--I'm definitely still alive. I've been trying to send out PMs to many people, but I haven't been able to send a private message for several months. I don't know if it's just my crap-o-licious browser, Gamespot, or the fact that they don't interact well together. I also haven't been able to get one, so you might want to try to chat with me through other means. I'm sorry all, I've missed you and we have a lot to catch up on. 
--I'll say this and only this about the recent firing of Jeff from GameSpot. Don't come to the Eidos Union and flame about it. Eidos isn't the one that fired him. I was never a huge Jeff fan as it is, but it seems that he did have a rather fanatical fanbase. That's no reason to quit coming here, cancel subscriptions, or abuse review functions--that just sends the wrong message. I think all the facts need to come out, as it seems this review was a rather convenient object to blame this on. It might serve as a nice cover for other reasons, or the final straw to a brewing conflict. I don't care what this says about the review business being corrupt, I don't pay attention to scores.
Now with all of that said, there is one editor I will be fanatical about, so hopefully Brad doesn't ever leave.
--As hinted above, I have purchased a new system. More on that later(hopefully).
--I'm still in the rentail business for right now, but I'm considering changing that after the first of the year.
--My band is still trying to put a show together, but we've been set back by one of our members having an accident.
--I'm also still persuing schools because of a gut feeling on the last one. Something about it just didn't seem right and the gut feeling turned out to be right.
Try to write me here if you like, or send me a message through other means. I hope all is well with everyone.
Take care. 