I just returned from NYC again. This time I did not get sick, which was awesome. It ended up being more of a food tour than anything else, but still it was enjoyable. I ate at the famous Katz's deli, which is crazy busy but still delicious. We also tried some old-fashioned NYC-style pizza from Patsy's, which was also delicious, even though I still prefer Chicago-style pizza.

Afterwards, my wife and I hiked the Connecticut mountains. We lost the trail, and yet managed to scale the summit on what turned out to be the most difficult non-path possible. I still have shin splints.

Now I have 1 day to do a mountain of work before boarding a plane (probably?) for Salt Lake again. Fun friggin times.

No, not WoW, thank the dark lords. I will never touch that, unconditionally. I'm talking about Rock Band 2. It is the first of its kind that I've played, and I was impressed. They created a nice experience there.

Basically, Guitar Hero, DDR, and Rock Band are all aggrandized Simon Says-type games. I recognize this as inane, but it is fun. Is it fun enough to buy? Not now. I am still a bigger fan of games with substance, but Rock Band is more of a game I would like to have for a party.

The only thing that scares me is that so many of the fun songs I played were downloaded post-purchase for $2 apiece. That could turn a $100 game into a $200 game really fast. In these lean times, I can't take that risk. Maybe if my wife gets a new job.

Despite my better judgement, I went to see Zombieland this past Friday. I'm glad my preconceptions were wrong, because it was a really fun movie. A small cast, and the best cameo ever, helped make it engaging and entertaining. It was only serious twice in the whole movie, and the rest of the time it was at least quasi-hammy. Only a few deus ex machina moments, so not too predictable. The best part, however, was the main character's narration and his rules for survival. Woody Harrelson was also just a riot, stealing the show really. Definitely a bluray purchase.

For emphasis, I have a hard time justifying seeing any movie in the theater because I have a veritbale home theater. Surround sound, 100" projector screen, etc. However, Zombieland was worth my $9.