A Warning To Potential Uber Drivers

I recently bought my self a nice car. To help pay it off, I considered driving for Uber. BIG mistake. Here's why:

First off, you need to scan and upload your license, registration, and insurance card to Uber. All fine, if the information was only given to Uber, as they claim. After I uploaded the information, and was then able to see all of the "training" videos, I decided that Uber was not a match for me. Since then, they have decided to contact and send my information to both the City of Chicago, as well as the State of Illinois.

Why did they do this? In compliance with state and local laws, they have to let local agencies know who is driving, what they are driving, when and where they are driving, and what all of my information is. The worst part is, I couldn't pick up a fare in Chicago if I wanted to, since it would have been out of my area.

Speaking of areas, you don't get to drive anywhere that you want, like they suggest before you sign up. You are given an area based on your home address. All contacts that you are given are based on this, not where you are currently driving. So, if you are living in an area without the need for taxis, Uber or otherwise, you're wasting your time applying.

The primary reason that I decided not to drive for them was given to me in a text after I gave them my info and watched the videos. You MUST have either a newer Apple phone, or a Galaxy 6 phone. And with them, Apple service. So, if you like your current phone and service, too bad. You can either get a second phone, or rent a phone for $10 a week from Uber. NOTHING of this is mentioned until the text.

The same night that I gave them all of my information, and turned them down within an hour of doing so, I had hoped that would be the end of it. Within 24 hours I got an email saying that my information would be removed, and a second email saying the exact same thing a week after that. Since then, I have been contacted by the City of Chicago, saying that I have some mandatory inspections. If I don't follow through, I can be fined, or even face legal sanctions. What sanctions, they didn't specify.

Today, I received a letter from the State of Illinois, saying that due to new laws, I must go through both driving tests, as well as vehicle inspections because Uber still has me listed as a driver. If I don't comply, I again can face legal issues.

I have tried to respond to Chicago, as well as the State. Chicago's email bounced back as undeliverable. There was no other way to contact them, other than hitting the reply button on my email. I have not yet heard back from the State, or Uber, about the last letter.

So, if you are planning on driving for Uber, ask yourself if there is ANYTHING that you can do instead. Otherwise, don't be surprised if you start getting legal notices and fees from your local and State governments.

Marvel Ultimate Alliance Review

Yes, this is a very old game. But with the second Avengers movie out, and a lack of games to accompany it (thankfully this means no shovelware), I thought this would be a good game to review. IT does have a large selection of Avengers to choose from. Some that haven't even been given a movie or TV series yet. There's also the Fantastic Four, Daredevil (Netflix series), and Electra, just to name a few.

Besides having what might be the biggest cast of playable characters in a video game, the cameos using NPCs are astonishing. Balder, Black Bolt, Wyatt Wingfoot. Aunt May and Willie the mailman even mentioned, but not not actually shown. The people at Raven, Activision, and Beenox, among others, did far more research into characters that would bring players into the Marvel Universe, than any other game to date, with the exception of the DCU free-to-play MMO.

Between the Xbox (original), Xbox 360, PS2, PS3, and the PS3, I've beeten the game 13 times, and have a 14th started. Why throw that into the review? Because I was still finding new things in the game the last time I played. And when it comes to hunting for hidden items in a game, I'm usually pretty damned good at it. I don't always get 100% of the items, but I get close, and without using a cheat book.

The character detail is amazing, although I recommend using the older consoles if you want to see better graphics. The 360 and PS3 have this weird texture over the costumes that makes them look like action figures. The older systems actually look more realistic. Other than that, I can't find any major difference between the systems.

If you have a 360, the extra price for the Platinum (comes with extra characters and a behind the scenes DVD) or Gold edition (same characters, but no DVD) is worth it. Activision lost its licensing to use several of the characters in the game. As such, you can't buy the extra characters any longer. This also applies to the sequel. You also get a few more training room missions with either of these versions.

The game play is extremely fluid, and lets you fine tune not just the character's abilities, but his/her bonuses as well. Each suit that you unlock gives you a new look (except for the Surfer), and a set of variables that you can augment. These may include health bonuses, damage bonuses, or extra energy for your powers, to name a few.

The glitching is extremely minor. For instance, if you switch characters, the computer will reassign the powers you mapped out. For instance, your Hulk ground pound may be replaced with his hand clap. I've also discovered a few places that you should never go. While exploring the snow covered mountains of Asgard, do not fly up to the peaks. Not only will your character become stuck there, it will die. There are a few places like this, so just try not to go off road.

There is also a way to break Hell. When in Mephisto's realm, there are a few areas that are supposed to have an endless amount of demons to fight. All you have to do is fight for about five minutes, and they slow their spawning. Go back to the previous area, and they start again, but in smaller numbers. After about half an hour, all of the demons stop spawning, except the one by the save point.

This game truly is the best super hero game there is. Yes, I have played the firdt two Arkham games, and enjoyed them. But that game gives you one character (with some DLC for Catwoman and Robin in the second). This game gives you dozens of characters, and multiple teams to use as well. Remember the New Fantastic Four? Spider-Man thought the FF were gone for good, so he had Joe Fixit (Grey Hulk), Ghost Rider, and Wolverine fill in for two issues. They're in there. The Defenders, X-Men, and even an option to create your own team. All Arkham gives you is a batarang.

If you get a chance to play this, take the opportunity. It's one of those rare games that gets all of the important stuff right.

Gears of War Ultimate Edition Beta Review

I got to play the beta for the next Gears recently. I have to admit, I was a little disappointed. I don't play Gears for the multiplayer MOBA maps. I play it for the stories. It's not that I don't mind getting into a frag-fest every now and again, it's just that I don't always get to go online when my friends do, nor do I always play the same games that they do. So, when a game that has surprisingly good stories comes out, I want the solo play, no matter how good the arena is supposed to be.

There is also the newness factor that comes into play (no pun intended). When a game like Halo or Shadowrun first comes out, there's usually enough people interested in the game to provide a balanced team, whether you're a new or seasoned player. But as time goes on, less new people join, and more of the older people stop. As a result, the teams can be lopsided, or worse, the server is shut down (R.I.P. Avatar).

Although I did have some fun playing the beta, I had a learning curve to deal with. I am not a huge Gears fan. Maybe if all games used the same controller layout, I could have avoided the memory issue of what button reloads, how do I switch weapons, etc. Instead, I had to deal with all of this while avoiding fire. Something that took a bit of the fun out of it for me, a non-Gears fanatic.

The other issue that I had is the standard, "don't choose your side, the game will decide for you," element of team building. I would have preferred to play as a COG, instead of a Locust, had I been given a choice. Instead, I was just thrown into a team of Locust, just before the match started. I didn't even have time to chose Sniper, or even see what the other options are. I had to wait for the second match to do so.

On the positive side, the graphics were far better than I expected, and I really expected something from them. The sound was what I expected, which really wasn't much. Let's face it, in a MOBA, all you need are gunshots, explosions, and grunting from the wounded.

So, would this beta increase my chances of buying the next Gears on release day? No. I can't say that the experience justifies a $60 price tag. If The Coalition wants me to shell out any money for the game, they'll have to wait until the price drops to the "Greatest Hits" value price, or at least give me a demo that lets me check out the game play for solo. Otherwise, I may even wait for it's eventual "free with Gold" offering.

MOBAs are a dime a dozen. A good solo or side-by-side co-op is always worth the extra money to me, because I can play when I want, how I want, without worrying about a server being down or closed. I can enjoy the game without waiting for another player that owns the game to plug it in. At $350 for a console, and however much per game, I think I deserve that much control.

My Xbox 360 Bucket List Part 2

Since I will be working six days this week, I am taking advantage of a "slow" period to write this week's blog, using my lazy topic.

Family Guy: I know this is supposed to be a really bad game, but I was a big fan of the series when it first came out. Although I quit watching it a couple of years ago, I'm interested in just how bad the game really is.

Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse: This was one of the Genesis games that I just never got a chance to play. When I still had the system, it was always a bit pricey around here, even used. Now that I don't have a Genesis, I see the cartridge every so often for $2 - $3 at thrift stores.

Bureau: Xcom Declassified: I hated the original game on the PSOne. Just like Civilization, there were those annoying little built in cheats that the game could use against you, like letting the aliens take shots out of turn, or not letting your character even get a chance to move at times. In Civ II on the PSOne (and computer), the computer could move net to your territory or character, and not be penalized. If you run out of moves next to an A.I. character, you risk starting a war. This version of Xcom, however, gets rid of that nonsense, and gives you an FPS instead. I REALLY want to play this.

Batman Origins: I honestly thought it was going to come out on the One at some point. The last Tomb Raider did, so why not this one? Better yet, do an XB1 upgrade for the trilogy. But please, no Blackgate. I'm serious when I say I hate platformers, even Mario Brothers. No, ESPECIALLY Mario Brothers.

Aliens: Colonial Marines: Technically, this one shouldn't be on the list anymore, since I found it really cheap on Amazon recently. So cheap that technically, it was free. I was a couple of dollars short of free shipping, and this only put me about ten cents past the $35 minimum. It was still cheaper than paying for shipping without the game, too. So even if it's as bad, or worse, than I hear, I can sell it, and come out pretty close to even.

From Dust: I played the demo, and it reminded me of an old SNES and PC favorite, Populous. So much so, that I haven't bought it, simply because it's so much like Populous that I feel as if I already played it. Now, if I ever get it as a Gold freebie...

To Be Continued....

Chris Matthew's Slip Of The Tongue

I like Chris Matthews. I genuinely do. I don't always agree with him, but he seems to be a sincere, honest journalist. A journalist that i can respect. However, he made a very bad slip of the tongue on his 6/1 Hardball show that I just can't ignore. "It's a she... It's a she."

As so many other shows, Mr Matthew's did a segment on Caitlyn Jenner, formally Bruce. As you must know by now, the Olympian has been undergoing a physical gender transformation. Surprisingly, Ms. Jenner has been getting support from almost everyone in the media. Even at FOX News. And although Chris Matthews had many supportive things to say, he let loose a very verboten slut. "It."

In my youth, "It" was  was the transgendered equivalent of the "N" word. A word that was used by bigots to refer to anyone that was a cross dresser, female impersonator, effeminate male (straight or gay), inter sexed person, or transsexual. If you fell into any of these categories, especially if you fell into one of these categories in the eyes of a trans-phobic person, you weren't a full human being. You were an "It."

I have heard many people referred this way, both in public and on TV. Early talk shows such as Phil Donahue would occasionally have someone transgendered on, and some caller or audience member would have to use the word "it" to refer to the person. Even as people started to grow more accepting of cross dressers, inter sexed, and transgendered, the word never fully went away. IT faded quite a bit, but it always managed to linger.

Of all the people at MSNBC to refer to anyone in the gender spectrum as "It," I never would have guessed that Mr. Matthews would be the one. I could imagine that a guest panelist on a show would use it, and then be corrected by the host. But Chris Matthews? I had to replay the segment a few times, hoping that I had misunderstood him. But unfortunately, I didn't.

Of all the segments that I've seen on local or cable media, of all the radio clips that I've heard, Chris Matthews was the only person that I head use "It" to describe Caitlyn Jenner. I watched his show again yesterday, hoping that someone had pointed out his slip of the tongue to him. I fully hoped that he would have apologized to Ms. Jenner, as well as his LGBT audience members. Either he is still unaware of his slip, or he thinks it's too minor for a quick, ten second apology.

Chris Matthews, I am very disappointed in you. Not just as a member of the Gender community, but as Ca person that has trusted MSNBC, as well as your show, to provide people with respect as you covered a story. You have shown respect to people of all other groups these past few years, no matter how much you disagreed with them publicly or privately. So please, show the same respect to the Gender Community. Just take a few seconds to say "I'm sorry for revering to Caitlyn Jenner as 'It,' instead of he or she."

My New Word Proposal

Since all of the dictionaries have added their new words for this year, I would like to propose one for next year. So please, help me get it in there by using it every chance that you get.

Chris-christie - verb- To cause traffic chaos, either intentionally or unintentionally, by closing off all off ramps to a roadway, while leaving open all of the on ramps; the accidental or deliberate act of a road crew or government agency that causes unnecessary traffic back up due to bad planning.

I know that this doesn't sound remotely gaming related, but last week I was stuck in traffic so bad that it took me 45 minutes just to move three miles. Once I was finally able to get to an exit, I had another half an hour or so added to my commute. This takes away serious game time. Especially since I was too pissed to play anything once I finally made it home.

Then yesterday, I lost close to another hour, while trying to take Harlem Avenue over I-55 (not entering the expressway, just taking a bridge over it), because there was un-posted roadwork on the bridge, and the State Police decided to let people get off 55 for five minutes at a time, while people that were forced onto the expressway only had 30 seconds to move per turn.

The stupidest part? Maybe 90% of the people getting off the expressway just went straight back on, since there was no other way to head north in the area. Just closing the exits on 55 would have solved most of the traffic issues.

So now I am suggesting a new word for the world, because some idiot at IDOT did a chris-christie at the off ramp from 90/94 to I-290, as well as the chris-christie on Harlem, without posting warning signs.

Why Financial Conservatives Can't See The Big Picture

As I stated in a previous blog, Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner removed all social safety net spending from the State budget. He wanted to get rid of the State's deficit by removing all "unnecessary" funding. Let's ignore the fact that he inadvertently said that all people on welfare, have a disability, or are on unemployment are basically worthless to society. Let's also not talk about the fact that he is about to raise property taxes (he said they'd go down with his new system), and give more tax breaks to the upper 1%. Instead, let's focus on the financial drain that Rauner is creating.

Hundreds of social agencies are either letting people go, drastically cutting employee hours, or both. This means that thousands of people are now going to be earning less. As such, we will also be paying less in taxes that are supposed to go to Rauner's business owner friends. You know, the ones that get subsidies for shipping jobs overseas.

Besides the direct loss of tax revenue, those of us affected by Rauner's new budget will be spending less on everything. That means no small item purchases, like clothing, computers, or household items. No big ticket items like housing, cars, or furniture. Forget about investing through stocks or bonds for Illinois businesses. Forget about being able to save for your children's college.

And as we stop spending money on these items, we also stop generating sales tax. A tax that is estimated when planning the State budget. Which means it will not be truly balanced in the long run, resulting in a deficit again next year. That means next year, working class people will have to cut their spending even more, resulting in fewer sales for businesses, fewer education funds for children, and less sales tax for the next budget.

When I was a kid, I grew up on the far south side of Chicago. We had several steel mills, Ford, Dodge and GM had thriving factories in the area. We also had farms scattered around, a small airport in Lansing, and of course, shopping. I visited a friend that still lives there the other day (Hi, Shawn). I knew the plants and factories had long since died out, thanks in part to the Regan presidency and his fiscal stupidity (remember "trickle down economics?").

The farms also started to get paved over, during the Farm Aid area of fiscal idiocy. Not that Farm Aid was idiotic. It helped out farmers that truly needed aid. It was the whole idea that land taxes were more important than the food produced, unless you were part of a national farm system, the kind of commercial farms that McDonald's or Kraft has.

The Lansing Municipal Airport is still listed in search engines. I didn't have the heart to see if the parachute club was still there. The one that used to bring in spectators like my grandfather and myself, who'd go there on Saturday mornings, watch the beautiful parachute designs, then get a hair cut, shop, or do whatever we had to do.

Besides the factories, mills, and farms, the major thing that is now missing in the area is the revenue that they provided. Sales from fresh produce sold right on the farmer's property. American made steel formed and cut here in Illinois. The American made cars that we so proudly owned and showed off when we bought them. Bought with the jobs that these farms, mills, and factories provided.

I know the first thing that fiscal conservatives say is that it's the unions' fault that all of this went away. They want people to believe that greedy, working class people that insisted on a wage that would feed their families, clothe their families, house their families, and if the kids wanted to go, would provide a college education for their families.

The fiscals are wrong. The wages helped to buy the items that were made or grown at these places. Living wages produced sales that helped to keep the companies in business profitable. It also provided sales taxes from both the industries and the workers that helped to build the State into a once great place to live.

I still remember what it was like before the first expressway came into my family's life. I-90/94 made it possible not just for my family to commute faster and easier to relatives many miles away. It also allowed children in the far south suburbs a faster, more economical way to get to Chicago museums like the Adler Planetarium, The Museum of Science and Industry, or the Natural History Museum. And of course, the roads provided industries in the area a fast, cheap, easy way to get their products shipped around the area, and into other states as well.

Industries did not create the highways and express way systems, taxpayers did. Despite what the people who watch FOX News want you to believe, it was not fiscal conservatism that created our public roads, it was us, the tax payer. Rich and poor alike. All because we paid our fair share of taxes, and were actually proud to do so.

Our national pride is eroding rapidly. Our school system is no longer the best in the world. Our dollar is no longer the strongest in the world. We are not the healthiest, smartest, or the most ambitious nation in the world. Slowly, we are becoming a Third World Country. All because of fiscal conservatives that think the Victorian Era was the right way to live. Bring back the debtor prisons, arrest the poor, and force them to work in sweat shops for pennies a day.

As long as we, the voters, allow our politicians, Democrats and Republicans alike, to keep opening new tax loopholes for the richest of us, and keep forcing the hardest working among us to pay all of the taxes, the fiscals will keep making life harder for us. They can't see the big picture, because they won't admit that it's there. It really is that simple.

As long as they see Atlas Shrugged as a blue print for a better society, a society where the rich don't have to be taxed, and workers shut up and stay in their place, we will keep loosing more and more equality in a country that claims "all men are created equal."

So good bye social safety net. People with mental disabilities are already starting to take up jail space, because we don't have the funds to care for them. To provide them the extra help in terms of housing or job training that they need to be profitable in the eyes of the fiscally conservative. Politicians like Bruce Rauner will never see them as respectable members of society.  All because fiscally conservatives can't see what the big picture is.

We are a society. Society means all people, not just the rich. Not just the beautiful. Not just the smartest. Society is all people. Rich and poor, physically able and those that aren't for any reason. That's the big picture. And politicians like Rauner just refuse to admit that it exists.