Morning Vent

Gungal^TM of the Day

Gungal^TM FemShep takes aim...

    Home is just so awesome... As this autoposts on the blog, my Sweet Gal and I should be relaxing over our Sunday morning coffee. We're planning on taking it as easy as we can, resting up for the week ahead. If the stars align, we'll try to visit Mama and Papa Joker this week.  

  

    Today's video is my buddy Matt64 mowing down a few enemy douchers on one of the new Black Ops 2 'Revolution' maps. He's pretty darm good with that assault rifle, lol. Moving on...

Morning Vent

Gungal^TM of the Day

Gungal^TM FemShep looks fetching even with Renegade scar make-up...

    As this autoposts on the blog, the miserable three night rotation is done, and I'm home or almost home. It's been a bleak three nights away from home and my Pretty Gal, but now it's all over. I can rest easy now, holding her tight, happy to be back in her arms. Effie, my wife, I love you!! It's good to be home!!
  

 

    Today's featured vid is yours truly, relishing a rare good connection on a Black Ops 2 'Sharpshooter' match. The game is a free-for-all variant, with weapons cycling every 45 seconds, and perk bonuses for getting kills. I actually did OK in the match, probably because of a favorable connection. More so than earlier Call of Duty entries, Black Ops 2 is very connection-dependent. If you're on the losing end, you'll never see the enemy coming. Literally. Moving on...

Morning Vent

Gungal^TM of the Day

Gungal^TM FemShep turns her back on us...

    As this autoposts on the blog, the second of three work nights is done, and the countdown to holding my Pretty Gal tight is really, really on. The three night rotation seems so abysmally long to us because I'm barely home from the exhausting four-banger, and I have to pack up to leave for my dingy apartment in Mordor. But in just one more night, I'll be back home with my honey, and all will be right with the world again!!! Effie, sweetheart, I love you!!! I'll be home tomorrow!!! 
  

 

    Wednesday, while the wind picked up and rainstorms started moving in over the bleak plains of Mordor North, I played a bit of hardcore TDM with Matt64, who I haven't been able to hook up with online in quite a while. I did so so, and I wound up book marking some game films that I might squeeze highlight reels out of. More importantly, after we had logged off, I discovered something rather important. The 'permanent unlock' token I had been saving till the "Ghost" perk was useable, actually could unlock it at any time. I could have done it right after prestiging and unlocking the custome classes again, saving myself a lot of grief and angst!! I played a few matches after unlocking (permanently) the "Ghost" perk, and Black Ops 2 is still as bullshit a game as before, but at least I can't blame not having the thoroughly emasculated "Ghost" perk on tap. Moving on...

Morning Vent

Gungal^TM of the Day

 Gungal^TM FemShep stands at the ready...

    As this autoposts on the blog, the first of three nights is done, and I'm already counting down to going home to my honey. Lord, I hope the week goes quickly, as I truly want to be back home with my Sweet Gal. Just two more nights... Effie, baby, I love you!! I'll be home on Saturday!!! 
 

    My song Chris and I managed to play some Black Ops 2 on hardcore. I managed to do ok, only going slightly negative a couple of times. Once or twice, I managed to come out on top, thanks to shock sticks, betties, and a lot of camping to pick off stragglers. I don't apologize for it, since I'm old and slow, so waiting for dumbasses to lumber into my sights is about the best I can do. In the meantime, I picked off some enemy aircraft and EMPed anything I could. Unfortunately, I'm rusty in hardcore, and I capped friendly players - including my son, lol -     more than once. Games where I did poorly I was able to laugh off, since I was playing with my son, and we were having fun together, no matter what. That was pretty dang awesome. Moving on...

Morning Vent

Gungal^TM of the Day

Gungal^TM does the FemShep cosplay thing...

    Sadly, the days off have come to an end, and I'm on the way to my dreary, cold Albany apartment and a short three night rotation... Luckily, it is only three nights away from my Sweet Gal, and before we know it, we'll be holding each other tight again! Effie, baby, I love you!!! I'll be home in just three nights.
   Due to some running around and some issues at home, I wasn't able to visit Mama and Papa Joker this week. So I pray the Good Lord will keep them safe until Effie and I can visit after this work rotation.
  

 

    I managed to get the DLC downloaded at home, and just took a peek around a couple of the maps a bit. After that, I tried uploading a video again, to see if Theater Mode on Black Ops 2 was working again for me. It was successful, finally, so my lackluster efforts at Black Ops 2 will again be gracing the blog's video links. I actually got online to play a bit with our son, and he did spectacular, getting a righteous double-kill killcam on Hardcore TDM. It was pretty dang awesome. Moving on...

Morning Vent

Gungal^TM of the Day

Gungal^TM Michelle Rodriguez relaxes in her camo...

    Not sure whether my Pretty Gal will have work hours for today, but I'm hoping to get a couple of missions acomplished: Getting my oil changed, and seeing the folks at home. Crossing my fingers, as I'm inclined to say... 

  

    Not sure whether the gaming gene will take me, either. With a bit of luck, I'll be test-driving the new Peacekeeper assault rifle-SMG hybrid gun on Black Ops 2. The reports of the Xbox Live patch are encouraging, so maybe things are actually being tended to and being fixed, after all. Fingers crossed on that, too. Moving on...

Morning Vent

Gungal^TM of the Day

Gungal^TM has nice bangs and true trigger finger discipline...

     Home with my honey, and it's awesome. Not sure what's on the schedule for today. It was an awesome burpeeday party for grandson Junior yesterday. The . Sonic the Hedgehog cake was just amazing. My honey and granddaughter Stephie did an awesome job on it. 
     I have to get an oil change done before heading up to Albany again on Wednesday, so maybe I'll try to get that done today or tomorrow, along with a visit to drop off a burpeeday gift for nephew TJ. FIngers crossed, lol. Blogging may be sparse this week, as I'm a bit behind schedule and running a bit tired, as well. Bear with me until things get back to normal.
  

    I mentioned some time back about my misstep regarding surround sound headphones for the Xbox 360. I had accidentally ordered PC phones. I may have resolved that by ordering a gizmo called the SoundAround. It's an analog device that costs less than $20 and simulates 5.1 surround sound on regular stereo headpones which I already have. I watched a YouTube review of the device and decided to gamble the $20. Brace for impact, lol. Moving on...

Morning Vent

Gungal^TM of the Day

Gungal^TM does a dirty, dirty Lara Croft cosplay...

    As this autoposts on the blog, the long, dreary work week has ground to a close, and I'm home or almost home with my beloved Effie. I'm always so very happy on the way home; there are no words for how awesome it is when I first get home and the first thing I see is her lovely face and beautiful smile!!! Effie, my honey, I love you!! It's awesome to be home with you again!!
    Today's agenda is a burpeeday party for our grandson, Christopher, Jr. We've got a nice party lined up, and my Sweet Gal was baking a very special cake for him. I can't wait to see how it turned out!
  

 

    Speaking with my friend Vlad at work Friday night, I mentioned my Call of Duty woes, and he replied that maybe I should give the game a break. I've got the intent to do that, so maybe I'll be able to resist the allure of double XP this week. I'll go online a bit to try out the new Peacekeeper SMG, but I'm kinda doubting I'll be online for long. Saturday, I slept in a bit, and I got out just in time to grab some grub on Wolf Road before going to the smoke shop to get my 'way home' cigar. Can't say that I missed my ass-kickings all that much, lol. Moving on...

Morning Vent

Gungal^TM of the Day

Gungal^TM Alodia Gosiengfiao does a dandy Baroness cosplay...

    As this autoposts on the blog, the third of four nights is done, and I'm truly counting the hours to being home with my Pretty Gal. Just one night to go, and I'm home with her again. I just hate being so far from her, and I can't wait to be back home with my beloved Effie. Effie, baby, I love you!!! I'll be home again tomorrow. 
  

 

    Friday was another ultra-disastrous day of Black Ops 2 multiplayer. I forced myself to play, as there's double XP on, celebrating the upcoming release of the 'Revolution' DLC. In one abysmal match, I spawned in literally 20 seconds before the end of a losing match. Really, I'd rather just wait in the lobby for a game that's just beginning, rather than have my ass handed to me in a basket in a shit connection in a hopeless match. I really think it's all connection, as I went 10/1 in another match, winning gunfight after gunfight, even when shot first. At this point, I'm thinking I'll max out at this prestige and then just quit this game unless the developers get their heads out of their asses and fix the goddamn game. Moving on...

Morning Vent

Gungal^TM of the Day

Operator Gungal^TM poses with her gear...

    As this auto-posts on the blog, the second of four nights is done, and I'm ramping up the countdown for real. The week is half over, and I'm halfway home to my Sweet Gal. She's waiting for me at home, ready to take me in her arms again come Sunday morning!! Effie, my wife, I love you!!! Just two nights to go!!! 
 

    I made the mistake of playing Black Ops 2 again yesterday, going massively negative again and again. The lag issues in the game are just heinous. Combine that with the 'skilled match-making' feature and you've got a formula for repeated ass-whuppings. I tried some party games yesterday, playing the Gun Game and Sharpshooter. Surprisingly, I did pretty well, going positive in the matches I played. I recorded three highlight reels, but they haven't shown up on YouTube, so my assumption is that the Theater mode in Black Ops 2 is, once again, broken. There's so much broken in this game, really, that it makes me actually sad. I'm really, really regretting buying the season pass DLC, since I'll feel obligated to play them as they come out and watch my KDR on its slow spiral into the negatives. I never thought I'd say this, but this Call of Duty entry just sucks. Moving on...

Morning Vent

Gungal^TM of the Day

Gungal^TM does some Bayonetta cheesecake cosplay...

    As this autposts on the blog, the first of four long, cold (very cold!) nights is done, and, fingers crossed, that I'm back at my bleak Albany apartment, getting some much needed sleep. If all the stars have aligned, I didn't have to stay too late at work this AM. If I did, I'm likely to be pretty ticked off, I can tell you. Things did not go smoothly at work - at all. But, no matter what, come Sunday, I'll be back home with my Pretty Gal. Come what may, I'll be back in her arms bright and early Sunday morning!! 
  

 

    During the days off this week, I didn't have time or energy for any gaming, really. I could conceivably have gotten on during a long Tuesday afternoon, when my gal was at work. But I just didn't have the heart to log on. I had had some dismal Black Ops 2 games during the work week, and it was just a bit too much for me. When I got up from a pre-work nap on Wednesday, I logged on and got my ass kicked over and over and over on Black Ops 2. So, I popped out the disk and loaded up Call of Duty 4. And I went positive again, using a cautious wait, shoot, and then move to the next spot strategy. Yeah, it was camping, strictly speaking. But the always in the air UAV of Black Ops 2 ain't exactly fair, either. So, screw that noise. It's a shame, too, since I actually bought the season pass for Black Ops 2. On second thought, I wish I had not, since I appear to be just about done with that game for the year, unless I magically start doing better. Moving on...

Evening Vent

Gungal^TM of the Day

Gungal^TM Penny Mathis protects her Shelby...

    Owing to a lack of energy and ambition, the blogging went a bit by the wayside. My Sweet Gal and I went to see Mama and Papa Joker on Monday, and we found them to be OK. Not much else new, except a frackin' cold snap that has sucked the life out of me right to the marrow. I'm ramping up for the four night rotation up in Albany (pretty much like Mordor to me with that butthole Cuomo with his all-seeing eye looking over the landscape), and I've got fingers crossed that the week goes quickly and (relatively) painlessly. Regardsless, come wind, rain, or snow, I'll be rocketing back home to my honey in just four nights. Effie, baby, I love you!!! I'll be in your arms on Sunday morning!!! 
 

    Yesterday's featured vid and the CoD news items were related. YouTube iPhatstock produced a mini-documentary on the rise and fall of game commentary on Call iof Duty. It's worth a listen, since it reflects some of the disgruntlement a lot of players, including myself, have with the franchise, tho we love it dearly. Check it, and his gameplay vid, out and give a listen. Moving on...

Morning Vent

Gungal^TM of the Day

Gungal^TM Kari Byron takes the firing line to bust some myths, uh, caps...

A bonus Kari Byron animated gif...

    Awesome to be back home!!! Today is a holiday (Martin Luther King day), so no work for my Sweet Gal. We've got tentative plans to visit the old HQ bunker to see how Mama and Papa Joker are faring. Plus, we've got a long-deferred date to see The Hobbit, which we hope to finally get to today. Maybe. Fingers crossed, as I like to say. 
 

    On Friday, I played a couple of annoying matches of Black Ops 2, and then I popped the disk out of the tray, put it back in its box, and moved on. I went back to Call of Duty 4, of all things, which I'd purposely brought with me to the Albany pad for just such an eventuality. I went amazingly positive in a few matches, going like 19/7 in one Ground War match of Domination. The weapons have a distinctly underpowered feel to me, especially with my favorite attachment being the silencer. Still, I did a lot better than in Black Ops 2 lately, and that was like a boon to my mental health. I mostly had a three bar connection, and the game felt fine. No lag to speak of, no super-bullshit moments where bullets came out of thin air and killed me. Every death was due to my own lack of skill, as far as I could tell. Moving on...

Morning Vent

Gungal^TM of the Day

Gungal^TM believes in back-up firepower...

    As this autopost on the blog, Sunday find me at home, having coffee with my beloved Effie as we scan the sale papers for bargains. I'm hoping for a quiet, slow day today, as I try to recoup some of the energy expended last week at work. The upcoming work week promises to be awesomely horrible, even more so than last week, so I'm clinging to my Sweet Gal, totally in denial about that whole work thing. 
  

 

    Not sure where the gaming gene will take me. As this blog's game pic suggests, maybe some Half-life. It might be time to finish Half-life, Half-life 2, and Half-life 2, Episode 1. I've got Half-life and Half-life 2 on my laptop, and the latter I own for the console, as well, as part of The Orange Box. So maybe I'll try to be a man of my (eventual) word and finish those games off as well. Moving on...

Morning Vent

Gungal^TM of the Day

Gungal^TM accessorizes her little black bikini with two big, black comped USP .45s...

    As this autoposts on the blog, I should be home or almost home. It was a dismal, long, cold, lonely week at work, but it's all done now. In moments, I'll be in my beloved Effie's arms again, and all will be right with the world. Effie, honey, I love you!! I'm home with you again!!!
  

 

    Despite a brief streak of optimism last week, this week was similarly dismal for my Black Ops 2 multiplayer. I was tossed from one ass-kicking right into another, over and over and over and over. Repeatedly, I was spawned right into enemy fire... Or enemy melee strikes in one ergregious instance. It was just hideous. Therefore, I've decided to lay down my controller for a while, giving multiplayer a break, giving myself a chance to recharge and decide whether I want to keep on playing this game. At this point, I'm thinking not. The problems with lag and so called 'skill based' match-making are just insuring that I get an epic ass-kicking every time I put the Black Ops 2 disc in the Xbox 360 tray. Screw that noise. Moving on...

Morning Vent

Gungal^TM of the Day

Gungals^TM on Israeli beaches don't do the CCW thing...

    As this autoposts on the blog, the last work night is here, and I can almost taste the morning coffee I'll be having with my beloved Effie tomorrow!! It's been a rough week so far, but fingers crossed that tonight is quick and painless. Regardless, the blog posts tomorrow, I'll be home or almost home, and everything will be wonderful again!! Effie, my honey, I love you!!! I'll be home tomorrow!! 
  

    The first DLC for Black Ops 2, 'Revolution', is only eleven days away. For the first time, there'll be a weapon DLC included with it. The new SMG, an assault rifle/submachine gun hybrid, is The Peacekeeper. I'm looking forward to taking it out for a spin and seeing whether it matches up to my beloved PDW-57. Moving on...

Morning Vent

Gungal^TM of the Day

 Gungal^TM Angelina Jolie looks back fetchingly...

    As this auto-posts on the blog, the first of three work nights is done, and I'm already longing to be back home with my Sweet Gal. The three week night seems so very long some times. As my gal and I have figured, it's because we're at home together such a short time before having to haul back up to Albany for the three night rotation. Still, just two more nights, and I'm home. Effie, baby, I love you!!! I'll be home in two nights!! 

  

 

    Today's featured vid is again yours truly, getting lucky with my ever favorite Black Ops 2 SMG, the PDW-57. I must have gotten lucky in the connection also, since I get a couple of close quarter kills at literally contact range. I'm also plowing forward on the 2nd Prestige for that SMG, just for the XP. If the stars align, the dirty deed is done and I've reaped all the XP bounty from maxing out the PDW-57. Now to snag up and permanently unlock the 'Ghost' perk so that stealth builds have more viability. Moving on...

Morning Vent

Gungal^TM of the Day

Gungal^TM Angelina Jolie shows off her profile and twin comped USPs...

    The days off have come to an end, and I have to kiss my Pretty Gal good bye and head off to work today. The lottery winnings haven't come in, so off to work we go. But in just three short nights, I'll be back home in her arms, and all will be right with the world again. Effie, my honey, I love you!!! I'll be home on Saturday!!! 
  

 

    Today's featured video is somewhat special, since it features some payback to a group of smack-talkers. I generally play in a party, even if it's a party on just one (me). Why? Because the default chat channel then is the private party one. That means when I play solo, I'm spare all the squeaky, little girl sounding voices of the pre-teen boys who play Call of Duty. That's a huge bonus. If you have to play solo, do yourself a favor. Put yourself in a party first. Your nerve endings will thank you. Moving on...

Morning Vent

Gungal^TM of the Day

Gungal^TM cosplays Lara Croft with gadget toys...

    Home for one more day, loving my Sweet Gal!! It's wonderful to be home. Not sure what today will bring, but I'm already bracing for the short rotation back up North. Hopefully, the work week will be quick and painless, and I'll be back home with my honey quick as lightning. 
 

    I'm plowing relentlessly on to level 55 in Black Ops 2. After a disastrous first two days, the tide turned just a bit. A bit. I had a few really, really good games where the internet connection gods smiled down upon and bestowed upon me the gift of low ping. The lag was on the other foot, figuratively speaking, and I was making drop shots quite a few times during matches. Will this streak of good luck last? Likely not, but I'm looking forward to enjoying the ride, lol. Moving on...

Morning Vent

Gungals^TM of the Day

 Suburban Gungals^TM with no trigger finger discipline...

    Not sure what's on tap for today, but I'm home, and that is truly, truly wonderful!! If my Pretty Gal has no work hours, maybe we'll try to visit the folks today. I'm hoping good weather comes on soon, as I still have the storage unit hanging over my head. That puppy, tho less packed with junk than previously, seriously needs to be emptied out, and the sooner, the better. 
  

 

    Probably the most annoying thing about prestiging is losing the 'Ghost' perk. Tho the developers have nerfed it so you have to keep constantly on the move or you appear on the UAV radar, it still is useful for a stealth class build. And getting stealth kills is likely the only way to retain my steadily decreasing KDR. I'm biding my time till I hit level 55 again, and I'll use a permanent unlock token on the 'Ghost' perk. I've given up on trying to get a winning game percentage. It's absolutely undoable unless you're a beast player who carries the whole team or unless you actually have a real team that works together and communicates. For the most part, pub matches for Team Deathmatch are, in fact, 'Team Free-for-all' instead. Moving on...