Ouch.

Just a quick note.  I've hurt my arm (again.) and typing is really difficult.  So I definitely will not be able to post any detailed text content (tutorials on Encompass Rose or commentary on Fandombouquet) for a while.  Probably until March.  Looks like I won't be participating in any of the writing challenges this winter either.  Maybe Nano in the fall, but I can't plan that far in advance.

Happy New Year

Yeah, I'm a little late.

But I hope everyone's doing well.  I have no living room at the moment.  The renovations that I've written about in my last couple of posts here are dragging on.  Most of my DVDs are still in storage, the TV is completely not accessible, and the most writing I've been able to do is an occasional tutorial over on my other design blog, Encompass--Rose.

I can't say when that will change.  I'd like to get back to my blog series here, but it's really difficult to write well thought out articles with dudes sawing and hammering in the hallway.

I'm behind in all my fandoms and it's going to be a while before I can catch up.

Hopefully, the second half of 2013 will see this blog pick up again.

Awesome Star Wars Painting

Star Wars fans have got to check this out.

It's an awesome watercolor painting featuring my favorite Star Wars character, Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Ann Marie Bone Painting

Ann Marie Bone is a fantastic painter I discovered recently via DeviantArt.  You should check out the rest of her gallery too.

New Job

So, I know I update this blog about as often as the moon circles the earth, but I wanted to drop a note.  I've got a new job, and as I've mentioned previously, there are contractors working at my place, so I don't have much time for fandom blogging right now.  I won't promise when I'll update, but I will eventually.

Short update

Haven't had much time to write lately.  We have contractors doing renovations in our apartment complex, and I'm frequently without computer access during the day.  Hurricane Sandy's here now.  I've mainly been updating my graphic design blog, Encompass Rose, and that's probably going to be it for the next few months because that's quicker. Fandom Bouquet's getting the short end of the stick, but I hope to do better next year.

Torchlight 2: 10 Days In

I think the most telling statement I can make is that this was supposed to be "Torchlight 2 After A Week" and I kept putting it off because I wanted to use my free time for gameplay. This isn't a review post. I'm not familiar enough with the genre or the gaming industry to make a credible reviewer. This is just a post about my experiences playing the game. Fair warning: the post assumes the reader has at least a basic understanding of ARPG games.

Fangirl Glee Post: Torchlight!

I've said before that I'm not much of a gamer. I play games casually when I need a break or a recharge. I dislike games that feel like work or remind me too much of real life.

 I discovered Torchlight in 2009 and bought it during the Steam Holiday sale. I figured, for $2.50 I couldn't go wrong. Well, I've had more fun with Torchlight in the past 3 years than I have with many more expensive games. The story is...admittedly flawed (read: non-existent) the mechanics are kind of simple. I hear a lot of hardcore RPG gamers bitch that the graphics are "cartoony." I grew up in the 80s and 90s playing Super Mario Brothers and DONKEY KONG, so I come to video games with a whole different standard in mind. I think a lot of the games out today are all show (graphics) and little to no game. You spend your time marveling over what it looks like and then being frustrated or confused for hours on end as you try to complete the game. Games are supposed to be fun.

 Torchlight was developed on a shoestring budget by a small indie company, Runic Games. Given that, I think it holds up pretty well. It's certainly got enough attention. The long anticipated sequel, Torchlight II, comes out 5 days. I'm just about ready to explode with the wait. So, if things are silent here for a while, you may want to send search parties to Vilderan.