Remember, make Thanksgiving Day Game Day!

“GTW’s Tatooine makes Liberty City look like a field trip to a fucking puppet show.” - Craig Casaba, Chief Editor, Gamestation Online

“When Metroid Rhyme was announced at the Wasabi International Electronics Expo, I figured this was yet another quick cash-in on the current wave of rhythm game successes. I was right. Don’t play this game.” - Dereck Wang, Assitant Editor, Gamestation Online

“One has to question LucasArts decision to release Star Wars: Brogue Squadron so late in the N64’s life cycle, but Space Combat and Medieval Strategy fans alike have reason to rejoice. Brogue Squadron expertly paints an alternate Star Wars universe where the fiercest Scottish warriors take to the upper atmosphere.” - Yoshi Miller, Head Editor, GSO: Nintendo

“Dental Gear: Sterile is truly gaming’s greatest surprise of 2008. Who would have thought a game released on a seemingly dead system about a much maligned profession would be so damn entertaining?” - Nick Papagiorgio, Feature Editor, GSO: Sony

“Valve’s seemingly endless winning streak comes to a screeching halt with Baath-Life. A sensationalists wet dream, but for we gamers it’s merely an ill-advised hatchet job. This is Valve acting not as game designer, but grave robber.” - Scott Finnigan, Gamestation UK

“Golden Tigh XO stands as a very worthy supplement to the Sci Fi Channel’s critically-acclaimed original series. Rareware manages to craft an engaging story within the Battlestar universe while dually revolutionizing many of the tired mechanics of a console FPS. Fans and non-fans alike, play this game.” - Dirk Logarth, Assitant Content Editor, GSO: Nintendo

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at My Mike n’ Ryan Online, see you in December!

Episode 003: Game Day

Carroll Todd makes sure her son eats right. She checks his grades and knows all of his friends, but cannot stop him from embracing the violent video game subculture of the late 90s. Carroll must reconsider the value of her own parenting at a time when the whole country asked, “what makes simple teenaged rebellion become teenaged revolution?”

The high quality version in four parts is posted below, you can also check out the related holiday gaming review from Gamestation Online here, and don’t forget to check out low quality versions on our youtube channel here.

Cast

Hilary Greer………Carroll Todd

Ryan Moore………Chris Todd

Chris Howe………Max Todd

Tim Parker………Mr. Phil Roy

Sean Stewart………Matt Faas

Austin Viddich………John Gibson

Episode 002: Hard Day

Drake Childs has paid his debt to society, but society wants interest. With no job, no money, and no respect, Drake reaches out to his old cell mate Charlie for some support. As Charlie’s quick temper and violent nature reveal themselves, Drake learns just how fine the line is that divides friend and foe, justice and vengeance, past and present.

The full high quality version in two parts is posted below, but you can check out the trailer here, download the mixtape here, and also view the low quality version in four parts on our youtube channel here!

Cast:

Sly Augustus………Drake Childs

Chris Barber………Charlie Robinson

David Veis………David Ortiz

Mitchell Battle………Byron Battle

Malechai Thomas………Chase Booker

Lauren Faylor…………Tatianna

Sean Stewart………Matt Faas

http://wtc.nist.gov/

As it was just released today, I have yet to read the full NIST report on the collapse. I write this short article only in the hope that others will take an interest in the subject and follow these reports through to their conclusion and with an open mind.

Only a few minutes ago, Dr. Shyam Sunder concluded his press conference on behalf of the NIST. Sunder was the lead investigator of a group charged with the difficult task of providing a scientifically sound explanation for the collapse of WTC 7. The conclusion of the NIST, as Sunder explained, relies on a phenomenon called “thermal expansion” in which critical construction elements expand in the heat of widespread fires, causing damage to the integrity of the surrounding architecture. Perhaps most importantly, Sunder asserted that though this phenomenon had never before caused a steel-framed building to collapse, it was WTC 7’s long-span and asymmetrically designed floors that led to its literal downfall.

Additionally, the NIST is asserting that the structurally damaging fires in WTC 7 were fuelled not by jet fuel or flaming debris from the impact explosions at WTC 1 and 2 (though this is possibly how they began), but rather by office furnishings. Dr. Sunder stated that due to a malfunctioning sprinkler system, the furniture in the building continued to burn until thermal expansion caused a progressive collapse beginning at column 79. This is important, because it recognizes the distinct point within the structure of the building where, based on video evidence of the event, collapse begins.

Issues of the free-fall speed of the collapse persist, however, and when asked about the period of collapse lasting for less than 8 seconds and the appearance of simultaneous structural failures throughout the building, Sunder responded that the collapse was a progressive event that spread very quickly throughout the building from East to West. No mention was made of the molten steel found beneath the rubble of WTC 7 (the same was found under WTC 1 and 2 and continued to burn for weeks after 9/11). This was a particularly strange omission, considering that the high temperatures produced by burning jet fuel have long been used, not always with factual merit, to explain the presence of the liquid metal. Now that the jet fuel theory is officially defunct, why was there molten steel?

It is at times difficult for those of us without degrees in physics or engineering to understand and assess the feasibility of various theories associated with 9/11. That is why it is especially important for all of us to do as much research as possible and to read scholarly work from people of diverse opinions. For an alternative perspective to that of the NIST, check out the work of Dr. Steven Jones.

- Mike

(Ryan) It was a hot summer night in 1861 that birthed Bettino Ricasoli, a man who’s soberness and unquestionable integrity earned him the name Iron Baron. Ricasoli stands as a long forgotten champion of 19th century Italian unification, a prime minister who succeeded the beloved Count Cavour and preceded Urbano Rattazzi. Ricasoli’s austerity and his positioning within the Italian political spectrum would skew his reputation both in his day and throughout history. Ricasoli was a true nationalist being the first Italian prime minister to admit Garibaldi’s revolutionary volunteers into the regular army. He annulled the government-imposed exile of Italian patriot and philosopher Giuseppe Mazzini, and also worked to resolve issues with the papacy in hopes of seeding Rome back into the hands of the Kingdom of Italy.

During the tumultuous latter half of the 19th century, he was a man who helped an infant Italian nation stand against the unbridled expansiveness of French and Prussian states. The Iron Baron believed in the utmost quality of his nation’s government but also its exports, stamping his seal of integrity most avidly in the realm of wine production. As minister of Tuscany early on in his political career—and being a rather important wine maker himself—Ricasoli put forth the first standard grape recipe (70% Sangiovese, 15% Canaiolo and 15% Malvasia Bianca) for the Chianti region, thus establishing a tradition that would be nigh strayed from for over a century. Ricasoli pioneered the modern Chianti as a dry, varietal Italian wine, a spirit from which this week’s wine the Aquila d’Oro Chianti 2007 is in a way a part of.

The primary grape of any Chianti is the Sangiovese, deriving its name from the Latin phrase meaning “blood of Jove,” but to say that the Aquila d’Oro reaches to the heavens in quality would be quite a stretch. However, the Aquila d’Oro does succeed in being a very pleasant—if unmemorable—table wine; a wine that best compliments a Wednesday night pasta dinner or a pizza pie shared with friends before a night out. It is certainly not the wine for a romantic dinner at an upscale restaurant or a high-powered business lunch. The Aquila d’Oro does not impress but does manage to surprise especially considering its price point (under $5).

The Aquila d’Oro does not suffer from the expansion of traditional wine growing regions as last week’s Côtes du Rhône had; it instead offers a flavor with more depth than initially expected. At first taste I was apprehensive as the wine seemed slightly too acidic but as the bottle was allowed to open up it gave way to a light peppery feel coupled with a hint of blackberries that never overwhelmed the palette with sweetness. The wine harnesses a taste that could be drier but would never be mislabeled as sweet. The Aquila d’Oro very much invites you to continue drinking as its flavor permeates your taste buds, leaving me no reservations in indulging a second glass.

The Aquila d’Oro 2007 is a budget Chianti that would never be mistaken for its more luxurious brothers, just as Bettino Ricasoli’s accomplishments would not be confused with those of Garbaldi’s, but does that make their achievements any less great? This wine is a workhorse—an unsung hero—much like the Iron Baron, something that can be drunk often if with little fanfare.

-by ryan

The Hard Day Mixtape

Hear the sounds of the street before the Hard Day hits a week from today 8/21/08.

Track List:

1) Good Morning NY - Cage

2) Survival Of The Fittest - Mobb Deep

3) Atom - Cannibal Ox

4) All We Gots Iz Us (Evil Streets) - Onyx

5) Guillotine (Swordz) - Raekwon

6) Nowhere to Run, Nowhere to Hide - Gravediggaz

7) Ping Pong - Antipop Consortium

8) Assassination Day - Ghostface Killah

9) Protect Ya Neck li The Zoo - Ol’ Dirty Bastard

10) Grand Ol’ Party Crash - Cage

11) Mystic City - Killah Priest

12) Eye For An Eye (Your Beef Is Mines) - Mobb Deep

13) Bring ‘Em Out Dead - Onyx

14) Destruction - vex d

15) B.I.B.L.E (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth) - GZA

Download Part 1

Download Part 2

(Ryan) At the turn of the 14th century the Avignon Papacy rekindled something in the southern regions of France not seen for nearly a millennium, a great tradition that would quickly become—and remain—synonymous with the nation, wine. Quite simply, wine production and consumption—throughout history—has followed those in power and a late Medieval Pope was a man of great authority. One who’s mere thirst inspired an industry that would shape the development of the 200km area extending from Vienna in the north to Avignon in the south. Wine connoisseurs and geographers alike now know this vicinity as the Rhône, a region from which this week’s wine originates.

So you may be saying to yourself, “Ryan, what’s with the history lesson? Is this wine any good or what?” To the latter question you will receive your answer shortly. However, in response to the former, I must explain that for me “Wine of the Week” is more than simply informing you—the reader—of the best wine deals in town, but also a bit of a history lesson. In this column, I intend to review the best of budget wines as well as explore the sordid back-story of this wonderful beverage. I look forward to having you all along for this journey as we learn, laugh, and lush together. Now let’s get to the week’s wine, a Valréas Côtes du Rhône Villages 2007.

Admittedly, I have not indulged extensively in the pleasures of the Rhône wine region, but without a doubt the Valréas Villages 2007 does not impress. The 2007 wine lacks the varietal character of Rhône region, and instead supplants this with a flavor that can simply be described as flat. Yet what’s most egregious is rather than merely being another forgettable, over manufactured wine; the Valréas Villages 2007 insists on being heard. Much like a TV chef’s insistence on blindly “kicking it up a notch” can ruin a dish catered to your palette or a night club owner’s persistence on installing “just one more strobe light” can end your very own party early. This is a wine that invites you not to drink despite all desires to end your night in a state so very sloppy and silly.

I believe two factors are principal to the Valréas Villages 2007’s failure. First is it may simply be too early for the consumption of a 2007 Côtes du Rhône. The wine is a multi-faceted one, one whose flavors require time to distinguish themselves. What may also contribute to the wine’s lesser caliber stems from the town of Valréas being positioned at the bottom on Rhône region’s three-tiered hierarchy of quality control. In regards to this tiered system I cannot be sure, but I plan to explore said hierarchy in future iterations of this column.

Valréas Côtes du Rhône Villages 2007 is a wine better left alone at least for now—maybe forever—but hails from a region I firmly intend to explore further in the months to come

- by ryan

(Mike) In the realm of food and beverage criticism, wine has long enjoyed a special seat. It has been placed in the pantheon of luxuriant consumables, along side the mysterious bird’s nest soup, kopi luwak coffee beans, and angus beef. But wine – at least as a broad classification – is plentiful. The fact that wine is produced and crafted by human hands separates it from those rare delicacies of our planet, and yet a truly complex and wonderful wine is bestowed with equal eminence. For many, discovering a fine wine, aged to perfection is the equivalent of stumbling upon a pharaoh’s tomb. These individuals believe that when one drinks a bottle of wine, one absorbs its history. With each sip the tastes of the grape, the barrel, the heavy air in the cellar in which it was fermented, all fill the senses and spark the imagination like a good book. The powers of the clan MacLeod even seem within reach as we absorb each wine’s strength, character, and wisdom and know in each moment we enjoy its flavor that no other bottle like it exists.

As Ryan and I will most likely be enjoying wines of 2003-2008, a great deal of the dire portent carried with them will have to be ignored in order to isolate and assess the quality of the wine itself. No one would argue that the last five years have been good ones politically, economically, or environmentally, so this process is highly advised for readers as well.

The Valréas “Cuvée Prestige” Côtes du Rhône Villages 2007 is a terrible wine. It is as acidic as it is peppery, and no explanation of its austerity in the face of fruity “style wines” can wash the harsh aftertaste from the tongue. On the bottle, it is advised that the wine complements goat cheese, and this may indeed be the case. But should a wine have only one purpose? Should it, by some chemical reaction, be a splendid companion to goat cheese and then become the kind of solution a small child might make at a restaurant (some salt, sprite, half and half, a little parmesan, some pepper) in its absence? Wine is not a condiment. It is not the ketchup of the rich and famous. A terrible wine whose taste becomes bearable only when one’s tongue is coated with soft cheese is no less terrible for its specificity.

Perhaps the ‘good with goat cheese’ advice is a bit of an understatement. I believe that this wine has another purpose - that the remaining bottles of the Valréas “Cuvée Prestige” Côtes du Rhône should be placed in a capsule and preserved for a more advanced civilization. Sensory communication having achieved dominance, the unisex population of the future may be better able to assimilate the knowledge contained within. One sip and they will know the barbarism and inhumanity of our time.

All of the bitterness, anger and corruption of the last five years emanating aromatically from a dusty bottle is as good a history lesson as any.

Don’t drink it

- by Mike

High Quality:

Low Quality:

Hard Day hits…

August 21st

08/21/08

Enjoy the production photos, provided by the generously provided by the sure hands of Sean Stewart.