Okay, I don't post here much any more, but I should say something. I grew up in Grande Prairie, and if you want to make money, you can certainly make money there. That said, the city sucks and you'll probably become frusterated there. It used to be awesome, but it is now a prime example of a city where everyone has TOO much money. Expect to see a lot of people on drugs and drunk.

I'm probably making it sound worse than it is, but I don't think I would ever move back there. 20 years there was enough for me.

EDIT: Oh wait, you're from winnipeg? You might not hate it as much as some other people then.

Also, if you're REALLY crazy, go up to Fort Macmurray in northern Alberta. That is where the biggest oil industry in Alberta is. I haven't been there myself, but I hear it's a shit hole. But full of money.

That movie had the gnarliest naked fight scene ever in the history of cinema. Part of me didn't want to look and see the flopping body parts, but part of me had to look because it was such an intense fight!

I didn't mind the end, I thought it was pretty cool. His final pose in the movie is very reminiscent of The Godfather endings.

oh man

I really want to write a GWiki article called "Enterbrain fanboys"

Then you ought to grow up and get over it.

A little more on topic though, has anyone heard anything about a translation of any of the sample games? (I assume we'll get one eventually)

The "it's for casual users" is a pretty stupid argument to make for an rpg maker product seeing as how, well, it's an rpg maker product.

This argument stops working once you realize there are different levels of simplicity. Yes Rpg Maker simplifies game development, but it still doesn't make it an altogether simple process. EB has already proved that they can vary the simplicity and flexibility of the products. I'll allow you some credit though, RMVX is for more casual users.

But I certainly agree that VX has its flaws, like any maker. It's my favorite of the series, but I was a little disappointed about the lack of the four way direction control on the chipsets. But overall I would say that it is the most fun to use.

a) RMVX uses a newer, updated version of RGSS, whereas RMXP users are obviously stuck with the old version.

Don't take this as an attack or anything, we should have this clarified, but doesn't VX use the exact same ruby as XP? I still don't really understand the difference.

I don't think they removed the features to spite anybody. VX just isn't aimed at people who want to make a complicated game. The whole thing is based around simplicity. I don't think it was ever intended to one-up XP. I think it was more meant to be a brother sister thing, neither is really better than the other. They're just for different crowds I'd say.
VX is awesome for people like me who don't have a whack of time on our hands (college) but still want to make something.

If it isn't your thing then don't use it, but for the love of God don't act like EB screwed us all over.

I've been reading this book called "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance", and it has sort of got me thinking along these lines.
In the book, the author struggles to define "quality". And, I think the trouble exists is because you can only know quality in comparison to something else. I sort of think happiness is the same way. I don't think a constant state of happiness is possible because I believe that "happiness" is a relative feeling, and not really a possible steady state of mind. Happiness is really only possible through fluctuations.

To be constantly happy, theoretically, you'd have to be constantly progressing into something better. And really, that is the most unlikely thing because even the slightest things can spoil it. Even the lack of happiness in others. That kind of perfection just doesn't exist. Happiness is a little hard to define in its own right because its hard/impossible to really pin down its exact source, which varies for everyone. A millionaire could triple his already huge fortune and be pretty happy about it, but, if you cure a child's sick pet, I'd be willing to bet that child is just as happier as the millionaire, if not more.

So really, am I happy? Relatively. Compared to the day I broke up with a girlfriend, I'm extremely happy. But compared to a good day out with friends in the mountains, then I'd say I'm not happy at all.

PS
For those debating what life would be like if we were always happy, haven't you ever played Nigsek?

I've only read the first book, but I didn't think it was that great. But I guess it had to be decent since I finished. It started off great, but then I don't know, I started losing interest through out the rest of the book. And the ending really leaves you hanging, which is sometimes a good thing, but in this case it didn't feel too good. It seemed like it was just getting interesting when it ended. I think I'll rent this movie sometime. Theaters are expensive.

Aquaria is being released tonight, for anyone that didn't know. For those who have no idea what Aquaria is, it's an indy game that has been in development for a while now. It is a side scroller similar to Super Metroid, only it is controlled entirely by mouse. What is pretty neat about the game is its setting, the ocean. Think of Ecco the Dolphin only much prettier.

Anyway, check out the website, and maybe try out the demo tonight: http://www.bit-blot.com/

For the record, I have nothing to do with this game, I just thought I'd let others know about it.

This is kind of a tough call, and I don't think I could possibly pick an accurate order, because it would change with every given mood. Maybe I can do a top 3:

1) Once Upon a Time in the West
2) The Man Who Planted Trees (This is a short animation, but it is completely awesome. Coolest art style I've seen, and a stellar story.)
3) The Godfather Part II (Nobody mentioned any of these yet...?)

- A River Runs through it (I think this movie possibly deserves better, but I wasn't sure.)
- Amelie
- The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
- Papillion
- Millers Crossing
- No Country for Old Men (Instructions to everybody: Check this one out immediately, especially if you liked Fargo, or Cormac McKarthy for that matter.)
- Who Has Seen the Wind (I doubt anyone has seen this one, but I might be wrong.)