The game Guitar Hero is now one of the most popular games on the market. Not only is it "just a game", but people take it seriously, competing against other people in the world on the same basis as the FIFA-series and shooting games like Call of Duty.
It has even been a Guiness Record to be the best when it comes to Guitar Hero. With the guitar part, that is. I wonder if they take the drums, bass and the vocals that seriously later on.
Music is a part of everybody's lives, and with people that don't even know how to play the guitar, this is the opportunity to live out their musical side, pretending to be a rockstar and actually "play" the songs they love. But how does that effect people?
I know how to play guitar and I love it. I also think it's an awful lot of fun to play guitar hero as well, especially with friends, because it isn't that serious compared to playing the real instruments. Me and some of my buddies used to bunch up to play the real instruments - guitar, bass and drums - and try to create songs. We don't do that anymore now that we have bought the Guitar Hero World Tour game, which is kind of sad.
And what I'm about to say makes me die a bit inside - I don't get motivated by thinking that we should continue where we left with those real instruments. That's because it's so easy playing Guitar Hero with my friends and so much more fun.
Do not misunderstand me - as I've mentioned, I love playing the real guitar, and it is very fun when you make songs with your friend on the drums and such, but let me tell you this - since me and my buddy moved our equipment down to my basement, it hasn't been used that much. It has become overshadowed by Guitar Hero.
I certainly do not hope people, kids in particular, get the impression that playing guitar or the drums is easy when they play Guitar Hero. And if they suddenly decide they want to try to learn one of the mentioned instruments, they get dissapointed and unmotivated by the fact how much harder it is to learn than they thought.
On the other side; like every other video game, really - kids' reactions and eye to hand-coordination really gets hard training with this game. But that isn't much to brag about, really.
I doubt the Guitar Hero game will die out fast. In fact, I think it will grow, maybe to exaggurated and ironic dimensions, like having a band playing Guitar Hero on stage for an audience. Maybe a Guitar Hero-like karaoke bar, where every visitor is allowed to play their favourites for an audience.
Speaking of irony and Guitar Hero, and coming to an end to this blog, if you haven't seen the South Park episode about Guitar Hero, you really should. It has so many points and hits the nail about the ironic sides of this whole game vs. real instrument. Episode 13 season 11, entitled "Guitar queer-o".
You are going to laugh to death and think deeply about what you just saw at the same time!
Cheers,
Espen.
søndag 29. mars 2009
torsdag 26. mars 2009
The season is (almost) underway
The season of Formula 1, that is.
Let me walk you through the drivers that participate in the Australian GP this weekend!
Robert Kubica: This driver is known to be the first Polish F1 driver, the first Pole on pole (huh) the first Pole to win a GP and finally being the first driver to have a bigger forehead than Rubens Barrichello.
Nick Heidfeld: Will still speak the ztereotype german-englizh like he alwayz haz... He will also fall behind Kubica this year. I kid you not.
Sebastian Vettel: Have impressed ever since he first drove in Formula 1 and has been named "The new Schumacher". Yep, he is the new Schumacher. Except that he doesn't have seven world titles, god knows how many victories and is actually not unbearable and uncharacteristic - he is Michael Schumacher!
Mark Webber: Webber is starting his eighth season this year, still chasing after Chris Amon's record as the most unlucky driver of all time. "I have the potential to once again retire my home Grand Prix" he was quoted to say. I don't doubt you, Mark.
Lewis Hamilton: Hamilton's ambitions this year is to take as many victories as possible, the title, and be even more cheesy just to piss off fans of F1 all over the world in addition to those he already have pissed off. Like Ferrari-fans and spanish racists cheering for Alonso.
Heikki Kovalainen: Came one year too late to beat Barrichello's huge forehead as Kubica debuted half a year before him. Trying to focus on victories this year.
Felipe Massa:
Kimi Raikkonen: You can expect the same mumbling as every year, really...
Jenson Button: According to my predictions, he will go for "Overrated driver of the year" this time too...
Rubens Barrichello: The only record he really have is for most race starts. And the fact that he's still getting paid for his drives is outstanding. Kudos, Rubens!
Fernando Alonso: Might bitch and whine more about things this year, but I doubt it will be the awful AWFUL colours of this year's Renault... which he has a right to complain about!
Nelson Piquet Jr. Might actually win something this year.
Giancarlo Fisichella: Great chap. *yawn* Are you still here?
Adrian Sutil: If there's one chance for Sutil to show the world what he is capable of doing, he's got his chance this year. So show us a revenge smack in Raikkonen's diffuser while being in third place, please?
Nico Rosberg: One of many names of a second generation F1 drivers - Nico is the daughter... err... son of 1982 champion Keke Rosberg. With that hair I do not doubt he is born in Germany and not in Finland.
Yakuzi Nakajima or something: Will he continue proving Japanese stereotypes behind the wheel, or actually impress us this season? Watch this space... no, seriously, please continue reading.
Jarno Trulli: Without checking the stats fully, Trulli is the greatest Italian driver after Alberto Ascari, having scored one victory in 199 races. Well done!
Timo Glock: Useless fact from F1 Racing: "Timo Glock has fewer letters in his name than any other driver on the grid". Wow!
Sebastien Bourdais: Watch out for this guy: he can take out three drivers on purpose and not be beaten by other drivers as they won't punch a guy that wears glasses.
Sebastian Buemi: Oh god, not another Sebastian? The first swiss driver since... since... oh what the hell, I'm not an encyclopedia, am I?
Let me walk you through the drivers that participate in the Australian GP this weekend!
Robert Kubica: This driver is known to be the first Polish F1 driver, the first Pole on pole (huh) the first Pole to win a GP and finally being the first driver to have a bigger forehead than Rubens Barrichello.
Nick Heidfeld: Will still speak the ztereotype german-englizh like he alwayz haz... He will also fall behind Kubica this year. I kid you not.
Sebastian Vettel: Have impressed ever since he first drove in Formula 1 and has been named "The new Schumacher". Yep, he is the new Schumacher. Except that he doesn't have seven world titles, god knows how many victories and is actually not unbearable and uncharacteristic - he is Michael Schumacher!
Mark Webber: Webber is starting his eighth season this year, still chasing after Chris Amon's record as the most unlucky driver of all time. "I have the potential to once again retire my home Grand Prix" he was quoted to say. I don't doubt you, Mark.
Lewis Hamilton: Hamilton's ambitions this year is to take as many victories as possible, the title, and be even more cheesy just to piss off fans of F1 all over the world in addition to those he already have pissed off. Like Ferrari-fans and spanish racists cheering for Alonso.
Heikki Kovalainen: Came one year too late to beat Barrichello's huge forehead as Kubica debuted half a year before him. Trying to focus on victories this year.
Felipe Massa:
Kimi Raikkonen: You can expect the same mumbling as every year, really...
Jenson Button: According to my predictions, he will go for "Overrated driver of the year" this time too...
Rubens Barrichello: The only record he really have is for most race starts. And the fact that he's still getting paid for his drives is outstanding. Kudos, Rubens!
Fernando Alonso: Might bitch and whine more about things this year, but I doubt it will be the awful AWFUL colours of this year's Renault... which he has a right to complain about!
Nelson Piquet Jr. Might actually win something this year.
Giancarlo Fisichella: Great chap. *yawn* Are you still here?
Adrian Sutil: If there's one chance for Sutil to show the world what he is capable of doing, he's got his chance this year. So show us a revenge smack in Raikkonen's diffuser while being in third place, please?
Nico Rosberg: One of many names of a second generation F1 drivers - Nico is the daughter... err... son of 1982 champion Keke Rosberg. With that hair I do not doubt he is born in Germany and not in Finland.
Yakuzi Nakajima or something: Will he continue proving Japanese stereotypes behind the wheel, or actually impress us this season? Watch this space... no, seriously, please continue reading.
Jarno Trulli: Without checking the stats fully, Trulli is the greatest Italian driver after Alberto Ascari, having scored one victory in 199 races. Well done!
Timo Glock: Useless fact from F1 Racing: "Timo Glock has fewer letters in his name than any other driver on the grid". Wow!
Sebastien Bourdais: Watch out for this guy: he can take out three drivers on purpose and not be beaten by other drivers as they won't punch a guy that wears glasses.
Sebastian Buemi: Oh god, not another Sebastian? The first swiss driver since... since... oh what the hell, I'm not an encyclopedia, am I?
onsdag 25. mars 2009
Now we're talking!
Liverpool absolutely TRASHED Aston Villa this weekend, leaving Manchester United only one point in front (though with one game less played).
Liverpool's offensive play against Aston Villa was astonishing and for me convincing except the last 20 minutes or so, when the game was dull as hell.
And you have to feel sorry for Brad Friedel, wrongly recieving a red card for his "tackle" on Fernando Torres.
Yes, it was a penalty.
No, it was certainly not a red card.
I hope Blackburn protest so Friedel can play the next game. Guess who's the opponent? Manchester United.
Speaking of red cards and Manchester United, Paul Scholes AND Wayne Rooney both got shown off in their loss against Fulham. It was, in my opinion, a right decision by the ref to give Scholes the red card, but the second yellow to Rooney was rather doubtful. I'm sure Manchester United will protest and will have Rooney for the next game.
That's my view on the case. But it's now time for
THE WEEKLY "SIR" BULLSHIT FERGUSON'S OPINION!
According to the norwegian newspaper Verdens Gang, Ferguson claimed in a post match interview that both red cards was a mistake.
Ferguson said that the distance between Scholes and Zamora was too small for Scholes to react differently. With all due respect, "Sir" Ferguson, Scholes suddenly threw both his arms over his head realising that Zamora was going to head over him. And that's no natural place to have your arms unless you're trying to block a ball illegally or smash someone's face with your elbow!
Further on, according to the same newspaper, Ferguson apparently said "... but it's Phil Dowd, so what do you expect?".
If "Sir" Ferguson doesn't get somehow penalised for this quote, this would be outrageous! The FA would not be consequent and Ferguson will again get special treatment.
After all, the FA launched their "Respect"-campaign last season, trying to improve the respect to each other, with slogans like "Respect the ref".
If Ferguson doesn't get penalised, how ironic is that?
Liverpool's offensive play against Aston Villa was astonishing and for me convincing except the last 20 minutes or so, when the game was dull as hell.
And you have to feel sorry for Brad Friedel, wrongly recieving a red card for his "tackle" on Fernando Torres.
Yes, it was a penalty.
No, it was certainly not a red card.
I hope Blackburn protest so Friedel can play the next game. Guess who's the opponent? Manchester United.
Speaking of red cards and Manchester United, Paul Scholes AND Wayne Rooney both got shown off in their loss against Fulham. It was, in my opinion, a right decision by the ref to give Scholes the red card, but the second yellow to Rooney was rather doubtful. I'm sure Manchester United will protest and will have Rooney for the next game.
That's my view on the case. But it's now time for
THE WEEKLY "SIR" BULLSHIT FERGUSON'S OPINION!
According to the norwegian newspaper Verdens Gang, Ferguson claimed in a post match interview that both red cards was a mistake.
Ferguson said that the distance between Scholes and Zamora was too small for Scholes to react differently. With all due respect, "Sir" Ferguson, Scholes suddenly threw both his arms over his head realising that Zamora was going to head over him. And that's no natural place to have your arms unless you're trying to block a ball illegally or smash someone's face with your elbow!
Further on, according to the same newspaper, Ferguson apparently said "... but it's Phil Dowd, so what do you expect?".
If "Sir" Ferguson doesn't get somehow penalised for this quote, this would be outrageous! The FA would not be consequent and Ferguson will again get special treatment.
After all, the FA launched their "Respect"-campaign last season, trying to improve the respect to each other, with slogans like "Respect the ref".
If Ferguson doesn't get penalised, how ironic is that?
tirsdag 17. mars 2009
What a week!
For Liverpool Football Club, that is. After a stunning performance against Real Madrid, Liverpool won 4-0 at Anfield in the second leg, with a 0-1 advantage from the first one. Yep. 5-0 against Real Madrid!
Yes, they were two lucky first goals. Well, the first one I don't know. I think Pepe was falling way easily. Torres barely tapped him on the shoulders it seemed, but maybe the viewer didn't get the best angle from it.
The penalty wasn't a penalty at all.
But from there, Liverpool DESTROYED Real Madrid.
...less important - I celebrated my 20th birthday at thursday :D
If that wasn't enough, Liverpool's form continued in the Premiership when everybody expected them to play shite as usual, especially against a team like Manchester United at Old Trafford. But holy crap, what a performance yet again!
Keeper Pepe Reina fouled Ji-Sung Park after about twenty minutes to give away a penalty, which Cristiano Fucking Ronaldo put in the net. Reina did go to the right side, but couldn't reach it.
At 1-0 there and then, I thought that the race was over. Manchester United had after all won by a one goal margine the last... what, 300-400 games?
But thanks to our twelth player, Nemdsgnsdlgfndslnjaa Vidic, Fernando Torres could sprint past him after a bouncing clearence from Mrtn Skrtl (his name is fucked up anyway, so why waste time writing the other vowels?), to put the ball past van der Sar.
And if that wasn't enough, Captain Dive... I mean Gerrard, got fouled by Evra. Yes, I know, bitter United-fans may claim that it was a complete dive, but I disagree. Gerrard falls before he even touches Evra, but you can't disagree that Evra was waaaaay too late and clumsy.
Again Liverpool's twelth player Neasmkjasmndfka Vidic helped by pulling Gerrard down and begging for a red card, leaving ten men on the pitch for Manchester United. And if that wasn't enough, Ferguson had made all three changes right before this incident.
Just to make matters worse a third time, a brilliant Brazilian... no, not Lucas. What the hell are you thinking!? I'm speaking of Fabio Aurelio - gave us that goal we almost was garantueed before Nremsklamnflasjflaja Vidic pulled down Gerrard. In brilliant fashion. I was stunned. Old Trafford was silent, except the chewing big mouth of "Sir" Alex Ferguson.
I think that's the only time I've seen Van der Sar standing still when a ball is going inside the net, not outside.
Just to make matters worse for a fourth time... no, wait, let's multiple that with ten because of a certain fat Italian - Andrea Dossena (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!exlamationmark!!!!!111!!!) once again did the honour of scoring the fourth goal. And in what style! A beautiful lob against a Van der Sar once again standing still. Pepe Reina actually had the assist in this one. I laughed more than I cheered, actually.
It was so beautiful seeing the stands at 90 minutes half empty. I could just take a picture of it and hang it up over my bed, though it was a picture of Old Trafford - but remember this - it wouldn't just catch the half empty Old Trafford, it would also catch the scoreboard at the top left corner saying 1-4. Goosebumbs!
Yes, they were two lucky first goals. Well, the first one I don't know. I think Pepe was falling way easily. Torres barely tapped him on the shoulders it seemed, but maybe the viewer didn't get the best angle from it.
The penalty wasn't a penalty at all.
But from there, Liverpool DESTROYED Real Madrid.
...less important - I celebrated my 20th birthday at thursday :D
If that wasn't enough, Liverpool's form continued in the Premiership when everybody expected them to play shite as usual, especially against a team like Manchester United at Old Trafford. But holy crap, what a performance yet again!
Keeper Pepe Reina fouled Ji-Sung Park after about twenty minutes to give away a penalty, which Cristiano Fucking Ronaldo put in the net. Reina did go to the right side, but couldn't reach it.
At 1-0 there and then, I thought that the race was over. Manchester United had after all won by a one goal margine the last... what, 300-400 games?
But thanks to our twelth player, Nemdsgnsdlgfndslnjaa Vidic, Fernando Torres could sprint past him after a bouncing clearence from Mrtn Skrtl (his name is fucked up anyway, so why waste time writing the other vowels?), to put the ball past van der Sar.
And if that wasn't enough, Captain Dive... I mean Gerrard, got fouled by Evra. Yes, I know, bitter United-fans may claim that it was a complete dive, but I disagree. Gerrard falls before he even touches Evra, but you can't disagree that Evra was waaaaay too late and clumsy.
Again Liverpool's twelth player Neasmkjasmndfka Vidic helped by pulling Gerrard down and begging for a red card, leaving ten men on the pitch for Manchester United. And if that wasn't enough, Ferguson had made all three changes right before this incident.
Just to make matters worse a third time, a brilliant Brazilian... no, not Lucas. What the hell are you thinking!? I'm speaking of Fabio Aurelio - gave us that goal we almost was garantueed before Nremsklamnflasjflaja Vidic pulled down Gerrard. In brilliant fashion. I was stunned. Old Trafford was silent, except the chewing big mouth of "Sir" Alex Ferguson.
I think that's the only time I've seen Van der Sar standing still when a ball is going inside the net, not outside.
Just to make matters worse for a fourth time... no, wait, let's multiple that with ten because of a certain fat Italian - Andrea Dossena (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!exlamationmark!!!!!111!!!) once again did the honour of scoring the fourth goal. And in what style! A beautiful lob against a Van der Sar once again standing still. Pepe Reina actually had the assist in this one. I laughed more than I cheered, actually.
It was so beautiful seeing the stands at 90 minutes half empty. I could just take a picture of it and hang it up over my bed, though it was a picture of Old Trafford - but remember this - it wouldn't just catch the half empty Old Trafford, it would also catch the scoreboard at the top left corner saying 1-4. Goosebumbs!
søndag 8. mars 2009
My dream band (part 1?)
I'm not sure which ones I would pick for my dream band. A combination with the best drummer, singer and guitarist wouldn't necessarily be that great. What kind of music would be outcome?
It's just like Real Madrid or Chelsea - buy the best players, and see where you end up (woah, buuuurn!).
On thing I am ABSOLUTELY sure about is which drummer I would love to have - Reni from The Stone Roses. The rythms is absolutely brilliant, and in addition to do such extremely difficult rythms (at least for me, as I've never drummed before), he also has backing vocals at some songs! Incredible!
Listen to Elephant Stone or Waterfall, for instance!
It's just like Real Madrid or Chelsea - buy the best players, and see where you end up (woah, buuuurn!).
On thing I am ABSOLUTELY sure about is which drummer I would love to have - Reni from The Stone Roses. The rythms is absolutely brilliant, and in addition to do such extremely difficult rythms (at least for me, as I've never drummed before), he also has backing vocals at some songs! Incredible!
Listen to Elephant Stone or Waterfall, for instance!
onsdag 4. mars 2009
You too
I've strongly considered joining Facebook-groups such as "Bono is the biggest wanker in the world" without quite knowing why. I don't like the guy.
Sure, everything he stands for and does against poverty and such is just brilliant - we need that kind of persons! But there's something about him saying "oh yeah, I'm great and everybody's loving me". Besides, who the hell meets world famous politicians wearing pimped sunglasses all the fucking time? I don't think I've seen any pictures of Bono without sunglasses after the 1980's!
Though I actually like some of U2's songs, I don't like the band itself or Bono himself. I now have my excuse - just the same reason as most fans from Ireland has.
U2 decided recently to move all their money to the Netherlands to pay less tax. That means U2 don't pay taxes to their motherland anymore, which left many Irish fans insulted and gutted.
Bono has criticised world leaders for their use of money and such, and U2 moves their money to the Netherlands to save taxes, which seems greedy. Which then makes Bono a hypocrite.
They've also moved their studio to the U2 tower (what a cheesy name! wtf?), and had a release concert on top of the BBC building in London.
Actually, I still think Bono is a wanker. Except the things he stands for.
Sure, everything he stands for and does against poverty and such is just brilliant - we need that kind of persons! But there's something about him saying "oh yeah, I'm great and everybody's loving me". Besides, who the hell meets world famous politicians wearing pimped sunglasses all the fucking time? I don't think I've seen any pictures of Bono without sunglasses after the 1980's!
Though I actually like some of U2's songs, I don't like the band itself or Bono himself. I now have my excuse - just the same reason as most fans from Ireland has.
U2 decided recently to move all their money to the Netherlands to pay less tax. That means U2 don't pay taxes to their motherland anymore, which left many Irish fans insulted and gutted.
Bono has criticised world leaders for their use of money and such, and U2 moves their money to the Netherlands to save taxes, which seems greedy. Which then makes Bono a hypocrite.
They've also moved their studio to the U2 tower (what a cheesy name! wtf?), and had a release concert on top of the BBC building in London.
Actually, I still think Bono is a wanker. Except the things he stands for.
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