I’ll be updating this post throughout the next 24 hours with a play-by-play low down on exactly what’s going on and just how well I can see still! You can follow others’ game plans and get more information in the Sarcastic Gamer ExtraLife forums.

9:00am - We’re done. 24 hours. Woot! Good work everyone. I can’t type or function any more, I’ll see you on Monday world. Good day Sir.

8:26am - 30 minutes to go peoples and I’m spending the same as my first 30 minutes, playing CoD4 on my Mac. I’m avoiding the multiplayer though and just doing a level of the campaign because if I sucked so badly with sleep yesterday there’s no way I’d be able to hold my own in my current state!

7:22am - I really, really want to play Rock Band for some reason. Everyone’s asleep though. Do you think they’ll mind?? Hmmm… maybe I’ll pop in Grand Theft Auto 4 (GTA4), I’ve neglected Niko for long enough!

7:08am - 42. (Inside joke)

6:19am - 15 minute nap turned into half an hour. I needed it though, got a complete second wind. Now which console to hurt some more? I’m thinking a little of Wipeout HD again followed my some brain-dead FIFA `09 both on the PS3. Speaking of hurting; I’m surprised my thumbs aren’t bleeding by now.

5:43am - What if I just rest my eyes, just for a second. 15 minutes then I’m in for the last 3 hours.

5:25am - OK, it didn’t talk to me. I just needed coffee. Back to the Xbox. Still playing Star Wars.

5:20am - I swear the coffee table just spoke to me.

5:03am - I have never played games this long. The last time I played a computer game anywhere near this long was when I was about 11 and I hired the new “Alex the kid” game for my Sega Master System. I remember having been glued to it all day and then when I came out for dinner everything that was white looked bright red to me. I’ve never been able to look at mashed potatoes the same!

4:12am - My bed looks so nice and comfortable right now.

3:49am - On the verge of delirium. I have no idea what’s going on in Star Wars: The Force Unleashed at the moment. All I know is that if I keep pressing “X” on my controller I seem not to die

3:01am - Serious case of the yawns. Breaks are becoming little more regular as my brain slowly fades to nothing. Worried if I close my eyes I’ll go to sleep.

2:09am - How is it that a video game for Star Wars that’s only had about 10 minutes of dialog is already better than Episode One? Don’t get too excited though, Lucas has managed to keep some sense of cheese in there with an android that takes the form of anyone it likes. For the hormonal tweens & married men forget the android you have a personal intergalactic chauffeur with a breast endowment that would put Lara Croft to shame.

12:45am - Used my break to make my bed with the clean sheets from the washing I did earlier in the day. Ahhh fresh sheets for when I collapse in a pile of gamed out goo. Unfortunately looks like I’ve lost my MGS4 save game because the PS3 was replaced a few weeks back. Really can’t be bothered starting from scratch today so say hell to Star Wars: The Force Unleashed!

12:22am - I sat down nearly two hours ago to play Wipeout HD until the pizza I ordered arrived. Well the pizza’s gone but I’m still playing Wipeout! This game is damn cool, I don’t remember why I hated the old versions so much? Graphics are pretty amazing too! Still it’s time for a break, my eyes are getting tired, then on to MGS4.

10:40pm - I still don’t get why the PS3 doesn’t install things you download automatically?! It’s retarded! Grrrr, hurry up already Wipeout HD!

10:20pm - Just ordered Pizza for my dinner, 40 minutes away so I thought I’d play a few little arcade/PSN games. Little bit of Geometry Wars and what the hey, I’ll buy Wipeout HD for AUD$27.95, it’s for the kids, I swear!

10:05pm - I just completed Bioshock! Goal 1 achieved for the day, even if I am about 3 hours behind schedule. I’m thinking maybe I should dedicate the rest of the time to finishing Metal Gear Solid 4 (MGS4) which I’ve had sitting here for months, but the call of Star Wars: The Force Unleashed is soooo appealing! On Bioshock; what an absolutely amazing game! All the elements of a puzzler & FPS rolled into one with the most immersive story-line I’ve experienced in a game. For those out there that haven’t played it, go get it now! You’ll love it!

7:29pm - Just had my ass handed to me in some CoD4 multiplayer. I really suck at that game online! Back to Bioshock, but it’s getting dark and I’m getting scared. Will stop for a dinner break at the half way point (9pm).

5:30pm - You can still donate!! Instructions on doing so here.

4:50pm - Taking a Bioshock break by having a game of FIFA `09 on the PS3 with my housemate. My heart can take a little break from its palpitations ;)

3:30pm - Bioshock time. If there’s one thing I’ve set my goals on achieving today it’s finishing Bioshock. Hopefully I get it done before it gets dark because there are moments in that game that almost make me shit myself I swear!

3:08pm - Woah, look at the time and I’m still on CoD4. Time for a change up and to do another load of washing :( boooooo! Actually this might be a good opportunity for a lunch break. Jam on toast, packet of chips & a Diet Dr. Pepper. Lunch of video game champions!

1:00pm - Still playing CoD4. I love this game, it is without a doubt the best FPS on the market still and playing it on the Mac for the first time is just making it all the more enjoyable. I was going to stop but I just hit the sniper level, which is my favourite, so I’ll complete that and move on to the Xbox. Arsenal ended up winning BTW (3-1) and for my break I’ve popped on a load of washing, just for something different.

10:25am - Fresh new Starbucks. Switching to Call of Duty 4 (CoD4) on the Mac so my housemate can watch the Arsenal game on the TV. They’re losing 1-0 against Everton at the moment in case you’re wondering…

9:00am - The ExtraLife event has begun for me and my time zone. Straight into Bioshock on the Xbox 360.

8:45am - Woke up. Again. Dressed, coffee. I don’t think I’ve been up this early on a Saturday since I was 7.

8:00am - Woke up, not starting until 9:00, had planned on showering and getting all prepared. Decided sleep was more important. Went back to bed.

This Saturday is the big day for the ExtraLife charity event that I’m participating in. For those of you who missed my first post explaining the details you can catch up on it all here.

The nuts & bolts of it revolves around me playing video games for 24 hours straight and being sponsored by you guys out there which is then passed on to help children with cancer. There’s still plenty of time to get your donations in and you can do that here.

In the weeks leading up to the event I’ve been purchasing a bunch of new games to play as well as having a few in reserve that I’m yet to complete and a couple of old favourites spanning 4 different gaming platforms taking in to account times my housemate will undoubtedly require the TV to watch an English Premiere League game.

Games to be played, their platform & status:
Grand Theft Auto 4 (Xbox360) - Need to complete
Bioshock (Xbox360) - Need to complete
RockBand (Xbox360) - Fun
Fifa 09 (PS3) - Fun
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed (Xbox360) - Brand New
Call Of Duty 4 (Mac) - Brand New
Sam & Max Season 2 (PC) - Brand New
World of Warcraft (Mac) - Never Ends & a last resort

Food, Supplies & Breaks:
I’ve stocked up on snacks, diet coke and batteries for controllers. I’ll be ordering in Pizza, Greek and maybe Mexican.
For breaks, I’m planning at least 5-10 minutes each hour, just because I know how my eyes can get after staring at RockBand and constantly seeing the stupid notes travel down the screen when I close my eyes. I also plan a movie break at least once, perhaps seeing the new Max Payne film.

Thanks
Big thanks goes out to those that have already sponsored me thus far. Sarah, George, Margie & John, and Marnie. To the rest of you get off your lazy bums and donate!

Coming up on October 18th I will be participating in Sarcastic Gamer’s 24 hour gaming marathon pediatric cancer charity event - Extralife.

…gamers from around the world will come together for 24 hours to raise money and awareness for the cause of pediatric cancer. Cancer is the number one cause of non-accidental death in children.

I will be square eyed playing Xbox, PS3 and PC games for a 24 hour straight period and I’m asking all of you out there to please dig deep and sponsor me in this amazing worldwide gaming effort. Let’s all help put a smile on a child’s face.

How to sponsor me
- Go to this URL: http://waystogive.texaschildrens.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=739

- In the box labeled “Name of Gamer you are Supporting” enter “Raj Deut“

- Click “Donate” & complete the PayPal form

Today is truly a sad day, for today, I say goodbye to a pair of good friends that have been at my side (or rather feet) for nigh on three years. Whilst visually they seem to show only a few wrinkles it’s their soul (really it’s their sole) that is beyond repair. Worn thin from the thousands of kilometres they’ve trekked across four different continents my beloved Onitsuka Tigers have nothing left to give.

Accompanying me on three trips overseas, walking the pavements of cities like Paris, London, New York and Toronto to name just a few they have been my one permanent travel companion through all of my adventures.

It with a heavy heart that they’re returned to the box from whence they came and passed on to that big garbage chute in the sky. Goodbye old friends.

Otaku and Fanboy rejoice for the 14th annual Fan Expo Canada is in full swing at Toronto’s Metro Convention Centre. Running from August 22nd through 24th the convention is covers gaming, comics, anime, horror and science fiction. This year the expo showcases over 600 exhibitors over an area of 220,000 square feet.

More photos here.

Recently I was asked by the lovely ladies of “The Blue Skittle” magazine to offer my reasoning behind exactly why I’m looking forward to this years Penny Arcade Expo (PAX). I’ve pasted my paragraph below but be sure to check out the rest of the issue at http://theblueskittle.com

“My favourite response when people ask me about attending PAX is “I may have had to sell a kidney to afford it but it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for me to go.” It’s when they ask to see the scar that I have to that I disappoint them and explain that I’m speaking figuratively. In all honesty though, for me, coming from Australia to attend; PAX is one of the remaining Mecca’s for game “consumers” since the retarding of E3 and I’ll be damned if I’d miss it while I’m staying in North America even if I am all the way on the East Coast living in Canada.”

I’m going to give you the ending to this story before I begin to tell it, not because it’s some clever film noir script, but because if my Mum reads the title she’ll freak out and worry that I’m lying in a ditch yet somehow able to write this post with my dying breaths. So, obviously the end is that I’m fine. I’m nursing a rather swollen right knee, feeling extremely stiff and sore the day after but I’m alive and walking and there’s no stitches.

Now for the story behind said injuries. The so called “Summer” here in Toronto seemed to last the first week I was here amidst the humid heat wave of mid 30’s, pffft, whatever… mid 30’s. Since that first week there’s been a mixture of rain that seems scheduled to start at 5pm each day and torrential downpour that just ruins the entire day. With that said I haven’t really had the opportunity to ride my lovely new bike to work; that is, until yesterday.

It was such a beautiful day, the sun was out, some light cloud cover of the fluffy white variety adorned the sky and a cool breeze flowed over me as I rode through the streets of downtown Toronto. So there I was, happily riding down King St heading towards work, a small bird had perched itself on my shoulder, the two of us whistling to the tune of Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” when all of a sudden a car door begins to open about 10 metres in front of me.

Now I can’t blame this guy for causing what was about to ensue but it was the catalyst. The door opened gently as they’d obviously not checked for anyone coming, be it car or bike for that matter, and I did what any cyclist would do, check my left shoulder and swerve out to avoid smashing into the door. That was all well and good, no problems getting out of the way there but in swerving out of the way of the car door I’d managed to get my bike tires firmly lodged in the rather deep rut of Toronto’s street car (tram) tracks.

From realizing I had my tires caught in the track and picking myself up off the ground to a resounding yell of “f@#k” took about 3 seconds, most of which was spent sliding along the asphalt in a sort of baseball like position on my right knee and shin. Brushing myself off inspecting the scene I’d remarkably not scratched any part of the bike frame nor any of my body besides the now large hole in my jeans and a sort of cheese grated knee. I was pretty happy with my fall skills, who knew that those two months in Boy Scouts would actually pay off!

The worst part of it all, other than today’s throbbing pain and swelling, is that because I’d passed the car a while back and slid so far on the ground it looked like I’d fallen off for no reason what so ever to those viewing the spectacle. I just looked like a complete numpty that didn’t know how to ride a bike. Good thanks!

Lets for a moment forget the fact that I’ve started a new job that has me slowly taming the beast known to the technorati as “Drupal” into a well trained, obediant King Charles Spaniel and concentrate on the rather unbelievable fact that I haven’t had coffee in about a month!

Yes children of the Internets I know it’s a hard fact to comprehend that I Raj “let’s-have-a-coffee” Sanchez could have been turned away from such a wonderful socially accepted addiction. You must be asking yourself “Why? What has happened to my little friend Raj to turn him away from his only true friend, coffee?” Well that’s a fantastic question really, why don’t you pull up your favourite Japanese-restaurant-sitting-cushion and get all settled in while I explain in intricate detail the justification in my passing on the joe.

Coffee in Canada sucks. Explanation over.

OK, I’ll go into a little more detail. If I wanted brown water I’d go down to the street and scoop out a cup from the nearest mud pool I can find. Why and more importantly “how” people can drink percolated coffee is beyond me! Yes it costs about CAD$1.50 for a jumbo mug of the garbage but that’s no reason for the millions of Tim Hortons’ franchises that exist here in plague proportions putting the US’s Starbucks chain to shame. Dare you ask for a “latte” you might find that you’re given something that resembles frothed milk but 9 times out of 10 it came out of an automated machine the likes of which you’d find in a Shell service station midpoint Melbourne and Adelaide.

There is one place I’ve found that does a good coffee, even if the late does come in a glass cup the size of a small water tower, and that’s the hotel I stayed in last year whilst I was visiting, The Drake. I’ve had about three there now and they’re generally pretty on the money.

Now before everyone (well mostly Canadians) out there starts screaming and rushing me in a mob like fashion I open up the comments section of the post to all of you T.dotters to please, please, tell me where I can get a good coffee!

P.S. If you tell me to go to Starbucks, Second Cup or any other chain that serves crap I’ll hunt you down and pour said establishments scolding muck in your lap ;)

For starters that title up above, that’s a rhetorical question, we all know I’m awesome and just to prove it I came across this video by mistake the other day… It has nothing to do with Canada, nothing to do with New York (where I am now), it’s just some awesome dude (named Raj) being an idiot. Enjoy.

I really have no idea where this particular “gang sign”, for want of a better word, came from nor what it actually represents. The last time I saw it I was pretty sure that it was quite offensive along the same lines as the old bird but it appears by having the V horizontal it’s as good as symbolizing peace amongst the more “cool” of today’s society.

Lately I’ve seen people doing this rather strange symbol on TV each week, in pubs and all over the web. Am I missing out on something? Or is this just some really impressive plot the world has to make me feel like an idiot?!