Greetings.

Funny how the world works, isn't it? The moment I say I'm going to start the 10-hour-per-week resolution again for ZHP, another pile of work crops up. I'm so glad that's over, though. So maybe next week I can really start it up again. Provided, of course, nothing else decides to get in my way. At any rate, I have a few things on my mind this Turkey Day.

Last week, I was inches from death. True story. Nearing the end of my nightly cross-campus wanderings, some genius thought it was a good idea to not give pedestrians (i.e., me) the right-of-way, despite the adequate gap between myself and the car of doom. So, instead of braking (or at least, remaining at the same speed), the driver of that death-mobile decided to accelerate. Had I not reacted with my video-game-enhanced coordination, I likely would have been dead (or seriously injured). In retrospect, had I (hypothetically) survived I could have sued for enough money to cover my college expenses and then some. But, being a man of principles (and survival instinct), I dodged the car and went on my less-than-merry way. Oh, and my life didn't flash before my eyes. Or maybe it did, and it was too boring to watch. I'm not too concerned about it either way.

On to less near-catastrophic events...
A few weeks ago, I didn't recpgnize myself. That is to say, when I looked into the mirror, I was genuinely confounded by the image staring back at me. Of course, the feeling didn't last long, but it gave me pause to think about what it may mean. Think about it -- a new day, just waking up, and seeing a stranger in the room...and then realizing you have a mild case of insanity. I'm thinking I haven't actually looked at myself seriously for awhile, and then realized how much time has passed since. Or maybe it's some deeper psychological aberration. I don't know, and I really don't care to find out at this juncture.

I mentioned Okami a few months ago, stating that, if necessary, it would be the singular reason to own a Playstation 2. But now, since Okami has been confirmed for Wii, I can safely retract that statement (provided, of course, it does get released as they say). If you've the mind for "alternative" gameplay, then Okami is just the ticket for you. The artwork alone is great, but add to that awesome gameplay and a primary mechanic that seemingly preempts Wii controls, and you've got a title that's easily top-five material (despite G4's appropriation of "honorable mention").

Moving on...
One month and nine days from now, the Winter-een-mas season begins. Please see the supplied supplementary information if you are unversed in the ways of this unique and thoroughly enjoyable holiday. I generally make it a point to expand my pursuit of video-game-related entertainment by at least one item during the season proper, and this coming season (Winter-een-mas 2008) would have seen the addition of Super Smash Brothers Brawl to my fold of gaming greats, but since the release has been pushed off to February 10th, I'll have to find something different. Worry not, Brawl is one of those games that I will pre-order -- scratch that: have preordered. Like the fanboy I am, I would advise you do the same.

Mr. Bond, signing off.