So, Where's the Writing Been?

For some reason the first idea that came to mind for today about what to blog was to talk about other places I’ve written things. I don’t know why. Seeing as the alternative would probably end up being 277 words about why I hate marzipan, I’ll roll with it.

I realized the other day that prior to this blogging challenge, this space had grown a little dry. Now there are reasons for that. First off, there hasn’t been a whole lot that has really gotten me riled up. Second, I spend a large amount of my computing time playing games. Third, the time NOT spent playing games is usually spent on a couple of web forums. And one of those is actually where a lot of writing HAS been appearing.

Yes, WordPress…I have been seeing other spaces in which to write. And I don’t regret it. Awhile back I found a website called Reclaim Your Game which is sort of a clearinghouse of game DRM talk, game talk, and all sorts of other things that made my inner geek get up and unleash one of those horrific Urkel style laughs before falling to the ground, wheezing and clutching desperately for that inhaler.

Since those were things that interested me, I joined up. A couple of months after joining and exposing everyone to my particular brand of mockery and caustic humor, I was rather surprised to be approached by the site admins and asked if I would be interested in writing a monthly newsletter. Write up on gaming news, mention some things that came out the previous month, that sort of thing. I actually had to think about it for awhile…not because I wasn’t interested but because I was pretty much convinced I would grossly offend several people and somehow start a cataclysm that would bring the very Internet itself crashing to its knees. Eventually, I signed up.

That was about 6 or 7 months ago. So a lot of my writing time is actually spent marking news stories and reviews to use later, then putting the whole newsletter together. It’s actually been rather enjoyable…though at times a bit of a challenge. Last month, for example…about a bazillion news stories about companies suing each other and going under and the like…how the Hell does that get turned in to something compelling? Well, call me smug, but I think (DESPERATELY HOPE!) that I’ve been successful. An example :

-Back to the court system! Yes, the whole bizarre situation between Take Two and 3D Realms appears likely to continue degenerating in to the Hatfields and the McCoys. It seems that, even though 3D Realms were sucking down development funding like desperate alcoholics being handed a beer with absolutely no results to show for it, Take Two still asked them if they could make an Xbox 360 version of Duke Nukem Forever, too. 3D Realms responded the way any self respecting drug addict would…sure we can, if you give us every single dollar we claim to need to work on it right now. Now, having already given (by their accounting) approximately 376 billion dollars to 3D Realms already, Take Two instead offered half the money now, half when the deal’s done. Apparently not wanting to be paid like a hitman, 3D Realms responded by lunging across the table and brutally attacking Take Two’s president. Or they said “No thanks.” Your choice. Anyway, I cannot wait for the inevitable conclusion to this drama, when the underwater missile platform that 3D Realms actually spent all that money on is lifted from beneath the surface from the sea and launches a broadside at the headquarters of Grand Theft Auto Inc.

Repeat that sort of things a few times and you get the idea. That wasn’t a great example of some of the…edgier (and I HATE that word now that ‘edgy’ has basically come to mean ‘band with a few power riffs who occasionally say damn and mock authority’)  stuff I’ve had to say. That would include comments about slapping hookers, using dev money to fund coke parties with lines of blow being sucked off a hooker’s ass, and a request on at least one occasion that someone follow up a beer with a .45 caliber chaser (you know, the kind of stuff typically found in hardhitting ‘journalistic’ reports). I’m actually REALLY surprised there haven’t been even a few complaints.

Anyway, between that, writing some front page articles for the site, and ‘meeting’ online with the other admins (yes, I’m an admin now. Someone though giving ME any sort of authority was a good idea…give THAT shit a second to sink in!), I’ve been ignoring you poor WordPress. Well baby, I realize now that just wasn’t fair…I need to set aside some time for us to be together, too, because if this blogging challenge has taught me one thing, it’s that I missed you.

Now get me a beer.