joe randel's art dump

So I took a wander over to the Condition: Zero Hour fur con on the weekend.  I must admit though that I didn’t actually check out any of the festivities.  I mostly went to visit with artists I haven’t seen in years.  I spent the Saturday evening with  Max Black Rabbit, DC Rabbit and Mabs (along with others who’s names escape me… sorry *^_^*).  It was lots of fun as we caught up with what we’ve been doing, playing games and drawing (actually… the others drew while I talked and played games).  It was wonderful company all around.

Did anyone make to the con insides?  What was the over all feel of the con?  Any one sit in artist alley or dealer room?  I think I’ll try and prep some new stuff next year and sell it… maybe in the dealer room… we’ll see.

Anyway… gNAW… you suck.  If you where there we could have had good throw down with Super Street Fighter 4.  Max and I played lots and it went back and forth pretty evenly… well… I think he won more over all.  But he still has to eat a “D” grade on tech in that one match we had.  Yeah that’s right… I said it.  So next year gNAW… I’ll be waiting but not practicing since I don’t have a 360.

So the other day I discovered two new snacks.  Cherry Crush and Cheese Burger Doritos.  I’m not sure if these flavors are out in other parts of the globe, if not… then sorry about the tease.

Wife came home with the All Nighter Cheese Burger Doritos one day and we cracked open the bag to find that… these taste exactly like Dairy Queen cheese burgers.  Seriously, no joke.  Exactly like a DQ burger!  Right down to the pickle and mustard.  It totally blew my mind and I think they’re my favorite chip now.  You can’t have too many though as it kind of feels like you’ve been woofing down a pile of burgers.

The Cherry Crush I found when I was out visiting my Bro-in-Law.  As soon as I saw it, I totally snatched up a case.  See, I just about anything cherry.  Heck, just this week I made an almond and cherry loaf of bread.  Mmmmm…  So yeah, when I was able to crack one open, after the kids went to bed, I found I was pleasantly surprised.  I wasn’t like the Black Cherry of the old Pop Shoppe drinks.  It had more of a cherry pie filling sort of flavor to it.  Which I didn’t mind a bit, but I could see it being too much for others.

So if you’re out in stores and you see any of these products, I totally recommend picking them up and trying them.  I’m not sure if they’re limited flavors, but you don’t want to miss them. ^_^

So I’ve started working out to get all buff n stuff.  I know I’m sort of late for the summer beach season, but better late then never.  I’m not over weight or anything.  I weigh 160/165 lbs on average which is better then I was in high school (125 lbs back then).  Mostly, I’m working out to A: keep in a decent state of health and B: look all sexy.  I don’t have a lot of body issues other then it bothered me that my arms where just tubes of meat with no form… that and I look sort of geeky.  I guess that comes with the job though. ^_^

I’m not looking to get huge.  I’ve seen the documentaries with professional body builders and man… I can’t imagine looking like that.  I just want to have enough muscle to look sexy with my shirt off when I’m at the beach or a pool.  Things are coming along nicely too I think.  I have an Aerobic Glider and a weight system here at home and I alternate between the two each day and my work outs last about 20 – 30 min.

Anyone out there work out or have any tips?  Are you in shape or out of shape?

So this evening I went and saw The Last Airbender…  what did I think of it?  Well… um…

I guess I should start with saying that I’m a pretty big fan of the cartoon.  I only actually discovered the series in January, but I found that I totally fell in love with it.  I love the characters and how they interact with each other, the story, the spirituality of the world… everything!  It really is a fantastic and well planned story.  Heck, I’ve watched the whole series (3 seasons, 61 episodes in total) 9 times back to back.  Yes… I think it’s that awesome.  Which is why I’m so disappointed in the movie.  All the things that made the cartoon series so fantastic isn’t there in the move.

During the cartoon, you really feel for the characters as you follow their adventures to stop the Fire Nation.  At the end of the movie, I didn’t feel anything for them.  It felt like the movie went so fast it just glazed over the more important story points.  Points that would have made the movie that much better.

~Sigh… and yeah, all the other things you might have heard are true.  The writing isn’t that great, the acting isn’t so hot and the music is rather lackluster too, which is a shame.  I really wanted to like this one.  Avatar: The Last Airbender is such a great series, it’s Nickelodeon Star Wars, it’s their Harry Potter.  With the whole thing laid out for them, it’s such a shame it didn’t turn out better.  Maybe the next ones will be better.

Holy crap!  Today where I live it was 31 C (87 F…I think) with a humidex of the Sun. o_O.   What was the weather like where you live?

So the other day I decided to do an over all check of games that I won and yet to play.  Not including games that I’m currently playing mind you.  Only games that I’ve purchased, tried for a second, and then got pulled away from or distracted by another game.   The is is as follows…

Metal Gear Solid 2

Metal Gear Solid 3

Katamari Damacy

God of War

Ico

A Boy and his Blob

Zelda: Twilight Princess

Super Paper Mario

Super Swing Golf

Fragile Dreams

Monster Hunter 3

Muramasa: The Demon Blade

Fighting Fantasy: The Warlock of Firetop Mountain

I’m slowly working my way though them currently.  What sucks though is that I’ll pick up more games to add to the pile as they get released.  For instance, I picked up MadWorld for Wii about a month ago because it was on sale cheap and just the other day beat it.

It was awesome and one of the best titles I’ve got for my Wii.  I highly recommend it.

Last night I decided to put in Fragile Dreams and I’ve super loving that game too.  If you don’t have it in your Wii collection and you like exploring type RPGs then I suggest you pick it up.

I was able to get it with the sound track for the game too when I bought it.  Fantastic!

BUY: Buy Fragile Dreams: Farewell Ruins of the Moon (Nintendoâ„¢ Wii) $49.90
BUY: MadWorld (Wii) $6.90