Showing posts with label theta nu xi multicultural sorority. Show all posts
Showing posts with label theta nu xi multicultural sorority. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Where have I been?

It's been awhile since I've posted frequently on my blog. I've been busy with a variety of things. I've been interviewing with a few companies, traveled all the way up to Plattsburgh, NY to witness a new chapter of Theta Nu Xi being born, and have been researching a move to PA. I don't want to move to PA but if that's where the jobs are, well then I'll pack my bags and head off again.

I've decided to start "This Week in Wii" where each week I review a Wii game. If you haven't already bought one, do so now! They are awesome and so much fun. There are tons of work out games that keep track of your calories burned, time spent playing and weight lose. Let's not forget the controller. It can be a bit annoying if your sensor bar is placed off center, but it expands the types of games that can be played. Plus, Netflix has finally finished their Instant Watch disc for the Wii. Now you can watch movies on the 3 major game consoles and your computer.

So, this week's review is:

"Wii Sports"

This is the disc that comes with every Wii console. There are 5 sports that are in this game: Tennis, Baseball, Bowling, Golf and Boxing. The tennis is pretty simple. Pretend the remote is a racket and return the ball. The first team to win the match, or 2 out of 3 matches, wins. The hardest thing is the back-handed swing. I tend to miss those. I find that once you reach a score of about 400 to 500 it becomes harder to win the game. It takes more effort and fast balls, though you should have mastered them by now.

The baseball game is fun but can get boring real fast. Being a team of characters that are up to bat is tiring. It's more fun to play with at least four people. The objective of the game is to hit home runs and strike out the other team. The characters automatically run the bases, catch or miss the ball or swing at your throws.

The bowling is simple enough. It's the same in every game. Throw the ball, knock down the pins and win the game.

I've only played mini-golf before the Wii, and have a new found respect for regular golf. You basically get a certain amount of chances to get the ball in the hole at each hole. You want not to go over those amounts and have a score of either zero or somewhere in the negative. There's a map of where the hole is, a swing strength bar and wind speed guide to help you.

The boxing is my second favorite game of the disc. You use box the remote and nunchuk to wail on your opponent. Where you stand is crucial. You want to make sure you are not too close to the sensor bar and not near innocent bystanders. Also, you have to be mindful of from where you're punching. If it's not from the hip or not straight to the front, it won't register. After about one or two rounds I'm left sweating and tending to my sore biceps. But that doesn't deter me from playing again. There's nothing better than Rocky-like victory when your opponent drops to the ground.

The game also has a Training and Wii Fitness section. Each sport category has additional fun games like hitting a target with a tennis ball, hitting the ball out of the park, boxing bags til they fall of the chain and so on. The Wii Fitness sounds like a good idea, but after you get the Wii Fit Plus (which I will talk about next week) you'll just forget about. So, go out there and get a Wii already.
----------------
Now playing: Hikaru Utada - Hear Me Cry
via FoxyTunes

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Brand Spanking New Animation!

Weirdest thing happened yesterday. I sat in front of my iMac and starting working in Maya (an animation program). 13.5 hours later I made this: Logo. All my blood, sweat and tears from half a day created that. So weird, because usually it would take me longer to create it.

I had this idea to create an opening logo sequence for my sorority Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority, Inc. Something to add to the beginning of videos being made. I sat on this idea for like almost 4 months and it finally bloomed.

Finding an easy way to create the butterfly was a nightmare, but once I figured it out the ball started rolling. The butterfly flapping its wings was surprisingly simple. The only thing that annoyed me was the grass effect. At first it wouldn't render, then when it did, the grass wouldn't appear behind the Theta Nu Xi symbol. Makes no sense, but I'll clean it up and toss it in my demo reel.

Expect to see more!!! :)
----------------
Now playing: Alvin and the Chipmunks - How We Roll
via FoxyTunes