I didn’t vote for Obama yesterday. I voted Ron Paul (knowing he wouldn’t win) because I believe limited government is what’s needed most right now as this country approaches bankruptcy. You can’t change the world or serve the people as a government if you’re broke.

But I was happy nonetheless last night with Obama’s election — it was an exciting and historical moment. While I strongly disagree with his big government ideas, I take comfort in his upcoming presidency for the following reasons: Continue reading…

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For reasons beyond me, Sadie (3) has begun using her hair clips to lock all the doors in our house. With clip in hand, sure turns the outside locks from the horizontal position to vertical, “to keep things safe,” she tells me.

In honesty, it’s been kind of annoying over the last two weeks. I’m forced to grab a nickle almost every time to unlock either the bathroom, office, or bedroom. Last night, I went to check on a sleeping Maddie, who goes down an hour before Sadie.

I turned the knob, and of course, it was locked. Rather than becoming frustrated, however, I found a nickle and smiled — perhaps this is Sadie’s way of reminding me that she’s always present.

The big games this year are hard to miss: “Gears of War 2,” “Fallout 3,” “LittleBigPlanet,” “Guitar Hero.” But what about the low-profile ones that are just as good, if not better? The games that come out of nowhere to delight, inspire and surprise us?These are the best Cinderella games of 2008. If it’s the new and innovative you seek, don’t overlook these hidden gems.

Continue reading at MSNBC…

Unplayable cut scenes, cinemas, or in-game movies have been a part of video games for more than 20 years. They help advance the plot, serve as a rest area for players and produce shock and awe like any good movie.

While the technique is evolving (some developers like Valve shun them altogether in favor of total interaction), cut scenes often make games feel bigger than they really are. And nobody does it better than the following games when it comes to memorable cinematics.

Continue reading at MSNBC…

Ghosts may be the first thing you think of when you hear the word “spooky,” but they make for lousy Halloween costumes. They have a rich history with video games, and for that, I respect them. So in the spirit of disembodied souls and our favorite pagan holiday, I give to you the best video game ghosts of all time.

Continue reading at MSNBC…

Microsoft says its “New Xbox Experience,” which rolls out Nov. 19, will “change the face of home entertainment for every Xbox 360 owner.” It doesn’t.

In reality, the New Xbox Experience is more appropriately described as a new menu system. It won’t revolutionize your console, but it will improve your experience. Ironically, the most interesting feature about this revamp to a game console’s user interface has nothing to do with games. It’s about movies.

Continue reading at MSNBC…

It’s a little difficult to read, but that posh, Geo Prism promises you can make $20k a month while working from home. Now I understand a lot of millionaires drive run-down cars, because cars are a lousy investment. But something tells me this guy isn’t a millionaire (hint: it’s the tasteless ad written in long hand).

[Photo by Mark Ormond, while driving even]

Apparently, the umpire wasn’t serious, John McEnroe. A new study of 4,000 points has found that tennis umpires overwhelming get “out” calls wrong, thanks to an optical allusion phenomenon. Who knew?

Lindsey and I have been playing World Tour all weekend with friends. The game is Guitar Hero’s response to the popular Rock Band. The early verdict: World Tour improves upon Rock Band in almost every way, save for scoring, star power, and when someone fails. Plus, anything that has Van Halen gets bonus points from me. My full review at MSNBC…