Right Now

So - interested in playing Guitar Hero? Right now? On my blog?

Well, here it is...the (Activision) Guitar Hero Widget...(or you can get the code and play it on your blog).



Having trouble? I was too, at first. But try to hit the fret (number) keys before the notes, and strum (Enter) as the note comes across.

Of course, it's not nearly as entertaining as the real thing, and I stick by what I said about half the fun holding the guitar.

Iron Man

To go along with the Iron Man movie release Friday, I may go ahead and stick with that workout from Sunday for a little bit (incorporating "Iron Man" and "Crossroads"). Changing it up once in a while's probably a good idea.

In local news, Monaco Pictures in Huntsville is having an advanced screening of Iron Man tomorrow night, but for two hours before, they're having a Guitar Hero contest - $10 entry fee. I won't be going (I hear you need to play on expert to be able to play at those things). Let me know if you're local and you end up there!

A Little History

Good grief - I've been promising this for a couple weeks and have finally gotten it down.

I've been playing video games since I was a kid - starting out with Pong and Intellivision (ah, memories), and getting more sophisticated as time went by. My game of choice morphing into role playing games, then the first person shooter. I started with Wolfenstein 3D (remember that?) and Doom, and absolutely loved Star Wars: Dark Forces (which, besides spending time eating out and going to movies with my wife are by far the fondest memories I have of grad school). That was starting back in the mid-90s.

But didn't have the chance to play Guitar Hero until a few months ago - this past Christmas Eve. My brother had Guitar Hero III, and hearing that he'd enjoyed playing it, for Christmas, we bought him a (cheap off-brand) second guitar, so we could both play during the holiday. And suddenly, I had the most fun I'd ever had playing a video game. Fortunately, we'd bought the family a Playstation 2 for Christmas. I got rid of my last gaming system - a Playstation - around the time my daughter was born (Julianna - she's now 6). There was no time for it then - but now we can play as a family. And to be honest, the only game I have that I don't play with my daughter is Bard's Tale (ah, back to role playing - fond high school memories of the C64 original), but that one sits on the shelf collecting dust.

So we took some of our Christmas money, bought the Guitar Hero Dual Pack (I and II) and a guitar and had a blast. I tore through Guitar Hero I and II on medium in a couple weekends. My brother let me borrow Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80's, and I finished that on medium in about 2 hours.

But, as with all things, your life gets full, and you just don't get to put the time into what you want. I couldn't get my daughter into it (yet) and there wasn't a ton of time for me to play by myself, so I just wasn't playing as much as I wanted. But then, a couple of months ago, I had an idea. A wonderful, awful idea. (Sorry, when I started writing this, Julianna had just read How the Grinch Stole Christmas to me.) What if I got up early, and played every single day, and really rocked out? I'd get some exercise, and I'd be playing more than once every other week. Plus, I could share my experience, writing about it every day.

It took about a month to really talk myself into it. But finally, I took the plunge, jumped in, and here we are. A nice pound less than what I was a month ago, but...

No Time

Ah, the beauty of the busy life and not having any time. Another short workout this morning. The problem with such short workouts is that they're probably nearly as ineffective as not working out at all. At least (I think) there"s something to be said about being persistent and keeping the habit up.

Dirt Cheap

Guitar Hero for under $5?

No wait - it's a cheap knock off. And you download it to you cell phone.

I happened across Guitar Rock Tour (great name - it just rolls off the tongue!) surfing around on my phone one day. It has some of the same songs (I noticed "Message in a Bottle" and "Smoke on the Water"), and you use the number keys on your phone to play the notes.

Not something I'd try - I think part of the fun of Guitar Hero is holding the guitar in your hands. Plus, I don't think it would play well on my Blackjack since the numbers aren't all right together.

Start Me Up

Had to squeeze the workout into my afternoon, after coming in from mowing the lawn, so I cut it a bit short. My daughter (6 years old) wanted to suggest the songs, so I changed it up a bit, too. It's interesting how you can get really get into the fast songs, but you can get a lot more out of slower songs because when you're spending less mental energy trying to keep up, you can expend more energy playing like the Guitar Hero you are (at least in your own mind). I followed up my normal "I Love Rock 'N Roll" with Sabbath's "Iron Man" and Clapton's "Crossroads".

"Put it up to 11"

Yep - I better crank it up a notch. I'm kind of tired of this plateau - especially since it's where I started. This morning I was up for a little while with a sick little boy before I could work out. It allowed me to wake up a little and hit it pretty hard. I may need to just try to get up a little earlier to have some wake-up time before I break out the guitar.

Physical

Maybe today's workout was a bit less working out, and a bit more playing, but it was more activity than sitting on the couch.

Nine Lives

This is interesting - Def Leppard's new album (Songs From The Sparkle Lounge) doesn't come out until Tuesday, but Guitar Hero players got a sneak preview. "Nine Lives," their new single - a collaboration with Tim McGraw (!) - was available for download this past Thursday for Guitar Hero III, along with "Photograph" and "Rock of Ages" from Pyromania.

I need to get a system that can download...

Everybody's Working for the Weekend

Friday. Finally.

Maybe I'll have a little more time to work out this weekend and I won't have to cut my it short like I did this morning. Possibly add a song or two and round it out to a nice 30 minutes.

And I do plan to write out a little background on what got me here like I promised last week.

"I got nine lives; steak fries.."

It's too bad they haven't packaged AC/DC in any of the Guitar Hero releases - I'm listening to "Back in Black" and that...well, that would rock. Unfortunately, I've got a lowly PS2 and don't have the luxury of downloading extra songs.

I had a decent workout this morning, but went to Red Robin for lunch for an office birthday. And you can't get a salad at Red Robin. Though I hear they're good.

Obstacles

Another get-up-late-short-workout day.

I wonder if they'll let me cut my work day an hour short so I can get my workouts in.

On Morning Workouts

I was able to forego an afternoon snack today, so didn't completely wash out my morning workout. Still, I'm a night person, so I don't really get going until later in the day and, as I mentioned Sunday, my morning workouts don't have the energy I'd like. I wonder if I got up at 2 or 3 every morning, I'd be awake enough to get into a good workout at 6 am, then be in a great mood for the rest of the day. Of course, I wouldn't relish going to bed around 7 o'clock.

Backward Momentum

My weight's staying pretty consistent. My workouts are good - I've only missed that one day, but I don't think they're enough...I've got to figure out how to get more out of them. That and the fact that I'm struggling to change my eating habits even a little bit are keeping my weight from dropping.

Another Trade Off

I've always heard that working out first thing in the morning before eating is one of the best ways to lose weight. The only problem is that one of the things about trying to exercise right when you wake up, you don't have near the energy you do later in the day. This being a weekend, I was able to work out later - something I don't have time for during the week - and it just feels so much better. I can get into a lot more and it just feels like I've accomplished more when I've finished.

Lynyrd Skynyrd

You know you've started really getting into Guitar Hero when your mind seems to be on hiatus and your fingers just start hitting the notes by themselves. Have you noticed those times when you come to a difficult guitar solo and you know you just won't hit all those notes, but a few seconds later your multiplier is at x3? (For those of you not as familiar with Guitar Hero, you only get multipliers by hitting several notes in a row without missing any.) I was working on Guitar Hero II tonight, seeing if I could get 5 stars on "Freebird" (on medium), and a few times, my hands just took over and were playing notes faster than my mind could process them.

Then I start to realize I'm doing it, I start to think about it again, and I stop hitting every note.

So I beat my 3 stars that I got a while back the first time I went through the game on medium, and made 4 stars, but missed my 5.

Had time to do a full set this morning, but just trying to get 5 stars on "Freebird" was nearly as good a workout (though my left hand started to go numb about 2/3 of the way through).

Past, Present, Future

Had a good full workout this morning. I'm really curious how this will affect my playing in the long term. This weekend I'll give a bit of background about how I got to this point - along with some of my motivation (other than losing weight).

Sabotage

Ah, lunch - time to ponder philosophical questions and sabotage my morning workout.

Things to ponder:

-Why is it that I always get in the car and turn on the radio just as they're saying "...wrapping up another 20-song classic rock block; now a word from our sponsor"?

-Why do I get behind the driver in the left turn lane that won't go on a green light but has to wait for the light to cycle to the green arrow?

-Why is the Chik Fil A line a mile long even though it's 11:20?

So, I got up late this morning and only had time for a 3-song workout; and I ended with my third song playing Motorhead instead of Joan Jett. I really need to start getting to bed earlier.

And cut out the fast food.

Balancing Out

Good workout this morning; a little slow, because I was tired, but still.

But all that work was probably wiped out by the cake I had this afternoon.

*sigh*

Tomorrow...

Didn't get up this morning, so I did a short 15-minute workout this evening. I'll get up early tomorrow and do it right.

And on the way home tonight, I swear "Sweet Emotion" came on the radio. I like Aerosmith, but they're not that popular, are they?

Now it's just getting annoying

I've probably listened to the radio for a grand total of 45 minutes today, and I've already heard Aerosmith's "Walk This Way". *Twice*. (The first time on WVNA 105.1 in Muscle Shoals; the second on WTAK 106.1 in Huntsville.)

Have they launched that extensive of a marketing capaign? I doubt it, but that's just weird.

Skipping

It seems I've missed the 13th day. We were in Memphis all day, and I didn't get up early enough to work out before we left. This is the first day I've missed since I've started. To bed now, so I can get up early enough to do it tomorrow.

Vicious Cycle

I went through my normal set today (on hard), and for an encore, I threw in a couple "Cowboys from Hell" on medium.

It's kind of a vicious cycle - in a good way. I kind of alluded to this Friday - the more I really get into my Guitar Hero workout, the better I get at it; and the better I get at it, the more I can move around; the more I move around, the more fun it is. Of course, the more fun it is, the less likely I am to quit.

The workouts are getting better and better, but if I don't do something about the food I'm eating, it's not going to show up on the scale. Way too much junk today.

5 Stars

The cable's out, so that means no TV and no internet. On a Saturday night. At least I've still got Guitar Hero. And my trusty phone so I can blog about it.

I mentioned that I finally finished Guitar Hero on hard the other night. I really wanted to wait to get into Guitar Hero II after I 5-starred all the songs on medium (though I'd already beat GH II on medium a while back when I first started playing). But it's a lot harder than you'd think. As you can see in the pic, I've only got 3 songs left - "No One Knows", "Cowboys from Hell", and "Bark at the Moon". And can't even hit 4 stars on those last two. So I decided to jump into II anyway.

One of the new things in the second game was unlocking a guitar for every level beat, and unlocking another with every level beat with 5 stars on every song. So I thought I could start on easy and unlock both of those guitars. But I underestimated how boring easy would be. So I may jump back and forth just so I can eventually unlock the easy guitars. But dang, those notes come slow when you've been practicing on hard.

Fun, Fun, Fun

This afternoon I had to do some yard work, and as I raked the front yard, all I could think was, "I hope I don't get a blister or there goes my workout."

I'm such a dork.

Good workout this morning. Full set. It's getting more fun as I'm able to play better while I'm moving around. I think, as I get better at this, I'm going to enjoy it more and more. And that'll just help me stick with it better.

Sweet Moves

"Sweet Emotion" just came on the radio - I bet that'll be one of the harder songs when Guitar Hero Aerosmith comes out.

I felt up to playing a full set of 5 songs this morning. Uh - make that 5 1/2. I had to start the second "Ace of Spades" over; I got a little too into it and got booed off the stage. Guess they didn't like my moves.

Sick and Tired

Not sure if I could call what I did today a workout - I'm still not feeling 100%. But I made an effort to at least get up and do a 15-minute set. I'm hoping to feel better by tomorrow.

Does it take 21 days to create a habit?

As I mentioned, I'm feeling a bit under the weather today, so I got up a little later this morning and stuck to the 15-minute workout. I toned it down a little, but the main thing I want to do right now is keep the habit going.

Progress!

I've lost one whole pound in the last week since I started this. And that's probably due to normal fluctuation. I know I need to give it time, but I also realize that if I'm going to really lose anything, I'm going to have to change what I eat, too. My normal diet of sweets, fried stuff, a few healthy foods, and no fruits or vegetables isn't going to work. Fewer Swiss Cake Rolls, more spinach. Fewer burgers, more bananas.

I've been feeling crappy for the last couple days, so I've attempted to increase my intake of healthy foods to avoid getting sick. Guess I better stay on that kick.

Come Together

Now I've heard Aerosmith's version of "Come Together" on the radio twice in the last two days. Is it an omen?

On the other hand, I wonder if licensing issues could keep it from being included in the game since it was originally a Beatles song.

Walk This Way: Guitar Hero Aerosmith

I read about this the other day - I understand that each level will have a couple opening songs by another band, followed by 2 Aerosmith songs and an encore. I haven't even cracked my Guitar Hero III, and I'm looking forward to this. Anyway, here's the trailer if you haven't seen it.

Rhythm

Played 4 out of 5 of my set this morning - around 20 minutes - but today I tried it on Hard. I wasn't sure if I was going to make through "Ace of Spades" - it's easy to get out of rhythm on the frets when you've got another rhythm jamming to the music. But I was moving pretty around pretty good, and got a big 3 stars.

Everywhere I Go

Ha! I'm on my way home right now and "Sharp-Dressed Man" is on the radio - WTAK, 106.1, Huntsville.

Persistence

Didn't have a lot of time this morning, but I went ahead and did my first 3 songs - nearly 15 minutes. I think I'll be better off if I keep at this, even if I have to cut it a little short in the mornings.

Breathless

I used the same workout this morning as yesterday - I may try to stick with this Joan Jett / ZZ Top / Joan Jett / Motörhead / Motörhead set. "I Love Rock and Roll" is a good warm-up; I get a little more in the groove with "Sharp-Dressed Man"; and following it up with a second "I Love Rock and Roll" helps me really get moving. Then following it up with a couple "Ace of Spades" leaves me breathless, so to speak.

Speed vs. Accuracy

This morning, I decided to kick it up a notch - I played my normal first three songs, but followed those with "Ace of Spades" (Motörhead). Twice.

It's awesome for a workout, but with the notes coming a bit faster, I had to be careful not to try to stop moving around to increase my accuracy.

There's a bit of a tradeoff there - with a faster, more difficult song, it's easier to get into it and really jam - but then, it's also easier to lapse into my normal playing mode and slow down to pay better attention and make sure I'm hitting every note.

One Down, Two to Go

*Finally* beat Guitar Hero on hard last night. It's interesting to see how you get better at something with time. I think it probably took me 30 or more tries to get through Clapton's "Crossroads" on level 4, but by the time I made it through level 6, I got through "Bark at the Moon" in less than half a dozen tries.

Speed Metal Workout

Another good 20 minutes this morning. I kept the first 3 songs from yesterday's set, but replaced Judas Priest with Queen's "Killer Queen." Bad choice - I should have kept the faster, more intense "Another Thing Comin'."

But I probably got a better workout trying to beat that Pantera song on hard last night. Those notes come fast and furious.

98%

I don't think I've ever made it this far into a song and got booed off stage before. After a couple more tries, I finally finished Pantera's "Cowboys from Hell" (those notes are fast). Now I've got one more song before I beat Guitar Hero on hard. Ozzy's "Bark at the Moon" is gonna be tough.

Turning It Up

Got a good 20 minutes in today - played the same set as yesterday, but added Judas Priest's "You Got Another Thing Comin'." Actually worked up a sweat. We still won't talk about how I might have looked jamming in my living room.

First Day!

I didn't get up as early as I liked, but I was able to play for a little bit this morning. I rocked it twice on "I Love Rock and Roll" and once on "Sharp-Dressed Man". What is that? A little under 15 minutes? I think it's a good start. I was out of breath a couple times. I looked pretty cool in my head, but I doubt that if anyone saw it, they'd use that same word. Maybe "awkward." Or "idiotic." But since I was the only one there, we'll pretend it was just "cool."

Of course, I played horribly - I missed a ton of notes and my guitar is so sensitive that every time I moved, it thought I was trying to launch star power. If I would have played any harder than medium I don't know if I would have made it through the songs.

I just need to get up a little earlier tomorrow - and maybe get to bed a little earlier tonight.

Madness or Genius?

I'm always trying to find new ways to exercise. It's not just trying to find something I enjoy, but trying to find something I enjoy enough to squeeze into my schedule.

So, awhile back, I was driving home from work, and during my 80-minute commute, I struck on a great idea.

What if, every day, I not only played Guitar Hero, but really played. I mean working up a sweat - jumping around like Joan Jett, or playing Angus Young-style. I'd enjoy it, I'd look forward to it, I might lose some weight, and as a bonus get really good at Guitar Hero.

So in this blog I'm chronicling my attempt to lose weight by playing video games - my Guitar Hero workout. I start tomorrow - like every good exercise program! And I'll post daily about my experience, and probably weekly on my progress.

I might even throw some videos and exercise ideas I've had from time to time.

Either this is the stupidest, or the best idea I've ever had. I guess time will tell.