Ever discovered something in the toy aisle at Target, built up its fun-potential through the roof, and then thought, "Wow (or in my case, Dude)...I really NEED this!"...Okay, maybe you all haven't done that since you were 12, or, perhaps you've maintained a higher maturity level than me since birth (I'm not judging you, I swear...just saying some of us have...and no, I am not trying mitigate any personal deficiencies -maybe I am, but I digress). Anyway, ladies and gentlemen (boys and girls), I purchased this fine device (pictured to your right, courtesy of Amazon -evidently, I got a steal compared to the online price...and yes, i'm unashamedly trying to save some face with meager dollars and cents). I mean, virtual reality HAS to be cool this day in age -they've only been talking about it my whole life now! What better way to test man's technological prowess than through a plug-n-play table tennis game? Am I right? It's shocking how easy this decision was for me.

Well, I purchased it, hooked it up to my TV, and somehow coerced my girlfriend into playing a few games. True to my table-tennis style (trust me, you would remember if we've ever played), I was kickin' tail (and lost two or three matches). The worst part about it (and also true to style), I was taking full-on, Sampras-like forehands, swatting bitch-slap backhands (mere phraseology kids), and manipulating my spins with utmost precision...or so I thought. Meanwhile, my girlfriend, well, she yawned and flicked her wrist every once in a while (which I'm told was later reduced to twitches). I didn't care to notice, as my competitive zeal had already taken over. In fact, what I had purchased was not a Wii. For a brief moment, I had achieved nirvana (or had to be close). I had somehow managed to rekindle my 5-year old imagination while satisfying my inner, mid-20's, bargain-hunting, hunger-driven, consumer-beast and thought my new game was spectacular. In truth, I stood in my living room (sweating) with nothing to show for my money or athletic ability (guys, this is not the way to show off to your girlfriend). It's hard to do but I'll respectfully admit, it's junk -they pulled a "fast" one on me...but, I'll hang onto it (and maybe beat her next time -at VR table tennis...or perhaps a sports trivia contest based solely on the Rick Pitino era at UK circa 1989-1997...ya' know, whatever works). Maybe, just maybe, it will entertain a two-year old one day (or a dog, you never know). Thank goodness I didn't buy the baseball game (I was so close). If I just rained on anyone's parade, my sincerest apologies (at least we can start a support group or something).

Labels: aziz, review

Dayton doesn't quite have the flair of LA or the flavor of NYC, but what the "Gem City (the jewel in Cincinnati's Queen City crown if you will)" lacks in excitement, it makes up for in flat terrain, high pollution, bad manners, and cold weather. Yeah, it's that bad. I can't defend it anymore (the gem must have fallen out when the Wright Brothers decided to take their act to North Carolina). Gem City, are you kidding me? Yes, I live here.

Anyway, on top of that, after a Clipper System (which apparently means that nature dumps large buckets of snow on you as fast as it can) moved through town yesterday bringing single digit temperatures and leaving a good mess of snow, my heater decided it was done...finished...through with sustaining my frigid existence. Living in "McDreamy's box" (that didn't come off quite right...it's an apartment, like the one in the last post but it's surrounded by other boxes just like it -I'll just stop, you get it), I couldn't blame its decision to give up. Nevertheless, a repairman is man's best friend (note to self: work on "handiness" -whatever it might entail), so my heater still hates life and I can continue to bore you with pity. Cheers.

Labels: aziz, humor

Hey everybody. I have a shout-out...or two, rather. I know it's early, being one my first posts, but bear with me here. I think you'll enjoy both of these bands. They are both unique, and you can catch them in different parts of the country if you're interested. As a well-documented wannabe (that's me), I'm confident that these guys are going to make it on their own terms (based off hard work and burgeoning popularity), respectively, which combined with their talent is reason enough to listen. This is me shouting, listen up:

Greenland recently won the 2006 YouTube Underground Contest for "Best Song" -it's a big deal, check it out (not to mention it was a top 10 video). They were on Good Morning America with Diane Sawyer and everything (she's Kentuckian, trust her). Since their lead singer Evan is a friend and former classmate of Eric and yours truly, it's fair to say that Midweekpost will be keeping a close eye on them. If you're ever in Nashville or hear that they're in a city near you, go check 'em out and let them know about it. They rock.

Missing Pages is out Pittsburgh, PA. I'm pitching these guys because they are on the brink of a record deal (literally, they're good), are looking to hire (which is hard to believe), and the drummer is my close friend's cousin (they're nice people). This is a timely post, because they're in a contest of their own to win a global record deal with Epic Records (among other cool stuff), and could use your vote (check it out). The last time I checked they were in the top 40, but despite being in the running I don't think it will be long before they get a deal off merits alone. That said, oddly enough (and I don't know what the full story here is), they need a bassist and keyboardist, so if you've got the skills get a hold of them! They regularly play in Pittsburgh, and have already played gigs with Bret Michaels of Poison and Def Leppard (hold the 9 arms jokes). I often like to use the old, often-forgotten PBS ad, "Books. Check 'em out!" for nothing more than its raw, yet purely genious, and inspiring phraseology. Well (forgive me Missing Pages), do just that -they're worth it.

After you take a listen and get to know these guys, it's obvious that neither of these bands need my help. I'm just spreading the gospel because these bands are "doing it the right way" and deserve all the attention they're getting. Enjoy (you can thank me later when you start telling your buddies, "Yeah, I knew them back in the day...").

PS - Got some others we should know about? Leave a link or something in the comment box below.

Labels: announcements, aziz, contest, music

Ok, so I'm Aziz -aka A.Z., A through Z, alphabet boy, asneeze, acheese, afleas, achoo, among others (thanks for the kind words Mr. Yang). Nice to meet you. Whatever moniker you choose is fine by me. Be ye warned, however, that I'm known to give it to you "as is" (conveniently, another nickname), and I plan to. There are no guarantees, warranties, exchanges, refunds or quality-assurances attached -it is what it is.

I have consistently been geometrically shaped (round head, square body and most recently, vice versa), and many of my friends can attest to my inexplicable ability to be highly productive, yet exhibit moments of intense laziness (hence, Lazy A.Z.). I hope we get a chance to know each other.

I have known the Midweekpost "don" since 7th grade, sharing nothing in common except hillbilly roots, the inability to comprehend Latin, mothers with the same taste in cars, and Eastern family-philosophies right off the bat (I know, right?). Of course years of video games, musical endeavors, periods of general clumsiness, periods of futility, periods of general social-anxiety/prosperity, nebulous periods, and fruitful indecision followed as we over-analyzed every stage of life as we knew it then...and know it now.

And thus...here we are. Talk to you soon.

Have a good one,
A.Z.

Labels: announcements, aziz, friends