Game review: The Hidden Object Show

The Hidden Object Show is exactly what it sounds like. A hidden object show dolled up as a television game show. Sadly, the game is on the difficult side and the premise just isn't interesting. During the hidden object section, dark objects are frequently hidden in shadows. While I know that developers do this to make the game a "challenge," it's just annoying. There are just too many hidden object games out there to waste time playing this one.

Game review: Westward II: Heroes of the Frontier

A couple of weeks ago, I played Westward II: Heroes of the Frontier. This was another type of Sims game but with a wild west touch to it. You play one of three characters trying to turn a patch of desert into a thriving western town. Despite failing miserably during my few first attempts at the game, I had way too much fun playing it. Combining the variety of challenges with the 'open sandbox' type of play, you can do just about anything you want to with your town. If you want to put your farm far apart from where the townspeople live, you can. Obviously you need to put your lumberjacks near trees and your gold mine on top of a gold vein but other than things like that, you are completely free to do what you want to. I think this makes the game a lot more fun than if they had laid everything out for you and you just have to complete what they tell you. I'll be buying this game in the near future!

Wii Fit

My husband puchased the Wii Fit the other night. We've only had it two days and it's already killing me! Yesterday morning, we set up our fitness sheets. It asks you how tall you are then it weighs you and asks you to do some balance exercises. Based on all of this, you are told your BMI (body mass index) and your "fitness age." You can also see your weight if you wish.

However, BMI is a very flawed system. It doesn't take into account how much muscle or what type of body you have. As a result, I was listed as "obese" when I am definitely not in that category. Overweight? Yes. Obese? No. It would be nice if there was a setting for body type at least.

Yesterday night, I started my official workout schedule. I did a bit of yoga, some aerobic exercises and some balance exercises. I did not do the strength section. My favorite exercise, by far, is the aerobic step section. It's almost like Dance Dance Revolution but on a stair! I also enjoyed the hula hoop aerobic exercise as well. In the end, my half hour left me a little sweaty but not out of breath.

Last night was night two of my workout schedule. I warmed up with the yoga stretches before moving onto strength exercises and finishing off with some light aerobics and balance. I could definitely feel my "core" muscles working. My back is a little sore today as a result. It's nothing terrible but I think the yoga exercises, which is supposed to work on your posture and balance, have forced my back muscles to work a little bit harder.

Overall, I am really enjoying using the Fit so far. I'm planning on doing at least a half hour workout every day. I'll try my best to keep all of you informed of my progress!

Game review: Flower Stand Tycoon

I used to enjoy playing Tycoon games. Yes, I purchased Monopoly Tycoon many years ago. Flower Stand Tycoon sounded like it might be a bit of fun. However, the game isn't like any Tycoon game I've ever played. You don't purchase new flowers. Heck, you don't even purchase the places where you sell flowers! Here you are a meager flower salesperson, traveling to various locations to try to beat your competitors. Every location where you have a higher rating than your competition, that area turns your color. The goal is to get as many squares to turn your color as possible. Oh, and you want to keep them your color.

I actually found this game quite boring. I guess I was looking for something a bit more exciting. It's difficult to steal your competitor's locations while making sure you visit your locations enough to keep them. You only get new flowers when you spend enough money "researching" them. Why should we need to research flowers? We should be able to just buy them! I think there was a possibility for a good game here but it definitely should not have been under the Tycoon name.

Game review: Hidden Mysteries: Civil War

Generally speaking, I like to keep my learning and my gaming separate. That is something I save for my daughter. However, I thought that Hidden Mysteries: Civil War sounded like it might be some fun. While it is a pretty standard hidden object game with the list of items for you to find, each list has one item that moves the "plotline" forward. The plotline here is the American Civil War. Each location is the historic location of a landmark battle. Each clue tells us a little bit more about some of the people that fought these battles. So it's a history lesson that has been made enjoyable - especially for those of us who aren't fond of historic things.

Music review: Mika Nakashima - RESISTANCE

Artist: Mika Nakashima Album: Love Release date: 11/6/03 (previously released as a single on 12/7/02) Video link: Via YouTube

English translation: A while angel’s feathers are fluttering down and start to pile up Cry! In a faithless city, life is sacrificed Crushed down Give a KISS of grief...

If you sleep, morning will come the land of freedom is scary It’s just foolish kindness a fleeting road is all that remains

When this girl cannot sing she turns to search for a reason Along in a group, going into the darkness The murmur of voices is interrupted

The snow started to lead me for now, it illuminates a shape But it’s just my own beating heart

Looking through the gaps in my fingers The world is quickly narrowed towards the future Cry! Scorn this foolish love Spread your arms and give a KISS of grief...

My pulse keeps going up as I find the deceitful voice Those without all colors are left with just beauty

But like the snow eventually it’ll get dirty Unless you get away from this city you’ll live in a dream

A while angel’s feathers are fluttering down and start to pile up Cry! In a faithless city, life is sacrificed Crushed down the angel gives a KISS of grief...

Untill you arrive you will call out for the light you lost God’s voice, is just your throbbing heart

Looking through the gaps in my fingers The world is quickly narrowed towards the future Cry! Scorn this foolish love Spread your arms and give a KISS of grief... About the song: This is one of my absolutely favorite songs from Mika Nakashima. Her voice gives the song a sort of ethereal feeling despite the heavy drumline. It's the type of song that can help lift your spirits and just make you feel good about the world.

More jewelry is better

I've recently cut my hair short. Really short. Really really short. So that means I've been wearing more jewelry. There is some beautiful designer jewelry out there! I wish I could afford to purchase more jewelry, specifically earrings. I don't have a lot of earrings right now and I feel like I need more. I accept jewelry donations if anyone feels the need to send me random pieces ^_^

Game review: Magical Forest

Once in awhile, I get an urge to play a Sims type of game. It doesn't happen to often but it does happen. This time I got the urge, I decided to try Magical Forest. It's a game where you raise magical sprites. There are different types of sprite and each one gives different coins. You use these coins to buy food or upgrade your caretakers or buy new sprites. I honestly thought this game was going to be a lot like Insaniquarium over at Pop Cap Games. In a way, it is. You are basically feeding a critter and trying to get them to level up. However, in this game, there are a ton more upgrades to your weapons and you can obtain spells to help you defeat your enemies faster. There are also more types of sprites, which you can buy and resell as you wish.

Surprisingly, I had a lot of fun playing this. I'm not sure why I enjoyed it, I just did. It's one of those unexplainable things in life. Give it a try, it's very fun.

Zerollin' rollin' rollin'

As sad as it is, I do not own a proper set of luggage. I usually just borrow pieces from family members when I'm going away. However, I'd really like to own a nice Zero Halliburton Zeroller. Preferably in red. I probably won't ever get one because I am cheap and they are expensive but they are really pretty. One day I will own my own luggage. Then I can go wherever I want, whenever I want.