Here's something for video game critics, to all those who insist that video games are nothing but violence.

A gamer actually saved a life using information/abilities he acquired through playing video games.

You heard me read it right.

Paxton Galvanek of Silver Spring, MD witnessed a vehicular accident while driving along an interstate highway. His wife called 911 while he ran to the vehicle to help. He applied first aid to the driver who had critical injuries.

Paxton wrapped a towel he found around the man's hand, applied pressure to the wound, and instructed the victim to hold his hand above his head. He then attended to the head cut and determined that injury was not as severe as the hand.

Anybody who's had a medical training knows that when attending to accidents like this, you don't just "apply first aid." You have to be sure of what you're gonna do because one wrong move could be the difference between life and death. Galvanek's quick thinking and fast action saved the man's life.

"So this Galvanek guy must have had a medical training to know what he did. Big Deal."

Thing is, Galvanek never had a single medical training in his life. He learned of the methods he used to help this crash victim from the game America's Army.

This story makes me so damn proud to be gamer. At least I think I still am a gamer. My gaming hours have been significantly reduced since I became I mom. Still, I'm so proud for gamers.

Click here for the complete story.

Labels: games, web finds

Okay, here's the deal.

I'm definitely gonna try out one of the Online Casinos available on the net to learn how to play poker. I need to learn poker, and I need to learn fast.

Why?

Because there are rumors going around that the guys who have their regular poker nights will hold a poker tournament at the office. Thing is, the only ones who can join are those who haven't played a single real-life poker in their lives. And only ten individuals can join.

During the tournament night, each newbie will have "pro" partner. Lots will be drawn to determine who goes with who. The pro have 30mins to teach the newbie the basics of the game. Then there's one trial game, no stakes, no buy-ins, but no bending of rules. This is one game that the pros can do full "coaching" to their newbies. After the trial game, the real gambling begins. Pros can still coach their newbies, but only to a certain level to be determined and finalized on tournament night.

There are a lot at stake, at least for the pros: honor, dignity, and of course, money. :)

One of the pros, who's been bugging me endlessly to join them on their poker night, is convincing me to join the tournament. He said it's gonna be fun, and I have nothing to lose because the newbies won't be spending anything. All the buy-ins and stakes will be shouldered by the pros, but the winnings will definitely be split 50/50 between the partners.

I'm actually considering it. He's right, I have nothing to lose, and it's definitely gonna be fun learning something new AND hearing the pros trash talk each other is an absolute bonus.

Labels: friends, games, sideline

I recently transferred to a new department in our company. Actually, the company I'm "leaving" is a subsidiary of the company I'm "moving to," so I'm literally going to the mother ship.

Anyway, the mother ship had it's very first "Post" Christmas party cum "mini" sportsfest last night at SM Bowling Center Mall of Asia. I didn't join the bowling "tournament" for obvious reasons.

After the bowling tournament, we had dinner at Italianni's. It was a fun night, all in all. Although the mother ship and the subsidiary share office at the same floor of the same building, and we're not really strangers to each other, it was still great to bond with a new group of people.

Alas, I have chosen to be discreet about my corporate slave professional life, and as much as I want to share the pictures taken that night, this is the only one I can post:

This reminds me of Janeane Garofalo's character in Mystery Men

I'd like to have one of those, even if I don't bowl. That would make a great conversation piece around the house. Heck, I'd even put it in my office table if I could buy it.

Anyhoo, a friend who's based in Canada went home recently. Good thing SM MOA was part of their itinerary that night or else I wouldn't have the chance to see her again. So I met up with her and her Canadian husband for a brief hi and hello while the bowling tournament was ongoing. Of course, we took a couple of pics.

International quality native bags behind international beauties Jezz and me.


With Jezz's husband, Craig. Oh lookie! A very pregnant me!


After dinner, I went back to the office, along with several officemates, because Mr. Frost was waiting for me there. We got back at the office a little past 11PM, but Mr. Frost wasn't bored. It was Guitar Hero III night at the office and he was having so much fun reliving his rock band days. I would have tried it myself, but I was afraid we won't go home at all if I get my hands on those guitars. That's another story, though.

Labels: about me, entertainment, friends, frosts, games

Video gamers in budget are faced with a dilemma: which video game system should I get? I say those who are in budget because those who have money to burn do not experience this problem. They simply buy all three next-generation consoles in the market.

There's the PlayStation 3, or more commonly known as PS3, from Sony. Microsoft released Xbox 360 and Nintendo has their Wii.

All three has their own pros and cons, and I know several people losing sleep over which console to buy. I recently found a way to help you decide between a PS3, an Xbox360, a Wii, and even a PC. Presenting the Console Chart...


This image never fails to amuse me any time of the day.

No offense to next-gen console owners. I hope you still have some sense of humor left in you after hours of playing with your toys.

By the way, I don't know where exactly this image originated from, because what I got was just the imageShack link. In case you stumble upon the source of this chart, please let me know.

Labels: funny pics, games, toys

Being in the gaming industry, one of the privileges I enjoy is finding out about new computer games way before they are even released. In my line of work, I also have the opportunity to look for and try out new games for different platforms, like mac games.

Games for kids are also among those that I encounter everyday. And I can say that these games are getting more and more diverse, covering all topics you can think of. I wouldn't be surprised if one day I find a game that is about global warming.

Oh wait, they already have that.

Labels: games, sideline

I have been an online shopper for more than a year now, and one of my favorite sites to buy stuff from are auction sites. At these sites, the norm is the highest bidder wins the item up for auction.

Recently, I found a site where the lowest unique bid wins free gifts. You can win from high-tech gadgets to grocery gift cards, even cash prizes. What's better is, whatever you win, you get it for free. It's like joining and winning in a sweepstakes where you win stuff at the cost of a lottery ticket or, in this case, regular SMS charges when playing through your mobile phone, or regular internet charges when playing online.

It's basically the opposite of the usual auction games that exist, where, to b the winner, you have to be the highest bidder and you pay your bid amount to get the item. Turn that around and you have Bid4Prizes.

Labels: games, shopping, sideline