My iPod, which I’ve had for about two and a half years, became ill this week. Its headphone jack is somewhat broken, it only plays out of one side unless you press on the connector. Needless to say, this left me somewhat despondent. Originally I thought (hoped) the problem was with my headphones, but no – it’s the iPod. I’ve used it nearly every day since I got it, I am rarely without it. We have enjoyed many books, many podcasts, and lots of music together. The thought of “putting it down” made me sad. I bought “Applecare” (extended warranty) when I purchased it, but sadly that expired December 1, 2007. After a bit of thinking on the problem I remembered that Tekserve (a local Apple specialty store) does iPod (and Apple computer) repairs so I took it to them this morning. They charge $50 to repair the headphone jack, but assuming that works I’ll have my good friend back and for a more reasonable price than buying a new iPod. Hopefully it will be repaired by tonight or tomorrow. There are mail order (internet) places that repair iPods (and at least one other local place), but I think (hope) this was the best bet.
We’re well into season 3 of Boston Legal. Continues to be amazing. You added it to your Netflix queue, right?
We watched all of Breaking Bad (only 7 episodes in season 1, it appears) and it is another show that is really worth watching. The story is of a high school science teacher (played by Bryan Cranston, the father from Malcolm in the Middle) who learns he has terminal lung cancer. Saddled with debts and a controlling wife, he decides what anybody else in his situation would decide – to start cooking meth to support his family after he passes on. The writing is really smart and the story are very imaginative (and believable, in an odd way). Really worth checking out.
I have finished most of The Orange Box, I just need to play some more Team Fortress 2. I have gotten “most” of the (non-TF2) achievements. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: every game in The Orange Box is an unadulterated gem. Period. End of story.
I’m also playing (and almost finished with) God of War: Chains of Olympus on the PSP. GOW:PSP is an astoundingly good game. My only complaint about it is it seems to slightly overuse “Quick Time Events“, but otherwise it is the most perfect “console” game on a “handheld” device I have ever played – the graphics, sound, control all feel like you are playing a console game without compromise. I am now interested in dusting off the old PS2 and going back and playing the earlier God of War games. It really is that good.
Having finished Orange Box, I started Halo3. It is “good” so far, but I still contend that Half-Life is a better series of games than Halo. I am playing Halo3 on “Heroic” (which is the middle difficulty) and I am left feeling master chief needs to “Man Up” or go buy some new armor. Maybe it is just the difficult setting, or maybe I am a sub-par gamer, but he can’t take hardly ANY damage before he dies. Just a few shots and he is dead. Silliness.