Hello everybody.

Just a short blog today saying that I might not be as active on GameSpot, starting now. Here's a list of the reasons why:

School
I'm trying to keep up high grades and I have a super tough semester this year, with three academic cIasses that contain a lot of homework
Midamis Region
A Fakemon RP that my friend and I recently reincarnated. Midamis needs a lot of work to restore it to its former glory of 400+ RP'ers. www.z6.invisionfree.com/Midamis_Region
The Video Game Addicts Help Centre
I'm trying to keep my new Union's head above water, but I fear that we're drowning. http://www.gamespot.com/pages/unions/home.php?union_id=VGA
Giant Bomb
I'm going to join the GiantBomb community, because a lot of my friends are doing most of their blogging there. Add me, my username there is StevieQ
GameFocus
A third gaming website!? Yep, I might have a job at GameFocus.ca soon
Gaming!
Of course, I still want to save time for some gaming! NHL 09 and Rock Band 2 are still my major addictions.

So, don't freak out if I stop posting comments on your blogs, I'm going to be really busy. This weekend the music program at my school is having a big Apple Pie fundrasier. We're making over 3500 apple pies in the cafeteria this Saturday and Sunday.

See you all over at GiantBomb, and check out GameFocus.ca. Finalcross is a reviewer there, and I may be too, soon

Two big things have gone down in the Halo universe lately; one, a new update for Halo 3; and two, a teaser trailer for a new Halo project that Bungie is working on.

First, I think that Bungie has screwed over Halo 3 with the update, at least for me. I don't want to have an individual EXP for each match! Plus, I can't play Team Doubles with my friend Mattimeo anymore, which is our favourite game.

I don't want to buy the map pack. Most of my MS Points go towards Rock Band DLC.

I don't like the update and will probably steer cleer from Halo for a while, unless they fix some stuff (make the Legendary map pack free!)

The teaser is really interesting. View it here.

In other news, I'm working on getting a job at GameFocus.ca. I'll keep you guys posted.

It's a Pro-D Day at school, so I have a long weekend.

My local hockey team (the Kamloops Blazers) are doing really well. I'm going to watch a game tommorrow.

My aunt and uncle are coming down from Vancouver for the weekend.

I'm having some friends over tomorrow to play some Rock Band 2.

I'm really tired, so short blog today.

Hey guys. Haven't done a proper blog for a while now, but I have a very good excuse...

uh...

Oh, NHL 09 and Rock Band 2.

And if you own either one, you know that it is indeed a very good excuse.

Yes, I wasn't too active because I was playing my two new games. And I played a lot. So much so that I can give some pretty accurate impressions.

So... here they are.

NHL 09
I've played a bit of Quick Play versus my friend, but mainly I've been playing Be A Pro mode, and I'm quite impressed. I have a few small bones to pick, but the experience is really fulfilling- when I was promoted to the first line, I was genuinely happy.

You develop a curious affinity for the little incarnation on the ice that you control. When demoted, you'll genuinely be upset; when promoted to a higher line or into the NHL, you'll be excited and proud.

Unfortunately, the game is almost too realistic in some senses. Those who don't know anything about hockey will feel a bit alienated at first. It is vital that you play your position. You can't go it alone; you won't be taking the puck, deking their whole team, then faking out the goalie and putting one top-shelf too often. You have to play smart hockey. Look for an open teammate, take advantage of holes in the opposition defence, and bide your time until a chance reveals itself.

Even as someone who has played hockey for eight years, it took me a while to figure this out. In the beginning, I would try to be the big hero and score a goal every shift. Just now I'm starting to realize that this isn't how it will work.

Be A Pro was the major draw (for me, at least) to NHL 09. Graphically, there hasn't been a huge change. The character models are a bit better, if anything. The commentating, done by Gary Thorn and Bill Clement, is solid, but nothing spectacular.

I'm very happy with my purchase, and I've barely scratched the surface. I'm really, really excited to get some EA Sports Hockey League action going. I joined a team that's being organized by NeoJedi. I'll be playing left wing as a Sniper. Wish me luck.

Rock Band 2
This game rocks! I love being able to play World Tour single player and online.

The set-list is simply magnificent, with some of my favourite artists like Jimmy Eat World and Rush in there. Some of my favourites are "The Middle (Jimmy Eat World)," "The Trees (Rush)," "Let There Be Rock (AC/DC)," "Hungry Like the Wolf (Duran Duran)," "Nine in the Afternoon (Panic at the Disco)," "Cool for Cats (Squeeze)," and "Pinball Wizard (The Who)."

Yes, the game looks, plays and sounds exactly like Rock Band 1, but the additions of Solo World Tour and Battle of the Bands take it to the next level. Speaking of which, I had some friends over Saturday night, and we tried a Battle of the Bands (the 80s sound track, or something). We won our battle 1,134,256 points to 134,732. Yeah, we smoked them, and we were only 2,946,052 points from a Top 100 finish! Go us (our band name is the Stinky Cheez Headz)!

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So, there are my impressions. Looking forward to playing some more of both games.

Otherwise, I'm feeling a bit under the weather lately. I have a headache, sore throat, and blocked up nose. School is really dull. I don't have any cIasses that I actually like this semester... scratch that, Japanese isn't bad (but it's not "good" either).

Hopefully I feel better tomorrow.

I'm also thinking of changing my Gamertag. Far too many people have understandably misspelled "ChiefShaka." I know that many have sent friend requests to "ChiefChaka," "ChiefShaker," "ChiefSaka," or even "CheifShaka."

If I am to change, I'm thinking of going with "Dangerous Beans." It sounds pretty funny, and is a character in one of my favourite books.

I'm gonna go play some Rock Band 2 now... or maybe NHL... no, Rock Band... or perhaps...