It’s been awhile since I’ve been able to call myself a “gamer” (I’ve had a stint at Counter-Strike before, with Sega Genesis, Atari & Apple IIc before that) but hey – I’ll try anything once. Especially if I’ve heard it to called a cult classic before. What’s really the big deal with this ball-rollin’-Katamari king-queen-person-thing?

The premise is simple. Roll over everything and pick up everything smaller than your roll. Get larger as these smaller things stick to you and conquer all! Roll over cities, all over a tea room, towns – even pick up squid in the sea. And while I had a chance last week at a Namco Bandai event at The Mondrian Hotel on the Sunset Strip to try out a few games, Katamari Forever – the 5th installment in the Katamari series – actually had me considering a console purchase just so I could play the game.

Katamari Forever – which is available only for PS3 – is released today. First of all, it’s just a beautiful game. One of the new features in …Forever is comic book-styled graphics. Not only is the the game at its highest resolution – in 1080p High-Def  – it took that technology and put an artful means to it.

This is one of those games where your friends aren’t fighting you over the controller because they’re having almost just as good of a time watching you play. The landscapes and environs your character, a “cousin,” gets to roll over with his/her Katamari is just too fun. Another new feature is the “Prince Hop,” which with the Sony SIXAXIS controller, you get to jump your Katamari with a flick.

Another feature in the graphics is “wood” with sepia colors in the foreground. And as far as game-play, if you figure out what to pick up in order to get “magnetized,” for a time period you have objects get drawn to you! It was hard to remember that what I actually needed to do was reach a certain size by a certain time in order to advance. The art and graphics are really that distracting – in the best way possible.

So go ahead – restore some order and color to All Cosmos by rolling your Katamari over and over again. After all, it’ll be to the tune of an entirely licensed Japanese pop soundtrack. Hours of cultastic pleasure for everyone.

Katamari Forever

Released: Tuesday, September 21, 2009

Genre: Action/Puzzle

For more info: Katamari Forever

To get $5 off on Amazon.com: Roll up your friends

Twitter: @kingofthecosmos

Despite the fact that my previous posts about Pinkberry were less-than-favorable, I ended up on the list of bloggers invited to the original West Hollywood location to try a “new taste” they had been cooking up before taking it public*. After all, Pinkberry got its first boon virally – and they were going to tap into its original source of traffic marketing to give them the publicity they wanted again.

Ohh…granita. Smoothie. Liquid yogurt. Yogurt Drank. So this is the next accessory. And the point of it all is as simple as being a less threatening driving hazard, since you don’t have to consume this Pinkberry with a cup and spoon – only a straw. Point taken. I think we can relate to that, being metal-encased Angelenos and all. No need to justify anyone else’s road rage, now.

The Drank tasted good. Call me biased – since my verdict on the yogurt had been read so long ago, and repeatedly - but I enjoyed the granita more than the yogurt. Unlike Caroline, I have yet to try Starbucks’ Sorbetto but I can imagine they are similar. Clearly the exact same in targeted demo, though. But there is a good amount of tang in the smoothie and I think this is the medium in which I can appreciate the “grit” in the yogurt taste.

The granita was also filling. When Tim and I mentioned this observation to Pinkberry founder, Shelly, she exclaimed, “Good!” while giving us two thumbs up. So as for meal substitute, the granita can definitely fill that role if you happen to not mind being nutritionally challenged. The small size had even made me full, but heck if I couldn’t squeeze another one in just because it was free – and I did.

The Pinkberry folks treated us bloggers well. They set up a DJ and gave out goodie gift bags with gift cards, Pinkberry tees and pins. They also made sure we were sufficiently stuffed with either granita or yogurt for the night. So yeah, I admit it. I’ve been seduced by Pinkberry in a kind of one night stand. So as a token of my appreciation, I’m letting you all know that you can try the granita starting tomorrow (Friday, September 12) at 6 Pinkberry locations. The ones in the L.A. area are the original West Hollywood store and the one at the Farmer’s Market at Third and Fairfax, connected to The Grove.

Pinkberry
868 Huntley Dr
West Hollywood, CA 90069
(310) 659-8285‎

6333 W 3rd St
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 933-2516‎

Anybody want a free American Apparel Pinkberry Men’s Medium Tee? It says, “I [swirl] Pinkberry.”

*Thank you, Tara Met Blog!

The negating adverb used in the one-sentence message was the simple “No.” Good enough. Or not, apparently, because both letters were capitalized, underlined twice … and enclosed between two quotation marks. Just like I used it above, actually, sans capitalization and double underlining.

If I knew how to code double underlining in this post, I’d might have tried to duplicate it if not for fear of being unable to do justice in describing this hand-written “=NO=” as no ordinary adverb. You see, there’s a difference between having no socks and having “=NO=” socks – like if you came out wearing mismatched socks as opposed to no socks at all, I suppose.

I don’t advertise that I’m a bit of a grammar nazi.

And it’s not so much that I fear you won’t think I’m modest about my precise mastery of the English language. It’s more along the lines that I know you probably don’t care. So I spare you the drama. You’re welcome.

But I’m only recently reminded of this neuroticism I’ve had. Not long after I received that no[te] this morning, my co-workers used “overexceeded” in exclamation.

Overexceeded? I think I ground my teeth. The same way I do when I hear “irregardless.” Or when I see ”their” for “there,” “your” for “you’re,” “should of” for “should have.” Yet, you see, I have some geek in me – so “UR” might even perplex me while the incorrect usage of “your” will drive me absolutely insane.

Have you no respect?? I can’t help but wonder. It’s the closest thing of mine to OCD tendencies; I can’t explain it. The pen is mightier than the sword. So here’s my disclaimer when I correct you. I’m showing concern. My correcting you, alone, speaks volumes of how much I care about your English.

What say you? Can “very unique” happen? Or would that be another mistake of superfluous speech?

As my running habit had formed, I had developed an appetite and an addiction. I supplemented my 3 large-sized meals per day with 3 bowls of cereal. I ate cheesecake for breakfast everyday. I craved steak on a regular basis. And 3 days after I ran the marathon, I was itching to run again. So like any other day, I put on my Brooks and set out. Only 3 blocks later, my right knee experienced a dull pain. I continued, and the dull turned to sharp. I turned around and walked home, sad.

When you train for a marathon, you traditionally run a maximum of 20 miles in the long run before the actual race – while saving the full 26.2 for race day. Theory says that the full distance is too taxing for the average body to run as a training distance, to be done again a short time period later. It turns out that that was probably true, given my knee pain was a new occurance and never experienced during training, or even during the marathon.

At the time, I took it as a sign that I should give running a break. And so I moved into yoga. It was a natural decision since running builds, thus tightens, muscles. First, it was Bikram in a heated, 110-degree room. Concurrent with snowboarding in which I sustained a torn shoulder labrum, I decided it was too intense the day my shoulder dislocated yet again during practice. And so I moved into Anusara. It is not so militant nor conforming and gives the mind the attention and evolution it deserves. 

Through Anusara, I’ve learned so much about my body – the importance of its balance and alignment. Also, just the importance of listening to it instead of ignoring it. Being in tune with it and living in harmony with it instead of beating it into submission. I’ve also come to love inversions (upside down poses) and while I have 3 titanium hooks in the front of my left shoulder, my shoulders can now support the weight of my body. Last week I was ecstatic to kick up into handstand without the support of a wall.

But, the running itch hit again. I had come to terms with it enough to order an updated pair of Brooks online. And so I set out. I trusted that maybe the right knee pain wouldn’t return since I was stretched out from all that yoga. And it didn’t.

Well, for a mile and a half.

I visited my orthopaedic surgeon, the one who performed my shoulder surgery. An X-ray later, he set my leg in different positions as he tested whether I felt pain or not. None of them made me exhibit pain or tenderness, which made him conclude that the pain is isolated in the patellofemoral joint – that is, where my patella and femur come together. It’s common in runners and athletes – and there is no cure, no quick surgery that can be performed. The only way to make the pain go away is to “essentially stop what you’re doing.” He recommended no-impact cardio to condition and strengthen my quadriceps and afterwards to begin lightly running. But to start up suddenly, running a few miles ”will not work.”

It’s been said quite often that humans are just not built to run 26 miles in a row. I guess there’s some merit to that. But I’m not giving up quite yet. I crave the runner’s high that I used to get. I crave the efficiency at which my body used to metabolize. Running, for that time, was like therapy. It cleared my head, it gave way to meaningful thought processes and forever changed my diet. I have not tasted any frozen dinners which I thought tasted good since then since my palate has become sensitive to preservatives and additives. To me, this is a good thing.

I’ve quit the gym since my running days, so I think I’ll be visiting the L.A. Fitness down the street this week to see about a membership. Ellipticals, biking machines…all that no-impact goodness. As there’s no overnight cure and as I need to put in time to see if I can rehabilitate on my own, I’ll see. There still may be a 6.2-miler in my future, if not a 26.2.

I looked as I passed and sure enough, it was him – complete with yarmulka covering half his head. He was the same coworker who had just started snowboarding this year and rode the lift up with Brad Pitt, Maddox and Pax Jolie a month ago.

Thought I would let him know of my “spotting” him via SMS.

Me: Just passed you.

Him: Lucky you. How’d I look – good?

Me: Like one of those assholes who drives a Bimmer.

Him: Bitch.

Take my word that imaginary laughter followed on both sides of the conversation. There are just some kinds of conversations (or even friendships) where there’s an unspoken, agreed refusal to take oneself seriously.

Of course, what I didn’t realize til soon after was that the irony of the text conversation was now, I also drive a Bimmer.

Yes, I own a BMW.

It was easy to pretend I didn’t have one. Call it denial because it certainly was. I reassured myself that having a Mini is worlds away from owning a BMW.

Besides, I’m nothing like a M3 owner*.

And then, I develop this habit of staring at the side doorsill whenever I step out of the car. It makes me frown, actually. The kind of frown that’s kind of an upside down smile but really still a frown. And there’s this tinge of self-loathing about it. The label containing the VIN, the recommendations on tire pressure, high octane fuel – and of course the make and model of the car is there on that sill. And mine says, “Bayerische Motoren Werke.”

I went from owning “The People’s Car” to owning a piece of snooty, elitist German luxury hunka metal the automotive pride and joy of Bavaria. Granted, when you’re actually in Bavaria and own a BMW, it’s like owning a DeVille in Detroit. I was surprised – but not really – to notice in the Munich leg of my Europe trip last fall, that even the police cars were BMWs. And to be honest, you see, I feel now as though I was meant to have visited the homeland so that I might leave the country less biased about it.

I really and truly do enjoy my car. She’s my Chelsea. Why ruin it?

Back to that notion of not taking myself seriously…

Q: What’s the difference between a porcupine and a BMW?

A: With a porcupine, the pricks are on the outside.

* If you own an M3 or a BMW, please know that I hold nothing against you but please also don’t pretend that you guys we are the friendliest guys in the automotive enthusiast world. At least you we’re not in the Supra club, right?

Far be it for me to pretend I’m a hip-to-l33t blogger (or 100% original in anything I adopt), but I’ve been using “w00t” in proper interjectory word placement for at least a couple years now. The confusion I experienced was when it actually got penned into said Merriam-Webster history. Despite my regular usage, I did not know that w00t is an acronym for “We Owned pwned the Other Team.”

Where did this come from? How in the world did I properly adopt this exclamation as an expression of my online glee without even being so much a gamer? The last time I could even remotely be classified as such was when my videocard was a hand-me-down Voodoo 2, which I used to play CS-skinned Half-life. I wasn’t even a geek-imposter back then; now I’m just a wannabe has-been. Could this possibly be a result of geekery verbatim becoming cool?

I’m unsettled. Though, they give an appropriate nod to the general public here:

For technophobes, the word also is familiar from the 1990 movie “Pretty Woman,” in which Julia Roberts startles her date’s upper-crust friends with a hearty “Woot, woot, woot!” at a polo match.

At closer examination, the way in which I’ve been saying “w00t” is not correct at all. Bastards, when you will you learn that I am the only team? There is no “other.”

Next up: The definition of “heart” to include verb word form. I heart the pwnage of yu0r mom.

P.S. - Is it telling that “facebook” as a verb was a runner-up? If a verb, wouldn’t it be “to facebook” or “Facebook,” categorized as a proper noun? Ride that wave a little more aggressively, thanks. Ugh.

He’s wonderful. Playful, curious, vocal, inquisitive, nocturnal. Black (with a couple white hairs here and there), sleek, shiny, long-tailed, agile. Has to have his paws on everything. He belongs to my roommate, yet has a special place reserved in my heart.

Just look at the guy…

I’ve wanted my own cat. I just haven’t admitted it to myself enough to commit. Perusing lolcats on ICanHasCheezburger.com, sure. Voting for the cutest kitteh on Kittenwar.com, sure. Playing with Chaunce when I get home from work (as all kittens should be played with everyday), sure. Scooping litter, taking in for check-ups, mandatory play-time–not so much for me. I’ve been a hypocrite.

Until now. 

Meet what’s left of my boss’ recent litter of Bengal kittens. Two boys, two girls. The one hilariously “chillin’ on her right paw” on the furthest left is a girl and the one on the furthest right is a boy. I’m not sure about the middle two but one thing I am certain, that guy was literally falling asleep as I was taking this picture. In fact, he-or-she was kind of teetering from side to side.

I figured now that Chauncey is 7 months old, better now than ever to adopt a second kitteh so they have better chances of getting along while Chaunce is young. So I bit the bullet.

The one on the furthest right is mine. I don’t have him, yet, as the kittehs are getting their 8-week shots this week. I should have him in a few days. In the meantime, it’s time to go to PetCo for some basics.

His name is Rufus. I’ll call him Roofies for short.

To give you an idea of what what his markings will look like when he’s older, here’s a picture of one of the kitties (I couldn’t tell which) and his Dad.

“Aww” to your heart’s desire. I couldn’t be more excited or anxious!

[/adoption notice]

Because I did it. I reserved a Smart Car.

They’re coming to The States in the first quarter of 2008. And, if I go through with the reservation (pending an actual test drive), I’ll be literally halving the curb weight of my Judy Jettason. I’ll be going less than half my current horsepower but there may be some solutions to that in the future–what with people inserting Mitsu engines in the current models in Europe. Somebody’s got to program a chip, no? Less than 1500 lbs. and stocked with a 3-cylinder, 1-litre engine capable of 71 hp and a top speed of 90 mph, the Smart fortwo is perfect for an urbanite like me. That’s what they call us, anyway–their “target market.”

I must say, I’m excited about practically being able to pay for the car in cash. And that’s even before considering my gas budget. With my tank holding only 8.7 gallons and my mileage per gallon averaging 40, I think of the fun I’ll have boasting that I budget about $30 towards gas per month.

I love the environment, but even more than that I’m at a point in my life where I want to be content with having “just enough” and trusting that He will always provide if I need more. Options are good, but I’m trying to find even more freedom through sacrificing conveniences in order to contribute to the greater good. It’s the freeing of the mind and being the change that I want to see (credit for that phrase goes to my yoga teacher Hillary).

But the efficiency. I get the shivers just thinking of it. Spending $30 per month on gas in Los Angeles is like a long-delayed realization of the horribly idealized goal of the foundations of this city, a city built upon the concept of modernity. “Modernity,” at the time, meant the owning of one’s own automobile in a city built to facilitate that–since the Ford Model T was a new invention at the time. As we’re all aware, now, with the resulting city being quite vast and spread out, there can never be streets nor highways wide enough to handle that sort of capacity. Population growth happens exponentially and when a city simply adds lanes, more people drive–again adding to vicious cycle of congestion. And so, what do you do in a metropolis built to resist the efficiencies of public transportation?

You make the driving experience as pleasurable, spirited and efficient as you can. (Well. I do. But I have never really desired owning an SUV–and there are plenty, here.)

I’m looking forward to lots of benefits, actually.

• Being able to park perpendicular practically anywhere I wish
• Having more options as far as parking spaces, period
• Continued, spirited driving around and despite L.A. traffic
• Paddle shifters
• Panoramic roof
• Not being asked to help anyone move

As for the disadvantages, with the obvious exception of cargo and extra passenger space, the issue of safety inevitably comes up. Okay. And if I move, I won’t be able to move myself.

Despite the laws of physics, I’m really impressed with the results of the tridion steel cell that makes up the rigidity of the car. It seems to hold up–even when the vehicle is crashed at 70 mph into a concrete wall. But that’s just it. The natural laws of physics can’t be defied, and there’s only so much the cell can do to dissipate the G forces to be felt by the passengers without mass backing that up. I embedded a video of a crash test demonstration (enjoy the British accent–or the absence of an American one–whichever you prefer):

Yeah, so I’m fully accepting the dangers of freeway driving. And as someone who mostly drives in the city I’m equipped to do that. Pending the test drive, of course. If driving this American Smart Car is not as fun and spirited as it’s chalked up to be, I get my deposit back and lose a few month’s of interest.

I’m willing to accept that.

Love,
*e

Other articles:

Daimler-Chrysler to sell Smart Car in U.S. on Motortrend

First Look: Smart fortwo on Edmunds

Tiny Smart car faces safety questions on MSNBC

I had the minor mods, but now she’s almost bone stock. She’s just really loud, and no less fun to drive than when I first got her. The (2nd set of) bushings have softened up and my suspension could be replaced. It may be a long time coming already but I’m determined to cross that bridge when I come to it. For now, she’s doing a great job handling the hustle, bustle and poor road construction of mid-town L.A. traffic.

So here I was, at Irwindale Speedway once again. Last year, Volkswagen of America (VWoA) had brought a few MkV (latest generation) GTIs so people test them out. That meant attendees at Dubfest last year could drive a car that hadn’t even been released. For the Automobile OEM to come rekonize at a mostly aftermarket showcase is not too shabby–as it’s been argued this is the largest VW-Audi-Porsche show in the country. This year, it would be strictly a car show and auto-cross.

So I checked the cone racer (auto-cross) dudes in at the door. It was fun. Some familiar names and faces amongst a sea of the unfamiliar, but it was almost the same-ol’-scene. When my job was done, I walked around and took some pics even though they were still staging the MKIV class, which were still lined up.

Enjoy the slide show. Camera picture quality in spite of my inexperience appears courtesy of Stefan:

In addition to the car show, it was great having such a productive weekend. In all, I attended The Los Angeles Greek Festival, practiced yoga, attended (and brought dessert to) church, enjoyed take-out Hawaiian food, enjoyed ramen (twice), did laundry, and had a ball looking at Tim’s baby pictures. I’m determined to enjoy Asian food this week, as there will be quite a shortage over the course of a couple weeks very soon!

I hope everyone is having a great start to the week. I’m so anxious for my trip–leaving in four days!

Love,
*e

Mind you, my Flickr habits have also been developed with a Canon camera, albeit from the SD series (IXUS in Asia). The little silver rectangular point-and-shoots are convenient. Sure, it’s one of many “tools and accessories” I carry in my purse–just because it happens to fit in there*. But on-the-fly I can whip it out when I see a moment I want to capture.

The S5 IS was not bought to carry around in my purse. But I was too curious about the power of a larger digital camera. Sure, small size is convenient but I wanted incremental improvements without the budget, maintenance and skill level required of a DSLR. For now. The DSLR, what with all the lenses I would want to buy and classes I would inevitably want to take, can always come later. I’m leaving for Europe in a week!

If anything, I would just want to get rid of the night noise in the pics taken with non-flash, high ISO settings on my trusty, 2-year-old SD500. I also still hadn’t tasted image stabilization, yet.

And I’m pretty pleased with how awesome and crisp The Criterion came out (left/above). The dark sky came out pitch black and I don’t see a speckle in the sky. What stands out most to me as far as specs on the camera is the 12x optical zoom with a full 8.0 megapixels.

Despite the lack of light (that’s what happens when it’s nighttime), I also practiced a bit with the macro settings. You would recognize a macro setting on a Canon by the flower icon. I found a moth on the glass at the Anthropologie entrance. If I had the choice of picking one sale rack in any store at any one time to shop at for clothes for myself, Anthropologie would be it.

When we were ready to take a break, we were pleased to find there was a Famima! on 3rd Street. Famima! is my favorite convenience store–and it happens to be Japanese. You can buy curry pockets in their hot food section, J-pop magazines in their “reading” section or even a high-end Papyrus greeting card. Their instant noodles section is unparalleled.

Apparently, you can also buy really outrageous bottled drinks.

I first tasted Reed’s Ginger Beer at my small group, but this particular day Tim and I had sampled some at Whole Foods before yoga. Later that night when we and Dave were heading to 3rd Street, we were talking about craving some more. Lo and behold, it was being sold at Famima! It’s a tasty (non-alcoholic) brew and it leaves even a little bit of spice in your mouth. It’s spicy and refreshing.

Leninade will have to wait for next time. The vibrant colors on the label–which matched the drink–caught my attention. That is, before I read the tagline: “Get hammered & sickled! The taste worth standing in life for!” Hilarious.

And if you don’t already know, I name all my prized possessions. I don’t have a good reason why–except that it personalizes things for me and I willingly grow a sort of attachment to things so I take good care of them. My new camera, I named Stefan, and he is awesome. He will be a valuable travel companion.

I also wanted to ask anybody during my last week here if you would recommend any sort of filters to take along to London, The Amalfi Coast and Munich. Recommendations as to that, sights to see and/or misc. travel advice in those areas would be greatly appreciated!

You can also view my entire Flickr set from my 3rd St. Promenade outing.

Love,
*e

* I’ve had two shoulder surgeries this year. The obvious one was the arthroscopic labrum repair, but the first one removed a lump from my other shoulder. It was a lipoma but was also noted to have inflammation cells, meaning the mass had become irritated over time. My surgeon asked me if I played any sort of sports that required a piece of equipment on my shoulder. I said no and thought of anything that could have caused that irritation–and the only thing I came up with was my purse being carried on that shoulder most of the time since I am “extremely” right-handed (or right-appendaged). So what’s been concluded from that (and others’ personal opinions) is that my purse is exceedingly heavy. The camera doesn’t help much, I’m sure.