Pop Quiz: “You’re the best around…” – Where do these lyrics originate from? Leave your answer in the comments. /yee!

Its been a long time since I’ve wrapped myself up in a serious video game. And when I mean serious, I’m talking about the type of video game that devours so much of your time that you end up pulling all nighters…for a week. The endless feeling of anxiousness, the nasty grooming habits, and lack of sleep; all add up to the fact that you’ve been playing the game for way too long. Nowadays, I’m not so sure that I have that time. With work, blog, and play, how on Earth could I LET myself get wrapped up in video games. Do you remember World of Warcraft?!? You do NOT want to get yourself wrapped up. AGAIN! Or do you? Thanks to KJB, damnit, I just might. And the culprit is Heavy Rain.

Before I go into why I think this game is legit, here’s the synopsis on Heavy Rain:

Heavy Rain is an interactive drama video game developed by Quantic Dream exclusively for the PlayStation 3. The game is directed by Quantic Dream’s founder and CEO David Cage. Heavy Rain’s story is a dramatic thriller, centered around four protagonists involved with the mystery of the Origami Killer, a serial killer who uses extended periods of rainfall to drown his victims. Ethan Mars is a father who is trying to save his son from being the next victim, while investigative journalist Madison Paige, FBI profiler Norman Jayden, and private detective Scott Shelby are each trying to track down clues to the Origami Killer’s identity.

Let me tell you something. This game is a trip! Maybe its the immersive storyline, or the “Choose your own Adventure-esque” feel of the game that makes it so frikkin awesome. I don’t know. But the video game doesn’t rely not only on your ability to think on our toes, the story depends so much on how you handle the controller. Yup. One false move can get ya killed. At any rate, I’m still immersed into this World. This game in particular has the tendency to do that, I guess. In the meantime, it looks like I’m back in gaming. And its starting to look like some heavy downpour. I’ll let you know how this goes…

What’s good, my video game lovin’ Bay Area people? Looking for that perfect symbiosis between video game Art and its influence on popular culture? Then check this out. Giant Robot is kickin’ off the Game Over III Art Exhibit at the Giant Robot in San Francisco (GRSF).

The Info:

Giant Robot is proud to present Game Over III, a group show that pays homage to the continuous evolution of videogames and their massive influence on popular culture.The impact and inspiration of videogames will be represented through a wide assortment of styles and genres provided by top artists in the fields of illustration, painting, sewing, indie comics, and videogames.

Game Over III at GRSF, March 12, 2010 – April 14, 2010
Reception: Friday, March 12, 6:30 pm – 10:00 pm

GRSF
618 Shrader Street
San Francisco, CA 94117
gr-sf.com
415-876-4773

More details here.

About Giant Robot:

Giant Robot was born as a Los Angeles-based magazine about Asian, Asian-American, and new hybrid culture in 1994, but has evolved into a full-service pop culture provider with shops and galleries in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York City, as well as an online equivalent.

The story of AMAZINGstar – as told by K…

So the night before our trip to Tahoe, I went to rent snowboarding boots at Sports Basement. I stood in line for 20 mins and finally a young asian guy helped me check out my boots. Bouncing up and down on my peg leg, I struggled to squish my foot into a wet towel smelling boot as instructed by the guy. Trying not to imagine my bare foot in the soggy boot, he asks “So were are you heading out to?”. I said, “North Star, I think.” A giant smirk spread across his face and he blurted out “you mean AMAZINGstar!”. I giggled to myself at the dorky remark but alas, young asian guy you were right. It was AMAZING!

Considered by many to be One of the finest year-round mountain resorts in North America, the Northstar at Lake Tahoe Resort is a winter sport enthusiast’s paradise. In other words, it should be called AMAZINGstar! With beautiful Sierra Nevada views, majestic landscape, and hella good slopes; no wonder so many people hail this place as AMAZING.

If you are considering a trip to the slopes, you should really head out to AMAZINGstar. I mean, Northstar. It really is AMAZING!

And more videos. *le sigh This is probably what I’m best at when I go snowboarding.

Can’t wait ’til next Season!

[Thanks Leofor the fotos and Facebook videos!]

The Top 12 Finalists have been chosen! And after watching the results of last nights episode of American Idol, I’m starting to wonder if America got it right. Don’t get it twitted. I’m fully aware that the initial, Top 24 Contestants that made it to the “Main Stage”, will have their lives changed forever. But come on America! When these Contestants reach Top 12, you’ve got to BRING IT! And the contestants who were just eliminated BROUGHT it way more (talent-wise) than some of the other contestants who made it to Top 12. Oh, well. What are ya gonna do? America must know something I don’t. After all, I’m not the type of person to go out and check out the Tour or anything. Just remember that these Top 12 will be the ones to go on Tour. You gonna go watch?Me. No so sure. Unless it was Glee. Love that show. And they’re both on FOX.Stoked they played the season finale again. Dont want to forget about that show. Have you guys forgotten about that show? I haven’t. Can’t wait until April. woohoo! Wait. What was I talking about again? Oh, ya. Top 12. Awesome. Looking forward to next week!

Who’s your American Idol?

Conan O’Brien is scheduled to TOUR 30 Cities including the Bay Area! “The Legally Prohibited from Being Funny on Television Tour” promises to be A night of music, comedy, hugging, and the occasional awkward silence. If you’ve never had a chance to see him live (*ahem ME), or you want to go see him again, then this is your chance!

Its quite notable to mention that Conan O’Brien will NOT be seeing a penny from this tour, but instead will “work” the tour so that he may employ many of his former employess from the Tonight Show. Well ain’t that something else?!? Looking out for his peeps!

Go Team Coco!

Tickets on sale now!

[Thanks rob_base!]

In THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE, Bella once again finds herself surrounded by danger as Seattle is ravaged by a string of mysterious killings and a malicious vampire continues her quest for revenge. In the midst of it all, she is forced to choose between Edward and Jacob — knowing that her decision has the potential to ignite the struggle between vampire and werewolf. With her graduation quickly approaching, Bella is confronted with the most important decision of her life.

THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE opens on June 30, 2010.

Bay Area! Are you ready? The 2010 San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival is an HauteAzifug 11 (eleven) day extravaganza, showcasing the latest and greatest in Asian/American Cinema to-date! I’ve been fortunate to have attended the Launch Party, where we were able to sneak a peek at all the Music Videos that may have a chance to be screened at SFIAAFF. UPDATE: Melvinsings video – So Lost – will be screening at SFIAAFF. As well as Invisible Cities video Bulldozer! /gratz! For many of you attending SFIAAFF for the first time (that would be me), finding out what movies to watch, which panels to attend, and what shindigs to participate in – can be quite the task. Luckily, we’ve got the Internetz. K. Kam points me to Ninoy Aquino & The Rise of People Power. For my Peoples and my History, this will be one to watch for sure. Another point of interest, being the geek that I claim to be, Angry Asian Man sends us Future States. Really look forward to catching that, as well. Hypen Magazine has also turned us on to The People I’ve Slept With. May have to check into that too. And how about Changing Da Game? KevJumba, Nigahiga and others will be holding an engaging panel discussing Asian/Americans in Social Media. That’s worth checking out, for sure. If that’s not enough to keep you busy at SFIAAFF, maybe the FilmFest SFIAAFF iPhone App will help guide you along. I know that’ll help me! Lastly, for those of you wanting to flex your photography skills, SFIAAFF is also holding a Best Fest Photo Contest. Gotta get the camera ready!

Whatever your intentions are for SFIAAFF, one things for sure – it’s gonna be one HauteAzifug time in the Bay Area AND for Asian American Film! See ya at the eiga!