plush flower badge

the very same mushroom Mario munched on

flower keyring

xoxo speech-bubble badge

cloud with a silver lining – plush badge

I have a confession to make and it pains to admit this but I’m not very good at Super Mario Brothers games.  Not that I’m bad at that them.  I can hold my own when it comes to the gomba stomping brothers but I’m not going to win any awards for my high scores any time soon.  There’s just something about the 2d side scrolling genre that never appealed to me.  Any other type of game I can handle 

Shooting games: Not a problem.  Lock and load.  Give me a bazooka, sniper rifle, some grenades and let’s go save the world!

Sports games: Love em.  If I can make myself a player (and load my stats to 100% in every category) even better

Roll playing games, sure:  Not my cup tea by why not.  Give me my magical sword with a goofy name like dragon blade-o-fire and load up my mana.

Stragety game:  As you can tell by my grammar I’m not usually one for a “thinking man’s” game but I’ll give it a shot.

Music rhythm games: I might look like an overgrown man-child holding a toy guitar but once I get relaxed about looking stupid I do fairly well.

Barbie Horse Adventures for the Xbox.  Look out world:  Eric is going to have the prettiest pony in the whole wide world

What? Sometimes there's nothing left to rent at Family Video and you're really, really bored

Well, maybe that last one is a bit much.  But all those other genres I love to play.  It’s just something about the side scrolling Mario games that makes me think “Oh no. A hole.  Don’t fall in the hole.  Don’t fall in the hole.  Don’t fall in the hole…….Oh shit I fell in the hole and died.”  Once the game gets into my head like that I’m done.  I beat the first Super Mario only with the aid of a Game Genie and even that was a rough time.

This game ain't big enough for the two of us let alone four players

But I’ve found something that’s harder for me to play.  More challenging than any Super Mario game I’ve ever encountered.  A game that makes me not only scream at the TV but scream at Melissa.

“Scream at Melissa?” you’re asking yourself.

Yes, scream at Melissa.  See, the other day my wife went out and bought the newest installment in the Mario line up, New Super Mario Bros. for the Nintendo Wii.  What’s so new about you might ask.  For the first time up to four players can play on the screen at the same time.  So instead of a single Mario jumping around collection coins there can be three more characters going at it.

Which sounds like a blast right?

Not if you play with my wife.  There isn’t enough coins in the Mushroom Kingdom for just her so forget about us both sharing the bounty.  The characters you control can bump into and jump on the other characters so the whole point of me playing along side her was to act as trampoline boost so she could reach the higher up coins.  And the “bump into” part.  I can not count how many times I was in her way so she pushed me down a hole.  Never get between my Wife and a fire flower.  When it comes to the ability to launch fire balls as fire Mario our marriage doesn’t mean shit.

She’s great at 2d side scrollers and it showed.  I on the other hand am no so good….and that showed to.  What also showed to were my tears as my wife berated me with rants of “Get that…get that mushroom….GET THE MOTHER F*CKIN MUSHROOM!”  and my favorite which our neighbors probably heard “Where the hell are you going?  There were F*CKING COINS BACK THERE”

Instead of the box reading “Up to 4 players” it should read “Melissa vs. everyone”

Be warned. When playing with Melissa your playing against the King Koopa's minions...AND Melissa

To: hiroshiyamauchi@nintendo.com

From: shigerumiyamoto@nintendo.com

Development is proceeding nicely and we are almost ready to take famous Mario and Luigi into a whole new world with Super Mario Brothers!

While our first priority is creating a fun game, we feel that, this time, we can also include some practical lessons for the children.

(1) Eating flowers will give you the ability to throw fire balls.

(2) Leaping off of immense towers onto flag poles is easy and fun.

(3) Slamming your head into bricks will cause the bricks to spew money.

(4) If you eat a mushroom, you’ll get bigger.

(5) If someone shoots at you, it’s okay, just jump on the bullet.

For good or for ill?

I like video games.  There, I’ve said it.  Now that it’s out in the open, I need some help.  I’m contemplating bringing an Xbox 360 into my classroom, but I must have a good reason for it.  I sincerely doubt anyone would be to keen on me having a Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare 2 bracket taped to my wall while we game all day long.

I’m sure there are games suitable for use in the classroom, but I’m just not sure what they are or how they might be implemented.  I teach social studies, so a historically based game would do the trick, but historically based games without a lot of bloodshed are kinda hard to come by.

So, I implore you: give me suggestions, and in return, I promise to blister the thumbs of America’s future.

If you say “other”, reply with the title of the game.

Shigeru and Hiroshi are back.  DY

To: hiroshiyamauchi@nintendo.com

From: shigerumiyamoto@nintendo.com

Subject: New Game

Based on the popularity of our Mario character from Donkey Kong, we have almost completed work on our next game – Mario Brothers.

Now, Mario will be joined by his taller, greener brother – Luigi.  These two hairy plumbers will now battle crabs, flies, turtles, fireballs, and ice (our research indicates that nothing builds conflict like the classic, epic battle between a plumber and a turtle – it just screams excitement!)

And this time, no more barrels, instead the brothers will aggressively head-butt brick walkways – the preferred method of combat in the world of plumbering.  And the entire game will take place in an environment that epitomizes family-friendly entertainment – the tunnels of an urban sewer system.

Here is an awesome clip of a play of the supermario video game.

Yay halloween! This years halloween was by far the best one ever. I was Mario and Cole was Luigi. I was Mario bc I am shorter and fatter but also bc I am way better than Cole. Friday was Coen’s party. This year there was no Coen rage but the party was still surprisingly fun. I actually paced myself (meaning I didn’t get black out drunk) bc I was waiting on some hot chick to get off work and come hangs out. Being Mario is the best outfit ever bc everyone loves good ol’ fashioned Mario Bros. and if you don’t you are a terrorist and I don’t want your attention.

Being that I am very creative and full of ideas… all night long I kept doing the same two jokes: jumping and smashing imaginary bricks and saying, “it’s a me a Mario” (in a horribly hacky Italian accent).

Shannon and I went to bed around 8 in the am (we slept in my friend’s bed). He was passed out and I slept next to him, and Shannon slept next to me… NOW my friend, who, for anonymity, I’ll call “Luigi”, peed the bed and me being the gentleman I am absorbed all of this pee like the god damn hoover dam keeping Shannon nice and dry.

Saturday night was downtown. Mario and Luigi part dos. It was awesome bc I was dead tired and got drunk super fast. I was running on fumes but surprisingly very hyper. Saturday consisted of doing the Mario, smashing imaginary bricks, and kicking real bricks while screaming, “fuck you bricks”.

The best part was EVERYONE kept saying, “Hey Mario!” and poor Luigi would just say, “ohh no, Luigi never wins”. My night was basically perfect probably bc I was Mario and Mario always wins. Luigi on the hand proved why he is second player.

We went to White Castle and naturally Mario successfully defeated the evil castle and enjoyed delicious burgers. Luigi on the other hand passed out and was robbed by a group of goomba’s while Mario was in the restroom. The funny thing is Luigi asked very politely for his stuff back and even said please… oddly enough though the thieving goomba’s didn’t react positively to his request.

this is a goomba:

hanging on…

Friend and fellow artist Logan Zawacki is having a killer two day sale on his well received book “The Excavation of Mushroom Island” over at Blurb.com. Here the deal:  The book is only 35.00( thats a 15.00 savings ), the sale last til Saturday, this would make an AWESOME early Christmas present for anyone out there who is a video game player or a big fan of the Mario Brothers universe. Heres a lil something about the book from Logan and Blurb.com. The sale is only for two days folks. Get your copy now!!

The Excavation of Mushroom Island – Blurb.com

Logan Zawackis Flickr page

What if there was physical proof that the Super Mario Bros mythology existed a long time ago on a lost chain of islands in the Pacific Ocean?

Would you believe this fictional universe once existed if there was tangible evidence to prove it did?

In ‘The Excavation of Mushroom Island,’ archaeologist Logan Zawacki and his team uncover the greatest archaeological discovery of the century and document their entire experience. This book comes complete with a detailed chronology of the cultures that inhabited the islands between the Arcadic Period and the Early Snesolithic Period, as well as detailed maps of the landscape and site locations of each marvelous find. There are over 30 documented fossils to view within this 76-page softcover book. Each fossil comes complete with a map of their locations, scientific names, dimensions, and informative comments provided by the lead researcher, Logan Zawacki.

The ‘Excavation of Mushroom Island’ combines fact with fiction, pop culture with science, and technology with art to create the illusion of a “real” Super Mario World.

**Limited Edition** Hardcover 11 x 13″ versions of this book are also available by contacting Logan Zawacki at [LZcreations@hotmail.com]. Only 100 copies of this book will be printed, and each copy comes signed and numbered. Buy now while the numbers are still low!

***This book contains some information not suitable for young children.***

If you’d like to see twelve (12) of the original salt prints from this book in person, visit the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in Jacksonville, FL. The original prints will be on display until January 2010.

This book has been featured on such websites as…
A Little Bit On The Awesome Side (albotas.com), Zoiks! Online (zoiksonline.com), GoNintendo.com, MarioMonsters.com, inFendo.com, OhGizmo.com, EscapistMagazine.com, and many more!!!

The Excavation of Mushroom Island – Blurb.com

.

We’ve got a lot of catching up to do!

Terry took this photo:

I slept over Mandy’s to work on our Halloween costumes and we ran into Brad =D

So far:

Terry and I went to Peru Ana’s art show in Chelsea

It was great seeing them again. It had been a while =)

We went downstairs and apparently thats where all the weirdos were. We fit right in.

I wasn’t sure how to describe her performance, but she was naked…. and people seemed to like that. Everyone crowded around her except me and Mandy. Terry took those photos.

I did manage to sneak two of these water bottles. One for me and one for my mom haha

Amanda’s Halloween/going away party was also this week

I didn’t finish my Snow White costume yet, so I put together a last minute porcelein doll costume. Unfortunately, I don’t have any good pictures of it =/

Well, I’d better get back to work on that costume!
BRB.

I have never played a videogame in my life, but I registered for Second Life today.

Second Life is outrageous!  Whoever said you have to die to experience reincarnation lied.   All you have to do is register for Second Life, and you’re literally living your new life within minutes, and not as a tree. 

After registering my alias, I have to admit the process of delving into Second Life became more intriguing with the moment.  Selecting the image for my avatar was freaky to say the least.  Within minutes, I became a whole different likeness, adapted a new name, and even conjured up a new spirit.  Without revealing my new found identity, I began touring the site to find out what mischief lay ahead. 

As my new found self, I was on a roll.  The thought of structuring my day around everything that I wanted to do was more than a notion.  In my avatar life, I shopped until I dropped. I went to cool museums at a moment’s notice.  It met friends for drinks at my leisure.  When I was done, I got into my free two-door sports car and drove away to my next uncharted excursion. 

When I closed the site, it was back to reality-at least for the moment.  I went back to  figuring out my budget for the next few months, wondering if I might have any free time this weekend to do something fun, and yes I was scurrying around looking for a yellow post-it note so that I could remind myself to pay my car note.  For the record, I do appreciate my Honda even if it doesn’t move as fast as my avartar car, nor is it free. 

I didn’t think I’d like playing with any of the games, but I enjoyed playing with Second Life.  Life as an avatar is pretty liberating.  It’s virtual escapism at its best. 

Erring towards the positive side of gaming, I didn’t realize games like Second Life were used in educational settings.  How ingenuous to have online learning taught by a virtual professor.  Traditional online learning is you, your computer, and your syllabi.  It’s tedious and it’s boring.  At least with virtual learning programs like Second Life, you’re exposed to a platform that offers some semblance of “human” interaction. 

Here’s my take.  There probably needs to be more positive marketing and advertising about the upside of games.  Like many adults who grew up in the Mario Brother’s era, I thought games were gender specific (for guys). They had no relevance to my activities; and they were a waste of time let alone money.  After reading about them, they appear to be great for reaching varied populations and audiences, including women.  Moreover, they offer learning tools, social engagement, physical and mental stimulation, and more.

Back to my Second Life!

He should have used Mortal Kombat. MARRY HIM!!!

I think the video is missing the ending where they totally have sex.

Behold, technology . . . and call centers.

Happy Birthday Miguel !!!

Its past midnight, Im not sleepy, I feel so alive and yet so down (ironic). I am making various toppers for my nephew Miguel who’s turning 8 tomorrow. He will celebrate at school! Yehey!!! I love birthday parties so much especially “children’s party”!

35 pcs toppers for the 36pcs cupcakes tomorrow

Above photos are toppers that I will use for tomorrow as I finish the chocolate cupcakes. I will also make a message made of gum paste or sugar toppers with matching candles and some details . Below are the designs I made:

1. sesame street
2. girlie stuffs (bags and shoes)
3. gift boxes
4. cute animals
5. mario brothers
6. cars
7. spongebob and friends

I hope Miguel will like it as much as I do. Im satisfied actually. Worth the sleepless nights. The gumpaste at first becoming moist but thank God, first – the rain stops and second – I use this secret gadget that I will reveal in the future. These gadget was an inspiration to other blogger who’s works are so amazing.

Tomorrow Ill show the finish product
Good mornight!

I’d just like a moment of silence from everyone for Capt Lou Albano who passed away, today, October 4, 2009. Not only was he a wrestling legend, but such a sweet dude that its not even funny. I had the pleasure of working a convention with him. Him and the sandman and their family took my daughter in like she was with him. Here’s to you Lou: You entertained us all, you’ll always be legend…a part of wrestling history forever..you rock.

With Halloween only two weeks away its time to start thinking about costumes.  Super Mario is a timeless classic and makes the perfect costume for both men and women.  If you decide to rock this costume watch out for Goombas, Koopa Troopas, and Hammer Bros.  Happy Halloween everybody.

Noviembre, temporada de estrenos de videojuegos, dominada este año para mí por 2 títulos: Modern Warfare 2 para el jugador serio en mí. y Super Mario Bros Wii para el relajo.

Mi filosofía a futuro no contempla hijos, pero por suerte tengo a mis 2 lindos sobrin@s con quienes compartir con mucha emoción este juego. Ya me veo jugando con ellos en multiplayer este juego y sobretodo, esta modalidad clásica de jugar que nos inició a tantos en este mundo y que es justo que los niños de ahora la prueben y se diviertan a lo grande con ella.

El juego como pueden ver en el video de abajo tiene la opción de jugar 4 al mismo tiempo. una gran novedad en esta aventura. No se puede online –Mejor aún!, digo yo, pues nada como estar en una sala riendo y jugando.

No hay duda, Noviembre es mes de guerra y realismo en el Xbox, pero también de raptarse a los chamacos y salvar nuevamente el mundo de las garras de Bowser!

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One of the first things I wanted to see. The prick with the stick: James Joyce.

From my window I can hear the staggered passings of nocturnal taxis, the occasional group of drunks and the muffled echo of a tenor singing covers at a nearby pub. Of course he is singing U2. It seems the entire city has a collective hard-on for Bono. Or is it just a front for tourists? There’s proof to support both theories.

Supporting the hard-on theory is a free map of Dublin showing the proposed site for a phallic U2 tower. Further proof finds the band the fifth richest business in Ireland, according to a “Lonely Planet” ripoff.

Yet, every native I talk to can’t stand the band.

So, yes. This is my temporary home: Dublin. I live above a convenience store painted bright red and named after the nearby monument Spire. My bed sits by the window and is one of three beds crammed into the room. There is another room by this one with another three beds. The building is old and everything smells musty, but it is kept relatively clean.

The flat has a large living room, dining room, kitchen and utility room (which houses the toilet and shower). It is an awkward setup, tedious to explain, although amusing to witness. One roommate theorizes that the building is shaped like an upside down triangle. That explains the lack of 90 degree corners in the flat.

The place is like a small-scale UN meeting in its diversity, but with more booze, laptops and twin beds. Also, there is less talk of peace and disarming North Korea than at a typical UN get-together. Hong Kong, Japan, Poland, Brasil and the USA are all represented in the flat.

Both of my Asian roommates have taken up Christian names to make it easier for westerners. I am finding it a common practice here. It would be neat to come up with my own name in some other country.

My Japanese roommate works all too many hours as a chef at a Japanese restaurant and when he comes home, he likes to drink a beer or two and watch “every sport, but Cricket.” We talk about what little attachment I have to Japan and I throw out butchered Japanese phrases — any I can remember.

My Hong Kong roommate works at an Asian grocery store and promised me I could get fifty-percent off if I came in while he was working. He offers this in a very grave and serious manner, which is hilarious. He enunciates each word, lowers his head and widens his eyes. I cannot tell whether he is intentionally being funny or not. He has only been here a month or so and laughs often at his laptop screen. He has a friend who is often at the flat (living here really) who is also from Hong Kong.

My Polish roommate wants to be an actor and is moving back to Poland very soon to be in a play. He watches many movies. By many movies, I mean a few movies over and over. The apartment only has about five DVDs, which he cycles through. In fact, he has watched “Billy Elliot” at least three times in the past two days. He considers Sylvester Stallone a great actor and likes his mumbling.

My Brazilian roommate is short, extremely outgoing and sounds like a guru with his accent. He likes to talk about women and go out to drink. He is the self-proclaimed God Father of the flat. He takes the money and keep things in chaotic order. He works in the pub below our flat. Both the pub and flat are owned by the same person.

When I first arrived, he brought me and my Hong Kong roommate to a dinner at his French friend’s flat. It was a grand time with the two friends constantly making gay jokes about their close friendship at the expense of the French guy’s Mauritian girlfriend.

Before moving to Dublin, I had never heard of Mauritius. Since living here, I have met three people from there. In case you are as ignorant as me on the subject, Mauritius is a small island off of Madagascar. The population speaks English, French and Creole. The dodo bird lived there once. That is about all I have gathered.

My last roommate is the token female of the flat. I think just about all the roommates are in love with her on a basic instinctual level. She is a pretty Brasilian who prances around the place in fairly skimpy outfits (by prudish Protestant standards). All I know about her is she sings along to Cold Play and smokes on the balcony.

I was surprised to find Dublin such an international mixing bowl. I had a misconception that is was overwhelmingly native.

In my defense, this boom in immigration has occurred only in the last decade, according to many spoken sources. It s interesting to hear professors talk about Dublin pre-2000.

To go back a bit, I arrived in Dublin on the last day of August. My mother came with me to help me find a place and get me settled in. She is a flight attendant, so she has been to Dublin, but never for more than 24 hours. We stayed at the Maldron Hotel and the next three days were spent perusing local restaurants, searching daft.ie for potential shares and stopping by a few tourist traps.

While walking, we found Dublin’s “China Town” on Parnell Street and were treated to some of the best Chinese and Korean food I have ever consumed. I at first called it China Street, a more accurate name, but was corrected by a hotel attendant who asked me if I was talking about China Town. It is much less a town than a street, but Dublin is not a very big city so maybe the scale is skewed. Virtually every restaurant on the street has a great all you can eat breakfast for 5-7 euros.

We did a traditional Irish breakfast in the hotel restaurant. The Irish breakfast is very ham oriented, so I was a little disappointed since I don’t eat pork. The black and white pudding is a little nauseating to think of concerning basic ingredients. The name is due to one of the puddings being colored with blood.

The obligatory fish and chips and pint of Guinness was handled by an overpriced pub on the main city centre vein, O’Connell Street, near where I now live.

The good eats ended when my mother (and her purse) left. I was thankful to have the jump start, though. We looked at some places  while she was here, but none appealed to me completely.

After she left, I found the cheapest hostel online and stayed there for a week. It was a blur of people and names. I especially became friends with a group of French girls, a Texan attorney and an Italian lawyer who always wore suits.

The Italian lawyer was especially amusing to me. “If I cannot wear my suit, I will not go out!” he said in a Mario Brothers voice when told he was already overdressed and to just come to the bar as he was. His demands were met and the whole group waited for him to get dressed.

Two of the French girls seemed stand-offish and stereotypically snobbish at first, but we eventually became friends. They were bitchy in some of the best ways. It started with a core group of two girls, but grew to about four or five French girls toward the end of my stay at the hostel.

It is sad to watch so many people slip through your fingers, but that is the nature of the beast. An awward cliche, I know. The beast of traveling? I am sorry. I couldn’t do better at this time of night.

An Australian girl and experienced traveler told me that although going through so many people is slightly depressing, “you get used to it.”

Those temporary friends can certainly be useful later. One might be able to take advantage of them for an empty couch sometime in the future.

There is so much to catch up on. I have only made it to the beginning of October in my story, so I will take a break here. I think my life gets more eventful and amusing from here on out. Things to look forward to include pigeon murders, meeting other Americans, awkward Pulp Fiction dances and my new college burning down.

No kidding.

With a lot of great games on the horizon here is a list with videos of some of the games that we here at FOH are really looking forward to.

Demon’s Souls (PS3)- October 6th

A Boy and His Blob (Wii) – October 13th

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (PS3)- October 13th

Tropico 3 (360, PC) – October 17th

Fifa Soccer 10 (PS3, 360, Wii)- October 20th

Drawn To Life: The Next Chapter (Wii)- October 27th

Ratchet and Clank Future: A Crack In Time (PS3)- October 27th

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (PS3, 360) – November 10th

New Super Mario Brothers (Wii)- November 15th

Assassins Creed II (PS3, 360) – November 17th

Left For Dead 2 (360) – November 17th

Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles (Wii) – November 17th

i would totally plant a few of these in or around my neighbors house

Drummers are a fascinating species… This guy is totally nuts though… I love it… Anyone who can drum along with Mario Brothers music is pretty fucking awesome in my vocabulary! Check this guy out in action…

Here are 10 things you may not know about our favorite video game character Mario:

* Mario was first seen in the video game Donkey Kong, but he was called “Jumpman.” He was also a carpenter then, not a plumber.

* Mario was named after Mario Segale, the landlord of Nintendo of America’s office, who barged in on a company meeting demanding an overdue rent.

* Shigeru Miyamoto drew Mario as wearing a cap because he found drawing hair difficult. He also drew in the moustache, because it was easier to see than a mouth in the crude video game screen resolution back then.

* Mario and his younger brother Luigi are known as the “Mario Brothers.” This means that Mario’s last name is also Mario, so his full name is Mario Mario.

* Mario is voice-acted by Charles Martinet, who crashed the audition for “an Italian plumber from Brooklyn” character. Here’s an interview with the man:

* Mario’s nemesis is Wario (a combination of “warui”, the Japanese word for bad, and Mario). Similarly, Luigi’s rival is Waluigi. Both are also voiced by Charles Martinet.

* Mario has appeared in over 200 video games so far, has sold over 193 million units of games (all of the Mario series) and even has his own TV cartoon show. Super Mario Bros. 3 alone grossed over $500 million in USA.

* TV Schmeve, you’re nothing till there’s an opera done on you. In 2003, Jonathan Mann of California Institute of Arts created The Mario Opera, a rock opera:

* Super Mario Bros. theme music, written by Koji Kondo, is known worldwide. It has inspired countless fan-renditions, including one played by Zack Kim on two guitars (viewed over 4 million times on YouTube!), played by Jean Baudin on 11 string bass, beatboxed by Greg Patillo on the flute, and played by the Oregon Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra on the trombones.

But my favorite is this one by Play! symphony orchestra:

* Mario is the most famous character in the history of video games, and perhaps is the most famous character ever. In a 1990 poll by Marketing Evaluations, Mario was found to be more popular (and recognizable) among children than Mickey Mouse.

As frequent readers of this blog will know (I’m just going to pretend like I have frequent readers and maybe someday it will come true), I like reviews. I like critiquing and I like listening to the critics. However, I’m about to do something I’ve never done before… I’m going to review a video game.

I’m not into video games. I used to be. I used to play all the time on my Atari 800 when I was a kid. I was playing Mario Brothers WAY before they were ever Super. But as video games developed more intricate storylines and animations that actually looked like what they were supposed to be, I lost interest. I had enough frustrations to fill my time without trying to get past level 12 of King Gormagonzola. 

When I started dating my now husband, I remember being amazed at the quality of the video games he was playing on his PS2. It was a far cry from the last game I played, which was Tetris, on a black and white and green Gameboy. But I still wasn’t interested in video games.

Then this game called Guitar Hero came out. When I first heard about it, I thought it was a legitimate way to learn how to play the guitar. Then I found out the controllers were plastic and I was disappointed. But when my husband and I happened upon a demo of the game at an electronics store, a funny thing happened. We sat down to play together and I BEAT THE PANTS OFF OF HIM. I was elated. I’d never beaten him at a video game before, and I didn’t just beat him, I CREAMED him. I was an immediate Guitar Hero savant. (A few months later when I saw a shirt at Hot Topic that said “I beat my boyfriend at Guitar Hero” I knew I was part of an international phenomenon.)

So I took an interest in Guitar Hero and the subsequent Rock Band series. It was often frustrating because there were some awful songs you had to play to get to the good songs. And while my years of music education allow me to keep one step ahead of my husband now matter how hard he tries, this video game, like all others, ceased to keep my attention.

Oh but lookout. On 09/09/09 something glorious happened. Someone somewhere made a pact with the Devil and Paul McCartney, and BEATLES: ROCK BAND was released to the generations upon never-ending generations of Beatles fans, sure to rake in mountains of cash. They got my money right away.

I played the entire game over the better part of five hours. It was well-made and accurate enough to please any true Beatles fan, intimate with every detail of their career. Playing a song well allows you to unlock Beatles photographs, and before songs there is Beatle chatter from between studio takes. Unlike the other games, you don’t have to concern yourself with building an avatar and picking a guitar, because you are playing as the Beatles, with their clothes and their guitars. And there are no bad songs to push through….Okay that’s not true. The last section of the game is the Beatles Rooftop Concert and those are mostly songs from Let It Be which was just an unfortunate misstep of an album. But for the love of all things Beatle, I can’t understand why Dig A Pony would make any first-string cut. I’m pretty sure John Lennon didn’t even like that song.

But it’s a good game. I haven’t been back to play it since my initial triumph, but at some point I’m sure I’ll test out the drum parts, and on this particular game, unlike any of the other games, you can have multiple singers so that you can sing all the intricate Beatles’ harmony parts, and probably – I’m just guessing here – fail. It will definitely be the first game I pull out at my next party or gathering. But it’s still just a videogame and it will never have the strangle hold on my attention that just listening to music does.