A puzzling little blog still looking for its voice, but sometimes gets lost and has trouble finding its way.
Wednesday, December 28, 2016
Inside or Outside, It Doesn't Matter to Me
I noticed the start of the adult coloring book trend a few years ago, and I mean for audience and not just content. At first, it was just a few listing under "art" in my store's distributor catalogs; maybe an ad here or there. Now, there is an entire section dedicated to just coloring books, as well as multiple ads most months. When I was a kid in grade school, I was always put upon by my teachers for not coloring neatly and inside the lines. I would frequently use multiple colors next to or on top of each other, with many strokes going over the borders. I would even continue coloring right to the edge of the paper without considerations of what the proper color should be. I remember going so far as coloring windows blue to show there was glass in them as well as putting pink fingernails on hands even when they weren't indicated. Not too many teachers, or other people for that matter, liked my style. Of course, I calmed down a lot and learned to be a little more traditional in my artwork. I will try and load a picture soon of one of my paintings soon. Still, I think that this adult coloring trend has gone too far. I see multiple magazines dedicated to it every time I go past a newsstand. At least I think the trend is peaking, or at least it will soon. I am already seeing the first signs of a new trend (I frequently seem to be a step ahead , at least a slight majority of the time). Puzzles are coming back in a big way, trust me. The same calming effect that coloring has is starting to bleed over into puzzles. I am talking pencil puzzles and not jigsaw type here. And puzzles also train your brain. Okay, that last line was weak, so I think I should end this post now before I get even more stupid sounding. I still need a good closer. Next time.
Wednesday, December 21, 2016
It Happened Last Christmas . . .
(Adapted from an off-topic post from my original store blog, currently off-line.) Last Christmas, I finally got something that I had been waiting months, including an extra month delay. It was the Justice League tarot deck. At first, I was slightly disappointed due to the fact that an instruction book wasn't included. As an artistic deck, a divination guide wouldn't have been included anyway, but some sort of explanation would have been nice. You see, some of the conventions used did not make much sense. Some of suit symbols were original designs and did not seem to conform to any one style. Some of the character and costume choices were unusual to say the least. Many of the designs were from the pre-Flashpoint era. In particular were two, The Hermit and the King of Pentacles. They were respectively Dr. Manhattan and Ozymandias from Watchmen. At the time, a thought it was just artistic choice. That is until DC Rebirth came out this past May. Hints in it included the possible interference of those very same characters in the DC universe. Many other characters and costumes were brought back at that time as well, as foretold in the deck. Now, if anyone else has pointed this out already, I am sorry to bring it up again. I haven't been looking online for such a coincidence, so I may be late to the party on this. Still, I needed a quick post for this week to set up. Until next time.
Wednesday, December 14, 2016
The Point to All of This
I do have one, after all. I had an idea while reading one of my supplements one time. It wasn't that big an idea; it was just a partially thrown out line that might not have meant anything. It meant something to me. It gave me such a big idea that I wanted to do something about it, like maybe submit an idea for a whole new line to the publisher. It took me awhile, but I was finally going to give it a go. It was early August, 2003. You may know what happened. The entire game system, all lines, would be ending in a huge way, only to be replaced with a different set of game-lines following soon after. Well, I would have to wait and see what the new systems were going to be like before I could do anything. I got my copies of the first books in 2004. However, I would have to wait until more books came out before I could decide how best to adapt my ideas. With each new line, I had to change a little something her and there, but this would only make it better. Unfortunately, I was to afraid to do more than make my own little framework. I waited so long that everything about the company changed, from distribution lines to the actual business it did work under. They even used an idea I had in one recent line. Now, I seem to be stuck. I would like to go on in some way with this idea, perhaps using the updated "20" line for the original, but I am still too afraid to jump on it. It would be such a good fit for me, but I have so many doubts. What if it isn't good enough? What if someone else already has conflicting plans? I don't know what to do, but I don't want to do anything either. I am stuck between cowardice and stasis with an unseen way out, for now. There will be a way. See, figuratively, you next week.
Wednesday, December 7, 2016
I Can See the Light, Perhaps
It was August, 2004, and the new version of the WOD was getting to be released. This WOD 2.0 (recently rebranded as the COD) was going to 'fix' many of the things that were thought to be wrong in the original releases as well as simplifying the line as a whole. First came a new core rule book as well as the new V:tR (replacing V:tM). While the idea of an overall core rule book was great, some things were left to be desired. The same held true for V:tR; it was very close to the original, but there was something missing. What was supposed to be three months later, became six months later with the new W:tF over W:tA. It was okay, at least more together than V:tR overall. Then came M:tAw later in 2005. Then a whole new idea in P:tC. For the next three years came new enterprises: C:tL, H:tV, G:tS-E. Each one was good, and I kept getting the supplements that looked good, especially the ones for the 'short' run lines. Then, of course, came the moment when everything fell apart. The company went to an online POD exclusive model. I was stuck without access (at that time) to get M:tC, D:tD, and even B:tP. I still tried to keep tabs on the company, but I couldn't/ wouldn't be able to get the new products. I moped. Until, until. I noticed that they were expanding the so-called "20 year" line for the original products with both updates and some new material. While going through my old, damaged books, I started feeling a renewed sense of wanting to get back to the older ways. This also fit in with my expanding online connectivity. Still, I wonder how far I should go. For you see, there is one more thing to explain. Next time.
Wednesday, November 30, 2016
It's Getting Darker
It all started in 1997. I had hear about for quite some time, and one September day, on a whim, I finally decided to check it out. Unfortunately, the book I wanted was out of stock at the local comic/gaming store. So I got something else instead, V:tDA. I was overwhelmed. I mean, I had already known about a lot of the basics, but it still blew my mind away. Two days later, I went back and bought the Companion as well. A month later, I was finally able to get V:tM 2nd one morning. I went back later that afternoon and got the VPG 2nd ed as well. If I had gotten that first, I am not sure I would have been so enthralled as I was. While on a trip that November, I was able to get M:tA 2nd as well as the PGS. Just before Christmas, I picked up W:tA, and just after Christmas, I got the WPG 1st and Axis Mundi. January came with another trip and C:tD and the Book of Worlds (still my favorite supp ever). February or maybe March saw my first pre-order come in, KotE. It just snowballed from there. Every trip it seemed, I would find an older edition to pick up.
Almost monthly, I would be getting at least one new supp in. Then it all cam crashing down in August of 2003. The line would be ending, only to be replaced with something new. That is the subject for the next post.
Almost monthly, I would be getting at least one new supp in. Then it all cam crashing down in August of 2003. The line would be ending, only to be replaced with something new. That is the subject for the next post.
Saturday, November 26, 2016
Belated, But Still Here
I thought that I would have had enough to have a new post on my regularly scheduled Wednesday afternoon. I had had the opportunity to draft and schedule a post, but I thought I would have had the time that I usually do. Unfortunately, I was so busy last week that I ran out of time to do anything. Here I was, planning a really big post for last week, when all of my plans got derailed at the last minute. First, I ran out of time on Wednesday decorating the store for the holidays and I ran out of time to blog. Thursday and Friday were even busier with Thanksgiving and Black Friday to worry about. Now here I am on Saturday morning with two different blogs to update, not to mention everything else I have to do. No one told me social media would be so hard. Looks like I have to wait until this Wednesday for my really big post, if I can find the time.
Wednesday, November 16, 2016
Title To Be Determined Later, For Obvious Reasons
I don't really know what to blob about this week. To be honest, I do have lots of ideas, but I don't really want to write about any of them right now. Or do I? Still trying to muddle through signing up for Facebook for both myself and the store. Just wish I could have figured out more sooner before starting out. I had some really good ideas about some of my favorite topics again. Just not feeling it yet. Maybe another sentence or two and I will have something. Wrists tiring out already. What is different about this keyboard that makes it so hard to type efficiently, at least more me. Moving it isn't helping out much. Although this position seems to be making progress. When other really loose digits, or fingers, don't always react kindly, needlessly even, seek specialist. I always like to include an acrostic when I can. Maybe that will be a clue to next week's post. Or maybe not. I like to keep you guessing, but I am pretty sure that I will be writing about that next week. And to think, I came up with that off the cuff. I am too tired to try and spell the longer synonym. Go on now, on to the next one.
Wednesday, November 9, 2016
I Have Just Joined FAcebook. . .
and I have no idea what I am doing. Seriously, I barely have any idea what social media is all about. I just joined because I though that my store really could use the exposure a Facebook page could create. In fact, such exposure ifs the only reason why I have a blog right now. I don't want to go into all of the details. In fact, I am not sure I could relate all of them. Getting onto Blogger was only a side consequence of getting a Google My Business account, as well as the accompanying G-mail account and the spot on Google+. To be honest, after multiple tries, I still can't get my business verified. At least to the point where all the features have been unlocked. I tried at least three times to get the initial listing, possibly under more than one person. Now, even though I am the only one who can manage it, nothing I can do seems to allow me to claim myself. I don't even know all the functions I have available with Google. I now also have to deal with Facebook. I think I am in over my head, at least a little. I tried to get a book to help me out, but it was temporarily out of stock. Hey, I own a book store. Using a book is my go to for most situations. I still don't have a good closing line. I will just end it here.
Wednesday, November 2, 2016
Smoke Gets In Your Eyes, And Everywhere Else
It is forest fire season, and there is smoke everywhere. Really, just this morning I has to drive through over a half a mile in thin smoke. Mostly overhead and not directly in front of the car, but it was still distracting. I could even smell it inside with the fan on recirculate. By this afternoon, the skies around the store at least seemed clearer. I could not really smell anything when I was leaving. I am somewhat afraid of what I will have to drive through after I leave here. Once this past week, if not more than that, the flames were close enough to be seen from the road and firefighters were combating the blaze. Okay, it was barely a weak line of dead leaves on fire, but still. Oh, I have used that already. I haven't looked at the poll results yet. I had to check on the store blog first to make a minor change I didn't have time to install last Saturday. I am running out of time, so I had better close out now. I need a good sign off here; I can't think of anything right now.
Wednesday, October 26, 2016
The Applications of Fairness
As I have mentioned, I really like working puzzles and games. Earlier today, I was working a puzzle of the type called 'Code Crosswords' or simply 'Codewords'. To solve, you must find out what letters have been substituted with numbers and fill them into the grid. Every letter of the alphabet is used. Sometimes, letters are given for a few of the numbers. This puzzle did not; you needed to figure out the 'Q' to help solve it first. Unfortunately, I couldn't determine the 'Q' exactly between two choices and I had to make an educated guess. I made the right one, but my problems continued. Normally, only common to uncommon words are used. This publisher frequently uses unusual words. One of the words from today wasn't even listed in my regular dictionary; I had to look in a second one afterwards just to make sure it was a real word! Furthermore, this publisher has a habit of using multi-word phrases as a single entry. Not compound words, actual phrases. Maybe it is just me from having gotten to another publishers rules, but I find this publisher's techniques to be a little unfair. If I had started with them, maybe I would accept their construction rules. Since I started with another publisher's rules, I have a problem with this one's. I would cite an example, but I don't want to show my ignorance if the example was actually for common then I thought. On a further note on games, as I was updating the store website recently, I noticed that I now have the option for installed a game application to the site. While such an option would greatly appeal to me, I worry that it would not go over too well with the site' target audience. The main option is a row-clearing game, typically found everywhere. What do you think? There are options for limited branding to the site's design, but it still seems off for the website.
Wednesday, October 19, 2016
If I Post It, Will It Seem More Interesting
For many reasons, I chose to compose and post this blog on Wednesdays after work. Unfortunately, that sometimes means that I do not always have something good to write about. I mean, today was very boring. The last few days have not been too exciting either. For instance, on Saturday, a horse cart went around the center's parking lot if preparation for a wedding to take place that afternoon at the church at the east end of the center (yes, there is a church in the shopping center and also yes, they have also conducted at least one funeral as well). Try and guess what the horses did. On Monday, I had to take a quick trip into the next state to pick up a few things. While there, I was able to get the two products I was most looking for and I got to look at a new store that had moved to an easier to get to location. Strangely enough, I kind of had a dream/premonition that I would be going to that store that day, even though I hadn't been at its old location in many years. I wouldn't even had made the trip if is wasn't for the fact that it has the only store in a hundred+ mile radius that I know of that carries my favorite Mexican dinner kit. Also strange, practically every store in that direction carries my favorite flavor of soft drink, when no other place does in a two hour drive in the other direction. I have been checking over the years since the local stores stopped carrying it. Still cannot tell if I am seeing emu or some other big birds. Down to the last six or seven books. This blog really needs something to pep it up, because I and it really need it.
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
So, Now What IsThere Left to Talk About
I am not feeling too good right now, as I seem to have had a cold for the last day or two. I usually don't get colds this time of year, and I have absolutely no idea where I could have caught it. At least I can update a few things. First, I still have no idea as to the species of birds I have been seeing on my way to and from the store. I do have some information on the owner of the said birds, but I have yet to confirm independently of its veracity. Too wordy, but I like the way that looks and sounds. Second, I have finally reached the single digits in my supplement situation. Only a few more legal pads left to go. Or maybe a lot more, no way of telling how much information I will deem important by the time I reach a certain page or book. Third, I have been thinking about a few things for the store, but this is no the time nor the place to be mentioning that stuff. You will just have to wait for the Saturday update of the store blog for that. I guess that is all for today. I really need to do more stuff, because this blog needs more action and excitement. No, it needs something else beyond the occasional large, flightless bird sightings.
Wednesday, October 5, 2016
Eek! A Ratite!
For the last few days, I had been noticing something unusual of the way to and from the store. There was something strange in a pen by one of the houses that I pass. At first, I thought if was just a donkey, or some other equine, considering that they also have two ponies in a corral. Then I tried taking a closer look at the grey, furry blob. It seemed to be a giant bird. Now, I have seen some unusual animals on my way to work. In fact, one of the neighbors to this house in question once owned an African lion (don't ask, I don't remember much about it beyond what was in the news). An alternate route takes me by a stable that has a pair of zebra (later). Many times, I have had to drive by an elk herd and all the drivers stopped to watch them (although it has been months since I have even seen one elk). So, this morning I drove by the place extra slowly and took a really good look at the pen. The large grey blob wasn't a giant bird; it was two giant birds! From what I could see of them, they appear to be emu, as they lack the typical white patches of the ostrich. Still, I could be all wrong, but I should be able to find more out very soon.
Wednesday, September 28, 2016
There Is Something More To Say, Well maybe
I have little to say today, beyond the fact the fact that there is now a second blog connected to my account. I finally managed to use the Blogger app for the store's website to update the regular blog account for the store. As is, I can no longer seem to connect the two together as I did when I first started the postings. I also cannot seem to connect the two right now because of some technical issues. Anyway, the bookstore blog will be updated on Saturdays, just like the original store blog was (and maybe still will be if I can't find a way to match the two things up again). Beyond this, I don't really have much left to say. Today, I almost finished going over two supplements simultaneously, the original and its updated revision, as I prepare to tackle the one I have been wanting to get to most of all, since its the one I have been wanting to base my own material on again. I have already did some of the work, but now I am going to try again, this time with original material to adapt. This kind of scares me, but I know that soon I will have the info I have been waiting for. Goodbye for now.
Wednesday, September 21, 2016
This Is Not What I Came For
When I first started this blog, I did not know much of what I was doing. I barely know more now. The same thing happened when I started my store's website. I was just goofing around one morning, just seeing what I could do. I wasn't planning on it being the final, actual website. Yet, that is what happened. I still am not sure of all the features that are available. I am not even sure how to do some of the things I am doing on it. In fact, today I will be preparing to do something on there that I should have done a long time ago. Unfortunately, one thing that I won't be able to do is add more pictures today as it seems I forgot to bring the necessary transfer chip. I have two chips, and I brought the wrong one. I really wanted to post new pictures up, but now I don't think I will be able to. At least, I think I have a surprise or two just waiting to be posted. Then, I might be able to start posting about things I really want to post about. One last thing, why does every keyboard I use seem to cause me to mistype. I have mad at least five errors, corrected, today while typing. I just keep typing faster than my fingers can keep up. Yes, I know it sounds weird, but that's just the way it is.
Wednesday, September 14, 2016
Where Am I Anyway?
I have mentioned many times, both in real life and my various posts, that the mail delivery to the store has been a little random. Sometimes, we get the mail for places that closed and moved out of the center years ago. At other times, we get regular mail late or perhaps not at all. Today, we got a regular monthly catalog by some rather unusual means. It had been delivered to a branch library at the other end of the county. Fortunately, one of the staff was working in the main branch today and brought the catalog along or else we would have had to ask the company for a second issue. This catalog is usually in a slick plastic bag that could theoretically have clung to the copy that the branch library might have received, as opposed to it just simply being sent to the wrong address. Even then, how could it have been send to the other end of the county! Shouldn't someone have looked more closely at the ZIP code, or at least realized that something was wrong? What worries me the most is that this could have happened way more often, since we have had a lot of missing catalogs and such.
Wednesday, September 7, 2016
The Short and Even Shorter of It
I can't really think of anything to write about today, as not much is going on. I mean, today was incredibly boring. I finished reading one magazine and started a second. I almost completed decorating the store window for fall. I did a few puzzles. I helped out some potential customers and other regular store duties. The most interesting thing I did today was go through the sixteenth from last book to transfer to personal use before I have to get rid of it. See, a number of years ago, a large number (well over fifty) of personal books were seriously water damaged and I have been slowly going through them. I got rid of the pages with little useful information first, and now I transfer the most important parts to pads. Some of the pages were barely holding together, covered in mud and possibly mold. Still, I'm almost done. When I'm through, that's when I will double check on updating on getting new editions.
Wednesday, August 31, 2016
But We Still Have The Radio
Normally, I wouldn't use this blog for store issues, but today is an exception. For the past decade or so, we have been having trouble getting my favorite radio station at the store. At first, it was an occasional problem. It started when the center moved a light fixture, that caused a little interference. Then, another station started boosting its signal so much that it would bleed up to ten stations away on the dial. Whether or not it did this or another source caused the effect is unknown. Then a second radio station started to be cutting in, one so weak that I have trouble even hearing it on my car radio just outside. Even then, the position of cars parked in front could make the signal stronger or more static sounding. Finally, we had to have the light fixtures changed due to safety issues a few years ago, They are causing even more interference, all the time. The only way to hear my favorite station with as little static as possible is to turn off half the lights and then turn them back on when someone comes in. But only the rear lighting, as turning off the front doesn't have as much of an effect. Even slight turnings of the antenna can cause a big change in signal strength, sometimes by pointing it in the 'wrong' direction from the broadcast tower! I can barely take it anymore, so much so that I had to blog about it and use a partial Modest Mouse song lyric for a title.
Wednesday, August 24, 2016
Digital Creator's Bottomless Globe Is Smashed By The First
I don't have any ideas about how to write about what I want to write about today. I kind of thought I would do something puzzling, but now I just don't feel like it. I haven't had much time to compose much beyond today's title, which is a nod to a certain type of puzzle that I really like. Really, I had everything thought up and didn't have any problems. I just don't want to write on the subject I had been planning to write about for the last three days. That's right, I initially had planned today's post in advance. At the last second, I changed my mind. Literally, at the last second. Just after I typed in today's title last second. For some reason, it just didn't resonate with me anymore. There is just that feeling that I shouldn't go with what I had been planning, and just go with what I was feeling. The fact that I had to wait and additional five minutes or so before I could start has nothing to do with it. It doesn't. The thing is, well I have no idea what the thing is. I am just not feeling "it" today. I have so much to say, but I don't want to say it. By the way, as an additional clue for the title, I has seven letters. It has nothing to do with my spherical recreation of the earth not having a southern polar region that is going to be destroyed be the end of the month. At least, I don't think it does.
Wednesday, August 17, 2016
What Is a Six Letter Word for Game
I am having trouble working with everything lately. Not only haven't I figured out that contest I mentioned last time, but I am facing difficulties working with the computer again. I am getting frustrated, so much. Usually, I am good to great at figuring this type of thing out. Today, not so much. Everything I am trying to do on the computer seems to be flailing. Nothing is going my way. That is a problem I frequently get with puzzles sometimes. I get an answer, but I don't know how I got there, so I have to go over my thought process again to make sure I did things correctly, and not just jump the gun. Sometimes, I get a solution, but I don't know how I got there. Did I solve it correctly? I sometimes find different ways to get a solution, sometimes by going for the "meta" solution of that type of puzzle instead of the way the constructor intended. I have been working a lot of different type of puzzles lately, many of which I don't usually do. I fear I am getting too into the work and ignoring the actual working behind the puzzle itself. My mind has taken enough for today, so I guess I finish off now.
Wednesday, August 10, 2016
Will I Finally Learn to Stop Sabotaging Myself
Well, I seem to be at a standoff again with my time. I have two appointments to get to after I finish this post, so I will have to be brief again. I had just enough time to check some e-mail and to do a quick search for a possible answer to a contest I might want to enter. I may have found an answer, or at least the first part of an answer. Still, I am sabotaging myself with the lack of time. How is it that every time I do my weekly blog post, something always seems to come up? Also, I have the nagging feeling that some of the words are misspelled, but they aren't being flagged. I am not that bad at spelling, so I am sure the suspect words are spelled correctly. They just look and feel wrong to me. Ah well, I guess it is alright. One last thing, the address for the Booknotes blog has changed. I am putting the new address as soon as I can confirm it, as the site is not loading right now.
Wednesday, August 3, 2016
This Blog Has Been Interupted by an (Un)Important Message
My last post had a few problems with it. Namely, someone interrupted me right in the middle of writing, saying I needed to hurry up , but without giving me a reason why. It turns out that she had heard a beep suggesting that a "warning had been issued for your area" and precautions should be made. Of course, she didn't hear what the warning was about. Because of the forecast, I thought it was for a severe thunderstorm warning. At the least, I could have expected a power fluctuation that could have erased what I was working on. I turns out that it was for a flash flood warning due to strong, not severe, storms training through the area. I didn't find this out for almost an hour because no other media outlet seemed to be mentioning or updating the warning at the exact moment I was looking for more information. Although I noticed some higher water levels, and muddier levels at that, I don't think there was any actual flooding that day. Still, I almost want to complain about how weather warnings should be handled, but my mind seems to be outpacing my fingers once again and I am making too many typing mistakes to continue. Maybe next time.
Wednesday, July 27, 2016
What Am I Doing Right Now
This is not what I expected. Here I am, typing , and I can't think of anything to say. I have just checked my e-mail, and I was delighted to see some new newsletters had arrived. Honestly, much of my online experience is so new. Why do I find it hard to explain what I am feeling right now? Why couldn't I find the question mark key easily? I know how to type, but I am unfamiliar with this keyboard's layout. I am still flustered by what happened the day that I started this blog that I forgot to put a real title in. I do not know what to do right now about it, but i will get to it shortly. Or maybe the next time I . . .
I just noticed the title format bar at the top. I knew it was there, but I missed it. Maybe I should just stop for the day and move on.
I just noticed the title format bar at the top. I knew it was there, but I missed it. Maybe I should just stop for the day and move on.
Saturday, July 23, 2016
This Is Not a First Blog Post
Technically, it is about the twelfth or thirteenth, depending on scheduling. You see, this is my second blog, as my primary blog is on my store's website. That blog is all about things that are book (and bookstore) related. This blog is going to be more general in topics, as well as slightly more random until I can figure out what my niche is going to be. As for the title, the "thwarted" is something I had been tossing about the last few years as an acronym of my initials, the word "art," and the ending "ed," which I don't really have a good meaning for yet. At time, it was going to be for education, but as of right now, it doesn't. Still, I hope to have it mean something soon. I just hope to have the time to post to two blogs per week.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)