My Pitch For Why I Should Receive a Free Fiat 500

Recently, I attended this year's Chicago Auto Show with a few of my best friends. While we were there one of my friends decided that it would be a good idea to climb into the back of a Fiat 500; I decided to join him.

It was much more spacious than either of us expected it so be and quite comfortable. We both loved the rear headrests in particular. My friend Ryan and I are both are 5'10. There was plenty of room for both of us, even when one of our other friends moved the front seats all the way back, we still fit.

During the 10 or so minutes that we spent in the back of the 500 (discussing the car and cars in general) numerous people and by and some even hopped into the driver's seat. Many of them asked us how we were doing in the back seat and if we were comfortable? When we responded with a resounding "yes" and explained ourselves, they always gave a look expressing surprise, but approval. Our presence debunked a fear that many Americans seem to have about the 500-that it is too small. We may have helped sell Fiats.

Another criticism of the Fiat 500 that I've heard from some people is that you cannot drive it in bad weather, you cannot own it and live in the midwest. I used to be one of these critics, but I no longer believe this belief to be true. I recently saw an expresso brown Fiat 500 plowing through a snowstorm that we had here in Ames, Iowa.

If I were ever given a Fiat 500, I would serve as a mobile advertisement. I could prove that 500s can drive both in cities and in the country; on highways and gravel roads; on that one perfect day in June and the many miserable days of snow and ice in winter (it worked on me). You really do not see many Fiats in Iowa (where I go to school) or Illinois (where I'm from). I could help change that.

Game In The Veins

So, I'm starting a blog/website strictly dedicated to video game writing. Reviews, previews, features, , that kind of thing. I am no longer writing for New Gamer Nation, so things that would have ended up there will be on my own site instead. I will likely no longer be making any video game related posts here, as it makes more sense to toss those up on Game In The Veins. The layout is pretty basic right now, but over time (when I have the time) I will be making some tweaks and throw up new content more regularly.

Two Changes That Victoria's Secret Can Make to be More Guy-Friendly

I don't shop at Victoria's Secret as I am not a woman nor a cross-dresser, but my girlfriend does. I have spent more time than I would like to admit or care to remember, standing in place in the corner of a Victoria's Secret store, waiting for my girlfriend to come out of the changing room. I am rarely the only male there as other boyfriends, fiancees, husbands (whatever) get dragged along as well. During this time I have had to revelations as to how this store can make all of the men like me more comfortable.

1. Give Us Someplace To Sit - This goes for all department stores, but especially Victoria's Secret. The store is almost always busy and because there is not designated "Sit here until your girlfriend is done" waiting area, I am always in someone's way. I attempt to cram myself into the most disused corner of the room, away from the lacy undergarments and PINK t-shirts, but it doesn't really work. At some point I have to move because someone wants to look at whatever it is I happen to be blocking; so I do move. Then, like clockwork, I find myself in another shopper's way and scuttle somewhere else. I already get death-glares and odd looks just for being there, I don't want to be on the receiving end of even more negative attention.

Perhaps more importantly the the fact that I always find myself in someone's way, a chair would be nice for my achy body. It sounds pathetic, but if you are standing (mostly) still for upwards of 20 or 30 minutes, you start to feel a bit stiff. Should I have someplace to sit at my disposal, that could be prevented. Chairs would be good for women, too as oftentimes ladies shop together. Those who are not trying things on themselves or are waiting in line for a free dressing room, would probably love to take a seat.

2. Stop Spewing Pink Everywhere - Seriously, didn't whoever designed all Victoria's Secret stores have more than just pink in their Crayola box growing up? I understand that they are trying to be feminine and sexy, but that does not mean that everything outside of (some of) the closing (literally in some of their stores) has to be pink. Red and black are supposed to be sexy colors, too - use those and accent with pink. Last time I was in a Victoria's Secret, the walls, shelves, drawers, countertops, ceiling, just about everything was pink. I would think that even if this was your favorite color, you would recognize that there is such a thing as too much of a good thing.

Please Victoria's Secret, recognize that your customers and employees are not the only people that set foot in (sometimes unwillingly) your stores. Please, help a man out. With the alterations in place, I might not feel so miserable the next time my girlfriend asks me to go to the mall with her (maybe).

Follow Up: The "Suck for Luck" Campaign

Last year the Indianapolis Colts won two of their sixteen games and finished last in the entire league. This year, they appear to be playoff bound and are being led by rookie QB, Andrew Luck. He has done everything expected of him and more. He is breaking records, leading his team to come from behind wins, and looking poised every step of the way.

While I know that the Colts never intentionally lost games last year for the chance to draft Luck first overall in last April's draft, I think that they would have done so had they known how great he really is (if they needed to anyway). Luck's talent is as advertised, only even more impressive (similar to Robert Griffin III) Peyton Manning has come and gone (and playing very well himself in Denver) and I don't think that Colts fans are missing him too much.

Follow Up: When Can I See Master Chief Throw A Plasma Grenade at Marcus Fenix?

Super Smash Bros. is one of my favorite game franchises EVER and since I've never owned a Wii, I've only actually put real time into playing the first two games. Nintendo hit a huge home run when they decided to pit their best characters against each other.

Sony has followed in Nintendo's footsteps with the release of PlayStation All-Atars Battle Royale. The game definitely is not a carbon-copy of Super Smash Bros., but clearly was inspired by it. Why has Microsoft failed to produce a similar franchise?

When this question is brought up (which is rare), people tend to point out that Microsoft does not have as many exclusive characters as its Japanese competitors. These people fail to recognize the fact that that does not really matter. Super Smash Bros. Brawl features Solid Snake from the Metal Gear Solid franchise. These games have been on Nintendo consoles, but are actually better known for being featured on the various PlayStations. Also, while no characters from Assassin's Creed are actually in PlayStation All-Stars, some have hoped that Connor from ACIII would make it into the game at some point.

Microsoft, I beg of you, make this happen. Your version can have a significantly different feel than the other two franchises. It will sell, I guarantee it (as long as you DO NOT make it a Kinect game).