Ever since Sony announced their customary move of making their Playstation smaller and cheaper I have been interested in upgrading my PS3 to the 4. Dwindling playing times on my PS3 had made me reluctant to do so prior to the price drop. With the PS4 slim bundled with Uncharted 4, one of my favorite games from the PS3-era, for only $300, I felt like the price was getting low enough to justify against possible low play times. When someone was actually interested in my PS3, I decided to pull the trigger. Timing was perfect because Sarah was able to find the bundle in a black Friday deal not only for $250, but with two additional highly rated games included. At this point I couldn't afford not to take the PS4 plunge.
I've only had the system up and running for a few days and have only played F1 2016, but I'd say the PS4 is a noticeable upgrade. It is hard to believe that the PS3 was a 10 year old system. It remains highly functional and versatile. The PS4 runs a noticeably quicker OS. Downloads and screen transitions are quicker. Load screens seem to be quicker. The new controller for the system feels nicer and I enjoy the built-in audio. I also enjoy the easy to use remote play options for play on my computer for when my kids are wrangling my TV. I didn't realize how old the PS3 felt until I upgraded to the more modern system.
I do feel just a whee-bit guilty for being a grown man with a family and career spending money on a gaming system. Part of this plays to my childhood nostalgia (the part the NES Classic hasn't been able to touch yet because I can't find any in stores or online). The system is more than just for games, however (just like the PS3). My kids use the DVD/Blu ray functionality. You can stream videos and music from the internet. The functionality goes on and on. For $250 I think it is well worth the price at this point. So game on. I'm not ashamed. Just wish me luck at my next grand prix weekend.
Monday, November 28, 2016
Tuesday, November 8, 2016
Voting In America
The following is a summary of my voting experience in this year's elections.
During the first week of early voting, my wife and I showed up to our voting station with our two toddler girls on a Thursday afternoon to be greeted by a 2+ hour line. We decided to pass since we had our two young children with us.
Last week I went to our county seat to try to early vote again. I had business in the area to begin with and I had heard that the lines were 2+ hours but decided to check out the situation for myself anyway. Voting was downtown and our county seat features what I would call a very traditional American downtown with a courthouse centered in a block with surrounding businesses and only on-street blocking - no parking lots. I circled the block twice, encountered lots of traffic, and couldn't find a single place to park. I decided against continuing to circle the block like a shark waiting for a surfer to fall of his/her board and went home.
At this point I was left with voting on election day. Polls opened at 6 AM on a random Tuesday. I say random knowing that there is tradition and reason for this date but simultaneously am questioning the validity in modern society. I arrived at 6:15 AM to what seemed like a large but reasonable crowd. I waited an hour in line. I was approaching the voting booths, to be surprised to find the line curved to my left down a hallway which nearly doubled the line. Based on the number of people in front of me and the pace of the line up to that point, I estimated I had at least an additional 45 minutes to wait in inline. I had to be at work by 8 because I had a full day of patients scheduled and couldn't be late and it takes me 30 minutes to get to work so there was no way I could stay. I ended up bailing to get to work on time and keep the appointments I said I could make.
I've heard numerous excuses for this situation, including that the voting machines are so old no company supports them anymore and repair parts have to be purchased off Ebay. I don't care about the excuses, this situation is absolute bullshit. There has to be a way to make this experience easier and more feasible. Get more (or updated) machines, hold the election over multiple days versus one, hold the elections in venues with parking lots. Whatever it takes.
During the first week of early voting, my wife and I showed up to our voting station with our two toddler girls on a Thursday afternoon to be greeted by a 2+ hour line. We decided to pass since we had our two young children with us.
Last week I went to our county seat to try to early vote again. I had business in the area to begin with and I had heard that the lines were 2+ hours but decided to check out the situation for myself anyway. Voting was downtown and our county seat features what I would call a very traditional American downtown with a courthouse centered in a block with surrounding businesses and only on-street blocking - no parking lots. I circled the block twice, encountered lots of traffic, and couldn't find a single place to park. I decided against continuing to circle the block like a shark waiting for a surfer to fall of his/her board and went home.
At this point I was left with voting on election day. Polls opened at 6 AM on a random Tuesday. I say random knowing that there is tradition and reason for this date but simultaneously am questioning the validity in modern society. I arrived at 6:15 AM to what seemed like a large but reasonable crowd. I waited an hour in line. I was approaching the voting booths, to be surprised to find the line curved to my left down a hallway which nearly doubled the line. Based on the number of people in front of me and the pace of the line up to that point, I estimated I had at least an additional 45 minutes to wait in inline. I had to be at work by 8 because I had a full day of patients scheduled and couldn't be late and it takes me 30 minutes to get to work so there was no way I could stay. I ended up bailing to get to work on time and keep the appointments I said I could make.
I've heard numerous excuses for this situation, including that the voting machines are so old no company supports them anymore and repair parts have to be purchased off Ebay. I don't care about the excuses, this situation is absolute bullshit. There has to be a way to make this experience easier and more feasible. Get more (or updated) machines, hold the election over multiple days versus one, hold the elections in venues with parking lots. Whatever it takes.
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