Nine Muses

From time to time, I beta test PS2 games that have online functionality. They send me invites. I click a button and sign up. Easy!

This time, the invite was for the first PSP online game beta test. I was all excited about it, but had to update my PSP to the 2.0 firmware to sign up for it since using the PSP browser was a requirement for that.

The update was actually pretty easy (once I found a USB cable with the right sort of end — my cable box is organized now at least). I had to make a couple of folders on the memory card in the PSP, copy the update over, and then run it on the PSP. It took me a while to do, though, since it (oddly) required that the PSP be plugged into the AC while running the update and I didn’t have the AC cord available at first.

So, I finally got it plugged in, did the update, set up the wireless connection, and started up the web browser. It’s a pretty smooth little application. Text entry is reminiscent of text messaging, but a little easier. (I’m looking forward to playing with it more tomorrow.)

I pulled up the sign up site for the beta test, all excited… and for the first time ever, I was too late. The test was full. Ugh!

Technorati Tags: Games PSP

Sometime last week, probably my first day with my Nintendogs, I found this Bark Ball toy. It makes noises when it hits the ground. I tossed it to Hoshi, and he just barked at it, like he was really scared. He wouldn’t go anywhere near it. It made me laugh, though I almost felt sorry for my e-puppy, being so scared and all.

After I bought Hana, I tried it again, with the same result. Both dogs were scared of the Bark Ball. They might shove it with their nose and then run away, but that was as close to playing with it as they’d get.

Sunday night, I bought my third puppy, Gwen. She’s a little Corgi (and much harder to train than the others — they really do have different personalities). I decided to try the Bark Ball again and see what would happen. Gwen ran right for it. She wasn’t scared of it in the least. After maybe ten seconds of watching this, Hana decides she’s not scared of it anymore either, and starts playing with the Bark Ball and Gwen. I left the game running, just watching the puppies interact (It’s amazing how fun just that little thing can be.) and noticed after about fifteen minutes that Hoshi had finally decided he was tired of being left out. Now they’re all happily playing with the toy together!

It’s official. Asheron’s Call 2 has been cancelled. I’d just recently reactivated my account, finding again how absolutely beautiful the game world is, and how much I loved much of the mechanics (though the control scheme left something to be desired — I never could get mouse look to work well). Oh well. I went ahead and re-cancelled my account yesterday, since I was due to get billed next week. I don’t see a good reason to get into the game when it’s going away in three months anyway.

Technorati Tags: Games Asheron’s Call 2 AC2 MMORPG

Well, I managed to do well enough in a couple of obedience trials with my little Hoshi to earn another few hundred dollars, which gave me enough to buy a second puppy. And so, Hana (a beautiful little golden lab) has come to join the family.

I entered her in a disc catching trial almost right away (without any practice beforehand) and she actually did okay, getting just enough points to get a bronze trophy and advance to the next class.

Hoshi, on the other hand, was knocked back a class in the obedience trials because I can’t figure out how to teach him to beg. I just can’t quite get him into that position (though when I pull his paw up for shaking, he lifts his second paw a little off the ground — I wonder if that’s close enough).

When on walks, both puppies have made at least one friend. Hana ran into a puppy she didn’t like much at all. They actually started nipping at each other! I was suprised. I had started to think the worst that would happen was they’d be indifferent.

I’m having so much fun with them. I’m waiting to buy a third pup until J comes over this weekend. Apparently, if we link up, it’ll unlock his breeds for me and mine for him, so that I can buy a beagle or a husky maybe.

This is entirely too cool.

Technorati Tags: Legos Firefly Serenity