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?