Getting to know me!

Well, it seems to be a trend going around there people are posting facts about themselves. I don't know how many I can do, so I'll just bullet them as below.

• I'm the oldest of two.
• Me, and two other cousins are the last males carrying our last name in my father's direct family.
• My son is cuter than yours.
• Final Fantasy IV and VI are far superior than Final Fantasy VII and VIII.
• The first Halo game was the next Goldeneye in my honest opinion. By means of getting you together and playing with your buddies.
  
• I've worked for Starbucks for a long time. I'm creeping up to the decade mark soon. Hopefully they find it in their budget to keep or promote me soon.
• I have two seasons of Married with Children on my PS3's hard drive, and I still watch them to this day.
• I'm a sucker for Gametrailers.com's Retrospective series.
• The Megas are my favorite video game band, and quite possibly one of my favorite bands.
• I love Nippon Ichi games, but have ever been able to complete a single one. The closest I've gotten was almost completing La Pucelle Tactics for PS2.
• I take great pride in my video game collection. Many hard years and tons of game hunting have led me to obtain such a great collection.
• I own a Street Fighter II' arcade machine.
• I love Pokemon. I'm a sucker for the collect-a-critter-and battle your friends type game. What can I say, I'm a collector at heart.
• In Street Fighter games, I like to perfect lesser used characters like E. Honda or Dee Jay.
• I love Anime. Probably too much. I'm a regular attendee at Anime Expo every year.
• Of recent Final Fantasy games, I thought XII was amazingly good. Like, really.
• I live and die by the St. Louis Rams.
• I'm a Cheap Ass Gamer.
  

New Year, New Love, New Life

"Life is like a game of cards. The hand that is dealt you represents determinism; the way you play it is free will."- Jawaharal Nehru

So we're starting off this great year of 2009 AD! I'm excited. I've leveled up in life into the role of father. And man, it's not an easy role, but every time I look into my son's face, my heart just melts.

On December 21st, at 9:34 pm, I was there to watch a new life enter my own. Issac Daniel Manzanares was his name. I still remember when the doctor told us it was going to be a boy, I had a smile on my face you'd have to surgically remove. Losing sleep isn't fun, but it's a necessity. I have to nurture and keep this little life well. Sort of like having a Pokemon, that poops and pees a lot.

My family is overjoyed. My mother has been wanting a grandchild for a long time, and my Dad is just too overjoyed as well. My Pops told me while he's at work, he'll hide off to the side or a corner somewhere so he can open up his cell phone and look at pictures of my son (and his grand son).Granted, my gaming habits are going to be grinding to a halt, but just until Issac's old enough to play with me. Then every thing's game. I'm going to have to dust off the NES and pop in my copy of Guerrilla Wars and teach Issac how to play and beat the game. Guerrilla Wars is a game my Dad and I used to rent almost once a month and play together.

Speaking of Dads, my Dad was a great example to follow. I can only hope to be half the Dad he was to me. Taking me to Rams (football) games every Sunday while they were here in Los Angeles. Taking me to watch Hulk Hogan, then the WWF Champion, wrestle against Ric Flair (WCW's Champion at the time). My Pops was awesome. Hopefully Claudia will let me take my son Issac to all kinds of great events like Anime Expo and Comic Cons.

As for gaming news, I've been trying to polish off Final Fantasy V Advance in between the baby's nap times. Then I'll try to finish off Fallout 3, and hopefully move onto Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne, with a little Disgaea 3 in there.. Some RPGs I've been meaning to beat or play. Then after that it's onto my Backloggery's fortune cookie, to see what I'm going to play next. I got some Gamestop gift cards burning a hole in my wallet. Mayhaps I'll finally get Little Big Planet or Castlevania: Order of Eclessia.

Well, till next time I blog, I hope all of you have a great
2009!

In Memory of a great blogger, a great gamer, and a great person

He might have been someone I've met only handful of times. (E3, Comic Con) I never knew your first name, and I think you told me it was Christian at one point, but in all honesty. You were always going to be Ryo from 1up to me. It was the name I knew you by, and the name I'll always remember you by. I remember reading your blogs, and commenting as much as I could. Always about various topics. I remember our conversation about the whole Kobe Bryant-Shaquille O'neal drama. You were truly someone special.

Hell, you came out of your way to pick me up and take me to Comic Con two years ago. And forever I'll be grateful for that. It was one of the best times I've had at Comic Con. And that pizza joint you took me and Marie to was fantastic.

When Marie told me via Gmail about what had happened I was in shock. I'm holding back tears right now. How can someone so great as you no longer be part of this world? I feel so helpless now as the time has gone. I remember you starting up your digital ink blog iDorkus. I used to read it on my blog reader. I would see you pop online on Xbox Live. I remember having a couple message conversations on there.

If there is one thing I could tell Ryo right now, it would be thank you. You, and your family are some of the most important people on 1up. Your legacy will live on forever. In my book, you are beyond a "Total Mozart" or "Hardcore." You gave 1up a personality that'll never be replaced. Thanks for being so kind. I'll miss reading your latest endeavors.

~ Ralph Manzanares

Anime Expo

Another Anime Expo has come and gone. It's actually pretty sad. I was only there half the time, and wish I had someone to go with for the other days. Ever since Issac passed away, no one's really been in love with Anime Expo anymore. Maybe next year I should just plan to go with XenSoldat (Erik) instead. Well, here's a couple shots from the Expo. I'll blog some more tomorrow.

In loving memory of Eddie Brown

Life is so short. People enter and exit in an instance. Whether it be fourteen years or nine months. Most people you meet may come and go, but some will always remain in your heart.

I should feel honor to have known some people. Eddie Brown is one of those people. Since getting the opportunity to work with him at Washington and Lambert, he always made me feel welcomed. Like I was part of his store. I can't delve much into Eddie's life, but I can tell you what I knew about him from working with him.

He was a great man. He was a very likable person. He would always work hard. Never one to be too serious, but also never one to always joke around. It's funny, just a couple days ago me and my co-worker Candice were just talking about how we love him. I told her I loved working with him, and he's the kind of guy I could see myself hanging out with. Just the way he presented himself, you just wanted to get to know the guy.

My heart is torn right now. I loved this guy. How could you not? He was funny, fun, and a hard worker. Tonight Eddie Brown, you, and your family will remain in my heart and prayers. I love you man.

Randy's 4x4...

Ha ha, I wish.