Best Of
Re: Build me a $1200 gaming PC
This is the best I can do without cutting serious corners: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/q2VRd6
Thrax
Re: Build me a $1200 gaming PC
The Vega 56 has longer legs but I can confirm a Ryzen 1600 paired with an RX 580 will do anything you want single monitor 1080p right now. Trick is finding them priced fairly online. I do see a few 8GB models hovering around $290 or so. Lowest Microcenter has one is $329. Currency miners have hijacked the market for virtual John Wick underworld currency for dirty deeds or a room at the Continental.
If you can find an RX580 for significantly less than a Vega 56 I can tell you it will get you to all the places you want to go on a single monitor at 1080P.
Building right now kind of sucks because RAM is expensive, and the GPU market is plain stupid. At least @Thrax got someone at AMD to finally release a CPU that doesn't suck for a great price.
If you have a microcenter near you, you can't beat them on the CPU motherboard bundle deals. Their base price is typically better than most, then they give you $30 off to buy a pair. I'm running a B350 board, it's perfectly fine if you are running a single GPU. So pairing a Ryzen 1600 with a B350 board on Microcenter is only $259 or so paired up.
Re: Pokemon GO
Finally caved and joined a team (at level 19 lol) because theres a Facebook group for the area I work in which goes after legendaries at the three gyms on this block. Caught my first today! I didnt know wtf I was doing at all, never battled anything, never read about raids. Somehow I survived and caught this Articuno with the first ball I threw :-O
This was fun! Catching pokemon with random strangers ftw!
Massey is an Omeganaut
Every PAX event they pick 20 random attendees for their Omegathon elimination tournament which spans the entire weekend. Omeganauts compete in games from every category (tabletop, console, PC) culminating in a live championship match on the big stage during PAX closing ceremonies. The grand prize this year is a trip to any PAX in the world (including Australia).
I got picked. 
It's this weekend starting Friday; Sept 1st-4th. It's my second time attending PAX West in Seattle. @Farge will be there, along with my step-brother and many coworkers (and tens of thousands of other people). I get fancy swag, early entrance on Friday and my face on giant banners throughout the convention - hopefully not with a big red X over it too soon 
I'll be competing live on Twitch - stream links to come. I hope some of you will tune in to watch me compete! (and cheer me on aggressively in chat)
Here's the schedule (in PST):
http://west.paxsite.com/schedule?sfl=122#
The games are:
Round 1: Scattergories
Round 2: Mario Kart 8
Round 3: Guillotine
Round 4: Robo Recall (Oculus Touch exclusive)
Round 5: N64 Wrestlemania 2000
Final: Mystery Round
They'll eliminate four of us each of the first four rounds, then two in the semi-final so the final will be 1v1. I'm super nervous and super excited. Honestly I'll be thrilled if I survive past the first round. I haven't had much time to practice; my coworkers have been helping train me with their participation and lending of games and a Wii U. Sure wish I had the Mario Kart skills some of you do! I'm terrified of that round but at least it's early, just need to be top 12. Tips welcome 
Expecting chaos.
Massalinie
Re: ICOK 2017 - Oktoberfest Travel and Sleeping Plans
in.
Arriving 10/26 at 10:55am
Southwest flight 1310
Departing 10/30 at 8:15pm
Southwest flight 4862
mertesn
Re: ICOK 2017 - Oktoberfest Travel and Sleeping Plans
Wooo!
Arriving 10:17 AM Thursday 10/26, on AA 1986
--- @Ryder, would there be space for me to ride in with Tushon and Mertesn?
Departing 1:51 PM Monday 10/30, on AA 3677
Attic space for sleeping, please.
Garg
Re: ICOK 2017 - Oktoberfest Travel and Sleeping Plans
In. Arriving 10/26 - driving.
Don't need space. Closest stay I have achieved yet.
Ryder