MovieTome: I donated blood today...

Thursday, Jul 30, 2009

Its a good feeling, not doing something for a reward or profit, just to do it out of the goodness of my heart. I went with my girlfriend and it was my first time and won't be my last. I can only donate every 56 days and look forward to going again. I suggest everyone do it, its a good thing to do. Canadian Blood Services says that half of the 30+ million people in Canada are eligible to give blood, while only 1/60th of those actually do. Its really a shame, especially when blood is an incredibly valuable liquid.

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In other news, I'm addicted to Gears of War 2, which was completely unexpected. I thought I was going to go through the campaign and give it back to my friend within a couple days. Something else that was even more surprising was the addition of bot-based multiplayer, something I've praised any developer who includes it and does it well (Rare, Free Radical, etc). In addition to that, I've played over 220 matches of it (9 bots, average 3-4 minute rounds), without spending a single second online.

Its quite the amazing multiplayer to be honest. It is incredibly well-balanced and offers many rock/paper/scissor situations. I was surprised when I made it over 100 matches... and I can easily see myself doing at least 300-350 or more. The overall game itself is much better than the original, but still not the greatest thing to ever grace a gamer's realm. The story is decent, the action is well-paced and highly varied and the game itself is just very well-polished. As Yahtzee pointed out, its very choppy at points, but the split up in the action is very well-received (by me at least) and thankfully doesn't get that repetitive.

Oh yes, and the Horde FTW! I hate playing as the COG. In SP and MP.

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In other other news, I finally watched "Shawshank Redemption" today. Fantastic film, one of the best I've seen in my life most easily. It kept me guessing for a while. Morgan Freeman was great as always.

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In other other other news, I'm off to "the cabin" on the 14th, for the first time with my girlfriend. Its going to be a fantastic four-day weekend. I can't wait. My buddies also want to play some D&D, and my GF is actually interested in trying... which is surprising.

Posted by foxhound_fox, 5:21pm

15 Comments | Post a Comment

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muthsera666

Awesome on giving blood. I used to, but I have a lot more health problems now, and too many prescription pills to have any idea of whether I can donate. I would love to; I've given about five or six times before.

The Shawshank Redemption is such a great movie. Near the top of the list for my favorite movies as well. The characters and the story were all really great. If you haven't already, try The Green Mile for another great prison movie.

Have fun on your weekend trip!

Posted Jul 30, 2009 6:15 pm PT

foxhound_fox

@muthsera666: I've seen the Green Mile and as great a movie as it is, I'm still horrified by the incident with the one prisoner's execution. I saw it way too young (13 or 14) and it was highly disturbing. Movies like Audition disturb my less than that did.

Posted Jul 30, 2009 7:06 pm PT

SaintLeonidas

Ive given blood twice, and I plan on doing it this year, my college does it once a year. The only problem is the Red Cross calls about 30 times after each time I give blood asking me to give more blood, it gets annoying.

Posted Jul 30, 2009 7:27 pm PT

ragek1ll589

I've only been able to give blood once and it was a great experience. It's something that I definitely want to do more often. I couldn't give last fall at my college's blood drive because I was sick and on meds.

Enjoy your time at the cabin.

Posted Jul 30, 2009 7:32 pm PT

Oblivionfan10

Shawshank Redemption is my favorite movie. Andy is a character that one can relate to. Its an all around great movie

Posted Jul 30, 2009 11:17 pm PT

horgen123

I don't know how it is. Since one the diseases I had last year I don't think I can donate blood ever. Unless the rules here change. I really respect and like that you're one of those 1/60 who does it.

Posted Jul 31, 2009 6:51 am PT

nb49

Morgan Freeman is the man!

Posted Jul 31, 2009 8:18 am PT

with_teeth26

nice, i've never donated blood but intend to eventually. i never played GOW, but tried to, i bought it for PC but it didn't work and i returned it. i have a new pc now, i should try it again. I only watched the Shawshank Redemption a few months ago, its really good, although i'm not sure if i'd consider it one of the best i've ever seen. I would give it a high rating.

Posted Jul 31, 2009 2:47 pm PT

jg4xchamp

Shawshank is a great movie

Posted Aug 1, 2009 2:31 am PT

Toriko42

Foxhound you hands down were the last person I ever expected to even play Gears of War 2 let alone like it but it's always nice to see another

Posted Aug 1, 2009 7:57 pm PT

foxhound_fox

@Toriko42: I played and enjoyed the first one. The second did everything the first did, and did it better. Sure, its only an 8.5/10 game for me, but its fun. It will never be the best game ever made, but its cool. I expect the second Assassin's Creed to the same for a lot of people who hated the first.

Posted Aug 1, 2009 9:32 pm PT

simplexp

What is the process like for giving blood? I would like to start doing so.

Posted Aug 3, 2009 2:35 pm PT

foxhound_fox

@simplexp: Here in Canada, there is a very detailed and private screening process that you have to go through before giving blood. You fill out a questionnaire about your recent activities, then get you hemoglobin (iron levels) and blood pressure tested. After that, they give you a final chance to make sure you are HIV/AIDS free (by asking personal questions about sexual history and any use of needles and whatnot). You then decide whether or not you want them to use you blood and then go off to give it. All the blood that is donated is tested for diseases regardless of what your questionnaire says though. The questionnaire is just another form of making sure to not allow infected blood into the system.

You get put into a chair, a needle is inserted into your arm and the blood is extracted. Aside from the lancet for the hemoglobin test and insertion/removal of the needle for blood collection, the entire process is painless... and aside from that its just a couple pricks. It normally takes 5-15 minutes to give 2 cups of blood and then your done. They give you a bandaid and some cookies/juice to raise your blood sugar levels.

After that, you're done. It takes maybe half an hour and leaves you feeling good.

Posted Aug 3, 2009 5:49 pm PT

LikeHaterade

Awesome. This is fantastic. Welcome to the club, we have t-shirts. Well, I don't but I'm sure your local blood services do.

Posted Aug 10, 2009 1:59 pm PT

kansasdude2009

Congratulations on giving blood, i've done it 5 or 6 times and I try to beat my record every time. My best is just under 4 minutes.... which is odd because it was the only time I didn't have one of those ball things to squeeze. Also, GeoW 2 is a really boring game imo. I hated the single player, and the multiplayer was all right for a while, but I quickly went back to Left 4 Dead.

Good luck with your girlfriend and D&D, if you have any tips as to getting your girlfriend interested.... PLEASE SHARE.