The videogame industry is said to have come full circle after the crash in 1984 due to games becoming popular- only companies tried to take advantage of popularity by shoving shovelware down the consumer's throats. A glut of bad quality games led to the crash, and subsequent revival by Nintendo's hands.

Fast forward to 2008 and we see yet another iteration of the console wars featuring the systems we're all familiar with. However, one thing that can be said is that there's a HUGE variety of games on market now to choose from. Too much to count and keep up with. Especially if you're an older gamer like myself who only has so much time in the day to devote to gaming.

For those of you who have more time, choose carefully, for every great game out there, there's 10 that are crap. Just a heads up.

If you play it right it can happen, but the majority of us are stuck in a lovely spiral of spending. Using extra money to pay those credit card bills, and then having to use the same card to put in gas in your tank before the next paycheck arrives.

Its tough to save now because of how everything is getting more expensive, and how money has less actual value than it did in past years. Not to say that its gone up the creek completely, but its definitely something to keep your eyes on if you're financially independent.

The rest of ya who still are at home with the parents or have someone paying your bills for you, be careful. Its never too early to save, or at least educate yourself on how much to spend and when so you got something to fall back on.

Many times you find that people are quite ignorant of the things that go on around them. Many from elsewhere like to use Americans as a prime example. I'd have to agree that most of us are pretty blind to the rest of the world, but it doesn't mean that others in other countries are too. The only difference is that big bad America is in the spotlight because of our status in the world.

Next time you hear someone accuse an American of being ignorant, question their knowledge of world affairs. How many of you know about the political issue in Zimbabwe? How about Myanmar? Or Sichuan and its quake victims? Perhaps Hugo Chavez and his attempts to alienate South America from the North?

I can boldly guarantee that most people would either (a)- know nothing about the subject, or (b)- heard it on the news somewhere, but couldn't give you any facts outside what they heard and remembered.

Ignorance is not an excuse.