Scratching Post

Pictures taken with a disposable camera

2007-10-04T23:16:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures I took of a September sunset, and a spider in its web during the night. These spiders are cool, they build webs under trees, so that the wind will bring insects into them. We saw a web one night that used an ingenius method, a hanging leaf had been snared/tethered to hang freely and work as a counterweight because it was too far from the trunk to anchor to, and not close enough to the ground or anything else also.

More pictures taken with a disposable camera

2007-10-04T22:57:00.000-07:00

I took these photos last month of Dad's flowers. Looking at them gave me mixed feelings. Sadness because before Dad wouldn't ever let his garden get so overgrown, and I know some of his joy has gone out of it since Mom died. But I was also happy to see flowers growing despite the sadness.

Technorati

2007-10-04T22:17:00.000-07:00

Yep, this is me:

Technorati Profile

Cats, Cats, Cats!

2007-09-18T13:30:00.000-07:00

Here is a nifty slideshow I made. Enjoy!

Another insidiously addictive game

2007-04-11T20:23:00.000-07:00

Here is a game someone on a message board pointed out. It *seems* easy enough at first. Just click to cause a chain reaction at the right time to "pop" the required number of dots, or more if you can. Boy, the final level though... 51/55 50/55 52/55 54/55... (You need 55 out of 60 for level 12) ARGH! I did finally beat it. One of the most frustrating things for me, was how the dots would randomly slow down, or speed up. You can't accurately predict when they will do this, and it is *usually* when you don't want it. That, and it's also somewhat random when the dot's ripple will deflate. The music and sound go very well together, and the game does hook you in. And just let me say "OMG, the colors are neat!" too. Let me also add, that until someone I know gets a score like the top scores displayed, I'll continue to believe that at least half the top scorers are hackers. I just got 260 for a score, which isn't my best, but it isn't too bad either. Boomshine

The Beatles flashes etc.

2007-03-28T04:29:00.000-07:00

The song in this flash by Melon is one of my favorite Beatles songs, "Come Together". (It will endlessly loop if you let it, so will the other two.) Melon made 2 more flashes featuring Beatles songs, "Tomorrow Never Knows", and "I Feel Fine".

I think the idea behind Clown Staples' "Windows Noises" is quite clever. Here is an updated take on The Buggles' "Video Killed the Radio Star" by Estudios. "Internet Killed the Video Star".

This is a very simple game, but it's insidiously addictive. Falldown. (My most recent, rusty score is a paltry 53820...*hmph*) Defend your castle is mindless, but amusing. (It's by XGen Studios, you can find it there, or at Albino Blackseep.) Drop is another mindless, but addictive game that I'm fond of, the music track is hypnotic.

Memories

2007-03-24T22:43:00.000-07:00

I was thinking back to how I'd learned to play piano as a kid. I was sort of "self taught" and sort of had lessons. Mom showed me the basics, and would mentor me from time to time, but largely I just cracked open one of the various piano lesson books we had and worked on mastering the pieces. That was an excellent purchase, I don't even remember who bought the books, but I offer grateful thanks. They were at a garage sale held by the relatives of a retired piano teacher neighbor who had passed away. Anyway, mom had a book of various pieces that were more difficult than the lessons that I'd try. I was able to play the piece in this YouTube video. I did my fingerwork as well, but my pedalwork was better IMO. I couldn't do the variations of this compostion, just the first part which is played in the video. I could play other pieces as well. I would like to take up piano again, some day. I had gotten to the point where I wasn't too bad, though I knew I wasn't exceptional. I played for the love of making music.

J.S. Bach's Well Tempered Clavichord

Tiny Plaid Ninjas!

2007-03-07T18:23:00.000-08:00

Tiny Plaid Ninjas

Tiny Plaid Ninjas 2

Tiny Plaid Ninjas 3

I love these guys! They're funny! I wonder when, or if there will be new episodes? I first saw them at albinoblacksheep. I like the Cake Comfort Eagle flash by drewmo, as well as Gollum Rap (Towers Are the Players) by Ned Evett and Paul Teharr. Pie Hole by Norboto is cool too. Play by dustball is ingenius.

I have loved Drum Machine by Tokyoplastic for some time. Here is their official site, with a newer version of Drum Machine on the current site, not the archive. (Their site is *very* interactive, just click things to make things happen and progress on page loading. to get the menu you want) I also recommend watching Opera Dude (Workshop -> click until you see a red eyed white cyclops creature, and launch it, it's seven clicks. There is only one cyclops with a launch button. The odd flower is part of an ad they made for MTV Japan if I recall correctly.) and Music Box (Bits and Pieces -> Music Box) and otherwise poke around the site. The Tokyoplastic 1 -> gallery intro is pretty cool I think. Some of their ads are disturbing though, like the zune commercial they made. Just...*blinkety*

Murloc RPG, Sandman

2007-03-07T17:36:00.000-08:00

Sandman is a fun game, but you have to be able to think quickly and problem solve. Drizzle the sand to either block in the nightmares, or help the sleepwalkers get safely through the portal. Sometimes you need the sand to solve puzzles too, just be careful how much you pour!

I really had fun playing the Murloc RPG flashgame, I played as a caster, and a melee class. Both are good. (And even if you go mainly with melee some of the spells are handy to have.) This is a really cute game. All I can say is, have patience and level up. Don't forget to save. I got to level 12, with 3 fury and 8 magic. I went down both lines in Magic, and have Blood Pact and Power Word: Shield for fury I went down the right line, and got up to Cold Blood. (With some pretty nifty armor and weapons, those drops are random.) Hey! I think there's more to the game then when I last played it! Yay! I'll edit this once I'm done with the new content. *bounce*

ETA: Ok, it's just a "tournament" of sorts. You can go through and fight several creatures of increasing difficulty, including each boss you had to defeat. Finally you get to Sirath. Save the game after you defeat him. (Isn't his weapon *NICE*?! "Sulfuras, Hand of Ragnaros" RULEZ!) You can fight him twice in a row, but the third time you ask, Ringmaster Shin says "Wow, you're either 1337 or you hacked this flash." and won't let you in to fight. (So, save the game after you beat Sirath the second time and sell.) If you reload though, you can run the gauntlet again. You can level up and make lots of money this way. I'm level 14 now, with 5 in Fury and 9 in Magic. I got the rest of the righthand line in Fury, and took Polymorph. I hope they have more actual adventures in store for Murk, I like this game. Heh...

ETA 2: Since it appears people are looking for advice on how to beat Sirath, I'll add a bit. Take a look at how I spent my points, for one thing also look at what level I was when I first tried the tournament. For another, buy up some spiced wolf meat and magic dust. Hope he decides to show off his physique, and hit him as hard as you can as often as you can. I got lucky, he mostly just stood there flexing his muscles at me. Boy howdy when he did decide to throw a punch though... The very first time you beat him, it is a rather long fight, but just hang in there, heal when you need it, and you'll prevail. (I think I did activate cold blood a time or two, and used some dust to get my mana back. I know I had to eat some wolf meat also.) MAKE SURE YOU SAVE AFTER EACH STAGE OF THE TOURNAMENT! Once you get Sirath's weapon, beating him again isn't so hard. Good luck, have fun!

The Dead Case and The Phone

2007-02-28T12:18:00.000-08:00

I just remembered another flash game I had fun with some time ago, The Dead Case. It's pretty self explanatory really. You must solve the mystery of your own death, while helping other lost, hapless souls along the way to win their cooperation. There is a FAQ for the game if you are really stuck. (ETA: look in the game itself, those hints are more than sufficient) Enjoy!

Another very simple, but neat game is The Phone. I like it. You have to find the next number to dial in order to progress to the next page, it's hidden within the interactive page. Answer the phone to begin.

Cute and Funny Videos

2007-02-28T11:19:00.000-08:00

Prepare to overdose on cuteness with Edwidge Dandicat and the Snuggle bear! Edwidge now has a good home with a loving little boy.

Better not misbehave, or the chicken constabulary will get on your case! This video is one of the strangest things I've ever seen, but funny.

Snoring cats! 'Nuff said.

Naked Rabbit's Cat Head Theatre cracks me up! Thanks for the laugh, NR.

Unemployed Skeletor's video blog of evil by kevinconn has some comic potential too. I especially like his Holiday edition, (even though he does step out of character for a second or two) and this one.

The Crimson Room Series

2007-02-28T11:00:00.000-08:00

I've been considering posting about these games for some time, by Fasco-cs games and Takagism. They have gotten better as they progress, in my opinion. In order they are The Crimson Room, this one has a bit of a pixel hunt, but it's still a good game. The Viridian Room is better, and a bit wistful I think. The Blue Chamber is neat, and The White Chamber is too. How quickly can you escape? If you are really stuck, check the gamershood forums, or the Escape the Room Blog's entries on the games for walkthroughs/hints.

Griswold the Goblin

2007-02-28T10:57:00.000-08:00

Griswold the Goblin! This is a cute game, and fun to play. I had a lot of fun with it. You do have to do things in a certain order though. Here is a gamershood topic on this game, if you are stuck and only want a nudge or two. The comments found here have at least one spoilered walkthrough.

A Very Nice Flash Adventure Game

2007-02-28T10:25:00.000-08:00

I highly recommend trying Aquaria if you like adventure/puzzle games. It's truly a work of art. The symbols and surroundings are beautiful, and the puzzles are fun. I hope the creator continues this story soon, I eagerly await the next installment. If you get really, really stuck, you can consult this topic at the gamer's hood forums for a clue or two. Have fun, and please post to share how you enjoyed the game too, if you are so inclined!

An Experimental Flash Game

2007-02-11T13:06:00.000-08:00

Here is a really cool game I discovered some time back. It learns your methods as you play, so it stays challenging. Flow Your goal is to eat, and avoid being eaten. Left click and hold to move faster, move the mouse to move your critter. The turquoise beacon things send you up to the lighter waters, the red beacons send you down into the darker waters, which are richer hunting grounds. Eventually you will encounter a "boss" so eat well!

Martyn Bennett

2007-02-11T12:07:00.000-08:00

I really enjoy Martyn Bennett's works. He is someone I wish I could have met. Here is his website, which ~~his mother~~ Karl Mariner is still maintaining. He helped forge the Celtic Fusion sound. You can hear soundclips from his albums, as well as watch videos on the media -> videos page. I really like the third video, the song is "Spree" from his self titled album. One of my favorite songs by him is still "Tongues of Kali". If I had to choose a theme song for myself, that would most likely be it. I recently read Myths and Legends of Our Own Land on Project Gutenberg and enjoyed it. I'm reading Folklore and Legends Scotland next.

ETA: Apologies for the exceedingly tardy correction.

Ikarus (Wolfgang Stindl)

2007-01-17T19:04:00.000-08:00

Hmm, I can't seem to get the knack of embedding videos here. Ah well. I wanted to share a couple of videos by an artist I like, but I guess I will have to be happy with links to the videos. I'm rather fond of this guy's music. (Check out the songs "Shiva" and "Touched the Sun" on his official site, they are nice.) I especially like his "Ancient Lullaby", and "Praying to Different Gods". He's a sound recorder. Here are two of his videos (which he, himself put on Google, look on his site which I linked, and look at who posted them) "Morning Meditation" is excellent, and "Believe" is quite good too. (Some might call the video a bit sappy though.) Be sure to listen clear through the second video, there are some incredible vocals during the credits that don't seem to be a part of the actual song. Here is his MySpace profile as well.

My chosen avatar

2007-01-17T18:09:00.000-08:00

Here is my avatar:

This one is a "spare".