Today is the 2nd Anniversary of the shootings that took place at Virginia Tech. At midnight to night I attended the lighting of the cermonial candle outside of Burress Hall, the main building on campus. Around the candle stood 32 Hokie Stones, all with the names of the victims of that tragic day.

At exactly Midnight, the Honor Guard of the Corps of Cadets walked out and took up position on the pathways around the stones, as 2 cadets escorted a family member/ friend, not sure which, to the candle in the middle. Once they lit the candle the two cadets took up position on either side of it and will stand there until relieved by others who will take their position, much like you see at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, though a bit different. I have to be honest, I nearly lost it after that moment, 2 cadets marched out of Burress Hall and played Taps, probably the most depressing music known to man. Shortly after that I witnessed what has to be the saddest event I've ever seen. Family members and friends walked out to the candle and the stones and paid their respects, some in solitude, some with friends, others openly weeping. I myself was lucky enough to have been in high school when the tragic events unfolded, but as a Hokie, it really hurts to see such a sight. I realized in that instant how much family and friends meant to me, and after watching all the familys make their way through, my friends and I headed to the campus church, where we all were lost in our own thoughts. I myself took some time afterward to text my family, even at such a late hour, to tell them how much they mean to me. I hope none of you have to experience this sort of thing.

I'll be pulling out my previously made sig for the occasion, though it seems grossly inadequate to express the sense of loss that grips this campus and it's supporters/students/what have you.

Thousands of students and faculty went to cla.ss that day, 32 never came back. This is for them, I never knew them, but I'll never forget them. They were friends, family, but most importantly, fellow Hokies, their loss will not be forgotten.

Well recently I did what I thought impossible for myself, complete a game 100%, gaining all Achievements for a single game. That game is (1)Fallout 3.

The game has been almost an obession of mine over the past months. I've enjoyed it emmensely and have played numerous run throughs. I don't know how it continues to attarct me to it after I've gone through the main quest 4 times. (2)Operation Anchorage was well worth the money in my opinion, especially now that I know the glitch to pull out near indestructable assault rifles and combat shotguns. (Not to mention some awesome Winter Combat Armor) I like the backstory to the whole Fallout timeline, although I got angry a few times at how different the game seemed at certain points. (I couldn't find health stations at intervals that I really needed them, causing reloading and replaying on several occasions.) Also looking forward the other (3)DLC's The Pitt and Broken Steel.

Speaking of DLC, I recently got (4)The Lost and Damned for GTA IV. It definitely plays differently than the original but still has the GTA feel to it. I like the new radio commericals and the news broadcasts, really livened up the radio which was getting dull by the end of the original. Bike handling is also improved, which was much needed. The races are fun, nothing like beating someone of their bike with a baseball bat while racing to let you know you're alive. I also liked the missions that crossed over with Niko's mission, really filled out the story nicely. Overall, I'd recommend it. The main character, (5)Johnny, is an interesting character who is easy to get behind. Plus he has great facial hair.

Which leads me to my last connection! (6)Abraham Lincoln!

Thanks to a clothing pack for the Xbox Live Avatar editor following the release of The Lost and DamnedI was able to create your favorite president and mine (Although you may favor other presidents, it sounded good) Abraham Lincoln. I have to say, I rather enjoy it.

Well that's all I've got for now, a more complete review of Fallout is coming sometime in the next few (Thousand) days.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, and who could forget, Happy Festivus!

Hope you get everything you've asked for and more, and have a nice time with your families or whoever you are spending the holidays with.