A Stupid Dream

I had a dream last night. Although it was just some stupid dream, I felt like it was real. So real, I thought I really died.

So,here's what I dreamt. I know, why should I even bother writing it in my blog, since its not even real? Well, I don't know. Just for fun, I guess.

All the pharmacy students in USM, including me, were on a trip to Puerto Rico. Now, I don't know how Puerto Rico really looks like, but that was what my mind registered in my dream. The place we were heading, with all the canyons and rivers, was Puerto Rico. We were on the airplane when we saw the scenery. The airplane was landing and the scenery kept getting more and more beautiful. Ammar was sitting next to me. I said a little something to him but I couldn't remember what it was. What I did remember was his expression. Sombre. Like he knew that this trip was going to turn bad. All the other pharmacy students were enjoying the flight though. Little did we know that this trip is going to be a nightmare.

Once we landed, all of us took a bus to a rural area. A village, surrounded by tall trees, sparkling rivers, and mud-filled earth. The villagers, however, were kinda quiet. They did offer us a place to stay, all the while staring at us, with a grim expression, like we were terrorists or something.

I got into my room, kept all my belongings and stuff. I knew the others were in their rooms too, since I can hear them talking. The walls were not that thick, see. After a while, I decided to take a walk. I noticed one of the villagers eyeing a crow that just landed on the ground, scraping it. Without warning, the villager leapt towards the crow, caught it, and ate it. He was devouring it, like no one else's business. I got scared and ran back to my room, without him or anyone else noticing, of course. What is this place, I asked myself. The expression the villager had while he was eating the defenseless bird, it was like he was possessed. Eyes bulging, veins showing. I have to warn all my friends about this!

I waited a while before I got out of my room again. I noticed one of my friends walking towards one of the villager's house, probably wanting to ask him or her some questions. The door was opened, and without warning, there was gunshot. Two of them. The bullets went right through my friend's body. He dropped dead, just like any fella who's been shot would. There they were, the ones responsible for shooting my friend, laughing their heads off. A man and a woman. The man was shirtless, holding a bottle of tequila in one hand, and a double-barreled shotgun in the other. God knows how he fired a shot with just one hand. The woman was wearing tattered clothes, blood and dirt smeared all over it. She, too, was holding a double-barreled shotgun, but with no bottle of whatsoever in the other hand. The man continued laughing, drinking and finishing the tequila while he was at it. His face was bloated and bluish. The woman looked normal, but her cackling was enough to qualify her as mad as her husband was. My friend's body was still lying there, blood dripping. The couple dragged the body into their house while I thought to myself, "This is not good". I started to run away when another gunshot went straight pass me. "God damn it, they noticed me!"

I was already far away from them. Far enough to avoid any gunshot from a shotgun. That did not guarantee me safety though. What is happening, I asked myself. What is going on in this village? Why were we given a trip here? How the hell am I going to get out of here? Did Ammar knew this was going to happen? In a dream where you never realised that its a dream, those answers can never be found.

I met one of my friend and told him what happened. He was shocked, of course. Just then, another villager jumped out in front of us with a machete. He slashed my friend and turned towards me. I panicked and ran away.

The whole village was in utter chaos now all of a sudden. The sky grew dark and every house was lit on fire. Its like the villagers were trying to kill each and every one of us while we're still sleeping. Some of the students managed to escape. The others, not so lucky. Students were fleeing everywhere. Running, with no sense of direction whatsoever. Running with only the urge to escape, survive, and live. Blood spattered everywhere. Screams filled the air. Some were shot, some were thrusted upon with any weapon that has a sharp edge.

I managed to gather some of my friends and planned our escape. I don't remember what actually happened, but we got out of the village. Only then I noticed that one of my friends wasn't there. I took out my phone and dialed her number. Funny how Maxis managed to work in P.Rico. A voice answered the phone. I yelled out her name although I know my voice could be heard. "Where are you?", I shouted, many times, fearing the worst. It was not long before I saw her. I felt so relieved, but not for long. A crazed villager appeared from behind my friend, holding a weapon. Now, I didn't know what kind of weapon he was holding, but I'm pretty sure it was a type of gun. That's because I took the shot. A crack of gunshot, and I fell down, between my friend and the villager. The scenery went red, only its not a the kind of red people would be interested in. Just before I fell, the villager took out a bottle of tequila and downed it.

I woke up after that. I blew out a sigh of relief, knowing that it was all just a dream. But I thought of something. Something that we all know about, but too foolish to realise it before its too late. Something that I just couldn't explain, about friends, and death.

Well, that's my dream, people. Judge me however you want, its still just a stupid dream of mine and I'm just writing it all down on my blog, in whatever way I remember it.

Movies, Food, Technology and Rape

Wow..its been like, 20 days since i've written a post on my blog. Currently, I have no idea what to post. If you've been reading my previous entries, I was rambling on and on about politics, race, religion, and stuff like that. Oh well, perhaps i'll write something that is not too serious today.

First up, movies! yay!!!

One thing you dudes and dudettes out there gotta know is, I dont watch Malay films that is not directed by Afdlin Shauki or P.Ramlee. Yes, I said it. I'm a bastard when it comes to Malay films. Here's a scenario of how badly i hate em.

Bully: Later at 5pm, I'm gonna punch you in the face

Me: Uh-oh... (scared, then walks away)

Later,

Friend: hey dude, wanna go watch Lagenda Budak Setan later in the evening?

Me: Nope, I'm getting my face punched later. :)

Yes, that's how badly I don't wanna watch them. I'd rather get my face punched than sit through the whole movie.

Enough with the bastardism, aite?

Anyway, I watched two damn nice movies recently. I'm gonna talk a bit about these movies although I'm not a critic. Lets see how unprofessional I am, okay? Roger Ebert, please forgive me poor soul...

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I watched this movie. I won't spoil too much about this movie for those who haven't watched it yet, though. Ok, so lets talk about the positive things in this movie in the most civilised manner possible.

- The fight scenes are beautifully choreographed, it'll make you cry.

- Its funny at times.

- The scenery in China is darn beautiful.

- J.Smith is cute. Yeah, he really is. And he has an 8-pack, ya'll. Damn...

Personally, I'd give this movie 4 out of 5 stars, after watching it TWICE. Yeah, you read that right. This is because:

- There are some unexplained things in this movie. Watch it to understand what I meant.

- Some of the early characters were given too little screen time.

I think that's about it, though. I didn't watch the original Karate Kid, so I can't compare this one to the original, although some said that the original was much better. But hell, some of the audiences in the theatre cheered for J.Smith, so yeah, this movie is excellent, although not perfect. A must watch.

Oh yessssss...oh yes, yes, yes. Toy story 3. Its from Pixar, so what were you expecting? GREAT story. 5 out of 5. Hilarious one, indeed. Go watch it.

Next, I'm gonna talk a bit about food. People say Penang is a heaven for food lovers. Well, maybe. But screw Penang for not having this!

Yes, some of you might be saying "whaaaaaatttttt?? Burger King is not that great.bla bla bla.." Well, I can't blame my taste buds, can I?

One more thing, I think my English is weakening. I mean, I don't really think I can write that well anymore. Last night, I was picturing a situation where a man was taking care of an abandoned baby. I told myself to describe the situation using my own words. Well, I couldn't come up with something good. I'm taking LSP402 next sem, and the only people i know who are in the same group as I am were Desmond and Thanushiri. Maybe there are others, but none that I know of at the moment. Sigh... who am I kidding.. I mean, my English is not that good, but most people seem to think that I have great command in English, especially in Form 5 and matrics. I'm thankful that I got band 5. I just wish that I could TALK in English more now that I'm in USM. I love to play with the words while I'm speaking. English is fun coz the way you manipulate the use of the words will influence what you're saying. Plus, you'll sound like a badass. Teehee~

My friend has a Blackberry, though. I dunno why the hell he's using it. But I'm feeling kinda jealous when I compared it to my cheap-ass phone. See, I'm being ungrateful here, bebeh. Shit.. Anyway, do you know the option in your phone that automatically detects whatever you're trying to text and produces the word before you even finish texting it? Yeah, is there a better term for this? guhhhh.. Anyway, I think my phone is racist. Once when i forgot to switch off that option, I was trying to text 'oh, jeez..' when the phone wrote 'oh, jews..' before I even realised it. And then, I clicked 'send'. Try to guess how that turned out.

Also, I once borrowed a bluetooth headset from my friend. He's rich, so I act poor around him. Anyway, the reason I borrowed it was because I wanna wear it while driving. Because I wanna look important. Or more accurately, I wanna look like a douchebag. When my other friends asked me a question, I acted like a secret agent and stuff. Yes, the world is full of wonders, my friend. You meet douchebags, and normal people who act like douches.

Rape is weird, though, don't you think? Its an offensive word, most of the time. Try saying it. "rape, rape, rape". But, BUT, if you try putting a 'G' in front of the word 'rape', its just a delicious fruit. See, I'm talking crap right now because I have nothing else to do.

See, I read something on the net long ago. Its about a serial rapist in Houston. There's nothing funny about serial rapes, but, BUT, what is not worthy about this particular rapist, is taht all of his victims have been men. This is some man raping men in Houston, that's the most gangsta shit ever. So far, 7 men have reported about them being raped to the cops, which means he must have raped thousands. Its a tough phone call for us men to make. When men get raped, they can just get up after that, walk off and keep it a secret. However, you gotta take that secret to the GRAVE! We couldn't even tell our wives that we got raped. Consider this situation:

Wife: Where have you been?? Its 3am in the morning!

Husband: .....uhh..I was fucking another woman. Go back to sleep.

That's it for today, folks. Sorry for the use of bad words. It is a Sunday, after all. Yes, I can see you being confused on what Sunday's got to do with all these. Some other time,folks! ;)

Its A Big Club,And You Ain't In It

Ask yourself a very important question. What is the most efficient and effective way to control the world? A simple question with a two-word answer

Mind control

You know how us citizens are supposed to feel and react when told what is happening to this country, especially when it comes to politics? The way we were ordered,the way we were instructed by the government to feel about the things that are happening around us? Well, I don't feel THAT way. You see, I tell ya, my mind doesn't work that way. I have this moronic thing I like to do which is called thinking, and I'm not a very good Malaysian because I like to form my own opinions. I don't just roll over when I'm told to. Sad to say most Malaysians roll over on command, but not me. I have certain rules that I live by. My first rule is that I don't believe anything the government tells me. NOTHING. Zilch. Secondly, I don't take very seriously the media or the press in this country because I know that its all just a game of politics. Tell more lies to get more support and in the end, rule the country by those lies. You gotta realize that most of the time, they function as an unofficial public relationship agency for the government of Malaysia. So I don't listen to them, I don't REALLY believe in my country, and I gotta tell you folks, I don't get all "choked up" about that 1Malaysia crap. Sorry, but the truth is very hard to accept, right?

Now, to balance the scale, I would like to talk about some things that bring us together. Things that point out our similarities instead of our differences, because that's all you hear about in our country, our DIFFERENCES. That's all the media and the politicians are ever talking about, the things that separate us, things that make us different from one another.

The following words were taken from George Carlin, a comedian in 1991, and one can swear that he is talking about our current events.

" This is the way the ruling class operates in any society. They try to divide the rest of the people. They keep the low and middle class fighting with each other, so that they, the rich, can run off with all the fucking money. Fairly simple thing happens at work. They will talk about anything that separates us: race, religion, etc, in order to keep us fighting with each other so that THEY can keep going to the bank. you know how I describe the economic and social class in any country? The upper class keeps all of the money, pays none of the taxes. The middle class pays all of the taxes, does all of the work. The poorer there, just to scare the shit out of the middle class."

However, there's a reason for this. There's a reason why the education sucks. There's a reason why corruption occurs everywhere. Sadly, its a reason that could never be fixed and could never, never get any better. Don't look for it. Be happy with what you've got. This is because the owners of this country don't want that. I'm talking about the real owners now, the big, wealthy, business industries that control everything and make the important decisions for us nowadays. Forget the politicians. They're irrelevant in this matter. Politicians are put there to give you the idea that you have the freedom of choice. Well, guess what? You don't. You have no choice. You have owners. They OWN you. They own everything. They own all the important land, they own and control the important corporations, they've long since bought and pay for the senate, and they even got the judges in their back pockets, and they also own the all the big media companies so that they can control just about all the news and information you get to hear. They got you by the balls, people! They spend billions of money every year lobbying to get what they want. Well, we know what they want. They want more for themselves and less for everybody else, but I'll tell you what they don't want. They don't want our population of citizens to be capable of critical thinking. They don't want well-informed, well-educated people capable of critical thinking. That doesn't help them. That's against their interests. That's right, and you know something? They don't want anyone smart enough to sit around the kitchen table and think about how badly they're being screwed while they just follow every single command without ever considering the situation. They don't want that. You know what they want? They want 'obedient' workers, people who are just smart enough to run the machines and do the paperwork, and just dumb enough to possibly accept all these increasingly shittier jobs, the lower pay, the longer hours, the reduced benefits, the end of overtime, and the vanishing pension that disappears the moment you go to collect it. Now, they're coming for your social security money. They want your retirement money. They want it back. And you know something? They'll get it. They'll get it all from you, sooner or later. This is because they OWN this place. Face it, for we are just pawns in the game.

Its a disappointment, really, to see how many people are being deceived by such a big lie. The saddest thing about history, is how often it keeps repeating itself.

George Carlin said it correct: "Its a big club, and you ain't in it."

In memory of George Carlin: 1937-2008

1 Malaysia(?)

Last time in Matrics, I asked my friend, Yeong Jin Yuan whether he knows about the Uitm intake. I still remember his answer though

"Why should I care? I mean,its not like us non-bumis have anything to do with it"

That got me thinking. I do remember about the proposal to include 10% non-bumis into Uitm. That led to a damn large demonstration by Uitm students. Their reasons? Well,if i remembered correctly,its something to do with educational and political rights,blah blah blah. For me, if your only reasons involve special rights, then they are darn cowardly reasons, in my opinion. Its not just about this issue, you see. Malays nowadays think that their society will collapse once non-bumis take charge in certain matters. Hell, this even went as low as deciding who's gonna be the next class rep. I mean, if that person, he or she, is capable to lead the class, then so be it. Islam also mentioned to us, the followers, to not wage a war against the fellow non-muslims if they do not wage a war against us or kick us out of our hometowns. Those two reasons are the ONLY reasons if we should ever want to ignite a battle against non-muslims. However, if they are nice to us, then we should be nice and fair to them as well. Case in point : the night where the USM pharmacy students gather at the school to vote the leaders for certain posts (sorry, I forgot the actual name of the event). I know some of us Malays chose ONLY the Malay candidates to hold the provided posts(is this sentence even correct?). Well, I didn't. For the posts that contained two candidates, a Malay and a Chinese, I considered the situation(I don't even know whether this sentence is correct grammatically.Political grammar just ain't my thing). Does this Malay candidate seem more capable in handling the job better than the Chinese candidate? Once I decided who is more worthy of the post, only then will I choose him/her. I did choose some non-malays to hold certain posts. Some of them didn't get it. Some of them did. Truth be told, I didn't regret my actions for one bit. I do know some people who straight away chose the Malay candidates to hold certain posts, just because they are Malays. I was like, "ek?" Our class rep for the next semester would be Tan Ze Chien, and I gotta say, the Chinese students in our class made the right choice. He is very nice, friendly and responsible. I've talked with him loads of times and in my opinion, if anyone would hold a certain post and lead the other students, one of my top choices would be him. I'm not saying that im favouring non-Malays over Malays. Its just, Im talking about being realistic here. Sure, some of you may say that there will be discrimination and Chinese leaders will favour their own race instead of Malays. Well, hell yeah, that's gonna happen all right. There will ALWAYS be discrimination, no matter how you look at it. You're shittin me if you say there ain't gonna be one. Even us Malays, MOST of us, will discriminate the other races to if we lead. Say what you will about my previous statement. Despise me if you must, but that's the reality here. I, however, am not one of those people who discriminate other races. Nope, and here's why.

I am great friends with the malays and non-malays. Well, why shouldn't I? The only things that differentiate me and my non-malay friends are our religion and race. You're a Chinese, and I'm a Malay. You're a Buddhist while I'm a Muslim. The problem here lies within ourselves. Most of us Malays do not treat other non-malays like one of their own friends. This also goes for the non-malays not treating the Malays like one of their own friends too. I'm not saying ALL of them, just MOST. In matrics, I'm very close to the non-malays. I mean, I didn't expect it myself. I came from a Malay boys-only school, so it would be reasonable enough if most of my friends in matrics were Malays. However, that didn't happen, and I'm very happy with the friends I have in matrics, be it Malays or non-malays. We should also realise that Malaysia will never rise without the collaboration between Malays and non-malays, so there. Hang out and get along with other races, then you'll know what I mean.

So enough about this issue. I think I've made my point clear already. I have tons of stuffs to talk about but my brain is becoming a jackass today. Some other time, totes.

24 Most Ridiculous Celebrity 'Gamers'

Celebrities are good at so many things. They entertain us with their beauty, style, charm and frequent intoxication. They create wonderful movies, music and sex tapes. They save the world by adopting, and crazily naming, every orphaned child they meet. They even tell us what to buy, what to eat and what to wear!

Why, then, must they be good at gaming as well? Why must we always shove controllers and remotes and consoles into their unsuspecting, delicately manicured hands? Why must we constantly force them to mingle and pose with giant, bobble-headed cartoon characters? Why must we ask them to play and promote something of which they clearly have no interest or knowledge?

As these surreal examples of celebrity "gaming" prove, we shouldn't. The results are rarely flattering... and NEVER believable.

1. Christina Aguilera

Here's what I mean. Couldn't someone have told poor Xtina that the Nintendo GameCube is, in fact, NOT a fashionable new handbag and, despite coming in three stylish colors, should NOT be used as such? An agent or publicist perhaps? Famous people can't figure this stuff out on their own, you know!

2. Zac Efron

The 360 controller and Bungie wristband tell us Zac is a real gamer. The upturned collar, designer t-shirt and sun-kissed bangs tell us otherwise. My suspicion? The star of High School Musical and Hairspray is one frag away from breaking into song, dance or possibly both.

One of these people is real. One is not. Can YOU spot the difference?

3. Steven Spielberg

Ah, the universal power of the Wii: making old people look even older. Here, the most successful and beloved director of our time has suddenly transformed into the captain of some retirement village's videogame bowling league. Could someone please help Grandpa put on the wrist strap?

4. Tara Reid

The Wii's other power? Inspiring sexual and phallic innuendo. But with the star of Taradise in this picture, I figure any attempts at such juvenile humor would be redundant.

5. Jack Black



Jack Black's power? Apparently, looking kinda like an idiot no matter what console he's being forced to play.

6. Snoop Dogg, Fergie and Wilmer Valderrama

And the power of these hardcore Hollywood playas? Being sooooooooo effing damn cool (tilted baseball caps and misappropriated gang symbols!), you don't even notice the game controller.

7. Jenny McCarthy

Jenny seems appropriately, and convincingly, excited to test the latest fast-paced action or sports game on her Xbox 360. Just one problem - she's playing Marble Blast Ultra. What the hell could possibly have happened inMarble Blast Ultra to elicit a face like that?

There! Now THAT's the vacant, joyless expression we were expecting.

8. Christian Slater

Nothing says "heart throb" like spiked hair, a tight black t-shirt and tighter blue jeans. Nothing says "aging, desperate heart throb in need of publicity" like playing DS in front of a ceiling-high Mario mural.

9. Mario Lopez

Poor Mario Lopez. His career has sunk so low, he has to stand next to Fergie Fudgehog for a paycheck. Then again... poor Fergie Fudgehog. She has to stand next to Mario Lopez for free.

10. Nicole Kidman

What? You don't own matching colored outfits for all your consoles? You don't play DS on matching white furniture in matching white rooms with matching white flowers in the background? Don't worry - you will when the Scientologists take over.

11. Russell Crowe

Well, putting the celebrity's face on the gaming system is certainly one way to produce genuine enthusiasm. Expect a Wilmer Valderrama 360 in the near future.

12. Josh Duhamel

Im not saying this guy is a bad actor. What I am saying is that the plastic statue next to him seems to have more emotional range. And if you didn't recognize Josh from the TV show Las Vegas, that's okay. No one did.

13. Tilda Swinton

The White Witch of Narnia continues to perfect her icy, bitchy disdain for everything good and fun and pure in the world.

14. Bill Gates

Breaking the mold as always, Bill is the only celebrity on my list who lookstoo geeky to play videogames.

Star Wars Chess? Maybe. Halo 3? I don't think so.

15. Peter Moore

Some remember him as former Corporate Vice President of Microsoft's Interactive Entertainment Business division. We'll always remember him as a pretend rock GOD.

16. The Reggies (Fils-Aime and Bush)

So many, many questions. Which Reggie signed that Wii? Why did they make it out to the "Triforce"? Is that a Power Glove? How much money was Reggie, the football star, given to model that ridiculous hat? Is Reggie, the President of Nintendo, going to eat me?

17. Rihanna

This photo does double duty, advertising both the Xbox 360 and the new Spring collection at Bloomingdale's. For a limited time, half-off on bamboo earrings and sunflower pillow covers!

(By the way, this is another celebrity playing Marble Blast Ultra. Are real games too complicated or something?)

18. Big Boi

No, the Xbox 360 Elite is not that large. Yes, Big Boi is simply that tiny.
Ironic much?

19. Lil Jon

Lil Jon appears utterly disappointed and disgusted by the pea soup green of the Halo 3 Special Edition Console. Finally, a true gamer!

20. Hulk Hogan

Oh my God! Hulk Hogan is going to tear those Pokemon kids' arms off!

21. Tony Romo

Oh my God! Tony Romo and his jock cronies are going to crush those miniature toy guitars between their giant meaty fingers!

22. Korn

Oh my God! This is... stupid.

23. Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie (but mostly Paris Hilton)

Was there ever any doubt that the ultimate princess of publicity would appear on this list of gaming poseurs? Of course not, but I'm still impressed by the hotel heiress's work ethic. Lending her air of vague condescension to every console in reach was nice, but Paris really went the extra mile when she whored out her name as well. Paris Hilton's Jewel Jam, available on mobile phones, sounds awesome. Now if she'd just stop calling it Diamond Quest..

24. Ronald McDonald



Does a fast food mascot count as a celebrity? Dunno. What I do know is that this photo has haunted my dreams for days now and I had to share the misery. The only thing creepier than Ronald's leering gaze is Mario's dead-eyed synthetic stare. He looks like a drive-thru speaker box... from Hell.

Does It Matter What Roger Ebert Thinks?

So, movie critic Roger Ebert is at it again, stirring the hornet's nest and upsetting the demagogues of gaming with his definitive statement that videogames can "never" be art. In a recent editorial, Ebert defends his long-running belief that interactive entertainment does not deserve to be considered an artistic pursuit and, predictably, gamers lost their minds.

However, the community cannot say that it didn't ask for this recent tirade. As Ebert states, he has been contacted multiple times by game fans who are desperately seeking the old man's approval. All I can ask is why? Why are people clamoring for Roger Ebert, of all people, to validate a medium he clearly has no interest in, and has remained willfully ignorant of for years? Why is the opinion of a single Luddite so crucial to the gaming community?

I cannot claim I've not been guilty. I used to get offended when outdated and irrelevant human beings looked down their noses at a medium I've dedicated my life to covering. I used to take up my pitchfork when philistines like Ebert blasted a form of entertainment that they will never understand. However, the more I considered it, the more I had to ask... does it really matter?

Does it really matter what a 67-year-old man thinks about Metal Gear Solid?
Let us not pretend, of course, that what Ebert is saying isn't ignorant at best and stupid at worst. To say that something can never be art, when art is perhaps the most personal and subjective concept in human history, marks the critic out as a disastrously primitive and nescient individual. Ebert's entire argument is that games cannot be art because you can "win" them. He claims that because games have set rules and goals, they are disqualified as art.

Essentially, that argument is no different from me saying that paintings can never be art because they are hung on walls. Both arguments impose wholly arbitrary rules on the nature of art, a concept that is inherently judged not by capricious standards, but by instinct, perspective and that intangible thing we clumsily call soul. You can't impose strict and unchanging rules upon art, because it is based upon feelings, fashions, societies and emotions, things that are always changing. Art is an evolution, a formless thing that has no shape. To try and put it in a box, stick a label on it, and give it definition or structure is not only futile, but incredibly foolish.



The basic premise of that tangent is that Ebert is wrong. However, we all know he's wrong. We also know he'll never change. In fact, Ebert actively revels in upsetting gamers. He boasts on Twitter about being disagreed with, and goads the community with his perpetual statements. Evoking an image of the perfect troll, he successfully plays the hardcore gamer crowd like a Casio Songbank. Here we are, Pavlov's dogs, we drool and bark as soon as he starts ringing the same bell we've heard a dozen times before.

In fact, Ebert claims he was prompted to start round 100 of his slanging match by gamers themselves, who constantly bombard him with requests to play certain titles in an effort to sway his mind. Like an obsessive religious fundamentalist who is preoccupied with turning "sinners" toward the light, these self-appointed industry ambassadors only manage to expose their own insecurity and angst over the fact that somebody might not have the same opinion as they do.

Roger Ebert has no interest in educating himself about videogames. In his latest article, he makes definitive statements about Braid and Flower, basing his opinion on a few things he's heard in a talk by Kellee Santiago. He won't play the games he criticizes so confidently. He doesn't feel he needs to, nor does he care enough about the subject at hand. Why are we so eager to get this old man to play a game? He consistently exposes himself as a man who is not just ignorant, but proudly ignorant. This is a man who can simply hear about a game like Flower and write it off as "[nothing more interesting] than a greeting card."

Do you really want the approval of somebody who's going to publicly spout such absurd drivel?

You must also remember that people like Ebert are increasingly becoming the minority. Games are only getting more mainstream, and as our generation rises to become the next breed of critics, politicians, newscasters and parents, the acceptance of gaming as a legitimate art form is a complete and total inevitability. Ebert is 67, and those who think like him aren't much younger. They are fossils. Leftovers. They are nearly all dead. In a few years time, nothing that Ebert has said will matter because Ebert won't be with us anymore. You might as well already be arguing with a corpse when you engage any of these old men who sneer at interactive entertainment. It's a thoroughly pointless endeavor.

Gamers are a defensive lot, and again, I cannot claim to be innocent. I bristle and boil when pathetic "experts" go on TV and pretend that videogames are a corrupting influence on our unspoiled children. I engage in heated debates about whether this game or that game deserves more respect. However, I think it's high time we let the "games and art" debate go. It's a waste of time. Nobody will ever admit defeat, so it becomes a war of attrition, and since gamers are younger, it's a war we're destined to win.

Ultimately, it shouldn't matter what anybody else thinks about something you enjoy, provided that you still enjoy it. Whether Ebert says games are art or not will never invalidate the experiences you've had with the medium. Whether you choked up after fighting The Boss in Snake Eater, or laughed childishly at The Great & Mighty Poo in Conker's Bad Fur Day, there is nothing Ebert can say that will take your fun away from you. To me, fun is the highest form of art. Anything that entertains in this miserable world is worth putting in a gallery and cherishing for years to come, if you ask me.

That's the key phrase, though -- if you ask me. If you ask me, I'll tell you that games are art. Games are because I say they are art. That's how art works. It's what you, the individual, can take from it. Not what some obsolete stranger says. By all means, disagree with Ebert's statements. Laugh at his absurd commentary or disregard him entirely. Hell, agree with him if you think the guy has a point. However, let's stop getting so damn angry and bitter because an aged film critic doesn't respect videogames.

If Ebert wants to betray his own ineptitude, let him. If this old man who should know better is intent on acting like a twelve-year-old Internet troll, that is his prerogative. But whatever he says about videogames doesn't matter. If anything, its his opinion on art in general, and his attempts to narrowly define it, that should be taken as the gravest offense.

Let the art world get offended by that, however. Let us, as gamers, do the best thing we can do to prove Roger Ebert wrong... ignore him, and enjoy our damn games!

A Brother's Love

Like any good mother, when Karen found out that another baby was on the way, she did what she could to help her 3-year-old son, Michael, prepare for a new sibling. They found out that the new baby was going to be a girl, and day after day, night after night, Michael sang to his sister in Mommy's tummy.

The pregnancy progressed normally for Karen, an active member of a Methodist Church in Tennessee. Then the labor pains came. Every five minutes . . .every minute. But complications arose during delivery. Hours of labor. Would a C-section be required?

Finally, Michael's little sister is born. But she is in serious condition. With sirens howling in the night, the ambulance rushes the infant to a neonatal intensive care unit. The days inch by. The little girl gets worse. The pediatric specialist tells the parents, "There is very little hope. Be prepared for the worst."

Karen and her husband contact a local cemetery about a burial plot. They had fixed up a special room in their home for the new baby –now they plan a funeral.

Michael kept begging his parents to let him see his sister, "I want to sing to her," he said. Week two in intensive care. It looked as if a funeral would come before the week was over. Michael kept nagging about singing to his sister, but kids are not allowed in Intensive Care. But, Karen makes up her mind. She would take Michael whether they liked it or not. If he didn't see his sister now, he may never see her alive.

She dresses him in an oversized scrub suit and marches him into ICU. He looks like a walking laundry basket, but the head nurse recognizes him as a child and bellows, "Get that kid out of here now! No children are allowed in ICU." The mother rises up strong in Karen, and the usually mild-mannered lady glares steel-eyed into the head nurse's face, her lips a firm line. "He is not leaving until he sings to his sister!"

Karen tows Michael to his sister's bedside. He gazes at the tiny infant losing the battle to live. And he begins to sing. In the pure-hearted voice of a 3-year-old, Michael sings: "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are gray . . ."

Instantly the baby girl responds. The pulse rate becomes calm and steady.

Keep on singing, Michael. "You never know, dear, how much I love you, Please don't take my sunshine away"

The ragged, strained breathing becomes as smooth as a kitten's purr. Keep on singing, Michael.

"The other night, dear, as I lay sleeping, I dreamed I held you in my arms..."

Michael's little sister relaxes as rest, healing rest, seems to sweep over her. Keep on singing, Michael.

Tears conquer the face of the bossy head nurse. Karen glows. "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. Please don't, take my sunshine away."

Funeral plans are scrapped. The next, day—the very next day—the little girl is well enough to go home! One magazine called it "the miracle of a brother's song." The medical staff just called it a miracle. Karen called it a miracle of God's love.

{i have ran out of ideas for my stories,so this is the best i can write..for now.toodles!}