People Watching.

It happens to be one of my favorite past-times. Everyone has done it. As you're sitting at a table in the corner of some food court, or in my more usual case: the nearest cafeteria on campus, you let your eyes wander around the room and look for the more entertaining individuals present. This sometimes fruitless waste of time can also yield some very entertaining results, however.

A while back, Katie (my girl) and I were sitting having an early dinner in the caf (Sny-Phi for those MSU-goers to whom it makes a difference) when she suddenly pointed out that there was a guy a ways across the room who looked suspiciously like Robert Pattinson. Now for the people who have been hiding under a rock, or a multitude of rocks over the past few years, Robert Pattinson is the ever-cocky looking actor who plays the part of Edward in the awful movie renditions of the infinately-overrated Twilight book series (I refuse to honor it with the term "saga"). This guy was almost an identical sibling, and had the mannerisms to fit. It was quite the entertainment.

Fast forwards a week or so, and we found ourselves once again in the caf we so often frequent for dinner. This time we were rewarded with something a little more exciting, and a little stranger. This time there was a girl who looked eerily like a Prisoner of Azkaban-esque Emma Watson. It was weird for a college age student, but we have seen her many times since and the resemblance remains. Around the same time, we were lucky enough to find a guy who made me realize something: given a slight range for differences, Jake Gyllenhaal and Brad Garrett (Robert from Everybody Loves Raymond) actually look alot alike. In any case, this guy was the perfect middle ground between the two, looking more like Gyllenhaal, but having the hair style of Garrett...it was awesome.

My personal favorite to date, though, would have to be a guy we refer to as "Ben Affleck," for the obvious reason that he looks uncannily like the actor of that name. Having missed him the first few times Katie saw him in the caf, I was of course eager to see this acclaimed look-alike. As she spied him out and pointed me in the right direction, I watched his progress as he returned to his table. Amazingly, another "Ben Affleck" awaited at that very table! The two, likely twins though I would feel like a creep to ask, both bear striking resemblances to the actor/director, and it gives me no end of enjoyment.

Now I write all of this with the assumption that since no one actually reads it, it will go unnoticed by anyone who may care that I am referring to them. Should that not be the case, I apologize, though I expect it will. That's all for my creeping for now, tune in again for future updates. :P

Bethesda: About to Pass the Torch.

Considering the time I've once again put into Oblivion recently, I figured I should ramble on about my techno-geek love for the series...as it is the best game series ever.

As I've said before, the Elder Scrolls is an entirely unique experience. Playing through it for the second time recently, there have been as many new subtle differences as there have friendly reminiscences. The underlaying story remains the same, as does my preferred character class (a tough combination of sword-skill and fiery magic and conjuration), yet things are undeniably different. Some characters remain alive due to my increased vigilance over them in their respective quest (son of the count of Cheydenhal) where others have perished (Burd in the Great Sigil Stone mission outside of Bruma), both differences from my original playthough. The kicker? It makes little difference to anyone but me. the AI doesn't recognize my realization of the difference, it hardly even notices the difference at all, aside from the Thornblade I was awarded for having saved the son. Yet, the difference is still there, to me at least. I feel triumph at the rescue and failure at the loss: maybe there was something more I could have done?

The Elder Scrolls series has, since I ventured upon Morrowind back in 2004 after getting my Xbox, sent me on more than a couple adventures, each its own story. These past few weeks have been no different. With the upcoming release of the fifth installment in the series, Skyrim, due out on 11.11.11, I can only believe that even more of these fantastical and engrossing ventures into a fictional world of limitless possibilities await me; and though I preferred the many-faceted class system of the older Morrowind, I am jumping at the bit for the beauty that will be Skyrim, homeland of the Nords. I have faith in Bethesda, through all their changes, and will undoubtedly be buying their product again this fall. I can't wait.

Here is a little taste, for the poor souls yet to see: