So,
Last spring I got a new digital camera, and wanting to test it out I began hunting outside for some subjects to photograph.
Well after some searching in the yard I came across a mushroom at the edge of my field. So deciding it was a good chance to tryout my camera's ability to capture extremely detailed closeups of thing I snapped several shots of the fungi.

Upon returning to my computer I was amazed how beautiful the little details of the things were, and the fact that despite mushrooms being all over the place in the area I live, I had never really taken a chance in my nearly 30 years to appreciate them. Despite being someone who loves being outdoors.
Maybe my ignorance was caused by my extreme dislike of eating them, I don't know, but damn are they amazing.
So this led to my reading of several mycology books, and many, many excursions into the woods to hunt out these once ignored friends of mine.
The sheer complexity of the types, forms, and properties of fungus is mind boggling. What a great way to spend an afternoon trudging through the woods and discovering them has become.
Unfortunately winter has put a hamper on my new favorite outside activity so as I was reminiscing by looking through my pictures (I have a ton now) I decided I would put a couple to use making my until now neglected new background space. It's not the best background but I am a better photographer than photoshopper.

The mushrooms are: Left - Hygrophorus psittacinus AKA Parrot Mushroom. Center - Clavulina cristata AKA Crested Coral Right - Stropharia rugosoannulata AKA Wine Cap Stropharia (edible)

I can't wait til spring.

Well that idea I think has gone down the toilet, oh well.
On the bright side I have been playing lots of games when I'm not busy at work, watching my kids, or spending time with the wife.

Lets see... Spore: Actually a pretty good game IMO, and yes I paid real money for it. It's been since Warcraft III I last played a strategy game, so alot of the gameplay feels pretty fresh and new again. Bonus: My wife likes the game a lot too.. that's seriously rare.
Mass Effect: Beat if shortly after its release last year, I for some reason decided to play it again, and on veteran difficulty. Still an awesome game even if a few of the encounters such as fights against the worms in the Mako feel seriously cheap at this difficulty level.
Castle Crashers: Absolutely loved it! I'm going to mash on it some more soon I think.
Soul Calibur 4: Bought it for my poor neglected PS3 which had'nt been turned on since I was finished with MGS4. Love the game and have beat it and upgraded more than half the roster now. I'll go back to that one sometime soon too.

Yeah so thats mostly it as far as gaming is concerned in the last few months, unless you want to count my Magic The Gathering addiction, which has been healthy since Oct. of 1995. I'm still amazed the game is still going this many years later.
Even more amazing is that me and my group of friends... even my wife now still play the game whenever we get together. Perhaps its sad, but there are alot worse things out there.

Also I just ordered The Godfather Collection on Blu-Ray from Amazon... believe it or not I have never sat down and watched those movies in their entirety, this will soon change.

Yup, BC:R is as I hoped, amazing.
Bionic Commando has always been my favorite NES title simply because the swing mechanic was so damn unique at the time.  Even the challenge rooms turned out excellent, and are fun to play.
Looks like Soul Calibur 4 (Which I personally am enjoying alot) will get a break for now while I play this.
If you were to ask me at the beginning of this year what were the top 3 games I wanted most were the list would have been:

1. Bionic Commando: Rearmed
2. Fallout 3
3. Metal Gear Solid 4

2 out of 3 games meet the hype so far, here's hoping Fallout 3 meets or exceeds expectations as well.

Got this message in my email today.

Congratulations! As the official judging organization for the Xbox LIVE GTA IV Promotion, it is our pleasure to inform you that you have been selected as a Seventh Prize winner!

Your prize is a three (3) month Xbox LIVE Gold subscription!

The message was followed with a XBL subscription code. I suppose I cant say I've never won anything now.

Tornado watch in my area today until 7pm... The weather pattern is definitely weird today but I don't think much will come of it. Still not a common thing at all here in Maine.
I'll keep an eye out just in case.