Halloween

Halloween is kind of a big deal at work. I've been with the company for over 8 years and each year it gets bigger and bigger and this year was no exception. It started with everyone dressing up as usual. Then people would decorate their desk to go along with their costume. To each department coming up with a theme and decorating the department and the people of the department dressing accordingly to the theme. Usually they try to keep the theme a secret for as long as they can. It's been like that for at least the last 3-4 years. This years the Art Department's theme was Alice in Wonderland. For maximum effect we decided to us the Walt Disney version and not the original version by Lewis Carroll's. Kind of a bummer, because the book version was way more creepy and fitting for Halloween. But our goal was to win the Best Decorated Department Award and we wanted to make sure everyone was blown away by our theme. Since everyone has probably seen Alice in Wonderland at some point in their life, we decided to use that as our outline. The idea was as you walked through the department, we would tell the story of Alice in Wonderland. Starting with the Rabbit hole. One of things I wanted to do with the telling of the story was incorporating all the senses. Taste, Touch, Sight, Smell, Hearing.
Sight is easy, The decorations will do that. All of the graphics we printed. All of the stuff we made. The dry ice in tea pots to make it look like steam.
Hearing was the next thing. I took sound clips from the movie and had them playing. As you walked into the rabbit hole you would hear the strange sounds Alice heard as she fell. Next room was the Flower Forest with the Flowers singing Golden Afternoon. And finally the Tea party with Unbirthday music.
Taste was next. Since Alice eats and drinks stuff in the movie and she either grows or shrinks depending on what she is eating or drinking. We had like cruppets made and little cups of Kool-Aid for people to eat and drink. I would have like to had tea to drink at the Tea party but that would probably had not been safe with the dry ice. I would have hated to see someone get burned on the ice.
Touch was a little harder. But I guess all the props could be touched.
Smell all I could come up with was brewing tea and coffee.

Since we were on a limited budget and limited space some of the story had to be cut. So we focused on the high points. Entering the Rabbit Hole. Alice's journey in what I called the Flower forest. Of course the Mad Hatter's Tea Party. The hedge maze ending at the Queen of Heart's Castle.

Here are the photo's, finally, of the Art Department's Alice in Wonderland.
(Keep in mind I had to use the flash, otherwise you would not see much.)

So with out further ado...














With Flash


Without Flash
































































































































...and the fruits of our labor pays off. This year we finally won the Prize of Best Decorated Department.

Clouds

Since it's a rainy day today, I thought I'd post some pictures of Clouds I took.

Enjoy,







The next 3 where taken on November 9th when I was helping the Phoenix Orienteering Club run their event out at Lake Pleasant. It rained later that day, only a little bit, but this was the development of that storm.

Road Trip: Colorado and Nebraska

Thursday Sept. 25th
After sleeping in the Saturn Vue at a rest stop, I got up early Thursday morning and hit the road. Made it into Colorado just at Sunrise.












Here's an old Church at Colorado Springs. It reminds me of the old church I remember from the Mid-West. After some searching I found out it is St. Mary Catholic Cathedral on W. Kiowa St.











A hill I thought was interesting.
















Cool windmill.

















Into Nebraska

















Pretty Watertower at the Town of York. See the corn filed? There will be more of these.















Here's a couple of photo's of Windmill blades. I can only assume they are headed to Iowa. There is a Large Wind Mill Farm near Pomeroy Iowa. Maybe it's headed there.

The photo's doesn't really illustrate just how long they are. They are longer then a normal truck container. At least 1.5x larger, maybe twice as long.





















Up next Iowa

HotB: The Senate (Session Recap)(Part 1)

During the Party
As the party continues on at Baron Vaydalon Yvarai’s Castle Sambol. Lady Trisnoira enters with Baroness Sabina Mwrr’s husband. Lady Trisnoira strides up to Lady Sabina and shows her husband. “Do you want this back?” Lady Trisnoira asks.

“Are you done with him already?”

“I am, but there are others who might want him, others that will not treat him as well as I have. As a courtesy to you, I am giving you the option to reclaim him first.”

“Very well, you may leave him.”

“As you wish,” Lady Trisnoira says as she lets go of (the Husband). “Remember this favor I did for you.” She finishes before leaving.

Somewhere in Castle Greytower
Lady Lura Steele, loyal wife to Chayan Mwrr, moves through the castle without making a sound. She slides into the private chamber of her husband unseen. She moves closure to her husband until he notices her. She sends him a warming smile, “Love, do you trust me?”

The question catches Chayan off guard, but he answers without hesitation. “I do.”

“If I were to ask something of you, would you give it to me without question?”

“Of course.”

Lura smiles grows as she asks, “I need one poison.”

There’s a moment of hesitation, but Chayan gives in to his wife’s request. “It is yours.”

“Thank you my lord.” She says with a slight bow before departing the room.

Meanwhile at Shay-Gaul Castle
Shay-Gaul castle is the residence to Baroness Namantha Steel and Garith Adrente. The sounds of heavy footfalls echo of the walls of the castle as a servant frantically search through the castle’s halls in search of his mistress. Upon finding her, he stops, composes himself before speaking.

“My Lady, The Count is here.”

“He is? Well send him in.”

“Ahhh… yes my lady… he has already let himself in. He’s here to see Lord Garith. My Lady.”

“Well go fetch him.”

“Yes, my lady.” The servant then rushes off in search of Lord Garith.

Garith walks through the halls of Shay-Gaul as he is towel off the sweat he earned from exercising in the yard. The Count is waiting him in the armory as Garith enters.

“Your Excellency good to see you again. What brings you to your estate?”

“Cousin! Good to see you too. Hunting, I was hoping we could go hunting this fine day.”

“Very Well, I will have the staff prepare the horses.”

Elsewhere in the castle
“You wanted to see me my lady?”

“Yes Matrim I do. The Count is visiting us this day.”

“Yes, my lady, I am aware of that.”

“Do you know what he wants?”

Yes, my lady. He is here to go hunting with your Husband.”

“Thank you Matrim.”

“Shall I keep an eye on them, to make sure nothing untoward happens to them?”

“Yes, that would be great.”

“Excellent idea my lady, I shall be off at once.” Matrim Steele, cousin and spymaster to Namantha, departs without making sound.

Later that day
“My lady, the Count and your Husband have returned safely.”

“Oh good. Was there anything else Matrim?”

“Yes my lady. It appears that the Count suspects his wife is plotting against him.”

Back at Castle Sambol
A servant of Castle Sambol nervously seeks out his master, Baron Vaydalon Yvarai. “Sir, there is a visitor at our door.”

“Well send him in.”

“Aye sir, it is just, he is here to see your wife sir.”

“Who is it?”

“It is Baron Barde Steiner, sir.”

“If she is willing to see visitors then send him in.”

“Aye sir.” The servant says before exiting the room.

In Calio Mwrr’s, wife to Vaydalon Yvarai, private chambers
“Oh Lord Barde, so good to see you.” Lady Calio manages to weakly whispers out.

“Yes, my lady. I only wish it was under better circumstances.” There’s a pause as Lady Calio quietly nods in agreement. “Here, I have an ointment I had my apothecary make for you. It will help with your healing.” Barde says as he sets down a jar of a white creamy substance.

“I’m sure it will, thank you, you are too kind.”

“You are welcome. I should leave you to your rest.” Barde says as he shots her a smile before departing.

To the City
Men dressed in black, trimmed in silver, carrying spears shows up at the doors of characters. They carry a letter from the senate that states they are to appear before the senate and the men in black are to assure their safe arrival. The journey to Davfanna Aldrena, the center of Shanri, home of the senate, is easy going. There was little trouble on the way. There are many topics up for debate and discussion this summer. One of them is the case of Count Maurevel Thorne vs. Baron Barde Steiner over the matter of the burnt down Opera House. Lilyth Thorne, aunt to the Count presents her evidence that Barde was working with a fellow bear to burn down the Opera House. Baron Vaydalon Yvarai presents testimony that Baron Barde doesn’t use sorcery. Baron Chayan Mwrr testified earlier that sorcery was used.

Then Lady No stands up. “I know who did it, and I have proof.”

There’s a murmuring of speculative chatter that spreads around the senate. Once order is re-established, Lady No continues. “Baron Throsh has secret chamber in his castle. In that chamber is a cloak. With a prick of the finger, anyone wearing the cloak can be made to look like anyone else. When you see the cloak and the wounds to Throsh, you will know the truth that Baron Throsh and Baron Barde were working together.”

The senate rules to place the case on hold until the evidence is presented and sends out the Vashna, the guards and investigators of the senate to Baron Throsh’s castle to retrieve the cloak and Baron Throsh.

When the Vashna returns, they present the cloak and evidence that Baron Throsh was not present at his castle. The staff was also present as evidence. They testified that their lord was angry about some news he received and departed in a hurry. He did say where he was going or when he would be back. (Lady No actually has Throsh chained up in her castle.) After all the evidence and testimony was presented and the debate concluded, the senate voted and found Barde and Throsh guilty of using sorcery in the destruction of someone else property. The jury gives them the punishment of having to wear the black for a year and a day and forfeiture of their lands.

Things true about Throsh’s lands.

• They are on a peninsula
• They are blocked in by Vaydalon’s lands

Things true about Barde’s Lands

• Way up north
• Poorly defended
• Loyalty of one
• Rank 1 personal guard

Narrator’s Notes: We lost Baron Throsh this week. The player decided that the game did not fit his style of role-playing and bowed out of the game. It was a shame really, I liked his character and had fun things planned for him. Since Throsh is not longer a PC and now a NPC, he got thrown under the bus in this session. Sorry Throsh. But starting a romance with Lady No is probably the last thing anyone does, and you were no exception.

This is where it ends. With blood and pain and revenge.
But it began with love.
This is how everything begins and this is how everything ends.
~The Great and Terrible Life of Shara Yvarai

Summer Glau (1 of 3)

I've been wanting to get back into illustrating.
I've also been watching the new Terminator series on Fox, The Sarah Connor Chronicles.
I found this image and used it for my practice.


Here's the pencils I did.

I have two more in various stages of completion.

When I get more time I my explain the steps I took to go from Photo to Illustration.





This is the Finished product.

Fantasy Football: Week 10 & 11 Reflections

Week 10 & Week 11
I can't catch a break. Jones-Drew scored 3 TD's and usually when that happens you have a good week. I had an alright week scoring 46 points. But the team I played in week 10 scored 61. The previous week they scored 33 and this week scored 39. So I caught them on a good week. Just my luck. Maybe week 11 will be better. It was, sort of. My two RB scored 2 TD's each, and I ended up with 53 points. Except the team I played scored 71, DUHHHH!!!!! Looking back at their week 9 and week 10 scores. 40 and 39. Again the team I played has a big week. I've looked at the last 7 years our league has been done on-line. Out of those 7 years, One year, I was 13th (out of 16) most scored against. Twice, most scored against. Twice 3rd most scored against. Twice, somewhere in the middle (8th and 9th). So how did I do in those 7 years. Twice I was at the bottom (14th and 15th). Deserve to lose in those years. Once in the middle, 9th in points scored. Once, Highest point score. (That year I was 8th most scored against.) Last 3, 5th, 6th and 7th. So usually I have alright years, but because of bad scheduling I get screwed. This year is no different. In those 7 years, I made the playoff 4 times, and should have made the playoff one more time. There is good chance that I will not make the playoffs this year again, but I'm hopeful. If I win out and the chips fall the way I need them too, I can get in based on record. I also have a chance to get in on points scored, provided I continue to have good weeks and Cats gets in on record.

47.438 Average points scored for the Week.
47.091 Average points scored for the Season.
45.636 Average points I've scored for the season.
9th Highest Scorer over-all, and I've reclaimed the titled of Highest Scored against.

New found respect for President-Elect Obama

One hand I was glad to see Obama elected. Not that I felt he was the best man for the job, because I don't. (Not that I felt McCain was any better.) But because it was another example that in America you can do whatever it is you want too. Not because you are entitled to it, but because you worked hard at it. Over the years I become disillusioned with both Republicans and Democrats. There are some views I agree with Republicans on. Just as there are some views I agree with Democratic on. Both parties have infringed upon our God given rights. And neither try to undo what the other have done.
Mostly I've become cynical to our democratic process. I hear all the politicians promising great things and then once they get elected they do whatever it is they want to do and forget all the promises they made to get there. I'm sure Barack Obama will be no different, but before I bag on him, I have to to give credit were credit is due. He's a geek. Read the article below and see why.
5 Lessons We Hope Obama Learned from Spider-Man

... and the pursuit of happiness

(Noticed this on John Wick's Live Journal, had to re-post.)


Wow, I don't think I could have said it better myself.

Third Parties

Could Third-Party Candidates Be Spoilers This Time?

... Given the current political environment, third parties really should have had a better year. After all, many of the things Americans find most objectionable about the past eight years, from the first authorization to go to war in Iraq to the $700 billion Wall Street bailout, are by-products of the two-party system. To third parties, bipartisanship looks a lot like collusion. And certainly on at least a few key issues, from immigration reform to support for Israel, the two candidates' positions are not that dissimilar. ...

I won't tell you who I voted for, but I will say I voted for a third party candidate. That paragraph pretty much sums up my feelings.

Q. How do you know if a politician has a bad idea?
A. Both Republicans and Democrats support it.

HotB: Demo at Game Depot

Last Saturday I ran a Houses of the Blooded demo at Game Depot in Tempe. It went really well. I had 4 players that all seemed interested in the game after the demo. Some had read about it and were unsure about spending the money on it. I think they will be more likely to purchase after having played the game and seeing the book.

I got to touch on Sorcery, how wagers work, the Senate, vassals, and general ven culture. To sum up the adventure, I had the players all play barons under Duchess Mira Yvarai, a character from our playtesting. One of the players was wronged by an enemy of Mira. I had the player roll wisdom risks to establish facts about who was wronged and how and what to do about it. The adventure then wrote itself. In the end, Revenge was settled. But all the players owe Count Kether a favor. One player owes Kether his votes in the senate. It wasn't said, but had we had more time the other players would have owed him the same thing.

All in all, I was very pleased with how things ran. I plan on running another one in the future.

Ambition and morality never sleep in the same bed.

Fantasy Football: Week 8 & 9 Reflections

Week 8
Another bad week. Only scored 28 points. None of my Running Backs or Wide Receivers scored a TD. There was no high point other then I then I missed an opportunity to pick up a win. My opponent only scored 34 points. I was a TD and a couple extra yards from winning my game.

46.688 Average points scored for the Week.
47.008 Average points scored for the Season.
43.25 Average points I've scored for the season.

Week 9
After a couple of bad weeks I finally had a good week. I scored 57 points and gained some ground in the points race. With 5 games left, I am 1 game behind in making it on record. The team ahead of me is in my division so I can easily make up that ground. him. I am 59 points behind the team that would get in on points if the playoffs started next week. I still have a chance to get in on points but I can't have weeks like I did in weeks 7 & 8. As always I'm frustrated with my quarterback. He only played half the game, but he managed to run a TD in. But had he stayed in the whole game I could have gotten more points out of him. You can't score on the bench. And for a player I drafted in the 3rd round I need to get more points out of him then what I'm getting.

44.438 Average points scored for the Week.
46.972 Average points scored for the Season.
44.778 Average points I've scored for the season.
11th Highest Scorer over-all, 2nd Highest Scored against.