That is the prize sent, along with a free digital copy of the game, for winning the Space Invaders Extreme contest. That thing is awesome! The contest page didn't even let on that is was this cool, and personally numbered! I will cherish this print, personally signed by the creator of the original Space Invaders, FOREVAR!


I got number 139, out of only 180!

Thank you guys! You all rock.

This is another addition to the ongoing saga of my Red Rings of Death. If you haven't done so, please take a few minutes to read Part 1, 2, and 3.

As you have probably gathered from my other posts, my Xbox 360 died a short time ago and I bought a temporary replacement, with no intentions to keep it any longer after I got my repaired/replaced console back in the mail. Well yesterday I received a box from UPS sent from the repair center in Texas to me, and it contained an Xbox 360 console! Only 16 days?! Hot dog! I opened it quickly, and looked at the back sticker. It has a manufacturing date of June 26th, 2008. "Ok," I said, "so they replaced my console with a new one! That means if I look under the A/V port I should find an...! Oh..." As I glanced over, I noticed that it was minus an HDMI port. Alright, well I didn't have it before, don't have it now. It's not that big of a deal.



As I looked back over, I noticed the serial number looked all too familiar. But no way, it can't be the same one. I grabbed my digital camera, with which I had taken a picture of the back of my sent in console before it was boxed up. Sure enough, when I compared the serial numbers, they presented a perfect match! Wait, what?! A console made two months ago with my serial number? How exactly? Ok that's fine I guess, however it is possible. I removed the faceplate to see if the silver tape was under it or not, and as I did, the USB port springy door broke! Later, I super glued it into perfect condition, and the silver tape was M.I.A., replaced by the other little Microsoft branded sticker. Moving on, today I thought I should test to see if it works fine and all. First, I figured it would be best to get Rock Band out of the Arcade bundle I bought a week and a half ago. Sounds like an easy task, right? Well I pressed the power button, and nothing happened. I pressed the eject button, and nothing happened. I tinkered with the power cord endlessly, and even more nothing took place. So now what? I'm out of $60 for this game even if they take the console back? This twist would even make M. Night Shyamalan proud.



I looked under the faceplate and didn't see any obvious signs of a manual disc eject hole, but searched for it on the internet anyway. Thank Google I found a site that told me exactly how to do it, and at last I pried Rock Band away from the clutching death grip of the Arcade model. Talk about jealousy, sheesh. Immediately after, I set up my repaired (???) console and it worked perfectly! After swapping face plates (hehe), I boxed the Arcade console back up with all accessories included. They refunded my $299.52 in cash with no issue. I realize as I finish this last sentence, I am as I was before any of this happened, but it is 16 days later (fast, Microsoft, fast!!) and my console was made much more recently.

[Song lyric credits: "Everlong," by Foo Fighters.]

As the title and picture explains, Tropical Storm (soon to possibly be Hurricane) Fay is headed directly toward where I live. I have taken all necessary preparations, but I still don't enjoy going through 4-billion-gallons-of-rain-and-strong-hater-wind storms. Although we survived Charlie with no precautions taken (we didn't have time), I am still worried about two things with Fay, and neither are the winds the storm itself will produce.

1. Tornadoes. Tornadoes can form easily in the midst of a tropical storm or hurricane. I know we can survive the less than powerful winds Fay will bring, but tornadoes are a different ballgame.

2. Rainfall. Flooding, Dude! Rain can be more devastating than the winds hurricanes bring.

So wish me luck, everyone. I will be playing my DS in my bathtub (just kidding).

As this is part 3 of an ongoing series, please read Part 1 and Part 2 if you desire to.

My Xbox 360 was sent out via UPS on Monday of this week. The first day without it, yesterday, I gave in to my thoughts. I went out and I bought an arcade edition as I just use my original hard drive. My plan is, because I am not overflowing with money, that I will do one of two things. (1), I will take it back within 30 days, say it is defective/not working, and get my two hundred ninety-something dollars back. Or, (2), I will sell it to my cousin at the same price I bought it for, because he rocks with me (#1 drummer) all the time and wants one. But if he can't buy it, does Wally-World ask questions? Would I have trouble taking it back and get trampled on by old Wal-Mart ladies?



And also, if anyone has anything to add about the morality of taking a perfectly fine 360 back to Wal-Mart, go ahead.

Ahh, it's so nice to see those green lights again...

[Song lyric credits: "Picture," by Kid Rock ft. Sheryl Crow.]

First, if you haven't read Part 1 of my story, please do so now.

I will resume where I left off. I was practicing my solo career the day after Part 1 was written, switching from the drums to the guitar and back, when I decided to turn my Xbox 360 off to go take care of something. When I finally found time to return to Rock Band, I walked in the room, picked up my Strat, and pressed the power button on the 360. It smugly winked at me with it's incessant red blinking until I finally realized the horror that just took place and again pushed the power button to turn it off.

"No way," I doubtfully remarked to myself. After pushing the power button once more, my Xbox made it clear that "Yes way" was the correct answer, as the dreaded 3 red rings greeted me again. I didn't know what to do now. Even my most valiant attempts at resurrecting my Xbox from the grave had failed. It had lived since October 13th, 2005 as a launch day Xbox with no problems, but just recently decided to croak. After trying the towel trick again to no avail, I went to bed disappointed. If Towely can't cure my Xbox, who can?



Although I was thinking hard about doing some sort of an x-clamp modification, I figured I would call Microsoft to see if I qualified for a free repair. My plan was, if I didn't qualify, I would try a home solution. After speaking to the entire Republic of India, I was transferred to the Xbox 360 department, where I spoke to a semi-competent lady who understood English well enough. Of course, she had to request all of the information (name, e-mail, address) I just got done telling the people that transferred me to her.

After giving up my 12 digit serial number (for the second time), she said I qualified for free repair, and that within 24-48 hours I would receive a UPS shipping label in my e-mail account. She made sure to tell me "not do include my 'ard dlive or any assesorees dat came with exbocks," and then she wished me a good day and thanked me for calling Microsoft support.



I will send my 360 out as soon as possible and be sure to update everyone if necessary. Hopefully mine doesn't get lost by UPS, MS, or both.

Please Microsoft! I don't care if I get mine back repaired, a refurb, or a brand new one, I just want one that works! Can you do that for me? Can I see green lights again to remove all thoughts of the red glow that haunts me in the night? (Ok maybe that is a bit over-dramatic, but you get my point.)



Come back to me! Wish me luck everyone, this whole RRoD thing is new for me.

[Song lyric credits: "Hemorrhage (In My Hands)," by Fuel.]

I woke up and downloaded "Toxicity" and "B.Y.O.B." by System of a Down on Rock Band, as I was super excited for these tracks. After I played them once each on Expert guitar, I powered my Xbox down to go do the things I should have done when I first woke up (brush teeth, feed face, etc.) I came back in a hurry, wanting to get pwned on Expert drums by these songs, and lo and behold, Red Rings of Death.

I am the guy that always bragged. Yes sir, I was THE only guy I knew who got the launch Xbox that lasted. I was the guy that said not all of the 360's are defective, just look at my beautiful white box, with it's glistening green LEDs and its lewdly loud DVD drive. So when I saw these rings, my heart sank and my soul shriveled (ok it wasn't that bad). I was very distraught however. I unplugged the power and video connections many times, all in one feeble attempt to resuscitate my Halo-Box 360. None of them worked, so I took drastic measures...



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I heard about the "towel trick" and had seen the video by Cheapy D on how to, in a sense, melt your Xbox into working order. I unplugged my HDD, USB cables, and video connection. Next, I got three towels and I wrapped them all around my Ecksbawks after powering it on and gazing into the cold red stare of the machine. After reassuring myself it was wrapped well, I set the timer for 20 minutes.



I came in due time and unwrapped my Xbox, with almost as much as excitement as tearing paper off of gifts at Christmas time. As the instructions said, I promptly turned it off and let it cool down from its surprisingly hot state. After 15 minutes, it was finally the moment of truth. Would my Xbox work? Was the heat treatment enough discipline to show it who's boss? I securely fastened all of my previous connections and configurations, excitedly depressed the power button, and as my eyes widened, I saw a familiar sight. Not the red rings, but the Xbox 360 startup screen!

It worked, but before I picked up the drumsticks and tested the pedal, I practically leaped to my local Wal-Mart (oh yeah, it happened) and bought a Nyko Intercooler EX. I figured it couldn't hurt...

When I returned home and installed the device, it was time to fail B.Y.O.B. on expert. And although System of a Down made me look like a three year old flailing on pots and pans with a whisk and a wooden spoon, I couldn't have been happier.

(DISCLAIMER: I ACCEPT NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANYTHING THAT HAPPENS TO YOU OR YOUR XBOX 360 OR ANY OTHER PERSONAL PROPERTY WHILE TRYING ANYTHING I DESCRIBED. TRY AT YOUR OWN RISK, OR DON'T, BUT YOU DIDN'T HEAR IT FROM ME. I ALSO MANAGED TO NOT BREAK MY ROBOCOP GUN, SAVING ME A LOT OF MONEY.)

"Don't forget to bring a towel!"


[Song lyric credits: "Baby Come Back," by Player]