Do you read comics?

Recently, I found a resource for some cheap entertainment: old comic books (specifically, the 90s run of Valiant Comics). I have never been a comic book fan, and until this month owned a grand total of two. But that has grown dramatically, and I am discovering that the "reading" is enjoyable, although not "literature" exactly. I began with Turok: Dinosaur Hunter, and have now begun to follow his cohorts occupying the same "universe" of Valiant Comics. I found this article about Turok fun and enlightening. http://pwrcords.com/2012/06/18/just-who-is-this-turok-guy-anyway/ Especially the above article was useful because the publishing history of these characters, and of Valient itself, was pretty confusing to me. They appear, seem to die, then reappear, only to die again, and once more be reborn in a new guise. And that can either refer to some of the comic book characters, or to the publishers. Anyway, my real point here is that I was taken by suprise at some of the sophisticated ideas interwoven in these comics. The depth was quite unexpected, and a nice suprise. Specifically, I refer to a few complex sci-fi ideas. Ideas that I have rarely seen elsewhere. Firstly, artificially-sentient animals. In this case, dinosaurs, which is a rather sensational use of the concept, and is more used to further the adventurous story, but nonetheless it's nothing shallow in sci-fi terms. Second, moving a moon from Jupiter into a habitable solar orbit to create a new planet. Wow, that takes some sci-fi balls. Thrid, an entire nation taking up residence in a space station orbiting Earth, rather than face Earth-conditions. In this case, Japan as an artifical moon. Well, I have a substantial sampling of the Turok series, and I am starting to pick up others, and especially the "armored Visigoth" XO Manowar catches my interest. Actually, pretty much all their character are good, with Magnus Robot Fighter not being ridiculus such as I had feared, and Solar suprising me also.

Exciting movie! Pacific Rim, great sounding mainstream monster movie

This is a movie about giant manmade robots battling with giant biological monsters in defense of Mankind (expected Summer 2013 (July?). And it's no "B movie" but as big a blockbuster adventure movie as the Spider-man or X-Men movies. The official website with the latest news: http://www.pacificrim-movie.net/ I have not been keeping up-to-date, and the newest Star Trek movie is also being something to note, apparantly titled Trek: Into Darkness (expected release also summer 2013). This link talks about both: http://www.tgdaily.com/entertainment/67862-star-trek-and-pacific-rim-trailers-about-to-drop And do you know who Ron Perlman is? I wasn't so sure until I saw him present on the discussion panel for Pacific Rim. WATCH PANEL http://www.aintitcool.com/node/57081 It's a bit embarrassing I hadn't realized he was the Reman Viceroy in Star Trek Nemesis. I really enjoyed his performance in Enemy at the Gates, but he is best known as the Hellboy. Well, now that I know who was under the Reman make-up, I am even more disappointed in Nemesis than ever before. It's almost as bad as the unforgivable misuse of the talents of Malcolm McDowell in Generations. Both of the actors had the potential to be the most memorable, badass villians imaginable. But they came off...uninspired. But I digress... http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=30450 Pacific Rim and Guy Davis http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2012/04/two-things-you-didnt-know-about-guy-davis-and-pacific-rim/ http://guydavisartworks.blogspot.com/2012/04/home-from-pacific-rim.html http://guydavisartworks.wordpress.com/ I know of people who have been very excited about The Hobbit. And I can't quite blame them, and that movie is a cool thing, but not quite worth the money to see it in a fancy theatre premiere. I am happy with the $2 theater, thank you. I've waited this long... However, I might be tempted to splurge on Pacific Rim and see it right when it comes out.

Lord of the Rings (LotR) RISK

I need to blog about 2 or 3 games that I have played recently, including Star Trek Catan and Mage Knight. I only have a few minutes, however. Well, mini-MACE 2013 is not open for business yet (scheduling my gamemaster games) so I thought I'd post. I'm planning to teach LotR RISK, a variant of RISK that came out along with the LotR movies. It is vaguely similar to other versions of RISK I have tried, and I enjoy it. However, it is not quickly understood (in my experience) as the rules stand. After thinking on it, I have decided to suggest my Rules Suppliment, which actually is nothing more that a suggested change in terminology and additional rules explanation. "Each Leader token (as described in the original rules) is easier understood as a Wizard, and each Site of Power further described as a Wizard site. Henceforth, please use these terms, understanding the rules, gameboard, and cards in that light. The rules are not changed for Wizards or their Sites of Power. Every player has two Wizard tokens, each represented as a shield in that player's color. Sites of Power (also known as Wizard sites) are identified on the gameboard, and correspond to a given region. If you are at one, you are at the other. As per the rules, Wizards do not participate directly in battle (as a fighting unit) but do enhance your "luck" in battle, when present. During gameplay, your wizards may either be used to enhance battles, or to seek out the "Sites of Power", or Wizard sites. These sites, when found, provide bonuses (as follows)..."

On a Turok Self-Indulgence Binge

I was stolling the flea market, and casually saw a comic book shop. Now, up until this point in my life, I have bought only two comics (unless kiddie LEGO comics count) I was curious about the two comic franchises I know a bit about: Turok, Dinosaur Hunter and Dark Horse's Godzilla. Well, asked a few question, and learned a few answers, but also was offered 5 for $1 90s Turok comics! I was shocked that these comics were so cheap, considering that they had been stored carefully since 1994 or so, but I am guessing the seller mostly wanted them to find good homes. I liked this description for one of the Turok incarnations: (via Wikipedia) "In the revamped Acclaim [Entertainment]

universe, Turok is not the character's name, but rather a title meaning 'Son of Stone'. The Turok must protect the barriers between this dimension and the others—the axis of all worlds being The Lost Lands, a place where creatures from across time and space had been dragged and where "Time has no meaning". Joshua Fireseed, the latest Turok, must travel between alternate universes stopping those who would try to conquer the Lost Lands, and thus all of the Multiverse with it. This series is notable for inspiring the Video Game series of the same name." I learned that Turk may soon be published anew, or may not. If you can beleive what you hear from MTV... http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2008/06/10/exclusive-adam-beach-to-star-in-live-action-turok-movie/ It's compatriots from the same comic lines have been brought back from oblivion just this year. You see, the publisher company had died off, and took Turok with it. It has been born again, and perhaps Turok along with it. It's probably an idle hope, but in the Kingdom of Hope there is no Winter. the Turok franshise began in the 1950s with Western Publishing, and isn't considered very readable. And about the most recent video game from 2008, simply titled Turok, a reboot: http://n4g.com/news/107635/cheatcc-review-turok-3-8-out-of-5-old-franchise-gets-next-gen-makeover This brings us up to the present day, with the Dark Horse comics rebooted reboot (featuring 1428 AD characters) published in 2011 and 2012. I found some nifty links: http://www.darkhorse.com/Features/Making-of-a-Comic/1188/Making-of-a-Comic-Turok-Son-of-Stone-1 (print this!) This link at Amazon is cool, especially if you read the customoer reviews: http://www.amazon.com/TUROK-SON-OF-STONE-Various/dp/B000ZBEOGK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1355199185&sr=8-1&keywords=turok+son+of+stone+dvd Why do I use the "xenomorh" and "kaijuology" labels you may wonder? Well, these are often not your garden variety dinosaurs, sometimes mutations and sometimes technologically-enhanced. Also found this link: (a cool free comic of Valient's Re-newed X-O Manowar first issue) http://www.newsarama.com/php/multimedia/album.php?aid=48211 You still have my link to Kill All Monsters webcomic, right?

COAB and Bennett tests

I just took these two tests, and I am (almost) humiliated to have not done well-enough to "pass." I get to retake sometime soon, TBA. And expect (with reasonable hope) to do much better, especially now that I know what I am up against. That is the crux of this post. Maybe one of those poor souls searching around online for a little guidance will find something to help them. I sure didn't find much, or rather I found too much seeming advice in the wrong direction. Any advice or comments I make are from my own one-time experience. The test questions almost certainly change, although I am given to wonder if they change in type of question as well. These tests are both for industrial machine operator training, but I have read where they are applicable (and taken by) various job categories, from the armed forces to structural engineers. I took both tests today, although I imagine a person might take only one or the other, or maybe combined with other industry-specific tests. THIS PRACTICE TEST HELPED A LOT WITH BENNETT: https://www.google.com/#hl=en&safe=off&tbo=d&biw=1280&bih=695&sclient=psy-ab&q=mechreasoning+sampletest&oq=mechreasoning+sampletest&gs_l=hp.3...1936.11602.0.12671.28.26.2.0.0.0.372.4438.2j16j7j1.26.0.les%3B..0.0...1c.1.yaSIaf2oSQg&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&fp=994d01e560db146b&bpcl=39314241 First thing to know: these tests are timed sharply. With both tests, it is very important to realize you will be in a huge rush to finish on time. I have heard a few different things about that, and they can't all be right. Some have said you should take your time and be sure you are right. Others seem to say that you should go as fast as you can and do as many as possible, even if you don't feel confident, or even a guess. So in the end, I'm not sure how to advise, just to be aware. Bennett test (Bennett Mechanical Comprehension Test): This is about 15 tests (of maybe 4-16 questions) in one, and I think the grades are merged together for the final score. http://creativeorgdesign.com/tests_page.htm?id=45 Categories of questions included: Acoustics, Inertia, Belt Drive, Levers, Center of Gravity, Optics, Centrifugal Force, Planes and Slopes, Electricity, Pulley Systems, Gears, Resolution of Forces, Gravity and Velocity, Shape and Volume, Heat, Structures (such as arches), Hydraulics, and Miscellaneous Let me go thru each one from my experience today: 1- Acoustics - (can horn in a tunnel any louder than normal?) 2- Inertia – (I didn't notice any) 3- Belt Drive - (Belt A turns this way; how does Belt B turn?) 4- Levers – (I didn't notice any) 5- Center of Gravity – (Which loaded crane would tip over easier?) 6- Optics – (How would a pen look if half in water, A,B, or C) 7- Centrifugal Force – (What movement will mud travel when slung off a wheel.) 8- Planes and Slopes – (A winding path vesus a straight incline) 9- Electricity – (Which switch turns on ONLY bulb B. What set-up for 2 battaries is correct?) 10-Pulley Systems – (Does man A pull harder or man B in the same task?) 11- Gears - (If gear A turns this-a-way, which way will gear B turn? And which turns faster? which will have more complete rotations?) 12- Resolution of Forces – (I didn't notice any) 13- Gravity and Velocity – (if you throw a stone horizonally, will it land at the same time as one siply dropped?) 14- Shape and Volume - (What shape has more capacity for volumn, a box or a cylinder of the same width?) 15- Heat- (I didn't notice any) 16- Structures – (What kind of arch is strongest? Which bridge?) 17- Hydraulics – (wish rushing water, will a faster current "push" water up a pipe?) 18- Miscellaneous - (will a helicopter fly on the moon? how do you pull from beside a canal?) I advise everyone to study rudders (ride of a boat on water, shooting a bullet on the moon) I think I did fairly well here, as most of the test questions were "simple" physics and so-called mechanical common sense. However, neither of these tests should be taken for granted. Some of the points that were tricky (for me) were connecting multiple battaries and water pressure (hydraulics) questions. But how pullies work, what turning gears and belt do go eath other, one turning the other at what speed, but it also asked what direction mud slings off a raised bycycle wheel. Ah, that was a cintrifugal force question. COAB (Computer Operator Aptitude Battery): http://creativeorgdesign.com/tests_page.htm?id=63 The COAB is really 3 tests in 1, and each is fairly seperate, although scored together. It requires no prior knowledge or even familiarity with programming, but is rather logical reasoning, ordering of events in sequence, following directions in formating, ability to follow complex procedures (flow charts), and attention to detail. First is sequences, second is formatting, and last is interpreting flow charts. Good (although inexact) Bennett resources: Google: mechreasoning sampletest (look for tlc and bcit.ca) http://www.findthatfile.com/search-46577129-hXML/rss-feed-podcast-download-rss-mechanical-reasoning.rss.htm http://www.personality-and-aptitude-career-tests.com/bennett-mechanical-comprehension-test.html http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=594168 http://89.28.209.150/go/textonly/Experiment_884.html;jsessionid=aZyaYbQ9f3D9 http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/sports-imports/multi-battery-hookup.html

http://www.rverscorner.com/rvmultiplebatterytip.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9T7tGosXM58

Good resources for COAB (not exact): http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/tests/computer-test.htm I could not find much help, and most of what I did find was inapplicable, not what was on the test, but there are a lot of Yes or No on the flow charts and I suggest sketching your own flow chart on scrap paper and go aheard and write in the outcomes at each point. It seems like you waste time, but it is quicker in the end. For the formatting, just remember to follow directions, all of them.

Happy Tiw's Day

I learned today that Tuesday comes from the Old English version of Tiw's Day, where Tiw is a Saxon war god. (Maybe THE Saxon war god? I dunno). Apparently, he is better known as the Norse god Tyr. Speaking of Tyr, have you seen this?: http://boardgamegeek.com/image/953922/yggdrasil Sorry, I've been reading a bit about the historical background of the Druids. Oh, that reminds me, don't forget, the festival of Samhain is November 1st I have thought for a while of adding obscure holidays and celebrations to my calender. Well, obscure for my neck of the woods, anyway. Bastille Day on July 14, 1789 (also commemorating F. Scott Fitzgerald) The Boston Tea Party on December 16, 1773 (grab a Sam Adams) First Contact Day on April 5, 2063 (the Vulcans land and meet humans) Talk Like a Pirate Day on Sept 19 Do you nominate a poorly appreciated date?

JHW: Stuck in our Part-Time Workers Economy

To continue my ongoing Job Hunt Woes series... Please listen to this radio show if you can. It really is a great discussion. http://onpoint.wbur.org/2012/11/15/part-time It calls this a crisis. I agree completely. They also mention that this appears to be a "Chicken or the Egg?" sort of problem. Some people blame the employment scheme in the U.S. for the economy, while some blame the economy for this whole situation. I, myself, blame the ethics in modern America, whether they be business ethics, the ethics of the shoppers, and personal ethics. (I myself sail smoothly above these things ;-) I love their term: "the involuntary part-time workers". This show says less than 25% of Americans have a "normal" job, full-time, M thru Fri, 9-5 More specifically, I blame the prominance of corporations. I have had a theory for a while that corporations are the most unethical of businesses because they do not have accountability for moral decisions. No conscience. A traditional business has an owner who accepts responsibility for ethical decisions, whether the business choices are ethical or not. Imagine the CEO: he or she is responsible to the sharehlders, not their own conscience. On the other side, the shareholders do not consider themselves accountable, because they aren't involved directly in decisions. Irnoically, this broadcast came along soon after a (very good!) Climate Change discussion on NPR about that worldwide looming crisis, and saying how our day-to-day focus prevents us seeing the big picture of how dire the situation is. http://hereandnow.wbur.org/2012/11/15/wen-stephenson-climate I am very lucky. I have a respite from this madness for myself, while I draw unemployment (which is another blog in itself: most people seem to be misinformed about it; they are giving you YOUR money back that they extracted from your employer)