Saturday, March 29, 2014

What's this? Party on the weekends???

No, it's not crazy clubbing and party weekends. Haha, I'm not that kind of person at all. This is something a little different....

Weekends are going to be a little out of control for me for a while. I've joined two different tabletop RPG groups that meet weekly, haha. One is playing AD&D 2nd Ed. and one is playing Pathfinder. The former is a much more serious epic campaign, and the latter is all about having fun and not serious in the slightest. They both have their good traits and not-so-good traits, and of course, I'm playing two completely different characters for these games...

For my AD&D campaign, I'm playing a haughty female neutral-good half-elf cleric Marlove Oakguard who has an aversion to things dirty and slimy, and speaks several different languages. She was born into a wealthy noble family and thinks pretty highly of herself. She has a sun birthmark on her palm, and believes herself to be 'chosen by Lathander' ... she's recently been defeated in battle, and her ego was taken down a few pegs.

For my Pathfinder campaign, I'm playing a weak-willed female chaotic-good human sorcerer with a draconic bloodline Kay Fiery. She wishes to be more dragon than human, and is easily convinced to do things by the party she wouldn't normally do. She tries to be intimidating and threatening, but she's really just squishy.

The AD&D campaign has a very structured storyline which makes it interesting to come back to again and again... because I want to see how the story will unfold, and I genuinely like all of the characters. The players are all new people to me, and I'm just starting to warm up to them, but they are experienced players and they roleplay very very well.

The Pathfinder campaign is a little chaotic, but in a good way. It consists mostly of my coworkers, and we don't take things seriously, drink beer, and just have a good time. I like this campaign for the company, and while playing a sorcerer is fun, I'm honestly not very invested in her.

Since we play so many hours (AD&D meets from 7p - 12a on Fridays ; Pathfinder meets 7p - whenever on Saturdays), I'm starting to feel the wear and tear on the weekend. Thankfully, I generally have two weekend days off, so I can properly recuperate... it's just especially hard when I'm off Friday and working on Saturday. I'm going to have to get better about resting and stuff. I fell asleep at my lunch break today and returned 15 minutes late on accident! - my coworker Amanda didn't seem outwardly perturbed but I think she was just being nice. I know I would have been a little annoyed. I have to never do that again! ... gah, I'm a mess.

Thursday, March 27, 2014

Counting Down Pokemon Favorites : Legends

Now that the 6th generation of Pokemon has come out, and I haven't done a Pokemon-related post in a while. I thought I'd do a Pokemon countdown of my favorites from each generation. So, I've selection three Pokemon from each; one winner, and two runner-ups. This is taking into account my feelings of the Pokemon's design, stats, and my personal experience with them in battle. I won't include legendaries in the generations; just normal Pokemon. Legendaries will get their own category : )


Let's start with the Legendaries



Best Legendary!



Runner Ups 

GROUDON
the Continent Pokemon
Generation III
RubyGroudon has long been described in mythology as the Pokémon that raised lands and expanded continents. This Pokémon took to sleep after a cataclysmic battle withKyogre.
SapphireGroudon has the power to scatter rain clouds and make water evaporate with light and heat. It came as a savior to people who had been suffering from terrible floods.
EmeraldGroudon has appeared in mythology as the creator of the land. It sleeps in magma underground and is said to make volcanoes erupt on awakening.
FireRedThis legendary Pokémon is said to represent the land. It went to sleep after dueling Kyogre.
LeafGreen
Generation IV
DiamondIt had been asleep in underground magma ever since it fiercely fought Kyogre long ago.
Pearl
Platinum
HeartGoldSaid to have expanded the lands by evaporating water with raging heat. It battled titanically with Kyogre.
SoulSilver
Generation V
BlackIt had been asleep in underground magma ever since it fiercely fought Kyogre long ago.
White
Black 2It had been asleep in underground magma ever since it fiercely fought Kyogre long ago.
White 2
Generation VI
XSaid to have expanded the lands by evaporating water with raging heat. It battled titanically with Kyogre.
YThis legendary Pokémon is said to represent the land. It went to sleep after dueling Kyogre.

Groudon gets a bad reputation as the 'weakest' of the weather trio simply because of its typing. I prefer to root for the underdog because not only is Groudon the most badass looking of the trio; it also has a killer attack stat that can wreck Pokemon outside its legendary category. According to Pokemon canon, this dude can move fucking continents. I don't know what else you have to do to prove your toughness than that. Also, spikes. Some of the legendaries are fragile; apart from water, Groudon is anything but fragile. Not to mention in the Pokemon TCG, if you put a Groudon EX out, you are practically unstoppable. It is definitely overpowered but in such a sweet sweet way.

ARTICUNO
the Freeze Pokemon
Generation I
RedA legendary bird Pokémon said to appear to doomed people who are lost in icy mountains.
Blue
YellowA legendary bird Pokémon. It freezes water that is contained in winter air and makes it snow.
StadiumA legendary bird Pokémon with long and distinctive tail feathers. Said to appear if you are freezing on a snowy mountain.
Generation II
GoldThe magnificent, seemingly translucent wings of this legendary bird Pokémon are said to be made of ice.
SilverOne of the legendary bird Pokémon, it chills moisture in the atmosphere to create snow while flying.
CrystalLegendary bird Pokémon. As it flies through the sky, it cools the air, causing snow to fall.
Stadium 2The magnificent, seemingly translucent wings of this legendary bird Pokémon are said to be made of ice.
Generation III
RubyArticuno is a legendary bird Pokémon that can control ice. The flapping of its wings chills the air. As a result, it is said that when this Pokémon flies, snow will fall.
Sapphire
EmeraldArticuno is a legendary bird Pokémon that can control ice. The flapping of its wings chills the air. As a result, it is said that when this Pokémon flies, snow will fall.
FireRedOne of the legendary bird Pokémon. With its long tail trailing behind, its flying form is magnificent.
LeafGreenA legendary bird Pokémon that is said to appear to doomed people who are lost in icy mountains.
Generation IV
DiamondA legendary bird Pokémon. It can create blizzards by freezing moisture in the air.
Pearl
PlatinumA legendary bird Pokémon. It can create blizzards by freezing moisture in the air.
HeartGoldThe magnificent seemingly translucent wings of this legendary bird Pokémon are said to be made of ice.
SoulSilverOne of the legendary bird Pokémon, it chills moisture in the atmosphere to create snow while flying.
Generation V
BlackA legendary bird Pokémon. It can create blizzards by freezing moisture in the air.
White
Black 2A legendary bird Pokémon. It can create blizzards by freezing moisture in the air.
White 2
Generation VI
XA legendary bird Pokémon. It can create blizzards by freezing moisture in the air.
YA legendary bird Pokémon that is said to appear to doomed people who are lost in icy mountains.

Articuno has to win a runner-up spot too because it was my favorite legendary Pokemon up until this recent generation. Articuno, an enormous elegant arctic bird, is one of the most well-designed Pokemon there is in the game. True to my feeling about Stunky, science could make Articuno as well, and boy would it be frightening. Most of my love for Articuno comes from just how pretty it is. It's Ice/Flying typing makes it unfortunately weak to a lot of opponents in battle, and its stats aren't all that impressive. In fact, Articuno is the weakest of all the legendaries (minus Phione). I don't care about those things though. Articuno is still the most majestic of legendaries...

----Winner!----     

 XERNEAS the Life Pokemon

Generation VI
XLegends say it can share eternal life. It slept for a thousand years in the form of a tree before its revival.
YWhen the horns on its head shine in seven different colors, it is said to be sharing everlasting life.

Well, Articuno was the most majestic until they introduced the first Fairy-type legendary 'Xerneas' (aka 'Sparkle Rainbow Deer' according to my girlfriend). I admit that I too scoffed whenever the Pokemon was unveiled. I thought immediately of Miyazaki's Princess Mononoke and I thought Yvetal was the most badass of the two. But when on a whim I picked up Pokemon X instead of Pokemon Y, and I encountered this beast in battle, my mind was changed completely. Xerneas is majestic as fuck, and definitely the most royal thing to step into the Pokemon canon. Plus, since Fairy type has become so ridiculously powerful... Xerneas has a ridiculous type advantage against everything it comes up against. And then when it threw the fucking moon at me?!?! MOONBLAST! It was like all my little girl fantasies came true. A beautiful rainbow sparkle majestic deer that kicks MAJOR ass.... and copious amounts of sparkly rainbow antlers for my gay pride. I immediately caught this creature and named it 'Chemical X' and since it has been a valuable member of my Pokemon X team alongside my Haxorus. Now I have a legendary that is not only beautiful, but powerful.

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Goodreads Goodness (aka 'I'm not the only one')

In a moment of boredom, I decided to long onto Goodreads to organize my shelves. Shelves are a way to classify books on the Goodreads database, and from those shelves you can get more specific recommendations catered to your reading tastes... and while I was perusing a shelf title 'piece-of-shit' (for books I thought were absolutely horrible and don't want to read anything like them because life is too short for awful books) ... I noticed at the bottom of the page that there was a link saying 'More books shelved as piece-of shit' ... I thought that there would be major lulz to be had, so I clicked it, and was delighted by what I saw thereafter. 


Here's a screencap, so you guys know I'm NOT joking. 
This is legit... from millions of other Goodreads users...





.... I thought 'LOL, piece-of-shit is a genre! I wonder what else is out there!'
(this list is spot on, btw. I've unfortunately read 6 of the 10 books shown, and they deserve being called POS)
So, today I present what else I found there ... 






... and for those of you who aren't horrible people like me reveling in the fact that what you consider awful literature is considered awful literature worldwide, here are some more uplifting and academic screen captures of goodness I found lurking on Goodreads ...






Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Swick and the No-Read Family Blues (part 5)


... to having people actually read my blog on a regular basis. 

Then I remember the only articles that get read are the ones I post on Facebook.

I fail at blog.

But anyway, onto the madness that is PART 5 of the No-Read Family Blues, and today I am picking on my other sister M. M is a can of worms, really. I don't know what to expect from that one sometimes. She reads things I don't expect her to read, and the stuff I do expect her to have read, I hear years later that she bullshitted her way through that conversation with me. Makes me wonder exactly how many of those have actually happened. Let's just say that when it comes to ridicule, nothing is safe from M even the stuff you think she likes gets subjected to the 'that's totally lame and for weirdos and because you like it, you should be ashamed of yourself' treatment. So basically my entire relationship with M is...


.... and that can basically be said about these book recommendations....

Books My Sister Should Read If
My Theories About Her Are Correct

Things You Should Know About My Sister
- draws... A LOT -
- speaks a little Korean and a little Japanese -
- plays Animal Crossing... A LOT -
- watches South Park and crime documentaries -
- likes ocean invertebrates -
- not sure is serious or sarcastic -

.... kind of weirdly specific, but there you go. That's all I know, I swear.











.... and that's all I have to say.



Saturday, March 8, 2014

Swick and the No-Read Family Blues (part 4)

I didn't have any other family members ask for book recommendations, so I'm back here again lamenting.


There's only one thing worse than the family members who don't read and ignore your "YOU SHOULD TOTALLY READ THIS!" and that's the ones who listen to your recommendation and say "sounds great; I'll read it sometimes" and then immediately proceed to completely forget about what you recommended so that a month later when you ask them about whether or not they read the book and if they liked it, they look at you like you're crazy or give you the "when do you make time to read?" excuse 

.... this is the perfect example of my youngest sister A.

A. reads sometimes, but slowly, and only very specific things...
otherwise, she prefers to fill her time by flooding her Twitter with Korean boys and nonsense.

Today, I present...

Books My Sister A Would Enjoy Reading
If She Stopped Tweeting So Much

Things You Should Know About My Sister A:
- boy-crazy -
- exaggerates and dramatizes a lot -
- likes anime and manga (especially sci-fi and Attack on Titan) -
- sarcastic sense of humor -
- won't stop talking about John Marco when it comes to books -

















So, if the description of my sister sounds like you, then you should pick up these books too.



Friday, March 7, 2014

Swick and the No-Read Family Blues (part 3)


I'm, like, so confused right now.

My mom posted something about commenting earlier - not sure if referencing that she saw post and didn't say anything or if she was legit asking for book recommendations after 'Swick and the No-Read Family Blues' (part 1) 

Wait, whattttt?

I'm going to roll with it though! Youth Library Assistant Summer cranking out more book recommendations!

This is going to be a little bit of an eclectic mix, haha!

Books My Mom Would Probably
Like If She Decided She Wanted Book Recommendations

Things You Should Know About My Mom
- loves holidays (especially Halloween) -
- specializes in abstract art -
- always trying out new recipes -
- spontaneous -
- spiritual -











(I haven't actually read this one, but I've heard lots of good things)



(Some morbid Halloweenish nonfiction with a humorist author is always a plus)

Nostalgi-orama

I had a huge wave of nostalgia hit me last night while I was surfing aimlessly on the web (YouTube to be more exact; I can spend hours looking at ridiculous videos on YouTube. My browsing history is full of Pokemon related videos and baby animals sneezing or doing stupidly adorable things.) The video that got the nostalgia high tide coming in was this one ...



(FYI, this is the opening for the Animorphs TV series
that broadcasted on Nickelodeon from 1998 - 2000;
based on the popular book series by K.A. Applegate
and coauthored by Michael Grant of Gone and BZRK)



My friend Elyse has steadily been going through the Animorphs series to revisit her childhood as well as see whether the series can stand up to the test of time, and while I haven't asked a lot on her opinion so far (I think she's re-read through like Book 35?) ... I'm tempted to find out for myself if the series has, because that's when it suddenly hit me - I enjoy book series from my childhood MUCH more now that I'm grown-up than I ever did as a kid. I don't know if I just wasn't reading as cognitively or as closely as a child, or what. After re-reading several of the Redwall novels, I'm only further proving my point and I'm wondering what else might be fun to revisit or what I missed out on when I was a kid.

In addition to re-reading Redwall and Animorphs, I would definitely have to revisit these ...

... I read a bunch of these as a kids (and they are STILL just as popular now as they were then). I definitely don't think they'll be as scary or creepy as they were when I was young, but it'll be fun just to flip through them, and it takes no time to read them since they are so short.

Other series that are probably worth re-reads too that remind me of my childhood ...



Two more series that have aged relatively well, and continue to remain popular with kids. 

Another series I should note is the Harry Potter series that I didn't really discover until the third book Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban was released, but every year thereafter I was eagerly awaiting each new publication and reveled in the adventures that Harry Potter had. I'd say I need to revisit this series too, but I've already read them over and over several times ;) - another series that meets this criteria (which I totally appreciate more now than I ever did as a child) is Tolkien's immortal Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit.

Those are the series that I distinctly remember reading. Singular titles, sadly, I'm a little vague on. I was also very interested in fairy tales and folklore from around the world which I ended up doing a lot of study on while getting my Bachelor's degree. I still have several of those collections; they are dear to me.

What series do you remember reading as a kid?
 If you were to revisit them, do you think they'd live up to your standards? :)


Thursday, March 6, 2014

Swick and the No-Read Family Blues (part 2)

This was going to be another post about how painful it is to be part of a family who doesn't read as much as I do... but then my aunt actually ASKED for book recommendations!


So, I thought long and hard about it, and I came up with some titles that I think (I hope) she might like...

Books My Aunt Would Like If She Decided To Pick Them Up

Things You Need To Know About My Aunt:
- kind of goofy -
- prefers happy endings -
- LOVES the ocean -
- likes to sing -
- worked with children as a nurse assistant -








(yes, I know it's a weird title, but it is really a great memoir! Promise!)




If you are anything like my aunt, you will likely enjoy these titles too.

Swick and the No-Read Family Blues (part 1)



I suffer a major problem in my family. I am the only person who consistently reads. 

So whenever I come across a book I really really really think one of them will enjoy, I can't do a damn thing about it because even if I do suggest it to them and hype it up with a super-amazing-special book talk, they still won't read it. Then I still have all this pent-up excitement that I can't do anything about.

Thankfully, I work in a library, so I have people who understand me, and I can still recommend books to...

... but nobody understands quite fully how or why you are excited like your family, because goddamnit they put up with your shenanigans 24/7 for years.

Today, I present to you .....

Books My Brother Would Enjoy If He Ever Decided To Read

Things You Need To Understand About My Brother:
- avid video-gamer (especially strategy games) -
- computer geek -
- kind-of a history buff-
- strong sense of justice -
- sarcastic sense of humor -













If you fit the description of my brother, I guarantee you will love these books too.