tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86914607129330997492024-03-19T03:29:06.619-04:00Thoughts and RuminationsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691460712933099749.post-89959924711677289652014-02-08T16:45:00.001-05:002014-02-08T16:45:54.126-05:00BlahblahThis is a test.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691460712933099749.post-79824937248573512102013-07-01T14:43:00.002-04:002013-07-01T14:43:09.983-04:00Endings and BeginningsYesterday, I had to say goodbye to one of my oldest friends, Angelique.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ijaydFqWYe8/TAAWZSUc4CI/AAAAAAAAmzY/SsLZ7YVqTkQ/s360/Pets_Angelique+-+026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ijaydFqWYe8/TAAWZSUc4CI/AAAAAAAAmzY/SsLZ7YVqTkQ/s320/Pets_Angelique+-+026.jpg" width="283" /></a></div>
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Angelique was the old family dog, and after two years of illness she finally told us it was her time to go. We picked up Angelique at a shelter back in 1998 and were told by the vet that the puppy was too unhealthy and wouldn't live for very long. He advised my mother to just go adopt a different dog to save ourselves the heartache and medical expense. Well, 15 years later Angelique was still with us and suffered minor health issues until about two years ago when old age finally caught up with her. She was a good dog, strong-willed and stubborn like an ox. Angelique will definitely be missed greatly.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FCSiXBjMuRE/TAAV8Rh9_4I/AAAAAAAAmwg/dVn-QiEPUh0/s487/Pets_Angelique+-+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="279" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FCSiXBjMuRE/TAAV8Rh9_4I/AAAAAAAAmwg/dVn-QiEPUh0/s320/Pets_Angelique+-+004.jpg" width="320" /></a> <a href="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/999504_10102749453345339_1978935641_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/999504_10102749453345339_1978935641_n.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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On a more positive note, a couple of weeks ago we added a new sweetheart into our family:</div>
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<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/944517_10102665831564059_1189447859_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/944517_10102665831564059_1189447859_n.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
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This is Lady</div>
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We found Lady at a nearby shelter and fell in love at first sight! She is super sweet and gentle (and incredibly demanding of belly rubs). Although she's only been with us a few weeks I cannot imagine life without her! She comes with me wherever I can bring her and she appreciates it because she hates having to be alone.</div>
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She also hates thunder</div>
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But she loves being toweled off!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691460712933099749.post-72133635239907534772013-04-01T09:00:00.000-04:002013-04-01T10:00:02.561-04:00April is Pet First Aid Awareness Month!<p> The National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS) is bringing awareness to the importance of pet owner preparedness for emergency medical situations! Check out some of the pages below to find out how to build a first aid kit, what signs of illness or injury to look for, and what to do if an emergency arises:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.fidofriendly.com/blog/prepared-pets-april-is-pet-first-aid-awareness-month">Fido Friendly's article about Pet First Aid Awareness Month</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.redcross.org/images/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m4440087_First_Aid_Kit_for_Pets.pdf">Red Cross Pet First Aid Kit</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.avma.org/public/EmergencyCare/Pages/First-Aid-Tips-for-Pet-Owners.aspx">Pet First Aid Tips for Pet Owners</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.healthypet.com/PetCare/PetCareArticle.aspx?title=Pet_First_Aid" target="_blank">AAHA Healthy Pet | Pet First Aid</a></li>
</ul>
<p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691460712933099749.post-4249154750242452482011-11-10T13:40:00.000-05:002011-11-10T13:40:33.564-05:00Another exciting milestone...So I am at 11,500 words (approx.). It's very exciting! I think cresting over the 10,000 is a big step for me. <br />
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So here's the word count widget. I am going to try to put it up as a gadget later. Not sure how to do it though.<br />
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<img src="http://www.nanowrimo.org/widget/LiveSupporter/triserao.png" /> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691460712933099749.post-5796635443951239982011-11-07T15:12:00.001-05:002011-11-07T15:12:49.457-05:00NaNoWriMo Update...Reached 5,000 words for my NaNoWriMo. Still waiting for them to put up he word count widgets or APIs. I'm a bit behind but I'm working hard to catch up. Got a new computer, it was a bit distracting over the weekend. I have to make up for it now. Well I hope I can double my word count by the end of today.<br />
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Now I just have to stop myself from playing Morrowind and reading American Gods for long enough to write another 5,000 words.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691460712933099749.post-56628699835777685172011-11-01T14:14:00.000-04:002011-11-01T14:14:52.946-04:00Only a NaNoWriMo away...I am going to be participating in NaNoWriMo this year. I have spent the last few months researching and outlining this novel. I am not really sure how advance it past a certain point, but my hope is that I figure it out as I'm writing it. Mostly I just want the practice that happens to come with writing 50,000 words in a month. I hope that the novel I thought up is good enough that when I finish I have something I can edit and later use, but I'd be happy so long as I finish it. Good or not. I'll try to figure out how to put up a wordcount somewhere on here to keep everyone updated on my progress. Wish me luck, I'm going to need it.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691460712933099749.post-32530309963805740292011-07-27T11:39:00.001-04:002011-07-27T11:43:29.998-04:00All we want to be is art...I haven't put up a post in a while. Everything became quite hectic between the end of school and going to Spain (which was a wonderful two-week trip to Barcelona and Asturias). A lot of changes, a lot of the same. At least I have had time to enjoy myself.<br />
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On another note keeping track of finances is both annoying and infuriating. It seems like every time you spend a penny, somewhere in the universe they are charging you a dollar for doing so. Banks are horrible, scamming monstrosities trying to spin you into confusion. Then, when you're bewildered enough they start throwing mysterious charges at you, and you're too perplexed to even question them. "I don't remember making tha... oh it's from where? But I've never really been there... oh so you're saying it's because... but that doesn't make sense... I guess... maybe... uh... whatever, here's all my money. Solve it."<br />
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But on a lighter and more positive note, I have a "pocket" watercolor set and a watercolor Moleskin notebook now and I'm loving the heck out of it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJL9KPEyjF_rETJBAPfEXMmRqhwDP90Hjjds7G0Rl9wB7GiMYsWOcg_z4KtinicVAuEQ9aM9VfW7H-9rLWEobs3izM6jVEjkO1IZnGOb1OQOJVhy3VMvb9zXCqw5L5YHrhNeeuHw9tDHAS/s1600/2011-07-27_10-53-52_662.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJL9KPEyjF_rETJBAPfEXMmRqhwDP90Hjjds7G0Rl9wB7GiMYsWOcg_z4KtinicVAuEQ9aM9VfW7H-9rLWEobs3izM6jVEjkO1IZnGOb1OQOJVhy3VMvb9zXCqw5L5YHrhNeeuHw9tDHAS/s400/2011-07-27_10-53-52_662.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Here's a giant tree to prove it!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's quite fun to fiddle with. I've been working on this particular piece for two days, I hope I can finish it by the end of the week and then it can end up on my DeviantArt.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've also been enjoying my new Moleskin sketchbook. I try to sketch in it whenever I have the time or inspiration. I've also been practicing anatomical structures of animals and wings, as well as colors. Here are some of my current sketches, doodles and scribbles.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC1Z7IhF4EGDy8K9QvGOCcn2VifDPTifPp4125NdHcgsYfCszTOh9dPax5d5Iaw_4OJMxPg6fHKB-b_33DYX3w-2psUiNsAmvbpUnucYmu-chx-W8vE1fjx08JNw9840AXdlvBBS8e5PDX/s1600/sketch001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC1Z7IhF4EGDy8K9QvGOCcn2VifDPTifPp4125NdHcgsYfCszTOh9dPax5d5Iaw_4OJMxPg6fHKB-b_33DYX3w-2psUiNsAmvbpUnucYmu-chx-W8vE1fjx08JNw9840AXdlvBBS8e5PDX/s320/sketch001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">A mommy and her children. From a photograph I found online (in-progress)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpKIrUYYodWOGESeDxjg0lUQOPyy6d_SelDfE2U3yi8OvrSBakpv_2xrRYSwGvOk9NWwfXUaLK5xjUEm9hRMW3u9zg4daRXE9Z94sVJAT8odWRh8wXaiRKva6fzWj8bUsYsViL8wtPrdRv/s1600/sketch002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpKIrUYYodWOGESeDxjg0lUQOPyy6d_SelDfE2U3yi8OvrSBakpv_2xrRYSwGvOk9NWwfXUaLK5xjUEm9hRMW3u9zg4daRXE9Z94sVJAT8odWRh8wXaiRKva6fzWj8bUsYsViL8wtPrdRv/s320/sketch002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">This is from a dream I had in Spain, the picture is in progress</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgscK5wU-4etxREPBpZDAR_FiXXw2hLwLcMtJawA8MjBRdREPvqWG7S5TpiKqwABLcGjlFx39ECtX5d9ayWs1uhqLucRc581evcAQ0cjEvD-sXNTX5OcARQ7NlgbCv_1wSIDIFhj5OLOsGX/s1600/sketch003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgscK5wU-4etxREPBpZDAR_FiXXw2hLwLcMtJawA8MjBRdREPvqWG7S5TpiKqwABLcGjlFx39ECtX5d9ayWs1uhqLucRc581evcAQ0cjEvD-sXNTX5OcARQ7NlgbCv_1wSIDIFhj5OLOsGX/s320/sketch003.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">I just like the look of the black pen on the beige paper :)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgghri8t7HmKu4Z3ID4MiewzHXbRS33X3ZPYftUzKY1koFRZPdoTd1Zi6TF302t2fUxPzhx0F2N74EC-HTpHLm1_Npv7Eg4IpiD8R1Ljsshf8fDQfIh4tWQ-ulrUkX0qXjJlbxlek-0-tBj/s1600/sketch004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgghri8t7HmKu4Z3ID4MiewzHXbRS33X3ZPYftUzKY1koFRZPdoTd1Zi6TF302t2fUxPzhx0F2N74EC-HTpHLm1_Npv7Eg4IpiD8R1Ljsshf8fDQfIh4tWQ-ulrUkX0qXjJlbxlek-0-tBj/s320/sketch004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">I had to pull over to write/sketch this one. Extremely sudden inspiration.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyJXVArMOAV3zhzq-di8meB4K80dsMg6AyLUKka0KEyBLszhNiDLZuMkhmHZOT-eVvtLbIyJES-U-tUQwwCWsA7Nv3a7GbcsB9Okka_alFd5ats6OQVNkXYqvoUigQxM9qFUI3dPES9L7S/s1600/sketch005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyJXVArMOAV3zhzq-di8meB4K80dsMg6AyLUKka0KEyBLszhNiDLZuMkhmHZOT-eVvtLbIyJES-U-tUQwwCWsA7Nv3a7GbcsB9Okka_alFd5ats6OQVNkXYqvoUigQxM9qFUI3dPES9L7S/s320/sketch005.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> Wing tutorial on DeviantArt</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyOkeLofwgMHhGvn1Bs0V9L_Tg57uUTxSVqaNNr2F4t5A24oB0t9ci8ihuSTUUIIeNRAwAd__86V6XR3qxpR6VcleuCAmEmKPTgLzV_oZcLz0mbPKlrktn__wnCHsFC3KDyiY3os6c9dHr/s1600/sketch006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyOkeLofwgMHhGvn1Bs0V9L_Tg57uUTxSVqaNNr2F4t5A24oB0t9ci8ihuSTUUIIeNRAwAd__86V6XR3qxpR6VcleuCAmEmKPTgLzV_oZcLz0mbPKlrktn__wnCHsFC3KDyiY3os6c9dHr/s320/sketch006.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Left- <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">From an art book I have about color // Right- Random thoughts</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUCIehspE84xd8y-WO_wp7HPSHqiD6EROMqgrgPzyWxsIPi3oWeaGvtOVsUvuHXfNtr5FVpptqfl64z3HWdi4zeguM89UxVSsrY0Bk6PdUybU7Xcy9mJ-2hl2w1RUpbdTGqh3T_8F-Fi5q/s1600/sketch007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUCIehspE84xd8y-WO_wp7HPSHqiD6EROMqgrgPzyWxsIPi3oWeaGvtOVsUvuHXfNtr5FVpptqfl64z3HWdi4zeguM89UxVSsrY0Bk6PdUybU7Xcy9mJ-2hl2w1RUpbdTGqh3T_8F-Fi5q/s320/sketch007.jpg" width="161" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Working on facial structure of different animals</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyzFiOw4rQ1u98a4hWXia2ahHMHSdYGXEW_lqmeBtGWrCR59n4s3uZZ4ONX9C7byWoDiMVCJ0BJVJe9dCj059JPY9sPUqyOSYoOkFCbdRtk7lVmj7FZPTR9WJ2vUPu9cXwGJQQB9XbXlC2/s1600/sketch008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyzFiOw4rQ1u98a4hWXia2ahHMHSdYGXEW_lqmeBtGWrCR59n4s3uZZ4ONX9C7byWoDiMVCJ0BJVJe9dCj059JPY9sPUqyOSYoOkFCbdRtk7lVmj7FZPTR9WJ2vUPu9cXwGJQQB9XbXlC2/s320/sketch008.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Wolf anatomy from tutorial found on DeviantArt</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I kind of wish I had more time to write lately. I've been able to slip in the occasional sketch or doodle, even a random quick writing of current thoughts, but I haven't really had the chance to sit down and <i>write.</i> It's a process for me. Joseph can just pull a little book out of his pockets and scrawl to his heart's content, I cannot. Maybe writing comes more naturally to him, but I have never been able to write without mental preparation. Ah well, life will settle and I can get back to writing. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">*The sky is over...*</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691460712933099749.post-45127196961477694902011-04-19T11:01:00.000-04:002011-04-19T11:01:34.855-04:00Studying for disorders of language and communication...Looking over the powerpoints and the book for my Disorders of Language and Communication class. I'm not too worried about this exam, I don't imagine it to be difficult, but I need a good grade on it so I'm minimally stressed out. I haven't been sleeping well lately and I've been quite tired. School has been very difficult to focus on. I don't know if it's Senioritis or just stress but I feel very unmotivated. I glance through notes and am like, "good enough." It's a shame that it ends up being <i>good enough, </i>too. I wonder when education became so watered down. Research of previous years in education shows how much of a sacrifice school used to be. People had to pretty much focus on nothing else when they were going to school, but that's not the case anymore. Obviously, some people have a harder time than others keeping up or doing well and some people have higher standards, but for the most part higher education is far too easy. I am very hypocritical though, because I'm glad I can get through with little effort, but then those few times I have to actually apply myself, it's quite a trial. I'm not sure that I know how to <i>study </i>correctly or get a large amount of work done. But I get by. I wonder if I had been born in centuries past (barring the time when women weren't allowed in higher education) if I would have been able to make it to college, let alone through. College was a big deal, it was the cream of the crop (and the rich kids). Now they'll let anyone with a decent credit report or cosigning parents in.<br />
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Ah, but on a lighter note I finished Game of Thrones and now I'm hooked. Started reading Clash of Kings a few days ago and I'm about 30% in. I am working on a book review for Game of Thrones. We went to New York City on Sunday and got to see (and sit in) the replica of the iron throne HBO had made to promote the show.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieojW1QIR4wGqmOeyPNRyjYLgr2qK1xHSZ8RSIRmja0Jb7FbjsK8tP7L-oeFURbQtAFKbmrGlZPx1OtofWEwm19yRn6B68lV8DQgHPbwzZWNu3ouG6L48eJUyp9U6LYUOpHd7q2HsbYO_Q/s1600/041711_HBO_NY__0216+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieojW1QIR4wGqmOeyPNRyjYLgr2qK1xHSZ8RSIRmja0Jb7FbjsK8tP7L-oeFURbQtAFKbmrGlZPx1OtofWEwm19yRn6B68lV8DQgHPbwzZWNu3ouG6L48eJUyp9U6LYUOpHd7q2HsbYO_Q/s320/041711_HBO_NY__0216+copy.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You may note the white ball of fluff on my arm presuming to be Ghost. I made him a few nights ago and for my first attempt at a stuffed animal I think he turned out decent. I may try to make a version 2.0 at some point though, since this one has.... flaws...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhve0mcXaNX-DriY4eLwW_2IYGalbogl0quzaQ4pr1TFNJXTWPYon0UIt-Ncq_x8rfWYmAVvrb_86Jx0kClTcXRj5aPor9LWYz-6iCn8Q9Ei9uY50XZWyyxI8oy7fIEQs38XH6nA7Gqxb9c/s1600/210232_10100534523552399_8829950_61034905_475893_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhve0mcXaNX-DriY4eLwW_2IYGalbogl0quzaQ4pr1TFNJXTWPYon0UIt-Ncq_x8rfWYmAVvrb_86Jx0kClTcXRj5aPor9LWYz-6iCn8Q9Ei9uY50XZWyyxI8oy7fIEQs38XH6nA7Gqxb9c/s320/210232_10100534523552399_8829950_61034905_475893_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I wish that angle had a better view of his tail. His body came out rather well, particularly the cute fluffy tail. But I'd rather just ignore from the neck up. He may resemble Tyrion Lannister a little more than Ghost.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We watched the first episode of Game of Thrones on Sunday night and it was pretty amazing. It was quite faithful, albeit with some minor alterations. I didn't mine the alterations very much. It's interesting to see how the people working on the series have a different interpretation of the characters and the scenery. I was amazed at the level of production value. The amount of time and money that must have been spent on this series is phenomenal. There were so many different settings and places. I was shocked at how intricate the armors and costumes were. The level of detail is mind-blowing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have had little chance to work on my novelette. I've been mostly reading The Song of Ice and Fire books and getting some projects done for school. I'd like to get back to it whenever possible, but I foresee is being stalled to May. I can't wait for mid-May when I can sit back and say "that's all." Of course I will still have one more summer course, but that seems almost irrelevant. I am very excited for the week we're planning to spend in Spain. I don't know that it's truly hit me yet, but when it does I can't imagine being able to contain my excitement. Right now I am just waiting to get the plane tickets and I think we'll be pretty good to go at that point. Sure I was born in Cuba, but since landing here I have never stood on foreign soil. I am hoping that I will have a chance to see my family, I haven't met any of them but I'd love to. I also just kind of want to wander around. I'm still not sure if I want a tour or if I just want to explore on my own. I'm guessing a tour is a better option for the "first-timer." </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ah well, back to studying, I suppose.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">*The sky is over...*</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691460712933099749.post-66619761907316990892011-04-06T09:33:00.003-04:002011-04-06T09:37:45.769-04:00Sitting on a cold chair in a dark room...I worked on that story and I finished up the first chapter. It's a little short, but I plan on expanding it a little with time. In order to better work on the story I have kept working on a map with Campaign Cartographer. It's looking pretty nice so far. Lots of work though.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVQYeNDVxXBkoMh61JbOm_LG5-koJ8osgCiPzzgMwtSZE8tCpqz4CdPxTZqk_FCkYKuzCJVUBVHTN4qbnmEFFZEToirVzBplFw9xDQIsxjOKuSAAkeZVKt_kR1uVEOzKYALfrc_QcNxg19/s1600/Esperwynne+v1.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVQYeNDVxXBkoMh61JbOm_LG5-koJ8osgCiPzzgMwtSZE8tCpqz4CdPxTZqk_FCkYKuzCJVUBVHTN4qbnmEFFZEToirVzBplFw9xDQIsxjOKuSAAkeZVKt_kR1uVEOzKYALfrc_QcNxg19/s320/Esperwynne+v1.PNG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Looking fancy!</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></i></div>The hardest part is the scale. I keep trying to figure out just how long it would take my characters to be wandering around this world. The entire first book is going to happen in those 1,000 sq. miles on the middle right (where the trees are). I must really like to make maps because I spent a ton of time working on the Pyraliss map. Using this program I should remake the Pyraliss world.<br />
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I also used a different program called Fractal Terrains. That program gave me a basic idea of the landmasses. BUT the greatest thing about this program is that it gives you temperatures, climates, altitudes, and rainfall. It's like map porn. I feel like having a realistic map like that helps shape and guide your story along. It also gives the world a more realistic feel. Also, it just helps my characters not inadvertently end up in different places that are mysteriously the same exact place (my orientation skills suck, I could never just keep track of this without something physical).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiam1LwuNkshjkyPzKAc6Gxj_N01PCflpPgCS3rkrLcpX-IDifoSpYXQrkkgN0v6ntxKXzwRhFyGCenKuUQzpsodbLoA_9_yvdjFRt_hvMfsy_qM2CmuLElw3t5qm9OvRkoGUEi44n8HW-d/s1600/Esperwynne+v1%2528FT%2529.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiam1LwuNkshjkyPzKAc6Gxj_N01PCflpPgCS3rkrLcpX-IDifoSpYXQrkkgN0v6ntxKXzwRhFyGCenKuUQzpsodbLoA_9_yvdjFRt_hvMfsy_qM2CmuLElw3t5qm9OvRkoGUEi44n8HW-d/s320/Esperwynne+v1%2528FT%2529.PNG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Note the list of climate on the side. I can also change it to reflect rainfall and altitudes.</i></span></div><br />
I can't wait to finish the map. Updates coming soon.<br />
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*The sky is over...*Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691460712933099749.post-62650339211725303082011-04-05T09:30:00.001-04:002011-04-05T09:34:43.425-04:00I forgot to give this a title first time around...I am experiencing hunger.<br />
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Isn't it strange how people learn coping methods? How they find ways to work around their dysfunctions? I suppose it's not really strange, it's actually quite normal. It's something that's done every day by most adults, and maybe even some children. Teaching yourself ways to function, regardless of circumstance, that's part of the human condition.<br />
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I've always had difficulty finding a happy medium so I have two modes: panic mode or lackadaisical mode. I either care too much, or I just completely lose interest. Everyone at school always comments how I'm "so relaxed" and how they wish they were nearly as relaxed about school. Little do they know that if I didn't force myself into that state I'd probably lose my mind (as I almost have some semesters before I taught myself to cope). It is a bit frustrating though, I never quite know how to give myself the proper level of motivation to get things done. If I let myself get into a panic things don't get done anyway because I just break down. <i>To hell with it.</i> I just have to keep teaching myself around it.<br />
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I actually got a chance to keep reading Game of Thrones last night, it was only a little while but I got a couple of chapters read. It's fascinating so far. I'm really enjoying it, but I'm looking forward to finishing it and moving on to either the second book or something else.<br />
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I am working on a story, I may have mentioned it before. It doesn't have a title yet, but it's looking quite lengthy. I got a copy of Campaign Cartographer and am using it to make a map of the world it's in. I started to lose track of where the hell the characters were while writing the outline. Decided a map was necessary.<br />
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Added a new little guy to the previous picture:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUN0Pba6ib2HD_j8QMyOkhi68Ek8aHr4rlo2R7xNiQxRxyYY2YROyPjDXHisHXxzkJhfl6SfcnpeiQDDFuiJ7CAerUSxDonMd5ggXw498yD7VDQxIcEHbP0KXuz0G097uTs-fx127ergp1/s1600/dragoninprogress2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUN0Pba6ib2HD_j8QMyOkhi68Ek8aHr4rlo2R7xNiQxRxyYY2YROyPjDXHisHXxzkJhfl6SfcnpeiQDDFuiJ7CAerUSxDonMd5ggXw498yD7VDQxIcEHbP0KXuz0G097uTs-fx127ergp1/s400/dragoninprogress2.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I like how fluid he looks, I don't usually get that effect very easily. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm still waiting to hear back from graduate schools. No word yet. Ah, well. Soon, I hope.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">*The sky is over...*</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691460712933099749.post-35241484486317964712011-03-31T14:15:00.000-04:002011-03-31T14:15:43.434-04:00In the cold, dark hours of the morning...I have just realized that I never wrote a book review for the Dragonlance book I read in February. I'll have to get on that. I mostly listened to the audiobook, must be why I forgot. I finished Dragon Age II with my Anders game. I was a little shocked, mildly disappointed... and I desperately want whatever's next to happen (DLC, DA3? Who knows). Going to have to finish Fenris when I have the time. I started reading the Song of Ice and Fire series. I am enjoying Game of Thrones. It's pretty long, and I haven't had the chance to continue reading, but it's okay. I can't wait to finish it.<br />
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I was working on a presentation for one of my classes and I can't seem to convince myself to finish it... Oh lack of motivation, you pain me so... Guess I better get back to it.<br />
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*The Sky is over...*Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691460712933099749.post-11602417666144181082011-03-25T10:47:00.002-04:002011-03-25T10:48:08.564-04:00You'll never survive 3005...Been listening to Scars on Broadway a lot lately. I can't help but feel like the line in 3005 where he says "While you are sinking in the ocean I'll be in my spaceship still alive" is a Portal reference... Even though I know it's not. My stomach's been standing on a ledge threatening to jump lately. Quite horrible. I've sent some people down there to talk him out of it, but he's not listening. Stomach suicide is a serious problem. Stayed home today, I'll probably catch up on some homework and play more Dragon Age II. I'm pretty sure I'm almost in Act III. I'd probably already have beaten the game if I didn't insist on searching every little corner and playing several simultaneous games. It's so enjoyable though.<br />
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I continued to work on the outline for that story. It's become quite massive and has reached a much larger scale than I imagined. Pretty crazy. And I still don't have an end in sight. I wonder if I'll actually be able to write it? I'm pretty excited about it now, but for how long? I also found an old story I'd started a few years ago that I'd like to revamp a little. I don't know what to do with it though. It's a good beginning, it just lacks a <i>reason</i>. I think I am going to make sure I do more writing and less trolling the internet. Not that I don't love spending hours on my google reader or Reddit or Cracked filling my brain with useless knowledge, I just think I'd rather be spending that time writing or reading, or drawing for that matter.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was sketching with my tablet for the first time in a looonggg time yesterday and this is what happened:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ZzWw2mYudEhNcgNavqqRsuv2fYb_MnMj21SGuyzSqtLGLpJtETVd8lej-RwG6pSlBs-cdiV-rmnTF2YRXgI56n3OltsEMFS4qvFVE02QW9eam6IoTDFECbX54TxwutyH8S1xamp1RMO3/s1600/Dragoninprogress.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ZzWw2mYudEhNcgNavqqRsuv2fYb_MnMj21SGuyzSqtLGLpJtETVd8lej-RwG6pSlBs-cdiV-rmnTF2YRXgI56n3OltsEMFS4qvFVE02QW9eam6IoTDFECbX54TxwutyH8S1xamp1RMO3/s400/Dragoninprogress.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>She's changed a little since then, and the picture's focus was redirected but I kind of like it. I should spend more time with my tablet.<br />
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Man, I could really use a lot more time in my life. Maybe when I finish school. Maybe never. We'll see. I'm kind of glad I'm getting back into the habit of blogging. I think it helps my writing when I write a lot, even if it's just garbled mess about things that don't matter all too much.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">*The sky is over...*</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691460712933099749.post-70672237382392310032011-03-23T14:15:00.000-04:002011-03-23T14:15:18.309-04:00Who knows...I started working on an outline for a "short" story the other day and so far it has left short story territory and entered novelette lands armed with only a short sword and some rations. I rarely do the "outline" thing but I am always so busy lately that I do not always have the time to just sit and write for hours and days, so the outline helps me remember where the story was going and such. It seems to work with other some stories in the past, so I figured it couldn't hurt. I am a little irked that I can't think of an ending for this. I usually have the ending before I have anything else, I tend to work backwards. But this story is jut taunting me. Maybe my beginning and middle are not so well defined that it leads me to a proper ending. I am hoping it will come to me.<br />
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I was inspired to begin this story while playing Dragon Age II. I really love that game so far. I have two simultaneous games going (I couldn't decide whether to romance Anders or Fenris so I figured both would do). Listening to Fenris' voice I decided I wanted to write a story where someone had that voice (does that make sense to anyone but me?). That deep, manly voice thing makes me swoon (like Rammstein's Till). I was the giddiest creature in existence when I first started playing it and Anders showed up... And then I found out he joins your party and I almost died of excitement. I was quite disappointed you couldn't romance him in Awakenings (wow, I'm really lame, aren't I?). I am really enjoying the game and wish I had more time to just plow through it. I love how much the little dialogue differences change the mood of the whole game. My first game was with a female rogue that generally goes for the "good and just" answers, my second game was as a male mage with the more humorous Hawke. It really does change the experience even if it's somewhat the same sequence of events. Also, these differences change what quests become available. I really like it. I'm as enthralled as I was with the first one.<br />
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I really like Serj Tankian's Peace Be Revenged. I can't stop listening to it. My lastfm is a bit of a douche though. It seems to not like scrobbling anything I listen to continuously so even though I listened to it upwards of 30 times the other day it seemed to only scrobble 6 or so of those plays. Oh well.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #c3c3c3; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">*The sky is over...*</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691460712933099749.post-40887138317485140222011-03-16T16:29:00.001-04:002011-03-16T16:30:08.605-04:00It's always the little things...I mentioned in the book review I posted just a few moments ago that I bought a Kobo Wifi reader from a Borders that was going out of business. I got it for a nifty $70. It is absolutely WONDERFUL. I don't care about the disparaging reviews or those who upturn their noses at it for fancier models because it does exactly what it needs to do, and that is to give me books to read. I am so excited. I read Coraline on it, as well as five volumes of a manga (Ai Yori Aoshi) I threw on there in pdf format. I was also able to buy an e-book copy of one of my textbooks and put it on there as a pdf. I'm very amused and happy with it.<br />
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I had a nice time relaxing all day at a Starbucks. I got a chance to read and play Okami-Den. I just got it (for the DS) and it's a lot of fun. So far it doesn't have that wonderful feeling that the original Okami had, but it's fun and very nostalgic in a lot of ways. Chibiterasu is adorable and very much like his mother. Although I agree that it is fun to draw with the stylus versus the PS2 controller, I don't like the game when it's not on a console because it loses a lot of its depth. It was just plain <i>fun</i> to run around Nippon painting trees in the ground and chopping down everything you see. I loved swimming around and trying to make lilypads just in time to not drown. It was those little extra things that really made me love that game. Feeding the animals, the expansive scenery (and don't get me wrong, Okami-Den is in the same art style) is just compressed and a little more bland. I hope it does well though. I would like them to continue making games in this art and writing style. I miss Issun and Ammy, but Chibi and that kid (I can't remember his name for the life of me) are a cute duo. I hope I can continue to enjoy the game all the way through.<br />
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I applied to my first graduate program the other day, two more to go. I'm a little worried, but also just kind of 'meh' about the whole thing. Not sure what I mean by 'meh,' just that I don't expect much. Maybe I'll get in, maybe I wont. I have little expectation. I'm kind of (very slightly) excited at the prospect of getting accepted at Old Dominion. I would really like it if I had a chance to move down to Virginia and experience life outside of NJ for a little while. I just want to try something new, fresh. I like to try new things, see things outside of my realm of comfort. I guess we'll see what happens. I think I'd feel too guilty to just up and move somewhere if I don't get accepted to a program, so I'll probably be stuck here in NJ for awhile until I find a viable excuse to go out and explore.<br />
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Sydney's sick again. Poor little guy has an infection. At least we caught it early on. The vet gave us needles with antibiotic, I couldn't bring myself to even look so my beloved does it instead. We gave her a bath the other day and she drank the water then pooped in it. Pretty gross. If I ever have children they're probably going to kill me of disgust, I'm quite squeamish.<br />
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Going to see Rammstein again in May. Looking forward to it. <a href="http://pyraliss.com/phpBB3/images/smilies/icon_razz.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://pyraliss.com/phpBB3/images/smilies/icon_razz.gif" /></a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">*The sky is over...*</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691460712933099749.post-68066124341619454862011-03-16T15:52:00.001-04:002011-03-23T06:20:25.269-04:00Book Review - Coraline by Neil GaimanBook: Coraline<br />
Author(s): Neil Gaiman<br />
Read: March 2011<br />
**<i>All reviews I write may contain spoilers, read at your own discretion</i>**<br />
<br />
Coraline was a book that Gaiman began writing for his 5-year-old daughter. It began as a short story and after time escalated to becoming a short novel. Although the entire story carries an inherent creepiness to it, I expected a little more from him. This was the first book I read on my Kobo e-book reader and I was excited both by the story and the gadget. I read it all in one go, taking maybe two and a half hours. The beginning seemed a little slow, but it picked up as the pages passed. Gaiman does a wonderful job of setting up the characters and the atmosphere. When considering the target audience, it seems to have that little more that I expected. I found the use of the beldam both as a comfort (in the beginning where she is giving Coraline the attention that she is deprived of) as well as a point of incongruence (something is very obviously off about her from the very beginning).<br />
I had seen the movies some years ago and found it to be somewhat creepier (maybe due to the visual effects), but not as well put together as the book. I found it strange that Wyborn was not a character from the original book and a little disappointing that the fairy child was replaced in the movie by another child. The cat had a more prominent role in the book (which I appreciated) taking on his and Wyborn's role in the movie as Coraline's friend, protector and guide. Although her parents grow on you in the movie, they seem to be colder and more displaced in the book, never quite giving you the feeling that they truly care about their daughter. This is distressful because it leaves you in the quandary of which is worse, being alone or being lost? Yet, there are moments where you realize that her parents are just jaded and lost in the world of adulthood.<br />
It was an interesting read and I am excited to expand my Neil Gaiman internal library. Maybe I'll finally finish Good Omens and put that up.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691460712933099749.post-44476004338348602472011-02-16T15:29:00.001-05:002011-03-16T15:52:57.869-04:00Book Review: Finding Our Tongues by Dean FalkBook: Finding Our Tongues<br />
Author(s): Dean Falk<br />
Read: January 2011<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">**</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><i>All reviews I write may contain spoilers, read at your own discretion</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">**</span><br />
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Having received this as a Christmas gift, I had no incoming expectations from this book. It discusses the acquisition of human language beginning with our ancestors, <em>homo erectus</em>, and paralelling it with the other primates' lack of any kind of verbal language. Although the author presents a very interesting view to the field of language and speech, it seems as though the book itself is largely based on repetition. I spent a lot of time reading what felt like the same pieces of information over and over again. Pieces of information that didn't even feel like they were the main goal or focus of the passage or Chapter they were in. The book is full of interesting ideas with very little research or founding to back them up. I was interested in the author's aside, commenting that hominid mothers tended to carry their babies in their left arms, keeping them close to their heartbeat which in turn could have been the precedent for right-handedness.<br />
In the end this book did not capture my interests enough to keep me reading. After forcing myself halfway through, I gave up. The repetitive nature of the information and its lack of a solid foundation really turned me off.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691460712933099749.post-59915626418434405942011-01-13T16:42:00.001-05:002011-01-13T16:42:43.287-05:00Expansion of knowledge...I have tried to keep a book journal in the last year or two and I will not lie when I say that I have been horrible at it. I am trying again though, and this time I will be trying it here on this blog. It gives me something to write about more frequently and maybe will inspire me to read more (I do <em>not</em> read anywhere near enough). I will name all of these entries as "Personal Book Review 'Title of Book'" just to keep it tidy-looking. I'm reading a book this moment as a matter of fact, and it will hopefully be up and reviewed soon. <br />
I wouldn't expect any valuable or astonishing from anything I read. I also don't expect all of my reading material will be books grandeous books of well-written glory, but it's all just for my own record and if you want to read it, then good for you.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">*<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">The sky is over...*</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691460712933099749.post-12546969160236041572011-01-09T23:23:00.001-05:002011-01-09T23:23:51.520-05:00Chains held tightly on my ankles...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I can't imagine the state we are now in, although I think about it every day, maybe every hour. This totalitarian country masked as a democracy, a place of freedom. A land of opportunity where millions die of hunger, of fear, of <i>lack</i>. A land where the people get exploited, receiving minimum wages for the necesary jobs that no others are willing do. This is a country that promotes living in fear. Lock your doors. Hide your children. <i>They</i> are coming for you. For your families and loved ones and friends and neighbors. But who are <i>They</i>? <i>They </i>are the ones that are whispering in your ear, telling you to fear. Fear is their power. Fear to travel, fear to stay in place. Your homes are not safe, your lives are in danger. <i>Fear.</i> Fear the world you live in. <i>Everyone is coming for you</i>. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">We live in a land where those with power and money do what they want, what will give them more power and more money. Trample the poor. Crush the weak. We are nothing but fodder for the cows of the rich. Even their cows are worth more than the everyday man. Freedom, they cry. It is all in the name of freedom. Of choice. We have the "freedom" to speak, and scream, and mourn, and fear, but to act is to put us all in danger. To act is to spur their fire. They do not take kindly to the prodding of their livestock. Fodder is easily disposed of with oil and fire. And there is little way out, no true escape. It is our burden. We all have far too many roots, too many ties. It's the ball at the end of our many chains. Until we find the key we can only drag ourselves so far. But here we stand, downtrodden, jaded, afraid and overwhelmed by the mountain of wrong keys.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcU7LhMYhWyOBljSPNwSUHPWe1wVYgClkH5tocYg7PTS_WgBSBx8pvRcbNzctAV5cJRL7uzfuxboxODOzFecRGvD6uAZ2MMZ_H9Gey7GFkHH8rC-uXqHNIgkpgKtCYKoHSO4W159LhFFQe/s1600/randomsketch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcU7LhMYhWyOBljSPNwSUHPWe1wVYgClkH5tocYg7PTS_WgBSBx8pvRcbNzctAV5cJRL7uzfuxboxODOzFecRGvD6uAZ2MMZ_H9Gey7GFkHH8rC-uXqHNIgkpgKtCYKoHSO4W159LhFFQe/s400/randomsketch.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691460712933099749.post-24266087214893694332010-11-29T23:59:00.000-05:002010-11-29T23:59:17.525-05:00Quick and simple...Just a quick entry to note that I finally got a Pyraliss page up. It's been exactly one year since my last update and hopefully that kind of hiatus will not happen again! Show me some love at www.Pyraliss.com. Post some comments, send a dollar via paypal, whatever floats your digital boat. :) It took me a little longer to get that page done than usual because I tried inking and coloring it. The process was partially successful. It's pixel-y looking for reasons that are unknown to me so I'm going to keep trying this whole thing until I get it right. That's not going to stop me from updating though. Expect Pyraliss to be UP and RUNNING.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://pyraliss.com/phpBB3/images/smilies/icon_lol.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://pyraliss.com/phpBB3/images/smilies/icon_lol.gif" /></a></div>P.S. TWELVE DAYS TO RAMMSTEIN!!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691460712933099749.post-43492398710592637452010-10-15T22:01:00.001-04:002010-10-15T22:01:35.429-04:00Because there isn't a greater taste than a potato in a cup...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 16px;">Some interesting events that have occurred since my last post:</span><br />
<ol style="direction: ltr; font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .375in; margin-top: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed;" type="1"><li style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;" value="1"><span style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">I have had two stories published in e-zines located here-</span></li>
</ol><div style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin: 0in;">To Live a Life That is Not My Own <<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.yesteryearfiction.com/2010/08/82110.html">http://www.yesteryearfiction.com/2010/08/82110.html</a>></span></div><div style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin: 0in;">Wayfinder: Home of the Lýkos <<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.downdirtyword.com/authors/suanycanarte.html">http://www.downdirtyword.com/authors/suanycanarte.html</a>></span></div><ol style="direction: ltr; font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .375in; margin-top: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed;" type="1"><li style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;" value="2"><span style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">I have drawn some Pyraliss pages and will begin updating again starting Monday</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12pt;">I attended the New York Renaissance Faire in costume (twice)</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12pt;">I have begun the Fall semester and it is CRAZY</span></li>
</ol><div style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; margin-left: .375in; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; margin: 0in;">So I've applied for graduation and have realized just how close I am to finishing this section of my education. I had some trepidations about applying to graduate schools in December considering that I am currently retaking a class I didn't do well in and it brings down my G.P.A. but I've noticed that many schools have February deadlines, which improves my situation greatly. My only concern is that I am not sure how to go about asking professors for letters of recommendation or how to take the GRE. I am also concerned about taking the GREs while I am stressing out about school. I have always done fairly well in standardized tests, but I have not taken one in so long that I fear I have become rusty. I feel like I have so little time to study, do homework, work and sleep that I cannot imagine taking more time to research graduate schools, study for the GREs and worry about applications. The entire school system is unnervingly flawed.<br />
<br />
</div><div style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; margin: 0in;">In class this afternoon a couple of students just chewed out our Professor for not being clear with what she is expecting from us when it comes to the homework and the midterm exam. She was so flustered and boggled by the idea that most of the people in our classroom have NEVER done "logarithms" or even heard of them. This ties back to how flawed the school system here is. Although I admit that her expectations of our abilities is far above what we actually can do, I also believe that it is not her fault. She is an awkward woman in many ways that has studied, not only Audiology, but physics which gives her an edge of understanding that most of us would never have. Most people that go into Speech-Language Pathology go into the program never expecting to see a math problem again. Then we get to a class like Speech Science and it is a mathematical nightmare (for those who are mathematically impaired). Even I, who have a decent background in mathematics, have had trouble understanding how to use her notes to figure out the relatively complicated mathematical problems she is presenting us with. I am pretty concerned with the midterm exam and I cannot afford to do poorly in another class. My weekend is currently booked with horrifying amounts of studying (although I plan on playing a Magic game or two with Joe and brother :P).</div><div style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; margin: 0in;">I have one more thing to write about for now, and it is a new website I plan on starting up soon. It's a silly idea, but I think I will enjoy playing with it. It's name-in-progress is "Class Notes" and it will be a webcomic-like site that updates with pictures of little sketches and doodles that are all over my notes. I doodle a lot in class (bad habit, I know) and I tend to like a lot of my little doodles. Some of them turn into character designs for stories, some are kind of fan-art, and some of them are just plain silly. I have a little quick design sketch of what I would like the website to look for. If I find myself with any time this weekend (haha, wishful thinking) I may just start setting this up. I'll associate this blog to it. I may also set up the Pyraliss blog next week (I'll link when it's finally up).<br />
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One final announcement<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs330.ash2/61048_1629323654220_1270453487_1710277_2870572_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs330.ash2/61048_1629323654220_1270453487_1710277_2870572_n.jpg" width="252" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I can't wait. :)</div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #c3c3c3; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">*The sky is over...*</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691460712933099749.post-83159505379665975442010-07-14T16:02:00.001-04:002010-08-19T10:45:12.360-04:00The many types of smooth muscle...I am so exhausted it's disturbing. This Anatomy and Physiology class is trying to kill me. I haven't been sleeping well and I have been waking up way too early. Well it's only four more weeks. Then I get to start a horrifying new semester. <br />
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We have to dissect a pig next week and I'm not looking forward to it. I don't condone the use of animals for science but I'm also concerned that my stomach can't handle it. Luckily it's a group dissection so it might not be too bad. <br />
<br />
I got a Kindle app for my Droid and found a free book. It was called The Light of Eidon and it's considered a "Christian" fantasy book. I figured it would be a bust but it was really good, particularly being free. It seems like there are three more books in the series but they cost money and I think I'm going to hold off since I have so many unread books on my shelf. <br />
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I recently acquired a haircut and it's been phenomenal. Joseph and I were at the mall and I decided that long hair is a pain in the ass. It was amusing because the lady didn't want to believe that I wanted it so short. She cut my ponytail clean off but not without protest. I've gotten a lot of positive reactions even from my grandmother which was unexpected. I'm considering keeping it short for awhile. <br />
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On Sunday I was overcome with the immense urge to virtually farm. Being that I have played all the Harvest Moons in my possession I really wanted a new one. I decided on Harvest Moon Animal Parade for the Wii and Joseph and I set out to find it. We went to three different GameStops, a Walmart and a Target but none of them had it. Resignedly I settled for an Olive Garden dinner. I hadn't given up though and on Monday I called four different GameStops before I found it. Joseph and I picked it up after I got out of work and I began my newest farming adventure. So far it has been very fun and stress relieving. I only wish I had more time to play it. I'm excited for the weekend.<br />
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I also am glad to announce that i have two new Pyraliss pages drawn up. I think I'll resume updates when I have ten completed so that I have a good buffer. I'm probably going to start a blog for too so readers can know what's going on. <br />
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*The sky is over...*Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691460712933099749.post-80205611950484767002010-07-05T19:13:00.000-04:002010-07-05T19:13:15.329-04:00A back too high for your tail...Expect a plethora of pictures and writing. Warning Complete.<br />
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Watermelon is set out on the table and I want to feed it to Snoopy, Joe's grandparent's golden retriever. Last time we were here he ate a few pieces, rind and all. We're visiting Joe's grandparents down the shore. The dogs are cute. Well Snoopy's cute, Patsy is funny looking. His butt arches upward and his tail looks out of place.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ioe6ZphfSvUIjdQXS326bvXhG5FxjktlqA6xkb1UnFmbk-Upq4aFyG_Bkfq9h8OpwTMo2T4NKSHYTau8NX9VwQrw71aiinEt2OiLuI53iOlVUoVbd7J2uMx_HjRYs4cC8sqBrNdaoyBt/s1600/2010-07-03+14.25.45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ioe6ZphfSvUIjdQXS326bvXhG5FxjktlqA6xkb1UnFmbk-Upq4aFyG_Bkfq9h8OpwTMo2T4NKSHYTau8NX9VwQrw71aiinEt2OiLuI53iOlVUoVbd7J2uMx_HjRYs4cC8sqBrNdaoyBt/s320/2010-07-03+14.25.45.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Patsy</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvvN96yygCg65z_rBuYJYOCdJoZZsZkYBao7TkpxOeypkWOB4BrvugofHPm64JCU9EiVKfpgihNFKsImbFSnmzb805FRipHwxoYRhLS3voTbO9i5osPbMcrB1p_Lu90Z86b0-7ter2kKc4/s1600/2010-07-03+14.20.40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvvN96yygCg65z_rBuYJYOCdJoZZsZkYBao7TkpxOeypkWOB4BrvugofHPm64JCU9EiVKfpgihNFKsImbFSnmzb805FRipHwxoYRhLS3voTbO9i5osPbMcrB1p_Lu90Z86b0-7ter2kKc4/s320/2010-07-03+14.20.40.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Snoopy</span></div>So I started this post two days ago and now it's no longer the day we were at Joe's grandparents house. Joe's grandparents are very elderly, but Joe's grandfather still does a lot. He has a garden all around the house and grows all sorts of vegetables. Yesterday we had a salad with some lettuce and tomatoes from his garden.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieU6oj4KYdag5KjyBorzXoG9HK6fzQVRU5Kc0rITN_jY97sm1p3SHv0qTDsWdLR5AuzUG2zyvHabw711qKBNPoFaL_qIqn3MUDzoMlJucGbK1ooLCiuGeJvkIAgcZwOExWz7cqeJrtOYWH/s1600/2010-07-03+14.19.42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieU6oj4KYdag5KjyBorzXoG9HK6fzQVRU5Kc0rITN_jY97sm1p3SHv0qTDsWdLR5AuzUG2zyvHabw711qKBNPoFaL_qIqn3MUDzoMlJucGbK1ooLCiuGeJvkIAgcZwOExWz7cqeJrtOYWH/s320/2010-07-03+14.19.42.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7uG2hVrGHNeDNHb3tbHlrnt6gMVyEq35fZBnN2o7vB7j3q2j9La7OIKocdLNJ6K2E_rR9XXx1pNgKiCiqEV4yT8x1RYLAgsrcm_Wu5GoBDF57YfTGONBNKhNkAS3OaV8TRiboGf3FbWsP/s1600/2010-07-03+14.23.10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7uG2hVrGHNeDNHb3tbHlrnt6gMVyEq35fZBnN2o7vB7j3q2j9La7OIKocdLNJ6K2E_rR9XXx1pNgKiCiqEV4yT8x1RYLAgsrcm_Wu5GoBDF57YfTGONBNKhNkAS3OaV8TRiboGf3FbWsP/s320/2010-07-03+14.23.10.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Grandpa's Gardens</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On the drive up we stopped at a diner (as always) and our table had crayons on it. I happily scribbled on my placemat. <img src="http://pyraliss.com/phpBB3/images/smilies/icon_razz.gif" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCqF7K-FAzHjsiJXpPhbW7FGCePh6ko1w4jfflm9ZTDyTdxXO1b2D4N0aYYPQaE6bu0_BH_gShEhUyyWA1Fqkvn3wQ4qr5tb1k9VEZYFGG3foGQ67fr672AisprVIRI3b6x15lhMXeogNL/s1600/125842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCqF7K-FAzHjsiJXpPhbW7FGCePh6ko1w4jfflm9ZTDyTdxXO1b2D4N0aYYPQaE6bu0_BH_gShEhUyyWA1Fqkvn3wQ4qr5tb1k9VEZYFGG3foGQ67fr672AisprVIRI3b6x15lhMXeogNL/s320/125842.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We took Snoopy on a walk, possibly his first and only walk his entire 12-year life. He seemed pretty happy but he kept slowing down. Poor old puppy. That night we went to the boardwalk and walked on the beach.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibq3mg2Mgm7MG2QrED6UCd2GFptWPfwe9tY5MDATm07bGCyPNTAkv7aLNVCCNowkf7On09Q3n0EExDfjO8F8NJ_jF62GO26k8Vi33aLL5apJ7k-T0suKXTeFcTTYmv6HuAkC4QBKXQFtXt/s1600/2010-07-03+21.06.14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibq3mg2Mgm7MG2QrED6UCd2GFptWPfwe9tY5MDATm07bGCyPNTAkv7aLNVCCNowkf7On09Q3n0EExDfjO8F8NJ_jF62GO26k8Vi33aLL5apJ7k-T0suKXTeFcTTYmv6HuAkC4QBKXQFtXt/s320/2010-07-03+21.06.14.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Seagull Feet</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYw-triH4Bsu0kAsEEaq7Jx0g2vYcula9bgHOdxkfVFRV9w1UwQ2AZPa0LJ9tEa8CdNgDuRfiuq1njCAmrUoc1eb5W6AEXwJ_oj5lUJeEPGmRNGVFgY2UA55-D9x-fXsWbJ45sYXJ6k77A/s1600/2010-07-03+20.59.55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYw-triH4Bsu0kAsEEaq7Jx0g2vYcula9bgHOdxkfVFRV9w1UwQ2AZPa0LJ9tEa8CdNgDuRfiuq1njCAmrUoc1eb5W6AEXwJ_oj5lUJeEPGmRNGVFgY2UA55-D9x-fXsWbJ45sYXJ6k77A/s320/2010-07-03+20.59.55.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Busy boardwalk</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On Friday Joseph and I went to the mall and I got some Magic cards. They have a new set called Archenemy and something called the deck builder tool kit which has over 100 cards in it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg98Te-zjxzT0h9PF2TGduLvRRGReGMyZsCzInYRReuKd5PGjVyPcX6TbvNbUpdby2T7cGv8l8fHcVRNSFCVp05bI2186FZgAnfocd28IQF78asOv22AxWVzNVNx_8TO4iCN36OAKNacGyE/s1600/2010-07-02+23.19.27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg98Te-zjxzT0h9PF2TGduLvRRGReGMyZsCzInYRReuKd5PGjVyPcX6TbvNbUpdby2T7cGv8l8fHcVRNSFCVp05bI2186FZgAnfocd28IQF78asOv22AxWVzNVNx_8TO4iCN36OAKNacGyE/s320/2010-07-02+23.19.27.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">My new cards</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I also got a very silly mythic rare:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPkObVvJJlLN_iX3OgFWOgD2yglua1IFu8TkTrQnJa0OuVRypN2oo7AYGIC8qdsGhhiAgjaw-MNEYqxz3XDQMCu4TfIYhLzc3-rjQXSGccZEU5eFjlRphufr974Fvuyp4TvSyIZ1_zJFdD/s1600/2010-07-02+23.22.03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPkObVvJJlLN_iX3OgFWOgD2yglua1IFu8TkTrQnJa0OuVRypN2oo7AYGIC8qdsGhhiAgjaw-MNEYqxz3XDQMCu4TfIYhLzc3-rjQXSGccZEU5eFjlRphufr974Fvuyp4TvSyIZ1_zJFdD/s320/2010-07-02+23.22.03.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I put it in a deck but haven't used it yet</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We also had an enjoyable 4th of July. In the afternoon we traveled to Footbridge Park for a festival. There were a handful of stands with different things up for purchase. I took pictures of the dogs I saw.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggPjX5DHakeMpBeKPHfEi4-s6bZWb1Ufcbw2BeoiPNk9bvOvmPB0Y8zbYJVu2OVyJkqAlRTLGkxW0QHCBtyieBasUMAmwUk4DdlhW5DxT8pnh8jYPxf6-ouikXEJ9NeSg0mEWddh9wVxVS/s1600/2010-07-04+15.29.10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggPjX5DHakeMpBeKPHfEi4-s6bZWb1Ufcbw2BeoiPNk9bvOvmPB0Y8zbYJVu2OVyJkqAlRTLGkxW0QHCBtyieBasUMAmwUk4DdlhW5DxT8pnh8jYPxf6-ouikXEJ9NeSg0mEWddh9wVxVS/s320/2010-07-04+15.29.10.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">We bought a stuffed puppy for charity and I stuffed it and put a little heart in it. He's full of love. <img src="http://pyraliss.com/phpBB3/images/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcBQgjxU50mX816c2bnnI82SGM7bf5c5fv33m4yuMX3aOqS7raIU4eyE44AduReBnh9UgXd2hBjTSRkSo3oE-p1UyrBFcmkGZ85Xu0PBorc0D8H_gVYATuq3pFcKIHt2RYXUjw5Po09bt9/s1600/2010-07-04+16.45.18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcBQgjxU50mX816c2bnnI82SGM7bf5c5fv33m4yuMX3aOqS7raIU4eyE44AduReBnh9UgXd2hBjTSRkSo3oE-p1UyrBFcmkGZ85Xu0PBorc0D8H_gVYATuq3pFcKIHt2RYXUjw5Po09bt9/s320/2010-07-04+16.45.18.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Later we went to the field to watch the fireworks. They were awesome. I just laid on the grass with Joe and watched them. My favorites are the ones that crackle. </div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
This weekend Joe, brother and I have been playing Heroes of Might and Magic V. It's pretty fun and since it's from 2006 it runs beautifully on my laptop. While playing today I discovered a tiny spider perched between my USB plug and my laptop. Joe tried to remove him, but he just ran into the USB hub. He eventually fell and disappeared into the rug.<br />
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Later today we plan on heading to my mom's house to give her a birthday present. I'm not looking forward to starting classes tomorrow. I'm going to miss my "vacation." <img src="http://pyraliss.com/phpBB3/images/smilies/icon_cry.gif" /><br />
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*The sky is over...*</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691460712933099749.post-83993462013531632492010-07-02T00:45:00.000-04:002010-07-02T00:45:36.702-04:00The delicious taste of minty cereal...Just watched the third new episode of Futurama. It was an improvement to the other ones. Brother keeps muting all the commercials and it's very annoying and frustrating. I am a curious person and really like to <i>hear</i> what's going on on the TV. Urgh.<br />
<br />
We watched Youth in Revolt a few hours ago and it was pretty enjoyable. Michael Cera is an interesting actor (even though he does seem to get the same role in everything he's in). The movie was pretty silly, but it was also pretty amusing and well thought out. The dialogue seemed well timed.<br />
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I made dinner tonight, tacos. They were pretty good.<br />
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Hmm... I don't have much else to say I suppose. Short entry.<br />
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*The sky is over...*Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691460712933099749.post-6564198619191912022010-06-30T23:48:00.001-04:002010-06-30T23:49:39.616-04:00The Capybara is the largest living rodent in the world...Summer nights are best enjoyed in basements with loved ones. Or something like that, anyway. Joe's parents got the new couch upstairs and it looks dazzling. The old furniture ended up downstairs in the finished basement and I've migrated down with it, TV and video games in hand. I finished Fable II for the second time and got most of the achievements that I (someone without Xbox Live) am capable of. We even got in some Rock Band (which I've been itching to play for awhile).<br />
<div><br />
</div><div>My neck and back are feeling better after a visit to the chiropractor. She informed me of some exercises I can do so that my body stops falling apart. The transition away from caffeine/soda should be helpful. I'm not getting caffeine withdrawal headaches anymore and that's always a plus.</div><div><br />
</div><div>I spent a lot of time playing Culdcept Saga last night and a short while playing it today. It's an Xbox 360 game that is a mixture of Magic: The Gathering and Monopoly. That's right... MTG and Monopoly. No, I'm not exaggerating it or being silly. It's exactly that. You move around a playing board set down monsters on tiles and when your enemies land on them you collect revenue. If said enemy is feeling courageous they'll use their own monsters (which by the way are CARDS) and you'll have a Magicesque stand off for the territory. The games even last countless hours. What would Monopoly and MTG be without the hours and hours of productivity consumption? </div><div><br />
</div><div>At work today I read about this free browser-based MMORPG named Earth Eternal. It's like a free WoW clone with animals instead of people. I've been poking at it tonight and it's absolutely dead. It doesn't seem like a lot of people play it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizXkHtkNE_iC_cG41datxVB5xfzEa3v7FCaGUlRRrpQhJdrb8cUD519TYTRJqzk1LkuvM6x00gxTwuHq8lxqQ6QnZNOgXS_MyrLhzSXVNyYrCmKgFS6Jy9nU7jBlBAeN1YXqrGtyYwPDfO/s1600/SC001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizXkHtkNE_iC_cG41datxVB5xfzEa3v7FCaGUlRRrpQhJdrb8cUD519TYTRJqzk1LkuvM6x00gxTwuHq8lxqQ6QnZNOgXS_MyrLhzSXVNyYrCmKgFS6Jy9nU7jBlBAeN1YXqrGtyYwPDfO/s400/SC001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">My goat lady :D</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On a different note, I finally paid for my Summer II class. Part of me was somewhat hoping that they would be like "I'm sorry, you're past the payment date and you've been dropped from the class," so that I could get a break this summer, but alas I was "lucky" enough to have made it in time to pay. Oh well, I'll be happy when I have one less class to worry about. I just feel exhausted and wish I had the chance to enjoy more than a few days of my summer. I guess the long weekends will make up for it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">*The sky is over...*</div><div><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691460712933099749.post-25231141862783898072010-06-28T02:33:00.001-04:002010-06-28T02:34:00.704-04:00Shamrock hats and candy necklaces...Once again Futurama is on TV. For some reason they keep replaying the new episodes (although the one on right now is an older one). We just played some Magic: Two games. I lost both. Joe won the first and Brother won the second one. I haven't particularly felt interested in Magic as much lately. I like collecting, though.<br />
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Two nights ago we had Chinese food and I got a pretty snazzy fortune:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9dwXvvVs4ViSny2PoHDA4In9ZzqprwWkIFyXOYKO1OxHSefqKwRfHWmw8Dajs-XdmUzdfGLwPoNUJkxrdyKtIVPCzX6aTHRf3IX5ZpY9AsyBqdH3rUa1hj2N33Dei9operh63wpVm-DCC/s1600/2010-06-28+01.35.15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9dwXvvVs4ViSny2PoHDA4In9ZzqprwWkIFyXOYKO1OxHSefqKwRfHWmw8Dajs-XdmUzdfGLwPoNUJkxrdyKtIVPCzX6aTHRf3IX5ZpY9AsyBqdH3rUa1hj2N33Dei9operh63wpVm-DCC/s320/2010-06-28+01.35.15.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9dwXvvVs4ViSny2PoHDA4In9ZzqprwWkIFyXOYKO1OxHSefqKwRfHWmw8Dajs-XdmUzdfGLwPoNUJkxrdyKtIVPCzX6aTHRf3IX5ZpY9AsyBqdH3rUa1hj2N33Dei9operh63wpVm-DCC/s1600/2010-06-28+01.35.15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">You will enjoy good health, you will be surrounded by luxury.</span></div>Sounds pretty good.<br />
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Yesterday afternoon, we saw a mother bear and her two cubs:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkDvz39WRRInmjs87X32rQal2MOXrLa2Ah5xg_wjGDeMDgHUoAYp4fPZusw5WOEBzi1qlF0A8oClEl4FKhHG789PUHgTnLLRQwCIH9UmsOf47zmeL5SRVzcT6gKCmLSz8ePt3nx7DKW-1h/s1600/2010-06-26+17.58.57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkDvz39WRRInmjs87X32rQal2MOXrLa2Ah5xg_wjGDeMDgHUoAYp4fPZusw5WOEBzi1qlF0A8oClEl4FKhHG789PUHgTnLLRQwCIH9UmsOf47zmeL5SRVzcT6gKCmLSz8ePt3nx7DKW-1h/s320/2010-06-26+17.58.57.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Bear cubs!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They were sooo cute! The mom was out of sight by the time I got my camera but the cubs were still running around the yard trying to catch up with mommy. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I got distracted from Pyraliss pages again today by Fable II. I was going to work on it in the evening but we got into a project that took up most of the night. We cleaned out a lot of the basement so that we could put the old furniture down there and make room for the new couch. The basement is pretty nice (barring the intense cold) and we figured it would be a nice game room of sorts. I played a game of foosball with Joe's mom (and lost), then I played air hockey with Brother (and lost) and then I played air hockey with Joe's mom (and lost). Amongst the clutter I did discover a nice little piece of Joe's childhood (well... he wasn't <i>that</i> young):</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqT7fmr9NzBQ8GhuIQkzvgIZQn-urEYoWn9Q3TcR6VY_iL_7fRzSO5ddyupXBLIhNRPCNEi4nOFIC6FUPxBc3YhRcfc_63uPdzVadfefYvKohS3V8Xo2JzAWtuyRy3F8tViu6UVqU65FwP/s1600/2010-06-27+19.35.18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqT7fmr9NzBQ8GhuIQkzvgIZQn-urEYoWn9Q3TcR6VY_iL_7fRzSO5ddyupXBLIhNRPCNEi4nOFIC6FUPxBc3YhRcfc_63uPdzVadfefYvKohS3V8Xo2JzAWtuyRy3F8tViu6UVqU65FwP/s320/2010-06-27+19.35.18.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Lord of the Rings Homemade Castle</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's pretty awesome, made of cardboard and paint all sorts of adorable materials put together by an adorable man. When we finished cleaning up (and getting rid of the horrible spiders all over the place), Joe, his mom, Brother and I played a game of darts. I did pretty well, but Brother won.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDD_N-H3oHhN5QCANJSWQwTkfXOnljUslLMwRXcjCf_zGDLmBK36KmOdq3hre4e3MtftuWLEfDHaBRWRV9IIhhFefTPTMLYXGbRNmrPi2tmBQbTtFOnhyphenhyphenncv9f3E3T9kRzx1HNrSvd0y2z/s1600/2010-06-27+23.04.36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDD_N-H3oHhN5QCANJSWQwTkfXOnljUslLMwRXcjCf_zGDLmBK36KmOdq3hre4e3MtftuWLEfDHaBRWRV9IIhhFefTPTMLYXGbRNmrPi2tmBQbTtFOnhyphenhyphenncv9f3E3T9kRzx1HNrSvd0y2z/s320/2010-06-27+23.04.36.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Scoreboard (I'm "S")</span></div><div style="text-align: left;">I was pretty surprised Brother landed the 19, but he did. While I was taking a picture of the scoreboard, my Droid managed to slip out of my hand and smack me in the face. I think that's what caused that weird lighting.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">All-in-all it was a pleasant Sunday. I'm not looking forward to working tomorrow. I wish I could have the week off just to relax. Unfortunately, I can't really afford to do that... It's an annoying dilemma. I guess this is a good time to get myself to bed. I have to clear my stuff out of the living room in the morning before I head out for work. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">*The sky is over...*</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2