I found out about a little game called Team Fortress 2. If you know me at all by this point, you will know now that this is one of my favorite games of all time, and my favorite multiplayer game of all time. Now, I’m willing to admit, since it’s way behind me now: At first, I pirated TF2. (insert DUN DUN here) I met up with a lot of cool guys on Pirated servers, and we had fun playing together. Nothing real deep, just a community of players playing a game they love. In about May of 08, I found a little podcast called Control Point. This was a TF2 podcast for the ages; it was funny, informative, and just overall awesome. In fact, it just ended its run with its 100th episode early this year.. and ended on a high note. Anyways, later, around maybe August of 08, I finally bought the game. The first thing I did was play on the Control Point servers.. and I had the best time in the world. The comedic effect of the podcasts was the EXACT same thing as it was on the servers. It was truly one of the highlights of my internet life. Later, I found myself befriending many people in the community. And the biggest guy that I became great friends with was ZionCleric. He seemed just like the kind of guy I wanted to be around.. he was funny, a little crazy (no offense intended, Zion :3), and overall an awesome dude. Later, I noticed that we started joining the same team in TF2, and started making injokes with each other. We became almost best buddies. Soon, this became the same with many other guys: Gehn, Mint, SlaughterMelon(AKA AyasakiMidori), Krewl, Leia, Ganonslayer, and the list goes on and on.

Now, some of you may know this already, but I was diagnosed at an early age with ADHD and Aspergers Syndrome. Both of these are personality disorders. Growing up through elementary school/middle school, I was.. well, lets just say I was that kid who sat in the back of the class and doodled all day. I’m a mediocre student. I’m not very shy, per say.. but I hate meeting new people. At an early age I didn’t have many friends, and was for the most part a loner. I was teased on a LOT by the kids in my school.. which is the norm for the nerds around here. I was grown in a semi-black community.. and lets just say they don’t take kindly to kids who aren’t jocks, assholes, or just in general not like them. Not to get personal on you all of a sudden, but many times I came home crying, knowing how alone I was. I wanted to be liked.. but I knew from the start that I didn’t want to change. I was who I was, and fuck it, I’m not going to change because I want to be like some jock kid who takes showers with other men every day. In any case, I went through life being alone, playing Mario and watching television. At times I thought how I never had any real friends from school come to birthday parties or what not. I was a loner.. and I was grown around it, so I grew to enjoy it. It’s not that I don’t like people.. it’s just I have a hard time meeting new people and getting along with them. For the most part, I just was never a fan of talking face to face.

But Steam changed that. Steam has this direct, but indirect form to communication. With the Steam Community, you could meet a person online, without having to actually see them, and strike a conversation. You can go on a game server, meet some guy you’ve never known in your entire life, and suddenly, BAM, you guys get along like you knew each other for 5 years. I guess this just goes for the internet in general.. it’s changed the way we communicate. Think about it. If it wasn’t for the internet, I’d probably still be alone, in my basement, playing video games in the dark and living through life alone and with nothing to show for myself. The internet, and for the most part Steam, changed my life. I get to have friendships that I’ve never been able to experience before. I get to meet all new people, strike conversations, and create a bond with each other. I can share secrets, tell jokes, and have a good time. Having Aspergers Syndrome and ADHD definitely makes a problem for me socially. The one thing that my psychiatrist always stressed: Eye contact, eye contact, eye contact. And to this day, I still have trouble with it. It’s not that I don’t want to look at the person I’m talking to, it’s just I can’t. But, with Steam, I don’t need to worry about things like that. I can have deep, personal conversations with friends that I’ve never had, and I’d also contribute a lot of my rise in maturity to it (mostly thanks to Mint for that one). It’s like Steam was the third parent I’ve never had. Simply put.. if it wasn’t for Steam.. I’m not sure where I’d be. Would I be the same guy I was before; a hard to talk to, loner nerd with no friends? Would I have matured as well as I have in the past 2 years? Would I still be alive? I ask myself those questions from time to time. But, in hindsight, I just have to say: Steam, and the friends I met over it, have changed my life forever. I’ve grown up, got pubic hair, and am semi-on my way to my first real relationship. And I, to be honest, would have to accredit that to my friends on Steam, and the games it provides. Thank you Valve for Steam, and an even bigger thank you to Control Point, who gave me access to some of the greatest guys/girls I’ve ever met, and helped me grow socially. I can’t thank you enough.

-Freky