Random Thoughts

Wizard101 just had there last wipe before open. As a thank you to their beta testers after this last wipe, all beta testers received 600 "crowns". "Crowns" are the real money currency for the game. With these 600 crowns beta testers were able to purchase a cool looking dragon pet that will be unavailable after Sept. 2. The "Pioneer Dragon" is a simple pet for looks and as a symbol that you helped beta test the game.

The game should be opening soon, sometime in Sept. There is a tri-tier cost option. While the details are net final yet, I can tell you the basic outline.
You can play for free for about half of the first world, Wizard City and will have access to the arena for PVP card battles. For $9.95 a month you will get full access to all worlds, 4 currently with a 5th to roll out probably before the end of the year. You will have access to all features. Then there will also be "crowns" you can purchase to buy unique items for in game play and a possibility that they can be used to pay for the monthly subscription.

The official word:

- Monthly Subscription. You can buy a recurring subscription for $9.95 per month that gives you full access to the game content, chat systems and other great benefits.
- Pre-paid subscription. You can buy a recurring subscription for 6 months or 12 months at a discounted price.

In addition, we are looking to bring other pricing options online shortly after launch:

- Time for Crowns. In addition, we’re going to allow you to buy pre-paid months using crowns. Initially crowns will be available online, and eventually (through some really cool programs that we haven’t talked about yet) we’ll provide other ways for players to get crowns, as well.
- Other pricing options that will be announced at a later date

Also

Post launch, we have a ton of new content scheduled (worlds, spells, accessories, even new classes of Magic) as well as new game systems (like housing and crafting and the tournament system)

Thats on top of the 4 worlds available at launch and 7 schools to choose from.

Sorry so long posting. I had a very busy week, for me, and an ear infection has kept me away.

Last week, Wednesday Aug. 13th, I had my court date in front of judge to decide on my disability application. I think it went fairly well. Now its just more waiting. Been waiting for 33 months so far, so another 4-6 weeks is not too bad. Generally will have a decision within 4-6 weeks but that's no guarantee. There is one judge that can at times take up to 5 months. This is a new judge, so hopefully she will have a judgment fairly quickly. So keep your fingers crossed and a prayer on your lips, for me.

It's things like this that really makes me hate our U.S. media cartel. It's sad but true fact that the U.S. media withholds information, leaves out important stories, airs political and commercial "news" stories, commentary and opinion pieces as news, and filling the news with just what will draw ratings. The problem is all the U.S. news is owned by major corporations whose only concern is profits not reporting news. To give an overview of how bad it is for the U.S. media be sure to check out this link. The Big Ten. This shows that the U.S. media is totally controlled by 10 major organizations/corporations whose only motivation is greed.

The latest major offense is being perpetrated by the NBC media corporation. NBC bought the rights to air the Olympics for the U.S, at the cost of $894 million dollars for the rights to broadcast the Beijing Games, and is spending more than 100 million dollars to transmit the games and pageantry. So these means right off the bat they are motivated to make their money back and more profit and not airing the Olympics for all the world to see. To the tune of more than 1 billion dollars worth of advertising on NBC. This is further complicated by the time difference between the U.S. and China. This means live coverage starts at 2 a.m. Central time for U.S. viewers. So NBC must balance showing live TV events and reviewing or re-airing events of major interest that may have aired during the night or morning which is the dead zones of US viewership.

But this does not excuse NBC from their current hi-jinx's. It started with the opening ceremony of the Olympics. The opening ceremony took place Friday morning for U.S. viewers but NBC withhold the opening ceremonies for up to 15 hours so they could show them during a prime viewer window of Friday evening to maximize ratings and profit. As if this offense was not bad enough, in an age of digital connectivity, NBC like all the media conglomerates were quick to try and censor the world to protect their pocket. The digital age tried to share with the world and especially the U.S. who couldn't see it, what was one of the most amazing opening ceremonies ever. NBC though was in overdrive, harassing websites and internet providers trying to block U.S. citizens from watching videos of the opening ceremonies from other countries broadcasts, China's, Germany's, and even a bad grainy Spanish broadcast. They even went as far as blocking U.S. access to other countries broadcasting websites and forcing video sites, web developers, and even blogger to withdraw the footage, even from other countries.

As if this was not bad enough offense, NBC has taken even further steps to place them selves at the top for one of the worst botched airings of the Olympics. For West coast and Mountain time viewers they will have to suffer through a 3 hour delay for the whole of the Olympics. East coast and Central time viewers can watch the Olympics live.

This is beyond incompetence, this is down right embarrassing and a sad tragedy. In an age of digital TV, a wired world, and instant access to information, we are still stuck with profit mongering and last century habits. What is shaping up to be an amazing Olympic event showcasing the best of China and the world is marred by incompetence, greed, and misinformation by our information providers.

Tis' a sad, sad sight.

Been kinda of busy lately working on my Wizard101 fan wiki. I also have been a little under the weather lately. This next week is a busy week for me.

Monday I meet with my lawyer in preparation for my court date on the decision on my disability application.

Tuesday I go to doctor about my ear infection. Its very painful giving me aweful headache.

Wednesday is my court date finally. Been almost 3 years since I first applies. Hopefully the judge will rule in my favor. I will still have a 2 to 6 month wait for final decision from the judge. Hopefully with luck I will have an answer before Christmas. It would be very nice present.

Will try to post more just been busy and under the weather maybe after next week. Keep your fingers crossed, wish me luck, or keep me in your prayers; which ever works best for you.

Wow, long time no post.

Yesterday I got a chance to see the Speed Racer movie. Now I haven't seen any of the old television show but as a Science Fiction/Fantasy/Anime/Acton fan; I know what the show is about.
I had heard a lot of mediocre reviews were given and it did not do good in the box office compared to the Wachowski brothers previous Matrix films did but that said; the movie was awesome. I didn't go into this movie expecting anything except to see something new and unique from the brothers. They did not disappoint.

The race scenes and action sections of the movie were amazing. I think the true telling of a great movie is one that pulls you into the movie and it becomes realistic to a degree. you feel for the characters, your vested in whats going to happen next, and this movie will do that.

The final race in the game, I was there cheering for Speed Racer in the stands, I was in the movie. And when his car broke down I was there in shock and disbelief willing him to get his car restarted some how to at least finish the race to give the evil corporation the finger. When he got his car going again and he started the final lap I was on the edge of my seat, my heart in my throat when he took that jump down the incline, and I was wishing, hoping, crossing my fingers, and holding my breath when he came down the final straight away.

I was exhilarated, excited, and proud of Speed Racer. I was cheering aloud withe movie and celebrating along with them. That is the sign of a truly great movie.


The only part of the movie I felt was wrong was the younger brother and his chimp. They fit into the movie properly and provided some nice comedic relief but the young boy who played the part just didn't fit and his parts often ruined the cinematic feel and slightly disrupted that feel of being part of the movie and its events.

All in all this is a MUST WATCH film for any race fan, anime fan, action fan, or family. This is almost a perfect film. FIVE out of FIVE STARS!