Hey, How About An Open Thread?

by Christopher Gates on Nov 15, 2011 3:16 PM CST in Open Threads

Well, after a morning and afternoon filled with all sorts of fun and excitement, it's time to take a break for a bit. So, with that, here's an open thread for everyone to talk about whatever. It doesn't have to be football-related. . .in this case, it's probably better that it's not. . .so feel free to let the conversations take you where they will.

Yours truly has some charity work to attend to this afternoon. . .some of my co-workers and I are going to get local families registered for the local Toys for Tots drive in one of the towns just down the road. Not giving the actual gifts yet or anything. . .that doesn't come until the week before Christmas. This is making sure that families are qualified for Toys for Tots and things of that nature.

It sounds like it should be a fairly straight-forward process, but at the orientation thing the other day, we got a couple of stories of families with over $100,000 in combined income that tried to sign their families up for Toys for Tots. That's kind of messed up, but that's the mindset some people have, I guess.

I do wish I could have pulled myself out of my self-pity over last night a bit sooner than I did, because something like Toys for Tots kind of puts things like football into the proper perspective. Yes, as football fans, we're down at the moment, and getting kicked on a fairly regular basis. (It's amazing how many people just show up out of the woodwork when things are going poorly. I guess the saying isn't "kick 'em while they're up." But I digress.) These families are down, not because of football, but because of real life stuff, and things like Toys for Tots are really a huge deal. Yeah, in this age of PlayStations and iPods and what not, a $10 or $15 toy (which is the recommended donation for Toys for Tots, if you were planning on making a donation to your local chapter) may not seem like that big a deal to a lot of us, but it means a lot to these kids.

Sometimes we. . .and by "we" I mean "I". . .have issues with keeping things in the proper perspective. That's obviously not the reason to do things like Toys for Tots. . .the main reason is the kids, after all. . .but it is a nice side benefit.

So, that's your open thread for this Tuesday afternoon. . .again, go ahead and get into video games, movies, TV, cars, whatever the case may be. I'm not sure if I'll be posting anything today, but by tomorrow hopefully I (and anyone else that needs it) will be refreshed and ready to go again to deal with the Oakland Raiders.

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Comments

soooo has there been any word

On le douche that tried to feed AP glass

by Lunchpail on Nov 15, 2011 3:21 PM CST via mobile reply actions

So after a rough night and even rougher work day, I’m going to play some MW3 on PS3. That’s the highlight of my week so far.

"When I put on my uniform, I feel I am the proudest man on earth."
-Roberto

by blackjackfishtaco on Nov 15, 2011 3:40 PM CST reply actions

psn name lunchpail

Add me if you’d like, I’m more into mw3 and Madden but also battlefield

by Lunchpail on Nov 15, 2011 3:48 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

Have you guys played both MW3 and Battlefield?

If so, what’s your recommendation if I’m buying only one?

by Bodysuit Man on Nov 15, 2011 4:00 PM CST up reply actions

I haven't played MW3 yet

But I’ve heard it’s kind of same old same old, but with a lot more options. A Friend actually said that it’s a little confusing with the weapons and all the options so take that for what it’s worth. I’ve played BF3 and it’s pretty sick actually. Played it all weekend on the bye week. Only played some online co-op with a friend to get the controls down, but the multiplayer is pretty cool. Lot of guys camping around corners, but it’s different from the MW games. I really like the sound effects from the guns, but acquiring weapons and changing your weapons classes is a little confusing.

White Horn Gold Pants

by DM_Purp on Nov 15, 2011 6:38 PM CST up reply actions

i prefer

Mw3 over Bf3 because I like having more customization however something I’ve notice on Bf3 is it doesn’t clip so bad while playing online (might just be the hotel interwebs) but there are no killstreaks… Mw3 has more options in game modes. And its a lot easier to pick up and play IMHO

by Lunchpail on Nov 15, 2011 7:08 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

I got ya

But the big question for me is I have MW2 and Black Ops. Is it really that different/improved? Because after a weekend of BF3, I kind of enjoyed the change.

White Horn Gold Pants

by DM_Purp on Nov 15, 2011 7:29 PM CST up reply actions

No, it's not all that different

The main changes are that you can level up and upgrade specific weapons but you can basically do that same thing in BF3. The campaign is more of the adrenaline-fueled fare that comprises earlier iterations but it is very polished and fun, despite the sameness of it all.

That being said, BF3 is every bit as good and for my money, better in MP than MW3. Also, I don’t agree that it’s “lacking in customization” (as Lunchpail implied) – it has just as many upgrades and unlocks as MW3, from what I’ve seen. Great game.

Do what I do and just own both. ;)

by Wytefang on Nov 15, 2011 7:32 PM CST up reply actions

i was just saying

That to me it seemed that there is more custom stuff in mw3, however I haven’t gotten all the unlocks in bf3, bf is a very solid game, I was trying (unsuccessfully) to say they both have their pros and cons

by Lunchpail on Nov 15, 2011 8:13 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

I hear ya.

Yeah, I was just pointing out that there are a goodly amount of unlocks in BF3, too. That’s all. No offense intended. :)

by Wytefang on Nov 15, 2011 8:14 PM CST up reply actions

its so nice and easy to get along

With fairly like minded people

by Lunchpail on Nov 16, 2011 9:37 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

Have you read some of Wytefang's posts?

Just joking. Thanks for the insight guys. I think I’ll get BF3 for now just because it is different and I like some of the difference from the MW series. Plus, I know I’ll get MW3 later on anyways. If I have that big of an itch, I’ll put in MW2 or BlackOps.

White Horn Gold Pants

by DM_Purp on Nov 16, 2011 12:41 PM CST up reply actions

HEY! I resembled that remark (in past years)

I’m more mellow these days. ;)

by Wytefang on Nov 17, 2011 3:51 PM CST up reply actions

BF3

Games a hella lot more realistic. the thing i like about it most is the supression feature. its alot more squad based than MW. however MW has more game modes and maps, but the BF3 maps are much bigger. i don’t think there is a real difference in the number of unlocks

by dr_dan319 on Nov 15, 2011 11:35 PM CST up reply actions

I actually picked up Skyrim yesterday

Haven’t even taken it out of the plastic yet.

Ugh.

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by Christopher Gates on Nov 15, 2011 3:49 PM CST reply actions

let us know if its as good as

The reviews or all hype please :)

by Lunchpail on Nov 15, 2011 3:52 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

I'm still trying to figure out

how to convince my wife to let me get it.

by Quarem on Nov 15, 2011 4:02 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs

story of my life

I want MW3 or BF3 and don’t know how I’m going to sneak that in the budget. Maybe I’ll just leave her at home this weekend and take $60 and say that I’m going to the bar, but really just go buy the game?

White Horn Gold Pants

by DM_Purp on Nov 15, 2011 6:40 PM CST up reply actions

SKYRIM!!!!!

It is great. So great. So many dragons. So little time.

by Vikingsfan17 on Nov 15, 2011 4:20 PM CST up reply actions

Easy Kluwe

White Horn Gold Pants

by DM_Purp on Nov 15, 2011 6:40 PM CST up reply actions

a friend of mine

Is completely consumed by Skyrim right now. Asked him how it is and he replies “It’s so pretty!! And Awesome! And even more awesome than that. And so pretty. Did I mention its awesome?”

He’s usually pretty articulate so it must be pretty mind-blowing to reduce him to a jabbering moron

by Amrius on Nov 15, 2011 5:46 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

I took it out of the plastic but I'm trying to find a fix for the crappy PC version's FOV (Field of View) before trying it. :(

Sadly this iteration of the series (at least on PC) has some crappy consolized features that suck for PC gamers. So I’m stuck trying to find MOD fixes or other tweaks before I can really dig into it.

Well that and I also have Battlefield 3 and Modern Warfare 3 waiting for me to keep playing them some more, also. Sigh. So many games, so little time. D’OH!

by Wytefang on Nov 15, 2011 6:18 PM CST up reply actions

heres a topic

retailers open on thanksgiving. people need to spend time with their families during the holidays. no one more so then those who work retail as they get to spend so little with their families during this time.

I am sending a letter to retailers that plan to be open prior to 4am and telling them that I will be boycotting their establishments until January. please join me in helping to return sanity to retail during this busy season. store level employees are treated like crap (i know this form personal experience). lets help people spend time with their families during the holidays. if even one store has success during these obscene hours then all retailers will be forced to follow suit next year and every year after.

Will the Real Thor Please Stand Up ... ?

by the Real Thor on Nov 15, 2011 4:14 PM CST reply actions

Well...

Keep in mind that some of those individuals who work retail need the hours and will often benefit in OT or stat holiday pay. While I agree that spending any time away from your family on the holidays is brutal, sometimes that extra bit will help them out. Double edged sword for sure.

I like Hamburgers!

by Grumps on Nov 15, 2011 4:20 PM CST up reply actions

Exactly...

Although, I think he’s really talking about the people who would rather be home with their families, but get stuck working.

My wife’s working on Thanksgiving, but she volunteered cuz she gets majorly paid…..of course, she works at a gas station so that’s a little different.

by gerkvoltage on Nov 15, 2011 4:22 PM CST up reply actions

I did Black Friday one year

When we were up in Tacoma, WA.

Never again. Not a chance in hell. Those people are insane.

by Christopher Gates on Nov 15, 2011 4:21 PM CST up reply actions

Insane is an understatement....

I worked black Friday at Funcoland one year, and then at Target for about 4 years. It’s like the people are possessed or something. I got hit by carts so much trying to get through aisles to help people…..and of course you can’t bitch them out because “the customer is always right” blah blah blah.

by gerkvoltage on Nov 15, 2011 4:24 PM CST up reply actions

Yeah

When I was in college, I worked at a B. Dalton Bookseller one year and a K-B Toys the next. You haven’t lived until you’ve broken up a fist fight between two grown women in a toy store at 5 AM.

by Christopher Gates on Nov 15, 2011 4:32 PM CST up reply actions

LOL....

Holy crap. I believe it tho. What was that one over? A tickle-me-Elmo?

by gerkvoltage on Nov 15, 2011 4:33 PM CST up reply actions

Actually

I’m 99% sure that’s what it was. It was either the first or second year for Tickle Me Elmo.

quick Wikipedia check

Yeah, first year. Christmas ’96.

by Christopher Gates on Nov 15, 2011 4:35 PM CST up reply actions

Unbelievable.

by gerkvoltage on Nov 15, 2011 4:39 PM CST up reply actions

Asinine

And yet women will be the first to decry men for waiting in line to pick up Modern Warfare 3 or something. Hucking Fypocrites.

by Wytefang on Nov 15, 2011 6:19 PM CST up reply actions

Oh man,

Last year I worked at the busiest Wal-mart in the state of Minnesota and had to work Black Friday (mandatory for everyone that works there) there were 2 fist fights that I saw in the first couple of hours and a couple more that I heard about from friends working in other departments. There were cops just parked in the parking lot all day because they knew they would get called in anyway. It was baaaaaad.

by SirGrizzly on Nov 16, 2011 1:17 AM CST up reply actions

trust me Chris ive been a manager at toys r us for years and I work 24 hrs strait we open at 11pm on thanksgiving eve and the line out side goes on for 2 miles no lie it takes about 8 hrs to get to the middle end you are right my friend it is insane I have to sit at the door and let 4 people in at a time about every 20 mins and I dont evan know how many fights ive stopped its un real !!!!!!!

by cali viking on Nov 15, 2011 6:36 PM CST up reply actions

meant I work 24 hrs strait on black friday lol!!!!

by cali viking on Nov 15, 2011 6:36 PM CST up reply actions

I was going to say....you get a lot of DN'ing during your 24 hour/day shifts

White Horn Gold Pants

by DM_Purp on Nov 15, 2011 6:57 PM CST up reply actions

About 10 or 12 years ago

when I first moved to this town, I did a brief stint at Target. These people, employer and customer alike, are insane. They screw you out of a decent New Years Eve as well.

"I saw a wino eating grapes and I was like, dude, you have to wait!" - Mitch Hedberg

by abba7 on Nov 15, 2011 5:48 PM CST up reply actions

Aes someone who's currently working in retail through collegeKe

Keep fighting the good fight.

by Amrius on Nov 15, 2011 5:50 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

KIDS

I see know one got his message about helping other people, especially children!

by shithead on Nov 15, 2011 4:24 PM CST reply actions

Huh?

by Christopher Gates on Nov 15, 2011 4:25 PM CST up reply actions

Already involved....

WIth the christmas cheer board. And getting my kids involved once they are old enough. Want them to learn to appreciate everything they have and that others may not be as fortunate. Chris is right, small things probably don’t mean much to most of us, but giving a small toy or gift at xmas to a child who has very little, or providing food to a family that is struggling is an amazing thing to experience.

I like Hamburgers!

by Grumps on Nov 15, 2011 4:29 PM CST up reply actions

VHI Classic....

Rockfest = Awesome

by gerkvoltage on Nov 15, 2011 4:41 PM CST reply actions

Anyone check Twitter lately?

Chris Cook shaved his head.

by gerkvoltage on Nov 15, 2011 4:44 PM CST reply actions

He's going all Britney!

White Horn Gold Pants

by DM_Purp on Nov 15, 2011 6:58 PM CST up reply actions

Top three Christman Presents ever:

The Evel Knievel Toy where you could wind up this place stand and send Evel cruising pretty fast and making all kinds of jumps. This toy was awesome, and ours likely wound up with more injuries tan the real Evel Knieval. I don’t remember having this level of success with it though. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=an8eejlhadk&feature=player_embedded

2. Super Toe (where you could kick the field goals). I think it escalated into us eventually smashing his head in with a baseball bat!
and

3. GI Joe (preferably with the Kung Fu grip).

"I saw a wino eating grapes and I was like, dude, you have to wait!" - Mitch Hedberg

by abba7 on Nov 15, 2011 6:12 PM CST reply actions

I loved my Evil Knievel toy. It was awesome until some stupid biyatch broke it. :(

Cool toy!

by Wytefang on Nov 15, 2011 6:20 PM CST up reply actions

had all 3 nice abba lol

by cali viking on Nov 15, 2011 6:39 PM CST up reply actions

After conferring with my fellow staff members

It has been determined that I am not the problem here at The Daily Norseman, and those that hate us can feel free to go somewhere and commence having sexual relations with themselves.

Carry on.

by Christopher Gates on Nov 15, 2011 9:05 PM CST reply actions 1 recs