Windfall: Addendum

The more that I read...the more that I've become aware of this rampant hacker issue.  Now I'm not going to beat it into the ground but I do want to document things as they occur.  Call it proof or posterity.  Call it what you will.  I call it annoying.  As I said...I have enjoyed the extra money for my nice garage (could really give a sh*t about the apartment) and my collection of cars.  That has been nice.  And when that first 'deposit' hit...it's only second/human nature to go on a spending spree...

Blood stains not optional.

I'm giving serious consideration to following the suggestions that I've read online.  I've heard that one solution is to create another character and depositing the 'phony' money there.  Ok.  That's all well and good.  But if I downsize and transfer all of this money...I'm going to be even more sh*t out of luck when it comes to roaming the streets and trying to stay alive.  To illustrate my point...the first thing that I saw last night was a tank raising hell on the freeway.  He missed me.  Thanks to my extremely fast car and superior driving skills.

I'll be having the bullethole appetizer...for starters.

Perhaps I'll transfer the majority of the money...keeping just enough for sufficient ammo and body armor purchases.  But what will happen...and this is almost guaranteed to happen...I will go through the process of creating another character, for the sole purpose of being my 'modded money dump', and all of that time will be for naught as I will just turn around and have this sh*t happen...again.

Seriously brah!?!

That was last night.  On top of the 200 million that I already have.  I wish that I was aware of what this was and what was actually happening when I received the first lump sum...it would be nice to have photographic proof of all three culprits.  Unfortunately...I'm notoriously late for the show.  I mean...I finally got a PS3 the day that the PS4 came out.  I might be late to the party...but as the great band Boat Chips once sang...'better late than never'.  Oh yeah, and then there's this jerk...

Redhanded.

I'm just waiting for the eventual RP increase.  And that will really piss me off.  Money is one thing.  But if RP are given to me ad nauseam...it will blow the doors off this experience.  As Johnny Rotten once said - quite frankly and succinctly - 'no fun'.  But until then...

Diabetes.

I wish I could keep about 5 million of it and be done.  Just enough to mod out my cars and keep me stocked in ammo and armor.  That would be nice.  Or I'm all for Rockstar to swoop in and strip me of all of my money and possessions...keeping my RP, please...along with my Ubermacht Oracle Coupe, in black.  But they have to fix this once and for all.  I'm just not sure that they can...

Hackers...your time is nigh.

Check out that snow!  That's up next...

(Post Script:  I created a new character.  You can't transfer money.  So that was pointless.  I wish there was some sort of charity.  Or the ability to pile it up and set it on fire.  Everything burns, right?  Looks like the only thing you can do is look out for opponents with outrageously high RP and then move to a new session.)

Windfall

I've noticed a few glitches.  No big deal.  Just some strange goings-on that make me scratch my head.  I'm not complaining.  But it does make one wonder.  Like why when I sat in a barber's chair at Vespucci beach and cycled through the hair styles...somehow corn-rows got burned into my head like black tattoos.  Embarrassing.  I traveled around to three or four different hair places and there was nothing that I could do to make them go away.  So I got a longer hairstyle that covered the 'burns'.  I was going to make up some such story about me being roofied at The Vanilla Unicorn but I decided against it.  And I decided against the longer hair...for now.  That why I was wearing that black beenie in the last photo of my last blog.

Sticks and stones.

After some careful research I think I might have found where the problem lies.  Hackers.  I cruised around the web this morning and found out that there has been, and continues to be, major hacks into the online system.  That must be why 106 million dollars dropped into my account last week.  I wasn't sure what it was.  I did a very simple job that netted me a couple thousand dollars.  I had a bit over 70K and prepared to buy my 6 car garage.  In fact, I did purchase said garage.  And then right after that...I received this windfall.  Didn't even occur to me that it would be hackers.  So naive.

I didn't win it here.

Now don't get me wrong.  It's nice.  It affords you a bunch of cars.  And planes and helicopters.  But a majority of the weapons and a few of the vehicles - like the tank and attack chopper - are still locked.  You still need to complete missions to 'rank up' and unlock these goodies.  Perhaps there are hackers that have done stuff to unlock those too.  I haven't been made aware of it.  It's only been the money.  Now after reading some of the message boards it seems to me that most people are concerned about being banned and/or put into 'cheater pools'.  I would imagine that Rockstar would be able to discern between those 'given' money and those who 'stole' money.  But you know what?  Not my problem.

The purple phallic building seemed like appropriate housing.

That being said...what am I to do?  I could erase my character and start over.  But then I would just get 'windfalled' again.  So I'm putting it on Rockstar.  Yo!  Fix your sh*t.  Don't punish the people out to have fun and enjoy the awesome world that you've created.  Find the hackers and punch them in the lip.  Someone out there said something that I found pretty amusing...and I'll paraphrase...they're going to start punishing people for illegal activity in a game based on illegal activity.  How right is that?  But again...that being said...it sucks that hackers exist in general.

This little hacker went to market...

Little, bored, zitty kids that can't get dates.  So they dip into the online world and f*ck everything up for the rest of us.  After some more interweb readingz...it seems like this problem is quite massive.  How the hell is Rockstar going to fix it?  Again...not my problem.  But I hope they do fix it.  And for the record...after I bought my 6 car garage I had about 2K left in the bank.  So if you 'reset' things...make sure I at least get to keep my stuff.  I also had a couple of cars...but nothing that can't be replaced.  My first car was an Ubermacht Oracle Sedan...in black.  Just an FYI.  But until then...what am I to do?  Some people have said bank the money and send in a ticket item.  Ok...I bank the money...then I keep playing.  I'm going to have to bank that money too.  Then it'll all get mixed and what then?

Another sleazy day in paradise.

The money really hasn't changed much for me.  So I have a bunch of cool cars and an apartment.  It hasn't made me a better street fighter.  You can only own one property at a time so it's not like I'm becoming some sort of real estate mogul.  I still get the tar kicked out of me on a regular basis.

After another ass handing.

So...the economy is broken.  Just like real life.  Until then...I guess I'll keep on keepin' on.  Can't really buy anything.  Even after the second 100 million windfall hit my account last night.  Now I have 203 million dollars and nowhere to spend it.  Other than ammunition and repeated trips to the body armor store.  Not that that does me much good...other than to keep me alive for a few more seconds.  Unless of course I use my patented brake-the-car-get-out-firing-move.  Then I have a chance.  It's 'the drop'...or nothing...

...this little hacker should have stayed home.

We will see when gaming resumes.  I would imagine that after the holidays...Rockstar will get down to fixing the issues.  Hopefully they just don't punish all of us in the process.

Shame, shame Mr. Klum

I told these b*tches to mind their own business.  I told them that I can't give it back.  I told them that I didn't know what to do.  Other than to document it here.  Date stamp this sh*t so I don't get put to the wall for something that I didn't do or can't control.  Then I told them that smoking will accelerate their HPV into cervical cancer.  Next time they won't be so chatty.

I'll be taking these Huggies...and whatever cash ya got.

All this money does make holding up mini-marts like this a little less intriguing.  They were so convenient and so useful when I was living hand to mouth.  Before the dawn of the hackers.

Better gas up now before they cut up my credit card.

This Ain't No Holiday

Well...today was a brand new experience.  If I was going into this with the approach that I was some kind of war corespondent....then today...I got my war.  But before that...

Hangin' around, nothin' to do but frown...

I figured that I'd clear up a few things that were brought to my attention.  How do I look the way that I do?  How much control do you actually have here?  Well...you start by picking your grandparents, which makes your parents and in turn makes you look the way that you do.  This world, and only this world, allows you to chose your own family.  Isn't that nice?  Anyway...after you do that...you have attribute points which you have to put into things like - working out, hanging w/ friends and family, legal employment, illegal employment, time on the couch, etc.  This really forms your 'look'...and your initial clothing choices...and your skill level in stamina, flying, driving, shooting, etc.  You can change your clothes, glasses, hair style and facial hair throughout the game with more combinations than I can count.  And yes, you have all of your weapons on you at all times.  You can cycle through the 'weapon wheel' and decide what to actually carry.  It's usually best to walk unarmed in busy areas (where there are no other 'opponents') since computer generated characters will react to you holding a weapon.  They'll even call the cops on you.  Then you can cycle through to that sawed off shotgun and make them pay for their nosiness.  In the face.

Here is where the magic happens...

No ticky.  No laundry.

Most of these are 'locked' until you move up in rank.  This is why you should really watch who you might be starting a fight with.  When your experience level is a 15 and the other guy's is 110...you're gonna have the gun that is all the way to the left, second one down.  They're going to have the one all the way to the right, third one down.  That's the difference between pushing some rounds into someone's kevlar...and being cut in half.  Literally.

So I started my day with a leisurely trip out to the country.  At random points in the game you will get a txt message on your smartphone informing you of a cargo drop somewhere on the map.  These drops are highly sought after as they contain money, weapons and 'rep points'...or RP.  I figured that I'd cruise around and explore in one of my faster cars and if and when I got the txt...I zip over and scoop up the loot.  Or try to.  When you get to the drop (marked with a red smoke flare) there are usually others after the drop as well...always computer generated adversaries...but often times...other players too.  It can turn into quite the sh*tshow.  You have to be quick about it.  Taking out the bad guys is one thing...but dealing with them while you have Steve from Nashville creepin' up the road...that's no joke.

Prince Matchabelli

I snaked up a mountain road and came across a large lake.  A couple of boats cruised along the calm waters.  They were far away but I popped off a few rounds in their direction.  Didn't seem to have an effect.  Can't wait for that sniper rifle.  By the way.

Ended up at a very large dam.  I checked my map and there was no one around.  I thought it might be a good time to take some 'landscapes' so I could balance the carnage with some peaceful moments.

Sunset Thomas

I knew that once I descended from this tranquil spot...all hell was gonna break loose.  So I took my time...and took a selfie...

Lens flare.  Dope.

I actually jumped off this thing and parachuted into the raveen.  It was far less of a drop than I thought so as quick as I pulled the chute...as quick...I hit the ground.  It turned into a far greater pain in the ass as I had to make my way downstream on foot, jack a car and drive back up the mountain to get my car.  Lesson learned.  But it made for a nice couple of photos.  Worth it.

When I got down to the city I accepted a mission to repo a car in East Los Santos.  Let me tell you about that wonderful place.  Gangland.  Pure and simple.  So what that mean is if you're gonna pop off rounds, jack a car or repo someone's whip...you better be ready.  As soon as you do...about 20 of these fools spring up and just unload on you.  It's no joke.  So you either need to sneak in, jack the ride and depend on your good driving skills or suss out the neighborhood/street and devise a good attack plan.  Sometimes I go for column A...other times I go for column B.  Depends on the layout of the street.  If it's a nice and long with ample cover and I feel like embracing my inner Gary Cooper...I'll fight.  Otherwise...it's a straight forward situation of...'nice car, I'll take it'.

The next day I was walking through downtown and heard some serious explosions.  I checked my map and there were definitely some fools takin' it to each other a few blocks away.  I figured that it was a clear cut case of grenade launchers and rockets...perhaps some sticky bombs and whatnot.  Nope.

What the f*ck is that?

I think that's not one...but two...

RAT!!

Missed me by a foot.  There were two of these idiots.  In tanks.  Now I couldn't make out if they were attacking each other...but they sure were laying waste to everything in their path.  Including me.  I was able to slip away...barely.  But this was too good to pass up.  So I gave chase!

No one here gets out alive.

This was the elevated level...above the level where I almost was made into a potato pancake.  I should note this here - the reason that I was able to follow them and bang off these pics is that I switched to 'passive mode'.  This option allows you to not get killed by normal means.  You can still be run over or if you're in a car...you can be blown up.  But while on foot...by and large they can't get ya.  This mode is perfect for my journalistic endeavors since I'd never be able to get any of these shots.  I'd be dead.

Heading into East Los Santos.  Business as usual.

I'm thinking that these two were working together.  The more I observed them...the more it seemed like they were working in tandem for a singular cause.  Mayhem.

Better than bullfighting.

It took a while but the cops finally showed up...

Art.

As you can see from the lower right...they're sending in reinforcements.  On foot.

Nope.  Guess again.

Eventually the tank under the bridge bit the dust.  Wasn't sure how they managed to take it out.  The other tank was behind me so I spun around and caught one last picture of him rolling into the ghetto...

Exit stage left.

Once the dust settled...there was an eerie calm that came over the street.  You could still hear the explosions off in the distance...and the sirens.  But they grew fainter.  All of the civilians had evacuated a long time ago.  It was sort of like taking a drive on Christmas day...as close to a ghost town as you're ever gonna get.  And since I had that Christmas feeling...I thought I might treat myself...

Yup.

The battle was so fierce out in the street that it cleared the club.  And I mean cleared.  I had the place all to myself...

They make me wish I had six hands.

Who's that over in in the far right of the frame?  You guessed it...Nikki...

Smoke cigarette in the pushy.

I got a quick lap dance and was on my way.  Something about being chased by tanks makes one not all that keen on sitting still.  So I made my way into the night.  And as if a freakin' tank battle wasn't enough...as I was heading back to my garage I found myself being followed.  Let me key you in on something that I found to be very effective.  At first, I'd try to outrun my opponent.  But they'll eventually get close enough to put a bullet through the back window of your car and then through the back of your head.  I've found that your greatest weapon is often your break pedal.  A few days prior, I was being chased in the hills by some idiot in a modified dune-buggy.  He was gaining on me due to the twist and turns...but at one point I found a straight away and gunned it.  Right when he was at his closest point I hit my breaks and he went screaming by me...up and over the rooftops, tumbling away out of sight.  I thought if this worked here...I might try it in the city as well.  But with a little adjustment.  Instead of just breaking...my technique is to get as much distance as possible and then full stop, get out of my car immediately...turn and draw my weapon.  It's risky as you might take the full brunt of a vehicular impact.  But if you can time it right...they'll never know what hit them...

Dead on arrival.

I decided to take a drive out into the country to end my evening.  Perhaps a nice long drive away from these sh*theads would do me good.  That is one of the really nice things about this game.  When you've had enough of the violence, carnage and brutality...you can actually 'get away'...take a nice, long (and I mean long) drive to the beach or the mountains or the country.  Get out of your car, stretch your legs.  Take in some of the local color...

This guy.

And actually see some tranquil scenes...

Edward Hopper

It was what I needed.  Quiet.  Reflection.  But as with all 'sessions'...I force myself to drive back to my garage.  No matter where I am or how far away I may be.  I took the West Highway (not really called that) and punched it.  I arrived right after sunrise...

From the whites.

Yes, you can play golf too.  I actually played tennis earlier that afternoon.  My opponent wanted to play 3 sets.  He lasted a game and a half.  I later found him dead in an alley.

It wasn't me.

Thought that I might swing by the beach to see if I could run into that hottie in the black bikini.  I didn't find her...but I'll leave you with a few things that I did see...

Roland, I sold your bike for beer.

And this dude...

Do you know any King Crimson?

I gave that dude like 30 bucks.  And then I bladed like 30 miles.

George Michael

All right kids.  I'm sleepy.  One more for my homies on the East side!

Hi-ya!

A Golden Land Of Opportunity And Adventure

At the request/suggestion of a dear friend and great writer...I'm here to regale you with stories from my great adventure in the world of Grand Theft Auto V.  It is incredible.  It's massive.  Just outrageous, all encompassing fun.  You can do just about anything.  Steal any type of vehicle - cars, trucks, bikes, bicycles, choppers, planes, jumbo jets.  The works.  The cars are especially fun as you can tweak them to your hearts content - engines modifications, suspension, braking, bulletproofing, etc.  I finished the main storyline in about 5 weeks.  And after that...I was wanting something more.  So I restarted it - now with the prior knowledge of having gone through it once...I'd be able to 'kill it'.  You see...there is a stock market attached so you can invest your money and then affect the markets by doing different story-related threads and general game world mayhem.  But what would that get me?  A sh*t ton of money...so I could purchase the 1 or 2 remaining properties that are out of reach when you only have 40 mil in the bank - the golf course and the highest end of three separate movie theaters.  Anyway...

As a wise man once said...'you will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy'.

As I was saying...the stock market.  Well, they're actually two markets.  One is active from word go but the other is only activated once you plug your system into the web.  So I decided to do that with a little blue cord - took about 2 minutes.  So now both stock markets are up and running.  But that opened up a whole 'nother world.  You see...GTA now has an online mode where you can build a character from scratch and go through the game real time with 14 other opponents per game/session.  Talk about insanity.  It ends up being very similar to story mode but now you can build crews and build your empire from scratch.  It ends up being more realistic because you have to work much harder for loot and it doesn't accumulate like wildfire, as it has a tendency to do in 'story mode'.  I played for about a day and amassed about 27K.  I have my own personal car (insured w/ tracking).  Check out that handsome dude.  Hey Laurel, that's me!

I love these calm little moments before the storm.

Saving up green to buy a garage, I armed myself with a 9mm, an Uzi, a zip gun and a broken bottle.  For starters.  As you do more missions you unlock more weapons and stuff while your squirrel away cash and build 'rep'.  Speaking of rep...back to those 14 other idiots.  You see...lots of these d*cks out here just love to run around killing each other.  It gives new meaning to keeping one's head on the swivel.   Case in point...

This one was my fault.

I don't hunt people.  I actually avoid people.  When the game first starts you are teamed up with three other dudes and after our initial mission one of my 'crew' shot me in the back.  I learned quick.  Anyway...I finished a mission where I had to blast some gangstas and steal some coke.  Once I iced those dudes (usually these are 4 player missions but after I did that a few times and got put into cars with epileptic drivers I said 'no more') I brought the drugs back to the ghetto and gave them to some other gangsta who gave me 2K and some street cred.  And as I go onto my smartphone (yup, you have those too) to bank my loot, this fool rolls up and beats me to death.  I end up respawning.  But I caught who killed me...I caught their name.  So I scroll through the names of people playing and yup, he's still playing and in a clothing shop a few blocks away.  So...I track his ass down, jump back in my car (which he stole), back up down the street and wait.  La la la he comes skipping' out of the clothing store...and...foot + gas pedal = high speed death.  It was all so rewarding.  He rolled up over my car and was dead before he hit the pavement.  Revenge is sweet.

I'm going to get those digits.

So I continued after this guy...cause once wasn't enough.  Ended up going after someone else by mistake and they killed me 4 times.  I think my initial numbers were such...killed:1, been killed:8.  My weapons aren't nearly diesel enough for close P vs. P combat...need to unlock some other things...assault rifle comes to mind.  But until then...I am one hell of a driver!!

In running through this world...I can't help but see myself as some sort of war corespondent.  Like a photojournalist to the depraved.  Allowing myself, of course, a bit of the 'ol in-out-in-out from time to time.  All work and no play...

Lemme get 10 beers!!

Got into a massive street war shortly after I landed.  What a dick.  He killed me almost 10 times and wouldn't let it go.  I ended up leaving the session and respawning into a whole new game with totally different opponents.  It got me thinking.  You really have to watch other people here.  And it's almost to the point where if you see someone coming...you better start firing cause they're more than likely gunning for you.  And it makes you wonder...if there were no rules in the real world...would it mirror the violence and carnage of this faux one?  Probably.  Also...there are tons of money/cred earning missions where you can work with others and these guys just run around wacking each other.  Ugly.  I headed up a mission up to the hills (aka rich neighborhood) to steal a couple of cars and brought two crew members with me.  Well...on our way up there they started shooting out the windows and by the time we got to this dude's mansion to steal the cars...we had a two star wanted level which blew the mission.  No wonder I prefer to do them alone.

Getting out of the city has it's rewards.  

Got to 70K relatively quickly and bought a garage in a sh*tty part of town.  But it's a stones throw from a mod shop and a gun store and that's really convenient.  You can purchase garages in 2, 6 and 10 capacity.  No point in getting the 2.  So I saved up and got the 6.  It's nice to have a sanctuary/hideaway.  And it's in such a crappy area that there's not a lot of 'traffic' around.  Unlike other parts of the city.  Plus it's really nice to have those two stores so close.  Those are the ones that you need.  All of the time. 

Picture me rollin'!

Stole a car down by the docks and the owner put a bounty on my head.  3K.  And they came swarming.  I avoided them for a while due to my driving skills but eventually I clipped a car and got shot in the back of the head...while driving.  But I was able to save this stolen car in my garage as a big 'f*ck you' to the owner.  A day or so later I 'borrowed' someone else's car.  It seems like they had extra cash lying around the house.  This time the bounty was set at 7K.  But I dipped into my garage right before he caught me.  He hawked me, driving around the block a few times before parking outside the door.  So I walked out...

Just like you Captain, I'm collectin' me a souvenir.

That was particularly wonderful.  Not his fault.  There was potentially 7K on the line.  Now he's immortalized.  And dead.  A few minutes later I set his car on fire...

Not one to start a fight...

That brought some cops.  Unfortunate.  Shortly thereafter I was invited to a party in the apartment of one of the more experienced and deadly players that I've encountered.  I naturally accepted.  When she met me at the door I was shocked to see 7 or 8 players up in her crib...all drinking and cavorting with one another.  And when I say 'she'...

Gender neutrality.  Violent singularity.

...I mean 'he'.  Anyway...she was cool.  I had a drink or two.  Then the doorbell rang.  Our host walked to the door and brought in our 'entertainment'...

I can't for the life of me remember her name.  Gee whiz.

Not only was she a good and generous host...she also supervised the proceedings...very closely.

Touching encouraged.  Or else.

This world offers many ways for the vane and self-absorbed to love up on...well, you.  Ahh...the selfie.  I took this opportunity to photograph myself in front of one of the more picturesque windows overlooking the city...

Burn, Vinewood, burn! (sign above my right shoulder)

The stripper, ah...I mean dancer, got bored and left.  I took that as my cue as well.  When I got to street level there was a bit of a turf war going on that had drawn the ire of the local police force.  I guess that I should explain this as well.  To the already initiated...sorry for the overlap.  Police involvement works on a 5 star system.  One star and you're being pursued...but it's easily avoidable.  Two stars and they're starting to close in.  They're also kind of pissed at this point.  But they're easily evaded with some solid driving skills...or hiding out like E.T. in Elliot's backyard.  Three stars brings out the air support.  At this point you need a fast car or somewhere to duck under - train tunnels seem to work best.  Four stars and in comes the S.W.A.T. team, shooting you in the face...roadblocks, men descending from helicopters, swarming like angry hornets.  And five stars (haven't hit this level...yet) brings out the army.  And yes, you guessed it...a tank.  Ouch.  Most fights you'll want to avoid.  Or take the opportunity to steal cool stuff when the cops are duking it out with agro-pubescents from Idaho.

This did not fit in my garage.

Teased and intrigued by my host's 'entertainment', I decided to take a trip over to the strip club and take a look for myself as to the debauchery lying in wait.  Lap dances, gettin' drunk and 'making it rain' are some of the better ways to pass the time.  I like the strip club.  Kind of like real life.  Although I don't find myself in them nearly enough.  Perhaps I can rectify that here.  Where I won't catch crabs and get jumped in the parking lot.  As if I'd have any money left when I stumble back to my car...

Love at first sight.

That's Nikki.  I paid her some money for a lap dance.  And since the bouncer didn't seem to be working that day...I put my romanticles all over her.  Got her number.  Solid.  We'll be seeing more of Nikki.  Also made friends with the bartender.  In this world...I can go back to my bad old ways...

Make that a triple.

She said that she'd start me a tab.  I told her that I had no intention of ever paying them back.  In fact, I told her that I would be drinking for free from here on out...lest I burn the place to the ground.  Which I might do anyway.

(Side Note: many times I will be quoting...from films, music and popular culture to punctuate my photographs.  There will be too many to notate/cite.  If that is a problem for you I will 'come clean' about anything that I borrow.  Not once.  Not never.)

After the club I took a leisurely drive back to my garage.  Saw some seriously awesome architecture.  Might do a day or two covering some of San Andreas' better examples of 'buildings as art'.  Here's a particularly nice example...

Like anyone goes here.

Thoughts of Nikki filled my mind and the smell of cheap booze and cigarettes filled my car as I cruised back to my garage.  I swung by the beach and took in the afternoon air.  Was considering some ink when I ran into this...outside of the tattoo parlor...

Yes...I am here on assignment.

Unfortunately when I tried to get a bit too close she walked away in a huff.  Perhaps she could tell that I was pooped from an afternoon of titties in my face and too much whisky...

Was it something I said?

Took in a few more sights and sounds before I worked my way back to my garage.  It's been a long day.  Or a week.  Can't tell.  But what is great is that you actually can tell here.  Morning light looks and feels like morning light.  Afternoons feel like afternoons.  The sun sets and rises.  Beautiful skies.  Especially out in the desert.  And that's where they dig them holes...