Farseeing: New Hit Show Prediction

Remember when they looked like this?
(source)

While browsing the Interwebs today, I saw an article about a new show coming soon that will blend  Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn in a steampunk setting.

This will be fucking fantastic.

The thing is, all of us have read these novels, whether we wanted to or not. I don't think there's a single person I know who went through an American school that didn't have to read these tales. And while you may have chuckled here and there or enjoyed the retelling of old-school shenanigans, you may have felt for something lacking. That being, action and style. Or at least, that's what this show suggests as they will now presumably be toting strange rifles while wearing goggles and dreaming about airships.

It's funny how everything "classic" is getting modernized to fit current aesthetics. Not only in look and style, but in what we think is cool and hip. Apparently, Lincoln wasn't enough of a hero without being a vampire hunter. I mean... it's Lincoln. Did he need to do anything else? Apparently so.

My tone in this post is most likely confusing, because I'm confused as to how I feel about this myself. Truth is, I love steampunk. And I loved the stories even if high points were nothing more than whitewashing fences and floating down a river on a raft. Do I think they need to be revamped just to be visually interesting? Not really.

But I'm still intrigued. And mark my words - I think this show stands a good chance of being a hit.

Braaaaiiiiinnnn Food: What do you think of all these retellings of classings with fantastical twists?

A Special Kind of Princess

Art by Witit Karpkraikaew 

I've always been a Disney fan, but sometimes the princess stories make me a little ill. You know, how the girls always seem to fall in love with the first man who's nice to her. If you recall, I even blogged about this in the past.

Well, meet the new kind of Disney princesses. I don't think these gals are going to be wooing any princes in the near future. Or maybe they will, but could you imagine this Snow White's version of Prince Charming? He's either a mad scientist, a brainiac, or a sadist. Either way, it would be nice to see a change in the theme.

Now, I just wonder if someone will be writing a novel a la Wicked for these fair maidens.

Braaaiiiiin Food: How do you feel when people mash up our usual icons?

Rockstars are Everywhere

So I'm not a science gal at all. Sorry, I'm just not. My head is in the clouds and I pretty much think with my heart way too much, so it's just not my way. But the J-Bear loves science and we were both going in to work late on Monday, so we stayed up to watch the landing of the Curiosity on Mars Sunday night.

Even science guys can rock.

Not being of a scientific mind, and not understanding how these things work, I was immediately disappointed at the lack of photos and video. I mean, duh. In retrospect, I get it. It took four years for the rover to get there, how on Earth (hehe) can I expect it to give me instantaneous data over that distance? But regardless, I was starting to drift off to sleep watching that poor PR woman interview staff and "action shots" of the mission control room.

(To be fair, I should note that my guy was being awesome about it. If I was really miserable, he offered several times to watch something else. I liked sharing the moment with him).

Anyhoo, so as my brain is beginning to turn to mush and it was desperately seeking something to latch on to, I noticed the awesome mohawk guy working as an activity lead. Clearly, I was not the only one who noticed. I mean, who would have guessed that even the scientific society has such a rockstar in their midst? I was originally just taken with the fact it was a mohawk, but as the camera continued to return to this man (who I now know is named Bobak Ferdowsi), I noticed something even more incredible.

Stars.

This man, this strange, geeky, science-y man had stars on the sides of his head. Motherfucking stars!

Perhaps science isn't as boring as I thought. I get it, we need science, we live in science. My boyfriend makes wonderful scientific points to me all the time.

But at least now, for me, this guy made science fun.

Also, did anyone else noticed the two who looked for sure like they were writing each other dirty messages right there in the control room? The sexual tension between those two was lighting up the cameras.

Braaaainnnn food: How excited were you about the landing of the Curiosity?

The inevitable return

This picture doesn't have much to do
with anything. But enjoy! It's from
Walking Dead Episode Two

Miss me yet? Probably not, but I'm back and I'm going to try to have fun with this.

Where have I been you may ask? Oh, just living. Practicing my runing for the Warrior Dash and Run for Your Lives; taking part in geeky activities; and playing the games and loving life in general. It has been a good time for me, which might explain the lack of writing. You know, I'm out doing stuff instead of just writing about it.

But now, now I'm going to try to do both. Live my life and record it too, for posterity and hopefully for a few giggles here and there.

One thing I accomplished during my absence is that I actually finished another video game. I know, I know, that makes what? Maybe eight total that I've ever completed now? But this game was so well worth it. I beat Heavy Rain, which is a game that meshed just perfectly with my weird panache for exploring every single thing on a screen. I also earned quite a few trophies on my first playthrough, including the Nerd title and the award for keeping everyone alive. For me, this represents some madskillz.

I also played the second chapter of The Walking Dead with my boyfriend. If you haven't played it yet, I recommend you do. It's not fun and action, but it's thought and character development, and adds some nice additional stories to the parts you may already know and love. For someone like me, who hasn't been able to read the comics yet, it's even more enjoyable and a pretty good standalone tale. The facial expressions are super impressive, considering it's drawn in a comic book style, and the voices are superb. Seriously, it's pretty cheap. If you weren't thrilled with Chapter One, go ahead and give the second part a chance. Well worth it.

Braiiiinnnnn Food: What games have you played while I've been away?

Planning Ahead

Here's one guy's take on how to do it.

So I haven't been posting much at all because I've actually been running! I'm not sure how or when it happened, but I slowly slipped into the lifestyle of an active adult, and I have been working on my C25K regiment regularly, plus doing yoga and other activities. Even went swimming today! So I'm slowly working on that Cardio goal, and I'm pretty excited to imagine that when the need arises, I may actually be able to pick up my kid and run for my life.

However, I'm also aware that I'm not invincible, and I'm on the early part of my training as of yet. Thankfully, the folks at the Run for Your Lives 5k race have made the days of my departure a bit easier on my friends and family by offering their funeral services as a prize. I have entered to win this unusual $5,000 award, and am wondering how others will feel about it if I were actually to be randomly selected. Honestly, I don't see it as a negative. $5k is nothing to shake a stick at, and really it was their run that got me off my butt and moving in the first place. Lucky for us all, the chance of me actually winning are practically impossible. But props to the run organizers for a super interesting marketing attempt.

Braaaaiiin Food: Where do you draw the line for collecting money?

Passing It Down to the Generations

If only we got to experience Pac Man
 like this as children.

My boyfriend and I took our kids to the Art of Video Games exhibit at the Smithsonian this weekend. We really wanted a chance to share our memories - and in a large way our heritage - with our youngins, and in some ways the show allowed us to do just that. Both of them got to play Pac Man and Flower on giant project screens, and then took a tour listening to stories about all of the different consoles we grew up with, to include not only NES, Genesis and the original Playstation, but even Commodore 64 and Colecovision (though now that I think of it, was the Atari even there?).

The exhibit was fun and a nice trip down memory lane for us 30-something gamers. But if I had any complaint, it would be at the brevity. I think all told the exhibit was about two large rooms, maybe three. And while the consoles were on display with a few images, there wasn't really any art. I think, in my head, I was expecting framed prints of landscapes, characters, and iconic pieces of lore (like the bob-omb) to adorn the walls so that we could share our personal memories with our offspring. Instead, I felt like it was more of a scientific reverie on what once was and what now there is. Surprisingly, there wasn't a little addendum about "what could be," either.

I wouldn't say that it was a waste of time, and I think I'd like to go again to explore a bit more in detail without the munchkins. But I did think the entire exhibit could have been so much more.

Now I just need to find a new way to share all the oldies but goodies with the wee ones.

Braaaaiiiinnn Food: What bits of nostalgia would you want to share with your kids?

Rule #1: Cardio

So for those of you who don't know, I'm a bit of an overweight zombie girl. Makes sense. As we all can surmise, it's the chubby ones who will fall to the undead first.

But hopefully, that will change!

I have set my sights on the Run for Your Lives 5k run, and I have begun training. I am starting off with the Couch to 5k run program, and then I'm going to get some friends (who are amazing, and I'm a lucky gal to have them) to help me train up for the terrain running and obstacle parts.

And, of course, my megawesomeness boyfriend is running with me. Along with a few friends. And hopefully, my seestar.

So soon, with luck, I will be on my way to surviving the apocalypse... both in the race, and in real life (when the time comes). I mean, seriously, what better motivator for learning to run than to be able to run from zombies?

Once I've mastered the cardio, it's on to shooting and double taps.

Braaaiiiinnnn Food: What is a good motivator for you to get moving?


UNDEAD BONUS! Check out this cool kickstarter venture to help you train for any zombie chase you might run into.

Apocalyptic Valentine

Shirt from Woot!

So for those of you who had no idea (somehow), I have an amazingly awesome boyfriend. Because of having kids, and jobs, and real adult lives, we aren't able to see each other on today's day of love, but we are still able to do nice things for each other like we always do.

With that being said, I sent him this lovely e-card assuring him that he's safe during the zombie apocalypse (for now). I just wanted him to know that I cared.

Seriously, I'm not sure what to make of Valentine's Day. I like to think that my guy and I take pretty darn good care of each other every day, and I certainly have no lack of signs from him that he thinks of me and thinks I'm pretty darn spifferiffic. However, I did not receive a zombie-themed love note from him declaring his future eating habits. Perhaps, something like this might have sufficed. It has a cute little message attached, doesn't it?

Romantically Apocalyptic

But regardless, I don't need these things to know he cares, and I don't know why at least ten times today people wanted to challenge me on this notion. It's common for people to talk about celebrating Christmas every day, but what about the great Valentine's? Is it really just a mass consumerist scam to make us all go crazy and buy gifts for no reason but because today of all days we are supposed to? Ergo, does that mean I can't expect these awesome things any other day?

Me no likey.

Seriously, everyone. I adore my boyfriend. He adores me. We don't get to see each other today and it sucks. But it does not mean it's broken, or it's not as good as I think, or anything else. I think it's awesome.

And hell, who else would appreciate my awesome Valentine's card choices?

I'd wish you a happy Valentine's Day but I rebel. I wish you each instead a happy love-everyday-day. And if you haven't found yours yet, I hope you find it soon.

After all, everyone needs to have a last snack for the apocalypse.

Braaaaiiiinnn Food: How important is Valentine's Day to you?

Prepping for the Future

From the Doomsday
Preppers website

I learned today that 61% of Americans - that's more than half of the population - believe that they need to be prepared for some sort of doomsday scenario within the next 20 years.

Enter Doomsday Preppers.

Unfortunately, my lack of cable has kept me from being able to see this show, but I am delighted that it even exists! These people don't only horde supplies, but according to the show website, they even train their children to shoot guns and build like Macguyver. It has to be incredible to see, and I encourage you all to watch it on my behalf.

However, this makes me start to question my own readiness for the future. I think I have a gallon of spring water, that was really meant for my daughter's fish bowl, but of course can be used in a pinch. I have some canned food in my pantry, but nothing really that awesome. And, that's about it. I have a wooden sword for protection, and a whole lot of imagination. I'm not even sure I have rope!

So the next question is, do I need to prepare? Where would I keep all the stuff if I did? I live in an apartment, which probably isn't that safe anyway.

I suddenly feel like I have a bit to think about. But in the meantime, I'm definitely going to watch the pros, and most likely laugh at them.

Braaaaaiiiiinnn Food: Do you prepare for the future in any way?

When Opportunity Attacks

Self explanatory

So after literal years of abstinence, I began roleplaying again with some friends. I was never super experienced to begin with so I still play like a noob, and I'm ok with that. Some things I remember well, others it's like I'm playing for the first time ever. In all actuality, this is the first time I've played a Pathfinder campaign, so I guess that's true in many regards.

At any rate it was a fun - and educational - experience.

One thing that I can never quite comprehend (and this was true from my old D&D days as well) was the entire concept of "attack of opportunity." I mean, humor me here. Assume we live in a world where humans, elves, halflings, orcs, dwarves and the like live together and for no real reason often choose to set out for adventure and conquest. All that aside, let's try to rationalize the attack of opportunity.

For those of you unfamiliar, it goes something like this.A bad guy (in last night's instance it was a giant firebeetle) engages me in battle. He attacks with his pincers, a little stabby stabby, and his turn is over so we are left standing directly side by side. My turn comes around and like any wise halfling (especially one who uses a bow), I think it might be a good idea to move from the monster. I mean, halflings aren't necessarily the bravest of things, and this beetle is four times my size.

This is what happens when
you try to run!

Well here's the deal. If I am standing next to a monster and then run away, that monster gets an attack of opportunity against me, where he can freely attack the crap out of me and often kill me. No bueno. However, if I only move one itty bitty step away, he does not get the attack and I am free to stand and finish my turn without him getting a free attack.

Great. So let's go back to visualizing this as a real battle. Let's assume, yes, ok, you get an attack on me for catching your attention as I run off. Fine. Beat me up as I run with my little bitty legs as far as I can muster. But if I'm only side-stepping you, what about that motion makes you not want to attack me anymore. Aren't I easier prey than ever when I'm standing right there?!? Wouldn't you see me scoot right over there and reach out your arm and go bam! right in the kisser?

But for some reason, you don't.

This makes no sense to me. None at all. Either attack me because I try to run away, or leave me alone. But this silly little glitch of a rule - while I admit is super advantageous for me - is the dumbest thing I've run across thus far.

So if opportunity strikes, just attack me. Make it easier for us all to understand.

Braaaaaiiiiinnnn Food: What rules for tabletops drive you absolutely batty?

The Underdog

Neville is the ultimate underdog.

I've had quite a few story ideas bouncing around in my head lately. They aren't really fleshed out novels or anything, but they are ideas I would like to cultivate and think through. Stories I would like to slowly - and cautiously - begin, and see where they end up taking me.

Several of these ideas revolve around underdog characters. No, it's not a new genre by any stretch, but it's one that's always fascinated me. And honestly, doesn't it fascinate most of us? Didn't you secretly root for Neville Longbottom or Samwise Gamgee every once in awhile, just because you knew they would always live in the shadows of others? And when those people did something right, didn't you feel a giant wave of excitement. That's it! He proved himself! He'll be the popular one now! Or.... not.

Well, there are a few of these character types I'd like to explore. Some of them aren't even particular underdogs, they are just secondary characters I would like to take further. Archetypes I'd like to explore.

And then there's... Sam.

One author in particular made quite a living out of this mindset. Gregory Maguire has written a whole series of these books, and many people seem to like the story. To be honest, I tried to start Wicked and was instantly bored, which worries me about the fate of my tales. However, I don't aim to make such blatant statements as "Zombie Baby from Dawn of the Dead." I just want to explore some ideas. Maybe for me more than anyone else, I'm not sure.

Anyhoo, maybe I'll try it, maybe I'm just talking about it. But for some reason these ideas have been rattling my brain for a week or more, so I thought it's time everyone else should know too.

Maybe, I'll just write about myself as the underdog. Because, of course, I've got super powers hidden in this body somewhere, just waiting to bust out like confetti.

Braaaaiiiiinnnn Food: What kind of story would you write if given the chance?

Midget Wrestling

So I attended my first midget wrestling event with some friends Saturday night, and laughed with the crowd as the Pint Size Brawlers commenced to staple each other's faces and pound each other into the ground. It was a fun time, and definitely an experience, but questions of moral conscience arise while one contemplates this event.

Is it ok to laugh at others for their shortcomings (haha) when they put themselves out there to be laughed at? Or should we still respect that they have a disability of sorts and shun the idea of laughing at their antics? Do we feel proud of them for overcoming adversity and making the best of their situation, or do we feel regret that this is the best they thought they had to offer?

All in all, I have no idea what Turtle, Midget the Psycho Clown and Adam Smalls were feeling, but they didn't seem too unhappy with themselves. In fact, they were loved by the crowd and were rockstars in their own rites. Surely more of a star than I will ever be.

Perhaps the ones we should really feel sorry for are the drunken girls looking to say that they kissed a midget. As my J-Bear points out while watching a girl make out with a midget after that small man just drank a pitcher full of pee (true story), "Sweetie, please don't ever let yourself be one of those girls." I think they are the losers in this scenario. Those poor girls, they weren't even funny. You just watched what they were doing and thought "how sad."

Somehow being a midget makes us find it cool that you make a public ass out of yourself. Funny how our minds work.

Braaaaiiiinnnn Food: Would you laugh at midgets wrestling, like I did?

Bodyguardin'

These kids aren't afraid to shoot.

So today I took an important first step in my little zombie's life: I took her to play laser tag.

Keep in mind that my midget is only four, so the vest is giant sized on her. In fact, as she's dragging her pack around, her sensor is literally down by her ankles Which makes me wonder how she actually managed to get hit so many times. Her three scores for the day (because we signed up for a triple play) were a proud -133, -33, and -47.

If only we were playing golf!

Actually it was a lot of fun and I'm proud that my little one doesn't care what her score is. However, there is a deep, underlying note of distress here. Clearly, my Bean has no idea how to defend herself in an attack.

I was doing my best to serve as her bodyguard. I followed closely behind her the whole time, and tried to clear a perimeter for the little girl to amble along slowly and safely. However, when she fails to remember to actually shoot at any of her opponents, its hard to make much headway. I was proud to see that after awhile she learned to duck behind doorways and the like, but she was still just a standing duck most of the time.

Of course, the fact that we were walking at a snail's pace, and that I was constantly reminding Bean to "shoot, shoot, shoot" didn't help dodge the lasers. My scores weren't too great either, but at least I was midrange each round.

I think that I need to plan a regiment of training to commence immediately. I know it's possible, I saw some 7 and 8 year olds who were familiar with the term "sniping" and who were taking people out. So I propose that we all start taking our children to the laser tag arena. Teach them how to hide, how to sneak, and how to shoot.

On the plus side, Bean knows to use the grates in the floor and the windows to try to find people. If only she remembered to fire at them once she found them. And to not shoot at herself in the mirror so much.

Seriously, I forgot how fun this is and I want to go back soon. Maybe just with my adult friends. Make teams, clear a perimeter, train ourselves up.

Who knows, it could lead to a more profitable future of survival.... maybe.

Braaaaiiiiiinnn Food: How do you teach little kids to play great and to play fair in a shooting arena?

Daydream Believin'

Yeah, she's sharing her dreams with
someone right now.

So after listening to my boyfriend (Yeah, I called him that... wonder if he'll notice.) describe this really vivid scene to me last night full of colors and wonder, I realized how cool it would be to have some sort of device or capability to be able to share our dreams with those of our choosing. I think this may have been done in a few movies before, though none come to mind beyond the slightly bizarre sex scene in "Demolition Man." Regardless, I would love to not just picture my own version of his landscape or imagination (which I would surely do first), but how awesome would it be if you could actually walk through the exact image they had created with them?



I know some can build this with words, others with paint, some with film. But this would be a different kind of intimacy. A new level of sharing. A chance to walk side by side in worlds of our own creation. People could make their own secret hideaways, their own private wonderlands, and then come back safely when it's all over.



Something like this could be your
special secret hideaway.

I'm no scientist by any means, but it certainly seems possible. Surely, when my dream of owning a holodeck comes true, we could probably use those for this purpose. But then again, a holodeck may require programming knowledge. This would be straight images from the brain. Wow.

All this being said, he described it so well I think I saw what he saw. But still. To be there with him. To share a dream? That's something special all on its own.

Braiiiinnnn Food: Would you want to (willingly) share your dreams with others, or is that too much loss of privacy?

Survivalism

These horses would probably trample me.

It's funny how one can be obsessed with the zombie apocalypse and at the same time be completely unprepared. I've been reading "Into the Wild" lately (a great book for anyone interested in real-life journies) and I realized that while the idea of leaving everything behind and living on the land is incredibly inticing, it's just not the road for me. For one, I kind of freak out a little if I can't wash my hair every day. Not that I'm some girlie girl, but I have thin hair that gets very greasy. And, for the record, if you touch me on the head when I think my hair is greasy, I'll probably want to hit you. Pretty hard.

At any rate, I realize this leaves me in a very poor position for an emergency situation. I can't tie knots. I don't know how to kill animals, and even if I did I wouldn't know what is safe to eat and what's not. I can't tell poisonous berries from nourishing ones. I can't take a twig, some tin foil, and a length of cord and McGuyver it into lodging.

This guy can survive anywhere, anytime.

In other words: I'm screwed.

I love to watch shows like Survivorman and I like to think I've learned a fair amount from these programs. However, do you really think I'm going to remember how to spark a battery into a fire if I find one in the middle of the Alaskan tundra? In fact, quite possibly the only fact I remember learning is that you can get sick from eating nothing but protein. I had no idea this is possible! Even if I could kill a deer, if I don't eat some fat and grass with it, I'm still a goner.

Oh boy.

I think, this year, I'm going to make a point of going into the woods a bit more. Taking some hikes, maybe even legitimately go camping. Take up archery. Learn to tie a good knot or two. Perhaps build a small survival kit for the house. And think about how to survive.

At least, I'll think about doing these things. It seems like a good idea.

In the meantime, I'll keep reading "Into the Wild" and see what I can gather. Definitely, don't eat bad berries. Check.

Braaaaaiiiinnnn Food: What do you think best prepares you for survival when our modern conveniences are stripped away from us?