Modern Warfare 2 LAN Party December 7, 2009
Posted by Lyle in Just For Fun, Now Playing, Reviews.Tags: LAN Party, Modern Warfare 2, Offline Multiplayer, System Link
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12 gamers. 4 Xbox 360′s. 4 HD displays. 6 hours. This was a truly awesome evening. We typically play the game after youth group meetings on one TV with 4-player split screen mode; but last Friday we gathered as many 360′s and displays as we could and gave every player his own screen. Obviously a lot more work and equipment is involved but it is SO WORTH IT. We had a blast!
The one caveat is that Infinity Ward did not make the game playable in split-screen and system link at the same time. So as much fun as it is, the matches are limited to 2 on 2 teams or 4-player free-for-all. Each gamer has to have his own console, TV, and game (WHY, I.W., WHY!!??). Gone are the days of 16-player Halo 3 LAN parties. As much fun as they were, so many of us love the gameplay of Call of Duty much more. Being limited to 4 players at a time wasn’t all bad, however, because the game is almost as much fun to watch as it is to play. There were quite a few OH’s and AHH’s and great plays that evening. With a bit of organization and the cooperation we had (we have some really good kids); it was one of the best game nights we’ve done. The teamwork on display was a wonderful thing to see (we have experienced and not so experienced players), and another great thing about this set up is that it makes the game much more intense and fair (no screen-peeking cheap shots haha). It’s almost scary. Unless you earn your team a UAV you have no idea where the other guys are lurking – great stuff!
The next project is going to be crazier. We’ve decided to up the systems by at least two, and if possible, four. We have a few students that couldn’t come that night and thus couldn’t bring their systems – but it seems that it’s possible (if everybody comes) that we could have 3 on 3 or 4 on 4 nights in the near future!
Hey Wifey, when’s the next girl’s night out???
I’m Dreaming of a Commercialized Christmas? December 7, 2009
Posted by Lyle in Just For Fun.Tags: Christmas
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(From this week’s church newsletter) On the “commercialization” of Christmas:
I’ve been thinking that maybe I’ve been too worried about this issue. It’s upsetting, but maybe it really shouldn’t be that big of a debate. The term “Black Friday” sounds pretty scary; and while it is ridiculous that we start seeing Christmas aisles before Thanksgiving; the hype is not without some merit. Christmas really is a big deal. It should be a time of planning, buying, and giving. It should be a time of joy and excitement. It should definitely be a time of family gatherings and good food. It’s a celebration. The trouble isn’t with the hyping of Christmas – it’s in the forgetting of why we celebrate.
Sometimes the biggest issue we face is that we just plain forget ourselves. We are so very human and prone to hurry right past the important stuff. It’s as if we’ve received an incredible gift; but are so consumed with the wrapping paper that we miss it. Sometimes even the opposing forces are able to steal our focus off of Jesus by stirring up this controversy or that (So we get busy boycotting when we should be partying).
This Christmas I’m going to try getting less upset about grumpy shoppers (of which I am the worst anyway), watered-down Christmas greetings, and non-Christians acting like they don’t agree with us or something; and simply focus on Jesus. The one who came to rescue us from death and Hell can also rescue us from Wal-Mart and politically-correct greeting cards. If we’re willing to remember Him and all that He’s done for us I think it might bring the “Merry” part back to Christmas! Merry Christmas!
-Lyle
“You don’t have a soul. You are a soul. You have a body.” – C.S. Lewis
