If you'd like to jump in and play you can still pre-order and get immediate access to the Steam beta for $35 bucks.

It is a weekly ritual now that I go back and try to remember a funny video for you guys that I had watched recently, I succinctly realize that I have a terrible memory, and then I go in search of something fresh. This is just one sad example of how we are being re-wired in the way we think. This study came out about 6 months ago, but has once again re-affirmed it's validity in my life. In a way it is so simple it is common sense, but when you don't think about it, it can creep up on you, like slowly losing your eyesight, and not realizing how far you had come until you put on glasses. Similarly, I think many of us don't realize how dependent we have become on the Internet and always having the answers at our fingertips. It is a very efficient way to do things, your brain doesn't have to store any useless information, and if you do need it, it can usually be accessed in seconds. However, if something happens and the Internet is gone one day down the line, are we all going to be collectively screwed, and have to re-invent the wheel in many areas where our memories have failed us?

Anyways, I thought that was interesting. Nothing like doing late night updates to make your thoughts drift into the existential. Beyond that I've played a few rounds of LoL this week, as well as some Dota 2. LoL still feels like I'm going back to preschool to play with blocks after playing Dota 2, but LoL has shiny new characters they are dangling for me to unlock still. I'll be very interested to see what Valve does with Dota 2 to give that sense of value to player progression and add to the addiction. Diablo III is still fun, I think after this latest large patch it is actually feeling more fun than ever, though it is hard to not constantly feel OP when you're re-running a small section of the first act over and over again.

Since I couldn't remember anything funny to show you, here's a video Ohm hooked me up with, should be especially entertaining for those of you who grew up in the 90's or really got into the Weird Al Polka stuff. Enjoy, and enjoy your weekend.

In a call for better communication on the long awaited Half-Life 3 / HL2:EP 3, a Steam Group messagetovalve (currently boasting 31.5k members) plans to all play Half-Life 2 on 02/04/12 (Saturday), kicking off the event at 11AM PST and playing for a half an hour. From the Steam group page:

The lack of communication between Valve and the Half-Life community has been a frustrating experience. While continued support for current and future products is greatly appreciated, fans of the Half-Life series have waited years for a word on when the franchise will return.

So, Instead of focusing efforts in a negative and disrespectful way, we have decided to gain Valve's attention by delivering a basic message:

Your oldest and longest running fanbase would like better communication.

Waiting patiently for over four years is a daunting task, especially when E3 comes and goes without any beat of a Half-Life pulse, time and time again. Valve had stated that information was scheduled to be released towards the end of 2008, and we believe that if they have chosen, for whatever reason, to withhold this information, fans should at least be acknowledged in some way, regardless of developmental plans for the next Half-Life project.

The entire trilogy of episodes was supposed to be completed and released by 2007, and if Valve have decided to do other things for the time being, that is fine; all that we ask for is a basic response on the matter, and to let fans know whether or not the current story arc is scheduled to conclude at another point in time.

In addition: This message is in no way, shape or form attempting to rush the development of the Half-Life series; in fact, most members agree that Valve should take the time needed to deliver a complete and polished product.

If you agree with the above message and statements, please join this group and share your support constructively.

Hopefully such attention will be recognized by Valve, and the community's voice will be heard.

Remember that Steam Mobile App? Well no longer do you have to wait for the beta invite to start playing with it, it has gone live for everyone. I found it to be pretty slick and feature packed so far; you can do almost everything you'd want to do in Steam, except for the thing you'd want to do the most (play games).

It is free, so why not check it out?

On the games side I thought I'd finally get around to playing Uncharted 3 considering the situation here, but no go on that just yet. I did give an upcoming Civilization V / Master of Magic themed titled called Warlock: Master of the Arcane a run though, and recorded a couple hours of footage. I'm going to have to try to find a way to make watching video of a turn-based strategy game a little more exciting. Once I do that I'll get that up on my Youtube channel for you guys to check out.

Since the lack of the Juberish yesterday meant a lack of bacon, boobs, and doggy business, I'll try to make up for that on a couple fronts. First, I'll confirm reports that I did indeed make maple flavored bacon over the weekend, even though I've been a strict supporter of ham and sausages as the breakfast meats of champions for the better part of a decade. For your boobs fix, well, you'll eventually get something along those lines in the (now viral) VOTD below. Don't say I didn't warn you!