xForce GAMEZ - "LANtastic"

xForce Gamez - Tampa, FL

Just a few short blog entries ago I slowly began delving into the discipline of stock photography and product highlighting. For this entry I finally encountered my first opportunity to flex my work in a commercial environment and bring you to the forefront of an old past time of mine.

Not too long before I sported an interest in high powered extreme rocketry, compact car modifications, or my recent passionate following - photography - I was the techno kid juiced up on megahertz, extreme eye popping graphics, and adrenaline induced first person shooter games. Welcome to the interconnected world of internet gaming, LAN party marathons, and computer modding drag races. If any of what I have just said makes any sense or piques your interest, then step into the world of "xForce Gamez."

Forget what you already know about personal computing and the dust collecting contraption that sits under your desk at work. Those machines are monkeys tasked to collect letters typed in by sore hands and every now and again handle the job of running Solitaire or a wickedly dull game of Hearts. Enter the freakishly powerful and finely tuned computer gaming unit (CGU) found at "xForce Gamez." Not only are they more than capable of handling the most intense games released on the market, but their perfect techno-artistic arrangement and presentation on the walls scream to be taken for a test drive. The environment at "xForce Gamez" embraces the energy of techno/club-like venue right smack in the middle of a top secret military location, but without the ear piercing distortion of stadium speakers. The gaming area is a constant hue of blue light featuring neat arrangement of individual gaming stations across a wall length desk. Each station features a comfortable high back leather chair, molded cupholder to secure your favorite gaming beverage, and individual headset/microphone combination for in-game communications with team members.

Upon my initial visit to "xForce Gamez" my first impression of the gaming center was that it was just a modern arcade, but a little reminiscing reminded me that this place was so much more. In the peak of my gaming days we had to carry all of our own gear to a friend's house just so that we could have the chance to play head to head against one another. Yes folks - computer towers, 19" tube monitors, and peripherals lugged to a friend's house in order to enjoy a connected game play experience. Broadband internet connections were not yet affordable to just anyone, hyped computers were further out of reach, and frankly we were not all that interested in running our games through servers hosted someplace out on the world wide web. This new type of gaming center introduces all of the conveniences we used to crave. Sure, broadband internet is becoming much faster and computer components more affordable, but there's nothing like arriving on site and going straight for a headshot in your favorite first person shooter or fender bending in the hottest auto racing game without ever having to connect a single wire.



LAN gaming is not a concept that is totally new, but rather is now becoming the standard for the console and pc gamer. I would have to say that the first two programmers that figured out how to make competitive gameplay possible between friends on a computer platform were absolutely stoked when they played that first game against each other on two different computers. Heck, when I first learned about computer network gaming I could not find enough time to compete online. Meeting other people that shared the interest in network/LAN gaming started to become more prevalent. Often times we would meet at someone's house on the weekend to "frag" for more than 24 hours at a time. (Frag is a gaming word best defined as a "kill" - or points scored for eliminating opponents on the virtual battlefield.) We were no strangers to sleeping with our heads on the keyboards or draped across the floor under the desk. To keep sharp during long gaming sessions, the choice used to be limited to products like Jolt Cola, Mountain Dew, or coffee. The idea for energy long past the power of a cup of "joe" got into the minds of some beverage manfucturers and before you knew it you could practically get a boost of energy from a tiny can of some energy concoction. "xForce" not only has the gamer in mind with their offering of smokin' fast computer gear and gaming selection, but they also have your favorite booster drink in house to keep you playing long beyond your enemy has slumped in his chair.

If you're simply just afraid of computers or are more familiar with a gaming console, xForce provides the perfect atmosphere to lounge in their big screen room and feel the power of their amped-up surround sound speaker system. Perhaps you are a computer gamer and you're interested in the latest game title. Before you shell out $65+ bucks for a game you might not be totally into, xForce provides you the opportunity to play any game for a tiny fraction of the purchase price.

A long time has passed since I took the plunge into the virtual reality of network gaming and LAN parties. xForce was truly a unique and new way to be entertained. If you've got some beef with your co-workers or you just want to terrorize the local xForce gamer with your online skills, be sure to check out the latest Tampa LAN party hotspot. Tell them Eugene sent you. Frag on...



Contact Info:

x-Force Gamez
7010 Sheldon Rd. Suite 200
Tampa, Florida 33615

Phone: 813.882.9468
Email: xforce@xforcegamez.com

Website: http://www.xforcegamez.com/

Double Six

My father absolutely loves playing dominos. This game is actually one that our family enjoys as part of a tradition stemming back to Puerto Rico. For the holidays this year we photographed his personal set dating back to sometime before I was born. We printed and framed four distinct pictures to hang in the "lounge area" of his house.

Nature - Tune in

"I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station, through which God speaks to us every hour, if we only will tune in."

-- George Washington Carver

Sunset Specialty - Honeymoon Beach

Today's entry goes back to a digital format and offers a slight change of scenery. So far, the history of my blog has mostly been dedicated to Florida's awesome local parks and nature trail boardwalks. I can't say that I necessarily tire of photographing common Florida natural sights, but as you - my loyal readership - returns faithfully to check out my blog, I figure I'll change it up a bit. This entry isn't so different from the others except you cannot expect to see a palmetto at the beach.



A fisherman casts off from a manmade leg of concrete pilings that extend into the water.




Seagulls, sea oats, seashells, and sunsets are all the most common attractions that draw visitors from outside of our state and country. As local residents of this state, I think we neglect to get out and visit some of these places. Of course, I can't place blame for taking for granted these local attractions, but I think I know why we don't get out all that much. This is just a theory, but I suspect we're all tired of seeing the novelty postcards of seashells and sunsets - you know the ones I'm talking about - they are situated somewhere between the large lady with the floss and the "Fabio" sporting nothing but sand to cover his unmentionables.

Ah yes, the Florida seagull. I am no naturalist, but I can easily tell you that they have a steady diet of potato chips, peanuts, cheesy puffs, and any other finger food a tourist can throw at them. Their incessant screaming can be directly linked to their diet.


So when was the last time you went to the beach? If you are a local, then I would guess it was spring or summertime. In truth, the winter can be just as nice if not nicer. Visiting the beach in winter means that you don't have to sit in 3-5 hours of traffic while you try and make it to an overcrowded beach. Springtime is a gamble with the many intoxicated spring break crowd threatening the roads. There is something special about Honeymoon, however. Even in summer, this beach does not attract the crazies. Perhaps it's a lack of bars and gift shops, butcome in summer and all you will find are a handfull of local beachgoers. This evening's weather was very mild. It was a low of about 68 degrees and a slight breeze to make any Floridian shiver. Honeymoon Beach isn't necessarily for the swimmer, but as the title of this entry implies, it's perfect for sunsets and strolling. I also forgot to mention that in a separate part of the park there is a dog beach. I may introduce a segment of my blog dedicated to dog park visits, but for now let's stick to randomness. The park also has a ferry to Caladesi Island State Park - another treasure for the Florida local. I won't make mention of it just yet since I have a feeling I will be making a trip there again soon.


The pilot of this plane is obviously a retiree. He came rediculously close to crashing his plane on one of his turns when the wing nearly contacted the water. I bet his Caddy has a few busted fenders.


My walk on Honeymoon Beach made for a great close to a very boring weekend. I spent all of Saturday and Sunday falling in and out of sleep on the couch while watching the same DVD play over and over. The dull rest was well deserved and needed for a promising week. The walk on the beach was very much like waking up from the long weekend. It was a real pleasure to tote a camera around and snap off a few shots. Hopefully I took a picture of something that you enjoyed. Hopefully next week I'll bring you something other than palmettos. If you have any special requests - heck, if you want me to photography you - just let me know. I'm game for anything. Hmmm...I may have to open up my blog for suggestions! Enjoy.

Fishwalk & Trees

These last two images round out my latest Holga photo offerings. I promise that I will dedicate one roll of film to one subject instead of dragging one roll of film over 3 or 4 outings. I will admit that I was a little bit spoiled when I was in NYC with my first 2 rolls of 120mm. The subject was constant and the variety of the landscape was so plentiful that it made exposing 12 images really easy.

These last two shots are from familiar outings and from previous blog entries. The first of the two displayed here is of a tree canopy just inside of Chestnut Park. The skies were a beautiful "polarizer effect" blue. I wish the view was wider on this shot. The trees were truly amazing out on the boardwalk.

The second picture is one more from Boca Ciega Millenium Park. We found this small trail just off the boardwalk that leads hikers to the open bay. We didn't get too far because the trails were soggy from the previous rains.

Enjoy.

Boca Ciega Millenium Boardwalk

Deja vu...nah, just a similar image but from a different camera. As promised, I'll continue to go through my latest roll of Holga color images. Not too long ago, one of my entries entitled "Same Scenery, Different Park" featured some of what Boca Ciega Millenium Park had to offer. Along with my digital, I toted my plastic Holga on most of my day trip excursions to these local parks. You just didn't get to see these photos until just recently when I completed the roll.

Call it a fear of overspending, but I have been extremely greedy in using my Holga and it is really limiting my shooting. I recently made an investment in a 120mm negative scanner so it's time to start seeing a return on that purchase. Hopefully in the future you'll see full rolls of film from one singular outing or subject. For now, enjoy some of the images you didn't get to see when I visited Seminole's fantastic park. The next few days will feature similar entries, but hopefully the images are enough to keep you coming back. Enjoy.

Sand Key Beach, FL

I finally took another roll of Holga shots which I'll be sharing online for the next few days. This particular shot was taken at Clearwater/Pinellas County's "Sand Key Beach Park." (Fuji Film Reala ISO100 film) I recall the day was bright and sunny sometime after mid day. I suspect the abundance of light to remove some of the vignetting from the edges.

I had this roll printed at Ritz Camera which I know does color correction and image enhancements. I have a feeling they cropped out some of the vignetting. Overall, the image is clean and almost non-Holga like, but the soft edges give the camera's quality away. What I'm also finding about Holga pictures is that they offer the best nostalgic feel for closeup items and shots of people. It's all a part of experimenting with what works best for the individual photographer or what the desired overall effect is. The Holga is currently loaded with B/W Illford XP2 ISO400. I think I'll enjoy those tons more. I hope you enjoy these color Holgas.

Fisheye Frenzy

I recently picked up a .42x fisheye lens on eBay and experimented around the apartment. Some pictures show the effects of the fisheye lens more than others. Here are some of my photos. Enjoy.







Note: Actual money was not harmed in the making of these photos. I can not afford to burn money.

Hanging Rock, N. Carolina

Yesterday I posted a few pictures from our N. Carolina trip. Specifically, images I took while hiking out at Pilot Mountain. Taken in the same day - which was the second part of our single day exploration of the N. Carolina natural scenery - were images from Hanging Rock State Park. Located somewhere in N. Carolina (Don't ask. I had no clue where we were), Hanging Rock was a desolate place to be in winter. The park features all sorts of amenities for those visiting during the normal seasons in the year. From what my brother tells me, the large parking lot is filled to capacity in summer and fall. Most visitors come in the fall to enjoy the colors of the falling leaves and the brisk weather. For those that visit in the summertime, Hanging Rock features campsites for overnight camping and a manmade lake complete with floating decks for enjoying the water. I found it odd that a lake was "installed" in such a naturalesque park, but I guess it makes for enjoyable summers. I can imagine jumping right in after a long day's hike or maybe taking a swim just before sunset.

Our visit mainly consisted of a short and relatively tame hike. As you can imagine by my featured photo up top, the main attraction of this hike were two relatively small waterfalls. I had never photographed water in motion before but have seen many pictures of the subject. I did a lot of reading on capturing water so that it has that "flowy" look just in case I was ever face with an opportunity to photograph water in motion. Earlier in the day, which was spent 45 minutes away at Pilot Mountain, I had struggled with light balancing and exposure. Most of the day was overcast and contrasty because of the midday sun. Hiking to these streams later in the day proved to be a treat since the sun had already begun its descent for the day. The trail we were hiking on did not offer a great deal of variety in terms of photography subjects. There was the occasional rotting log, mold growth, or jagged stone jutting out of the ground. In Florida I am used to palmettos, wild birds, and colorful plants. My brother had to constantly remind me that there was a reason no one else was in the park. Not only was it numbing cold, but the plants, birds, and seasonal related features that give the park its "charm" were not going to be seen. I tried to keep a keen eye open for something unique. I was hoping for some type of northern squirrel or maybe even a robin or other northern native bird, but I would have no such luck on this hike.

The entrance to the park was quite a windy drive. My brother managed to make me extremely carsick from his Mario Andretti style of driving in the curving roads. Most of the drive to the park was hilly and windy as we made our way up to the park's interior. Once at the main parking area, instead of hopping right out, I decided to recline the front seat, try and regain my balance, and avoid possibly vomiting. Once I felt normal we headed off to one of several trails. One of the main trail heads would take hikers on a climbing 1 mile hike that would have easily taken us a little over 30 minutes. With the day coming to a close, we decided to take the relatively tame and shorter hike to the small waterfalls. Along the way we passed a cabin designed for group picnics. From a distance it very easily resembled some scary cabin in the woods where people walk in and find a witch or something from the movie "Blair Witch Project." With the gray sky overhead, empty park, wind, and chilly temperatures, there may as well have been a stalker looking to hack our limbs off and leave us for the bears. Ok, so that sounds a little extreme, but that's just the kind of news you might see here in Florida. To be perfectly honest, I was glad it wasn't the middle of summer or sometime in the fall. I get anxious around tourists and I don't think I would have quite enjoyed the hike with a bunch of people around us. Along the hike we saw plenty of decaying forestry. The fungus growing on tree stumps and stones made for interesting subject matter. I personally like how the park design people created walkways out of stone. It gave the park a more authentic feel. A recurring plant that I saw is pictured just below. This particular plant looked like something I would find in a Florida forest or perhaps in a tropical climate. I wouldn't think a plant or small shrub that produced a flower-like bud would grow someplace cold.

When we finally arrived at our first waterfall I was both excited and disappointed. I was excited because I knew I would have a chance to practice a new technique and possibly get some convincing shots. The disappointment was mostly because of the size of the falls. It was more like a creek that had found its way to some open rocks on the side of a mountain. It's not like some waterfalls that "power" their way through a mountain and really make thunderous noise. However, the water managed to spill over nicely and create a good distributed splash at the base. The accumulation of pebbles, dead tree limbs, and leaves offered a good variety of colors and textures. For the most part there was relatively little greenery, but this was North Carolina in the wintertime. We spent about 20 minutes at the first waterfall and then headed further down the trail to waterfall #2. The second waterfall was more impressive because it had a cavernous feature just underneath the falls. There were a lot more crooked stones, plants, and a nice pool of water collecting at the base of the falls. I snapped off a couple of shots with my Yashica TLR and am hoping for some positive results. Once I get the pictures back I'll scan and post them here. One of the more exciting features of the falls was the presence of icicles. The ice was far and few, but a surviving artifact of the winter that was falling on the area. The lack of snow made the scenery appear normal, but it was in fact cold. Just take my word for it. We spent a good 45 minutes independently wandering around taking snapshots of whatever caught our eyes. As dusk approached, as well as closing time for the park, we headed back to our car and drove back to Kernersville.

Although N. Carolina and the two parks we visited paled in comparison to three years in Alaska, I can definitely say hiking in the mountains was a refreshing change. I would like to make a return visit sometime in the summer to swim in the lakes. If you grew up in Florida like I did then you never had a chance to really enjoy swimming in the lakes all thanks to the native alligator. Heck, any other time outside of winter might have produced much more favorable landscape for photography and possibly some better opportunity for outdoor activities. I will take away with me these nice memories of spending time with Shanti and my brother whom I rarely get to see since he lives in N.C. Perhaps sometime down the road a permanent change of pace and scenery will be a possibility. Stay tuned...

Pilot Mountain, N. Carolina

Over the course of the weekend Shanti and I took a little roadtrip to visit my brother and his wife in Kernersville, NC. It wasn't just a weekend, but actually a mini vacation which started last Wednesday. The need to get away was imminent. Since we both have 2 weeks vacation to spend, we figured some fresh air in the mountains would be a great way to clear the mind.

Although we did not accomplish all that much while we visited, we did manage to get out on one of the nicer days to do some more driving and eventually go for a hike. Pilot Mountain is one of these destinations where once you have visited it for the first time you might not make it back to visit for a second. Truth be told, it's a big rock sticking out of the ground. Sure, it's a little odd that there really aren't any other mountain peaks nearby to rival its heighth, but for the fun seeking individual, the thrill might be short lived. Part of me thinks that the negative bias had something to do with the fact that it was the dead of winter for North Carolina and perhaps the spring or fall might offer some colorful landscapes. Regardless, we managed to snap a few shots of the scenery for posterity. I personally enjoyed being someplace high where I can just stare off into the distance for hours. I wouldn't mind returning again during summer to do some camping or longer distance hiking. For our purposes, we parked in the visitor lot and walked along the stone walkway to the lookout areas.
I can see where this site has a lot of potential for photography, but during our visit the bright midday sun did a good job of washing out a lot of the color in the scenery. I imagine the next time we visit we would go out sometime near sunset to catch some really nice colors in the sky.

We spent the 2nd half of our day driving over to Hanging Rock. Most of the day was overcast which also presented some odd lighting conditions. Check back here sometime midweek. I will be posting pictures of some of much more interesting hikes including images of waterfalls and odd rock formations. Until then, enjoy and see you soon.

Half a World Away

"You're a half a world away
But in my mind I whisper every single word you say.
And before you sleep at night
You pray to me, your lucky star, your singing satellite."

- Oceanlab, Satellite