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Topics - TheNorm

#1
College Ball / Realignment 2022: Electric Boogaloo
July 03, 2022, 10:19:05 AM
Apparently in response to Texas and OU making the move to join the SEC in a few seasons, supposedly USC reached out to the B1G in hopes of possibly joining their ranks...fast forward to just a few days ago and we have USC and UCLA joining the B1G (I'm not calling this the Big Ten anymore, it hasn't been 10 teams since the early 90s and the name should've gone out the window forever once Nebraska, Maryland, and Rutgers joined the fray). Current B1G conference members unanimously agreed to allow them in (good for Northwestern, it's the only way they'll get to Pasadena anytime soon).

Rumors are already flying that we're not done here, with other teams from the Pac-12 and maybe the ACC jumping ship to the B1G or SEC. This likely ends up with two super conferences with 20 teams each (for now anyway). I'm personally hoping this somehow ends up with Hawai'i ending up in the ACC or Big East.
#2
Console Gaming Discussion / XBox Series S
July 03, 2022, 10:09:14 AM
So yes...I've gone to the dark side...well kinda.

I basically snagged this solely to play one game: Microsoft Flight Simulator. If you're asking why didn't I just get a PC that can run this game, well let's take a look at that:

-a laptop that can run this game starts at over a grand, and I already have a laptop that is more than capable of doing the things I need it to do (work on papers, run zoom conferences, DJ).

-a Series S costs $299. a flight stick costs $69 (nice). The optional rudder pedals cost an additional $110 or something like that, but since they aren't in stock at the moment, no biggie.

This console will most likely be my flight game one at this point (Star Wars Squadrons, Ace Combat, and MSFS2020). I'll let you know how it goes.
#3
Pro Football / John Madden
December 29, 2021, 04:08:20 PM
https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/32953839/nfl-hall-fame-coach-broadcasting-icon-john-madden-dies-85

Some knew him as a legendary coach in the AFL and NFL, winning a Super Bowl. Some (like me), got their introduction to John Madden through his appearances in Miller Lite commercials, and they were amazing. Many more got to know him through his broadcast work, and he may very well be the only broadcaster that successfully made the transition from coaching to the booth...no one's done it like him since. And yet another generation knows him simply through the name stamped on the video game franchise which was absolutely groundbreaking when it debuted for being the first to be true 11 on 11 football (the only way John Madden would allow his name to be put on the game was if it was that way).

Rest in peace, Coach. You were one of the best.
#4
Console Gaming Discussion / NHL 22
December 22, 2021, 04:32:05 PM
Snagged it since it was on sale, and finally after how many different versions (and every other sports game having it) they added roster sharing so I'll have to check it later.

Set up a World Juniors Tournament since EA finally added that one too, and the gameplay is decent so far. Still feels pretty familiar though, controls haven't changed much. I'll do a deeper dive since I've got some free time and I'm feeling a hockey game right now.
#5
College Ball / 2021 College Football Season
October 10, 2021, 09:32:52 AM
#6
Chit Chat / Shang-Chi and Representation
September 02, 2021, 10:13:59 PM
Wasn't really sure where to put this, so I just made my own thread. Wrote something I'd been meaning to write for awhile.

https://farfromthenorm.wordpress.com/2021/09/02/representation-it-matters/
#7
Chit Chat / Charlie Watts
August 25, 2021, 01:39:39 AM
Whether you liked The Rolling Stones or not, you can't deny that Charlie Watts was an incredible drummer and an amazing fit for the band. Absolute legend, and I can only imagine what it's like doing what you love right until you're near the end of your time on Earth. Rest In Peace good sir...

https://www.theringer.com/2021/8/24/22640257/charlie-watts-rolling-stones-obituary
#8
Pro Football / 2021 Pro Football Thread
August 08, 2021, 11:31:01 PM
To be fair this would've been more accurate. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 🤣

https://twitter.com/nfl_memes/status/1424524745081606146
#9
Basketball Discussion / Milwaukee Bucks
July 20, 2021, 11:58:30 PM
That was one of the more fun and entertaining finals I've seen in a bit...congrats to the Bucks.

...and congrats to the Suns for one hell of a season...except for Chris Paul. Fuck that guy lol, I'm all for another round of CP3 jokes.  :D
#10
Video Gaming General / Prizefighters 2
January 26, 2021, 12:50:43 AM
This is a boxing mobile game on iPhone and Android. Don't let the 8-bit graphics fool you, this is a fairly deep boxing game with an impressive career mode and controls perfect for your mobile. You create your boxer, decide what type of boxer he's going to be, then go about training and scheduling fights.
The calendar moves in a weekly format, and you can choose what your fighter does each week. You can also spectate other fights on the card, and also choose whether to play your fight or just spectate (at which point your boxer fights according to the tendencies you've assigned it). The career mode so far I'm finding is deep and worth digging around in. As for the fights, I'm enjoying that as well-the controls are simple and easy to pick up. Only played a few fights but I'm also noticing the opponents will fight according to what they are (brawlers brawl, out boxers will try to keep their distance, counter punchers attempt to pounce on your misses, etc.).

This game is free to download on iPhone, with an option to buy the Premium version which unlocks full league customization as well as a Promoter mode where you book the fights and can even manage online leagues.

This is worth checking out.
#11
Console Gaming Discussion / Playstation VR
November 15, 2020, 10:58:05 AM
Was gifted this awhile back but finally got around to setting it up since I found out there's certain games (Rec Room) that can play cross platform, and I know people that have the Oculus Quest. Star Wars Squadrons is also VR compatible so it'll be nice to try that too.

Can be a little disorienting at times, but overall pretty fun. Other games with VR I can't wait to try out:

Iron Man VR
Creed: Rise to Glory (the boxer, not the shitty pretentious band)
Beat Saber
...and this.
https://youtu.be/4jhegyaBeeE
#12
Console Gaming Discussion / 2020 Gaming Plans
October 21, 2020, 08:45:58 PM
So what are your gaming plans for the rest of 2020?

I snagged Star Wars Squadrons a few days ago which is enjoyable and giving me some old school X-Wing/Tie Fighter vibes. Story mode is alright but online is damn good.

Definite Purchases

Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales - duh
NHL '94 Rewind: whenever they make this available as a standalone for those that didn't preorder NHL 21 (dirty pool EA since the season doesn't start for another few months), I will buy it.
Tony Hawk Pro Skater 1&2: would've bought this weeks ago but wanted to fly an X-Wing instead.

Maybe a Purchase
Cyberpunk 2077: I haven't researched this too much but this feels like a game right in my wheelhouse.

Games to finish up in the next few months/playthrough again
Jedi Fallen Order: ...eventually
Ghost of Tsushima: New Game+ and customizable loadouts make this worth revisiting
Mortal Kombat 11: finished the main story, just need to get through Aftermath DLC
Call of Duty Modern Warfare: should finish up the main story. Of course by the time I get to online everyone will have moved on to Cold War lol


PS3
NCAA Football 14/College Hoops 2K8: sports fix. Graphics may seem dated but they still represent the sport well
Batman: Arkham Origins: never did finish the non-Rocksteady entry but the game seemed good.
XCOM: Time to give this strategy game a proper playthrough
#13
Console Gaming Discussion / Spider-Man: Miles Morales
October 20, 2020, 08:26:51 PM
Since it's been confirmed that this game is not just a PS5 exclusive but is also dropping on PS4 as well, I can hold off on snagging that next gen console until sometime next year at the earliest. :)

Already love seeing some of the details coming out about the game, and can't believe it's less than a month away.
#14
Political Ranting / Sincerely
October 02, 2020, 10:23:05 PM
...my thoughts and prayers go out to all of the doctors and nurses at Walter Reed that have to take care of a racist, fascist, xenophobic toddler the next few days. Good luck.
#15
Chit Chat / Ruth Bader Ginsburg
September 18, 2020, 11:14:38 PM
This year needs to stop.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/ncna670701

An absolute hero and icon.
#16
Chit Chat / Chadwick Boseman
August 28, 2020, 10:57:59 PM
This one f'ing hurts.

https://twitter.com/chadwickboseman/status/1299530165463199747

James Brown. Jackie Robinson. Thurgood Marshall. The Black Panther. He was so electric he took a comic book superhero that I didn't know too much about and turned him into one of my all-time favorite superheroes just by his performance alone. That scene in Endgame where the portal opens up and he walks through, every time I saw that in the theatre the place would go nuts.

Even more amazing to me is he was diagnosed in 2016, fighting this, going through chemo, and still somehow took on the Marvel films, Marshall, 21 Bridges. Kept going until he couldn't anymore. 

Absolutely crushed.  :(
#17
Other Sports / The Bubble Hockey Thread
August 04, 2020, 04:01:38 PM
Hah...bubble hockey.

Not gonna lie, I've been watching the hell out of the NHL's return since last Saturday. It's early but I think this is the only way pro sports is gonna work for the near future: keeping the teams in a bubble. I like the NHL's odds better since they're in Canada, but so far the NBA's results so far are encouraging too (even in Florida). It's nice to see sports on tv, and while it's a little jarring at first seeing no one in in the stands once the game gets going you get used to it. It's a bummer not having a dog in the race, absolutely.

I've also got a huge issue with players and staff getting tested everyday while those of us out in the real world and on the frontline don't have that same access...but maybe that differs by country, and I'm fairly certain I've made my opinions clear on the leadership in the US lol.

But while it's on...yeah I'm watching. And hoping these guys can all stay safe for the sake of themselves and their loved ones.

This is also a nice reminder that since this is technically still the 2019-2020 season, that the Maple Leafs absolutely lost to a zamboni driver in net for the Carolina Hurricanes.
#18
Forum updates / And we're back
August 03, 2020, 06:04:20 PM
If you had visited this past weekend you might've noticed that the site was down due to a database error. Reached out to page Jedi Master rollntider earlier today and just like that we're back in business.  Thank you! The tech stuff is way above my level of expertise.

So welcome back.
#19
College Ball / 2020 Status
July 09, 2020, 10:12:37 AM
Last week, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster announced football in the state was in danger if the COVID-19 cases continued to spike. Makes sense.

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2020/07/02/south-carolina-governor-warns-of-no-football-in-his-state-this-year/

Yesterday, the Ivy League also ruled out playing all sports this fall due to the pandemic. The hope is to maybe postpone those to winter or even spring, but cancellation is probable too. Keep in mind that the Ivy League was also the first to shut it all down in March too.

https://www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/id/29430262/ivy-league-rules-playing-all-sports-fall-due-coronavirus-pandemic

Also yesterday, Ohio State shut down voluntary workouts due to an increased number of positive cases in the student-athletes.

https://www.si.com/college/ohiostate/news/ohio-state-pauses-voluntary-workouts-covid

Yes, I understand there's big money in Div. 1a college sports, especially football, but let's face facts: the odds of this season happening are low. Just take a look at the other major sports leagues: even through their little bubbles they have set up to try and protect the players, people are getting infected anyway. This isn't the time.
#20
https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/29354014/sources-mlbpa-agrees-report-july-1-discussing-health-safety-protocols

So uh...am I the only that thinks trying to start sports back up is an unbelievably stupid idea in a country that has somehow made wearing a mask in public a political issue? Just curious.