A quarter-century

Today is my 25th birthday. While I can honestly say I feel like an adult these days, it still seems hard to believe quite that much time has passed. Besides the oddly quick advancement of the ages, the last quarter-century has treated me well. I hope I'll be able to say the same in 2048.

Pacing yourself

It's getting to be that magical time of year once again, folks. The time when the air grows cooler, when families gather together, and when everyone you meet seems to have a spring in their step. That's right, the winter gaming season has begun.

100 posts!

Hard to believe it, but this is post number 100 for Deranged Gamer. I hope everyone reading has enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoy writing it. Thanks for everything, Internet! 

Take time, make time

I've written previously about how hectic life can be, and how important it is to find gaming time despite that, but I think it bears repeating.

Assemble!

So, The Avengers is coming out in less than a month. This thing has been building since 2008 when Iron Man first came to theaters, incorporates four major comic book characters with their own origin movies, two of which already have sequels. Needless to say, I'm fairly excited.

Wii would like to play

I got an early Christmas present this year: a Nintendo Wii. I know it's late in the console's lifespan, with the WiiU coming out before long, but I'm still excited about it. Not just for the usual reasons, like Super Smash Bros. Brawl, either. I'm excited for multiplayer.

So, about those updates...

Things (like work schedules, being sick, holidays, etc.) have interrupted the regularly scheduled broadcast of Deranged Gamer as of late, and for that I'd like to apologize.

Working with video games

As of this week, I am officially employed in the gaming industry. I am a game tester working on EA titles. This is a fairly common job in Baton Rouge nowadays, being that the North American Testing Center employs hundreds of people. We are one of a handful locations that do this kind of testing in North America, and what we do helps games to get made.

All settled in. Mostly.

After months of moving from one location to another, including an obscene amount of international flights, I hadn't slept in the same bed for more than one week until last month, upon arriving in Baton Rouge. Even then, sleeping arrangements were temporary until our permanent bed (along with a truckload of stuff we forgot we owned) arrived last week.

Moving Mayhem

Due to rampant unpacking and the blatant mess that has overcome parts of my apartment, I will be unable to make a regular blog post today. I will resume the usual Tuesday/Thursday schedule on Thursday, so for the time being, here's a picture of a cat in a sock via Cute Overload. Enjoy.

Homeward bound

Before long, my lovely wife Victoria and I will be gathering the belongings we still have in the U.K. and boarding a series of very long flights that will eventually land us home in the U.S. We originally left the U.S. on August 31st, and that's the same day we'll be heading back.  It's been one of the most unique years I've ever experienced, and while I've grown homesick, I wouldn't trade it.

You know the first thing I'm gonna do...

You know that part of the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie, when the cursed pirates are trying to decide what they want to eat first as soon as the curse is lifted? I've been trying to decide the something similar myself for when I return to the States. While Europe is far from a curse, I still have my list of things I miss stateside ready to go.

Bon Voyage

Starting the day after tomorrow, my incredible wife and I will be heading out for our last European tour (for the immediate future, anyway), this time accompanied by my lovely mother-in-law and aunt-in-law (I guess that's how you say it). 

Off for a jaunt

Hey all, my parents are on their way to Edinburgh today, and we'll be doing a little Europe-hopping over the next two weeks. There probably won't be updates during that time, but I'll be sure to regale you with stories upon our return. Thanks for reading!

iBrick

A couple nights ago, after a bit of regularly scheduled maintenance, my 5-year-old past-warranty MacBook flatlined with no chance of resuscitation. As a result, this post was originally written with the analogue form of typing. Oddly, the bricked laptop served as bracing for the paper, so in a sense, it helped to write its own eulogy. Fare the well, MacBook, as you carry on to the great recycling plant in the sky.

Mallorca

I've found that, as expected, my years of education in Spanish haven't prepared me for jack. I'm sure most of that is my fault for having a leak in my memory bank, but a problem's a problem. Thankfully, since I spent the last five days in a mostly tourist-themed section of Mallorca, Spain, most people I needed to talk to understood English. And, oddly, German. 

Headed to Spain

So tomorrow I will see 5 a.m., and the two of us have never been on good terms. At least there is a worthy reason, though. I've got a RyanAir ticket to Palma de Mallorca, Spain with my name on it, and I can't wait to see an actual beach again. 

Springtime in Scotland

One of the nicest parks in Edinburgh is called The Meadows, and it's right next to the University of Edinburgh. It's basically a giant semicircle of green expanse divided up into several sections by tree-lined paved walkways. The park provides a much needed place for people, mostly students, to unwind in traditional collegiate fashions. 

Anarchy in the UK

When I was gearing up to move to Scotland, I mentally prepared myself for the frankly horrendous exchange rate between dollars and pounds, I knew I would be taking the bus or walking more, and I knew the slang would change, and I knew I'd see the occasional guy in a kilt. I can tell you one thing, though: I never saw the punks coming. 

Welcome to Deranged Gamer!

Welcome, and thanks for visiting the blog. This is my first post on one ever, so here's to trying new things. Cheers.