Welcome to your Friday Loading... You can read previously enjoyed editions of Loading... in the blog archive. (For the navigation impaired that means you click the link and then look in the right menu.)

The 448th edition of Loading... is brought to you by Reebok and EA Sports: Fan of Jay-Z and NBA Live? To find out how to unlock Jay-Z as the newest baller in NBA Live 2007, Click Here

My distaste for Jay-Z and basketball hasn't deterred EA from sticking an advertisement in this blog. Who will advertise next? Jack Thompson? Nambla? Jack Thompson on behalf of Nambla? Stay tuned.

It's Friday the 13th and aptly the power to my home went out at exactly midnight. It was off until 7:30 this morning. OooooooOOOoooooOOOoooooh, scary.

I mentioned that the U.S. population was going to pass the 300 million mark a couple of days ago. An even more important and certainly unbelievable event is going to occur at some point today. At any moment, probably this morning, the number of people subscribed to read this blog by e-mail will pass the 3,000 mark.

To celebrate this monumental event I am giving away five retail copies of the Ryzom Ring, each with a 30 day subscription to the game. By "I am giving away" I mean "Nevrax has donated". Thank you Nevrax for supporting this blog and giving its readers free games. They may be shy when it comes to comments, but those are the best customers. They never complain!

If you want a shot at one of these Ryzom Ring prizes just post a message in this forum proclaiming Loading... the gospel of MMO games. That's all you need to do. Nothing more. Nothing less. On Monday I will hire a pretty assistant to scientifically pick five of the entries. The winners will be wisked away to sunny Atys for an all expense paid trip through the Ryzom Ring.

I was pointed to a thread in the official Vanguard Forums where a poster, let's call him, oh, how about, Wankmeister Fresh Wes. That name seems a fitting title for such an astute poster. Mr Wes, or Wankmeister for those of you who are not quite as formal posted that TenTonHammer were "fanbois" of Vanguard.

"Fanboys" remain loyal to their particular obsession, disregarding any factors that differ from their point of view. They are also typically hateful the opposing brand of their obession regardless of its merits or achievements." - Wikipedia.com

If comparing Brad McQuaid to Batman's Penguin constitutes being a fanboi then consider us guilty as charged.

Otherwise we suggest that Wankmeister Fresh Wes (I used his full name because that's what his mother probably does when she calls him up from the basement for dinner) grab some copies of Schoolhouse Rock and replay the ones that focus on reading comprehension over and over until he's on a first name basis with conjuncion junction. If he'd just watch them each time he would have normally watched 'Joani Loves Chachi' he'd get in at least four viewings a day. What makes it even more amusing is that I've been accepted to the Vanguard beta for over a month and have yet to actually play the game. Booyah! Have a great weekend folks! Don't forget to post for your chance to win Ryzom Ring.

Don't disappoint me. I want these given out by Monday. I'm booking the sexy assistant right now!

Post a comment at the bottom of this blog. If you are shy (or female and sending in naughty pictures) you can E-Mail me.

Every good guild needs a home. A home free of gold ads and secondary market farmers. Look no further than GuildPortal.com.

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Exclusive new TenTonHammer.com Content!
Let us entertain you or at the very least waste some of your time at work.10.113.2006 Exclusive Content

• Dungeons and Dragons Online: Stormcleave Outpost Quest Guide
  "If you plan to have a Level 10 (or Level 12 in a few weeks!) character in Dungeons & Dragons Online, you /will/ run Stormcleave at some point. Our advice--as always--is to bring a good bard, and don't attempt this quest with just anybody. You'll need dependable companions to make it through this gauntlet!"
• EverQuest 2: High End Raiders And Their Gear
  "Ever wonder why it seems that the HIGH END people have better gear than the casual gamer or soloer? Bug ya? To the point where you just gotta protest? Read this before you get your signs ready - it just MIGHT save your life."
• Vanguard: Saga of Heroes - Warrior Class Guide Preview
  "When you think of the classic tank in MMOs, it's likely you think about the Warrior; the mighty meat shield who fronts many a group, soaking up damage and dealing blows. Zinn offers up a comprehensive look at all the available pre-launch information on the Vanguard: Saga of Heroes Warrior. Is this powerful class the one for you? Read the preview and decide for yourself."

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Vin Diesel Fact of the Day - Side effects of Vin Diesel may include nausea, dizziness, drymouth and an incurable case of pure awesome.

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Now from the real world. You can't make this stuff up.

• Google Claims India Has Run Out Of Talented People
  ...let the move to Costa Rica begin!
• The Big Lebowski Phonetic Alphabet
  D is for dumb.
• G4 Tech TV Closes
  "I do agree with the vision of going after young men...", Ted Harbert - CEO, Comcast.
• Robot Bear To Save Lives
  All hail Yogi, our grizzly robotic overlord.

As always, thanks for visiting TenTonHammer.com,
-- John "Boomjack" Hoskin