Game On!

Forum Sigs

2010-08-25T00:40:00.003-05:00

My awesome new sig. <3 courtesy of Marcus

So I created some IBTC sigs to enjoy!

Gaming Through the Years

2010-08-09T21:49:00.001-05:00

Being selected as a Cadette by the Fragdolls brought on a wave of nostalgia, so I decided to look at pics from all the events I've done over the years.

MLG Philly 05 - first tourney, team PMS Combat Babes, Soccergirl, Metallic Aqua

Digital Life NYC 05 - working for Nintendo demoing Gameboy Micro, DDR Mario

MLG Chicago 05 - team with Somegirl, Metallic Aqua

Zero Hour Xbox 360 Release - PMS special event pass

Consumer Electronics Show 06 - working for Microsoft and WITI

MLG NYC 06 - team with Tart, Mary Jane, and Atomica

GDC 06 - worked women in gaming conference

E3 06 - working for Verizon FIOS

MLG Dallas 06 - team with Smileygirl, Ninja, and Peach

MLG Anaheim 06 - team with Tart, Mary Jane, and Atomica

WSVG/CPL Dallas 06 - team with Tart, Mary Jane, and Atomica

PAX 06 - spectator and placed top 3 at halo tourney

Spike TV Gamehead - Contestant for COD3 episode

WSVG Louisville 07 - PMS clan promotions, filming and photography

WSVG Dallas 07 - PMS clan promotions, filming and photography

PAX 09 - spectator & FD community member

& to be continued.

game on . . .

Random Photo Blog.

2010-08-09T20:30:00.001-05:00

Browsing through old photos is interesting.

The Gaming Chef: Coming Soon

2010-07-16T14:01:00.001-05:00

Objective: to do a cooking video blog geared toward gamers featuring healthy recipes with savory flavors, and game-play from the latest video games.

Episode One: Lemon Basil Garlic Chicken with White Sauce on Pasta with a side of Splinter Cell Conviction

Episode Two: Nice and Easy Crab Dip with a side of Alan Wake

Episode Three: Salmon Kebabs with Pineapple, Mushrooms, and Asparagus with a side of Lego Harry Potter

Episode Four: Tilapia with a Dill and Mayo Sauce with a side of Army of Two the 40th Day

Episode Five: Crab Dip Stuffed Portabella Mushroom Caps with a side of Halo Reach

Resistance is Futile . . .

2010-07-13T15:28:00.002-05:00

Summer Lovin'

2010-07-12T12:01:00.004-05:00

One of my goals this summer was to do more cooking on the grill. BEST IDEA EVAR. I've been looking for good grill recipes with healthy, delicious food. I found this one courtesy of SimplyRecipes.com This is a recipe for kebabs in a teriyaki sauce that is as good as you'll have at any Japanese Steak House.

First, a few tips for picking the groceries you'll need . . .

Salmon - of course it's best fresh, but if you're in the middle of nowhere(like me) and on a budget, you can buy it by the package frozen.

Asparagus - lemme guess, no idea how to pick it? Color? Width of stalk? Actually, neither of these matter. It's all about the squeak. Take and bunch in your hand and rub them together. The squeakier they are, the better!

Pineapple - another tricky one. They all look the same, how do you know if they're ripe? Turn it upside down. Pull on the spiky leaves that come out from the bottom of the core. If they pull out easily, you've got a good one! If it's ripe, it will also be much easier to cut.

Ginger - you'll find this with the veggies in the grocery store. You want to pick a root with a nice brown color, that isn't mushy. As soon as you get home, throw it in the freezer; it'll make it easier to grate!

Salmon Teriyaki Kebabs

Ingredients

1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup mirin rice wine or rice vinegar
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 Tbsp minced garlic
2 Tbsp minced fresh ginger (I just grate it with a cheese shredder)
2 Tbsp vegetable oil
Pinch chili pepper flakes
1 lb salmon fillet, rinsed, cut into 1 to 1 1/2-inch cubes
1 lb fresh pineapple, cut into 1 to 1 1/2-inch chunks
Fresh asparagus bunch (6-7 stalks)
1 pkg small portabella mushrooms
8 bamboo skewers, soaked in water for at least 20 minutes before using

Method

1. In a medium bowl, mix together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, and brown sugar, until the sugar is completely dissolved. Add the fresh ginger, fresh garlic, chili pepper flakes, and vegetable oil. Place the cubes of salmon in the bowl, coat completely with the marinade. Cover and chill for 1 hour.

2. Remove salmon, and place marinade aside, you will use that to brush on the kebabs as you grill

3. Thread salmon, pineapple, asparagus, and mushrooms on skewers. Oil the grill grates with extra virgin olive oil carefully(or else big fire, whooosh!). Place skewers on grill. Cover. Turn after 2 to 4 minutes. Brush on reserved marinade. Cook for 2 to 4 minutes more, brushing marinade on frequently, until salmon is just barely cooked through.

Keep an eye on the salmon, and have a fork handy to test the flakiness to know when it's done. Salmon doesn't change color much, so you really need to keep a close eye on it, it's a fish that needs to be just barely cooked to be delicious.

4. Remove from skewers and enjoy!

I wish there was a way to post smells on the internet, the teriyaki would have you drooling in a heart beat, it's THAT good.

Double Rainbows

2010-07-09T13:36:00.000-05:00

amazingness.

original:

autotune:

Tilapia Chowder

2010-07-05T22:47:00.004-05:00

I'd like to preface this by talking about a fish that I'm surprised more people don't know about. Tilapia is a freshwater fish that is a low total fat, low saturated fat, low calorie, low carbohydrate and low sodium protein source. It is also an excellent source of phosphorus, niacin, selenium, vitamin B12 and potassium. It's fairly cheap too, and you can find it no matter where you live if there's a Wal-Mart around. I buy it by the bag and keep it in the freezer; the fillets are easy for whatever recipe you have in mind. It's great for fish tacos with a zesty sauce, I love cooking it with a lemon-mayo-dill sauce, and now this chowder recipe that turned out wonderfully. It's such a cheap healthy fish, and you'll have no qualms using it to feed your family.

Tilapia Chowder Recipe

Ingredients

1 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tsp butter
1/2 cup dry white wine
2 Idaho potatoes, peeled, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
2 cups clam juice(you'll find this in with canned meat and fish in your grocery store)
1 bay leaf
1 Tsp dried thyme
Salt & freshly ground black pepper to taste(I use freshly ground Sea Salt)
1 Tsp paprika and a dash of cayenne to taste
1 1/2 Tilapia, fillets cut into 2-inch pieces (about 5-6 fillets)
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley

Directions

[1] Heat oil and butter in the bottom of a large pot (6-qt) on medium heat. Add the wineand turn up the heat to cook, uncovered until the wine reduces by half.

[2] Add the potatoes, clam juice, bay leaf, thyme, salt and pepper, paprika and cayenne. (The potatoes should be just barely covered with the liquid in the pot. If not, add water so that they are.) Lower the heat to medium cover and cook until the potatoes are almost done. 15-20 minutes. They should be a little mushy, if you've never done chowder before, you want pieces that are soft and easy, but not turning into mashed potatoes.

[3] In a sauce pan, heat the cream until steamy (not boiling). This shouldn't take more than a few minutes on low-medium heat.

[4] Add the fish to the pot of potatoes and add the heated cream. Return to the stove. Cook on low heat, uncovered, until the fish is just cooked through, about 10 minutes. Keep your eye on the heat! If you are using straight heavy cream you should be more easily able to avoid curdling, even if the soup starts to boil. But if you are substituting light cream, half and half, or milk, the mixture will likely curdle if it gets near boiling point (one of the reasons I like using straight heavy cream). Keep the temperature so that it barely gets steamy, but not simmering. When the fish is just cooked through, remove from heat. The tilapia will be white/gray in color, and nice and flaky when it's finished.

[5]Re-season if needed. Mix in the parsley. The flavors will improve if the soup sits for 30 minutes before serving. If you've followed my recipes, you know my love for cayenne with seafood, adding just enough of the spice for that after-kick in every bite!

lol video

2010-06-23T17:41:00.001-05:00

teeeheeee

Wedding Pics

2010-06-23T11:16:00.002-05:00

Alan Wake Collectables Guide

2010-05-30T14:13:00.009-05:00

This game is awesome. No lies. I'm a huge fan of the story line, the voice acting, and the subtle humor and context of this game. Probably the best story game I've played since Bioshock. Not only that, but the achievables for this game are frequent and make you feel as though you're accomplishing something through the game. And then there are the frusterating ones where you have to find a tooon of collectibles. Because I don't have a capture card and a gazillion hours to make nice videos, I'm at least going to list where to find everything here for you!

This will help you get achievements Every Nook and Cranny, Hypercaffeinated, Picking Up After Yourself, Collector's Edition, Bright Falls Aficionado, & KBF-FM. (And if it's your first run-through, all the part of the way achievables too.)

(i'm still editing this)

Episode One: Nightmare

Alan & The Hitchhiker

[Thermos #1] Stay on the road you hit the hitchhiker on in episode one and it’ll be in the middle of the broken bridge.

[Thermos # 2] In the bunker just after you pick up the gun and torch. Be careful, if you jump down the edge to the left of the bunker, you can’t go back!

[Thermos #3] Before you enter the lighthouse, on the bench on the right. Be quick... hurricane’s a coming!

The Town & Cauldron Lake

[Thermos #4] At the back in the diner underneath the red and blue neon sign.

[Thermos #5] Once you get to Cauldron Lake, before walking Alice across the bridge, turn around and run up the winding path to where the car is. There is one in front of the car. Yes, the path takes forever, don't worry, it's up at the top at the scenic overlook.

[Radio #1] A Famous Guest - On the deck of the cabin right before Alan/Alice argument cutscene

[Thermos #6] In the kitchen on the worktop of the cabin at Cauldron Lake.

[Pages #1 & #2] You’ll find the first two Manuscript pages as part of the game’s main storyline. You’ll get them right after leaving the car. You can't miss them!

[Page #3 Nightmare Mode Only] You’ll find this page beside a fallen tree near the entrance of the wood supply point.

[Thermos #7] When you see Stucky for the first time, head right slightly, past the digger and it’s just in front of a truck.

[Supply Crate #1](After meeting Stucky) Turn on search light at logging and follow the yellow arrows around to the left back to the hidden chest.

[Page #4] Laying in the wood supply point. It’s on the ground beside a dead person.

[Page #5] Next to the second Flare Gun. Located in a shed near the destroyed excavator. The page will be attached to a wall and shimmers brightly.

[Thermos #8] When you get to crossing the river on foot, walk over the first tree and then make an immediate left when you get across. Follow the small island up and you’ll see it at the end

[Page #6] Found on the rocks, near the river. Atop a white box.

[Supply Crate #2]At the second logging camp go left with the yellow arrows and climb the ladder on the wood stack and turn right to the shed.

[Page #7 Nightmare Mode Only] Find this one on your way to the second supply point. It’ll be in between on some rocks.

[Thermos #9] After the “staircase is broken” line in the second part of the logging yard follow the path left and then straight on (into the really foggy bit) – it’s there on a rock to the right.

[Page #8] Near a section where you face three enemies. It is in a small building in the second supply point.

[Supply Crate #3] After using the crane to bypass the broken stairs follow the path around you should see a junk car (close to a shed)

[Radio #2] Have You Seen This Dog - In a shed just after using the forest equipment to make a bridge across two lumber piles, right behind safe haven

[TV #2] In front of the gate to the lumber yard, there is an office with the button to get into the lumber yard. This office also has a TV.

[Page #9] This one is found in a middle path directly after you turn on the radio in a lit-up shed.

[Page #10]Near a forest area where enemies keep respawning, you’ll find this Page on a path that leads to a light post.

[Thermos #10] After the second logging area – where Alan mentions that the gas station is getting closer, the thermos is on the cliffs edge before you bear left.

[Thermos #11] After jumping down and following the cliff edge to the safe haven (on the way to the garage). Follow the cliff-side further and there will be another thermos hidden behind a big rock by a red and white barrel.

[Supply Crate #4] You will come to a drop, take the left path up a hill and it will be near a gate.

[TV #1] In Stucky's Gas Station just before you call the Sheriff.

[Page #11]This Page is located next to a Sawmill gate. It’ll be laying on the floor.

[Thermos #12] After dispatching Stucky in the third logging yard, the coffee thermos is on the right side of the farthest digger.

[Page #12] At the gas station on the floor, found near a Deerfest ornament

[Thermos #13] Underneath the huge gasoline sign outside the garage.

[Thermos #14] As you enter the gas station yard, walk on to the road, head left and run down to the end to get the thermos sat by the truck. Get ready to fight Taken.

[Page #13 Nightmare Mode Only] The final page in Episode 1 is found on the wall at the Gas State. You’ll see it beside the restrooms. Walk around to the back of the building to find the area with the Page.

[Sign # 1] 68th Annual Deerfest Sign – In the garage shop at the end of the level.

Episode Two: Taken

Wake's Apartment

[Thermos #15] In the design room next by Alice.

[Pages #14 and #15] Located on Alan’s desk in his study.

Bright Falls Police Station

[Thermos #16] Out of the first room and head straight ahead. Thermos is on the table in the far room across the police station lobby.

[Sign #2] “Have You Seen This Man” – Wanted sign on a bulletin board in the police station by Sarah Breaker's office.

[Page #16] On the floor in the Police Station. Found in a room with a small table in the center.

[Page #17] Inside a cell in the Police Station. Next sheet is in one of the cells at the police station.

[Thermos #17] When you get outside into the parking lot, via the cells, the coffee thermos is dead ahead with a radio.

[Radio #3] Deerfest Floats Are Very Exciting - Police station parking lot unmissable unless your blind

[Page #18] Found atop a rock near a rusty car (located behind the Police Station).

[TV #3] automatic upon re-entering police station

Elderwood National Park

[Sign #3] The skeleton of a Colombian Mammoth – inside the lobby of the Elderwood National Park Visitor’s Center.

[Thermos #18] On the counter between the kitchen and the lobby of the Elderwood National Park Visitor’s Center.

[Thermos #19] In the kitchen of the cabin that Barry and Alan go to first.

[Thermos #20]As soon as you come out the cabin, run around the back and there will be one sat on the hot tub on the decking.

[Page #19] After leaving the rented Cabin in Elderwood National Park, you’ll find beside a yellow car and a shed.

[Radio #4] Doc Nelson's Plans - After leaving your cabin Radio is in the next cabin you pass.

[TV #4] Next Abandoned cabin down the path.

[Page #20] On the floor of the Arbor. Take a right from the main road after passing the trailer and phone booth.

[Page #21] Inside a car’s trunk (back of car). You’ll find the car next to a phone booth on the main road.

[Thermos #21] When you get down into the area where the Visitor’s Center is, there is a cabin on the left, head inside for your thermos.

[Page #22] Near the entrance to the building. You’ll need to use Rusty’s Key to get in.

[Page #23] Found on the floor in the building you entered using Rusty’s Key.

[Thermos #22] Head around back of the building to find another thermos.

[Page #24] Found after beating Rusty. You’ll see it on a wooden table beside a sightseeing area.

[Supply Crate #5] Follow the sign posts to moonshine cave, go through the door and its at the back of the cave

[Sign #4] The Moonshine Cave - After passing down the second set of stairs and over the bridge on the nature trail of Elderwood Park, instead of following the path to Lover’s Peak, follow the boardwalk around to the Moonshine Cave. Inside there will be a Moonshine Cave sign.

[Page #25] There will be a branching path near where you fight three enemies beyond the Moonshine Cave and a phone booth. There’s a bridge beyond that takes you to the next part of the level with a light source on the left, take the RIGHT path instead to find this Page on a wooden table.

[Sign #5] After crossing the second bridge on the way to Lover’s Peak, follow the path to Lover’s Peak and there will be a sign in front of a huge tree with a hole in it. Stick to the path and you won’t miss it.

[Thermos #23]After crossing the third bridge on the way to Lover’s Peak (the one with the generator) – immediately head right – on the cliff side of the fence and follow it round. There is one on a rock at the far end of that small walkway.

[Page #26] Beside a light post powered by a generator, on the floor. You’ll also see a red Emergency Box here.

[Thermos #24] After going under a small passage way called the “Through Tree”, bear right down the path towards the tree cut, it’s on the picnic table.

[Sign #6] The Tree Cut - After the third bridge in Episode 2, on the way to Lover’s Peak, after going under a small passage way called the “Through Tree”, bear right down the path towards a tree cut and read the sign.

[Page #27] Find this Page after leaping over a damaged fence. It’ll be atop a rock.

[Thermos #25] Behind the map on the right just before you walk on the Lover’s Peak boardwalk (the one with the love heart engraved in the wood).

[Supply Crate #6] After your fall with the kidnapper, instead of going the right way, turn around and follow the path down. you will find it in another cave

[Page #28] After you fight the Taken, look on the ground. You’ll find this Page on a sightseeing platform along with the kidnapper.

[Page #29] When you come across the Bear Traps amongst the Barrels, stop moving. Look in the distance to the other side of the river and you’ll spot a building. Now follow in a line towards the building and you should come across this page on the ground near the edge.

[Page #30] Check the floor near a generator. It is one that you use to create a light source for yourself in the forest.

[Thermos #26] After falling, crossing through the bear trap infested forest, climbing over the log, up a steep angled log and turning on a generator, there is a thermos in the hut behind the generator.

[Supply Crate #7] Climb the path toward the plane, go to the back of it and use the right wing to climb up to this chest

[Thermos #27] After dropping down the cliff after the generator, dropping again, head left to the cliff line by the river and follow it down. On the high point, there is a coffee thermos.

[Page #31] On the balcony in the mill.

[Page #32] Also found within the mill. You’ll find it on the bags of flour. It is next to a platform that you need to lift to gain access to proceed in the game.

[Thermos #28] On the second floor inside a room at the back of the mill, after kicking the weight and jumping across on to the platform.

[Page #33] Found in a wood supply point after leaving the mill. Located inside a building where you find a Hunting Rifle. Jump over and behind the boxes to find it.

[Thermos #29] As you get out of the woods after the mill, there is a trailer park. Before you enter it, there is a thermos on the bench.

[Page #34] In the Camping Field near the toilets. It’s next to a trash.

[TV #5] Automatic. In the mens' bathroom.

[Thermos #30] After getting in the car and busting through the gates, instead of heading towards Wheeler, head the other way (right) and get the thermos in front of the barricade.

[Supply Crate #8]when you get the car keep driving until you see a logging truck in the middle of the road. go right here and you will find it in a small shed

[Page #35] You’ll find this sheet in a tunnel. To find it, look for a truck that is carrying wood that blocks your path. Drive around it and continue following the asphalt road. Eventually you’ll find a tunnel with the Page inside.

[Thermos #31] After getting to the blocked tunnel, just on the left side of a stack of tree logs is a picnic bench with a thermos on top. It's on the main road. Do not head up the hill/across the parking lot to Barry.

[Page #36 (Nightmare Mode Only)] You’ll find it on the path you need to follow to get back to Barry and the cabin

[Supply Crate #9] Returning to Barry there will be birds to fight. The chest is at the back of the house. Do this before going to Barry.

Episode Three: Ransom

Trailer Park

[Thermos #32] On a picnic bench at the end of the lot, by the boat that fell out the sky.

[TV #6] Rose's Room

[Thermos #33]. There is one on the kitchen counter in Rose’s kitchen.

[Page #37] Found in front of Rose’s trailer.

[Radio #5] Snyder's Feeling the Pressure - When leaving Rose's trailer continue to exit the park and right before the gate that you had to wait for Randolph to open, the radio is sitting in front of a trailer door

On the run

[Page #38] Located on a branch that you pass by while running from the police. It is right before the cop car crashes.

[Page #39] After the cop car crashes, follow the road to the right and this page will be on the ground to your left.

[Radio #6] Peabody Heard Gunfire - After the chase scene in the forest go up into tower that's a safe haven with flash grenades

[Thermos #34] There is a thermos inside the guard post tower, as well as the radio.

[Thermos #35] In between the generator and the spotlight just after 34 is a thermos on a rock.

[Radio #7] At a safe haven, can't miss it.

[Page #40] Found on the edge next to a bridge. It’s after you find the flashbangs and a radio show in the middle of the forest.

[Supply Crate #10] Past the safe haven (with the flashbangs) you will see the rock if you keep to the path that points right. follow this and it will lead you to another cave with a generator in it.

Radio Station

[Thermos #36] Underneath the billboards outside the radio station.

[Page #41] On your way to the Railroad Station from the Radio Station. You’ll see the Page hanging on a fence to your left.

[Thermos #37] After leaving the radio station and activating the generator by the safe haven further into the forest, bear right, hug the cliff and then follow it up the winding road towards the radio mast. Half way up there will be a coffee thermos on the cliff edge overlooking the radio station you’ve just left.

[Page #42] On a mountain path from the rusty car and generator at top of long winding path at radio mast

[Page #43] Clipped to a gate that you will come across after leaving an area full of lamps and sheds.

[Thermos #38] After #37 (and the manuscript at the radio mast), head on towards the objective. Not long after the original safe haven, you will come across a shack with three lights surrounding it. Defeat the Taken that ambush you and then push on to your objective. Not far on from the aforementioned shack is another shack on the right of the track with a coffee thermos in it.

[Page #44] Atop a rock after the shed and lamp-filled area above.

[Page #45] Beyond the rail tracks in a small meadow.

[Supply Crate #11] After a weird phone call. head left up the hill (will be after a stump with a manuscript page on it)

[Page #46] After you’ve gone through the railway bridge, you’ll find this Page on the floor beside a ladder, while poltergeist crap is flying at you.

[Page #47 Nightmare Mode Only] Directly off the railway bridge on a snag, turn tightly to find it.

[Thermos #39] After crossing the bridge and dropping into the railway yard underneath the water tower, there is a thermos to your right up a ramp in the corner.

[TV #7] Top Story of Building

[Page #48] Located on a wooden balcony of the building that leads to the railway station.

[Thermos #40] After defeating the bulldozer and opening the next gate, on the right side in the first section is a thermos.

Mirror Peak

[Thermos #41] At the beginning of the daytime section, if you drive down the road, then when it turns to gravel and is about to take you under a bridge, stop. Get out and run up the hill to the right to the cliff-edge. Look for the red seat and the thermos on it.

[Radio #8] Maine's Anger - in abandoned barn thingy.

[Radio #9] Some sort of ranger tower on the right

[Page #49] You’ll find this page on the pathway to the coal mine. When driving you should spot a building with a rusty car on your left. You’ll find this Page inside the building on it’s top floor.

[Sign #7] The Bright Falls Coal Mine – Mid-way through episode 3, outside the main entrance to the mine, there is a sign on the left. More mining signs – right next door to #7

[Page #50] Beside a red building on the floor near at the Coal Mine.

[Thermos #42] Just to the right of the main entrance into the coal mine (in the day time, sometime after #40), there will be a mine entrance with a thermos tucked away in the corner.

[Thermos #43] After the cutscene inside the coal mine building – where day changes to night – there will be a thermos downstairs.

[Page #51] On the ground after exiting the building through the floor hatch.

[Page #52] After the yard with a crapton of fallen and poltergeist objects, and cutting the power to a fence, in a building you’ll see a ladder you can climb. You’ll then find this sheet atop a pile of wood. It is beside a sign that reads “FOLLOW”. There’s also a red armchair and thermos.

[Thermos #44] In the top room of the building where you de-electrify the fence outside in the train yard.

[Page #53] Directly after leaving the mine, you’ll find this Page on a rock beside the path.

[Supply Crate #12] After leaving the mine follow path till you reach a fork in the road. take the path away from the objective (will be leading up) and it will be in a mine

[Thermos #45] After leaving the train yard, picking up manuscript #48, there will be a fork in the path, right to Mirror Peak, left up to a mine shaft and a broken bridge with a coffee thermos on top.

[Thermos #46] After crossing the bridge, you’ll be given two ways to get to Mirror Peak – there is a small lake in the middle. Whichever way you go, make sure you do a full lap and you’ll come across a fairly big red cabin with a coffee thermos in and plenty of supplies. I’d recommend going left... you can even see it on the horizon slightly.

[Page #54 Nightmare Mode Only] Before you enter the Abandoned Town. This Page is on the rocks that block your path.

[Page #55] In the Abandoned Town next to a bridge.

[Sign #8] “Gray Peak Gorge” – After the graveyard in episode 3, which is after the coal mine, the train yard, and in a place Alan calls a ghost town. Just over the bridge.

[Page #56 Nightmare Mode Only] In the Abandoned Town after you cross the bridge. You’ll find it by searching the buildings to your left.

[Thermos #47] Inside the last red building on the right inside the first bit of the area Alan likes to call the “ghost town.” It’s incidentally across a bridge after the graveyard.

[Thermos #48] After fighting the poltergeist ridden steam train, there is a hut with a key in it for the building with the locked door. Behind that building is a thermos.

[TV #08] In building

[Supply Crate #13] Just after climbing some ladders follow the left side mountain wall. (around the time you get a text)

[Page #57] In the Silver Mine near some water (Where Alan gets his headache).

[Page #58] Located in a cave within the Silver Mine. You can see your way out from this cave and the Page will be on the floor.

[Thermos #49] When in the mines, having reached the open area where the roof caves in on your path out and the Taken charges through the wood. Kill them and follow the route down, just around the corner there will be a left turn with a thermos in it.

[Page #59] At a hilltop from the Silver Mine. There will be a wooden construction ladder. You’ll find the page after climbing the ladder and the gazillion steps.

[Sign #9] “Cauldron Lake” – After the silver mine, passing over the valley on the cable cart and by a safe haven up the hill. Can’t really miss this one.

[Supply Crate #14]After crossing the suspension bridge, stay close to the left wall and you should find it behind a rock

[Thermos #50] Across the other side and on the left, on the cliff edge, after going across the huge suspension bridge.

[Page #60] On a rock next to a narrow path after crossing the bridge where Alan is attacked by enemies on both sides.

[Thermos #51] After fighting through the ruins of the large building – where the floor falls through, there is a thermos round by the back gate, before heading down the hill to the objective

[Page #61] You’ll find this page after the Ruins, it’ll be on some wooden stairs.

Episode Four: Truth

Cauldron Lake Lodge

[Sign #10] A huge sun dial on the balcony when you’re walking with Hartman. “Beyond the shadow...” reads the poem on it.

[Thermos #52] In the downstairs lobby of the lodge. The first room after talking to Hartman on the balcony.

[Sign #11] “The Creator’s Dilemma” – a poster by the main entrance to the lodge. After going inside after sign #10.

[Thermos #53] Follow the stairs up from #51 and there is one on the opposite balcony to the generator.

[Sign #12] “Welcome to Cauldron Lake Lodge” – After following Hartman through the passage after exiting the main lobby area of the lodge, on the right wall there is this sign.

[Radio #9] A Conversation About Love - You will find it in “Cauldron Lake Lodge” on the left in the office after you come in.

[Page #62] You’ll find this first Page of episode 4 from Hartman’s patients in the dining room.

[Page #63] Beside the stairs on the path to the keys and unconscious nurse.

[Page #64] Found in the room where you discover Hartman’s recordings. On the way to Hartman’s Office.

[Thermos #54] Behind Barry on the window sill when you first meet him and subsequently rescue him.

[Page #65] This Page is part of the story and given to you in a cutscene.

[Page #66] In a room with a TV. You’ll visit it after removing the Bear Statues with the Flare.

[Thermos #55] After exiting the lodge, stay on the stone path, go right and follow it to the wrought iron gate and it’ll be on the left at the end.

[Sign #13] After leaving the lodge interior and making it into the courtyard, there is a statue as a center-piece there, read the sign. It reads, “Suspended, Lauren Miller, 1989.”

[Page #67] This Page is hidden within the maze beside a tree.

[Page #68] Also found within the maze. You’ll need to reach the paved square, then turn left. You’ll find a bench with the Page atop it.

[Page #69] Inside a shed in front of a light post. After you fight Hartman’s thugs.

[Page #70] In the garden on the ground. Get it after destroying the Haunted Gate with your flashlight.

[Thermos #56] On the gazebo outside when you meet the dark presence controlled orderly.

[Supply Crate #15] After going through the maze and after a mini boss fight, you will come to an area with a water feature in the middle. its in the far right corner over the fence

[Thermos #57] After navigating the small water feature, climbing the steps and coming to a safe haven, there is a thermos directly ahead. There are a couple of small tables, some plants and supplies here.

[Page #80] Located on a stone fence in the Garden. Turn left from the table with the Shotgun and follow the path.

[Thermos #58] At the end of a small elevated wooden platform on the way to the Anderson farm. It is protected by two barrels... and you have no torch. There are steps to get to it, or you could use the walkway from the mine.

[Thermos #59] At a small camp site with tents, by a heavy duty flashlight.

[Thermos #60] After avoiding the bear traps on the main path, you will come to a ruined building with a generator outside. There is one on the window sill on the first floor.

[Page #81] To find this page, you need to go through a small railway bridge. Now turn left. When you come across the lamp, take another left and enter the tunnel that the lamp illuminates. You’ll find this Page at the end of the tunnel.

[Page #82] You’ll find this Page on a wooden platform near the generator. It is the generator that you’ll use to turn on the light post to destroy the possessed gate.

[Page #83] Directly after leaving the Lumberjack Camp you’ll find this page on a rock. Head towards the bright light and you should find it.

[Page #84] Next to the generator on the floor. It is the forest that is full of dangerous Bear Traps.

The Anderson Farm

[Thermos #61] In the kitchen of the cabin that the truck was parked outside – the one with the guy screaming upstairs.

[Supply Crate #16] After meeting Danny go out the window, turn right and go into the basement of the house.

[Radio #10] A Missing Persons Alert - In a wooden tower straight on a T junction thats right after the cabin where you kill Danny

[Supply Crate #17] Go left at the fork in the road, its in the house there

[Supply Crate #18] After fighting the digger, go through the hole in the fence and its in the house just past the windmill.

[Page #85] Located on a carpet at the front porch of a Cabin. You can find it after leaping through the windows of the Cabin and making your way around.

[Page #86 Nightmare Mode Only] At the Anderson Farm you’ll find this Page on the door of the toilet. Near the bar and windmill.

[Thermos #62] Just down the road slightly after getting in the car, on the right hand side, just in front of a tractor.

[Thermos #63] After following the road on to the t-junction. Straight on leads to a house, right leads towards the objective. Head right and you’ll see a tractor on your right a short way down. The thermos is on a stump by the tractor.

[Thermos #64] On the side where Barry is doing the pyrotechnics at the stage defence section.

[Thermos #65] On the bleachers (seating) area of the Anderson’s rock arena.

[Page #87] Found behind Anderson’s Stage.

[Page #88] At Anderson’s Farm you’ll find this page after the Stage fight. Near the barn blocked by the tank you’ll find the page by a Harvester, Tractor and Wooden Carriage.

[Sign #14] The Old Gods of Asgard – A poster on the wall in the Anderson’s barn (after the stage defence), past the button to release the Viking boat as a battering ram.

[Page #89] In Anderson’s Barn on the upper floor beside the coffin.

[Thermos #66] In the far right corner of the Anderson’s barn. Ground floor.

[Thermos #67] After entering the silo and climbing it. On the second floor a big guy will jump out. Defeat him and grab the thermos behind him.

[Radio #11] Mulligan And Thornton Bicker - Second to last floor of the silo

[Page #90] You’ll find the final Page within Anderson’s House on the upper floor.

[Thermos #68] Once inside the Anderson’s house, there is on in the first door on the right.

[Thermos #69] Then there is one inside the Anderson’s kitchen.

Episode Five:

Night falls in bright falls

[Pages #91 and #92] You’ll find them in the corridor directly after exiting the cell.

[Thermos #70] Behind the reception in the police station.

[Thermos #71] After dropping into the street, clearing the van and the Taken posse that emerge. At the next piece of road a float will fly past. Head straight over the road and on a ledge on the decking, there will be a thermos.

[Supply Crate #19] Follow the deer fest float that nearly knocks you down its to the left, just past the fence

[Thermos #72] Behind the till on the floor in the Bright Falls diner, at the end of the main street with the possessed float.

[Page #93] On the wall in the diner next to the bathroom. You’ll find the diner building itself on the left side of the road.

[Supply Crate #20] Enter the gate to the fishing cannery. follow the way round and go up the stairs, but watch out for the ambush.

[Thermos #73] When Sheriff Breaker goes, “over here, quick, there’s light,” head straight on to the end of the road and there is a thermos at the end of the street. By some flare gun ammo. Incidentally, this is still the same road as the float street above, but you’ve had to detour to get back on track.

[Thermos #74] After you defend the gate, beat Mr Chainsaw Taken and go through the gate, it’s on the BBQ on the left.

[Thermos #75] Inside the Major’s office inside the Town Hall, there is a thermos in his tiny little kitchen.

[Page #94] In the town hall after the chainsaw guy fight. Found next to the podium.

[Supply Crate #21] Inside the town hall(where sarah tells you to get helicopter keys) go up the stairs and its in the back room

[Sign #15] After seeing Barry, you’ll run through a small park with benches and a statue of two hunters and a deer in the middle. Read the statue’s sign.

[Thermos #76] Come out the park, across the road into the bookstore and the thermos is directly on the right as you walk through the door.

[Sign #16] Alex Casey advert on the wall next to the table in the ground floor of the bookstore.

[Page #95] On the counter in the bookstore.

[Supply Crate #22] After exiting the bookstore its in the shed to the left

[Thermos #77] When you come out the bookstore and head through the gate where the children’s playground is. On the right, in the sandpit, is the next thermos.

[Sign #17] After the bookstore and the children’s playground, you’ll come across a church with a sign out front. Read it.

[Page #96] Next to the church in a yellow truck.

[Page #97] Beside the church altar.

[Thermos #78] In the far right corner of the church crypt.

[Page #98] After exiting the church you’ll find this Page on a wooden table at the sightseeing point up the mountain path.

[Thermos #79] In the far left corner of the fire station parking lot – where the helicopter pad is.

[Thermos #80] As soon as Wake falls out the chopper, there is a thermos on the right in the big open yard.

[Thermos #81] In the first building, when you hit the radio that plays “Poet of the Falls” and the ambush begins, there is a thermos in one of the cylindrical pipes on the way out.

Transformer Yard

[Supply Crate #23] After the second area of the transformer building drop down and its to the left

[Page #99] Found at the Transformer Yard. It is found on the ground behind the electrified cables.

[Thermos #82] As you approach the end of the transformer yard area, after being ambushed by two of the big Taken hulks, go down the couple of stone steps to the objective and look right for the thermos.

[Page #100] On an armchair that you’ll find on the roof of a small building. Get to the roof via the blue elevator after you exit the Transformer Yard.

[Sign #18] Before pressing the button to move the bridge – the rotating one – there is a sign on the right side of the road (nearest where you come from, set back slightly) – it reads, “Lt. William TG Randall Memorial Bridge.”

[Thermos #83] When you come to the bridge, just near the river bank, where the control room is, there is a thermos just outside.

[Page #101 Nightmare Mode Only] Close to the rotating bridge you’ll find this Page. Around where the road to the bridge is blocked by the wrecked cars. It will be by the school bus.

[Thermos #84] After crossing the rotating bridge in episode 5, in the control room on the left as you get off, you’ll find a coffee thermos.

[Supply Crate #24] After the birds attack the helicopter go to the right by the cliff side and you will find it there

[Sign #19] Outside the doors to where you talk to Weaver – “WARNING – this decommissioned site...”

[Thermos #85] After Alan mentions something about recognizing the UV painted signs, drop down. Then in the far left corner, by a fence and a security guard booth (with camera), there is a thermos there.

[Thermos #86] In Miss Weaver’s little living quarters within the confines of the power plant.

[Page #102 Nightmare Mode Only] Atop a rock next to the Power Plant gate. To get it go around the fence.

[Sign #20] Floodgate controls” sign – where the... you guessed it, floodgates are – can’t miss it, there is a series of three buttons there.

[Page #103] Also atop a rock, discover it after the cut-scene.

[Page #104 Nightmare Mode Only] This Page is laying on top of a fallen tree. The tree is found on the path to a crashed helicopter.

[Supply Crate #25] After you help Barry & Sarah, take the back path behind the red building and you will find the crate

[Thermos #87] Inside the large pipe to the left of the elevator.

[Thermos #88] As soon as you come out the elevator – that you and Sarah and Barry wait for – you’ll see it on the edge of the cliff to your right.

[Sign #21] When you have to hold the door open for Barry and Sheriff Breaker, there is a “NOTICE” to the right of the button – after you exit the elevator.

[Page #105] You’ll find the final Manuscript Page of this episode close to the Dam. It will be on a rock to your right after you get separated and defeat the haunted objects.

[Thermos #89] In the closing moments of episode 5, Alan will be chased by a tornado and will have to outrun it and get to the Well Lit-Room. When you head inside and down a spiral staircase, there will be one in the racking as you reach the bottom.

Episode Six: Departed

Alan's Apartment

[Thermos #90] As soon as you get on to the main road, after the NYC flashback, there is a thermos on the bench right next to you.

[Sign #22] After getting in the car and driving across the bridge to the first roadside opening, with cars, benches and toilets, there is a huge sign there for the “Majestic Hotel.”

[Supply Crate #26] In your car stop at the first logging camp on your left and follow it down its at the bottom right of the logging yard

[Thermos #91] Slightly further down the road from the logging area and before the first tunnel, there is a barn on the left. On the left side of the barn behind a crate is the thermos.

[Page #106] The first Page of this chapter is located in the road after going through a tunnel that is blocked by cars.

[Page #107 Nightmare Mode Only] In the Motel on a couch.

[Sign #23] Actually at the Majestic (night time scene), there is a general information board in the lobby

[Thermos #92] At the Majestic, inside the lobby’s small toilet there is a thermos. The toilet is to the right of the sign.

POLTERGEIST BRIDGE OF DOOM AAAAARGHHHH

[Page #108 Nightmare Mode Only] Find this Page on a shelf. The shelf is found on the upper floor of the enlightened garage.

[Thermos #93] After the poltergeist bridge, you’ll come to a field with a poltergeist ridden truck and plenty of Taken. On the hill slightly to the left, there is a large barn that glows. Just beyond that, towards the objective (but in the same area), there is a house with a thermos on the porch.

[Page #109] Next to a light post near the exit of the tunnel with all the Taken.

[Page #110] Continue down the main road past Larsen's Auto Salvage. Hop out, make your way through the orange road blocks, and keep heading down the road. You’ll come across a truck at the end with this Page. It's a long way, but the page is there, I promise.

[Sign #24] After the second tunnel, where the road is blockaded and you have to go right up a dirt path, there is a sign on the left side gate before you enter with opening and closing times.

[Sign #25] When you veer off after the second tunnel on to the dirt road, before you open the gate. Before entering the building that has a “Larsen’s” and a “Auto Salvage and Used Parts” sign on top of it, there is a sign on the left of the door to get in. Also, prepare to get ganked.

[Thermos #94] In the building that has a “Larsen’s” and a “Auto Salvage and Used Parts” sign on top of it, there is thermos inside on the ground floor.

[Page #111 Nightmare Mode Only] In the top level of the Larsen building you’ll find this Page on a desk.

[Supply Crate #27] Jump down from the building and head around to the back of the building, left of the light.

[Thermos #95] After opening the scrap yard gate, don’t go over the ramp at the top of the hill, instead, get out, head right and pick up the thermos on the stack of pallets.

[Page #112] At the Junkyard, look around the light post. It will be atop a box with flares and other supplies.

[Supply Crate #28] When you approach the ghost town, there is a small shed ahead and slightly to the left of the safe light, by the broken wooden bridge. The crate is inside, along with flaregun ammo.

[Thermos #96] In the ghost town, in the second building on the right, with “Holloway & Co” on the sign outside, is the thermos.

[Page #113] Inside the Abandoned Building. To get to the building you’ll need to push a cart that blocks your way to the entrance of the place.

[Supply Crate #29] Get out of the mine cart and before you go up the ladder, follow the hill down past the red carts and broken train carriage and its at the bottom there.

[Thermos #97] After the mine cart ride, climb the ladder, push the mine cart, make the jump and walk to the end of the walkway. Before you head right. There is one straight ahead. Not very visible, but it’s there.

[Thermos #98] In the middle of the area where stuff is falling from the sky and you have the stealth-tastic Taken whizzing around, you’ll come to a train trailer in the middle of the yard and it’s in there.

[Supply Crate #30] After climbing the steep hill and climbing the wooden steps, enter the building and the crate is on the ground floor

[Thermos #99] Drop down from the building into the ghost town, and there is a battered silo to the left with a thermos behind it in the brush.

[Page #114 Nightmare Mode Only] In the ghost town you need to turn on the generator to get the elevator, and this page winks at you seductively from the ground behind it. Get ready for an all out assault after you turn the generator on.*hint: the powerlines are a great way to take out the superstealth guys, they run right into them if you're close!

[Page #115] THE FINAL PAGE is found behind the elevator in the Abandoned Town. hard to miss

[Thermos #100] After getting the clicker and talking to Zane, there is a thermos behind the first couch on the right. Shine the light on the word thermos to make it appear.

Crabdip Stuffed Portabella Mushroom Caps

2010-05-27T11:51:00.009-05:00

Last night my mom calls me and says there's a surprise party for Mr. Meyer, the owner of a liquor store we all go to, because he's turning 90. She and my sister are in Ohio, and my Dad's in Milwaukee, so I was the family representative. I needed to come up with a quick appetizer to take over, which was great, because I had a recipe in mind I needed guinea pigs for! The recipe was a hit, so I will post it for you here!

For a party of 10-16

Crab Dip:

2oz fat-free cream cheese or 1/3-less-fat cream cheese (for those health concious eaters)
2 tbsp fat-free mayonnaise
2 tbsp finely chopped chives or green onions
2 tsp lemon juice (1 squirt is roughly equivalent to 1 tsp)
2 cans (8 oz each) lump crabmeat, well drained (I prefer Chicken of the Sea for the brand - had bad experiences with Bumble Bee)
salt to taste
pepper to taste
cayenne pepper to taste

1. Combine cream cheese and mayo, stir until smooth.

2. Add chives/green onion, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and cayenne. Taste often to get the perfect flavor! *I love cayenne pepper with seafood; I add just enough to get the spicy flavor, but not so much than you need a gulp of water after each bite.

3. Drain crab meat and stir in. I use a fork to gently break up the crab meat and combine with the rest of the mix.

4. Flavor again with cayenne if needed!

Mushroom Caps:

3 packages of Portabella mushrooms(roughly 30-40 mushrooms)
3 tbsp butter
3/4 cup water
3 tbsp lemon juice
big pinch of salt
medium sauce pan

1. Wash the mushrooms and twist the stems gently and pull to remove them, giving you nice mushroom caps to stuff!

2. I went to my new Julia's Kitchen Wisdom book for advice on how to do the caps, because I didn't want to sautee them; they'd get too mushy, but I wanted them cooked with some flavor.

In the medium sauce pan combine 1/4 cup of water, 1 tbsp butter, 1 tbsp lemon juice, and a big pinch of salt.
Add 10-12 caps, and simmer for 2-3 minutes. *they hold shape better if you put them in with the bowl facing up.
Repeat steps until all caps are cooked.

3. Set your caps bowl side up on a plate/serving platter. Use a napkin or paper towel to gently dry the caps and remove excess liquid from the bowl.

4. Fill each cap with 1-2 tbsp of crab dip

Enjoy! Sorry I didn't get better pictures. I was in a rush to get to the party!

Julie & Julia

2010-05-12T15:07:00.003-05:00

Been on a bit of a Meryl Streep kick lately. Julie and Julie has been sitting in my Netflix instant queue for a while, and decided to watch it while working. (I'm so add, I can't function without background noise). This movie is so charming and adorable. It follows the lives of two women, Julia Child, a famous author and cook of the late 1940s, and Julie Powell, a woman bored with her own deadend job who only finds joy in cooking.
The movie follows Julia, who is the wife of an ambassador who moves them to France, and her journey to becoming a master of French Cooking. Then there's present day Julie, who decides to cook through Julia's book in a year and blog about it. All the characters in the movie are so heartwarming, and the movie itself is an aesthetic pleasure.

The movie is very well written and so fun. Meryl Streep is hysterical in her role, and Amy Adams is adorable in her attempts at Child's french recipes. I almost died laughing when she attempted a lobster recipe, in which she had to kill the lobsters herself; something I recently did when attempting lobster bisque last valentine's day. (it turned out freaking awesome btw)

I think I'm going to have to go on a cooking streak after this movie. I love food. And I now have a strong desire to visit France. The Boy better look out, he's gonna get fattened up next week after I figure out what new recipes I want to attempt!

Halo Reach

2010-04-30T13:39:00.006-05:00

So, I haven't blogged in like a year. I know, I'ma slacker, but there hasn't been too much thats been blog worthy.

Yesterday, I checked my xbox messages expecting the usual round of "Quit watching Netflix!", which is what I do with my xbox while I play WoW. But to my surprise a good friend a Bungie sent me a Halo Reach beta key with the words "Play the damn beta!"

Now I'll admit, I kinda fell of the Bungie fangirl bus after Halo 3, and haven't had any pressing urge to buy ODST(even after playing at Pax Prime), therefor hadn't been keeping track of any other Halo games. So I smiled at the message and went right back to farming Heroics in WoW.

Then Faith hops on in IRC wanting people to play Reach with her, and I figure, what the fuck, my controllers been pretty neglected, let's check this shit out. 2 hours later(fffffuuuuuu timewarner!) I finish downloading, and start up matchmaking with Stan.

Our first flag match was on a remake of a favorite Halo 1 map of mine, Prisoner, so I already had the upper hand. I had fun toying with the new weapons, but to my surprise and giddy delight, when I pulled out my secondary weapon, it was a pistol, reminiscent of the Halo 1 magnum.

Until 4am I was running around in utter ecstasy picking off people with my pistol and scooping up flaming skulls in my favorite gametype, Headhunter. It's an FFA game where when you kill someone, they drop a flaming skulls, which you then scoop up, and deposit in constantly moving target areas. This game type is genius and hella fun, because if you're like me, you always have a really high kill count, the struggle is getting the damn skulls to a drop point before you get picked off! Aggggh, I dropped like 7-10 skulls so many times it was infuriating, but holy crap this game type is a blast!

Anyway, I'm gonna try to get some work done so I can play more Reach!

Kick PaxThrax to the curb

2009-09-13T17:18:00.004-05:00

a warm, spicy soup that goes down easy and keeps your energy up to get rid of that nasty PAXthrax!

PAX Thrax Serum.

easy to do, no exact measurements

- chicken broth base(from a can)
- chili oil (to taste)
- fresh spinach leaves 10-15
- button mushrooms chopped up spoon size
-2-3 cloves garlic, freshly chopped.

keep on mediumhigh heat while adding ingredients! yumyum!

also, if you're a tofu person, I think a couple cubes would make a great addition. I just didn't have any around. = (

PAX Schedule

2009-08-29T11:24:00.002-05:00

getting excited! Hope I can make everything!

Friday, 9:00pm - 10:30pm, Unicorn Theatre

The Guild Season 2 Screening

Watch all 12 episodes of The Guild Season 2 back to back, followed by a Q & A with cast members Jeff Lewis (Vork) and Sandep Parikh (Zaboo), moderated by producer Kim Evey.

Panelists Include: Jeff Lewis (Actor, The Guild), Sandeep Parikh (Actor, The Guild), Kim Evey (Producer, The Guild), Wil Wheaton (Actor, The Guild)

Saturday, 10:00am - 11:00am, Raven Theatre

Designing indie games with a team of one.

Michael Todd is an Indie Game Designer, who makes games as a 1-man team. He'll be speaking about how he does this, methods he's learned and the concept of making a game quickly. He'll also be talking about why working solo is an awesome way to design games, especially for people just starting out.

Presented by Michael Todd

Saturday, 10:30am - 11:30am, Unicorn Theatre

Girls and Games: The Growing Role of Women in the Game Industry

According to the ESA, more than 43% of video gamers are female, making women the single largest untapped market segment in the gaming industry. Look at the milestones crossed and the hurdles to come as developers and publishers reach out to this previously overlooked demographic. Are current strategies effective? What does this mean for the game industry as a whole?

Panelist Include Jeff Kalles [Moderator] - (Penny Arcade), Annie VanderMeer Carlson (Freelance, Game Designer), Deirdra Kiai (Programmer, Hothead Games), Sandra Lew (Marketing Manager, Foundation 9 Entertainment), Cindy Armstrong (CEO, WebWars), Senta Jakobsen (COO, EA Dice Sweden)

Saturday, 12:00pm - 1:00pm, Unicorn Theatre

Now What? Keeping Community Engaged

You've built a gaming community, now what do you do with it? Community leaders (both corporate and grassroots) discuss how to keep a community fresh, fun, and sane.

Panelists Include: Christa Phillips Charter (Xbox LIVE Community Manager, Microsoft), Kevin "KP" Paul (Associate Community Manager, Xbox LIVE, Microsoft), Steven "Steve519" Artlip (Editor in Chief, Platform Nation), Jeff Rubenstein (Social Media Manager, Sony), Mike "Burnie" Burns (Writer and Director, Roosterteeth)

Saturday, 1:00pm - 2:00pm, Raven Theatre

What do Recruiters and Hiring Managers look for?

Tired of getting rejection letters? Interested in becoming a game developer but don’t know what to do? Come and talk to the people that are responsible for the gates to the studios. Learn how to prepare yourself with tips, tools and straight advice from the game industries top Recruiters and Hiring Managers.

Panelists Include: Jim Rivers [Moderator] - (Hiring Manager, Obsidian Entertainment), Lindsey McQueeney (Recruiter, Big Huge Games), Angela Baker (Insomniac Games)

Saturday, 1:30pm – 2:30pm, Unicorn Theatre

Twitter and Beyond – New Game Communities Online

Online game communities are changing rapidly as social media is being used more and more by gamers. No longer are people primarily congregating on official game forums. They're talking with each other on Twitter, Facebook, and in other types of online communities about games. For this reason, Community Managers are actively leveraging social media tools to keep online communities informed and engaged with their games. This panel will discuss the exciting transition of game companies using social media to build, communicate with, and engage with players as well as highlight the macro-trends that impact all online communities. Panelists include executives from both the game development and social media side of the fence.

Panelists Include: Michelle Broderick [Moderator] - (Marketing Director and Community Manager, Yelp.com), Morgan Romine (Fragdoll Team Captain, Ubisoft), Jaap Tuinman (Director of Social, Community, & Online Marketing, EA), Sam Houston (Online Marketing Manager, Gamer DNA), Meghan Rodberg (Senior Manager of Online Community Relations, Turbine)

Saturday, 5:30pm - 6:30pm, Raven Theatre

The Making of a Hit Web Series

Join Kim Evey, Sandeep Parikh and Greg Benson, the creator/producer/directors of three of the web's biggest sensations, "The Guild," "The Legend of Neil," and "Retarded Policeman." They'll tell you how they got their start in online video and then answer your questions about everything from content to distribution to funding. If you're thinking about getting into online video and want to talk to the experts, this panel is for you!

Panelists Include: Kim Evey (Producer, Knights of Good Productions, Inc), Sandeep Parikh (Owner, Effin Funny), Greg Benson (Owner, Mediocre Films)

Saturday, 6:00pm - 7:00pm, Main Theatre

RoosterTeeth

You, us, Saturday evening at 6pm. Let's be honest, you don't have a date so just come to our panel and we can all be sad together. Just replace the word sad with the word drunk.

Saturday, 9:00pm - 10:30pm, Unicorn Theatre

The Legend of Neil Season 2 Screening and Panel

The Legend of Neil, the story of a regular dude who gets sucked into Zelda and has to fight his way out, returns with an action-and-nostalgia packed second season. Neil stars Tony Janning, Mike Rose and Felicia Day (of Guild and Dr. Horrible fame) and is created by Sandeep Parikh (of The Guild)

Panelists Include: Sandeep Parikh (Creator / Co-Writer and Director, The Legend of Neil), Tony Janning (Star (Neil) and Co-Writer, The Legend of Neil)

Sunday, 2:30pm - 3:30pm, Serpent Theatre

Wil Wheaton presents: THE AWESOME HOUR!!1

Wil Wheaton first came to PAX in 2007, when he gave the keynote address that your parents won't stop making you listen to in the car. In 2008, he returned for a panel that asked and answered the burning question, "Can Wil Wheaton really be a panel all by himself?" This year, Commodore Wil Wheaton welcomes you aboard the USS AWESOME for 60 minutes of story-telling, lingerie-dodging, mirth-making, myth-making, iconoclasting, and the obligatory burning-questioning ... ing.

Presented by Wil Wheaton

How 'bout Some Tank & Spank?

2009-08-17T13:00:00.000-05:00

New Love - Owl City

2009-08-17T11:32:00.003-05:00

Owl City - New Music - More Music Videos

seriously, so in love. its my new coding/rockout music. and a rockin website to boot!

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince Opening Night

2009-07-16T22:06:00.002-05:00

also, amazing nintendo dance to wii music!

Red Faction Guerilla!

2009-06-11T14:15:00.001-05:00

woot woot new game! it's supafun.

also, my new name shall be xXxHUTTxSLUTxXx. hahahaha good times in IRC.

Gamefuel, world of warcraft and awesome prizes!

2009-06-10T00:27:00.001-05:00

Theme Hospital

2009-06-02T19:47:00.002-05:00

So as I browse my twitterfeed somewhat jealously due to all the E3 tweets, I came across former FD Jinx's site for E3, and she mentioned she saw Peter Molyneux, who created Bullfrog Productions and then Lionshead Studios. (They did Fable, am I ringing a bell, now?) Anyway, Bullfrog is the creator of one of my all time favorite games, ridiculous as it may be, Theme Hosptial. It's a simulation hospital with a warped sense of humor, annoying but awesome music, is surprisingly challenging, and completely addicting.

Nostalgia hit, and I started looking for it again. Apparently they made a playstation port way back, and it became available for Download on the PS3 Jan 1st.Hrm, I may have to look into getting one, now. (i know, it's pathetic. don't judge me.) Or maybe some nerd with have messed with it enough to make it available to DL and play now on something other than DOS.

To Date or Not to Date

2009-05-31T21:43:00.003-05:00

Why is it as soon as you really start loving the single life you find yourself swimming in guys? I'm loving where I am in life, and feel bad about meeting nice guys - I just don't want to be tied down!

Also, I really should come with a warning label for guys.

on the upside, met a fun guy dancing saturday night. we have a motorcycle/ice cream date tomorrow. yum. hopefully just casual fun.

Kristin FTW

2009-05-26T16:19:00.004-05:00

Hey kids! So if you guys know who the Fragdolls are, you may know there's a casting call going on. Some of the most talented women from across the country are lining up to become the next Frag Doll! ok, /dramatics. A good friend of mine was in the running, but didn't make it to the next stage, which is super sad cause she's got tons of experience and spanks kids hard FPS style! I know this from experience, too, we took 4th place at a tourney at PAX a few years back kicking butt in Halo 2, and made super awesome Gears of War videos(1 & 2) when we were playing that hardcore.

So here's the thing. You know how you can write people in on ballots? Well, we're gonna e-mail the awesome people at UbiSoft and see if they'd consider writing Kristin in, because the world can always use one more seriously kick-ass female showing people whats up in gaming. And speaking of writing in ballots, make sure to write me in for "ruler of the universe" when that election comes around! I will make our universe a Raptor-free place!

So here's the letter to copy and paste to make it easy on you:

Dear Sir and Madam's,

I'm sending you this letter to pledge my support for Kristin Reilly's candidacy in the Frag Dolls Casting Finals.

I believe that Kristin's experience in the following would make her a fantastic addition to the Frag Dolls team:

- Two years in the professional gaming circuit
- Great gaming skills
- Marketing/Community Management/Promotions in the video game and hardware industry
- Hundreds of hours of on-camera time and behind the scenes production work
- Huge repertoire of industry events attended

Kristin Reilly is definitive Frag Doll material and I respectfully request that she be reconsidered for the Frag Doll Casting Finals.

Sincerely,

[Name]

Thanks for your help!
You can email this to UbiSoft at fragdolls@ubisoft.com
or tweet @Fragdolls @Ubisoft @batgirl "Kristin Reilly ftw!"

And be sure to stop by the Fragdoll website to give mad props to all the FD canidates, cause they rock my socks off!

<3 Feday

Weird Dreams

2009-05-23T23:33:00.004-05:00

...because mine are insane

(before reading, NO, i do not do drugs before bed, nor have i EVER done them)

Last Night: We were at easter breakfast with extended family, and i threw a tantrum because my sisters' friend ate my cherry-flavored rice pudding. Then, a kitten died, and i cried a lot. But then my mom had a surprise, and me and a bunch of random people went into a room and got lap dances from "models". Mine was a fat doctor with one green eye, and a really big brown eye. And I accidentally spit out my gum on his shoulder. (i have no idea wtf rice pudding is)

A few months ago, I dreamt we were being attacked by zombies, and to fend them off, we went to the second story of our house for the upper advantage. We took the doors off the hinges to use for cover, but then there were zombie kittens in my room, so I had to use tupperware to catch and contain them, cause I felt bad about killing them.

Also, myspace is so annoying.

Summer Time

2009-05-19T17:44:00.002-05:00

So my first day of summer that i'm finally feeling better. YAY!

So first things, ep. 2 of my video blog launched. I'm pretty excited that there will be a second season for Dollhouse! Good Fox!

Also, Im getting my game on like mad! Been playing Castle Crashers all morning, it's amazing. Now I'm going through all the random games on my shelves I've barely played. Right now it's Spidey: Web of Shadows. LOL. It's hella corny, I'm quite amused. I think there may be a little WoW later in the cards, too. My poor Pally has been neglected lately. = (

Video Blog Pilot

2009-05-14T12:24:00.001-05:00

Good Bad Movies

2009-05-09T17:46:00.005-05:00

So we were talking in IRC about movies, and reminded me of some of my favorite "good bad movies". teeeheeee

Chocolate Love <3

2009-05-07T22:02:00.002-05:00

Amazing Brownies:

1 cup butter
2 cups sugar
2 tsp vanilla
4 eggs
1 cup flour
1/2 cup cocoa
1 tsp salt
8 oz semisweet chocolate

preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Melt semisweet chocolate(fill a pan with water over burner, and place pan with chocolate over the pan). Melt butter (low power in microwave 2 min), mix with sugar, vanilla, and eggs. Mix, then add cocoa, and salt. Mix, then add flour. Stir melted chocolate in, and pour into 9x13 pan.

Cook for 30 minutes. If brownies don't pass the knife test, continue cooking in 5 minute increments until firmer in middle.

Chocolate No-Bake Cookies

2 cups sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup cocoa
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 tsp vanilla
3 cups oatmeal

Combine sugar, butter, milk, and cocoa in a pan and bring to a boil. Boil for two minutes(exactly!),then remove from heat. Add peanut butter, vanilla, and oatmeal. Form into balls and refrigerate for one hour to solidify.

Litany Against Fear

2009-05-06T00:19:00.003-05:00

I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.
Only I will remain.

Less than 2 weeks from graduation with TWO degrees. I have no job, no home, no prospects, nothing but a dream to start a life as a designer in Seattle. Fear is the mind-killer.

At least I can make amazing brownies from scratch.

Text Convo Between My Father and I

2009-05-04T19:31:00.002-05:00

[Me] Thanks. I'm like addicted to NCIS now. Also, im driving a chevy impala. It's spiffy.

[Dad] Ncis rocks! Impala's are for 40 year olds!

My Lovlies.

2009-05-04T15:53:00.004-05:00

So I've been decorating my apartment, getting things ready to play hostess at my graduation, and decided I was a bad mommy for not having any pictures of my kids around. So we had a mini photo shoot. Sake wanted to be in more pictures than just hers, apparently.

Also, I finally took my car in to get fixed and got a rental. It's a 2009 Chevy Impala, and it's kinda fun. It goes vroom vroom! (vs. my '99 stick shift Honda CRV, which i still love dearly)

Cock of Doody 4

2009-05-04T01:19:00.001-05:00

lololol. <3

I take too many pictures of my cat pt. 2

2009-04-27T20:55:00.006-05:00

Halo Sucks!

2009-04-26T00:36:00.002-05:00

So I made my obligatory appearance at my friends' frat party tonight. Walking back to my car I passed a frat house I never really party at. I hear someone yell "Halo", so naturally I turn my head to see. I don't recognize the voice's owner, but upon seeing me look they yell "sniper rifle", miming shooting at me. I laugh and continue walking, flipping them off over my shoulder when I hear "Halo 1 sucks"!. They call my gamertag, but I'm already turning the corner.

There's a reason I don't party at that frat house. Mostly because one of their dominant members was the "best halo player on campus" until I beat him to a bloody pulp in a 4v4 tournament on campus a few years back. [and yes, there was much corpse humping] It's still nice to know, 2 weeks from graduation, I'm "that chick. you know, the one that's really good at video games."

Plunko!

2009-04-25T12:59:00.003-05:00

I got my first Ugly Doll, Plunko! A friend from my painting class surprised me with the little guy on Thursday, I was so excited, I incorporated him into my landscape painting(will post pics when complete)

Isn't he adorable? Totally made up for my terrible Wednesday night! Yes, I am obsessed with Ugly Dolls.hehehe. now I think it is time to avoid homework and play video games. WoW or Resident Evil, I can't decide. Hmmmmm. . . .

Game On Ladies

2009-04-22T16:30:00.004-05:00

Edited Brenna's amazing Frag Doll application video last night in under 6 hours. I'm kinda amazing like that. She's so effing awesome, the video turned out fab!

I wish I always worked like I do under pressure and tight deadlines; I seem to do my best work. There has to be some way to harness my brain power at the stage and use it ALL the time.

Still apartment/job searching in Seattle. After putting out close to 50 resumes all over the US and getting NOTHING back, I talked to some of my design professors. When I told Connie I wanted to end up in Seattle, she told me to move there, wait tables, network, and do any freelance jobs I can get until the economy improves. I'm adventurous and tend to land on my feet, so that's what I'm gonna do. I've always said I'm gonna be awesome and make my dreams come true, so FUCK YOU ECONOMY!

Ughhhh, downloading the WoW patch to fix the LAST Wow patch,atm. Hopefully things get better. And hopefully people stop freaking about the duel-spec fee and stop trying to make gold quick by fucking the auction house over. It's getting really annoying seeing crap posted for waaay less than it's worth because a few people want money fast and don't care how it affects everyone else.

Maybe I'll go play CoD4 while waiting, because I've been craving it since editing Brenna's vid. I should really be working on painting for class, but I'm thoroughly unmotivated atm. Also, I know I'm a bit late, but HAPPY VELOCIRAPTOR AWARENESS DAY! My apologies to those of you who've lost loved ones to the vicious creatures. Also, if you don't read XKCD, a webcomic by Randall Munroe, you should. It's brilliant.

video for the day. i'm so addicted.

Why Did I Ever Stop Doing Pilates?

2009-04-07T11:09:00.003-05:00

They rock! Great way to start the day, very soothing yet awakening(lol, terrible wc) Wanna add a level of difficulty to your Pilate routine? get a cat. they don't understand the concept of working out and think it's cuddle time. lol. Also, I've decided bras are dumb. I haven't worn one in a week. It's lovely. And my prof has a rubix cube drawn on the board. I assume it's for some lame diagram, but I stopped paying attention 20 minutes ago. Back to writing papers and submitting job apps for me!

Tuna Salad Sandwich & Other Thoughts

2009-04-06T17:43:00.009-05:00

So growing up we were never a big tuna family. I don't think I ever saw a can in our house and never had the desire for a tuna salad. But today I did, so I grabbed some tuna from the grocery store($.62 at walmart), some celery, and made an awesome tuna salad sandwich from stuff around my apartment! A cheap and tasty meal!

- one can of tuna
- one finely chopped celery stalk
- 2 squirts of lemon juice
- spoonful of mayonnaise
- 2 spoonfuls of cottage cheese
- few pinches of dill

I'm really starting to love not just cooking, but exploring and creating. I'm considering possibly writing/designing a cookbook. The Single Girl's Cookbook, or something along those lines. Because there are a lot of women who live alone, and that's why I didn't cook for so long. Why bother if I'm the only one eating it? Maybe I'll just start another blog of tasty one-two serving recipes and of course, a whole section on chocolate desserts!!!

Society and everything we see seems to send the message that it's shameful for women to be single, and should devote their time to finding Prince Charming. 50 years ago, that line of thinking was probably appropriate, but now, with everything we have available to us, I think women should be devoting their time to loving themselves, discovering their potential, and pursuing dreams that don't include a long walk in a white dress. It's awesome that some women can find their soul mate and be happy, but it shouldn't be forced down our throats everywhere we look. Or maybe I should just stop watching chick flicks? Either way, I really want to find a way to reach other twenty-something women to let them know there's more than one way to a happy-ever-after, and it doesn't have to include a man.

"I threw up. I saw the ring and I threw up. That can't be normal." Carrie
"That's my reaction to marriage." Samantha

- Sex and the City

Latest Grapic Design Project - Furniture Store Identity

2009-03-25T17:34:00.001-05:00

Store Location & Mock Up

Grand Opening Poster

Letterhead & Envelopes

Business Cards

My Babies!

2009-03-24T11:07:00.005-05:00

Whenever I'm in town my little neighbors like to come play with my zoo.

Regan and Sophie

Ryan holding Sake

Mia playing on Ryan

Rachel holding Sophie and Claire

Rachel and Sophie

Sophie <3

Also, if my prof says "why-keh-pedia" one more time, i may kill myself.

Baked Pasta Casserole

2009-03-23T19:11:00.002-05:00

recipe courtesy of 101cookbooks.com

I modified the recipe for one, but it was pretty easy and quite tasty

extra-virgin olive oil
3/4 pound whole wheat pasta shells
sea salt
1 large yellow onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
4 cups well-chopped fresh spinach
1 1/2 cups sliced almonds, lightly toasted
zest of 2 lemons
8 ounces mozzerella, shredded or torn into small pieces

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Butter/oil a large casserole dish or baking pan - something roughly equivalent to 13x9-inch pan.

Boil the pasta in salted water per package instructions. Drain pasta, toss with a glug of olive oil. Set aside.

In the meantime, heat a bit of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high. Saute the onions with a couple pinches of salt for a few minutes (or if you want a bit more depth of flavor until caramelized). Stir in garlic. Stir in spinach. Cook for just about 20 seconds, until the spinach collapses a bit. Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup of the almonds and 1/2 of the zest. Add to pasta and stir and stir - mixing extremely well, a minute or so.

Now sprinkle the bottom of baking dish with the rest of the zest. Add a layer of the pasta to the bottom of the baking pan, now sprinkle with some of the cheese, add more pasta, then more cheese. Finish with a layer of cheese. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes or until cheese on top is bubbly and melty. Serve sprinkled with the remaining almonds.

kittykatlove <3

2009-03-12T00:07:00.004-05:00

such a cutie on my desktop!

she's so photogenic. <3

American Gothic

2009-02-24T19:05:00.002-06:00

American Gothic is at the Des Moines Art Center! Our painting class (6 of us + prof) went today, and I'm pretty sure we got yelled at in every different gallery room. Our professor, Angela Battle, is very passionate about painting, and loves to get up close and see the detail, as well as the rest of us. We would discuss paintings and point to different areas(not touching)and the security guards would have seizures. Sooo funny. They stalked us room to room, and yelled quite loud when we got too close. I think we gave them more trouble than all the elementary classes coming through! teeeeheeee.

Mario Kart Love Song

2009-02-24T01:29:00.006-06:00

Omgggg. love. Marry me, Sam Hart?

Also, not sure how I feel about a red, I mean, resident evil extinction xbox.

Sick all weekend

2009-02-23T11:44:00.004-06:00

Ugh. I'm excited to be able to eat today. I was sick all weekend and my throat was too swollen to eat or drink. So I spent the whole time in bed watching movies, Firefly, playing wow, and sleeping. And I have a super awesome kitty cat that spent the whole weekend in bed with me, except when she got me up to feed her. She's such a good cuddler, what more could a girl ask for?

Also, I hate people who don't respect WoW etiquette. For instance, my friend and I were collecting crystals in a cave for a quest. We would kill the mobs around a crystal to go get it, and this asshole 32 BE Pally would go in a grab it while we were finishing the kills. And then he would mine tin right out from under me. Literally. Jerk. And because he was also horde, the most I could do was /spit on him. grrrr.

Variance on a theme . . . . OF WORLD DOMINATION!

2009-02-18T13:35:00.003-06:00

Om nom nom. Edamame and crackers for lunch during graphic design.
Things I'd rather be doing:

playing WoW
working on actual design and not silly projects
taking photos
playing with my aminals
plotting world domination
knitting more wrist warmers
scuba diving
reading harry potter
hacking road signs to warn about zombies and raptors
plotting world domination involving zombies and raptors

First Wrist Warmer!

2009-02-17T21:55:00.001-06:00

zomg! *this is my excited face

Goals For Today . . .

2009-02-17T10:33:00.002-06:00

1. Devise a clever scheme to catch the invisible sock monster in my apartment and then cut off its head and mount it on my wall.

In actuality, I'll be going to walmart later to buy more socks.

New Red Vs Blue video is out. It's been two episodes so far, and I'm kinda disappointed, especially after how brilliant Reconstruction was. They really set the bar high. Step it up, guys!

Tupperware vs. Cat

2009-02-16T16:17:00.001-06:00

Sake wins. I have these Tupperware things around full of goodies Grandma sent for valentines day, and my kitty thoroughly enjoys knocking them off where ever I put them. And she must know I'm blogging about her, because she just came and laid across my arms as I am typing. Attention whore, much?

One of those days

2009-02-16T11:38:00.003-06:00

Do you ever have one of those days where everything is funny, and you don't know why? And things that are supposed to be funny are infinitely funnier by an exponential amount, leaving you giggling hysterically and causing people around you to debate having you committed? Yeah, I'm having one of those days. Cheers.

Singles Awareness Day.

2009-02-14T20:53:00.004-06:00

Yeah, I really have nothing to say about Valentines, other than I think it's a silly holiday and never celebrate it. It's been a fab saturday, playing wow, reinstalling fav add-ons, and being bemused with the new WoW updates. There are achievements now? El oh el. One thing I like; my seals aren't consumed when I use judgement(so far), which is kinda really nice. [p.s. i play a BE Paladin]

Oh! I finished my first fingerless glove! I have to get a yarn needle to graft the two sides together, but yay me!

Ok, back to nerding it up, playing WoW and watching my Star Wars marathon. w00t.

New Design

2009-02-13T11:57:00.005-06:00

for teh blog. hrm. not sure where i wanna go with it.

also, happy Friday the 13th. may your day be filled with black cats, broken mirrors, and fabulous friday the 13th horror movie marathons. <3

snickers make me sad. they are my favoritest candy bar, yet the package size seems to be shrinking exponentially. hohum.

lol, one of the judges was just walking around with a bag of fortune cookies.

"you will receive a big compliment in front of others in bed. "

Happyyyyy

2009-02-12T19:35:00.007-06:00

Installing WoW again. teeheee.

Also, 101 Interesting Human Body and Health Facts

#17 - I must be a freeking genius.

and the last line makes me giggle.

And I'm excited for new good shows on TV. Yay!

Dollhouse - Joss Whedon's new show featuring Eliza Dushku

Castle - Starring Nathan Fillion, and looks positively brilliant. wewt.

Craving

2009-02-11T15:05:00.002-06:00

World of Warcraft.

Knitting.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

I can satisfy at least two of these once I get out of class. That's ok, i suppose.

Knitting Masta!

2009-01-29T12:42:00.000-06:00

Well, not yet anyway, but I love this scarf I made!(my second one)

Worthless.

2009-01-26T14:00:00.004-06:00

My final semester of college, one word is coming to mind - WORTHLESS. I feel like so many(ok, all but one) have no depth for being upper level courses. Management 160, our first assignment was a worksheet. WTF. Worthless in class exercises and list making accompanied by elementary level discussion. In my graphic design II course we reviewed photoshop for two hours. I'm pretty sure if you don't know the program by now and use it on a regular basis, you're in the wrong field. GTFO. I want to discuss design, concepts, how to excell in the field, how to meet client needs without sacrificing your work, current trends and where the field is headed. I guess my main critism of courses is the lack of real world application (and I don't mean stupid class projects where you run your own company). Professors float around in these happy little bubbles of the previous century, and don't think past their sylabus and don't realize how much their bubbles are shrinking. Maybe it's because I am "an internet ninja" as a friend fondly calls me, and my time is spent following trends, studying the works of the best of the current designers, and taking interest in the change around me and how to keep up. I hate how I find brilliant tools, applications, and networking sites on my own, only to realize how widespread and powerful they are. Is that something students are expected to learn on their own, and that's why professors never mention them? Is that extra level of learning and discovery the difference between average and greatness? If so, I'm ahead of the game. Unfortunately, I think it's just do to the bubble world of professors and their lack of current knowledge and events. I'm just now starting to hear "Facebook" and it's business applications coming up in class discussions, though it's been in use for years. I never hear about twitter, linkedin, flickr, firefox add-ons(for web design; firebug, measureit, etc). These are becoming crucial for success and networking in a world changing at an increasingly alarming rate. With the economy as is, and the job market in such a crucial state, the naivete of those in charge of our(drake students) education is appalling. Maybe I need to start my own "Dumbledore's Army" to comp for the subpar education not preparing us for the real world. And you wonder why I sleep through half my classes . . . I'm not one to settle for just going through the motions.

Twitter giggles

2009-01-21T14:59:00.002-06:00

Brilliant article, both for humor and context:

Before we get into the twitter conversation let’s see what HRBot would say if it were Optimus Prime from the Transformers,

Before Social Media began, there was web 1.0. We now know Social Media holds the power to create communities and fill them with life. That is how social web was born. For a time, we lived in harmony, some wanted it for good. Others, for evil. And so, began the war. Users scattered across the web, using it to do nothing but cover with filth and yet sustain a corporate life. Searching every community. Every platform. And just when all hope seemed lost, message of new discovery drew us to an unknown recruiter called ….HRBot. The bot unlike the transformers is right on time.

http://applicant.com/hrbot-human-resource-robot-that-spiders-your-social-profile/

Orange zested tillapia with coconut mango rice!

2009-01-14T22:31:00.004-06:00

modified from foodnetwork.com. I'm no expert cook (but i'm working on it!), so this recipe is super easy!

Ingredients

6 (6-ounce) tilapia fillets [i used 2.5 and it was enough for leftovers tomorrow!]
6 tablespoons olive oil, plus additional for brushing
1 tablespoon grated orange zest
6 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
1 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Mango Coconut Rice, recipe follows

Directions

Place the fish in a large nonmetal dish. [Marinate in plastic bags] Whisk together the 6 tablespoons oil, the orange zest, orange juice, ginger, hot sauce, salt, and pepper, to taste; pour over the fish. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for [at least] 60 minutes.

Meanwhile, prepare grill. [I'm in an apartment with no grill, so I used a skillet with EVOO.] Brush the fish with additional oil. Grill until fish just flakes when tested with a fork, about 5 minutes per side for each inch of thickness.

Serve alongside Mango Coconut Rice.

Mango Coconut Rice:

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 1/2 cups long-grain rice
1 (14-ounce) can unsweetened coconut milk
2/3 cup water
1 teaspoon salt
2 large ripe mangoes, peeled and cubed

In a large saucepan, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the rice and stir to coat with the oil. Add the coconut milk, water, and salt; bring to a boil. Stir in the mango. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer about 20 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed.

Remove the rice from the heat and fluff with a fork. Place a clean, dry dish towel over the pan, cover with the lid, and let steam for 5 minutes before serving.

Yield: 6 servings

Lemme know how it works out for you, or if you make any nummy changes!

New Toys!

2009-01-14T13:49:00.004-06:00

that ad is brilliant. well designed and I totally cracked up when I saw it.

lol. I'm sooper excited to go home and download CSSedit by MacRabbit and play! But first I have to go to the grocery store, and I should probably get a haircut. Mine is reaching mullet-territory.

Google's new favicon is favugly

2009-01-14T10:44:00.010-06:00

I'm surprised I haven't seen more about this yet. It's just plain gross. They had four designer logos to choose from, and this is the monstrosity that resulted.

new icon. ewwwww?

designed by André Resende

designed by by Hadi Onur Demirsoy

designed by Lucian E. Marin [prob my fav of the four]

designed by Yusuf Sevgen

Don't get me wrong, I love google, and think they're brilliant, but Marissa Mayer (VP, Search Products & User Experience) and Micheal Lopez (Web Design Lead) need a swift kick to their heads. Fortunately, google really wants the inputs of it's users, so let them know the ugliness needs to go!

[previous favicons]

The office is really quiet, so I'm rocking out to La Oreja de Van Gogh. Even if you don't speak Spanish, they're an awesome group! Also, I've decided I'm dragging my [older] coworkers to my favorite sushi place for lunch one day to make them try it! om nom nom!

peeksures.

2009-01-13T23:24:00.003-06:00

Two loves in one.

2009-01-13T09:31:00.003-06:00

Secksi kinda! a Mac in an xbox 360. rawr.

Lesson learned today . . . don't wear black jeans before washing them.

Creepy things about me . . .

2009-01-12T14:29:00.004-06:00

Because work is a bit slow waiting for the Supreme Justice's speech to copy . . . weird facts. about me.

[1] I smell my new video games. nothing beats that fresh manual smell.

[2] I rearrange furniture when I'm stressed. I don't know if it's a zen thing, or just the feeling of change and control.

[3] I get a weird thrill out of the dissonance in design programs as they render their images from pixelated to pretty!

[4] I think I'm addicted to the internet.

[5] I have issues sitting properly. I'm 21 and my mother still nags me, but sitting crosslegged, with my legs under me, or my legs pressed against my chest are the most comfortable ways to sit.

[6] I'm scared of my potential. I'm scared I won't be good enough, successful enough, and won't live up to expectations of others and myself. It's like I'm stuck behind this force field, and greatness is on the other side.

[7] I have obscenely weird and vivid dreams. Some day I will start a blog that I update as soon as a wake up, so others may laugh and wonder if I do crack every night before bed.

[8] Scariest word in the world: eternity

[9] I ate mustard out of the bottle as a child, and now I can't stand it.

[10] I would like to be skinnier, but I like food too much.

[11] I've been high once. Off sharpies. Doing a design project. I thought I was being possessed.

[12] I loooove really bad sci-fi movies. I mean really bad. Like Leprechaun. And Tremors. And Lake Placid.

[13] I really want an ugly doll. Yes, I know they're ugly. But I still want one.

Not creepy, but I really want to create a stop motion movie. Dunno what about, though. hmmmmm.

CSS3

2009-01-12T10:41:00.007-06:00

sad face. I keep reading about CSS3 and all the spiffy new stuff it can do. Unfortunately, I'm stuck in midevil times designing for a target group that uses IE explorer, and prob only IE7 at that. /cringe. [i'm a little bored at work printing brochures in sets of 25]

- ability to create rounded boxes solely through CSS instead of images. that's probably what i'm most jealous of.

- creating shadows around boxes is another goodie.

- of course, new font abilities. this example uses Delicious, a unique font by Jos Buivenga I've become fond of recently.

Seriously, though. IE? saaaaaaad faaaaaaace. <3 href="https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/5081">Twitterfox - does that need explanation?
Zementa - blogging tool
Gmail Notifier - duuuuur

Web Development:
Firebug - yay source code editing!
Measureit - obsecenely helpful
ColorZilla - color picker from your screen. amazing.

I am quite aware this is turning into a design blog, but hey, I don't have that interesting of a personal life anyway. I work and do design, go home,make pitiful attempts to cook, play video games, and spoil my cat. Counting down the time till graduation, and searching for a job in Seattle.

my lists are all in sets of 3 today. it's creeping me out. 0_o

this is me right now.

From the wedding a few weeks ago

2009-01-10T15:23:00.004-06:00

Some of my favs.

Food for the Designers Brain

2009-01-08T15:16:00.001-06:00

Well, im effing starving and want actual food at the moment. instead, i shall placate myself with design food. look, pretty colors! [these are design sites i hit daily]

p.s. making calzones last night demonstrated pizza crust > me

p.p.s. i beat the crap out of my thumb last night. it still hurts.

p.p.p.s. xkcd comics are brilliant.

LOL JUDICIAL VECTOR ART

2009-01-07T14:42:00.001-06:00

They wanted a way to tie stuff together, so I illustrated the cover page image.

model:

Design Woes

2009-01-06T11:32:00.001-06:00

ho hum. I am sad. I've been working on this magazine insert for the Iowa State of the Judiciary Speech on January 14th. I need to learn not to get so attached to my designs, because the copy always drastically changes and I have to come up with completely new ideas. Or maybe I just need to learn to build concepts that allow for more flexibility. I have much to learn.

Old Version:

New Version:

At least I'm working on a new web page, which is exciting. I have a bunch of different concepts so far.

Also, I baked amazing zucchini bread last night. I woke up this morning, wondering why Sake hadn't woken me up to feed her, and saw she had gnawed away the top part of one of my loaves. Seriously, cat? wtf.

also, it has just occurred to me that I haven't posted a picture of my first finished knitted scarf. go me. teeeheeee.

spoiled brat.

2008-12-25T16:26:00.001-06:00

i am one. i didn't think my parents were getting me anything for christmas, because they're building their empty nester dream house and thats a big chunk of change. but my mom hands me a box this morning, and i unwrap it to reveal the EF 75-300mm zoom lens. I've been using my stock lens that is 18-55mm. So I'm pretty freaking excited. even though i still feel like shit and hacking up ungodly amounts of phlegm.

Old lens:

New one:

My mom bought Shaun White Roadtrip (a snowboarding game) for their wii. I've been watching my dad and sister playing it all day, it's really freaking funny. my sister gets all into it, and when it's her turn my dad backseat games soooo bad. "oh, don't hit that tree!" "get that crown, get that crown!" the game does have a pretty decent soundtrack though, i'll give it that.

You almost feel bad for them . . .

2008-12-23T13:16:00.002-06:00

but it's their damn fault for recording their epic failures.

sicky.

2008-12-22T20:00:00.001-06:00

ugh. i feel like death. being sick sucks. damn you, finals, papers, and projects for stressing me out and attacking my immune system.

At least I have christmas movies to keep me happy, because apparently my xbox is a fan of sucking and my internet is being ghey. it's not been a good break thus far. got home, realized i forgot my toiletries and all my makeup. the normal person would say, "oh, just go buy more stuff", except I am a makeup snob. The makeup bag I carry around easily costs $300 between my concealers(bare minerals), color palettes by Mac, lipsticks and gloss, liners, mascara, and especially my brushes. So I can't just go an easily replace that. grrr. Speaking of makeup, 15 year old girls make me laugh. they line their eyes completely in black, and think it looks good. they look more like raccoons. honestly, who came up with that idea, and who continues to let it exist. the best was going out to dinner with my family and seeing a chick in her 20s sporting the raccoon look. seriously? [can you tell i'm an even cattier bitch when I'm sick and feeling like shit?]

Other things that annoy me:

- up and coming gaming websites that try to get publicity by using half naked girls heavily photoshopped. i love the female body, don't get me wrong, I'm a huge supporter of Suicide Girls and alternative beauty, but christ, us women in the gaming industry have enough trouble getting respect as is. when sites pull shit like that, is just further encourages male chauvinistic views that women only play video games in their undergarments for male pleasure.

- drivers who don't understand the concept of parallel parking. whether it's leaving half a car-length on either side when they park, or tailing you ass when you clearly have your blinker on to parallel park. makes me want to punch them in the face

- female biological clock. if you want to be a woman with a sucessful career and a family, you have a short window to do it. Well established career by 25, married by 27, kids by 30. fuck. For me, graduating at 21, that only gives me 4-6 years to build my reputation and find my dream job before I have to worry about popping out babies. Especially since I want a big family (2 boys, 2 girls, preferrably), and to have my own photography studio and Graphic Design firm with 2-5 employees, so I can be a working stay-at-home mom.

- being sick. i'm dizzy, my throat hurts, my joints ache, my skin hurts from even the lightest touch, and i can't talk.

- bluetooth headsets. more specifically, people who wear them 24/7, even though they're not using them. it's like, are you trying to prove how hip you are by wearing one? or are you just hoping that bright blue flashing light will summon the nearest UFO to pick you up? Good luck with that one, I'm pretty sure they only like doing experiments on intelligent life forms. ;) kthnxbai.

I'm a fermata. Hold Me.

2008-12-16T21:49:00.001-06:00

I come across music in the oddest ways. Well,maybe not the oddest, but I'll hear something I like, and go crazy trying to find it. One of my favorite artistic works, featured on my sidebar, has the most amazing music to it. I recently heard the same song on a commercial for Slumdog Millionare (which I really want to see), and went searching. The song is Hoppípolla by Sigur Rós, a band from Iceland. And it's brilliant.

Also, I find cool music when cute boys mail me CDs with insanely amusing drawings. of the deathstar. tie fighters. zombies. and raving stick figures.

p.s. 18 credit hours sucks. five finals and two design projects due. hohum.

random thoughts as I study for International business. . .

- just found a typo in my notes "International Bond Market: market of bongs sold by issuing companies, governments, and others outside their countries" lol?

- every time I see the word "arbitrage" i think of the arbiter from halo. then i giggle at how annoying the storyline flipping back and forth was. and then i want to play video games. hmpf.

- my cat is AWESOME at laying on top of my notes, just when i'm really getting focused.

- i would probably be better at studying if i wasn't such an internet junkie. or if i was remotely interested in international financial markets.

Uglydoll.

2008-12-12T22:46:00.000-06:00

Ugly Dolls.

Seriously. So ugly, they're adorable. Is it odd that I really really want one? or three? rofl.

rawrhelvetica. typography troubles.

2008-12-12T15:59:00.000-06:00

damn overused sans serifs! i'm going crazy. i keep wanting a clean, thin sans serif, but haven't found one yet. i've always been a fan of century gothic, but it's just too geometric and round for practical uses. gills sans is another default of mine, i love the interesting slants and angles of the ascenders and descenders, but it just has too playful of a feel for the more conservative work I do at the judicial branch.

blarg. however, i've become addicted to warnock pro. lots of different weights to play with and serifs that are the perfect combination of round and angular. and i'm obsessing about type . . . i'm a nerd. at least i'm in the right career.

life of a designer, eh? [hahahaha, i totally said 'eh'. roflcanada]

also, it's nice getting little self-esteem booster every once in a while in the form of really sincere compliments.

"no when i found out that you were a gamer and were actually not a fucking retard fuckball and had intellectual undertones nobody seemed to notice. even when you were a lil tipsy i could tell you would think before saying something. and that's rare as it is for anybody".

unfortunately, i'm one of those females who's sees through the stupid "you're beautiful" lines. i'm not much of a romantic either.

knitting?

2008-12-11T19:19:00.000-06:00

sounds like a fun new project for stress relief.

how epic is this?

and this.

squeee! so cute!

also, thank you to the jerks sitting behind me in finance reeking of smoke. i have a headache now.

ephemeral state of ambiguity.

2008-12-11T00:34:00.000-06:00

can you take a sleeping pill after drinking a beer? id rather not cry myself to sleep.

fuckfuckfuck.

im not damaged goods. [thats probably a lie]

new thought. i wanted to go straight to Seattle after graduation, but backpacking through Spain has crossed my mind. i'm in need of an adventure.

You're Fucking Dumb.

2008-12-08T18:46:00.000-06:00

the life of a designer. everyone around is dumb. and thinks they know what they're talking about. but they don't. seriously, though, i want to punch a fucking baby. i'm in another long, unproductive meeting for my marketing group. asdfkajskfj. they want stupid things, like putting a Call to Action in the logo. wtf? that's not the point of a logo . . . and they wanted me to describe the loyalty card. what is there to describe? we're soliciting a marketing plan, they can see it for themselves. fuck, if we were doing artwork for a blind person maybe, but do we have to explain everything like were talking to a two year old? and if the teacher really wants that, maybe she should teach at a less prestigious university where writing at a fifth grade level is acceptable.

and on the writing aspect - i don't mean to be a snob, but i've written more structually advanced essays IN SPANISH than what my peers and groupmates write for projects and final papers. i don't get it, seriously.

Deja Vu

2008-11-28T00:43:00.000-06:00

I thought the old days of sitting in a Halo lobby with a guy until 3 am were over. Damn you internet.

"See you guys later! I'm going to go have unprotected sex with some NPCs!"

2008-11-21T14:55:00.001-06:00

Fable 2 is fuuuun. I'm not sure whats better, though, the game, or the achievements you get, such as "the bigamist" and "chicken kicker". Either way, I am thoroughly enjoying both. My other sources of amusement are halo 3 and Dead Space, though I think i'm gonna have to pick up Gears 2 soon, everyone keeps sending me freaking invites. NXE came out on wednesday, and wasn't nearly as atrocious as I expected. I kinda like it, and cracked up when one of my friends IMed me and was like "Oh my gosh, your avatar looks exactly like you!" Go me?

I'm at my internship right now, which I still love. I'm just stuck in a bit of a rut, trying to design brochures and such. It sucks that I can't use bleeds in any of my designs, poo poo. But I'm getting tons of typography practice, and have lots of pretty design magazines to look at. Yay! Also, I'm giving the computer a seizure my running InDesign and Photoshop at the same time. Silly PCs. teeeheee.

So I totally logged on to blogspot cause I had something sooper intelligent to say. But by time I hit "new post" I forgot. So nevermindey.

Meh. [they're adding it to the dictionary, how awesome!!!]

WWIII cat vs. human

2008-11-12T19:51:00.000-06:00

seriously. Sake, my 8 month old cat has the appetite of a 17 year old boy. She goes apeshit ovver food. Right now I'm trying to eat some tasty pizza from Papa Johns, and i'm [ ] <- this close to locking myself in the bathroom with it. I have a text book on top of the box right now, and have to lift it up really quick to dip my crust in the garlic sauce before the insano missle, i mean, cat, launches herself at the box. you'd think she was starving! /shakes head. also, flash is being laaaame and going really slow, which makes syncing to music a P in the A. [i have no idea why i just abreviated that, but it amused me]

PowerPoint FTL

2008-11-10T13:03:00.000-06:00

Ok, I know the 40 + crowd thinks PowerPoint is like, the greatest thing since sliced bread, but seriously, their abuse of unnecessary features annoys the piss out of me. Pretty much all my management and business courses are done on power point, and it's what we study from. The stupid irrelevant clip art and charts just waste my printer ink and clutter the slides. 37 slides could easily be reduced to 25 if there wasn't so much clutter in there. I just want the text, stuff I need to know, and not tacky little pictures of guys with lightbulbs over their heads or decorated dollar signs. And when they put animated slide movements in the powerpoint when they're presenting, it makes me want to punch a baby. How do we clue them in? Or better yet, created a virus that wipes out all the retarded powerpoint shit and only leaves the text feature?

Fun we=]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]

2008-11-09T22:30:00.000-06:00

ok. I'm leaving the title like that cause it makes me laugh. it would have been "fun weekend" but my cat thoroughly enjoys sitting on my keyboard when I'm typing. fab weekend recap -

Friday night def stayed in watching youtube videos and playing xbox. it was fabulous. Barats and Bareta are brilliant, I would totally make babies with them.

Saturday my friend Katelin came into town. By time she got to my place, I was already drinking wine and on xbl. We ended up finishing the bottle of wine while catching up. I had been texting various people throughout the evening, so I told them all goodnight so we could pass out without my phone going off. So we climb into bed around 12:30, and five minutes later, my phone rings. WTF? Except it's Eric, who just got off work, and is getting dragged to a strip club by his buddies. 10 minutes later, Kate and I are out of bed and transformed into little sexpots ready to take on the Lumberyard. (i'm not even kidding, that's what it's called. roflololol. ) Anyways, definately got my frist lap dance, and Eric paid for strippers to haul us on stage and pretty much maul us. The brunette was way hott, though, and totally rocking leg warmers. Sooo funny.

Oh, and then this strippers was totally chatting up Eric, and we just thought she was chatting to be nice/take a break. And then this OTHER stripper walks up and asks if he wants a 'private dance' and the first stripper gives her the look of death, gets up, and stalks away. Man, only someone as awesome as Eric could have two strippers fighting over him, though. (sucks, cause the first one was hotter)

Now I'm taking a breaking from studying for international business (EWWWW) by rocking out to some techno and beating bad kids on haaaalo. Rawr.

p.s. Australian accents are ungodly fucking hot. Those guys can pick up chicks(myself included) soooo easily.

Email Lawls

2008-11-07T14:16:00.000-06:00

From my mother:

"Gotta get to Wal-Mart. Out of food and toilet paper. I ll look in a bit. I love you. Mom"

bwahahahahahaha.

It's also snowing. Boohiss. I really don't want to go to my silly group meeting for HR class today. I'd rather stay at work/internship doing design work. Yaaay! I'm working on a tour brochure and really liking it. = )

Also, dear justinwhocommentsonmyblogs; who are you? hahaha, i feel bad cause i don't know who you are!

edit: I just got to the library for my group meeting, and no one's here. So I check my email, and there's a message from one of the three other members, telling me that one person is out of town, and the other "can't make it". WTF. We scheduled this on Wednesday. If you can't make it, it's common courtesy to at least notify the other members, so they don't sit around waiting. I'm really pissed off. Especially since I rearranged my schedule and left work early to make this.

newest artwork.

2008-11-04T17:33:00.000-06:00

comments?

Single ftw!

2008-11-01T12:34:00.000-05:00

Relationships are great. Really, they are. But being 21, single, and ready to take on the world is pretty fab. Court Ave last night was hilarious. First, I was on my way late, and remembered they had a $5 cover, and had noooo cash. So I run to the nearest gas station, pausing to ask the officer outside if they did cash back while I adjusted the gun holster on my thigh. It took him about 2 minutes to stop staring and give be a coherent answer. After being in a relationship, I stopped noticing guys noticing me. Now I am again, and loving it! Except when they're old, creepy, dressed as Tom Green, and don't take "GO AWAY!" hints. Then again, it's a blast to make fun of them, and give them the fail sign.

Halloween is seriously the bestest holiday evar! Haha, we did a Kamikaze shot for every Sarah Palin we saw, and a Vegas Bomb for every Joker. Needless to say, I was pretty drunk. But I saw Tony Stark! It was prob my fave costume of the night, his chest piece was awesome! He told me half the people didn't know who he was, and it was like, wtf???? Iron Man is teh awesome! Then again, no one really got me, I got called Lara Croft a lot. I kill zombies, not hunt for treasure! And I'm going to stop blogging because coffee is making me retarded. And hyper. Also, I am watching Disney's Ice Princess. wtf. o.0

Periodic Table of Awesomeness.

2008-10-31T13:56:00.000-05:00

My find of the day:

http://www.dapperstache.com/index.php?contenttype=ptoa

and fail of the day, which totally relates to me!

In other news, internship is going well at the judicial branch. Currently I'm waiting for my latest design to come off the printer. whoopie! A lot of what I'm doing right now is reformatting documents. Not terribly exciting, but excellent typography practice and as there's no precedent for how documents should look, I have free reign on design! [and by free reign, I mean conservative free reign, after all, this is for the judicial system of iowa]

Today I've turned this into this.

And here comes rant of the day. Notice how I spelled 'a lot' above? TWO WORDS. A. LOT. I'm pretty sure we learned that in 4th grade. We were critiquing our classmates projects in my typography class, and someone wrote "alot of white space" on one of my spreads. Seriously? Drake University. You need at least a 26 on the ACT to get in. And this person writes alot? Makes my brain hurt.

And to end; When is a boxer like an Astronaut?

. . .
. . . .
. . . . .
. . . . . .

When he sees stars!!!!

Getting Over a Broken Heart

2008-10-15T17:27:00.000-05:00

Haven't done much on the blog front lately, mostly because I've had nothing blogworthy. Just nights of crying myself to sleep, and days of starting blankly into space wondering when I will stop feeling so worthless. My mom says it's called heartbreak. It's something that happens when you fall in love, but that someone who lights up your world decides they don't love you back. It's really hard to lose your best friend, your lover, and your reason for waking up in one blow. I pretty much fell apart, but I've started taking steps to get my life back on track, and discover the girl I used to be.

Sake. I got a kitten. She's pretty much amazing. I got her from the Iowa Animal Rescue League, and she is an ornery ball of fire, but incredibly sweet and cuddly at the same time.

I started working out at my dad's recommendations. Endorphins and such to make me happy. Pilates in the evening and Jillian Michaels in the morning, who makes me want to cry. Seriously, I'm like a fat person trapped in a skinny person's body when it comes to working out. Owowow.

Also, I landed an internship at the Iowa Judicial Branch, redsigning their website to make it more user-friendly and handicap-accessable. I'm excited for my first "solo" website project and all the experience.

In my quest to find my former, single-loving self, I started playing Halo again. My friend Brent and I have a doubles team for fun(tactical tampons, lololol), but I'll see how much I improve, and decide wether to start competing again in the MLG 09 season. It's been fun reconnecting with old friends and teammates. It's funny how you make lifelong friendships with these people you spend time with online. You can not talk to them for 6 months, a year, and pick up conversations right where you left off, as if no time has passed at all. Joking about old teams, strategies, fun stories from tournaments, and "the good old days" before game tournaments became so popular and everyone jumped on the band wagon.

Seattle plans are shaping up, too. I'm starting to look for jobs out there after graduation, and my mother and I are planning on going apartment shopping over spring break this year. yippee. With any luck, I'll be out on my own by this summer with a big kid job all of my own. And hopefully in an apartment that will have my zoo, Sake, Sophie, and Mia. I <3 them.

Schadenfrauden.

2008-09-11T15:59:00.000-05:00

I love crack.

2008-09-09T18:15:00.001-05:00

When it's in video game form, that is. I've been looking forward to Viva Pinata for the DS since I heard about it's release a few months ago, and on a mad sprint between classes to two Targets and once Best Buy, I finally acquired a copy! And it's everything I dreamed. They made the interface a lot more friendly from the original Xbox version(which was addictive as hell anyway) and did an excellent job transferring from a console game to a duel touch screen game. I must say that's my biggest complaint about DS games is that they might as well be made for the Gameboy Advance if they're not going to make good use of the touch screen. My only problem thus far is the inability to partially zoom out on the garden, but other than that, the game is flawless. I'm super excited for the new species, I've already seen a few, but haven't been able to make them residents yet. I'm glad my favorite feature is still there; creating different evolutions and colors of species. Yayfun!

Spore was also released on Sunday, but the graphics looked terrible for the DS version. I'd rather have the full, pretty version for my computer, however that requires money. And I think I would rather have food to eat. I can't wait to graduate and no longer be in the social class "poor, starving college student".

I was going to bitch about my marketing class some more, and about how haughty and condescending my teacher comes off as, but I'd rather be content with the excellent real world knowledge I gained through my internship. I'm pretty sure I learned more about marketing in three months there than I will at my entire career at Drake, but hey, that's what internships are for, right? Seriously, though, the notes we take in class are over such common sense concepts. Did you know that choosing a candy bar to purchase is a low involvement decision??? (sarcasm) As far as I know, there are no classes that go in depth on HOW to effectively market, and as much as the professors preach about taking advantage of technology, they don't seem to tell how to. (i.e. how to avoid email spam catchers, SEO words, how search engines flag words/phrases)

I suppose it is time to go research for my typography project on Dadaism. Then I can get back to my pinatas!!!!!

Growing Pains.

2008-09-05T18:47:00.000-05:00

So I'm 21, and outgrowing college already. Oh, wait, that was two years ago. I think I've traveled too much, seen too much, and been in the "real world" too much to appreciate what's left of my adolescence. I'm ready to have a job and make something of myself. I'm in upper level classes now, with other seniors, and the ignorance and naivety shocks me. People honestly have no idea wait is waiting outside of their frat parties and meal plans. Maybe it's my fault for going to school in the midwest. Half our class examples/suggestions, from both professors and students, are about production factories or farming. You never hear about consulting firms, marketing firms, software companies, or anything other than something a 5 year old would think of. Maybe that's my creative side coming out, and I'm just being cynical, but come on! There's so much more out there. Speaking of being narrow minded, in some of my marketing classes, the professor asked us to list our interests and what we want to do. Every guy in the class lists "sports marketer" or something of that nature. I guess at least they've advanced from the realization that they're not going to be an pro NFL or MLB player, but seriously, there's more to the world than athletics. No wonder it's been so hard for me to find a guy to date.

Aside from classes, the bar scene is pathetically ridiculous. I know I may be a bit old fashioned being catholic and all, but wow. Sooo many drunken girls going home with random guys. The bars are a complete slutfest, and no lines are drawn. I wish girls would realize there's a way to get attention other than maximum grinding and boob exposure. It's called class. My favorite was watching some pathetically plastered chick last night grinding (quite out of time) with this guy. She was wasted, no idea what's going on, meanwhile the guy is pounding his friends and making crude gestures about what's sure to ensue later that evening. I almost felt sorry for her, but honestly, grow up, and learn how to not get incredibly drunk and hook up with assholes. [don't even get me started on how chicks need to either lay off the beer or not wear such tight clothes. it's called moderation, and exercise. plus, just ewwwww.]

And it's only two weeks into the semester. Oh lord. So I am sending out applications everywhere I can, in eager anticipation of getting into the real world where I can start my career, meet intelligent individuals, and go to bars where I can at least get a fucking Cosmo instead of a nasty "rum and coke" with shitty college bar booze.

Good to Be Back

2008-08-26T21:47:00.000-05:00

Ahhhh. It's good to be back at work/school.

Worked 5:45-9:30 tonight at Customer Service at BestBuy. Spent the last 20 minutes on a phone call with a customer who had the attitude of a very irate hornet. Even for the constant yelling for that amount of time, I still couldn't quite tell you what exactly he was so angry about. When I first answered the phone, I had to listen to him rant for 5 minutes while speaking spanish to the Brazilian customers I was currently helping purchase GPS devices. When he shut up, I politely asked him to hold until I finished with my current customers and could devote my full attention to him. When I picked up the phone again, the rant began again. It was the worst type of rant though, where the customer starts at the beginning of the story, gets madder and madder and louder and louder, then briefly apologizes for yelling, and then starts the story all over, getting increasingly more angry again. Three cycles later, huffing and puffing, asks me how I would feel, to which I replied,

"Sir, we can go two ways here. You can tell me how I can get started helping you solve your problem, or you can just rant at me. I can go either way."

That seemed to get him to start communicating a bit more rationally, until I told him I'd have to ask someone else to look up his order information. It seemed to really infuriate him that I didn't have a file listing his entire exact Best Buy history and current situation status. What am I, an FBI agent? I told him in a perfect world, we would have that ability, but for the meantime, I would have to get a manager to access order information I could. A bit more was exchanged, including him wanting to know my name/work hours, and a final FUCK! and click, he hung up. After customer service for 5 + years, I can really only shake my head and laugh.

Now I am home buying class books on eBay. I won't spend more than $50 per book, and am debating what to do about one of my marketing books that is brand new going for $180, that I probably won't even open. Also, I'm trying to get into a course an adjunct professor is teaching, and it's a bitch trying to track her down. /sigh. No office, therefor no office hours, and adjunct profs neeeever check their drake email accounts.

On the bright side, there is World of Warcraft and Fat Tire to come home to. All is good.

el oh el.

2008-08-14T10:23:00.001-05:00

Don't we look spiffy? Aras took me to see Wicked in Chicago for my birthday. It was absolutely amazing!!!!

Now, a collection of some of my recent favorite videos. Thanks to failblog.org and idiots with access to the internet. = )

School starts in a week. Laaaaaame. And because I am bored at work after wrapping up all my client projects, here is your word of the day.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

lackadaisical \lack-uh-DAY-zih-kuhl\, adjective:
Lacking spirit or liveliness; showing lack of interest; languid; listless.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Some recent eCards I've made at work.

AlienAbduction.swf

Seattle Road Trip Recap in pictures

2008-07-21T12:25:00.000-05:00

The weekend of the fourth Aras and I flew to Seattle to see friends and pick up his car from his sister. On Monday we started our long cross country journey home to Des Moines, IA. Pics or it didn't happen, yo!

Leaving the beautiful Seattle mountains.

Super cute inn we stayed at.

Wyoming, I think?

Devil's Tower. lol.

Rapid City, the city of presidents.

Picking George's nose

Ooooh, pretty.

El oh el.

Six foot rabbit.

How many random things can we take pictures with?

rofl.

I suck at this.

2008-07-14T17:01:00.001-05:00

I'm seriously the most sporadic blogger ever. Maybe it's just cause I go through periods where I'm immensely boring and have nothing to write about. Or I'm sooper busy and just don't have time to write about what I'm sooper busy doing. So recap since the last blog.

Finished last semester with two D's, which blew, but I was taking 18 credit hours, working 20 hours a week, and managing the PMS COD4 division which took 15+ hours a week; hence no time to blog. Boo hiss.
Started my internship at SoftVu in Kansas City. Some stuff I've done.
North American Savings Bank
SoftVu Webpage Updates
Renewed my addiction to
- http://www.icanhascheezburger.com
- http://www.failblog.org
- http://www.redvsblue.com
[interjection]for some reason, my work computer is freaking out, and the enter button is not working. seriously. wtf?
Ok, back at home with a working enter button. Whoopee! Went on an amazing road trip with the love of my life, which shall be saved for the next blog
Decided to pursue my career in graphic design once I graduate in the spring.
Stepped down from the role of the Call of Duty 4 divisional leader to focus on other aspects of my life and play WoW.

umm, and that's all for now! <3

Everthing Happens for a Reason.

2008-02-03T12:50:00.001-06:00

Coming home from school for winter break I was exhausted when some asshole rear-ended me in a Ford Explorer. I was pissed because I've never been in a wreak before, and he munched the back of my car pretty bad. Not only that, but he gave me false insurance information because he wasn't insured. He said he'd pay out of pocket, but it took forever, so my car didn't even go into the shop until a few days before break was over. I wasn't very happy about having to tramp around in the snow for 2 weeks to get to class.

This weekend finally came for me to get my car back, so my mom drove up on Friday to pick me up. She told me that my dog, Jessie, was dying, her organs were starting to shut down, and this is the last time I would see her. She wasn't in pain, just old and ready to sleep. We got home and I was able to spend time with her and say goodbye. She died Saturday morning around 8 am, one day short of her 14th birthday. She started doing really bad earlier this week, but I know she held on just so I could say goodbye, which is the most amazing gift a person could ask for. She was one of my best friends, an amazing dog and companion, and I'm going to miss her sleeping in my bed and following me around the house. She's been in my life the past decade, and it's hard to imagine being without her. I'm crying writing this, and I know it will be a while before I'm able to stop. I don't know why, if I just wish I could hug her one more time, or if I'm crying out of joy because she waited for me to say goodbye.

Time to Start Blogging Again

2008-01-13T23:06:00.000-06:00

Now that I'm done being sick all the time, I can start writing again. I got my tonsils out, which was awful and a half. Of the quoted 6% that have scabs break, I was in there, and woke up one night vomiting blood. Awesome, huh? I was even too sick too play games. Lame-o. I did finally finish Bioshock, and really liked the ending I got from saving all the little sisters. I started Mass Effect which is very pretty and cool, but kinda hard to get adjusted to. I'm not sure whether to keep playing or finish up the achievements for Bioshock. Aaaaand I still haven't even touched Assassin's Creed yet. Man, college sucks. Takes up so much time that I could be playing video games. Gah. I'm taking 18 credit hours next semester which is probably foolish, but oh well.

Pushing Daisies

2007-10-20T01:24:00.000-05:00

So I'm home for the weekend and kinda bored. Sure, it's good to see my family; the reason I came home, but my parents pass out around 10, and my sister has quite the active social life. So I have been reduced to watching TV, more specifically, shows my parents DVRed. My dad sad I might like "Pushing Daisies", a show about a guy with the ability to bring people back to life for a minute. Not only is the concept interesting, but the way the show is done is very unique. The only thing I can equate the style to is the Grinch with Jim Carey. It's honestly narrated in that same Dr. Suess sing-songy way, but not at all in a childish way. The dialog is well written, with humorous bits, slipped in that are missed if you don't pay attention - smart humor, the kind I like. Everything about the show is so unique, from the way it's filmed to the bizarre, indistinguishable time period. The characters are so quirky and bizarre, not to mention the acting is excellent, almost to a corny extent - without going over the top. I love the editing as well; the scenes are shot in such a saturated way, with such a vivid color palette, it's almost like a fantasy show. Pushing Daisies is just very endearing in every aspect - I suppose it appeals to my artistic nature. It's going to be added to my "must watch every week list", which says a lot, considering there are only 2 other shows that make that cut. I guess it's no surprise, though, as it was created by Bryan Fuller, who is also responsible for the big hit Heroes.

Because I can

2007-10-16T22:34:00.000-05:00

lol @ surveys

1. A random guy yells to you "aybaybay."
Flip him off and keep walking.

2. What was the last thing you put in your mouth?
Almond Joy. Halloween candy ftw.

3. 10th message in your phone's inbox?
Don't have one, I just deleted all my texts.

4. The last song you listened to?
Wicked Soundtrack - while cooking dinner.

5. What's irritating you at this moment?
My marketing class. I'm studying. It's hella lame. And I hate doing surveys. But I'd rather do a survey than study, that's how lame marketing is.

6. What did you do today?
Got up at 1. Showered. Watched Buffy. Drank juice. Studied for marketing. Decorated the porch for Halloween. Went grocery shopping. Made dinner for my friends. Watched Moulin Rouge. Studied more.

7. What did you do yesterday?
Stayed in bed until 4. Showered. Went thrift store shopping. Carved pumpkins. It was awesome.

8. Pick a scar on your body, how'd you get it?
I actually don't have any? Is that weird? I didn't do enough dangerous shit as a kid, I guess.

9. What are you doing today?
Studying. Because college > me.

10. What do you want to do when you get out of high school/college?
Move to the coast. Make video games. Be successful. Possibly famous. Move back to the midwest and have a family.

11. Are you single?
Nope

12. Are you signed onto AIM?
Yep.

13. What's your screenname?
marchingrace05

14. Who's your most religious friend?
erm, dunno.

16. Do you prefer chocolates or roses?
That's fucking dumb. Can you eat roses? Nope. Chocolate ftw. Roses are lame anyways.

7. What's the best compliment someone could give you?
Erm, no idea. Tell me that I'm unique and unlike anyone they've ever met?

18. What do you hate most about your school?
Studying. So fucking dumb.

19. Do you curse?
Hahahahahahahahaha.

20. Last time you took a plane, where was it to?
Washington, DC

21. How many times a day do you log into myspace.
A shit-ton

22. Last profile you went into?
Mine?

23. What's the first thing you would do with five million bucks?
Go on a major shopping spree.

24. What did your last outgoing text message say?
"Mozzarella."

27. Next thing you'll spend money on?
Bills. Bleck.

28. What's one toy you remember having in the 90's?
Barbies?

29. If you had a son what would you name him?
Adrien.

31. What's your mousepad look like?
Laptop trackpad ftw.

32. Who is someone you have drifted from?
Shannon. = ( I miss you, MJ.

33. Which of your friends do you argue with most?
None. I don't argue much. I'm pretty laid back.

34. Who/What are you thinking about right now?
How much I'm avoiding studying for marketing. Teeeheee.

36. Who's the last person that you felt stalked by?
This creepy Wal-mart employee who stalked me online after I talked to him for like, 30 seconds about video games. WTF. seriously.

37. If you could have any car what would it be?
Jeep Wrangler, forest green, tan removable top. And a mini cooper sport, custom built, 6 speed.

38. What's your favorite breakfast food?
Dunkin' Donuts. yummmm.

39. How do you like your eggs?
depends. I like egg salad. So hard boiled?

40. If you could get any piercing what would it be?
I want my lower lip done. The parentals would kill me.

41. Who was the last person you spoke to?
Aras. Online.

42. What mood are you in?
A yucky one. Periods suck.

43. What's a movie you want to see in the theaters?
Across the Universe.

44. Where else would you want to live?
Seattle. or LA.

45. What are the last four digits of your home phone number?
8390.

46. What song is playing right now?
Dunno, some background music to Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

48. If you could live in any TV show what would it be?
Buffy the Vampire Slayer. or the Xfiles.

49. What video game do you play most often?
Hahahahaha, Halo, Call of Duty on my 360, Luminous Arc on my ds in class. Paper Mario and Metriod Prime on my wii.

50. Do you like someone at the moment?
Yeah. He's a hottie. And makes me laugh. = )

Game On!

Forum Sigs

Gaming Through the Years

Random Photo Blog.

The Gaming Chef: Coming Soon

Resistance is Futile . . .

Summer Lovin'

Ingredients

Double Rainbows

Tilapia Chowder

lol video

Wedding Pics

Alan Wake Collectables Guide

Crabdip Stuffed Portabella Mushroom Caps

Julie & Julia

Halo Reach

Kick PaxThrax to the curb

PAX Schedule

The Guild Season 2 Screening

Designing indie games with a team of one.

Girls and Games: The Growing Role of Women in the Game Industry

Now What? Keeping Community Engaged

What do Recruiters and Hiring Managers look for?

Twitter and Beyond – New Game Communities Online

The Making of a Hit Web Series

RoosterTeeth

The Legend of Neil Season 2 Screening and Panel

Wil Wheaton presents: THE AWESOME HOUR!!1

How 'bout Some Tank & Spank?

New Love - Owl City

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince Opening Night

Red Faction Guerilla!

Gamefuel, world of warcraft and awesome prizes!

Theme Hospital

To Date or Not to Date

Kristin FTW

Weird Dreams

Summer Time

Video Blog Pilot

Good Bad Movies

Chocolate Love <3

Litany Against Fear

Text Convo Between My Father and I

My Lovlies.

Cock of Doody 4

I take too many pictures of my cat pt. 2

Halo Sucks!

Plunko!

Game On Ladies

Why Did I Ever Stop Doing Pilates?

Tuna Salad Sandwich & Other Thoughts

Latest Grapic Design Project - Furniture Store Identity

My Babies!

Baked Pasta Casserole

kittykatlove <3

Recommended Reading . . .

American Gothic

Mario Kart Love Song

Sick all weekend

Variance on a theme . . . . OF WORLD DOMINATION!

First Wrist Warmer!

Goals For Today . . .

Tupperware vs. Cat

One of those days

Singles Awareness Day.

New Design

Happyyyyy

Craving

Knitting Masta!

Worthless.

Twitter giggles

Orange zested tillapia with coconut mango rice!

Directions

Mango Coconut Rice:

New Toys!

Google's new favicon is favugly

peeksures.

Two loves in one.

Creepy things about me . . .

CSS3