MERRY CHRISTMAS! OK–maybe it’s a little early for that but I’m so excited that the season has officially started (no offense to any of you turkeys out there–you’re awesome too but Christmas just plain rocks).

John had the opportunity to photograph Amanda and Zachary for an Engagement shoot at PPG and then off to Station Square and I thought this picture was perfect for a post today. How adorable! Amanda and Zachary are getting married on New Year’s Eve 2010…isn’t that so cool??  Talk about a celebration.

Thanks Amanda and Zachary!

This flyer was done for Steve at Epic Limo Pittsburgh. Steve was one of the few clients that actually provided great imagery, so it made the execution of this design even more enjoyable. Epic Limo is getting very involved with our Neo Romance Fashion Show to benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure which will be held at Zen on October 7th, 2009. He is donated two limos to transport models, as well as discounts for limo packages, and a very large night out package for the silent auction. I’ve really enjoyed working with Epic Limo, and can’t wait to work with them in the future. 

http://www.epiclimopgh.com

I did this design for work. It is our massive fall fashion show.

Philip Pelusi presents NEO ROMANCE: A Night of Style and Fashion, to benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Pittsburgh Affiliate. Wednesday, October 7th, 2009 at Zen Social Club in Station Square.

Philip Pelusi Salons continue their efforts in the fight against breast cancer with their annual Hair and Fashion Show. Philip Pelusi, 96.1 KISS FM, Pittsburgh’s CW, Docherty Model & Talent Agency, Pitt2night.com, Epic Limo, Fotorecord Print Center and many more are joining together for the 2009 Philip Pelusi Hair & Fashion Show – “Neo Romance”. All profit from this evening will be donated to the Pittsburgh Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure to fund local breast cancer research and programs.

The reception kicks off at 7:00pm with music by DJ Adam Oliveri, drinks courtesy of Finlandia Vodka and Coors Light, hors d’oeuvres by Folino’s, W.G. Grinders & The Quiet Storm, and auctions containing upscale accessories, Pittsburgh sports memorabilia, & dining/leisure certificates. The fashion show premieres at 8:30pm, revealing the latest styles in hair and makeup by the renowned Philip Pelusi International Design Team and the hottest fall fashions!

General admission tickets purchased individually in advance are $30.00 each. Runway seats are $50.00 and include access to the exclusive upstairs lounge. Tickets purchased at the door are $40.00 each. In addition, there are a limited number of VIP Packages from $200.00 – $500.00, as well as Sponsorship opportunities. For information on VIP Packages and Sponsorship opportunities please call Sara Ruth at 412.488.8951 x205 or visit online at http://neoromance2009.yolasite.com/.

Tickets are on sale at all Philip Pelusi Salon locations and online at http://neoromance2009.yolasite.com.  To find a Philip Pelusi location call 1-888-263-4720 or visit our website www.philippelusi.com. To order by phone call 412-488-8951 x205.

Food is the essence of inevitability, in the perspective of the ambience and the visceral nature it creates. Different areas create different initiatives in the status of where its focus lies. This permeates from the urban to the rural. While necessitating an almost ghostly intermediary, the intonation of the area of Pittsburgh and its surrounding countryside paints ironic and interesting pictures of the culinary and its winds through a thinly buried medium of culture. First the urban.

The South Side of Pittsburgh carries a vibe of irresistable inconsistency as the twinkling lights across the Three Rivers gives way to a stable of various visions of fusion, luxury dining and simple existences of comfort.

The warm auspice of Fathead’s combines the essence of a neighborhood bar with the laid back elements of a bistro. Initiating with a Great Lakes Blackout Stout from Cleveland, the French onion vista of the parmesan soup, chunky in its secrets with a wisp of tart, led way to a Troegs Dead Reckoning Porter from Harristown, PA. The Three Pepper Burger, as an ode to its local heritage combining the mild, the medium and the hot through the burn of the jalapeno as a light but smooth handpumped Uncle Teddy’s Bitter from Downingtown PA, angled a quiet lit walk down the vision.

Further down the South Side, cocktails can become in the early evening starting with a spot of vino at The Wine Loft which has an aura of warmness with a bit of the slick, specifically the Rasmait Tempranillo from Spain which tantalized with a sense of spice.

Across the street, the clamor of the Hofbrauhaus allowed for a clear breeze along the lake as the volume of the one liter Hofbrau Dunkel Lager from Munich, Germany served in the big boy’s glass was highlighted by the chatter of the girls’ night out the next table over.

The Yo Rita only steps away from Fatheads made the late night with low lights and its efforts of fusion to burn the soul. The Blueberry Mojto frigitized in a smooth purple hue with the glow of mint began the dawn accompanied by a cold cucumber and cilantro soup mixed with chipotle which tickled the tongue when paired concurrently with a vindictive shot of Corazon tequila. The jicama chopped salad existed in paradox to the soup with its combination of edamame, ghost cheese, melon and mint creating a radically cool sensation. The consumption of the final course proved undeniable with the crackling of a soft shell blue crab taco with its full bodied crustacean disappearing in full form with a gentle spicing of habanero and lime.

On the higher end at the Grand Concourse at Station Square, the old train perspective of a life captured in time leads out to a vista of one of the many bridges silently teeming over Pittsburgh proper giving credence to this “Golden Triangle” as almost a mini-geographic version of Manhattan.

Inside the deeply shadowed dining within a circle booth, the inception of the Blue Point Oysters flicker with a sliver of horseradish teased within the balance of a 12 oz. Penn Brewery Lager. But the sheer melting lightness of the parmeasan encrusted King Cove Sole topped with jumbo lumped crab offered veritable euphoria as a chorus of blackened shrimp sang its praises.

The climax within the chocolate molten cake topped with a Heath Bar encrusted scoop of ice cream was made all the more devilish by the inclusion of a Graham 20 Year Tawny Port that simply beautified the taste of eternity.

By comparison, almost straight up from the South Side atop the Duquesne Incline, which back over a hundred and fifty years ago miners used to traverse on foot, the panorama of the city comes into view. As shown by photographs and later art, the industry of Pittsburgh once covered it in a darkness of soot which has since been replaced by an almost cosmopolitan setting.

After traversing into the 40s era chandelier pretense of the bar at Lemont’s bathed in regality while sipping a Basil Hadyn Bourbon on the rocks, a short walk next door to Bella Vista provided a more comfortable and almost rustic ambience.

The crab filled heartiness of the portabello mushroom esconsced in a bit of cream allowed for a rich yet heartfelt progression to a similarly parmeasan encrusted cod, flaky in its irreverence, served over spinach.

However it was the double entendre of a soft biscotti cake mixed with amaretto in parallel to a tiramisu topped with an amaretto sauce that pushed the mind over the edge into brilliance.

A couple other tastes of Pittsburgh also existed within the city limits.

The Church Brew Works pertained the veil of irony having been converted into a microbrewery from St. John The Baptist Church. The brew kettles sit with reverence upon the altar as penitence is taken at the tables with an able pint.

The Oatmeal Stout began the proceedings with an able traditional of perogies, a filled potato and onion dumpling of Polish origin, both in its natural form but also attempted as a fusion of black bean with tomatoes and basil with limited effect.

As the taste moved into the award winning Pious Monk Dunkel Lager, the inflection of Risotto Lollipops in an upside down presentation mixed with mushrooms with pesto nicely crossed the aptly named BBQ Chicken Slaw Sandwich replete with bacon as the Confessional Pale Ale provided benediction.

The Strip of Penn Avenue provides a blooming potpourri of possibilities as villified by Burgh Bits & Bites which offers tours to the crevices of certain culinary pinpoints. Wholey’s Fish Market provides POS from which many of the city and countryside’s restaurants angle from. Andy from behind the sushi bar offers a special citrus sauce that is conducive to both fish and vegetable.

A plethora of tastes awaits in the Pennsylvania Macaroni Company which is, (again ironically) in majority, a cheese shop with over 500 different cheeses (many of which are also available online). From the mild Beemster Graskaas from Holland to the hard edged Fury Saros, a sheep’s cheese from Italy’s Sardinia Islands, to the dry richness of the Majorero, a goat cheese from the Canary Islands, resident expert Carol Pascuzzi amazes with her knowledge.

Around the corner, at Enrico’s Biscotti, the front shop gives way to a secret gated entrance where Larry, the owner, unfurls his just bottled, liquid gold Chilean table wine, a side product of the Carlos Garage Winery. Steps away at Bella Notte, the comfort progression of a simple but at times ravishing simple cheese pizza pie with a dark Yuengling duels in its relevance.

Breakfast in the city can be a bit more eccentric. Coca Cafe in the Lawrenceville neighborhood of Pittsburgh, ingrains with real life impressionism as a banana-blueberry soy milk smoothie sings in concert with a grilled jalapeno muenster polenta cake dancing with the runnyness of two poached eggs and garnished by apple smoked bacon and a wisp of guacamole.

In contrast at Oh Yeah!, the conception of belgium waffles topped by the aptly named Lebowski Kahlua Ice and sprinkled with the essence powder of Magic, Electricity and Cookie Dough gave poise to the sweet tooth.

In terms of multigenerational, the culinary stylings of a city needs to stand true to the balance of time as well as art. Two professed highlights of this heighten the senses.

The Carnegie Museum Of Art, barely caddycorner from The University Of Pittsburgh, offers an exceptional viscosity of meaning in terms of the breathe of its collection from local to European to simply modern.

The simple essence of having Van Gogh’s “Plains Of Augus” [1890], Degas’ “The Bath” [1890] and Renoir’s “Bathers With Crab” in one small room is quite impressive. Monet’s mural of “Nympheas” [1915] with its vibrant dreamlike reflections within the auspice of water lilies offers peace. Henri Le Sidaneer’s “Moonlight” [1913] creates a luminiscence and depth of field that is chilling while local Aaron Gorson’s “Pittsburgh At Night” [1920] offers a vision of darkness balanced with the essence of fire.

The modern side of the Carnegie Museum is also effectively motley in its presentation from Gerard Ritger’s energetic “612-I United” [1986] to Zao Wou-Ki’s subtle “Untitled” [1958] to Woljeich Fangor’s “MS-1969” which swells with a perception of loss also accented with the ode of the experimental in Jackson Pollock’s “Number 4” [1950] hanging only feet away.

In transitioning with the modern, the Andy Warhol Museum creates a sense of irony in a city he once shunned to move to New York. The conception of his life and his ideals on the definition of art flow with an element of paradox through the multiple floors. The top floor begins swirling with the filmed essence of The Factory dancing around sheet draped couches.

The essence of Nico from the Velvet Underground reigns about the floor in droves, both in photographs and performance art.

The actual paintings Warhol did in 1975 of Mick Jagger contains a would-be perception of color slipping and melting while two concurrent paintings of Michael Jackson and Prince in 1984 speak to their competition within pop culture.

Candid photos and portraits beneath glass (on subsequent floors) of Deborah Harry (aka Blondie) and Diana Ross (sans make-up) give way to a personal Polaroid of Warhol, John Lennon and Yoko Ono which brings chills to the spine. The Campbell Soup paintings (these two draped in orange and purple) allow progression to the famous Double Elvis while one of his screen tests, following an ingenue enamoured of his artistic perception, glances from the background with a tease nonetheless.

Pittsburgh, in its urban culinary inevitability, offers a mix of the generational and the inclined while still recognizing the needs for experimental and fusion which like its possibilities of art sufficed by the Carnegie and Warhol museums provides a sense of irony that gives this vision its identity.

…Suggestion Box and  Victory by Revenge. Two bands that are kickin’ it at the Hard Rock in Station Square on Friday.

Here’s the rundown:

August 14th (this Friday)
Hard Rock Cafe (Station Square)
Suggestion Box (great cover band)
Victory by Revenge (pop punk opener)
$3 captain and cokes/ bottles
tix: $5/8
doors open at 9
music starts at 10
Ages 21+

You can contact my good bud for more info at Pierce@touchfaster.com  His name’s Pierce…if you were wondering.

Unfortunately, I won’t be able to make this…buuuuuut, at least it’s for a good reason. I’ll be at the beach (what whaaaaat!)!

I met Maria and BJ the day of their wedding. We had talked a few times on the phone, but it wasnt until that day, that we actually met. Guys thanks for making me feel so welcome!

They were married over Memorial Day Weekend at Old St. Luke’s: a cute historical church that held a nice intimate setting for a very cool wedding.

Then we headed to Mt. Washington for some formal photos, and as our luck had it, it rained during the ceremony, and after just a little bit, but when we got to the overlook, the skies were beautiful.

Then the three of us headed down to Station Square to shoot some fun photos of just Maria and BJ.

The reception was on the Gateway Clipper, and they danced the night away.

Thank you for letting me be a part of your day. Here are some of your much awaited photos.

Maria’s father recently passed away, and she wanted to make sure that he walked her down the isle with her mom.

BJ’s first glance of Maria,

And a moment later.

We’re married!

This was totally the guys idea. Fortunately no one fell!

I love this shot on the boat to end, there are many more, but you’ll have to wait to see those.

Again, Maria, BJ, thank you and blessings.

The entire Pittsburgh Steelers team was drowned today, after Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, apparently still flying high from his appearance at the Super Bowl, decided to once again ditch his US Airways Airbus 320 in a river, this time the Monongahela.

“Unlike what happened in New York City recently, this didn’t turn out to be the “Miracle on the Mon,”" said Pittsburgh Police Lt. Kevin Lyman. “Personally, I think the whole think had gone to Sully’s head…and he was showing off.”

The jet was able to fly under the Ft. Pitt Bridge, but once it splashed down near Station Square it just, “Dropped like a pass thrown to Limas Sweed.” Said one observer.  ”Never had a chance.”

David Letterman, who was going to welcome QB Ben Roethisberger onto his show tonight, expressed his regrets and will instead interview Charo.

YOUR PICTURES ON YOUR DESK IN SECONDS
Order, pay and download immediately from all over the world

PhotoStockHolland.com offers an image bank with a wide range of
high resolution images of the most interesting parts of The Netherlands ( Holland ).
·Our stock photo’s are exclusively made for PhotoStock Holland.com
· All photographs are non exclusive & Royalty-Free. · Typical Dutch images · Holland as it is now
· Produced for Free-Press &-Design · No limitations to use or re-use
100 % Freedom to chanche and re-arrange and obtain all legal rights.
· 3456 x 2304 pixels each· (More than sufficient for 300 DPI printing at A3 format)

CLICK HERE TO ENTER!

Kaufmann's Clock

That clock now hangs on the corner of the Macy’s department store, and I’d bet there are many Pittsburghers who still use it as a meeting place. “I’ll meet you under the Kaufmann’s clock,” is a phrase I heard many times while living in Pittsburgh. I wonder if they still refer to it as Kaufmann’s clock rather than Macy’s. I’d guess it would depend on the age of the individuals.

Speaking of age, as I wandered around the streets of Pittsburgh I encountered a number of dinosaurs. Evidently, there was some sort of fund raising event involving dinosaurs. Perhaps someone in the know will add a comment and fill us in with the details. The prehistoric monster in the picture below was near the Chinatown section of town.

Dino in Chinatown

I’d imagine many life-long citizens of Pittsburgh didn’t know we had a Chinatown. If they’d like to find it, it’s to the left of the Boulevard of the Allies as you start up the ramp leaving the downtown area.

Stepping back a bit with my story, I should mention that I began my tour at Station Square – the old Pittsburgh & Lake Erie railroad station that has been converted into a thriving tourist attraction. It was there I met another dinosaur – Bill “Punch” Golla.

Bill Golla

Bill was my Big Brother at Edinboro State Teachers College and, although we hadn’t seen each other in decades, I consider him a good friend. Our combined tour of the city and trip down Memory Lane was delightful. It was one of those experiences when you feel you can simply pick up where you left off… the many years between encounters melt away within seconds.

Bill and I share a special feat – we’ve both been to all fifty states! In addition, we both enjoy camping and share numerous other interests. Bill and his wife Pam raised three sons. My first wife and I also had three sons, but we also had one daughter.

As we wandered the streets of downtown Pittsburgh, we found ourselves looking up at the wonderfully ornate trim on many of the older buildings. I invite all visitors to downtown to do the same; you’ll be amazed at what you see. Bill commented that he was glad he was with me because he never recognized the uniqueness of the architecture. The truth is… neither did I! When I lived in the area, going downtown entailed a specific purpose. Therefore, I wasn’t looking up; I was looking straight ahead. It’s amazing what we miss by not looking up and down.

Of all the buildings – both old and new – there was one that left us scratching our heads. It’s the building with the red roof in the photo below.

Mystery Building

The picture was taken from Grant Street looking down toward Liberty Avenue. We may have been on the corner of Sixth or Seventh Avenue. By the time we got closer, we could no longer see the red roof. Thus, we couldn’t identify the building. The architecture leads us to believe it is an older building, but I don’t remember ever seeing it before. I guess I never looked up!

I’ll place a close-up shot of the roof on the ??? page. If you recognize the building, please let me know. Thanks.

The moving company says they have found a truck driver. They will pack us Thursday, July 17th and will arrive in MN Monday, July 21st. Our contract says they will deliver on July 17th. Oh well.

So, more time to enjoy the many nice things Pittsburgh has to offer that we do not expect to find too much of in MN. Last night we enjoyed some downtown nightlife, a street concert, and an overpriced dinner at “Grand Concourse.” Grand Concourse was A*’s pick. It’s an old railroad station on the river converted into a seafood restaurant. I had crab stuffed shrimp – which, honestly, was not that good. Kind of overcooked and the shrimp were way too small to be stuffed in the first place. They were “swimming” in an overwhelming butter sauce. The “steamed” vegetables that shared the plate were also drenched in butter. A* had some kind of pasta dish that was not on the menu, but the chef kindly made to accommodate his vegetarian needs. He said it was “okay, not great.” The atmosphere is stunning though! We were seated right on the water, overlooking the Smithfield bridge (beautiful bridge over the Monongahela river built in 1881), and the city. Lucky for us, the Pirates won again last night and there was a huge and beautiful firework display just as we were finishing up our meal. After dinner, A* smoked a cigar and we sat by the river at a blues concert right in the heart of Station Square (Pittsburgh’s downtown night scene). A nice night.

Some visuals….

A night view with tail-end of the Smithfield St Bridge to the far right.

We’re off to the farmer’s market today and wherever else we end up. It’s a hot and humid Saturday. Good day for A/C relaxation.

Isso é algo que esto querendo fazer há alguns dias: uma lista com os blogs que eu leio. Pois bem, resolvi começar hoje. Provavelmente serão MUITAS partes, porque eu não vou falar de muitos blogs a cada post, por achar completamente improvável que alguém fosse de fato olhar com atenção uma lista muito grande de blogs. Fiquei indecisa entre 3 ou 5 blogs por post, mas resolvi colocar 5 – se for muito pouco ou se acharem que 3 seria melhor para ver melhor cada blog, avisem

Como eu leio blogs nacionais e internacionais, eu vou tentar falar de 2 nacionais e 3 internacionais em um post, e trocar a proporção no próximo.

Porque eu resolvi fazer essa lista? Bom, porque eu gosto muito de descobrir blogs novos para ler, especialmente depois que eu descobri as maravilhas do leitor de Feeds – li certa vez que ter um leitor de Feeds é como ter um jornal com os colunistas que você quer: está a fim de ler tal colunista hoje? OK, vá lá conferir o que ele andou dizendo de novo. Não leu o que ele escreveu no dia? Tudo bem, a coluna vai estar lá te esperando até você querer ler. Sinceramente, eu não “leio” todos os posts de todos os blogs que eu assino, é mais como dar uma olhada geral e ler aqueles cujos temas captam a minha atenção.

Aliás, vou pegar os links direto do meu leitor de Feeds, porque eu nunca coloquei os links internacionais na barra ali do lado do blog, e alguns nacionais mais recentes eu ainda não coloquei ali também… ;p

Bom, chega de enrolação, e vamos ao cinco primeiros blogs que eu leio!

BLOGS NACIONAIS

#01 - Station Square

Esse tinha que ser o primeiro. Na realidade, deveria ser o blog anterior do Youta, mas como ele o deletou… ;p Explico: foi num certo dia, após resolver visitar o site que estava no nick do Youta e descobrir seu blog, que eu resolvi criar meu próprio blog.

O Station Square é escrito por quatro amigos meus, embora os quatro tenham meio que abandonado o blog atualmente. Aproveito para puxar a orelha dos meninos ;p Eu realmente gostava das atualizações, o Chrono e suas dissertações absurdas a respeito de personagens clássicos, o Sardo sendo a única pessoa que eu conheço que terminou o Garfield do DS e teve coragem de fazer um review, o Bolt e seus posts que me fazem pensar “diabos, queria ter tido um Dreamcast para jogar isso” e o Youta, que é meu irmão em interesse por jogos indie :p

Dois posts que eu recomendo são o do review de Aquaria, e os 5 motivos pelos quais o Megaman é viado.

Se você nunca leu, recomendo uma lida para conhecer, alguns posts são realmente muito bons. Se você já era leitor, aproveite para fazer coro “Atualizem essa bodega, meninos” ;p

EDIT: e não é que meu pedido por atualizações funcionou? Duas vezes ainda? Adoro vocês, meninos! Vamos ver se agora temos atualizações pelo menos semanais, né? xD

#02 – Assopre a Fita

Foi praticamente o segundo blog que eu conheci, e também o segundo do qual eu me tornei leitora fiel. E é o segundo blog que eu tenho de gritar no ouvido dos meninos “gente, vocês tem blog, esqueceram?”.

O Rodrigo “Yoda” faz algumas propagandas falsas muito legais – ele poderia fazer um blog só sobre isso, juro! Alguma são de puro humor negro, outras são notícias falsas que muito marmanjo gostaria que fosse real, e uma notícia mais falsa ainda resultante de um trocadilho muito, muito infame.

O Lucas é aquele fã de XBOX 360 e que vive discutindo com o Rodrigo – aliás, uma vez os dois tiveram uma discussão homérica nos comentários de um post meu, foi engraçado… ;p

Novamente… voltem a atualizar o blog, meninos! ;p

#03 – Rodrigo Flausino

Eu tenho de confessar: acho colocar o próprio nome como nome do blog um negócio brega prá caralho :p Tá, tenho de confessar que assim fica mais fácil para as pessoas associarem o blog ao autor mas, enfim… Hahahaha, nada pessoal Rodrigo, só uma coisa que eu tinha de comentar mesmo… :p

Até onde eu me lembro, esse foi o terceiro blog que eu passei a ler frequentemente, mas eu não tenho tanta certeza disso quanto tenho dos outros dois.

O Rodrigo é um cara maníaco pela área de gamedev, sério! Ele é moderador na Unidev, fez um blog só sobre isso, o GameDevBR (sobre o qual eu pretendo falar outra hora :p)… enfim, é um maluco aí que está louco para abandonar a área de programação para softwares comerciais para se dedicar só a isso :p

É claro que eu me identifico bastante, né? Ele também está aprendendo a desenhar, o que explica os vários posts recentes com desenhos dele. Enfim, nem vou recomendar posts específicos dele, já que ele fala de várias coisas – de bobeiras aleatórias que ele acha na internet, comentários sobre notícias do mundo dos games, capas e artes que ele acha interessantes, etc.

E é o primeiro blog da lista que ainda é constantemente atualizado, ha! ;p

Ademais, acho que esse blog dispensa maiores comentários já que, com 170 leitores registrados no FeedBurner, acho difícil alguém que lê esse blog aqui não conhecer o blog dele :p

BLOGS INTERNACIONAIS

#04 – Les Miserables, the Game of the Book

Esse é um daqueles blogs que é, basicamente, um diário de um desenvolvedor – com atualizações geralmente diárias, o Chris vai narrando como anda o desenvolvimento do seu jogo, um adventure point and click baseado no livro do Victor Hugo.

Ele pretende fazer uma série de adventures baseados em livros clássicos, sendo que o segundo será baseado em Paz e Guerra, com todos os jogos interligados.

Isso, com gráficos que parecem tirados de livros de época e um desenvolvedor apaixonado pelo que está fazendo me deixa bastante empolgada com ele. Será um jogo longo, e diversas vezes é possível vislumbrar todo o cuidado que ele está tendo com o jogo.

Ademais, eu me identifico com ele nos momentos que ele quase resolve jogar tudo para o ar para fazer alguma mudança radical. Ele já fez isso há algum tempo, mas já admitiu que, no estágio atual do jogo, isso não vale mais à pena.

A previsão dele é lançar o jogo no segundo semestre de 2008. Eu fico aguardando

#05 – Play This Thing

Não é apenas um blog, mas um site bem completo. Ele conta com diversas atualizações, com comentários sobre diversos jogos indie que muitas vezes passam despercebidos dos radares de outros sites.

Geralmente dou uma passada por lá quando quero conhecer algum jogo diferente, ou quando algo no leitor de feeds dele me chama a atenção.

————————————
Bom, isso encerra a primeira parte.

Até a próxima!

Estamos iniciando mais uma seção (das milhares que temos e já esquecemos boa parte) chamada de Matéria do leitor. Acho que não precisa explicar, né? Quer mandar uma matéria que você acha que vai ser interessante? Entre em contato conosco (os endereços estão aqui) via e-mail ou msn e mande seu texto. Claro que não vamos postar todo e qualquer texto que vocês enviarem (porque nós somos maus), mas pensaremos com carinho em cada um de vocês (ou não, depende do caso). Então vamos lá.

(des)Aventura

 Os anos então se passaram e eu percebi que pular nos monstros como se tais fossem trampolins perdera um pouco do charme, mas por tempos eu me adaptei à isso… Quando para o mundo não havia mais esperanças e os games encontravam-se ameaçados pela onda Doom nos pcs surgiu Mega man, um moçoilo azul de olhos nipônicos meio pirata, mas ao invés do gancho ele possuía um canhão tesudo na mão, confesso que na primeira fase eu insistia em pular na cabeça dos primeiros inimigos (aqueles de chapeuzinho laranja que se assemelham muito com o Goomba) mas logo que entendi o mecanismo de jogo eu gamei: simples e cativante, segure o botão de tiro para aumentar o poder de ataque,  pule para desviar dos inimigos… Eu senti que pela primeira vez os games de aventura haviam dado um passo de grande proporção universal no sentido de desenvolvimento gamístico colossal (exagero?).

(arte do leitor): Goomba sendo esmagado por seu possível plágio

 Novamente, os tempos passaram, chegou o “pleistátioum” e a moçada delirou com games charmosos em 3D com tiros catastróficos e muita ficção científica: digo que as coisas, apesar da evolução, perderam o charme; não havia mais inovação e sim esbanjamento tecnológico: para matar o inimigo não é necessário um cérebro e muito menos habilidade, basta ter a habilidade especial Chamas do Inferno Colossal das Sete Chaves de Ouro Sanguinolentas de Adão (não, este não é um poder de “Cavaleiros do Zodíaco”)… Digo ainda que não demorou muito para que eu desistisse de esperar e instalasse novamente meu SNES para me divertir de verdade. Os gráficos não eram tão requintados mas tinham seu charme e a diversão, assim como o fator replay, eram imensamente maiores.

 Finalmente, na nova geração encontrei diversos jogos bons (de verdade), que além da aventurar permitem ao jogador viajar por todo o mundo em tempo real, um exemplo é Elder Scrolls IV: OBLIVION e GTA, gráficos estonteantes, combates repletos de tiros e sangue, adrenalina, objetivos inteligentes e uma história subdividida em milhares, legal. Mas… Diz aí, quem não sente falta de entrar pelo tubo do Mário? Opa.
<!–[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]–>
<!–[endif]–>

Nota: Daisuki Tuelha-Chan
Por Ahiru-Sama

Mande sua matéria também. Não prometemos deixar de apedrejá-lo em praça pública se o texto não for de nosso agrado, mas faremos o possível para que isso não ocorra. Talvez.

In 2007, the city of Pittsburgh was ranked “the most livable city in the United States” by Places Rated Almanac. Yeah, we’ve never heard of that publication either. But it was on Wikipedia, so it has to be true, right? Anyway, the city of Pittsburgh is a cool place to hang out.

Yesterday afternoon we took in a game at PNC Park. It blows Cincinnati out of the water, and separates itself from other stadiums with the food selection and overall “likability”. The only disappointment was the poor fan turnout. Only 19,000 people showed up on a sunny, Sunday afternoon. Of course, we had our choice of seats, so we’re really not complaining. But if this stadium was picked up and dropped in a city like, say, Detroit, tickets would be impossible to come by. I guess it wouldn’t hurt to have a good baseball team. And to think some experts were picking the Pirates to be this year’s Tigers.

PNC Park Report
Balls:
1. Poor attendance
2. The on-field product

Strikes:
1. Food selection
2. Location, Location, Location (The Sixth Street Bridge provided a nice backdrop to the stadium)
3. Ability to relocate to any seat in the house
4. Pretty much everything else
5. Mmmmmm….Yuengling

Overall: 9 out of 10.

*************************
After our crazy night in Cincinnati, I think the four of us were content to find a bar where we didn’t have to scream to hear each other. So we made our way to Station Square for some dinner and drinks.

(Fun fact: Station Square is a converted train station.) (Another fun fact: A large portion of “Silence of the Lambs” was filmed in Pittsburgh. The Baltimore jail and ballroom scene were filmed at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial in Pittsburgh.)

We ended up at the Red Star Tavern/Bar Louie. (Part of the goal of our trip is to check out places we wouldn’t normally visit. So, chains like Joe’s Crab Shack and Hard Rock Cafe are being cancelled out of the equation. We’re hoping to get to Primanti Bros. for lunch before we leave.) The food was good. But the prices were high. I’m not too comfortable paying $4.50 for a Corona. But we enjoyed ourselves, nonetheless. Jeff and I teamed up in darts to dominate The Steves. I won’t embarrass them with the final tally, but let’s just say that we didn’t pay for any beers. In fact, I think we each have about eight beers coming our way in Cleveland.

Mad props go out to the city of Pittsburgh for just being you. We enjoyed ourselves immensely and we really don’t see PNC Park being topped.

We’d also like to give a special “shout out” to our bartender last night. It was a fun night. We’ll keep our eyes peeled for your appearance on Jeopardy.

Next stop: Cleveland.

See you soon.

*This entry was brought to you by the Westin Heavenly Bed.