Since my friend always calls me a bad ass and a rockstar lol, she dubbed this song my ring tone, so I thought I would post it lol

British Vogue’s December’s issue brought on a strong sense of nostalgia for me. A specific article, The Secret History of London Fashion Week, chronicled LFW from the `80s to present. After reading the piece, an abundance of emotions got my creative juices flowing, and a whirlwind of images fled through my mind. Truth be told, I had not really known LFW until recently but I remember the iridescence that fashion had as a whole. In the article, a series of designers, supermodels and buyers went into detail about the many tribulations the show endured over the years. But the focal points – Lynne Franks, a major PR Director and Stevie Smith – the mastermind behind collection Body Map, were the most inspiring. It was they who- with the exception of Vivienne Westwood and her line – were trailblazers for what London fashion was to become.

“Our LFW debut was called Cat in the Hat Takes a Tumble With the Rumblefish,” mused Smith. “We created a way of dressing using jerseys and sweatshirts that wasn’t just for skinny people, we had old, young, fat and thin on the catwalk. Even my mum.” His vision was beyond making pretty clothes and being conventional. Body Map was a breakaway from the norm other Fashion Designers were concurring with at the time. Even Franks’s concept was avant-garde “I persuaded one my clients to sponsor a tent [in Olympia] and up it went. The lawn collapsed after a few seasons and we had to move, but this marked the start of a new mood in fashion – it was fun and funky and young.”

Though it’s not quite as prestigious as fashion week in Milan or Paris, London Fashion Week is still the best place to showcase collections of both old and young. Matter of fact, London is ahead of all fashion corners for cultivating fashion design.  But the `80s and early `90s were a pivotal moment in fashion, as most designers of today who are creatively schizophrenic draw inspiration from fashion of that time. And not just from London, during the `80s fashion on a global scale became so baroque that the concept of colours and shapes held no barriers. The more abstract your dressing, the better. This was a philosophy that resonated with the fashion elite, rock stars and the hip-hop scene.

Body Map is a proven testament of playing with design concepts waywardly, and boldly. There’s fierce determination to make a statement in the collections. A great prime example of this is this piece worn by Uma Thurman:

and this punk-inspired pink, green and blue outfit:

As we move into modern times, Body Map’s concept was applied rather unconsciously by Toronto-based fashion designer Blaine Degannes of Rain Anthology:

Considering Dagannes had no background in fashion, I reckon his fashion history was extremely limited. Maybe if he did more research, it would have been easier for him to connect the dots. A reviewer of Toronto Fashion Week (where Dagannes debuted) stated his line Caribbean influenced, I’m not sure if that’s a bad thing, but it’s good when a fashion designer is influenced (much like Stevie Smith) but their upbringings. Degannes has the right idea, just not at the right level.

I do feel sorry for the pioneers who scavenge for talent now, the problem with a lot of fashion designers (much like aspiring fashion journalists) is that they’re too consumed with being something they’re not. They’re either overly processed and pretentious or stiff and dull. But all isn’t lost.

Russian designer Alexander Terexov takes the same concept and adds a resort feel to his Spring/Summer 2010 collection.

It’s safer, and glossier. But it doesn’t stand out. It’s a collection constructed for fashion-conscious pretty girls who like pretty things.

However, my when eyes trail to UK-based Ziad Ghanem’s spring/summer 2010 collection and it gives me hope. Not just because I like punk, but because his collection is a sign of the times. With the state of the economy, we’re looking for inspiration and he gives us that by taking the Body Map concept and revitalizing it:

Very British, very fun. That’s the word! Fashion was supposed to be fun. It’s okay if historic elements are prevalent. But while art and fashion are merged together, you’re supposed to enjoy wearing the garments.

Another favorite of mine is Berlin-fashion line C.Neeon who know how to the colour and print concept seamlessly.

Bare in mind they’ve been around for a long time, but the vision was there from the beginning, that’s why they’ve come this far.

Admittedly, I have a lifetime of fashion purgatory ahead. Before allowing my inner fashion feline to emerge, I held on to what I thought I knew: Balenciaga, Yves Saint Laurent and Balmain. I liked what I thought I liked, and that was what I knew, but thanks to discovering Body Map, the eccentric world of British fashion has given me a new outlook. Not just for what to wear, but for my fashion life in general.

printscreen fatti in giro per la rete, dopo gli emo, dopo gli indie, arrivano i fotografi-wannabe

la reflex è come l’iphone, sono strumentazioni costose e impegative che fanno gola sia ai geek che ai coatti. i geek proseguono la loro carriera aprendosi account flickr e spedendo altri soldi per acquistare nuovi obiettivi (e martellando i coglioni alla povera gente con “mi guardi le ultime foto su flickr?”, “o ma le hai viste le mie ultime foto?”, eccetera), i coatti no, perchè su google mettono “obbbiettivi reflex” e tutto finisce li.

Devo dire che la trovata di assegnare il titolo di Rockstar dell’anno 2009 a Silvio Berlusconi è stata una grande trovata pubblicitaria per la rivista RollingStone Magazine.

Da due giorni nella rete non si parla d’altro e il faccione di Silvio novello Obama già campeggia in molti siti. Che se parli bene o che se ne parli male, l’importante è che se ne parli. Sembra questa la filosofia che ha mosso l’edizione nostrana del celebre magazine d’oltreoceano.

Mi ha fatto sorridere leggere oggi i commenti che si susseguivano sul sito rollingstonemagazine.it. Neanche era uscita la rivista che subito gli artisti del “contro”, i neopuristi e i difensori dell’umana ragione, già assalivano il portale gridando “servi” ai redattori, minacciavano di non comprare più la rivista, e si cimentavano in oceaniche lettere di disgusto dal sapore quasi impegnato, mentre altri ancora gridavano allo scandalo per aver contaminato una rivista di musica con la politica. Lo sdegno preventivo è da sempre un’arma usata da molti, peccato che ancora una volta spara male.

Basterebbe comprare la rivista in edicola e leggerla (dopotutto costa solo 2,90 euro) per capire che le motivazioni che hanno spinto la redazione ad assegnare questo premio al Presidente del Consiglio sono tutt’altro che lusinghiere. Leggendo i cinque servizi vediamo da vicino le penne che scrivono lo speciale “Rockstar dell’anno” per Berlusconi. Il primo pezzo è scritto da Vincenzo Cerami, ex ministro ombra per i beni culturali del PD e attuale assessore nella giunta di Spoleto. Area politica PD. Alberto Piccinini, avvocato e scrittore aderente all’associazione scrittori bolognesi (della quale fa parte anche Carlo Lucarelli). Stefano Pistolini, firma del Foglio. Francesco Bonami, critico d’arte fiorentino. Silvia Ballestra, giornalista dell’Unità citata per danni da Berlusconi in persona.

Leggendo i cinque articoli, se si esclude “He is larger than life” di Pistolini, gli altri sono tutti pezzi che strizzano l’occhio a sinistra e mettono in risalto le debolezze del Premier. Si va dallo spirito ricercato di Cerami ai richiami al fascismo della Ballestra. Per non parlare delle vignette che ritraggono un B. ora con gli occhi pesti tipo panda, poi ubriaco con geishe, novello Apicella misto Elvis, fino al paragone con Keith Richards.

Per concludere, l’azione di RollingStone Magazine ci insegna tre cose: 1) che prima di criticare una cosa magari leggiamola: non è che se mettiamo Berlusconi in copertina lo facciamo per inchinarci al “padrone”; 2) che è possibile fare una satira che non porti alla querela nè che scenda nell’offesa più triviale; 3) che nonostante tutto, ci ricorderemo sempre che Silvio Berlusconi è stato eletto Rockstar dell’Anno 2009. Alla faccia di chi, avviandosi al termine delle sei pagine di servizio su Berlusconi-Rockstar, scrive: “[...]Ma invece a me continua a venirmi in mente una sola, semplice e brutale, parola: fascismo [...]“. Sembra quasi sentir risuonare dal fondo della strada delle note e una voce che canta “meno male che Silvio c’èèè…”

Il servizio di corriere.it per Silvio Rockstar dell’anno 2009 per la rivista RollingStone Italia

Rockstar’s DLC comes to disc.

This release see’s the completion of the biggest deal for downloadable content (DLC) yet seen. Microsoft reportedly paid Rockstar $50 million for the exclusive rights to, two pieces of DLC for uber seller GTA IV. This disc comes with both episodes of DLC  as a standalone package at a reduced RRP of £34.99 (it can be brought for as little as £24.99 on some online retailers) So did Microsoft get their monies worth? I think so! I do not know any PS3 owning GTA loving friends that are not green with envy over these two games and most are considering buying an Xbox 360 on the strength of these alone. And that surely was Microsoft’s aim to ram in the point that 2008’s  biggest release of the year was going to be a longer and more fulfilling prospect on their box of magic tricks.

Both episodes tell different stories that are woven through the course of the GTA IV ‘Niko Bellic’  story but are totally unique. Although completely separate they do allow you to see some of the key points of Niko’s story from a different view-point and even tie up a few loose ends , in particular the story of the Diamonds.

We will start with the first episode of the package this being “The Lost And The Damned”. I won’t dwell too long on this part as it has been out as DLC since March this year and most would have played it by now. But in the interest of those that have not,  it  tells the story of Johnny Klebbitz deputy leader of motorcycle gang “The Lost” and his struggles with his deranged drug taking brother and leader Billy.  Billy has just been released from jail and is hell-bent on breaking the peace between their rival gang that Johnny has worked so hard to attain in his absence. What follows is between 7- 8 hours of gameplay with Rockstar’s trademark cracking dialogue and plenty of violence. Not much new is added gameplay wise apart from some new weapons  and vehicles, the star of the show being the explosive Grenade Launcher.

The second episode titled the “Ballad of Gay Tony” places you in the shoes of Luis Lopes bodyguard and business partner of titular gay nightclub impresario Tony Prince.  What follows is different to both the original GTA IV and the first episode’s story. Different because gone is the more sombre, serious realistic style of game that GTA IV ushered in and back is the trademark GTA loud brash fun. It would seem that the club land setting has allowed Rockstar to let rip as the missions in TBOGT are so far removed from the previous ones it is a God send. From having to steal a military helicopter and a train carriage through to throwing an internet Blogger called the Celebrinator out of a helicopter and diving after him to catch him, the emphasis is most definitely back to fun fun fun. The game manages to add more than TLATD such as, Base Jumping, club management, Triathlon style races and heaps more weapons and vehicles. There is even a very amusing dance mini game where you and your fellow clubbers do the bus stop and if you do this perfectly you will be rewarded with a treat from a lovely lady.

The story telling takes a bit of a back seat compared to GTA IV and TLATD because of the added over the top missions and other gameplay features,  but you will be having so much fun you would be hard pressed to notice this. Despite the slightly lacklustre story this time round there is a real star turn in the form of Omad Djallili as the mega rich Yusuf Amir, a gangster rap loving  Arab who is trying to prove to his father he is a business man and not a Cocaine snorting, whore fucking idiot. Obviously though he is a complete idiot and he provides some real proper laugh out loud moments.

GTA as ever is a far from perfect experience and the graphics engine is starting to look a bit tired. The animation now looks a little ropey when compared to its more recent competition.  And the gameplay, with the slightly dodgy aiming and cover system included, is not for everyone. But as ever the games has it’s fans which I am proud to say I am one of and this is because of the real star of the show which of course is Liberty City itself. Try as much as others have nobody out there can create a real living breathing city in the way Rockstar can and I have to salute them. A complete recreation  and copy of  New York City is incredible and a programing milestone. And being able to play through 3 stories and see the city from a slightly different perspective each time is a testament to the developers huge talents.

When you consider both episodes add about 7 – 8 hours of gameplay and are both available as DLC is very impressive. Even more impressive when you consider the price.  Both can picked up as DLC for 1600 points (£13.60) each if you own GTAIV and for sub £24.99 on the standalone disc at various online retailers if you don’t.  In short there really is not a lot to dislike if you are a GTA fan then both episodes come highly recommended from me especially the over the top thrills to be found in the ‘Ballad of Gay Tony’. Roll on the sequel wherever it is going to be, Vice City is being mooted but I would dearly love it to be London again.

Rating 8/10

Ieri il tam tam della rete aveva un unica chiave di ricerca: Silvio Berlusconi RockStar dell’anno.

“Ha sbaragliato rockstar del calibro di Madonna e Beyoncè. A sorpresa la celebre rivista di musica Rolling Stone ha eletto Silvio Berlusconi rockstar dell’anno, e gli dedicherà la copertina del numero di dicembre dell’edizione italiana. Alla base della scelta “gli evidenti meriti raccolti dal premier, capace come nessun altro di stare sotto le luci della ribalta e distinguersi per il suo stile di vita degno delle migliori rockstar”. (TGCOM)

“Il premier, votato all’unanimità dalla redazione, ha battuto il presidente degli Stati Uniti Barack Obama e il papa Benedetto XVI. Per la vita di Berlusconi, dice il direttore di Rolling Stone Italia Carlo Antonelli, “la definizione di rock&roll va persino stretta. I Rod Stewart, i Brian Jones, i Keith Richards dei tempi d’oro sono pivellini in confronto. La “Neverland” di Michael Jackson è una mansardina in confronto a Villa Certosa, e via così”. Nonostante il tono ironico, Antonelli assicura però di non voler “dispensare giudizi da destra o da sinistra”. (Il Giornale)

“L’editore americano del magazine, Shepard Fairey, si è così espresso su Berlusconi: “A volte nel mio lavoro cerco di mettere in dubbio personaggi autorevoli, specialmente quando questi sembrano avere ragioni ambigue alla base delle loro azioni. Tutto quello che ho sentito e letto su Berlusconi mi porta a credere che lui si adatti a questa descrizione” (Libero)

“Per il direttore della rivista non si tratta di un giudizio politico, “siamo ben fuori dal dispensare giudizi da destra o da sinistra. Siamo solo osservatori che constatano ciò che è avvenuto e avviene ogni giorno. I comportamenti quotidiani di Silvio la sua furia vitale, il suo stile di vita inimitabile, gli hanno regalato, specie quest’anno, un’ incredibile popolarità internazionale”" (Sky tg24)

….Repubblica non riporta la notizia. Adesso ci manca solo che Playboy vada a caccia di ministre e parlamentari..o che magari facciano un calendario…

Link to review

I was slightly skeptical on beginning Grand Theft Auto’s The Ballad Of Gay Tony for one main reason.

Whilst GTA 4’s main campaign was great, what does the final chapter of the GTA 4 episode installment have in store? Something to guarantee me coming back to it? Or the same old boring day to day grind GTA ever so easily portrayed after the honeymoon period left?

Guardate che notizia vi ho scovato:

Rolling Stone Italia nomina Silvio Berlusconi “Rockstar dell’anno”: da sempre, in occasione dell’uscita del numero di dicembre, il mensile incorona il personaggio che si è distinto nel corso dell’anno per il suo carattere e temperamento decisamente rock&roll. Per celebrare l’evento Rolling Stone ha dedicato al cavaliere la copertina del prossimo numero, realizzata per l’occasione dal designer americano Shepard Farey, ormai famoso in tutto il mondo per i suoi manifesti di Barack Obama creati per la candidatura a Presidente degli Stati Uniti. La decisione di eleggere Silvio Berlusconi Rockstar dell’anno é stata presa dalla redazione di Rolling Stone per gli evidenti meriti raccolti dal cavaliere, capace come nessun altro di stare sotto le luci della ribalta e distinguersi per il suo stile di vita degno delle migliori rockstar.

Da Ansa.it

Siamo davvero fortunati ad avere un Presidente del Consiglio così! Ma… ne siamo proprio sicuri?

]]> http://since1988me.wordpress.com/2009/11/23/sesso-droga-e-apicella/ Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:48:11 +0000 michele http://since1988me.wordpress.com/2009/11/23/sesso-droga-e-apicella/

RollingStones Italia assegna il premi RockStar dell’anno a mister B. motivando: “Ciò che conta, per noi, dovendo ogni dicembre eleggere una “rockstar dell’anno”, è che quest’anno la votazione sia avvenuta all’unanimità, per evidenti meriti dovuti a uno stile di vita per il quale la definizione di rock&roll va persino stretta. I Rod Stewart, i Brian Jones, i Keith Richards dei tempi d’oro sono pivellini in confronto. La “Neverland” di Michael Jackson è una mansardina in confronto a Villa Certosa, e via così. Siamo ben fuori dal dispensare giudizi da destra o da sinistra. Siamo solo osservatori che constatano ciò che è avvenuto e avviene ogni giorno. I comportamenti quotidiani di Silvio, la sua furia vitale, il suo stile di vita inimitabile, gli hanno regalato, specie quest’anno, un’incredibile popolarità internazionale”

Quase sempre eu discordo de listas dos mais gatos, mais brilhantes, mais-mais-mais. No entanto, acho que a Rolling Stone dessa vez tomou uma decisão genial ao escolher o primeiro-ministro italiano, Silvio Berlusconi, como o rockstar do ano. Além da ótima escolha, o pessoal da edição italiana da revista pediu para o Shepard Fairey (o mesmo cara responsável por aquele poster mega conhecido da campanha do Obama) ilustrar a capa.

Seriously! A vida-louca-curtição do Raul Gil italiano é de deixar qualquer estrela da música no chão. Cheio de sedução, só esse ano ele conseguiu se envolver em mili escândalos sem que absolutamente nada acontecesse com ele. Acho polêmico.

La edición de la revista Rolling Stone Italia eligió como estrella Rockstar del año al presidente del Gobierno, Silvio Berlusconi.

Como suele ser habitual, en el número de diciembre de la conocida revista de música se elige a la personalidad que se ha distinguido durante el año por su carácter y temperamento rockstar y en esta ocasión el elegido es Berlusconi.

Para ello, la revista encargó la portada de Berlusconi al diseñador estadounidense Shepard Farey, conocido por haber creado el famoso cartel con el rostro de Barack Obama y la palabra Hope (esperanza), símbolo de su campaña a la presidencia de los Estados Unidos.

La portada realizada por Farey está basada en una imagen en la que se ve a Berlusconi que rompe un folio con la frase Silvio, Rockstar del año, y que en la fotografía original era el programa electoral de sus adversarios.

La redacción de la revista escogió a Berlusconi como estrella del Rock del año porque “Il Cavaliere es capaz como nadie de estar bajo los reflectores y su estilo de vida es digno de las mejores estrellas del rock”.

El director de Rolling Stone Italia, Carlo Antonelli, en su editorial explica que el estilo de vida de Berlusconi supera incluso la definición de lo que es ser un verdadero rockstar.

“Los Rod Stewart, Brian Jones y Keith Richards en su tiempos de oro eran sólo unos novatos en comparación con Berlusconi”, añade Antonelli.

Para Antonelli, la mansión Neverland de Michael Jackson es una buhardilla si la comparamos con Villa Certosa, la residencia de Berlusconi en la isla de Cerdeña.

“Su furia vital, su estilo de vida inimitable, le han regalado, especialmente este año, una increíble popularidad”, añade el director de la revista.

Y para darles un pequeño ejemplo de por que Berlusconi es Rockstar pues solo queda mencionar su demanda por haber tenido relaciones con una menor de edad, aparte de ser dueño del AC Milán y hacer lo que se le antoja, el si es un patrón no como las mamadas de Vergara.

Para que se vayan dando una idea les dejo este video de su ultimo escándalo donde tomaron unas fotos de una fiesta en su hacienda en Villa Certosa muy bien acompañado.

ROMA (Reuters) – L’edizione italiana della leggendaria rivista musicale e di costume “Rolling Stone” ha assegnato al premier Silvio Berlusconi il titolo di rockstar dell’anno “per il suo carattere e temperamento decisamente rock&roll” e gli dedicherà la copertina del numero di dicembre.

“La decisione di eleggere Silvio Berlusconi “Rockstar dell’anno” è stata presa dalla redazione di Rolling Stone per gli evidenti meriti raccolti dal Cavaliere, capace come nessun altro di stare sotto le luci della ribalta e distinguersi per il suo stile di vita degno delle migliori rockstar”,dice un comunicato diffuso oggi dalla rivista.

Per la vita del premier, dice il direttore di Rolling Stone Italia Carlo Antonelli, “la definizione di rock&roll va persino stretta.

Thomson Reuters is the world’s largest international multimedia news agency, providing investing news, world news, business news, technology news, headline news, small business news, news alerts, personal finance, stock market, and mutual funds information available on Reuters.com, video, mobile, and interactive television platforms.

Fonte:
http://it.reuters.com/article/topNews/idITMIE5AM0DT20091123

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Imagine you’re on one of those game shows where you have to choose between door number one, door number two, or door number three?

Pretty nerve-wracking ordeal, even if the payoff is good through any of the three doors.

Now imagine there are 10,267 doors from which to choose. Again, there’s a reward on the other side of each one of those doors, but why are your nerves ablaze at the thought of such a decision?

The answer is simple. As a regular, rational-minded, living, breathing human, you want to make the best decisions that will give you the maximum benefit for your life. You care not to waste time on trial and error.

That’s where all the fear originates for people when choosing a work-from-home opportunity. There are so many great opportunities out there, but we can’t do them all; additionally, some may be more suited for us than others.

Pick one work-from-home strategy and you may generate significant income, but it might not be that fun for you. Pick another and you may generate just enough to pay the bills, but it fulfills your need for having fun. Or you might get lucky and find a program that generates significant profit and fun for you.

Who doesn’t want the best of both worlds? Who doesn’t want to have fun making money?

Here’s a tip to remove the clouds of uncertainty as you embark on your work-from-home adventures. It’s actually two points to consider:

a) Ditching your daily commute is more fun than getting stuck in traffic.

b) Working for yourself and determining how much you want to make is more fun than being a wage slave for someone else who’s determining your salary.

When you consider the two essential truths of working from home, you begin to realize that whichever program you choose to start your home-based business, chances are it’s probably going to be one that improves your quality of life.

And it’s still okay to be fearful of scams, but most companies today that specialize in work-from-home opportunities (i.e. 99.9 percent of them) are legitimate. If they have a toll-free contact number that leads to a corporate office somewhere, you’re in the clear. In this day and age of forums and discussion boards, it’s pretty hard for scams to survive for long.

Yes, the thought of starting a home-based business can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be.

I’ve been working online for nearly a month. My recommendation is don’t jump into anything too quickly. Do all the research you can. Wait for things to jump out at you that pique your interest. It is possible to earn a full-time (or greater) income from home, but it won’t happen overnight, there is a lot to learn and there’s a lot of information to filter through, but persevere and it becomes simple.

I am getting more confident every day because I know I’m one step closer to my dreams. Keep at it – you’ll be closer to your goals tomorrow, and things keep getting better after that.

Manuel Carrillo III considers himself the future number-one automotive journalist in North America. He aims at achieving that goal by mastering Internet marketing and profiting off his mastery. Manuel hails Maverick Money Makers as the everyman’s program for profiting online. Click here to find out how to start generating an income online.

Article Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Manuel_Carrillo_III

I LOVE energy drinks, almost more than alcoholic drinks. And I have to tell you, I find these facts amusing as hell.

Energy Drink Heaven

The Boston Globe had this to report:

I have been doing research on EzineArticles.com and ClickBank.com. I just signed up with those two resources today and I think they will help in monetizing my efforts on the Web.

My ability to be profitable on the Internet will allow me to have enough money to create my own version of Top Gear.

This will also help me with the goal of changing my life before the end of the first week of December – as referenced in my first post.

Today I feel as though I’ve made some progress. Every day I learn a little bit more. Every day I get closer to my dream.

I’m just going to keep going!

Now I have to wonder who doesn’t want to be a Rockstar in this day and age? I would think that even the most hardcore bookworm has fantasies of standing in front of an adoring crowd as millions scream his/her name with piercing shrieks of wanting and unrequited love. I know that I’ve had these feelings and dreams a time or two myself- even going so far as to manifest itself physically when I’m standing on top of my bed holding a hairbrush as my loose curls whip across my face while I attempt to give myself whiplash and lip singing to the latest jams. [Frowns at the reader] Hey I’m sure you’ve done something similar as well so stop that snickering over there! But unfortunately unlike the real rockstars I was left stranded on the street without a ride after my buddies forgot me and headed back home. How they didn’t know I wasn’t in the car is anyone’s guess but there it is folks. You can be sure that even though I was without a car and only had 1L to my name I was rocking that roadside curb as I tried to  hitch a ride back south.

As a model I get a bit of that fame and glory even if sometimes I don’t even realize it or can’t fully appreciate it with all the work I have to do constantly that overrides that feeling of joy and exalt at times. It’s been getting a bit chilly lately as the winter season crawls upon us and turns our blood to ice but I wasn’t feeling a thing with my new faux fur coat from Aoharu. It is definitely bound to keep you warm and stylish in even those most frigid of temperatures. Unfortunately for me I had decided to go with a stylish and daring short over the eye sweep cut from MADesigns and my neck was feeling a bit of the wind’s bite. I was never one for the whole flashy and ostentatious look so I decided to go with the Glam Goddess Rocker rather than the all out wild child rocker. It’s a look anyone can pull off- staying casual yet stylish and up-t0-date in this nice cool piece. Who says you have to be all flash and glitter to rock it out?

Skin: Soul Skins – Tiffany 03 Female Skin

Eyes: Adam-n-Eve – Almond Eyes

Hair: MADesigns – Jude Expresso

Jacket: AOHARU – BT Fur Coat – Black

Pants: Detour – Vice Jeans 03

Shirt: Detour – Belly Tank top/Print 16/Splat

Shoes: Armidi Gisaci – Oxford Leather Ankle Boots

Jewelry: Armidi – Niama Necklace – Silver

Rockstar Games has just released Grand Theft Auto: Episodes From Liberty City exclusively for Xbox 360 which includes two complete games “The Lost and Damned” and the all-new episode “The Ballad of Gay Tony”. The game is available on disc or for download via Xbox LIVE.

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Do not install the new patch for Rockstar’s GTA IV for pc.  This patch caused nothing but problems with my computer.  When it installed the setup actually deleted a lot of fonts right out of the Window’s fonts folder, so a lot of programs suffered from missing texts.  Online play doesn’t work(well it doesn’t unless you update either).  Lets just say I payed $50 for this !@#! game, and then Rockstar !@#!s up the online play and doesn’t want to !@#!ing fix it.  Good job Rockstar.

Last time I listed a brief history of GTA franchise showing where it started and where we have come. As I said I am not going to review the games, given that GTAIV was released over a year ago and I have not played any of the expansions to the game there is really no point.

Why has this franchise done so well?

Well like all the best games out there the GTA franchise works as well as it does because it removes you from reality for as long as you wish it too and you can be someone different, and lets face it, who hasn’t want to run around like a madman with a ak…. I mean be someone different but without having to suffer any of the trauma as a result.

The first time I played GTA I knew it was different. For a start the graphics were shit, Ridge Racer came out two years before and had superior graphics. The reason I say the graphics were so shit and feel I can get away with this is because like all the best games out there it proved you don’t need the loveliest of graphics to win an audience over, simply amazing game play and this game had it. It wasn’t a racing game and it wasn’t a FPS, it was something in between and the majority of us lapped it up.

The reason for this I feel was because it was one of the first games I remember where there was no set pattern. What did you have to do in Ridge Racer? Get a mass amount of first places to move on. What did you have to do in Street Fighter? Beat other fighters one by one. In GTA the goal was to move to another island. Not exactly an amazing goal and really very straight forward but its how you did it. Get enough cash together and you progressed. You could do this in one of two ways. Kill people and do very silly things in cars or do missions. You had the choice. Killing people and doing very silly things in cars was quicker. Missions were more honest. You had that choice to make and I think most people may not have done the missions.

For a couple of years this was the main game, top down view and that is how it stayed until GTAIII came alone and suddenly everything changed.

When it was announced GTAIII was coming out in 3d with a real breathing city myself and many friends who were hopelessly addicted to the original GTA thought this would ruin it and take away what was so good about the game to begin with. Thankfully we were proved wrong.

Now you had real people, real storylines, cars that looked amazing, real streets, real parks. In short our minds were blown. It looks crude today but when GTAIII came out it really did change everything. Missions were provided that meant something. Storyline lines felt like they are been scripted by Michael Mann or Martin Scorsese and you could honestly see people like John Travolta or Ray Winston playing parts in the games, in a way this gave credibility to the extent that games have started winning awards, who honestly thought that would have happened 20 years ago?

So, you have realism but again why is this such a big thing? Why did this make the franchise as well as it did? Personally I feel its like movies. You don’t go in to see films Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels or The Godfather because you are a gangster you fo to see them to take a peek behind the curtain to see what that world is like and anyone who says that these games (and or movies though for some reason movies can get away with a lot more without being slapped on the wrist) are the down fall of society and makes people into unstable people who will go around doing this sort of things are just nitwits who need to understand that if someone cannot see the different between fantasy and reality should probably be looked after because they may not be completely there to begin with. I don’t mean that to sound horrible to anyone with any kind of an illness, what I mean is that if a normally “rational” human being has spent half there lives looking after sick people suddenly plays a violent video game and thinks “that’s good for a laugh”, they may not have been entirely sane or rational to begin with.

But that really is a entirely different subject altogether and not one I will discuss now.

I am going to leave it there for now, I didn’t mean this to be a three party article but I have more to say and I realize this is starting to get quite long.