Welcome to the Family.

So, for this christmas my mom decided that she wanted a very present-filled one. That means that the budget for each person is more than usual. We spent an entire day just looking at Black Friday deals a few days before Thanksgiving. So many deals, so many choices. I found that my mom was planning to get me a 32" HDTV, but later on decided to just let me choose what I wanted. Like she said, I was a big kid now and secrets weren't necessary. After muuuch searching and weighing in what I would use the most and whatnot, I decided to get these things:

A HP All-in-One Printer. Meaning it comes with a scanner and it makes copies. Awesome.

A 1 TB Western Digital My Book Hard Drive. Needed this for effing ever now. No longer do I have the chance if running my HD memory as low as 16kB. Scary Stuff.

But the present I was most happy about deciding on was, a KitchenAid Stand Mixer! I have been secretly been wanting one of these for ages now. Without it, meringue, egg white foam, mousse, or angel food is not easily achieved.

Thing is, KitchenAid barely ever drops the price of these things more than $10-$20. But after I saw that Wal-Mart was throwing this baby at 31% off...I had to jump on that deal. It's really freakin' sweet.

As for the picture-of-the-day: snow in Texas. 'Nuff said.

Its-a me, Maaario!

Hello peeps, I know that it has been (calculates time) almost 4 months since I last posted. Sucks that I haven't. I will try me best now to keep it going.

Anywho, today I decided to talk a bit about cosplaying. It's a subject not a lot of people know about, but has a large following. You wouldn't know who was a cosplayer, because in a normal situation, they would act(and dress) normal. Once you walk into a cosplay convention, you just don't know what you have walked in to.

My girlfriend got me started on cosplaying, and after she explained what CosPlay was, I wondered many questions. First, I will give the Wikipedia definition of CosPlay:

Cosplay:(Short for "costume play") is a type of performance art in which participants don costumes and accessories to represent a specific character or idea.

Basically you could say its Halloween throughout the year. Video game, anime, manga, TV, movies, etc, influence the decisions of what character to impersonate. You could easily expect seeing a Cloud, Sailor Moon, Mario, Jet, or Vash Stampede at a convention. Speaking of the actual convention, they are usually hosted in a decent-sized hotel(even though I have heard of some being held at motels). They divide themselves down to game rooms, art galleries, dealer rooms, movie rooms, etc. Most importantly, almost all of them host a CosPlay competition. It's the American Idol of cosplay. I haven't entered in it yet, but it was fun viewing the actual show.

There is much more I could talk about, and I plan to in more posts. Just watch for it soon. Leaving now to go play a bit of Oblivion. Oh, I will be reviewing Oblivion next week after I finish it.

As for the picture-of-the-day, here is a picture of me in my Mario costume, along with a great friend of mine as Luigi. Enjoi.

Holy Cannoli Batman!!!

As you can see, this post will all be about Batman's new video game. I was there to pick it up at midnight. Collector's Edition. Comes with a Batarang. Full of Awesome. I have been waiting for it for sooo many months now, and after 2 days, I beat it. Now, I am going to write the...

Batman: Arkham Asylum Review

When it comes to comic book video games, 9 times out of 10, they are full of fail. Ever since the release of Batman on NES, I knew that side-scrolling was not the way to go with it. The world of Batman needs the right elements and enviroments, to feel like Batman. It's been 20 years now, but I believe that Rocksteady Studios got it right finally.

Batman:Arkham Asylum revolves around the island, and is where you will spent all your time on. It starts off with Batman driving the easily-captured Joker to the Asylum. Through the whole intro movie, you feel like something is just not right. In a few short minutes, your feelings come true and Joker escapes and takes ahold of the asylum (with the help of Harley Quinn of course). From then on, you are forced to wrangle the inmates that Joker set loose on the compound, and find ways to stop The Joker.

I never would expected the island to be so vast, and you get to explore almost every nook and cranny of that place. You can grapple up to almost anywhere, and the buildings are well designed. I believe that this generation of systems have let the designers really flesh out the details needed to make a dark and mature Batman game. Also, throughout the game you encounter more of the sinister villains you have thrown into Arkham. Scarecrow, Zsasz, Poison Ivy, etc, but I really believe that the scaries SOB you find there is Killer Croc. He's huge and scaly, and is really the most determined out of all to get hand around Batman's throat. Obviously I won't spoil any of the battles, but I will say that they were tougher than most.

Now, I'm going to steal a page out of IGN's book, and use their rating card, to show what I think of Batman:Arkham Asylum.

Presentation

Overall, it just feels like the world of Batman, with all its dark and grunginess. They nailed it right this time. I did notice that some characters either don't look at you, or their eyes are in the back of their heads.

Graphics

It looks just as great as any other game that's out there. Has almost a Gears of War feel to it. A few texture pop-ins and pixelation, but overall great.

Sound

How could you go wrong with having the best Batman, Joker, and Harley Quinn voice you could get. They make you feel involved, and are really fun to listen. Awesome music too.

Gameplay

Nothing beats glide kicking someone in the face, or suspending a thug from a gargoyle by his feet until he goes unconscious. Nothing.

Lasting Appeal

This game has many hours to go through, and with additions like challenges, trophies, and clues from The Riddler, you are surely going to playing this for a long time.

Overall this game is a must-have in any hardcore Batman's collection, and others would enjoy this as well.

I give Batman:Arkham Asylum: 5 out of 5 lemons

I'm not dead...yet

OK, yes I know, I have been bad. I said you guys would get a post a day, or at the very least every other day. I will have a major update done this Saturday, so stay tuned for that.

Ide nti ty

Today will be a really short because I feel that another blog expresses my frustrations for today. It has some of the reasons why being a Graphic Designer is hard, and it makes sense of it all. Here you go, and if are one of these people that do this, punch yourself and GTFO: HERE

That especially applies to logo work. I know that everyone wants to think they are always right, but WHY WOULD YOU QUESTION THE REASONING OF THE PERSON WHO DOES IT FOR A LIVING?!?! I not going to lie, they WILL know more than you do design-wise, and have more of a sense of what will and will not work. So, the next time your designer goes against something you suggest, listen... they might just be right. /rant

For the photo/design of the day, is a picture I took of some kind of seed pod at the gardens in Fort Worth. It reminded me of a nest full of hungry baby birds, chirping away, waiting for mommy to feed them.

*cough cough*

Today has been quite an eventful day. The sick are just popping up like heartburn. I spend most of today accompanying my cousin to an appointment for her sick baby. The call that I got from my mother early this morning, made it seem like he was going to keel over any minute now. Naturally, I hauled butt to the house. What do I see when I get there?...a baby...laughing. After a quick phone-call to me ma, I was able to sort it out. He just blocked up and needs to empty out. Something to worry a little bit about, but not something to be sooooo worried about. Oh parents and their craziness (yes, I know I'll be that way too). So, we drive 30 minutes to the Pediatrics office and wait. 5 minutes in, my cousin finds out she left her purse back at home. Me being nice and all, drove all the way home and back. Perfect timing too, because as soon as I entered the office, they were out the door. Hooray hoorah, the baby will be just dandy in a few days, hopefully. If not, then to hospital he goes, and they will sort it out there. El Fin!

In other news, last night my girlfriend and I got into the mood to make wands. Yes, the magic wands that wizards and witches use. Funny thing is, they are made out of rolled up paper (only much more awesome). Mine has a yarn-wrapped handle with a "gem" pommel. Inside it, you can barely see the Dark Mark drawn inside. I just have to paint it, and age it, and then it will spark! Oh, Ashley's has dragon scales on the handle, which is pretty damn kickin'.

For the photo/design of the day, here is a baby picture of me. I think it's funny, because that is the same area I always go to when I visit Puerto Rico (where I was born). It's right across the street from an apartment that has been family-owned since God-knows-when. It's very comforting, and I enjoy lying in the sand.

Too Much English

Today, I finally was able to go to Fort Worth Billiards and get some accessories for playing pool. They have some pretty interesting stuff like McDermott cues, and a really nice black-felt pool table, that I was drooling over :D After a while, I decided to pick up a blue spandex glove, so I don't have to powder my hand every 5 minutes. Really sweaty hands when I play. Also, just in case something happens to the glove, but mainly for my friend Zakkie to use, I got a talcum powder packet. It uses a porous fabric to distribute evenly, so as to not use so much. Here is the glove:

Oh, they also have some really nice and durable pro cases. The prices seemed decent, so later on, I might purchase a nice leather hard-shelled case. I scoped out a few cues that caught my attention, but I need to some research on those, to see how well they perform.

Right now, all I have is a Players cue, nothing too expensive. It's just something to help me figure out what I need in terms of weight and other factors. It plays well, and feels a lot better in my hands than a bar cue does.

For the photo/design of the day, here is a part of a poster for some kind of mercenary game. I was just going to make up the title. The first gun was made about 3 years ago. I only used photoshop to make it, hence why it's a little on the pixelated side. The second one is a more recent rendition, and is both illustrator and photoshop. I could not find the same image I used for the first gun, so I had to find another one. I'll finish it soon or later >.<

Oiiiiiii!

So, today I was thinking:

What would happen if we had people cosplay EVERY character in Legend of Zelda:Wind Waker?

It would be epic enough to make a Wind Waker movie, full of awesomeness. It would become the largest cosplay group EVAR!!! Plus, it would show that we are Wind Waker nerds, lol.

In an earlier post I showed off my Ganon costume. I have also done Altair from Assassin's Creed, and Mario from...well...you should know. I have a pretty long list of To-Do costumes, ranging from Linebeck from Legend of Zelda:Phantom Hourglass, to Darth Malak from Knights of the Old Republic. All those should hopefully be done in the next 2 years.

We have a cosplay skit planned for A-fest, which will be showing off our Wind Waker costumes. There will be a Link, Tetra, Ganon, Aryll, Medli, and Komali. I have been scouring the internet for very specific WW sounds, and have completed about 80% of the list. Granted, some of the sounds would be hard to record, and if all else fails, I record them myself... just want to exhaust my resources first :) As a whole, it's going along pretty well, and seems like it will make an awesome show.

For the photo/design of the day, we have a nice macro shot of a flower that lives around here. It was taken with a decent Canon camera, and by my comrad :D . If you do know what it is, tell me, I'm not to terribly good at identifying flowers, lol.

Sectum Sempra

Sorry about missing yesterday's blog, but trust me it was little boring beforehand, and I'll be making it up with my first review! (I'll get to that in a bit).

I have read all the Harry Potter books probably over 5 times each. I'll say it does take a few readings to get the subtle details, and put the different geographical events together. In other words, you could say that I do know quite a lot about the HP universe. Now with the movies, I have enjoyed them tremendously, because they are good visual helpers and just really good movies! They vary in accuracy and depth, but they do go with the main plot no less. So, this brings me to the latest movie in the series, Harry Potter: Half-Blood Prince. As the book is concerned, this one is a very informative and shock-factor book. It's the one that starts to unfold the mystery behind Voldemort and Harry. Anywho, the rest can be explained in the review...so...

SOUR PIXEL'S HARRY POTTER:HALF-BLOOD PRINCE MOVIE REVIEW:

As I said, this movie is the sixth part of a now eight part series. This is supposed to be the fire starter of the thrilling events yet to unfold in the HP movie universe: does it ignite the silver screens?

Yes, from me, that is a 100% omg-I-can't-wait yes. David Yates (director of the then-latest HP movie Order of the Phoenix) has pulled off yet another spectacular movie. He definitely summed it up the best way possible on the screen, and even threw in a few surprises to the readers, just to keep them in there seats. I'll go ahead and say that this cast, has shown the best of their acting yet. Everyone works off each other to make the world believable. Plus, no one knew Daniel Radcliffe could be such a funny guy!

The storyline takes some amazing twists and turns. Like any book-to-movies, there has to be some cutting of story. The writers did well in keeping the important things in, and drastically reducing the bits and pieces of irrelevant events. They didn't get too scissor-happy, so as to produce some downtime, and to show that it not always action and gloom. I'll have to say though, this whole film has a very daunting and end-of-the-world feel to it. Many times throughout the movie, you see characters look up into the sky and see dark, ominous clouds above; almost like a dementor is right above them.

This movie introduces a variety characters, including well-known Death Eaters and Professor Horace Slughorn. He is magnificently played by Jim Broadbent. All of Slughorn's mannerisms, attitude, and more-often-then-not drunkenness, was delivered by Jim. It would have been interesting to see him with the mustache from the book, but it is not all that important. Pretty early in the movie, you get introduced to Fenrir Greyback, a ferocious werewolf that is not afraid of attacking people, and his favorite, children. I imagine that will be shown often in the last movies.

Also included were Lavender Brown (Ron's obsessed face-eater), Cormac McLaggen (think a typical jock), The Carrows (known Death Eaters), and others. The best, I think, of the new characters introduced was Voldemort's younger selves. Hero Fiennes-Tiffin as Tom Riddle age 11, and Frank Dillane ^ age 16. Both looked like the Tom Riddle of the second movie, and both had an eerie aura surrounding them. All that, and great acting made their important parts believable and fun to watch.

Would I have liked to see some of the other events of the story played out? Yes, some of them are very important to the events in the last book, so it's going to be interesting how David Yates puts that one together in the next two films. Now the ending: The biggest twist was thrown there. Readers would not have expected for it to end in that fashion. Yes, it was the same conclusion, just a different problem. It drew out the sense of betrayal that Harry was feeling since his few year at Hogwarts. I'll just leave it at that.

So, as a book fanatic, was I satisfied? Yes, enough until it comes out to DVD and I watch it numerous times. As a movie goer? I believe this also a yes. What they showed of the story is enough to make sense of it all, and have more questions to ask, until the next film.

Harry Potter:Half-Blood Prince gets: 5 out 5 lemons.

For the photo/design of the day, here is a sticker my friends and I made replicating the I *heart* NY design. It shows most graphic designer's hate for the font Comic Sans. Yes, if you use Comic Sans on your blog, I don't like you :)

'Ello Ladies and Gents

Today was a preparation for tomorrow evening's event. Know what that is?....HARRY POTTER: HALF-BLOOD PRINCE MIDNIGHT RELEASE!!!! I am freakin' excited...such a hardcore HP fan. Already bought my tickets ahead of time, and I'm watching this movie in company of good friends. Bunch of wizards, witches, and a few death eaters amongst the crowd. Tonight, I am going to watch the 5th one in the series, since my lovely comrad has not watched it. Luckily, she remembers the others (I think :D ).

From what I have seen, the movie will be great. I don't doubt it, because even the not-so-great ones have still been good. I LOVED how Order of the Phoenix was portrayed, with the newspaper-esque montages. There was slow parts at the right moments, and didn't feel like the book in-a-nutshell. Good stuff, good stuff.

This time, the photo/design of the day, will be in the world of cosplay. Now, for the people that don't know what CosPlay is: use Google. C'mon, you know you are savvy enough, savvy? It's not hard to figure what it is, so I'll leave it to you to find out. So, this picture is of my Ganondorf costume from Legend of Zelda:Wind Waker. It was one my first two costumes we made for a convention. It wasnt that hard to make, and it looks good, if I do say so myself :) Enjoi.

Chillin' Like A Villian

Hey there dudes and princesses! (brownie points to the person that knows that references)

Today, for some reason, I did not wake up until laaate in the day. I wasn't feeling sick or tired, I just kept on sleeping, lol. Anyway, on to some design talk.

I was wondering what designers have said to their clients, when the said client says, "After you finish this project, I would like for you to hand us the artwork file(s), so we can make a few others things ourselves." Thing is, the client says it in a commanding and not an asking way? And to even further clarify, imagine that you have made the entire business look yourself, and have everything match everything...what do you do? Of course, you can see that whatever they decide to put out themselves, will not be even close to what you can dish out, what do you do? I think I will let that question linger a bit, and see what people answer me with.

Speaking of design, I need to make a button on the side panel that links to my portfolio site. It all flash, and about 2 years old now. I am working on rebuilding with html and flash, and will have a lot more recent work that is not on the current site. After I built this blog page, I was thinking, "man, I like this look!", so who knows...it could be a hint of what my portfolio page might look like, who knows.

For the photo/design of the day, here is a photo of my girlfriend's cat Ozzy. He is very shy, and has a very very wimpy meow. Plus, he is quite the clumsy one, lol.

Frustrating Happiness

So, today has been a crazy day. I have not been so pissed yet happy in a long time, lol. The good news is, I get to reconnect my iphone next week... my soul, so to speak. I didn't know I depended on that tiny electronic device sooo much. It is my connection to future jobs, my messenger to friends family, and my know-before-you-go information desk. So glad to hear it will be alive once again! Mwhahaha!

I have been pretty much moneyless for months now, and somehow I have been paying the bill for it. Recently, I was not able to pull off money magic, and was not about to pay it. So, in the event of trying to gather it up, I started selling my belongings. Video games have been what I have sold, and so far it has been working out. In the end, I have people helping me out so I don't to sell my best of the best game collection. Whew...close one...

In other news, I was browsing late last night, and I came across this video (which so happened to be posted on workingfail.com, a blog I follow). THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT I DEAL WITH WITH CLIENTS, ESPECIALLY POTENTIAL ONES! It really sums up what us graphic designers and other art/printing/etc peeps have to work with. I'll let the video explain it for ya :)

These types of people need a good punch in the face,and taught a lesson in how business works. You'd

THINK they would learn this at school, but noooooo,

screw that, let them be dumb.

/shortrant

Other than all this happening, I enjoyed a nice

run-through of Rock Band, and have tomorrow

to search out some interesting experiences

(i.e. a good bowl of cereal :D )

For the photo/design of the day, here is a picture

of my current and first kitty I have owned ,Sargie, and

man is he a handful! Always, wants to be the

center of attention. You decide...lol

What it do?

This is my official first post! hooray hoorah :) Boy oh boy, I have been working designing this thing for HOURS now... It is definitely a lot of work to make it awesome, so props to the people who do it on a daily basis. Anywho...

Here, I'll be posting about everyday events ranging from freelancing to my cats. Also, every now and then, I'll post a video game review for you guys. I used to run a forum back in the day that was all about video gaming, and there, I used to write reviews of then-gen games. Others random posts might be a video that has made my day, or another person's story that inspired me or made me laugh.

With the everyday post, there will be a photo or design of the day, and if you guys get lucky, I'll post a mini flash animation to mindlessly look at.

Anywho, I think this has been a very informative post, and I hope to those that read this will oh-so-kindly invite others to read as well. And yes...I know I don't have much now, but I promise to post every day that I have access to a computer.

Oh, and for the photo/design of the day, here is a little something to start with...Trust me, I do better things. :)