It's true: Operation: Xbox Customer Support Cares is in full effect. I happened to catch the friendlier (or creepier) side of our favorite support group at the tail end of a mostly scripted conversation about removing payment options on Xbox Live. We read through the usual lines: He gets my information, I explain my problem, John says "OK. The process will take about 30 days," I record the reference number, and then I say "Thanks. Goodby--"

"Oh Ed, just one more thing."
"What's up, 'J'?"
"This has nothing to do with your account or anything. I just want to ask you: Are you Filipino?"
"I am Filipino. You are too, I assume."
"Hehe, yes I am. Eddie BowTEEStuh. So ... You're in California, huh?"
"Correct, again. Where are you?"
"Umm ... excuse me?"
"Where do you live?"
[Slight pause] "Umm ... hmm that's confidential information, sir."

Well, that's not really fair, is it? I didn't see how this one-way conversation could ever blossom into a friendship, so I repeated my goodbye and ended the call. If you're out there, John: Break down that wall. Break it down.

If you're looking for something fun to do over the holidays, I highly recommend playing Rock Band with friends or family (in person). I hosted such a party with friends about a week ago, and we had an absolute blast. Check out the pictures!

Planning on hosting your own Rock Band party? Here are some things you might want to keep in mind:

1.) Microphone Lag: Some TV sets, especially older Samsung DLP models (like mine), may add additional lag to the player vocals. In my case, I found out after the party that turning off the Dolby Digital 5.1 setting in the game significantly reduces the microphone delay, but doesn't completely eliminate it. Find more lag-reduction tips here.

2.) Down Strummer Bug: Apparently, I have the dreaded "down strummer bug" on my Strat guitar but haven't noticed it. If it's bothering you, you might look into getting a replacement from EA.

3.) Neighbors: If you share the same walls with your neighbors, you might want to give them a heads-up that you and your friends will be rocking about through the night, and leave your number in case things get too wild. Hell, invite them over. My party lasted until 2:30 a.m. and I received no complaints at all.

4.) Nylon-Tipped Drumsticks, Mic Stand, Wireless Guitars: A few nice-to-haves.

5.) Say it Ain't So: Good "sing along" song for everyone to get involved.

6.) Singing is Addictive and Contagious: Don't be surprised if someone calls you up the next day asking to come over to sing "that Nine-Inch Nails song."

I'm looking forward to introducing my big family to Rock Band during our traditional Christmas Eve celebration. They won't know most of the songs, but I'm sure they'll still have some fun. If they aren't diggin' it, I have Scene-It too. If they're not diggin' Scene-It, then, well, I guess we'll fall back to the default pastime: Karaoke. [sigh]

I have a strong feeling that a higher power wants me to play games on the PS3. Last week, my 360 stopped reading 360 games. And now, I realize that I've forgotten my Wii (and Super Mario Galaxy) back at my parents' home in San Diego. Wonderful. Hopefully, a quick session of Heavenly Sword will appease the Sony gods.

They won't be happy tomorrow, though. That's when I get my new Halo 3 special edition Xbox 360 console, which I, in moment of weakness, ordered online last Wednesday. The unopened Rock Band bundle in the center of my living room was a depressing sight. Besides, I was looking for an excuse to buy the Halo 3 edition console, anyway--it will look good with my nerdy Master Chief helmet. I'm not quite sure what I'm going to do with my old console. Once it's repaired/replaced (MS: Send me the damn box, already!), I thought I'd give the console to my problem-prone cousin as a random-act-of-kindness thing. OR, I can make it a community 360, which cousins can borrow and bring to family parties and such. OR, maybe I'll just keep the 360 as a back-up unit, in case the Halofied unit decides to break down. Suggestions are welcome.

Since I didn't have many gaming options this past Thanksgiving weekend, I was able to finally concentrate on the Wii and the delightful Super Mario Galaxy. In the last five days, I managed to snag 71 stars and beat the game--not too shabs considering most of my sessions occured late, late at night when my 1-year-old nephew was sleeping, or between episodes of peppy children's programming. I love games that can be played in both long stretches or quick 10 to 15 minute sessions.

I think my parents are still amazed that I'm still playing video games after all these years. Before he went to sleep Saturday night, my dad (a smog technician / mechanic for the last 28 years) unfolded a newspaper, sat next to me, and asked me a few familiar questions while I slouched on the couch lazily waving the Wii remote and nunchuk at the TV screen:

Dad: How do you know what to do?

Me: Well, sometimes you get clues, or people tell you what to do if you talk to them. Other times, you just explore and figure out what you need to do.

Dad: Ohhh, OK [I can tell he was feining interest.]. Is this what you do at work?

Me: Ha. Sometimes. Wait--What do you mean?

Dad: Do you make these games?

Me: Nope. I'm a manager. I manage people who work on a Web site and manage the content and tools they work with. It's a different kind of content now, actually. I hardly have anything to do with video games anymore. That was GameSpot.

Dad: Ohhh, right. GameStop. You're Google now?

Me: Yahoo ... Oh, and by the way, I also majored in English, not "Computers."

Dad: Ahh. Manager. That's good! [A headline catches his eye.]

Me: This was a nice talk, Dad. Let's have it again this Christmas ;-)