Category: random

False Four: Random Readings

Speculative Infrustructures – Interesting article out of Boom magazine on how the western United States, California specifically, helped shape and in turn was shaped by science fiction literature.

Neoliberalism and the Machinery of Disposability – Details how Consumer Capitalism is creeping into all aspects of our culture. And by doing so corrupting it. The disposability that drives consumerism begins to apply to people, places, and wildlife. All of which are sacrificed in order for profits to expand.

Leviticus Defiled – Focuses on the two “clobber” verses in Leviticus that are used by anti-gay Christians to justify their position. This fetish of two verses out of an entire book of the Old Testament (Torah) is a form of bibliolatry. Worse it completely misses the point of the verses…

Computers are Providing Solutions to Math Problems that we Can’t Check – I’m conflicted on this. On one hand it’s fascinating that we’ve constructed and programmed devices that can now solve problems that have so far eluded us. On the other hand I don’t want Skynet to be real…

LEGO Millennium Falcon!

2014-03-01 11.40.57

I loved LEGO as a kid. I had several castle sets, a Robin Hood set, a pirate ship and lair sets, and buckets and buckets of random pieces that my brother and I would play with endlessly on Sunday afternoons after church. Some of my fondest memories are tied up with the little plastic bricks and the hours I spent with nothing but them and my imagination.

BUT

Childhood doesn’t last forever. And I didn’t go into architecture or design. AND I don’t have whole afternoons and evenings to dedicate to building castles in the clouds… I also don’t have any of those LEGOs anymore. They’re still at my parents. Where, I have been told they will remain, for the grandchildren (when they come) to play with when they are at grandma and grandpa’s. I still love them though. I still love putting them together, flipping through the build guide, imagining what other ways the pieces could be combined (and they can be combined in some really fascinating ways). It’s all just so much fun!

Occasionally to scratch that building itch, to re-experience the feeling of building, I’ll head into a store and pick up a small set to fiddle with. Over the weekend I was in Target picking up some odds and ends and I saw this tiny LEGO set of the Millennium Falcon:

2014-03-01 10.58.01

There were seven other tiny little Star Wars related sets as well and I was sorely tempted to pick up the Star Destroyer or the TIE Interceptor as well… I didn’t but I thought about it. I just picked up this one and then I put it together:

The pieces and instructions
The pieces and instructions

Continue reading “LEGO Millennium Falcon!”

Holiday Haul 2013

2013-12-24 18.20.36

Christmas has come and gone. Even the Christmas tree know finds itself on the curb waiting to be picked up. All the presents have been given, the wrapping unwrapped, and the gifts enjoyed and incorporated. So, sit back, relax and see the Holiday Haul for 2013:

2013-12-25 09.42.00

Xbox 360 Controller: A controller for a last generation console?! Yes! This one comes with that little dongle you need to use the thing on a PC. Microsoft doesn’t just sell the dongle… Amazon and Ebay are full of weird ripoffs that don’t work so well so this went on Santa’s list! Now I can play Rogue Legacy and Gunpoint with a controller as intended!

2013-12-25 09.42.04

Elder Sign: Unseen Forces, Columbia longsleeve workout shirt, Citadels, Lucky Tiger Face Scrub, and Feetures Elite Running socks: Unseen Forces is the first expansion to Elder Sign, a Lovecraft themed dice rolling game. Elder Sign is a lot of fun. Think Arkham Horror but not going to take you several hours. Looking forward to trying this. It’s been a cold winter and my winter workout gear is sorely lacking so the technical shirt and socks will mean I’m not washing clothes twice a week and/or wearing dirty ones. Citadel is quick card game where players vie to build the best city from a deck of cards. Lucky Tiger is a great brand for “Masculine” hygiene and skincare products, now I can take care of my delicate skin and still feel like a MAN!

2013-12-25 09.42.07

 

A Gaming Life and Twilight Imperium: This book has been on my list since it came out. My sister noticed it languishing there and picked it up for me. I really don’t have any idea what it is about, besides videogames, I look forward to finding out. Oh, boy! Twilight Imperium… I really wasn’t expecting this! I added it as an afterthought to putting on Rex, Eclipse, and Race for the Galaxy. I don’t know if I have the time or the faithful friends to sit down and do this game justice!

2013-12-25 09.42.16Power Grid and an Everlane Dopp Kit: Another game that has been on the “to buy” list for awhile. I kept putting it off and now it’s here. I’ve been told this is the game you should play when you want to play Monopoly. I think that’s because this is like Monopoly but good? I’m looking forward to finding out. I have a weekender bag from Everlane and I love it. It’s sturdy, stylish, can go carry-on and can easily hold two or three days worth of clothes. I didn’t have a toiletry bag to go with it though until now.

2013-12-25 09.41.56There’s all the “Stuff” I got, except for some stocking stuffers, gift cards, and cash. What these pictures don’t show is my family who joined us up here in Northern California this year to share the holiday! Thanks to them and D for making this holiday, and this year, an amazing one. 2014 has a some big shoes to fill…

I hope your holiday was just as wonderful as ours!

%d bloggers like this: