Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Thursday, March 12, 2009
An Arm and a Leg… and Heads and Torsos for a Trip to Africa
An Arm and a Leg… and Heads and Torsos for a Trip to Africa
By Andrew Benjamin
LONDON -- A trip to Africa would cost the average person an arm and a leg. In this case, it cost not only an arm and a leg, but heads and torsos. To promote the release of Resident Evil 5, Capcom held a treasure hunt, only the treasure was replaced with severed limbs. The people running the contest strategically placed heads, arms, legs and torsos throughout Trafalgar Square, which contestants found through cryptic clues in emails after registering. When a contestant found the body parts, they were asked to bring them to Westminster Bridge and scream “Kijuju,” the fictional African town where Chris Redfield and Sheva Alomar face off against hordes of infected people. Each body part won the contestant points, with heads being the most at five. The contestant who had the most points would receive a free trip to Africa.
A representative of Capcom, who was on hand to declare a winner, confirmed that at least 100 people registered for the contest. Around 15 people showed up on the bridge carrying at least one body part. “We wanted to organize an event that would really give people a chance to be involved in the world that the game represents,” the spokesman for Capcom said. “We needed to do something that fitted in with the values of the game and was suitably horrific.” And indeed it was horrific. Not only were contestants carrying body parts in full view of the public, but the body parts also bled, leaving some contestants with messy clothes and hands. “The main thing is that everyone has had fun,” the spokesman said.
Even though it was a harmless contest, the possibility of police being tipped off was a concern. “It’s been a little bit worrying thinking about the police and people getting the wrong idea about the body parts,” the spokesman said. “We’ve done everything we can to make sure everyone doesn’t get the wrong idea.” Police and the House of Parliaments were not notified of the contest.
Regarding the possibility of a future contest for Resident Evil 6, the representative didn’t want to speculate. “I’m sure for every future release of Resident Evil more and more incredibly exciting things will happen to mark the release.”
The winner of the contest was Stephen Long, 26, from Finchley. He gathered four of his friends and woke up around 6a.m. They then headed to Trafalgar Square to search for the body parts. “It was a once in a life time opportunity and I was glad I was able to get my friends in on this,” Long said. “I really did not think we would win. It looked like such a different event that we would never be able to do anywhere else.” As the winner, he will be going off on a trip to Gambia for 7-10 days. Long was looking forward to one aspect of the trip. “I’ll be amazed at how hot it is.”
Eventually, two police officers did come by and ask the body parts be removed from public view.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Chris Jericho is not to blame for what happened
It seems that WWE wrestlers and abuse of women go hand in hand (that's a joke har har). The latest fracas of a WWE wrestler beating up a woman is now with Chris Jericho. Now I am very biased in a situation like this. I had once had the great opportunity to interview Chris Jericho when he came to Boston University to do a book signing for his autobiography. I did a phone interview with him and found him to be cordial, pleasant, and a great interview. At the book signing, he was chatting casually with fans and answered more questions from me. Also, he signed a book of Shakespeare's plays for one fan who didn't have enough money to buy his book. You have to be a really cool dude to do that. I am also a Jericho mark. He is the best wrestler working today.
Now on to the incident. The video is all over Youtube so feel free to watch and make your own assessment. The video doesn't show it, but from eyewitness reports, it was said that Jericho is trying to leave in his vehicle. It was then the fans take it too far. They blocked his vehicle and he is forced to get out and tell them to move. He is arguing with someone, probably that idiot guy who calls him "motherfucker" and "disgrace to Canadians." Someone puts his hands on him, don't know who though. He then tries to get back into his car and is then pushed into by that blonde lady (that's the nicest term I'm willing to call her.) Jericho then snaps back and pushes and punches that lady. Security in the meantime is off in la-la land.
And so it happened. Jericho was attacked physically and he defends himself. Questions arise from this: did Jericho even know a woman pushed him, did he attack the first person he saw and it just happened to be her, when Jericho realized he punched someone was he playing his role as a heel by showing little emotion?
I don't think questions like this will be answered. The local police who responded to the scene called it a "minor incident," so this is as probably as far as the incident will go. However, I think it is clear the lady provoked Jericho and what happened was a result of frustration. No I don't think "the bitch deserved it" as I bet some have said on some message boards. It happened as a matter of circumstance. Had their been past revelations of Jericho beating up women (not including the incident with HBK's wife har har), I would have a different assessment of this. But nothing has come about of this. I therefore have to believe that Jericho's actions were that of a man who was provoked and nothing else.
Now on to the incident. The video is all over Youtube so feel free to watch and make your own assessment. The video doesn't show it, but from eyewitness reports, it was said that Jericho is trying to leave in his vehicle. It was then the fans take it too far. They blocked his vehicle and he is forced to get out and tell them to move. He is arguing with someone, probably that idiot guy who calls him "motherfucker" and "disgrace to Canadians." Someone puts his hands on him, don't know who though. He then tries to get back into his car and is then pushed into by that blonde lady (that's the nicest term I'm willing to call her.) Jericho then snaps back and pushes and punches that lady. Security in the meantime is off in la-la land.
And so it happened. Jericho was attacked physically and he defends himself. Questions arise from this: did Jericho even know a woman pushed him, did he attack the first person he saw and it just happened to be her, when Jericho realized he punched someone was he playing his role as a heel by showing little emotion?
I don't think questions like this will be answered. The local police who responded to the scene called it a "minor incident," so this is as probably as far as the incident will go. However, I think it is clear the lady provoked Jericho and what happened was a result of frustration. No I don't think "the bitch deserved it" as I bet some have said on some message boards. It happened as a matter of circumstance. Had their been past revelations of Jericho beating up women (not including the incident with HBK's wife har har), I would have a different assessment of this. But nothing has come about of this. I therefore have to believe that Jericho's actions were that of a man who was provoked and nothing else.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Protesters rally against cell tower
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20237269&BRD=2731&PAG=461&dept_id=574901&rfi=6
My first published freelance article for the Queens Chronicle. It is about protestors in Queens, NY rallying against a cell phone tower being built in their area. Check it out.
My first published freelance article for the Queens Chronicle. It is about protestors in Queens, NY rallying against a cell phone tower being built in their area. Check it out.
Monday, January 19, 2009
The Pop Culture Wizard is in London
Hello loyal followers. The Pop Culture Wizard is here. Where you might ask? In merry ol' London. Starting tomorrow, I will update all of you wonderful people of my travels, trials, and tribulations as I take over Europe starting tomorrow. So far PCW has seen the much smaller than originally pictured Buckingham Palace, the eerie Tower of London (and by eerie I mean the fact that it has those stoic soldiers who aren't supposed to react), Westminster Abbey (without going in ironically), and a few other assorted venues. Despite study abroad being my goal, I will be travelling to other European places. I will try to post pictures of my wondrous odysseys but I will mainly update all you wonderful people on my goings-on. I am off to bed to another full day in London. Ta ta.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
WWE Survivor Series 2008 Predictions
It's 2008 and Survivor Series will be at the TD Banknorth Garden live tonight at 8pm. It will be a powerhouse Pay-per-view that will be exciting and memorable. Here are the predictions:
Chris Jericho (c) vs. John Cena for the World Heavyweight Championship: I don't think Cena will get the belt (I truly hope not). It will be interesting to see how the Boston crowd reacts to Cena's awaited return. I think the match will end in a disqualification for either Cena or Jericho.
The Undertaker vs. The Big Show in a Casket Match: Undertaker without a doubt. I need not say anymore.
Triple H (c) vs Vladimir Kozlov vs. Jeff Hardy for the WWE Championship: If the news about Jeff Hardy being found unconscious in his hotel is not a storyline, which I hope it is not, it goes to Triple H. My god, my god, I hope it isn't. I want this to be Hardy's time to finally achieve that gold.
Team Michaels (Shawn Michaels, Rey Mysterio, Cryme Tyme (JTG and Shad), and The Great Khali) vs. Team JBL (John "Bradshaw" Layfield, Kane, Montel Vontavious Porter, John Morrison and The Miz) in a 5-on-5 Survivor Series Elimination Match: You know, with MVP's 6 month losing streak, perhaps he will be the sole survivor. Or maybe he will be the first one eliminated. Regardless, I think Team HBK will take this one.
Team Batista (Batista, CM Punk, Kofi Kingston, Matt Hardy and R-Truth) vs. Team Orton (Randy Orton, Shelton Benjamin, William Regal, Cody Rhodes and Mark Henry) in a 5-on-5 Survivor Series Elimination Match: I think Team Orton will take this. This is RKO's first truly big match since returning from his injury. Not to mention, the members of Team Batista haven't been faring well in the individual matches they have had.
Team Raw (Beth Phoenix, Mickie James, Kelly Kelly, Candice Michelle, and Jillian Hall) vs. Team SmackDown (Michelle McCool, Victoria, Maria, Maryse, and Natalya) in a 5-on-5 Diva Survivor Series Elimination Match: I don't know why, but it seems like Smackdown tends to win these Raw vs. Smackdown type of matches. While I think Raw has the better overall wrestling talent, I think it will go to Smackdown.
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