Structuring my gaming.

During the past year a 'picked up, half completed, put down and moved on' cycle defined most of my gaming experiences. As it stands now, I am sitting on a pile of excellent half-cleared games, and am massively daunted by the task of plowing ahead with finishing any of them. Continuing where you left off can be hard after upwards of 8 months. Where am I in the game? What was I doing? Do I remember the plot? But I must persevere, for these games are not lacking in quality, but are merely victims to my haphazard gaming habits. How can I get back on top and prevent a repeat of the previous year's mistakes? Here's my action plan:

• As a rule, I'll try to stick with 2 games at any one time. Any more and it's inevitable I'll drop out of one and it will be abandoned indefinitely. Ideally the 2 should be on different platforms, which encourages me further to play both by differentiating them.
• One of the pair will be an entirely new game, the other, one I never got around to clearing. This will help balance the new with the old, help me work through my large library of games, and make the task of finishing off incomplete games less daunting. 
• 3 games are acceptable if the third title is a casual/downloadable or otherwise non-time-intensive game.
• I'll plan what I shall play in advance, keeping a couple of games ahead at all times. I need to be strict with myself. Its a matter of discipline. With a view to this, this blog entry will function as the location for the list described, and will be updated with my current gaming activities below:

Current Games:
Dreamhold (PC), Trauma Team (Wii).

Upcoming Games:

Grey Matter (PC), Fatal Frame 4 (Wii)

Amnesia: Dark Descent (PC),  Vampire the Masquerade (PC),
Mad World (Wii), Fallout New Vegas (PC), Braid (PS3),
Monkey Island: Special Edition (PS3),

Super Meat Boy (PC),  Eternal Darkness (CG)

Baldur's Gate II (PC), Demon's Souls (PS3).

Games I want to play:

Mass Effect 2 (PS3).

L.A Noire (PS3).
Portal 2 (PS3).
Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective (DS).
Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3: Portable (PSP).

999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors (DS).
Disgaea: Afternoon of Darkness (PSP).
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (PS3).
The Last Guardian (PS3).
ICO/Shaow of the Colossus HD (PS3).
Silent Hill: Downpour (PS3).
Yakuza 4 (PS3).
Catherine (PS3).
Fatal Frame 2011 (Wii).
Gemini Rue (PC).
Dragon Age 2 (PS3).
Nintendo 3DS.
Night of the Sacrifice (Ikenie no Yoru) (Wii)

Things to do if I'm bored (Part 2)

A continuation of my previous list 'Ultimate guide to fun in Perth (Part 1)', this time just a list of activities to stave off boredom. In no particular order:

• Watch a film.
• Help rib with whatever she's doing.
• Go for a jog.
• News tab.
• Collaborative project w/rib (comic/magic/drama play/screenplay/film/stop-motion).
• See part 1 of 'Ultimate guide to fun in perth'.
• Read a book/magazine/poetry.
• Listen to an audiobook/podcast.
• Go on a picnic with rib.
• Pen and Paper/Card/Board/Video game playing.
• Build something - electroincs/robotics/lego/blender.
• Study for Uni.
• TTC lectures/Youtube playlist.
• Watch TV episodes.
• Write a story/continue writing on I have/work on Podcast.
• Words notebook.
• Practice Chinese.
• Table tennis/tennis/juggling/diabolo/backflipping/sports.
• Update blog/Tumblr.
• Check to see what friends are doing/visit friends.
• Dance/listen to music (work on itunes playlist).
• Tidy room/house.
• Cook.
• Star gaze.
• Magic show/learn magic.
• Write a dairy entry.
• Bird/Wildlife watching.
• Freerice.com.
• LibraVOX contribute.
• VisDic everything.
• Design a D&D Campaign.
• Ethical list.
• Skepdic/Skepbible.

I shall add and remove from the list over time as I see fit.

Ultimate guide to fun in Perth (Part 1)

I've spent the past day compiling a guide to the fun that can be had in Perth, WA. It is completely tailored to my own tastes, and thus might better be thought of as a kind of 'Geeks guide to Perth'. I will continuously update it as new stuff pops into my head. My goal was to create a personal reference guide of things to do or places to go whenever I feel boredom tugging at my shoulder. Its labeled 'part 1' as there is a 'Things to do if I'm bored (Part 2)' that comprises a giant list of things to do when boredom strikes ie. 'Paint a picture', 'Go for a jog' or 'Check Part 1 and see if there's anything that looks appealing'.

Upcoming Gigs/events:

http://www.enjoyperth.com.au/this-week

http://www.xpressmag.com.au/ 

Groups/Communities:

Astronomy WA: http://www.astronomywa.net.au/ (WA astronomy association/news/events).Sugar Blue Burlesque:http://www.sugarblueburlesque.com/ (Burlesque Troupe/Academy)

Gamers Guild Inc. http://www.gamersguild.org.au/ (Western Australia's premier gaming club: Paper Rpgs, D&D, Wargames ect).

Perth Comickers: http://www.meetup.com/Perth-Comickers/ (Comic artists social group).

Perth Atheists Meetup: http://www.meetup.com/PerthAtheists/ (Discuss beliefs and philosophies + make friends).

Perth Goths Meetup: http://www.meetup.com/goth-2/ (Gothic-ness).Perth RPG Meetup: http://www.meetup.com/PerthRPG/ (Paper RPGs).

Perth Skeptics Meetup: http://www.meetup.com/Perth-Skeptics/(Skepticism/Rational thinking)

Fremantle Philosophy Cafe: http://www.meetup.com/FreoCafePhilo/ (Discuss Philosophy)

Deep and Meaningful Conservation Group: http://www.meetup.com/Deep-and-Meaningful-Discussion-Meetup-Group/ (Discussion on a broad range of intellectual topics).

WA Boardgaming Association Inc.: http://waboardgaming.org.au/,http://www.boardgamegeek.com/guild/308 (promotes boardgames + card games).

Perth Gamers Meetup: http://www.meetup.com/Perth-Gamers/ (Videogames, RPing, Board, miniatures – all flavours of gaming.)

West Australian Medieval Alliance (WAMA): http://www.wama.asn.au/(Coalition of medieval interested groups in Perth).

WestGamer: http://www.westgamer.com/forum/ (Home of WA hobby gaming).

Perth Tricks: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Perth-Tricks/450213410262(Perth 'Tricking' sport group)

Australian Parkour Association: http://www.parkour.asn.au/index.php (Has Perth events).

Chess Association of WA: http://www.cawa.org.au/ (Chess).

Volunteering WA: http://www.volunteeringwa.org.au/Home.aspx (Volunteer in WA).

JAFWA: http://jafwa.asn.au/ (Japanese Animation Fans of Western Australia) Weekly screenings. Collins Street Community Center.

Perth furs: www.perthfurs.net/ (Furry fans) *I guess if you really wanna -_-;  I won't judge. They also have yearly Perthfur Gathering, which is also open to non-furries; http://gathering.perthfurs.net/.

Perth Camarilla: http://www.camarilla.org.au/wiki/index.php?title=Perth (World of Darkness LARP). Wow this shit goes down in perth?

Places/Events:

Perth Zombie Shuffle 2011:  http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=115255278508931 (Flash mob, Zombie Walk). 

The Burlesque Lounge: http://www.theburlesquelounge.com/ (Burlesque Venue) Upstairs, 267 William Street, Northbridge.

Redflag Lanfest: http://www.rflan.org/ (Lan gaming).

Sin: http://sin-club.com/v2/, http://twitter.com/#!/sinclubperth (Goth/Alternative nightclub) 45 Murray St, Perth.

Dr Sketchy's Anti-Art School: http://www.drsketchyperth.com.au/ (Draw Burlesque Performers), The Burlesque Lounge.

Gravity Discover Centre: http://www.gravitycentre.com.au/(Astronomy/Science education centre) 1098 Military Road, West Gingin, WA.

Gingin Observatory: http://www.ginginobservatory.com/ (Observatory) 1098 Military Road, West Gingin, WA.

Perth Observatory: http://www.perthobservatory.wa.gov.au/ (Observatory) 337 Walnut Rd, Bickley 6076, Western Australia.

Fremantle Prision: http://www.fremantleprison.com.au/ (Closed heritage-listed prison) The Terrace, Fremantle, WA 6160.

PICA (Perth Institute of Contemporary Art), Art Gallery of Western Australia & WA Museums: http://www.pica.org.au/,http://www.artgallery.wa.gov.au/index.asp, http://www.museum.wa.gov.au/(Art + Various Museums) Perth Cultural Centre, James Street Northbridge, Perth WA.

Aqwa: http://www.aqwa.com.au/main.asp/ (Aquarium of Western Australia) Hillarys Boat Harbour.Perth Zoo: http://www.perthzoo.wa.gov.au/ (Zoo) 20 Labouchere Rd, South Perth.

Caversham Wildlife Park: http://www.cavershamwildlife.com.au/ (Wildlife Park) Inside Whiteman park.

SciTech: http://www.scitech.org.au/ (Science education centre) Sutherland St, West Perth.

Paintball Skirmish: http://www.paintballskirmish.com.au/ (Paintball, 2 locations).

WASP Paintball: http://www.wasppaintball.com.au/ (Paintball, 3 locations).

WA Circus School: http://www.circuswa.com/ (Circus Lessons!). 8 Philimore Street, Fremantle.

RTR.fm: http://www.rtrfm.com.au/ (Local alternative radio).

Wildflowers WA: http://www.wildflowerswa.com/en/default.htm (Guide to Perth Wildflowers/Tours).

Birdwatching in WA: http://www.ausbird.com/wa.html (Birdwatching spots/Tours).

Shops:

Tatics Perth: http://www.tactics.net.au/ (Fantasy & Wargaming): Basement London Court, 56 St Georges Terrace.

Empire Toys: http://www.empiretoys.com.au/ (Geekdom/Comics) 856 Hay Street Perth, WA 6000.

The Last Hurrah Bookshop: No website (2nd hand antiquarian books) Unit 12c 40 Port Pirie St, Bibra Lake WA.

Elizabeth's Bookshops: http://www.elizabethsbookshop.com.au/ (2nd hand books ect.) Various locations.

Fantastic Planet: http://fantasticplanet.net.au/ (Fantasy/Sci-fi Books) Shop 8, Shafto Lane, Perth WA.

White Dwarf Books: http://www.whitedwarfbooks.com/(Warhammer/Fantasy/SciFI books) Carillon City Arcade (2nd Floor, opposite Games Workshop)

Luna Palace Cinemas: http://www.lunapalace.com.au/ (Art-house cinema) Various Locations. 

Planet + Video/Books: http://www.planetvideo.com.au/(Books/DVS/Rental/Geek) 636-646 BEAUFORT ST, Mt Lawley.

Quality Comics: http://www.qualitycomics.com.au/ (Comics) 872 Hay Street, Perth WA.

Comic Zone: http://sites.google.com/site/comiczoneperth/ (Comics) 572 Hay Street, Perth WA.

Stanbridges Hobby Store: http://www.stanbridges.com.au/ (Hobbies) 23 Railway Parade Opposite the Guildford Road Subway, Mount Lawley, Perth 6050.

Games World: http://www.gamesworld.com.au/ (Boardgames/hobby ect) Various locations.

Games Workshop: http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/storelocator/results.jsp?searchCat=store-finder&showIndependantRetailers=on&searchMode=filter&searchFilter=WA&origin&return=null (Warhmmer 40k ect) Above link leads to a list of locations of Games Workshops and Games Worlds in Perth.

Tokyo Underground: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tokyo-Underground/115644475125651, http://www.tokyounderground.biz/(Japanese related/'Lolita' fashion) The Basement, 816 Hay Street, Perth.

Wildilocks: http://www.wildilocks.com/ (Alternative fashion and hair) 108 Barrack St, Perth.

Mame Clothing: http://www.mame.com.au/ (Gothic/ Alternative fashion ) 575 Wellington St, Perth.

Game Traders: http://www.gametraders.com.au/?page=store#store?act=info&ID=undefined (Cult Videogames) Above link takes you to locations across Australia inc. WA.

Oxfam Shop: http://www.oxfamshop.org.au/ (Fairtrade/Ethical international products) 872 Hay Street, (Near Shafto Lane), Perth 6000 & 22 Queen St, Cnr Adelaide Street, Fremantle 6160.

78 Records: http://www.78records.com.au/ (Sells local music ect). 914 Hay Street, Perth.

Festivals/Conventions:

Supernova: http://www.supanova.com.au/ (Pop Culture Expo) When? June 24-25 2011, Claremont Showgrounds.

WAI-CON: http://www.wai-con.org/ (Anime Convention) When? 29-30 January 2011, Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Revelation Film Festival: http://www.revelationfilmfest.org/ (International film fest) When? 14-24 July 2011, The Astor Theatre, 659 Beaufort St, Mt Lawley.

Perth International Arts Festival: http://perthfestival.com.au/ (Arts festival) When? Jan-March 2011, Various Venues.

Flickerfest: http://www.flickerfest.com.au/ (International Short Film Festival) When? 3-6 March 2011, Camelot Outdoor Cinema.

Swan Con: http://2011.swancon.com.au/ (WA science fiction + fantasy convention) When? 21-25 April 2011, Hyatt Perth.

GenghisCon: http://www.genghiscon.org/ (Covers science fiction, fantasy, roleplaying, board games + more) When? 14-16 January 2011, St. George's College.

Perth Medieval Fayre: http://www.wama.asn.au/Home/home.html (Ren fair) When? 19 March 2011, Supreme Court Gardens.

Tropfest: http://www.tropfest.com/au/ (Short film festival) When? 20 February 2011, Bohemia Outdoor Cinema.

Reel Anime: http://www.madman.com.au/reelanime/ (Anime film fest) when? September 2011 maybe? LUNA LEEDERVILLE.

Bob Dylan Paper-craft

Bob Dylan + Acoustic Guitar Paper-craft designed (partially) by me as a gift to my sister's boyfriend. Credit where credit is due: the face is adapted from this image & the body 'borrows' liberally from (read: is a copy of) this character. The guitar is just some image I found on Google, touched-up and created a template for. Fun times had putting together my first paper-craft project!

Terror Tales (2010)

Terror Tales (2010)
In lore that bore,
Upon its breast,
Black-winged creatures,
Atop skeletal nest,
Fixation grew,
As to ensue,
A deepening loss.
As thoughts withdrew,
Far, the influence, reality's sway.
A mind unhinged.
Until, words tortured, lead the way.
Sanity soon impinged.
Screamed was madness from the pages.
Byzantine labyrinths evoked,
Terrors yet unknown to these ages,
Cyclopean ruins bespoke.
And above - sat their eyes,
Eagerly to gleam,
Framed in twisted skies,
On the one below,
Bound so to dream,
Of black-winged creatures,
Atop a skeletal world.

Something I whipped up to avoid studying for awhile. Somewhat of an examination of the experience of being transported to a frightening world from which there appears to be no escape. Specifically in relation to when this occurs while reading something along the lines of Lovecraft..

Off That (Rationalist Anthem) - Skeptical Music?

YouTube
- Off That (Rationalist Anthem)

At first, the notion of Atheistic/Humanist/Skeptically-minded/Science influenced music stuck me as pointless, lame and niche. Frankly, I expected a poor level of musical competency and lyrics that would come off as forced. I only foresaw these songs speaking to a small crowd and most importantly I feared that the music wouldn't possess the 'magic' and deep connection that all great music does. In other words, I didn't credit a rationalist mindset as a source of musical inspiration. A fair call, but a wrong one. The above track is just the latest example in a slew of songs promoting a humanist/rationalist world-view. Surprisingly, many of these songs stand on their own merits, some have even earned a permanent spot on my playlist(s). Personal favorites include Baba Brinkman's Darwin's Acid and Requiem for Heaven, Tim Minchin's Storm, Greydon Square's A Rational Response, Jill Sobule & Julia Sweeney's Letting Go of God, countless songs from

George Hrab, Creation Science 101 by Roy Zimmerman. This forum thread has more and so does this site.

Fan edit. Remixing media.

'Alternative cuts' (especially 'Director's cuts') of films are nothing new, nor are slightly altered/updated editions of books. Music gets remixed. In the realm of video-gaming, patches/bug fixes/mods and the like are of a similar vein. Clearly, any piece of art can be subject to revision and reinterpretation, usually at the hands of the original creators. But times are changing, It is well known that the computer age has heralded a generation which doesn't simply passively consume content but rather actively participates as content-producers. Video-game creators are cottoning on with the concept of 'user-generated content' now well-established. Almost anyone can now (with varying success), edit levels, mod and create scenarios, new objects, artwork and even music (ie. Rock Band). End-users now have an unprecedented ability to interact with media and shape their own experiences. Often vibrant fan communities are spawned where creations are traded and worked on collaboratively. In some cases people can even legally sell their new content to other users. With at least basic forms of editing software pre-installed on most machines, the tools to produce; machinima, remix of songs and redub or edit videos are under everybody's fingertips. What I am leading to is the existence of a film 'Fan edit' community. No these aren't exactly 'Fan films' (films or videos inspired by a film, television program, comic book or a similar source, created by fans) although they too have benefited from the advent of cheap video technology & special effects. 'Fan edits' are alternative versions of films (usually the restoration of deleted or previously lost scenes) produced entirely by fans. I find this fascinating. Highly regarded films and films with a strong following are common choices (ie Star Wars, Lord of the Rings) . It is now in the hands of dedicated individuals or groups to extend or improve pieces to their limits. Think of the possibilities. Shoddy studio cuts which mar a potential classic can be redone in line with the original vision. Deleted scenes can be edited back into movies to give a better cut. All this may amount to insignificant tweaking to the average viewer, but for an enthusiast this may be the only method to approach a definitive version of their beloved film(s). There are obviously also a lot of tricky legal questions pertaining to this practice, which lands squarely in the copyright grey-area. Fan-editing? Potentially valuable or amateur irrelevance? You decide.

http://fanedit.org/ - Big fan editing community.