I have finally finished that God forsaken PD1 course. It was such a chore to complete, but I have submitted everything and I am finished (unless I receive poor marks on something). Now, I just have to submit my PD2 report (read: start writing my PD2 report) before April 3rd, and I will be finished and done.

Man. I hate co-op work terms. You work a mediocre job. You do not get paid. And you have to do pointless online courses. I’m looking forward to returning to Calculus. And that is physically painful.

Well, I think this term is going to be a fair bit cheaper than last time around. This is thanks to the fact that one of my books carrys over from the first term (Calculus, whoo) and my English course books are pretty cheap. Although, there are thousands of them. But that’s an English course for you. Some I already have. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, Peter Pan, and Alice in Wonderland/Through The Looking Glass are on the list, and I have them and have read them. Anne of Green Gables is on the list…which I think I read in Grade 6. Also included is the Robert Munsch (he’s Canadian, people!) classic, Paper Bag Princess. A picture book. Exciting.

Thank God this term will be easier on my pocket. Oh yeah. Still haven’t gotten paid. Worth noting, I think.

I was unable to fully reflect on the game last night, because I was just leaving work when I remembered that the trailer had gone up. And - as usual - when I got home I consumed a hastily prepared dinner and went to sleep.

Alright. Grand Theft Auto IV. It looks to be quite impressive. I don’t know why everyone instantly assumed that the main character was a Russian. Keep in mind I was listening to it through headphones, so the accent was difficult to make out. When I first saw the character model, I thought that you were perhaps playing as a young Salvatore Leone on his arrival to Liberty City, before becoming the all-powerful head of the Leone family.

However, a Russian character would certainly be exciting. Presumably - due to his description of all those awful things he has done - this is set shortly after the Fall of the Berlin wall, and this guy is a retiree from the military. Probably fought in Afghanistan or something.

It is interesting though because it seems - from his brief inner monologue - that he does not wish to be involved in criminal activities. I wonder how this will actually factor into the gameplay. Do you have a choice to be a criminal or subvert criminal activity? Or will you the story just force you into the darkest depths of the criminal underworld?

I guess we will have to wait and see. I’m looking forward to it. The graphics are certainly an impressive leap. And I wonder if they are going to have more varied mission styles. Also, I wonder if we’re going to see a larger area (like San Andreas), or if that will be set aside due to the improvement in graphics.

Who is to say.

ASIDE: There is this girl who works here named Simona, and she is smokin’. Although - to be honest - I’m not sure if I’d want to date another girl employed at a retail outlet. The last one got kind of rocky towards the end.

IV

Could this be the successor to Max Payne?

I know many of you have not likely played the Max Payne games. I know that I have not even embarked on the adventure through the first one (since it was thoroughly spoiled for me in the introduction to Max Payne 2, which I played first).

But I am moving onto a tangent again - as I tend to do these days.

Alan Wake looks to be an interesting game - made by the creators of Max Payne - that combines elements of the Payne games with the open city of Grand Theft Auto titles. Overall, this looks to be a fascinating successor (even though it is not a direct follow-up) to Max Payne.

The only disappointing aspect about all of this is that there will be no actual follow up to Max Payne. No Max Payne 3. Alas, alas, alas. The creators - despite previously announcing a third installment - have since begun to whistle a different tune. An unfortunate turn of events to be sure…but…I guess it is a loss we will all have to suffer through.

Ultimately, Alan Wake looks to be one of those must-have titles for the 360. And - if the reviews favour it - it will probably be one of the first purchases I make.

You know…if I ever get paid and get a 360. I have no money right now, and have yet to be paid. Dammit man. Super Paper Mario comes out in a week or so, and you have no money with which to buy it.

Normally I’m not prone to this kind of post. But good lord is she a fox. Another reason to see that new Will Farrell movie, Blades of Glory.