FORT90

Once again, it’s the same old story: I’ve never had so much on my plate?

BTW, for those wondering what the hell is going on with FORT90ZINE4ANSWER, the deal is this: it’s being worked on, trust me. Problem is, I am unable to work on it as much as I’d like. Basically, when you spend a solid 8-12 hours a day, cracking out content for three different outlets, plus have other freelance commitments (sorry, but I have bills to pay, and like all labors of love, the zine is NOT a money making endeavor; the whole point of the Kickstarter in the first place to make sure I didn’t lose as much as I would have, as compared to previous editions, and to account for the extra stuff that I had planned (which is why inquired has increased quite a bit as of late, with the success of the Double Fine fundraiser and all, but plus how it’s WAY overdue).

And in case anyone out there believes that, instead of gallivanting around town, or posting wacky pics on Twitter/Tumblr/Facebook, I should instead spend that time towards finishing the zine, all I can say is that, after putting in X amount of hours of work each day, one needs to get some fresh air and blow off steam ever once in a while! For the record, absolutely no one has said anything to that effect, though if I had put money down for a copy, I’d sure as hell would be asking so myself! But yeah, it’s being worked on, just finding time has been a real challenge. Though it’s making it’s public debut at TCAF later this year, so it is getting done, one way or another!

All that being said, am also way behind as it pertains to the blog. It’s almost mid February and my end of January link dump is nowhere to be found. Plus today was day 1 of Toy Fair 2012! But I’ll save all those pics for a bit later this week (hopefully); first, from last night. Which, due to mostly poor lighting conditions, are all courtesy of my iPhone. Hence why they all went through the Instagram treatment; I forget if I’ve ever voiced my somewhat snarky attitude towards the app when it first hit the scene, and its early adopters. Which somewhat persists: I still believe it be just the most popular method for distributing the most banal of info for the time being (“I am eating a sandwich? with some old timey photo filter.”).

But that’s not important right now. Instead, let’s discuss? got invited to check out the Lost Horizon Night Market. It’s basically a completely unadvertised street fair, often in the seedy parts of NYC, and taking place almost entirely inside U-Hauls. Attendees only know about it via word of mouth, via participants, who themselves only know of the exact location the afternoon of.

This most recent one took place in an industrial part in Brooklyn, not too far from where I used to live in Sunset Park. All you’re given is an intersection, with the instructions being “follow the clues.” There certainly wasn’t any signage, and even if there was, it would have been blown away in an instant. That night was cold and windy as hell. Though it certainly added to the overall atmosphere.

Basically felt like I was making my way to hipster Barter Town (from Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome). Here’s what it looked like upon first approach?

Again, a bunch of U-Hauls, all lined up, on the side of the road. With no indication of what were inside, so you basically had to pop you head in. Asking folks waiting to enter didn’t help, since they too were in the dark, but it was great hearing what they had just checked out. The first truck I entered had a makeshift boxing ring managed by a trio of punks. Advertised as “Settle Your Beef” (at least I think that’s what it was called), it offered the chance for attendees to do just that, with boxing gear.

Initially I thought to myself, great, Hipster Fight Club. Which exists, and is as lame as it sounds. And you could tell that the punkers were real the deal, cuz they kept referring to the hipsters in the audience as “hippies.” Eventually two folks entered, and began to fight. I mean, REALLY fight. One clearly had an issue with his pal. It was awesome?

Next was the Fairly Sandwich Making truck, operated by Jenn De La Vega, a spin off of her Randwiches experiment! Playing the part of a magical pixie, she made a totally random sandwich for everyone, one that was intended to spread good luck and all that jazz. Unfortunately I missed out on a piece, but the appetizers she had before hand were scrumptious?

As noted, you often found yourself waiting in line for a truck with no idea what was inside. Next was a photo shoot, in which everyone was asked to wear goofy accouterments while lights were flashed all around, for a time lapse picture. It was cute I guess; certainly would have chosen to wait in line for another van if I knew what I was getting, but it was a chance to get out of the cold for a little bit, plus the photographers were really nice?

Around this point, it began to get especially chilly, and the lines became super long. The plug was set to be pulled at midnight sharp, so everyone began hustling for things that they heard were must sees. Tried getting a pierogi from the (surprise) pierogi truck, but it was so crowded that they had to instill a raffle system. And I lost, but at least folks exiting passed along their extras. Was delicious! Also by then, got the following text?

The game show truck was crazy packed, didn’t even bother trying to make it inside. The hot tub one, on the other hand, had plenty of room. The completely naked hairy guy that was running around would have instantly killed any interest if there were any. Others you could just tell were arty-farty, which I didn’t bother with. Also couldn’t find the truck selling records, as evidenced by all the folks toting 45s.

Similar to the boxing one from before was another U-Haul that held pillow fights. Combatants also had to dress up as either a chicken or slab or beacon. Was mostly cute. Meanwhile, t only attraction that didn’t have a van was a cherry picker that was advertised a chance to reach the heavens. But given how blustery the wind was on the ground, but up and exposed sounded like hell to me.

On that note, near the end was when some attendees began to get annoying. No doubt, some had more booze than they should have, in an effort to stay warm. I wouldn’t mind checking out the Lost Horizon Night Market during the summer, but I can only imagine what a circus it would be when the weather is warmer. If they even have it; one of the rules was to keep it quiet, as to not attract attention, and the noise level was pretty high as it was.

But overall, it was fairly chill and most folks I brushed shoulders with were totally cool. Near the end was a tea party, which may have been the reason why I didn’t get pneumonia that night. The fondue was also excellent! I’m just pissed that I didn’t ask the very pleasant French girls I was chatting with for their contact info. Moving on, the final truck of the night was the Cupcake Machine, which was also where I also ran into some other friendly faces?

It was basically an interactive installation created by Nick Fortugno. After being given a run down of its fictionalized background, visitors would have a chance to operate the machine themselves, which amounted to playing some simple light-based games, to net a tasty treat. But due to technical reasons, only one of the activities was operable. Which I know bummed Nick and his crew out, yet all the visitors seemed to enjoy themselves (and the cupcakes) nonetheless, and that’s what counts.

Eventually it was time to exit the premises. I thought about redeeming the free drink tickets that were given out by all the sketchy dudes that had swarmed the place, all associated to various strip clubs in the are, but instead went to the only watering hole that I care about in that part of Brooklyn: Lucky 13 Saloon.

And real quick, a pic from the night before; had dinner with Colleen, and while passing through Union Square, we came across a mysteriously large pile of dirty snow?

It needs to be emphasized that there hasn’t been a considerable of snowfall here in NYC in many weeks. And here’s another random pic, while waiting for someone at a Japanese bookstore?

Last but not least, a taste of things to come! Just a few of the splendors at Toy Fair that I bothered to take pictures of via my 4S?

EDIT: I keep forgetting to pass along heads up’s for notable Fangamer podcast episodes in the pipeline! And our next show has some potential: it’s about games that one should like, but are not able to for whatever reason. A subject that’s somewhat near and dear to me (I can’t wait to pass along my list of do not likes to the rest of the FG crew).

As is the case with most weeks, recording will take place this upcoming Monday evening, and steamed live via the Fangamer office cam (live call-in’s is not quite possible of yet, but there is a chat that we’re able to interact with). Should start around 9PM-ish, EST. Otherwise, simply check out the Fangamer blog for the final product, which is usually published the following Wednesday evening/Thursday morning.

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Here are a few things I learned this past weekend:

1. It’s much easier to play a shmup than to be a DJ.
2. There’s an inherent risk you’re taking when allowing someone to stamp “FAKE” on a $20 bill of yours.
3. I should really go back to that bar in Williamsburg in which every girl was flirting with me (just ask Joe).
4. And next time, I shouldn’t drink as much, otherwise I would have noticed all the women making advances, instead of being fixated on getting back home in time, for some late night Wendy’s.
5. The Asiago chicken sandwich they serve at Wendy’s is pretty boss.

Been crazy busy for the past couple of weeks (yes, I know I say that way too much, but it’s been the first time in 2012 at least), providing regular video game news coverage for two different outlets, MSNBC and Guyism, as well editorial for Heavy, PLUS working on assorted side projects! And as a result, been a total hermit, hardly leaving the apartment at all.

The only breaks have been when Dave Roman came over to enjoy some Manhattan cable access, though we mostly ended up watching Evil Video instead (sup K Thor), and to enjoy some ramen with Steve Totilo, to discuss the latest in the world of professional wrestling and his obscenely large collection of Star Wars comics on his iPad (for reals).

I also just had Menkui Tei again earlier this evening (they serve what might possibly be the best Japanese curry in all of North America), this time with Anthony and Derrick. Funny books was the primary discussion point once more; the proposed sequel to Watchmen was brought up. And… EDIT: I think this tweet does a better job of retelling that particular exchange.

Back to sports entertainment, also caught the Royal Rumble with Steve Flack and his buddies on Sunday night, but less said about that evening the better. Now, if it was Urban Wrestling Federations‘s latest PPV (called Thug Assassin, I kid you not), it would be a different story.

Had plans to see the new Underworld flick over the weekend, which didn’t quite happen. Was always in the cards, but the recommendation from a coworker at MSNBC sealed the deal. Especially the answer I received when asking if it was any good: there’s supposedly a scene in which Kate Beckinsale wakes up from a cryogenically induced slumber, completely nude. I guess that’s a thumbs up!

Another thing I meant to go to, but didn’t, was Pulsewave on Saturday night. Instead, went to Art Hack Day at 319 Scholes. Mostly went to check out the shmup that Dave Mauro and the rest of his crew at Canvas had created, and in just 48 hours!

There was loads of other cool stuff to be found as well, which were also created under the same time constraint. But first, the aforementioned shooter, entitled aliensthatlooklikeskrillex.tumblr.com (best name eva, btw)?

So the boss, specifically its bullet patterns, were tied into the DJ, who was mixing records for the show the entire night. The more he scratched, the more intense the barrage. Onlookers could also help out, but texting a number, but that feature stopped working early on. It’s somewhat of a miracle that it worked at all…

Why? Because it was using an Xbox 360 joystick (which Joe had provided). And Lion totally kills support for such an input (and which I only discovered myself recently, when trying to play some recently acquired Humble Bundle titles). In the end, they had to get the game running in Windows, via VMWare. But hey, it worked!

Here’s a fun fact: the star field is from Aurora, one of Anamanaguchi’s summer singles from 2010! Which Dave also did the artwork for, obviously. Anyhow, as for some of the other stuff that was being exhibited, you had?

A photo booth, but instead of printing out pictures, it combined them to form animated GIFs. Which were being projected somewhere in Manhattan. Was told 6th Ave, between 29th-30th, though I can’t recall anything being there, aside from businesses. Perhaps they meant Herald Square, a few blocks north? Definitely wasn’t Times Square, as some excited patrons believed.

I also asked the two women who had built the thing if anyone had bothered flashing, and they both said no, with a hint of disappointment. Then one asked the other to flash for the camera, but she didn’t. That I was somewhat bummed out by. Moving on, and nearby, you also had?

It was this interactive video featuring some model that just stared at you, with much intensity?

Until you pushed this button?

And then she happily eats pizza!

Was loads of fun. Near the button was a smaller display, which had rolling footage of the model, flying in the air, attached to a large pizza pie, plus playing baseball with toppings, and other forms of wackiness?

Downstairs was a set-up by the folks at MakerBot, demonstrating their latest product the Replicator. Here it is, in the early stages of making a Totoro!

And here’s a companion cube it has already finished?

Nearby was a collection of fabric that was connected to fabric?

There were geometric shapes nearby that were being projected, and if you folded the associated piece of cloth, the shapes would behave the same way. Super cool, but none of the pictures came out, sorry!

Near the bathroom was yet another eye-catching “thing”; it’s kinda hard to describe. It was basically a DIY kaleidoscope?

Excellent use of water, and excellent placement as well, right next to the bathroom. I had to go already when stumbling across it, but just a few minutes and I almost pissed my pants.

Back to aliensthatlooklikeskrillex.tumblr.com; here we have Gabe, giving it his all?

And he killed the DJ!

Though, not to brag, but by this point, I had the highest number of wins, at three. I actually didn’t count the last one, since the DJ didn’t do much of anything, hence the challenge was pretty low, which mean I was mostly tied with Dave at two.

Speaking of the DJ, he actually had a second game attached to his turntable; by spinning the record, you also spun a pizza, with the goal being to scratch it in the proper way to allow either bananas or popsicles to land, as well as to ward off grenades. Or something like that?

Underneath was a PC laptop and MacBook Pro. Not sure if they were powering what was happening above, or just for show. I thought they were pretty at least?

And here we have Dave giving his game another shot, while the DJ was in the middle of scratching like crazy. The dude loves a challenge?

In fact, the default patterns were much harder originally, but the rest of the Canvas guys dialed it back quite a bit. Since not everyone is weened on DoDonPachi, after-all!

On the other side of the room was a web browser that was driven by the Kinect. To advance, you had to make swimming motions. Get it, you had to literally surf the web! Too bad it didn’t work all that well, but it was pretty dark, and that thing needs a good amount of light to actually work?

In one corner there was this pile of jello, and I had absolutely no idea what the hell it was, but I took a picture anyway?

So there was this guy, who I don’t think was even part of the show. At the very least, his thing has zero to do with hacking and the like; he simply had a rubber stamp that said FAKE and would apply it on people’s money for them. Like I did?

When I offered a $20 bill, he got all excited: “Dude, you’re totally brave!” He even took a picture, and you know my thing for taking pictures of people taking pictures?

Time to check in on how the Replicator is doing and? Totoro’s finished!

As the evening drew to a close, it was time for aliensthatlooklikeskrillex.tumblr.com to take center stage, with folks literally facing off against him, one on one. Here we have Dave, in an insanely heated battle, in which both gave it their best shot?

Many people took the challenge, and many people fell to the way side, but after a few attempts, Dave won! And as such, went up on stage to assume the mantle of Boss. Time, btw, to switch to my Instagram pics, since my regular camera began to fail me at this point?

Eventually Joe took him down, and then it was his turn?

And then, soon it was mine! But unlike Joe, who is actually a musician, and therefore knows how to scratch a record, and was therefore on stage for a very long time, I was able to defeat maybe one player? And it was out of sheer luck.

Was so embarrassing; had no idea what the hell I was doing. The fear of breaking this DJ’s equipment was my biggest issue. But whatever; when all was said and done, I was the true champion of the game, with a win record of four!

Afterward, I went to a bar nearby with Joe, and as noted in the beginning, all these women were flirting with me (trust me, it doesn’t happen all the time, hence why I’m bragging about it), but I had a bit too much to eat, hence why curing my drunk munchies was the priority.

And like I also said, the chicken sandwich I had was pretty awesome! Anyway, catch you later dudes.*

* in-joke

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