35th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards

Last night’s 35th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards was a bit of a snore. I’m glad I TiVo’d it so I could fast-forward through the lameness of most of the night. The View’s Sherri Shepherd and All My Children’s Cameron Mathison co-hosted the live show. They weren’t particularly boring, just awkward together. I would have liked to see more of them though. It could have been more entertaining.

However, it was not all bad. A few of my favorites won, which I was glad to see. The Ellen DeGeneres Show won the Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Talk Show Host (their fourth consecutive win in the category). The Tyra Banks Show won in a new category, Outstanding Talk Show – Informative. The clip of the show that was aired was when Tyra was giving an emotional speech about how all those who didn’t like, or appreciate who she was, or what she looked like, “could kiss her big fat ass!” During her acceptance for the Emmy, she included that little speech again. Loved it!

General Hospital took home the big win with Outstanding Drama Series. Outstanding Lead Actor also went to Anthony Geary (Luke Spencer) on General Hospital. I was very excited to see General Hospital win the big one because it felt as if they had been rather looked over on just about every other category. Congratulations to a very deserving cast and crew for the Emmy of the Outstanding Drama Series this year. I can’t wait to see what is in store for us this year on General Hospital!

The complete list of winners at the 35th Annual Daytime Emmys:


— Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: Gina Tognoni, CBS’ “Guiding Light.”
— Outstanding Talk Show — Informative: “The Tyra Banks Show.”
— Outstanding Younger Actor in a Drama Series: Tom Pelphrey, CBS’ “Guiding Light.”
— Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series: Jennifer Landon, CBS’ “As the World Turns”
— Outstanding Talk Show Host: Ellen DeGeneres, “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.”
— Outstanding Drama Series Directing Team: “One Life to Live.”
— Outstanding Legal/Courtroom Program: “Cristina’s Court.”
— Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: Kristoff St. John, CBS’ “The Young and the Restless.”
— Outstanding Drama Series Writing Team: “One Life to Live.”
— Outstanding Talk Show — Entertainment: “Rachael Ray.”
— Lifetime Achievement Award: Regis Philbin.
— Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series: Jeanne Cooper, CBS’ “The Young and the Restless.”
— Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: Anthony Geary, ABC’s “General Hospital.”
— Outstanding Drama Series: ABC’s “General Hospital.”

Guild Wars – Standing Still

Over the past 3 years, I have played Guild Wars for about 3,150 hours. This equals about 3 hours a day. Granted, some days I never played, and some days I played many hours. Over these past 3 years, ArenaNet released Guild Wars, Guild Wars Factions, Guild Wars Nightfall and Guild Wars: Eye Of The North - Expansion Pack.

My main character, an Elementalist has almost earned 26 maxed titles, done everything in the game (many times), acquired quite a few “elite” armor sets and had a fun time doing so. Aside from my main character, I also have every other character profession at the max level, beaten almost every campaign and at least one elite armor set on them as well.

Lately though, the lack of people continuing to play is something I have really noticed. I too have felt this lack of wanting to play Guild Wars. While I still love the game, I am tired of doing the same things over and over again.

The developers have stated that there will be no new campaigns or expansions. They are now working on Guild Wars 2, and devoting their time and energy into that. I agree that they should be devoting much of their time into GW2. However, their player-base is getting bored of their current playing content. Over the past few months, I have just been focusing on adding in new things to my “Hall of Monuments” which is what will link to my Guild Wars 2 account when that is released. However, the lack of information on what it will unlock and how has me a bit discouraged.

I haven’t quit playing GW, but my play time has gone down drastically. I hope that the developers release new content and come out with better weekend events soon. If they don’t, I feel that many more players will feel as I do and quit playing. Depending on where these players go for new games, they may also never come back to play GW or GW2.

WOW!

First of all, let me start this post by saying I've never played World of Warcraft. However, I have played other MMORPGs. I might try WoW out one day, but not right now. I found this movie and wanted to share it on my Blog because I was laughing so hard.

The Mole – Death Threat!

I’m a fan of reality TV shows. However, I did not watch The Mole last year. So, I figured I would give the show a shot and started watching it this summer. I don’t know who the “mole” is in the group yet, but Monday night’s show was full of drama!

First of all, Bobby complained about his muscles being sore from a previous soccer game they played. So, in the challenge of the piggy banks he actually let Kristen wheelbarrow him around the town in search of the piggy banks. He didn’t even want to get out and help look! What a loser!

Then, after Liz was “executed” (sent home) Nicole tells Paul, “I’ma kill you while you sleep….. I can do it and not leave any forensic evidence.” To which he responds, “I’m tired of it (meaning Nicole, I think).” She ends that with, “OK, wake up dead. I will you beat you in this game.” Seriously! I cannot believe Nicole would say this while being recorded - on national television! For such an educated woman, she is not very bright. While she claims she wouldn’t leave any forensic evidence, I think she forgot the part where the cameras caught what she said about killing him. Motive? Check!

Spanish Steps – Free Online Course

Spanish has always been something I wanted to learn more of. The language is used so often here in America, especially when I lived in Florida. In high school, I took three years of Spanish. I think I retained basic knowledge of the language rather well. However, I would like to extend that knowledge further. I enrolled in the free online course offered from BBC – Languages last week. I signed up for the weekly reminders to take the course each week. It is a twelve week course which offers videos, sound clips, activities, quizzes, grammar and vocabulary.

I’m on week one which involves conversations on taking a taxi cab and checking into a hotel in Spain. I answered all the questions correct so far, and brushed up on some Spanish in those lessons. I look forward to taking the rest of the lessons and will post about this again further into it. I encourage all those who are also interested in learning a language to check out BBC’s Language website and sign up!

Pirates of the Caribbean Online

Recently, I saw a commercial on TV about the Pirates of the Caribbean game online. It said it was free, and I love the movies. So, why not try it out? I downloaded it last night and it was actually quite a fast download. It updates as you go into areas, so expect more downloading or updating as you progress in the game.

The character creation area (where you get to make your own pirate) was very customizable. However, it really rather lacked in cuteness factor. The characters just look clay-like, and run/walk a bit awkward in my opinion. Nevertheless, I made my female pirate blonde with a ponytail. She wore all black and a pink vest. Not much to choose from in the clothing options here either. Again, nothing all that cute either.

Once done with making my character, I found myself in a jail cell with Captain Jack Sparrow. After a short cut-scene with Jack, I ran out of the jail and into the tutorial area. Moving around in this world was a bit annoying for me, and the fighting was no better. Regardless, I gave the game a shot and killed some skeletons and soldiers around the town.

Following the quest line, I got my own pirate ship and headed to the island. Sailing around you can attack enemy ships and see other player’s ships too. Just don’t expect amazing graphics here either. Once on the island, I was bored with the game already and decided to die to a level 6 crab – just to see what happens when one dies in this game. I ended up in the jail on the original map I started in, I think. I kicked my way out of the jail cell and ran past the sleeping guard to my freedom.

While they do offer the “Basic” play free of charge, the “Unlimited” play is $9.95 per month (except the first month, which is $4.95) or $79.95 for the year (33% off). Included in the “Unlimited” play is: unlimited access to all weapons and skills, create and lead your own Pirate Guild, first priority entrance into the game, captain bigger and better ships, expanded quests and storylines, and unlock numerous other exclusive game features.

The game is only slightly kid friendly. While it does relate to them from the movies and has the characters in it, I don’t think younger kids would put up with the long loading times, awkward moving system and other annoyances “Basic” users have to put up with. For $9.95 per month, I would rather play a better game online. Pirates of the Caribbean Online should be fully free, for everyone. Even in “Unlimited” play I wouldn’t want to play this game, and to pay for it? No way.

Rollercoaster Tycoon 3

The past week or so I’ve been playing Rollercoaster Tycoon 3 quite a bit with my nephews. They found some of my old PC games and decided that they wanted to play RCT3 with me and build their own theme parks. Actually, it was more of me building it and them just telling me what rides they wanted and where. Luckily, the “Sandbox Mode” has an unlimited supply of money, so that was never a problem. They both had free admission to parks and cut prices in half of everything. I like their thinking!

When I first got RCT3, my video card wasn’t up to par to play the game, so it often crashed out. Now, my video card works great with the game, and I am having quite a good time playing it with my nephews. I played the first scenario in the “Career Mode” last night and beat all three levels of it up to “Tycoon” status. I’m not sure what ride it unlocked, but it was fun.

$5,000 Phone!

While I was checking my e-mail this morning, I came across an article about a $5,000 cell phone. I know, I did a double-take too. Dior (the fashion company) has made this phone the ultimate fashion accessory to all those who could afford it in Russia and China when it is released. As stated in the Yahoo article, "the reason for this, according to Dior Chief Executive Sidney Toledano, is there's a bigger demand for luxury goods there, and consumers living in these countries really pay attention to color and design when buying a phone." Hmmm, sure. The Paris Hiltons of America will want to get their manicured paws on one too. Hell, if I were rich and had money to blow I'd want to buy one too. They are hot!

The phone comes in pink, red or white. I'd want a pink one. According to the Yahoo article, the phone's features include a touchscreen, camera and special ringtones. It better have an amazing touch! It also better have the best phone camera there is, and as far as ringtones go... it better have unlimited downloads for free.