Fish Fool’s Redux Squared

Scion Extras

Apologies for not blogging all last week and this one — I’ve been swamped! I won’t be participating in April Fool’s this year, but if you want some laughs…

Here is a trio of jokes penned by yours truly you can check out:

Maybe one day when I have infinite amounts of willpower I will share all the easter eggs found in these, but for now? Back to work!!!!!!!!!

    Mood: What day is it again?
    Caffeinated Beverages Consumed: Well, quite a few…
    Work-Out Minutes Logged Yesterday: Typing my arse off.
    In My Ears: RED RUM RED RUM WHY IS THERE SNOW ON THE GROUND
    Game Last Played: Eternal Sonata
    Book Last Read: A book I hated. It was awful.
    Movie Last Viewed: Some movie about the 9th legion. Can’t remember the name of it.
    Latest Artistic Project: National Craft Month
    Latest Fiction/Comic Release: Last Man Zombie Standing
    Latest Game Release: Freedom Flyer
    What I’m Working On: Primarily tie-in games work and novels.


March 26, 2014
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Shamrock Shuffle

Celtic Shamrock Color

For the holidays, our tradition is to explore different recipes related to that special day. We tend to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day because it’s so close to my birthday and my partner is Irish. This year, I’m making Shepherd’s Pie, Irish soda bread, and blackberry custard with liqueur for dinner. I picked up a cappuccino stout to go with, too, and will likely be diving into Skyrim after the work day is done.

We’d definitely like to visit Ireland some day and visit with friends and family. The island has a rich history and, like many countries, I’d like to read more about it. Funny how the holiday has changed so much from its 17th century origins as a religious feast day (there used to be a LOT more of these) to a pseudo-celebration of the Irish culture. That’s what time and our ever-expanding civilization does, I suppose!

Hope you have a wonderful St. Patrick’s Day!!!

    Mood: Monday madness
    Caffeinated Beverages Consumed: Currently caffeinated
    Work-Out Minutes Logged Yesterday: I relaxed. It was goooood.
    In My Ears: My brain is very loud today.
    Game Last Played: Skyrim
    Book Last Read: A huge pile o’ reference books.
    Movie Last Viewed: Sexy Evil Genius
    Latest Artistic Project: National Craft Month
    Latest Fiction/Comic Release: Last Man Zombie Standing
    Latest Game Release: Freedom Flyer
    What I’m Working On: Primarily tie-in games work and novels.


March 17, 2014
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Illuminate! LuminAID

Yin Yang Dragon Avatar

My friend Kerrie Hughes linked to an article about LuminAID on Facebook the other day. I checked into this further, and the solar-powered light has a cool story behind it.

The LuminAID solar light was designed to fulfill the basic need for light in post-natural disaster situations shortly after the January 2010 earthquake in Haiti. When thinking about what we could design to make a difference, we decided to focus on affordable, renewable light because it had the potential to greatly improve the comfort, safety, and survival of disaster victims. — SOURCE: LuminAID.com

The light is available to buy or donate. For less than $30 you can get one and give one. I love the fact that the light weighs less than four ounces, is totally packable, and solves a basic need. Science is cool.

    Mood: It’s PI DAY!!!
    Caffeinated Beverages Consumed: Yep, soda is a problem. Very clearly.
    Work-Out Minutes Logged Yesterday: I hang my head in shame. Diet’s going well though!
    In My Ears: Not one, but TWO fish tanks.
    Game Last Played: Tetris
    Book Last Read: A huge pile o’ reference books.
    Movie Last Viewed: Push
    Latest Artistic Project: National Craft Month
    Latest Fiction/Comic Release: Last Man Zombie Standing
    Latest Game Release: Freedom Flyer
    What I’m Working On: Primarily tie-in games work and novels.


March 14, 2014
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Worst. Name. Ever.

Kitten and Fish Avatar

There’s great power in a name. Yesterday, I was reading Science Daily which — if you aren’t subscribed to this website — I strongly recommend you do.

The first terrestrial discovery of ringwoodite confirms the presence of massive amounts of water 400 to 700 kilometers beneath Earth’s surface. Ringwoodite is a form of the mineral peridot, believed to exist in large quantities under high pressures in the transition zone. — SOURCE: Water-rich gem points to vast ‘oceans’ beneath Earth’s surface, study suggests

Ringwoodite? REALLY?!?!?! What’s that unusual stone you’re wearing? Oh, my pendant? It’s fluorite mixed with ringwormite… Er… Ringwoodite. Sounds entish.

Obviously, I’m being very silly about this… But there are names I can’t stand, awful character names that sound like nails on a chalkboard to me, and locations that just make me giggle. Lizard Lick. No Name.

This, of course, brings me to my other pet peeve — more than three names for the same character! Even then, there had better be a good reason why I have to keep track of multiple names.

Ugh. Just ugh.

    Mood: Shamrock shake, baby.
    Caffeinated Beverages Consumed: Managed. Seriously. THERE WERE EVEN VEGETABLES.
    Work-Out Minutes Logged Yesterday: HAH HAH HAH
    In My Ears: Natalie McMaster’s fiddle
    Game Last Played: Tetris
    Book Last Read: A huge pile o’ reference books.
    Movie Last Viewed: Push
    Latest Artistic Project: National Craft Month
    Latest Fiction/Comic Release: Last Man Zombie Standing
    Latest Game Release: Freedom Flyer
    What I’m Working On: Primarily tie-in games work and novels.


March 13, 2014
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Steampunk Emporium eBook Review

Steampunk Emporium

In honor of National Craft Month, I thought I’d review one of my beading e-books, Steampunk Emporium. Now, for bead books I prefer a PDF downloadable format. I don’t feel that beading instructions can be correctly relayed with text only in an ePub file. The file does come with chapter bookmarks, but isn’t broken down further than that and the page numbers aren’t clickable. For ease-of-use, it’s best to read the Table of Contents then go to the appropriate chapter. A more hierarchical breakdown would be ideal for me.

Steampunk Emporium is a book that offers five main themes for jewelry-making: Atlantis Expedition, Zeppelin Pirate Attack!, Absinthe Fairy Interlude, Jurassic Valley Exploration, and Clockwork Tea Party. Within each of these categories, there are four or five projects ranging from mixed media designs to wirework. The skills required to make each piece also vary. For example, the Azure Cog Earrings employ simpler wireworking skills than the Adventurer’s Fob Watch, which definitely necessitates a familiarity with polymer clay.

So who do I feel would best benefit from this book? I think anyone who is involved in steampunk costuming would really like the variety of designs. For the average beader, the materials required are a little more involved. The components required for these pieces are not inexpensive, but the plus side to this is that each piece is unique and every step is outlined with a photo. Even if your polymer smiley faces, so to speak, wind up like Dali-esque melty faces, the photos will help, so I don’t think you’d be buying materials for the sake of having them.

The author, Jema Emilly Ladybird Hewitt, thought of everything. There is flash fiction at the beginning of each chapter, an explanation describing what steampunk is, additional resources to explore with clickable links to websites, a glossary, and a guide to working with vintage items that includes taking watches apart. It is themed very specifically to steampunk.

If you’re into steampunk — especially costuming — I do think this 130 page eBook worth a buy for the ideas that aren’t run-of-the-mill. Just keep in mind that the digital functionality of the PDF isn’t optimal.

Steampunk Emporium is available at DriveThruFiction.com.

March 12, 2014
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